Friday, May 27, 2016

Strength and Courage in the Lord

Have you ever felt weak and full of fear?
Have you felt surrounded, and maybe even swallowed up, by the struggles and people who seem to be out to harm you?
I think most of us have at one time or another.
I have felt that fear and feeling of dread more recently in my sleep at night. I have woke up a handful of times with an overwhelming sadness and heartache. I know the moment I awake that the enemy has put fearful and lying thoughts into my head...yet they seem so real and true.
I pray fervently for satan to leave and for the Lord to fill my heart with peace and truth. I also read God's promises from His Word that we are not to fear, but to trust in Him alone, and remember that He is always with us. These things have been effective to bring me comfort and I am able to fall back asleep peacefully.
I am reminded that we constantly and continually need to be ready to fight against the enemy's attacks on our minds and bodies. I know that especially when we are in prayer and fasting over a loved one's salvation the devil comes at us with more force and drive. My hubby and I have been in daily prayer over our son's life decisions and that his walk with the Lord would be renewed. I believe that is why I have been attacked in my sleep at night. He tries to go after me with negative and fearful dreams, while I am not fully concious.(I am not usually a nightime dreamer, either.)

In times when we feel oppressed by the enemy, by feeling fear or weakness, I am so glad He has given us these promises:

Joshua 1:9  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Deuteronomy 31:6  Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

2 Timothy 1:7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

What wonderful assurance we have that God will never leave us or forsake us. He is our strength and courage!!

Once again, I'm sharing for "Multitudes on Mondays", as I  Dare to Share some of the gifts that God has been so gracious to put into my life. 
#1807 - Eating fresh fruit(strawberries and cherries) from the local produce market.

#1808 - A warm breeze on a hot day.

#1809 - Safe travels when visiting our son in Detroit.

#1810 - A beautiful, sunny day at the zoo!
 #1811 - Colorful artwork on the wall of a Mexican restaurant we ate dinner at.
#1812 - The unique and creative kinds of animal life that God has created.





         

 #1813 - Being able to spend a fun and enjoyable weekend with our son.

#1814 - Cool evenings sitting with my mom by our lake, watching my hubby fish off the pier...so peaceful!!


#1815 - Spending a wonderful afternoon with my friend and sister-in-Christ!!  


Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,

    and give thanks to His holy name!
Psalm 97:12



May your week be full of God's love and goodness!!

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Monday, May 16, 2016

The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful

Hello, friends in the Lord! I pray you have had a good week and as we begin a new week, may you find many new blessings to be thankful for. When I read the picture statement below, it made me think about all of the many different moments we experience each and every day.
This listed only a handful of the moments we can encounter in an hour, a day, or a week. It is amazing how our experiences can change from moment to moment...how one minute things are going well, then out of the blue a difficult situation erupts. Hearts (and mouths) turn down. Things may even get ugly, or dull, or just plain unglamorous. How easily these things can affect our mood!

A few moments later, we may feel inspired by someone's words or actions. We may read a scripture verse or quote and soon we feel uplifted and even grateful for the blessings we see, once again. 

This seems to be the circle of life...there are ups and downs...the good, the bad, and the beautiful. 

Today, once again I am trying to be thankful for the big and the small things over the past week. These things help me not only to look at all God has blessed me with, but also helps me to have a more positive outlook and hopefully be more positive in my words and actions every day. Feel free to join me in listing what you are grateful for, as well. 
#1800 - Being able to enjoy a steaming cup of vanilla chai latte' every day!!
#1801 - Spending an awesome day checking out garage sales and taking my friend out for lunch for her birthday.

#1802 - Enjoying my two fur-babies...as I look back at past pics, in honor of "International Chihuahua Appreciation Day".
#1803 - Catching 4 nice bluegill off of our pier...having a fish dinner.

#1804 - Spending time with my hubby and not having to think about what my mom is doing, as she spent the weekend with my sister.(Some ugly with this also, but I will share about that another time.)

#1805 - Finishing the pergola we started putting together last week.(There still will be some changes/things added to this patio, but we did get the pergola up!)
#1806 - Another sunny day, even though it still is cool out for May.


For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;(1 Timothy 4:4)

Have a blessed week ahead!!

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Monday, May 9, 2016

Big Reminder to Myself - Have an Attitude of Gratitude


Well, once again I have(as they say) "fallen off the horse"....

I've been wanting to start my gratitude journaling again for a few months, but it has been a bumpy beginning. First, family stuff distracted me. Then, the gross weather drug me down, followed by getting started on spring gardening and cleaning. I know none of these are good excuses, but they are the excuses I have used to keep me from sitting down and sharing what I am grateful for.

This is not a new hardship for me...I've tried it before and dropped the ball a number of times. I know...we are all human and we all make mistakes. But this time it has had an obvious affect on my relationships with loved ones. My hubby said just the other day how much he has noticed this and it has definitely not allowed us to be as close as we had been. I know it has affected other relationships, as well.

You see, when I don't count my blessings and in the process have an attitude of gratitude, I end up a negative ninny!! And honestly, who likes being around a negative person? I don't even like being around myself when I get into a negative state of thinking. 

So, once again I am turning in prayer toward God for the strength and ability to stay positive every day! I need to keep up on writing on my gratitude list every week (eventually I hope to list things every day, but I'm taking baby steps, so as not to become too discouraged starting out again.)

Please keep me in your prayers, friends!! I really want to keep it up this time!! I will be also sharing verses and quotes that are reminders to me and anyone else that needs encouragement, that having gratitude is important to our everyday lives.
 "...if joy is a matter of gratitude, and gratitude is a matter of perspective, then giving thanks changes not only your perspective — but also changes your life."
Continuing to list all that I am thankful for:
#1791 - Planting some lovely, colorful flowers in my planter pots.

#1792 - Seeing new life on our lake...a family of Canadian geese.

#1793 - Our pontoon boat that was not running right, is now running much better, after my hubby worked on it for several days.

#1794 - Spending a gorgeous Mother's Day with my mom.

#1795 - My hubby serving us lunch "al fresco" on Mother's Day.

#1796 - Getting a new pergola for our patio area. Putting it partly together with my hubby.

#1797 - Having my step-daugher and her family stop out for Mother's Day with a flower and card.

#1798 - Getting a phone call from my son, who wished me a happy Mother's Day, too!!


#1799 - A cool rain on a Monday morning...God watering all my new flowers!!


"O give thanks to the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endures for ever."

Have a blessed week ahead!!
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