It's sad, but it's true. When a crisis happens, I am guilty of letting worry & anxiety fill my body and my mind to the point where I forget to let go and let God take control.
I try to handle it all by myself and forget that God is walking right beside me... just WAITING for me to give Him control.
I can see Him in my mind, begging me to give it over to Him, but I am so caught up in the worry and anxiety... that I can't even hear Him speaking to me.
This breaks my heart.
Another thing that I have neglected to do lately is read the devotional blog that I follow. I've been skipping right over them, unfortunately.
This morning, as I scrolled through my blog list on my dashboard... one title caught my eye -- Recharge Your Life with Him. You can read this blog post by clicking here at --- internet Cafe devotions.
Here are some parts of the blog where I heard God speaking to "me".
May these words be a blessing to you as well.
Matt. 11: 28 – 30
"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.”
How often do we forget to take our weariness and heaviness to the One who promised His burden would be light; to the One who promised us rest?
“Cast all your anxiety on him for he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7
God is there in the midst of the storm. His hands are outstretched, calming the turbulent sea that we are are, whether it is man-made or natural.
...we must take heart while in this world, and not let it consume us so we forget the most important things in our lives: family, faith, and friends.
Jesus aroused from his sleep, opened his eyes, and looked into their frightened faces. Seeing their alarm he arose to his feet and asked, “Why are you so fearful? Why do you have no faith?”
What’s really great is taking a deep breath and remembering (as hard as I know it can be sometimes), that no matter how things may seem, God has already gotten things in control. The sea has been calmed and made safe for us to travel.
Let down your guard today and let God calm the storms in your life. Before reaching for that cup o’ joe, let God wake you up. It’s one thing to say He calms storms, it’s another to let Him to actually calm your beating heart and give you that much needed energy boost.
Showing posts with label Devotion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Devotion. Show all posts
Friday, December 3, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
A to Z Blog Challenge ~ X
I used to have a morning routine that started with having coffee with God. I would pray, read my devotions, and write in my journal. Then... I would check my email, read Facebook, and write in my blog.
Lately... for whatever reason... I have lost my routine. Yes, I could sit here and think of every excuse in the world as to how I lost it, but there really is no excuse.
I also need to re-examine my exericise routine! I can't seem to find a good time to fit it in. I enjoy my Wii Fit very much, but I like to be home alone when I do it. For me, it is very distracting when my family is around.... which is almost ALL THE TIME! I've been able to ride my bike at least once a week, but would like to ride it more often, too.
I want to eat better and more healthy, too. So, I plan to re-examine my meals that I cook. Yesterday, I found a wonderful Betty Crocker "Heart Healthy" cookbook at the book store. I am excited about finding new, healthy recipes to cook for my family!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Devotion this morning: "Plan B"
This summer, I have gotten WAY off track and out of my morning routine of praying and reading my daily devotions & scripture. School starts back, for the girls and I, in just over a week (YIKES!) and I have GOT to get back into a routine before then! So.... I am happy to say that I have done well this morning and God is pleased with me because I kept my morning "coffee date" with Him and did not get side-tracked into something else.
I read a wonderful devotion this morning in my devotional book entitled:
Babes with a Beatitude - Devotions for Smart, Savvy Women of Faith
- by, Linda P. Kozar & Dannelle Woody.
Here is the devotion, as written in the book with MY thoughts written in blue ----
Plan B
Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it. (I love that part!)
Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.
Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute
their prejudices. Then, they'll be won over to God's side
and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.
-- 1 Peter 2:11-12 MSG
When the moving men showed up an hour late, I was more than ready. Stacks of boxes were labeled and organized --- even color coded to match the rooms they were supposed to be deposited in when they reached the new home. And, of course, the labels matched the spreadsheet on my clipboard. I'd planned things down to the last detail. (This was me, 12 years ago, when we moved down here from the Atlanta area! My boxes weren't "color coded", but they were labeled with a number that corresponded with my list of boxes and their contents! Like, the author... I had planned this move right down to the very last detail!)
But, to my horror, the three men began picking up boxes randomly and stacking them on dollies. I tried to stop them, to explain the system, but the only one who spoke English was me. My best-laid plan was suddenly kaput! I wanted to cry, but I cried out to God instead. Lord, all my work was for nothing. This is so frustrating. Please help me!
Our attitude in times like this tells our new neighbors and our children a lot about our spiritual walk. I love how The Message interprets this verse. "Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul."
