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faith, God, Music, Religion and Spirituality, Spiritual warfare, Spirituality

My Life is in Your Hands

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Saturday mornings I usually stay in my jammies until at least noon. It’s a great way to de-stress and just be. It’s a good time to clean house and listen to music. My Saturday playlist? The Kirk Franklin Radio station from Pandora. Yep, it was a Black Gospel Saturday morning for me!

Every once in a while you hear that song that melts your heart. This Saturday it was “My Life is in Your Hands” by God’s Property.  I heard it and the tears just came. Guess I needed to let it out.  You know, we try and be strong and make it through on our own.  That doesn’t work out so well usually.  Then God puts a song on your playlist and you lose it. That was me on Saturday morning.

It’s been a long few months. There have been many including myself who are fighting battles. Sometimes when you are in the front line you get hit by one of Satan’s Arrows. It happens. But what do we do about it?

ephesians 6

This verse teached me that when  I get hit by one of those arrows from the wicked one, I need to do one thing STAND.

“ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—  and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,  for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” – Ephesians 6:14-20 NKJV

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13

STAND on the promises that God gave us. He PROMISED to HEAL. He promised to BLESS. He promised to never leave us nor forsake me. He promised to DELIVER us. The LORD wil fight for us!

“And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” – Exodus 14:13-14 NKJV

Standing with you my friends. Here’s the song that melted my heart yesterday:

 

My Life is in Your Hands by God’s Property

You don’t have to worry
And don’t you be afraid
Joy comes in the morning
Troubles they don’t last always
For there’s a friend in Jesus
Who will wipe your tears away
And if your heart is broken
Just lift your hands and say
Oh
I know that I can make it
I know that I can stand
No matter what may come my way
My life is in your hands
With Jesus I can take it
With Him I know I can stand
No matter what may come my way
My life is in your hands

So when your tests and trials
They seem to get you down
And all your friends and loved ones
Are nowhere to be found
Remember there’s a friend in Jesus
Who will wipe your tears away
And if you heart is broken
Just lift your hands and say

Oh
I know that I can make it
I know that I can stand
No matter what may come my way
My life is in your hands
With Jesus I can take it
With Him I know I can stand
No matter what may come my way
My life is in your hands

 

warrior2

 

faith, God, Healing, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Getting Up After You Fall

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We have all fallen. Some of us have fallen physically, some mentally, some emotionally, some spiritualy. I was down and out today. Messed up my leg tyring to lead an exercise class. Yeah, sometimes I think I am Superwoman and forget to use wisdom. Long story short, spent the morning at the Dr. making sure I didn’t refracture the 2 previously broken bones in my left leg.

I threw out my crutches after I thought I was done with this. Got rid of the cane too I believe. Yesterday my leg was swollen to over twice it’s normal size. What do I do? Ignore it. Yeah, real smart there right? I go to bed thinking it will all be better in the morning.

Wake up and try to walk. Nope. Not a good day to put weight on it. So I limp myself around, admit the truth, call in to work, and head to the Dr. to see if I fractured it again. Back in 2012 I was on a ladder and the ladder broke – broke both the bones in my lower left leg and got a metal rod put in then. I have been through the whole ordeal – the wheelchair, the crutches, the cane, and 3 times in physical therapy. It was a long year, but I recovered. God was with me then and He is with me now.

There is that moment of panic, when all the bad thoughts you have run through your mind as you sit and wait to get in. I hate that part. My mind was going back to those hard days sitting in a wheelchair, trying to make it to the bathroom, and shower, and just get around. Uggh – no, please no – not again.

Finally after 1 1/2 hours I get in, then the nurse, the Dr., the xray – and wait again. Why do we always think the worst in times like that? For me it was probably fear. I didn’t feel like I had control of anything going on, and I certainly didn’t want any bad news. Finally, the Dr. comes back in…

Good news – it’s not fractured! I spent the day with my leg elvated and ice. I don’t like ice, but I did it anyway. I bought a new cane to get around on the way back from the Dr.  Yes, I thought I was done with this stuff but – thank you Jesus, it’s not broken.

I don’t like it when I fall down. I don’t like it when I am hindered in this body. It’s humbling. Maybe that’s why. Maybe I’m just little ‘ole me, and I fall and have to get up. Hey, my crown is crooked and my cape fell off, lol! We like to think we can do all things all the time, and then here comes life and knocks you on your butt.

Has that happened to you?

How did you get up?

