My Everything

Check out my post this month for EmpowerMoments!

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.  Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4, 5 NLT)

It took me a minute to figure it out. I was used to being at the top of my game; I wasn’t a stranger to losing, my life was blessed… I had no reason to think otherwise.

Then the trials came, the testing began, and God began to allow His purifying fires to burn. I started to lean to my own understanding. I trusted in my own strength, my own intelligence and my own knowledge to get me through. Yet, all that I had by myself was not enough.

And when I inevitably came up short, I grew frustrated. When I failed, I was depressed. When I missed the mark, I got angry. When I took wrong turns, I lost precious time.

Like I said, it took me a while, but I figured it out. Once I figured out that I had to make God my source, it all fell into place. God had to be my main source. Read the rest here!

Afternoon Ti: Fortress of Solitude

I love to be alone. There's something about getting away from other people that helps me to focus. I am a natural thinker, and I like to go through my own process in making decisions or working through a problem. I'm not one to share a lot of what's going on with me. I just keep things to myself and only open up if I feel I really need to.

One of the biggest advantages to this method is that the only other major voice in my ear is the voice of the Lord. He's the only One who knows it all, so when I turn to Him, He's always ready with an answer. He hits right at the root of the issue, and then it's up to me to listen to His voice or choose otherwise. Where another person may bring in confusion or a suggestion that may or may not work. God's way is the best way 100% of the time.

There is a time and place for friendly advice, other people's wisdom, and collaboration with others. Yet, you can't pay too much attention to other people and what they think. When it comes down to it, you need to know what you think and what God thinks. Then you have to determine if those two beliefs are in line with each other. If not, yours is definitely the one that needs to be changed.

Today, take some time to get by yourself. Quiet the noise of those around you and focus in on the One voice that really matters. Allow the Lord to speak to you in your solitude and gain strength from His wisdom.

Verse of the Day: Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11

Throwback: Flood!

With all the rain showers going on in Chicagoland today, I decided to repost an entry I did on flooding early in my blogging days.

Enjoy and stay dry!

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This past weekend, I went down to Tennessee to see a friend graduate from college. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by rising flood waters. I had to switch hotels, missed out on spending some quality time with my friend, and prayed that her graduation would even happen. Thankfully, it did – after switching venues several times, and moving back several hours – and I was able to get through the soaked roads to the venue.


This whole episode got me thinking. So much rain fell that everyone’s set agenda had to change. Everything had to stop to pay homage to the rising flood. No one could do what they wanted to, and we all had to move in response to what the waters dictated.

Sometimes God has to grab our attention in the same way. He has to allow certain catastrophes to occur in order for us to stand still and give Him our undivided eyesight. It’s amazing how an unsolvable problem sends us racing to the altar. It’s also somewhat disconcerting for our greatest spiritual growth to commence in the midst of our greatest sorrows.

I’m kind of embarrassed that I always nuzzle closest to God when I’m the most afraid, worried, or sad. It shouldn’t take tragedies of epic proportions for me to throw myself into the arms of my Heavenly Father. He shouldn’t feel jealous of how I carry on in life giving him some of my time when things are going well. He so obviously deserves more of my time no matter the situations in my life.

Just something to think about as you start your day today. Do you think God is considering allowing the waters to rain in your life just to get your attention? Take some quality time and snuggle in close to your Heavenly Father while everything’s going well. Spend some moments of peaceful deep contentment with the One you love above all others.

And even if you are in the midst of your storm season right now, know that God loves you and will never give you more than you can handle. Stay close to your Father, and He’ll take care of you.

Verse of the Day: In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thessalonians 5:18

Wednesday's Word: Psalm 27

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?

When the wicked advance against me

to devour me,

it is my enemies and my foes

who will stumble and fall.

Though an army besiege me,

my heart will not fear;

though war break out against me,

even then I will be confident.

One thing I ask from the LORD,

this only do I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

to gaze on the beauty of the LORD

and to seek him in his temple.

For in the day of trouble

he will keep me safe in his dwelling;

he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent

and set me high upon a rock.

Then my head will be exalted

above the enemies who surround me;

at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Hear my voice when I call, LORD;

be merciful to me and answer me.

My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”

Your face, LORD, I will seek.

Do not hide your face from me,

do not turn your servant away in anger;

you have been my helper.

Do not reject me or forsake me,

God my Savior.

