“I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.”  Philippians 13:4

What privilege and joy it brings to my heart each time I think of YOU.  I am often gulping back tears when I see you – where you’ve been – what God has done in your life.  You bless me!  Your spirit shines brighter than you know, and while we are hasty to see and catalogue all of our misdeeds, ills, faults and past – we miss that we could shine brighter, love more, and still realize  the dreams and visions God has given us if we let those things slough off of us as old skin – retain the lesson, but lose the “yuck.”

It was shared with me once by a wonderful pastor friend that wounds of heart and soul heal. 20Sure, they are there.. but one day… they hurt less, then a while later they don’t hurt anymore, but the scar is still there.  We’ll remember the lesson because of the scar… but it no longer carries its pain and we can move on – loving better – into the world who has seen the wound and now your joy in moving on… and I always see a beaming, beautiful person emerging from the trial…. And I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.

Have a terrific day!  Let your light shine bright!

Joy for the Asking

I am grateful today that all I have to do is ask and the God that created me and you and knows the number of hairs on our heads is listening with a loving ear.  When I cry out in earnest, there is always One who cares; One who listens and chooses to love me always.

He can restore my joy and spirit for the asking.  And I say thank you, thank you, thank you to a personal God who is never deaf to my voice or spirit calling.  Thank you for loving me enough to save me and to sustain me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.  Psalm 51:12

Be blessed.

Begin Again...

At the start of the day I find myself uttering Jeremiah's hope: "The LORD's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease.  His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning.  Great is Thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)

I was blessed to rise this morning with the knowledge that whatever happened yesterday has been washed away in the night  I can count on the fact that God's lovingkindnesses never cease and his compassions never fail.  Alas it is a new morning full of hope and I am grateful for the truth that as I rise again this day, I have every opportunity at my fingertips to be my best me and even improve.  I can face the day triumphant in the knowledge that God's got my back and He will see me through.  I am able to draw breath, hear the bird's song or the mower in the distance, to see the last leaf fall from the tree or perhaps the new bud of Spring, to smell the aroma of fresh brewed coffee and taste the breakfast provided this day.  I am blessed, indeed. 

What are you grateful for today?  Do leaves dance outside your window on the breeze as the seasons change? Maybe you've seen the first snowflake of the season or the last, if that is your joy.  Look outside.  Choose life and to live it well this day. 

Plans and Dreams

A scripture that has come to the forefront of my heart, mind and eyes of late is Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."   Others may have plans for you, but they pale in comparison to those of Almighty God, who can use all things and people to guide you toward those plans.  That can mean unexpected changes from the plan you'd made and a great opportunity to grow in your faith as you trust God's leading. 

 

At every crossroad – continue to follow the dream God has placed in your heart.  Whether it’s hot, cold, muggy or mild outside – the dream you hold within should be sparkling in your eyes and give your face that beautiful countenance of light with a dash of joy as though you hold inside something just bursting at the seams to come out.  God is working in, about, around and through you. Let your light shine bright before all!

Inspired Steps Ready for You

No eye has seen nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:9

How awesome is that!?! That dream, your heart’s desire that you put away should be pulled from the dust, shook off and worn! It IS meant to be that you will achieve. Dream Big! It is the dream that returns over and over to your heart and mind that is inspired and you CAN achieve…. You haven’t even imagined fully what God can do with that. Just plan and take that first step today… or maybe you’ve taken some steps… and are resting on the landing – not sure whether to head up or go back down and forget it. Take the step up. You are worth it… after all, it can’t compare with what He sees. So I dare you – take the step forward…. smile and let all see the twinkle in your eye.

I am grateful that today is a new day and that No eye has seen nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him.

I’m taking my step…….it’s your turn now.

Yeah!!!! You did it.

Attitude - You Already Measure Up

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Nicole Nordeman sings wonderful, soul-touching songs that speak to so many of our our heart's cries - part of one of her songs ....

It's a fear that keeps me wide awake, In the middle of the night
When the expectations are too great and the bar gets raised too high.

So I do the best with what I've got And hope that no one knows
That I strain to see how high I can Try to stand on these toes
Until I'm measured, but you know better

So thank You, Jesus - Even when You see us just as we are
Fragile and frail and so far from who we want to be
So thank You, Jesus - Even when the pieces are broken and small
Dreams shatter and scatter like the wind
Thank You even then

I can relate to standing on my tippy toes to try to measure up, and having failed (at least my own expectations). I can feel consumed with sadness, fear and a horrible resolve that as a failure, "it will always be this way" when in fact, every day is filled with new opportunity.

²² Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. ²³ They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

I can stand today knowing that I am loved and this is a new morning - fresh, clean and full of opportunity. We never have to fall into "it will always be" when we are promised otherwise each new day.

Enjoy a great new day and the song.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMS5563qG7g

Of all the "attitudes" we can acquire, surely the attitude of gratitude is the most important and by far the most life-changing. Zig Ziglar

Make it a Great Day!! Debby

Gratitude in the Midst ...Be a Spark

Today greetings and postings from a few of my favorite loved ones sent my heart soaring so filled with gratitude and love in the midst of uncertain times. I am truly grateful as I continue to walk through, work through, and be faithful on this path, in this season of my life.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:5-7)

Today in this new and wonderful day, I encourage you to take a gander outside at the beautiful blue sky - take in the color, think of those most near and dear to your heart and say “thank you.” It is a fresh beginning filled to the brim with opportunities to “get it right.” Today holds the key to tonight’s restful sleep and tomorrow’s success. So plan your “random acts of love” – remind yourself to smile (even if you don’t feel like it) and do one thing from your list – the most important thing today……. Have you put off a call to a friend who’s been on your mind? Have you let life’s concerns grab away at your time and remove time to regenerate and renew? Then today – do it! Just do that thing that came to mind and revel in the accomplishment of this day.