Colossians 4:2 ~ Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

   Why is it, that we tend to look at prayer as a last resort? Oh…come on..don’t tell me you always think “let me pray first.” We like to think of ourselves this way. We like for others to think of us in this way. BUT..let us be real..TRANSPARENT..for just a minute.

   I pray all day long.

   BUT…

   There are times when my prayers reflect my wants…not necessarily my “trusting” and “thanking” HIM.

   Sometimes, my prayers are selfish.

   Sometimes, my prayers are not first.

   Sometimes….I freak out and THEN…I pray. Or, I get down and blah…and THEN, I remember..to pray.

   Anybody else do this? Or, is it just me?

   I have come a LONG way. I am so thankful that I am NOT who I once was…and YES, I am very thankful that GOD is NOT finished with me yet.

   Philippians 1:6 ~ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to       completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

   Every single minute of every single day, we are battling self and the enemy. We have the CHOICE…. to walk closely with GOD. We have the choice to choose HIM. We …I…MUST keep my eyes FIXED on HIM…FIRST!

   Prayer is a privilege. I just don’t see why…so many times, it is seen as a last resort.

   I’ve heard this before: “Well, I have done everything I can..so, I guess I will pray about it.”

   Look at that statement. I…I…I…I…

   See the problem?

   Where is God in all of that? Left out…seen as a last resort.

   Prayer changes more than things…Prayer changes PEOPLE! 

   Sometimes, we will get an answer to our prayers right away. Other times, it may seem like an eternity. We have to remember that God’s way..HIS timing, is not ours. Sometimes, the delay, is GOD’S way of working out HIS will in and for our lives. I do know this, HE always provides. HE never leaves us..and HIS ways are right and better than ours. GOD is ONLY good.

   ”I have never met anyone who spent time in daily prayer, and in the study of the Word of God, and was strong in faith, who was ever discouraged for very long.” ~ Billy Graham

   ”Have you ever said, ‘Well, all we can do now is pray’?…When we come to the end of ourselves, we come to the beginning of God.” ~ Billy Graham

   Oh what a beautiful thing prayer is. That sweet time with my Jesus. The fact that I can even come into HIS HOLY PRESENCE.. ME, a sinner, but saved by HIS grace..it is just amazing and beautiful.

              Until Next Time,

Do you ever have days where you are just in a “funk”?

Days when you question your decisions….

Days when you ponder your future choices…

Days when you are constantly battling that negative voice…

I do.

Those days are the hardest.

Those days are when I have to fight..fight..fight..the enemy. Fight myself even…

My GOD has already won. But..that doesn’t mean that the enemy won’t try to attack me..or you..

That is why putting on SPIRITUAL ARMOR is so important.

Ephesians 6:11 (NLT) ~ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

Truth is…those days usually occur when I haven’t BEGAN my day with my normal and regular “quiet time”.

My QUIET TIME is part of my SPIRITUAL ARMOR. If and when I neglect to “put it on”... I am less prepared to fight the negativity that may pop up during the day.

Make sense?

IT IS MY FAULT, if and when I neglect my Jesus. HE never neglects me.

Do you have a daily quiet time? (being still, praying, and also studying the Bible)

Do you notice a difference in your day on days that you neglect that time with God?

Do you realize the importance of a DAILY time with Jesus?

If you don’t currently have a daily quiet time with Jesus, will you commit to at the very least…10 minutes a day..to begin with?

(If you have decided to commit to a daily quiet time, I’d love to hear back from you after 3 consecutive days, of how you have noticed a difference in your day.)

UNTIL NEXT TIME,

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. (Psalms 34:18 NLT)

There are things in this world that happen, that I’ll never understand. I won’t claim to understand.

This I know, My Savior.. My Redeemer, is GOOD.

The truth is that this world that we live in is broken and sinful. So much so, that God sent His one and Only Son, Jesus… Immanuel.. To save us.

John 3:16,17 ~ “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Jesus means, The Lord Saves.

Immanuel means, God With Us.

When trials come.. And they will…

When circumstances are sometimes awful.. And that’s a guarantee…

When bad things happen to good and innocent people and children, we can rest in the fact that this is NOT our home. If you know Jesus, and most importantly, if HE knows you… This broken and sin-filled world is only temporary. Our real home is HEAVEN.

John 16:33 ~ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

While we are here though… Let’s live right. As my father in law shared at Granny Shiver’s funeral; When asked if she had any advice for us on living our lives.. She said : “Just Do Right..Do right.”

