simply put

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Spirit lead me...

Have you guys heard this song yet?

Ever since I heard part of it at church, 

I've been enjoying listening to it and

really meditating on these words:

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders.

Let me walk upon the waters, 

wherever you would call me.

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander.

And my faith will be made stronger

in the presence of my Savior.

How different could our lives look if we 

really prayed this?  Exciting...and maybe 

a little out of our comfort zones?

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be encouraged

This is one of my favorite promises.

 

There are times in this life when I need 

to be carried, sustained, and rescued...

when I just can't handle it all on my own.

 

Have you felt that recently?

Do you need rescue?

 

I believe that the God who made you 

also cares about you. He knows exactly 

what you need, and promises to help. 

 

And how do I know this?

Because He's carrying me too.

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a good reminder

Just wanted to share a little from my quiet time

 this morning.  It's basic, but a good reminder:

"Be still in My Presence, even though countless 

tasks clamor for your attention.  Nothing is as important

 as spending time with Me.  While you wait in My Presence, 

I do my best work within you: transforming you by 

the renewing of your mind.  If you skimp on this time

 with Me, you may plunge headlong into the wrong activities,

missing the richness of what I have planned for you..."

- Jesus Calling

Do not conform any longer to the pattern

of this world, but be transformed by the renewing 

of your mind.  Then you will be able to test & 

approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing 

and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

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oh boy.

Anyone else feel super convicted by this?

I think I have some praying to do...

 

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mantra for today

"Be cheerful no matter what;

pray all the time; 

thank God no matter what happens.  

 This is the way God wants you 

who belong to Christ Jesus to live."

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Today, I will choose a cheerful spirit,

despite my feelings & circumstances.   

(Pray for me, please?)

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2013

 

I'm not sure what this year holds,

but I'm confident that the Father does.

I trust that the Holy Spirit will be

my guide & teacher, no matter what.

So, let's do this!

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lead me.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

(Psalm 139:23-24)

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trust

I'm struggling to have 

joy & peace right now.

But thankfully, I don't have

to come up with them on my own.

So today, I choose to trust.

Despite how I feel, I choose trust.

And I'm going to cling to this promise,

and believe that hope will follow.

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sunday thoughts

One of our pastors always says: 

"What you feed will grow; 

what you starve will die."

So what do you want to feed? 

What areas of your life do you 

want to become greener?

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true beauty

I know some women

like this, and have always 

admired how attractive they

are as they brightly reflect the

 Father.  But I've never been able 

to articulate it quite this well.

Thoughts?

 Feeling challenged?

(I sure am.)

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sunday psalm

I'm so grateful to serve

a God who loves to be found,

and who invites me to bring my

burdens to him in exchange

for rest & strength. 

Pretty amazing stuff...

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peace

As much as I hate to admit it,

when life gets crazy or something

rediculous happens, my first

 reaction is often to panic.

Today I'm especially grateful for 

this reminder from Psalm 116:

Be at rest once more,

O my soul, for the Lord 

has been good to you.

Because under the initial panic,

I actually do trust that my 

compassionate Creator will 

take care of me - just as

 He always has.  

I just need to remember

who my God is, and

ask for a little help.

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almost there...

In a few short hours, 

my week of vacation 

officially starts.

(It does start with a work 

related event, which seems 

a little counter-intuitive, but the

 beach is involved and I get

 to take the hubs along, 

so I'm going with it.)

Although the week before

 vacation is always extra crazy,

 this one has been a marathon.

Poor hubs broke his nose on 

Monday night playing basketball,

so we've been seeing plenty of 

doctors and trying to give his

body a chance to rest. 

God is amazing though, 

and things have worked out 

in incredible ways.  My sweetie

will be totally fine, and I've had

amazing peace & strength to

juggle the craziness at home 

with busyness at work.

But, I've got to tell you...

this girl is ready for a vacation.

See you in about a week!  :)

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new strength

Because sometimes 

don't you just need

fresh strength?

Thank goodness for

our generous, kind

Father - the giver

of all good things.

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heart check

 

Do you ever feel like your

words take you by surprise?

 

Whenever critical words, snarky 

judgements or ungrateful complaints 

slip out of my mouth, I know it's time

 for me to refocus on the Father.  

It's astounding how quickly 

my little heart gets dry & dirty

when I stop going to Jesus 

for daily refreshment.

Anyone else with me?

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grey day wishes

Normally a series of dreary days

makes me want to curl up on the couch,

but for some reason I've been craving 

a quiet, grey day at the beach.

There's something appealing about

an almost empty beach - you get to enjoy

the moody, powerful waves in silence,

and I always feel like God is standing

right next to me pointing out the

beautiful things He's created that 

don't always grab my attention

on bright, sunny days.

Plus, is there really a better

combo than steaming coffee, an 

oversized soft sweatshirt, and cold 

sand between your toes?  :)

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grace

Anyone else out there struggle to

keep the right perspective?

I get tripped up so easily in this -

constantly striving for perfection, then 

being frustrated when I inevitably fail. 

That's why I cling to the reminder

that God's glorious grace is freely 

given through Jesus.  (Eph 1:6) 

Thankfully, it's not about me trying 

harder.  Because of Jesus and the riches 

of God's grace, I've already been given

more wisdom & strength then I could 

ever come up with on my own. 

Anyone else need to step 

out of the way, and

 let grace replace striving?

 

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powerful promises

On days when I'm feeling tired,

burdened or overwhelmed, I return

to God's promises...and this one

is one of my favorites.

I love being reminded that God

is with me - I'm not alone.

I'm grateful that God is mighty to 

save - I don't have to save myself.

I'm blown away that God takes delight 

in me - even when I feel crummy.

I cling to the promise that when my

heart & mind are noisy - He will

calm my distress with His love.

And finally, how incredible that the

God of the universe sings over my life

with joy and triumph - because I'm His.

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talent

I recently noticed this on Pinterest,

and after mulling it over a bit, decided

that it was a neat interpretation of

these verses from Romans 12:

We have different gifts, according to

the grace given to each of us.  

 If your gift is prophesying, then

 prophesy in accordance with your faith.  

If it is serving, then serve;

if it is teaching, then teach; 

if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; 

if it is giving, then give generously; 

if it is to lead, do it diligently;

if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Do you ever think about what

God has gifted you with, and how

you can be using it for Him?

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