Updated on December 14, 2014
A Prayer for Perspective
And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. – Romans 4:22-25
We long for You to deliver on this earth what You already came and suffered to deliver. It is finished.
We demand that You provide on this plane what is waiting for us in glory. You have gone to prepare a place for us.
We want complete healing in these mortal bodies that were never meant to last and be free of suffering. Of course we groan. We want to keep on living here, but we expect the body that can only come in the next life. This is not the end.
Thank You, Jesus.
May we always express our gratitude for your sacrifice. You have not left us undone.
May we continue to long to be with You, simply because You are our only Hope and Joy and Promise.
May our groaning be twisted as only You are able, into the sweetest of praise.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on December 17, 2014
The Glory of the Lord
He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 2 Thessalonians 2:14
When we talk with our kids about finding a lasting relationship, we always talk about taking enough time to see the other person in all seasons. I mean, a person with the flu is not necessarily the same person you took to the party. A person grieving is not the same person who was rejoicing. Changes bring… well, changes.
This got me to thinking recently about the “glory of the Lord.” We all want to experience that, don’t we? We sing about it. We pray for it to come to pass. I looked it up to find out more about it. It’s defined as “the fullness of relationship.”
I believe this means, at least in part, that we need to be willing to embrace the Hope of Christ in every season of our lives. We need to still choose Him and even offer praise and Thanksgiving, even when we don’t understand Him or necessarily agree with His choices.
He is our Husband, this God who gave His life for us. He is the only true Lover of our soul. Do you really want to make that kind of commitment based on a single emotion? Are we really that shallow?
Is our love not the lasting kind? The kind we always dreamed of as children and vowed to seek as adults? That kind of love is multi-faceted. Multi-dimensional. And the strongest thing you will ever, ever know.
It is eternal.
Precious Lord, help me to be the kind of bride who seeks deeper relationship with You. I want to know Your glory. I long to show you the fullness of my love and devotion. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on December 15, 2014
Do You Know the True Value of Your Prayers?
“And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people” (Revelation 5:8).
In this life, and most especially in this season of giving, it is so easy to feel we have nothing of value to give.
So many of us stretch our finances to the breaking point just to keep a roof over our heads and food in our bellies. We worry each month whether or not we’ll be able to afford the medications and doctor visits that are required to maintain our health.
How do we then find a way to give to others in any way that is valuable?
Please join me at my second home, Rest Ministries,
to read the rest of this post. <3
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Shelly
Updated on December 12, 2014
Sunday Scripture: 12/14/14
The woman said to Him,
“I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.”
Jesus *said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”
– John 4:25-26
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Shelly
Updated on December 12, 2014
Recommendation Saturday: You’ve Got to See “The Trail”
But if we hope for what we do not see,
with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
– Romans 8:25
Seriously.
I watched this movie on a whim. I wasn’t even aware it was a Christian movie. Had never heard of it. Stumbled upon it, by the grace of God, while browsing through Netflix late one night this week.
Oh my. Brothers and Sisters, this movie is powerful. It touched me in a way nothing else has in a very long time. I hope you’ll watch it. You can find it free to stream on Netflix, or pay to rent it on Amazon Instant Video.
Please come back and let me know what you think of this movie. I’d love to talk about it with you. <3
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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Shelly
Updated on December 10, 2014
The Beauty of Believing: A Review
Are you ready to blossom?
Faith is like a flower. In order to grow, it needs soil, water, and sun—food for the spirit. That’s just what this devotional is. Spiritual food to help your faith grow strong and beautiful.
Featuring 365 days of wisdom from your favorite Faithgirlz! authors, as well as quotes and questions from real girls like you, this devotional offers pages of inspiration on everything from navigating friendships, to taming the tongue, to trusting God in everything, big and small. Growing up can be tough, but Jesus is guiding you every step of the way.
