Are you a sweets person? I love sweets and love to bake them. In my "Search for Everything" project, I plan to bake my way through a cook book - doesn't that sound fun and yum?? Anyway, I began to think of cooking as very similar to life and God's will. Hang with me on this one.
Think about your favorite dessert that you've ever made. Did it require raw eggs? Maybe some flour? Some cooking oil and a stick of butter? If I asked you to eat those things by themselves just the way they were required for the recipe, you would think I was crazy. Those ingredients by themselves are disgusting. However, when you put them together they make something delicious.
What if we began to think of God's plan that way? If we trusted the Lord and His ingredients. The lose of a job, a broken relationship, a disappointment, or even just a bad day are all awful things by themselves. When they are combined and God puts all the things He would have for us together, we get something beautiful. It may be tough sometimes to trust that all the yucky ingredients will make something wonderful, but if we trust in Him it will.
So, make time in the next few days to make something delicious. While you do it, laugh and smile knowing that you can trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6). He will make the awful ingredients blend together to make something beautiful. That beautiful thing will be your life.
I plan on baking a Buttercream Layered Cake with Strawberry Buttercream Icing!! What about you?
Ingredients:
LAYERED CAKE
6 eggs
150g golden caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
125g plain flour , sifted
3 tbsp unsalted butter , melted
2-3 tbsp raspberry or strawberry liqueur
STRAWBERRY BUTTERCREAM
125g unsalted butter , softened
500g icing sugar
4 strawberries , hulled and chopped
strawberries and red currants, to decorate Icing
Hope you have a lovely Thursday! Happy Baking and Much Love!!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Letting It Go
In light of all this exciting change and adventure occurring in my life, I began to think of the clutter that I must uncluttered in my life. As I began to pray about it, I realized God has a lot to saying on letting go. In Philippians 3:13-14, it tells us of forgetting what is behind and straining for what is ahead. What do we let go of and what to we hold onto is the real question, right?
Have you ever thought of control as an idol? The word idol seems like something from the time of Kings and Israelites, not something we would struggle with. However, you would probably be amazed by all the things you'd idolize. I've been praying for God to reveal to me what I idolize, I encourage you to do the same. The idol of control seems to be a big one, especially with regards to letting go. Letting go of things can sometimes be a terribly difficult and involves much hurt, whether it be letting go of relationships, plans, goals, flaws, or gilt we may have.
Proverbs 3:4-5, tells us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and to not lean on our own understandings. Key in on the second part, He allows us to have the knowledge that we won't understand His ways. Often times we aren't going to understand Him, because His ways are above us. We have to just trust - let go of control!
In the post on Destiny, I mentioned how often times Christ brings a revelation out of a crisis. Isaiah 43:18-19 tells us to forget the former things, because He is doing something new. We know that He works all things to good (Romans 8:28), so why not trust Him?
I'm not sure what you may be struggling with letting go of, but I have begun to believe that sometimes you just have to let go. We won't always understand why or how it is all suppose to work, but in the end it'll be for our good. If its meant to be apart of your life, He will bring it back around in His timing.
Have an awesome Tuesday!!! Much love!
P.S. I hope you enjoyed Sunday's post and were inspired in someway. I should have stuff up and running on a page about the project very soon! I loved hearing from y'all and would love to continue to hear your feedback!!
Have you ever thought of control as an idol? The word idol seems like something from the time of Kings and Israelites, not something we would struggle with. However, you would probably be amazed by all the things you'd idolize. I've been praying for God to reveal to me what I idolize, I encourage you to do the same. The idol of control seems to be a big one, especially with regards to letting go. Letting go of things can sometimes be a terribly difficult and involves much hurt, whether it be letting go of relationships, plans, goals, flaws, or gilt we may have.
Proverbs 3:4-5, tells us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and to not lean on our own understandings. Key in on the second part, He allows us to have the knowledge that we won't understand His ways. Often times we aren't going to understand Him, because His ways are above us. We have to just trust - let go of control!
