2020 ~ Restore

For 2020, the word Restore kept coming to my mind. There is so much going on in the life of my family that the word RESTORE is a word that is needed.

I know in order for anything to be restored, anyone has to return 1st to God. Make the intentional effort to go to Him Daily in prayer, in the word, even joining forces with those around you that will lift you up.
For 2020, I pray for so many areas of my life to be restored.

2019, I let alot of things beat me down. Now for 2020, there are many goals.. from a church family, church friends, family resolution to trials, to finances, to friends, to putting Jesus and family first and not letting other things get in the way of that. To more dinners at home, to reading more books, to listening to more sermons...

May 2020 be the year to be Restored. B/c January sure beat me down...

Look

I was told recently that I was a floor watcher. I could tell you what floors were cleaned and not. I never look up when I walk, I look at the ground. There is much that people miss not looking where they step. Because of issues with my knees and gracefulness, I choose to look at the floor when I am walking. Since I do look where I am going, I usually can find many nails on sidewalks and driveways. I can let the cleaning lady at work know which places that she isn't mopping the best and which places need to be vaccuumed. I know that we are all made differently with different qualities. I have that of telling what is what ground level, where as I miss some things going on around me.

While I was on the walk to the mailbox yesterday finding many treasures that would take tires out, I thought... How much do I miss not looking up when I walk... How much do others miss by not paying any attention to where their feet go.

I do know when life gets difficult, I do know to look up to the Father who can help with everything!
I have had struggles in parenting lately that have me looking UP for sure!
My kids are in a big in between place with church and with friends. Daycare friends have left so they have no one. My son needs and desires close friendships to those that share his same unique deep thoughts. My daughter wants fun but friends that can take her personality. Right now I see both struggling. I am doing my best but we are all looking UP for help...

Where do you look?

Church

Church: A place your parents take you to as a kid. You learn many important things that you fall back to as the adult life gets hard.
Ryan shared exactly what was on my heart a week or so ago. There are times when life gets hard, but bc if your child faith, you know you can always go home. There are times you are in situations you know better to be in bc of knowing God and knowing what's right.
Life's been uncertain lately. I just needed to go back home... home to where I found Jesus.. where I was baptized.. it has been a healing, but also a place where God has been dealing with me.. the closeness I need. Now if only I can add the community of believers that I need.

This song Church (take me back) by Cochren has really caught my attn many times lately. https://youtu.be/3eTOcrWu8mQ

If You Only Knew

If You Only Knew My Unlikely, unavoidable Story of Becoming Free by Jamie Ivey

I picked this book up at a bookstore. I was intrigued by the back and just reading someone's story. This is a great book for those that secretly give ourself labels.. failure...not good enough.. used..really we need to share our story and help others. Even if our story creates a sin shock.. Jaime's story is a story of being a church kid.. having a fall or 2 in HS and college and then finding God"s Grace.
I loved it when she wrote, "When God starts chasing you, He changes what you want."
I also loved how she reminded people that pastor wives have stories... we all do.. dont judge.. let's grab each other's hand and encourage.. face this life together..
Grab your copy today!

Courage for 2018

David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished. 1 Chronicles 28:20

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

The Bible has the word Courage throughout it. This year I really debated on my word for the year. However, I felt on the 1st day of the year, God just handed it to me. It wasn’t on a silver plater, but it was on my coffee mug. I thought to myself, that is NOT my word, b/c if you know me… Courage isn’t something that I believe that I have a lot of.

Words of the past years were Simplify, Joy, Journey, Transformation…. Now I look at Courage… Where will this year take me?

I believe in 2017, I transitioned into a bigger Faith… a bigger Trust in what God has planned. However, since I take words into the next years to come, I do see more transformations than I thought I would.

2018 has already taken my beloved Pastor away from me. He is still living, and I will still love him and support him. He can’t lose me b/c he married into the family! He will come out stronger than before; I believe that wholeheartedly. However, I stand in 2018 with change where I need Courage to move forward, I need Faith and Trust more than ever.

