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I don't have time for a long post today, because I have a very important date!

It's with a very handsome young man today.....and since my hubby has declared that

at the ripe age of 33 that he is OLD....I am referring to my cutie-patootie little 

almost-nine-month-old nephew!

Well....I can't wait to spend the morning with my boys, my sweet sister 

and this adorable young man!

But before I go, I would love to encourage you (if you haven't already)
to go to Proverbs 31 Ministries and sign up for their devotional that gets sent to your email.
There has rarely been a day that I have not received something that did not impact my thinking
or encouraged me in one way or another.
(And I have been a subscriber for over a year now....by the way it's free)

The site is www.proverbs31.org, and the devotions are on the right hand side of the screen.

Hope you have an amazing day, now that summer has officially arrived!

"The LORD bless you
   and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine on you
   and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
   and give you peace."
Numbers 6:24-26

What is Really Required of Me?

I've had alot of time to ponder the time I invest in things lately.
It has been extremely beneficial as I've shifted into a lower gear.
Living simply and investing more time into my relationship with God
(really seeking out His character), my husband and my children.
I've spent time asking God if what I am doing is honoring Him,
 is it fruitful, and if I am hearing Him right in how I spend my time.
Every season of life is can be busy, but is it truly fruitful?
What am I doing with the other six days of the week (besides Sunday)?
Who am I when nobody is looking?
What does God say about what He requires of me?


He has showed you, O man, what is good.
  And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
  and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 7:7

It is funny how simple it should be, and yet I can easily work it up into something complicated.
Our society measures success by business, and yet I feel a tug to quiet and simple.
I am reading a book titled Weird by Craig Groeschel and I highly recommend it!
I love the subtitle : Because normal isn't working.
How true is that!  I want to be weird in the best kind of way....Jesus' way!

Thank you Daddy for the truths in Your Word!
Please rearrange my heart, my mind, and my priorities.
Show me what needs to stay and what needs to go; that my life would honor You!

Soflty Spoken Words from the Father

Have you ever just sat quietly in a place of brokenness and surrender,
 and heard your Daddy God speak softly over you?
Yesterday, as I sat broken at the front of our sanctuary,
  repenting and surrendering again what I have taken back so many times....

I started to feel the stir in my spirit to get up.....
  but was gently nudged to stay put and allow the worship to wash over me.

He spoke sweet and loving Words:

The LORD your God is with you,
  he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
  he will quiet you with his love,
  he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I can't think of anything more beautiful!

Thank you Daddy, that You are so personal. 
That You meet me in my times of need and that You speak specifically to me.
Thank you for a pastor that creates space for us to meet with You in such profound ways.
Thank you for friends to encourage and pray.
You are so unbelievably good to me, and You bless me in ways
that I could never think, dream or imagine!

What Are You Wearing?

God has so much to say about what we should wear.
When I think about putting on the things God asks, it is such a leap of faith.
Sometimes I feel a bit silly "putting on" something I can't see.
But, when I "throw off" the things that I carry on my own;
   sin, worries, anxieties, expectations, judgements, selfishness.....
and "put on" what God offers;
   strength, light, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience,
    and Jesus Christ himself....how do I feel?
Lighter! Stronger! Confident! Purposeful! Joyful! Peaceful!

The thing God has continually asked me to "put on" this past month is Humility.
   ...to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you.
           Deuteronomy 8:16

I can't say it has been comfortable, but it has been worth it!
    Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
      because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 
    Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature
      and complete, not lacking anything.
   James 1:2-4

I encourage you today to wait at the Lord's feet, to humble yourself before Him.
Ask Him what needs to be changed in you.....it may be hard, but it will be worth it!
   For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an 
          eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
   2Corinthians 4:17

Remember to "put on" humility....

   All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, 
     because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
   1 Peter 5:5
And don't forget to "put on love"....
   And over all these virtues put on love, 
     which binds them all together in perfect unity. 
   Colossians 3:14

Daddy, as I throw off all the things that hinder my relationship with You; and as I humbly yet boldly come before Your throne of grace....please help me to see You, in this work of character that You are doing in me.
I thank you that You who starts a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Please remind me to "put on" the things of You, even before I set foot out of my bed, so that You will be glorified and be made visible by my lifestyle.

Take It Off!

Stay with me here.....still not talking about clothes!
There are things God has asked me to take off, throw off and/or leave behind.
How about you?
I've been asked to take off the mask that says "Everything is just fine";
  when in fact it is not.....that takes humility and vulnerability.
I've been asked to throw off my attachment to food;
  this is uncomfortable because it requires trust and submission.
I've been asked to leave behind fear of what people think;
  if God is for me....what can man do to me?
  This required tremendous faith!
In light of eternity our time here is but a vapor.....
 when I look into the face of Jesus, I want to hear:
"Well done, my good and faithful servant!"