In the post on Destiny, I mentioned how often times Christ brings a revelation out of a crisis. Isaiah 43:18-19 tells us to forget the former things, because He is doing something new. We know that He works all things to good (Romans 8:28), so why not trust Him?
I'm not sure what you may be struggling with letting go of, but I have begun to believe that sometimes you just have to let go. We won't always understand why or how it is all suppose to work, but in the end it'll be for our good. If its meant to be apart of your life, He will bring it back around in His timing.
Have an awesome Tuesday!!! Much love!
P.S. I hope you enjoyed Sunday's post and were inspired in someway. I should have stuff up and running on a page about the project very soon! I loved hearing from y'all and would love to continue to hear your feedback!!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
In Search of Everything
I must tell you, I am super excited about my post to you today! While I have tried to keep myself out of the post as much as possible this one is pretty focused on my life (hope you don't mind). However, I hope God speaks to you or gives you some encouragement for your own life.
Those quotes saying "Don't think too much or you'll create a problem that didn't even exist in the first place," describes me perfectly! I tend to be an over-thinker. So, recently in my over-thinking of how I really want to find out more about life and myself, I brought it to the Lord. After much time in prayer and reading I discovered it was a time for a new project (I LOVE projects - probably why interior design is a great field for me).
I discovered that I was about to have three whole months to pretty much choose what I wanted to do, when would I ever have that opportunity again? In the midst of that I decided I wanted to read more, take more chances, exercise more, be more dependable, and more agreeable. You get the picture right? There were so many things I wanted to do and had yet to try.
Recently, I read a quote saying, "What a wonderful life I've had; I only wish I'd realized it sooner." Now I know that I'm young and I have many things to learn, but why not start doing the things I've always wanted to do right now. I want to become captivated by life.
I thought about all the things I could call it. It first occurred to me to call it, "In search of happiness," but the thing is I'm not unhappy. I have the joy of knowing who I am in Christ. I want to make that clear, this isn't a search for happiness. I'm a very happy girl. I wanted to learn and appreciate things that already exist in my life and discover new things too. So, I decided to call it, "In Search of Everything." To be honest that exactly what I feel as if I am doing.
My project is not going to be centered around me. The goal is to inspire you and learn new things about my relationship with the Lord to rely to you. Also, to help people I never though I could've helped. Volunteering has always been one of my very favorite things and this summer I plan to do a whole lot of it. I'm still figuring it all out and deciding what all to do.
It is my hope and prayer that it in some way inspires you to your own project. While it may look different than mine, it will be incredible. I will continue to post devotionals like usual, but now there will be a tab (In Search of Everything) on the blog for you to keep up with what I'm doing! Please let me know what you think and any ideas you may have for me - I seriously would LOVE to hear from you!!
Have a lovely Sunday! Much Love!!
P.S. Be sure to sign up for email updates and follow the blog on BlogLovin
Theme Song for right now: Brighter than the Sun - Colbie Caillat
Those quotes saying "Don't think too much or you'll create a problem that didn't even exist in the first place," describes me perfectly! I tend to be an over-thinker. So, recently in my over-thinking of how I really want to find out more about life and myself, I brought it to the Lord. After much time in prayer and reading I discovered it was a time for a new project (I LOVE projects - probably why interior design is a great field for me).
I discovered that I was about to have three whole months to pretty much choose what I wanted to do, when would I ever have that opportunity again? In the midst of that I decided I wanted to read more, take more chances, exercise more, be more dependable, and more agreeable. You get the picture right? There were so many things I wanted to do and had yet to try.
Recently, I read a quote saying, "What a wonderful life I've had; I only wish I'd realized it sooner." Now I know that I'm young and I have many things to learn, but why not start doing the things I've always wanted to do right now. I want to become captivated by life.
