God's Got The Power!

God's power can transform our lives. Our finite minds cannot comprehend an infinite God. God's power changes us!

...that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,  Ephesians 3:16-17

We limit God's power in our lives because we don't fully understand or trust Him. We begin to worry, fear and doubt. We limit God's power with anger, unforgiveness, gossip, sarcasm, cruelty and bitterness. If we are truly rooted and grounded in love according to these verses then there would be no room for any of those things.

Our sin keeps God's power from transforming our lives!

This is a picture of my youngest daughter on a swing 

at a carnival with my grandkids, November 17, 2012.

Help Wanted: Holy Spirit

One thing I have learned is that I cannot control anyone or anything. When I was younger I believed I had the power to change the world. I'm not sure where I developed that thought process but I really did think I could. After raising my own children, I have certainly been humbled into knowing I can't control even a small child, a teen, or adult child. My children ALL have a mind of their own.

There are times when I want to control what others are thinking, feeling, believing, etc. I give it my best effort in trying to convince them of what I believe is the better way to think, feel, believe, etc. It sounds to me like I may have some control issues but I will write about that on another day. God has given everyone a free-will and we have to honor that in each individual.

Only God can change the heart of any individual. Allow God to change others internally because it's the only possible solution. It seems there are so many of us who try to be the "Holy Spirit" in the lives of others but that just does not work. First of all, when I am consumed with how others behave then I have taken the focus off myself and what needs to change in me. Secondly, if I am concerned over someone's actions then that should just be a reminder to bring them before the Lord and leave them there. It's God's job, not ours ~ so let it go! God may or may not change that individual but I guarantee He will change our own hearts in a way we never dreamed possible. ~

Life would be simpler and more enjoyable when we focus on God and His desire for our lives! Stay focused!

~ This is the day that the Lord hath made.....I don't want to mess it up!

This picture was taken of my youngest daughters little one on February 2013.

God's Road Map for Life!

      Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

                              And lean not on your own understanding;
                              In all your ways acknowledge Him,
                              And He shall direct your paths.

God has a plan and purpose for each one of us and wants to direct our lives in every way. We need to seek His will each and every day in order to stay on the right road of life. If not, we will lose our way and it can become very difficult to get back on the right road and will delay us to where He wants us to be......

My prayer: Lord, forgive me for not going in the right direction and please guide me today so that I will not get lost but instead be able to accomplish what you need for me to do!

The meaning and purpose you find in helping others will enrich and expand your life!

This picture was taken at sunset while visiting Fernandina Beach 2014.

Love Is Time!

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her Ephesians 5:25

Busy lives cause us to forget what is important. The best expression of LOVE is time. The most valuable thing we can give to anyone is our time. This is an area where I need to improve and has always been more a weakness than one of my strengths.

My husband is very good at giving me his attention. He is also good at giving attention to my children and my grandchildren. He gave more of himself to his family than to his work or any other thing in his life. There was never anything he preferred doing or had any desire to do more than just being around all of us. When the children all left the nest he especially enjoyed our time together. He still reminds me when I get too busy with making plans to be sure to schedule plenty of time for just us.

I used to be at a Mock 4 with my hair on fire on a daily basis but many things have come into my life to make me change my perspective on time. My priorities have changed for the better and I make plenty of time to do the things that really matter most. I don't always get it right but I do have a great example that I live with who gives me good counsel when I begin to find myself too busy.

God blessed me with a man who will give me all the time I want or need ~ He shows me that I am his priority and that he values me. Time is a special gift!

Each week after work my husband takes time to have a tea party with each of my sons daughters. They love having him sit at their little tables and sharing their drinks and snacks. He loves it too! This picture was taken February 2014.

God's Promise!

 And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Your fathers, including Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, dwelt on the other side of the River in old times; and they served other gods. Joshua 24:2

God made a promise (also called a Covenant) with Abram in the book of Genesis. The covenant with Abram is to show us that God will bless anyone no matter who they are. At that time Abram came from a family background of people who worshiped false gods and yet God chose him to bless. It is to encourage us that no matter what kind of background we have or what sin may have been in our life God wants to bless us. The same promise then is the same promise of blessing God wants to give to us and to our families if we choose to trust in Him.

