STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN!

I have to say turning 40 really became a great milestone for me. I finally learned to STOP, LOOK and LISTEN. That is, STOP the busyness of life and schedules, LOOK at all the beauty of Abba's creation in my life and LISTEN to His heart and the heart of those I hold precious in my life.

I find in doing this I am truly treasuring moments I never did before. Driving down the road noticing all the beauty of the trees changing colors and as I drive, the leaves fall onto my car as I pass under the beauty of colors and inside my heart I smile and say Abba is throwing me a party. I am finding there is so much unspoken to learn in His creation.

It's truly the little things in life that means the most to your children, family (church and biological) and friends. I am so thankful to stop, look and listen in life's moments to spend time with those closest to me.

I have learn to let go and forgive myself for not being perfect and know I AM WORTHY and ALTOGETHER BEAUTIFUL without any doubts. I let go of the past, embrace the moment and expect His best for my future... and I also learned to paint.  Tonight we didn't go to church and it felt good to be together as a family and simply paint. Ministry does begin at home. =)

Blessings my friends!

STOP LOOK AND LISTEN!

Are You Preaching to Yourself?

I am reading a book I actually bought for my husband for Father's Day. I see now I bought it for me and didn't know it. The book is Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick. It was only $10.50 at Church of the Highland's bookstore but it's value is priceless.

I wanted to share with you a portion of it. I hope it blesses you. Leading up to this point the author is saying speaking the Word isn't just for preachers and Bible heroes. If you want to walk in audacious faith and I believe we all do, you have to get really good at preaching God's Word to yourself because you may not always have people around you to motivate you and encourage you... And in those moments you can open God's Word and remind yourself of the truth. You may not feel competent to preach to yourself or know where to get started but below is a compilation of biblical principles to get started that can be applied to your daily life.

Twelve Audacious Faith Confession

1. I am fully forgiven and free form all shame and condemnation. - Romans 8:1-2; Ephesians 1:7-8; 1 John 1:9

2. I act in audacious faith to change the world in my generation. - Joshua 10:12-14; John 14:12

3. I have no fear or anxiety; I trust in the Lord with all my heart. - Proverbs 3:5-6; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:7

4. I am able to fulfill the calling God has placed in my life. - Exodus 3:9-12; Psalm 57:2; Colossians 1:24-29

5. I am fully resourced to do everything God has called me to do. - Deuteronomy 8:18; Luke 6:38; Philippians 4:13

6. I have no insecurity, because I see myself the way God sees me. - Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-16; Ephesians 5:25-27

7. I am faithful spouse (if you're single, you can slip future in there) and a godly parent- our family is blessed. - Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Ephesians 5:22-25; Colossians 3:18-19; I Peter 3:1-7

8. I am completely whole-physically mentally, and emotionally. - Psalm 103:1-5; Matthew 8:16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:24

9. I am increasing in influence and favor for the kingdom of God. - Genesis 45:4-8; 1 Samuel 2:26; Acts 2:37-47

10. I am enabled to walk in the sacrificial love of Christ. - 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17; 1 John 3:16; 4:9-12

11. I have the wisdom of the Lord concerning every decision I make. - 2 Chronicles 1:7-12; Proverbs 2:6; Ecclesiastes 2:26; James 1:5

12. I am protected form all harm and evil in Jesus' name. - Genesis 50:20; Psalm 3: 1-3; Thessalonians 3:2-3

Also, from the book - "How much difference would it make in our lives if we would preach these realities to ourselves" Let's resolve now to preach God's Word in our own hearts daily, emphatically, convincingly!"

How true is this. Preach to yourself and therefore your message will be clear and heard as you walk this out. So get ready to preach to yourself. He is always for you...always loves you unconditionally.

LOVE- Truly In The Eyes of the Beloved

Every thought...every glance...every move...every smile Abba speaks as I look at my son in every day moments. Those moments become immeasurable. It becomes an indescribable LOVE in the eyes of the beloved. I am beloved. We are HIS beloved and He is ours. (Song of Solomon 2:16)

God has been speaking to me with scriptures as I look at my son. I decided to share two photos of those times I was able to capture. I won't dictate it but let Abba speak to you.