I thought about all the things I could call it. It first occurred to me to call it, "In search of happiness," but the thing is I'm not unhappy. I have the joy of knowing who I am in Christ. I want to make that clear, this isn't a search for happiness. I'm a very happy girl. I wanted to learn and appreciate things that already exist in my life and discover new things too. So, I decided to call it, "In Search of Everything." To be honest that exactly what I feel as if I am doing.
My project is not going to be centered around me. The goal is to inspire you and learn new things about my relationship with the Lord to rely to you. Also, to help people I never though I could've helped. Volunteering has always been one of my very favorite things and this summer I plan to do a whole lot of it. I'm still figuring it all out and deciding what all to do.
It is my hope and prayer that it in some way inspires you to your own project. While it may look different than mine, it will be incredible. I will continue to post devotionals like usual, but now there will be a tab (In Search of Everything) on the blog for you to keep up with what I'm doing! Please let me know what you think and any ideas you may have for me - I seriously would LOVE to hear from you!!
Have a lovely Sunday! Much Love!!
P.S. Be sure to sign up for email updates and follow the blog on BlogLovin
Theme Song for right now: Brighter than the Sun - Colbie Caillat
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Fulfilling A Destiny
I had the privilege of leading a group of eightH grade girls in a bible study on Esther last year. Like I said in my post about Ruth, studying the women in the bible is so meaningful for me because I can relate to them! The very famous verse from Esther is in Chapter 4, verse 14, "Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this." Verses after this Esther commits to going to the king in order to save her people even though it means risking her life. She will go boldly saying, "And if I perish, I perish." (Esther 4:16)
When we think of our destiny or our purpose, we usually think of some glorious plan. At least that is what comes to my mind. Often times when we experience a crisis, it is God's way of pivoting our direction. Our ego wants us to special instead of useful. Do not get me wrong here, YOU are special!! However, we are on this planet to be purposeful. Your destiny is always going to involve someone besides you!
In Philippians 2:13, we see that God wants to work within us. God will unfold our destiny in front of us. Often times we think this just can't be it. Whether it be what you consider to be the worst timing ever, however it may be God's perfect timing. Often when we are in a crisis, we are perfectly ready for a wonderful revelation. We have to hold on to the truth that God's time is the right time.
Sometimes its not the timing of our calling that scares us, but the request. It seems like an unreasonable request! You just feel like its more than you can handle. Do not fear though, because You are not called to do it alone(Hebrews 13:5).
A change, a dilemma, or a redirecting of our life can be an intimidating thing to experience. My encouragement to you is to trust in the Lord, faithfully and with all your heart. He is the Almighty and His ways are above ours. As I look back on the times that I thought, 'God right now is just not a good time for a project or something new.' He would come in and change my life for the better. I am so blessed for those moments of crisis that turned in victory.
Hope you have a terrific Tuesday!!! Much Love!!!!
P.S. I am so excited about Sunday's post so be sure to check back on Sunday! Thanks so much! :)
When we think of our destiny or our purpose, we usually think of some glorious plan. At least that is what comes to my mind. Often times when we experience a crisis, it is God's way of pivoting our direction. Our ego wants us to special instead of useful. Do not get me wrong here, YOU are special!! However, we are on this planet to be purposeful. Your destiny is always going to involve someone besides you!
In Philippians 2:13, we see that God wants to work within us. God will unfold our destiny in front of us. Often times we think this just can't be it. Whether it be what you consider to be the worst timing ever, however it may be God's perfect timing. Often when we are in a crisis, we are perfectly ready for a wonderful revelation. We have to hold on to the truth that God's time is the right time.
Sometimes its not the timing of our calling that scares us, but the request. It seems like an unreasonable request! You just feel like its more than you can handle. Do not fear though, because You are not called to do it alone(Hebrews 13:5).
A change, a dilemma, or a redirecting of our life can be an intimidating thing to experience. My encouragement to you is to trust in the Lord, faithfully and with all your heart. He is the Almighty and His ways are above ours. As I look back on the times that I thought, 'God right now is just not a good time for a project or something new.' He would come in and change my life for the better. I am so blessed for those moments of crisis that turned in victory.