That’s pretty good advice if you ask me.

Just do right. Just forgive. Just live. Just let bygones be bygones. Hold the ones you love close. Tell them you love them.. Show them that you love them with actions. And.. JUST DO RIGHT.

Even when you don’t understand the why’s… Just Do Right.

And remember… We are just passing through. There’s two final destinations.. Heaven or Hell. Although those are great words of advice.. “Just Do Right” won’t get you to Heaven. Truly knowing and following HIM will. So, do you know HIM and as Granny witnessed.. Does HE know you?

See, when asked if she knew for sure about her place in eternity, she said “oh yeah, I know Jesus and HE knows me.“

Trust HIS promises that are found in The Word. Rest in HIM. “The Lord Saves” AND “God With Us”

Hebrews 13:6 ~ So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

We don’t have to understand.. We just have to trust God.

Until Next Time,

Heather

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV84)

Today… I am thankful for so many things and Granny Shiver tops the list.

Our Granny Shiver passed this earth and entered into HIS presence this morning. I guarantee you there’s a party going on!!

Granny.. Or Grandma.. Or Mama or Hilda.. However you may have known her.. I knew her as a strong and loving woman. A lady who accepted me as one of her own.. (Even though I wasn’t her grandchild by blood) She loved life and she loved the Giver of Life! It was evident. Her actions proved what her lips professed.

Granny possessed a strength that can only come from a real relationship with her Heavenly Father. That strength got her through many losses..many tough times in her life. That strength was Jesus in her.

But you know what? I’m gonna quote her: “I can let it make me bitter or better.” She chose better!

She knew how to live. She lived with no inhibitions. She loved with all she had & would even give you whatever she had. Granny was loved by many.

I’m better for having known her. She lives on through her children, grandchildren, and great grands… Her legacy will remain!

See.. God was first. She had her priorities straight. She missed her husband every single day since he left this earth and entered into the presence of Jesus. She took care of him while he was here. She raised her family.. And she did it well.

She could make the best homemade lemonade… Banana pudding.. Cobbler.. Mayhaw jelly. (Remember the room filled with jars) .. The list goes on.

Her thumb was green.. not brown like mine. She loved her flowers.

Oh and her grapevines! Man..

She loved her family! All of us.. Blood or not.. She loved!

I’m not even going to try to list everything.

Too many memories.

Too many things and funny stories to list.

I’m thankful to have married into this family.

Something tells me that she and Granddaddy danced a little jig and ran into each others arms when she took her last breath here. I bet it was beautiful!

The Bible says:

John 10:27-29~ My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

Those verses bring comfort and assurance.

I’m thankful that God put my husband and I together. Through a friendship that I had with his cousin. I love our family. I’m blessed with my family and my family by marriage..

I’m so proud of our family. We may not get together as often as we used to, but when there’s a reason to celebrate or a tragedy strikes.. This family unites and stands behind one another. Unity.

I can’t close without saying that I’m so thankful that Granny was an authentic Follower of Jesus! What comfort to know where she is and that all who are also authentic followers, will see her and Granddaddy (or Pepa) again!

So.. I have to ask…Do you know my Jesus? Are you really following Him? Don’t waste another minute of uncertainty.. Don’t waste another minute living with doubt or living without the peace and assurance of truly Knowing HIM.

And one more thing: Do you really love?
Do your actions prove what your lips profess? It’s not too late.. To love.

Thankful and Blessed..

Until Next Time,

Heather

My girl…Content…

Philippians 4:12 ~ I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Philippians 4:19 ~ And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

I think it is safe to say that most of us have had good times and most of us have had not so good times. Whether it be financially, our health, or whatever. We have had times when we are on the mountaintop and times when we are in the valley.

The question is, have we been CONTENT in either place? Sure…we are content when we are way up high on the beautiful mountain. It’s easy to be content up there.

It’s when we are in the low times…the times of want…the valleys..that our faith is tested and proven.

It’s those times when we don’t know how we are going to make it… Those times that we walk in faith.. Trusting that God WILL provide all of our needs. We may not always get what we WANT…but GOD promises to meet ALL of our needs.

THAT IS SOMETHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR!

When we can learn to be CONTENT in ANY situation, we have learned what it means to be fully surrendered. And full surrender = contentment…PEACE.

Does content mean that I LOVE every situation? NO. It simply means that I am gonna be ok no matter what because my GOD has got it under control. It means that I am able to find joy in the yuck. It means that I can find something to be thankful for in every situation.

