The Lord Hears YOU!

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
Psalm 5:3

Life is a journey. A journey through the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful. In the midst of fear and among the constant threat of death, David continued to sing and glorify the Lord. This was not because he saw the end to the storm, and at many times did not see a way out of the darkness that surrounded him. No, he sang and glorified the Lord for he knew that the Lord would sustain him, uphold him in his right hand, protect him when he was vulnerable, fill him when he was hungry, and guide him when he was lost. He praised God because he trusted God to keep hold of him through the storm and bring him out with life and love abounding!

Wherever you are today, I challenge you to seek God, listen to his voice, and praise him even when you don’t feel like it. Despite the circumstances, God is leading you to a future filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11). He is with you now and will be with you always, a light to your path, leading you to mercy, grace, forgiveness, healing, and righteousness. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you (James 4:7-8, Hebrews 10:22-25). Be still and know he is God and praise him continually (Psalm 46:10, Hebrews 13:15).

Rest my friends in the peace that is beyond understanding and walk in the light, especially when darkness surrounds, for there is where God will meet you! Blessings and love as you continue your journey with God! ❤

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63:1-8

Life is not Perfect!

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
…A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
~ Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 4

Life is not Perfect!

The pain and heartache
They come and they go
Cutting deep
Wounding the soul

Burdens too much to carry
Spirit weighed down
Living in the here and now
Sorrow abounds

Life is not perfect
Nor was it meant to be
A precursor of something better
A realm yet unseen

The heart it beckons
The spirit it yearns
The soul cries out
This world it spurns

Hope lies beyond
High in the heavens above
A continuous fount of life
God’s river of love

Loving arms of comfort
Sweet prayers from thine lips
Peace for the moment
Grief stands eclipsed

Through mercy and grace
The pain subsides
Where once heartache dwelled
Now joy resides

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 ❤

Perfectly Imperfect ~Pretty Lies by Veridia

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
so that you may prove what is the good, well pleasing, and perfect will of God. ~ Romans 12:2

As we approach New Years Day, it is common to make New Years resolutions. The only problem is that many, if not all, of the resolutions that are made by the majority of people deal with the external being–Losing weight, eating right, working out, getting outdoors more frequently, etc. These are focusing on the outside…the looks, the appearance, the body image. They are temporary, and who determines when you have lost enough weight, whether you are eating right, or if you are getting outdoors enough? When is enough good enough? Who sets the bar? Resolutions to improve the external shell are wonderful, don’t get me wrong! However, if it is society telling you to lose weight, eat right, exercise more, than your resolutions will not succeed for societal views of perfection can never truly be achieved (hence the reason why resolutions typically fail)! After all, if we were able to be “perfect” then why the need to airbrush/Photoshop ads? Why would we need to starve ourselves or exercise till we break if perfection could be obtained?

Instead of focusing on the outside this year, take some time to devote to the inside…the heart, the mind, the soul. The goal of life it not to be perfect, for we are “perfectly imperfect” beings! The goal of life is to be perfected through the blood of Christ, who was born and died for you! The only way to change the outside, is to first change the inside. You were created by God on purpose for a purpose and your body is not yours…despite how you may feel! It is the Lord’s. If you focus your energy on God, his commands, his love for you, his sacrifice for you, his never-ending grace towards you, and his endless mercy, then you will see that you are perfectly imperfect, which is just how it should be! It is in our imperfections that we are able to see our need for God. If we were perfect we wouldn’t need him!! When you accept that you are imperfect, you can accept who you are, where you are, and how you look and feel about yourself. When God is at the center, the external becomes a part of the journey. However, if the external is at the center, you will never be happy because there is always someone prettier, handsomer, richer, smarter, more athletic, and on and on it goes. You will never find happiness or true joy if you try to reach the illusion of perfection!

So, rather than focusing on the external this year, shift your center to the internal. Find your peace with God and with whom he created you to be. Find peace with all of you–your looks, your job, your family, your life. No matter how imperfect, you are in God’s hands and he will work all things out for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose—that is YOU! Believe me, I know hard times and how hard it is to see yourself as beautiful when life tells you otherwise!! Remember, you are “PERFECTLY IMPERFECT” and that is breathtakingly BEAUTIFUL!!!

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do. ~ Ephesians 2:10

For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord,
plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future. ~ Jeremiah 29:11

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

May you pray more, dive into scriptural truths, and spend some time listening to God’s still small voice midst the noisy chaos of life! I assure you that when you do, you will find true joy in who you are, no matter the circumstances.

