“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years” ― Abraham Lincoln
“Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, leave the rest to God.” ― Ronald Reagan
“What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight- it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” ― Dwight D. Eisenhower
“The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph.” ― George Washington
“The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word ‘crisis.’ One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger–but recognize the opportunity.” ― John F. Kennedy
“Try and fail, but don’t fail to try.” ― John Quincy Adams
“Honesty is the first chapter of the book wisdom.” ― Thomas Jefferson
“I am a slow walker, but I never walk backwards” ― Abraham Lincoln
“When our memories outweigh our dreams, it is then that we become old.” ― Bill Clinton
“It’s easier to do a job right, than to explain why you didn’t.” ― Martin Van Buren
“If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress” ― Barack Obama
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt
“No dream is too big. No challenge is too great. Nothing we want for our future is beyond our reach.” – Donald Trump
“It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” – Harry S. Truman
“There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured with what is right in America.” – William J. Clinton
“A brave man is a man who dares to look the Devil in the face and tell him he is a Devil.” – James A. Garfield
“You know that being an American is more than a matter of where your parents came from. It is a belief that all men are created free and equal and that everyone deserves an even break.” – Harry S Truman
“There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction.” – John F. Kennedy
“Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower
“Within the soul of America is freedom of mind and spirit in man. Here alone are the open windows through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit. Here alone is human dignity not a dream but an accomplishment. Perhaps it is not perfect, but it is more full in realization here than any other place in the world.” – Herbert Hoover
“Leaders, true leaders, take responsibility for the success of the team, and understand that they must also take responsibility for the failure.” – Donald Trump
“If wrinkles must be written on our brow, let them not be written on our heart. The spirit should never grow old.” ― James Garfield
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” – Ronald Reagan
“There are no constraints on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those we ourselves erect.” – Ronald Reagan
“Together, We will make America strong again. We will make wealthy again. We will make America proud again. We will make America safe again. And yes, together, we will make America great again. Thank you. God bless you. And God bless America.” – Donald Trump
Looking for a new mantra for 2020? I have collected a few quotes and verses that will help with that. I have found that if I always look backwards, I can’t move forward because I can’t see it. I have to look forward and HOPE for something to see it happen in my life. I have to have FAITH that God will do what he said He would do. In the meantime while I am waiting, I want a Word to hold on to. I want that confirmation or deed that what I hope for is guaranteed, even if I don’t see it right now.
21 Encouraging and Inspiring Quotes for the New Year
“Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].” – Hebrews 11:1 AMP
“We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives…not looking for flaws, but for potential.” ― Ellen Goodman
“Every day is a chance to begin again. Don’t focus on the failures of yesterday, start today with positive thoughts and expectations.” – Catherine Pulsifer
“But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
“And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been.” – Rainer Maria Rilke
“When you feel that you have reached the end and that you cannot go one step further when life seems to be drained of all purpose; what a wonderful opportunity to start all over again, to turn over a new page.” – Eileen Caddy
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV
“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.” ― Benjamin Franklin
“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” ― Edith Lovejoy Pierce
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13 NKJV
“Hope
Smiles from the threshold of the year to come,
Whispering ‘it will be happier’…” ― Alfred Lord Tennyson
“Make 2020 the year that you want to remember.”― Anthony T. Hincks
“ Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:12-14 NKJV
“Faith…involves trusting in the future promises of God and waiting for their fulfillment.” – R. C. Sproul
“A revival is nothing else than a new beginning of obedience to God.” – Charles Finney
“Our quitting point is God’s beginning point.” – Woodrow Kroll
“The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him,
In those who hope in His mercy.” – Psalm 147:11 NKJV
“You can’t get to where today needs to take you if you’re holding on to yesterday.”― Toni Sorenson
“As we begin a New Year, let’s discard what was jaded. Let’s put on in its place, the beautiful garments of Faith, Hope and Love.”― Anusha Atukorala
“The only way to get rid of your past is to make a future out of it. God will waste nothing.” – Phillips Brooks
“He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.” – Psalm 40:3 NKJV
Do you ever wonder what Heaven is really like? Me too. There are lots of sites out there that say all sorts of things. Some people say there is no Heaven or Hell. That’s depressing to me. I choose to believe the Bible about Heaven. Let’s take a look at what the Word of God says about Heaven.
What is Heaven Really Like?
“Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me.In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you.And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.And [to the place] where I am going, you know the way.”Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; so how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14″ 1-6 AMP
“Pay close attention now: I’m creating new heavens and a new earth. All the earlier troubles, chaos, and pain are things of the past, to be forgotten. Look ahead with joy. Anticipate what I’m creating: I’ll create Jerusalem as sheer joy, create my people as pure delight. I’ll take joy in Jerusalem, take delight in my people: No more sounds of weeping in the city, no cries of anguish; No more babies dying in the cradle, or old people who don’t enjoy a full lifetime; One-hundredth birthdays will be considered normal— anything less will seem like a cheat. They’ll build houses and move in. They’ll plant fields and eat what they grow. No more building a house that some outsider takes over, No more planting fields that some enemy confiscates, For my people will be as long-lived as trees, my chosen ones will have satisfaction in their work. They won’t work and have nothing come of it, they won’t have children snatched out from under them. For they themselves are plantings blessed by God, with their children and grandchildren likewise God -blessed. Before they call out, I’ll answer. Before they’ve finished speaking, I’ll have heard. Wolf and lamb will graze the same meadow, lion and ox eat straw from the same trough, but snakes—they’ll get a diet of dirt! Neither animal nor human will hurt or kill anywhere on my Holy Mountain,” says God .” Isaiah 65:17-25 MSG
“I saw Heaven and earth new-created. Gone the first Heaven, gone the first earth, gone the sea. I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband. I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.” The Enthroned continued, “Look! I’m making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate.” Then he said, “It’s happened. I’m A to Z. I’m the Beginning, I’m the Conclusion. From Water-of-Life Well I give freely to the thirsty. Conquerors inherit all this. I’ll be God to them, they’ll be sons and daughters to me. But for the rest—the feckless and faithless, degenerates and murderers, sex peddlers and sorcerers, idolaters and all liars—for them it’s Lake Fire and Brimstone. Second death!” Revelation 21:1-6 MSG
“Then the Angel showed me Water-of-Life River, crystal bright. It flowed from the Throne of God and the Lamb, right down the middle of the street. The Tree of Life was planted on each side of the River, producing twelve kinds of fruit, a ripe fruit each month. The leaves of the Tree are for healing the nations. Never again will anything be cursed. The Throne of God and of the Lamb is at the center. His servants will offer God service—worshiping, they’ll look on his face, their foreheads mirroring God. Never again will there be any night. No one will need lamplight or sunlight. The shining of God, the Master, is all the light anyone needs. And they will rule with him age after age after age.” Revelation 22:1-5 MSG
“Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change. But when the Day of God’s Judgment does come, it will be unannounced, like a thief. The sky will collapse with a thunderous bang, everything disintegrating in a huge conflagration, earth and all its works exposed to the scrutiny of Judgment. Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day—but we’ll hardly notice. We’ll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness.” 2 Peter 3:8-13 MSG
“But here on this mountain, God -of-the-Angel-Armies will throw a feast for all the people of the world, A feast of the finest foods, a feast with vintage wines, a feast of seven courses, a feast lavish with gourmet desserts. And here on this mountain, God will banish the pall of doom hanging over all peoples, The shadow of doom darkening all nations. Yes, he’ll banish death forever. And God will wipe the tears from every face. He’ll remove every sign of disgrace From his people, wherever they are. Yes! God says so! Also at that time, people will say, “Look at what’s happened! This is our God! We waited for him and he showed up and saved us! This God, the one we waited for! Let’s celebrate, sing the joys of his salvation. God ’s hand rests on this mountain!” Isaiah 25:6-10 MSG
I live in Wisconsin. Last night we had another snow emergency with another 1 to 4 inches. We are kinda buried in snow. It’s real pretty to look at – as long as you are inside, lol!Then you see it. There is always a sign. God never gives up on us. Here is a little geranium plant that refuses to give up. It won’t quit. Shout out to all the plants growing through concrete – or snow!
“But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.” – Philippians 3:20 MSG
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:12-14 NKJV
This is my new favorite song!
The God Who Stays by Matthew West
Verse 1
If I were You I would’ve given up on me by now
I would’ve labeled me a lost cause
‘Cause I feel just like a lost cause
If I were You
I would’ve turned around and walked away
I would’ve labeled me beyond repair
‘Cause I feel like I’m beyond repair
Pre-Chorus
But (‘Cause) somehow You don’t see me like I do
Somehow You’re still hereChorus
You’re (From) the God who stays
You’re the God who stays
You’re the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You’re the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done
Could separate my heart
(From the God who stays)
Verse 2
I used to hide
Every time I thought I let You down
I always thought I had to earn my way
But I’m learning You don’t work that way
Bridge
My shame can’t separate my guilt can’t separate
My past can’t separate I’m Yours foreverMy sin can’t separate my scars can’t separate
My failures can’t separate I’m Yours forever
No enemy can separate
No power of hell can take away
Your love for me will never change
I’m Yours forever
Have you ever read the Boundaries Series by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend? I have to say that this is one of the best books I have ever read. As a former victim of Domestic Violence I had no idea what a boundary was or how I could set one. I never said NO!