I moved into a new job at the end of 2017. I am not one that just walks into change. Normally God has to shove me or throw things at me. This time it happened to be roaches. Oh do I not like bugs. However, I feel like I transitioned into a new area where I will face more challenges and become a better person where God has me at.

I have had a lot of conversations and prayers lately over 2018! I am looking for a new home to begin my youngest starting elementary school this year. I pray often for God to guide my path like only he can. He knows how to move me out of uncomfort and to make me change, as long as I ask him to guide it. I know this year that I need Courage. I need Courage to face the change that lies ahead. I know that I need Faith and Trust to help me deal with the change to come. So I cling to my heavenly Father more right now.

Last week while taking my youngest to class, I was walking down the sidewalk. You have those kids that run, the kids that look down and move slower than molasses, the ones that won’t walk on the sidewalk – life is about off-roading it, and you have those that walk normal and get to where they are going. I really felt God speak to me and say this is how my children live life… You have those that get in a hurry and miss things or run people over, you have those that move to slow and don’t enjoy their surroundings, you have those that never walk the path they are meant to walk and walk on the sides… This picture really just struct me and made me think about how I take life each day. If we would stop and look around, we would see God moving and directing our steps. I pray daily for God to guide my steps.

Here is to 2018! Facing each day as it comes with Courage. Asking God to guide each step that I take and blessing every encounter that I have with others. Having Faith that he will lead my life in the direction it is meant to go, and in return, may I be a blessing to those around me.

I can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store!

Who has God called YOU to be?

I saw this picture yesterday on my news feed. It really struck my heart. I knew that I needed to go read what this lil' summary meant on this pic. It really struck home to me. So many times we compare ourselves, especially as women. The only thing is God didn't make you to be like your friend, your neighbor, or your sister. He made you to be you and to do what he has called YOU to be.
I'm called to be an Encourager. I know this and I have been told many times that this is what I am. It made me stop to see when was the last time I did my part as the church? What is your calling? Focus on what God has called you to do today!
For me, I am not called to the be the creative one... the teacher... the pastor... I am called to be ME.
We also need to make sure we give this life lesson to our children. Help them find their calling and be ok with who God has made them to be and to realize it is ok not to be like their friend.

A Living Sacrifice to God
ROMANS: 12 And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[b] 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

3 Because of the privilege and authority[c] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.[d] 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection,[e] and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.[f] 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”[g]
says the Lord.
20 Instead,

“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”[h]
21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Don't keep looking back!

I saw this pic come up this week and it really struck me to where I kept coming back to it.

How many times in life do we dwell in the past? We shouldnt let our past hold us back! Live for today, you can't undo yesterday, you can face today and tomorrow a stronger person from lessons learned.

We all have our own journey...

This picture really touched me earlier this year. I held onto it b/c I really feel it spoke deeply to me. Journey has been a word for me, as well has Transformation for my 2017 focus word. I really felt God telling me that he had alot planned for me this year, and I need to trust the journey.
People forget to look around and to really be aware that everyone has our own daily walk/journey. So many get caught up in their journey, that they focus on themselves and their battles. Well we are all walking around with battle wounds from others and life. We walk our journey ... Our main goal should be with a heavenly focus. Our journey towards heaven as we look right and left and see if we can help lift or help others. We are here to serve for the Kingdom of Heaven. We get battle wounds ourselves and at times it is hard to see past our own battle. We have to make the intentional look around us. It could be as simple as helping a friend or a simple card to encourage..

I love how this pic reminds us of those that we encounter in life.. some touch our lives and some teach us lessons. No matter where you are on your journey.. know that where you are is where God wants you.

God has adjusted my path lately.. I have had to face change, which is not easy for me. I had to trust and move. Lessons learned by people that I have been with will shape who I am and how I journey on... Others in my journey will stay with me as true friendships.

Let's Journey on...

No matter what... Sing Praises

Reading the Guideposts (March,2017) that had an article from Reba. She was talking about music is healing to her.. then she states it.. “I believe it is because it helps us. I find if I’m worrying too much about something, I’m not trusting God. I need to give my worries back to him.”

