Quiet time

Good Morning, I am sitting here this morning at the office.  Bright and early, ( I like to come in around 6:30 so that I have my quiet time and coffee with NO distractions.  It just might be my favorite time of the day.  Who am I kidding, IT IS MY FAVORITE TIME OF THE DAY.   I love reading God's word and by HIS grace I try to live out his word in my day to day life.  It's never easy because life is full of "messes".  I often ponder where I would be today with God's grace and love for me.  Such a scary thought. 

One thing that I am really excited about is the screened in porch at the new(old) house.  I can see my mornings sipping my coffee  with my bible and notebook, looking our over the fields in the back of the house during the summer months, and cuddled up cozy by the fireplace during the winter months. 

 

These photos are from the realtor's site. 

 

How do you do your quiet time? 

 

2 Timothy Chapter 3

¹⁶ All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Hugs and blessings,

Cindy

Time for action



Some days I feel so torn....not sure where I am going or what I should be doing.  Do you have days like this?  My heart and mind just rush around with endless thoughts and worry.  And at the end of the day I find myself right where I was and not much to show for the day. Such a waste.  Needless to say, I don't like days like that or the feelings that follow.

Time to redirect my focus....get it off self and onto others and something productive.  Believe me, at times it is easier to tell yourself this than to actually do it, but I have faith that "this too shall pass".

After several weeks of confusion, I have made it my focus today to do certain things to get me back to a better and balanced place:

• Daily quiet time with my bible
• Prayer time (my prayer request list is long)
• List making and goal setting
• Spend time on something that makes me happy.
• Learn something new, ie how to use a new software, how to use a new application for my phone or computer, or a new craft.

Most times I find that I have these types of feelings when I am thrown out of my routine or off my daily schedule. I'm a creature of habit. ( And if you have read my last post, you know that I just experienced my daughters wedding.) Hence these feelings of confusion, mixed in with lots of "negative self talk".  Please tell me that I am not the only one that has "negative self talk" from time to time.

I found a article that I archived for reading (over and over if needed) and it was needed today.  Here is the post title and date of the post.  Coincidence I don't think so.  God's timing is always perfect.

How to Stop Negative Internal Chatter

June 25, 2013 by Rachel Wojnarowski

 

Rachel gives us some great and helpful tips on how to combat this negative internal chatter. Rachel says:

 

Just in case you need the points I need to stop the negative internal chatter, I decided to share them with you. Here we go:
1. Starve the stomach of self-pity.
If you don’t feed it, it will not grow.  Circumstances are not ours to control and they may not even be ours to change, but they are ours to conquer.

2. Give thanks in everything.

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thess. 5:18

I’m thankful that this verse uses the word “in.”  Because there are things for which I struggle to be thankful. But I can be thankful in the circumstance because there is always something to be thankful for- for who God is if nothing else.

3. Pull those weeds out before they take root.
When I saturate my mind in Scripture, I find that the weeds aren’t even given a chance to take root. Then they dry up and wither.

4. Water the blooms.
Last Thursday night we had prayer meeting. Water.
Each day I’m doing my best to keep up with the Bible Reading Challenge (just caught up!!) The Word is water.
Sunday morning I heard God’s Word preached in church. Water.

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. Jn. 7:38

Great tips Rachel. You can see her whole post on the topic here.

 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by today and letting me share a bit of my struggle with you.  Feel free to share any tips on how you combat confusion and negative self talk.

 

 

Blessings,

 

Cindy

Bible Study Wednesday

Good Morning!  This morning I am off to bible study.  After about two years of not participating in a real live bible study it is awesome to be back in God’s word with other women.  It’s a great group of women all coming together from 7or 8 different dominations.  We are in the 5th week of a 7 week study called “Missing Pieces” by Jennifer Rothschild.  Oh is it so good. 

Some things you will learn how too:

• Experience unexpected peace in spite of unexpected heartache
• Move forward when you feel stuck in your circumstances
• Strengthen your faith when you feel beat down by life
• Gain stability when tidal waves of emotion hit
• Trust God more than your feelings

Over the years I have been involved with many bible studies.  Lately I have been doing online studies (I’ll share a couple of great sources in the future) which I have loved, but there is just something about going and fellowshipping (is that a word) with other like minded women.  I love spending time learning about our Heavenly Father. He has so much to teach us if we will just stay teachable.

