“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Happy Monday! Thanksgiving is wonderful time of the year. We enjoyed good friends, family and food. I feel very blessed and that is something good. I hope you enjoyed the holiday as well. I have a short post today, mostly due to the number of meetings in my schedule. I plan to return with a better post tomorrow.
Do you ever feel like your situation couldn’t possibly get any worse? Do you lose your focus and have trouble completing the smallest of tasks? Well, you might be depressed and need to see a doctor. In the meanwhile, remember that you are never alone and God is constantly sharpening your skills for future assignments. I often reflect and I never expected my life to unfold how it has. The best part is you never know who you are helping along the way.
He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Psalms 107:29 KJV
Good Morning and happy Memorial Day! Say hello to my little subtropical storm friend, Alberto. The eye of the storm is expected to make landfall about 70 miles from where we live, but so far we’ve only seen scattered showers and light wind. Thanks be to God! After a week of rain many are concerned about flooding. The local businesses depending on tourism and the economy in Florida will definitely feel the storm.
I started feeling the low air pressure Friday evening before I realized there was a storm. This morning I thought it might be good to sleep in, but let’s just say that Dominic had other plans for me. I woke up to my fur ball cat wrapped around my head pulling my hair. The mighty hunter awoke us night before last when he pushed my husband’s bread machine onto the floor. I’m glad he’s cute. Even as I type this post, he is climbing over me like a toddler needing attention.
I love to watch the weather from the safety of our glass enclosed porch. Today, I am reminded that our soldiers do not have that luxury. Whatever the storm, they fearlessly face the elements. Memorial Day is not just a day off from work. It’s a time to be thankful for the sacrifices made so that we can enjoy freedoms often taken for granted. It’s a time to remember those who have given their lives for our country and to celebrate those willing to defend it now. Over the years I’ve had many family members and friends willing to serve, including my son-in-law, two nephews, father-in-law, uncles, and cousins. Today, I pause to say thank you.
All of us face storms in our lives. Some may be overwhelming and seem insurmountable, but we are never alone. Remember that even in our most hopeless moments, we are surrounded by God’s love.
The wind is picking up a bit, so I’m going return to the safety of reading on my porch with Dominic, who has now been joined by our very scared and drooling Great Dane, Singer. God bless you all.
For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:7 AMP
Good morning. I’m celebrating the completion of a class today. Woohoo! We are all on different journeys, but we can’t forget to celebrate the milestones along the way.
At times it can be difficult to see the end of a struggle. I have a friend who is going through a divorce. Every day she calls me crying. It’s so sad to hear the struggle. I can’t count the number of times or length of times she has told me she has prayed. Her heart has been hardened and she has not forgiven her husband. While it might be difficult and take time, forgiveness is important to receiving answered prayers. It is also important to have faith. That’s why I chose 2 Corinthians 5:7 for our verse to learn. We have all experienced hopelessness and despair. After making a petition to God, thank Him for the outcome and have faith. You don’t need to beg God for endless hours. He hears you. Just praise him and believe. It’s easy to have faith after you see the results. Christian faith is believing before you see.
Today, start practicing your faith and take a few moments to learn this easy verse. God bless you.
All of the memory verses can be found in the ScriptureTyper app under the group Hisperfecttiming.
WE WHO are strong [in our convictions and of robust faith] ought to bear with the failings and the frailties and the tender scruples of the weak; [we ought to help carry the doubts and qualms of others] and not to please ourselves. Romans 15:1
Happy Tuesday! It’s a glorious day in northwest Florida. There is crisp fall chill in the air, but the sun is shining bright. Every Tuesday we try something new. Today, I encourage you to help someone. There are people around us all day long who need help. The smallest gestures can make the biggest difference. So throughout the day, look for someone you can help and follow through.