Though my father and mother forsake me,

the LORD will receive me.

Teach me your way, LORD;

lead me in a straight path

because of my oppressors.

Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,

for false witnesses rise up against me,

spouting malicious accusations.

I remain confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the LORD

in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the LORD.

Psalm 27 (NIV)

This is one of my favorite passages of scripture. It reminds me that I have no reason to fear or be anxious, because God is with me. It speaks to the joy that I feel when I enter into God's presence. When I am there, I never want to leave!

This chapter also speaks to my shortcomings. Often, my heart nudges me to seek the face of the Lord, but I find myself caught up in other things. I say that I'll spend time in prayer, and then I'll find myself doing something else. And by the time I do make it to the Lord, I'm asking for His forgiveness.

Yet, I can always be confident of the Lord's goodness. I can always count on Him to be there for me when I need Him. His love never fails.

Give God the Floor to Speak to You

We are a week and a half into this new year, and I pray that you are basking in new blessings to go along with it!

This week I've started my annual consecration and fasting time. I make it a practice every January to fast, pray, and seek the Lord about the upcoming year. I have found it to really help me to cleanse my mind, body, and focus my spirit to what God has for me.

I would like to encourage you to take some time to God before the Lord as well. Take some serious time to sit down with the Lord and really hear what He would like to share with you. Use this time to listen. You may have your requests, issues, and concerns - and God knows that. But take some extra time just to hear from Him.

When we quiet down ourselves, turn off or own dialogue, and get still before God, He is free to unleash His all-knowing wisdom on us. He is able to share with us His secrets, His desires, and His insights. God is just waiting for us to get before Him and allow Him the floor to speak to us.

So, today find some quiet time. Get still before God and let Him speak to you. Let Him share with you His plans for your life. Let Him reveal the next steps He wants you to take on your journey.

He may not address your current issues, requests, or even your desires... But, you can trust that whatever the Lord reveals to you now is far more important than anything you may have on your agenda.

Verse of the Day: Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3

Seeing God in Everything

Some of the greatest and most poignant passages of scripture were written in fields as a man was tending sheep. While watching after his flock, David penned psalms of praise to the Lord. Looking after his lambs, David found ways that his relationship with his herd mirrored his relationship with the Lord. In the midst of his regular routine, David was able to find God.

Today, I want to encourage you to find God in your regular routine. Think about your activities and how they mirror your Christian walk. As you take care of different tasks throughout the day, find moments to lift up praise and worship to your heavenly Father. As you interact with others, choose to remember the love of Christ and allow that to influence your behavior.

Maybe you'd like to go a step further. Take a short break and pen a poem or paragraph to the Lord. Express to Him what's on your heart. Pour out to Him whatever you are feeling. What I love about David was that nothing was off limits. He was totally transparent before God. Whether he was afraid, angry, restless, joyful, or somber, David expressed it to God and was able to still honor the Lord in the midst of any situation. You, too, can do the same.

Let today be a day of wonder, reflection, and praise to the Lord. Honor the Lord in your work, study, play, and fellowship. Recognize God in the world around you. Spend time worshipping Him in all that you do.

Verse of the Day:  I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:1-3

Listening to the Lord

Today is a day of prayer for me. I am purposing in my heart to offer up continual prayer throughout the day. I am especially opening up my ears to hear what God has to say to me instead of just listing out my items.

Prayer is vital to our lives as believers. Communication with our Father keeps us in tune with what He is doing and gives us guidance as we go through life.

Jesus led a life of prayer. He was always consulting the Father, always listening to hear from the Lord. Those times of prayer let Jesus know when to be baptized, when to go into the wilderness, when to begin His ministry, and which cities He was to visit. Every move Jesus made and word He spoke was initiated by God's Word.

Are you living a life that is led by the Lord? Are you allowing the Lord to guide your footsteps, words, and decisions?

Prayer is not just a time for us to bring petitions before God. It's not supposed to be just a session where we list out all our wants, needs, and desires.

Prayer is a time for us to get in to God's presence and listen to what He has to say! Prayer is our special opportunity to hear God's strategies for what He wants to do with our lives.

Today, I encourage you to spend some time in prayer as well. Turn of the iTunes, tv, and internet. Hang up the phone. Get still and listen for God's voice. Really listen to what He has to say to you today. You may be surprised by what treasures He has to share with you.