BEATITUDE CHECK: It's good to plan and prepare for things, but we must be flexible enough to know that life's little events don't always go according to our plans. Don't give in to times like this and let frustration show in ungodly ways. Your example of acceptance and kindness will go a long way to show others what Jesus ' personality is like. (I am doing MUCH better with being "flexible". I used to not be. I used to get VERY "out-of-sorts" when things didn't go just how I had them planned in my pretty, little head. But, I have learned to be much better about it and to "go-with-the-flow" as much as I can.)
I am so thankful that God is the God of second chances, and third, fourth, fifth, sixth......... well, you get the picture!
*** ON A SIDE NOTE ---- I feel better today. Your prayers must be working! Thank you! ~ I am still anxious to hear the results of my ultrasound, but I feel much better about it all and I am a lot less worried! I am feeling God's comfort and peace, which is the way that it should be.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Forgiveness and Washing Dishes
You are probably wondering what FORGIVENESS and WASHING DISHES have to do with each other. Trust me! .... I would have NEVER put the two together, either!
First of all, for the past two nights, I have dreamed about washing dishes. The first night, I didn't think much of it. We all dream about things that we do often, .... right? But, then... when I dreamed about it again, it got me to thinking... "Why am I dreaming about this and what does it mean?"
Dreams totally fascinate me, so I just happen to have a DREAM DICTIONARY on my bookshelf. (Don't laugh at me! You know you are curious about them, too!) According to my book... dreaming of washing "anything" suggests getting rid of negative feelings. I didn't think much of it until I started reading my devotions this morning. Wow! As I read, I realized that almost everyone of them had to do with FORGIVENESS. I think God is trying to tell me something, but I am not sure WHO I am supposed to forgive.
There have been several people in my life who have hurt me, one of which I DID forgive. I think I am still dealing with the hurt that the others caused me. I can't help but wonder if these are the people that God wants me to forgive.
I also wonder if He is possibly preparing me a future "hurt". It could be a combination of both. I am not sure.
Check out these Bible verses and devotional words that God put before me this morning ---
From -- "Once a Day, Every Day for Women" devotional
"You have heard that it was said. You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you." --- Matthew 5:43-44
Forgiveness is a choice. When we obey God by offering forgiveness to His children, we are blessed.
Do you harbor resentment against anyone? God's instructions are clear: He commands you to forgive.
God's Word instructs you to forgive others... no exceptions.
From -- "The Upper Room" daily email devotion
"You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. --- Colossians 3:13
See what I mean?? God is REALLY trying to get my attention thru dreams, devotions, & scripture!!! --- Guess I better start working on forgiving!!
First of all, for the past two nights, I have dreamed about washing dishes. The first night, I didn't think much of it. We all dream about things that we do often, .... right? But, then... when I dreamed about it again, it got me to thinking... "Why am I dreaming about this and what does it mean?"
Dreams totally fascinate me, so I just happen to have a DREAM DICTIONARY on my bookshelf. (Don't laugh at me! You know you are curious about them, too!) According to my book... dreaming of washing "anything" suggests getting rid of negative feelings. I didn't think much of it until I started reading my devotions this morning. Wow! As I read, I realized that almost everyone of them had to do with FORGIVENESS. I think God is trying to tell me something, but I am not sure WHO I am supposed to forgive.
There have been several people in my life who have hurt me, one of which I DID forgive. I think I am still dealing with the hurt that the others caused me. I can't help but wonder if these are the people that God wants me to forgive.
I also wonder if He is possibly preparing me a future "hurt". It could be a combination of both. I am not sure.
Check out these Bible verses and devotional words that God put before me this morning ---
From -- "Once a Day, Every Day for Women" devotional
"You have heard that it was said. You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you." --- Matthew 5:43-44
Forgiveness is a choice. When we obey God by offering forgiveness to His children, we are blessed.
Do you harbor resentment against anyone? God's instructions are clear: He commands you to forgive.
God's Word instructs you to forgive others... no exceptions.
