😎🐫🎤 Christ’s peace be with you. “It may look like I’m surrounded, but I’m surrounded by You.” and Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.”  These are a couple lines that could describe my past week. It has felt as if the spiritual forces of evil have been testing my trust in the Lord; just waiting for the slightest bit of doubt to bust open a crack that they could make a home in.  I really don’t recall ever repeating a scripture so much to myself as I have this past week with Jeremiah 17:7. More specially the last part of that “…whose trust IS THE LORD.”  From time to time we all find ourselves in situations that we don’t want to be in and wonder; How in the world did I get here?  As challenging as the moment may seem, take a deep breath and look for God’s undeniable fingerprints. Because of a human error, I find myself in a place “I should have never been”, if it hadn’t been for God’s hand in it.  Just as the Angel Gabriel encouraged Mary in Luke 1:37 when he presented her with God’s will for her to be the mother of Christ, we should also be encouraged, “For nothing is impossible with God.”  Looking back, there is no denying God’s presence all along the way.  So then, why should I start doubting His presence now?  “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.”  Bless others and be blessed. 

#MichaelWSmith – Surrounded

😎🐫🎤 Christ’s peace be with you. We all know that new year resolutions are filled with good intentions. Are you working on 1 or 2 character building/life changing resolutions that you will commit to, or 5 or 6 wishful thinking resolutions that you will never follow through with?

Something I’ve experienced, so maybe you have also, is that the first time you hear something it plants a seed. A little down the road, you hear a similar idea, which gets you to thinking. Maybe a month or so later, someone else brings that same idea to light again, but now it’s really caught your attention. That happened to me recently. 

Me consistently reading the Bible could be compared with riding the rails of a roller coaster; highs and lows with very few level straightaways.  Along with that is my desire to journal, but again consistency is a challenge. Not having a solid, achievable plan was my downfall. I’ve been meeting and walking with a good friend for about 6 months and quite often she would mention reading a chapter a night in her Bible. (The seed was planted.)  At the end of November, one of my daughters tagged me in a post with the challenge to read a chapter a day from the Gospel of Luke beginning on December 1st in order to finish his Gospel on December 24th. (Hmmm)  I accepted that challenge and found myself wanting to continue after I finished reading Luke.  With the help of my friend to walk this Bible journey with, in manageable daily readings, I’m finding that I’m also able to do my journaling. 

Is God calling you to join me in this life changing, life giving Chapter Challenge?  If He is, send me back an AMEN!  

No matter what your new year resolutions may be, make sure you:

1) Clearly define your goal.

2) Have a passion for it. 

3) Break it down into achievable chunks. 

4) Dive in!

Bless others and be blessed. 

#StevenCurtisChapman – Dive

😎🐫🎤 Typically at some point during the Christmas season, we get the opportunity to spend time with family.  This can be very enjoyable, but it can also bring up scars from our past.  It was interesting how God used some of those scars to bring unexpected healing this Christmas. Healing between individuals as well as healing of self.

For many years I’ve been trying to work through the hurt and frustration of a past relationship.  The thing with forgiveness is that, for me anyway, it takes time and multiple points of forgiveness. But why haven’t I been able to completely let go of this one?  God showed me the answer last Saturday when this subject was unexpectedly brought up. I’ve done some forgiving, but I hadn’t forgiven myself. I realized that the frustration and unforgiveness I was still dealing with was toward myself and how I allowed myself to act and change my moral values to try to please another person and cope with the situation at hand at that time. I have to say, it’s pretty freeing to accept that self forgiveness and allow Christ’s light to shine where darkness once lingered.

I enjoy starting a new year by going to Mass on New Year’s Day.  I would like to share with you a blessing from the Old Testament first reading, Numbers 6: 24-26 The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.

The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace.

Happy 2019!  Bless others and be blessed.

#TobyMac – Scars

😎🐫🎤 Not all of God’s gifts for us come wrapped neatly like a Christmas gift with a bow on top.  Sometimes that initial look at a gift is just a glance into uncertainty and growth that must happen before the gift is fully available for the receiving.  The cool, yet challenging thing about gifts from God is that they usually have many aspects to them. They really aren’t just simply a gift, but an opportunity to grow in Him.  I know a gift has been placed before me, but I’ve been struggling with how to approach it.  Meeting with a friend Friday morning, she guided me with three Bible verses, which were all from Proverbs. She then challenged me to read through the entire book of Proverbs over the next few days, before formulating my next steps. As an added measure of support, she said she would read through Proverbs along with me.

Where two or three are gathered in My Name, there too am I.

There is so much truth and wisdom to be found in His Word and it starts with the basics of seeking Him first in all we do. I know He’s walking this road with me.  I also know that even with Him right here at my side, I still try to do things on my own.  Reading through Proverbs opened my eyes a little wider to how God would have me approach this gift He’s giving me.  If you’re currently faced with a challenging gift, don’t be like me and try to work it on your own. Seek God’s truth in His Word and the wise counsel and prayers of true friends.  He is The Way.  Bless others and be blessed.

#PatBarrett – The Way

😎🐫🎤 “Serve in love, not out of obligation.”  Those are the words God used to wake me up Saturday morning.  Reading through the Gospel of Luke this Christmas season, I find time and again where Christ heals someone from their crippling situation. But heaven forbid it happen on the Sabbath.  Those that were so focused on the law could not see beyond the law to the person.  But Christ sees the person and shows us where true service comes from, love…Christ’s love.

