Updated on July 8, 2014
Please Allow Me?
Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. – Ephesians 1:15-23
Can I pray for you?
See, I’ve been where I couldn‘t pray. I surely don’t have the answers you need. But I know how it feels.
I know who to take it to, and I know what it is to have that knowledge and still just not be able to find the words or the way.
You’ve prayed for me before, when I was at my lowest and couldn’t pray for myself. I know, because I’ve felt your prayers. They have lifted me up, reminded me of truth, and sustained me.
So now I ask… for those of you who feel like you can’t pray…
Please Allow Me?
Father God, thank You for each soul reading this right now. Please, Father, give them spiritual insight, that they might grow in You. Let their hearts be flooded with light so they can understand the hope You have given them. I pray that You will help them to understand Your incredibly great power. Help them to know that they are filled with Christ, and are a valuable part of His body. Restore them to Yourself, Lord. 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 July 4, 2014
Sunday Scripture: 7/6/14
photo credit: Viewminder via photopin cc
So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
– Ephesians 1:6-8
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 July 5, 2014
Recommendation Saturday: Five Minute Friday Snail Mail
Kind words are like honey—
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
– Proverbs 16:24
I just love this! Where has it been all my life?
And I just know, you’re going to love it, too!
This is something you can do, no matter where you live, no matter what your ability level,
no matter if you’re homebound!
I am thrilled with the opportunity to join
the FMF Snail Mail Party.
I’m even more thrilled to invite you to join us!
Here’s a little about it:
“This is the place where we write one lady a kind, encouraging note each week. And we receive one each week, too!
This is the place where we use our words for good.
This is the place where something happy
shows up in our mailbox.
This is the place where community is built and we take relationships from the computer to the real life mailbox.”
Enrollment is open through Monday, July 7,
so please click this link and visit
to find out more and get signed up!
This is Five Minute Friday Snail Mail also known as #fmfpartysnailmail.
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 July 4, 2014
Freedom
Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!” – Genesis 28:16
photo credit: Garry – www.visionandimagination.com via photopin cc
I didn’t know.
How could I have known?
That Jesus could be in this place of so much heartache and loss. That Christ was here in the midst of the anger and grief. That the Spirit of the Lord could accompany me on such a painful journey.
I ran from the truth of my reality for as long as I could. In fact, when I could no longer fun, I sort of dragged myself. Wasn’t ready to accept it. Didn’t want any part of it.
Definitely had no intention of admitting it out loud or telling anyone about it. Wasn’t ever going to set it out there for the world to see and judge and maybe snicker.
photo credit: izarbeltza via photopin cc
I didn’t know.
That the Spirit of the Lord is in this place. In this story. And He comes alive in the release of it.
For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. – 2 Corinthians 3:17
I found freedom in my story. Freedom in the sharing and the embrace of those who walk alongside. Freedom in the connections I didn’t even know were there to be made. Freedom in handing it all over to a God who already owns it. Freedom in telling the truth and sighing in relief as I lay down the heavy load.
He’s there. In your story and in mine. In our connection and in the raw places we’re trying so hard to hide.
Surely the Lord is in this place. And wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Heavenly Father, Thank You for helping me to find freedom in You, no matter my circumstances. I am so blessed by the community You have led me to. 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.
All you have to do is click one of the buttons below.
May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on July 1, 2014
A Reason to Hope
My beautiful friend, Anita, has followed God’s leading and started a new website. In fact, it just launched a couple days ago. It’s a beautiful thing that I am honored to be a tiny part of, and I’m excited to introduce you to Anita and Postcards of Hope.
From Anita:
The website is built to share the postcards like a pinboard, as we do when we receive a postcard. As we share each testimony, story, quote of what hope in God means to someone, we will be adding it to our interactive world map, so that we can visually see where the stories are coming from.
My vision is for it to be covered! As we aim to record, and celebrate what God is doing around the world. You are invited to be a part of this exciting work! Share your testimony!
There is a prayer page, where anyone can send in their prayer needs, with the option to have it public for those who would like that, otherwise they will remain private unless specified.
I have designed some postcards, with the aim for us to share encouragement and words of hope with those who are in need of a friend.
