We must empty....

....'ourselves of all that fills us,

so that we may be filled with what we are

empty of.'

~Augustine

clearly His hand is in this...Luke 1:66 MSG

notes...

a gust of wind, and then the rain,

so I moved everything in again

cushions and quilt thrown on the floor

breathing in the moment through an open door

~

Beautiful reminders this morning...

(sources: Jesus Calling, Jesus Lives, The Message Bible & Charles Stanley devo.)

His ways are higher

and  He is capable of all you need

pursue a righteous life-

a life of wonder, faith, love,

steadiness & courtesy

seize the eternal life

..listen to the wind words

His heart is full of unfailing LOVE 

for you

you can relax and enjoy His presence

since you know He is taking care of you

your tendency to be anxious

grieves Him

awareness of His pain can motivate you

to break free from this hurtful habit

He is showing you the way

one foot at a time

Luke 1:79 MSG

surprise us with love at daybreak;

then we'll skip and dance all day long

Ps. 90:14 MSG

walk right up to Him 

and get what He is so ready to give.

Take the mercy & accept His help

He will take care of everything you need

He wants you to obey Him out of Love,

Joy, & Gratefulness-

not out of obligation

He wants to pour Himself into you

and shine through you

and give you a genuine Love

His purpose is never to break your spirit

or cause you pain

there is always a positive, crucial

eternal purpose in struggles

He works all the details together

for the good to those who love Him

you may not be at fault for what has happened to you

but you are accountable for your response to it

be well...

xoxo

💖

"So whatever you experience & however broken you 

may feel because of the trials that assail you,

always remember that I have a blessing in store for you.

Never give in to the thought that this is the end

or that there's a limit to My ability to redeem

even the worst, most pain-filled experiences

in your life & turn them into something worthwhile.

Accept that I know your pain,

I am powerful,

I love you unconditionally,

and I work in the unseen for you. "

~Jesus~

"When you speak to yourself, be more like a cool breeze

and less like a furnace of judgement.

Give yourself love and accept yourself exactly as you are.

Honor the journey you've been on with acceptance and appreciation.

As you wake up, think about all the things you have

accomplished.

Give yourself gratitude and love.

When you slow down to recognize who and what you are,

acceptance comes in like a breeze,

making everything better."

~Sunrise Gratitude~

 

Another freaking growth....

....opportunity.

AFGO

Those often 'frustrating, recurring, life challenges

or relationship hurdle that forces you to 

grow whether you want to or not.'

'Failing to grow into new horizons can blind you

to the beauty of life's adventures.

You become like a plant that's outgrown it's container.'

notes...

agitated, frustrated, intolerant, anxious

and weepy.

I can usually guess what's coming next.

AFGO

Tired, yes. Too much caffeine...probably...

uncomfortable and edgy...yep. 

Classic symptoms.

Tempted to eat a whole bag of Dove Chocolates

and then wash them down with a 1/2 gallon of vanilla Blue Bell 

ice-cream?

 Yep.

(side note...didn't go quite that far...)

It all fits.

It's a process I've repeated 

times a zillion.

Hate it ? yes!

Grateful ? again....yes, with reluctance.

Until I give it time...let it come up, and wait for 

the tsunami to hit, linger, and linger....

until it cleanses whatever it is...

(which I usually am aware of what it is....the "thing")

until it follows it's natural process....

I'm stuck in the precursor of the emerging "thing."

Once it's over....

and it is over...

(*Hallelujah!!)

there's a certain peace, (exhaustion) relief, and humility.

I feel it all today.

~

renew your mind with the objective truth

of the Bible

"Spirit's thoughts on paper"

there is no division between logic & spiritual

when all is said and done

it makes perfect sense

things come alive

you see something new

you will have more understanding

look for principles 

principles are timeless truths

like the laws of nature

you will know when it is meant for you

Spirit will lift something out of the context for you

read a little every day

be encouraged to ask for wisdom

instead of direction

'He who trusts in his own heart is a fool

but he who walks wisely will be delivered.'

Prov. 28:26

(principle)

the soul is healed through union with God

His words are the fuel that keeps you 

functioning properly

no matter how much you think you know

always be willing to take another step of growth

growth is a process

and sometimes it is painful

if you allow it 

it will stretch you so much further 

once you determine not to let 

your current situation define or constrain you

humility is key

"ask, seek and knock"

Let go

Listen to your heart & quiet the ego

Love can create a path to understanding

in those moments

trust builds and love grows deeper

be well...

xoxo

💞

"The true challenge we face is to look at ourselves and the world honestly.

To see what wounds there are, so we can help heal them.

Not to flinch. Not to spend our life wrapped in denial and trying to avoid pain.

Not to avoid the feelings. 

'...the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves, is to remain ignorant

by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly

and gently.'

Healing means living in the raw."

 

Rather than focus....

....on the external.

Focus on the value of your time

and what you 

want in your life.

Bluebird: happiness, hope, renewal, & spiritual connection.

notes....

very early start to take hubby in for a c-scan
hard to be still and focus when time is rushed
but then again....
that's the point and the practice
journaling in the waiting room....
a prayer break and scripture over the intercom
everyone looked up from their phone and honored the pause
it was sweet
~


find moments of peace amid the chaos

inhale
exhale
& be who you are
even when everything seems loud & rushed
around you

learn ways to nourish yourself

accept what makes you 
you

be present with where you are right now

take a moment to be grateful
breathe

know what moves you

say "no" to what is wrong for you

speak up about what matters to you
let things matter to you

pay attention to the small
as much as to the great

seek out room to breathe in daily life

make decisions that support your physical
psychological
and spiritual well-being

you create your life every day

be well...
xoxo
💞


'Do not be conformed to this world
but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.'
Romans 12:2

"Experience one beautiful thing a day.
However small. However trivial.
Read a poem. Play a favorite song.
Laugh with a friend.
 Gaze at the sky just before the sun's final tumble toward night.
Watch a classic movie.
Eat a slice of lemon drizzle cake. Whatever.
Just give yourself one simple reminder
that the world is full of wonders.
Even if we are at a point in life where we can't appreciate things,
it sometimes helps to remember there are things 
in this world to enjoy, when we're ready."

 

Whatever we are today...

....is a result of what we've been thinking.

notes....

'What you think about is what controls you.

Your mind controls everything else in your life.

The mind is a battlefield in every persons life.

If your mind is filled with unpleasant things,

you suffer the result.

We sow a thought and reap an action.

We sow an action and reap a habit.

We sow a habit and reap a character.

We sow a character and we reap a destiny.

You are the one that determines what you're going to be.

Start thinking rightly.

Where will these thoughts lead me?

Will these thoughts get me where I want to go?

Will these thoughts build me up or tear me down?

Do you feel guilty thinking these thoughts?

Do these thoughts fit who you are as a follower of Jesus?

Some thoughts don't fit you.

What is best for you?

Seek those things.

Set your mind.

You decide your victory or defeat in your mind

Your feet are going to travel where you set your mind.

Say no.

You can say no.

He brings about the changes in your life.

He knows what you need.

He knows how to provide it.

be well...

xoxo

💝