I firmly believe that praise and worship music can change an attitude. A radio station I listen to will dare people in January to stay with their station for 30 days and just see how their life improves. I love listening to the testimonies that occur. I remember once I lived further from home and worked where I didn’t know the Christian radio stations. I turned it on country or regular music. I could tell I was just moody. So one day I logged onto the internet to stream my home Christian radio station, and I honestly could feel my mood change. I keep it on at work still to this day. Now I’m home, and I have a radio next to me. Most jobs now frown on streaming music using their stuff… so this works. I love listening to my children sing these songs. I see people posting their kids singing other songs, but it just does my heart good to hear my kids singing praises to our King! You know there are times they sing while they are busy playing at home. It isn’t worldly music.. they just still praise our King.
So if sad, praise Him.
If lonely, Praise Him.
If worried, Praise Him.
If scared, Praise Him...
I betcha it will help!

Wounds...Scars...

“Never let your wounds go to waste… One day they could lead to another healing.” Beck Payne

 

My pastor spoke on the wounds of warfare this past Sunday. 2 Timothy 4 talks about how as soldiers in God’s Army, we will be wounded to some degree.

There are so many kinds of wounds. One I hadn’t really thought about are the wounds from God.. Really our God would chose to wound us? Yes! He has to make us better somehow. I talk to my friends often about how things happen that move us from the path of life that we have fixed ourselves on. Why would God cause this to happen, well he tried telling us to leave this job, did we listen? No. So he caused something to happen to set our foot on the path that he wanted us on. We didn’t need this roommate that we had, but we weren’t going to move.. so God allowed something to happen that set us back on his path. I remember when my son was younger and some horrible things happened at his daycare. I wasn’t sure about leaving, but I do not do well with change. I don’t want my child to lose everything he knew since he was a kid. You know what? Months later, he didn’t recognize anyone at that daycare at age 2! Instead only 1 daycare had spots open…seriously just 1. This 1 daycare was more expensive (in my eyes) than the others, and if you know me, you know I’m going to get a deal. Well now 6 years later, my other child is still at this daycare. This daycare opened my child’s eyes to his Heavenly Father. My child grew so much at his new school. This new daycare caused my heart to want to visit the church associated with the daycare. Then guess what, we changed churches and here we are! I will give God props on forcing me out of my comfort zone. I won’t say I didn’t shed tear, my old coworkers witnessed it and comforted me.

Well back to God.. God wants to mold us, refine us, and prepare us for MORE!

 

We also have wounds from life, self-inflicted ones, friendly fire (family & friends, and more.  If you think about each of these, I know you can place a list in every category…

He reminded us to have the Victor mentality.. not the victim.. We need to move forward.. Jesus was wounded so could be made whole…

 

I loved how he talked about Scars… They are there to remind us, but they don’t define us. They remind us where we have been, how far we have come.. The same is about wounds.. There are visible scars and those scars that are deep wounds that lay beneath us.. in our hearts.. We need to hold these and see these as ways to move on, be molded into more, and to help others..

 

Scars… Let’s run thru mine..

My right hand holds scars from childhood. I might had been a little tattletale.. I remember trying to get my mom’s attention in the house that we lived in. I banged a little too hard on the window.. well Ok I punched it b/c I was so mad. Well do you know what happens if you punch an old window.. Yep my hand went right through it. I have smell scars that remind me.. I need to hold in a tattle every once in a while. I was so blessed no stitches were required, I didn’t lose a finger.

My right knee holds a scar of Kindergarten age. My mom went on a walk with my sister in a stroller. I decided to stay at my friend’s house, changed my mind, went running down a hill. Yep, knee skin gone. Forever scar is now there. Both my knees hold scars from lateral releases and arthroscopy surgery. This is an ongoing battle that I face.  

