Can You See the Difference?

Can you tell I am working on a new computer? I can - it feels so extravagant - and comfortable. I actually feel "at home" with the new computer. Sunday after Aaron printed his Sunday sermon, the computer went black. We tried to restart ... many times. The screen would stay up for 10-15 seconds. SO after a year of knowing this day would come - we were prepared - and I knew what our next computer purchase should be ... iMAC. LOVE IT! I have been teaching for 12 years, this is the type of computer I know. It is like coming home. :) I know, a bit on the silly side - but sometimes something light is just what is needed. We have a plan that includes weekly one-on-one sessions to learn about all this guy can do, we plan to move beyond writing documents and surfing the net. Anyway I am sure you can not tell ... but I CAN! 

The past few days in my devotions have dwelt in Joy. 

from March 10: As ripples caused by a flung stone stir the surface of a whole pond,so your joy-making shall spread in ever-widening circles, beyond all your knowledge, all anticipation. Joy in Me. Such Joy is eternal. Centuries after, it is still bearing Joy's precious Fruit.

This spoke volumes to me, as I strive to walk more like Jesus - to have a mind and heart that more closely resembles His.  I think of each interaction I have through a day, each encounter is a stone being thrown in the pond. I can determine what type of stone is tossed in the pond. My stones - stones of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Of course we always have two choices, and I work hard to choose the path that will be most pleasing to the Lord. 

from March 11 Look for Beauty and Joy in the world around. Look at a flower until its beauty becomes part of your very soul. It will be given back to the world again by you in the form of a smile or a loving word. Listen to a bird. Take the song as a message from My Father. Let it sink into your soul. That too will be given back to the world in ways I have said. Laugh more, laugh often. Love more. I am with you. I am your Lord.

First, if you know me you know birds scare me to the core - but hearing them does not mean they are in close proximity ... none the less - they are animals crated by the Lord, so we can exist together I will just never have one in my home and it is great if we just stay away from one another. ANYWAY ... this devotion tied right back to the pond - and how when we take time to look and "see" the beauty of the Lord in all the things around us - how can that not then become part of us that we share with all we encounter. AMAZING. Even without being intentional about how we interact and rub off on others we do. I plan to become more intentional in how I rub off, or toss my stones around.  

Striving to be more like Jesus - everyday.

PRAYER:LORD, continue to build in me a heart that is pleasing to you. You shower down so many blessings and I deeply thank you. As you pour into me, I ask that I can pour into those around me in a manner most pleasing to you. Help me create stones that bring Joy, glory and praise to you as they are spread through the world and your kingdom. In your sons precious name, Jesus, Amen. 

GRACE AND PEACE!

His Plan

Once again, as I continue to take new steps everyday I am reminded that the Lord has the perfect plan for me. I have recognized that I am in a season of change and through this time of change I will continue to trust in the Lord that he has the plan for me. How I would love to see the layout, the agenda the outline of this plan - but I will simply trust and follow in faith that He will direct and lead me. And I will be satisfied with the glimpses I receive - what a blessing!

LOVE the verse from Joel - and as usual the timing is PERFECT....

Choose His Plan
Today's Scripture
"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
What are you planning for this year? Are you planning this year according to the news reports, or are you planning this year according to the Word of God? It’s good to be informed about what’s happening in the world, but remember, God is not limited by what we see in the natural. You may be planning to have an ordinary year, but God is planning for you to have an extraordinary year. You may be planning on just barely getting by, but God is planning on a year of abundance for you.
Why don’t you choose His plan for you this year? He has a good plan for you, to prosper you and give you hope for your future. In other words, He wants to do supernatural things in your life. He wants you to be an example of His goodness. Start declaring that this year is going to be a supernatural year. Start declaring that this is the year you will see your dreams come to pass; a year when you will discover new talents and become stronger and healthier. As you put Him first in everything you do, you’ll move forward into the supernatural blessings He has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, thank You for the good plan You have for me. I trust that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. I lift up my eyes from the natural realm into the spiritual realm. Help me see the blessings You have in store for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

GRACE AND PEACE!

Spring is Coming!

Last night/this morning we set our clocks ahead one hour ... we "sprung" forward in observation of Day Light Savings Time. My spring break is 3 weeks away; we will be heading to FLORIDA, North Captiva to be exact. You can only get there by boat ... and I am looking forward to the warm sun. I do enjoy getting tan - I know not a good thing for my skin and I do actually use sunscreen now. I say now, because growing up I NEVER NEVER used sunscreen. But I still like my skin to have color. It is looking rather transparent these days. Aaron, while he does not bask in the sun with me - enjoys the warm weather, going fishing, riding bikes and have quite areas for reflection. It is a true win win! Sometime he will sit next to me on the beach ... me in the sun and he is in the shade. :) It is a sight.