Thought I’d look up some verses to hold on to while I get up. I’m way to stubborn to sit here for long, that’s for sure.

Jesus whispers

God’s Word for You:

 “You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord.” – Leviticus 19:32 NKJV

“So the Lord said to Joshua: “Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? ” – Joshua 7:10 NKJV

“Shake yourself from the dust, arise;
Sit down, O Jerusalem!
Loose yourself from the bonds of your neck,
O captive daughter of Zion!” – Isaiah 52:2 NKJV

“But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. ” – Acts 26:16 NKJV

“But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.”” – Luke 8:54 NKJV

jesus-heals

 

faith, God, Hope, Life, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Stand Strong in the Storms of Life

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Life can be a storm sometimes. Sometimes it seems like storms come for no good reason. Life doesn’t always make sense. I have had one of those months. I had the flu and was out of work for 4 days. One of my kids was in an accident due to the winter road conditions and my truck got totaled. They were ok, thank God. God protects His kids, that’s for sure. But not the vehicle. Total loss is what they said. The GAP insurance I thought I had didn’t carry over when we changed insurance companies. Ouch. And hey, I just got a bill for the telephone pole that was broken in half, ugh… it’s been a month.

These are the times I have to stand strong and believe that God is with me during the storm, in the waves of trouble and turbulence. Just stand Diana, God knows, God sees, and He will make a way where there seems to be no way. One of my friends made a generous offer for us to buy her deceased husband’s truck. A man I played music with for over 10 years. She is such a blessing to me. My best friend, I love her.

These are the days I have to trust God and believe what He says, even if I don’t see it yet. Guess it’s time to use this faith muscle I have and trust God. I struggle with trust. I have been betrayed, cheated on, rejected…we all have. Trust is a choice. I have chosen to trust the wrong people in my past. I was so naive. I trusted everyone and got hurt. Time and wisdom teaches you to test the spirits. Not everyone should be trusted. There are a lot of liars out there.

But what about God? Truthfully, I am still learning to trust Him. It’s new. He is faithful, that is new. He is honest, that is new. He is truthful, that is new. Yeah, kinda blows my mind sometimes! I am learning to stand on His Word, just cause He said it.

What about you? How do you learn to trust God and stand strong?

Bible Verses About Standing Strong

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” – Ephesians 6:11

“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” -1 Peter 5:5-11 NKJV

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NJKV

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:14-16 NKJV

“Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.” – Philippians 4:1 NKJV

“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:19-25 NKJV

“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

Anxiety, faith, God, Hope, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

6 Ways to Overcome Anxiety in the Chaos of Mass Shootings

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We live in perilous times. Anger and evil are rising. There are so many psychos out there taking innocent lives. It can be sobering. We feel so out of control as evil people kill innocent victims. There is no reason. They are psycho. But how can we react in times of chaos and senseless violence? How do we overcome our anxiety in these days of shootings?

dont be afraid

6 Ways to Overcome Anxiety in the Chaos of Mass Shootings

1. There is good and there is evil in this world. There will be chaos and confustion. God told us ahead of time.  These are the beginning of sorrows. We are in the last days.

The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will bethe sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.  And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.  And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.  And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.  But he who endures to the end shall be saved.  And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” -Matthew 24:3-14 NKJV

2.  Whether we live or whether we die we belong to the Lord. Trust him with whatever happens next.

For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. – Romans 14:8-9 NKJV

3. Have faith that God will get you through these last days. Jesus has faith in you and your family and He will be with you here and in Heaven. This world is not our home. We were made for eternity and to live with Jesus in Heaven.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” – John 14:1-6 NKJV

4. Our days are numbered in the Book of Life. Trust God that He knows when we are coming home to live with Him. He has put eternity in our hearts. We are citizens of Heaven just trying to make it through this world. We are only passing through. This is not the end, just the beginning.

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;[b]
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them. – Psalm 139: 13-16 NKJV

5. Limit your news time and phone time. Whatever you feed will grow. I know people who watch every news story and read every article out there. They feed their fear. The more you feed it the bigger it will grow. Instead, feed your faith. Read the Word, pray, meet with other believers. Strengthen yourself in the most holy faith.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what isthat good and acceptable and perfect will of God. – Romans 12:1-2 NKJV

6.  In uncertain times, remind yourself of one thing that stays the same – God and His love for you. God is faithful. God is true. God will never leave you. God is true. God loves you now and forever. He will lead the way when it is time to leave this world and join Him in Heaven. Trust Him.

