As you get out of bed in the morning, be aware of My Presence with you. You may not be thinking clearly yet, but I am. Your early morning thoughts tend to be anxious ones until you get connected with Me. Invite me into your thoughts by whispering My Name. Suddenly your day brightens and feels more user-friendly. You cannot dread a day that is vibrant with My Presence.
You gain confidence through knowing that I am with you--that you face nothing alone. Anxiety stems from asking the wrong question "If such and such happens, can I handle it?" The true question is not whether you can cope with whatever happens, but whether you and I together can handle anything that occurs. It is this you-and-I-together factor that gives you confidence to face the day cheerfully.
From Jesus Calling
Psalms 5:3
Psalms 63:1 and Phil 4: 13
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Sunday, June 22, 2014
CONGRATULATIONS!
Taking some time out here for area young women and their well-deserved hard work.
Congratulations to Maddie Bryan (Miss Three Rivers Outstanding Teen) of Laotto who just won the Miss Indiana Outstanding Teen Crown. She will advance to Miss America Outstanding Teen soon. Terrin Thomas from Auburn just gave up her crown to Audra Casterline. Alexiandra Dallas of Angola(Miss Ft Wayne Outstanding Teen) was first runner up and won the Interview Award. Several of us who just did a mock interview for her can attest, she is the best interviewed 17 year old I have worked with. And, Congratulations to Morgan Grady (Miss Fort Wayne) who placed 3rd Runner Up at Miss Indiana - who is from Ft. Wayne. Megan Thwaites of Garrett won the Fitness Award and other scholarships I don't have the names for. I bring all that up because we are always in the Top Ten or win from this area every year. It says a lot to me about young motivated and assertive young women who are pursuing their college and career dreams. They are determined and these are the young people that will represent this area in the work force and make a difference. We need to be proud of them.
Congratulations to Maddie Bryan (Miss Three Rivers Outstanding Teen) of Laotto who just won the Miss Indiana Outstanding Teen Crown. She will advance to Miss America Outstanding Teen soon. Terrin Thomas from Auburn just gave up her crown to Audra Casterline. Alexiandra Dallas of Angola(Miss Ft Wayne Outstanding Teen) was first runner up and won the Interview Award. Several of us who just did a mock interview for her can attest, she is the best interviewed 17 year old I have worked with. And, Congratulations to Morgan Grady (Miss Fort Wayne) who placed 3rd Runner Up at Miss Indiana - who is from Ft. Wayne. Megan Thwaites of Garrett won the Fitness Award and other scholarships I don't have the names for. I bring all that up because we are always in the Top Ten or win from this area every year. It says a lot to me about young motivated and assertive young women who are pursuing their college and career dreams. They are determined and these are the young people that will represent this area in the work force and make a difference. We need to be proud of them.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
ARE YOU A SPONGE OR A ROCK?
Color me wierd or whatever, but when I read this scripture I suddenly felt different. It felt like I was taking it all in - absorbing it like a paper towel; ah a sponge!
PSALM 130: 5
I wait for the Lord, my SOUL waits for the Lord, and in His Word I put my hope!
Our soul is deep within us. Many of us keep it guarded, secret, away from everyday life. All life's events, words, hurts, joys are stored there. Many of us react accordingly. Liberty Savard comments in her book Shattering The Strongholds, that the soul is deep within us and holds onto everything. Therefore, the bad things, hurtful things need cleansed by binding and loosing it all to God. Well, when I read that part about My Soul waits for the Lord, I suddenly felt that washing over, that complete absorbing of what that means.
When I asked are you a sponge or a rock, you can also be a rock that stands its ground; hard and unyielding. The washing and cleansing can come and hit you hard, but splash on over and away.
Think about that for awhile. I see and hear that in my counseling over and over. People do not like giving up what they have kept hidden away in that soul. Protective barbs, walls of silence, carefully kept secrets of anger and fear. The soul also can keep great joys and un-restraint. Just sayin'!
Waiting for the Lord tries our patience, but letting Him wash over us and we take in all that He has for us in patience, (supernatural patience) can be hard, but in the end it is like a sudden tide of sunshine and unexplainable joy. You don't even know why, things haven't changed in certain areas of your life, but you just know God's Got it! Be hopeful! Trust! Experience!
PSALM 130: 5
I wait for the Lord, my SOUL waits for the Lord, and in His Word I put my hope!
Our soul is deep within us. Many of us keep it guarded, secret, away from everyday life. All life's events, words, hurts, joys are stored there. Many of us react accordingly. Liberty Savard comments in her book Shattering The Strongholds, that the soul is deep within us and holds onto everything. Therefore, the bad things, hurtful things need cleansed by binding and loosing it all to God. Well, when I read that part about My Soul waits for the Lord, I suddenly felt that washing over, that complete absorbing of what that means.
When I asked are you a sponge or a rock, you can also be a rock that stands its ground; hard and unyielding. The washing and cleansing can come and hit you hard, but splash on over and away.
