Tag Archives: blessings

Blessings, Christ's light, Christian Living, happiness, Journey

Two for Tuesday – Adversity and Truthful Witness

January 7, 2020 Kay Dennis Leave a comment

“The Lord’s justice will dwell in the desert, his righteousness live in the fertile field. The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭32:16-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It’s Try Something New Tuesday. Yesterday, my saved post disappeared. So, today, I’m trying a two-for-one special.

Have you ever thought “can things get any worse?” If you have, you are not alone. Unfortunately, the answer is YES! Take a look around. The more I listen to others, the more I realize things can be much worse. Yet, you may wonder why God’s people go through adversity. Jesus, himself, lived through horrible circumstances, including torture, before dying and being resurrected. Being a Christian doesn’t exempt us from adversity. However, adversity can further us in our spiritual journeys. We could never really understand the darkness others go through, if everything was always wonderful. Once we have lived through what we think is bad, we need to remember how it felt. Why? So we can be a blessing to others while they are going through the same.

Have you ever wanted someone to notice or recognize an accomplishment? Well, if your answer is yes, you are not alone. This is something I work on daily. When I have worked hard on a project, sometimes, I wish just one person would notice. The truth is they do. It is not necessary for them to validate my need for praise. Last week a coworker compared me to another person. She said we both needed attention, but I do good things to get attention. The other person, in contrast, does bad things to get attention. YIKES! I never thought of it that way. Although I said I was doing things to glorify God, I wasn’t bearing truthful witness.

What does it mean to be a truthful witness? It means you are someone who glows in the glory of doing God’s work. There is no need for praise or blame. Pure satisfaction is found solely in doing God’s work, whatever we are called to do. To bear truthful witness is to live in the peace of the LORD. Doesn’t that sound awesome! Although I’m not sure if anyone, other than Jesus, has been a perfect truthful witness, my husband is very good at this. Even if we are not always perfect, we can work to improve ourselves. This is one of the best ways to witness God’s love to others.

Today, imagine the Glory of God shining down upon you as you do his work. May God bless you.

Christian Living, Faith, Forgiveness, Gratitude, happiness

Try Something New Tuesday – Be Humble, Part One

October 2, 2018 Kay Dennis 2 Comments

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:3-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It’s Tuesday and a great day to try something new. Last week I visited the doctor with a throat infection. During that visit, we had a discussion about my balance and falling. She suggested a stationary bicycle. Well, in my family room I have an elliptical machine that can be used sitting down, like a bicycle. It’s been sitting there literally for years. I look at it every day. We hang things on it. So, over the weekend I decided to try something new, use the elliptical as a bicycle. The first time I used it I last less than five minutes before my knees began hurting. Yesterday, I used for ten minutes in the morning and ten more minutes in the evening. This morning I lasted twenty minutes and at 20 miles per hour. Of course, I didn’t have the tension turned on, but you have to start somewhere. So this morning I have a smile in my heart from the accomplishment, and from the feeling of fall in the air. What will you try?

Have you ever noticed that world systems are often in opposition to what God teaches? For example, I noticed a few years back that the world teaches us to depend on ourselves and work hard to excel in different areas to move up the career ladder. Many times this means doing whatever it takes to achieve your goal, including stepping on whoever is in your way. While everyone has their moral limits, many fall into this trap. I did. I don’t think I stepped on others, but I was focused on my goals above all else.

Today’s scripture tells us to trust and praise God, be humble and help others before we think of ourselves. In fact, if you study the Bible, you will find that the pride promoted by the world is at the heart of all evil. It is the reason Satan and a third of the angels fell. So, what does God want? He wants a humble, faithful, ever praising, giving and forgiving heart.

When I figured this out, I have to be honest, I thought “that’s simple”. It is a simple concept, but it takes a great deal of effort and practice. If you don’t know what I mean, try it for one day. All types of scenarios will arise and you will ask “what now God?” That’s why I have decided to take a few days to explain this subject. What I have discovered along my journey is: I’m happier; I have more real friends; I am more self-disciplined; and I’m more successful. However, the success is not from my efforts. It’s from God working in my life. As it turns out, the old way is the hard way. God’s way brings much more happiness and satisfaction.

Today, try Something New. Say goodbye to pride and hello to a humble heart. May God bless and keep you always.

2018, Blessings, Celebrating, Change the World, Christian Living, Faith, Forgiveness, Journey, Kindness, King, Knitting, Let your light shine, life

Spread the Love Friday – Blown Away by Faith

March 2, 2018 Kay Dennis 7 Comments

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11

Happy Friday! It feels good to be back. I apologize for my brief time away. I will spend the day trying to catch up with everyone.

Over the last five to six weeks I’ve been working very long days at work, usually going in at 7 in the morning and rarely leaving before 9:30 in the evening. Plus, I’m a student, I’m active in my community and church, and I’m a grandmother who loves being involved. So, I’ve been busy. If you don’t know, I’m a City Planning Director of a small town in north Florida. A little over a year ago we submitted an application to the American Planning Association (APA) for a Community Planning Assistance Team (CPAT) to visit our city and provide a plan to improve economic development. Our city has been plagued by negative publicity related to abuses which may have taken place years ago in a reform school that has now closed. Unfortunately, our city has felt the pain of job losses, and citizens moving away. Now, it seems we have a bad reputation, which makes it hard to attract new businesses and visitors.