Hope you have a terrific Tuesday!!! Much Love!!!!
P.S. I am so excited about Sunday's post so be sure to check back on Sunday! Thanks so much! :)
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
True Friendship
The bible gives us so many incredible examples of problems and experiences that we face everyday, which I appreciate so much! One of the wonderful examples that it contains is in the chapters of Samuel. The friendship between David and Jonathan is a guide for us. The two of them not only give you a good read, but insights into a quality friendship.
As I read through chapters thirteen through thirty one of Samuel, I found a list of qualities that we can possess to become better friends to those around us. Friendship is such a valuable thing in the body of Christ. Having someone to lean on and share your life with is what I believe God would want us to have.
1. Be a Giver. Meeting the needs of a friend is so important. A friendship can really grow when you choose to put someone's happiness before your own and genuinely care about what is valuable to them.
2. Be Loyal and Committed. Knowing that someone will always be true to you both in their presence and in their absence is vital to a true friendship. David and Jonathan made a covenant before the Lord about their friendship to remain true and loyal. (Proverbs 18:24)
3. Be Accepting. Remember that people are different and have many flaws. When you begin to judge or think differently of a friend, recall that Jonathan was a king's son; David was a poor shepherd's son.
4. Be an Encourager and Prayer Warrior. Our friends are suppose to be the people that bring us up. Remind your friends how special they are both to you and God. I have always loved the phrase "Prayer Warrior," because it is so comforting to know that someone is praying for you even when you don't ask. Do that for a friend, even if they don't know; God does. (Philemon 1:4)
5. Be a Forgiver. We are all sinners and we all make mistakes. When I think that someones mistake is too big to be forgiven or that they have had too many chances, I always remember how many times I have failed God and He has forgiven me. Do not let all of the wrongs overshadow all of the good things. (Ephesians 4:32)
Proverbs 17:17 says that, "A friend loves at all times." I do not know what kind of friendships you may have, but I encourage you to remind yourself to have these qualities in them. God has blessed me with an incredible group of best friends and my prayer is that He surrounds you with Christian friendships to help you grow.
I hope you are having a marvelous Tuesday! Much Love!!
P.S. I have joined BlogLovin! If you have an account, please follow the blog there!!
As I read through chapters thirteen through thirty one of Samuel, I found a list of qualities that we can possess to become better friends to those around us. Friendship is such a valuable thing in the body of Christ. Having someone to lean on and share your life with is what I believe God would want us to have.
1. Be a Giver. Meeting the needs of a friend is so important. A friendship can really grow when you choose to put someone's happiness before your own and genuinely care about what is valuable to them.
2. Be Loyal and Committed. Knowing that someone will always be true to you both in their presence and in their absence is vital to a true friendship. David and Jonathan made a covenant before the Lord about their friendship to remain true and loyal. (Proverbs 18:24)
3. Be Accepting. Remember that people are different and have many flaws. When you begin to judge or think differently of a friend, recall that Jonathan was a king's son; David was a poor shepherd's son.
4. Be an Encourager and Prayer Warrior. Our friends are suppose to be the people that bring us up. Remind your friends how special they are both to you and God. I have always loved the phrase "Prayer Warrior," because it is so comforting to know that someone is praying for you even when you don't ask. Do that for a friend, even if they don't know; God does. (Philemon 1:4)
5. Be a Forgiver. We are all sinners and we all make mistakes. When I think that someones mistake is too big to be forgiven or that they have had too many chances, I always remember how many times I have failed God and He has forgiven me. Do not let all of the wrongs overshadow all of the good things. (Ephesians 4:32)
Proverbs 17:17 says that, "A friend loves at all times." I do not know what kind of friendships you may have, but I encourage you to remind yourself to have these qualities in them. God has blessed me with an incredible group of best friends and my prayer is that He surrounds you with Christian friendships to help you grow.
I hope you are having a marvelous Tuesday! Much Love!!
