Free to be me

I simply LOVE the lyrics to this song!   It comes on klove about every day, so tune in and I’m sure you will hear it.

Free to be me, Francesca Battistelli

At twenty years of age
I’m still looking for a dream
A war is already waged for my destiny
But You’ve already won the battle
And You’ve got great plans for me
Though I can’t always see, ’cause…

I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
And on my own I’m so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I’m free to be me

When I was just a girl
I thought I had it figured out
See my life will turn out right
And I’ll make it here somehow
But things don’t always come that easy
And sometimes I would doubt, ’cause…

And you’re free to be you

Sometimes I believe
That I can do anything
Yet other times I think
I’ve got nothing good to bring

But You look at my heart and you tell me
That I’ve got all You seek
And it’s easy to believe, even though…

And you’re free to be you

Happy Gobble Gobble Day!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Please take a moment today and in the following days to reflect on the things that you are grateful for.  If you are like me, I’m sure that you can say, that even through hardships there are true blessings in each of our lives.  We should not only use Thanksgiving Day to reflect on these blessings but every day. 

… how’s that hymn go …

Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your blessings
See what God has done
Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your many blessings
See what God has done

Happy Gobble Gobble (you girls out there remember Gobble Gobble?!)

Ladies Day

This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending ‘Ladies Day’ at my friend Wendy’s church.  It was a great time of bible study, food, and fellowship. 

The speaker was Casandra Martin.  She’a written several women’s bible studies.  The theme of the weekend was ‘Believe, Belong, Be Changed.’  The bible study was about the woman at the well outside the city of Samaria.  The speaker had a great way of re-telling this story in a different perspective than I had ever heard.  She focused on the first phrase of the story that explained that Jesus HAD to stop thru Samaria.  He didn’t actually HAVE to stop .. you see, the Jews and Samarian’s hated each other and Jews always went around the city to avoid the Samarians.  But Jesus HAD to go thru the city to meet her.  He knew that she needed Him and He sought her out.  The speaker reminded us of how we as Christian’s belong to Him and He is always waiting to be with us.

Here’s a pic of Wendy, me, and Amber 

What a blessing

I love, love, LOVE when God sends little things my way to encourage me.  His encouragements are always at the perfect time and always exactly what needs to be heard/said/read.

Here is a verse that really encouraged me today!

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.  When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.  When you go through the fires of oppression, you will not be burned up, the flames will not consume you.”  Isaiah 43:2

When the flood comes

There are times in each of our lives when it seems like we are just drowning!  There seems to be no hope for our messed up situation, no remedy and no comfort.  It’s hard when it seems like everything is crashing around you.  My personal trials have taught me that when I feel that hopelessness I’ve GOT to lean on Jesus.  Afterall, He’s the only one that can guide us through life.  Sure we have spouses, family, and friends but Jesus is supposed to be where we get out strength from. 

I just heard the lyrics to this song and was really blessed by it.  I hope you can get something out of it too!

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Washed By The Water by Need to Breath :

Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water 

Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes (sometimes a hurricane or tsunami)
I am washed by the water (I am His)

Even if the Earth crumbles under my feet
Even if the ones I love turn around and crucify me
I won’t never ever let you down
I won’t fall
I won’t fall
I won’t fall as long as you’re around me

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If you feel like you are in a flood and an ‘umbrella’ just won’t do anymore, LEAN ON HIM.  He’s the only one that knows your heart and the pain you are feeling.  Give it over to Him

Doing our work

I read this verse on another friend’s blog

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“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.”Galatians 6:4-5, translation: The Message

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This sparked my curiousity, so I looked it up with the NIV to see what it had to say …

“4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own load.” Galatians 6:4-5, translation: NIV

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For some reason this verse really hit home with me!  I get so caught up in works sometimes .. “well I’m doing this, I’m doing that, I’m working SO hard”.  I’m always one to pat myself on the back if I feel I’ve really accomplished something.  But this verse just sort nipped that in the bud, and grounded that thinking.  It reminds me that I’m in my Christian walk alone .. just me and Jesus.

Joke of the Day .. and reflection

A man’s goes out on his boat on the ocean for his annual fishing trip.  While he’s out on his boat a huge storm comes and sinks his ship.  While he’s floating along he prayers that God will come and save him.

