Loosen your grip....

He's got something better.

notes...

'You're holding on to something He doesn't want you to hold on to. 

...be transformed by the renewal of your heart.

You may be absolutely surprised at what God will

do in your life.

A storm in your life can destroy you or

it can develop you.

It depends on how you respond.

Your response is how you view God.

We need an anchor.

It's natural and normal for us to drift.

Storms are inevitable.

Our anchor is immovable.

If you don't understand who He is

the anchor doesn't work.

He can quiet the your stormy heart

and give you peace in the midst of the storm.

He knows all about our storms,

and He comforts, assures us and 

understands.

If you don't start the day with Him

then you have to start in your own strength.

Meditate on His word day and night.

He is a compass to us.

No compass

you don't know where you are.

He will keep you in the right direction.

Whatever the storm is 

He's at work.

Read the word.

Meditate on it.

Believe it.

Apply it.

It doesn't happen by osmosis.

be well...

xoxo

💝

 

Our life comes...

...."to us moment by moment.

One moment disappears before the next comes along:

and there's room for very little in each.

That is what time is like."

notes....

up very early to get some quality Jesus time

car half packed

blogging while eating a bowl of oatmeal

& admiring my freshly polished nails

 (Thank you M. xo)

my heart is racing

I get to see my family today

it's been way too long

running on coffee and excitement

~

God is good- always good

God is loving- always, entirely loving

God is always involved in the cares of your life

God is in control

do the best you can do

it's not all up to you

believe in the kind of Love that is true

Love will not give up on you

journey through the wild of where you are

Celebrate the life unfolding before your eyes

pay attention to the stories

listen

keep an open heart

breathe

"Love goes deeper than what you can see

it rattles the soul."

~

'Live fully in the present, depending on Me each moment.

Train your mind to seek Me continuously.

Rely and lean on Me in every situation.

This will enable you to enjoy life more

& face the day confidently.

You are never working alone.

Include Me in more and more of your moments

See me shining brightly on your future.

Focus on the abundance around you.

Love and be loved.'

~Jesus

 

Life is a story...

...and you can have a beautiful 

love story.

Remember the root command:

Love one another.

notes...

up early

my brother & his girlfriend in town

frosting for cake...decided

suitcases semi packed

gifts wrapped & bows tied

a bit of wonk that tries to steal my joy

standing steadfast, but feeling the weight

of the wonk

friends that have my back

and some empowering words from sister A...

"I love you ! You've got this-

you're "unf--kwithable"

Things is, with God on my side...

...I believe her.

the Blue Jay keeps squawking in the tree...

so I finally look it up...

'communication, protection, and a push to speak your truth'

...and then... silence

~

What is the story you are living in?

Is it the story God is telling?

Who is the bad guy?

Who is the Hero?

Who or what are you looking to to save the day?

Where does hope lie?

Is Jesus central in your story?

say a quiet "yes" to God

get serious

really serious

get down on your knees

it's the only way you'll get on your feet

in silence you can hear your intuition speak

in stillness you find your balance

wait...

...however many times you banged your head against the wall

time is a valuable thing

trust that all is on schedule

something is being worked out

direct your attention elsewhere

practice acceptance and gratitude 

deal with your frustration and impatience

focus on the power available to you

you do have a life to live while you're waiting

go about living it

~

'I understand the stresses and strains that have afflicted you.

You can vent safely to Me.

I will put My thoughts in your mind and My song in your heart.

Be sensitive to Me.

I am closer than the air you breathe.

I am constantly available to you.

Awareness of My abiding Presence will protect you.

My knowledge of you is picture perfect and it 

is framed in unconditional Love.

I will fill you with Life to the Full.

I am your Peace-

there is no need to live in fear.

I will deliver you.

Remember, you didn't choose Me;

I chose you. 

Get your directions from Me &

I will enable you to produce fruit.

Don't try to make sense of the ongoing confusion.

Think of all the beautiful things taking place right now.'

~Jesus

(sources: Jesus Calling, Jesus Today, Charles Stanley devo. & Journal of Letting Go)

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Our feelings come and go.

His love for us does not.

When the most important things in our life happen

we often do not know, at the moment, 

what is going on."

C.S. Lewis

"I'll refresh tired bodies.

I'll restore tired souls."

~Jeremiah 31:25

"To trust means, of course, trying to do all He says.

There would be no sense in saying you trusted

a person if you would not take his advice."

C. S. Lewis

 

Mental health is...

....vital to your happiness

as it goes with your thought life,

so it goes with your joy, hope, peace,

and perspective on all things.

You don't want your thoughts just wandering here,

there, and everywhere.

notes....

very heady this morning

longer than usual Jesus time

determined to seek His face unhindered

yet speculation, worry & playing

out scenarios are mentally, emotionally

and spiritually wreaking havoc

Allowing His Spirit to anchor me in the beauty

of what is true...

has been quite challenging today.

