Lessons from a snow birds...

The ice and sleet has blanketed eveything and brought a quiet rest to the house and to my spirit, as I watch the birds outside my window I am reminded of Matthew 6:26 "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"
I know that He is telling me to be still and know that He is God and that there is nothing impossible to Him. He has told me in Isaiah 41:10 "fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I      will help you,  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Will you be His Valentine, He has called you by name.

You Are Mine!Isaiah 43:1
But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel:Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.

On Valentine’s Day isn’t it fun to dig through a bag of those little candy hearts that have the words printed on them? They say cute little things like “SWEET”, “CUTE” or “HUG ME”. But the one that I like the best says, “YOU ARE MINE!”

Isaiah 43 gives a beautiful picture of God saying those exact words to His beloved children of Israel. Even though they had wondered away from Him and He had to discipline them, He declares, “Don’t be afraid! I made you and I will take care of you. You are mine!” Then, as their loving Father, He gives them the promise of His presence, His protection, and His provision through it all.

Ephesians 1:3-14 says that as a believer in Christ, God the Father does the same thing for you. He created you, He redeemed you, and He calls you to Himself saying, “You are accepted in the Beloved — in essence, “You are Mine!” As a loving Father cares for His children, so He cares for you day after day, week after week, year after year. He loves you! You are His!

Father, what a thrill to hear Your words and to know that I belong to You! Thank you for creating me, for caring for me, for calling me Yours and for the security that brings.

New Beginnings

This is actually a post from September 24, 2009, but I thought that it had meaning for today and wanted to share it again.

Tonight is my Circle of Faith meeting and here I am laying in bed with a fever and just had Randy call Donna and let her know that I can't make it. It makes me wonder if the lesson I planned was just for me. This meeting would mark the beginning of a new year for our group, and even though we normally associate New Years with starting over; the truth is life is full of new beginnings. Winter Spring Summer and Fall all mark the start of something of new. Even King David in the Psalms encouraged us to sing a new song, but a new song can only come from a renewed spirit, so maybe the devotion was just for me, as I lay here maybe it's for God to renew my spirit so I can begin to sing a new song. Lamentations 3:22 tells us that Gods mercies are new every morning. The truth is that each second is a new beginning and a choice. My choice to sieze or let it pass. Isaiah 43:18-19 Reminds us that God doesn't remember the former things; the mistakes we made yesterday and that He will do a new thing. My prayer today is for a new beginning, a renewed spirit that will create in me a new song.

My Prayer for the New Year

Dear Lord, as I close the door on this old year,
I ponder on the things I've done...
on the things I've said and the joys I've had...
then I wonder, have I lost or won?

I've thought of the new friends I have made,
and of the old ones staunch and true...
the path of the old year was made easier Lord,
because I have walked it with You.

I think of all the many times,
when my burdens were so heavy to bear,
and how my faith slipped away from me...
but somehow You were always standing there.

Now as I open the door to this New Year,
and carefully peep inside,
I wonder what it holds for me...
but I'll throw the door open wide

And whatever it brings to me and mine,
I'll meet it with a heart so true...
I know that, Lord whate'er it may be
You'll be there to carry me through.

My personal growth word for 2010 is...

Courage

...Deuterononmy 31:6
As we enter into this New Year and begin again lets embrace all that God has for us lets have courage to do more, accomplish more and love more this year then we have ever done before. Let's challenge ourselves to partner with God in every area of our lives and let Him have complete control so we can become what He in all His wisdom created us to be and touch the lives that He ordained us to touch. He has so many wonderful things for each of us but becasuse we do not allow Him to be Lord of every area of our lives we miss out on blessing and relationships that He has prepared for alll those He lovesw.

My Word for 2010...COURAGE

My word for the new year: COURAGE

The "courage" to dream again
The "courage" to let go and let God have complete control
The "courage" to face and overcome my fears
The "courage" to step out of my comfort zone
The "courage" to trust again and allow people in to my life
The "courage" to be myself and not worrying about what others think
The "courage" to let my past hurts go and to begin to live again...
Posting these needs took courage today, but I did it! The people in my life would be shocked to read this, they think I have it all together, but the one thing I am really good at is letting people see only what I want them to. I may look brave on the outside, but the heart has a story that has never been told. This is the year I will have the courage to overcome the hurts. This is the year I will begin to dream again.

The Courage to Dream Again

As I reflect on this past year and look ahead to the new year I can't help but to think that my fondest memories were made on our family vacation to Lake Lure. Especially the ones we created when we went horseback riding. Even though as a child I had been exposed to horses and learned to ride my husband and boys had never experienced how exciting and fun it could be. I remember how nervous they all were, including myself since it's been over 28 years since I had ridden. But when all was said and done we agreed that it was one of the most memorable things we had ever done together. The memories that we created that day will keep is warm in the winter of our lives...
As I approach the new year I want to embrace it with the same excitement and courage that I did riding that day. I want to step outside my comfort zone and take chances on dreams that until now I have only hidden in my heart. The worse thing that could happen is I fail, but at least I will have tried and the greatest thing that could happen is that I succeed, something I will never know if I never try. The bible says that without a vision people perish; because of hurts and failures in my past I have all but stopped dreaming, so my prayer for the new year is for God to renew my dreams and give me the strength and courage to get back up on the horse and to ride again in the direction that He would have me go. If there are dreams in your life that you have put on hold, I pray that you will have the courage this year to a step towards fulfilling them and that God will give you the strength and courage that you need to see them come true. Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.