A ship passes by and they say ”Hey man, do you need some help??”  .. “No thanks” he replies “God is going to save me!”

A speedboat passes by and stops and says “You look like your in a jam, can we help you out?”  he replies “No thanks, God is going to help me.”

A Helicopter passes overhead and over the intercom the pilot says “We are lowering a line down to pull you up out of the water”  But again the main refuses the help.

After a few days come and go, sadly, the gentleman dies. 

He gets to heaven and says “God, why didn’t you save me?  I waited patiently!”  God replies “Well, I sent a ship and you turned it down, then a speedboat and you turned it down, then I sent a helicopter and you turned it away.  I was trying to help you, you just didn’t see the signs!!”

Sometimes God sends us EXACTLY what we need, we just aren’t looking hard enough for it … something to think about!

Ruth 1:16-17

This is one of my ALL time favorite verses:

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Ruth 1:16-17

16. But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”

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This bible verse was recited at Jason and I’s wedding.  Jason’s cousin Nicole read it, and it was beautiful!  I, like many brides, took this verse out of it’s context when I chose it to be read at our wedding.  BUT the concept of the verse, I felt, was very appropriate for my wedding. 

It was almost 4 years ago that this verse was read.  I didn’t know 4 years ago what trails we would face in our marraige, and I still don’t know what’s to come in the future.  But, there is one thing that is certain … marraige – flawed by us inperfect humans – is forever.  No matter what problems you may face, I’m beginning to see that marraige is sometimes a tool that God uses to bring you closer to Him (recent advise from a good friend)

So if you are struggling in your marraige, or just in a rut, please have hope that God can heal ANYTHING.  There is no problem or obstacle to hard for Him to tackle.

Christians

I read this on a friends blog and thought it was SO very true!!  Please read!!

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Christians
by Maya Angelou
~When I say… ‘I am a Christian’ I’m not shouting ‘I’m clean livin”
I’m whispering ‘I was lost, Now I’m found and forgiven.’
~When I say… ‘I am a Christian’ I don’t speak of this with pride.
I’m confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
~When I say… ‘I am a Christian’ I’m not trying to be strong.
I’m professing that I’m weak and need His strength to carry on.
~When I say… ‘I am a Christian’ I’m not bragging of success.
I’m admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
~When I say… ‘I am a Christian’ I’m not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.
~When I say… ‘I am a Christian’ I still feel the sting of pain..
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
~When I say… ‘I am a Christian’ I’m not holier than thou,
I’m just a simple sinner Who received God’s good grace, somehow!

Just a prayer away

I heard this song again on the radio this morning.  The title is “When I call on Jesus.”  It is SO very easy to get bogged down during our day to day lives with all the problems that we go thru.  Life is hard, and it doesn’t seem to get any easier!!  But this song is a reminder that Jesus is always RIGHT there beside us!  He is only a prayer away.  He knows first hand how hard things can get and He wants us to lean on Him. 

Keep that in mind next time you have a particulary rough day.  Jesus is only a prayer away!

Good Advice

I read this quote in a magazine:

“BE KIND INSTEAD OF RIGHT.  OFTEN WHEN WE’RE YOUNG WE CAN BE INFLEXIBLE IN OUR VIEWS AND INSIST ON BEING RIGHT, RATHER THAN REALIZING THE BENEFIT AND GRACIOUSNESS OF SIMPLY BEING KIND.  IT’S BETTER TO BE KIND.  THIS IS A GREAT GIFT YOU CAN GIVE TO THOSE AROUND YOU”

This thought process goes along with a past post – skeletons.  I often think I’m right about a lot of things, but as I go thru life, I am learning that it is FAR more important to be right with God, then to be right in argument or discussion.  God’s has also continued to teach me to show His kindness to others, the way I’d want it shown to me.

Tough stuff ….

In Christ Alone

I have always enjoyed music, since I was a little girl.  It’s always been an outlet to me when times are tough. 

I’ve heard this song MANY times at church and I am always touched by the lyrics.

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In Christ Alone – Newsboys

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost it’s grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Brought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Patience

There is a great good in bearing sorrow patiently: I don’t know that there is any virtue in sorrow just as such.  It is a Christian duty, as you know, for everyone to be as happy as he can.

- C.S. Lewis.

