faith

Advent Season 2016

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I mentioned in an Instagram post recently that I would be doing an Advent series and then started praying about it and waiting for the Lord to lead me on what to do next. I knew I wanted to talk about keeping CHRIST in Christmas but it wasn’t until the words hit me this morning that I really realized what Advent season is all about. Preparing our hearts. I think it is so much easier to prepare our hearts during the month(s) leading up to Easter, as it is when we celebrate Jesus dying on the cross and the resurrection. But do you stop and prepare your heart during the month(s) leading up until Christmas? Because without Christmas and Christ’s birth there would be no Easter. No Joy…No Hope…No Grace.   Continue reading →

Forgive as He Forgave You

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If you are like most people you probably hold some sort of resentment towards someone. We have all at one time been hurt by someone either physically or emotionally or gotten angry and said things that caused us and the people involved to be hurt. Maybe everyone walked away in a civilized manner after apologizing, but more than likely you all walked away hurt and angry carrying a grudge. Sometimes saying sorry and forgiving each other just does not happen. The Lord tells us to forgive them even if they are not sorry. The reason being is because forgiveness is about your own healing. We forgive because the Lord forgives us. Continue reading →

Come As You Are

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I have had people ask me about my “testimony” and  each time I think the same thing. That they are expecting me to give them all the dark details of a broken home and shattered dreams. Maybe blaming a God that I didn’t even believe in….Then one day I saw the light and found God. But that isn’t my testimony. I came from a strong Christ centered home with two parents who loved the Lord  and my sister and I more than anything else. So unlike the answer I assume they expect, I give them the truth. My testimony is that I’ve been a Christian for as long as I can remember. I was making up songs and singing them at 3 years old that said things like, “Here comes Jesus walking down the street.” I have always known Jesus as my personal savior and friend and honestly I can not imagine what life would look like, not to know Him! I did not live a perfect, sinless life and I make sure people know that. I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I do know the most important answer of all. That my sins are forgiven and washed clean through my savior, Jesus Christ.         Continue reading →

Bloom Where You are Planted

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“Sometimes you think you are being buried, when really you’re being planted. God is using this season to grow you.” I woke up this morning with this quote on my heart because it was another day that I woke up in pain. I fell asleep in pain, tossed and turned through out the night in pain and woke up in pain. I am not telling you this for sympathy, I am telling you this because I feel that if I don’t I am not being honest with you. Life is not always sunshine and rainbows. Some days, or in my case months are filled with pain and all you can do is cry out in frustration. I wake up every day praying the Lord will go before me and heal my pain. I don’t always feel 100% better but I do feel God’s peace and the pain decreasing. He is my hope when all else feels hopeless.   Continue reading →

Living Every Day with Purpose

 

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It is so easy to get caught up in making a life that you forget to actually live life. I sit here at my computer listening to the trees swaying in the cool breeze. Fall is here. I can feel it in my soul. Why is it that when Fall rolls around, we finally feel like we can slow down and start enjoying life? Summer always feels like we need to go, go, go and keep going all day until the sun goes down. When do we decide that making a life is not as important as living your life?  

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Broken Healing Through Christ

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                                    {this picture is of my sweet sister’s cute feet.}

Let me ask you a question. Now be honest with yourself, and well I can’t hear your answer so there’s no need to be shy. ;) Really think about what I am about to ask you. Ok?  When you look in the mirror what do you see?  I’m not asking what you physically see. I mean, when you look at yourself and look deep into your heart, what do you see? Do you see broken?  Do you see pain and the burdens of your past mistakes? If you are like most people, you said, “Yes.” Because in some way, we are all broken. Perhaps you even started to cry and couldn’t get the words out so only a whisper was spoken.

God took human form and walked this world. He felt the pain and hurt we are feeling and knows what we are going through. He created us to feel. Even if that feeling is pain, you know why? Because it draws us closer to Him…..

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Breaking FREE from Anxiety

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Do you struggle with anxiety? If you do then you understand how upside down it can turn your life. If you don’t, then you probably can’t wrap your head around the thought of being paralyzed with fear and feeling sick to your stomach. I don’t go around telling people I have anxiety. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I am not embarrassed or ashamed. I just don’t think it is something that defines me. At least, not anymore! I have been praying about posting this and feel like God wants me to share something a little more on here. Anxiety is not a pretty thing, but you know what, if I can help at least one person reading this break FREE from it, then this post is more than worth it! Continue reading →

Coffee Date #2

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Hi! Grab a cup of coffee, or tea if that’s your thing, I’ll try not to judge ;) just kidding! and let’s chat! If we were on a coffee date today, first of all I’d tell you that I was so glad you could take time out of your day to share a cup of happiness I mean coffee ;) with me! I’ve been on a sweet kick lately, so I’d probably offer to make you one of my favorite lattes. Either a homemade salted caramel latte or an iced dark chocolate mocha.  I bet you’d pick a salted caramel latte, wouldn’t you? ;) Continue reading →

Finding & Using Your Creative SPARK!

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The words to one of my favorite Rend Collective Experiment songs, Desert Soul paints such a beautiful picture to me of how I feel life would be without God’s amazing love and creative spark in me.
 
“I love you, Lord
But I want to love You more
I need You, God
But I want to need You more
I’m lost without
Your creative spark in me
I’m dead inside
Unless Your resurrection sings
All that I am is dry bones
Without You, Lord, a desert soul
I am broken, but running
Towards You, God, You make me whole.”

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Finding Grace….

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Sometimes it seems easier to offer grace towards someone else than it is to have towards ourselves. We squeal in delight as our friend twirls around in her new outfit and tell her how cute she looks. But when we look in the mirror at ourselves, we seem to instantly magnify our flaws, failing to show ourselves grace. Grace is such a beautiful thing because we receive it freely from God without having to do anything for Him. God shows us His grace even though we don’t deserve it.  Continue reading →