October 31

Enjoy Life...or what's the point?

Psalm 90:12

Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!

We should make everyday count! Enjoy life! Appreciate those you have in your life such as you friends and family. Give back. Show love! Do things you love. Take the time. Count your blessings and be a blessing!

October 30

The story of the lost coin

Luke 15: 8-10

"Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she'll call her friends and neighbors: 'Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!' Count on it - that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God."

When first reading this, I didn't quite get it. Now days, if I drop a coin, it is not worth the searching and looking; however, back when this was written, the coin was referring to a day's wage! Now that is worth some searching on my part.

The point of this story is to show the search! There is a lot of detail in describing how hard the woman is looking for the ONE coin that is lost.

You count! You matter! All of heaven rejoices when someone reaches out to God! Like I mentioned yesterday, people are important! They are valuable!

October 29

People are what matters

1 John 2:15

Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father.

I try and remind myself and my family that people are what matter! Sometimes we can get so focused on our own plans that we miss an opportunity to show kindness to someone else. We always like to blame the children in our lives for being the selfish ones, but this can rise up in adults as well. We should show love to one another every chance we get. People are hungry for love. Don't put a higher priority on things than you do people.

October 28

"I'm here to PUMP, YOU UP!"

Psalm 121:1

I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

Sometimes we look for strength in ourselves, and we can't find any! What we must realize is that we are looking in the wrong place. Our strength, real strength, comes from God alone, our creator.

Muscles don't match up to the power of God. I have seen large men fall apart in trouble times while small women rise up with a sense of power within because they know where their strength comes from.

When you are facing something that makes you feel weak, then rely on God's strength to get you through.

October 26

The everyday ordinary life stuff

Romans 12: 1 (The Message)

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life- and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.

We can make everyday count! Putting God first in our life makes our life so much more meaningful. We all have a purpose even when we don't see it. I love how God cares about the little things, the ordinary everyday life stuff! He does care! He knows what you deal with and don't deal with. Know that you are important and loved by God. Make your life an offering to God!

October 25

Shut-up?

Ecclesiastes 5:2 (The Message)

Don't shoot off your mouth, or speak before you think. Don't be too quick to tell God what you think he wants to hear. God's in charge, not you- the less you speak, the better.

Growing up, I had to learn to speak up. Once I grew up, I had to learn to "shut-up," for a lack of a better word. I think we have all said things we regret and have been around people wishing they would just relax and be quiet. I think as women, sometimes this scripture is just a challenge even though we know it to be true. Women need to talk; however, it would do us good to think on it for a little while longer before being loud to just be loud. I make it my personal goal to continue my efforts on less speaking...here goes nothing!

October 23

Seasonal

Ecclesiastes 3:1

There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth.

This scripture breathes life to my soul. There is something so comforting to know that our lives are sectioned out by seasons of time. It gives me hope for my tomorrows. With this wisdom, I can be assured that times in my life were never wasted. The schooling, studying, dreams, and experience will be used when the time is right. I won't be a stay-at-home mom forever...which is exhilarating and sad to me all at the same time, but a big portion of my life, never-the-less. I will never be a newlywed again, but get to experience a 10 year wedding anniversary next year. Having a "bikini" body was a wonderful experience, but it has said its goodbye. All of these things are a collection of my personal life, and I get to look back and look forward with a smile on my face. I hope everyong gets to enjoy their lives and find hope, find inspiration, and understand that things are seasonal.

October 22

Chased after

Psalm 23: 6

Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.

I'm back home in the house of GOD for the rest of my life.

I just love these words. As we are sheep in the field being watched over and provided for by God, instead of being hunted down by wild animals, we are chased after by God's love and beauty. He showers us with love that is completely and in no way deserved. His love is so great and full that we are overjoyed resting in His mercy and kindness. Feeling at home with God is like no other. Where else would you possibly want to be?

October 21

Special Treatment

Psalm 23: 6

You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies.

You revive my drooping head, my cup brims with blessing.

Six-course dinners are not the usual dinner plans that I am use to. They are very special, and I would even describe them as luxurious. God wants us to know that we are worth so much! He will provide us with more than what we need...he gives us more than what we could want...he surprises us with great blessings and lavish treatment!!! We shouldn't hang our head down and think we are not worthy, God thinks better of us. He is generous to give us overflowing love and special treatment. Generosity is an expression of God's love! Don't think you are not fancy enough to sit at a table of such honor. Don't allow pride to keep you from receiving all that God wants for you.

