Fog or Focus?

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. I Corinthians 16:13-14

Being at home so much now is causing me a little anxiety at times.  I was so use to volunteering at the church we attended here in Cadillac, but now with our new church being so far away I am not able to do that, so I am trying to get things around home a little more organized and decluttered!  I luv it when it is done, but not while I am doing it! 

I joined a group called for decluttering and putting perfectionism out of my life.  It is called FlyLady at bigtent.com This morning FlyLady was talking about driving in fog and how if I get antsy and overwhelmed with trying to clean and organized my home it is like driving in the fog. 

I was thinking about how it is the same when I let my thoughts and emotions overwhelm me and cause me to be frustrated in my life spiritually! I take my focus off God and put it on the junk going on around me or the thoughts and questions I have going through my head.  I listen more to the enemy’s voice in my ear than the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart.  I try to get through my day in a fog… maybe fog stands for Free Of God??? When I see it written like that… why would I want to live a life in FOG?  I don’t!  Waiting… being still… trusting is soooo hard for me to do.  I have always been a doer and I know God has spoken to me about that so many times in the past.  Maybe this time I will actually learn something.  The anxiety can so easily build up in me because my flesh says He is not moving quickly enough… He is not showing me the next step… He is causing my frustration and loneliness.  But in my spirit I know none of those things are true.  It is in these times I have to take a deep breath, confess my unbelief, and remember it is not about me!  It is my fault for taking my eyes off Him! His timing is perfect!  How many times does the Bible say to be patient?

If I am standing firm in my faith then courage, strength and love should come more easily... it is a good way to see what I am really standing on. Focus on Him!

Okay, a pretty little card to share today:

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Don't Forget...

Ah, yes it is the unofficial start of summer... Memorial Day Weekend!  The weather has gotten beautiful here in northern Michigan too!  I knew I had to get this post in today or the weekend would get too busy and I would forget.  Ever notice the busier we are the easier it is to forget?

What I wanted to share today is too important to ever forget.  We set aside Memorial Day to remember those who fought and gave their lives for all of us who are blessed enough to know freedom.  With all the conflict in the world this needs to be a regular everyday part of our lives! Daily thankfulness! Do you think?

When my hubby and I went to Virginia last September, we visited the Battlefield at Gettysburg, PA.  We also visited a few places in Washington DC.  The weather was not so nice the day we were in DC, so we wanted to make sure we visited Arlington National Cemetery first.  It was such a moving experience for both of us.  It was pouring down rain while we stood under the over-hang of the amphitheater while we watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  Shortly before that I had been complaining about the rain and how it was going to ruin our day.  As I stood there watching the guards marching back and forth in front of the tomb I was so convicted... tears started streaming down my face.  How could I have the nerve to complain about wet clothes and feet as I stood in such a hallowed place?  That was a changing moment for me... big time!  I asked God to forgive me for my selfishness... for my inconsideration! Then I praised Him for letting me grow up where I have the right to praise Him!  It was a good lesson learned for me.

On the tomb it says, "HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD"

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

No Fretting Allowed!

I was praying this morning about trusting in God for the plans He has for me.  How that even though I do not know what in the world He is doing in our family situation His plan is to prosper me, not to cause me harm, to give me hope for a wonderful future.  Once again, I need to remind myself of the things I do know so I don’t let myself get frustrated about the things I don’t know.  I was thinking how not knowing is a really hard part for me, but if I did not trust the One who knows it all, that would be the hardest part and my biggest mistake!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Psalms 37 has come up a lot this week… today verse 7 especially jumps out at me, “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.” 

I have to rest in the Lord and His promises! I get to wait patiently for Him! No fretting! I must keep my eyes focused on Him and not on what others maybe doing around me!  Fret… one of the definitions is “to wear away or corrode the surface of something, or become worn away or corroded.”  When I fret it does start to wear away my joy… it does cause my “shininess” to become dull.  And after awhile I will be all pitted and corroded, like when you use coarse sandpaper on shiny metal.  Fret is just a different word for plain old worry!  I don’t want to be a fretter or a worrier!

Here is a card I made for a friend... it is a little busy, but the bright colors and all make me happy!

My hubby and I are off to Ludington today. We are staying at Ludington House Bed and Breakfast... looking forward to it too! We hope to walk around the town a little if Luke gets out of work early enough.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Whatever is True...

Good Morning! Yes, it is really me... posting 2 days in a row!!! It is a beautiful morning here in northern Michigan.  They said we were going to get rain, but it is nice even though it is not sunny.

I woke up this morning with such a grateFUL HEART... it feels like my heart is literally overflowing with God's goodness!  Why do some days start like that and other days don't??? My mom has been going through health issues for a couple years now and the other day I shared this verse with her:

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8

Mom's health problems have attacked her mind and her spirit... the best place for the devil to hit us, so sometimes just reminding her of these things is what it takes to help her at that moment.  I encourage you to do the same thing when you are feeling a little lost and overwhelmed... speak out loud what you know to be true... the real truth is all that matters! Then start praising God for all the excellent things He has given you... call Him by the names the Bible calls Him... Counselor, Refuge, Almighty, Provider, Shield... I could go on and on!

Anyway, I have another Mom's Day card to share with you:

Off to the Thumb to spend tomorrow with my mom.  Happy Mother's Day all you moms!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Doing Something...

So much has been happening in our household, yet I have not taken the time to blog about it.  I am a sad blogger lately! :(  My hubby is oh so busy with the spring planting season going on... it seems that the season is longer than usual this year due to the extra nice weather we had in early March, which got the farmers raring to go!

God has really been doing some great things in our life.  He is always doing good, but this is exceptionally good!  That may be part of why I have not taken the time to blog... what He was working on in me I was not able to share until I knew for sure what it was.  I am now able to share with you what God is doing. I don't understand it all, but I know that if I understand something then it probably isn't God! Luke & I are being called to serve in a new ministry 80 miles from our home and leaving our church home in Cadillac.

This has been a long heart-searching decision, but we know that God is calling and it is going to be life changing for us. He has confirmed it for us over & over! All we know is God is expanding the borders of our faith. We could be content just staying where we are, but what would we miss out on? We have to be willing to sacrifice all of what we have in Cadillac… we believe it is worth the reward and blessings to come by following God… all to bring Him glory! We know we cannot limit God in our life. He wants to be so much bigger in my life than I have allowed Him to be. When this started stirring I asked God to expand the borders of my heart… don’t pray it if you don’t mean it! LOL

We do not know exactly where God is leading us in all this, but we do know He told us we have to commit to this first step before He can show us more. I covet your prayers. We are standing on His promise… “Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5
We are not sure if a household move is in the future, but Luke's job is still here, so God has to open the next door for any thing more to happen. We have a longtime dream and we believe Ludington may be the place for that to happen. We would love for this dream to turn in to a ministry of sorts. But like I said, God has got to make it happen when it is right!

I am very excited, but a little terrified as well!!! We have been here almost 7 years, so we are believing Papa is really gonna mix it all up! He is doing something new! (Isaiah 43:19)

I do want to wish all the mommas out there a very Happy Mother's Day!  Here is a card I created for Mom.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin