Anxiety versus Peace

In Philippians 4:6 we are instructed to "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let [our] requests be made known to God."
Wow! Isn't that amazing? God wants us to come with our worries and our anxieties. Right now I have something that I am anxious about in my heart and I continue to bring it to God and as I do, peace envelops me. Which is consistent with Philippians 4:7 verse that states, "and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." I serve an amazing God who promises to guard my heart and my mind with His peace. I want to know more about Him. I want to come closer to Him. May God, Jesus Christ, give you this gift of peace. Jesus loves you, my friend. The Bible is written with riches beyond your imagination, don't be afraid of it and give it a try for yourself. Ask God to help you see Him through this incredible book. 

The Joy of Running

What is it about running that lights up my mood? I am getting ready to go to the gym for a nice run and I am already excited and I just have to share with you.  The whole experience is fun for me each and every time, whether I am running on the beach or on the tredmill.  I hope that you have something today that brings you this simple kind of joy.

Strange and True and Wonderful

Truth is stranger than fiction. Truth is also better than fiction. Truth doesn't always make sense, but it is the real thing and it is liberating. The truth of Jesus Christ is so simple that most of us miss it even when it is revealed to us by Jesus Himself. The love of Jesus is pure and generous, it's full of grace and goodness and peace but because we don't understand it we allow ourselves to be fooled by fictitious thoughts of fear and stress that is not of God. Jesus does not say that when we come to him He will give us confusion or hurt or pain, he promises to freely give us rest and peace and unspeakable joy in a confusing, hurting and painful world. He sits at the mercy seat and offers us the free gift of the Holy Spirit. We have not because we ask not because we fool ourselves with fiction...now that's strange.

If I Could Help One

Today, if I may help one person with my thoughts put into words - even for a day - it is enough for me. Tomorrow, I want to do it again...in the name of Jesus

When the Sun Was Hidden

                                       

I was on a business trip a couple of weeks ago and my hotel window had the view of the open sky. I was very tired after a long day in meetings and decided to sit on my bed and stare out the window to decompress while it was still daylight out. I wanted to sit quietly and meditate on the Lord. I had no words for God, I just wanted to soak in His love. As I sat there and stared out the window the sun kept getting hid by large clouds and then because it was a windy day, the clouds would move and the sun would appear again and this cycle continued for a while. Sometimes I would see the sun in its full glory and my whole hotel room would brighten up and lift my mood and sometimes the clouds would hide the sun and it would get dark in my room again but I knew the sun was there behind the clouds even if I was not able to see it. It was the same way with God, just because we sometimes didn't see Him working in our lives, it didn't mean He was not there shining His light upon us. Did you know that the sun rays were stronger on cloudy days than on sunny days? God was constant, just like the sun. Our Father in heaven promised to never leave us nor forsake us, His rays of love were always over us even in the darkest days of our lives. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the boys, girls, men and women forced into modern day slavery (human trafficking) and for all those impacted by the Boston bombings. You were not and will not be forgotten.

The Love of Prayer

I love to pray, I love it so much that I painted this painting. It has symbolism all over it. If I love to pray so much why do I do so little of it? Don't get me wrong, I pray all day, I pray without ceasing but that alone time dedicated with God has decreased. I am denying myself the best time of the day, when I sit with God and let His love overflow in me, where I thank Him and pray fervently on behalf of others. Where I ask Him for help and recognize that He is God. Where I praise Him and lift His name and where I remember that I serve the King of kings, my Lord Who is completely in control. So instead of praying, I type. Just like in the painting, as the girl prays the light spreads and the darkness flees,  it is true in real life, because that girl represents me. Thank You, Lord, for hearing me, even in this blog. Help me to search for You like those who search for gold. Thank You that You hear me. Amen.

Feeling Discouraged

I think it's very easy to send encouragement to others when everything is right in your life. When you're  in a good mood and everything feels right. I know it's so easy for me to try to cheer another person up when I'm in a good mood and I think that is a good thing...people need to be helped. But can I encourage others when I'm feeling down? Is it possible to make another person feel better about themselves while I am feeling discouraged? Yes, I believe it is possible because I believe that as a Christian I know that my faith is not based on feelings, faith is based on knowledge that there is a God who exists and He loves me and I am His and He is my rock and He reminds me of all of His goodness that He has poured over my life and that's why I know that though things don't FEEL right, I know that I will not be moved so that's why I can tell you that if Jesus is your God and your Savior then you're going to be ok. His timing is different from yours but it doesn't mean that He has forgotten about you...even when there are times you don't feel like praying or reading the Bible, I know that deep down inside there is a strength in you to carry on and to fight the good fight...this is a God given strength. If you feel like you have little strength to pray then just cry out to Him with, "Lord, help me!" God is faithful. I write this while I feel discouraged about something in my life but I press on because I love God more than my current state of discontentment. So let's press on together and praise Him even when we don't feel like we have the strength because He is good and it's not over! We are victorious because God is fighting for us. I pray this little note gives you hope and encouragement. In its own way it has encouraged me. :) God bless.