Then there is the one scar of that I thought about Sunday while the pastor was speaking about scars. See I hold a scar on my left hand by a knuckle.. I was in High School sitting amongst football players. I don’t remember the class, but I remember the boys being boys and rubbing a metal tip pen on a wooden desk. They were all fascinated about how hot it would get. Well this one boy ask for my hand. I wasn’t really paying attention.. well boys being boys. Let’s grab this girl’s hand to see what it does? It took the skin off! I remembered the rude boy’s name. I remember the day I walked in my mom’s house, my sister sitting on the couch saying that she was going to introduce my cousin to this boy. Then she said that name! Really! Him, he is mean! She was trying to tell me how he was going to be a Pastor. Well I want my cousin to have a good man, but him? That dude scarred me. I was glad he had wised up, but I really didn’t like the idea. Well guess what.. They got married.  I grew to like him, but I still remember her sitting on the couch saying that name and my knee jerk reaction. Now last Sunday, I sat and watched Him as my Pastor. He is preaching a powerful series right now and reminding us of our scars. I went to look and years later, that scar is hardly visible. He is an awesome man of God, and he has been the perfect gift for my cousin.  Scars may remind us, but things change, they may soften over the years..  But I would say that when I got that scar, I would had never dreamed how that football players life would had intertwined with mine. God could had laughed and said.. she has no idea! 

 

We all have scars and wounds that hurt deep. There are some that would hurt us daily if we let them. We need to give them to God. Let him mold us into something greater! Some of them can be used to HELP OTHERS! Use lessons learned, battles fought, to reach out to help others, or even just to encourage them in their battle. Or maybe just to remind them that God is molding them or simplying just pushing them b/c they wouldn’t list to his nudges.. I know my hard headed, disliker of change has to be pushed from time to time… The pushing is uncomfortable, but the end result can be amazing if we TRUST God.

The Journey That Life Takes Us On....

I just recently crossed paths with a guy that lived next door to me when I was in Kindergarten. My mind started thinking.. Wow.. He has no idea where my life has taken me since I was in Kindergarten. Back then my mom and dad were married, and I had a baby sister. Now he sees me married with my children, but oh the path God has put me on over the years. Just like everyone else, we just see the NOW, but we honestly have no idea the journey that they took to get to where they are. You don’t know their hurts, hangups, joys, and hardships that have made them who they are today.

                Does he know that I know the hardships of being a child of divorce? I have actually seen 2 of them. One that gave me a wonderful stepmom and a Daddy that I would have a buddy in life, but that I saw die in my early 30’s. I now know about what Cirrhosis of the liver can do to a person. I can look at someone and tell that they have a bad liver. I now know things about estates and will planning. I have had a stepdad that gave me 3 wonderful brothers to grow up with. I grew up one of 5 kids, but people today don’t see that. I had a wonderful spiritual set of grandparents during this time. I got to see the Proverbs 31 woman in that Mamaw.  I got to have those brothers taken where now I see in passing or social media. I had to say goodbye to one after depression and suicide. All these things change a person.  I have been blessed with a great stepdad now that comes with 2 stepbrothers that I use to babysit and a stepsister that I wondered how did she live with those 2 knuckleheads, but in the end, I’m there for them. We have a different grownup friendship.

                Would he know that my mom had open heart surgery at 36. I still remember that scary period of my life. I know about mitrovalve prolapse, Coumadin, INR numbers, and other things that people might not know about. Would he know that I have had my knee caps go to the side of my leg more times that I would had liked? I know things like VMO muscles, having my knee drained, lateral releases, etc.

                He sees me married. Does he realize I married my high school boyfriend, that while separated, he joined the Army. I have seen him in Korea, Kuwait, Iraq, and lived thru these deployments. Army life is a life in itself. Expect the unexpected as I always say. We had awesome friends there, but there are a lot of stories that could be set with lessons learned. Within this time I have learned so much of having a stepchild and the legal system for custody. I have used my knowledge to help friends, but these are some life lessons I could have skipped, but God put me on this journey of life.