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.  – Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV

anxiety psalms

faith, God, Hope, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

God is Looking to Bless You and Your Family

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Sometimes I wake up really early.  Not by choice, my time clock just goes off. So what is a girl to do at 4:30 am? I don’t want to turn the TV on and wake up everyone in the house. So usually I read.  I meet with God and read His word to get some peace and direction for the day. Call me weird I guess. I know not everyone does this, that’s ok. It’s what I do to learn more about God and His ways.

So, the other morning I am in 2nd Samuel. Not like I knew where to go, it was the verse of the day in BibleGateway.com. I like that app. Sometimes I’ll read a new version to get spice things up a bit. So I went to the Message version. Remember, it’s 4:30 in the morning. Idk if I would get the King James Version that early. The coffee has just started flowing!

It’s a story about David and how he was looking for someone to bless. He asked if there was anyone in Saul’s house he could bless. Yeah, Saul, the dude who tried to kill him. And yes, Saul had a son. So David blessed him. He asked him to come on over to the palace and move in. He asked him to come and eat with him everyday from that day forward.

The Old Testament is like a shadow. To me this story of David is a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. Jesus wants to bless even your enemies and your enemies children. They are invited to the table.  No wonder God says to bless your enemies and return good for evil. David was honoring Jonathan in this. 

GOD is so good He is looking for someone to bless!

This also tells me that God will hunt down your children and bless them, just because you have chosen to follow God and His ways. I have seen it in my life. Our children are blessed. Our children are provided for and have many opportunities that only the King of King could have provided!

You are invited to the table my friend, warts and lameness and all. God wants to bless you and show you His loving kindness. It’s not about us and what we do or don’t do. It’s His nature, ots who He is, He is Blessing! 

Come and eat!

God’s Word For You:

An Open Table for Mephibosheth

“One day David asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family? If so, I’d like to show him some kindness in honor of Jonathan.”

It happened that a servant from Saul’s household named Ziba was there. They called him into David’s presence. The king asked him, “Are you Ziba?”

“Yes sir,” he replied.

The king asked, “Is there anyone left from the family of Saul to whom I can show some godly kindness?”

Ziba told the king, “Yes, there is Jonathan’s son, lame in both feet.”

“Where is he?”

“He’s living at the home of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.”

King David didn’t lose a minute. He sent and got him from the home of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.

When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan (who was the son of Saul), came before David, he bowed deeply, abasing himself, honoring David.

David spoke his name: “Mephibosheth.”

“Yes sir?”

“Don’t be frightened,” said David. “I’d like to do something special for you in memory of your father Jonathan. To begin with, I’m returning to you all the properties of your grandfather Saul. Furthermore, from now on you’ll take all your meals at my table.”

Shuffling and stammering, not looking him in the eye, Mephibosheth said, “Who am I that you pay attention to a stray dog like me?”

David then called in Ziba, Saul’s right-hand man, and told him, “Everything that belonged to Saul and his family, I’ve handed over to your master’s grandson. You and your sons and your servants will work his land and bring in the produce, provisions for your master’s grandson. Mephibosheth himself, your master’s grandson, from now on will take all his meals at my table.” Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

“All that my master the king has ordered his servant,” answered Ziba, “your servant will surely do.”

And Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, just like one of the royal family. Mephibosheth also had a small son named Mica. All who were part of Ziba’s household were now the servants of Mephibosheth.

Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, taking all his meals at the king’s table. He was lame in both feet.” – 2 Samuel 9:1-13 MSG

 

faith, God, Hope, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

God Will Restore All that has been Lost in the Hurricanes and Fires and Earthquakes

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God will restore all that has been lost this past year in the midst of the hurricnes, fires,and earthquakes in our land. It has been a season of natural disasters. As Sister Bonnie taught us last week, the Earth is getting tired, just like us. The Earth is longing for  a Savior, just like us.

 

“Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
Then look to the earth beneath;
For the heavens will be torn to pieces and vanish like smoke,
And the earth will wear out like a garment
And its inhabitants will die in like manner.
But My salvation will be forever,
And My righteousness (justice) [and faithfully fulfilled promise] will not be broken.” – Isaiah 52:6 AMP

And it is your FAITH that will get you there.

Faith

“But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.” – Hebrews 11:6

By faith Moses belived, by faith Noah Believed, by faith Abraham believed, by faith…Remember Hebrews 11? The FAITH chapter!

