You Are Fearfully & Wonderfully Made..

There was a movie with John Candy entitled "Only the Lonely" where Maureen O'Hare (who played John Candy's mother) was always "telling it like it is." The problem was that she did so whether it hurt others or not...often the former was the case. She would point out "short comings" or "faults" of others that they were certainly aware of, but she had a talent for knocking people off their feet in so doing. She would leave them devastated and reeling from "just telling it like it is." While comedic in the movie setting (for the most part), it is not when we encounter it in our daily lives. Is there someone in your life who makes you feel like you are never quite good enough?

I would have to ask, "where is the love?" While speaking the truth in love may help someone to better understand themself and assist them in growing, "just telling it like it is" without regard for another's feelings is not love at all, but rather mean spirited and unkind. I am so grateful for our amazing Creator who tells us that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made...and that my soul knows it full well." I am so glad that God believes in us and administers words of healing, and that He has taught us how to recognize those in whom we can trust with our heart by how they cherish and recognize that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. I am blessed each day to be told how much I am loved among other uplifting, wonderful things that help me to bloom in this world. It has not always been so...there have been times when I was so low, another "telling it like it is" from someone "close" to me would drop me. I pray in those times for you that you are able to draw from the rich resource of the Word and be washed over by the truth – that you are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made and that you soul will shine forth welling up from inside so that you DO KNOW IT FULL WELL.

Enjoy your day and God Bless!

All Things Become New - Even You

The sky has been busy the last couple of days. I love to watch as the clouds grow and build. Sometimes they are fruitful and produce life-giving rain, while other times they dissipate and there is barely evidence that they were ever there.


As the rain came down, it was amazing how quickly the desert flora turned green. It was transformed! The old, dry, browns and greys came alive in greens, the different shades of the mountains proudly displayed yellows, greens, reds.... spectacular!

Do you ever feel "blah" as though all is just shades of gray? Open the Word and remember who you are. It is lifegiving and as you spend time in your relationship with Christ...you will be transformed and made new. Allow yourself to dream the dreams He has given you and to take that step in faith toward all things new. Don't let the past hold you from a promising and wonderful new future.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Cor. 5:17)

Tenacity & Joy

Yesterday I read a great story. I think it's who I aspire to be...tee hee.... about a 63 year old woman who had been found (after five days) stranded on a river, her little inflatible fishing boat stuck to debri from a storm. Her son's comment to a reporter a day or two after she went missing was that "she's probably out somewhere she shouldn't be." And sure enough, in his opinion, she had been - out by herself fishing on the river. I admire her tenacity and spirit. She was a bit weather worn and dehydrated but was fully recovering and I'll bet she'd be so fun to know. I wonder if she used to have a partner in crime (like Lucy had Ethel).

I can think of many an adventure with friends or family where we laughed so hard at our predicament that we could not stand or in one case, see for the tears from laughing so hard. I hope you can, even now, cite one of those times and revel in the joy of it. It's the same joy, I believe we can bring to this world every day...the same joy that I pray you experience from God.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

So, as this day unfolds - reflect - enjoy and project the joy of this life in the midst of it all.

You are loved - even if you don't feel it right now.

I have received some lovely emails lately that remind us of those who've been and remain in our lives as well as those who have come and gone. They refer to "keepers" or what I call "heart friends." When we have a conversation with a heart friend, it is as if no time has been lost - the connection strong and we spend the first part of our time catching up, We are left stronger for the experience as our heart sings in the connection to our dear friend. Yet, there are times where we feel out of sorts and wish for the close connection, but do not reach out to another, feel even as though we can not. Sometimes i find that it is my Father trying to get my attention...to remind me of His love and it is immeasurable. So when I am feeling lost and alone, it is then that i finally fall still and realize that the Lord your God is with you…He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

Wow!!! He will rejoice over you with singing!! Awesome… now doesn’t that put a smile on your face? Let’s rejoice over another today and spread the joy. If you aren't feeling it just yet, reflect on His love for you and know that it is true...listen as He rejoices over you with singing right now, this moment, exactly where you are - as you are.

Take A Step Toward Hope and Joy

What a wonderful weekend. Wonderful time spent "back to the basics" enjoying simple and wonderful activities. Joy found in polishing, driving and simply spending time with friends. Yet, even in the comfort and joy of great company of new and old friends, I found that I was awash in fear when an innocent idea was presented... it took me back to a time in my life where fear ruled and I succumbed to the "what if"s. Ugh!!! My mind raced, and as I found by a loved one's question, my demeanor immediately changed. I had no idea that what I believed to be my "hidden fear" was so visible. During a time in silence, I found "my knees" in my heart and addressed the fear, hoping the damage in it's revelation would be minimal. While it's clear there are some scars still painful to the touch, I start this new week with great hope and joy. What a privilege and joy to be able to count on our instruction manual for guidance - if I only trust. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

This week I will resolve to trust more fully every day and move forward in joy and hope overflowing. Let's have a great week

Reach toward and Think upon your dreams

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Philippians 4:8

The more I am learning about “ye have not because ye ask not” and be anxious for nothing but in all things through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus; the more I understand how important it is to think about the noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable. As I have come to understand it, even nuclear physicists have found that when we are happy the vibration of our cells is at a higher rate – and when sad, a lower rate. When we dwell on those things listed above, we attract more of that into our lives. When we dwell on the negative and are fearful – we attract those very things that inhabit our thoughts – whether we are seeking them or concentrating on NOT wanting them.

