Good Morning!

Happy Donut Day! The celebration of another weekend..Dunkin..here we come!

Cranky or contagious..are you either one of those descriptions? As I’ve read through my latest Max Lucado book, he states that Christians, people who attend church are either cranky or contagious. Hmmm, got me to thinking. Growing up in a very traditional, rule bound church, my memories of many of those church members who were my elders at the time never struck me as contagious for the Lord. Now it could have been because of the expectation of being calm and orderly, personality types.. but if we are being truly transformed by the love of Jesus, by His grace and mercy would our lives not be a reflection of that joy?

Please do not get me wrong, I do not have a Polly Anna perspective about living a transformed life..its hard..and I do get cranky…..very cranky some days….but in the midst of the crank, sorrow and difficulty my attitude should be one of contagious faith and hope. I know without a shadow of a doubt my God is sovereign and my hope is in Him, not anything or anyone else. Do others see that in me?

It got me thinking, challenged me to become more aware of how others are seeing Jesus..through contagious hope, faith and joy or crank!

Psalm 117:2 (The Message)

Good Afternoon,

Have you ever felt like you are completely helpless when life seems to turn on those you love? Feel like you cannot participate in moments of celebration because you live oceans apart? Well as I’ve been reading though Max Lucado’s book The Great House of God he reminds the reader that prayer not only activates heavenly action but it is in fact one of the most important things we can do for those we love, in the times of need and in times of joy. 

God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. Ephesians 6:18 (The Message)

I was challenged when I read that scripture. Again it allowed me to take notice of my pesky need for control. I feel like if I can’t “do anything”, help out, hug the person… I can’t help..I’m not contributing to the situation. Hmmmmm,  but when I truly trust that the God of Universe is the one in control, is mighty, powerful and sovereign then the words I utter to Him are not only powerful but necessary and demanded of me as woman who loves the Lord.

It is a privilege to speak to the Creator of the Universe. Prayer is the most essential support I can give anyone. After all not only in my words pleading for those I am thinking about, my attitude, my spirit is also cared for in the process. Its a two for one deal! Now who could pass up that deal? I

Journey On Friends,

Good Morning,

It’s Friday, finally Friday! This has been a long week…anyone else feel that way? Thankfully it is Donut Day, my kids have put their requests in for their weekly car pool treat to celebrate the weekend!

Have you enjoyed something sweet to start your weekend off?  I know what I want but being the mommy of a sugar fiend, I need to wait until after lunch as ya know, I’m trying to set and example….is it lunch yet:)

I was walking to the kitchen this morning when I saw the most brilliant color blue sitting in one of our very naked trees in backyard. As I went to the window to take a closer look I realized it was a blue bird. And me being the bird watcher that I am have no other way to describe the type of bird to you except to say it was the most fantastic blue, with a white and beige underbelly. The bird sat so still, and then quickly took flight. It was as if she sensed me watching her.  As I tried to follow her fast flight I realized she was not alone in our backyard. I smiled as two other blue birds joined her as they quickly flew around looking for a new perching place high up in the swaying trees.

Now birds have never been able to bring me to tears, but as I watched these beautiful creatures take flight I felt the pressure of my hot little tears streaming down my face. God is so good! I have taken to watching birds as they are the perfect reminder to me of God’s provision in my life. 

In an earlier post this week I shared how God primes me for upcoming change by putting a check in my spirit.  As I have fought this week, with much more success the past times, to not succumb to feeling dread and worry this mornings reminder of God’s provision in my life through the flight of three little blue birds was so personal and special.

Friends, if you are in need of a special reminder of how God provides, for all areas in your life..ask Him. In any relationship when we get to know each other, we can sense when our friend is in need of encouragement. Mine arrived on wings this morning. You are divinely and personally loved by the God who ensures that the birds are fed, just like the verse reminds us..are you not worth far more to your Almighty Father.

You sure are!  I pray that today you get to experience a special and unique gift that only your Heavenly Father can provide you with!

Matthew 6:26 (New International Version)

Happy Weekend,

Journey On

Good Afternoon,

I’ve been having a few days where I really feel like the Lord is preparing me for something. Do you know what I mean? There is an uneasy sense in my spirit. I’ve come to recognize this “feeling” as the Lord’s way of giving me the heads up that something is coming. I look back and recognize this feeling with all too much familiarity. He created me so He knows without a doubt how to get my attention..for me it’s a feeling of unrest. 