P.S. I have joined BlogLovin! If you have an account, please follow the blog there!!
Follow on BlogLovin
So I have been learning more and more about the blogging community and joined BlogLovin! It's really awesome and allows you to see SO many blogs! If you have an account with them or want to get one, please follow A Divine Romance! Be sure to check out this evening post...coming soon! :)
Follow my blog with Bloglovin
Thanks!!! Much Love!!
Follow my blog with Bloglovin
Thanks!!! Much Love!!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
A Legacy To Leave
Do you remember being a child and wanting to be like the famous people of Hollywood? Maybe it wasn't an actress or a singer, but someone who's name would be remembered. Most people want to be remembered well, whether it be in a big or small way. I have recently been thinking about how I want to leave my legacy. I'm hopefully not going anywhere anytime soon, but I think we start our legacy now.
There can be so many superficial things that trap us in this world. It is so often that we are remembered by our accomplishments, which is great but I want something more than that. I want to be remembered for leaving a fragrance of Christ. A woman who blesses my Lord's name. I want to be able to have touched lives for Christ. Live a life of love. When they think of me, they think of Him. What about you? How do you want those you come in contact with to remember you?
I felt I couldn't say it any better than the lyrics of this song by Nicole Nordeman called, "Legacy."
I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much
I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world
I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy
I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy
Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...
I hope you take the time to listen to the song or download it. We leave a legacy behind everyday. Everyone we come in contact with will remember us somehow, how do you want people to remember you?
Hope you are having a blessed Sunday! Much Love!!!
There can be so many superficial things that trap us in this world. It is so often that we are remembered by our accomplishments, which is great but I want something more than that. I want to be remembered for leaving a fragrance of Christ. A woman who blesses my Lord's name. I want to be able to have touched lives for Christ. Live a life of love. When they think of me, they think of Him. What about you? How do you want those you come in contact with to remember you?
I felt I couldn't say it any better than the lyrics of this song by Nicole Nordeman called, "Legacy."
I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much
I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world
I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy
I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy
Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...
I hope you take the time to listen to the song or download it. We leave a legacy behind everyday. Everyone we come in contact with will remember us somehow, how do you want people to remember you?
Hope you are having a blessed Sunday! Much Love!!!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Finding Inspiration
So, I decided to do something a little different today! I have recently been compiling all the things that inspire me and make me who I am. I encourage you to do the same at some point. I am discovering so many things. This is a bit more personal than my usual post, so please bare with me.
Current Inspiration:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
2 Corinthians 12:9
When I read the commentary on this verse it said, "You don't always have to hold yourself together." I am the type of woman who is always trying to make sure everything is "put together," including myself. So, what a relief to know that we don't have to be perfect and we are allowed to have some weakness! I love that in our weakness, He is able to shine through!
"Is this what you want to be doing when Christ comes back?"
I found this question in a typography post on Pinterest the other day. It was so convicting! I began to think about how much stuff I wanted to do before that day, but then I was hit a little harder. Was this how I wanted to act on the day Christ came back? Would people be able to identify me with Christ if they knew me and He was back? Maybe you are asking yourself the same thing. I can't tell you when Christ is coming back, but I can tell you I want to be able to stand next to Him and mirror similarly to Him in the way I live. What about you? Let start right now!
"When I am overwhelmed lead me to the rock that is higher than I"
Psalm 61:2
Just one of those verses to remind you that there is always someone higher, bigger, and stronger than anything that may be overwhelming you!
"Don't look down on anyone else unless you are helping them up"
I am a big believer in more than one chance, what about you? As a sinner who has been redeemed by her sweet Jesus many times, I think that if He can extend grace then so can we. Many people will tell you that your crazy or naive for extending grace and forgiveness to someone who has hurt you, but didn't Jesus get called some mean things? Instead of looking down on the person struggling, forgive them and help them up. I'm not promising that they won't hurt you again. However, I do believe that God will take care of you.
