Don't be like these cats

My mother taught me that if you "can't say anything nice then say nothing at all". She had a lot of adages she lived by. Another was "It's not a mistake if you can cover it up" in reference to my imperfections. She said this often, "If tomorrow doesn't come, we don't have to worry about it".  I immediately worried if a tomorrow would come.

She had many sayings she lived by.  I have to believe those phrases were picked up along the way as she just did life as a mom. Isn't that how we all learn? Along the way as we make attempts, mistakes, tries?

Our lives are like layers, living one day at a time, walking to the beat of a heavenly drum.

You've heard that "oil and water don't mix." I remember feeling like a misfit most days in my family, so many misunderstood conversations. I suppose that's typical in all families to feel like a "square peg in a round hole". I was different, odd, a little left out and always picked on. I guess you could call me the "runt of the litter." I never measured up. So what happens to us that makes us want or feel the need to compare and criticize with those around us? Do we learn this ourselves, from our parents, our employers or do we just pick it up through osmosis from life as we "learn the ropes"?

As we get older we believe what our past has said about us or how our past has shaped our thoughts. Whatever the reason for our failures, either because of someone else or by our own bad choices in life, the hurt is buried.  I had to dig deep to stop this behavior in me, of letting my past pursue me because it's not in my best interest to be criticized and compared.  It led me to a place of low self-esteem.

Why do we do this? We seek perfectionism but it's in the wrong places. We must consider who we are looking to for our source of approval.

God doesn't compare or criticize His children. He is the One who holds the holy yardstick.

When are we ever going to learn that words can encourage or become life-long weapons against us? They can give life or speak death. They can inspire and aspire. Words are powerful. They can fill us or deflate.  Even the words we choose to say to ourselves.  Words can crush and rush the worst of humanity in a few thoughtless and most certainly careless conversations.

God placed us in the lives of others to build them up, not tear them down or try to dominate over each other. He certainly never intended for His love to be twisted in such a way that we hurt our own brothers and sisters in Christ and leave them for dead in the pew.

One thing to remember...hurt people hurt people. So how do you stop negativity from becoming a cancer in your life?

I will never find the perfect approval that my soul craves from an imperfect source. My self-esteem was bitten by the "disease to please". (Lysa TerKeurst)  If it weren't for praying this verse over my life I would still be stuck there.  ..."Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." Ps. 139:23-24

Has your perfectionism caused you to put on the facade of cattiness, gossiping, whining, sarcasm, martyrdom, cynicism, snide remarks, realism or feeling left wounded? Isn't it awful that the pursuit of perfection gets us to a place that uses our morphed imperfections for such word ugliness?  

"Unfortunately, there are people who criticize, chastise and ridicule others for their work, efforts and accomplishments.  They are like cats ready to pounce.  Their own insecurities are their trigger."  Bryan Hutchinson.  (Shared from his eBook "Good Enough:Stop Seeking Perfection and Approval")

Don't be like these cats.  Perfectionism only breeds discontentment and births an insatiable hunger for man's approval.  

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions.  Small people do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can somehow become great." ~ Mark Twain.

God didn't create us to be perfect. There was only Jesus for that.  God wants us to be holy, set apart for Him.   Our treatment of others and of ourselves has to change to conform to God's pattern of holiness.

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of it's Creator." Colossians 3:2, 5, 8 - 10

I love the way the writer encourages us to clean up our lips. This is God telling us that any comparison, criticism, or careless words towards ourselves or others said out of malice, jealousy, anger, pride, false humility or any other reason except for pure love, is wrong.

Maybe you have been searching for validation, approval, and acceptance. You won't find it in where you have been looking. Nor will you hear it from the life adages you grew up with. You will only find it in the Perfect Source, our Creator, who encourages us to live holy lives.

Everything God says to us is His love shown to us.

Look for the love that is spoken over you in God's word. Remind yourself to stop this negative behavior. When you compare or criticize you are discounting the work that God is doing in you.  That's not love...that's idol noise.  God sings over us with His mercy.

