ONE FOCUS: A Daily Encouragement to Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

ONE FOCUS: A Daily Encouragement to Keep Your Eyes on Jesus is available in paperback and kindle at amazon.com

INTRODUCTION
It is so easy for life to get in the way of Life. So many things occupy our time and thinking we are tempted to have no focus at all. We just flit from circumstance to circumstance, thought to thought or day to day, never really being grounded in the reality of the Truth.

One Focus – the only way I can handle all the changes going on in this world is to keep my feet firmly planted on the one foundation I know is unshakeable and never changes. The love of God is expressed through the person of Jesus Christ, His Son. That Truth is my reality and I hope and pray is yours as well.

Through my writing, I attempt to provide resources to help all of us keep our eyes focused on the One who can help us navigate the joys, trials, questions and changes of life. The daily devotionals in this book are taken from my blogs, devotionals and Bible studies on my websites. Many have necessarily been shortened for a daily devotional format. The ones that were originally Bible studies or devotionals have often been spread over several days. You can read the expanded versions on my websites: http://www.onefocusministries.com and http://www.stretchmoney.wordpresss.com. A few of the devotionals were taken from my books, The Prayer Driven Life and Money: How to be Rich Without It and How to Stretch It Using Ten Hints from the Past and the Technology of Today.

Seeing God’s hand in the everyday affairs of my life is easy. He has always been there for me and He always will be. He cares about the small events of my life as well as the large ones because He is my loving Heavenly Father. If something concerns me, it concerns Him.

Even when I don’t understand what is going on, I know He does. Whether circumstances are pleasant, comfortable, difficult, confusing or painful, I know He has a purpose for it all.

I observe His hand and hear His voice as I read the Bible, as I read other literature (fiction and non-fiction), as I cook, as I walk or hike, as I garden, as I travel, as I visit with friends and as I reflect on my family.

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You (Isaiah 26:3).

CHAPTER OF CONTENTS:

JANUARY

Living in the Land of Beginning Again
Resolutions You Have Kept
Having a Forever Focus
The Importance of a Forever Focus
Sidewalks, Footpaths and Steppingstones
Importance of a Good Seal
The Work of a Carpenter
Forced Renovations
Keep Moving, It’s Good Spiritual Exercise
Time, Trains and the Total Picture
The Benefits of Cover
Protective Clothing
Remember When?
Falling Down and Getting Up
Home: Here and Heaven
Situational Awareness: A Life Principle
Twitter, Facebook and Blogging: Thinking Out Loud on the Internet
Street Cleaners and Foot Washing
Freedom and the French-American Friendship
The Anticipation and Excitement of Being Face to Face with Loved Ones
National Checkpoints and Boundaries
Cleaning House
The Christian Day of Worship
Teamwork: My Job, Your Job, Our Job
An Economic Crisis: Don’t Give in to Fear
The Value of Encouragement
Preparation, Hope and Predicting the Future
Some of the Richest People I know Don’t Have Any Money
The Miracle of Adoption
Playtime, Love and You
The Chinese New Year

FEBRUARY

Connecting the Dots: An Exercise in Understanding Life
The Forest and the Trees: My Perspective, God’s Perspective
Transcending the Language Barrier
Adaptation and Identification
Restoration and Redemption
A Love that Lasts Forever
Treasures of the Written Word
The Real Superman
Breaking Out of the Clouds
Diagnosing Connection Problems
Accidental Useful Knowledge
The Rhythms of a Writing Style
Blinders and Staying on the Path
Marriage Partnerships
Modern Devices and the Loss of Eye Contact
Background Software
Therapeutic Writing
Challenges of Past and Uncertainty of Tomorrow Fuel Actions of Today
Tired from the Journey
Stamps in My Passport
Little Children Love Jesus
The Old Made New
The Cure for Worry
The Life Span of a Tree
The Goseck Circle, Sundials and Time
Olympic Prizes: Gold, Silver and Bronze
The Unsung Heroes of the Olympics
Why We Read

MARCH

Sisters by Choice, Part 1
Sisters by Choice, Part 2
Sisters by Choice, Part 3
Sisters by Choice, Part 4
Sisters by Choice, Part 5
Traffic Tension
The Value of a Smile
Dormant Damage
From Frazzled to Fruitful
Learning as a Choice
Is the Grass Really Greener on the Other Side?
Families Adapting to a Changing World
Really Seeing the World Around You
Logistics and Progress in Poland
The Painful Path to Empathy
The Language Protein
The Contents of the Cloud
Rising Light and Clearing Fog
Things and People
If You Write It, They Will Know
Family Trees
Orphans No More
Physical and Spiritual Hearing Loss
Functionality
The End of the Journey
When Killing is Necessary
Reflections and Images
New Life from What Seems to Be Dead Wood
Glimpse of a Future Reality
Three Seemingly Unrelated Stories
Preparing Good Soil

