Tag: Inspirational

Cheer Up!

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NKJV

“But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.” Psalms 5:11 NKJV

“My Brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4 NKJV

Watchful!

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NKJV

“You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others [do], but let us watch and be sober.” 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6 

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak.” Mark 14:38 NKJV

New Every Morning!

This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.  “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”  The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.  Lamentations 3:21-25 NKJV

God is forever making things new. New seasons. New revelation. New possibilities.

We should follow our Father’s example and move into the new things He would do with us. It is possible to free yourself from the grasp of your past without losing those lessons learned. Our past actually supports us when we gain knowledge from our experiences without allowing ourselves to become trapped by them. 

Like the hydrangea, our past makes our future possible. We don’t gain wisdom and experience without going through some “stuff.”  Those blooms wouldn’t be possible if I’d cut the old ugly wood off in the winter. The barren and ugly stems that survived the harsh cold are necessary for the plant to bloom.  DSC_0638 (2)

We would miss out on some of the beauty in our lives if God readily cut away those things (situations, experiences, trials) about ourselves that are sometimes “ugly and unattractive.”  Because our God is merciful and His faithfulness endures, He doesn’t allow our “ugly” to consume us. Instead, He allows it to build us into better people. Usable people who eventually fulfill our purpose and bloom.

Our transitions from old into new require that we seek and serve the God who can make us new. Many of us  propose to seek God. But are we really willing to serve Him? Turn ourselves over to Him?

God can renew our minds, hearts, spirit or whatever we have that is in need of fresh blooms. We must seek Him and often wait on Him, but to those who hope and wait on the Lord faith is rewarded.

If yesterday has you looking back and you find yourself feeling stuck or trapped, look UP instead.  Allow God to transform you into something new.

“A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the hills–From whence comes my help? My help comes form the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2 NKJV

 

 

He Makes All Things New…

“Therefore, if anyone [is] in Christ, [he is] a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new,” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26 NKJV

 There are times in life when we can all use something new. The trials of life can leave us thirsty for the renewing Spirit of God to come upon us, change us and often deliver us even from ourselves.

There is a tendency for regret, old ideas and misconceptions to prevent us for seeing with spiritual eyes the new things that God would do with us and often through us in what we usually perceive as ordinary and mundane lives. Sometimes we are so busy reminiscing about what was, we blind ourselves to the potential of what can be.

Thankfully, God can replace our old opinions, biases and lingering doubts with inspiration and revelation. The seed of a dream we may have forgotten or deliberately buried, God can resurrect into something beautiful.  new buds

Often the key to receiving the transformation we desire is a willingness to change. God can do the impossible with us, yet often that first step toward a new beginning is recognizing when what once worked, no longer works! We often linger in dead religious acts that are void of His presence or even dead relationships when the anointing of God has long moved on.

The birth of a “new you” usually requires death to the very things that hold you back. Bad habits, wrong mindsets and negative influences allow us to remain comfortably where we are instead of moving forward with God.

Receiving a new heart and a new spirit requires that we bury those things that harden our hearts. Fear, regret and anger are a few things that keep us from experiencing God’s best. It’s not that we earn our blessings but we most certainly can block them with our very thoughts and deeds.

A hard heart is rarely kind. A bitter or envious spirit seeks to take, not give to others. We all have qualities that we could do without, things we need to improve and remove. What we are unable to accomplish in our own strength, Christ is more than able!

Just as putting on new clothes gives many people a renewed sense of self by changing the outward appearance, God can do so much more on the inside which enables us to make a real difference in our daily interactions with other people.

Seeking God’s Word and His wisdom changes us on the inside and outside. This not only blesses us, but prepares us to bless other people.  DSC_9938 (2)

If you are seeking a change in your life, feel “stuck” where you are or your faith has faded, try God!

Renew your relationship with Him.  He will reveal more of Himself to you. He will also reveal more of you to you! Seeking God’s Word and His wisdom allows us to find our true selves.

It’s not what we see in the mirror. It is not what others say about us. The titles we may hold, jobs we do, accolades and accomplishments eventually fade away. But with God, we can continually die to our old selves and be transformed into the people He created us to be.

