Journey in Relationships

I have found myself exceedingly blessed with a wonderful Godly man with which I am spending time getting to know and we are growing in our walk with God both independently and together. However, though we are both Christians and want to please the Lord and bring him honor and glory in our relationship, life has a way of challenging that mentality. The journey to purity is never easy, but always worth it! I was blessed to be reminded of this song and wanted to share it. No matter what trials, temptations, or tribulations we may face, if we fix our eyes on the Lord, all things will work out for our good!

May you be blessed and remember that “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13. This does not mean that we can bear the temptation in our own strength and might, but rather through strength in Christ we can stand and walk in obedience to God (Phil. 4:13).

Blessing and love to you all ❤

New Year Equals New Opportunities (Beckah Shae~Life)

New Year equals new opportunities, new outlook, and new chances! I love the beginning of a new year as it provides a chance to start over with a clean slate and positive outlook!! Just as each day provides a clean slate, so too does each new year. This year…expect the best, prepare for the worst, love boldly, laugh out loud, cry deeply, hope eternally, and live fully!! You never know when your life or the life of a loved one will be taken for none of us are ever promised tomorrow! Each breath is a gift! Don’t waste this year spending your life in anger, envy, strife, conflict, blame, guilt, shame, anxiety, or bitterness for they take away the joy and beauty of each day and take a physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional toll on the quality of your life.

1. If you are angry, pray for peace and surrender to the Lord your anger.
2. If you are envious, try being thankful for what you DO have, for many others have much less than you.
3. If you are in strife or conflict with someone, apologize and make things right….even if you aren’t the one
who made things wrong (after all God forgives and makes things right with you everyday, even when
He was not the one who sinned or made things wrong!–just saying’).
4. If you are spending time blaming others for where you are and who you have become, decide to take responsibility for yourself and the direction of your life for only you have the power to change it!!
5. If you are stuck in a life filled with guilt and shame, pray, seek counsel, change your ways, and surrender it to God– it was Christ’s sacrifice that has covered ALL your guilt and shame with love, mercy, and grace at the cross!
6. If you are filled with anxiety about whatever you are facing, be it finances, family struggles,
employment, death, health, or anything else out of your control….rest in the arms of God.
Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you (more than you may ever know!!).
7. If you hold bitterness towards someone who has wronged you…let it go!!
It doesn’t hurt the other person, but it destroys you from the inside out!
Forgive and find strength in God to show mercy and grace, just as he has so freely given it to you.

Strive to make this year a GOD centered year, instead of a ME centered year and look forward to all that you will be blessed with! When your focus is love and peace, the world is so much better off….and so are YOU!

All my love ❤

Alone {Hollyn}

There are days when we just feel alone midst an all-consuming world! However, we can stand firm in the promise that God is with us always…he will never leave you or forsake you. Yes, there will persecution and suffering (John 16:33, John 15:19-20).

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you;
he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
~ Deuteronomy 31:8

Teen Scriptures :-)

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
~ Proverbs 22:6 ~

As I journey down the path of parenthood with a teenage son in my midst, I am finding that my patience is much shorter than I thought and my tolerance is, well, very limited these days. God is continually reminding me that my son is not my own, but belongs to him and I need to entrust him into HIS hands. I have brought him up in the ways of the Lord, taught him scripture, prayed with him (and still do, even when he doesn’t want to pray!), and have tried diligently to be an example of God’s grace and love (never perfect, but always striving!).

With that said, there are many a day I need some encouragement and days where I need to find scripture that will tune into his heart strings and be something he can relate to when he is tired of listening to me!! I stumbled onto this lovely website with scripture verses for teens and youth and figured I would share it with all y’all. Praying that I make it through the teenage years with my mental health in tact, and praying for my son to learn and grow as God desires.

BIBLE VERSES FOR YOUTH and TEENS

If you have any great websites, books, or other resources, feel free to share them with me!!

All my love and blessings to you and your family ❤

NF ~ I’ll Keep On

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet;
but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 3:13-14

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
~ Romans 8:28

For those moments when the oasis of life seems so distant. For the times when the desert seems to go on and on forever. For the moments where darkness is consuming. For the times when hope seems to fade with every hour. For the times you think you are too tired to press on. For the moments when you feel there is nothing left and the thought of death sounds peaceful.

Just listen. Close your eyes, and listen. Listen to the lyrics. Listen to God call to your heart. Listen for the strength of God to keep you going.

You were not meant to traverse this world on your own. It is exhausting. It is a struggle. In fact it is a battle everyday (Ephesians 6:12).  But you are not alone (Deuteronomy 31:8). God is with you always my friend.

All my love and may his peace surround you, his joy fill you, and his hope renew you.

Run the Race! ~ Lauren Daigle (Trust In You)

Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31

As I continually embark on life’s journey, there are always hills and mountains that hinder me. There are valleys that bring me low and rivers so wide I feel I will drown if I even attempt to move! Each and every day brings challenges that are beyond my control and most assuredly, well beyond my strength! I know that scripture says that God does not give me more than I can handle, but truth is he does that all the time (1 Corinthians 10:13). However, he never gives me anything I can’t handle with HIM at my side.