Verse of the Day: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:14

Big God

What's so great about God is that He can never be fathomed or contained. As long as man has been on the earth, as many scholars and ministers have searched the Scriptures, as deep as people have progressed in their knowledge of God - there is so much more that has gone untapped. We will never reach the limit. We will never know it all.

That's how big our God is. That's how great our Lord is. That's how much higher than us He is.

I take comfort in my great, big God. Because of His grandness, He comes up with solutions that I would never dream of. He finds ways to bless me that I could never figure out on my own. He's set up principles in His Kingdom that will cause me to live a blessed and favored life as I follow after His instructions.

He is so amazing!

What have you learned about your big God lately? How has your relationship with Him been enriched as you've gotten to know the Lord? What things in the Word have you come across that you are excited to learn and apply to your life?

Take some time today to give God some praise and thanksgiving. If you haven't had any new revelations about your big God lately, spend some time in His presence and in His Word and listen to what He reveals to you. Every day is a new opportunity for you to grow in God!

Verse of the Day: I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. Psalm 145:1-3

Carrying a Heavy Load?

Yesterday afternoon I had a wonderful time in prayer. I just sat and unburdened myself at His feet. It felt so good to just let it all go and give it to Him to handle.

The Bible tells us that we can give God our burdens, and He cares enough about us to carry them for us. Our heavy loads weigh nothing to God, and in His infinite wisdom He can solve any problem we have in less than a moment. We would be fretting for weeks.

Often we get so caught up in calling ourselves responsible, or trying to do it all, or thinking that we're so capable that we wind up carrying heavy loads that crush us. We pack our schedules til we're stressed. The cares of this world pile up and overwhelm us. Our sense of duty leaves us weary and worn.

But, we have a God who can handle all our burdens. More than that, He's willing to take all of them on His shoulders. He loves us with a love so deep that all we have to do is hand it over to Him, and He'll take care of it.

So, you don't have to worry or fret. You don't have to be stressed or overwhelmed. Your Heavenly Father is ready, willing and waiting to take on all of your concerns and cares. Just give them over to Him, allow Him to minister to you His love and rest, and follow whatever plans or steps He gives you to take.

Yep. It's that simple.

Isn't God amazing?!

Verses of the Day:
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

Get Close

David is one of my favorite Biblical characters. Just looking at his life, you can see that he had a relationship with God. God wasn't just a great being off in the distance, David's faith wasn't just a set of rituals and rules he used to guide his life, David didn't just serve God because He was born into the Israelite nation. David knew God.

David spent time talking to God in prayer. He loved to sit and worship and sing songs to the Lord. David took the time to learn what God wanted from him and tried his best to live accordingly. Even when David sinned, he approached God with a contrite heart and repented (turned away) from his errors.

As a result, God blessed David immensely. He established David's throne, and even chose his bloodline to carry the seed of the Messiah. David's pursuit of the Lord caused favor to rest upon his life.

Forming a relationship with someone takes dedicated time. It doesn't just happen. It occurs after shared experiences, shared conversations, and even shared misunderstandings. It's funny, there are people - co-workers, fellow commuters, family members - who we may see and even speak to every day who we don't really have a relationship with.

We may share trivial stories or engage in the same activities, but we do not share a relationship. We keep certain things private. We don't invite those people to engage in more personal activities with us. We don't allow them to get to know that much or get that close to us.

Could it be that we do the same thing to God?

We may pray every day and even read His word. But do we engage in meaningful activity with Him? Do we have real conversations with Him, or do we just stick to the surface subjects? Do we withhold our inner feelings, fears, and questions from His heart? Do we take the time to dwell in His presence in praise and worship?

Like David, we should have a deep relationship with our Heavenly Father. If there is anyone we should be close to, it's our Lord. He's given us the privilege and the opportunity to get close. Why should we stand off away from Him then? Let's press in like David and get close to God!

Verse of the Day: When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. Psalm 27:8

National Day of Prayer

Hello Everyone! Today is the National Day of Prayer. One thing I am learning in my class this semester is that a lot of the things our nation was founded upon goes back to having freedoms with our spiritual lives. I'm so grateful to live in a country that allows me to worship God freely.

In the spirit of this day dedicated to prayer, I want to encourage you to make sure you talk to God today more than you usually do. If you pray once a day, try twice. If you do a morning and evening prayer, throw in a lunchtime one too. Just up the ante.

