Responsibilities

Why do we fret about some responsibilities when life gets in our way but others we neglect DAILY?

Do we worry that disappointing our friends and family is more important than disappointing God? Usually we do.

What do we do when we find that we have neglected these duties? That's usually when Satan and his demons whisper in our ear and we begin feeling ashamed, we feel judged, we feel rejected. We continue to hide away, running away from the love of God instead of running to Him.

When we feel overwhelmed by everyday life, do we search for rest in God?

I pray that your responsibilities are not overwhelming you and pushing you away from God. I pray that you find rest and peace in God's arms. Much love to you all!

Unwrapped

Do you like to give gifts? Do you like to watch the face of those unwrapping them? I do like both of these but I HATE WRAPPING the gifts up. I am one to use gift bags, and pre-printed boxes so that I don't have to wrap.
There is one gift you can give that you don't have to wrap. The gift of eternal life! It is amazing to know that this gift was given to us - unwrapped with the exception of the swaddling clothes He was wrapped in at birth and the funeral cloth that was wrapped before they laid in the tomb that didn't hold HIM.
How much love that was shown us because we were not worthy of this gift. How can we not share this love with others?
I pray that you are blessed with the grace of His love! I pray you let it shine in your life.
Much love to all!

Being Present

How often do you answer "I'm here" when someone asks you how you are doing? Are you really "Here" as in PRESENT in that moment or are you "Here" as in just breathing in that moment? 

Do your lines in your live overlap? When do you stop being a mother and start being a wife? What about being a friend and being a co-worker? What about being an employee and being a spouse?  What about being a Christian and living in the world?  Are these lines so blurry that even you can't tell?

If you can't separate the lines, how will others be able to see these different "hats" you might wear? Is that the only hat they see?

I want you to think about what others see even if those others are toddlers and parents. How transparent are you with your "friends" on Facebook? Do they see your lines? Do they know on which side you stand? 

I took a day off from Facebook yesterday and didn't answer many posts. It was a good day. Yes, I missed my friends that I chat with but I enjoyed being in my moment. 

I pray that today and the days to come that you find your moment. Find yourself stopping in that moment and just breathing in God's love for you! 

Much love to you all!

Who am I

Who am I that You are mindful of me?
That You hear me when I call
Is it true that You are thinking of me?
How you Love me
It's Amazing

Who am I that You are mindful of me?
That You hear me when I call
Is it true that You are thinking of me?

How you Love me
It's Amazing

I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend

Lyrics from I am Friend of God by Phillips Craig & Dean.

Showing out!

Last night was our first full night diving into Without Rival! God showed up and showed out like ALWAYS!

I want you to ask yourself - WHO are you? Can you answer it with out identifying with your career or job?

God is amazing and he never forsakes any of HIS children!  

May today find you blessed and full of HIS favor! Praying for all of those in trials and seasons that you are finding overwhelming and unbearable. Do not give up! Much love to you all!

Brain drained

My brain is drained and I was having difficulty coming up with any thoughts for today's bible reading/devotional. Not for lack of trying but when you are fatigued and fighting stress, it is hard to be in Christ. Your mind is all over the place - what can I take to get some rest, or energy? (still small voice - HELLO...Did you really just ask that question?) 

I think we all go through these days. Some more frequently than others and some stay stuck on them for weeks.

When we take our eyes off Christ, we become relaxed in our own strength and we fizzle out fast!

Don't rely on your own strength!

I pray that you each had a wonderful day and found peace and strength in God. He is the ultimate healer!

Much love to you all!

Find my rest in thee...

Overwhelmed, wanting to give up, tired of feeling like I am spinning my wheels. Yes, that is where I am today. Mainly because of my health but also because of life in general.
Let me find my rest in YOU, God. Hold me tight, let me breath in Your fragrance! I pray each who read this find comfort and strength in YOU!
Much Love to you all!

Inner Peace...