God also used the apostle Paul in a tremendous way and he was an executioner of anyone who professed to be a Christian. These are two people in the scriptures that had terrible and damaging background checks but God changed their future. That should give us hope that no matter what God can change all that is negative about us and use us for something great!

This picture was taken on my walk June 11, 2014. I had to ask God to 
forgive me for not taking more time to enjoy all the beauty around me.

God's Control!

And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him: “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. II Chronicles 15:2

King Asa decided to trust in men and his own riches to protect him instead of God and was defeated.

The bad news is we are way weaker and worse than we think we are....the good news is that Jesus is way stronger and better than we could ever hope or imagine....a quote from Pastor Tullian

Trust God to take care of everything!

 This picture was taken on a walk October 20, 2012 at Morikami Japanese Gardens.

Seek And You Will Find Him!

Matthew 6:33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.

Last week I taught our kids at church this verse. I explained that if you seek God first then He will take care of everything else. We named all the problems that could happen to kids under 10 years of age. I explained that God wanted to take care of all their concerns but He wanted them to seek Him first each day.  The simplest way that I could think of to teach this life application of seeking God in their young lives was to teach these 3 steps:

1. Pray

2. Read Your Bible

3. Obey (asking God to help them obey their parents, teachers, etc.)

These were the 3 steps I told them they would need to do in order to seek God first every day. It's the same with us too. We need to pray, read our Bibles and ask God to guide us and strengthen us to be obedient to Him in our pursuit of seeking Him.

My daughter took this picture of her children playing

 on the beach while visiting New York several years ago.

God Changes Things!

And He changes the times and the seasons; Daniel 2:21a

The story of Joseph is such an encouragement to me when life doesn't make sense. I think about when his brothers threw him into a pit to kill him and then sold him into slavery. Then his encounter with Potiphar's wife and getting thrown into prison. There were so many things that happened to Joseph that were so terribly wrong and yet he never  let the circumstances change his trust in God. Joseph trusted that God's hand was upon him and moved forward every day doing what ever needed to be done. Many years later God blessed him by making him 2nd in command to the great nation of Egypt. He was reunited with his family and everything changed.

There are many stories in the Bible that show us that God uses the good and the bad for his purpose. We can't always trust in the circumstances of our life but we can always trust God. It should give us hope that no matter what difficulty we may have that God has His purpose and His plan for us too. We can trust Him to make everything right no matter how impossible it may seem and no matter how much we have messed it up.

God can take our hopeless circumstance that we are facing today and make it  our blessing for tomorrow, next week, next month or next year. He brought us life from death 2000 years ago....

 This picture was taken at the Historical Fernandina Beach on January 2014.

Frugal Living

Matthew 6:33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. 

written January 6, 2011:
A consecrated Jewish believer, Dr. Max Reich, gave this testimony: "When my wife and I were first married, we felt called to full-time Christian service, God blessed our ministry and many people accepted the Lord. Although our income was small and we had few worldly possessions, our hearts were full of joy. One day, however, my wife said, "Max, there's nothing to eat for dinner!'

I didn't reply at first but stood listening to the birds singing in the trees.

Suddenly these words from a well-known Gospel song flashed through my mind: 'His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.' Immediately I said, 'If our Heavenly Father feeds the birds, surely He'll take care of us!' Just then a lady knocked at the door. After introducing herself she said, 'My husband was a hopeless alcoholic. Every time he got his check he'd spend most of it to get drunk, so the children and I were often hungry. Recently he heard you preach the Gospel, and the Lord worked a miracle in his heart. Now he's a changed man! For the first time in years he brought home a full week's pay, and I was able to get a good supply of groceries. I thought as I was cooking, part of this food really belongs to Brother Reich. I was going to bring you some later, but I felt compelled to do it immediately. Here's half of the chicken I fried and some biscuits fresh from the oven!' 'We were so happy,' said Dr. Reich, that we sang, 'Praise God from whom all blessings flow!' To this moment the Lord has never failed to give us our daily bread."

