Christ in the Clouds

The beginning of a New Year often has us looking back and seeing how God has walked with us in the past and contemplating the year ahead .  We tend to want to hold on to the familiar, the easier path, the old ways....but these often become unhealthy, and even dangerous for us to continue down some paths/have relationships with some people in our lives. When we become aware of these different paths/people in our lives that can hinder/harm us, we may need to "rise from the dust and walk away".  "Burning the Ships" can be SO difficult(maybe even excruciating.)  I don't know about you, but FEAR often has kept me from burning the ships and moving ahead. Fear of rejection, fear of what others will think, fear of being alone, fear of not knowing the future. But, God reminds us that He will never leave us, nor forsake us. He is our source of strength. And He holds the future and will take care of us!! “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageou...

A REVIEW OF 2019: January - Celebrating mom's 82nd birthday February - Catching up with an old high school friend!! March/April - Traveling South and West U.S.  Meeting my online Texas friends!! Biking around the rim of the Grand Canyon  Canyonlands, Utah May - Spending Quality Time With Mom Taking mom out for our weekly meal! Taking mom fishing June - Walk for Alzheimer's Awareness/Fundraiser Danny Gokey/Tenth Ave North concert July - Family kayak outing August - Lazy lake days Bonfires by the lake Days of endless fishing September - Camping in Colorado Many fun-filled days with mom October - Dressing doggies up and Trick-or-Treating downtown November - Thanksgiving meal with mom December - Playing games; Celebrating the Holiday together Attending a Christmas Program  Christmas Dinner My word for 2018 was CHANGE and there definitely was lots of change this past year. Ch...

In my last post, I shared a word I felt God was calling me to claim for 2020. 2019 is not over, but I'm already seeing how the Lord is preparing me for the upcoming year and my faith is being greatly challenged. I keep hearing my new word in Scripture, in devotionals, in songs, and in prayers. My word is FEARLESS As Christians, we are warned many times in the Bible that we may endure persecutions and hardships of many kinds. We are also told over and over, "Do not be afraid", "Do not fear", and "Fear not." Deuteronomy 31:8 “He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Isaiah 43:1 “Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.” Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Matthew 10:31 "Fear not, therefore; you are of more value ...

Yep! You read the blog title right...I've been in a race!!(Not literally, but  figuratively  and  spiritually.) I've been quiet here on my blog for quite awhile, but for good reason. It's taken lots of stamina, time, and patience for me to take each step over the past 11 months!!(Just as a reminder: I had shared back in January of this year that  My Word for 2019: was ENDURE  ) And my endurance continues to be vital, as I continue to run this race with love and commitment in the upcoming year!! Endurance implies that whatever  is happening is going to take a long time."  Well, it definitely has been and is what I have experienced in the past year. "To endure is more than just continuing to exist; it is continuing to exist in the same manner as before the suffering began.  To “endure” does not mean simply to grin and bear it. Christians will feel sad, betrayed, or even angry at times. These emotions in and of themselves are not bad; they onl...

Now that we've entered a new year, I have been contemplating what my word and verse should be. Several different words have come to mind...marathon, fortitude, patience, persevere, resolve, resignation, forbearance.... but the one word I finally chose was endure.  Two verses are the sources for what I base my word on:    "...and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ," ~   Hebrews 12:2  "being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great  ENDURANCE  and patience", ~ Colossians 1:11 In my youth, I excelled in sports that required being fast...and sprinting. In track, I ran the 400 meter dash. In softball, I ran the bases faster than any of my teammates. I've also been one to be more interested in getting things done over doing them slowly and more precisely.  I've always hated anything that required long, drawn-out activities. I get tired, impatient, and bored eas...

It's hard to believe, but another Christmas has come and gone. I pray your Christmas was full of love and blessings. I'm so thankful ours was uneventful(a large family gathering and a small Christmas Eve meal), but also a little sad... 2018 is almost over... Where did another year go?  I had planned on writing many more posts this year, but it just didn't happen. My word for this year was "change". Yes, I admit, there were several things that brought change for me in 2018...some were good, many were very difficult.  Other changes that were anticipated never occurred.  I'm realizing that's real life, though. It brings lots of  surprises, followed by numerous disappointments.  But, it's just been one year out of many. The truth is, the best any of us can do in this life is just do our best and trust God for the rest. As I think back over 2018, I know I am blessed with changes that I have experienced!!... I have my son...