Posted on November 6, 2016
Sunday Scripture: 11/6/16
– Isaiah 50:10
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on November 4, 2016
Recommendation Saturday: Soul Care
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
– Psalm 103:1-5
Oh, friends. I have a treat for you today.
My friend, Dolly Lee, of Soul Stops, has written a book that will do wonders for your soul.
Dolly has always inspired me. Her words just ooze gentleness and grace. You can tell when reading anything she’s written, that she has taken time and care to plug right into the Holy Spirit before putting pen to page. And this book is no exception.
Description:
What if we let God do the extraordinary with our ordinary by connecting with him in our everyday moments?
7 Days of Soul Care invites readers to surrender fear and to courageously embrace the journey of living more fully into his or her amazing true identity as God’s Beloved. Using creative stories, Scripture, thoughtful journal questions, and heartfelt prayers, Dolly Lee guides the reader through soul care practices, she has learned to implement over the past seventeen years. She writes out of her own battle with anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and how God’s grace and love transformed her—and still changes her.
I will tell you honestly, that after going through this 7 Day Journey with Dolly and Jesus, I am so much more mindful of who I really am to Him, and of who He longs to be to me. I am taking my time with the questions, which are thoughtful and in-depth. The prayers are ones I read over and over when I can feel my soul is thirsty.
Each chapter of this book brings you deeper and deeper into God’s love and grace, as you learn to trust Him and then trust Him more. Scripture, inspirational quotes, and anecdotes help to bring the concept of soul care to life.
You will treasure this book. If you’re looking for a book for group study, look no further! This would make a perfect gift, with the Holiday season coming up. And please don’t forget that Dolly’s goal is to donate $500 to the work of International Justice Mission, making gift-giving a double blessing!
Bio:
Dolly Lee believes God’s love can transform a person from the inside-out if one surrenders to his love. She’s thankful God’s grace allows second acts and second chances. She attends Fuller Seminary and writes at her blog Soulstops.com where she invites readers to stop and connect with God. She lives with her family and one lovable dog in California where she loves to hike, read, share meals and laugh with family and friends. Her goal is to collect enough in royalties from the sale of her book, 7 Days of Soul Care, to donate $500 to the work of International Justice Mission.
To purchase the book, please use this link.
** I received an Advanced Reader Copy but I was not paid to write this review. This is my honest review.
We are best when we are community.
I would love to share in some of that community right here from my website.
You can join in, too!
Share a post from your own blog and then simply click on the “Add your link” button below and enter your blog information.
Then, please grab my Recommendation Saturday button below, and place it on your website or post, so that others can find their way to our little Saturday community! You can also Tweet your participation with the hashtag #recommendsat so that we can all find each other on Twitter!
You may also join in by leaving a comment.
The most important part of our community is spreading our hope and love to others by visiting some of the other inspirational sites linked up and leaving comments there.
Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on November 1, 2016
On Clinging and Leaving Footprints
So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. – Matthew 10:31
I’ve been reading a lot lately about starfish. I don’t know why, it just occurred to me how cool they are and I wanted to know more.
They can move along along surfaces underwater, sometimes even leaving a footprint. Did you know that? See? Cool!
But the thing about starfish that caught and held my attention the longest is the fact that they cling. Have you ever stood in the current of the ocean, feet planted as firmly as they could be in the sand, striving to stand firm and not be dragged out with the force of the tide?
Tides recede, and starfish remain. Their brilliant splotch of color can be seen molded to the uneven surfaces of rocks. Somehow, this tiny creature has resisted the pull of the mighty ocean. It amazes me.
So through my research I learned that starfish produce a certain protein in their little tubule feet. When this protein is needed, it is released and is like a glue to keep the starfish in place. But here’s the amazing part… it isn’t like a super glue, it’s more like a sticky tack. See, when the little guy wants to move on, he releases cells that work in reverse and deactivate the glue.
The starfish doesn’t have to think about these steps. He doesn’t have to store up energy to complete this amazing task over and over and over again. He just clings, and then moves on. At whim.
Photo by Eric Kilby 
I had to stop at that point in my research. I had to pray to our Great God right that minute.
