Tag: church

The Life I Live

That Church Feeling: If You Know, You Know

I didn’t go to church last Sunday or this morning. You’re like oh, hello, you haven’t written in like a year!? (Sorry and hi, again!)

Anyhow..haha.. I scheduled a grocery pickup about 15 minutes after it started last weekend. What the devil LOL

That church feeling though. Do you know what I’m talking about? When you walk in, you’re suddenly filled with love that bursts at the seams. Literally for me…mine comes out of my eyes haha. I don’t cry at every service..well it’s not always sad tears at least and they don’t always fall out of my eyes. 

So anyhow, I’ve been reflecting on pastor’s message from that weekend prior, and it was definitely good enough for weeks worth of thinking on it.

Pray peace over it, he said. 

Or you know, that’s my short and sweet version of his sermon:) But my friend Jess and I went to church together that day and she said that it really resonated with her, too, and that she was putting it into practice throughout the week as well. 

I pray peace over my thoughts. WOW. That’s good, right? Who doesn’t need more peaceful thoughts?

I pray peace over my sweet Daddy, my day and my relationship. 

I pray peace over my brother’s death. Whew… heavy. Still so very heavy. Typing in this moment even gets me, my heart in my throat, eyes welling up. So raw and so very real. 

But sometimes when I pray peace over it, it does.. something. I can’t explain that something, I don’t have the words yet.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 

Even if you’re not there yet, keep praying peace over your situation, no matter what it is. You might choke/cry through it, it hurts that much sometimes. But keep saying it, keep doing it, and keep fighting for it. Pray peace over your life and pray peace into your life. 

Matthew 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.

Continue to pray for peace and believe that you will have it. If you are reading this today, please allow me pray for you:

Dear God,

I pray peace over my reader, that they hear Your message and begin to pray peace over their situations. I pray that they walk through their day with a heart full of Your word, believing they are worthy of Your peace and love. I pray that they lean on You and lean into You. Please lead them and remind them of Your peace.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scripture Sunday The Life I Live

Scripture Sunday: Be Thankful Out Loud and Intentionally

Last week Sunday I went to a church that was recommended to my by the AirBnb hosts I am staying with. I loved it, as I knew I would, and it was such a great message.

The service after Thanksgiving and leading into Christmas pointed out that gratitude is not something that is inherently known, but taught. As children, or now as parents, we are always reminding kids to say thank you, to show thankfulness, and to have gratitude.

Pastor talked of gratitude and that it is not always felt. Throughout life it must be practiced to be learned and truly felt. Do you practice gratitude? I love that it can be learned because that just means everyone has to potential for gratitude, and that it can be a part of your life, even if it isn’t in the present moment.

We were reminded to be thankful, in the good times, and the bad.

Give thanks in all things. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

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We were reminded that giving thanks invites God in and that we didn’t get where we are without Him.

Along with Him, who are the people who have held you up, during good times and bad? Who has been there for you, no matter the circumstance?

It is so easy and loving to thank the people in your life. It’s free and quick, too. So really, what is there stopping you from loving those in your life and thanking them?

And to wrap it up, he told us that we are our story and what we make of it.

I am constantly saying, “Speak life,” and I love that as a thought process. Speak the good, what you want to happen, and the positive you foresee for yourself and your future. There is negative all around you but you don’t have to focus on that, or let that be a part of your day.

You are your thoughts. If you change everything from “have to” to “get to,” how will that positively impact your day? How will that change your mood?

Being thankful in everything we have is something so many take for granted. Not everyone has a car to drive, fresh water to drink, a safe place to live, or a job to go to. Turn having to drive into getting to drive. Be thankful for the water bill you pay that ensures you have running water to use. Have a grateful heart for the house you get to clean and the bed you get to make. And you get to go to work, to a job that you worked hard for and chose. If you don’t like it, work hard, and choose something else. These are all things we get to do.

But in the meantime, be thankful for what you get, all that you are blessed with, and the people all around you. There is always something to be thankful for!

If you’re reading this, I want to pray for you:

Dear God, Thank You for everything You have done and everything You will do for us. We know we are not here because of what we ourselves did, but because of the grace and opportunities You have given to us. We thank You for the people in our lives. We praise You in the good and the bad. We will remember to be thankful today and everyday, and turn what we “have” to do, into what we “get” to do. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Scripture Sunday The Life I Live

Scripture Sunday: Ask God Where to Go

I don’t feel lost but I do wonder.

I wonder “where” I should be going. I also think about what I should be doing. I love to do lots of things, and I always have. But I think about if I should be doing more of one thing, and less of all of the things? Or if I’m doing what I “should” be.

Do you wonder about that?

For me, I love knowing that God has a plan for me.  I love knowing that even if I stray a bit, God will bring me back to where I should be. But I also get that feeling, that ‘déjà vu’ or instinctive knowing, that I am exactly where I’m supposed to be.

It’s Him telling me that I am where I should be and I’m doing it right. And I’m so thankful for each time I hear it.

I’m so thankful and grateful that there is a plan for my life and all I have to do is live it. I encourage you to talk to Him about it all and stay in peace that everything is as it should be.

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If you’re reading this, I want to pray for you.