I had no idea when to say YES and when to say NO! I was saying YES to people I should have said NO to. I was saying NO to people I should have said YES to. Does this make any sense? Do you struggle to set boundaries in your life?
I was literally a Chameleon. I was so starved for attention that I became whatever the man in my life wanted. I was a prep for the engineer, I was a biker for the biker, etc. ad nauseum. I literally had no idea what Diana liked or wanted. Seriously. I was a doormat.
But not anymore, lol! Seriously, this book changed my life. It really helped me. And NO, they did not pay me to say this. What books have helped you with life? Yes, I know, the Bible. Me too. Any others?
15 Quotes About How to Set Healthy Boundaries
“We change our behavior when the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of changing. Consequences give us the pain that motivates us to change.” ― Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend
“Emotions, or feelings, have a function. They tell us something. They are a signal….Anger tells us that our boundaries have been violated. Much like a nation’s radar defense system, angry feelings serve as an “early warning system” telling us we’re in danger of being injured or controlled.” ― Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
“Anger is frustration at the fact that we are not God, and do not have control over reality.” ― Dr Henry Cloud & Dr John Townsend
“When we ask we are owning our needs. Asking for love, comfort or understanding is a transaction between two people. You are saying: I have a need. It’s not your problem. It’s not your responsibility. You don’t have to respond, but I’d like something from you. This frees the other person to connect with you freely and without obligation. When we own that our needs are our responsibility we allow others to love us because we have something to offer. Asking is a far cry from demanding. When we demand love, we destroy it.” ― Henry Cloud and John Townsend
“When two people are free to disagree, they are free to love. When they are not free, they live in fear, and love dies.” ― Henry Cloud and John Townsend
The most basic boundary-setting word is “no.” It lets others know that we exist apart from them and that we are in control of ourselves.” ― Dr. Henry Cloud, Dr. John Townsend
“When one person is in control of another, love cannot grow deeply and fully, as there is no freedom.” ― Henry Cloud and John Townsend
“The best example of a safe person is found in Jesus. In him were found the three qualities of a safe person: dwelling, grace, and truth.” ― Dr. Henry Cloud, Dr. John Townsend “We change our behavior when the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of changing. Consequences give us the pain that motivates us to change.” ― Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend
“Emotions, or feelings, have a function. They tell us something. They are a signal….Anger tells us that our boundaries have been violated. Much like a nation’s radar defense system, angry feelings serve as an “early warning system” telling us we’re in danger of being injured or controlled.” ― Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
“Anger is frustration at the fact that we are not God, and do not have control over reality.” ― Dr Henry Cloud & Dr John Townsend
“When we ask we are owning our needs. Asking for love, comfort or understanding is a transaction between two people. You are saying: I have a need. It’s not your problem. It’s not your responsibility. You don’t have to respond, but I’d like something from you. This frees the other person to connect with you freely and without obligation. When we own that our needs are our responsibility we allow others to love us because we have something to offer. Asking is a far cry from demanding. When we demand love, we destroy it.” ― Henry Cloud and John Townsend
“When two people are free to disagree, they are free to love. When they are not free, they live in fear, and love dies.” ― Henry Cloud and John Townsend
The most basic boundary-setting word is “no.” It lets others know that we exist apart from them and that we are in control of ourselves.” ― Dr. Henry Cloud, Dr. John Townsend
“When one person is in control of another, love cannot grow deeply and fully, as there is no freedom.” ― Henry Cloud and John Townsend
“The best example of a safe person is found in Jesus. In him were found the three qualities of a safe person: dwelling, grace, and truth.” ― Dr. Henry Cloud, Dr. John Townsend
I have been in the body of Christ for about 25 years now. I did not grow up in the church, I grew up in the world. Yes, God has delivered me from many things, including my negative mind. I am eternally grateful that the ‘voices’ have stopped talking in my head. Maybe you know what I mean.
During this 25 years I have attended numerous Churches. I find an interesting quality with the leadership teams I have seen. Some are servants, doing the work that God has called us to do with humility and honor. Others, however, just want the microphone and the glory. That makes me sad.
