MyLeslieNotebook

(Odd title. But not too odd if you read my last post. This is an unofficial "Part 2." You probably need to scroll down and read it if you haven't already.) {Also, please excuse me for writing another blog about a snake. Not everyone likes snake blogs :) But as long as the Holy Spirit is using that stupid snake as a parable in my own life, I will pass on the lesson!} Same trail. Still running. Still can't take a step without thinking about the snake. So yesterday I was running again--watching my step, pondering the snake--when I saw a knee-high pile of trail debris including dead leaves, twigs, and all kinds of loose branches. It was directly in my path and I thought, "That looks like a perfect snake house," and I stepped to the far side of the trail. I want nothing to do with a snake house these days. Satan first appeared as a snake in Genesis 3, and snakes have been scaring the devil out of people ever since. (My attempt at humor. Not good.) Satan...

I love to run on the trail near my house. It's a quiet, peaceful, hilly old dirt road that allows me to clear my mind, pray in peace, appreciate nature, and get a little exercise. So I took off early one morning this week, excited about a not-as-often-as-I-would-like run. I was talking to God, enjoying the calm morning, filling my lungs with some pollen-laden oxygen... and that's when I saw the snake. He wasn't big, but he definitely filled me with fear. He didn't look angry; he was just chilling over to the side, not even really looking at me. He was totally calm. I was shaking. Terrified. Because he was a copperhead. A COPPERHEAD!!! Seeing that snake changed the rest of my run. No longer was I looking up at the trees, trying to see a bird, or pondering God's glory as He revealed some gorgeous wildlife. I couldn't even really focus on my prayers or anything else for that manner. I was watching for one thing: snakes . Literally every thought focused on s...

1. You have ONE identity: I AM GOD'S.  Refuse to be defined by what you do or don't do, have or don't have, or "whose" you are other than God Himself through His Son Jesus Christ.  God gave you passions and talents: do them. You are different from everyone else and that is GOOD! Be weird.  BE YOU. Not the you that you want  to be...the you God created you to be. (Isaiah 43:1, Psalm 89:15-16) 2. This is not the high point of your life.  Refuse to believe the lie about "high school is the best time of your life." Determine to make each season of life  your best in any situation .  Choose to be content AND thankful every day .  (1 Timothy 6:19, Philippians 4:6-7) 3. You are weak.  But you are strong enough for anything  if you use JESUS' STRENGTH.  He WILL give you more than you can handle but not more than HE can handle! (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Philippians 4:13) 4. There is no such thing as "...