~

you live in a battle for the truth

who gets to determine the narrative for you?

Give God your thoughts

focus, attention, imagination, memory 

and interpretation of events...

fix your thoughts on what is true about God

and yourself

believe it

hold fast to it

take a break from those things that fragment your attention

direct and redirect your mind to Him

entrust to Him everything that concerns you

the mind governed by the Spirit is life & peace

pay attention to where your thoughts start to wander

your sense of true north is off

leading you to winding trails that lead nowhere

reach for what fills your soul

release feelings of guilt or judgement

allow your soul to speak its truth

allow your Spirit to be your guide

~

'It is vital that you pace yourself according to My timing:

neither dashing ahead or lagging behind.

I will help you in these matters.

The more you seek Me the better your life will be.

Get quiet.

Release distraction.

Turn your attention inward to love Me

who lives in you.

Awareness of My presence strengthens you 

as you receive & respond to My Love.

Let My love flow into you continually.

Your need for Me is as constant 

as the outflow of My love for you.

Look beyond the flux of circumstances,

and discover Me gazing lovingly back at you.

Trust that I will see you through.'

~Jesus

(Sources: Jesus Calling, Jesus Lives, Charles Stanley devo. God Loves Me by Mark Dejesus)

be well...

xoxo

💖

"If you could sense how important you are to the lives

of those you meet.

How important you can be to people you may never

even dream of.

There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting

with another person."

~Fred Rogers~

 

Refuge is something....

.... you choose-

something you enter into.

"On the whole,

God's love for us is a much safer subject

to think about

then our love for Him."

~C.S. Lewis~

notes....

loving these chilly mornings and warm afternoons

it reminds me of back home.

hubby led me to the back yard to show me the Moon & Jupiter

hanging out together

*sweet*

"occultation"

he said...."whatever that means?"

and we both shrugged and laughed

my neighbor delivered cake samples yesterday

with her daughter, and Ellie (goat)

American butter cream

Ermine

Italian meringue

and Swiss meringue

cake and coffee for breakfast

listening to the men cut up a tree on the next block

laughing and whooping as they work

good vibes in the hood 

~

refuge is the souls deepest need

refuge is not merely a state of mind

an assurance of the heart

it is reality

palpable

take a simple step of choosing 

this moment to return to

the shelter of God's presence

don't wait

He is as tender toward you

 as a Shepherd is to his sheep

be willing to follow Him wholeheartedly

wherever He leads

with glad anticipation

where there are gaps in your life

let God be God

leave the how and when in His hands

and acknowledge they are

His responsibility

it's what we trust in but don't see

that keeps us going

(2Corin. 5: 7 MSG)

He guards even the smallest details

of your life

depend on Him for everything you need

(Psalm 33:20 MSG)

be well...

xoxo

💖

Though you don't know what lies ahead

I know; and that's enough.

Some of my richest blessings are just right around

the bend: out of sight, but nonetheless

very real.

Anticipate blessings as we travel together.

I never fail to hear your prayers

& answer them wisely.

If My will differs from your request,

simply thank Me.

This will draw you closer to Me in the disappointment.

I assure you My ways are good.

I reserve My best for those who are willing to wait on Me

in faith-

even when they see nothing happening.

Stay close to Me and wait.

I am working things in your life

you could never do for yourself.

You won't be disappointed.

I'll Love you with all I got!

~Jesus~

(source: Message Bible, Charles Stanley Devo. Jesus Lives)

 

Learn to let go....

....into the wild of things,

learn to grow as things unfold.

sign: transformation, strength in adversity, personal growth
and evolution

The natural world's saturated with beauty,

and beauty nourishes the soul.

 

A fuzzy caterpillar with sixteen legs

goes into a chrysalis & emerges as a beautiful

winged butterfly that knows it's way to Mexico.

'The way you come alive in this world 

might not look like everyone else's,

and that's okay.'

~

notes....

Spirit will come to you in ways you will receive Him

learn to let yourself be guided in truth

allow yourself to have your own process

you will discover your truths at the right time

as you grow

your experiences will expand in new ways

lay down the skeptic

take a few deep breaths

you don't see the oxygen but it's keeping you alive

 love keeps you alive

you don't see it 

but it surrounds you 

you can't force things

remain open

don't close your mind

take steps necessary to develop

self-mastery

you have the capacity to shed your

old self and embrace new beginnings

emerging stronger, wiser and more beautiful

than before

use your time wisely

a thankful attitude is helpful

overcome life's challenges with grace

and fortitude

be well....

xoxo

💝

'Your pursuit of Me is actually a response

to my ardent pursuit of you.

You don't have to batter down doors between us.

Just open the door of your heart to Me.

I've already thrown open My door to you.