Raise your hand if you have seen the Kung Fu Panda 2 movie. If you did then, "Inner Peace, must find Inner Peace." sounds familiar. It may also sound familiar even if you haven't.
In the world, we are constantly seeking INNER PEACE from the turmoil of every day stress that we allow to overwhelm our souls.
It can be as simple as spilling our morning coffee down the front of our last clean white dress shirt that we NEEDED for that business meeting to something as BIG (at least by our measurements) as a 3 car pile up in the North bound lanes causing all the South bound lanes to gawk and cause another pile up as well as numerous wrecks, fender benders, and many late to work.  I am not saying these things are not time consuming but maybe our time is not being consumed in a way that we want it to be consumed.
I pray that you seek God when you seek Inner Peace! Only HE is able to release you from the stress that haunts you. I pray that you throw on some brakes and coast in His Love!
Much Love to YOU all!

Without Rival by Lisa Bevere

This is a bible study my local bible journaling group Scribbling Scripture Sisters has started. I am sure there are many others out there who have started it as well.

I have been re-reading Chapter 1 - An Identity Without Rival this morning. I have been struggling with attacks of rivalry. Rivalry between friends, between family, between time.

This passage has drawn me back time and again:

It is hard to escape the messages and messengers that tell us we are not good enough, young enough, smart enough, fast enough, and rich enough. We are bombarded in the hope that we will shrink to their expectations. It is only human nature that we would want to deflect this incessant bullying that implies we are never enough. When this harassment reaches a critical point, some will yield by conforming and copying, while others will rebel as they sling back accusations of their own. We judge when we feel judged. We shame when we feel shame. We hate when we dislike ourselves. When we’ve been bankrupted, it is not long before we want to rob others. It is a cycle in which everyone loses and nobody wins. But what if the words of Paul were true?

But godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Tim. 6:6)

Godliness is the ability to adopt God’s vantage point. This means just as we acknowledge how he sees others, we embrace how he sees us. Contentment and being truly comfortable in your own skin won’t breed complacency; they will release creativity! Turn away from all the detractors and distractions. He has his eyes on us so we can lift our eyes to him. What then? Rather than compete for what was never meant for you . . . you would have the energy to discover what is yours. I pray this book brings clarity to what the unwholesome everyday muddies. Rather than striving to win a competition that gains you nothing, I want you positioned to win the war. There is a very real battle going on for the strength of your soul. It is time you took your place in this world. Let’s expose the lies and distractions and find out who you really are.

 Lisa Bevere, Without Rival Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group, © 2016. 

Link to Lisa Bevere

This is how I feel  - being shamed by others, hating because I hate myself, judging others because of years of being judged. Bankrupt due to these feelings sucking out the JOY and PEACE of God!

Enter His gates with THANKSGIVING - for all our trials and sufferings! Do not be afraid to sit silently in HIS presence while you pray about what roads to travel and which words to use. It may drive some people crazy - nuts with WAITING but when you WAIT upon the LORD, your actions will be better directed.
I pray for forgiveness of any wrong doings. I pray that God continues to show me how my uniqueness is amazing and awesome. I pray God opens the eyes and ears of those who need to hear HIS words. I pray God continues to allow me to stay TRANSPARENT to all and gives me a big enough GRACE cape to wrap each boo-boo with after I have cried from the pain I have caused.
I want to see others as YOU see them God. Through your eyes of GRACE and MERCY!
Let me shine for all to see this GRACE and MERCY YOU have given me. Shine YOUR strength and comfort for those who are just as overwhelmed, under encouraged, and frightened!
SHINE YOUR LOVE!
Much love to you all!

FLAMES

In The Light by DC Talks

I keep trying to find a life

On my own, apart from You
I am the king of excuses
I've got one for every selfish thing I do 

What's going on inside of me?
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I'm still a man in need of a Savior 

[chorus]
I wanna be in the Light
As You are in the Light
I wanna shine like the stars in the heavens
Oh, Lord be my Light and be my salvation
Cause all I want is to be in the Light
All I want is to be in the Light 

The disease of self runs through my blood
It's a cancer fatal to my soul
Every attempt on my behalf has failed
To bring this sickness under control 

Tell me, what's going on inside of me?
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I'm still a man in need of a Savior 

I want to be a light. I want to burn bright. I want to walk by FAITH. Burn my doubt GOD!

I pray that you never lose Faith and Hope. Even though you find excuses, I pray they are shattered by God and HE frees your chains to let HIS love BURN through you!

I pray that no matter what you face, you continue to chase what is real and true!

Thank you Beautiful MERCIFUL Father for all you have bestowed upon me and I pray YOU place a hedge of protection, healing, strength and comfort around all who read this today. 