Trust me..I know….some days it is harder to find that joy. Some days it can be almost impossible. Those are those days and moments when we have to work harder at being content. CONTENT in ANY and EVERY circumstance. Sometimes this will require us to “suck it up” and move on. Laugh if you want..but that is fact.

I want to be like Paul..in his letter to the Philippians..when he was able to say that he learned the secret to being content in any and every situation. This means that I must always look for the good, and always trust in HIM.

I have so much to be thankful for this week..

1) My husband..He has dropped everything to take care of me several times lately. (we’ve had stomach virus and cold junk with fever for the past 2 weeks in our home..)

2) Good health! Finally!

3) Power of prayer…privilege of prayer

4) My parents and my “other” parents (in-laws)…I’m so blessed to have a wonderful relationship with all of them.

5) An extra computer cord that happens to work with my laptop that I’m typing on right now..because..Marleigh struck again. This time the puppy chewed my laptop cord while I was writing this blog post.. {forced grin} I think she thought it was her bone..because she was chewing on her rawhide bone at the same time.

6) I’m EXTREMELY thankful for each and every one of YOU and that you take the time to read and sometimes share these posts.

What are YOU thankful for? Comment on here..or write it down in your journal. It’s contagious..giving thanks..

(While you are sharing with me what you are thankful for…would you share with me one Thanksgiving Day tradition and/or Day after Thanksgiving tradition… ?

On the day after Thanksgiving, my family and I usually begin putting up our Christmas decorations. We also go Black Friday Shopping sometimes. Years ago, we used to go to the Christmas tree farm and have a picnic together. Memories…Make some with your family this holiday season. )

                Until Next Time,

Nahum 1:7 (NIV) ~ The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.

This past week has been one of those weeks that made me thankful & tired all at the same. If ya know what I mean…

We all have times of trouble. Times when we need rest. Nobody is exempt.

That’s what you call… LIFE.

But… As believers in Christ.. Authentic Followers of Christ, We have a SAFE REFUGE. The LORD.

Who do you run to when you are weary? Where do you find rest?

True rest. True peace. True comfort…
Is only found in HIM.

I keep thinking of these lyrics from Hillsong.. I Will Exalt You

My hiding place My safe refuge
My treasure Lord You are
My friend and King Anointed One
Most Holy

That’s. Who. HE. Is.

Psalm 32:7 (NLT) ~ For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.

Beautiful promises.

We only have to let go of our grip.. Our control.. And just rest. In Him.

Are you tired? Are you in pain of any kind? Are you just looking for a place to rest?

Maybe you’ve had a long week. A week of sickness or disappointments. Perhaps you are just plain worn out.

God knew that you would experience every single one of these emotions.

While we are commanded to do everything without grumbling or complaining.. We aren’t commanded to be without feelings.

He knew. He provided.. The Refuge. The Hiding Place.. It’s HIM.

I hope you will find your hiding place.. In Him.

Until Next Time,

Heather

Hebrews 12:28,29 (NIV) ~ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

Thankful. Worship. Consuming Fire.

Have you ever looked at “Thanking God” as an act of worship?

That’s what it is…

We are to be so consumed with God that HE is in the center and controlling everything!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) ~ Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Our feelings and circumstances should never cause us to hold back from worshipping our God with thanksgiving. Feelings are feelings.. They don’t control us. We have the choice to have self-control and not let outside influences dictate our reactions or responses to them.

There will be days that we don’t “feel” like looking for the joy and giving thanks to Him for anything. Those are the days that we are allowing “self” to get in the way. Those are the days when we need to dig deep and look for the joy, even in the tiniest of things. There is joy to be found everywhere and Yes, even in the not so good days.

This isn’t saying to THANK HIM for all the things that happen to us..but, to “give thanks in ALL circumstances”. 

To trust HIM.

Proverbs 3:5 ~ Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding

Proverbs 29:25 ~ Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

Before I tell you what I am thankful for today, I want to share with you a blog post from last year that I wrote about thankfulness.

You can click HERE to read it.

I am THANKFUL for……………..

1) Time spent with my family and loved ones

2) New pine straw in my flower beds..and that my husband put it out

3) Running my best time ever in a 5K road race last Saturday (winning 3rd in my age group)

What THREE things are you thankful for this week?

Share them with me and others…Thankfulness is contagious.