Worrying can be helpful when it spurs you to take action and solve a problem. But if you’re preoccupied with “what ifs” and worst-case scenarios, worry becomes a problem of its own.

 This picture was taken at La Mancha Spain 2007.

Unloved!

When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, “The Lord has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me.” Then she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing. Genesis 29:31-35

Jacob didn't love Leah but instead loved her sister Rachel. This story is usually told according to the perspective of how Jacob and Rachel must have felt at being tricked by her father Laban into marrying Leah. Let's take time to consider how Leah must have felt having to marry a man who was in love with her sister. No matter what Leah did right her husbands heart belonged to Rachel. That takes sibling rivalry to a whole new level.

According to these verses it sounds like she held on to some hope that he would come to love her eventually. She really shows unconditional love to her husband because you don't hear her complaining. God blessed her for her faithfulness to her husband by giving her so many children plus a longer life than her sister Rachel and she was buried with her husband Jacob. He did come to the end of his life treating her with great respect and the honor she deserved.

Leah teaches with her life to trust God no matter the circumstances. To never lose hope and especially to never complain of the situation you find yourself.  God allows these trials in our life to refine our faith or the faith of others!

 This picture was taken in Savannah, Georgia on March 2013.

Love Others

John 15: 12-13 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

Love is the greatest gift you can give to anyone and it is God's gift to us through Christ Jesus. God sent His Son to die on the cross to pay for our sin and He is asking us to love others. The cross was the ultimate sacrifice and Christ suffered, bled and died. His parting message to us were in those two scriptures as a command because loving others is a priority to our Heavenly Father.

Whenever we find ourselves  feeling resentful for the sacrifice we are making for others ~ we need to keep in mind God's sacrifice for us was on the cross.  

What Are The Voices Inside Your Head Saying?

You are NOT pretty enough, thin enough, smart enough, gifted enough! The negative thoughts that come into our head can be an obstacle to deal with each day before we even begin to face the day. What do we do with those negative voices in our head that make us feel that we are not able to do anything, accomplish anything, or have any purpose?

This is a good time to begin to "pray!" If the negative thoughts are about someone who is now living rent free in our mind then we need to pray for them and that will begin to hush those voices. Meditate on God's Word. Read something that you enjoy. Be sure to surround yourself with positive, sweet, caring people because the negatives can cause those voices to scream instead all the poison you are hearing. Some times this means we have to disconnect kindly from the negativity of family or friends to have more peaceful thoughts.

Life is too fragile to fill it with anything that will only take away your peace! God wants us to live in a way that is pleasing to Him and not overrun by others and their own destructive patterns. Live purposefully in a way that makes those around you feel the blessing of your friendship!

There are steps to take to hush those negative voices in your head and it works! Here are some suggestions:

1. Pray
2. Meditate on God's Word
3. Go to church (it's free therapy)
4. Listen to good music and read a good book
5. Join a Bible Study Group
6. Helping others by serving in a ministry or community outreach.
7. Choose wisely with who and where you spend your time - such as a park, the beach, any place that makes your soul smile!

 A picture I took of the top of one of my granddaughters December 2013.

Sacrifice!

Written January 2017:
I John 3:16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Anytime we begin to hear ourselves talk about all we do for this person or that person, sounding like a martyr, a red flag should go up! A healthy individual is not someone who believes they are the only one who does anything in their family or community. There are moments when we believe we alone are the only ones making sacrifices in the relationship. We only deceive ourselves and usually blinded in the contributions of others around us.

This verse tells us about God loving us so much that he sacrificed his only son. This verse also tells us that we should do the same for others. I am sure there are moments in my life where I have felt that I have sacrificed for my children or my spouse but in all honesty have I really ever laid down my life for them or anyone else? 

Let's remember God's sacrifice to us the next time we are in a place feeling that we are the ONLY ONES who give our all because realistically we have not given enough.

This picture was taken of a Hibiscus flower in my back yard in 2006.