Anita asked me to participate, and I wrote a post for a postcard. You can find it here:
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 June 30, 2014
Jack and I
For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. – 1 Thessalonians 2:4
I’ve spoken before of my love for the series, 24. As I was watching recently, I was struck with a few ways that Jack and I are alike. It’s not just our stunning good looks or our ability to think on our feet. 😉
The first way is that Jack and I obviously both utilize adult absorbent undergarments. I used to be slightly embarrassed to admit such a thing, but now that I realize that Jack Bauer wears them, too, I’m ok with it.
It took me a few seasons to recognize that this is what he’s doing, but after 8 seasons, I’m finally convinced it’s the only way he could go 24 hours without needing a potty break. Well played, Jack. Well played.
The second way that Jack and I are alike is that we both say, “I’m fine,” when we’re really not fine at all. When we’re in excruciating pain. When we’re obviously not thinking clearly or making wise choices. When we’re dying, for Pete’s sake. I don’t know why we do it.
And I’m immensely grateful for friends like Chloe who don’t buy it for a second. Who push and stick their nose in and know us well enough to know when intervention is necessary. Who cry for us when we can’t shed a tear ourselves. Who give us permission to be “not OK”.
The most important way that Jack and I are alike is that we never give up. Never. We’re worse than that energizer bunny. And do you know why? Because we have purpose. Jack believes in his purpose and his mission. He knows people are depending on him. He is loyal and true and stands for good, even in the face of impossible odds. I do that. I pray I continue to do that, always.
I believe in my purpose, even when I’m not completely certain what exactly it is. I know the one who knows, and I cling to Him.
So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. – 1 Corinthians 9:26
Jack and I, we are kindred spirits. I think that’s why I enjoy the show. One day I hope I can sit with him and we can laugh over Chloe’s facial expressions, and commiserate over how everyone always doubts his motives. I hope we can share a cuppa, and maybe even star in an adult diaper commercial together. That would rock.
We have a lot to talk about, and I’d love to be able to tell him about Jesus. Because people like us, we just can’t go on without Him. Not one more step.
Heavenly Father, please keep me seeing You in the most unlikely places. 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 June 30, 2014
Shadow Puppets
My eyes are swollen with weeping,
and I am but a shadow of my former self. – Job 17:7
When my children were small, we used to lay in bed at nap-time and play with flashlights. We would have puppet theater on the wall and we always ended up in fits of giggles over the shapes our hands could become. My hand could be a fierce alligator, or the big-bad-wolf, or a flying dragon.
But that was only the shadow. My children were never afraid, because they knew this was only a shadow, and when the flashlight was put away, the dragon was only a hand. Mommy’s hand. No teeth, no claws, nothing fierce at all.
Sometimes the fears I face are like that. Questions seem so large and looming and terrifying. Doubts have horrible teeth and they are hunting me. Pain is so close, I can smell the fetid breath.
The devil is wicked-talented with a flashlight.
When I take my questions to God, I can more clearly see that the size has been exaggerated. By replacing my doubts with His truth, those snapping jaws begin to more closely resemble bent fingers. When I surrender my pain and ask for comfort for the Lord, I recognize that I have nothing to fear. Not really.
So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. – James 1:16-17
He never casts a shifting shadow. I need to keep my eyes on Him.
Father in Heaven, keep not only my eyes, but my heart and my spirit, focused only on You. Thank you for Your truth. 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 July 4, 2014
A Steadfast Spirit
photo credit: Eric Sonstroem via photopin cc
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).
What a prayer this is . . . what a brave prayer.
I’m focused today on the word steadfast. The dictionary defines steadfast as “fixed and firm in direction, position, and place.”
Can I admit something to you? Sometimes, when the enemy flies in my face, I blink. Sometimes I flinch.
Sometimes I drop to my knees and cower under the cover of my arms, as if that provides any protection at all.
How about you?
I’m joining Rest Ministries today.
Would you come there, too?
I’d love for you to see all they have to offer.
Oh, and while you’re there, you can finish this post. 😉
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 June 27, 2014
Sunday Scripture: 6/29/14
copyright Steve Jurvetson via Flickr
By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.
– Hebrews 11:3
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 June 27, 2014
Recommendation Saturday: She’s My Sister
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
– Romans 10:14-15
copyright Anita Ritenour via Flicker
Does it just make sense to you?
Your brothers and sisters are out there,
in the middle of the road,
and a truck is coming.
Would you stand in front of a truck? Is there anything you wouldn’t do?
Do you care about their soul as much as you care about their life?
Do they know it?
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
