Updated on October 18, 2016
Do My Prayers Show My Trust?
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But I am trusting you, O Lord, – Psalm 31:14 |
I’ve been thinking a lot about prayer lately. I guess that’s no big surprise, because you know that I believe that prayer is the essence of our relationship with our Father. It connects us. It changes things. Prayer is powerful.
But God has started pointing out some details about prayer that really have me re-thinking the way I do things. Let me explain.
I pray, “Grant me peace.” Or other days, “Give me the strength to get through this.” Or how about, “Let me have the courage to fight through.”
God’s been whispering to me about the fact that I refuse to just hand it right over. (You remember my One Word this year, Surrender??)
While I’m inviting the Savior into my day, into my space, into my life, I am standing right alongside Him there. Wild horses couldn’t budge me.
While I’m definitely aware of not being able to do this thing called life alone, I insist on being in the ring with my Defender. My feet are bolted to the floor, my fists clenched at my sides.
God doesn’t just hint around, though. He doesn’t leave me guessing about what I’m doing lopsidedly here… no, He comes right out and says it.
“You believe that trusting is not enough.”
“Oh, no, Lord, I do trust You, I DO!” I answer vehemently. But then I start to think about it. I trust. You bet I do. But I always want my finger in the pie. My toe in the water. My will in the mix.
Is that really trusting?
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart; – Proverbs 3:5-6 |
And so I have begun to frame my prayers in a new way. I will converse with Him, as I always do. I will tell Him my needs and concerns. Then I will step aside, leaving it there with Him, not lugging it along with me all day long. Instead of keeping an eye out for when I can jump in to make things happen, I will keep both ears open and not become involved until and unless God leads me.
Lately my prayers sound more like this:
“Let peace win the day.”
“Use Your strong arm to protect me.”
“I rest in Your courage, Lord.”
You wouldn’t believe the difference in my days when I start off really handing my King the day.
What is God whispering to you about this week? What can you surrender?
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The Lord is my strength and shield. – Psalm 28:7 |
Heavenly Father, I am really amazed at what You are teaching me about my one word this year. As always, I’m blown away by the difference it makes in my life, when I surrender my will to Yours. Lord, take this day. I rest fully in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on October 14, 2016
Sunday Scripture: 10/16/16
“God stretches the northern sky over empty space
and hangs the earth on nothing.
He wraps the rain in his thick clouds,
and the clouds don’t burst with the weight.
He covers the face of the moon,
shrouding it with his clouds.
He created the horizon when he separated the waters;
he set the boundary between day and night.
The foundations of heaven tremble;
they shudder at his rebuke.
By his power the sea grew calm.
By his skill he crushed the great sea monster.
His Spirit made the heavens beautiful,
and his power pierced the gliding serpent.
These are just the beginning of all that he does,
merely a whisper of his power.
Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?”
– Job 26:7-14
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on October 15, 2016
Recommendation Saturday: Seasons
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 October 17, 2016
Why Nothing is the Same After You’ve Experienced Suffering
Photo by Jim Staley 
I have refined you, but not as silver is refined.
Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering. – Isaiah 48:10
How many times in the past seven years have I just wanted a reset button? I wanted to go back to an easier time. A healthier time. A happier time.
Suffering does that, doesn’t it? Chronic illness or disability. Divorce or betrayal. Addiction or ruin. Whether the issue is long-term or strikes like a snake, we are affected in ways that change us.
After something craters your life that drastically, there really is no possible way to go back. Suffering changes us. Tragedy shapes us. Grief contorts us.
So I find myself at a crossroads. Try my hardest to recapture my old self, or step bravely into the future that God has prepared for this new me.
And this is the beautiful truth that I am learning:
After something like this, things shouldn’t be the same.
In the arms of Jesus, change becomes transformation. Loss becomes redemption. Betrayal becomes grace.
In the throne room of our Great God, despair melts into mercy. Raging melts into peace. Questioning melts into compassion.
