A Child-Like Heart

My friend showed this YouTube video at a women's conference. You may have seen it before. It's called Jessica's Daily Affirmation.

The conference was about awakening to the life and purpose God has blessed us with and chosen us for. My friend did a beautiful job! (Love you, Laura!)  

I was talking with another friend after the conference and we were talking about how cute the video was. It really is such a great reminder that we need to embrace each new day with thankfulness, excitement and confidence so that we can live the life God has given us. 

It seems so easy for a little child to embrace life with no fear and with so much joy.  They don't have financial struggles, family concerns, health issues (although some do), work problems, and the daily stresses of life.  

No, they do not.......but neither do we.

God reminds us that we don't have to let those things hold us down. When Jesus died on the cross for us, He not only died for our sins....He also died for our fears, our sicknesses, our worries, our struggles, even those stresses of every day life.  Colossians 2:10 says, "and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority."  He took upon Himself every burden that we face and He tells us that "in all these things we are more than conquerors through him" (Romans 8:37)

You see, if He already took these burdens upon Himself...then we have the joy and confidence to face these things each new day!  If we are struggling with not having peace, then it may be ourselves that is holding us back.  To receive God's fullness doesn't mean we won't still have tears, sad hearts, and trials to face. But it does mean that we can release it all into His care and look forward with confidence because His love is so protective.

Even the struggles that you will face tomorrow, next year or 10 years from now......He already took those from you.  No more holding onto the past, no more worrying about the future......God desires for us to live in His fullness right now.  As we begin to let go and live embraced in His love in this very moment, we then understand what it means to have joy even through the tears.  

Fear or Faith?

Living a life of faith....easier said than done, right?  God has asked us to "pick up our cross and follow Him," (Matthew 16:24) no matter what distractions come our way...despite the earthly struggles that we face each day....regardless of our own human perspective and understanding of things.  We are called to live a life not based on what makes sense to our human minds, but a life that stretches beyond to believe in the "mystery" of our amazing God.  

But among pursuing a life of faith in Jesus Christ, our human self often battles with fears, worries, insecurities, anxieties, and doubts.  These feelings that contaminate our soul begin with a battle of the mind. Therefore, we must consume our mind with God's truth to beat down those poisonous emotions.  Whether you struggle with emotions that hinder you from believing God for the impossible or you live too comfortably instead of living audacious faith for His glory....we all struggle with fears. 

I personally struggle with many of these "fears" on a daily basis. As God continues to grow me, I see how beautiful life can be by trusting it all to Him and how purposeful life can be by stretching my faith in Him.  If you are struggling with any of these "fears" in your life right now, there are 3 resources I highly recommend:  First of all, the Holy Bible which is God's Words to us; Second, Believing God, by Beth Moore; Third, Sun Stand Still, by Steven Furtick.  There are so many other great resources out there...these are just a few that have really inspired me, encouraged me, and challenged me. 

I got to see Beth Moore LIVE in Reading, Pa this past weekend. It was awesome! I leave you with 4 quotes that she spoke to us:

1. "God didn't call us to fine. He called us to faith." 

2. "Do you want to live in the supernatural provision of God or a humanly explainable life?" 

3. "Fear is the crippler of a walking, talking miracle."

4. "Do we have enough security to trust God with the mystery?"

If you would like some great Bible references on beating down fear, here is a link to Beth Moore's The Great Forsake and Take. http://blog.lproof.org/2012/09/as-promised-the-great-forsake-and-take.html

Clicks & Fresh Perspectives

My hubby was at a work meeting tonight so I decided to go to a local park and have fun with our new camera.  It was so peaceful and relaxing as I walked around taking some nice shots of the trees and flowers.  As I was clicking away, I realized that every picture I take can become an act of worship. With so many "unknowns" and "uncertainties" in our life right now, I feel like taking pictures is a way for me to express my heart to God.  There are other passions on my heart that have either been put on hold or are in the "unknown" category right now.  I would often get discouraged...because after all, the passions on our heart are the reason for our existence....to bring glory to God!  So I started considering other passions that I could live out for God. I've always loved taking pictures and I always wanted to get more into photography, but it was just extra money that we didn't have at the time.  Wonderful friends of ours gave us their old camera this summer and words can not express how much of a blessing it has been.  It has stirred up the creative passion within me to get more into photography. My heart hopes to learn more, become better with the art, and start my own photography business in the future.   Every landscape shot soaks in the beauty of His creation and reminds me how much of His love is all around me.  Every portrait and animal shot is a way to capture those precious moments in life that we often take for granted.  They remind me of all the blessings in life. I also love that my husband enjoys photography too! It is a great hobby for us to enjoy together. As I embark on this new photography journey, I pray that every click I make becomes an act of worship and brings glory to God!

No Sugar Lemonade

We don't eat or drink a lot of sugary foods, but I LOVE fresh squeezed lemonade in the summer!  I made some lemonade today by using my juicer and using apples to sweeten it.  It was so good! If you don't have a juicer, you could probably use a blender and then just strain out the pulp. You can adjust the amount of apples and lemons, depending on the size of your fruit and how sweet/sour you like it. 

No Sugar Lemonade

10 apples (I used gala apples)

5 lemons (rind cut off)

You Are For Me

My husband and I were talking the other night about life situations that we have gone through together. Many times we all go through times in life and say to ourselves, "Why would God ever allow for this to happen to me?", or "What purpose would this have for my life? It just doesn't seem to make any sense!", or "My life is completely ruined! All my hopes and dreams have been demolished!"