Proverbs 13:18 - Poverty and shame [shall be to] him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

Proverbs 9:9-Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

Blessings,

Cindy

Romans 8:38-39“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Do you ever

feel like your dreams are ALWAYS put on hold? 

The dream I have always had was shattered back in August 2004.  That is the day that my divorce became final from the man I thought I would spend the rest of my life with. The love of my life and father to my children.  I  was a young bride of 17 back in 1982, and only dreamed of our future together.  I felt we had a good life together ahead of us. The military wasn’t part of that dream.  But I went along and made a home at every “base” along the way. After traveling the globe with him as he served in the US Navy, we finally retired in 2002 I thought our dreams would finally happen, sooner than later.  Our dream had always been to get back closer to family and I would finally be able to get that HOME, I so longed for after years and years of waiting and military housing, filling it with grandchildren and lots of memories.
But something changed.  My world as I knew it was over that day.

Fast forwarding a bit, through many hurdles and heartbreak I found myself struggling and confused.  I was a grown woman with no skills unless you count motherhood, I was a SAHM.  Which I had proudly been for all those years.  Raising three beautiful children. But my concern was how will I take care of myself.  I felt unloved and rejected.   I had many bitter and angry feelings towards myself and played the blame game.  Blaming myself.  Wondering why I wasn’t enough, and why didn’t I matter enough to try?  How he could throw everything we were together and been through together away?  Why she got his best years and I had the struggling ones?   I wanted my life back.  But he didn’t want me, did he ever love or want  me, really? (I really don’t think I could stand to hear the answer to that question even today)

Then on New Years Eve of 2005 my now husband asked me to marry him(I was in no hurry to rush into anything)  and through all that time I still questioned and wondered if I would ever be able to build my dreams with someone else. Memories, grandchildren and a home.  In 2008 we married.  In April we will have been married 5 years, and still waiting on some of those dreams.
In the last year, we finally moved closer to family a dream fulfilled(although all six of our children-his three, my three) are all over the map as well as our now 4 grandchildren (his three and my one).  Another dream fulfilled, whom God blessed us with,  we are still working on the home part of “our” dream.
In the last several years, since selling my home that I occupied with my first husband, I have been in limbo for a place to call “mine” again.  Sometimes my heart aches for a home of my own.  And I find myself “waiting” yet again….but I have seen how God has fulfilled many of my dreams in the last year and I am sure he is picking out the perfect house for me to make this dream worth waiting for.  God has blessed me in so many ways.  Today I am grateful for all he has done for me and given to me.  How do you “wait” on God when it seems to be moving so slow?   How do you deal with this? Please feel free to share your experience and your help tip.
Blessings,
     Cindy

2 Timothy 1:7“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

What does your blog say about you?

I decided I wanted to see what my blog said about me

Here it is: (sorry it is blurred but the script they allow you to use unfortunately presents it this way.)
However if you click on the image, you get a clear version.

Want to find out what your blog says about you?  Go to Wordle and type in your URL, and it will give you the most used words/topics on your blog.  It allows you to see just what you are conveying to the world.

Kristy Stephens has posted some wonderful post about “what and how and who” our words effect, with the use of all the social media we have, do we stop and think about what we are conveying to others, through our IM’s, posts, tweets, etc. 

Are we busy building others up and glorifying God or are we busy building ourselves up and patting ourselves on the back.

When words are many, sin is not absent,

but he who holds his tongue is wise.

Proverbs 10:19

 

Don’t know about you, but I need these reminders, thanks to Kristy for some great thought provoking post.

Romans 12:10“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Cindy

“It is well with my soul”

For more than a century, the tragic story of one man has given hope to countless thousands who have lifted their voices to sing, It Is Well With My Soul.  This by far is one hymn that ALWAYS speaks to my soul. 

The story behind the song":

Horatio Spafford (1828-1888) was a wealthy Chicago lawyer with a thriving legal practice, a beautiful home, a wife, four daughters and a son. He was also a devout Christian and faithful student of the Scriptures. His circle of friends included Dwight L. Moody, Ira Sankey and various other well-known Christians of the day.

