Focus on Serenity

Confession time here.  I am so off track.  I have not been spending quiet time with the Lord.  This leads to other issues in my life.  I have not been eating right or exercising.  Basically, I am going backward big time.  🙁

So I have been rethinking my strategy for life change.  Somehow I have to get back to moving forward.  Shutting off the news (which brings me down big time).  I can’t change the world by being immersed in the election or the sadness and tragedy worldwide.  I can be an element for change by listening to the truth of what Jesus said and allowing it to permeate my life.  Instead of focusing on the brokenness and despair that the new portrays I can focus on the truth of the Good News (gospel). 

Jesus said, “A thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy.   I have came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).“  John 10:10 AMP   I have to look at what the thief (Satan) is using to steal, kill and destroy me.  Some things I can do something about, some I can’t.  I can turn off the television which steals my time and emotional energy.    I can spend time meditating on the Word of God and praying, taking time to be quiet before the Lord so that He can speak into my heart.  I can pray for those I love, that the Lord will guide them and keep them safe.  Worrying about my loved ones and becoming distracted by some of the things they say and do that hurt and wound does not help anyone.   Some of my relationships seem to be irreparably damaged and at this present time the only thing I can do is pray.  Read More

I’m Tired

I’d like to think I have something profound to say today, but after reading Stasi’s blog I just feel like her words are more powerful and really express what I am feeling so I want to share them with you.  She says:

Status – I’m Tired
“When I hop on Facebook, which I confess, I haven’t been doing as faithfully as I want to be, it always asks me my “Status” and 90% of the time, I want to write “I’m tired.”  But that isn’t very cheery or encouraging so I let that pass and dig down into what is more deeply true.  “I’m loved.”……………

My times with God haven’t involved long times in the Word or even much worship but instead an adult coloring book.  I color away while meditating on one scripture.  Very soothing.  I recommend it if you can make the space to sit still for more than a moment.  Sitting still for more than a moment is also something I recommend.

At the beginning of each year, John and I pray and ask Jesus what his “word” or scripture is over our lives for the whole year.  In that past, it’s been “Intimacy”  (yay!) or “Follow” (yes!).  Sometimes it takes me more than a month to hear anything.

Last night he answered.  The word is “Fresh”.

Fresh.

Oh my.  I need fresh.  It feels like the opposite of tired.  Just hearing his word and intention over my life breathes new hope into the places that have become weary.  I am so grateful.

So, wherever you are at, and I mean WHEREVER you are at…I want to encourage you to ask your Father for his intention, his word over this next season over your life.  And then wait.  Keep asking until you hear.  And when you do hear (and you will), WRITE IT DOWN.  Put it on your mirror.  Write it at the beginning of your journal.  Dive into the word and explore it in scripture.  Camp in it.

I’m sure going to.  Because “tired” is not what Jesus has for me.  I’m not running from it or pretending I’m not feeling it but I am saying YES to God.  I desire the fresh wind of life that God has for me.  And I want it for you too.”

Stasi’s Blog

I love her idea of adult coloring book as devotion time.  I purchased one but have not started it yet.  Creative time helps relieve stress and I can see that just sitting and coloring with a scripture on your mind would be very refreshing.

That is definitely how I feel some days.  Just plain tired, worn, exhausted.  Mentally, physically and yes, spiritually.

Tenth Avenue North’s song speaks to this ache in my soul so many times.

“I know that You can give me rest, so I cry out with all I have left……..”

Just Breathe

I work at a tax office and this time of year is a more stressful time than most for me.  I am so thankful for a cubicle mate that also loves Christian music.  We play it softly throughout the day and when this song comes on we both pause and “just breathe”.  Life is stressful and sometimes we do wonder if we matter and what it’s all about.  All the Lord wants from us is relationship.  Really.  Just to be with Him and to take moments throughout the day to acknowledge Him and whisper thank you and to just sense that He is there and present in our work a day lives.

I am becoming and trying to reorder my life by laying “down what is good to find what is best.”  For each of us it is different.  But spending time with Jesus if only for one minute occasionally throughout the day is a step in the right direction.  For a moment I am asking you to watch the video and JUST BREATHE.