Where have you been looking for approval?

One of the big problems for this writer

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17

"It's not what you do, it's who you are."  What I nice comment from my husband who just read one of the best blogs I've ever written.  "I'm encouraged after reading that."  He's so kind and happens to be one of my biggest cheerleaders.  Comments like that affirm what God is telling me to stay faithful too.
Writing.  Overcoming and more writing.

Only the Lord, knows how much I struggle to find my way into this big pond of authors.  Never let it be said that I want to promote my problems.  Certainly sorrow has shaped a lot of my stories.  But by honoring God in these posts, it helps me overcome my problem with posting.

I always what to share the hope of God in each post.

You see, sharing here is becoming safe place now.  I feel comfortable here.  It's been well determined that this isn't a topical blog.  This is a personal blog.  A place of sharing, caring and embracing this crazy journey called life that God has me on.

So one of my big problems is deciding which story to share today, or first or one that will move you to see God in a new light.  I don't take that honor lightly.

Please understand that I don't have all the answers.  I don't, but I am interested to know God answers about everything.  The enemy wants me to not be here, but this is about God proving fortitude in this little blog, perhaps patience, and yes even endurance in my little corner of the world race of faith.

I am mustering faith each and every time in writing.  It's God's way of building confidence, security and faithfulness.  It could be that another problem I have is using self-control.  I don't just share my stories, but I share heart with you.  Our wayward hearts are loaded with so many emotions, that they can be deadly and powerful, all at the same time.

A famous author once wrote this about his purpose in writing about pain.  "The only purpose is to solve the intellectual problem raised by suffering; for the far higher task of teaching fortitude and patience I was never fool enough to suppose myself qualified nor have I anything to offer my readers except my conviction that when pain is to be borne, a little courage helps more than much knowledge, a little human sympathy more than much courage, and the least tincture of the love of God more than all."

I bet he struggled with writing too and what to share.  You see when writing emotions intersecting faith it gets painful.  I'm really sharing some deep heart stuff here and putting my emotions on the line.  It's really my heart's response to what God is showing me through the storms of life and through His inspired Word.

For me, that's my honorable way to process.  It's God's way of teaching me what I need to know to cope with life, to be prepared for all situations, but also to become more like Him.  It's God's way.  Any time you play the God card, the game get's serious.  I don't take my big problem lightly but honorably.

Can I tell you in this that it is becoming less of a problem and more of an honor?

I bet C. S. Lewis thought so too.  He's the author of many books, essays, countless words of encouragement and the above quote.  From his corner of the world, in his writing place, I dare say he wrestled with what he would share.  I would call his writing honorable and share worthy.

Be encouraged today that the good works that God has designed from His craftsmanship, are specifically carved out for you too.  All that He has placed inside of you can be used in an honorable way.  Don't miss the lessons along the way as you learn His honorable way of sharing the good works He is doing in you.  By honoring God first in what He's designed you with, it doesn't take much for God to change the world through you.  All you have to do is listen to His voice, and use the creativity He places within.

All of the sudden your creativity bears your burdens God's way.   For me, this matters, and I don't have to use a lot of words to help you see that.  That's God's job and in honoring Him with mine, I know He will use them well.  

Every girls fear she doesn't want you to hear

Psalm 44:21  "God would surely have known it, for He knows the secrets of every heart." (NLT)

There are days I want to just whisper this to myself.  "It's gonna be alright." or "You'll be okay today".  My daughter says I'm a bit of a drama queen.  She might be right about that.  Am I the only one who needs a simple "touch" or a text from a friend?  Perhaps just a message that says "I'm thinking of you?"  

The world we live in wears our hearts thin.  There are days when we just need some silent understanding.  Those days are when I can't help the emotions that rise up in me, I guess I'm a drama queen like that.  

Isn't that how God has designed us to feel?  Feelings and faith, one feeds the other but both are independent of each other.   There are not many outlets for expressing those welled up feelings. 