At the very height of his financial and professional success, Horatio and his wife Anna suffered the tragic loss of their young son. Shortly thereafter on October 8, 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed almost every real estate investment that Spafford had.

In 1873, Spafford scheduled a boat trip to Europe in order to give his wife and daughters a much needed vacation and time to recover from the tragedy. He also went to join Moody and Sankey on an evangelistic campaign in England. Spafford sent his wife and daughters ahead of him while he remained in Chicago to take care of some unexpected last minute business. Several days later he received notice that his family's ship had encountered a collision. All four of his daughters drowned; only his wife had survived.

With a heavy heart, Spafford boarded a boat that would take him to his grieving Anna in England. It was on this trip that he penned those now famous words, When sorrow like sea billows roll; it is well, it is well with my soul..

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Horatio Spafford

Romans 5:6-8“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Cindy

Thankful Thursday

Wow, I can’t believe it is already Thursday (and August at that) and time for another Thankful Thursday. I missed last week, with trying to get ready for our upcoming trip.

With so much to be grateful for I have chosen a few that are speaking to my heart this morning, I am so thankful for my home.  I love my home and being here. And God has graciously given me some time at home from a full time job, I am so grateful for that much needed break.  God has blessed me with a wonderful hubby who works hard at his day job, just to come home and work hard here.  With trying to sell our house, we are always tweaking something which keeps my hubby in a constant “to do mode”.  I am so thankful for him and his attitude.  No matter how he feels he never gives up or in.  I could learn alot from him. 

I’m also thankful for the new carpet we had laid in our basement yesterday.  What a difference it makes.  I wish we had of done it earlier.  My hope is that it will someday make a nice play area for another set of children to grow up in.

I’m thankful for the wonderful time we had this past weekend visiting with relatives at my hubby’s family reunion.  It was a great time sharing memories and food. 

Thankful for the bit of rain we got last night, and the promise of more today. 

Thankful for good friendships. A wonderful friend is moving away today, but I am thankful that God brought us together for a short time. 

Today we will be linking up at Laurie’s place, Women Taking a Stand.  Hop over and join us.

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:17

Today in my world

Good Morning Ladies, here we find ourselves at the end of the week and another summer weekend on the horizon.  I am so thankful for my weekends, I love them, mostly because it is a time that my hubby is home and we can spend time together.  I always LOVE that.  Granted this weekend will have some little jobs that need to be done but for the most part nothing real pressing.

Today is filled with alot of little things I need/want to take care of.  Just a few little housework chores, but my big focus today is going to be on getting my “quiet time with the Lord” better organized. In recent post I have shared about my struggling with things and one thing I have come to realize is that my time with the Lord has been sporadic of late.  This MUST come to a stop. I am a person who NEEDS that nourishment every day.   I miss my quiet time on a daily basis and I do hunger for it.  But I  can get so sidetracked by life and the computer that I don’t seem to get around to it.  But I feel God calling me back to it, and nudging me to get myself back on track.  So I plan to start back with it faithfully on Monday.   (Although) I will get sometime in today, but normally my quiet time will be spent in the mornings with a devotion or inspirational reading before bedtime.  Not sure about you, but I am a list maker and I like structure and organization.  Those things help me keep my mind focused and on track.  So that is the main reason for putting together my portable desk of study materials.  I like having all my things in one place.

I love devotions and I have found two really good ones that I subscribe too and will be incorporating them into my quiet time.  If you are looking for or are in need of some great devotions check out the  Proverbs 31 Ministries and sign up for their devotional to be email to you daily.  How easy is that?   Another great devotion, you can sign up for is AnGel Ministries by Anne Graham Lotz.