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I read the above quote on my former Pastor’s blog.  The best pastor ever Sam Shaw – link over there to the right.

 

In the recent months God has been teaching me patience.  This is a seemingly IMPOSSIBLE task.  I think God’s been trying to teach me patience since I was in the womb, seriously!  When my parents describe me as a child, along with being their favorite and an ABSOLUTE joy (JK, JK, JK),  they DEFINITELY describe me as ‘hard headed’ and ‘impatient’. 

 

It’s a struggle for me, FOR SURE!!  This impatience has gotten me in a lot of trouble, especially in the recent months.  It’s obvious that God is trying to teach me a lesson, and if I would just listen and be patient in Him the lesson could be taught at a pretty quick pace .. BUT bc I’m impatient I mess up His lesson and have heart-aches along the way.  Isn’t is so great though, that God NEVER runs out of patience for His children?  He will just keep thinking up ways to love us and teach us lessons!

 

So, the above quote taught me today to be patient even in the bad times, W-A-I-T on God, lean on Him, and He will see any circumstance through. 

 

 

 

When I Call on Jesus

As I’ve said in past blogs, I am going through some trials in my life right now.  There are days where I don’t see a ‘light at the end of the tunnel.’  I pray that it’s there, and I know it is, but it’s hard to calm my anxieties!  That’s when, by NO coincidence, I will be blessed with a song, scripture, or uplifting word from a Godly friend.  It seems like those little blessings are enough to push me through my bad days! 

I heard the lyrics on the way to work this morning and it was SUCH a blessing!!  I absolutely love this song!!!!  It reminds me that all things are possible if we just lean on Jesus!! Take a moment to read the lyrics.  I hope you are blessed too!!

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by Nicole C. Mullen – from “Talk About It”

Verse 1:
I’m so very ordinary, nothing special on my own.
Oh, I have never walked on water,
And I have never calmed a storm.
Sometimes I’m hiding away from the madness around me
Like a child who’s afraid of the dark

Chorus:
But when I call on Jesus,
All things are possible
I can mount on wings like eagles’ and soar
When I call on Jesus,
Mountains are gonna fall
‘Cause He’ll move heaven and earth to come rescue me when I call

La la la la la, la la la la la

Verse 2:
Weary brother, broken daughter,
widowed, widowed lover, you’re not alone
If you’re tired and scared of the madness around you
If you can’t find the strength to carry on

Chorus:
When you call on Jesus,
All things are possible
You can mount on wings like eagles’ and soar
When you call on Jesus,
Mountains are gonna fall
‘Cause He’ll move heaven and earth to come rescue you when you

Bridge:
Call Him in the mornin’, in the afternoon time
Late in the evenin’ He’ll be there
When your heart is broken,
And you feel discouraged,
You can just remember that He said
He’ll be there

Chorus:
When I call on Jesus,
All things are possible
I can mount on wings like eagles’ and soar
When I call on Jesus,
Mountains are gonna fall
‘Cause He’ll move heaven and earth to come rescue me

La la la la la, la la la la la, la la la la la-a-a

Leaning on Him instead of on others

We live in a culture surrounded by busy-ness.  We are obsessed with talk shows, blogs, emailing, texting, talking on the phone, gossiping, ect ect.  So, when tragedy strikes, it’s no wonder we run straight to our group of friends, family member, coworkers, or any person willing to be a listening ear.  We want people’s input, advice, comfort, support and a shoulder to cry on.

Today I read the below devotional.  It speaks about how we are suppose to run to Jesus with our fears, hopes, anxieties, and tragedies.

I am not new to this concept.  Being raised in Church, I KNOW the protocol for ‘who shall I run to’ syndrome.  But, I’ll be the first to admit, it’s hard to remind myself to lean ONLY on God when hard times come.  I am not saying that we shouldn’t utilized the friends/family that God has blessed us with.  What I am saying is that He is supposed to be our refuge!  I don’t know about you, but every time I lean too much on someone/something other than God I get myself into a WHOLE heap of trouble.

It’s SO hard for me sometimes because you can’t feel Him, you can’t touch Him, you can’t hear Him, you can’t see Him, there’s no physical comfort from life’s “storms”  … but you know, that’s where Faith comes in.  Faith carries us in those lonely, depressing times.  I think God is showing His awesome-ness the most when we are spiritually/mentally/personally struggling bc He wants us to lean on Him!  AND the more we lean the easier it becomes! 

