Author: Mike Bitter

This morning I woke up next to a lake in Missouri.  No worries, no cares, just sitting on the southern deck watching the fish jump.  As the sun starts warming this July summer day I had to retreat to the air conditioning while still sitting facing the water surrounding our small cabin on the lake. 

Is this retirement?  It surely feels good.  No worries, other than how soon to return to civilization, which is only a few hours away.  For me retirement is not having to rush to the next thing and having and having time to watch the fish, or the next flock of birds fly over without saying “gotta get ready to go.” 

There are so many things God puts in front of us that I feel we are in such a hurry or so preoccupied that we miss His beauty.  His beauty is all around us and He tries to show His beauty as other things fight for our attention.  Some of those things make us upset and keep us from His glory. 

Sure, there are compelling reasons to be upset and not like something that is going on the world, but we cannot let it get into our bubble; the space where our thoughts and emotions lie. That is your space and something you can control. 

In my last post I talked about “When Do We Know”. When DO we know its time to move out, move on, go toward something different by walking away from what you are currently doing.

One way is to test the waters you will be going into. Put a toe in or spend a bit of time researching your passion and looking into what it is you are thinking about doing.

It’s not always about the money. If it was meant to be, the money will be there. First look at your passion. What is your passion in life? What makes you get up in the morning and what do you look forward to in life?

Are you doing it? Are you following your passion, or following the money? There is one more element. The spiritual element. The element you can’t see or touch, but you can feel. It is a feeling you get inside when you think about what you want to do. God will guide you toward your destiny, when you let Him. You have to be ready to act. He will give you the tools you need to get to your divine destiny, but it takes courage; something God told many people in the Bible to have. God said “be bold and courageous.”

If something continues to nag at you, especially a life change, that could be God trying to move you. His blessings are numerous when you walk in His will and His ways. You may never know when the time is right, but He knows. When we put our care in His hands, we will receive things we’ve never thought possible. GB.

When do you know it’s time to move on from your current position, when to make a change in life and move from your current life to what awaits you? That’s a question I find that many push against as they look closer at their own life. Its a push because that’s what it feels like, pushing. Pushing because something isn’t moving or something is pushing against you.

There comes a time when you have to yield, or do you? When looking at yourself you have to wonder “is it time?” I’ve found when people step forward and start judging your last movement and the vision you have for your next movement, you need to look closer and take serious consideration to your circumstances.

This is what I have been looking at for quite some time; when is enough, enough? How do you decide it’s time to go? What are you thoughts about when enough is enough and it’s time to go?

Your comments are greatly appreciated.

Guest Pastor Lucy Liekhus has a great explanation about devotion.

I can tell God is on the move.  Especially with the case of the briefcase.  As usual, about midweek God gave me the topic. It fits with my reaction to the recent situation.  Sunday’s topic was “The Art of Forgiveness.”  We have to be careful not to confuse the act of forgiveness with the art of forgiveness.  I discuss the difference in my video.  The basis for my thoughts is below, in written and in video form.

Click Here to read

The Art of Forgiveness.pdf

Click Here to watch

The Art of Forgiveness (video)

So what do we do when Jesus calls?  I guess we have to decide why Jesus is calling also.  Maybe we’ve strayed or He thinks we need a boost of Power or Faith.  I don’t think He just knocks to be saying hello.  He always has a message for us, but no matter what we do (like Saul) He never leaves us.  He goes after the unbelievers; even the worst of the worst (Saul), But look what happens.  Saul nor Paul wrote over 2/3 of the New Testament. 

When Jesus Calls.pdf

We met the person who took my briefcase. He thinks the church was his house and therefore that was his briefcase. Scary thought. Isn’t this his house too? Isn’t the Lord’s house all of us? He may just have a bit more or even better faith than I do. So what do we do from here?

We met with Shawn and shared God’s love. We let him know we love him and remind him God loves him too. Shawn needs a bible, so we’re going to get one for him. That will give us another opportunity to meet with Shawn. I think that is the plan, but it’s up to God.

The Martinwood mission is to: Love God-Build Relationships-Change Lives. It is sometimes easier said than done, but then again, it can also take some burdens off your list. You are there for a defined reason, you already Love God and that shines through to others so you are clear about where you’re coming from. Loving God is a great start to a wonderful relationship. The relationship gives us the opportunity to change lives. GB

Even then they did not realize who he was. Isn’t that kind of like what we do? We think Jesus is not with us? We think he’s gone somewhere, but he’s really closer than we think or realize. I believe there are times He reveals himself to us, but our filters keep us from seeing Him and his glory. Even if you don’t see him, He’s there. Even if you wish he weren’t or you think he’s left you, He’s there.

The Road to Emmaus.pdf

God is good and the following is incredible, so I felt I needed to share my thoughts with you. Times are a-trying and we need to stand on our principles. Sometimes that’s tough. Let me know what you think of the following:

THE PASTOR’S BRIEFCASE HAS BEEN RETURNED, and ALL THE CONTENTS HAVE BEEN RECOVERED!! God is good ALL the time! We want to thank John and Jan McCallan (who returned my briefcase) and EVERYONE who tirelessly went out of their way to look for my briefcase. The list is endless. These are times when you can feel the love we share between us.

It is a trying time for a ministry when faced with something like this; we want to get angry, cry, point fingers, etc. But that is not what God wants us to do. I started down a path and realized there is more light on the other path. Fast forward…we met with the person who took my briefcase, we talked about God and we know in our hearts, they know who God is and that gives us room for a good start. God is good and He brought this person into our midst for a reason, a season or just to hear about God. This is a win for the home team! Love God, Build Relationships, Change Lives. That’s our mission statement, but it’s not always easy to live it. Once again, from the bottom of my heart…thank you. GB.

Have you ever felt afraid or knew things weren’t going to go right? Jesus did, yet he knew and was comfortable with his destiny. Are you comfortable with your destiny? Have you made your peace with God? For Jesus, it was pretty obvious six days before Passover when Mary poured pure nard, an expensive perfume, on Jesus’ feet at Bethany. Jesus knew this was preparation for his burial, yet he went forward, right into Jerusalem, without fear, knowing what awaited him.

Jerusalem, Jesus last Stand.pdf