My study time is more than just reading my bible.  As I have grown as a Christian, my quiet time has changed over time, Now I HUNGER for the word and the truth. I like to really research and get to meat of what God is trying to tell me.  My quiet time/study time looks something like this.  In my Bible time tool kit you’ll find:

• My Bible –  I usually use my NIV Scofield Study Bible, because this bible is marked up with side notes and any other pertinent information I have gathered over time.  It is highlighted throughout with passages that have “spoke” to me over the years.
• Pen and highlighter
• Journal – I record specific things God teaches or shows me from His Word. Then I can go back and review them. I also write down things He tells me to do. Writing them down makes me feel more accountable! And writing prayers or the main points of what I’m praying about helps keep my mind from wandering.
• Bible Reading Plan – I have tried several different ones, I have done Topical Reading Plans, Chronological Reading Plan, but for now, I think I will be continuing on with daily Proverbs reading, while hitting some topics
• Scripture Memory Cards – I usually write a verse that speaks to me on a index card, and meditate and try memorizing it through out the day. 
• Prayer Snapshots – Sometimes but not always I put a photo or a article or something tangible into my pray list.  This way it’s harder for me to forget it. 
• Also a book that I might be focusing on….Right now I am studying “The Power of Prayer to Change your Marriage” and “ The Power of Praying for your Adult Children”, both by Stormie Omartian.
• Prayer (I have tried many methods of prayer over the years, so that I cover all those situations, people, etc  using a schedule  ie Mondays-family, friends, marriage, Tuesday-sick, grieving, military, country, Wednesday, well you get the idea) but I think I am going to try a Prayer Calendar this time.  There are so many people and situations to be in prayer for I am scared I will forget…this way I can stay more focused.  Granted, I always pray for a specific need when it is needed.  To get a better idea of the approach I am talking about Teri Underwood has a great post on it here

If you are in need of some awesome helpful tips on your study time check out Kathy Howard, she has given us some great discipleship tools to use, and I recommend printing them out for easy access.

Ladies, even though we live in a troubled times with all that goes on around us.  We also live in a amazing time with all the technology that is afforded us.  The internet is such a great way to connect with our Christian sisters as well as finding the tools we need to be better equipped in our daily walk.  I encourage you to seek these places out and let God grow in you. Be all that God wants you to be. 

“I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I may not sin against you.” Psalm 119:10 – 11

Hope you have a blessed day!

Colossians 2:9-10“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Thankful Thursday and other stuff

NOTE: Please note my Network Blog over in the right column, if you are on Facebook and would like to get updates from me, please connect with me.

Can you believe it?  I actually made it here to blog today. I have missed you all.  Before I give my list of thanksgiving, I wanted to update you all on all that is going around here.

Since my last post, it hasn’t been boring.  I have made a trip home to Kentucky to visit with family and witness my nephew become a legal member of our family.  That was a truly awesome day for my sister, and as tears strolled down our faces, she whispered to me “ I’m finally a mom”.  Thrilled and ecstatic don’t do justice to her feelings that day.

Although I made the trip alone, hubby had to stay home, it was some fun time with my mom and dad.  Spent alot of time eating out, watching some movies, and running to antique shops.  A very favorite past time for me and my mom. 

But since getting back home, some areas of my life I have been fretting over.  I hate to even mention it because I sound like a broken record.  But selling this house is taking a huge toll on me and making me question my trust in God. Is he listening to me?  Did I actually say that?  

Why is it so hard to trust God when things look so bleak.  I really don’t distrust God, I really do trust him, but I keep asking myself why certain things aren’t happening for us and everything is working out for all those around us.  Is selling this home some kind of lesson?….what am I suppose to be learning from it?  PATIENCE…..oh boy, I am not good with this trait.  I am finding myself getting disgruntle over the smallest of things.  I am getting anxious about everything.  All my feelings are so raw and I could cry at drop of a hat.  I just want to move on…..I want to start the next chapter in my life. But apparently I have unfinished business in this chapter.

So I am back to “trusting God” that he knows what’s best….I read “

“Trusting God actually takes effort. Trusting God actually takes work. It
takes reading the Bible. It takes meditating on Scripture. It takes praying
about things. It takes taking our own souls to task and stopping one kind of
thinking and turning to another kind of thinking. It takes work. It takes 
effort.”

this excerpt was taken from “Trusting God” by Carolyn Mahaney, Carolyn goes on to say “

The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb.
11:6). Fear is sin. And as my husband has often graciously reminded
me—God is not sympathetic to my unbelief. Why? Because fear,
worry, and unbelief say to God that we don’t really believe He is
“merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast
love and faithfulness” (Ps. 86:15). We are calling God a liar.” 

Ok, WOW I never really thought about that before.  How God views my lack of faith and trust.