So, think about that next time you argue with your spouse, best friend, or loved one, or when your boss is a jerk at work, or you face a true tragedy .. don’t go ‘vent’ to a ‘listening ear’ vent to Him!  Maybe if we involved Him in our small every-day task, our lives would run smoother bc we are trusting Him each step of the way.

Just something to think about.

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Where Does Your Help Come From?
Wendy Pope
 
“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come?”
Psalm 121:1 (NASB)
         
Devotion:
Where does your help come from?  When crisis strikes, adversity hits, or sorrow shadows you, where do you go for help? How we answer this question truly reflects the depth of our belief that God is watching and waiting to come to our aid.  I will be the first to admit that there are times when I struggle to look to the right source for my help.
 
Recently I have been studying the Psalms. Before I took an in-depth look at Psalm 121, I did not understand what the writer was seeing as he wrote this plea for help. The terrain surrounding him was mountainous.  I’ve learned it was common for those walking by to look up in this mountainous landscape and see pagan worshippers worshiping their false gods on the mountaintops. When people had fears or needed a spell to ward off an evil spirit, they went to the mountaintops seeking help from the false gods, and pagan priests or priestesses. 
 
After learning of these practices, I listened to the Psalmist’s cry with a different ear. He knew what help was held in the mountains surrounding him. He looked up and saw many receiving false help from false gods, and he cried out,” I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come?” Can you hear his plea?
 
Where does your help come from?  What false help awaits you on the mountaintop of your horizon?  In our day, there may not be a Baal, a sun priest, or a moon priestess on our mountains, but we turn to other sources of false help. Women all over the globe accept false hope from powerful media influences.  Whether it is from a magazine purchased in the grocery checkout line, a book from the self-help aisle, or a popular channel on the television, we can see false help. 
 
The next verse from the Psalmist’s pen is a declaration that I challenge us both to make. As women of faith, let’s turn off the false help of powerful media influences and declare with the Psalmist, “My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” This declaration will no doubt make the enemy of our world angry.  He wants to keep our attention focused on the false help we have grown accustomed to receiving. He wants to keep us from the real, authentic, and loving help that comes from trusting the Maker of heaven and earth.
 
Will you accept the challenge?  Instead of choosing a familiar channel on the remote control, take the time you would normally spend watching television and find a quiet place to talk the One who offers real help for the  problems you may be facing. Refuse to purchase a new women’s magazine to read while in line or on your lunch hour, or chose a more wholesome one instead like the P31 Woman. Pick up your Bible and read about God’s perfect plan for your life, a plan to give you a hope and a future. Real help from a real God awaits you.

I will not be moved, I must rest in Him

I continue to be blessed by the Natalie Grant CD that I bought -Relentless.  I have finally stopped repeating the song I blogged about earlier “Better Hands Now” and have moved the repeat button to this song:

I WILL NOT BE MOVED – NATALIE GRANT

I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They’re bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won’t let me go
And is the reason why…

Chorus:
I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It’s grace I’m standing on

Chorus

And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I’ve worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved

Chorus

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Really I should just ‘bold’ the whole thing, I LOOVE thing song!!  I highly recommend.

An update to ‘Skeletons’

Apparently I sparked a little bit of controversy when I posted the below entry.  I appreciate all the opinions and comments and welcome more ..

Here’s the main point .. When I read the devotion that is followed by that entry I was convicted about how I’ve had a judgemental attitude towards people in the past.  I am seeing now how wrong I was for acting like that.  When I read the devotional, I felt like God was trying to show me that we ALL sin and are ALL messed up and we need to strive and Love like He Loves. 

So, that’s the whole reason I wrote the entry.  Because of my own judgemental attitude.

I am going through a lot in my personal life, and I feel like each day God is trying to mold me into being more like Him, and that devotion was a step in the right direction in ME learning to LOVE others.

Thanks for all the hits, opinions, and comments!

Skeleton’s in our closet

Let’s face it, we ALL have skeletons in our closets!  Some are years old that we have ‘buried’ deeply and don’t want to be reminded of  … we’ve hid these secrets from our friends, family, sometimes even our significant other, and any one else that may come into our lives.  We CERTAINLY aren’t going to make these mistakes “topic” for conversation.  And we do our best to avoid them at all cost.