Many days I've dealt with a lonely and overwhelmed feeling, and strangely when I type these words it feels as if I am whining a bit.  I understand this is normal for a writer.  To top it off, it feels like there is no one to talk to about this.  So I don my fake smile, like you, and say that "I'm okay or I'm doing great."

You may not have the time to unpack my heart, so I'll keep it all in.  Stuff in down deep inside.  We all have a story inside or one that we hide away.  I'm wondering about yours as I try to write mine.  

This is such a personal place for me.

I tend to replay everything.  The good or bad, either and both, all of it, from yesterday, plus day before, projecting feelings, worry, anxiety and stress into my tomorrows.  I give too much and receive too little.  I'm learning to save some for "home."

Can we just pause a moment and say thanks to God for the incredible opportunities He gives us on a daily basis to start new?  Each day He applies His forgetfulness along with His mercy and forgiveness.  Even on the days when we don't feel the comforting strength of Jesus, we know that He's with us, all-knowing to our little secrets we can't speak of.

Oh Lord, we are thankful for your new mercy and strength everyday.  We must get past our past and forget those things that trip us up from going forward.  Clinging to our old hurts only hurts us.  May we invite You into those hurts to heal us and make us whole.

Whether this fits you well or hard, please know that God is working in us.  You see, we not only try to manage our emotions, we try to manage those we love too.   God understands and sees the feelings you tuck deep and those that keep you lonely of heart.

If you know someone who suffers alone, just remind them of how good God is, remind them that whatever it is that weighs them down, it will be okay.  Just love with these words.    

It's gonna be alright, because God made all things right.

You're gonna make it.  God just whispered these secrets and just like the verse says I believe Him for every one of them.  Maybe you found this helpful, if so let me know in the comments.  

What you should never say to her

My daughter is pregnant with her second child.  We laughed recently about the inappropriate social comments of well meaning individuals that say stupid stuff to pregnant people.

Yes, I said the word stupid.

Can I just say that if you want to comment  to a pregnant person, that you would please say it in a way that compliments and not tears down her self-worth?

When you see a pregnant person, say they look glowing with life.  Tell her she looks beautiful.  Tell her she is radiant with holy expectation.

Don't say..."Haven't you had that baby yet?"  That was said to me in the ninth month of my first pregnancy.

Or "Go get your own ice cream buddha."  My only response....blank stare.

An even better comment..."I had a shower curtain made from that same fabric."  And response was ....*tears*....

Seriously, don't you know we already feel as big as a house?  Yeah, we do.

This is your official warning to watch your words, think before you speak..... always.

Speak life.  Be kind.

She's growing life, bearing the pains of childbirth, and giving birth to new life.

Stop speaking negatives to a positive.

Stop it.

Can I just say that if you want to comment to an another person, that you would please say it in a way that encourages and not tears down her self-worth for the sake of your need to be funny or heard?

1 Thessalonians 5:11  "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up...."

Ten good reasons to be kind these days

Put a cute baby face on your post and you'll read anything right?

Here's your ten good reasons to be kind these days...

1.  Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) ~ "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

2.  Luke 6:35 (ESV) ~ "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil."

3.  Proverbs 11:17 (ESV) ~ "A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself."

4.  Colossians 3:12 (ESV) ~ "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience..."

5.  Proverbs 31:26 (ESV) ~ "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."

6.  1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV) ~"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

7.  Galatians 6:10 (ESV) "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

8.  Colossians 3:14 (ESV) "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

9.  1 John 3:17 (ESV) "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him,how does God's love abide in him?"

10.  Galatians 5:22 (ESV) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness..."

And if you need more than these reasons...here's what I have found out about being kind:

A kind word while your waiting, or not

....when you are buying a lot

....when you hear singing that's not so hot....

Goes, gives, grows...multiplies joy.

Let me explain further.

A kind word makes a difference.   And what this world needs is more kind words towards each other.
A kind word gifts joy. Try it sometime...you will be amazed at the response.

Seriously, if you don't do anything else during these Advent days give the gift of kindness, especially in your words.

