Shine Your Light

I've learned a lot about humans from raising young ones. I find myself coming up with simple ways to describe profound concepts. For example, while trying to instill gratefulness into my young kids, I discovered this phrase as it blurted out of my mouth: “You can either be thankful or spoiled , not both!” They probably were not acting very thankful at the time. I'll admit I might have been challenged by this statement, as it applies to my own circumstances, more than the kids were! When do we want children to be thankful? Always. When do we want them to act spoiled?...um, never! This sheds some light onto this very important bible verse: "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for those who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances Whatever, whenever, wherever we are to find a way to be thankful. For this is God’s will Did you catch that? THIS IS GOD’S WILL. How often do we question what God...

As Your peace falls over me I am anchored in love As Your peace falls over me I am steadfast, not shaken I humble myself before Your throne I bow my heart before You Lord I lay all my worries at Your feet And receive Your grace ... And Your strength rises up in me I am stronger now As Your strength rises up in me I am steadfast, not shaken I come boldly before Your throne I exalt You with the highest praise I give all of my affection to You And receive Your grace ... Hallelujah, Hallelu, Hallelujah! Peace on itunes Peace on spotify

based on Matthew chapter 11 Have you noticed that that there will always be people who disagree with you and your choices? Have you noticed that if you try to please people, you will end up exhausted and depressed? John the baptist stood out for the pure, holy, and very different way he lived. Jesus talked about him this way: “of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John”. Jesus calls him more than a prophet. Haters call him: demon possessed. Jesus also had a pretty interesting lifestyle. He didn’t live the most pure- looking life, though he remained perfectly sinless. He spent time with the sick and lame, the tax collectors and “sinners”. At a couple points, God the Father audibly said about Jesus: “This is my dearly loved Son.” Haters call him: glutton and drunkard. …”But wisdom is shown to be right by it’s results.” What were the results of these two men’s lives? Come ON! Their very lives were a bunch of fulfilled prophecies and the things ...

Some advice my husband, Kyle, and I were given before we got married, that has become one of our many mantras is: "What you do today, you do tomorrow. What you don't do today, you won't do tomorrow." Its almost silly because it's such a simple statement. But it's true! What is so magical about tomorrow?? Why not start today on what you want out of yourself and this life? Now, if your goal is to run a marathon, you need to start jogging a little today. But you won't be ready to run that marathon for a while. If you want to lose weight, there aren't really any short cuts if you want it to last. It takes making good decisions today, and deciding to do that the next day, and the next day... This principle works for pretty much every goal I can think of. Even small steps in the right direction eventually get you there! And by the way, everyone gets off course a bit at some point, even with the best intentions. But fail fast! Move on and t...

Psalm 37:4, a verse many people have come to memorize, or at least are familiar with. A precious promise, with layers of truth, as with many bible verses. “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” Delight. Some things are very easy to take delight in. I know how to take delight in chocolate. Or in giggles with my kids. Or in my new favorite song blasting in my car as I jam out on the way to work. But how do we take delight in the Lord? Here are a few ideas: Get to know Him (or get reacquainted)   A great place to start is by finding a few people who know Him and can help you grow in your own faith, and also open up that bible of yours and dig around until something speaks to you. Thank Him for the little things. I guarantee you will notice how involved He is if you start thanking Him… good parking spots, extra money, a kind compliment given to you at the right time, etc. Talk to Him regularly, instead of long drawn out prayers, try start...

For the ones who feel “stuck”: in a harmful situation or living with a label over your life you didn't ask for or not feeling like you’re living your purpose or complacent to what you might be worth, and is it worth it? He pulled me out of a slimy pit and set my feet upon a Rock He gave me Beauty for ashes Joy for mourning and Praise for heaviness A new Song in my heart and a Crown upon my head He. gave. me. LIFE The lie is that you’re stuck. There is One who came and died for you to be Free It is for freedom that Christ has set you free. Your part is simple believe and receive what He is offering. It’s your choice to accept or deny-- but a gift freely given, why not try? Why not step into a life of true Love and Peace I’m not saying it’ll all be easy but it worked for me. I needed a savior, I was stuck-- you see I was covered by darkness, hopeless. Until a glimmer, a shimmer of light appeared, and suddenly made me able to see things m...