Tag: faith

Real Life

For my Brother, On His Birthday

January 5th, 2023

Spent much of my life missing you, this much is pretty true.

I just wanted my brother back, I just wanted you.

You hugged just like I do, your smile was the same.

You loved the way I made you laugh, even though you called it “lame.”

I have one of your last notebooks and other things of yours I’ve read.

It truly breaks my heart you never got out of your head.

You and I were the same in other ways too and I still haven’t read your texts.

But I know you reminded me of my goodness, and brought out my best.

We talked so many times about our needing.

Activities, the gym and lots of reading.

Wanting a positive mindset, we shared so much with each other.

From memes to books to conversations, with the one who understood me most, my brother.

When I read that you liked writing, too, it made me think, of course you do.

We miss you Andrew, me and Dad. He text today to say, “I’m sad.”

I just love you so very much, I absolutely do.

I couldn’t be more thankful, to be so much like you.

Happy birthday, Brother.

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 Him and be Patient For The Answer

I realized lately that there are things happened, that seemingly keep happening and I wonder, “Why does this keep happening and what does it mean?” Instead of just wondering, I pray about it. Because really, who is going to give you a better explanation for His plan than God?

Some questions are silly like, “Why has there been so much elephant decor at the AirBnb’s we’ve been staying at?”

Some are more serious like, “Why are we following the hurricanes?” (Seriously, a month before we went on a preplanned trip to Myrtle Beach, hurricane, and now, about a month before we stay in the Florida panhandle, hurricane.)

There are so many things that happen in this life that I don’t understand. There are so many things in this life that I question. I try not to to obsess or let it be my every thought, but I do pray about it. I ask Him why, and I ask Him to show me, to tell me, and to explain to me what’s happening.

And sometimes I think, “God, hello! Why aren’t you answering me?!” But then I remind myself of John 13:7

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So that’s that.

You have to have faith, be patient, and sometimes, you even have to wait.

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

Dear God, Thank You for Your plan. Thank You answering us in the perfect timing. Thank You for all that you do for us. We are so lucky to have You on our side. You just want us to be happy, enjoy life, and come to You with everything. How awesome is that?! Thank you for reminding us to have faith and be patient. You are an awesome God! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Scripture Sunday The Life I Live

Scripture Sunday: Bible Study Week 3

So, I have to be honest. This weeks bible study didn’t effect me as much as the last two. This isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy it or learn from it, it just didn’t touch me the way the other lectures did. And I liked this.

What? Why would I like it? Well, with less to “resonate” with, I felt as if it made me think more. And this is what I thought.

The focus of the week was about miracles, the idea of Exodus 16:22:

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The main point is that we have to trust God for the things that we need. You must try and give effort but at the point where it’s time to stop, rest and reflect, you must do that.

When God gave us sabboth, it was to teach us to stop and learn to “resist the urge to continue.” In the flesh, we must never stop. It’s go, go, go, work more, attend more events, social media more, read more. It never ends. In the spirit, no. We should rest, relax, be quiet, be content, and let go.

So, we need to trust Him. If we take Sunday to praise Him, to sit and listen for Him, and to rest as He has told us to, that means we have to resist the urge to produce. We have to trust that what He has allowed us to “do, gather, produce, create, and take care of what we “needed to,” throughout the majority of the week, and we need not think on or do on sabboth.

This does apply to me, in part, because I have to stop myself from working, especially on pexels-photo-267559Sundays. There are lots of sports on during the day on Sundays and my husband and I will often watch. Well, he watches and sits on the laptop, and since I don’t really care about most sports, I work.

But I have begun to be thoughtful about it. And if I am working, it’s to do these blog posts.  I’m praying more, getting into the word more, and in this case, writing more. I think my writing and reflection would be acceptable for sabboth. I mean after all, what does God want more than us to share His word and spread His love?

Do you think I’m just disillusioning myself and giving myself an “out” for sabboth so that I can still work? Maybe so, but I think if I asked Him, he would tell me He’s glad I’m moving into the word, sharing it and spending more time with Him=)

Happy Sunday friends and have a blessed week=)

Scripture Sunday The Life I Live

Scripture Sunday

“But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.  “2 Chronicles 15:7

Be strong and do not lose courage, that’s good stuff. You know what I love? That God’s Cross-Imagealways got your back.
Feeling weak? He’s your strength. Nervous? He’s your courage. Overworked? You will be rewarded for that.
Well, amen! Sometimes it’s hard to be strong and courageous. But, like everything else, you must fake it ’til you make it.
Having a hard time? Turn to the bible, or the computer. You can google scriptures for determination, staying tough, or, anything you want!
Technology is such a pain sometimes. It doesn’t work right or it breaks. But you know, it’s pretty great sometimes, too. Especially if you want to grow closer with God, learn more about the bible, or share you thoughts on it (me.)
Every time I sit down to pray, write about things of faith, or learn more, inspiration strikes. Sometimes I feel stronger or clearer, sometimes more confused than ever. But it’s all good.
The more you learn, the more you know. And the more you open up, the more you will learn. The circle of life of it all is inspiring in itself.
I’ve taken steps that have led me completely out of my comfort zone and it’s a little scary. But I pray about it and that helps. I read my prayer book, and that helps. And I am faking it (hopefully about to be making it!)
Which verses speak to you? Share your favorites with me, I cannot wait to see! Happy Sunday and happy first weekend of the last month of the year!

And for my favorite faith book to date, check it out!