A life lived in the Spirit changes grief into supernatural comfort. Changes cries and moans into beautiful prayer. Changes a heart of stone into one that beats only for Him.
If we are not made new after going through the refining fire of suffering of any kind, then we have missed the point, haven’t we?
I choose to take that step… you know, the brave one? I choose to embrace the new person I have become. I choose to move forward, to face forward, instead of looking back.
Are you at a crossroads? How can we pray for you?
Dear Lord, thank You for refining me. Thank You for giving me a choice, even now. I will follow You forever, into this new life You have prepared for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on October 8, 2016
Sunday Scripture 10/9/16
But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
– Ephesians 4:20-24
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on October 4, 2016
For the Ones Who Feel Left Out
He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. – Ephesians 4:16
There’s so much I want to do! I see people joining groups, finding their ministry, moving and shaking their neighborhoods, and I want to be a part of that! A part of something.
The world calls us to be more! Do more! Have more! Want more! Chase more!
But the Lord tells me that if I have accepted Christ, I already am more. I am His family, His friend, His body.
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? – 1 Corinthians 6:19a
If you are able to be involved in a physical way with the work God calls you to, then we cheer you! If you are able to go and do and accomplish, then you are doing amazing things and we encourage you to continue!
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. – Galatians 6:9
If you are like me and are unable to participate in the nitty-grittier tasks within the Body of Christ, then I want you to take special note of this:
You are needed. You are essential. You play an important role, right where you are, each and every single day. Yes, you. Don’t look around to see who else I could be talking to! I’m talking to you.
Even on the days when the pain has you doubled over breathing His name. Even on the nights when the struggle has you questioning your sanity. Whether you’re struggling with grief, disability, addiction, or betrayal… there is a role for you to play and you’re already playing it.
It’s the same role I play.
Just stand there and shine.
That’s it. Shine for your family (even the ones who fight you about it). Shine for the nurse, the bank teller, the grocery stocker. Shine for the friend who holds up your arms. Shine for your neighbors, your church family, shine for the lost.
See, people are watching you. Especially if you are struggling. They’re waiting to see how to handle it. They’re watching for a crack.
What they see when they look at you is that reaching for Jesus really is an answer to any problem. They see that prayer changes things. They see the light that pours through those cracks and banishes the darkness that should be surrounding you.
And it makes an impact. More than you might think. More than you will probably ever know till you get to Heaven.
And so, I realize that I am already a part of something. I am already involved, invested, and making a difference.
And so today, and every day, I’m going to do my part. I’m just going to stand here and shine.
How about you?
Heavenly King, You alone see every deep desire to serve. You alone know our heartache when we feel left out. And You alone have provided that the weakest among us can have the greatest impact in this world, simply by showcasing You. Thank You, Father. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on September 26, 2016
When the Slate Gets Wiped Clean
But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. – Psalm 73:28
It’s been a week and a half now. Wow. Only a week and a half?? Sometimes a blessing just plops you right on your grateful behind and you can’t move an inch cause you’re just basking. That’s me. That’s us.
This year, my one word is Surrender. I can’t tell you the chills when I got that word. Oh boy, Lord, what now? Have I not surrendered enough? More, Lord?
But I have made that word into a mantra. Each new worry, fear, dark thought, crippling news… I would say to myself, and often to Brian, “This is just another opportunity to surrender.”
The days we spent in the ALS clinic, this was a minute by minute mantra to keep myself from just collapsing into a puddle of fear. When the devil shouted loudly, putting worries into my mind… questions, mocking, feeding my troubled mind…
Repeat after me:
“This is just another opportunity to surrender.”
And I did. Right then and there, no matter what else was going on, I whispered a prayer, I gave it all to Him, reminded Him that I am counting on Him.
And do you know what happened? Well, yeah, you do. I surrendered and suddenly it was all gone. Slate wiped clean. From chronically ill to fresh start. From dying to a second chance at life. Is it any wonder I’ll be basking in the wonder of that as long as I’m here on earth?
There are lots of things whirling around in my head and heart since that mind-blowing day. Why me? What now? All sorts of things.