"Lift your head a little higher,

Spread the love like fire,

Hope will fall like rain,

When you speak life with the words you say." 

~ tobyMac, Speak Life

You will be surprised what a hurting world will do when it is met with kindness.

Hurt people hurt people. Jesus is the pure example of intruding on our the hurting world in the face of rejection and hatred. It didn't stop Him, so it shouldn't stop us.

"Look into the eyes of the brokenhearted;
Watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope," ~ tobyMac, Speak Life

Be kind.

Try it ....it works!

Now practice...say something nice...(if you want to say something kind about this post, isn't that a great place to start?)

Anyone need a worn pair of socks?

Ever think about what you are good at, but then fail to see and believe that it is a gift?  About three years ago with a workshop offered by my church, God showed me that writing was one of my spiritual gifts.  

I remember that weekend like yesterday, something snapped inside my heart. 

God was there to smile on the recovery my dream and gave me a sneak peak into how to have a written voice.  Plus He showed me a little of my own creativity by crafting my own mission statement!

Since then God has been at work and watered the seeds of faith and brought alongside some early believers in this dream.  Germination of a mighty dream began that weekend but God didn't leave it there..He sealed the promise with His truth.  

Habakkuk 2:2-4  "Then the Lord replied:  'Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald my run with it.  For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.  Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.  ....but the righteous will live by his faith'"( faithfulness as it says in the footnotes of my Bible.)

By telling you the start of my dream from three years ago, I see this verse as being HUGE now.

Don't you just love it when God connects your dreams?  Ever have those "aha" moments with God to say..."So back then you were leading up to this day?"  Those moments when your heart is filled with a little more understanding, and then you are caught wondering if God is showing you a little more than one little inch of a step ...oooh it's a little exciting over here in this little corner of the world...where's my notebook!

The important thing is not how I got here to this new day full of new things, new goals, and a new direction... but why I'm here.

I am at this point because back then, because I allowed my heart to be submissive to God's authority in my life.  I prayed a full surrender, trusting with my whole heart prayer that if God gives, then I had to trust Him with the results of the gift.  Also I have to trust Him for the opportunities to use the gift given.  

It's my love response back to the Giver.  Full trust in this.  

I know this about God that if I obey to "write it down" then, God will make my someday happen. 

But it's not without a lot of work, trust, and even more belief that God will.  God believes in your dreams if they are God-given dreams.  God keeps His promises to you. 

I have to tell you, from my little corner of the world, there were so many hurdles regarding my personal place, value, self-esteem and confidence to overcome before getting to a right place where God was calling me.  

I started as a journalist.  I started to believe God in this dream and in His faithfulness.   

The good news is that God is walking me through my issues.  This incredible journey honestly began back then on that Chazown weekend.  My heart couldn't wait for someday, so I gathered up all the gumption I could with just enough faith to start towards today.

When you show up before a Holy God with your heart surrendered, packed full of dreams, and lay it all down before Him then you have to trust God to show you what to do.  

Ever think about how we pursue His gifts more than the Giver himself?  

Even though it's hard, and this sounds big and deep, you know what?  I do it all over again, only the second time around I would have not delayed my obedience.  I would have come around sooner, to see God's truth.  When you invite God to your dreams, He will see your dreams through to His end for His glory.  (tweet this and link to this post!)

Just hold on to your socks, because He's gonna show you deep and unsearchable things. Even immeasurable and amazing details, and then for a little fun, He will mix it all up and show you some real truth to your heart.

Chasing dreams involves trusting God's process.     (tweet this! #janellekeithquotes)

When you trust God with your dream, He will speak life those unspoken places in your heart.  He'll dust out some of the cobwebs first, but will be all of up the middle of your dreams if you allow Him to do His tidy work first.  

My next step is to keep close to Him, keep believing in the Giver, and keep trusting in His process. Keep to what He has faithfully shown me back then, as I look forward to my new now. 

Anyone need my worn out pair of socks? 

When clumsy words come

Photo Credit

There are days when I can't put words to the hurt.