 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us ~ Ephesians 3:20



Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord. ~ Psalm 45:11

The picture above spoke the clearest to me. As I looked in that rear view mirror as I was driving my son to school, I couldn't hardly take my eyes off him. I was so enthralled by him. I am captivated!! My son asked me why I had the rear view mirror looking at him. I responded I just have to look at you. I can't help it. I love you. Anyone relate? Jesus does... He is captivated by you. ENTHRALLED by your beauty. He can't help but to look at you.

Think on that today. HE TOTALLY ADORES YOU.  There is truly LOVE in the eyes of the Beloved for you. There is nothing He wouldn't give you Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. His eyes are burning like fire. (Revelations 1:14) I believe because He is so passionate for us. That is more than I can ask or imagine.

YOU ARE HIS !

Loudly Heard in the Silence

God is in every detail of our lives....even the little things. As I was showering last weekend, I said to God silently. "I need that soap over there by the sink".  As I go to open the curtain to yell for Joshua...he walks in. I say... "Baby, please get momma that soap".  He replies,"That is what I am doing." I then add, "Oh yeah?" He said, "God asked me to get that soap for you",  I inquire with some doubt, "Really?" He says... "MOMMA! God hears you even when you are silent." 

I have been meditating on the beauty of silence ever since (still am). It wasn't until the next day during prayer with a woman at church that I realize how powerful the word was for me. I just wept. I am still in awe! He can in a moment speak so much. He showed me He had always heard my silent cries out to Him. This referred not only to deaf ministry but other places in my life that simply hurt. With deaf ministry, I submitted to the authority above me and felt deep heartache at times feeling not heard and with some friendships I felt left behind and seperated but He was calling me to be His best friend. 

There is a time, a season for every thing under Heaven. A time to be lifted up. If you humble yourself, He will exalt you in due time. I was experiencing that. I was so humbled hearing my prayers answered from a year ago. God was speaking to her then.  A true visible voice saying God put this on my heart. He always heard me. ALWAYS!

There is a season of preparation which includes silently crying out, feeling broken and isolated, but in time, after being prepared you can walk fully in the calling placed on your life and walk in a life full of abundance. I am seeing such favor, provision and my confidence is beyond measure. 

This all is a beautiful picture which I can sum up in a verse found in 1 Peter 5:6,7. God actually had Shane mediating on it for a month. I laugh now at the attempts to which he wanted me to memorize it. A word spoken in season is marrow to the bones and joy to the heart. 

It's true God moves in ways we can never comprehend or see, naturally. His ways are higher but what glory given to His name once we recognize His' moving. I am in a season of doing that. A season of reaping, thankfulness and rejoicing. I pray for an unction down deep, a shaking notifying me He has done good works for me. 

GOD HEARS YOU IN YOUR SILENCE!

Season of Change

I sit here and type and know not only is the season changing but so am I. I feel the removing of the old season and the ushering in of the new season. God is speaking to me in so many ways that I honestly cannot reproduce the beauty of how He spoke it because it was a deep heart word.  

Recently, in one of the ways He spoke to me was through a Bradford Pear Tree.  He gently reminded me of how I admired the tree, wishing to have one for years. How I enjoy them this time of the year. The white blooms which remind me I am washed white as snow because of the love of Jesus on the cross. The simple yet elegant bloom reminding me things best understood are of the simplest of notations. The notation for me was pulling up in my driveway and realizing the tree I admired the beauty of and even would have loved to have, I had all along. I had it before I wanted it. Then questions pondered in my heart, Why do I wish for things I already have and never notice the treasures around me. This was a real awakening to my heart. 

In this new season I have no idea what Abba will do but I do know it will be beautiful. In times in the past I felt anxious about new seasons and what is to come. I find myself very peaceful and excited. Ready to step into a new season. 