                God blessed me with a quirky, fun loving, beautiful sister.  I honestly couldn’t had done with journey without her.. We have faced so much together.. from family dramas, miscarriages, to fighting for her husband. My heart breaks seeing her a walking nurse about her husband’s broken heart. She knows more medical terms, medication names, and everything about her husband’s care with his LVAD.  She even taught me early on not to run through a glass door.. and I taught her not to knock so hard on a glass window. 

                We must all remember that God has set us each on a unique journey. There are hardships who make us who we are today. Take your lessons learned and help those around you that might be in similar troubles that might need your insight or maybe just your encouragement. Let’s bring a little light to this world. Yet when you run across someone you might not understand, please remember  that you don’t see the journey they have been on. You don’t see their painful times that have made them who they are. Here’s to not being so critical of a person, but instead trying to see that they are a child of God. God loves us no matter what!

From the Depths We Rise

Over a year ago, I saw a link to a site where they requested prayer for this precious baby girl fighting for her life. The words from this mom was heart breaking, but one thing pulled at me. It was simply her FAITH. I kept going backwards on her blog...they really need a start at the beginning button. I saw where she was a woman of great faith. A mighty warrior for our wonderful Father. She had already lost her husband, went ahead to have their daughter, the daughter her husband knew she would have. I remember praying constantly for this precious baby..pleading on their behalf...even my children knew we were praying for Baby Ellis to get better.
I have followed Sarah's journey since then. I continue to watch her Rise after life has given her some blows, but she truly praised him in the storm. I love watching Milo's and Ellis grow. I'm thankful she shares her story. When life deals a blow, I remember she continued and so shall I.

This book is like your good friend is sitting next you telling you her life's story. It's an easy read. One I couldn't read wo tears pouring. Tears of sadness
...tears of joy seeing God's hands in it all. You will read her life story of finding her husband. Her journey to become a mom...her journey of seeing her husband fight cancer..her journey of saying goodbye for now to her life's love...seeing her daughter born that her husband had already seen in a vision...her battle for her daughters life to wear she was handed her child to hold to pass away. Yet God is awesome and with faith of a mustard seed...we saw this baby astound doctors and live again. If you need a reminder of how Great our God is...read this book..follow this journey

http://www.journeyofsarah.com/

Living in a Hurting World - Be a Light! Encourage someone!

John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

A Time for Everything
Ecclesiastes 3
3 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.


These are scriptures that I hold near and dear to my heart. Once again this morning, I came face to face with that we are living in a hurting world. People you think are happy and dealing with their hurts.. are really not.. This weekend the world lost a friend... a beacon of light.. someone that encouraged so many from children to adults.. Today a life was ended to early. Once again I am brought to realize how deep depression is.. how it really rips to the core of a person - a person that outwardly is dealing ok. Once again I think is there something I could had done to have reached a little deeper to this friend to help encourage or help them with their loss.. or just to maybe strengthen their faith. May through this battle, I remember to pray daily for God to open my eyes to those that need a hug, an encouraging word, or help. May he guide me better.. but may I ask more.. may I stop in my busy life and look, may I strive to draw closer to our Father.. the one that has come so that we may have peace. God has overcome this world. We are just passing through until we meet him face to face.. We all hurt.. We are in his world that is not made for us.. May during our battles we find the Joy & Peace that only HE can provide. May others see those that are in this battle and stop to encourage and uplift one another..

Friends

For starters, look at the word FRIEND, and think of the true meaning and those you have close in your life. Honestly if you stare at the word long enough, it looks misspelled. Ha!
We are currently doing a bible study with our small group about Community. It brings me back to the simple word ~ friend.
What do you consider a true friend? Who do you consider a good friend? When tragedy or stress hits, I believe a true friend is one that reaches out to check on you. A true friend just knows you and your deeper self (not the outer mosts of us), but they can pick up that, "hey I need to reach out and check on her."

