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!

Holy Spirit, You are welcome here....

I think that summed it up nicely for the day! 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!