Some of you might even use this day as an open door to offer prayer to someone else: You know today is the National Day of Prayer. You want me to pray for you for anything? And then take them to the throne room. Right then and there.


Prayer is simply talking with God. It doesn't always have to be deep. It doesn't always have to be some super-spiritual ritual. It's just a conversation between you and your Creator. That's all.

Just make sure it's a conversation though. Don't do all the talking. Give the Lord a chance to reply. God desires to speak with us. He loves to interact and fellowship with His people. Don't let today pass by without spending some time talking to Him.

God Bless America!

Verse of the Day: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. Psalm 66:19, 20

Distant Love

Lately I've been feeling a bit distant from God. Through my own busy schedule, I've somehow found myself disconnected from the One who loves me most.

These last few days I've had it in the back of my mind that I need to take some time, sit down, and get into the presence of the Lord. Yet I haven't made the time.

I can tell the difference. My patience is short. I'm not as friendly as I normally am. I'm not taking the time to show love to others. I'm just living. I'm running here and there getting things done. I'm checking things off of my long list of things to do.

But I'm not feeling fulfilled. I'm not feeling complete. Something is off. And I know exactly what it is.

Me and My Father haven't spent any time together. I haven't allowed Him to pour out His love on me. I haven't been able to lay my burdens down at His feet. My mind has not had a chance to rest in Him.

So, today is my day of rejuvenation. Today is my day to get it right. I'm so thankful that I have a Father who forgives, a Savior who understands, and a Holy Spirit who comforts me through it all.

Maybe you've been going through your own busy period as well.  Perhaps you've been saying that you need to take some time to get in God's presence. Maybe  your spirit is crying out to meet with God too.

Don't let another day pass by without you having some quality time with the Lord. Don't allow your busy schedule to keep you out of the throne room of God. We need visits to His presence to live this life victoriously. We can't stay on track without in-depth conversations with the Lord. With Him we receive guidance, strength, and joy. We can't keep missing out on our portion.

Verse of the Day: Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. 1 Chronicles 16:8-11

Enjoy Life!

Take some time to enjoy Life!

Moments ago I booked some plane tickets for a girls' trip that I will be taking in a couple of months. I'm so excited to get away, chill, and relax! It's going to be so fun.

Life has a way of running us over and dictating to us what we need to do at times. We plan our days only to have Life pop up and tell us that we need to reajust our schedules. We think that we'll be able to sit and rest, only to have Life point out six more things that we forgot to attend to.

Ain't Life grand?

As we roll with the hustle and bustle of Life, we still have to take ownership of our lives and take time to enjoy it. Everything doesn't have to be done right now. Some items on the checklist won't wreak havoc if they remain unchecked. It's okay to take a break and just sit... and be... for no reason at all.

Like the woman in the Bible who entertained Jesus in her home, I consider myself to be a "Martha". (Luke 10:38-42) She was so caught up in the details that arose from having Jesus in her house, that she missed the revelation that JESUS was in her house! Who needs to arrange meat platters when Jesus is holding court in your living room?

Like her, I often am so busy about making sure everything is getting done that I sometimes miss out on genuine moments where I could have been ministered to, experienced rest, or had some enjoyment. It is imperative that we heed the voice of Jesus and recognize when we need to be still. We can't get so caught up in the business of Life that we miss out on enjoying Life.

Make sure you take some time today to savor the world around you. Keep your eyes and ears open, so you don't miss out if a genuine moment arises. We're alive! Let's make sure we enjoy it...

Verse of the Day: But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41, 42 (NLT)

Check Your Reserves!

Is your spirit running on Empty?

As we go through life, there are times we have to dip into our "spiritual reserves" and pull up the inspiration, faith, resolve, or strength we need to help us get through a situation. It may be for us, it may be for someone else. But it's always good to have some spiritual ammo.

Sometimes, however, we notice that our reserves are low. We find ourselves scraping around at the bottom of barrel searching for something, anything to help us in our time of need. We cling to what little scrap we find and hold on for dear life.

Then there are those times when we find nothing. We find no word, no scripture, not even a prayer we can speak to let God know we need Him. (Hopefully these times are rare.)

It's always good to keep our reserves stocked full of spiritual sustenance for whatever may come our way. Spending time in the word, having conversations with God in prayer, attending a Bible teaching church, and other faith filled activities can help keep our larders filled.