It doesn’t matter if the task at hand is something that is expected of you or something you freely do, your attitude…your loving attitude, makes all the difference. People take notice and feed off of your lead. What kind of leader are you within your family, friends, co-workers?  The choice to serve in love is only an attitude away.

Start your day by sharing a loving touch with your spouse, child, or furry friend. Open a door for someone and share a smile with them.  Answer the phone with a smile on your face. They may not see it, but they will certainly hear it. Add a heaping cup of love to your dinner recipe. They’re all very small attitude choices that can change the world around you in big ways. Serving with an attitude of Christ’s love will change their life, as well as yours.  Bless others and be blessed. 

#Blanca – Echo

😎🐫🎤 Those that know me know how much joy I get from singing and dancing.  I was at an Emmaus gathering Monday night, but in the midst of all the Christmas joy and singing, I found myself just wanting to listen and soak in the voices of the angels around me. At one point I heard God say “Just receive Me.” 

In this season of gift giving, make the time to receive. Receive Him.

Luke 10: 41-42 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Bless others and be blessed.

#KimWalker-Smith – Love Came Down

😎🐫🎤 This week will close a chapter in my work career. Yes, I will be starting a new chapter, but it’s tough to let go of something you’ve worked so hard at building. The past couple of days I’ve been having this internal struggle. It feels like there’s so much noise in my head…like I’m constantly arguing with myself without ever saying a word.  What does He have planned for me?  Where do I go from here?  What’s my next step?

Within the Catholic faith, the first Sunday of Advent begins our new year, so WOOT WOOT HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Our new year starts with a season of preparation for the greatest gift we will ever be given. In this moment, we truly can’t comprehend the extent of this gift of Christ. We can’t fathom how He will WOW and AMAZE us along our walk with Him. I know He has some awesome plans for me and I have faith that He will be ever at my side. So, here’s to fresh starts and new beginnings.  May God’s wisdom and discernment be your guide.  Bless others and be blessed.

#MercyMe – Welcome to the New

😎🐫🎤 Do you ever have those moments when you just want/need to be in God’s presence?  This past weekend was one of those times for me, so I knew right where to go to find Him.  As I’m walking through a season shadowed with uncertainty, I find comfort and peace in what God had to share with me. 

Walking along this path, I found beauty all around me.  The sun is shining brightly to light and warm my way.  But there are also shadows being cast upon my path. Those temporary moments of darkness that I must walk through in order to get back into the light.  And, the path isn’t straight, which keeps what lies ahead just out of sight. 

Which will I focus on, the light or the shadows?  Depending on how I navigate my steps will determine how quickly I’ll reach the next pocket of light, that glimmer of hope in the darkness.  And notice how much light is just around the bend.  Don’t let the shadows of life keep you in the dark.  Focus on the one true Light to carry you through. Bless others and be blessed. 

#HillsongUNITED – Not Today

😎🐫🎤 Last Thursday I experienced one of those random, by design, chance meetings with someone.  It was a meeting in which I could feel God the Father’s presence so strongly that I was hanging on every word this man spoke, to see where God was leading me. At one point this gentleman told me, as I could see the physical excitement grow in him: “One person I’m excited to meet when I get to heaven is Daniel.”  He then went on to explain why. 

Friday evening Brian and I watched a movie titled A Matter of Faith, which asked the question: When you accepted God into your life, was it by addition or submission?  That’s a question worth reflecting on….Did you just add Him into the life you were already living or did you turn your life over and submit to His will for your life?  Where are you today?

Pondering the movie question and the Thursday conversation, Saturday morning God told me: “I want you to read Daniel.”  Okay, it doesn’t get much clearer than that.  I jumped on the treadmill and started reading.  10 miles later, I complete the Book of Daniel. So was it any real surprise when I went to Mass Saturday evening that one of the readings was from Daniel…NO.  

Daniel is a great example of what submitting ourselves to God’s will is like.  The faith. The challenges. The rewards. Seriously, who gets thrown into the lion’s den not once, but twice, and walks away each time a greater, more faithful man and servant of God?  Crack open The Book, peek into Daniel’s life and see where God is leading you. Bless others and be blessed. 

#Unspoken – Life In The Death Of Me

😎🐫🎤 Enjoying a campfire Sunday night, I was contemplating the value of friendships. What an incredibly important part of our lives they are and the blessings that are brought forth by them are immeasurable. Some friendships are like the kindling we use to start a fire; quick to ignite, leave their mark, but are also quick to burn out.  Then there are those medium sized logs that can sustain a fire and typically make up the majority of the flame.  Occasionally you’ll run across a larger, sold, thick piece of wood.  It may be in the fire awhile before it really takes off, but when it does, it gives great warmth and offers a pleasing popping and cracking sound. They are slow and steady burning, and not easily turned to ash.  

Each and every relationship we experience has a distinct place, time, and purpose along our journey.  This drew me to the thought: How do I honor God in these relationships He’s gifted me with?  Hmmm, that’s not a question I’ve really thought about before.  Realizing that each relationship is unique and will have a different answer, I thought a good starting point would be to consider:

1) How do I bring God’s presence into the relationship?

2) What else do I bring to the relationship? 

3) What do I receive from the relationship?

As we approach this season of thanksgiving, maybe take a few moments to thank God for the friendships He’s gifted you with and consider how you honor Him through them.  Maybe even consider sharing those thoughts with your friend. It just may be what they need to hear at that very moment.  Bless others and be blessed.