Other skeleton’s are up in our face.  They, at times, are very public.  They are a constant reminder of a “wrong turn” we made on life’s path.  These public mistakes can make a person feel shameful, stupid, or an outcast from those who are seemingly “perfect”.

I’m learning pretty quickly that EVERY SINGLE PERSON on this planet has some sort of mistake that they aren’t proud of.  No one is omitted from this, Christians and Non-Christians alike!  Some people may hide this stuff better, but we ALL have our crap.  We aren’t perfect and we never will be.

Wouldn’t it be great if we ALL had this understanding?  What if people could be real with one another and realize that each and every person is a flawed individual just like themselves.  That no mistake is too much for God to handle … He’s forgiven it all!!  What if we STOPPED judging our neighbor for their “crap” and started looking inward to our own mistakes?

Seems to me, that if everyone took this “judgemental chip” off their shoulders we could better understand the people around us, AND we could love them the way that God loves us.

Just something to think about.

Oh, and if you wanted to know what sparked all this …. read this below ….

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Exposed

 Micca Monda Campbell

 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” I John 1:9 (NIV)

          Devotion:

I have a talent for embarrassing myself. A few years ago, at one of our Proverbs 31 She Speaks Conferences, I was in the elevator on my way to a meeting, when I noticed that my panty hose were sagging. I had been running non-stop since the conference began, so naturally I needed to freshen up. I figured since I was the only one in the elevator, it was safe to lift up my skirt, bend over, and pull up my hose. I’m sure you have done something similar.

When I entered the elevator at the bottom floor, it had a back wall. As I rode the elevator from one floor to the next, bent over tugging at my hose, I noticed something had changed. The back wall had transformed into a glass wall! This hotel was built in a circle. This design meant that all of the glass elevators overlooked the center of hotel as they moved up and down. What was in the center of the hotel? It was the open hotel dinning area. What time of day was it? You guessed it. It was dinnertime. Just my luck, the room was packed with people who had a prime view of me with my skirt up, arranging my hose. Little did they know they were going to get both dinner and a show that evening!

I was horrified! Aren’t we all when a side of us is exposed that we’d rather keep covered? I think sin is like that. We try to hide it, but at some point it reveals itself – leaving us embarrassed, sorrowful, and ashamed.

What does our sin do the heart of God? The Bible says that our sin grieves the Holy Spirit within us (Ephesians 4:30, paraphrased). I don’t know about you, but knowing that I can grieve the heart of God grieves my own heart. Not only am I ashamed, but I feel separated from God. The good news is when we are in Christ, God doesn’t remember our record of sins. What He remembers is when we believe Him.

Paul tells us, “Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Galatians 3:6). Therefore, if we confess our sins, he is faithful to forgive us and purify us. There is no need to hide our sin or defend our wrong actions when we can simply confess it and receive God’s forgiveness.

You and I need to understand that Jesus doesn’t expose our sin to embarrass us or condemn us. God didn’t send Christ into the world to condemn but to save. When you and I sin, God is simply waiting for us to confess it so He can deal with it in us and for us. In the instant we confess, Christ is ready and willing to make all things new. That newness is something for all to see!

 

 

 

I’m in better hands, what a relief!

I love this song by Natalie Grant.  It has brought me such comfort this past week .. read the lyrics.

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It’s hard to stand on shifting sand
It’s hard to shine in the shadows of the night
You can’t be free if you don’t reach for help
You cant love if you dont love yourself

There is hope when my faith runs out
Cause I’m in better hands now

It’s like the sun is shining when the rain is pouring down
It’s like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground
So take this heart of mine there’s no doubt
I’m in better hands now

I am strong all because of you
I stand in awe of every mountain that you move
Oh I am changed, yesterday is gone
I am safe from this moment on

There’s no fear when the night comes ’round
I’m in better hands now

It’s like the sun is shining when the rain is pouring down
It’s like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground
So take this heart of mine there’s no doubt
I’m in better hands now

It’s like the sun is shining when the rain is pouring down
It’s like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground
Its like the world is silent though I know it isnt true
Its like the breath of Jesus is right here in this room

So take this heart of mine there’s no doubt
I’m in better hands now
I’m in better hands now

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That’s such a powerful message to me!!  I’ve been listening to this song on repeat for 5 days now.  What a blessing!!