APRIL

April and All Fools
Luxurious Poverty
The Owner of the House
Unnamed But Not Unknown
The Forbidden City
Poisonous Plants, Protection and Prayer
When Construction is Done
Reflections on the 2010 Olympics, Part 1
Reflections on the 2010 Olympics, Part 2
Reflections on the 2010 Olympics, Part 3
Eyes of Jesus, Part 1
Eyes of Jesus, Part 2
Eyes of Jesus, Part 3
Eyes of Jesus, Part 4
Reliable Advice
Dressing Properly
Mud Puddles and Clean Cars
Precious Nails
Forgetting the Cross
The Pivotal Point in History
Stand Up Straight
Deadly Words
What Do You Do?
OJT Parenting
The Wit and Wisdom of Yogi Berra
The Test of Leadership
The Law of Liberty
Separated by a Common Language, Part 1
Separated by a Common Language, Part 2
Pulling Weeds

MAY

Sweaters, Sandals and Seasons
A True Handicap: Loss of Communication
Abundance: So Near Yet So Far
Reboot
Disappearing Riches
You Can’t Take It With You
Look on the Bright Side
Fear and Panic Can Cloud Your Thinking
The Balancing Act
It’s All About Who You Know
The Owners of the Instruments
Getting to Know Him
I AM
Truly Unique
A Friend Indeed
Choose Friends Wisely
Characteristics of a Friend
Precious in the Sight of God
Prepare to Be Surprised
A Personal Prayer Pilgrimage
What I Know to Be True About Prayer, Part 1
What I Know to Be True About Prayer, Part 2
Your Money and Your Life
Ten Talent Men
Trusting God Completely
Living in the Light
Masquerading Light
The Light of Life
Lighting the Way for Others to Follow
Leaders Lead Others Where They Have Been
Leaders Share Only the Truth

JUNE

Leaders are Diligent Workers
Leaders Care About Their Team
Leaders Give Credit Where Credit is Due
An Investment That Will Never Fail
The Comfort Giver
A Story of Mercy and Comfort
A Father Figure
Our Heavenly Father
An Inheritance
Touching a Father’s Heart
Family Pictures
Family Pride
The Justice System
Door Jam
The Wisdom of Knowledge
People Watcher
The Safe Room
Can You Multitask and Smell the Roses?
My Bad Fig Tree
To Our Father in Heaven
Yeast Really Does Permeate
The Three-Dimensional Life
The Necessary Ingredient for Washing Dishes
The First and Last
Our Father Knows Best
A Legacy of Faith
Dead Ends
Dependable Power Grid
Missed Opportunities
New Life from Old Things

JULY

The Center
The War is Over
Frugality as a Virtue
America Bless God
My Grandmother’s Definition of Prosperity
The Price of Freedom
Christmas Throughout the Year
AAA Marriage
AAA Marriage: Accept
AAA Marriage: Adapt
AAA Marriage: Aim
Choices of a Blessed Man
Vintage Values
Observing God in Everyday Life
Focus on the Fullness of Joy, Part 1
Focus on the Fullness of Joy, Part 2
Focus on the Fullness of Joy, Part 3
God’s Ambassadors
On Mission with God
The Blessed Disciple of Psalm 119
Psalm 119: The Disciple’s Personal Blessing, Part 1
Psalm 119: The Disciple’s Personal Blessing, Part 2
Psalm 119: The Disciple’s Choice to Follow God
Psalm 119: The Disciple’s Path: Make a Lifelong Choice
Psalm 119: The Disciple’s Path: Delight in the Path and Walk with a Wholehearted Purpose
Psalm 119: The Disciple’s Path: Stay on the Path and Watch for Obstacles
Psalm 119: The Disciple’s Path: Look for Treasure and Invite Others to Walk with You
Psalm 119: The Disciple’s Prayers, Part 1
Psalm 119: The Disciple’s Prayers, Part 2
Psalm 119: The Disciple’s Prayers, Part 3
The Healing Power of Thanks

AUGUST

Avoiding Spiritual Heat Stroke
Becoming Like Children
Politicians, Promises and Predetermined Choices
Focus on the Shepherd’s Voice, Part 1
Focus on the Shepherd’s Voice, Part 2
In the Father’s Throne Room
Jesus Explains His Words
The Promise of Rest
Public Figures, Leadership and the Best Example
Jesus and Money
Trusting God: A Predetermined Choice
The Christian Common Denominator
One Day at a Time, Part 1
One Day at a Time, Part 2
Seven Parenting Hints from the Word of God, Part 1
Seven Parenting Hints from the Word of God, Part 2 and 3
Seven Parenting Hints from the Word of God, Part 4 and 5
Seven Parenting Hints from the Word of God, Part 6 and 7
What Was So Special About David, Part 1
What Was So Special About David, Part 2
What Was So Special About David, Part 3
Weeds or Flowers
I See Home
The Heart Prayer that Pleases God
Good Business Practices and Biblical Principles, Part 1
Good Business Practices and Biblical Principles, Part 2
Good Business Practices and Biblical Principles, Part 3
It’s Not Money That Makes Me Happy
In the Classroom with Peter: Redemption
In the Classroom with Peter: Recommitment and Restoration
When All You Can Do Is Pray

