Perpetually Third Place?

I can't help it. I love silly crazy movies! Yes. Even Will Ferrell movies. Something about useless humor makes me smile. I guess when reality seems too "real", "stupid" becomes somewhat appealing. The things that I don't have to think about...just watch and laugh...No pondering...Those things draw me in on any given day that I want to escape reality. One of my favorites is "Talladega Nights". Being that I am a good ol' southern girl who loves NASCAR, that one just stole my heart. My favorite useless line in the entire movie is "If you ain't first, you're last." In general, I feel like I usually come in last. I was telling a friend the other day about how my two cats fight over who can sleep the closest to the heating pad I put in bed with me every night. Even in that game, I usually come in third. Which is technically last being that there are two cats and yours truly competing for the perfect spot. I was always picked last in school when choosing teams for kickball. Notoriously, I am the last to speak up because I don't want to be misunderstood for interrupting a conversation. I falsely believe my opinion is the LAST one anyone wants to hear in the big scheme of things. It just seems natural for me to take a back seat. You probably feel like you come in last sometimes too. We all do. It is part of being a human being. Another huge part of being a human being is maturing. We all do that too. At least we are supposed to. Maturity in Christ is the main goal of any believer's lifestyle. It is something we strive for every single day if we are committed Christians. It is a goal we will never grasp tightly while here in this secular realm, but the effort we put forth, with the Holy Spirit's help, can get us closer and closer until the day we enter eternity and grab that "maturity" reward! FINALLY! So many of God's ways seem backwards to the ways that roll around in our minds. For instance, God's Word completely blows the "If you ain't first, you're last" sentiment out of the water altogether. No matter what our feelings tell us about always coming in last (or third in the case of my cats and I),our Creator says we always come in FIRST.Believing that is a good start to becoming spiritually mature. Mark 10:31 reassures us. "But, those who are first will be last, and the last first." There is often an amount of pride involved when we come in first place. We enjoy those pats on the back and the "way to go" comments from our observers. Of course we do. We are flesh and blood beings with an ego that longs to be stroked every now and then. But, what is even better is when GOD HIMSELF is by our side cheering us on even when we come in last! He is proud of us and will give us first place in his heart and in eternal life! That is pretty exciting for those of us who tend to be "third placers". Pretty enlightening for us who long to be spiritually mature. "For My Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day." (John 6:40) AWESOME newsflash!!! Be it a clumsy athlete, an overweight young girl, a financially deprived husband and father, a shy young boy, a struggling artist, a bullied teenager, or any other person who feels "last" in the game of life, God has saved the first place in His plan for you!! Nothing can destroy the life that Jesus died to give you. Nothing can push you to the ground defeated and hollow unless you allow it to. Don't allow it to. Every time you start to feel defeat attacking, hold onto and receive this truth from the Word of God: "May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us, establish the work of our hands for us- yes,establish the works of our hands." (Psalm 90:17) You are established in His Name! You are victorious in His Name! You are First! Amen. Love and Blessings, Starr

Let's Do Some Spiritual Screamin'!

It is my thought that the things we allow into our life determine its “volume”. With that in mind, let’s live loud for God’s glory! Be careful not to allow the enemy to “silence” your influence. Have you ever noticed that a car can’t make any noise unless you put the key into the ignition? Well, in your life today, Jesus holds the key, the Holy Spirit is the GPS and God provides all the fuel! With that combination, you can have a loud influential life! If you put in the wrong fuel, such as wasted time, anger, depression, confusion, criticism, etc., your transmission is going to conk out on you. Your power will deteriorate and your positive influence will be silenced. Wrong fuel stops loud living for God’s glory. That’s not what you want as a daughter of the Most High. As you head into the rest of this week, the temperatures might be freezing outside, but your heart can still be warm and calm by adding the right fuel. What fuel is that? Lots of Jesus. Everything else is just wasted energy. Do everything you do for Him and you will make a mark! What goes through your mind is what influences the world. Let it be good stuff. Weed out the negative. When life gets noisy, and it always does, don’t be tempted to loose your voice in the mix. God wants the secular to fade and the spiritual to scream!! Be louder than the noise of this world! Turn up your volume for Jesus! “Shout for joy to the Lord all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us and we are His; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His holy name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations!” (Psalm 100) · What do you feel like shouting today? Love and Blessings! Starr

Web Store - *ABL-Women*Abundant and Balanced Living!