I really think all of us Christians need therapy. We need to learn how to serve each other and put each other before our own desires. Many Christians are mostly selfish. Sorry, that has been my experience. Yes, there are exceptions. And it is the Servant Heart is what draws me in. I trust a Shepherd who will feed and care for the sheep. You know, when you are in the Hospital, they show up. When you end up in jail, they show up. When you are sick, they visit. When you are disabled, they come. They call to check up on you. They take an interest in what goes on the rest of the week.
Servant Leaders are the first ones to show up and take care of all the little things. They clean the bathrooms, take out the garbage, mow the grass. Stuff like that. They don’t announce it or look for a trophy, they are busy doing the Father’s work in the Father’s House. I honor the True Shepherds today because they are faithful with the little things – that really become the big things in God’s hands!
Quotes on Little Things Becoming Greater
Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. – Mother Teresa
All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope. – Winston Churchill
The beginning of Greater things starts as a seed. Passion, willingness to learn and tenacity is the key to rising above the average and the mediocre. Keep pushing and the refinery of life will bring out the Gold within you.” ― Oscar Bim
There are many of us that are willing to do great things for the Lord, but few of us are willing to do little things. – Dwight L. Moody
God has greater things in stock for us, but unless our great things are given away, we can’t receive our greater things. Give big and you’ll receive bigger! – ―Israelmore Ayivor
Success in life is founded upon attention to the small things rather than to the large things; to the every day things nearest to us rather than to the things that are remote and uncommon. – Booker T. Washington
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. – Luke 16:10 NIV
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ – Matthew 25:23
“And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.’ – Luke 19:17
After that, the Word of God came to me: “Zerubbabel started rebuilding this Temple and he will complete it. That will be your confirmation that God-of-the-Angel-Armies sent me to you. Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings? They’ll change their tune when they see Zerubbabel setting the last stone in place!” – Zechariah 4: 8-10 The Message (MSG)
God hides great things in little things. In every young girl, God hides a great woman; in every young boy, He hides a great man; in a small seed, He hides a big forest! A little is never inadequate if God’s hands are its creator! Don’t despise little things!” ― Israelmore Ayivor
A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. – Proverbs 28:12
As we leave 2019 and enter 2020 I pray prayers of Deliverance for all of us. There is baggage that we no longer need to carry anymore. Jesus delivered us from all the fear, grief, worry, anxiety, sickness and shame at Calvary. I for one am young to “Let it Go” this season!
I don’t have to carry fear around. I can use my faith and choose to trust God. He will surround me with Songs of Deliverance!
You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah – Psalm 32:7
God is my refuge and hiding place. I do not need to fear the future. God is with me. He is more than able to keep me safe.
I trust my God to protect my family as well. God is able to keep those we have committed to Him!
I can pray God’s Word and watch as He fulfills it. He promised that His Word would not return to Him void, but it would accomplish that which He set it out to do.
Jesus has come to bring life and life more abundantly. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I can cancel the plans of the Enemy by speaking the Word out loud over myself and my family.
I have been chosen and set apart by the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Christ in me is my hope of glory. I have received a deposit of my inheritance, the Holy Spirit.
My future is secure because it is not based on me, but on what Christ has already accomplished. Nothing can take me from His hand!
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.My Father,who has giventhemto Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatchthemout of My Father’s hand.I andMyFather are one
– John 10:27-30
The same power that rose Jesus Christ from the dead lives in me. Jesus is the Author and Finisher of my faith. He who began a good work in me will complete it until the end!
I pray God’s Word will Deliver you from all things this Season. Let us walk as free men and women in 2020 because He who the Son sets free is free indeed!
It was an ordinary morning, until I opened the door to let our dog Max out. He is still a puppy at 6 months old. It had snowed overnight here in Wisconsin. Then it occurred to me, Max has never seen snow!
I could not resist taking a video of him and his first look at snow. He is a Borderjack, a mix between Border Collie and Jack Russell terrier. He was a bit hesitant at first, but then his sense of awe and wonder came out and he starts jumping around in it! He loves it.
That made me think of God and His Creation. Daddy God loves to surprise us, just like He surprised Max today. I have to admit it, I have been a bit cynical with all the things going on in my life. I had let the cares of the world take over. I was too busy trying to figure out my life that I had missed it, Just watching Max today reminded me of what awe and wonder look like.
I believe that Daddy God wants to surprise us with amazing things. He is good, all the time. But if I lose my sense of awe and wonder I am not paying attention to Him. Forgive me Lord.