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Eclectic Relationships

When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. Ephesians 4:29 

I have decorated my home in an eclectic style from a broad range of memories and inspiration. I have used what I love instead of what someone else says that I should or should not use in my home. My home reflects good memories, people, places or things that have inspired me along the way.   I have things around the house that bring back wonderful memories of places I have traveled and been inspired to use my creativity. When I look around my home it all comes together in my mind according to my personal journey of life!

My relationships are much the same way as I decorate my home. I also have friends that I have made good memories with and have inspired me much in the same way. There are so many types of friends in life who we meet growing up, at school, at church, our neighbors, at work, etc. The one thing that I find important in any friendship is someone who gives affirmation. Not someone who just tells me what I want to hear but someone who I know loves me genuinely to build me up instead of tearing me down.

Over the years I have had all types of friends but the one thing that I have learned from watching my own children is the importance of choosing your friends more carefully. I spent years giving my children affirmation to help reinforce their self esteem and confidence only to have them choose a friend who can undo all the years I have invested with their criticism. One of my grand kids confided in me how one of their friends brought them to tears with their harsh words. I began to affirm her and thought about how all of my own children had been defeated so many times by the negativity and criticism of others.

Later on that same day I witnessed as one of my kids was being criticised by one of their friends in a sarcastic remark.   I knew that no matter how much I tried to correct that situation and affirm my adult child in that untruth that the damage was already done and it would be to no avail. It makes me sad to think that all those years of affirmation could be damaged by people who are critical in nature. It also teaches me to be careful in who I personally choose to be around too. I can only pray that my own children and grandchildren do not allow others to destroy their self esteem and confidence. I can't control what others do but I can choose to decorate my life a lot like my home with eclectic relationships that inspire me!

Michael Minot tweeted: Your value doesn't somehow decrease just because someone else doesn't recognize your worth. 

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This picture was taken when I was walking on Peanut Island, May 2013.

Don't Worry!

Matthew 6:31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?"



We know as Christians that we shouldn't worry if we trust God but there is plenty to worry about for everyone in this crazy world. The problem is how do we not let that worry defeat us? In the scriptures above, Jesus is giving us some examples of what we worry about such as our health (what shall we eat & drink) and our possessions (what shall we wear).

Some people believe that these types of worries are only for the poor but actually the rich worry too. The poor worry about how they will get these things, the wealthy worry about losing them. Actually there are so many things we could spend our days worrying about in our relationships, job security, family, health and the list is endless.

Worry is stressful to our mind, body and soul and can make us physically sick. It can also take away precious time from our life if we spend too much time worrying; such as hours, days, months and even years. Is there really anything good that comes out of worrying? I can't think of a thing!

If we want to stop worrying then let's begin to take action steps to change this unhealthy pattern. First of all we should pray....then we need to ask others to pray for us too.  Once we have given that worry over to prayer we should begin enjoying creation and taking the time to look at what is beautiful in the world. The ocean is the place where I like to take my worries and my sadness because I feel God's presence; and I pray that I am able to leave them there! 

God has provided so much beauty around us to be able to enjoy and see His goodness. He provides us with His Word to give us hope of uncertainty. He provides us with good people to help us sort out the chaos and assist us in making sense of what is truly important. 

We cannot control those things around us....and most of the time I can't even control my response to those things.....but God has a way of guiding, teaching and comforting while in the midst of the worry....

I took this picture October 2013 of the typewriter in our office that I have used since the early 90's - I love the wheelwriter 10 and get a kick out of it when young people come in here and look at it as if it is something out of Jurassic Park.

Don't Give Up!

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. 
I Samuel 1:10

Hannah was being tortured by her rival and in a very dark place in her life because she wanted so badly to have a child.

But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara which means bitter for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. Ruth 1:20

Ruth was bitter because of the death of her husband and two sons. These ladies responded with their emotions weeping in anguish and a bitter heart. They didn't walk around with a smile on their face and trying to think positive. They were in the darkest place as we so often find ourselves in times of crisis. Hannah cried out to God bargaining with him for a child. Naomi worked the fields and still did what she knew had to be done to put food on the table for herself and Ruth.

