31 Days - Psalm 30:5 - Joy in the Morning

So, how was your day? Pretty good...or not?  Did you have a rotten day today?  Did you fail today?  Did you holler at the kids, lose your patience in the long line in the store, snap at your husband, or think nasty thoughts about that other driver?  Did everything you do turn out "wrong" and you felt like nothing got accomplished?  Did your sins today feel so heavy and bad that surely even God is shaking His head at you?  Did you hear the lies in your head that say..."You are not enough"  or "You are a rotten mother/friend/wife, worker" or "You should just crawl in that hole and never come out again because obviously you can't do anything right"?

Take a look at this verse...ponder it for a moment....
 
Psalm 30:5
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

God IS gracious.  God IS forgiving.  God IS loving.  He is a God of second chances and starting over.  

Lamentations 3:21-23 
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

These are words worth memorizing.  Great love, compassion...they are there for us every day.  Even when it feels like we have failed too many times.  Even when it feels like the sin is too great.  Even when it feels like the voice of lies is the loudest thing we hear. 

God is there...He is waiting, strong and patient, with love...to hear your confessions, to wrap you up in forgiveness, to change your heart and make it new.  He is a God of justice, yes, but also a God of compassion. 

He is faithful.  He is merciful.  He is joy. 

Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.


 

31 Days - Bonus Grace

A friend just shared this song with me...listen...and let it heal if you need it?  Blessings, friends....

31 Days - Grace gifts

Gratitude changes your attitude...opening eyes to see the gifts opens eyes to see God...opens hearts to God's joy...

123.  time to spend with loved ones
124.  laughter with friends
125.  heart to heart talks
126.  learning to live in a culture of change
127.  candles around the living room...one of my favorite things about fall
128.  a little less clutter in the living room = a little more space = a little more peace!
129.  trusting in God's provision
130.  glimpses of God's glory in His creation
131.  hope in Christ
132.  freedom in forgiveness
133.  being a parent  :)


Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

31 Days - Re-JOY-sing on Sunday

May you find joy, peace and grace today...

31 Days - Treasure Hunt for Joy Gifts

Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Counting the abundant gifts of His grace in my days....

107.  The scent of fresh apples lingering in my car.
108.  A Homecoming dress for Kira
109.  Spending the day with my brother, aunt and uncle
110.  the sound of Keiko meowing at her "mouse"
111.  praying for friends
112.  hearing the marching band from my front porch
113.  trees turning yellow downtown - brilliant
114.  dirty dishes in the kitchen
115.  flowers for my desk at work
116.  chaperoning the marching band
117.  the dancing, laughing, silly joy of teenagers
118.  watching Kira with her friends
119.  lovely fall weather
120.  bright, full moon
121.  the sound of geese flying overhead
122.  the fresh scent of several loads of clean laundry


1 Timothy 4:4
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,

31 Days - Joy in the 23rd Psalm

So, one of my little tasks at work is to collect the mail from the staff mailboxes in the fellowship area and take them to the mailboxes in the main office.  Today, I happened upon this quote on an article left for one of the pastors.  It just jumped off the page at me and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it all evening.

To believe the Twenty-third Psalm 

is to live a life of victory, a life of joy and peace,

a life triumphant in prayer, in Bible study, in service.

-Dr. Robert C. McQuilken

Wow...read that again.  Slowly.  Let it soak in to your mind, your heart.  Think about it...  And then, read the 23rd Psalm...here, I'll put it right here:

Psalm 23
The Lord Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.

 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

4 Even 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.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

Need to read that again?  It's ok, go ahead....

Now think about this...if you lived your life BELIEVING the 23rd Psalm, what would that look like?  

The Lord is my Shepherd - He leads me, guides me, protects me, provides for me.  I have no need to worry, or fear, or want.  Peace.  Joy.  Love.

He restores my soul - He gives me places to rest, moments to quiet my mind and my life and my soul.  Peace.  Contentment.  Joy.

He leads me in paths of righteousness - He teaches, reproves, corrects, gives wisdom.  He speaks to me in His Word.  He puts people in my life who speak truth in love, who keep me accountable.   Righteousness.  Holiness. Love.