I believe friendship is easier in our earlier years b/c we don't have the daily stress of family, children, bills, and the crazy life that goes with it. For me it is stopping my crazy life and welcoming a friend to lunch or coffee. Just chosing to pick the phone up and call my friend that lives out of town. Then I can honestly feel better about myself and the stress I thought I had. Friends are awesome. Friends should be like our 1st baseman - ready to help us go the rest of the way in life! We can't be like that garage door and hide behind our door and not share our life from our friends. We have to be open, honest, and raw.. The word "raw" has come up alot in my life today.. to be totally true to who you are.. share the best, the worst, and the stuff that we want to hold deepest to ourselves..

Here is to us praying that God brings the friends into our lives that we can partner up with and do life together!!

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.Proverbs 17:17

Hospitality ~ How Often Do You Welcome Someone?

Fall is a great time! We look forward to the holidays, and everyone is a tad bit nicer than the earlier part of the year. Also, let's face it.. Life is BUSY! September chewed me up and spit me out! Once October arrived and a sermon on Stress.Less, I said hello fall! You won't get me down! One of my favorite bloggers does this October challenge to focus on family and prayer, I love it. I always bring my candle out on week 1. I'm pretty sure the blog link is tied to a picture on this blog. I simply love it and looking forward to time where everyone will look forward to spending extra family time!

Last night my pastor preached on a subject that is dear to my heart. Hospitality. To him it wasn't his favorite point and thought it was something everyone needed to hear but might not light a fire on some. I love it b/c it is something I focus on really just my personality.

Here are some of his points:
Hospitality is receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, and generous way. The word literally means "love of strangers."
Biblical hospitality is about making God look good, not ourselves. So don't let a messy house keep you from welcoming someone!

We are to show it not only to friends and family... but strangers.. fellow believers.. and the forgotten .. He even added those that suck the energy out of you.. You need to love even those.

We are to open our hearts, our lives, our homes, emulate the love of Christ, serve Christ by serving others, and bring glory to God.

1 Peter 4: 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13: Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

We all understand that this world is a dangerous place, but you never know what someone is going through. they might just need a smile, an offer to help, or a simple act of kindness. At the beginning of the year, I made a goal to try to cook a meal with a friend and have them over. Offer my home for a visit, even if my kids had destroyed it. I was an OCD person, but really if you have kids.. you survive and laugh at the mess. May we all find a way to help someone, show kindness to those people that society shrugs a shoulder at, show God's love.. there are so many lost souls out there. And from showing God's love, my we show our children to do the same!

Enourage one another

Let’s face it – We are all going through trials. We are all doing this life’s journey, but we should NOT do it alone! I have seen 2 posts just this morning on FB where people are born encouragers to others that are frustrated b/c there aren’t enough of us in this world. I, myself, love thinking of others, helping others, and trying to help others in small ways. There are a small number of us, but there are times we get discouraged! It is hard when people don’t think like you do. This world would be a better place if people didn’t the ME FIRST idea. Let’s not get too busy in our life that we can’t reach out in bless someone. Sometimes it is just doing something small for someone that touches their day like no other. There are times people are going through such trials that God just needs his son or daughter to remind that person that they are not alone! You need to be a light in this dark world!
When I was frustrated last week, God spoke to me during our service Sunday. I don’t try to bless others for my own satisfaction, but just to glorify my Father in Heaven. The next morning while I said my morning prayer with my children, I realized daily I ask God to help us find a way to bless someone! Do you know if you ask God, he will help you. Your excuse, “I’m too busy.” “I’m too tired.” Just really doesn’t cut it. There are times I am places and I know the Lord reminds me… look this person just told you they were looking for this. So I will pick it up and bless that person. Just ask God to help you! Or stop once a week and find someone to send a card to or sometimes just a text!

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55: 8-9

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” I Thessalonians 5:11

I simply just searches “ways to encourage” and found many lists on many sites.
I did like this one http://anextraordinaryday.net/52-practical-and-thoughtful-ways-to-encourage-others/

There are so many people out there hurting! Sometimes just a smile can make someone’s day. Let’s even try to train up our children to be the light in a hurting world b/c let’s face it.. this world needs a Jesus Light!