Breath – Jonny Diaz

“When the stress is on the rise in my heart I feel You say

Just Breathe, just breathe
Come and rest at My feet
And be, just be
Chaos calls but all you really need
Is to just breathe
Is to take it in fill your lungs
The Peace of God that overcomes
Just breathe
Let your weary spirit rest
Lay down what’s good and find what’s best
Just breathe”

BREATHE – Jonny Diaz

Peace on Earth

When asked a few weeks ago what my Christmas wish was.  And truly that was my answer.  They thought it should be something else so then I said I would love a white Christmas.  It looks like I might get that Christmas wish- it is currently snowing!  They were predicting rain but in got cold enough for snow.   And walking Scotty this afternoon I met a young girl and she wished us Merry Christmas and another man shouted Ho, Ho, Ho! and his little guy yelled Merry Crissmath. 🙂 Of course I returned the merry Christmas to them all. Wouldn’t it be lovely if this spirit of love and peace would be year round? Read More

God So Loved That He Gave

For God so loved the world that He gave (didómi) His only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life John 3:16NLT

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV

I know what it is like to be shunned by someone I love.  But as My Father God pursues me when I run from Him.  So have I decided to love on those that I love even if they do not want to be a part of my life.  I do this in any way that I can. Read More

The Lord Delights in YOU!

“For the Lord delights in you and will claim you as His own.”  Isaiah 62:4

Delight- “great pleasure, joy; please greatly, extreme pleasure or satisfaction; high degree of pleasure or enjoyment; joy; rapture.”  http://www.thefreedictionary.com/delight

“He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because He delights in me.”  Psalm 18:19

“The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord.  He delights in every detail of their lives.”  Psalm 37:23

So many times I feel this can’t possibly apply to me.  I don’t consider myself “godly”.  I fail and trip up so often.  But my “godliness” does not come from my goodness or ability.   But by Jesus goodness and ability.  But by what Jesus did on the cross for me- taking my sin, my failure, my lack on him and giving me in exchange his goodness, his life, his godliness.  Therefore when the father looks on me He looks on me through Jesus’ colored glasses.  I am pure, I am holy. Read More

Peace Amidst World Turmoil

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear (timidity, fearfulness), but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”  I Timothy 1:7 NKJV

Fear has run rampant because of the attacks in Paris and the world over.  ISIS has the world in fear.  Who is the author of fear?  Satan.  Are we to submit to fear?  No!  When fear begins to grip my heart I need to take a hard look at myself.  Because I am commanded not to worry, but to submit to God, to resist the devil and all of his attacks.  (James 4:7)  Fear being the primary attack that I struggle with.  The world is in turmoil but in the midst of that turmoil I can have peace.  I can have joy.  I can have love.  I can have a sound mind.  I need to turn to Jesus and ask him to empower me to walk as He walked.   Read More

Winter Garden

What a difference a day makes!  From Fall garden to Winter in one day.  Not sure if the snow is going to last – looks like a warm up for Thanksgiving but it is pretty today.  8 inches of snow on November 20th.  Wow!  

There is nothing that looks so pure as fresh fallen snow before the melt and before shoveling and bunches of tracks.  Although I see the bunnies have been about.  🙂  

Walking Through the Shadow of Death

Psalm 23:4

“ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Read More

Streets of Gold

Excerpt from Stasi’s blog at Ransomed Heart – “It was…autumn.  (Surprise!)  I had gone for a walk in the woods following a path along a stream.  The aspens had turned their glorious golden hue and in the slight breeze were shedding their flower-like leaves.  The path was strewn with gold as I softly padded along.  

“Well, if the streets in heaven are gold like THIS, then that will be beautiful!”  Sometimes I surprise myself.  My unconscious thoughts emerge in the most unexpected of times.  I realized that I had pictured the streets of gold in heaven as solid and hard, cold and undesirable.  But this gold – this living, moving exhibition – was filled with splendor.  Surely our divinely gorgeous and creative God will outdo himself beyond my best but limited imagination!”  It’s Raining

Read More