I will fear no evil for you are with me - No fear of death - our own or someone else's.  No fear of evil.  He protects His own. He is always with us.  He hears our prayers. Comfort.  Love.

You prepare a table....anoint my head with oil...my cup overflows...goodness...mercy - He gives from His grace, in abundance, with love so that we can live triumphantly...so that we can give and share with others.  Grace.  Big grace!

Grace, peace, love, joy.  

Live believing the 23rd Psalm.  Pray.  Study the Word.  Serve.  Choose joy each and every day.

Thanks for Grace-gifts

Giving thanks to my Father for the daily grace-gifts:

• central air that cools my home on triple-digit days
• moments of silence
• the opportunity to serve...just by listening
• anticipation of vacation time at the beach
• small breaks to share "Mental Medicine" with a friend  :)
• people in my life who could have left our relationships, but stayed and bless me over and over
• the assurance of eternal life in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
• second chances
• God's daily provision
• the people I work with
• my Compassion children - Grelty, Godless, Vishal, Carlos - how I love them

Living in gratitude, every moment, every day = joy unlimited!

Giving thanks....

It's been a while since I counted the graces, the gifts, the blessings that come each and every day...so I want to do that today.  I don't know off-hand what "number' I am on...so I am just going to list some for today, and get back to numbering later...here goes:

• finally relief from the pain of having three wisdom teeth pulled
• new faucets in the kitchen and bathroom - no more leaking, and we finally have cold water in the kitchen again!  :)
• a letter from a new sponsor child, Carlos, who lives in Mexico
• bright blue, sunny skies
• watching my son learn new things - he worked on his car this weekend and was able to fix it with only a little help from his dad
• my daughter, who volunteers to help with VBS prep at the church
• my boyfriend, whose laughter I love to hear
• my little zoo at home that adds delight to daily life - 3 parakeets, 2 dogs, 2 cats, a rat, and a fish
• time to sit by the river this morning and pray

When you thank God regularly, you realize how much joy you truly have in your life....












Linking here today....

Joy and gratitude

I have to admit, my attitude lately has been rather stinky...not so joyful, not so positive, but really rather stinky.

The sun's been shining.

My kids are all healthy and doing well in school.

My bills are paid.

I have a comfortable, warm place to live.

People who love and support me.

ah...and there it is...I've been forgetting to be grateful.

I've been forgetting to look at the positive and instead dwelling too much on the negative....the $5 change the kid at the concert forgot to give back to me and I forgot to get...the cost of this, that and the other that threatens to suck my bank account dry...the lack of sleep that makes me drag...

So let's take a look at some positives and get back to being "thankful always"...

219.  for the shining sun and the warming up days
220.  for the signs of spring - bulbs almost ready to bloom, geese flying back to the area, birds singing in the trees in the early morning
221.  my kids are all healthy
222.  ...and doing well in school
223.  tuition is due for the next quarter at the community college...and I don't know how it will be paid but I do know that this is a good opportunity for faith and trust...
224.  my other bills, however, are paid and up to date!
225.  I do have a comfortable, warm, affordable place to live my days and rest my nights
226.  I have a job that I love going to each day...
227.  ...with people I enjoy spending my work days with...
228.  ...doing ministry
229.  I have family, a boyfriend, and many friends who love and support me.
230.  my training to be a Christian Life Coach is going well and I'm excited about this new opportunity!
231.  I got to see an excellent concert at my oldest son's university last night
232.  ...and inadvertently gave an extra donation to their music program.  :)


Oh hey!  That's better!  There's a loosening in the chest, a lightening of the spirit, a little lift to the corners of the mouth...thank you, dear Father, for all the many blessings.

Five Minute Friday - on Saturday: Opportunity

Five Minute Fridays are back at Lisa-Jo Bakers blog
Here are the rules:

Writing regularly and for even five minutes stolen here and there during early mornings or late evenings or during nap times and any fringe moments one can carve out can be free therapy for any writer’s soul.
So, let’s do this thing. Let’s write.
Set your timer, clear your head, for five minutes of free writing without worrying about getting it right.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..


OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on:::

Opportunity…

GO

So, because I sometimes like to know the actual definition of a word I have used and heard all my life....I looked up "opportunity" in the dictionary.  Here is what I found:

Definition of OPPORTUNITY

1

: a favorable juncture of circumstances <the halt provided an opportunity for rest and refreshment>

2

: a good chance for advancement or progress 

So, as a Christian how do these definitions apply to my life?  Well, let's take five and ponder this...

"A favorable juncture of circumstances"....that could be all sorts of things that God has offered in His grace and love.  Let's take a look at the life of Jesus.  The Holy Son of our heavenly Father....came to earth to be born as a poor, vulnerable human infant.  We just celebrated that birth, a birthday that 2000 years later is still celebrated with beautiful, reverent, candlelit services and softly sung hymns.  Jesus grew up learning the trade of a carpenter, sandals full of dirt, journeys taken on foot for many miles and many days.  When He started His ministry here on this earth, He was reviled, made fun of, chased out of towns, spat upon, beaten and ultimately crucified in a death that could be described as nothing more or less than inhumane torture.  

A favorable juncture of circumstances?  Perhaps not.  Or perhaps, by a heavenly standard....very much so. The circumstances of Jesus life all led to that moment of His death and following resurrection.  His cry of "forgive them Father" wasn't only for those Roman soldiers and the bloodthirsty crowd that cried out for his death....but for every human being before and after that very moment that His eyes closed and He breathed His last.  That moment that Mary and the other women realized that what the angel at the tomb told them,“Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said."  was true...that Jesus was no longer dead, but truly, gloriously, powerfully alive isn't a moment reserved for just those women...but for all of us as well.  

What Jesus did here on earth, through His life, through His model of a pure and holy God-loving and God-fearing existence, through His sacrifice on the cross was a favorable juncture of circumstances to provide an opportunity FOR US.  An opportunity to live.  An opportunity to learn.  An opportunity to give.  An opportunity to show the world what it means to love, to share, to teach, to hold each other accountable, to give thanks for the daily life that we have...no matter what the circumstances.  An opportunity to love our God and live in gratitude for what He offers....opportunity....

STOP

I must admit that I kept going when my timer beeped...but this was surely an opportunity to make progress in my walk with my Lord....  :)

Hope you have a blessed day, full of opportunity... 

 

Moving forward in trust and hope and joy - 2013

2012 was the year that I looked change in the face....and survived it!  2012 was the year I found my life's vision and mission.  2012 was the year I learned that small, steady steps in faith and trust can lead you to a giant, overwhelming goal that seemed impossible at the start. 

My "One Word" for 2012 was shine....I'm not entirely sure how I lived up to that word...but I know with certainty that God shined over my life in so many ways in 2012.  He led me down paths of change, showed me how to let go of fear, taught me to take baby steps in excellence, and showed me His purpose for my life.

I took a Christian peer coaching class in 2012...and learned more about myself than I imagined possible.  I found strength, hope, and joy.  I clarified my values as a Christian woman:  faith, joy, love.   I found the vision I am to follow.  Let me share it with you:

I envision a world where others are encouraged in their walk with Christ through an understanding that by trusting in God their lives can be adventurous, full of possibilities and opportunities, abundant, hopeful and joyful in ANY circumstance.

And my mission in this vision:
To encourage others in their walk with Christ through my writing, teaching, coaching,  and role-modeling what it looks like to live an abundant and joyful life through trusting God. 

You might ask at this point, what will that look like?  Well, I am going to take a training course in Christian Life Coaching that starts this month.  I am going to commit to writing regularly on this blog, sharing God's Word.  I am going to do my best to live a life of excellence in Christ and share what that looks like.  I have long had an urging to write a devotional series...and so I am committed to studying the book of James this year and writing a series of devotionals based on my study. That's the start...where those things may take me?  I am not entirely sure...but God knows, and I will trust His leading...

And this verse will be the basis of all I do:

Romans 15:13

New International Version (NIV)

¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I wish this joy and peace for all of you in 2013...and ever forward!  Grace and peace and joy to you!

Choosing joy...a repost

Chin up.  Shoulders back.  Put on the armor of God and feet forward.  I admit it...I've been wallowing in self-pity.  Sadness, depression, fear.  Allowing Satan to speak his words of lies into my heart.  Well, no more.  Satan can take his lies and keep them to himself.  I am grateful for who I am, what I have, and what my Father has in store for me.  It's a new day, full of potential.  I will pray for the one I miss each time I think of them, but I will not allow their choices to break me.  It is a new day to put on confidence in who I am in God, in what I have to offer, and to step forward and Shine for Him. 