Can you identify how the Lord gets your attention?

What’s different today is that I’m choosing not to live with a dark cloud of worry over my head. I am trying to have an attitude of alertness. By alertness I mean that I am keenly aware there is more information to come. And instead of allowing my emotions to take me a wicked ride of what- ifs and worry, I will chose to be alert.

My history with this feeling of mine have always resulted in major changes in my life but instead of freaking out- which I am a champ at- I keep reminding myself that Jesus did not die so that I would continue to live in a spirit of fear. I know that the Holy Spirit acts as my counsellor in a moments notice, that whatever is coming is not a surprise to God.

It really is amazing though how my mind automatically goes to something bad, something that will hurt……maybe its something positive!  I guess I am learning at the lightening speed of a snail that change requires me, gives me the opportunity to acknowledge that whatever I might think, God is sovereign and the plans He has for me will not be easy..because easy means I can rely on myself and not God. 

¹⁵For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.^[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,^[b] Father. Romans 8:15 (New International Version)

The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD -Isaiah 11:2 (New International Version)

How does the Lord get you attention?

Journey On

Good Morning,

It’s Donut Friday! Do I have to remind you that sweet treats are a must on this Valentine’s weekend! My Boo asked me this morning if donuts come in Valentines colors. Hmmm, not sure but I’m going to look today!

So in my “heart quest” this week I decided to finish off with promises that we have been given about how our hearts are protected and loved by our most formidable lover…Jesus!

Psalm 56:12 (The Message)

Good Afternoon,

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I’ve been looking into the Biblical definition of the heart and trying to take inventory on how my heart is ticking!

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Hmm, so when God was talking to Samuel He was very clear to make the point that “motivation, intention” are what concerns Him when looking at the heart. Wow, okay, that is a zinger for me. Why do I do what I do..is it for the praise, approval of others according to the Lord, those things are not important to Him. Hard to live out though isn’t it? I guess one of the lessons that we are to learn is that regardless, a broken heart, a hardened heart, a joyful heart God loves us and accepts us whatever condition our heart is in.

Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Love this one! So it is written…in the Bible…. that we will all fail at points in our life. Isn’t that comforting to know! Perfection is not the Lords expectation. Our hearts choices may not always be the best choice however God is our strength…… our tower! Steady, unaffected by emotions, unmovable..God is our hearts keeper. Great news…don’ t you think?

Journey On

Good Morning,

In light of Valentine’s Day which seems to have turned into a week of celebrations I’ve been thinking about my heart. I decided to dedicate this week to learning more about the heart and trying to get a better grasp on how God designed our hearts and the purpose He intended us to use our hearts.

After a full blown melt down (the adult sized one…not a pretty site) my heart was breaking and seemed to be in a million pieces. As I was “discussing” my thoughts with my honey I said to him that I felt like my “hearts desires” were left in Brampton. That when God moved us here He left my heart there. And in those particular moments it was an ugly sight as I was full on cranky. I laugh because at Christmas my sister and I were discussing when the “Read” and “Florence” crank mix……take cover there is no where you can hide to get away from the carnage left in the aftermath of crank. Not something I am proud of but we try to joke about our natural tendency to overreact, and then try to chose a different reaction next time. Umm ya..didn’t chose so well on Friday but there always the next time, thanks to Gods mercy and grace in my life! Can anyone relate?

Anyways back to the heart. As we are filled with notions of the heart as being the center of romance, love, infatuation, beauty and kindness I wonder if that is how the Lord intended us to understand and use our hearts.

So I started looking into what God wants us to understand about the organ He created called the heart. Here are a couple verses I found that speak to the heart.

But Sihon king of Heshbon wouldn’t let us cross his land. God, your God, turned his spirit mean and his heart hard so he could hand him over to you, as you can see that he has done.
Deuteronomy 2:29-31

So in this verse we are told that our heart can become hard..mean even. Have you ever had moments where you have felt yourself closing yourself off to someone, an issue, a problem? Shut down mode is a natural tendency for sure..it is a coping mechanism but according to this verse God can intervene and open you heart up again. Amazing, our heart has the ability to be open and closed. So are hearts are not static, there is constant movement.  We can chose those movements but are also not left to our own capabilities to keep it open or closed. The organ developer Himself promises to intervene when we can’t get out heart to open back up again. That’s great news!