They could not see or imagine how wonderful their futures would turn out in spite of their emotions. God blessed them both in a great way that they could not have imagined. When all was lost for them both, it was only the beginning of their story.

Our lesson is to hang on in spite of the emotions of grief, bitterness, heartache and loss. No matter how much you feel your emotions are not showing your faith and trust, God will still move in your life. Sometimes we find ourselves in a difficult situation but don't give up!

 This is a picture taken of Palm Beach Island and the connecting bridge I took April 13, 2008.

Be Considerate Of Others

“Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourself.”  Phil. 2:3b

Can you imagine what kind of world this would be if people would treat others better than they would treat themselves? It would change all relationships within the family, the church and our nation.

Instead we , disrespect, mock and treat each other as if we do not value each other. When I hear someone make fun of another person (especially if it is towards one of my kids) my heart grieves. Even if it is one of my kids towards their siblings it makes my heart hurt. 

It's no one's right to criticize or humiliate another person for a laugh!

 This is a picture I took of the water from our backyard fountain.

A Matter Of Perspective

This was written by one of my junior high teachers who is still in contact with me today thanks to facebook! She was one of my favorite teachers and now one of my favorite friends who I know takes time to pray for me and my family. I asked permission to use this on my devotional blog because it was such an encouragement to me personally and I know will be to you too!

A Matter of Perspective! by Donna Sparks:

There is someone in my extended family for whom I have prayed regularly for years.  She is a Christ-follower…but seems not to be concerned about how others perceive her attitudes and behavior.

Realizing that it was not my place to correct or direct her, I prayed specifically about certain aspects of her character that I thought surely the Lord would want to work on to improve her image as a Christian.  Knowing that God knows more about her and can speak to her in ways that I cannot, I began to pray, “Lord, help her to see herself as you see her.”

I felt satisfied that I had hit upon the best approach to God on her behalf…until this morning during my prayer time.  I prayed as usual, “Lord, help her to see herself as you see her,” and then words came out of my mouth that I had never intended to pray—“and help me to see her as you see her.”  I literally jumped and almost said, “No, Lord, I meant to say…” But I stopped in awe of what had just happened…and conviction flooded my heart. The Holy Spirit had led me to pray in the way that I should have been praying all along.

God doesn’t need me to point out what’s wrong in the life of his children; Satan is already the champion accuser. Rather than focusing on the negative, I am beginning to look for things that God sees in this woman as praiseworthy, and then thank him for them, trusting him to continue to work in her life.  God needs me to see her as he sees her—his child under construction…just like me.

Donna Pharr Sparks refers to herself as “an expired English teacher,” because after becoming a stay-at-home mom ten years into her career, she allowed her certificate to expire.  She still loves using her writing skills and has been published in several magazines, including Family Circle and Woman’s Day.  A native of Chattanooga, Donna lives with her husband, Ray, in Murfreesboro, TN.  She enjoys working with children at her church and cherishes fun times with three of her four grandchildren. She has to settle for Skyping with the fourth one, who
                                         lives in Germany.

Struggling With Fear

“Fear not!” is the most repeated command in the Bible. Fear is no doubt one of many  problems that people are struggling with today.  It began in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve sinned and hid themselves from the Lord. The Lord called out for Adam, and Adam replied, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself" Genesis 3:10. 

As we think of gardens in the coming days of spring, consider the garden where Jesus prayed so hard he sweat blood compared to our present trials. “We are not asked to go anywhere where he has not gone before us,” writes Lewis in a letter to Mrs. Jessup in Nov. 1952. “I have had enough experiences of the crises of family life, the terrors, the despondencies, hopes deferred, and wearinesses. …Take it hour by hour, don’t add the past & the future to the present load more than you can help.” Read More

For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ Isaiah 41:13

In the words of the hymn written by Charitie Bancroft in the 1800's - to the accuser who roars of sins that I have done, "I know them all and thousands more, Jehovah knoweth none."

