Updated on March 17, 2015
Why I Hope There Will Be Tears in Heaven
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” – Revelation 21:4
I seem to be thinking of heaven on an almost daily basis lately. It’s pretty awesome.
Today I was thinking of how there will be no tears in Heaven. Since brain damage, I have not been able to cry at sadness or pain very easily. Sometimes this bothers me, mostly as I worry that people will not think I am feeling the emotions themselves. It is also difficult to need the release that crying would bring, and not be able to summon the actual tears.
But happy tears? Those I have in abundance. Tears of gratitude. Tears of overwhelming blessing. Tears of joy and laughter.
I’m praying today that those kind of tears will be allowed in Heaven, because I know that even my new body will not be able to hold all the wondrous magnitude of my love. That joy is bound to eek out, and tears seem a beautiful offering of that love.
So today I will think of Heaven, and I will think not of the tears that will be absent. Not of the pain and the loneliness and the fear that cause tears here on earth.
No, today I will think of the beauty of tears of laughter. The wonder of tears of overwhelming gratitude. The tears of joy uncontained.
Please, Lord, Let there be tears in Heaven. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on March 13, 2015
Sunday Scripture: 3/15/15
So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that scurries and swarms in the water, and every sort of bird—each producing offspring of the same kind.
And God saw that it was good.
– Genesis 1:21
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Shelly
Updated on March 13, 2015
Recommendation Saturday: Living Water
“Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” – John 7:38
I think today should be a basking day. Let’s just run through the fountains. Let’s drench ourselves in His peace and comfort. Let’s soak in the joy of His presence. Are you with me?
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 March 13, 2015
Call Me Old-Fashioned, But… (A Review and Giveaway)
So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me. – Colossians 1:28-29
Former frat boy Clay Walsh has given up his reckless lifestyle and settled down to run an antique shop in a small Midwestern college town. Determined to put his partying ways behind him, Clay has become notorious for his lofty and outdated theories on love and romance. But when Amber Hewson, a free-spirited woman with a gypsy soul, rents the apartment above his shop, Clay can’t help being attracted to her spontaneous and passionate embrace of life.
New to the area, Amber finds herself surprisingly drawn to Clay and his noble ideas, but her own fears and deep wounds are difficult to overcome. Can they move beyond their differences and their pasts to attempt an “old-fashioned” courtship?
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This book delighted me! It was refreshing and sweet and the characters were very easy to relate to. I cannot wait to see the movie! You really need to read this book if you enjoy good clean romance.
It’s so easy these days to just blow something off as “another one of those unrealistic love stories”. This is not that. This is real people facing real challenges with a very real God between them. Seriously, it’s so good.
I’ll leave you with the trailer. I know it’ll leave you wanting more.
If you’d like to enter for a chance to win this book, I’m giving away my copy right here on Monday. Just enter below.
Old Fashioned – Paperback Book
** I received a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes from Tyndale House.
To purchase the book from Tyndale, please click here.
To purchase the book from Amazon, please click here.
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Shelly
Updated on March 8, 2015
The Constant in all the Moving
It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. – Psalm 127:2
We have moved. It is done. We are here.
I’m almost too exhausted and overwhelmed to say enough to make this a complete post.
But one thing has stood out to me in this whole affair. That would be the way that God has orchestrated every single inch. Every “i” was dotted, every “t” crossed. Not a single tiny detail was overlooked and all things were beautiful in ways I wouldn’t have even known to ask for… truly, I’m basking in all the care, taking time to ruminate on each and every blessing, and there are many.
The main blessing is this:
He has brought our family from people who love us to people who love us.
In this life as well as the next, that’s what He does, isn’t it? It has really comforted me to know that even when I am no longer here I will simply be moving on to the next love. To the next being loved.
As we settle in here, I know I will be returning to writing. I am glad because I have missed you. And I can’t wait to see where God takes us next. Thank you for being with me, for being a constant in all the change right now. You are loved, Dear One.