You are forever AMAZING and worthy of our praise!

AMEN!

Much love to you all!

Not becoming weary from doing good.

How often do we see that? Someone who doesn't seem to have God in their life at all (yes, by our judging heart and even when we try not to, we do judge.) getting away with everything and "winning". The following examples are seen on tv, in news, and in movies or on a show - they are not people I know personally.

Those people with money winning another lottery drawing. Those people who don't follow the rules getting the promote and raise. The one who cheats on their spouse. The one who steals. The one who murders. 

Yes, the examples got worse as my list grew. But it is portrayed that those who aren't doing good in the Lord's eyes are the ones who are successful while it is portrayed those who follow God as closely as we each can (each of our journeys are different - DO NOT COMPARE).
Let me repeat that - DO NOT COMPARE your relationship, and journey with your neighbor. You are in a different season of life.

Praying for you today that God's Love is amazingly plentiful in your life and shines through the darkness.
Love you all!

Since the beginning...

Tonight I want to start with saying - I have OVERCOME - Thank you Lord!

I was once the one who constantly asked or repeated to myself "Since I can't do anything right (by my standards), why am I even here?" "Who would miss me?" "Do I even matter?"

Up until a year ago, I would have...several times a week, many times a day. It was UGLY. (You notice that I didn't say I..I said IT...as in LIFE...) Divorce, lost job, no children and then add insult to injury...moved back home with my parents (yes, at the time, it was embarrassing even.)

Today...I still live with my parents, who are elderly and in bad health, I also take care of my niece. I am now doing a daily bible reading that HELPS me more than it may show. I am doing creative things that GLORIFY GOD! Realizing I am not in control...no matter how much I wanna be!

I pray that God grants you peace from your chaos and takes back the control!

Love you all!

Let it be...

As I was "throwing" this together, I was first drawn to the last part - I am weak, then I am strong. My brain flew to the hymn -"I am weak but Thou art STRONG...Jesus keep me from all wrong, Daily walking close to thee, let it be Dear Lord, let it be." (from memory so if not 100% accurate , you know why.)
And then I was reading it again, and saw "MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU"
HOW AWESOME - to be assured that God's GRACE is sufficient..more than enough... to give me STRENGTH.
And as I am typing this - "For Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties..." Something I struggle with. For during times as those, I become weak..I complain about how "terrible" it is...I think "woe is me..nothing is going right" Yes, I let Satan and his demons invade. But then something like this bible reading will POP up in my life - PLACED by GOD and it changes everything. I can breathe again!
I pray that you are wrapped in God's grace and resting comfortable tonight no matter what trials you are facing. God is always there and will always prevail!
Much love to you all!

Memory from 2012

Thought of the day (From my Time Line on August 27, 2012) - Life is only a bad as you make it. Remind your problems who God is instead of telling God your problems. I have been fighting it but once I let go and let God, I am more at ease. He > i Thank you God for all You have done for me. I know I take my blessings for granted without returning my gratitude more often than I care to admit but You are always there to pick me up no matter how far I stray. No this does not give me the right to sin, but it gives me peace knowing that WHEN I mess up, You let me learn from my mistakes and move forward. I am nothing with out God. I hope everyone has a blessed day. Let your light shine!

As I read that on Facebook this morning, I knew I needed to share that memory. This was right after I had filed for divorce and God was working in my life to get me back to HIM.

God's mercies are new every morning!

I pray that you are refreshed with His unspeakable Joy! LOVE you all!

Creation Creating

This bible reading struck me today as a good correlation to go along with Without Rival by Lisa Bevere. This is a bible study that the Scribbling Scriptures Sisters will be starting on Thursday. I am excited because God has opened the door to allow me to help encourage other SISTERS and Brothers find their voice in bible journaling. Each of us have a different love language as well as a different journaling language. For some the hardest thing is finding that key to unlock that language.

We have seen many languages (not just the spoken ones) used through out the many Facebook groups dedicated to Bible Journaling. So if you are struggling in finding your voice, do not give up! It is out there and God will help you discover it!

