Updated on March 19, 2014
Do You Have All You Need?
“I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for You saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul” (Psalm 31:7).
I’d like someone to fix it, but it’s not really a need. If someone could make it all just go away, I’d love that, but I don’t really need it.
I rounded up my wayward thoughts and posted them on Rest Ministries… Won’t you join us there?
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on March 20, 2014
Eyes That See
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But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. – Matthew 13:16
How’s your Eternal Vision? Do you know what I mean?
When you look at someone, do you see the now, or the could be? Do you see the filth or imagine the splendor?
Basically what I’m asking… Do you leave room for Jesus?
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Shelly
Updated on March 14, 2014
Action Verbs
“Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people. – 2 Chronicles 32:7-8
What a yummy pair of verses this is, simply delicious. There is such powerful hope here in this passage, isn’t there?
Soak it in for a moment before I draw your attention to something… go ahead, I’ll wait.
Is that refreshing? Don’t you feel stronger and more courageous?
That is what I want to draw your attention to… the last sentence of this scripture holds a great truth.
Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people.
Words are powerful. They can inspire hope. They can empower teams and armies. They can refresh a spirit. Words bind wounds, heal divisions, build bridges.
No matter if you choose positive or negative words, you can be sure that they will be action verbs in the lives of all who hear them.
And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! – James 3:10
When life is complicated by chronic illness, pain, and disability, it’s definitely challenging to steer clear of words that focus on guilt, limitations, despair, and fear.
I challenge you today, dear one, to be mindful of the words you speak not only to others, but to yourself.
Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people.
Do yours?
Righteous God, keep us mindful of the words that enter our minds and hearts, as well as the words that exit our mouths. Supply good replacements for damaging thoughts and words. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on March 14, 2014
Both… And…
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It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. – Hebrews 11:6
Life with chronic illness, pain, and disability is a life fraught with change, insecurity, frustration, and fear.
Do you ever find yourself doubting whether God cares? Whether he really even hears you when you call out to Him and find only silence as response? I know I have those moments.
The verse above reminded me today that this very belief is an integral part of faith.
Because anyone who wants to approach God…Yes, please.
must believe both that he exists… That’s the no-brainer part, right? If that was all that was involved in this faith thing, I’ve got it locked down already.
and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him…anyone else hear the sound of squealing brakes? What was that, Lord?
It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.
Do you want to please God? I know that I do! Then we must have faith. It is impossible to please God apart from faith.
And what does this faith entail?
1. Believe that God exists.
2. Believe that God cares enough to respond to those who seek Him.
I’m working on that second part, because I realize the two can’t be separated. And my greatest desire is to please my God.
Are you with me?
Our God exists. Our God cares enough to respond. Are we seeking Him with this faith?
Dear God, thank You for Your Word that convicts and edifies us. We love you, and we wish to please You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on March 16, 2014
What Are You Seeking?
Those who know your name trust in you,for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. – Psalm 9:10
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What am I seeking? Depends on the day. Some days it’s a bit of extra energy. Other days it’s healing.
I seek understanding. I seek opportunities. I seek relief, help and compassion. So much to seek, so little time, right?
Speaking of time, won’t you spare a little to join us over at one of my very favorite places?
Come on over to Rest Ministries to read the rest….
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on March 14, 2014
Sunday Scripture: 3/16/14
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Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” so that we confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What will man do to me?”
– Hebrews 13:5-6
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on March 15, 2014
Recommendation Saturday: Judging a Book, and all that…
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. -1 Timothy 6:6-7
Some things are packaged and presented like they’re going to be the greatest gift you’ve ever seen.
The outside screams, “Prepare to be amazed!”
And then you open the gift.
And it’s ordinary. It doesn’t do anything special.
It’s plain and simple… and just what you didn’t even know you wanted.
So many lessons could be learned here… what’s yours?
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 14, 2014
I Need A Hero
But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. – Jude 1:20-21
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This is a world that loves heroes. Someone who swoops in and just makes something better. Brings light with them. Causes us to feel refreshed, hopeful… like we can keep going after all.
I’m no different. And sometimes I believe God places those heroes into our lives as actual flesh and blood people that can hug us and laugh with us and listen to us.
Today I want to take time to thank my hero. I want to talk about my hero. Because I don’t think they know they are a hero. And they need to know. They really do.
My hero is you, sweet friend. Yep. It’s true.
You keep going every day, when the truth is that it is worlds easier to just give up. But you never do. You keep showing up. You keep lifting up.
You swoop in and make things better. You bring light with you. You cause me to feel refreshed, hopeful… like I can keep going after all.
Here’s to heroes…
Swoop On!
Father God, I want to thank you for each person reading this post today. Thank you for their courage and their strength and the light they bring with them. Help them to know what heroes they are. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on March 12, 2014
Redeeming Love
I had the honor of being asked to guest post for my sweet friend, Salina.
Have you seen her site? It’s a beautiful, warm place where sisters gather to see her Heart Reflected.
I can tell you, her heart reflects something that is so Christ-like… it’s beautiful to see.
She’s embarking on a new series called Redeeming Love.
The minute I got her email, a post of mine from October came to mind and I revamped it a little for her blog.
I hope you’ll join us there, and leave a little comment to show Salina what big hearts you have.
See You There!
Redeeming Love: Renewed Daily
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on March 9, 2014
Blessing in Disguise
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.” – Isaiah 43:1-2
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My illness has a unique symptom. It’s called Pulsatile Tinnitus, which is a fancy way of saying I can hear a whooshing sound in time to my heart beat in my ears. It comes and goes, and sometimes it’s louder than others, but it’s one of the hallmark symptoms of Intracranial Hypertension.
The times when the whooshing is loudest and most disturbing coincides with the times that my pressure is highest. In the doctor’s minds, that symptom getting worse equals panic time. More testing, closer observation… fear.
But let me tell you what it means to me. God is sending my own pulse into my ears at the roughest moments, drowning out all of the clamoring of necessary testing and the voices that are afraid. He is reminding me in a tangible way that it is He who controls each rush of blood. He keeps my heart pumping and my blood flowing and my breath ebbing in and out.
The whooshing hums, “Stay focused… in this moment… just trust… I’m here. Stay focused… in this moment… just trust… I’m here.”
It sounds a lot like the sounds a baby hears in the womb. It’s deeply comforting to me, in a time that otherwise feels frantic and scary. I mean, let’s get real, how many other people get such an awareness of their body’s deeper processes? As symptoms go, I kinda lucked out.
God intentionally blesses us in the most wondrous ways, doesn’t he?
Holy God, thank You for the ways you bless me even in my challenges. You amaze me. I need You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
