Precious...

While reading my devotions this morning I was reminded about something from when I was a kid.  I remember when a bird had gotten in the house… it came in by accident and then it couldn’t find the way out. That bird kept flying to the windows thinking it looked like the way out, but all it was doing was batting itself against the window pane. It seemed like a good option of escape, but of course it wasn’t. We tried to push this poor, scared bird towards the opened door which would have led it to freedom, but in its panic it just didn’t understand that.

That made me think of how we as humans get ourselves into places or situations that we have no right being in and then we look for a way of escape. God’s Plan has given us all a way of escape but so many times we choose not to follow His plan. We think we can do it on our own and what we do is just bat ourselves against the “window pane” which in turn causes pain and anxiety. God has an open door for all to come to Him… He waits with open arms. All we have to do is run to Him and surrender our ideas to His divine Plan. It is in His arms we find true freedom.

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Luke 11:19

My hubby just got back from Quest, (it is the male equivalent of Heart Quest, which I attended in April). Five and a half days with Father God and no distractions... which means no phones, so I missed him so bad, but I knew God was doing awesome things in him while he was gone.  I made this card/mini album and sent it along with him as a surprise for while he was gone... I didn't want him to forget me *Ü*.

I love that picture labeled "Precious"... that is us taking communion together on the church property before the church was built... it means so much to me to have this picture. There are so many times those precious, intimate moments are never recorded in a picture.  I thank my friend, Vickie, for capturing this moment. Can you tell I adore my hubby? I am awestruck by God's goodness in my life.

Hope you have a blessed day and thank you for stopping.
with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Remembering the goodness...

Nine years ago today things changed in the world, as we knew it. People with hate as their agenda stepped over the threshold into pure evil. I give honor to those men and women whose lives were taken in such a horrible way.

I was reading this morning in Romans 12… about evil and goodness. Evil is never overcome with hate… evil can only be overcome with goodness. And truly pure goodness can only be found in God through His Son, Jesus Christ. I can hate what these people did, and I do, but I must ask Papa God for His goodness to work in me to forgive and actually love these people that hate us and what we stand for… not sure if I am there yet with that… but my awareness of it is a first step in the right direction. I do know that my focus can’t be on the evil… in has to be on God’s goodness… Christ died for ALL, sometimes that is a “hard pill” to swallow when evil has caused such personal devastation… I guess that is why we need God, because there is NO way to do that on our own.

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth." – Psalm 121:1-2
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12:21

“As light overcomes darkness, goodness can overcome evil.”

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Smile... God Loves You...

I am feeling pretty good this morning... I have been having quite a bit of back pain, but after my chiropractor treatment the other day... it is so much better.  He gave me some core exercises to do and doing them has helped... who thought exercise is a good thing??? LOL

I really want God’s leading in me today… "Lord, help to go where You want me to go, say what You want me to say, do what You want me to do. Help me to stay focused on You."  That word, "focus" is still so important to me... it just keeps popping up and I know God is really working on me with my focus.

“These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:8-9… I don’t want my words to be “lip service” to Papa God… I will not let my worship for my Lord be about me… only about Him. Once again it goes back to focus… where am I focusing???

I have a funny picture to share today... I had poured some orange juice for breakfast and when I looked into the glass this is what I saw "staring" back at me...

Isn't that too funny!  A smiley face looking up at me... I knew it was going to be a great day!

Here is a simple birthday card to share today.  My SU order came Monday so I am excited to finally get to play with some of it.

Blessings to you... with a grateFUL HEART, carin