There are mountains I can’t climb, but He carries me over them every time. There are rivers I will certainly drown in if I try to swim across, but He sends His boat to carry me across. There are valleys that bring me to a state of despair, but He continually encourages me, reminding me that He is on the other side waiting with open arms! There are temptations that my flesh desires greatly, but as always, He is there whispering words of love and grace, opening a door for my escape.

God is so good, and as I look back on my life and where the journey has taken me and brought me, I consistently see where God’s hand has steadied me and provided the rock on which I stand. He has guided me, strengthened me, encouraged me, and loved me through it all. He never promised life would be easy, but He promised to be with me through it all (Matthew 28:20, Deuteronomy 31:6-8).

“Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered,
each to his own home, and to leave Me alone;
and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you have tribulation, but take courage;
I have overcome the world.”
John 16:32-33

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not despairing;
persecuted, but not forsaken;
struck down, but not destroyed;
2 Corinthians 4:8-9

God is good, always has been, always will be! Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, and in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5, Isaiah 26:4, Psalm 62:8).

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!

The Lord Almighty

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s and he will give all of you into our hands.” ~ 1 Samuel 17:45-47

We all have giants we have to face, whether we want to or not! Perhaps your giant is a person that mistreats you or an addiction that consumes you. Maybe your giant is pride or selfishness. Whatever your giant, it is never bigger than the LORD! He has already overcome, and the good news is……he always wins and will win in the end! You are victorious through the power and might of the Lord God!

Never forget who you are through the blood of Christ! An heir in the victory! A child protected and provided for by the Almighty!

May your giants be struck down in the name of Jesus!
All my love

Yes or No?!?

But above all, my brothers, do not swear,
either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath,
but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no,
so that you may not fall under condemnation.
~ James 5:12 ~

I have been attempting to get my prayer and study life back in order after the chaos of last year. You know, there are just times when I struggle with both, feeling that I am wandering in the desert, but none the less, God beckons me to his side time and time again!!

In the Bible study I am attending on Wednesday evenings, I am reading Danny Silk’s book titled “Keep Your Love Light On”.  I have just finished the first chapter and am already convicted! Thus far we are discussing the difference between powerless and powerful people–not as the world defines power, but as scripture defines power–and how both dynamics impact relationships we are in.

We were discussing the attributes of both types of people, but the powerful one resonated with me. The powerful person is one who chooses to manage and take responsibility for his or her life. A powerful person does not blame others, or play a victim role, in life. A powerful person chooses to love unconditionally, for his or her love does not hinge on that love being returned, or on what the other person says or does. The powerful person creates a safe place to know others and for others to know him or her. The final thought that struck home with me tonight was that powerful people choose yes or no.  There is no I’ll try, I have to, or I can’t.  There is either YES or NO. Simple right?!? Aha, but there must be a balance, therefore it is not always so simple–or so I thought until tonight (had one of those aha moments!)

I tend to be a “YES” person in life for a variety of reasons, one of which being that I like to help people. I like to be around others, lifting them up, encouraging them, and helping them in a myriad of ways, from moving to playing to counseling to just listening. However, saying yes all the time is not always internally felt. There are times I am tired, have other obligations, or just don’t feel like being there, but somehow, I still say YES. In James 5:12, we are told “…let your ‘yes’ be yes and your ‘no’ be no…” If I say YES, but my heart or mind or body is screaming NO, then I am not in sync with what God is calling me to do. I become a walking contradiction!

So the epiphany for me tonight (and please don’t laugh)! I actually have to say NO sometimes. A powerful person is able to choose to say no because he or she needs time to rest, meditate, and enjoy life. When I say YES to everyone, I find myself stretched thin and of little help to anyone…including myself! When I say YES to everything, I don’t have the much-needed time to spend with God, learning and growing in my knowledge, understanding, and relationship with Him and His Word. When I say YES to everybody, I have to admit, I become bitter or resentful because sometimes I just want to say NO, but I don’t. When I say YES to everyone, I end up drained and empty.

I am just now really learning to say NO because I cannot be everywhere, with everyone, at every moment. It just isn’t possible. So, as I practice becoming and building the skills necessary to be a powerful person as scripture defines, I have some choices to make:

1. Quality time over quantity of time!!
2. Meaningful and deep relations with others over empty and shallow ones!
3. Lingering, intimate time with God over rushed moments here and there!

Ah, so much to learn and so far to go on this journey to becoming Christ like, and so very excited to see where God leads me!

Praying that you too will be true to your heart, to the calling of God, and to building a deeper, more intimate, stronger relationship with God. Take time each day to devote to Him, saying NO to the things that interfere. As the Psalmist says in Psalm 139:23-24:

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.

Let the Lord reveal the things in life you need to let go of, the things you need to say NO to, and let Him lead you to the things you need to say YES to.  All my love and may your week be blessed to overflowing ❤

Guide Me!

It is in the moments of chaos and uncertainty that I am reminded that my life is not my own. I surrendered my life to God years ago, yet I continually try to hold tight to it, trying to go down paths that are not mine to claim. As the Lord continues to orchestrate events in my life, I have come to realize that more and more in one way, shape or form, he is guiding my footsteps in the path he designed for me. Though I have fear and doubt, though I don’t always understand his ways, though I cannot see clearly what he is doing in my life, I shall continue to place my trust in the Lord and the knowledge that he has great plans for me and for my son. Remember to let go and let God, cause he will never let you down. All my love and blessings ❤