October 20

No Worries

Psalm 23: 5

Even when the way goes through Death Valley,

I'm not afraid when you walk at my side.

Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure.

I just love how David continues to use the picture of a Good Shepherd. Death Valley represents any tough time in our lives. Sickness, sadness, death, or depression, God can lead you out of it. We don't have to fear, not even death itself because God walks at our side. He is always present and never leaves us. Shepherds would use their rods/staff to rescue their sheep. They also used them to guide the sheep in the right direction. Our sweet Shepherd is standing by us, guiding us, and protecting us from all harm.

Know today that God loves you, and He is stands over you protecting you as you go about your day. You are special to God.

October 19

RELAX

Psalm 23: 3 True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.

God knows how to restore our souls. He is gentle, kind, and loving. We just can't help but relax in is arms.

God wants us to take a break every once in awhile. We need to learn to just relax and even find humor in things. Don't be so serious all the time. We can't be focused 24/7 on getting work done or keeping ourselves busy. Take the time to get refreshed! Just RELAX! We all need it!!!

October 18

The Peace We Need

Psalm 23: 2 You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from.

Sheep are very skittish animals. The only way they can get comfortable to lay down is if they feel totally secure in their surrounds. Likewise, they don't like fast flowing water either and they spend their day looking down for food.

David's psalm shows another beautiful picture of how God takes care of us. He calms us, leads us to lush meadows, and quiet waters.

I find myself similar to these sheep from time to time. Sometimes I can be worrywart and have anxiety. There have been times that I just can't relax or even get to sleep. I think what we all can learn from the scripture is that God is taking care of us. With His love and protection, we can find the peace we need. He will supply us with abundance and his provision will enable us to relax. We are not on our own. Our shepherd is watching over us. He will take care of us. Find that peace that you need in Him.

October 17

Psalm 23:1 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.

 1 Sam 16:19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse requesting, "Send your son David to me, the one who tends the sheep."

David's psalm, written to God, starts out with a picture of what he did in his youth. David, before becoming a King, was a shepherd. This was a great first job for a young man like David. He would learn to work hard, be dedicated, and unselfish. Some men would never change professions, which would make the responsibilities even more important if they wanted to be successful. David is a great example of what other young men should strive for. Humble beginnings are precious to God.

He compared what he knew in the natural to what God is like in the spiritual. He understood that with God watching over him, he would be taken care of. He shows his trust and confidence towards God.

October 16

Psalm 23 in The Message

God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.

You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.
Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure.
You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessings.
Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of GOD for the rest of my life.

Psalm 23 is seen in a new light here in The Message. This is a beautiful psalm written by David to his Lord. He shows that he fully puts his trust in Him and receives great mercy from the King of all Kings.

There are six verses of scripture above that I will break down over the course of the next 6 days.

October 15

Home is where the heart is...
During the summer, I keep a watering can outside my front door so that I can wash my bare feet before walking back into my house. I really don't like dirty feet, and I don't like dirt tracked into my house. We always take our shoes off as to keep the carpet nice and clean.

One thing that is nice is that when we come into the house of God, we don't have to take our shoes off. We don't have to clean up. We don't even have to be on our best behavior because God knows us all to well. We are welcome in His home at any time, wearing anything, tracking in whatever is on us!

Jacob woke up from his sleep. He said, "God is in this place - truly. And I didn't even know it!" He was terrified. He whispered in awe, "Incredible. Wonderful. Holy. This is God's House. This is the Gate of Heaven." Genesis 28:17

October 12

Wise vs Smart

My husband has been debating going back to school now for many years. Parents all over spend tons of money on education for their children. The USA holds this as a high priority in our society. Chad and I are in agreement that our children will go to college no matter what!!! Education seems to be most people's goals at some point, but have you noticed that morality has taken a back seat?

Education is great, but wisdom will always be the better of two. Wisdom helps you to use the knowledge you gain in the best way possible. Wisdom should be our main goal in life.

Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. James 3: 17 (The Message)

October 10

Anyway . . .