Begin With God

Proverbs 2:10-12
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will fill you with joy.
11 Wise choices will watch over you.
Understanding will keep you safe.
12 Wisdom will save you from evil people,
from those whose words are twisted.

It seems that all the odds are against us when we want to live right; that is certainly what Satan would have us to believe. Overcoming the evil one and evil people in our life is a daily task and these scriptures tell us that wisdom and knowledge are the key to a healthy lifestyle.

Wisdom and knowledge come from God and how do we get it? By reading and studying God's Word. That is why it is so important to attend church weekly. Be where the Word of God is being presented as often and as much as possible, soak it in. Seems simple enough but yet people continue to struggle through life missing the message God has for them week after week.

Are we leaving God last on our schedule or do we begin each week in His presence and the safety of His house and His people - The Church!

"Visit many good books, but live in the Bible." - C.H. Spurgeon

Creativity Comes From The Creator

Matthew 25:29 "To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance."

written December 28, 2010:
When I need a creative idea for my work I usually find it after a prayer! I determined a long time ago that God is the source of creativity. Looking at creation alone shows us His handiwork.

What an endless resource we have with our Heavenly Father. If you need a good "outside of the box" idea, pray and see what God helps you come up with today!

 This picture was taken inside of a large walk thru Christmas tree in 

Delray Beach, Florida in December 2012. I wrote the inspirational quote on April 30, 2013.

Do You See What I See?

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

Nothing is really ever as it seems, I always say! I have learned to not look at the circumstances of life because that will just side track me into believing all is lost and abandoned. In reality, life still happens in the darkest hour but our minds don't exactly wrap around that idea.

The human mind is so capable of wrong perceptions, missed perceptions and of not being consistent even at times with reality. If we are not careful our perception will become our reality.

Watch out for people around you who will typically point out what they see in the natural. Don’t allow fear to cloud your sight.

Renew your mind by changing the way you think!

 Jupiter Lighthouse taken in 2011.

Love Languages

written by Tracey Schultz Graham:
I could't sleep last night so what do you do when you can't sleep? You start a project. Mine was trying to figure out what to do with a box that I had yet to unpack - a box filled with books. I really need to invest in a bookcase but I can't seem to narrow it down on all the ones I find on Pinterest. Oops, I seemed to have admitted my addictions. Books & Pinterest (ok that's a whole other story). Anyways, as I was going through my books I came across a book that was written by Gary Chapman called, "The Five Love Languages."

According to this book, it tells you what your one emotional love language is. On a rare instance, a person may have two - guess who has two? Okay so I rarely follow the rules and never color inside the lines. What can I say? As I opened the book, skimmed through the pages, I saw right there in black and white my two love languages. Words of affirmation and quality time. I started thinking obviously these are my needs, my desires that I require to make a relationship work. Then I thought about God and if He is first in my life was I meeting His needs and His desires? In other words, does God have any "Love Languages?"

I love how God is faithful and answers in our quiet time if we just listen and meditate on Him. We always think of God as strong, powerful, almighty, not needing us, not wanting to be desired by us but the truth is that the Bible is a love story between God and His people. The most important thing we will ever learn about God is He desires a relationship with us!

John 17:3 says that they may know you, the only true God.

Jeremiah 29:13 "You will seek me and find me when you search with all your heart."

That verse says to me that he wants me to pursue him. That God waits to be wanted. He doesn't want a "part time" relationship with us. He wants "Quality Time." God desires to share a life of beauty, intimacy & friendship with us. God also wants "Words of Affirmation" or Praise/Worship/Thankfulness.

Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always; Again, I will say, Rejoice!"

I Thessalonians 5:18 "In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Giving God Praise, Worship & Thankfulness is so important because it increases our intimacy with him. I always knew about God ever since I was a little girl but I didn't know God. We don't really know God until we step out on his word & have experiences with him and see his faithfulness.

God thank you for letting me see your "love languages" and remove anything or anyone that keeps me from you. Amen!!

Daily Giants!