Web Store - *ABL-Women*Abundant and Balanced Living!

Lord Of The Rain: Embracing The Rainbows In The Midst Of The Storm - *ABL-Women*Abundant and Balanced Living!

Lord Of The Rain: Embracing The Rainbows In The Midst Of The Storm - *ABL-Women*Abundant and Balanced Living!

God Is So Good!!!!!

I just love it when I can feel God working all around me! It is exciting, refreshing and keeps me full of anticipation! Makes me look forward to waking up in the mornings to see what He is gonna do next!!

How about you? Do you feel Him working in your life today? I certainly hope you do. I do know, though that there are scores of people who wonder where God is right now because they definitely don't feel Him working in their lives at this moment in time.

I have experienced times like that too. We all have. Last year at this time, I had just endured the loss of my precious Daddy after a battle with cancer. I did NOT exactly feel God working right then, but I knew He was. I had seen miracles and blessings all around me, but I was too numb to actually feel them. Looking back, I can see even more blessings than I did at the time, but the pain still stings my soul. It always will. But God, in His awesomeness has used That pain for His Glory and my healing! The thing I want to get across to you today, friend, is that GOD IS ALWAYS at work behind the scenes, even when you don't FEEL Him.

Have you ever read Exodus 33:18-23? It goes like this. Moses was on the side of the mountain and he so badly wanted to see the Glory of God. He was actually having a conversation with God Himself and asked ever so humbly to see Him face to face. God replied by telling Moses that His Glory was so powerful and incomprehensible that no person could see Him face to face and live. But, God loved Moses so much He made a way to honor his request. Here is what He did; He allowed Moses to stand behside Him on a rock and God covered Moses with His mighty hand while He passed right by him. Then the coolest thing ever happened, God removed the covering of His hand from Moses and allowed Moses to see His back after He had passed!

You see, friends, God is there beside you. You may not see Him or even feel His presence right now, but know that He has got you covered!! And, one thing is for certain...you might not see His face, but you will sure know when He has been there!!

Lay your pains, fears and concerns at His feet and let Him work on your behalf. He loves you just as much as He loved Moses and wants to honor your requests for experiencing His Glory. Close your eyes, imagine Him covering you with His hand and be ready to see the results He leaves behind!! May God Bless You Today!

*ABL-Women*Abundant and Balanced Living!

*ABL-Women*Abundant and Balanced Living!

Please visit here to order my new book "Lord Of The Rain"!
Lord Of The Rain: Embracing The Rainbows In The Midst Of The Storm

You need to take the time to read this wonderfully encouraging book By Starr LaPradd if you have ever found yourself facing a storm. Maybe you are riding one out right now. It could be cancer, financial issues, job loss, or even panic attacks. No matter what your situation, this family's story will show you how to enjoy the rainbows, even when things get rough and life throws you thunder and lightening. Learn how to focus on the big picture in the midst of your downpour and remember God is carrying you all the way. No matter how overwhelmed you may feel, God is majestically good and wants the best for His children. The sun always appears more brilliant after the rains come, so grab your sunglasses and get ready for the journey! 138 pages. Book includes a dvd.


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Encouraging Words

I am almost finished with a book I have been writing for months. Because of that, I have been away from my bloggy friends here for entirely too long and I have missed you. Even though I haven't posted for so long, I have continued to receive many touching comments from new and regular readers. It's nice to know I am still loved and serving others even in my absence.

In the weekly Bible Study I teach, we have been taking time each day to encourage and pray for each other. That is something we all tend to neglect in our all-too-busy lives. But, God has always known just how inportant it is to encourage and be an encourager. He tells us in Hebrews 10:24-25:

"And let us consider how we may spur each other on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the day approaching."

I am blessed in that I have many people who love and encourage me on a regular basis. I hope you do too. But even if you don't you have a Father in heaven who adores you so much that He gave His only Son that you may have eternal life as well as have an abundant life here on this earth to enjoy and savor. I pray that you will seek a closer relationship with Him today.

Remember, God inhabits the praises of His people! When we praise Him, He graces us with his presence. When we praise and encourage others, we ourselves become more aware of Him and the effects of his loving-kindness.

Go find someone to lift up right now. We all need a boost every now and then. And, much thanks to my special friends who encourage me every time they see me. You know who you are and I appreciate the "boost".