"Dear God, please help me handle the clumsy words that will come my heart's way. May I respond in gentle answers. Even when I don't feel like it."

I have been bruised by so many words by myself. Because I have been given a sensitive spirit to words, I wonder about those bruiser words we say and receive.

Who hasn't been on the stinging end of an emotionally charged zinger? From ourselves to ourselves?

Backed by the truth only found in God's word, I can put the negative self-talk in the corner to rest a bit. Oh yeah, every now and again it peeks out. But I am getting better at this.

It was the day that left me rubbing my eyes filled with tears and wondering, “What did I say that was wrong?” The day that I was blindsided by criticism...again. Man, criticism cuts so deep and lingers, bouncing it's way in our hearts, and settles hard.

Why is that we have rolled out the red carpet for access to our hearts? All it takes is one harsh word to start an avalanche of an ocean of emotions. Just one...and it hangs out and has an after party too, wrecking and wreaking havoc on our wounded hearts. Just a little poison is all it takes.

Words that are harshly said, just hurt. When people are critical it pierces. And no matter who you are, or what you do or how much chocolate you have at your disposal, one little kiss of harsh tones combined with words said without grace only breeds poison. And it spreads like the plague. It can choke, stifle, and shut down the most pleasant conversations. And it kills us, we who have those creative spirits. It numbs and suffocates.

I really wish we could take a little love pill and make it all go away. When hurtful words hit, no matter the delivery, there is damage. Especially when the clumsy words are not said under the umbrella of grace, of God's love and mercy. Whether you are the one doing the damage or the one receiving the damage, emotional repair is needed.

Words are powerful. They have the gift of life or death. The tongue is a mighty force to be reckoned with. God's Word to me are a charge that every word should be wholesome.

Hey...did you know that purity should rule our speech too?  Love should guide our thoughts, grace should spill out of our mouths.

Ephesians 4:29 "Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." (NLT)  The NIV version uses "unwholesome".  The Message says, "Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift."

Say only what helps. Criticism doesn't help. Pointing out failures doesn't help. Correction, without love, is unkind.

Are your words pure? Only when you are in a good mood? Or when things go your way? Read those verses again...

Let each word be a gift. Our words should always be a gift. A gift to others and to yourself. Something to treasure, to hold with esteem, wrapping each syllable with love. God's Love is something to give to others and ourselves, when we consider it a gift that we would a give to someone that we love.

A gift of love, so should our words be.

So about those words that just bust out of our mouths, the ones we blurt out in the car on the way to church, or when we have had a really bad day at the office, when we don't feel loved or don't love ourselves? I don't think you need my help filling in these blanks...do you?

Lysa TerKeurst recently put this as her Facebook status ~ "Don't let people's compliments go to your head and don't let their criticisms go to your heart." Could it be that really our insecurities or inadequacies are speaking?

Whatever your word motives are, if you are using worthless language to anyone including yourself, then those words are not driven by love. I know those that unwholesomeness doesn't build the body of Christ, it only destroys and tears. God has shown me that when you internalize the criticism you tend to say about yourself, you soon become the very criticism you are telling you.

In my search for Christ's identity I have uncovered who I am not. I am ashamed to tell you that I had to do quite a bit of digging, to see God's lovely inside of His wholesome. I found a few scarred places that are healing now. Nothing can tear my redeemed label up or apart because my wholesomeness is healing from God's heart of approval.

Knowing Wholesome is what protects my heart from the criticism of others, including my own criticism of my own flaws, failures, and fabrications. My unwholesome rule has to apply to myself, like it does to you. I must not let self-criticism slice through my heart, spurred by negative or unhealthy thoughts. That kind of self-negative talk is contributing to the contamination of the perfecting work that God is doing on my holiness journey.

Don't take part in the giving of unwholesome language. Your words matter...to God, to you, to others.