Love this post

I just read this post on my best friend Erin’s blog.  I still don’t know how to tag her to where you can just click the name ” Erin ” and go instantly to her page.  If someone who has wordpress would like to tell me that’d be great.  Anyway, you can view her blog by clicking on “Erin Alaine Smith” to the right.  I just read her blog and it really spoke to me, so I decided to copy it and post it on my blog too.

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Thinking out loud

Erin Alaine Smith

As I see it

April 23rd, 2008

Sorry for the lack of posts these past few months. I just haven’t felt very blog-ie lately.  Things are going well. Work is good. Church is good. Husband is great. However, I seem to have this sense of restlessness lately that I just can’t shake.

“When is this going to happen?”
“When is that going to happen?”
“Why do I have to keep waiting?”

The other day, I came across this quote in a book I’ve been reading. It’s a paraphrase of Romans 5:3-4 from The Living Bible.

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials for we know that they are good for us — they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.”

I want my “hope and faith to be strong and seady.” I just wish it wasn’t so painful.

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Very insightful Erin!!!

Get out of that pit

Right now I am reading a book that my sister, Leah, gave me.  You can view her blog by clicking on her name to the right.  The book is called “Get out of that pit … straight talk about God’s deliverance,” by Beth Moore.  As I am reading the book, I am realizing that we all have been in a “pit” at one time or another in our life.  I’m in chapter 2, but so far it’s a pretty good book.

So, as I come across things in this book, I’m going to post them, and maybe you will get something out of it too!

Psalm 40:2 says -

“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand”

So basically God can deliver you from ANY trial that you may be going through.  He can be your hope and even give you a firm place to stand.

 

 

What equals 100%?

This was emailed to me a few days ago.  It’s something to think about.

____________________________________________________________

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint: What Equals 100%?  What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?

Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?

We have all been in situations where someone wants you to give over  100%.

How about achieving 101%?

What equals 100% in life?

Here’s a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:

If:
  A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

  Is represented as:
  1  2  3 4  5 6  7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.
  A B C D E F G H I   J  K   L  M  N  O  P  Q   R  S   T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z
                                                                                                             
Then:

  H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K
  8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

  and

  K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
  11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

  But,

  A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
  1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

  AND, look how far the love of God will take you

  L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D

  12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that: While Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it’s the Love of God that will put you over the top!

Blessing

I have many friends and family members that are Christians.  This has always been such a blessing to me.  When I am going through hard times, it’s often someone else’s outlook on Faith and Jesus that can help bring me through my hard moment. 

I know a lot of ya’ll don’t know of all the struggles I am facing right now.  There have been days I have been 1 million times past the point of overwelmed.  Each time I get like this, it seems that Jesus sends a friend or family member my way to encourage me.

This was emailed to me this morning:

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.

1 Peter 5:7, NLT

It’s a short little verse, but it was a huge blessing for me!

 

Calming

I’ve stated in past blogs that there is a lot going on in my personal life right now.  This quote/verse has helped calm me in the past few days.

“When our (plans) are interrupted, His are not. His plans are proceeding exactly as scheduled, moving us always (including those minutes or hours or years which seem most useless or wasted or unendurable) “toward the goal of true maturity” (Rom 12:2 JBP).” -Elisabeth Elliot

This quote brings me such comfort.  I draw such a peace knowing that no matter what obstacles come by way, God has a plan for them and it’s all under His control. 

Neat Prayer

 I read this quote on one of my sister’s friend’s blog.  He recently lost his wife in a car crash.  Both of them are missionaries in Africa and have 2 young children who survived the crash unharmed.  This prayer was found after she died in her journal:

 ”O Sovereign Lord, Let those that are united to me in tender ties be precious in thy sight and devoted to thy glory. Sanctify and prosper my domestic devotion, instruction, discipline, and example, that my house may be a nursery for heaven.”

Quoted from The Valley of Vision

Hope

I am going through a lot of trials in my personal life.  I heard this quote last night and I loved it!!

 ”Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, it’s the middle that counts the most.  Remember that when you find yourself at a scary beginning.  Just give hope a change to float up, and it will.”