Dear God, We thank You for having a plan for our lives. We are so thankful that we can come to You with our wonders, doubts, and questions about ourselves. We thank You for reminding us that we are on the right path. We are so lucky to live in the peace You provide to us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scripture Sunday The Life I Live

Scripture Sunday: Bible Study Week 2

Good morning friends, and Happy Sunday=)

This week was the second week of bible study and it was just as good as the first. (Click here to read the first weeks post.) This week’s big idea was about saying “no.” You need to stop, pause, and cease and sometimes, say “no.”

The talk was good but it was the after talk that really got me this week. My bible babe, Cindee, said something that really struck a cord with me. And it changed my whole week for the better.

She asked us all to think about how we know when it’s time to stop something. Now, I’m one to join in, talk, and discuss my feelings or ideas, but I wasn’t sure what she was getting at when she said this.

So as she went on, I was curious to know what she was referring to and how she knew to stop. And let me tell you something. These words were right from God, through Cindee’s mouth, and into my ears. I’m talking a game changer. And this is what she said.

She said, “You know you’ve overdone it when you feel these three things.”

  1. frustration
  2. anger
  3. depression

She said that when you snap at someone else, you know you’ve overdone it. When you snap at yourself and when you’re quick to feel agitated, annoyed or upset, you’ve done too much. These feelings signify that you’ve overdone it, and that you’re not resting enough. Who else can relate?

I know when she said these words I felt like, yup, I can see that. I spent the rest of the day really thinking on her words, what they meant to me and how they related to me. It was a good time of reflection and it didn’t take long for my actions to kick in because Wednesday was really good to me.

But before I get into that, there was something else, too. This was the second part of what I needed to really feel things (thoughts and actions) turn around. She said that we have got to live in the spiritual, and not the natural. This means taking control of our emotions and thoughts, speaking and acting with love and calm, and remembering what God wants us to do each day. That being, to be happy and spread love.

She said that when you are upset, snapping, annoyed or anything negative, that that’s not God in you, but the devil, trying to work his way in and ruin your day. And you know what? I’ve heard this so many times, but last Tuesday morning, when she said that, it stuck. I got it as if I’d heard it for the first time. And it was a great message for me to hear.

The next day, on Wednesday, I remembered waking up, and just feeling good. I felt better than I had in a long time. My marriage had a good day and night. I felt extra positive and ready for the day. And I carried that feeling with me all week.

I reminded myself that God wants us to be happy. I pushed any thought that wasn’t positive, inspiring or happy out of my head. I reminded myself to live in the spiritual and not the natural. Talk about freeing.

Now, I’m not saying that I’m cured of sadness. I’m not saying that negative things haven’t happened this week. But regardless of those things, this new way of thinking and being feels good. And I look forward to holding onto that and reminding myself of it so I can live my happiest and best life.

I hope this touched you in as amazing a way as it touched me. It felt really great and I’m so thankful for Cindee, and all the other amazing women from bible study. I can’t wait to see what else I get out of this study and share it with you.

I wish you all a very Happy Sunday, and until then, stay blessed=)

 

 

Scripture Sunday The Life I Live

Scripture Sunday: Bible Study Week 1

I started a new bible study this past week, and I have to tell you, I’m already in love with it. I mean, it helps that all the gals are awesome too, but this book started to resonate with me before I even opened the front cover.

The book is called Breathe, Making Room for the Sabbath. And it’s awesome. Truly awesome.

The main point of it is just that, breathe! And, don’t we all need a little bit more breathing room? Our fast-paced lives are full of never ending plans, more work that we can fit into each week and a sense that if we aren’t running full speed ahead, like “everyone else,” we aren’t doing enough.

But, this simply isn’t true. What? What do you mean? I don’t have to rush around throughout my days, say “yes” to everything, and be everything to everyone? Nope. You don’t. And here’s why.

This busy, high-pressured, non-stop stress filled life is NOT what God wants for us. God created the sabbath as the day of rest, right? But who really rests on that day? Anyone? And the last time you did throw your feet up, how did it feel? Did it feel great? Or did you feel instantly guilty and start thinking about all the things you should be doing instead?

I know I can barely sit and enjoy a TV show much less lay out at the pool without feeling the need to be doing something, really anything, that’s more than nothing. But why?

Because, that’s what we’re taught. Especially in this American culture. We are taught to never stop. We work too much and pack out schedules so full. All the while, we put things in our life first, instead of the people. And this is a problem, too.

For this first week, we talked about indulgences. Things that have been provided to us to enjoy. But, being the overindulgent culture that we are, of course, we have taken it too far. And we are literally enslaved to these things. What things am I talking about?

  • cell phones
  • ministry
  • computers/tablets/gaming systems/Ipods
  • coffee
  • desserts
  • people
  • spending money on things
  • relaxing
  • hobbies
  • exercise

While reading through the list, did any of these things jump out at you? Are these things you like to do, that bring you joy,  things that you are doing ALL the time? Are you choosing these things or ideals over your family? Over your spouse?

Through this bible study, we’ve been challenged to think this week about what is enslaving us in this life. These are things we do truly enjoy and appreciate, but that we take too far, use too much, only ever want more and cannot get away from.

We need to take a step back and realize these things are ultimately controlling us. We need to set boundaries. We need to take time to really rest and reconnect with God. We need to slow down. And we need to remember that all of this “slowing down/relaxing/reconnecting” is ok. Not only ok, but essential.

I’m going to do a 5-week bible series (just the length of my bible study) to reflect on and share with you the talks and themes of the book, Breathe. I hope you enjoy it as much as I know I will and really do some thinking on it, too.

I wish you a very Happy Sunday and until next week, stay blessed=)