And so I find myself surrounded by opportunities to surrender. Wherever this leads, I know who I’m following.
So while so much has changed, so much remains the same and always will.
“This is just another opportunity to surrender.”
Heavenly Father, every breath from this day forward is a continuous praise to Your great name. Oh how I love You. I adored You when I was sick, I adore You now, I will adore You no matter what comes. Thank You for teaching me this year about surrender. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on September 15, 2016
And God Answered…..
Yesterday we arrived safely home.
The team of doctors over my care at Houston Methodist were phenomenal! They left no stone un-turned and I left with answers I can trust. More than that, God totally blew right past my measly hopes and made an oasis in the wasteland, right in plain sight of anyone and everyone.
I have zero neurological issues or disease processes. My IH has resolved itself, and every test for everything came back normal. I will be weaning off of unnecessary meds, of which there are many that I’m sure are exacerbating or even causing most of what I am experiencing. I will begin rigorous PT and also some therapy sessions to help calm my anxiety and stress from the past decade. All of that said, it will take much hard work and a long period of time, but all of my major health issues are fixable and reversible.
I am so blown away. I’m praising and planning out my ACTUAL happy dancing as soon as it can be managed! <3 Thank you for praying!!! Please pray special blessings on the medical team who saw me, really saw me, this week. To God be all the Glory…..
Acts 16:25-26
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on September 8, 2016
Please Pray With Us
Brian and I are coming to you, asking for prayers for our family in the coming week, especially. We are leaving soon so that I can have some solid days of testing to get to the bottom of whatever this is that I’m suffering with. I just keep getting worse and weaker.
I’m seeing the ALS clinic at Methodist in Houston,. They have a 3-day diagnostic clinic once a month and I have been waiting 3 months to get in. We are certain they will finally be able to tell us exactly what I have going on… ALS, PLS, something totally different. My doctor is certain it’s ALS, but we’re praying it’s not.
We’ve been waiting so long that of course we’re thrilled that the time is finally here and we can get this milestone done. But it’s also hard not to be nervous or anxious as the time draws closer.
I know God knows exactly what we need and when. He has it all worked out and He never leaves us, not ever. Those facts help to keep us going and keep our eyes where they belong. Your prayers hold up our arms when we are too exhausted to raise them up to Him a moment longer. We thank God for each one of you. Thank you for walking this journey with us. I will update next week when we are home.
So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God,
keep on doing what is right,
and trust your lives to the God who created you,
for he will never fail you.
– 1 Peter 4:19
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on September 5, 2016
Glorious Tuesday: Standing Corrected Like John the Revelator
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.” Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers and sisters who testify about their faith in Jesus. Worship only God. For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.” – Revelation 19:9-10
Oh, that John. Lucky Dog. He got to look into things too wonderful for us. Things he wasn’t allowed to write about. Things he probably could barely comprehend. Can you imagine how his mind was whirling?
But those things… they’re what we all long to decipher, aren’t they? We’re fascinated by this final book of the Bible because it holds such hope and wonder and glory. And, frankly, because doesn’t that make us the smartest of all if we can figure out these shreds of mystery? If we alone could explain away the questions and confusion.
Somehow we miss the fact that we are on par with angels. Probably because it just flat-out blows our minds. John missed it, too. He fell down to worship, and was quickly admonished. Not in a bad way. In the best, most unbelievably sweet and wondrous way.
We are prophets, you and I. These are true words that come from God. May we never pause in testifying for our Savior. With our words, with our actions, with our lives.
What is written is enough and needs no deciphering. As if our puny minds could even begin to manage it. No new revelations are needed. No explanations are required.
Do we give a clear witness for Jesus?
Let’s Go Deeper:
1. What kind of mysteries of God are you doing your best to decipher?
2. How does this distract you from what the true focus should be?
3. Write here a verse that can remind you that we have already been given clearly what we need to understand clearly.
4. What is one thing you can do, today, to begin to use your testimony in a clear and powerful way?
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