Are you a gossip? Do you find it hard to keep your mouth shut? Have you ever felt the effects of gossip? Did you know that gossip is a sin? Yes, gossip is a sin. How could we believe otherwise, when we know Jesus taught that the second most important commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 19:19). That means love others as much as you love yourself. Treat others how you would like to be treated, and zip your lip. Leviticus 19:16 tells us that we “shall not go up and down as a dispenser of gossip and scandal among” . . . [our] “people, nor shall” . . . [we secure ourself by false testimony or by silence and] “endanger the life” of our neighbors. The phrase “dispenser of gossip” makes me laugh a little, but it’s true. We have all done it, at least once, and we have all experienced it. Gossiping is very hurtful. I don’t know why it’s so hard to tame the tongue. Often, I think no harm is intended. We are just talking to each other and trying to sort things out. Yesterday, I heard a story about someone at work that made me want to warn and protect the others around me. Fortunately, before I said anything, I stopped. The ones I wanted to protect heard the same information. There was no need for me to say more.
Gossip occurs in families too. It is much easier to promote yourself in the eyes of a loved one, if you are making someone else look bad. Don’t stoop to these levels out of jealousy or any other motive. You are a child of God who is loved. The smallest talk can cause the most pain and disfunction in families. When you stand before God, do you want to see how you hurt people or how you lifted them up with your words?
Join me in lifting others up with words of love and helping the needy. God bless you.
Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
ROMANS 5:5 AMP
Happy Thursday! How did Thursday get here so quickly? Yikes!
Today I would like to talk to you about hope. Have you ever felt hopeless? Have you ever known someone who felt hopeless? I can honestly answer yes to both questions. Last night I read a series of texts with tears in my eyes. The writer felt hopeless. It sounded like a situation that would end badly. Nothing has to be that way when we trust God. The problem is some things aren’t so easy to understand until you experience them. We have to take a step in faith. We must have forgiving hearts. How can we not forgive others, when we are forgiven by grace? We need to pray for everyone and show them love, especially people we think are wrong. We need to ask God for help, and trust him. Let go of worry and fear. That is so difficult to tell someone who feels the system has failed them and lives might be in danger. The truth is at that point, God is the best hope and possibly the only hope. He was all along.
What do you tell people, who are a victim of a corrupt system? What do you tell people, who cannot protect themselves or their children? I would love to read your responses.
Today, as you ask for forgiveness, I ask for your prayers for the people who feel hopeless. God bless you.
Happy Thursday. This morning I’m resting in bed a little under the weather. It’s nothing serious. I’m having a Rheumatoid Arthritis flare probably from overdoing, and I need to rest. I’ll be kicking high tomorrow, but today I’ll count my blessings from my home.
Have you ever really thought about what it means to be forgiven? Have you thought of what it would mean if you were not forgiven? Take a minute and consider everything in your life you have done that was wrong. I can’t even remember, let alone count, all the things I’ve done.
It is when I actually realized what a blessing it is for my life that Jesus died for my sins, that I understood why I should forgive others. He took on all the sins of the past, then present, and the future. I don’t know about you, but I can hardly wrap my mind around it. It is for this reason that I forgive those who have wronged me. Then, add in the fact that we are all God’s children. He loves all of us and he knows all about us. That means he understands the reasoning, you may not know, behind the actions of others, and others may not know about your actions. For example, someone who abuses others, probably learned from experience, and might be having a difficult time breaking the cycle . . . And/Or they might have a physical or psychological disorder. That doesn’t mean you should stay in an abusive relationship. It simply means that we may not understand others, because we haven’t walked in their shoes. As Laura Story says “what if the trials of this life, are your mercies in disguise?”
Today, I encourage you to forgive others as you are forgiven. God bless you.
And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8
Wednesday is here! Do you feel alive or do you feel like you are stuck in a depression or darkness from which you cannot return? Do you feel like life is weighing you down? Do you have trouble believing in God?