God’s Word for You
Place Your Life Before God
“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” – Romans 12:1-2 MSG
Jesus knew exactly what they were thinking and said, “Why all this gossipy whispering? Which is simpler: to say ‘I forgive your sins,’ or to say ‘Get up and start walking’? Well, just so it’s clear that I’m the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both. . . .” He now spoke directly to the paraplegic: “Get up. Take your bedroll and go home.” Without a moment’s hesitation, he did it—got up, took his blanket, and left for home, giving glory to God all the way. The people rubbed their eyes, incredulous—and then also gave glory to God. Awestruck, they said, “We’ve never seen anything like that!” Luke 5:22-26 MSG
The enemy spoke, “I’ll pursue, I’ll hunt them down, I’ll divide up the plunder, I’ll glut myself on them; I’ll pull out my sword, my fist will send them reeling.”
You blew with all your might and the sea covered them. They sank like a lead weight in the majestic waters. Who compares with you among gods, O God? Who compares with you in power, in holy majesty, In awesome praises, wonder-working God?” – Exodus 15:9-11 MSG
My Prayer for You:
Surprise us Daddy. Show us your Glory. Just like you surprised Max this morning. Fill us with an amazing sense of awe and wonder for our everyday ordinary lives, in Jesus Name.
“If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships – the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world at peace.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
“If You Want to Go Fast, Go Alone. If You Want to Go Far, Go Together.” – African Proverb
“The way a team plays determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.” – Babe Ruth
“Together we can change the world, just one random act of kindness at a time.” – Ron Hall
“I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.” 1 Corinthians 1:10 NLT
“I believe that two people are connected at the heart, and it doesn’t matter what you do, or who you are or where you live; there are no boundaries or barriers if two people are destined to be together.” – Julia Roberts
“Coming Together Is A Beginning; Keeping Together Is Progress; Working Together Is Success.” – Henry Ford
“I Can Do Things You Cannot, You Can Do Things I Cannot; Together We Can Do Great Things.” – Mother Teresa
“What divides us pales in comparison to what unites us.” – Ted Kennedy
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3:13-14 NIV
“True friends are always together in spirit.” ― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. ” – Helen Keller
There will be times of pruning in our lives. Times after Harvest, where God will till the fields of our lives. He is a Good Father, and wants to help us produce more fruit, more wine.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” – Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV
I guess this is the season where I get to use that Faith Muscle. Not sure I like it. Next month it will be a year since I have been out of work. It definitely is not what I had planned. I was happy working my way up the ladder of Corporate America when BAM, life took a left turn I didn’t expect.
So, here I sit a year later. Last week I was granted Social Security Disability after my first attempt. People told me it would never happen, that I would have to go through at least 3 appeals, hire a lawyer, etc. They were wrong. I did use a service to help me with the paperwork. (If you need help, email me and I’ll send you a link).
Today I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I never wanted to be labelled as Disabled.
Is God mad at me? No, not according to the book of Job. He lost a lot in one day. Did I do something to deserve this? Is it punishment? No, I don’t think God punishes us like that. Jesus took the wrath that we deserved at the Cross. “It is finished.” He said. Well then, I don’t need to carry that wrath.
But why? Isn’t it funny that we as humans always want to know why? Sometimes I remind myself of a toddler. Why Daddy why? As a Good Father, He has vision way beyond my meager view of the world. I guess in this season, I have learned to stop asking Why, and just trust and believe that My Daddy knows what He is doing. I may not know all the answers, but I think I’ll stop my whining at the checkout aisle and see what God has in store for me next!
The True Vine
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit Hetakes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bearmore fruit.You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears muchfruit; for without Me you can donothing.If anyone does not abide in Me,he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.If you abide in Me, and My wordsabide in you,youwill ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit;so you will be My disciples. – John 15:1-6
Yes, we are in a new season. Welcome Autumn! The trees are turning, the air is getting crisp, and it’s pumpkin and apple season! Yeah! Do you like fall? I love the coolness of the air, and the chilly nights where you curl up in a blanket or two. I love fuzzy socks too!
But what about Spiritually? Are you in a changing season too? I know I am. The details don’t matter. The past doesn’t matter. It really doesn’t even matter where we end up going – as long as I am with My Jesus. He promised to go before us and lead us.
” And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:8
I know when God called Abraham out, He didn’t give him all the details either. But Abraham just trusted God and followed His lead.
Now the Lord had said to Abram:
“Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. – Genesis 12:1-4
That’s a great promise for all of us this new season. God will make us a blessing, He will bless those who bless us and He will curse those who curse us. What more could a girl ask for? You go God! I’m with You! Show us the way!
Besides, my plans didn’t work out so good anyway. I’m sure God has a better plan for each of us that is way bigger than we could have thought or imagined!