I can do all things, through Christ, who gives me strength.  Phil 4:13


I would like to repost something here.... a post I wrote some time ago about choosing joy...


I've been thinking about joy today.  Elusive sometimes, isn't it?  And yet, it's within our reach.  It's within the moments of every day.  It's there for us to choose.  "To choose?" you might ask.  Yes, to choose.  When you wake in the morning, do you say to yourself "Today I am going to have a crummy day?  Today I choose to be grumpy.  Today I choose to look at the wrong side of the fabric and live my life with fear, anxiety and desperation.  Today I will let bitterness and anger rule in my heart."  Of course, you don't.  Who would choose to have a bad day?


On the other hand, however, how often do you get up in the morning and say "Today, I choose joy!  Today I will look at the brighter side of things.  Today I will trust God to direct my footsteps.  Today I will look on Him for all I need.  Today I will say "Yes" to His purposes for me.  Today I will be grateful for the things I have, the gifts I am blessed with, the people who grace my life."


Ok, so the first one is a little extreme.  But what if you wake in the morning and open your eyes, take a deep breath and say "Today, I choose joy."  How would that change your outlook?  Maybe just try it right now.  Breathe in deep, and as you slowly let it out let your heart say these words...."Today, I choose joy."


Today I choose to trust in God.  Today I choose to give all my trials, fears, worries to Him.  Today I choose to live a life of thankfulness.  Today I choose to love those around me with the love of God...not my own weak version of it.  Today I choose to forgive and let go of the things that hurt me.  Today I will let those who matter to me know it.  Today I will give as God would have me give.

Today, I choose joy.

*************
I thank you, God for all you have given me.  For all that has come into my life...even for brief periods.  For those that leave gaping holes and hurts, I turn them over to You and trust that You will use those holes and hurts for good.  Thank you, Father, for forgiving me and for holding me fast in Your righteous and strong right hand.  Help me now to move forward, eyes on the goal...Your goal. 
Amen

Who Am I Really? (Or...Letting Go of the Lies....again)

I have a confession to make....I have had a really rotten couple of days.  Really rotten.  And in these last couple of days I have had to do some letting go.  That I REALLY did not want to do.  And it hurts and it brings back all those voices in my head that tell me over and over that I am not enough, I am worthless, I am a fool, I am stupid and ugly and, and, and.....  I feel like I am drowning in an ocean of horrible cold tendrils reaching out and pulling me under....

And I wonder why?  Why do I let the Enemy speak to me?  Why do I let his voice have precedence in my head??  Why do I listen to his hiss and let those words take hold of my heart?  Why do I believe that's who I am?

In the search box on the right, type in the words letting go of lies.  This will give you a list of posts where I share some of these lies that I have allowed to be truths in my life.  These lies that I supposedly laid at the foot of the cross....NOT to take up again.  But guess what?  In my human frailty, I crawled right back over there and put each one of them back in my pocket.  You know what??  I think they grew there in my pocket....

The time has come to lay them down again.  To tell the Teller of Lies to go away.  To let the Light of the World shine on my heart and illuminate the very darkness that tries to dwell there.  Time to send that ancient serpent slithering away and to fall into the arms of my Savior who loves me with no conditions, with grace and forgiveness.  Time to be confident in who I am in Christ.

In the book by Sarah Young titled Jesus Calling, I read these words today...."Instead of trying to "fix" yourself, fix your gaze on Me, the Lover of your soul.  Rather than using your energy to judge yourself, redirect it to praising Me.  Remember that I see you clothed in My righteousness, radiant in My perfect Love." 

So, who am I really?  I am beloved.  I am daughter of the King.  I am beautiful, radiant, worthy, whole, forgiven, saved, sealed, and enough.  In the eyes of man?  Doesn't matter what the world thinks or says.  In the eyes of God?  I matter.  Period.