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
 let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,
 let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,
 who for the joy set before him endured the cross,
 scorning it's shame, and sat down at the right hand of God.
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men,
 so that you will not grow weary and loose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3

Thank you Daddy for all  that You do for me, for all that You teach me each day.
Please help me to remember Your words throughout my day,
so that I may be a doer of the Word and not merely a hearer of it.
Please give me the grace and strength I need to throw off all that hinders my walk with You,
and the ability to clearly see Jesus each and every day!
let us

Put it On!

Hahaha....I'm not talking about modesty issues here!
I spent time with a wonderful, faithful and very encouraging friend yesterday,
 and I am telling you that every time we are together God gets me thinking!
She read a verse to me that made me wanna go home, rush into my bible
 and see "what else" does God have to say about this.....here is what I found!

Therefore as God's chosen people,
  holy and dearly loved,
  clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, 
  humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear  with each other and forgive whatever grievances 
  you may have against one another.  forgive as the Lord forgave you. 
And over all these virtues put on love, 
 which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3: 12-14


We were talking about "putting on" yesterday,
  and I am amazed at how often God tell us to "put on" things!
It may be worded as "clothe" as well....
  do you take the time to "put on" the things God asks you to?
I need to remember to take the time to put on what I need to walk
  in a way that will glorify and honor God each and every day!
But it doesn't end there....the rest of the chapter is amazing,
  so I will share it too!

Let the peace of Christ rule you hearts,
  since as members of one body you were called to peace. 
And be thankful.  
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach 
  and admonish  one another with all wisdom, 
  and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs
  with gratitude in you hearts to God.  
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, 
  do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 
  giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:15-17

Thank you Daddy, that I can see you working in my relationships!
Thank you for friends that "bear up" with me in the tough times
and are Your hands and feet here and now.
I see how beautifully your wisdom enriches my life as I see the benefit
of what you have taught me working in everyday life. 
I surrender my heart to You today, and ask that You would reign there;
and please give me Your perfect peace today,
   in Jesus Mighty name I pray...Amen!

Sometimes it's Hard and Lonely

Turn to me and be gracious to me,
   for I am lonely and afflicted.
Relieve the troubles of my heart
   and free me from my anguish.  
Psalm 25:16-17


Have you ever spent at time feeling very lonely?
You see people that you love, and yet feel like an outsider looking in?
Change can be hard.
Life can be lonely.
I am thankful that I am not alone.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him
  Psalm 37:7 

God is good, faithful, trustworthy and wise.
What is on the other side of this dark place?
Only He knows!
I can trust Him, because He loves and cares for me!

       Psalm 27
The LORD is my light and my salvation—
   whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
   of whom shall I be afraid?
 When the wicked advance against me
   to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
   who will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me,
   my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
   even then I will be confident.
One thing I ask from the LORD,
   this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
   all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
   and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble
   he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
   and set me high upon a rock.
 Then my head will be exalted
   above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
   I will sing and make music to the LORD.
Hear my voice when I call, LORD;
   be merciful to me and answer me.
My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
   Your face, LORD, I will seek.
Do not hide your face from me,
   do not turn your servant away in anger;
   you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
   God my Savior.
Though my father and mother forsake me,
   the LORD will receive me.
Teach me your way, LORD;
   lead me in a straight path
   because of my oppressors.
Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
   for false witnesses rise up against me,
   spouting malicious accusations.
 I remain confident of this:
   I will see the goodness of the LORD
   in the land of the living.
 Wait for the LORD;
   be strong and take heart
   and wait for the LORD. 

Daddy, I will wait on You....and believe Your promises!
I know that I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
Thank you Jesus...

Leaning!

Thinking it's funny how sometimes God makes people strategically
unavailable so that you have to lean on Him to get you through stuff!

 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
   and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
   and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Thank you Daddy that you show me time and time again that Who I need is You!

His Words for the Weary

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
   Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
   for I am gentle and humble in heart, 
  and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
   Matthew 11:38-30 

Thank you Jesus, that You give rest to the weary, hope to the hopeless and peace to the broken!
Please help me to cast all my cares on You today, because You care for me.
Please help me to see You in all things today!

One Step at a Time!

Life is a walk.
Each day we take steps.
Our tomorrow is determined by the steps we take today.
  Stormie Omartian - Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On.

I am realizing that there is so much "process" to growth.
What I mean by that is that it takes alot of time to change.
Sometimes I almost sprint, other times it is more like army-crawling
in a hurricane....sliding backwards as much as pulling forward,
holding on for dear life to every inch of ground that is gained.
I don't know if it is a good idea to write when I am still so emotionally charged?!?
But hey, lets keep it real....

He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. 
  Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
  Job 2:10

I do struggle with being patient in the wait....and persevering through the trouble.
But, that is changing the more time I spend with God,
   getting to know His character through His Word,
  and personal experiences I have with Him.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,
  whenever you face trials of many kinds, 
because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 
   James 1:2-3

Thank you Daddy that I can lean on, trust in and rely on You
  in any and all things I face each day!
I pray for Your peace and presence today,
  because my heart will choose to say Blessed be the Name of the Lord.