I added a new video/song over on the left - one of my favorites. We sang it last night and I had to go find it as we head into spring. Heading into spring, reminds me that God makes all things new. The song is a WONDERFUL song of worship! I hope you all enjoy it too.

My devotion this morning from GOD CALLING:

Heaven-Life

The Joy of the Spring shall be yours in full measure. Revel in the earth's joy. Do not you think the Nature is weary too, of her long months of travail? There will come back a wonderful joy, if you share in her joy now. Nature is the embodied Spirit of My Thoughts of beauty for this world. Treat her as such - as truly My servant and messenger, as any saint who has ever lived. To realize this will bring to you both new life-joy. Share her joys and travails, and great blessings will be yours. This is all-important, because it is not only believing certain things about Me that helps and heals, but knowing Me, sensing My Presence in a flower, My message in its beauty and perfume. You can truly live a life not of Earth - a heaven-life here and now. JOY-JOY-JOY!

SPRING - what a time of SHEER BLESSINGS!

GRACE AND PEACE!

Saturday Again!

This week went fast - I can not believe that it is already Saturday. The week was very busy!

My sister is in the process of moving, they closed on the new house in February and will close on the old house in 2 weeks. (They sold their house in 10 days. Pretty amazing I know!) The house my sister is moving into happens to be the house her husband grew up in ... this is a house that they plan to stay in for MANY MANY years, just as her husbands parents spent 30 years in as well. This opportunity is not something that was imagined ever, but due to the too early passing of my sisters mother in law 2 years ago, her father in law recognized it was too much space for just him. So the move for all is bittersweet. This is the start of a new chapter in all their lives.
This week, I helped my sister paint the twins room. Pink and Purple ... I will post pictures soon. The house for the past 30 years has only seen boys ... 3 boys grow up. I can only imagine how different it will be with girls. My sisters son will grow up in his fathers old room - that is cool! My sister and her husband will be taking down wall paper and working over the next week to make the house "theirs". My sisters mother in law had great decorating sense, but they want the house to represent them, not their parents. That means I will be over helping with wall paper, trim and more paint. I love being able to help them ... and I enjoy being able to use my creativity and art background to inspire my sister :)

My reading the past few days has been very interesting - dealing with FEAR ...
from GOD CALLING:
Have no fear. Fear is evil and "perfect Love casts out fear." There is not room for fear in the heart in which I dwell. Fear destroys Hope. It cannot exist where Love is, or where Faith is. Fear is the curse of the world. Man is afraid - afraid of poverty, afraid of loneliness, afraid of unemployment, afraid of sickness. Many, many are man's fears. Nation is afraid of nation. Fear, fear, fear, everywhere. Fight fear as you would a plague. Turn it out of your lives and home. Fight it singly. Fight it together. Never inspire fear. It is an evil ally. Fear of punishment, fear of blame. No work that employs this enemy of Mine is work for me. Banish it. There must be another and better way. Ask ME, and I will show it to you.

This week I faced a fear head on. I took hold of the promises that God never leaves us and knowing that the Holy Spirit is at work in me - so when the situation arrived I was filled with the Joy of the Lord and my fears were gone. I am anchored in the Lord - and refuse to be carried away by fear and storms that threaten. The day after I faced this situation, I read the above devotion and it created a clear vision for me to recognize what had taken place. The Lord is so utterly amazing! His perfect love casts out all fear. The next day I read about Gods love for us, He covers us with perfect love. The deeper we press in for the Lord, the more of His perfect love we experience ... and the less fear we will have.

prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you for your good and perfect love. You continue to fill me up with your joy and love - thank you for the many times you have poured your blessings on me, aaron, my family and friends. Thank you for all my brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you for crating me a spirit of strength in you and casting out all fear. Through you I am strong when I start to feel weak. Lord you are amazing -thank you thank you! In your sons precious name, Jesus - AMEN.

GRACE AND PEACE!

Rejoice

Today is Jeremy's 2 month birthday. I smile when I think of him today - such a great pregnancy, wonderful delivery, and a beautiful sweet precious face. When I opened Joel today, I was very pleased to see the start of the verse my Nephews read during Jeremy's service - and I am reminded to REJOICE IN THE LORD - ALWAYS! :)

