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.

Look Up and Be a Part of a Miracle

I saw a movie over the weekend based on the story of a family that lost their husband, father and chief provider in the attacks of 9/11. The story centers around the young son who has Asperger's syndrome (an autism spectrum disorder) who believes that a key that was left by his father held the key to another piece of his father. It took him on an adventure so daring for such a young boy, that it was awe inspiring. He feared losing his father if he did not follow this path which led him to approach over 600 strangers, appearing at each stranger's door...meanwhile, without his knowledge, his mother figured out his system and visited each of the people ahead of time to ensure her son would be safe and to explain his mission in the event fear prevented him from articulating the reason for his visit. In the end he finds out that his mother had figured it out and he was further shocked to find that she could think like him. The revelation prompted sharing of their individual encounters with each of those visited and a bonding and road toward healing together (rather than slipping away in isolation) took place.

So many are suffering private traumas, no less devastating than those of 9/11, only without the publicity and camaraderie of community. Just like the mother in the story, however, we have a God who has gone before us, who has prepared the way and who defeated death that we might live. Help is never further away than a whispered prayer.

A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

Don't miss the privilege of being used to bless another. When you get an idea to do something for another, even if just a phone call, do it! You may be the miracle someone needs at that very moment.

Pray, love and give thanks

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them;
intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. -1 Timothy 2:1, NLT

I've seen so many people so wrapped up in their politics that they forget that the names they throw out so easily about their opposing party may be hitting a friend directly between the eyes. While there may be differing opinions, we can certainly still respect and love one another. There are so many hurting from such a wide variety of concerns, some very public and others equally private. Let's pray for one another...share our views with respect and love and give thanks for the very differences that give us the creative force to be able to come up with solutions working together, communicating in love and understanding. Make today a better day than yesterday and not nearly as good as tomorrow. God bless you. 

Every Day Faith

Often of late, I've been in need of wisdom - for words, actions and direction. I know it is promised when we seek the Lord, but when referring to this promise, we are also called to have faith and do not doubt.

⁵If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. ⁶But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. James 1:5-8

The words of a wise man speaking on faith came to mind. He asked - what is the first thing you do when you walk into a dark room? We all answered pretty much in unison that it is to switch on the light so that you can see where you are going. He then showed us the faith we initiate when reaching for the switch and our expectation that the room will be illuminated. Certainly, we do exhibit faith every time we reach for a light switch. In fact, we are surprised if the light does not come on. It is with the same expectation that we should go before the throne with our request for wisdom...with the assurance that God will answer our prayer. Further, we should actually feel the relief as we know His answer is coming and He will reveal the way and illuminate our path. Certainly, God is not a switch to be turned or manipulated, but rather we should hold the faith we do when turning on a light switch in the One who Is and Was and Will be - the Alpha and Omega. He is so much more trustworthy than what we see with our eyes before us.

I hope today holds much light, wisdom and faith for you.

Please don't forget to sign in to the blog - I will be adding more soon. Meanwhile also enjoy this offering from the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdO2cRXVHII. Carol Cymbala wrote this song at one of her darkest hours - not knowing what was to come, but knowing her history with God.