Updated on May 15, 2015
Sunday Scripture: 5/17/15
This is what the Lord says:
“Stop at the crossroads and look around.
Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it.
Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Jeremiah 6:16
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on May 16, 2015
Recommendation Saturday: All That Lies Beneath
And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen. – 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
All that lies beneath is just the canvas.
We have the one foundation that matters.
Don’t stop painting.
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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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 May 15, 2015
When You See More with Your Eyes Closed
“Then Jesus told him, ‘because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’” (John 20:29)
Intracranial Hypertension causes some wicked vision issues. I so often wish I could take a snapshot or video of what I see when I close my eyes. I want to be able to share it. It can be mind-blowing.
Sometimes I just see little fireflies blinking around, or a static kind of look. That’s when my eyes are open. But when I close my eyes a whole new world opens up. I get kaleidoscopes. Or sometimes I get the old Superman movie reel effect, when the newspapers were scrolling by really fast and showing the headlines.
You’ve seen that, right? Sometimes I get fireworks. Other times it’s like a sunburst effect.
If my eyes are open in the pitch dark, it’s pitch dark. But when I close my eyes, something beautiful happens. I see a light source–like it’s coming from off to the side. Often, I open my eyes to make sure it’s not really there in real life. Nope, only when I close my eyes.
Faith is like that, too.
Hope you’ll
hop on over to Rest Ministries with me
to finish this post.
They offer amazing fellowship for people with chronic illness. Check it out, won’t you?
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on May 13, 2015
My Very First Vlog…. Sorta
“Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, “Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me.” – Daniel 10:19
Hi, Dear Ones! I’m so excited to share this new video with you! I’ve decided to take some of my past writings and record them for YouTube, especially for those who have trouble reading or seeing.
In case you want to read it for yourself, here’s the link:
An Open Letter to Those at the End of Their Rope
So I am calling this a Vlog, but it’s actually only my voice and pictures. Trust me, I’m not exactly “camera-ready” when I make these, so I’m doing you a favor. On second thought, maybe instead of vlog, I should call this a blog narration.
I’ll be adding more of these recordings each week. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel if you don’t want to miss any. And if you have a favorite post of mine that you’d like to hear read aloud by little ole me, please leave me a comment here… I take requests. 
Ok, I’ve procrastinated as long as I can… on to the video…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on May 3, 2015
Love Set to Music
Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. – Luke 1:68So much feels unfulfilled.
So much seems unrestored.
So today, let’s take our shattered and lay it before the Lord, together.
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 May 8, 2015
Sunday Scripture: 5/10/15
And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
– 1 John 5:5
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on May 8, 2015
Recommendation Saturday: Lest We Forget
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. – Ephesians 6:10-13
Lest we forget that we are surrounded by the noise of battle….
Lest we not notice those around us
who fall victim to well-aimed arrows….
Lest we pretend not to see that the world around us
is falling to the enemy….
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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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 May 5, 2015
Why the Human Torch Inspires Me to Burn
John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message. – John 5:35
Photo by JD Hancock 
He’s cool, no doubt. He’s debonair and suave and spunky. But there are other reasons I want to be like the Human Torch.
The first reason is because I look great in orange. Not everyone can pull that off, but it really compliments my skin tone.
But seriously. 
This dude has taken what could be a serious disability and turned it into a reason to cheer. How did he do it? Simple.
He found the best way to use His crazy power for good. He looked for a way to showcase the right and beat down the darkness.
He could no longer wear regular clothes, so he made himself a snazzy new heat-resistant suit and got right out there into the fray.
He not only produces his own fire to keep enemies at bay; he also controls existing fires. Yep, that’s right, he can take one of the scariest and destructive forces and quench it. He can warp it and take it over and twist it until it is working for good instead of evil.
The man flies. Flies! No cape needed. He flies on fire. Wow.
He’s learning as he goes, just like we are. He messes up sometimes, but he’s extra careful because he recognizes that his power is a dangerous one that requires serious responsibility.
You have that power within you. Through Jesus Christ, you can do all of this and more!! Get out there and find the best way to use your crazy power for good. Don’t let what seems to be a disadvantage keep you down and out.
Flame On!
Holy Lord, teach us how to follow Your will in these imperfect bodies on this broken earth. Help us to burn for you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on April 30, 2017
When You Feel Like Giving Up
Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. – 2 Timothy 2:8-10
Let’s be real, some days are just that hard, aren’t they? I know some of mine are, and I know I’m not the only one.
And so, I have compiled just a few tips for those times. It’s hard to remember what to do when these times strike, so I’m hoping writing it down will be a good help for me.
- Allow yourself to feel what you’re feeling. There’s a balance between painting on a smile and pretending to be fine or totally giving in to despair. Find that balance and then allow yourself to feel what you’re feeling. Acknowledge that this sucks. Talk to God about it. Be honest with yourself. It’s okay to not be okay.
- Process through creativity. Choose a favorite activity that brings you peace or joy and then figure out how to use it to praise God. Sing, write, color, draw. Create crafts, speak poetry, take photos. Let your talents out and give the glory to God. Even just fifteen minutes of this can make a load of difference.
- Make a deal with yourself that involves time passing. No matter how impossible or dire a situation seems in the moment, give God time to work it out. What we feel in those bitter times never lasts as forever as we think it will. Even if the situation doesn’t disappear, God will grant you oasis in the desert. He has not forsaken you. Make a deal with yourself to just not take any drastic actions until tomorrow or until next week. God is moving.
- Make room in your mind. Many times when things seem darkest, I recognize that the voice in my head masquerading as my own voice is not actually mine. It’s many times the voice of the enemy. I remind him right out loud that there is no room for him in my heart or my mind, because the Holy Spirit lives here and He doesn’t share space with darkness or lies. Do you need to evict him from your mind, too?
- Replace the lies. It’s time to replace those depressing and obsessive thoughts that try to keep us in the stifling places. Replace them with scripture. Replace them with song. Replace them with words from a friend or family member who loves you. It’s not enough just to know they’re a lie. Steal their power by finding truth to take their place.
I hope these tips will help you. Know that I pray for you daily. Thank you for being a part of my life.
Dear God, please help us all to feel less alone. Please help us to know less despair, less darkness. How can we ever thank You enough for Your glorious warmth and light? We love You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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 May 3, 2015
For the Days When Your Heart is Unsteady…
Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. – Exodus 17:12
Little old me…
Raw and uncut, since that’s how these days feel, isn’t it?
You are loved, Dear One.
May I sit with you a while? <3
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