Are you struggling with lies today?  Are you struggling to "fix" yourself because you think don't measure up to someone else's standards, or even your own?  Let it all go.  Fix your gaze on the One who truly loves you and know that you truly matter to Him.  He desires relationship with you, and for you to let go of the lies that hold you down...the old hurts, the new hurts, the things by which you think others judge you, the things by which you judge yourself.

Who are you really?  You are His.  And so am I.  And how dare I say I don't matter?

Who is blessed?

Last week I went on a mission trip with several youth from our church and three other adults to an Indian Reservation in Montana. I wrote this post on the way there....

"As we drove toward Lodge Grass, Montana, yesterday I received a message from a good friend, a missionary who has served the Lord many times in other countries, and whom I respect and love so much.  Her message said, "Praying for a safe trip and 'so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.' Malachi 3:10b"

Needing to see the whole verse, I pulled out my Bible and read these words:

Malachi 3:10 NIV
10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse,that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
...and another version....
Malachi 3:10 ESV
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

In this passage, God is speaking to Israel thru Malachi.  He says to them "return to me and I will return to you."  I love the sound of those words...return to me and I will return to you.  God wants His children back and will welcome them with open arms.  They respond with the question, "How?"  In this dialogue between God and Israel, we learn that Israel has turned from following His statutes, not tithed, spoken harshly against God, and even said it is in vain to serve God.

God challenges His people...return to Me, follow my ways, fulfill your tithes, serve me, and see what happens!  When you do these things, He says He will "open the windows of heaven and pour down blessings until there is no more need...until there is not enough room to store it."  

Until there is no more need.  Until there is not enough room for it all.  Until you are so blessed you can't fathom it.  Grace.  Love.  Forgiveness. Blessing.  It's all there...waiting for you to return to Him.  Do we dare test Him?  "Put me to the test..."

He calls His people, His children, His beloved back - back to daily relationship with Him, back to living and serving Him...back to being blessed by Him beyond our need.

It's so easy to turn from Him....to slowly drift from His path, to turn away from serving.  By doing so, we deny His blessings by our behavior.  We walk away from all that He has to offer...all that He freely gives.

As we set out to serve Him this week, we already know that we will be blessed by the very people we go to serve.  Some of us have been there before..we know this community, we know many of the children, we know how much love they have to share and how much love they need....and we know that as we share His love with them, that we, too, will be blessed beyond measure."

And so we were....God is good.  Serve Him humbly, daily...by serving your brothers and sisters around you.  Love God, love others....

Does your heart need this??

My heart needs this today...does yours?

Counting thanks...

Today I am grateful for:

# 205- 211
• family who loves, who shares
• my uncle who held me tight in his arms yesterday and told me how much he loves me, reminded me of how he threw me in the air as a child and never once let me fall
• my beautiful aunt who looked into my eyes and told me I looked so pretty
• the pain in my heart that reminds me that I am alive
• the fear, yes - even fear, that reminds me to look to my Rock, my Shelter, my Stronghold who is my First Love and Savior
• friends who surround me and pray for me
• the rain that cleanses the world 

How much does He love you?

Yesterday morning I started reading Psalm 103.  I love the imagery in this Psalm for how much He loves us.

¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
   so great is his love for those who fear him; 

As high as the heavens are above the earth...."I love you to heaven and back."  Doesn't that make you smile?  Can't you hear a sweet child's voice say that?  Can you hear your heavenly Father say that?  "Beloved child, I love you so much - from heaven and back..."   Close your eyes for a moment and imagine just how far that is.... That's big love!

¹² as far as the east is from the west,
   so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 

Just how far is it from the east to the west?  Incomprehensible, really.  He has taken our sins and flung them as far as the east is from the west...he loves us that much!  One of my favorite songs by Casting Crowns says:

Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west
I don't have to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other



See that?  Ever thought about that?  Jesus knows just how far the east is from the west....his outstretched arms...from one scarred hand....to the other.....  He LOVES so much that he allowed those nails to pierce his hands...so much...ponder that for a moment.... That's big, sacrificial love!

¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting
   the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,

How long will He love us?  From everlasting to everlasting....forever....no matter what...  That's big, forever love!

He loves YOU!  He LOVES you!  Big!  Remember the game you played as a child?  Or with your child?  When you threw your arms open wide and said, "I love you this much!"