Hope this brought some inspiration to your Thursday!! I want to thank all those who have given me such sweet encouragement for the blog lately - it means so much to me! I would never be able to do anything with out the help of my precious Lord! Much love!!
Current Inspiration:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
2 Corinthians 12:9
When I read the commentary on this verse it said, "You don't always have to hold yourself together." I am the type of woman who is always trying to make sure everything is "put together," including myself. So, what a relief to know that we don't have to be perfect and we are allowed to have some weakness! I love that in our weakness, He is able to shine through!
"Is this what you want to be doing when Christ comes back?"
I found this question in a typography post on Pinterest the other day. It was so convicting! I began to think about how much stuff I wanted to do before that day, but then I was hit a little harder. Was this how I wanted to act on the day Christ came back? Would people be able to identify me with Christ if they knew me and He was back? Maybe you are asking yourself the same thing. I can't tell you when Christ is coming back, but I can tell you I want to be able to stand next to Him and mirror similarly to Him in the way I live. What about you? Let start right now!
"When I am overwhelmed lead me to the rock that is higher than I"
Psalm 61:2
Just one of those verses to remind you that there is always someone higher, bigger, and stronger than anything that may be overwhelming you!
"Don't look down on anyone else unless you are helping them up"
I am a big believer in more than one chance, what about you? As a sinner who has been redeemed by her sweet Jesus many times, I think that if He can extend grace then so can we. Many people will tell you that your crazy or naive for extending grace and forgiveness to someone who has hurt you, but didn't Jesus get called some mean things? Instead of looking down on the person struggling, forgive them and help them up. I'm not promising that they won't hurt you again. However, I do believe that God will take care of you.
Hope this brought some inspiration to your Thursday!! I want to thank all those who have given me such sweet encouragement for the blog lately - it means so much to me! I would never be able to do anything with out the help of my precious Lord! Much love!!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Thirsting for Peace
I'm going to be honest, I struggled today in choosing what I felt God wanted me to write about. My life is experiencing major changes and constant busyness, which means my head and heart have recently been all over the place. So in the midst of that I find myself thirsting for some peace. If you are an anxious person or a worrier, you probably struggle finding peace in you life as well. I came across a quote that I thought spoke volumes on peace.
"Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ." -Shelia Walsh
It can be difficult to find peace in situations that we do not understand or trials that seem unfixable by us. Relinquishing power over to Christ for your situation can be easier said than actually done. Truly trusting the Lord to work out your trials in His perfect timing (Ecclesiastes 3:11) and His will for your life can be an apprehensive task.
He gives us many verses to lean on in our troubles and a comfort to give us peace. His words are compassionate and can often meet the need that we profess to have even before we have them. He already knows that we will encounter tribulation, but to have peace, because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).
Think about a time when you were stressed and anxious about something that was out of your control. Now imagine that moment when someone comes in and says, "No need to worry I've taken care of it all." What peace and relief just echo throughout you? That's what the Lord is doing for us. Isn't that just the best news you've heard all day?
James tells us to consider all our trials joy (James 1:2). So the next time you get anxious or stressed and looking for peace, remember to present your request to God (Philippians 4:6-7). Prayer and living in a "Christ-Conscious" state will help us to have the peace we saw often forget we have access to!
Hope your having a marvelous Tuesday! Much Love!
"Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ." -Shelia Walsh
It can be difficult to find peace in situations that we do not understand or trials that seem unfixable by us. Relinquishing power over to Christ for your situation can be easier said than actually done. Truly trusting the Lord to work out your trials in His perfect timing (Ecclesiastes 3:11) and His will for your life can be an apprehensive task.
He gives us many verses to lean on in our troubles and a comfort to give us peace. His words are compassionate and can often meet the need that we profess to have even before we have them. He already knows that we will encounter tribulation, but to have peace, because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).
Think about a time when you were stressed and anxious about something that was out of your control. Now imagine that moment when someone comes in and says, "No need to worry I've taken care of it all." What peace and relief just echo throughout you? That's what the Lord is doing for us. Isn't that just the best news you've heard all day?