See, sometimes I wonder how I can possibly hold on one more moment. With the waves crashing over me, the tide pulling relentlessly, and knowing I will face the same tomorrow, I really wonder if the glue of my faith can keep me steady through one more push-and-pull.
Other times I am certain that I can not move on from here. Here is where I’ve been for so long, that out there looks scary. Here is where I’m comfortable, here is where I’m known and safe. Taking a step outside this comfort zone feels huge and way too uncertain, even if He’s gone ahead to prepare the way.
And then I read about the starfish.
Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? – Matthew 6:26
Are we?
We know that we are. We know because He came. Jesus left it all and ran to our rescue. And now He’s gone to prepare a place.
I don’t know the details of what you’re facing today, Dear One. But I know Who does. And I know that if He can create the starfish to cling and move forward perfectly, He can certainly do the same for us.
And He will.
Sweet Jesus, whether today calls for clinging glue or leaving a footprint, help us to turn it all over to You. Guide us, Father. Stay by our side. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Posted on November 1, 2016
Carissa’s Corner: Trust God’s Plans for You!
Did you know that God actually has some really good plans for you?
Well, He does!
Even if you’re going through something really rough in your life and it seems anything but organized, trust me, everything is going as planned. Everybody has to go through some kind of challenges before you actually get where you need to be to live the incredible life that God has planned for you.
Photo by gerrybuckel
Sometimes you get placed in a really difficult position where you don’t really believe the fact that you have a really good purpose. That purpose is to show Gods love to others. Everybody does it in different ways. It just depends on what God has planned for you, or how He thinks you can best contribute to helping others.
Some have it pretty difficult, while others have it fairly easy. But no matter how hard life’s challenges get, just trust that God has planned so many incredible things for your life.
You have to go through the darkness to see the light.
Blessings from the corner,
Carissa
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on October 28, 2016
Sunday Scripture: 10/30/16
Now may the God of peace—
who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
may he equip you with all you need
for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
– Hebrews 13:20-21
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on October 28, 2016
Recommendation Saturday: Be Careful Little Eyes
So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. For we live by believing and not by seeing. – 2 Corinthians 5:6-7
There’s a reason we walk by faith, and not by sight.
God knew how easily our eyes, and even our minds, could be fooled. And he knew that the enemy is a talented illusionist.
Next time you fear what you see, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and ask God to show you the same sights, viewed through faith.
You will be amazed.
Eye Popping Optical Illusions from fritzpw_admin on GodTube.
We are best when we are community.
I would love to share in some of that community right here from my website.
You can join in, too!
Share a post from your own blog and then simply click on the “Add your link” button below and enter your blog information.
Then, please grab my Recommendation Saturday button below, and place it on your website or post, so that others can find their way to our little Saturday community! You can also Tweet your participation with the hashtag #recommendsat so that we can all find each other on Twitter!
You may also join in by leaving a comment.
The most important part of our community is spreading our hope and love to others by visiting some of the other inspirational sites linked up and leaving comments there.
Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Loading InLinkz ...If you have been helped by this post and think it could be helpful to someone you know, please share this post on the social network of your choice for me.
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on October 25, 2016
De-Clawing the Quiet
But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. – Jude 20-21
Most days, I enjoy the quiet. It can be a softly-spoken invitation to just lay it all down and come to Him. Some days it’s just what the doctor ordered, and it refreshes me.
But there are other times… times when the quiet closes in on me. Like fingers squeezing tight, it swallows me up in longing… a longing for companionship that is physical and tangible.
I thought if I have those lonely times, you might, too. So here are some things that have helped me to beat back that clawing need:
*My favorite fix is to open a window. I sit near it and listen to the birds chirping. I can hear the neighbor children laughing and playing. I hear the breeze blow through the leaves of the trees. The sound of God’s creation is a great balm.
*Another idea is to pick up the phone and call someone. I know. I know it’s hard to be the one to take that first step. I know others are busy. But you know what? Maybe in their busy-ness, they are just as lonely as you are in your rest. Don’t forget, too, that there are other home-bound individuals. A call from you would make their day and you may make a connection that will become a lifeline for you both!