Now, a moment of truth, it may be restored in the world or you may have to wait – but it will be resotred in the world to come.

Are you ready for the next chapter of your life? God is with you.

Seem impossible right now? God is with you.

Just like He was with the Disciples in the boat during that storm He is with you.

Remember what He said – we are going to the OTHER SIDE!

img_0638

 

“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]. For by this [kind of] faith the [a]men of old gained [divine] approval.
By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.” – Hebrews 11: 1-3 AMP

img_0637

Besides, this is not the end of God’s story.

He is not finished yet – with us or with his plan.

Yeah, this part kinda sucks. Nobody likes disasters. Nobody likes hardships, or no electricity, or floods, or fires. That is not from God. He didn’t send it. He is for us, not against us. He is WITH US in the storm. And the new Earth will look way different than this one – way better – He promised!

Do you know Him?

Have you met Him, this Jesus?

He’s kinda a big deal…

 

New Heavens and a New Earth
“Behold, I am creating new heavens and a new earth;
And the former things [of life] will not be remembered or come to mind.

“But be glad and rejoice forever over what I create;
Behold, I am creating Jerusalem to be a source of rejoicing
And her people a joy.

“I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people;
And there will no longer be heard in her
The voice of weeping and the sound of crying.” – Isaiah 65: 17-19 AMP

 

God will restore.jpg

 

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Motivation, motivational, Spirituality

7 Steps on How to Stop Treading Water and Set a Goal

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Have you ever watched a person tread water? Moving those arms and legs furiously but never really getting anywhere? It’s exhausting just to watch.  I mean with all that effort shouldn’t they bee halfway across the ocean by now?  Yet, this is exactly how I feel right now.  Like I have been treading water for years getting nowhere.

 

Then I realized why. I had given up on setting goals. I had given up even trying to get anywhere. And just like that swimmer, after my energy was gone I sank. Right in the spot where I had worked so hard for so long.  How about you?  Have you ever given up on goals?

 

I’m not sure when it started. It’s like when does water really start to boil? When the water first gets hot, or is it at the first bubble, or do you need a bunch of rolling bubbles to call it boiling? Either way it is hot! And either way I just quit doing it.

“A person without a goal is like a swimmer just treading water.  You use up all your effort and energy and get nowhere.”

– Diana Rasmussen of Prayers and Promises

 

duck

7 Steps on How to Stop Treading Water

and Set a Goal:

  1. Stop using up all your energy on useless things. Stop beating yourself up over the past. Stop waiting for others to do what you think they should do. Stop treading water.

  2. Pray and ask God to open your eyes to what He has for your future. Get a bigger picture of the ocean than the pool you call life.

  3. Be open to change. Change isn’t easy – but it will be worth it. God promised us all an abundant life – let’s be done settling. Wouldn’t you rather swim in the ocean anyway?

  4. Look for new opportunities to swim in other places and further than you have before. There are plenty of bodies of water to explore.  There is way more than the kiddie pool in your back yard.

  5. Focus your energy on moving forward, not turning back.  It is much easier to do the breast stroke forward than the backstroke backwards. Some people spend their whole life looking backwards and living in condemnation and regret. Set your vision ahead my friends. The Son is rising upon you – He has called you out of the boat!  It’s time to start this water walking stuff!

  6. . Take a deep breath and think of one goal and write it down. What is your vision for your life? What is your calling? What is your purpose?  Take 5 minutes right now and write it down somewhere. Anywhere. Even a napkin if you have to! Here is mine – About Me. (P.S.  I have been writing for 4 years now and I just wrote this today, lol!)

  7. Get back in the water. It’s really hard to swim on land. Now straighten out your body, take the first stroke forward, and kick your feet. Trust that the rest of you will follow. Yes, God did make these bodies to swim and even float and walk on water! And like Dory says:

dorie

 

 

I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. – Philippians 3:12-16 MSG

 

Hope, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

The Joy of Listening

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The older I get the less stuff I want or need. I guess stuff just doesn’t matter to me like it used to. The older I get the more I value people – friends, family, kids, husband, everyone.  Everyone I meet has a story. 

Do you like stories? I love hearing stories of what people have lived through and overcome. I’m naturally curious and ask questions to almost anyone. 

Our church went Christmas Caroling tonight at a local nursing home. We had a blast. I met a music teacher from a close by town. She told me about how she taught for years. Her eyes lit up while she talked. We shared a moment in time that was precious. 