SEPTEMBER

Your Treasure: Temporal and Eternal, Part 1
Your Treasure: Temporal and Eternal, Part 2
Your Treasure: Temporal and Eternal, Part 3
Your Treasure: Temporal and Eternal, Part 4
Elements of Powerful Praying: the Person
Elements of Powerful Praying: the Prayer
Elements of Powerful Praying: the Power
A Heavenly Exchange
Lessons for Today from a Great Lady of Yesterday, Part 1
Lessons for Today from a Great Lady of Yesterday, Part 2
The Cross and 9/11
Ladies and Gentlemen
The Culture Mix
Want to Save Money on Healthcare? Try Humor!
Obedience for Our Own Good
The Ministry of Presence
Passing On The Ministry of Presence
Opinion Overload
Drone Images
Stain Removal
Inspirational Words from Mrs. Stanford
Birthday Celebrations
A Good Neighbor
A Great Fall
My Favorite Work Hat
The Perfect Recipe
Look Around You – What Do You See?
Preparing Good Soil
Those Who Have Gone Before Us
Books That Will Outlive Us

OCTOBER

Ancient Wisdom: Reliable Advice, Part 1
Ancient Wisdom: Reliable Advice, Part 2
Ancient Wisdom, Relating to God, Part 1
Ancient Wisdom, Relating to God, Part 2
Ancient Wisdom, Relating to Others, Part 1
Ancient Wisdom, Relating to Others, Part 2
Jet Lag
The Original Masterpiece
The Waiting Room, Part 1
The Waiting Room, Part 2
The Waiting Room, Part 3
Where in the World is Barnabas?
Living with Floaters and Flashes
Test Results
Metamorphosis
The Best Place to Stand
New Words, Old Words
Heart Attacks
Advice from Warren Buffett
Headline News
Exchanging “No, thank you” for “Yes, thank you”
Hallelujah Anyhow, Part 1
Hallelujah Anyhow, Part 2
Biographies and Personal Testimonies
The Source of Good Advice
The Perfect Student, Part 1
The Perfect Student, Part 2
Perfect Timing
The Stuff of Thanks
Rest from a Completed Project
Your Secret Hiding Place

NOVEMBER

Politics as Usual
The World Clock and Sleep
Privilege and Responsibility of Voting
A Government You Can Trust
The Lead Character
That Special Someone – A Friend
Public Figures, Leadership and the Best Example
The Cure for Loneliness
Purified Water
The Leadership Legacy
11 Reasons to Honor Our Veterans
Bait and Camouflage
Days of Remembrance
Big Little Things
The Source
A Vision of Purpose
What Counts with God, Part 1
What Counts with God, Part 2
What Counts with God, Part 3
Anxious Thoughts
The Tragic Consequences of Contaminated Water
The Work of the Vinedresser, Part 1
The Work of the Vinedresser, Part 2
Spending Time with God
The Joy of Food, Fellowship and Family
The Four Freedoms
Examples of Biblical Love, Part 1
Examples of Biblical Love, Part 2
Think on These Things
Christmas is Coming

DECEMBER

Preparing for Christmas: Greetings from Gabriel
The Child Who Chose to Be Born
Gift from the Heart of God
Coming of the Lamb and the Shepherd
Christmas Story As Told by John
Heroic Shepherds
Joseph, The Man in the Background in the Nativity
True Spirit of Christmas
God’s Heavenly Kingdom: A Person
God’s Heavenly Kingdom: A Place and A Promise
We Live, We Die, Then What?, Part 1
We Live, We Die, Then What?, Part 2
Butterflies and Roses in December
The Heart of Psalm 119
The Man Called Paul
The Faith, Hope and Love of Christmas, Part 1
The Faith, Hope and Love of Christmas, Part 2
The Shepherd-Kings
No Prayer Too Small
Gift Giving
Seeing the Heart of Christmas
A Dialogue Started in the Garden of Eden
A Gift for Jesus
The Best Free Gift Ever
Sunrise on Christmas Day
Our Father’s Love Demonstrated, Part 1
Our Father’s Love Demonstrated, Part 2
To Know About or To Know
Pray and Work
The Biblical Principal of Thrift
Journal Notes