"Click"

Have you ever misplaced your TV remote? When you did, did you search the entire living room, removing couch cushions and crawling on all fours in search of it? Did you yell to your family members trying to figure out who may have misplaced it? Better yet did you walk past the TV several times in search of the remote but never once reach out to turn the channel manually? We can be so spoiled sometimes, even if we don't realize it. We like fast food and fast technology. I’m reminded of the movie “Click” by Adam Sandler. In this film Sandler plays Michael Newman a semi successful architect who longs to be the “top dog” at his office. One night frustrated with his TV, garage and other remotes he ventures out to “Bed, Bath and Beyond” to purchase a universal remote. He secretly wishes the remote would work on his life. He soon finds out his wish is about to come true. He discovers that with this remote from “beyond” he can fast forward and even pause events in his life. Haphazardly he begins taking control of present and even past events in his life with his remote not realizing he is changing things in his past and present that he doesn’t mean to. I wonder if we were all offered something like this would we take it? I mean, how many times have you wished you could rewind a moment in your life, in order to have a “do over”?

 What if you could fast forward your life and see who you would become in the future? What if you were able to move ahead into your long awaited dreams, would you? In the film Michael thought he had it made with his new found power in the remote control to his life. If he and his wife began to argue he would simply fast forward past it or press pause. Instead of waiting on his promotion, he pressed a button and jumped right into it. I believe we would find the excitement short lived like Michael did. He soon came to realize that by fast forwarding through life he was missing out on many special events. He quickly started to regret his selfish desires to speed through life. He found out that in his quest to make a better life for his family, in essence he was depriving them of what they wanted and needed most… him. Philippians 4:6 says “be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God.” So instead of rushing through life seeking our fifteen minutes of fame and fortune, we must be prayerful and lead by God.
Don’t stop dreaming just let God author and finish the dream.

Think about it!

"What's in a Name?"

The inspiration for this article came to me while I was watching Oprah Winfrey interview magician David Copperfield. During their conversation Oprah mentioned to David that the Library of Congress has placed his name on the list of legends. David seemed surprised and taken aback by this information. Oprah went on to ask him how he felt about his name being deemed legendary. His response was very humble. He simply said he didn’t see it that way. This statement surprised Oprah as much as it did me. With a stunned look on her face, Oprah said “But it’s your name! David Cooperfield, will go down in history for our generation as the name of a legend forever, I don’t think you get you!” Quickly David responded, “Well I’ll let you feel that way and I will continue to just try and inspire people to do better.” I was pleasantly surprised. In a world where everyone wants to make a name for themselves, one of the most famous people on the planet was not impressed by his name being deemed legendary. He seemed humbled and un-phased by the news. Here’s what happened next that really made me write this article. My oldest daughter was watching the show with me and as soon as Oprah broke the news to David about how legendary his name is, my daughter meekly said, (referring to David) “I don’t know who he is, I have never heard of him.” Her comment made me chuckle and grab my laptop. I thought about the list of names Oprah spouted out to David to help him realize how iconic his name was. They were names like Elvis, Madonna and of course Michael Jackson. I began to think to myself, “What’s in a name?” I wonder how many of us have even taken the time to find out what our name means. I personally know that my name Regina is defined as “queenly,” and I can’t say I am mad at that. Normally at the end of my productions my name is called and people may applaud or even cheer, when they do I try humbly to accept their love. But just knowing my name “Regina Wells” will do you no good when it comes to your salvation. You see there is but one name that matters when it comes to eternal life. That name is not David Copperfield. Philippians 2:9-10 says “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those of earth, and of those under the Earth. Enough said.
Think about it.

“Shipping & Handling”

Nowadays you can buy just about anything on Television, from glow in the dark pillows to teeth. I’m sure you have seen those silly and sometimes annoying infomercials that offer you helpful products for everything you can think of. There’s “Instahang”, a cross between a stapler and a nail gun that promises to free you from the headaches of proper picture hanging. Then there’s the “Perfect Tortilla Bowl”, guaranteed to make your next Mexican feast one to remember. And let’s not forget to the “Magic Bullet” a handy machine that allows you to chop, blend, dice and grind your favorite ingredients into a quick meal or smoothie. You can have all these products and more by simply calling an eight hundred number and making a credit card, check or money order payment. Some companies will send you up to four of their products for the price of one. Some will even send you two free if you purchase one. The one thing they all have in common is the fact that you can order what you want but you will have to pay shipping and handling. This fee is charged to insure that your items get to your door in tact and on time.