Just make sure you stay alert. Keep close watch over yourselves. Don’t forget anything of what you’ve seen. Don’t let your heart wander off. Stay vigilant as long as you live. Deuteronomy 4:9

Our hearts can wander……hmmmm, so I’m thinking this means that without constant attention our heart can travel from being in a place of respect and honor for those we love to a place of disrespect and dishonor.  A wandering heart..not the type we hear about at Valentines but a warning from the creator of the heart needs to be paid attention to ..don’t you think? So many of our relationship challenges are rooted in choices of disrespect and dishonor………hmmmmm. Again I am thankful we are not given three strikes and are then thrown off the team. God can redemm and work through any poor choices we make! 

Deuteronomy 15:10
Give freely and spontaneously. Don’t have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers God, your God’s, blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures. 

A stingy heart….as in cheap was my first reaction. Yup I’m thinking cheap! We chose to give only a little,to those we love, to issues that make the Lords heart beat and break. According to this verse our heart and the value of the currency we give out..such as love, kindness, patience are directly related to the “triggered blessings” for God. Interesting to think that way isn’t it. Kind of goes along with the saying “reap what you sow”.

Well friends, I’m excited to learn more about our Heavenly Fathers original plan for the heart. 

Journey On,

Good Morning,

Currently I reading another amazing book by Max Lucado called The Great House of God! That man can tell a story and teach some pretty awesome truths while doing it!

I was reading over some of the names that characters in the Bible had for God. I hope you find them encouraging this morning. Not only is our God big, but He is good, all powerful and personal!

Jehovah-jireh was the name that Abraham gave God. It means provider. Genesis 22:7..a great story….read it for yourself!  Last night we heard of a lady who worked for a company for 25 years, only to find out they filed for bankruptcy.  She loses everything. After 25 years of work, she doesn’t get a severance, loses her pension…her financial security. Stories like these are everywhere right now. It is hard to resist living in a spirit of fear, but through Abrahams life we are reminded that God is our provider for all things.

After my reminder of my Jehovah- jireh, I was reminded that my God is also Jehovah-shalom, the Lord of peace. Now peace is hard to come by and I know without a shadow of a doubt that when I chose to let me mind go down the “what if” path it is just crazy making for me. My God who is Jehovah-shalom offers me a peace that passes all understanding. In the moments of “ahhhhh”, the only thing that calms this mind and spirit is a good dose of supernatural peace.

Have you experienced God in this way?

Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Journey On

Good Morning,

As I went to sit down and enjoy my coffee in “semi- peace and quiet”, I shook the container of flavored creme which is a must for me in coffee. I know I am a coffee snob but I just cant drink a cup without it…strange but true. As I went to put my beloved creme in my coffee I shook the bottle too hard and the creme flew all over the place…….not into my cup mind you but my floors, cupboards and fridge door got a mighty fine dose! Yahh, not such a great way to start my moment of peace and quiet! Then my mind started to wander as I was scrubbing my floors..not what I was intending on doing for those few precious moments but it reminded me of the cost….the effort it takes to make my morning coffee enjoyable. 

Isn’t life like that? We are willing to sacrifice, be inconvenienced, work harder for those things we hold important, dear to us. I was gently reminded this morning that my commitment, my desire to follow and be actively involved in my life transforming to be more like Jesus is not comfortable, can be an inconvenience and hard work. Who knew all these thought could come so early in the morning and without a full cup of coffee.

God is good friends! As sweet as my coffee is, the work I ended up putting into getting the perfect cup this morning pales in comparison to the sweetness we can experience in our journey with Jesus. How is your experience right now?  Is it sweet, difficult, stressful, joy filled?

This morning I am choosing to focusing in on the sweetness. I have no idea what is around the corner..but I will savor the sweetness and in the midst have I mentioned I am thankful for flavored cremes!

Psalm 119:103 (New International Version)

Journey On