Until Next Time,

I must admit, some weeks are more challenging than others. Some days it is more challenging to find the joy in the yuck. Those moments when we choose to find the joy in the yuck..those moments define us.

Earlier in the week, I had a day of inconveniences and little aggravations. I caught myself feeling aggravated and stressed out because I couldn’t get something simple taken care of…simply. Ever had a day like that?

Roadblocks.

Detours.

People are watching us. They are watching us to see how we handle the “yuck”. Our kids, our friends, our families, and strangers..Yes, strangers..are watching to see how we (Christians) are handling those things.

I’ll be real honest with you.. It was quite a battle. Fighting self. Wanting to whine and complain. Whining and complaining. Stopping myself from whining and complaining. Feeling guilty. Repenting. Starting fresh.

See, Jesus instructs us to NOT grumble and complain. Being “human” isn’t an excuse. As Christians, we have The Holy Spirit in us..so we aren’t just human.

Philippians 2:14 (ESV) ~ Do all things without grumbling or questioning

Romans 8:9 (NIV) ~ You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

Every day we have choices to make. We get to make those choices.. They matter. Even when it’s harder than usual to find joy in a situation that seems like NO joy can be found in it, there IS JOY TO BE FOUND.

Even when it feels like a game of hide and seek..keep seeking the JOY.

“Joy’s a function of gratitude. And gratitude’s a function of perspective. Counting gifts changes my perspective – & my LIFE” ~ Ann Voskamp from her book…One Thousand Gifts

“All gratitude is ultimately gratitude for Christ, all remembering a remembrance of Him.” ~ Ann Voskamp…One Thousand Gifts

God cares about the tiny details. HE cares and provides. HE allows. HE knows that we can’t do this thing called life alone. WE can do it with HIS strength.

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) ~ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

So, without waiting any longer, let me share with you some of the things that I am thankful for today and this past week.

1) that THIS is not home. This place.. This world is temporary and my citizenship is in Heaven.

2) for conviction by The Holy Spirit, JESUS in me, that tells me when I’m not glorifying my Savior.

3) that my Jesus loves me.. HE loves ME.. And I’m not always easy to love..

4) for this wonderful group of women (Dstudy group) that I get the privilege to grow with and teach them and learn from them as well..

5) for beautiful..awesome sunsets and sunrises that never grow old..

6) for the pure JOY that my nephew expressed to me when I surprised him with a visit today..

7) for getting Lysa TerKeurst’s book, UNGLUED, for $1.99 today! (on iBooks and Amazon)

I guess I’ll stop for now… on here.. But I can promise you that my gratitude journal of 1000 gifts is continuing to grow every single day. For when we continue to look for the good and counting the joy, that is when we know what true joy really consists of. Thanksgiving. Grace. Joy. They go hand in hand.

Here is the Simple Truth my friends: There is JOY to be found in EVERYTHING…Because GOD created EVERYTHING & GOD is ONLY GOOD..HE is GOOD.

What are YOU thankful for?

UNTIL NEXT TIME,

    Psalm 139:1-4 (ESV)

1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!

2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

you discern my thoughts from afar.

3 You search out my path and my lying down and are

acquainted with all my ways.

4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord,

you know it altogether.

   Isn’t that a beautiful passage of scripture… GOD already knows. HE knows my feelings. HE knows my fears. He knows when I don’t feel like doing something.

   I’ll be honest with ya! There are days that I JUST DON’T FEEL LIKE IT. I get weary. I get tired. I get to throwing myself a little pity party…

   Sound familiar?

   Be honest…Be real…

   There are those times, when I wonder why I am even writing, teaching, etc. I feel so unworthy. I AM unworthy. Then..HE shows me again that HE is the reason. He reminds me that HE doesn’t call the equipped…NO, HE equips the called.

   Did you notice in the few sentences above that there were a lot of “I” statements?

   Here’s what happened this morning:

   I sat down at my kitchen table to have my “quiet time“ with God. I was tired. My mind was filled with so many distractions and things that I was concerned about. From questions about what I should be doing with my life to thoughts about my kids starting back to school. I just felt very compelled to be real with God. Before I even opened my Bible, I just talked to God.

   I told HIM…as if HE didn’t already know…(see Psalm 139:1-4 above). I told HIM what was on my mind.

   You know what? It felt GOOD to be honest with HIM.

   He already knows. He appreciates our honesty. More so than that, HE loves for us to admit that we can’t do it alone.

   See, true faith begins with humility. True obedience begins with surrender.