From -- "The Upper Room" daily email devotion
"You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. --- Colossians 3:13
See what I mean?? God is REALLY trying to get my attention thru dreams, devotions, & scripture!!! --- Guess I better start working on forgiving!!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
A Quiet Place
Each morning, I start my day out by spending time with God. I call it my... "Coffee With God" time. I like to get up early --- I'm talking 5am! --- before the rest of my family awakes. I start the coffee pot, feed the dog, let the dog out ....(well, first I have to turn on the "bunny lights", so the bunnies will scatter before I let my bunny-killer-of-a-dog, loose!)... then, with coffee in hand, I come here, into my "office" ... (it's really a converted dining room that I made into my office / scrapbooking room, but I don't really scrapbook anymore, so now it's just my "office".)
I have a whole routine that I go through each morning. First, I write in my journal (the actual "book" kind. Not the computer kind.) Second, I light my "Jesus Candle" (it's just a regular candle, but that's what I call it.). The flame of the candle is a reminder to me that the Holy Spirit is here with me. Third, I open up my "prayer journal" and silently read and pray over all of the prayers that I have listed in my journal. When a prayer is answered, it gets checked off and dated in red so that I will know that it has been "answered". (There are MANY red checks and dates in my prayer journal. Thank you, Lord!) Fourth, I log into my email and check to see if there are any prayer requests that have been added to the church prayer chain. If so, then they get added into my prayer journal along with any other "new" concerns that I may have for the day.
After I am done praying, I take out my two devotional books that I read each morning. One is called... Babes with a Beatitude, Devotions for Smart, Savvy, Women of Faith. And the other one is called...Once a Day, Every Day For Women. This one is actually my favorite, but both are good. Before I read my devotionals, I pray to God and ask Him to help me hear His voice through what I am about to read. I also ask Him to help me understand what it is that He wants me to learn from each of these devotionals. I keep a notebook on my desk that I write down what I believe He wants me to hear and learn. Whenever I have the chance... I love to go back through it and read HIS messages.
I also have several devotions that come to my email each day. One is from the Upper Room and one is from Rev. Mark Brown, called Journey Into God's Word. It is actually his daily blog, but his writings are WONDERFUL!! (if you are on Facebook, you can follow him there or you can Google him.)
I started this post with the idea of sharing today's devotion from my "Once A Day" devotional book. The title of the devotion, is the title of this post --- "A Quiet Place". When I read it this morning, I knew immediately that this would be what I would write about today. I didn't realize, tho, that I would write so much about my quiet time with God! But, once you read this devotion, you will see why I did. Here it goes --- Enjoy!
A Quiet Place
Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. -- Mark 1:35 NKJV
In the first chapter of Mark, we read that in the darkness of the early morning hours, Jesus went to a solitary place and prayed. So, too, should we. But, sometimes, finding quiet moments of solitude is difficult indeed.
We live in a noisy world, a world filled with distractions, frustrations, and complications. But if we allow the distractions of a clamorous world to separate us from God's peace, we do ourselves a profound disservice. Are you one of those busy women (or men) who rushes through the day with scarcely a single moment for quiet contemplation and prayer? If so, it's time to reorder your priorities. Nothing is more important than the time you spend with your Savior. So be still and claim the inner peace that is your spiritual birthright: the peace of Jesus Christ.
The more complicated life becomes, the more we need to quiet our souls before God. -- Elizabeth Elliot
In the center of a hurricane there is absolute quiet and peace. There is no safer place than in the center of the will of God. -- Corrie ten Boom
A TIMELY TIP
Be still and listen to God. He has something important to say to you.
Well, ... you can see why I really felt strongly that I needed to share this devotion and write about it. I have highlighted my favorite sentence. It is so true!! We tend to forget this because of our busy, busy lives. God just wants us to spend time with Him each day in quiet peace. If we are not still, we will never hear His beautiful voice! ~~ My prayer for those of you that read this, is that you will find the time each day to have your own quiet time with God. ~ God Bless!
I have a whole routine that I go through each morning. First, I write in my journal (the actual "book" kind. Not the computer kind.) Second, I light my "Jesus Candle" (it's just a regular candle, but that's what I call it.). The flame of the candle is a reminder to me that the Holy Spirit is here with me. Third, I open up my "prayer journal" and silently read and pray over all of the prayers that I have listed in my journal. When a prayer is answered, it gets checked off and dated in red so that I will know that it has been "answered". (There are MANY red checks and dates in my prayer journal. Thank you, Lord!) Fourth, I log into my email and check to see if there are any prayer requests that have been added to the church prayer chain. If so, then they get added into my prayer journal along with any other "new" concerns that I may have for the day.