So what should our response be to those emotional charged zingers and clumsiness that spills and spews? Our response should be one said of holiness by acknowledging that we are all God's workmanship in progress. By staying calm, using self-control and not lashing out in anger, it will add peace and not add fuel to the fire. There is no restoration in compounding the hurt with more hurt.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.” Proverbs 15:1-2

When practiced, the fruit of the Spirit can be such a calming gift love. A gift of words.

A gift.

Let your words be a gift to yourself and to others. How do you handle people who hurt you with words?

The Cat Did It!

This really did happen, but at my house
it was a turkey sandwich instead of a cat food bag.

Not sure that you have noticed but I haven't been here in a while.

I've been fighting an enemy.  I dare say maybe you have had some experience in this battle too.

I am certainly not more qualified to fight this than you, nor are you more qualified than me.

This enemy has kind of taken me by surprise, but then I am really shouldn't be taken aback by it's appearance.

I could have been prepared.  But then how do you prepare for a battle of epic proportions?

I really don't think you have noticed because I think you are fighting the same enemy too.

So in my defense I could list you a ton of excuses for why I haven't been here in a while like...

• My laptop battery died...and honestly that is more original than saying the "cat did it!"
• My heart is pulsating with truth that I am gaining when I read God's Word and I am pondering some deep thoughts about a lot of things.
• My heart wants to write but my brain-meat won't let out the words.
• We ate ham for Thanksgiving instead of turkey, so maybe I thought you wouldn't like me anymore because of that.
• My brain might have melted or been carried away by those horrible flying monkeys from the Wizard of Oz.   
• I don't know who I am fighting so therefore I don't know how to dress for the battle.

Honestly, the reason I haven't written in a week is I have been fighting the enemy of busyness.  And it's about to eat me alive.  Consume me...so that begs a question...um....maybe I shouldn't ask that one.

I will just blame it on the cat that I don't have.  How do you fight the enemy of busyness?

For Those Times When You Want Your Load to Be Easier

We try our best at what we do.  And it seems no matter how hard we try...we still don't feel like we are good enough, strong enough, or jump high enough.  If only someone would just come along side you and make your  load just a bit easier.

Does it always have to be this hard?

There are days when the words you crave, are just thoughts instead.  

And then you question...why try?  Oh those questions...so pesky ....so risky...incomplete sentences that bump into each other in your heart and are awkward.  

And then you wonder ...... 

Your looming failures lure your heart to a sink hole of trapped lies that entangle and snare with their tendrils.  And wrap your mind till it's telling you to just give up.  There is no way out.

Your heart is so unsettled.

What happens if you just stopped?  Would anyone miss you?  Would anyone care?  

God.is.there.beauty.here?  

So as I look at the transparent soul…I inwardly crave the very thing that slips so easily from my hands.  Peace.

What a messy place in which we pile your lies of self-deceit.  Hisses from the enemy...

"You'll never make it..you'll never be perfect." 

 "You'll never be pretty."  

"You'll never be..."

Does it really have to be this hard all the time?  

Then...Grace swoops in and carries...deletes, negates the negatives, pauses on the positives.  

And Jesus whispers..."It's going to be fine.  Just keep your eyes on my Fullness...my Face....Keep your chin up...I am not running out of what you need.  Your green pastures are waiting."

Don't give up, stay the course....

Keep trying, you are stronger than you think you are.

Keep moving forward, keep seeking Me.  I know it’s stinking hard on those days. 

But you are more than those days.  You are more....  
God is more than your hard days.

...for today...don't look at those days.  

Can you feel God gently touching the ridge of your chin as He turns it towards His glory?  

At the end of all your tears you will hear, “It's going to be ok, it's going to be great.  The end is worth it.  There's joy in this journey...look to me for what you need.  I shall not leave you in want.”

"This hard journey you're on is all worth it.  See.My.Beauty.

Just stay close...sit in my shadows.  Lean in...rest...my little one.

I AM enough for you today, and your Forever.  I  AM what you need."
Peace comes.

Music Monday [This Is The Day]

Today's post is brought you by Phil Wickham.  Phil has simply put my daily "to-do" list to lyrics.