Beauty of Believing combines the talents of Faithgirlz! authors Tasha K. Douglas, Mona Hodgson, Kristi Holl, Lois Walfred Johnson, Allia Zobel Nolan, and Nancy Rue, and their words of wisdom will help your faith bloom and flourish as you grow into the girl God wants you to be.
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This book was reviewed by my daughter, who is 11 years old. Here is what she says about the book:
This is a book that I like to read before bed. I use it as a nightly devotional. I like this book because it has a lot of messages that speak to me. It feels like when I read it, God is talking right to me. This books talks a lot about real-life difficulties that girls will experience in life, which makes it more meaningful to me.
This book would make a great gift for tween girls like me. We will not be giving it away because I will read it over and over and have already been highlighting in it and making notes. I would highly recommend this book.
Heavenly Father, please be with girls who are seeking You. We know You promise that we will always find You when we search for You with all our heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Shelly
Updated on December 7, 2014
I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary
But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” – Matthew 8:20
Why do I have to keep climbing?
It’s always an upward angle
constant exertion
and exhaustion
Never an even keel
or a smooth path
or just a piece of flat ground
to stretch out on and rest my head
You made this climb, too
Your blood making your grip slippery
the pain dragging at your feet
Your heart splintered like the cross you carried
You made it alone
so I wouldn’t have to be
I can place my feet
in the marks where yours trod
You’ve worn the path so perfectly
You’re waiting for me
just over the next rise
no longer nailed
but still just as committed
to wait for a sinner like me
to make the climb
Dear Lord, You are the Perfect One. Thank You for desiring my presence. Thank You for your patience. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on December 7, 2014
When Moving is Like Staying Put
For you bless the godly, O Lord;
you surround them with your shield of love. – Psalm 5:12
We’ve put the house up for sale. Moving is in our future. We’ve always lived a very nomadic kind of life and we like it that way. Living in different places (even if it’s all in the same country) and meeting different people is a kind of adventure. A fresh start. Exciting.
But not this time.
Moving when you’re chronically ill… just the thought makes me shudder. Seriously, I cry real tears when I think about it. It’s beyond daunting and enters into the realm of impossible.
But I think the hardest part, at least this time, is that I have lost my sense of adventure. It’s bumming me out.
Last week my sweet hubby asked me to tell him about my day and I snapped, “It’s right here! See this chair? That’s my day. Same as yesterday. Same as tomorrow. What do you think I’ll be able to tell you?”
Same goes for moving. Know what Utah would look like?
And here’s what Louisiana would look like….
Missouri has looked like this:
See where I’m going with this? Yeah, it’s gotten that depressing over in my corner of the world.
But then I realized, it’s that pesky perspective again. I’m wondering if God will carry this year’s word right over into next year since I don’t seem to have learned as much as I should have this year.
Because in reality, here’s what Utah would look like:
And here’s what Louisiana would look like…
Missouri has looked like this:
Life, no matter where you are (or aren’t) is all about relationship. Time to refocus. I’m reclaiming my sense of adventure, starting to feel the tingles of excitement again. Not because of what will change, but because of what will deepen and grow stronger and stay the same.
Dear God, thank You for the blessings of relationship. Thank You for changing my perspective and restoring my soul. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Posted on December 7, 2014
Sunday Scripture: 12/7/14
But Mary treasured all these things,
pondering them in her heart.
– Luke 2:19
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Shelly
Updated on December 5, 2014
Recommendation Saturday: Tis the Season to Eat Fudge, Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
– Psalm 19:9-10
Ok, so I don’t need an actual holiday to want, make, or eat fudge, but I’m not one to let so blatant an opening pass me by!
This is a recipe I have tried and love. I substituted milk chocolate chips, only because you can’t make it too sweet for me 🙂
You’ll be able to make this recipe with little to no fuss or stress on your body. It’s easy enough for me to direct my daughter to do it herself on really bad days.
May your days be merry and bright.
And may every day have a bite (or two) of fudge. Happy Saturday!
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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