Passing on ~...

Come to me with a teachable spirit, eager to be changed. A close walk with Me is a life of continual newness. Do not cling to old ways as you step into a new year. Instead, seek My Face with an open mind, knowing that your journey with Me involves being transformed by the renewing of your mind. As you focus your thoughts on Me, be aware that I am fully attentive to you. I see you with a steady eye, because My attention span is infinite. I know and understand you completely; My thoughts embrace you in everlasting Love. I also know the plans I have for you; plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Give yourself fully to this adventure of increasing attentiveness to My Presence. ~ Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

Romans 12:2; Jeremiah 29:11

Happy New Year

Reflections from a Piece of Clay

Isaiah 64:8 

"Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.

In Francis Chan's book, Erasinghell, he makes a point to explain Isaiah 64:8. We are pieces of clay explaining to other pieces of clay what God has revealed to us. If we think about that for a second, "it shows the silliness for any of us to think we are an export on Him." Therefore, I am fully aware that my only hope is God would reveal to me what He is like and then I can just repeat those things to you - my sincerest intentions in all my writings.

"God has a calling on this family." These words have been on repeat in my mind the past few days. For years, particularly this past year, my mom used to say this to me as if to remind me and prepare me for what was to come. You see, our family has been through its share of trials already, so whenever mom would say this to me I always smiled in agreement. Of course God has a calling on this family. We have been through so much and have come through a lot-a true Cinderella Story. Therefore, my simple mind never would have thought or imagined that God had even more of a story to be told; that this "calling" mom spoke so confidentially about was only beginning...that it would include losing our parents.

Isaiah 55:8 says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither my ways your ways, declares the Lord." I have come to a place where I have learned that doubting God when pain comes is only putting God's actions in submission with my reasoning. Francis Chan says it so beautifully, "have you ever considered the possibility that maybe the Creators sense of justice is actually more developed then yours, and maybe his love and mercy is perfect? Maybe you could be the one who is flawed?" I may not get this one. It may be hard to see the happy ending this time, but what is truth? Truth is, "as the heavens are higher then the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9)." His thoughts are far greater then what my simple mind could dream up. I trust Him. In Psalm 25:9, he says that he teaches the humble his ways. Humility is key to everything, isn't it? God is unfolding his glory in all of this as I learn to humbly receive.

God has a calling...

A Sweet Savour of Christ

I love looking at the different translations of scripture. It allows me to receive a beautiful picture of God's words. I also cannot help I simply just love words. I love seeing them put together to form a sentence (crazy, I know).

In today's devotional, I came across 2 Corinthians 2:15 (see below). This is a beautiful verse that left me with one lingering thought, "God thinks MUCH of us" (His children, His creation). We are loved my the Creator of the world. Although he is full of mystery, he loves us enough to expose some of his mystery through his Word, the Bible. He wants to see us thrive in him, and through that he wants to draw us closer to him and refine us to be his masterpiece. To be a masterpiece of God...now, isn't that a thought! We are a fragrance to him. Let's be clear, the word "fragrance" is not just any old smell. Mounce's Expository Dictionary of the Old and New Testament defines it as "a pleasing aroma." We have the ability to be a pleasing aroma to our Maker. He thinks much of his children. He thinks much of YOU.


Let the sweetness of the reality of these words fall on you. Speak them out over yourself. There is nothing more precious to God then you and hearing you speak out HIS Words over your life, AND there is nothing more defeating to the enemy then having God's very words spoken out!

2 Corinthians 2:15 (NIV)
For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

2Corinthians 2:15 (KJV)
For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish.

Jesus



Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so. I remember singing this song in Sunday School growing up. I find myself repeating these lyrics more and more every day. I like to remind myself that my Creator is FOR me. "If God is for you, who can be against you?" Romans 8:31. I am so thankful I have learned to not push Him away in hard times. I am so thankful my mind is settled on Him. Every day the Lord meets me and my heart where I am. Today has been a day of many tears. I find myself thinking about my mom and desiring her more and more each moment. He knew it would be a rough day. He knew it would be one of tears, so He met me there through today's devotional reading in Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. I am just so in love with God and how he pursues me. I hope you don't mind my thirst to share it.

October 14

BE PREPARED TO SUFFER FOR ME, in My Name. All suffering has meaning in My kingdom. Pain and problems are opportunities to demonstrate your trust in Me. Bearing your circumstances bravely-even thanking Me for them-is one of the highest forms of praise. This sacrifice of thanksgiving rings golden-toned bells of Joy throughout heavenly realms. On earth also, your patient suffering sends out ripples of good tidings in ever-widening circles.

When suffering strikes, remember that I am sovereign and that I can bring good out of everything. Do not try to run from pain or hide from problems. Instead, accept adversity in My Name, offering it up to Me for My purposes. Thus, your suffering gains meaning and draws you closer to Me. Joy emerges from the ashes of adversity through your trust and thankfulness.
James 1:2-4; Psalm 107:21-22

Lord, I do not get why You allowed such pain to fall on this family, but I know You. I know how You operate and so I do not doubt. Rather, I trust that I am bringing you one of the highest forms of praise as I bear my circumstance bravely. I pray that you find favor with me all the rest of my days. I will run this race hard so that when I meet You, in heaven, I hear "well done good and faithful servant". Lord, I don't want to hear these words for my benefit but solely to honor You...I simply just want to honor You. I love you.

Death by Association

"Be on your guard against men" (Matthew 10:17) because "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14). Oh how the enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). He doesn't play. He is on a mission and it is to destroy us ~ our joy, victories, right to overcome in Christ. We have to be on our guard. The body of Christ has a right to live victorious and to speak life over death. Sometimes we live in defeat or find ourselves in pits because of people we surround ourselves with*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Where we end up in life could be because of who we choose to be around. Some of us may miss Heaven just because of association."


Lord, we praise You. We praise You for who You are and because of the power You pass on to us until we join You in Heaven. Thank you that we do not have to walk this life without the power to overcome~You give us a right to live victorious, and I pray that we choose to be victorious and free from the bondage of sin. Lord, we do not want to mess around anymore. We do not want to flirt with things you clearly have nothing to do with. We want all of You. Trusting You, resting in You because we know it is going to be worth it. You are worth it.

 Gonna Be Worth It

Memories for the Journey

With our manicured nails raised in the air, mama and I would listen to this song when we would take our morning walks at Walloon Lake ~ praising God and talking about how much we adore Him...the journey He has brought our family on. We were in such awe of His faithfulness that we paid little mind to cars driving by or to the people walking beside us (I can only imagine what they thought). You see, in our minds, it was just us and God. Two people, yes, but with one heartbeat and it was beating towards Heaven. Those conversations only prepared me for the pain of today. I may not "get God" but I KNOW my God. He is faithful.  

Beautiful by Shawn Mcdonald 

 

Our Heaven on earth - Walloon Lake

 

 

Jesus, it's all about you but you are so all about us*

The Lord led me to these verses and there is no denying. Take a breathe, get ready to receive His words, and let them fall on you as they have me.

"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them, and that I myself may be in them." Jesus speaks in John 17:24-26


Jesus just wants us. Jesus just wants our hearts. He just wants us with him, for eternity. Oh how he loves us. Reality is...Him. Glory.