Everyday, I must surrender to God's grace and mercy.  Every day I must reset.  

I am not perfect, I can't be.  There is only one who is and His name is Jesus.


Everyday, when I read God's words to me, I am reminded of His mercy and grace that flows from each syllable.   "Can you hear it?"  Yes, it oozes from what I read, it's the gentle voice of the Spirit speaking straight to me.  And indeed it does call me to life, to His life of who I am and what I am called to do.  I need that so desperately each and every day.


So in prayer I surrender...as I run into the arms of my Savior.  And he is faithful to always be there, each and every time.  He doesn't move or relocate when he sees me coming.  Nor does He play hide and seek.  When I seek Him, I find Him.  I need that so desperately each and every day.  

As I move towards God, His glorious light makes my heart shine.  

Each day, I want it experience a new beginning.  Each day, as I bask in His mercy and grace, new each morning, it's good to be embraced in the arms of lavish love.  It brings hope to my day, it brings hope to my life.  I need hope every day. 


Not only is there a light that shines in my heart but there is a light that shines in the darkness that illuminates truth, so that when I align my heart with truth I am gently reminded where I need to change or put my focus. I need that reminder of purpose everyday.

I can see that Isaiah had the same ideas about meeting God...

To open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. Is. 42:7 

Can you see it?
A light shines into the darkness
Bringing hope to the hopeless
It's leading you to life


God's word illuminates my darkness to reveal His light.  That's is where my hope comes from.  And for me....I believe every word I read.  I so desperately need truth each day.

"You cannot expect to be victorious, if the day begins only in your own strength. Face the work of every day with the influence of a few thoughtful, quiet moments with your heart and God. Do not meet other people, even those of your own home, until you have first met the great Guest and honored Companion of your life–Jesus Christ.  Meet Him alone. Meet Him regularly. Meet Him with His open Book of counsel before you; and face the regular and the irregular duties of each day with the influence of His personality definitely controlling your every action." ~ Streams From The Desert

Do you meet with God everyday?  Do you give Him your first part of your day?  What part of God's word is speaking to you right now?

Book of Dreams

I call myself a dreamer.  I like to wonder about the impossible and wander down the aisles of my imagination.  I wishfully think of the possibilities and get carried away with hope of the future when reality tells me it may never happen.  It's the right brained part of me that tends to float and create.  I can't hold it in.  

Places to put my random thoughts 

I like to journal.  There are many new creations born on those worn tear-stained pages.  Many projects, to-do lists, wish-lists, prayer circles are born.  It's a launch pad of my emotional sink hole.  It's a safe and secure place to trust my words back to God.  It's a battleground of my transforming heart.  

It's a spiritual discipline. Habakkuk did it and encouraged others to write things down and then wait on the Lord.  It's visionary and the ways of the planners.  It tucks my feelings into God's heart.  It's a way to captivate my thoughts back to God, and as He captures my prayers, I tuck Him back into mine.  It's a glimpse into my faith.  It's faith words written.  

I have never really considered my thoughts being valuable.  I still struggle with it actually.  Some days, I feel good about what I have written.  Others not so much.  But as I pour into God's word I read the words that are recorded about our Creator.  I realize someone had to value those words to write them.  They were God inspired.  They are God-breathed. Those words are brought to life by God in our hearts and minds.    

There was the willing to lend some paper and a pen.  There those that scribbled the happenings of the day.  There were the historians of faith that were so moved by what they had seen that they knew they had to share it with others.....so great and so moving...they knew in their heart it would help someone.  At the back of the bus, there was one writing in a field journal to record on a blog later.    

If nothing else, I'm able to share with you how God has worked in my life in hopes that could help someone.  I don't know about the helping part, that's for God to take care of.  All I know right now is that I need to share with you here how He has helped me.  I dream that is good with you.  That you will come back and read often.   

For me, it's a necessity to write it down my thoughts.  If I don't I will lose it like vapor.  It doesn't matter if they ever grow into their own post.  I need to write to reason.  I need perspective with focus.  I need more growth into a deeper realm of faith.   That matters to me.  So I dream, I capture, I take hostage my thoughts.  I journal.  