I want you to realize how utterly safe you are-

in My perfect persistent Love.

Bask in your life of praise.

Be more receptive to My blessings.

In faith, be on the lookout for good things

great and small.

At the end of the day 

take time to ponder what you have learned &

to savor the gifts you have found.

Love and be loved.'

~Jesus~

(sources: Message Bible, Jesus Today, Jesus Calling)

~

"The wind carries things away and brings other things closer.

It doesn't think about the destination;

it just blows where the current takes it.

As the wind travels, it picks things up

 only to set them down in a new location.

The wind doesn't hold on tight,

because it knows that nothing is permanent.

The spirit of wind is letting go.

Be like the wind, releasing and receiving as needed.

Be fluid, given that nothing in life is permanent."

~Sunrise Gratitude~

 

What is desirable...

...in a man is kindness.

notes...

are you a kind person?

friendly, generous, patient, easy going,

warm-hearted, thoughtful, and fun to be with?

be kind to one another

put on a heart of kindness

it's our responsibility

kindness is a fruit of the Spirit

kindness is a natural, normal trait of 

a believer

sensitive to someone who needs kindness

there is no reason not to be kind

kindness is strong

God is always kind

God rewards you for your kindness

an act of kindness is the strongest defense you

can have

you can't fight kindness

pardons, provides, protects

every answered prayer is an act of  pure kindness..

it may not fall under your category of kindness

He loves expressing kindness

kindness involves truthfulness

discipline, instruction, love, gentleness

kindness....

His presence with you

never leave you or forsake you

it's feel-able

don't let kindness and truth leave you

it's our responsibility to practice kindness

it doesn't always come easy

experience kindness

kindness is close to the top

kindness can change your family

your friendships

it only takes one person

it is a gift...

we are the channels

do the thing that is proper

kindness changes everything

express kindness

be well...

xoxo

💝

"You can disagree with someone and still be kind."

~unknown~

"Some of you are unaware of just how amazing you really are.

The way you make people laugh, lift others up,

or spread some extra love.

You do this even though you are struggling too,

and I think it makes you such a beautiful human being."

~unknown~

"Always help someone.

You might be the only one that does."

~unknown~

"Treat one another justly.

Love your neighbors.

Be compassionate with each other."

Zechariah 7:9

 

Become childlike....

.... a child simply receives the promise of adventure

they live with an open heart, a sense of wonder,

& experience the joy of a day full of anticipation.

Open your hearts up with expectation again.

best things....

mom's call to sing Happy Birthday first thing this morning

 chatting with my Dad 

seeing him next week

a phone call from brother

opening the gift he sent while connected

an inside joke &

a very warped best memory as kids...

laughing so hard my abs are toned

my stepdad  finds my birthday written on a slip of paper

while he's cleaning his desk

realizes it's today

calls to sing Happy Birthday 

first time he's sang to me

a hilarious operatic happy birthday sung by an old friend 

left in my voicemail

a perfect fall day...apple orchards and pumpkin patches

apple cider that made my mouth so happy

the rest of me followed

an orange bird trinket 

 the orchard girls named nugget

nugget's now in my living room

exploring someplace new

 my kiddo on speaker phone 

talking wedding plans

sending him pictures

of the clouds

horses, goats, pigs, cows, sheep....

children playing, laughing & exploring in awe

dinner at an old favorite...

Mexican restaurant 

pregnant with my kiddo last time I ate there

nostalgia

an old jute box on the wall

 digging a quarter out of my purse

so hubby could play a song

he picks

"Crazy" by Patsy Cline

fall ice-cream flavors

a double scoop 

one eggnog one pumpkin

on a waffle cone

eggnog on top

a beautiful sunset on the way home....

dark orange, purple, and blue

feeling loved

a perfect day

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Relax wild one. It's not your job to be everything

everyone needs, and you don't have to be impressive

to be loved. Stop trying so hard.

Just show up and be real with the world.

That is enough."

"It is said that nothing lasts forever, but there

are moments in our lives when we think something will,

and it is the memory of those moments that lasts forever."

"Finally I realized I was never asking too much.

I was just asking the wrong person."

 

There is nothing....

....in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter

and good humor.

~Charles Dickens~

notes...

a  nice chilly overcast morning

 & the aroma of bread baking in the oven

paired with a freshly poured cup of coffee 

 a date with my kiddo in Springfield to celebrate an early B-day lunch

 definitely plan to indulge in a pumpkin latte for the trip home...

(it's been a couple of years....)

  a daily dose of laughter.....

and a few moments to celebrate a friend B-day too

be well....

xoxo

💝

"Lighten up, just enjoy life, smile more,

laugh more, and don't get so worked up about things."

"The cheapest therapy is to spend time with people

who make you laugh."

"True happiness is not found in materialistic things,

it comes from the love and laughter found with each other."

 

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."