Life has a way of taking over, and it can be difficult to find time to invest in our spiritual health. But it is an investment. And the return is valuable beyond measure.

Who knows what today holds? Who knows who may come across your path in need of a touch from God? Who knows what circumstance you will have to walk through?

Make sure you consistently make deposits into your "spiritual reserves." If your spirit is full of God's word and wisdom, you can face anything that comes your way!

Verse of the Day: He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Proverbs 4:4

Did You Get It In Writing?

Before we begin, just want to give a Father's Day shout out to my Dad. He is the best father a girl could ever ask for! I'm so grateful for all he has done for my family, church, and countless others. Love you, Dad!

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For as long as I can remember I've kept a journal. I have countless notebooks everywhere filled with my writings. I've kept diaries, written poetry, started novels, sketched out plays, and jotted down ideas. I've also kept journals of my times with God.

I have notes from Sunday services, revelations from my personal time with God, and my personal prayers written down in their own special books. I make a point to go back through these books to read and remember my spiritual journey.

Last night I received encouragement just re-reading a word that the Lord had given me one night while I was in prayer. Looking over His thoughts and instructions for me helped me to sharpen my focus and gave me reassurance.

Whenever God speaks to your heart, take the time to write it down so you can have a record of exactly what He said. Over time, our brains can get fuzzy and we can lose the essence of what was originally given. Writing while the words are still fresh will ensure that we can stay continually blessed from what God has said.

Think of how you use the Bible and continue to go to its pages for instruction, strength, and assurance. We know exactly what God requires of us because it's right there written down plainly for us to see. How much more can you gain strength from what God has personally revealed to you in your individual walk with Him?

Every word from God should be cherished and treasured. Make sure you write it down, so you can get the full impact of His words.

Verse of the Day: Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands. Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes. Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Proverbs 7:1-3

Show Some Love

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Our church has been going through the study The Blessed Life, and it has truly been a blessing to me. We recently viewed a dvd where the minister asked the question "Who is first in your life?"

As Christians, most of our knee-jerk answers would be God. Yet, if we would take a close, honest look at our day-to-day activities and behavior, God is not anywhere near first at all.

We may acknowledge Him, pray, and even read our Bibles every now and then. However, those times are often significantly shorter and occur less frequently than the times we spend watching tv, partaking in our favorite hobbies, and doing all the other things that take up our time every day. Even if we get a surprise block of time, do we even think to give some to God? (Be honest!)

We serve a jealous God. He wants all of us. He knows that we have to work, take care of our families, and have time for ourselves. He understands that. He's looking at our hearts. Our hearts reveal what we truly love. Our hearts show where we've placed our devotion. Do our hearts reflect our spoken love for God? Or, are we just giving Him lip service?

Just a thought to kick off your week. Let's love on God in both word and deed this week. Remember, as we pour out our love on Him, He will pour out His love on us, and our God is a fabulous giver!

Verse of the Day: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:21

God, Was that REALLY You?

There are countless mentions of God speaking to His people in the Bible, but my favorite example is the story of Elijah:

“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave...

I Kings 19:11-13a (NLT)

It's funny how we're always looking for signs. We cry out to God asking Him to speak to us. When we have choices to make we look for a special prophecy, three confirmations, and a dream to confirm it. If God set up a big blinking sign saying DO THIS, we'd probably just ask, "Lord, show me that's really you."

I kid. Yet the essence rings true. We look for the obvious sometimes when God is not choosing that way to speak. We sometimes go to someone else hoping they'll hear from God for us, when all God wants is for us to go to Him in our quiet time alone.

We need to fine-tune our spirits to be more sensitive to the moving of God. We have to be ready to receive from Him in whatever manner He shows up, and have the faith to know that it is God who is talking when He speaks.

God shows up in many forms, and speaks to us in different ways. Yet, the more time you spend in His presence, the more trips you take to sit at His feet, and the more conversations you have with Him, God's voice will grow clearer and more distinct. Soon, you'll find yourself hearing Him the first time and not needing a follow-up or confirming sign. You'll know immediately that it was Him, and will be able to move forward accordingly.

So stop looking for more signs and get before God. Once you get to know the Source, you won't need the extras.