Think about that for awhile. I see and hear that in my counseling over and over. People do not like giving up what they have kept hidden away in that soul. Protective barbs, walls of silence, carefully kept secrets of anger and fear. The soul also can keep great joys and un-restraint. Just sayin'!
Waiting for the Lord tries our patience, but letting Him wash over us and we take in all that He has for us in patience, (supernatural patience) can be hard, but in the end it is like a sudden tide of sunshine and unexplainable joy. You don't even know why, things haven't changed in certain areas of your life, but you just know God's Got it! Be hopeful! Trust! Experience!
Monday, June 9, 2014
BASKING IN THE LIGHT!
From Jesus Calling, I wanted to share something I am very impassioned about. . and, it is all a part of practicing the presence.
There is just no better way to know God then to hear Him saying this to you personally:
I am all around you, like a cocoon of Light. My Presence with you is a promise, independent of your awareness of Me. Many things can block this awareness, but the major culprit is worry. My children tend to accept worry as an inescapable fact of life. However, worry is a form of unbelief; it is anathema to Me.
Who is in charge of your life? If it is you, then you have good reason to worry. But since I am in charge, worry is both unnecessary and counter-productive. When you start to feel anxious about something, relinquish the situation to Me. Back off a bit, redirecting your focus to Me. I will either take care of the problem Myself or show you how to handle it. In this world you will have problems, but you need not lose sight of Me.
John 16: 33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
ENOUGH SAID!
There is just no better way to know God then to hear Him saying this to you personally:
I am all around you, like a cocoon of Light. My Presence with you is a promise, independent of your awareness of Me. Many things can block this awareness, but the major culprit is worry. My children tend to accept worry as an inescapable fact of life. However, worry is a form of unbelief; it is anathema to Me.
Who is in charge of your life? If it is you, then you have good reason to worry. But since I am in charge, worry is both unnecessary and counter-productive. When you start to feel anxious about something, relinquish the situation to Me. Back off a bit, redirecting your focus to Me. I will either take care of the problem Myself or show you how to handle it. In this world you will have problems, but you need not lose sight of Me.
John 16: 33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
ENOUGH SAID!
Sunday, June 1, 2014
PRACTICING THE PRESENCE!
There are many many verses and many many writings on this, but I decided to share the one from this morning. I have been working on this ever since the cross showed up on the lake Dec. 10th.2013. Whenever I get the chance I talk with people about what that means. Just walking from the house to the mailbox and looking at the blue sky, flowers starting to raise up, and the baby robins who just flew out of the nest gives us pause to practice the presence. However, I am sure I had a few choice words when they flew out of the nest Friday and one blanked on my shoe and toes. I was flabbergasted at nature right then and had no words.
From Jesus Calling the devotional;
I am involved in each moment of your life. I have carefully mapped out every inch of your journey through this day, even though much of it may feel haphazard. . . . .
Stay conscious of Me as you go through this day, remembering that I never leave your side. Let the Holy Spirit guide you step by step, protecting you from unnecessary trials and equipping you to get through whatever must be endured.
Isaiah 41:13
For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you.
One of my favorite verses.
There is a difference between saying "Well, Lord what is going to happen today?" Negative emphasis. And, Well, Lord WHAT is going to happen to day?" Postive reflection. Some of in prayer team were discussing the way you say that in the morning makes a huge difference in how you react to what happens every day. Yipper!!!!! That person has changed the reflection and noticed a big difference in their day now. God's Got It! Practicing the Presence is noticing all the beauty of God nature and thanking him. Singing songs, praying, and then when something in life happens, you JUST handle it, you don't go flying around the room. I have noticed the complete difference in my days now. When I saw the cross on the lake and realized He is with me on every journey bad and good. What do I have to get all fluffed up about. Just handle it. If you don't know how to, then ask him how to handle it. I get ideas in my head that weren't there. I react in ways I haven't always been good about reacting. Responding now is easier. He has my right hand.
From Jesus Calling the devotional;
I am involved in each moment of your life. I have carefully mapped out every inch of your journey through this day, even though much of it may feel haphazard. . . . .
Stay conscious of Me as you go through this day, remembering that I never leave your side. Let the Holy Spirit guide you step by step, protecting you from unnecessary trials and equipping you to get through whatever must be endured.
Isaiah 41:13
For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you.
One of my favorite verses.
There is a difference between saying "Well, Lord what is going to happen today?" Negative emphasis. And, Well, Lord WHAT is going to happen to day?" Postive reflection. Some of in prayer team were discussing the way you say that in the morning makes a huge difference in how you react to what happens every day. Yipper!!!!! That person has changed the reflection and noticed a big difference in their day now. God's Got It! Practicing the Presence is noticing all the beauty of God nature and thanking him. Singing songs, praying, and then when something in life happens, you JUST handle it, you don't go flying around the room. I have noticed the complete difference in my days now. When I saw the cross on the lake and realized He is with me on every journey bad and good. What do I have to get all fluffed up about. Just handle it. If you don't know how to, then ask him how to handle it. I get ideas in my head that weren't there. I react in ways I haven't always been good about reacting. Responding now is easier. He has my right hand.
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK PRACTICING THE PRESENCE OF GOD!
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