Then I sat by another lady and she shared how her friend was turning 100 in April. She said she had to go meet everyone before we started. She pointed our another friend who was still as young as ever at 86. I said, “I hope, I’m that active when I’m 86!” Another precious moment with a beautiful woman created by listening. People love to talk. 

Tonight I learned the value of just shutting up and listening. We bring value to others just through listening. The joy of listening brings magical moments! Hallelujah!

 Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us]. – James 1:19-20 AMP

Healing, Spirituality

Get Out of the Bag and into the Bowl

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Here is a picture of what I saw this morning in early morning prayer.  A bowl of flour. Ok Lord, what does that mean? I didn’t even know how flour was made so I looked it up.  Did you know you can make your own flour? I had no idea.  You can take the wheat berries (that’s what they call them), put them in a coffee grinder, and viola – presto, chango – you get your own flour.  Who knew? That’s alot of wheat berries ground up in that bowl. And then we mix it up with whatever stuff we want and together we make something. Bread, cake, cookies, whatever.

So, what if each of those wheat berries were a person?

And we are all in the bowl of God’s Creation?

What if God is making something with all of us together in that bowl?

But first we have to get out of the bag and into the bowl.

Then I started reading in Hebrews. I found out that God’s promises need some faith to make them come to pass.  God gives us all promises. But the invisible still needs to become visible. And we want to see it happen in our lives right?

God gave the Israelites promises in the Wilderness, but they forgot one ingredient in their bowl – FAITH. Most of them never made it to the Promised Land – because they  would not look beyond what they see in the natural – and see the invisible. God’s promises are greater than anything we see or know. And we get to choose to believe the promises and exercise our faith or not. And we get to choose to mix our faith with the faith of those who do believe or not. No lone ranger wheat berries. Our faith needs to be united with those who believe.

 For indeed we have had the glad tidings [Gospel of God] proclaimed to us just as truly as they [the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them]; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not mixed with faith (with the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) by those who heard it; neither were they united in faith with the ones [Joshua and Caleb] who heard (did believe). (Hebrews 4:2 AMP)

What if we could combine our faiths – like the wheat berries turned into flour – and see God’s promises activated in our lives and our sisters and brothers lives?  How about if we added some Moses Faith, and some Aaron Faith, and some Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob faith to the mix?  And how about we add the best one – some Jesus Faith to the mix?  Yeah, get me some of that Jesus Faith – He said He was the Author and Finisher of my faith. So whatever we have, we throw it in the bowl, and He finishes it.

 Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours. (Hebrews 11:39-40 MSG)

Yep, there is going to be some mixing and crunching going on first.  Nobody really likes that part. Refining, shaking, purifying – call it what you will – it still hurts.  But it is necessary. I get that. But we can’t be mixed together without it.  It’s not always pretty. Sometimes things splatter out of the bowl and all over the counter. And we have to scrape it back down, to keep mixing.

I guess what God showed me this morning is that it is not just my faith.  It’s the faith of all of his kids together that activates His Promises – for all His kids.  We really are better together!  And when my faith is weak, I know I have a brother or sister who will pray for me and reignite the fire  in my heart.  And guess what – even the Fathers of Faith are in the bowl right next to us! Now that is exciting!

Don’t give up yet my friends. God isn’t finished creating yet.  And come on in, the water is fine!

Anxiety, behavior, faith, God, Healing, Hope, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Let Go of Fear

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I recently watched a  movie and heard this quote.

Fear is the path to the dark side. 

Fear leads to anger. 

Anger leads to hate. 

Hate leads to suffering.

– The Phantom Menace

That one got me. Fear is the path to the dark side. Yep. When I revel in fear I am choosing to ignore God and His promises to me. When I choose fear over faith I am choosing to believe that God can’t or won’t help me. I am choosing disbelief.

Now I know I don’t know everything. I need help. I need direction. I need to exercise my faith. When fear comes up upon me I have learned I have two choices:

  1. I can feed my fear. Run the “what if?” questions over and over in my mind. When I do this fear turns to terror and I freeze. I shut down and lose faith in God and myself. Then I get angry at everyone and everything. My vision gets distorted and I lose hope.
  2. I can choose to believe that God will help me. I can choose to believe that He is the God of the impossible and it doesn’t even need to make sense to me. It does not have to be logical or even realistic. He is the God of miracles and I can choose to take Him at his Word and believe that He will help me through it. I can choose faith.