On the TV sitcom, Friends, there is a corky, eclectic, child-like character named Phoebe who is always saying strange comments within the group. Usually after sharing her unusual insight, someone in the clan would say, "Anyway…" and they would move on from there. As a fan of the show, those clips crack me up!

There are times in life when something crazy comes to mind that we should not think on. There are times we might want to say something rude or be disrespectful, but we should resist the temptation to hurt someone. We all have bad ideas or thoughts that pop up in our head, and we need to just simply say to it, "Anyway…" and move on!

We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (The Message)

October 9

The Beauty of Friendship

I had the privilege of hanging out with some really cool chicks last weekend. We spent the day shopping up and down a street in Fredericksburg. We peeked our heads into several great stores and ended up with some very cute things, but the gift I found the most valuable that day was friendship. I think women have this amazing ability to see the beauty in things including other women, having said that, we have a hard time seeing that beauty in ourselves. We can choose to compete with other women or choose to form loyal friendships that will enrich our lives for the better. I would encourage you to surround yourself with Godly women that can help you see the beauty that certainly lies within.  

Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on . . . Ephesians 10: 24, 25 (The Message)

October 7

Discount Roses

So, back in May when I was deciding what to plant in a newly dug up flower bed that I slaved over, I headed over to Wal-Mart for a hunt on discount flowers. I really wanted some bright pink knock-out rose bushes but didn’t have a lot of money to work with. I was going to look around with an open mind. As I was looking, I found discounted rose bushes just as I had hoped!!! I was so excited and loaded them up and cut up my arms doing so! Even though I was bleeding at the time, I had high hopes for my flower bed. I was already imagining looking out my window seeing the bright pink and feeling so happy! After getting some more plants that I liked and had pictured for the space, I went to the checkout line. The unhappy clerk working that day made a comment about my rose bushes. She said, “I could tell those were the discount roses because they look like ----!” I was a little offended by the comment, but just smiled and shook it off.

She couldn’t see the potential in those roses like I could. They looked like that because they treated them like that! I was rescuing them!!! I knew all they needed was some love, attention, food, and water and they were going to be beautiful again.

God sees the potential in each one of us! He knows what were capable of doing and becoming. The rose bushes I chose are perfect for the climate we live in. They are hardy and will bloom year round! I will enjoy them for many years to come! They are absolutely beautiful . . . just as you are!

Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message)
10-11This is God's Word on the subject: "As soon as Babylon's seventy years are up and not a day before, I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

October 6

Push vs Self-Propel


So today I decided to help my husband out with the yard. This summer had 70 days of drought, and now it has decided to rain almost every day causing mushiness and steam to hang around. I knew I needed to take advantage of a morning without rain or errands and surprise my husband who had been working so hard putting together our storage shed. So I put my ugly clothes on and ventured outside to mow in the mud. There is nothing homier to me than a fresh cut lawn so I pressed on. But on this morning I discovered something I had not in the past. It was a small black bar that could be pulled in and held against the handle. I had always concentrated on the very large RED bar that started the mower, but never paid attention to the small black one . . . the self-propel bar!!! Once I started the mower and held that thing in . . . let’s just say I felt I was in a lawn mower race and was projected to win that “bad-boy!” I was sort of afraid I was going to run into something. It was awesome!

I could not help laughing at myself and feeling so dumb that I was manually pushing around a self-propel mower all the times before. I always new it was a self-propel mower because when we were shopping for a mower, my husband said it was worth the extra money for the self-propelled (and it is). After mowing “my way” (without any revelation of the propel bar), I had told my husband that we needed a riding lawn mower and couldn’t imagine what a push mower would be like (ha, ha). I guess I thought that it would just work as a propel mower on its own. Nobody told me I had to do anything!

During the light bulb moment, God showed me something very practical. A lot of times we find ourselves just pushing through life. Just pushing and pushing and wearing ourselves out. If we only knew that there was power right under our fingertips! That power is the Holy Spirit! It is amazing the difference between relying on our own strength verses relying on God’s strength. It is pretty silly not to use it, right! It’s there for a reason . . . a gift to bring strength in our own weaknesses. Don’t go through life without the help of the Holy Spirit! Struggling to do it on your own wastes too much time and effort . . . “Opt for the full-size!”

God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3: 18 (The Message)