James tells us to consider all our trials joy (James 1:2). So the next time you get anxious or stressed and looking for peace, remember to present your request to God (Philippians 4:6-7). Prayer and living in a "Christ-Conscious" state will help us to have the peace we saw often forget we have access to!
Hope your having a marvelous Tuesday! Much Love!
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Remembering to Dance
Dim light, wood floors, and the news playing in the background is how I remember my grand dancing stage as a child. I don't really remember dance recitals or the feeling of an actual stage. However, I do remember the innocence I felt dancing and singing in front of the people who loved me the most. There was nothing grand about it to most people, but to me it was the best spot light in town. I would twirl and smile as if I had nothing to lose. It was as if I was in the best dance company in the world. There were no expectations and no one to be compared to. I was in a world of bliss.
As time went on I lost the feeling I had once felt in the spotlight of my living room. I lost my twirl, my bliss. The knowledge of who I was had faded. That simple and innocent knowledge that I knew as a child. Spending a few moments listening to the enemy and it all was much more complicated.
Listening to enemy that told me it was easier to believe lies than the truth. There seemed to be more criticism than applause. This wasn't like that make believe stage I had once danced on. I began to only sway and never spin with my eyes closed, who was there to trust? A flaw here and a flaw there. I began to look to the dancers beside me, they seemed to do it much better. Was I really even enough?
I lost who I was.
Somewhere between the hard times and the pain we encounter in this world, we begin to lose our twirl. We forget how to dance (2 Corinthians 2:11). I thought this was an analogy that could help you understand how cherished you are in Christ, but how quickly the enemy can deceive us. He can bring us farther from who we are than we ever expected ourselves to go. We begin to rush through life. We forget what great dancers we are and how beautiful our stage is.
If we slow down enough to really listen to the Lord, I think we will find that same feeling I once felt in my living room. We will find some innocence and bliss. We will feel as if we are enough, because we are! Remember who God made YOU to be, no one but YOU! That is a very powerful thing and the knowledge that in Him you are enough!
Don't forget to dance. Turn up the music real loud if you have to and let yourself be free. You deserve to know how precious and cherished you are in Christ! He is risen and in Him you have a new identity (2 Corinthians 5:17), you can dance!
Have a blessed Easter! Much Love!!
P.S. Sorry for not posting this last week - I was at the beach without wifi!
As time went on I lost the feeling I had once felt in the spotlight of my living room. I lost my twirl, my bliss. The knowledge of who I was had faded. That simple and innocent knowledge that I knew as a child. Spending a few moments listening to the enemy and it all was much more complicated.
Listening to enemy that told me it was easier to believe lies than the truth. There seemed to be more criticism than applause. This wasn't like that make believe stage I had once danced on. I began to only sway and never spin with my eyes closed, who was there to trust? A flaw here and a flaw there. I began to look to the dancers beside me, they seemed to do it much better. Was I really even enough?
I lost who I was.
Somewhere between the hard times and the pain we encounter in this world, we begin to lose our twirl. We forget how to dance (2 Corinthians 2:11). I thought this was an analogy that could help you understand how cherished you are in Christ, but how quickly the enemy can deceive us. He can bring us farther from who we are than we ever expected ourselves to go. We begin to rush through life. We forget what great dancers we are and how beautiful our stage is.
If we slow down enough to really listen to the Lord, I think we will find that same feeling I once felt in my living room. We will find some innocence and bliss. We will feel as if we are enough, because we are! Remember who God made YOU to be, no one but YOU! That is a very powerful thing and the knowledge that in Him you are enough!
Don't forget to dance. Turn up the music real loud if you have to and let yourself be free. You deserve to know how precious and cherished you are in Christ! He is risen and in Him you have a new identity (2 Corinthians 5:17), you can dance!
Have a blessed Easter! Much Love!!
P.S. Sorry for not posting this last week - I was at the beach without wifi!
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