And what could be better than that?

“and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4 23-24 NKJV

Goal Oriented!

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.” Philippians 3 13-15 NKJV

Everything Has a Purpose!

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose,” Romans 8:28 NKJV

I was walking toward the front of my house this morning when this visitor caught me by surprise. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t doubt there are snakes around my house. They are pretty common here in Georgia. However, I don’t usually see one lying about so casually in the middle of the day all out in the open. Where is a hawk when you need one!

My oldest son came downstairs as I was going to get a can of hornet spray (crazy, I know) and try to kill it shoo it away. Cam wants to become a vet so his first response was “let me see it!” So we stepped outside the front door and sure enough the snake is still there. It had not moved. One inch.

As I’m clinging to the can of Raid, Cam looks at me and says, “You shouldn’t kill it. They eat rats. Don’t kill it just to kill it.”

I’m proud of him yet annoyed that of all the things I’ve taught him, he chooses to remember that one tidbit as I’m thinking to myself where is that shovel?

We look a bit closer and the snake apparently has just swallowed something.

This black racer or king snake or whatever it is reminded me that the things we often like the least in life serve a valuable purpose. Some of the very hardships we would choose to do without teach us the most. It is often the painful, ugly and difficult experiences that make us better people.

For some of us it takes an illness to find out how strong we really are. Disappointment teaches us humility. Compassion is often a byproduct of pain. God often allows the “ugly” people and circumstances in our lives to bring about a better outcome. We just have to look and think beyond what we see to how God can use it.  DSC_9534 (2)

Some people now working in their “dream jobs” never would if they hadn’t  first gotten fired elsewhere. Our enemies can often push us toward our Savior and His blessings when nothing else will do it! Sometimes the very things in life that seem to push us down actually propel us forward.

Then there are other times when a frustrating inconvenience later turns out to be life-saver. The flat tire you discover before work spares you from a fatal accident. Running late because of your kids keeps you out of harm’s way. The car that was sold out from under you later turns out to be a “lemon.”

We don’t always have to understand how or why? Trusting God is enough.

Sometimes the best route is not the most direct route. Our God knows what we need and when to get us where He wants us to go. His provision in Biblical times was often unconventional and miraculous. It is no less so, today.

So, if you are plagued with doubts or a situation looks hopeless, turn to God and trust Him. God can do the impossible!

He’s just going to do it His way.

This Memorial Day…

 

As we celebrate a long Memorial Day Weekend here in the States, let us be mindful of those whose sacrifices allow us the freedoms we have today. Take time to remember those who serve, have served and especially those who gave their lives that we may enjoy the blessings we so often take for granted.

“The memory of the righteous [is] blessed,” Proverbs 10:7  NKJV

 

Walking in Sunshine

Kim Gossling over at Chronic Conditions and Life Lessons nominated me for the Sunshine Award a good while back. We share a lot in common as mothers who have had to “manage” a condition in a child. We both tend to look toward the positives and lessons of faith and family that come from our experiences. Kim and I both love photography of flowers, wild life and share our faith in a God who is larger than the obstacles we face.

The Sunshine Award is for “positively and creatively” inspiring bloggers. It is definitely my goal to be positive. We are all faced with enough negatives each day as it is.  I’m constantly working on the “creative.” This process of blogging has actually stirred a passion for photography that is borderline addictive! Yet my new passion has also revealed so much through a different perspective that fuels my faith and stirs passion to share what I see with others.

Kim has my sincere thanks for is inspiring me!  In accepting this award here are ten things about myself. A few bloggers have asked me to share a bit more so here goes…

I am an introvert, I know you probably can’t tell from some of my comments on your blogs but it’s true!

I am officially the cat lady on the corner. Not really officially but I figure my stray porch cats earn their keep by keeping mice and snakes away (see next post). I also have a black indoor cat  named “Lucky.”  DSC_7107 (2)

I don’t like crowds (which may have something to do with being relatively short and unable to see when I’m in them!)

