Updated on April 27, 2014
The One About My Kids
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. – 1 Peter 5:7
I’d love the chance today to tell you just a little bit about my children. I marvel at their uniqueness and their courage. They are good and kind and caring, and more than just a little bit funny. Seriously, they have me in stitches much of the time, and I really enjoy spending time with them.
My son is 14. Would you believe me if I told you he writes Christian Rap songs? I know, right!? Crazy talented, that boy of mine.
He’s a deep thinker and an even deeper feeler and I just love watching him create. He can cut a mean dub step, and he has this hat with a cross on it that he insists on wearing at a tilt. I’ve tried, believe me I’ve tried, to turn his interests just a little more toward mainstream.
Instead, I find that I am the one changed. I know the lyrics to Christian Rap songs. I know the names of Christian Rap artists and production companies.
I can bust a rhyme with the best of them, and my son even tells me I have “good flow”. Insert crazy bright smile here. 🙂
I also have a daughter (aka “Princess”) who is 11. How is that possible? Sometimes even I don’t know.
She is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. She is thoughtful and sharp and scary smart.
She tells her friends about Jesus and she pays even more attention than I do to hemlines and necklines and that sort of thing.
I knew when she was still in the womb that God had done her a great injustice, giving a tomboy like me a sweet little angel to dress. I mean I can’t even make a french braid. I’ve never made a straight part in my life. Lace scares me. Heels are torture, and I keep my nails short to the quick, just for practicality’s sake. Does this sound like the mother of a precious girl to you? Color me terrified.
After 10 years, I have learned the art of layering. I know what chevron pattern is… be impressed, be very impressed. I not only do nails, I buy glitter polish to give them a second coat! And just a few months ago, my daughter declared, right out loud as I put the last flourish on her “do”, “Mom, you should be a hair dresser!” My jaw would have been on the floor, but I was too busy laughing.
Have I suddenly become a fashionista? Um, no. Definitely not. I’m still a moo-moo or sweats kind of gal. My nails are still short, although they frequently sparkle so my daughter and I can be “twinkies”. I hardly ever wear a stitch of makeup and my hair is short like a boys.
Do I wake up with Christian Rap songs flitting through my mind? Do I suddenly find dub-step toe-tapping? Yeah, not. I appreciate the lyrics and sometimes the rhythm, but I don’t ever, ever get the urge to put on some good Christian Rap music when I’m all alone. Ever.
Do you know why I care about those things? Those girly and rappy things that are so foreign and uninteresting to me on a normal day? Because my children care about them. That’s why.
I enjoy shopping and watching “What Not to Wear” because my sweet girl is right beside me and her eyes are lit up like Christmas. I study hairdo’s and latest styles so that I can talk with her about things that make her happy. She is the world to me, and I absolutely love the way that she is, even the ways that she is totally different from me.
I spend afternoons listening to new Christian Rap songs and artists because my handsome boy is sitting with me. I learn the lyrics so we can sing the chorus together, and I remember the names because his eyes sparkle when I already know. He is everything to me, and I completely adore everything about him, even if some of his choices are different than mine would be.
The next time you’re thinking maybe your cares are petty or your interests are too dull or your life is too silly, please, please remember. Remember that, to God, you are the world.
He absolutely loves the way you are. He completely adores everything about you. He lives to watch your eyes light up and He died so He could spend more moments with you.
Let Him in, won’t you?
Heavenly Father, Your love leaves me awestruck. Thank you for just everything. Please help me to remember how very loved I am. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on April 27, 2014
Revival
Won’t you revive us again,
so your people can rejoice in you? – Psalm 85:6
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We praise Thee, oh, God
For the Son of Thy love
For Jesus who died
And is in now gone above
Revive: to make (someone or something) strong, healthy, or active again
Do I believe that the God who raised Christ from the grave can give me strength, health, and activity, if that is what would suit His will?
We praise Thee, oh, God
For Thy spirit of light
Who hath shown us our Savior
And banished dark night
Revive: to bring (something) back into use or popularity
Can He use me to shine light and help to banish the dark night?
All glory and honor
To the Lamb that was slain
Who has taken my sin
Lord, and cleansed every stain
Revive: to restore from a depressed, inactive, or unused state :bring back
He has healed and cleansed. Will He make whole in Spirit?
Hallelujah, Thine the glory
Hallelujah, amen
Hallelujah, Thine the glory
Revive us again
Heavenly Father, Revive us again. Rekindle our faith. Restore Your Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on April 25, 2014
Sunday Scripture: 4/27/14
God has told his people,
“Here is a place of rest;
let the weary rest here.
This is a place of quiet rest.” – Isaiah 28:12a
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Shelly
Updated on April 25, 2014
Recommendation Saturday: Submerged
When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. – Ephesians 3:14-17
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Life is like that, isn’t it?
One minute, we’re making vacation memories,
the next minute we’re swallowed up.
How do we survive?
We don’t know. It’s unprecedented.
Help is coming. You were saved by an old tree.
Don’t fret through the miracle.
Breathe deep and hold on.
God provides.
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 April 24, 2014
A Prayer to Equip You When Your Equipment is Failing
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21).
