Sometimes when I'm reading my Bible, I come across a verse that's sweet like honey. (How sweet your Words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey",Psalm 119:103)
That happened this morning. Nothing I could say today would be better for you to read than this verse about how much God loves you. I hope and pray that you feel His love poured over you today and that you feel blessed in the life He is giving you,
"But each day the Lord pours His unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing His songs, praying to God who gives me life", Psalm 42:8.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
My Blog
It's now February. I've been doing this blog for two years. That is beyond amazing to me for many reasons. The first being that someone of my age and limited tech savvy could even get it started. I remember being snowed in the day of my first post, I remember all the excuses I came up with for not doing it. And I remember clearly feeling like God had said, "Do it. Now. Today."
I remember how good it felt to publish that first post. I also remember the fears I had of putting my "stuff" out "there" for anyone to read. I remember praying to God that I would let Him give me the words to write and I would let Him be in control of everything else. Because, you see, this blog is a thing between Jesus and me and I would do it if noone ever read it. For Him.
I was so depressed that dreary, snowy day two years ago. Since then, I've gained a new understanding of Grace. It hasn't come easy. Nothing ever is for me. I'm stubborn and rebellious at best and addictive and self-destructive at worst.
Last May, I was on my knees in tears, broken. I was begging God to take my life because I was in so much back pain that I didn't think I could go on. That was when Grace slipped in, shined through, picked me up, and carried me along. I stand in awe because of the good place I am in now. Because of Jesus. And I'm so very thankful for the friends I've made through my blog. He really does have "the whole world in His hands".
"Praise the Lord! For He has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my Strength and Shield. I trust Him wiuth all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with Joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving", Psalm 28:6-7. NLT
I remember how good it felt to publish that first post. I also remember the fears I had of putting my "stuff" out "there" for anyone to read. I remember praying to God that I would let Him give me the words to write and I would let Him be in control of everything else. Because, you see, this blog is a thing between Jesus and me and I would do it if noone ever read it. For Him.
I was so depressed that dreary, snowy day two years ago. Since then, I've gained a new understanding of Grace. It hasn't come easy. Nothing ever is for me. I'm stubborn and rebellious at best and addictive and self-destructive at worst.
Last May, I was on my knees in tears, broken. I was begging God to take my life because I was in so much back pain that I didn't think I could go on. That was when Grace slipped in, shined through, picked me up, and carried me along. I stand in awe because of the good place I am in now. Because of Jesus. And I'm so very thankful for the friends I've made through my blog. He really does have "the whole world in His hands".
"Praise the Lord! For He has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my Strength and Shield. I trust Him wiuth all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with Joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving", Psalm 28:6-7. NLT
Saturday, January 26, 2013
A New Day
Yesterday was a bad day. Nothing bad happened, but I was bombarded all day with negative
thoughts, and temptations to do things I know aren't good for me. I gave in to some of them. I can be so weak. But today is a new day. I'm thankful that I just have a few bad days now and then. I used to have bad years. I'm thankful for lessons Jesus has taught me about keeping my mind focused on Him
and thinking that I'm holding on to His right hand as I go through my day. If I do those things today, then today will be a good day. As long as Jesus' presence is with me every second & step of my day.
"Let me hear of Your Unfailing Love each morning, for I am trusting You. Show me where to walk,
for I give myself to You. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to You to hide me. Teach me to do Your Will, for You are my God.May Your Gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing",
Psalm 143:8-10. NLT
Friday, January 18, 2013
Feeling Joy
Joy has been elusive in my life. Growing up as I did, victimized by abuse, I can't ever remember feeling lighthearted or carefree. Sexual abuse is a heavy load for a child to carry and I was bent down under the weight of it.
Then I grew up, and God healed me from much of that shame. But still, feeling joy was as foreign to me as feeling pure. Until this past year. Along with that pinching nerve pain in my back came a new understanding of grace. One I could live with. It doesn't matter how good I am. What matters is how good my Jesus is.
After a lifetime of fear, negative thinking, and beating myself up, I've learned to be fully present in the simple moments of my day. And that is where, unexpectedly, joy shows up: in the sunbeams dancing across the tile floor; in the beautiful redness of the Northern Cardinal as he lands on my feeder; in my little dog seeking out the best spot to sunbathe; even in the bleating of the cows next door.