If you are lacking in faith and having a hard time Trusting God” check out the whole article written by Carolyn Mahaney.

 

In saying all that, I have much to be grateful and thankful for:

• My nephew,Caleb
• Wonderful time spent with my hubby this last week, we have had a incredible time with some awesome discussions.
• The wonderful rain we received this week to make our flowers and gardens happy.
• Great friends to share a meal with.
• My DIL receiving her AA .
• Another great sunny day and seeing the flowers sprinkle the earth with color. God is a awesome artist.
• Home movies of my children taken 26 years ago.  I can relive their youth.
• And I am thankful for this house too, at least I have a nice home and I can make the payments because we have work. So even when I am disgruntled with having it, I am grateful that I do, because many don’t.  God has been so good to me.
• Thankful for my wonderful hubby.  (pic below was taken at our rehearsal for our wedding)

If you would like to participate in Thankful Thursday join us this month at “Spiritually Unequal Marriage”
Hugs,

James 1:21“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

The week is getting away from me

Good giggity Miss Wigity,where has this week gone?  I don’t have a clue.  I didn’t mean to stay away so long but I guess that is what happens when you are doing thangs.  :) And please don’t ask me what because I can’t remember. 

I have to tell you ladies, we woke up to the most beautiful weather here this morning, the temps were in the 60’s and just wonderful.  It was a welcomed break from the hot humid days and mornings we have been having.  I know that it is short lived, so I really was grateful and  gave a sweet thanks to Jesus.  Hubby even got outside and watered the lawn early this AM while it was still cool.  I think he was enjoying it too. (The photo to the right is my deck, this shot was taken several years ago, but it is still where I drink in the beauty of the  day.

This morning has been a very productive morning for me, I am getting ready for my upcoming trip to Kentucky.  Let’s see, I have striped the sheets from my bed and washed and dried and put them back on the bed, one load in the dryer and one more in the washer, suitcases are almost packed. Making list of things to NOT forget to take.  So when I am rushing out the door bright and early on Friday morning I am not forgetting anything.   Still have some other inside chores to do today, but thought before I started my afternoon, I would post.

Before I started my morning, I spent some time reading in Proverbs.  I am loving reading through Proverbs on a daily bases.  When you take the time to really read it and soak in all the wisdom that is there, it is incredible.  The last two days I have been meditating on a couple of verses that I thought I would share. Taken from the NIV translation.

Proverbs 28:13-

¹³ He who conceals his sins does not prosper,
       but whoever confesses and renounces them finds     mercy.

Proverbs 29: 20 -

²⁰ Do you see a man who speaks in haste?
       There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 30: 5-6-

⁵ "Every word of God is flawless;
       he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

⁶ Do not add to his words,
       or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

Each one of these verses hold great impact on our daily lives. They give us something to ponder and really think about.  What are your meditating on today? 

Well the time has come to go back to my duties, the dryer just peeped as my que to get up and finish my work.

“She sets about her work vigorously;
       her arms are strong for her tasks.” Proverbs 31:17

Hope you have a blessed day, and thanks for stopping by to visit. I love your visits.

Zechariah 14:9“The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Crawling out from under the rock

I hope finally for good. Ladies, this has been a very trying time for me, alot of changes going on in and around me and I have felt a bit out of sync and a bit overwhelmed. Days filled with sadness and gloom.

I decided to share this with you because I need to be accountable for this feeling that I have been denying for way to long. Over the course of the last two months I have come to realize that I do suffer from depression and these feelings of inadequacy as a mother, wife have to stop, among other areas.

I get so "down" on myself and regardless of all the sweet gestures made toward me, I don't feel them. I hope some of you can relate to this, and can offer some words or guidance to me. My poor sweet hubby has tried to express this to me, but I would “cut” him off because I didn’t  want to believe I suffered from this. Not another flaw, not another character defect. Is is situational or permanent?  How can you tell?  How do you know?

Between family, work decisions, becoming a empty nester, my life as I have known it has changed majorly over the course of a few months. All the things that made me who I was, is no more.  I was always a mother, but now with all my kids on their own, and living there own lives, I don’t have that “label” anymore per se. I’m not needed like I was before. As well as a  employee, since I now am at home again full time (at least for now).  I don’t have that label either.  I feel I have to reinvent myself and I really don’t know how…where to start? 