I find myself feeling separated in many ways but I do find myself very content with it. What is to come this Spring. Only Abba knows, I just pray it displays beauty, as the bloom on a beautiful tree and it brings much beautiful fruits of the Spirit. 

 Just two interesting facts about pears:

1. Pears are a member of the rose family. 

2. Pear trees can live 100 years, but they are usually replaced in the orchards after 30 or 40 years. This allows them to produce the most and the best tasting fruit each year.

How many want to be in God's orchard with me? Be refined into the beauty of a rose?

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. - Psalm 37:4


For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  

Jeremiah 29:11-13

What Kind Of Leaf Are You?

Yesterday as I lay down for a nap. God drops in my heart in a brief second an analogy. FALL LEAVES

Notice the colors - Red, yellow, orange, etc. You see fall leaves are made to be full of color and beauty. The colorful leaves represent that they have a good and beautiful life. (Hence the color) Truly displaying beauty. He then showed me a brown leaf. It lacked color. It lacked the good and beautiful life because of issues like anger, hurt, abuse and the past. On a dictionary online page, one of the many definitions of color is an outward appearance or aspect; a guise or show: It was a lie, but it had the color of truth.

To continue:  When you hold the brown leaf it crumbles more so than the other leaves. Why? IT LACKED THE BEAUTY OF LIFE. It lost its focus, so to speak. It relates to us because we don't know beauty and life until we focus and receive the beauty God gives us and display it for all to see for His glory. 

He has really been speaking... FOCUS to me. FOCUS! Focus on things noble, true, praiseworthy, admirable. When you do that is when you truly have peace.  I tried this out this week when what would have been disappointment for me wasn't.  As I said in post My Sweet Valentine I had planned on seeing my daddy on Valentine's Day, but the morning I called he was "sick", but instead of feeling rejected I changed my focus and it didn't phase me at all.  Simply because I focused on things true, which IS my daddy loves me.

He calls us to a good and beautiful life NOW so I ask you...WHAT KIND OF LEAF ARE YOU?

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4: 4-9 (Amp).

My Sweet Valentine

The Holy Spirit really started showing me where my focus has been for the past two years. Sad to say not the best at times on focusing on what is true, noble, pure, lovely or of a good report. I mentioned before in another post about how I realized I wasn't focused on the good in my relationships as much as the hurt. How did hurt replace some great memories which transformed into some sort of amnesia in my heart?  Abba has really given me some "love tokens" in the past few months to awaken the memories that are lovely and true.

I was reminded yesterday by my mom how my daddy was my first valentine. She said he always took time to give to me a flower or something special on valentines. It meant a lot to him. Something I had forgotten, but once she reminded me, I did indeed have those very beautiful memories tucked in my heart. I remember how beautiful and special it made me feel. I called my dad right after my talk with my mom since Valentines approaches to see if I can come see him on Valentine's Day. He answered the phone in such a downcast voice. After asking if I could come over, after-all he was my first valentine, his voice changed into a truly joyful and excited tone. Like it became something worth living for. Doesn't love make us feel it's worth living for?

As a parent, we have the treasure of showing love to our children that does reflect how they view God, the Abba Father and their value and worth.  As a daughter, I do have the ability to remind my father (and mother) that there is indeed a beautiful life worth living. I can bring those beautiful memories to them, to heal their lifetime of hurt and painful past. As a wife, I can complete my husband and be his helpmeet. In the good times and bad, in sickness and in health. Constantly being that love starring back at him when he needs me the most.

It takes a moment to offer love to someone when it could have taken a lifetime sometimes to overcome hurt. I know I am going to put such things into practice and pray to bring peace and a little token of love to those I meet.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S FRIENDS... If you think about it.. Stop and just tell someone you love them especially the Almighty Father in Heaven. He awaits to be reminded He is our Sweet Valentine.

LOVE CONQUERS ALL!

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8,9

WE ARE FAMILY!!!!

Children are a heritage from the LORD, 

offspring a reward from him. 

Psalm 127:3