Guilty {newsboys}

It has been a while since I have had some time to sit and enjoy the pleasure of writing! Somehow life just gets busy and time escapes me. Nonetheless, God has blessed me with some time to touch base and share a beautiful song from Newsboys! May this be the mantra of every Christian and may the movement of Christ bring hope and light to a world filled with despair and darkness.

All my love ❤

Toby Will – Wake Up Call to Christian Living

There are just some times when a sermon resonates and shoots right to the heart! Today was one of those sermons for me–a call to WaKE Up and stay FoCUsEd on scripture rather than the circumstances surrounding. I have been struggling in the desert of my walk with God recently and just doing surface prayers and daily devotions, but not really SinKIng into the WORD and mEdiTAtiNG on it in a way that I can walk away completely fed and spiritually renewed.

Our guest pastor today, Toby Will, brought my heart and mind back to the core of Christian living–actively, passionately seeking a deeper, meaningful relationship with my Lord and Savior and being a light in a sea of darkness. Since it struck me so strongly today, I decided to post Toby’s message for anyone else who wants to have their FIrE ReGNitEd. One caveat…it is not a feel good, light-hearted message, but rather a convicting, God breathed message to draw you back to the fundamentals of your walk with the Lord.

May it bless you as richly as it has blessed me! All my love ❤

Click the image below to hear the sermon

Are YoU LivInG?

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
~ John 10:10 ~

YOLO! Yep, that’s right You Only Live ONCE!!  What are you doing with the life that God has so richly blessed you with? Are you looking at all the bad in life and letting it bring you down, or are you choosing to see the rainbow midst the storms? Do you let the world drown you with its waves of chaos and despair, or do you call upon the One True God that can cause you to walk on the water? Do you sit on the throne of selfishness and greed, or do you humble yourself in the joy of giving and loving?

Life indeed throws us turbulence and turmoil frequently, and we often have exceedingly difficult choices to make, but we as Christians know that there is more than the insanity this world offers us, and we assuredly know that all the choices we make have lingering consequences both here and now that echo into the eternity to come! When the Lord leads your life, there is hope, there is freedom, there is mercy, there is light, and there is overwhelming love!

Yes, there will be sad times, times of anger and pain, and times where the mind is downcast, but Psalm 126:5 states, “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” God is true, just, and holy, and all that he allows to occur while we walk the face of this fragile world are to mold and shape us into the righteousness of Christ! He fulfills his promises of joy, peace and comfort daily….all you need do is trust and lean on him!

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.
~ Proverbs 3:1-8 ~

No matter what you face, no matter how big the storm, no matter how hindering the mountain…God has you! He is in control and he will bring joy each and every day!  Choose to praise despite the chaos.  Choose to see the beauty and blessings of life instead of dwelling on the disparity and ugliness.  What you choose will bring you life or it will destroy your life!

Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones,
And give thanks to His holy name.
For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for a lifetime;
Weeping may last for the night,
But a shout of joy comes in the morning.
Now as for me, I said in my prosperity,
“I will never be moved.”
O LORD, by Your favor You have made my mountain to stand strong;
You hid Your face, I was dismayed.
To You, O LORD, I called,
And to the Lord I made supplication:
“What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your faithfulness?
“Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me;
O LORD, be my helper.”
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,
That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
~ Psalm 30:4-12 ~

Be the light of God’s love and the beacon of eternal hope to a desperate and hurting people! Choose to LIVE and live FULLY. Choose to LOVE and love DEEPLY. Choose to HOPE and hope ENDLESSLY. Choose to REJOICE and rejoice with SINGING. Choose to SERVE and serve HUMBLY.

May God grant you joy every morning and hope each day! May he bring you peace beyond measure and shower you with love overflowing! May your heart and mind always be set in eternity and not the here and now, and may you find the strength and courage of Christ to help you through the trials and persecution.

All my love!

Sails of My Soul

That we should no longer be like infants,
Tossed to and fro and carried about on every wind of doctrine,
By the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
But speaking truth in love may grow up into him who is the head, Christ.
~ Ephesians 4:14-15 ~

Sails of My Soul

Lead me over uncharted waters
Steady my course as I go
Let loose the ropes of burden
Prepare the masts of my heart
Lower the boom of inspiration
Hoist the sails of my soul
Focus my mind on the horizon
Carry me on the wings of the wind
Lead me not into the abyss
Guide me on gentle waters
Prepare me for the storms
Shelter me from the crashing waves
Let me not go adrift
Nor lose my bearings at sea
Be my lighthouse in the darkness
Be my compass when I wander
Keep me anchored to you O Lord

Use Me Oh Lord

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?
It is then good for nothing
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
You are the light of the world.
A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket,
but instead put it on a lamp stand,
and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men,
That they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in Heaven.
~ Matthew 5:13-16 ~

http://worldtreecircle.com/sun-ray/

Use Me Oh Lord

Longing to be with You Lord
Resting in the peace only You can provide
Holding  on to the joy that comes even amidst the tears
Finding comfort in this time of confusion

You, oh Lord, hold me in the palm of Your mighty hand
Building me up and revealing Your truths
Refining me into something new
Bringing beauty from ashes and healing from the pain

I want to share who You are
Be a beacon for those around me
Touching lives of the abused, battered, and torn
Those who feel unworthy of Your love oh Lord

Show them thee extent of Your grace
The limitless mercy to which they can cling
Shower them with love never-ending
Give peace beyond what can be imagined

You, oh Lord are the passion that comes from within
I pray You consume hearts like a fire
Reveal the truth of Your word
Ignite feelings never felt before

Be a light in me, oh Lord, for the hearts of the lost
May the words I speak come only from You
Give me gentleness that resonates in the lives of others
Let Your love flow through me and into them

Shine!

“You are the light of the world.
A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;
nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket,
but on the lampstand,
and it gives light to all who are in the house.
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
~ Matthew 5:14-16

God designed us all to be beacons of light that emanate his love, grace, forgiveness, and beauty to the world. When life throws us hardships, chaos, disappointment, sorrow, trials, tribulations, heartache, and an endless supply of curve balls, often we sink inside the ‘basket’ where no one can see us. In my journey, I have had my share of trials, tribulations, heartache and pain, and at times I lost my desire to shine, but somewhere deep within, God always tugs at my heart and mind, whispering to my soul, and reminding me that it is in the most difficult of times that my light shines the brightest. It is in the moments where I want to run and hide, avoiding the world, that I have to step out on faith, step out on God’s promise to bring me good and not bad, to bring me a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). For when I step out of my pain and trust what God is doing, then the light of the Lord shines brighter than the full moon on the darkest of nights. God is love. God is hope. God is joy. God is peace.

So, even when life knocks you down and throws punches where it hurts the most, remember in that moment that you can be the beacon of God in the lives of those around you. Don’t be a shrinking violet, be the stunning sunflower: stand tall, look to the heavens for help, and stay firmly rooted in the Lord. He has always seen me through, and in this difficult trial filled with confusion and heartache, I know he will yet again!! I also know he will see you through the tough circumstances and tribulations of your life, bringing you to a place of beautiful peace and never-ending joy….a place where you will be the brightest light for all around to see the glory of God!

God bless and keep you and may you be the lighthouse to others through your storm.

All my love ❤