See you tomorrow. <3
Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me how any “moving on” that You are a part of will be a beautiful thing. Thank You for all of Your blessings during this move. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on February 6, 2015
On the Move
The Lord your God is going ahead of you. He will fight for you, just as you saw him do in Egypt. – Deuteronomy 1:30
This will be my last post for a little while. I will miss all of you and will return as soon as I can, hopefully sharing with you lots of gems the Lord has shared with me in the meantime. Our family is relocating to a different state. It’s a lot of stress, especially when you throw in chronic illness and disability. We’d covet your prayers for us during this time. I hope to see you when I return.
Until then, God be with you til we meet again… <3
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on February 6, 2015
Perspective on Pain
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. – 1 Peter 1:10
Approximately six years ago, my life changed drastically. One day my vision was changed. A week later, I lost one side of my face. The next thing I knew, I was having trouble with balance, walking and speech. It took 3 years to get an accurate diagnosis. I have a rare and debilitating brain disease. I have had 2 brain surgeries. And I just found out this month that I am losing brain matter. It’s terrifying.
I am clinging to my faith more than ever now. I am doing what I can to renew my trust in my Savior. In this world we live in, where people believe that healing is a given for the faithful, people can be cruel. Doubts can creep in and the enemy is never without plenty of ammunition to use against me.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the here and now, in light of eternity….
Won’t you please join me over at my friend, Jen’s place?
Soli Deo Gloria… says it all, doesn’t it?
I love the community there. I know you will, too.
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on February 2, 2015
The One Thing Heaven Is Missing
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. – Genesis 1:1
Last week I wrote a post about the beauty of Heaven. It’s a perfect place and one I long for… as I’m sure you do.
Well, ever since I wrote that post, God’s been poking me in the ribs with a truth that needs to be shared. He’s persistent and I’m finally getting it together enough to write what He’d have me tell you.
As beautiful as Heaven is… as stunning and awe-inspiring and completely amazing as Heaven is… as mind-blowingly perfect as Heaven is…
There is one thing that Heaven is missing. It’s a missing piece that God just couldn’t go without. He’s all about completion and fulfillment and making things just right.
Your Father was so intent on getting His hands on this missing piece that He was willing to sacrifice anything at all for it… even if that meant allowing His only son to take on the shame of the cross and die in horrible pain.
The one thing that Heaven is missing is… Me. It’s You, too. God feels all that splendor is flawed without the addition of our souls with which to share it.
Heaven won’t feel heavenly enough to our Savior until we join Him there. So while we sit here and long for Heaven, the Heavenly Host anxiously await our arrival. Then and only then will Heaven be complete.
Feeling loved yet?
Heavenly Father, I am speechless before the splendor of your extravagant love. I praise You and I thank You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on February 2, 2015
Have You Assumed Incorrectly What God’s Gift Is?
Photo by TheSeafarer 
“Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly” (John 7:24).
Way back a long time ago, I was at a party. Something happened that has stuck with me all these years. I’d like to tell you about it, if you’ll bear with me.
The party was a holiday one and we had a white elephant gift exchange. When it was one’s turn, s/he could steal someone else’s gift or choose one from the remaining pile of unopened ones. One of the first people to open a gift found a fruitcake tin inside.
This party had a lot of people. I lost track of how many of them bypassed that tin. The guy who was “stuck” with it tried to make it sound more enticing and begged each person to take it from him. He wanted nothing to do with fruitcake….
Can I invite you back over to Rest Ministries
to finish this post?
See you there! <3
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on January 31, 2015
Am I Willing to Lose So That I Can Win?
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).
Obviously. . .
But we still have to live in this world, don’t we? And sometimes that’s just hard. It’s hard to feel like we don’t measure up.
The question I have for myself today is: am I competing in the right event?
I hope you’ll join me over at Rest Ministries to read the rest of what God showed me today. See you there!
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