You should try it too...just journal..."the shortest pencil is longer than the longest memory!"  And see what thoughts you capture.

Day in the Life of my Words

You don't know my thoughts but God does.


My brain hurts sometimes with all the words crammed into a tiny space.


Brent thinks it's funny....and some of my thoughts and words are.


But know this...the words I write are prayed over.  I pray for....His words.


I pray ....every time I hit send, submit, post.   


I write words not bring attention to myself, but to Him.


My mission statement:  To compassionately communicate truth in a real and honest way that impacts others and serves as a catalyst for service, purpose, acceptance, redemption, and freedom in Christ.


This is why I write.  I have a problem though with comparing my beginning to Jon Acuff's middle.  God is helping me through that.  This is a process.


Sometimes I leave out words that are important.  Sometimes I get grammar waaaaay mixed up.  Sometimes I see words that aren't there, I leave them out (there's a real word for this) and then... when....on my blog.....it makes me look like an idiot.  Sometimes, I start posts and have to change my words because it's not what I want to say.  Sometimes I am afraid to write my real thoughts.  I am growing.  Sometimes, my own words make my heart hurt.


Please know this....I thank you for reading.  I welcome your thoughts about my thoughts.  I welcome your encouragement.  That's not why I write.  I write because I feel that is what God wants me to do.  Again, thank you for reading.  


Thank you Brent for thinking I am funny.  I like that too.  I think you are funny too.  (SSSSHHHHH!!!!  Don't tell anyone!)

What's In A Name?

My pastor challenges me to be more Heaven focused. Sometimes I don't get that. How can we be focused on Heaven when there are so many things calling for our attention. With all of the myriad of choices, options, and mindless thoughts that go through our brain-meats, for me, I have to make a conscious effort. I must make a point to visualize what Heaven will be like.

When I was reading Soulprint, the book by Mark Batterson, I was stopped in my word-tracks. When thinking about Heaven I imagine that I am going to be speechless. That's quite a feat for this chick who talks for a living, but also as one who has a lot of words floating around in and out my cranium. I.am.out.of.words. I hope some super-natural talent takes over so that I will say the right thing. Or not say something dumb, something I shouldn't say. I mean once I get there I don't want to put my foot in my mouth and have any regrets.

In worship, on a Sunday morning, it is easy to go to the Throne room. The music and the focus are all directed towards our Savior. At the feet of The Master, just imagine....what that moment will be like. Revelations 2:17 says "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it."

Whoa...did you get that? Now you probably are familiar with the truth that we will receive new and glorified bodies when we pass the pearly gates, but to have a new name? This name is one that is chosen just for us, for me and for you. God already has that picked out with you in mind.

"A day is coming when we will hear the voice of God, and He will call us by a name unknown to anyone else but Him. It will be a name we've never heard, but we will know it's our name. It's a name we were given before our birth, but it's a name that will be revealed only after our death. That name, our true name, will reveal who we really are." ~ Mark Batterson, Soulprint.

This idea stops me in my tracks. To know that the Savior of the world, not only has saved me, but gives me a new body, but now has given me a new name...on a white stone. I understand now that uniqueness is a part of God and that He has given that to me. It reveals His greatness through me. Wow, humbling to say the least that He cares for me that much. In a way, it's like a little bit of Heaven invades earth through the lives of His people. This truth helps me think about Heaven. So....let's go!!

What do you imagine your name will be?

Knowing that God has a name for me, that gives me hope. Imagine the greatest moment of all eternity, when our eyes behold Christ, and you see the One who died for your sins, and hearing Him say your name in His words, His voice. Now you understand the speechless part.

"In that moment your entire life will make sense because God will reveal who you really are. That new name will capture the true essence of who you are, and it will encompass all that you will become in eternity. Your soulprint will finally be given its true name." ~ Mark Batterson. Soulprint

Are you speechless yet?