Caleb: “...the Lord will lead us into that land and will give us that fertile land. Don’t turn against the Lord! Don’t be afraid of the people in that land! We will chew them up. They have no protection, but the Lord is with us.” Num. 14:8-9

Those same giants of the past are here with us today: Addictions, Fatigue, Gossip, Fear, Jealousy, Pettiness, Opposition, Depression, Resentment, Anger, Rudeness, Negativity, Temptations, Bad thoughts, Self-pity, Laziness, Insecurity to name a few.

Because of God’s love and acceptance for us is not contingent on what we do or don’t do but instead on what Christ has already done on the cross. We are free to press on in spite of the giants of this life. 

Pastor Tullian’s New Years message was “If we are faithless, He remains faithful!” Sermon Link

No matter what giant we face today,

we have the victory in Christ!

 This picture was taken as I was driving through Andalucia, Spain in 2012.https://www.thesanctuaryfl.org/sermons/sermon/2019-12-30/he-remains-faithful

Critical In Nature

"Judge not, that ye be not judged." Matthew 7:1

It is so easy to be critical of others and when I begin to go down that trail I have to ask myself: "When did I get to be so superior?" Am I so perfect that even though I have so much to work on myself personally I need instead to take time and thought to what others are doing wrong? I instead need to begin praying for those individuals and realizing they are in God's hands and take responsibility for myself. I think it is easier to see the faults of others than our own faults. We are fools if we believe we have it right and others have it wrong.

We need to stop believing we have the power to change others when we cannot even change ourselves. Let's work on encouraging others instead of tearing them down. Let's learn to take our focus off what others do and say so we can focus more on what we do and say instead.

Criticism has never accomplished anything but instead has brought pain to others. 

Criticism is a lot like cruelty, it leaves similar scars.

This picture was taken of the flowers in my yard!

A Time For Everything

Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything,
   and a season for every activity under the heaven...  

Solomon describes in chapter 3 the cycles of life: sowing & reaping; weeping & laughing, mourning & dancing; gaining & losing; silence & speaking; loving & hating.....so how do we handle these cycles? Do we only respond well or with gratitude when they are the ones that we want? Or do we trust God in ALL of them?
 
God is in control of all that happens to us, good and bad. So what is our response to Him in everything?  I think we have a tendency to love God when it is all good but then angry or hate God when things are bad. Like our children do when they don't get their way or have to do something they don't care to do. One moment our kids are thrilled with us because we are taking them to the mall but the next moment they are hating us for asking them to clean their room.
 
I have learned so much about my relationship with God from watching my children respond to me as their mother and I know where they get it from.....their father! HA, I wish.....no I have to take responsibility here; unfortunately, they follow my example!

God's plans for your life far exceed the circumstances of your day! 

                                                                                                                              Louie Giglio

This picture was taken of me and my husband October 2013.

Infinite Understanding!

written by Tracey Schultz Graham:
During my morning reading I focused on Psalms 147. It tells us what gives God his greatest joy and that's genuine worship & trust from us. But I paused on verse 5 which says "Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite." I just became in awe over that verse, "His understanding is infinite." That speaks volumes.....

God's understanding has NO limits!!! There are days that I don't even understand myself but God understands me perfectly!!! So why wouldn't I want to know him more every day? Why wouldn't I make him first in my life? Why wouldn't I seek his will for my life? After all, who knows me better than God himself!

Trust Me!

"He who trusts in himself is a fool. . ." Proverbs 28:26

written January 7, 2011:
Why is trust something I have to ask God constantly to forgive me? One reason is God's ways don't always make sense to me. Also, It is difficult to trust in a plan that requires me to surrender all control.

You might say I am a bit of a "control freak" and so that may be one of the reasons I find it so difficult to surrender myself to God. Even though I know in my heart that He has my best interest at heart and knows best how to guide my life and yet; I am still trying to learn to surrender daily.

Some days I get it right and some days....well, the "control freak" in me gets it sooooo wrong!

Mother Teresa said, “You will never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you’ve got.”

 This picture was taken at my granddaughters birthday party 2012.