This professed city girl has embraced fully this country life that I moved into back before Christmas. I've been feeling so good that I start to feel guilty. I've been feeling so good that I start looking for the next bad thing. Then I remember my new understanding of grace. I don't have to fear being punished because I'm not good enough. I don't have to try doing enough good things so that I won't be punished. Jesus' goodness forgives my sins and loves me just as I am. And when I remember that, then I can feel joy.
"I pray that God, the source of hopr, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit", Romans 15:13. NLT
Then I grew up, and God healed me from much of that shame. But still, feeling joy was as foreign to me as feeling pure. Until this past year. Along with that pinching nerve pain in my back came a new understanding of grace. One I could live with. It doesn't matter how good I am. What matters is how good my Jesus is.
After a lifetime of fear, negative thinking, and beating myself up, I've learned to be fully present in the simple moments of my day. And that is where, unexpectedly, joy shows up: in the sunbeams dancing across the tile floor; in the beautiful redness of the Northern Cardinal as he lands on my feeder; in my little dog seeking out the best spot to sunbathe; even in the bleating of the cows next door.
This professed city girl has embraced fully this country life that I moved into back before Christmas. I've been feeling so good that I start to feel guilty. I've been feeling so good that I start looking for the next bad thing. Then I remember my new understanding of grace. I don't have to fear being punished because I'm not good enough. I don't have to try doing enough good things so that I won't be punished. Jesus' goodness forgives my sins and loves me just as I am. And when I remember that, then I can feel joy.
"I pray that God, the source of hopr, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit", Romans 15:13. NLT
Friday, January 11, 2013
Fearing the Flu
Whenever I have listened to the news this week, I have become afraid when they talk about the flu epidemic in our country. I'm afraid my husband and I might get it. I'm afraid my chidlren and precious grandchildren might come down with it.
It's scary because it's out of my control. There's nothing I can do about it. I have to trust God. There was a time when irrational fear dominated my thinking. One bad thought would sneak in and grow until before I knew it, I was sliding down into that familiar downward spiral of depression and despair.
But Jesus has changed me. I'm in a better place now. I can pray. I can trust. I can give the situation to God. I can turn my back on irrational fear and not allow it to get a foothold. I can choose to live in the moments of each day. I can choose joy.
"But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. I praise God for what He has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?", Psalm 56:3-4. NLT
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you", IPeter 5:7.
"I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,"Do not fear. I will help you", Isaiah 41:13.
It's scary because it's out of my control. There's nothing I can do about it. I have to trust God. There was a time when irrational fear dominated my thinking. One bad thought would sneak in and grow until before I knew it, I was sliding down into that familiar downward spiral of depression and despair.
But Jesus has changed me. I'm in a better place now. I can pray. I can trust. I can give the situation to God. I can turn my back on irrational fear and not allow it to get a foothold. I can choose to live in the moments of each day. I can choose joy.
"But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. I praise God for what He has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?", Psalm 56:3-4. NLT
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you", IPeter 5:7.
"I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,"Do not fear. I will help you", Isaiah 41:13.
Friday, January 4, 2013
New
There is a book out called "One Word That Will Change Your Life". It challenges you to ask God for a word that you can focus on as you work out His purpose for your life in the new year.
The word that God has brought to my mind is "new". I.m praying that I see a lot of that word in my life in 2013.
*We are enjoying the new house we have moved in to.
*I'm looking for new victories over my back pain.
*I'm praying for a new attitude toward life.
*I'm asking God to help me with new thought patterns (positive and not negative).
*I've long been praying that God will take away my heart of stone (since the abuse) and give me a new heart. Maybe this is the year. No, I say, this is the year. With God's help.
"And I will give you a new heart and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender responsive heart", Ezekiel 36:26.
The word that God has brought to my mind is "new". I.m praying that I see a lot of that word in my life in 2013.
*We are enjoying the new house we have moved in to.
*I'm looking for new victories over my back pain.
*I'm praying for a new attitude toward life.
*I'm asking God to help me with new thought patterns (positive and not negative).
*I've long been praying that God will take away my heart of stone (since the abuse) and give me a new heart. Maybe this is the year. No, I say, this is the year. With God's help.
"And I will give you a new heart and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender responsive heart", Ezekiel 36:26.
Friday, December 28, 2012
His Presence
This cloudy, wintry day is trying to pierce me with its' coldness all the way inside. The Christmas tree is tilting to the left and the Santa is in a puddle in the yard. In times past, my mood would plummet also. But not today. There's a Presence here. His Presence.
"The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His Life brought Light to everyone. The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it", John 1:4-5.
A Happy and Blessed New Year to everyone of you!!!
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