After I am done praying, I take out my two devotional books that I read each morning. One is called... Babes with a Beatitude, Devotions for Smart, Savvy, Women of Faith. And the other one is called...Once a Day, Every Day For Women. This one is actually my favorite, but both are good. Before I read my devotionals, I pray to God and ask Him to help me hear His voice through what I am about to read. I also ask Him to help me understand what it is that He wants me to learn from each of these devotionals. I keep a notebook on my desk that I write down what I believe He wants me to hear and learn. Whenever I have the chance... I love to go back through it and read HIS messages.
I also have several devotions that come to my email each day. One is from the Upper Room and one is from Rev. Mark Brown, called Journey Into God's Word. It is actually his daily blog, but his writings are WONDERFUL!! (if you are on Facebook, you can follow him there or you can Google him.)
I started this post with the idea of sharing today's devotion from my "Once A Day" devotional book. The title of the devotion, is the title of this post --- "A Quiet Place". When I read it this morning, I knew immediately that this would be what I would write about today. I didn't realize, tho, that I would write so much about my quiet time with God! But, once you read this devotion, you will see why I did. Here it goes --- Enjoy!
A Quiet Place
Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. -- Mark 1:35 NKJV
In the first chapter of Mark, we read that in the darkness of the early morning hours, Jesus went to a solitary place and prayed. So, too, should we. But, sometimes, finding quiet moments of solitude is difficult indeed.
We live in a noisy world, a world filled with distractions, frustrations, and complications. But if we allow the distractions of a clamorous world to separate us from God's peace, we do ourselves a profound disservice. Are you one of those busy women (or men) who rushes through the day with scarcely a single moment for quiet contemplation and prayer? If so, it's time to reorder your priorities. Nothing is more important than the time you spend with your Savior. So be still and claim the inner peace that is your spiritual birthright: the peace of Jesus Christ.
The more complicated life becomes, the more we need to quiet our souls before God. -- Elizabeth Elliot
In the center of a hurricane there is absolute quiet and peace. There is no safer place than in the center of the will of God. -- Corrie ten Boom
A TIMELY TIP
Be still and listen to God. He has something important to say to you.
Well, ... you can see why I really felt strongly that I needed to share this devotion and write about it. I have highlighted my favorite sentence. It is so true!! We tend to forget this because of our busy, busy lives. God just wants us to spend time with Him each day in quiet peace. If we are not still, we will never hear His beautiful voice! ~~ My prayer for those of you that read this, is that you will find the time each day to have your own quiet time with God. ~ God Bless!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Day two of .... "The Purge"
Original date written -- 4/6/10
I'm not sure how much "purging" I will get done today. I need to just clean my house today. First on my list is to work out on the Wii.
I do believe that God gave me a message this morning regarding "holding onto things", which goes right along with what I wrote yesterday about how I have a hard time "letting go of things". In my devotional book -- "Babes With Beatitude" -- God helped me to understand that.... anything that I can't do without or that I have an addiction to, means that it is an "idol" in my life and therefore could be put before God. I need to seriously think about the things in my life that I think are so "precious" to me. Are they really more important to me than God?? If I had to choose between them and God... which would I choose?
This is the thought that I need to have as I go thru the "things"... (aka: CLUTTER!) .... in my house and decide what I can get rid of. I know some "things" are things that I really can't (and shouldn't) get rid of. But, I do need to seriously think about why I feel so strongly about holding on to so many "things".
I think I just discovered something. --- The answer is that these "things" are just that... THINGS! And they really are not more important than God.
*** It's now 2pm and I have been busy all day cleaning my house. I got a lot done, but there is still more to be done. I took a break about an hour ago to lounge by the pool.. *smile*.. for a bit.
Until tomorrow....
I'm not sure how much "purging" I will get done today. I need to just clean my house today. First on my list is to work out on the Wii.
I do believe that God gave me a message this morning regarding "holding onto things", which goes right along with what I wrote yesterday about how I have a hard time "letting go of things". In my devotional book -- "Babes With Beatitude" -- God helped me to understand that.... anything that I can't do without or that I have an addiction to, means that it is an "idol" in my life and therefore could be put before God. I need to seriously think about the things in my life that I think are so "precious" to me. Are they really more important to me than God?? If I had to choose between them and God... which would I choose?
This is the thought that I need to have as I go thru the "things"... (aka: CLUTTER!) .... in my house and decide what I can get rid of. I know some "things" are things that I really can't (and shouldn't) get rid of. But, I do need to seriously think about why I feel so strongly about holding on to so many "things".