I’ve been married over twenty years to the hubby I met my last year in college.

Chocolate is therapy.

My mother and I were spared from a head on collision with a semi-truck. Traffic literally (in slow motion, just like the movies) parted like the Red Sea on I-475  outside of Atlanta. My mother had been praying to know God was with her. After that experience I told her to please stop praying for that.  It was clear He was and my heart couldn’t take much more!

I am the only person in my immediate family (not hubby’s) who did not pursue teaching as a profession. 

My mother’s maiden name, Shinholster, is German. My maiden name, Finley, is Irish.  My married name, Raphael, is French. Go Figure!

I am named after my mother, Kay. I was nicknamed  “Little Kay” before I was born and my father shortened it to Lilka. While my mother was in recovery someone let him sign the birth certificate.

I’m very grateful you’ve taken the time to read stop by and read this today!

My nominees for The Sunshine Award are

www.shadeakinbiyi.com

vwoods1212.wordpress.com

igivegodalltheglory.wordpress.com

lionelsneeddailydevotionals.wordpress.com

aikidonosekai.wordpress.com

kellyjgrace.com

levithetford.com

thewritemight.me

katebortell.wordpress.com

walterbright.com

These blogs make my day a little brighter and I suspect they will do the same for you!

If you choose to accept this award, the “rules” are that you post the award on your site (you can create an awards page if you like), tell ten things about yourself  and nominate ten other blogs.  There is no pressure from me to “accept” this award. I do think they are a great way to expose bloggers to great reads they may not find on their own.

May you read and write where the Son/Sun shines on you!

“But the path of the just [is] like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18 NKJV

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let The Son Shine!

“For you were once darkness, but now [you are] light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,” Ephesians 5:8 NKJV

Today, I spent a few hours in the sunshine cleaning up the remains of my broken pear tree. My husband and two sons did most of the work. All that was left for me were a few stray branches obvious only to my woman’s eye.

My roses which nearly suffered a catastrophe are looking better than ever!  It appears they are enjoying the overwhelming sunlight now available to them. In addition, the increased light allowed my veggies to perk up with new vigor!

I prayed for that tree not to fall. God didn’t answer that prayer. However, with the tree’s size cut by half (we’re waiting to see if it will indeed survive) I’m reaping benefits I hadn’t thought of before.

This little event was a great reminder of how God doesn’t give me what I want but indeed what I need!

I wanted to enjoy the privacy the shady tree afforded my deck. I needed more sunlight for my roses and veggies to thrive!

Just like me and my tree, we often fail to allow God’s light to shine in some situations because we don’t want to be inconvenienced. We may convince ourselves we didn’t hear Him correctly when God’s directives don’t align with our desires. Or, we can fail to embrace God’s light all around us when we don’t understand our circumstances or find ourselves at a loss.

There are even times when we fail to let in God’s light because we don’t recognize it coming from people who don’t think like us or look like we do. How many blessings have we allowed to walk right past us because they were not packaged the way we “thought” they would be? Friendships? Opportunities?

God is faithful. God is merciful. However, I have yet to find Him predictable!  DSC_6310 (2)

Giving and receiving His light requires that we open up our hearts and minds to endless possibilities that are available through our God. The things we think are the least likely to happen are often the most remarkable of miracles.

Illuminating God’s love requires us to redefine who is “lovable.” If that only applies to your family and friends, your light isn’t going to shine too far. View other people not as they appear to you but as people created in God’s image.

The person you cringe at now may be the very soul that saves you ten years down the road! We are all changing and hopefully for the better. However, everyone goes through their own unique cycles of development. Some are longer. Some are harder.  Only God can see the our end from the beginning.

Even if you don’t bring yourself to expand your light beyond a small circle, don’t block other people from expanding theirs. A critical spirit rarely illuminates little more than a narrow mind. Don’t dampen the light in others. Dare to illuminate it. Multiply it!

Shine your light outward and draw others in.

“He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.” 1 John 2:10 NKJV

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:15 NKJV

**And in case you thought I forgot, next post is for the Sunshine Award 🙂