I’ve shared before that I am a morning person. I love mornings and it drives most people insane. To me it is a quiet time to pull myself together before I start my day. I get more done before 10:30 a.m. than I do the rest of the day. I also like the morning because the world is so beautiful. Have you ever watched the sunrise in the morning? It’s amazing. Where we live you can see the dew on the ground and on spider webs that have formed in the night. On top of all that, the wildlife is out. We’ve been watching a wild bunny in our yard, and nearly every morning we are serenaded by birds of one variety or another. Squirrels are chasing each other and teasing our dog. It’s just beautiful and very peaceful. The air feels full of hope and new. It’s an opportunity for a new beginning.
This morning when I was asking God to guide me through today’s post, Matt Maher’s song “Alive Again” came on the radio. Have you ever noticed how the last song you hear on the radio just kinda sticks with you all day? Well, that happened to me. So, I watched his video that tells the story behind the song. All I can say is Thank You God for leading me in this direction. I could totally relate to how Matt explains faith, and maybe that is another reason I like mornings. He explains how even when it is dark and the moon is still out, in the morning you can see light on the horizon. You can’t see the sun, but you can see it’s light. That’s what Jesus is to me. You can’t see the Son, but his light shines through everywhere.
Today, I encourage you to step out of the darkness, embrace the light of Christ and share is love with everyone you see. God bless you.
This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your word has revived me and given me life. Psalm 119:50
It’s Forgiveness Thursday, and some of my friends are hurting today. I have some friends who have had a recent relationship break up. I also have some friends who have recently had to say farewell to a family member who has passed. It doesn’t get much tougher than saying goodbye when you don’t want to, or feeling rejection. It’s a time when people build up walls around them and hurt the people who love them the most. Of course, their intention is not to hurt, they are just trying to get through the tough times that they are experiencing. We all know it too. Have you ever tried to say the right thing, and struck out in a huge way? I certainly have.
These are also times when people who are hurting turn to substances like alcohol, tobacco and drugs for comfort. There is only one who can help in times like these, and that’s our Heavenly Father. First Corinthians 10:13 tells us that “there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” Isn’t that awesome! He understands and is always there. You are his child. He wants your happiness. Your life is not over. A new chapter is just beginning.
So, if you are sad or suffering today, put your trust in the one who knows the most about healing hearts! God bless you.
He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107.9
Happy Thursday! It’s a great time to practice forgiveness.
Have you ever felt empty? Have you felt like no matter what you do, you can’t find happiness? Is being content something you can’t seem to wrap your mind around? Are you an overachiever, a workaholic, a perfectionist or something similar? Do you feel you have to fill every moment of the day with an activity? Do you dread quietness? I know how you feel. There is only one thing that can fill that hole, God. You can try everything you can think of, but I promise nothing will fill that hole but God. Start your day with God and put God first all day long, and he will fill the emptiness in your soul.
We can’t always see where the road leads, but God promises there is something better up ahead we just have to trust him. Psalm 56:3
Happy Wednesday! It’s a great day to Use Your Gifts to Change the World! So, what will you do?
Do you ever feel like you are unable to make positive change? Do you feel like the world is too big? Then, I have good news. The smallest of changes are viral in the scheme of changing the world. Whenever you do something as simple as smiling at someone having a bad day, the results are beneficial, and that’s not all. Positive changes grow exponentially. Yesterday, I actually heard a very nice lady, who collects items for children in need, say that she had so many people donate that she had to create a new list of items to prevent sending volunteer donors away. She was also taking overflow donations to other agencies. Isn’t that great! That’s how it should be. When we work together to help society, government doesn’t have to. As I’ve said so many times before, changing the world doesn’t have to involve donations or money. You can smile, give a friend a hug, tell the manager of a restaurant or store about an employee who is doing a good job, leave a note, and the list goes on and on. There is no limit to what YOU can do.
As you go out into the world today, start at home and radiate. Make a difference everywhere you go. God bless you.