I felt God’s blessings when our application was selected. I remember dancing around the City Manager’s office with excitement when I learned the news. To me this has been a big deal, so I began immediately planning to take advantage of this opportunity. After entering into a contract, the team leader and program director visited our city last April. The visit went well and my excitement escalated.

At the end of January, I was notified that the team would be arriving February 25th, and would stay through March 2nd. With not much time to plan, a staff of four (one employee on vacation and another at training for over a week), along with working with another agency, we had to move quickly.

I don’t know if you have ever experienced this type of event, but it hinges on public participation. One of the suggestions the team leader made early on was to host a community-wide, public function that would bring people out to participate in feedback. I met with my colleague and we decided to use a model similar to one used in Durham, North Caroline. Our city, county and community would get married. After the name “Marry Marianna” was approved by both agencies, the real work began.

I want you to know that things like this don’t fall into place. I can honestly say that my colleague and I are very strong in our faith, and we both tried to select others who felt the same. The funny thing is, we didn’t have to try hard because all along God brought the right people into our lives. A close family friend joined efforts with a very sweet lady, who I now call my friend, to manage the entertainment. They took care of everything free of charge and were a joy with which to work. I never gave much thought to what they were doing, because I completely trusted them. All the entertainment was provided free of charge and was inclusive. I had a surprise at the event, when I saw my father was part of the crew!

Along our journey to complete this nuptial, we worked hard, but I found many people stepped up to help without much effort on our part. Wedding cake, drinks, money and many more items along with time were donated.

During the planning of Marry Marianna, I was also very busy setting up and confirming meetings with what would be more than 150 stakeholders, and writing three newspaper articles a week. That was time-consuming, so I relied heavily on my assistant to take care of details such as ordering supplies for the team and organizing what would become a week-long community event. My colleague and I were also very busy with public speaking engagements, which placed a heavier load on my other Continue reading Spread the Love Friday – Blown Away by Faith →

Christian Living, Forgiveness, Praise, Prayer, Thankful

Use Your Gifts to Change the World Wednesday – The Annointing is Wonderful!

February 7, 2018 Kay Dennis 4 Comments

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:31‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Good Morning from Tallahassee. I traveled to Tallahassee this morning to attend a work related class. I’m excited to see business friends and learn about legislative changes that are being considered. It’s a good day to spread God’s love wherever you go.

This will be a short post. I worked until 9 p.m. and left the house at 4:30 this morning. Our class is about to start, but I did want to share that the anointing is still with me and it is WONDERFUL. Praise God! I have had several speaking engagements over the last week, and everything was perfect. Last night I spoke before the City Council in a packed out house – standing room only. After I spoke I received applause. That’s something I have never seen at a City Council meeting before. So, if you are struggling with anything, get right with God!

Have a wonderful day. God bless you.

Christian Living, Faith, Forgiveness, Gods word for me today, Make a difference, Praise, Prayer

Try Something New Tuesday – Strength in Weakness

February 6, 2018 Kay Dennis 3 Comments

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday! Please forgive me for not being as diligent about posting and reading your posts over the next couple of weeks. I’ve had a few responsibilities added to my already full plate, and I’m struggling to keep up.

Isn’t it great to know that no matter what is going on in the world, we can rest in God’s love! Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that Christ told Paul His grace was enough. That means no matter what we go through, we will be okay. As a matter of fact, we will be better than okay. Jesus said his “strength is made perfect in weakness.” What does perfect strength mean to you? Does it mean that you will be able to lift the weight of the world? Does it mean that you can battle the flu or other illnesses, or does it mean that you can face your demons? Perfect strength is all of these things. You may think you are weak, but in our weakness He is strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9 is our verse for the week and can be found on the ScriptureTyper app under Hisperfecttiming.

Have a blessed day! May God richly bless your life.

Caring, Christian Living, Faith, Family, Goodness, Gratitude, happiness, Healing, Manners, Movie

Forgiveness Thursday – On Family and Friends

December 28, 2017 Kay Dennis Leave a comment

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Happy Thursday from a very cold and rainy Florida. I’m studying this morning with my grandson by my side. We started the day with Landon taking a drive in his new car.

Have you ever felt like your emotional steering was out-of-control; like you were running off road? Do you need to get your life back on track? Often during the holidays we have a little extra stress, and may find ourselves being short-tempered with our family. If this describes you or what has happened to you, let it go. Forgive your family and friends. Life is too short to hold grudges and stay away from the people we love. You might miss out on moments like the ones in the photos above. It’s important to remember that we don’t all think and behave alike. Usually the ones who hurt our feelings don’t even know it. Sometimes bad things happen to where we can’t be around our family and/or friends. Forgive them and yourself even if you can’t be around them any more.