Find Your Happy

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) 11 “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Oh, this verse. How I love this verse. Such a promise. You know what, though? It is one of the most misquoted, most tattooed, bible verses. Wait? What? Misquoted? Yes, misquoted.  Now stay with me here, because I LOVE this verse. There is a huge reason I love this verse. This promise to Israel is beautiful. So full of hope. But, it is always taken out of context. And there are two caveats to the promise. A past and a required action.  You see, the Israelites were in exile in Babylon. In exile. And this promise was a promise for the FUTURE. So, to have a future we must have a past, right? Well, that past was 70 years. And then, there is a required action! Let’s look at the entire context: 10  This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babyl...

Psalm 46:10 (NIV) 10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God” One of those mornings… Have you ever had one of those mornings? The ones that something happens and because everything else that is going on just compounds the issues into a heavy weight that breaks your back? That was my morning.  Our kids are now in middle school and we have to get up an hour earlier than last year. So this year our day starts in the 5 o’clock hour. Within our two hour window, while my kids are getting ready, I am making coffee, making breakfast for everyone, and helping make lunches. My daughter and I are on the ketogenic diet, so I have to make lunch special for her. As I’m making the homemade ranch salad dressing for her salad, I open up the spice cabinet and a nut grinder falls out and spills cinnamon maple pecan grounds everywhere. It isn't even supposed to be in that cabinet! And guess who’s breakfast it lands on…mine. And guess who drops the salad dressi...

Proverbs 3:5-6 King James Version (KJV) “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 New King James Version (NKJV) “5  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;  6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall  [ a ] direct your paths.” (Footnote on direct: make smooth or straight.) Proverbs 3:5-6 New Living Translation (NLT) “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” You are probably wondering why I have the same verse from Proverbs in three translations. Well, it’s pretty simple actually. My favorite verse of the bible just sounds best in the King James version. The language is beautiful.  But,  the New Living Translation really hits home for me. For m...