I know the first place to look is in God’s word to see what he says on the matter of depression, so I have picked a few verses that spoke to me.

(Using  Bible gateway to research my verses)

Broken Heart- (NASB) Psalms 34:18, Proverbs 17:22

¹⁸The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
         And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

²²A joyful heart is good medicine,
         But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

Can result from failure to confess- Psalms 32:3-4

³When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away
         Through my groaning all day long.
⁴For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
         My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah.

After spending time reading all the different scriptures dealing with depression that I could find, I didn’t stop there, I went in search for more biblical teachings from women who have been there.

As I was thinking about all I have been struggling with, I was reminded again of David and his struggles.  Instead of relaying it all again, Courtney at Women Living Well stated it wonderfully. (Psalms 69)  Back in February she started a series of post about depression and if you struggle or have been struggling, I hope you will take a look at them. 

I thank you all for being patient with me and for not given up on me and my blog….but I find myself at a crossroad in life, with alot of new adventures just over the horizon, and I don’t want to miss them, so the time has come for me to take action….so that I can live in the Joy promised by my Father.

God turns mourning into Joy – Jeremiah 31:13

¹³ Then maidens will dance and be glad,
       young men and old as well.
       I will turn their mourning into gladness;
       I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Love,

Something is on my mind

and today I want to share it with you.  If you have been keeping up with me here, you know for the most part for a while now I have been struggling with much.  Either through post that I have written or lack of written post. 

I feel as though my whole world has been under attack lately.  Now I know this isn’t true, but the feeling remains the same. When times are like these, I just want to cling to God and his word and promises, but for some reason, I have been struggling with that too.  Maybe because sometimes, I just don’t get it.  But let me tell you a about a little find I have found.  It’s a book written by Lysa Terkeurst called “Becoming More than a good bible study girl”.  Wow…I have just started reading it and it’s wonderful and answers so many of my questions about my relationship with God. 

Take a peek at one of her videos

Just in the first part  of the book  “In My Heart”, she talks about….

1. Trying to Be Good Enough
2. Flitting To and Fro
3. When I Feel like I Don’t Measure Up

If these are topics that you can relate too, then you have to read it.  With each page I turn I am eager for her help in getting out of this “rut”. The rut of desiring and knowing God more intimately, and not knowing how to get there.  If you feel this way, then perhaps this would be a good read for you too.

If any of you have read it, I would love to know if and how it affected your “knowing God” better. 

Ok…off to have my quiet time now.

 

Oh BTW…

Courtney of Women Living Well, is hosting this challenge for wives. Every Monday, June 7 - August 9, Courtney will be sharing biblical principles about how to be the woman your man needs. Mark your calendars and join me in becoming the women our husbands need.

I have been asked this

many times in my life, “Are you a Stepford wife?”.  Not exactly put that way, but the question was the same.  Well this morning while reading some of my favorite Christian woman inspired blogs (several links to some great women on the left) I found that Courtney at Women Living Well, answers this question.  

Courtney has a awesome blog (I {heart} her blog) where she shares lots of wonderful Christian views on marriage, home, family, women.  She has also done a great study about the Proverbs 31 woman.  Whom is my inspiration as a woman.  Be all that God wants you to be.

Be blessed this Monday!

Hugs,

Be Still

 

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”  – (Psalms 46:10)

Be Still, and Know that I Am God,
My Father said to Me,
And I will fill you with My Peace,
And set your Spirit Free.

You are my Own; I’ve Chosen You:
You are Precious in My Sight.
Give Me your Heart; I Promise You
I’ll be Your Guiding Light.

My Love for you will Never Fade
By your side I’ll Always Stay.
My Joy will be your Strength and
Shield, If you’ll let Me have My Way.

I’m Standing here with Arms Outstretched
I want to Touch and make You Whole.
Of My Living Waters, Come and Drink,
And I will Quench your Thirsty Soul.

Peace! Be Still! I am with You now,
And no-one could Love You More.
My Love for you will never Die
Of that You can be sure.

That’s what my Father said to Me
And I know His Words are true.
I know that He has Set me Free
And He’ll do the Same for You.