God is like a radio station

I enjoy listening to this one uplifting radio station while I work. It is the hardest station to listen to! Cloudy days it hardly comes in. I can pick the station up good in the morning but in the afternoons, I'm always wiggling the knob. This morning I was trying to get it to work correctly... then I thought.. wow how many times is God not picking up a one on one communication with us. I bet he wants us to get full service from him all the time. Do you ever wonder if it gets so bad on some days, he stops and says, "Let's put on a CD - Let me let nature worship me, since she won't do it right?" Here's to a morning of listening to a CD while trying to make sure God picks up my prayers and worship fully!

ENJOY your JOURNEY

Journey, Easter Journey is a book that my 3 year old is loving right now. It tells of how Jesus was on a Journey.. Journey journey Jesus.. Jesus on a Journey.. It takes him from his journey to Bethlehem, to Egypt, to being a carpenter, to the cross, to rising up in heaven.

We were in the store the other day when she saw a cross necklace. She said, "Jesus was on a journey, he journeyed to the cross, bad cross, but he is a live!" I thought the lady at the checkout was going to choke. Yesterday my great uncle asked did she like to read. She looked at him and said, "Jesus on a journey, journey journey on!!" Yes this book rhymes, and I have read it alot over the last 2 months. Yet I don't mind b/c I know God is using it to work in me and apparently for her to witness to others.
Since reading it, the work Journey sticks out in many devotions and things I run across...
FIND JOY IN YOUR JOURNEY is a phrase that keeps coming to mind. I love it especially since I was already loving the word JOY this year.

This life bogs us down. Yet we need to stop and make each day matter... find Joy in our Journey! Jesus put us in this world, at this point in history for a reason! Make each day matter for eternity and try not to let this life you get you down... Stop, take a breathe, and find Joy in your Journey, b/c it is YOUR JOURNEY! Jesus put you here... Things you go through is just part of your journey, learn from it and move on!!

2016 ~ The word ~ JOY

Each year many look for their word for the year or their verse for the year. This year I have really thought about it. I have been tested many times, and I keep finding the word JOY in my verses. So for 2016 ~ JOY.

Here are the verses that I have stood out to me the most this year:
James 1: 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Philippians 4: Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Here's to a year of learning no matter what happens, we must find the JOY in the Journey! Allow God to grow us into people with more endurance and more joy than ever before!

Just Be Held & Keep on fighting!

The song that Casting Crowns sings - Just Be Held

"Hold it all together
Everybody needs you strong
But life hits you out of nowhere
And barely leaves you holding on

And when you're tired of fighting
Chained by your control
There's freedom in surrender
Lay it down and let it go

So when you're on your knees and answers seem
so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, Just be held

When your eyes are on the storm
You'll wonder if I love you still
But when your eyes are on the cross
You'll know I always have and I always will

And not a tear is wasted
In time, you'll understand
I'm painting beauty with the ashes
Your life is in my hands

Lift your hands, Life your eyes
In the storm is where you'll find Me
and where you are, I'll hold your heart
I'll hold your heart
Come to Me, find your rest
In the arms of the God who won't let go."

I remember the 1st time I heard that song and I broke down. At that point my sister was fighting with her husband for his life. She still is as he is about to go on the heart transplant list and wait to get a new heart. You talk about putting your life in God's hands.. that is truly trusting God. It is scary. You know someone's life on earth has to end so you can continue to live. My son was just informed of this and is now more worried for his Uncle life. My heart breaks for my sister and my nephews. Their life still has atleast one more upheaval to go.

I think of their trials and know mine isn't near as bad, but the enemy allows us to beat ourselves up. "You aren't good enough." "You are the reason that person has an issue with you." "You don't have life together enough."
I find in life I feel like if I took a few steps back in life - who really would miss me? Then I have to think.. I am here for a reason. God wants me to just turn to Him. I need to keep going forward and trusting Him. I have 4 little eyes on me and in the end, if I can lead them to the Cross that is ALL that matters in this life. This life is hard. Sometimes we need to just back away REST and Be Held and then continue on this life. God Cares about You and that is enough! The world wants you to think otherwise, but don't let the world win!