Verse of the Day: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me... John 10:27

Fast Food Days

In today's time management, multi-tasking world, we all have mastered the art of doing more than one thing at a time. I like to think of our lives now as "fast-food days." Like fast food is chock full of empty calories, we pack in so many activities in our daily routines that really don't bring any quality to our lives.

We go in to work putting on make-up, eating breakfast, and catching up on the news while we drive. We do our work with our online radios playing, toggling between multiple screens, and holding conversations with our nearby co-workers. We get home to browse the internet, eat dinner, and watch our favorite tv show simultaneously. Some of us now can't get to sleep without background noise to engage the part of our brain that needs the extra stimulation even as we drift off to unconsciousness.

Let me ask you a question: Are you enjoying all this extra life you're taking in?

Seriously, when you really think about it, are you really gaining better value from your life simply from piling more of it on your plate?

Can you remember the last good meal you had? How about a really engaging conversation? What's the last movie you watched that made you cry?

Nine times out of ten I bet you that experience had your full attention. If that meal didn't have it in the beginning, once you realized it's flavor, I bet you put the blackberry down! You probably didn't even think about scrolling through your Twitter feed as you talked with your good friend.

The memorable moments in life have a way of grabbing all of your focus. Yet the ones we stumble upon accidentally are few and far between. However, when we take the time to look for those moments, they seem to pop up everywhere.

As you bustle about your day, take some time to pause and take in your surroundings. You might be able to hear the underlying pain in the voice of the co-worker you chat with and have an opportunity to minister to them. You may catch the beauty of the sun on your drive home from work today. Really listening to the world around you may help you to hear something inspiring or helpful that will help you as you journey through life.

How about taking a break from you "fast food days" and take some time to invest in an experience that you fully savor and enjoy? Have a real moment. Make a real memory. Enjoy something with your full attention. Then you can go tweet about it.

Verse of the Day: Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Psalm 145:2

Waiting and Willing...

You want to know the best thing about being saved? (Outside of salvation and eternal life, that is.) We get a Friend/Father/Comforter who is - literally - always there for us!

Wherever we go, whatever we do, however we feel, we have a God who is always there waiting and willing to help us in our time of need. Isn't it heart warming to know that our God cares enough to take that kind of an interest in each of our individual lives?

Lately, I've been capitalizing on my relationship with the Father. I've been talking with Him more throughout the day, mostly about big things I'm facing right now, but even the little things have slipped in too. Just taking the time to acknowledge Him, lay down my troubles, share my joys, and vent my frustrations has helped me get through a lot lately. Plus, He's showing things to me that I may otherwise have overlooked.

God cares about you so much! Every thing that you're facing, experiencing, confused about, or angry about, is something that He would love to help you with. Often we instead choose to run to our friends, family, diversions, or vices for comfort instead.

Take advantage of the opportunity to have a personal relationship with God. Let Him become your closest confidant and advisor. He already knows everything about you anyway. You should take some time to get to know what He thinks about what's going on.

Verse of the Day:  I am with you always, even unto the end of the world... Matthew 28:20

Perpetual Prayer

This year is proving both exciting and challenging for me. I have so many great things on deck that I’m getting ready to start, yet I keep coming across situations that are throwing some wrenches in the game plan.


Despite my disappointment with having to deal with challenges, I am still kind of grateful for them. Coming up against blockages have pushed me to use more of my faith and recalled the scriptures I’ve been meditating on back to my memory. I have been using those verses to bolster my faith and encourage myself in the Lord.

I’ve also found myself conversing with God on a more regular basis throughout the day. I used to consider a time of prayer as shutting myself in my room and spending time in concentrated prayer for a significant period of time. Now I see that I am having constant talks with God as I encounter different situations.

I’m asking Him more questions on the spot, and I’m really listening for answers. I’m realizing now what the scripture meant that said to pray without ceasing. (I Thessalonians 5:17) In order to make it, you’ve got to have a continuous flow of prayer going!

I’m further realizing the value of staying in the word and prayer. You never know when you’re going to need a ready word, and there’s not always a Bible around as we go through the day. Yet we have the Holy Spirit to bring things back to our remembrance, and we should be using that privilege to the fullest!

So, don’t despair when you encounter challenges and difficulties, they are prime opportunities to exercise your faith and show you how much you’ve grown in God! Keep meditating on His Word and keep the lines of communication open between you and your Heavenly Father. You are still an Overcomer!

Verse of the Day: But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. Acts 6:4