What about you?

How do you let fear go?

 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ – Isaiah 41:10

God, Hope, Mental Illness, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality, Worship

Your Worship Ushers People into the Presence of God

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Your worship is sacred and pleasing to God. Whether you are singing in your car to the radio, praising and thanking God, or worshipping with others – your worship ushers people into the presence of God.  It’s like He just shows up and does stuff.

We are not saved for ourselves.

God wants His love to spill over onto others you meet everyday.  

There’s that mom who is trying to make it on her own after her husband left. There is the elderly woman who feels so alone at night. There is the man who just lost his job and doesn’t know how to tell his family. There is the couple who smile on the outside but are one step away from divorce court. And the young teenage girl who hurts herself to stop the pain.  These are people you meet everyday. They are hurting. They don’t know why or how to fix it.

We as Christians carry the Word of the Living God in us. Christ in us – the HOPE of Glory. Yet often we hole ourselves up in our buildings, go to our ‘church’ functions, and don’t reach out to the lost. I did this for years.  It’s really easy to hide from the world when you busy yourself with function upon function. I learned the lingo, wore what I ‘should’, and followed the rules – for a bit.

Then the hurt squeezed out.

Have you ever tried to stuff a pillow in a box? No matter how hard you try some of it spills over. You can get it almost all in and then the corner pops out. That’s what it’s like to just ‘go’ and play church. I am speaking to myself first. After a while I took a break. Just like I took a break from my biker days, and my preppie days, and my academic days.  I was looking for acceptance and love in all the wrong places. The sad part is, so were all the other people going to church. Only we were afraid to tell each other because we didn’t want other people to know how messed up we really are.

The funny thing is though, God already knows.

He brings all of his kiddos to a place to be healed and loved and sheltered from the world.

Worship is a place where God can show us what real love looks like.

 

Yes it happens at church, but it also happens every time a believer ushers in His presence. God is with us – Emmanuel. He shows up whenever we praise and worship him. He is with you in the car. He is with you at the job. He is with you in your home. He shows up when we pray. He is there when you go outside for a walk. He shows up when we pray with others – they feel His love and presence. God isn’t confined to a building. He is not confined to a Denomination. Anytime or anyplace we worship Him, His love spills out onto others -just like that pillow!

worship art
Source: valeriesjodin.com

Thank Goodness God squeezes out of the box we try to put Him in!

I wish I was more transparent in real life. I can here in blog land, I just type what’s on my heart. I am still learning to share in real life.  Feelings are so messy. Some days I am just a blubbering idiot I think. I have a few friends I reach out to, and for that I am grateful. I gave up ‘playing church’. I gave myself permission these days to be me, flaws and all. I gave myself permission to be free from other people’s opinions of who they think I am. Today God gets to tell me that. Our identity is hidden in Christ – I think it’s way safer there than anywhere else.

no limitsI  have struggles everyday. I beat myself up for all the things ‘good little christian girls’ shouldn’t do. But then, as I learned today, God welcomes me in His house anyway. He meets me where I am and loves me through it all. As I confess my faults to God and to others I trust, He forgives me and grants me grace to get up and keep living.

His Word gives me hope – I have to read it – or die. I have been hospitalized for depression. I have tried multiple times to hurt myself. I have given up more times than I can count. I have given up on people, I have given up on myself, and I have given up on love. But the thing I learned today –

God never gave up on me. And He has not given up on you either.

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God is for us and with us. He forgives us and loves us. He doesn’t want us to be ‘perfect’ – let it go. Just be you. He made you and He loves you anyway!

Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them;  for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’ – Deut 20:14 NKJV

 

 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.  All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. – John 6:35-37 NKJV

 

 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8 NKJV

 

(All images from Pinterest, sources on image)

 

 

 

faith, God, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Trusting God and Letting Him Finish 

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Have you ever been interrupted? Working on something you love and then bang – something comes up and you have to pause a moment. Life happens.

I wonder how God feels when we try to finish what He started in us?

 

Recently I am learning to stop, pray, and trust God.

I’ll admit it, sometimes I try to finish what God started in me.

He is the Author and Finisher of my faith.

He loves us – faults and all.

Everything that is not done yet is finished in Jesus.

He is our beginning and our ending.

The Alpha and the Omega.

It is finished – Hallelujah!!

 

 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6 NIV

titus

 

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV

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 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 KJV

 

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(all images from Pinterest, JenniferRothschild.com, challies.com)