That's just what God does...what Jesus did....He threw open His arms...allowed men to nail his hands to the cross...and from one scarred hand to the other....He said, He says, He will always say,  "I love you this much!"

Praise the LORD, my soul.

Letting go of lies...#3

2 Corinthians 12:9

⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

 

My Lenten practice this year is to let go of one lie I have believed about myself each week of Lent.  This week that lie is "I am not enough."  It's a hard one to let go of because I have believed it for so long...and the Teller of Lies likes to make sure I hear it...either from others or just over and over in my own head.

 

Once when I was young I received a letter from a young man...he told me many things in that letter.  But the one thing that stood out was when he told me that I couldn't possible satisfy him for the rest of his life.  That I wasn't enough.  And that stayed with me.  My marriage of 22 years has failed....and in my mind that has been yet another message to me....that I am not enough.

 

I've had a tendency toward perfectionism a good portion of my life.  I had to get straight A's in school, had to do as much as I could...get things done just right, the house clean just so (which it never was or is!)  And when I couldn't live up to my own, very high and sometimes impossible standards....I knew it....I wasn't enough. 

 

As a mom, I've made more mistakes than I want to admit.  I have often felt a failure.  When I've used words too harsh, imposed consequences too tough, held expectations too high...made tears fall from my children's eyes...oh, I have believed I am not a good enough mother.  When someone close to me said they didn't even like my children???  I believed I was not enough...  But a recent letter I got from my daughter who is 13,  assured me that she treasures me, that even though I believe in my own failure...my beautiful girl says I am not...letters from my boys at the same time told me of their love for me...so maybe....I am enough for them....

And what does God say?  "My grace is sufficient for you...."   God's grace falls over me, washing away the lie....telling me that through Him, because of His grace...I am enough.  I AM enough.  I might make mistakes....not everyone out there is going to like me (ack!)...I may still feel down on myself sometimes...but God loves me.  ME! And His love and grace make me whole.  Make me enough.  

Thank you, my Father God...for making me enough...for covering me in Your grace...I lay this lie at the foot of the cross.  I lift up my face and praise You.

Five Minute Friday - Brave (on Saturday)

Around here we write for five minutes flat on Fridays.
We finger paint with words. We try to remember what it was like to just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.
Where your words are welcome, just as they are! (<–-Tweet this!)

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Meet & encourage someone who linked up before you.
OK, are you ready? Give us your best five minutes on:
::

Brave…

Brave...courageous. I don't use those words for myself very often. Nope...more like knee-knocking, hand-shaking chicken! My heart pounds, I sweat...just a mess. Not brave. Not courageous. Nope. Not me.

But today, I had an opportunity to practice. When I got up this morning...I fortified myself with a cup of coffee from my mug that has my favorite verse on it....Philippians 4:13...I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. Yes, Him....strenth. That's the key, you know. He gives me strength. He gives me courage. He makes me brave.

And so when the time came for me to be like David facing his Goliath....I prayed, I breathed, I straightened up my spine, and I prayed a little more. And yes...I was brave! And the situation turned out ok. God walked by my side, held my hand and gave me a gentle shove in the middle of the back when I needed it.

And afterwards, I felt His tender kiss on my forehead as He told me He was proud of me.

Share a blessing today...

After reading this  blog post today, I am feeling compelled to challenge myself...and you....to bless someone else today.  It doesn't have to be with money, although that's definitely one way (I have been blessed with financial help many times, and always when I most need it...and it has always been MOST appreciated and I look forward to the day when I can do that for someone else), but something from your heart to someone else....

• a smile to that weary soul standing across from you in the elevator
• a hug for someone who looks sad
• a simple touch on the shoulder can often lend an immense amount of strength
• a note - left on a pillow, a desk, a favorite chair
• a card in the mail to someone you haven't heard from in a while
• a prayer on their behalf
• a flower to brighten someone's day
• hold a door open
• pick up something someone has dropped
• let someone else go in front of you at the grocery store - that always brings a grateful smile in return!!
• pay for the coffee of the person in line behind you

There are so many different ways to bless others around us.  We have been so blessed...let's share it.  God says to love your neighbor....let's do it!  Let's go out there and shine some light!

And please, feel free to share with me one way someone has blessed you lately...or one way you have shared a blessing....