Rejoice in the Lord
Today's Scripture
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4, NKJ)
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
When was the last time you had so much joy that you couldn’t contain yourself? Maybe your favorite football team won the big game. Or maybe you received some unexpected, good news. There are many reasons to rejoice in this life, but the scripture tells us to rejoice in the Lord.To rejoice simply means to express great joy. There are many ways to express your joy in the Lord. You can sing, shout, clap, and one biblical definition is to literally spin around! Notice these are all action words. That means we can choose to take action no matter what our emotions are telling us. We can choose to rejoice in the Lord no matter what’s going on around us. And keep in mind, when you make the choice to rejoice even when you don’t feel like it, you are giving God a sacrifice of praise. That’s something that pleases the Lord. That’s something that opens the door for Him to move on your behalf. When you take a step of faith and choose to rejoice, before long, your feelings will get in line. You’ll feel His joy bubbling out of you like rivers of living water, refreshing you and giving you strength to live in victory in every area of your life.
A Prayer for Today
Father in Heaven, I choose to rejoice in You. I set my mind, heart, and emotions on You today knowing that You are faithful! I will sing of Your mercies and goodness all the days of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

GRACE AND PEACE!

Ruth

How I pray to be obedient and faithful like Ruth.
Yesterday I read the book of Ruth. What a special little jem. A book of hope, faith and trust - and a demonstration of the perfect will of God. The book starts with tragedy and ends with the birth of Obed, the father of Jesse, who is the father of David ... the line of Jesus!
How easy it is for us to read the story beggining to end and see how wonderful God truly is. Without the pain, heartache and trials - Ruth would not have been in Boaz' fields. To then marry him and give birth the Obed! Ruth is a model of faithfulness and the blessing that comes from devotion to God and His ways. God rescues those that continue to seek Him. GLORY!!!!

I continue to daily take refuge in the Lord, He is the one that I seek for fullness and love. He fills me up. In my weaknesses, He is made strong, I am so thankful for the strength of the Lord and that through Him, all is well.
prayer: Lord, I thank you that You will redeem all my difficult situations and use them for Your purpose and glory!

GRACE AND PEACE!

8 weeks

Looking back, over the past week - it was a tough week. I found myself very emotional ... today I realized 8 weeks ago today we met Jeremy.
Friday, Kate and I were talking about Jeremy - we do that often. In the car the "blessed be your name" came on - Kate called out this is from Jeremy's service. Kate said " remember we were all clapping and singing ... and you were crying. Why where you crying?" So I did the best I could to explain, through my teary eyes again, that I was missing my son. Then she asked if I still loved Jeremy - and I replied, Forever I will love him.. Kate just smiled and began singing again. :) She is too sweet, and I am thankful that she likes to talk about Jeremy.

So perfect today:
From Stormies Heart
Trusting God with Your Future
God has so much for us. We have no idea. We look for crumbs under the table; He has prepared a feast for us in the royal banquet hall. We wonder if He remembers who we are; He has been calling our name. WE wait for Him to notice our plight; He waits for us to take His hand. WE see ourselves in the dark because we've done something wrong; HE sees us in the light because we've done something right. WE don't recognize the answers to our own prayers; He moves powerfully at our request. WE have trouble trusting Him fully with our future; He has a future for us better than the one we dream of for ourselves. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9)
We worry so about our future because we can never be completely certain about it. A single event can change our lives. For the better, we hope. For the worse, we fear. When we ask Him about it, He sometimes reveals specifics. But most of the time He doesn't give us anything more then assurance that our future is secure in His hands. He shows us that we have a future, and this simple knowledge must be enough for us.
You have a great future ahead, and it will be reached as you move out of your past and walk step-by-step with God as He reveals Himself to you in the present.
Just as you should not live in the past, resist the urge to live in the future also. Put your future in God's hands, trusting that he will never withhold anything good from you, and then stop worrying about it. This doesn't mean a trumpet will sound announcing that you are spiritually immature if you find yourself concerned about the future. God is not asking you to be perfect. He is asking you to allow Him to be perfect in you. God is not asking you to have your whole future figured out. He is asking you to trust that He has your future planned. Thinking too much about the future can keep you from fully living the life God has given you now.
This doesn't mean you can't have goals, but some people have goals that are so strong they sacrifice everything to achieve them, even their family and God. Instead of allowing the goal to come from God, the goal itself becomes God.
Simply follow Him every day on that narrow pathway and you will be free. Free to trust Him for every step. Free to be all He made you to be. Free to do what He called you to do. Free to enjoy all He has for you. You'll walk in a depth of love, peace, fulfillment, and joy you never thought possible.
You don't have to have your life all figured out; you only have to take one step at a time walking with God. And every time you put your hand in God's hand, you'll know you've got a solid hold on your future.

This past week, I was once again trying to figure out all the details of what comes next. Trying to find that passion and fire to lead me where to go - that passion and fire just needs to be for God the rest will work out. God has already prepared the perfect plan and path for me - I must remind myself to continue to submit, trust and walk faithfully in his light.

GRACE AND PEACE!