However, if you have ever ordered anything online or off television, you know all too well that there are no guarantees that your items will arrive unharmed or at all for that matter. Your products could arrive broken, with missing pieces and commonly they arrive late. Such is the world in which we live. With guarantees, there are no guarantees. No matter how much you pay for a “thing” there’s no way you can be sure that it will work or last forever. No matter how much money you have there is no amount of money that can buy you a guarantee that won’t fail. Warranties, guarantees and even insurance can fail us at times. I Corinthians 13:8 says “Love never fails. But whether there is prophesies they will fail. Whether there are tongues they will cease, whether there is knowledge it will fade away.” So since love is the only thing that is guaranteed what should we do with this information? Deuteronomy 6:5 says “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength.” So while you’re ordering a bunch of nonsense off television, that will be in Wal-Mart before Christmas, and paying a boat load of shipping and handling with no guarantees, do a quick heart check. Make sure you are doing something that comes with a guarantee but no shipping and handling, loving yourself, your fellow man and most of all God. Think about it.

"Powerful Hands"

 One night while lying on the bed playing “tickle” with my three year old daughter, I raised my hand high and she placed her hand in mine. As we stared at each other’s hands she said “Mommy, your hand is big and mine is little.” I began thinking about what my hands mean to my child. For her my hands are powerful. They have held, clothed and fed her. Not only that but she’s old enough to know that my hands protect as well as discipline her. She has found comfort in my hands and they have also taught her. They continue to teach and train her for years to come. She trusts my hands without second thought, to hold her up as I carry her and to catch her if I toss her up into the air. A while back we went to the water park together and she and I played on the water slide. Since she’s not quite three feet tall, I stood below the slide to catch her as she slid down. At first she was nervous but after a time or two, she knew I would catch her. Around the fourth or fifth time she came down the slide faster than I expected and she slipped right through my hands into the water. She sank down near my feet quickly. As quickly as she sank my hands went into action! They reached down into the water to retrieve her. I pulled her up and wiped her face, comforting her and apologizing to her for letting her slip under water. I asked her if she would forgive me and she said “I forgive you, just don’t do it again.” Now this makes me think about the most powerful hands there are…the hands of God. God’s hands created hold and still control the world. His hands never let us slip or fall and if we do make a mistake He is always there to pick us back up and help us go on. His hands can hold all our sorrows and pains. His hands can comfort us like no one else’s can not even our mother. The last part of Job 5:18 says “His hands make whole,” and how true that is. The key to receiving the power in His hands is faith! We must believe in His powerful hands knowing that in them is everything we will ever need. Think about it!

"One Wrong Turn!"

Recently I was a passenger on a trip to Griffin Georgia . During the ride the driver missed a turn. Even though we had directions somehow we were headed the opposite way of our desired destination. We had missed our street and ended up fifteen minutes out of the way. Once the driver realized the mistake the car was quickly turned around and cell phones were whipped out as we searched for someone who could get us back on the right path. A phone call and a few minutes later we were on the correct street. That is when we realized how small the mistake on the directions had been. We were simply missing an “s”, for south on the directions, one letter! That made me think about how sometimes in life simple mistakes can really make a big difference. How often have we been hurt by one ill spoken word? How many times have you regretted a gesture as simple as a hand shake with the wrong person? There are times when it only takes a split second to make a decision that could either help or hinder you. In our Christian walk, we must remember to seek God daily for guidance in all of our decision making. The last thing we should want is to make a quick decision and have it cost us our relationship with the Lord. Galatians 5:7-9 says, “You did run well, who hindered you from obeying the truth?” “This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.” “A little leaven, leavens the whole lump.” This simply says to us that we should not allow anyone or anything, including ourselves to stop us from obeying God. Just as it only takes a little yeast to leaven a lump of bread, if we are not watchful something seemingly minor could cause our spiritual downfall. So while traveling this journey called life, always seek God’s directions so that you don’t end up making a wrong turn. Think about it.

"Powerful Hands"

One night while lying on the bed playing “tickle” with my three year old daughter, I raised my hand high and she placed her hand in mine. As we stared at our hands she said “Mommy, your hand is big and mine is little.” I began thinking about what my hands mean to my child. For her my hands are powerful. They have held, clothed and fed her. Not only that but she’s old enough to know that my hands protect as well as discipline her. She has found comfort in my hands and they have also taught her. They will continue to teach and train her for years to come. She trusts my hands without second thought, to hold her up as I carry her and to catch her if I toss her up into the air. A while back we went to the water park together and she and I played on the water slide. Since she’s not quite three feet tall, I stood below the slide to catch her as she slid down. At first she was nervous but after a time or two, she knew I would catch her. Around the fourth or fifth time she came down the slide faster than I expected and she slipped right through my hands into the water. She sank down near my feet quickly. As quickly as she sank my hands went into action! They reached down into the water to retrieve her. I pulled her up and wiped her face, comforting her and apologizing to her for letting her slip under water. I asked her if she would forgive me and she said “I forgive you, just don’t do it again.”

Now this makes me think about the most powerful hands there are…the hands of God. God’s hands created, hold, and still control the world. His hands never let us slip or fall and if we do make a mistake He is always there to pick us back up and help us go on. His hands can hold all our sorrows and pains. His hands can comfort us like no one else can not even our mother. The last part of Job 5:18 says “His hands make whole,” and how true that is. The key to receiving the power in His hands is faith! We must believe in His powerful hands knowing that in them is everything we will ever need.
Think about it!