   There are going to be times when you won’t “feel” like being obedient. There will also be times when you will feel like you aren’t making a difference. Those are the times when you have to take YOU out of the equation and totally put the focus on God.

   There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with telling God that you are tired. There is nothing wrong with being completely honest with your Father. He prefers honesty anyways.

   We can’t fool HIM.

   We CAN trust HIM to lead, guide and direct us.

   If I am focused on how I feel…then I am NOT focused on obedience to GOD. Pray for the desire to be obedient. I DO. By the way, did you notice that my word popped up again? Here is the link to the post on Obedience that I posted earlier…if you don’t know what I am talking about.

   It boils down to this. This life is NOT ABOUT ME. Tired, weary, confused…those are all “ME” feelings. If I am focused on “ME” then I am not focused on all of the blessings and all of the ways that I can be a blessing to others because of God working through me.

    THINGS TO PONDER:

   Are you being real with God?

   Sometimes I am…and sometimes I forget that HE knows my true feelings.

   Do you ever feel weary even though you are actively serving God and others?

   I do. When I take my focus off of HIM…and begin thinking of how I feel…When I am being selfish.

   Do you realize that GOD knows your thoughts..your heart..the words that are going to slip off of your tongue?

   I realize that..but, sometimes I don’t grasp this truth completely.

   Does the fact that God already knows your thoughts, etc.. scare you? Does it make you want to apologize to HIM?

   It is definitely a humbling thought. It definitely makes ME want to be very careful and thoughtful and to please HIM completely!

   I pray that on the days when YOU just don’t feel like doing something that HE has asked you to do, that you will take a step back and be real with God. Take a breath. Pray. Be honest with God. He understands and HE can and will change your heart! You just have to let Him. Like I did…

   “If God sends us on stony paths, he provides strong shoes.” ~ Corrie ten Boom

   Blessings to you all…

   UNTIL NEXT TIME,

I woke up really early this morning. If you know me very well, then you know that 4:45 a.m. is very very early for me. My dog woke me up first…she’s a 6 year old toy poodle that occasionally likes to wake me up so that she can go out and graze like a horse.

Usually I go take her out, but being that my husband was going to be getting up shortly to go play basketball, I asked him nicely to take her. I thought I was going to go back to sleep. God had other plans.

My heart began to just ache for those who are going through different trials in their lives. There are so many that I know personally, who are facing difficult times. I can’t just forget about it…my heart actually gets burdened for their sorrow. I think…NO..I KNOW that is how God wants us to be. He wants us to love on the hurting. He uses us to comfort those who are hurting or uneasy.

I know that when I have suffered. When I have been hurting. When I have cried out to God in my lowest times..those times when I felt like I couldn’t go on… God heard my cry. He heard me! AND…He used people to comfort me.

People. Like YOU and ME. Ordinary people to do HIS work.

Back to this morning….

Names were placed on my heart. I began to pray. As I prayed, I weeped. As I weeped, I was overcome with HIS GOODNESS. (those of you who know me..also know that I am not a big “weeper“) Not that there is anything wrong with crying.. It’s just that I am the girl who when my Daddy was walking me down the aisle..and He was crying..I got tears in my eyes too..but I wouldn’t let them fall. Guess I have a problem with trying to be strong. That is another topic, for another day though.

Words to a song also came to my mind. So, I did what most of us do…I Googled some of the words. The song, by Matt Redman…”O This God” is the song that I know God put in my head. See…HE knew that many of you needed it. Songs are a great way to Worship our Savior God. They have a way of just running through our head all day, don’t they?

Then, two passages of Scripture were put on my heart. Read them..Study them. Let them soak into your soul. Believe them. Rest in these words. May they bring comfort to you..whoever you are…

Matthew 28:20 (NLT) ~ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

   Psalm 34:19 (NLT) ~ The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time.

   I don’t know if you will think that I am sharing too much with you about my time with God this morning. I write. That is what I do. When my heart is heavy or when GOD gives me a “word” ….I write. I share. Because I feel that HE wants me to. So, when I share these personal times with you..It is ONLY to bring glory to my GOD.

Before I attempted going back to sleep, I told HIM that I wanted MORE of HIM and LESS of ME. That even though it hurts sometimes, that I WANT my heart to ALWAYS break for what breaks HIS heart.

   When trouble comes, I pray…I plead with you…Please.. TRUST HIM. Rest in God. HE really does hear your cry.

Here is the song. Listen and enjoy!

10 O This God

   Until Next Time,