Moved By Words

I stumbled upon a blog I used to follow and read an endearing quote in reference to helping someone find a relationship with God,

"With the Lord as my strength I will stay the course! [They are] very special to me. I can't imagine heaven without [them]! With you on one side, us on the other and the Lord before [them, they] have nowhere else to go but up!"

My heart stopped at the thought of expressing to someone, "I can't imagine heaven with you!" Doesn't everyone deserve to hear that? And wasn't that how Jesus truly and authentically made everyone around him feel? I pray to live a life with that heart for those around me! So if you need some motivation to hang in there, know that heaven would NOT be the same without YOU!

xo

Waiting

In moments where the unplanned or unexpected happens there are two choices - to give up or to keep going. My heart feels heavy in light of some recent life events and my initial response is to get angry. Thankfully, last night while I was trying to regain focus and understanding, God led me to 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...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."

Because of God's love I won't give up - especially on other people - but I will wait on God, trust in Him and be confident in his will.

// Image via Pinterest //

Staying Invested

Back in January when I started working on my PowerSheets, I picked my word for 2014 which was (and is): INVEST. As a transitive verb, by definition it means, "(1) to make use of for future benefits or advantages, (2) to involve or engage especially emotionally." My thought process was that my big picture goals require small decisions of investment that will prayerfully achieve the greater goal.

Trust Without Borders

Today's thoughts are bigger than I want to tackle but I've had this quote in my drafts for awhile now, so it's time to share. I have been moody this week (a true treat for my husband) and find myself feeling all kinds of illogical and emotional things. The easy thing to do would be just chalk it up to hormones, but I think God wants me to dig a little deeper and be a little more vulnerable.

I am a very guilty soul mixed with a to-do list mind which makes a lethal combination when I feel guilty about all the things I haven't "done" for God lately. The balance comes when I seek a place of trust (in God, my salvation, the blood of Christ, the list goes on....Proverbs 3:5-6) and acceptance of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). There are so many scriptures I could share and so much more of God's word that I need to study out, but I will keep it simple with this honestly raw and humbling prayer of David:

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard by cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
Blessed is the [woman] who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!
You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.
In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.
Then I said, 'Behold, I have come in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.'
I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; behold, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!
For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me.
Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me!
O Lord, make haste to help me!
Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!
Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, 'Aha, Aha!'
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in your; may those who love your salvation say continually, 'Great is the Lord!'
As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!"
Psalm 40 (emphasis added)

P.S. If you have time, I highly recommend heading over to Beyond Mountains and reading one of Jenna's recent posts on trust and joy through challenges.

// Photo via breathe Him in & breath Him out //

Ocean Front Quiet Time

There is something special and uniquely different about quiet times on the beach. Perhaps it's the fact that things are just put in perceptive when you realize how small you are in comparison to the ocean of how many grains of sand surround you and yet God knows exactly how many there are...