I pray that God awakens your voice and lets it shout HIS praises for all to see! It could be something as simple as note-taking in special colors, to splendid wall hangings. You could be blessed with digital skills or even mad scrapbooking skills. You might can see the colors that go awesome together while someone else can see the right font or shapes needed to make the design come together. God's creations creating beauty together!

Much love to you all!

Making Diamonds

First let me apologize for not posting a bible reading yesterday. Major life change at our house so I had been doing them before I go to bed at night as a way to help me relax and reflect over my day. That plus the fact that we lost electricity for almost 6 hours yesterday evening, my plans were shot..
Oh well...que sera sera!

Oh the joy of the lord
It will be my strength
When the pressure is on
He's making diamonds!

Quiet...

Sometimes my brain doesn't quieten down and listen for for your voice! 
Praying for wisdom...

Much love to you all!

A God Wink

 No you are not seeing double. Yes they are the same verse on different papers and with different fonts. I had saved the second one into the wrong file and instead of LOOKING for it...I just made a new one.

A God Wink...yes to some it may also be called a CO WINKY Dink. The same concept just different views on where the source of the WINK came.  Yes the other graphic is from August 11th. I do not create my own list of bible verses. They are sent to me and I pull them up, read over them, and give you my insight after prayers and conversations.

Sometimes those conversations happen moments before and others have happened in the past, some thoughts are even from the future...what might be.

So these God Winks, Co-Winky-Dinks, or just plain coincidences that occur in our life aren't just by some per chance that Mars wasn't in retrograde. These are planned by God, written into our life story.

I love when they happen. Like unplanned friendships that blossom between Sisters and Brothers who only meet because of that GOD Wink. It was by His hand that you even meet and begin to bloom in HIS love.

I have seen acquaintances drift aside and keep going in a life raft I thought I should be in. God didn't need me there. He had other plans for me. Did I keep trying to swim to that boat and hold onto those acquaintances? Yes. Do I still have contact with those acquaintances? Yes but they do not feed and refresh my spirit.

I praise YOU Lord for the bountiful blessings You rain down on Your children. Thank you for being such a loving and protective Father. I pray for comfort and strength be granted to those in Louisiana. I pray for complete healing over those who are ill, both visibly and invisibly; both short term and long term; We refuse to accept the words spoken over us by a doctor saying there is nothing left to be done. You are our great Physician and Healer! I pray for protection and safety around those traveling, no matter the circumstances or distance. I pray for wisdom and grace in dealing with those who have their ears and hearts closed to YOUR voice and plan! In Jesus Name - AMEN

Much Love to You ALL!

Run Away....

Have you seen the movie "HOME"? It is an animation about an alien race called the BOOV who RUN AWAY from everything that scares them or threats them. One of the main characters, OH comments that if success falls below 50%, they run away.
So if you are not guaranteed a 50% success rate, you are going to run away? You would then be like the BOOV and spend most of your life RUNNING AWAY.
As you look at the future, what do you see? Do you see worries and fears that are scattered across EVERY horizon? Or do you see the adventures of hope that you can experience?
I was once like the BOOV - afraid of EVERYTHING - especially success in anything. I didn't want to succeed.
NOW I do - I want to SUCCEED at praising GOD, bringing HIM the glory in all I do. Do I fail? YES...there are days I feel like more of a failure than I admit. I want to hide out and not push the wall out of my comfort zone that I hide behind. What we should be running away from is usually what we are clinging to tightly?
I pray that each of you find someway to succeed in your relationship with God. I know that it isn't a smooth ride and it isn't meant to be. I pray that God opens our ears to HIS words and HIS plans.
Much love to you all!

At The Right Time

Time. What a vast subject. Time we think as measureable by MAN but what about God? How does God measure time? What would we do with "unlimited" time? Is there such a thing?
Maybe time should be replaced by responsibilities. We have an UNLIMITED amount of tasks and errands that we slap into responsibilities yet we complain when we find that there are too many to perform, run, deal with, etc in a "day" (normally 8 to 12 hours depending on how much sleep your body decides it needs to run on).
Some responsibilities that I place high on my list are not as highly important as others.
Some others have as important I think are frivolous. It all depends on our season in life as well as with God.
I pray that God reveals some ways to improve your time with Him and your time dealing with life. I pray that God grants you the peace to let go of those responsibilities that are draining life from your heart.
In Jesus Name!
Much Love to you all!