*Put on some music. Whether it’s to fit your mood, or change it, music can fill up places in your spirit that you didn’t even know were empty. Enya or oldies, big band or praise, turn it on and turn it up.
*The television can be a great way to get another voice into the room. There’s something for everyone… cooking shows, travel channels, game shows, or sporting events. If you have Netflix, I highly recommend a couple of channels that my dear friend introduced me to recently. That would be “Slow TV” and “Nature Vision TV”. I am hooked, and because they are on Netflix, you can watch from your laptop or other device!
*Here’s a powerful one! Read scripture or pray out loud! You will be amazed at what God can do with the sound of your own voice reading His love letter, or connecting with Him in an intimate way.
*I also enjoy audio books. If you can’t afford to purchase them, please check with your local library. Many public libraries now have home delivery available to those who cannot get out to go to the library. Audio books are available as downloads, or as CD or Playaway. It really helps to pass the time.
I hope to read your ideas for de-clawing the quiet in the comments below!
Precious Savior, I know that You are always with me, even in the quiet. That means the world to me. Thank You, also for connections and for ways to combat the quiet when it claws at me. I love You, Father. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Posted on October 25, 2016
Introducing “Carissa’s Corner!”
Today, I am tickled pink to let you in on the fact that my sweet daughter, Carissa, will be writing one day a week here on Renewed Daily! She is 13 years old and wants to encourage people for Christ. We are both thrilled to pieces. I know the things of her heart that she shares here with you will just bless your socks off.
So without further ado…. here’s Carissa, for her first “Carissa’s Corner”!
God Loves You!
Do you ever underestimate Gods love for you because of something really difficult that your going through in your life? If your answer to that is yes, that is okay! Even I do sometimes… but the thing is, every time I start to doubt Him, He turns the situation around completely and shows me how much He really does care for me.
Do you want to know a secret? My life is not perfect and neither am I. I have been bullied, pushed around, and laughed at and reached the point in depression where I kind of shut myself away from the world. I know what it’s like and it definitely isn’t fun but you’ll get through it, trust me.
I have a lot of bad social anxiety and I’m not very good at interacting with a lot of people. I have always been really short and have even been told before that I look like a kindergartener because of my height, and I have been called names like stick girl, anorexic, and others as well. This is because I have an extremely high metabolism, meaning that I don’t gain weight at the same speed of others, so I am pretty tiny for my age but its not something I can help. So I get bullied a lot, although people never know that it bothers me or gets to me at all because I have learned to laugh along with them and I almost always have a smile on my face.
Do you wanna know why?
Because I believe that no matter what people say or what they think I know that God will always love me and all of my flaws, and this is just the way I was made to be. So if you ever get sad, or start feeling like you’re alone, I want you to take a deep breath, smile, close your eyes and say to yourself, “I am loved.”
Blessings from the Corner,
Carissa
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on October 21, 2016
Sunday Scripture: 10/23/16
And,
“He is the stone that makes people stumble,
the rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
“Once you had no identity as a people;
now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy;
now you have received God’s mercy.”
– 1 Peter 2:8-10
If you have been helped by this post and think it could be helpful to someone you know, please share this post on the social network of your choice for me.
All you have to do is click one of the buttons below.
May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on October 21, 2016
Recommendation Saturday: What To Do When The World’s Got You Grumpy
We are best when we are community.
I would love to share in some of that community right here from my website.
You can join in, too!
Share a post from your own blog and then simply click on the “Add your link” button below and enter your blog information.
Then, please grab my Recommendation Saturday button below, and place it on your website or post, so that others can find their way to our little Saturday community! You can also Tweet your participation with the hashtag #recommendsat so that we can all find each other on Twitter!
You may also join in by leaving a comment.
The most important part of our community is spreading our hope and love to others by visiting some of the other inspirational sites linked up and leaving comments there.
Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Loading InLinkz ...If you have been helped by this post and think it could be helpful to someone you know, please share this post on the social network of your choice for me.
All you have to do is click one of the buttons below.
May God Bless You,
Shelly