As we were talking, my husband pointed out to me how if I didn't go through "situation A" (that's what I'll call it for now)  then I wouldn't be who I am today. He is absolutely right! If situations A, B and C never happened....I may not have made some of the decisions that I have made in my life. Although they had a huge impact, it is not the situations in our life that form us....it is the choices we make as we push through those situations. 

Which is why I love the song, "You Are For Me" by Kari Jobe, so much....

"I know that you are for me.

I know that you are for me.

I know that you will never forsake me in my weakness.

I know that you have come now, even if to write upon my heart...

to remind me who you are."

If you are going through a difficult time and feel like nothing is changing or feel like no good will ever come from this situation....be encouraged! As Kari Jobe shares, sometimes God is writing on our hearts to remind us of who He is. Many times we need reminded that He is God, that we belong to Him, and that nothing on earth matters compared to our relationship with Him.  

Although the tough situations that my husband and I have gone through were not fun by any means...we have  both become better people because of them. Our faith in God is stronger, our marriage is stronger and our outlook on life is stronger with a fresh perspective on what is truly important. 

If life is crashing down all around you today, be still....and allow God to "write upon your heart." When we are reminded of who God is, there is a new joy that stands strong through the storms.  

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all my friends & family! 

If you are a mom with children from giving birth, you are honored today for the physical pains, many sacrifices, and much love, nurturing and guidance that you have given to raise and teach your precious little ones that God has entrusted you with.

If you are a mom through marriage, you are honored today for the humble sacrifices you have made to allow those precious children into your life and the struggles you have had to face to become a part of their lives.  You express true love!

If you are a mom as a spiritual mentor, you are honored today because you have given so much of yourself and strengthened us all in the most important area of our lives....our relationship with God!  Thank you for your prayers!

If you are a mom through adoption, you are honored today for the true example of God's unconditional love that you expressed from the moment you decided to welcome that precious child into your life.  You have shown what God considers "pure and faultless" religion, from James 1:27.  Thank you for the love and sacrifices you have shown and continue to do to bring new life to that sweet little person.

If you are a birth mom that decided to give her child for adoption, you are honored today for the love and sacrifice you showed by deciding to give that child life.  You have blessed so many families that are unable to have children of their own and have given them a joyful blessing!  May you find peace and comfort in God's love today.

If you are struggling with infertility and longing for that special blessing in your life, or have struggled with one or more miscarriages, or have lost a child through death, you are honored today for the heartache you have had to endure.  I truly know how hard this day can be for you.  I pray God blesses you with His peace and comfort during this time.  I have struggled for many years, but truly can understand now what it means to have God's joy while still having an aching heart.  You are on my heart and in my prayers today.  Continue to let God's love shine through your beautiful heart!

If you are single, but still longing for a family, you are honored today for being patient with God's perfect timing in your life.  Know that you are not forgotten.  You already impact so many lives around you through nurture and love, and God has amazing plans ahead for you to bless you with the desires of your heart.

If you are a woman and did not desire to have children, you are honored the same today!  God has created us to be loving and nurturing beings, so whether you have children of your own or not, you are daily impacting lives with the love that you show to people.  Thank you for being you!

May this be a joyous day for all!  We celebrate all women, for the nurturers that God created us to be, and the women of God He has called us to be.  We celebrate all women.....because we are the heart of God!  Thank you for expressing His love in a tangible way! 

How Would Your Life Be Different?

In Ann Spangler's study, The Names of God, chapter 14 talks about Yahweh Tsuri, which is Hebrew for The Lord Is My Rock. The study emphasizes how the word "rock" represents God's "permanence, protection, and enduring faithfulness."  The last question in the study asks, "How would your life be different if you experienced more deeply the truth that God is your Rock?"

This question really impacted me.  I think it's a question we need to ask ourselves more often....not just with God as our Rock, but to ask ourselves each day, "How would my life be different if I experienced more deeply the truth that God is _______?" Fill in the blank...it could be another name of God, one of His promises, one of His commands, or just the truth that GOD IS. "How would my life be different if I experienced more deeply the truth that GOD IS?"  

I believe if we grasped a deeper understanding of His truth, we would be able to stand more firm with no worries....no fear....and a peace in knowing that He has this!  When we stand firm, we receive a fullness of joy and are able to enjoy life more, which strengthens us to live victoriously for God and His purpose for our lives.  If He is solid, then we can accept what He says over our lives.....even if our human understanding can't make sense of what's happening around us. We can believe...because He said it! 

With any growth, discipline is the key. If we want our bodies to get healthy, we have to discipline ourselves with eating right and exercising more often.  If we want to do better at a sport, hobby or other interest, we have to discipline ourselves with time, reading, studying, practicing, and training.  So is the same with our spiritual relationship with God and living His truth in our daily lives....we need to discipline our hearts and minds to see things more through His eyes. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:1-2)

Worship is more than just music...it is living a life of obedience.  By offering ourselves as living sacrifices, we strive to put aside our human desires & understanding, and instead offer our time & energy to grow in Him.  As we do this, I believe we will see the answer to the question.  Our lives will be different because we will live with more confidence...more strength...more peace...more joy...and more passion in all that we do.  

So take a moment to ask yourself today...."How would my life be different if I experienced more deeply the truth that God is my Rock?"