So just Reach Out, ask Him to Forgive
And Pardon all your Sin.
Ask Him to be your God and King
And He will take You

Have a blessed Sunday!

 

The blues have past

Good Monday Morning!  Hope this finds you all enjoying the first day of March.  Can you believe it has finally gotten here?  I hate to continue to wish away the days but I am so ready for spring to get here.  I am ready for pretty weather.   No matter what the day outside looks like, do you feel like it looks like this rainy day?  That is how my week was last week. 

“The Lord will fight for you. You need only be still.”
Exodus 14:14

So where have I been?  I have been right here, but last week I needed to take a small break from blogging.  I needed a break, as I was having a pretty emotional and draining week.  I  really didn’t feel as though I had anything positive to share. And I didn’t feel very upbeat.  I was struggling with some emotional baggage that I am working through.  Why is it when we think we have something behind us it rears it’s ugly head to show itself again?  I spent several days in a rather deep fog.  I also spent a great deal of time “praying” and seeking God. 

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)  After spending countless hours in conversation with God and lots of studying what God says about who I am to him, and my worth to him,  ”How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!” (Ps. 139:17) I came out the other side(on Thursday) feeling much better than I had in days.  Sometimes it is so hard to believe we are LOVED so much by God, that he really cares about us  more than anything. So when I get to feeling like I did this past  week, I need those reminders and take the time to sit back and feel his love wash over me.  It is paramount that I remember  when I am going through those '”feelings” , that they were lies that I have come to believe about myself.  I also know that when I get through them that I will be better and stronger for it.

Well that was the first part of my week last week, and on Friday, I woke with a new sense of energy and motivation and so what did I do, spent the day cleaning my house.  Cleaned bathrooms, did laundry, vacuumed my main and upstairs floors, cleaned kitchen counters down, and lots of those little things that you don’t see….like sorting through papers, cleaning out some drawers, you know, stuff like that. 

On Saturday, my stepson had flown into the area on Friday so he came and spent Saturday/night with us and left on Sunday as he was flying home.  We had a nice visit with him, albeit short.   Wished his lovely bride could have came too.  :)

So I am hoping that my week will be a productive one….today will be spent making  some list and checking it twice.  From household to wedding preparations….working on my biblestudy, tackling a few craft projects, and reading.  It seems so routine, but I love my days most of time, and I LOVE being at home.

But before I start on anything….I need some more…. 

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”Romans 8:28

Have a Blessed Monday!

 

911 calls

These are more effective than 911
When -
You are sad, phone John 14
You have sinned, phone Psalm 51
You are facing danger, phone Psalm 91
People have failed you, phone Psalm 27
It feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139
Your faith needs stimulation, phone Hebrews 11
You are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23
You are worried, phone Matthew 8:19-34
You are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13
You wonder about Christianity, phone 2 Corinthians 5:15-18
You feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39
You are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30
It feels as if the world is b igger than God, phone Psalm 90
You need Christ like insurance, phone Romans 8:1-30
You are leaving home for a trip , phone Psalm 121
You are praying for yourself, phone Psalm 87
You require courage for a task, phone Joshua 1
Inflation's and investments are hogging your thoughts, phone Mark 10:17-31
You are depressive, phone Psalm 27
Your bank account is empty, phone Psalm 37
You lose faith in mankind, phone 1 Corinthians 13
It looks like people are unfriendly, phone John 15
You are losing hope, phone Psalm 126
You feel the world is small comp ared to you, phone Psalm 19
You want to carry fruit, phone John 15
Paul's secret for happiness, phone Colossians 3:12-17
With big opportunity/ discovery, phone Isaiah 55
To get along with other people, phone Romans 12
ALTERNATE NUMBERS
For dealing with fear, call Psalm 47
For security, call Psalm 121:3
For assurance, call Mark 8:35
For reassurance, call Psalm 145:18
ALL THESE NUMBERS MAY BE PHONED DIRECTLY.
NO OPERATOR ASSISTANCE IS NECESSARY.
ALL LINES TO HEAVEN ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY.
FEED YOUR FAITH, AND DOUBT WILL STARVE TO DEATH

Have a blessed Sunday!