I think I just discovered something. --- The answer is that these "things" are just that... THINGS! And they really are not more important than God.
*** It's now 2pm and I have been busy all day cleaning my house. I got a lot done, but there is still more to be done. I took a break about an hour ago to lounge by the pool.. *smile*.. for a bit.
Until tomorrow....
Walking with Jesus
Original date written -- 3/30/10
I love reading devotions each morning. God speaks to me thru them and it is such a wonderful way to start my day! This morning, as I read one that I get in my email called... "Journey Deeper into God's Word" by Rev. Mark Brown... God reminded me of this:
As I walk around each day, "doing life" (as Rev. Mark wrote), I don't do it alone. Jesus is with me, and I must walk at a pace that keeps Jesus at my side. I must not run ahead of Him or lag behind Him. If I walk "with" Him, then... when I come to an obsticle in my path or a fork in my path, Jesus is there to guide me as to which way to go or to lend a helping hand at moving the obsticle that is blocking my way. Or.... He will be there to show me that the path that I am on is a dead end and I must turn around and go a different way.
Now, I am thinking that if I was walking with Jesus, then He wouldn't take me down a "dead end" path. But.... sometimes, He might do that so that He can "teach" me. For He uses my mistakes to help me learn.
Thank you, Lord, for speaking to me this morning. Thank you for walking with me each day. Forgive me when I forget that you are there to guide me and for when I stray off of the path that you have laid out for me.
I love you, Lord!!
I love reading devotions each morning. God speaks to me thru them and it is such a wonderful way to start my day! This morning, as I read one that I get in my email called... "Journey Deeper into God's Word" by Rev. Mark Brown... God reminded me of this:
As I walk around each day, "doing life" (as Rev. Mark wrote), I don't do it alone. Jesus is with me, and I must walk at a pace that keeps Jesus at my side. I must not run ahead of Him or lag behind Him. If I walk "with" Him, then... when I come to an obsticle in my path or a fork in my path, Jesus is there to guide me as to which way to go or to lend a helping hand at moving the obsticle that is blocking my way. Or.... He will be there to show me that the path that I am on is a dead end and I must turn around and go a different way.
Now, I am thinking that if I was walking with Jesus, then He wouldn't take me down a "dead end" path. But.... sometimes, He might do that so that He can "teach" me. For He uses my mistakes to help me learn.
Thank you, Lord, for speaking to me this morning. Thank you for walking with me each day. Forgive me when I forget that you are there to guide me and for when I stray off of the path that you have laid out for me.
I love you, Lord!!
Where does my help come from?
Original date written -- 3/29/10
I have these lyrics stuck in my mind this morning and I can't remember what song they are from! -- "Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord." -- I'm not even sure if that is how the song goes! Haahaaa! But, I like what it says. I have to remember that when I am struggling with a situation, I need to look to the Lord for help. I can not do it on my own. --Philippians 4:13 says... "For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength." I love that verse!
In my devotional book this morning, I read that when I am hurting, or feeling lonely, or sad... I can go to God and snuggle in His loving arms for comfort. I love that visual!! I can just imagine myself all curled up in His lap, like a little girl curls up in her Daddy's lap.
I love how I feel when my hubby's arms are wrapped around me in a hug. It is such a comforting feeling. A "safe" feeling. That's how God hugs me, too... if I let Him. I can feel that same feeling of comfort.
Thank you, Lord, for your warm hugs and comforting arms! I love you!
I have these lyrics stuck in my mind this morning and I can't remember what song they are from! -- "Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord." -- I'm not even sure if that is how the song goes! Haahaaa! But, I like what it says. I have to remember that when I am struggling with a situation, I need to look to the Lord for help. I can not do it on my own. --Philippians 4:13 says... "For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength." I love that verse!
In my devotional book this morning, I read that when I am hurting, or feeling lonely, or sad... I can go to God and snuggle in His loving arms for comfort. I love that visual!! I can just imagine myself all curled up in His lap, like a little girl curls up in her Daddy's lap.
I love how I feel when my hubby's arms are wrapped around me in a hug. It is such a comforting feeling. A "safe" feeling. That's how God hugs me, too... if I let Him. I can feel that same feeling of comfort.
Thank you, Lord, for your warm hugs and comforting arms! I love you!
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