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 ❤

Mansion in Your Mind (NF ~ Mansion)

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 14:27

Coming from a background of abuse and chaos, secrets which have passed away with those who have left this world, I find myself trapped inside my own mind at times. For years I have covered up the pain, anguish, guilt and shame, but as God has shone his glorious light into my heart, the darkness has fled. There are times where satan reminds me of my past, brings up fears and fantasies that don’t belong in rooms within my mind! Thank you Lord that you have overcome so that I too can do the same, in your strength and power! So blessed to have a God that is bigger than me, a God who loves me in spite of myself, a God who knows me inside and out and chases after me anyway!

“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

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

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!

Never Underestimate the Power within ME!

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Never take your own revenge, beloved,
but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written,
“Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
“But if your enemy is hungry, feed him,
And if he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will reap burning coals on his head.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
~ Romans 12:18-21 ~

Though I am a Christian, that does mean I am perfect
Though I am naive at times, that does not mean I am weak
Though I am a peacekeeper, that does not mean I cannot make war
Though I am forgiving, that does not mean I will let you hurt me
Though I live in this world, that does not mean I am of it
Do not underestimate the POWER of GOD that holds me up!!

For those who have been persecuted
For those who have been accused without proof
For those who have been crushed
For those who have been struck down
For those who have been trodden upon

I stand with you now
Reminding you that YOU have strength beyond measure
YOU have legions of  GOD’s angels to fight the evil that comes against you
YOU CAN do ALL things through CHRIST who gives YOU strength
YOU CAN be ALL that HE calls YOU to be in HIS NAME.

Do not fear
Do not give lead to the lies of Satan
Do not lose hope
For the GOD of the UNIVERSE holds YOU
He will NEVER leave YOU nor FORSAKE you
Stand still under the shadow of HIS wings
Let HIM seek the VENGEANCE of those who hurt you
Let HIM fight the WAR for you knowing HE WILL WIN it every time.

In the end
Every knee will bow
Every tongue confess
Every eye will see
Every heart revealed
Every action judged

Rise above
Rest in the HOPE of the CROSS
Rest in the PEACE that surpasses all UNDERSTANDING
Rest in the ASSURANCE that GOD has your back

All my love and may you know how strong you truly are and how beautiful are the characteristics GOD has graced YOU with despite how the world views them and seeks to devour.  YOU are a child of the ONE TRUE GOD!  YOU are holy, mighty, and righteous in JESUS name ❤

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

Worn ~ Tenth Avenue North

Amazing how music just lines up with the heart and soul, speaking what often times I cannot!  I am worn indeed.  I am praying for strength, for endurance to run the race set before me, for the ability to continue to love though I am so broken, for the chance to shine once again brighter than ever before, yet right now I am so very worn.  Still I cling to the hope and promises of God; promises of a future filled with good and hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

For I have fully satisfied the weary soul,
and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
~ Jeremiah 31:25

SleeP??!?

Hear my prayer, LORD; listen to my cry for mercy.
When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.
~ Psalm 86:6-7 ~

http://skybase.deviantart.com/art/Sleepless-Nights-93258517

Sleep is a Mystery!

Hurting heart
Racing thoughts
Running round and round
Could it have been different?
What then?
Lost in the crevices of pain
Tossing to and fro
Sleep is a mystery to me

Jumpy and anxious
Wondering what to do
Seeking guidance from the Lord
Yet round and round I go
Turning from one side to another
Staring aimlessly at the dark
Scenarios playing like movies in my mind
Sleep is a mystery to me

Constant state of alertness
Hearing every little noise
Desiring Your peace oh God
Still round and round I go
When will this resolve?
Will I ever be the same?
Sadness instead of slumber
Sleep is a mystery to me

You Make Me Brave ~ Bethel Music

What, then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
~ Romans 8:31

From my distress I called upon the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.
The LORD is for me, so I will not fear! What can man do to me?
~ Psalm 118: 6-7

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
~ Psalm 27:1

Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, and I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
~ Isaiah 41:10

Only One

In this world we are constantly protecting our heart and mind from the diseases of hopelessness and despair! Pressure comes against us and circumstances rise up, bringing fear and anxiety.  Hearts get broken with others words or character is defaced by someone’s malicious ways. No matter where we walk on this earth, there will be trouble for we live in a fallen world; a world that is not going to get better, but rather is waxing worse each day. The only way to find hope is to place your heart and life into the hands of the One who can bring you true peace (Philippians 4:6-7). The Son of God was sacrificed that we may find hope and assurance in something better than this world (Titus 2:11-14, Hebrews 9:28, Jude 1:21).

It is imperative that you remember the trials and tribulations you face here on earth are temporary, lasting but a brief moment in the entire scheme of your life. Rather than focusing on the circumstances you face in the here and now, focus on the joy and peace that is set before you in the real of heaven. Though this world is real, your reality does not have to be based on the things of earth, but in Christ, who not only is with you now, but will be with you in eternity. He is stronger than all you face, he is the key to calming your troubled heart.

Believe in the promises of God, seek His truth, abide in His word, and trust in His provision and strength. Take some time to dive into His word, resting on His promise for eternal life, and take your eyes off the craziness of this world, focusing them on the only cure that exists for the disease of hopelessness and despair–John 14:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Deuteronomy 31:6, Genesis 15:1, and Revelation 2:10.

You will keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You.
~ Isaiah 26:3

theyallcallmemom.com

Only One

This bitter cup from which you drink
Filled to the brim with misery and gloom
The diseases of the heart and mind
Only One remedy holds the cure

Through the veil of tears
Anxieties fill the troubled heart
Circumstances bring hurt and despair
Only One brings forth hope

Situation continue to wax worse each day
Fear encompasses like a fierce storm
Merely existing in this broken world
Only One foundation is secure

Listen with ears of faith
See with eyes of hope
Abide in the promises of the LORD
Only One brings eternal peace

Though the lightning strikes and waves crash
Focus your eyes on Jesus Christ
He is the remedy against the despair of the world
The only One reality that will carry you through