So today – in power – think on these things and the highest goals and purpose in your life. Let those thoughts occupy your heart, mind and soul and you will see the doors opening just as promised… and the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus

It’s a new day – another page in your legacy.

Find the beautiful - the pure around you.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Pure – without imperfection, innocent – unadulterated. When I see the shades of color in the sky – there is one that I’ve never seen successfully reproduced. My heart sings at the viewing and delights at the wonder of God’s artistry. As I view the blooming flowers or the cherubic face of a baby or small child…or the clasped hands of an elderly couple who have weathered many storms, but whose love is perfect in the moment….I stand in wonder.

Find that which is pure around you and revel in it…let it sweep you off your feet and make you smile.

Be noble today....

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Philippians 4:8

What is noble that we should think about? The dictionary defines noble as high-minded, magnanimous, loftiness of principle, character, mind or spirit and consistently adhering to elevated principles – a greatness of mind or soul. Wow!!! Is noble, then, expecting the best of ourselves and seeking out the best in others and the situations around us? I believe it includes such things as elevating lunch room talk…and others. I believe it includes admiring and being grateful for the beauty of each day, writing, art, and music that elevate us to a better place so that we are encouraged and in turn encourage others toward making their mark… living today on purpose.

I continue to look for the noble today…so grateful for the opportunity to lift another along the way.

Have an awesome – day focusing on Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things

You are known and you are worth it

Sometimes there are periods in our life where we feel we are a burden to those around us. We can’t seem to see our own value and stumble into self pity, fear and our confidence plummets. It actually changes the way we see everything and the energy we send out. If we are not careful the spiral can be like a tornado swooping down and laying ruin to our self esteem and swathing a path of injury and even destruction through our relationships.
Lucky for us there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Prov. 18:24b) O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalms 139:1-6, 13-14)
Who are we to argue with the Creator? Read it as many times as you may need to bring your head up to face the newness of this day. For He knows you beyond measure and better than you know yourself and still He has called you wonderful. He has made you perfectly and uniquely you. Just let it soak in. For me there is always a flood emotion and it overwhelms me to be known and loved so deeply and fully.

I hope as this week meets its midway you are able to refresh, rebuild, and renew.

I thank my God every time I remember you – Philippians 1:3.

Let Your Life Paint a Picture

It’s a new day and the skies are different yet again. Isn’t it wonderful?! In their difference they, too are new as though God is changing a painting in progress. Just as each day our lives hold new color, prints and styles…..some we see as wonderful, beautiful and cherished while other events cause us to view the color or print with disdain. I say choose “life.” Choose to focus on those things with the brilliant, grand, soothing or delightful colors…. You may find something new and amazing there that seemed invisible before when the “unpleasant” colors were allowed to take up so much of the palate.

Alexander Graham Bell said, “When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” Choose to look at the window – the beauty and wonder of those colors of your life where joy, dreams and imagination and creativity live.

Remember – and I know I’m repeating: Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV

God is at work in your life – let the warmth, life and radiance of the dreams He’s given you well up from within and beam from you – bringing life and light every where you go and be grateful each step of the way as He unfurls each footstep that brings you closer to the dream. Take that step in faith – He’s already there…. And you will see Him more fully with each exercise-of-faith step.

Now go- shine!!!!

Show Kindess to others

Good Monday Morning!
I am grateful for wonderful weekends! And the opportunity a new week provides. We can look at the old with a fresh eye – with new solutions, ideas and energy! We also have the remarkable opportunity to bless someone today.
Eunice Bathrick wrote: Little acts of kindness which we render to each other in everyday life are like flowers by the wayside to the traveler: they serve to gladden the heart and relieve the tedium of life’s journey.
While I believe tedium only exists where we allow it, I also believe that small kindnesses are wonderful deposits towards a more successful work environment. Happier people produce better because they can see their possibilities. One is often cheered by a sincere smile, compliment, even a simple thank you. So – let’s bless someone today. If you’re really on a role – bless as many as you can. The blessings will return to you – maybe not by those you’ve blessed, but by the energy and love you have spread, by God Himself through another whom He has so inclined.
Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.Proverbs 3:3Blessings upon blessings to you today.