It’s hard to maintain altitude when we face equipment failure at every turn, isn’t it? Really hard.
So today this scripture, Hebrews 13:20-21, is my prayer for each of you reading this.
I’ll be waiting for you over at my second home, the wonderful Rest Ministries.
I hope you’ll join us there to read
the rest of this post.
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on April 21, 2014
3 Steps to Feel Complete
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. – Philippians 2:5-8
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Living a life through chronic illness and disability is a lot like being poured out. Emptied.
It’s a difficult thing to endure.
I find myself trying to fill myself back up, as if I am not enough if I’m just an empty vessel. Maybe if I can reach enough, I’ll feel more useful. Having a strong enough string of healthy days will make me feel more successful. Worthiness might come if I could just stay a little more busy.
But look at the above verse… Jesus emptied Himself. He didn’t try to earn Sonhood. He didn’t regard equality with God a thing to be grasped.
Here are some steps we can take to take hold of our emptiness, rather than fight against it:
1. Experience Christ’s love. Sit and soak it in. Feel it in your heart. Bask in the enormity of it.
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. – Ephesians 3:19
2. Accept that you are complete in Him. It’s the only way to experience true fullness. It’s why He came.
So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. – Colossians 2:10
3. Now let it shine through you. All that you’ve received, become the giver.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are inany affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.– 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
None of this makes any of our trials go away. But, oh, it sure does make them easier to bear.
We’ll still have to fight against our fleshly nature, but we don’t ever have to fight alone.
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The only way to truly be filled with Him is to allow ourselves to remain empty. He created you as a vessel, and you are beautiful to him, just as you are.
Dear God, as You empty us of our own flawed natures and desires, please help us to remember that You are filling us with Your Spirit and Your plans. Thank You for having bigger dreams for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on April 21, 2014
Symmetry and Harmony
And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. – Romans 8:27
As a music lover, harmony is one of my favorite things. I just love it. It gives me goosebumps and can make me cry, simply because it is so, so beautiful.
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The next time you see a gorgeous example in nature of symmetry… the next time you hear a stunning piece of perfectly harmonized music… may it remind you that our God is a God who creates and perfects.
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The Spirit pleads for us. Even while we cry out, the Spirit presents our cares as a beautiful harmony, a pleasing fragrance, a perfectly balanced, beautiful noise.
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And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. – Romans 8:27
That verse just makes every care seem so small. What more could I ask that for an intercessor who presents my case beautifully in harmony with God’s own will. How can we go wrong with such a blessing?
Dear Lord, may even my bitterest tears be a pleasing fragrance to You. May my cries be interpreted as harmony. May my pleas show the perfect symmetry of trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on April 20, 2014
There Among Them
“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
– Matthew 18:20.
Dear ones, do you often feel isolated and left out? I know I do.
I rarely have the health to go and do anything. Just sitting upright or interacting with a group is exhausting and can set me back for weeks. Driving is impossible, so I have to depend on others for transportation to events, and I can’t be in a vehicle or sitting with my feet down for longer than an hour or so.
For one reason or another, I’m hardly ever able to attend social gatherings or parties or events. I’ve only been to worship services twice in the past 9 months. It’s that bad. And it can really be discouraging.
Do you know that feeling?
Well, I know you’re going to be just as excited about this opportunity as I am!
What if I told you about a gathering of thousands of Christian women… and they need YOU to be there? I know what you’re thinking, but hear me out.
This group requires no travel, zero cost, and you can attend in your PJs! Yep, you heard right!
You will laugh, cry, connect, enjoy, relax, bask, and grow. For free. While you’re comfy.
The event I’m speaking of is the (in)RL Event from (in)courage. The (in)RL webcast kicks off on Friday, April 25 and (in)RL meetups follow on Saturday, April 26.
Tune in by yourself for an hour on Friday for the community keynotes; connect via Twitter using the hashtag #inRL with everyone else who’s also watching.
{So you. Your computer. In your jammies eating popcorn & M&M’s. How awesome is that?}
On Saturday meet up with old friends and new to spend a few hours in real life community. Think of it as a retreat where you don’t have to leave town. Just imagine thousands of women all over the world getting together in homes, coffee shops, restaurants, or churches – you name it – to connect in real life! We’ll be providing video content that Meetups can tune into, which will share the importance of sharing our stories.
{So you. Your friends. Meet new friends. Be (in)couraged. Eat Snacks. Even more awesome!}
I hope you’ll pray about being a part of this awesome opportunity for fellowship and friendship. I’ll be there, and I’d love to see you there, too.
Heavenly Father, bless the hearts that are preparing for this conference. Help all who attend to be encouraged and uplifted and motivated toward You. Thank You for this opportunity to know fellowship from our isolated 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 April 19, 2014
Sunday Scripture: 4/20/14
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He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. – Colossians 1:12-14
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on April 18, 2014
Recommendation Saturday: Rise 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.
This is a trustworthy saying:
If we die with him,
we will also live with him.
If we endure hardship,
we will reign with him.
If we deny him,
he will deny us.
– 2 Timothy 2:8-12
When you’re feeling overcome by the discouragement, when all seems lost, what the situation has you feeling discouraged… just remember…
He lives inside of You.
Rise Up!
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