All my love and blessings for a wonderful, fabulous, enriching new year! ❤

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

Swinging Pendulum

Oh, the struggle! Sometimes life is just an uphill battle with plateaus that enable us to rest but for a moment before we must ascend yet again! Seems recently that I have been on a swinging pendulum of emotions…just trying to make each day count for something more than merely existing. Though I am a Christian to the core of my very being, and know that every breath is a blessing sent by God and each day a gift…I feel as though I am spinning my wheels recently.

There truly is a battle beyond what I can see, a battle between good and evil, a battle for my heart, mind and soul! At times, I am oblivious to it, going on my merry way with pep in my step, a smile on my face, and laughter to fill me and to share with those around me. Other times, I am so aware of the battle that it is all I can do to cling to the joy and peace that is God!! This week has been one of those times!

Back and forth I swing, one moment joyous and the next heavy in heart and feeling so lost. I will admit, that I do know God is with me through all the emotional swings and the moments when darkness surrounds and part of me feels dead….and I am ever so thankful that God has settled his spirit within me to keep me moving forward, keeping my eyes fixed on him no matter how I feel!! I realize how great God is in my darkest moments and am so very grateful He is my guide, my hope, my strength and shield, my joy and peace, my ALL!

Feelings can mislead us all, but they can also remind us of the battle we face. It is my prayer that the armor of God will cover us all, keeping us in the refuge and power of the one who can destroy the evil that tries to rip our joy away! May you always seek His face, knowing that despite the swinging pendulum of life…..HE holds YOU tightly in His arms, protecting, guiding, renewing, strengthening, and fighting for us!

All my love and prayer (prayers that my mind rests tonight as well!)

“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 16:33

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you.
Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
John 14:28

Swinging Pendulum

Back and forth
Tick tock
Life passes by
Ready or not

Emotions swing
To and fro
Battles beyond sight
Struggles of thought

Hold on tight
Wield the Sword
Know the truth
Guard the heart

God is there
Never leaving
Always protecting
Evil is naught

Hold tightly to Him
Renewing strength
Each day is a gift
Be not distraught

Time presses on
Though the pendulum swings
Rest in His arms
In His love be caught

Season of Fear

There is no fear in the LORD, but yet we in our flesh still struggle with this very real and exceedingly intense feeling that can overwhelm and drown us if we are not cautious.  Fear comes and we must, as Christians, face it head on and see it for what it is….a ploy by Satan to deter us from the beauty and peace that is found in God and His promises for us!  Take a second to think about what fears are holding you back from receiving the promises of God.  Is it fear of failure?  Fear of rejection?  Fear of losing earthly possessions like your home or your car?  Fear of being alone?  Fear of the unknown?  What fear is driving you away from the arms of God?  Take that fear, pray, give it to God and let Him handle it for He is bigger and promises us rest.  Once He takes hold of it, then we are free to grow and mature in our walk with Him.

Blessings to you all and may the peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.
~ Psalm 85:11 ~

http://shareaverse.wordpress.com/2013/08/16/no-fear-no-worry-no-anxiety/

Season of Fear

Flurries of fear
Spinning
Dancing

Whirling in the chaos
Drifting
Gliding

Falling to the ground
Settling
Captivating

Melting under the Son
Slipping
Fading

Watering new life
Blooming
Growing

Springing forth from God
Maturing
Beautifying

Amazing grace abounds
Satisfying
Fulfilling

Oh to be Held!

If the LORD had not been my help,
My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.
If I should say, “My foot has slipped,”
Your lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up.
When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,
Your consolations delight my soul.
~ Psalm 94:17-19 ~

http://ikayalla.wordpress.com/2011/07/

Sinking among the waves of emotion
Drowning in a sea of sorrow
Praying for the beacon amidst the darkness
Wanting to be held

Hiding in recesses of my mind
Wandering among thoughts still unknown
Seeking clarity through the storm
Needing to be held

http://www.elephantjournal.com

Stumbling through the streets of chaos
Falling to my knees
Hoping for an end to the brokenness
Yearning to be held

oldtestamentwellness.com

Stuck in the traffic jam of life
Moving in slow motion
Slipping further and further behind
Wishing to be held

Holding it all together
Hitting my head against the wall
Desiring to just let go
Craving to be held

God is Here!!

And surely I am with you always,
until the very end of the age.
~ Matthew 28:20b ~

God Is HERE!

Despite the pain
In spite of the brokenness
God is here

In this moment
In heart and soul
God is here

Regardless of feelings
Even with chaotic emotions
God is here

Be still
Heart pouring out
God is here