My Favorite Quotes

Posted June 30, 2021

I decided to share some of my favorite quotes and explain why I like them, so here they are…

Living radical isn’t about where you live; it’s about how you love –Ann Voscamp

When I feel like I am failing because I haven’t gone to the ends of the earth to tell others about Jesus, God reminds me it is not about going somewhere but about loving the ones right in front of me with His love.

God gets glory when grace gets served –Brandon Baldwin

When I am tempted to believe the bigger influence, the more God is glorified, I can reflect that God’s glory is manifest in not only the earthquake and thunder, but also the quiet whisper.

Grace is not a tiny target; it is an endless pool –Holly Gerth

I don’t have to have the right answer or make the right decision because living the life He called me to is not like balancing on a tightrope. His grace is so much larger than my mistakes or lack of understanding.

Rest is never found in the quest to understand it all –Paul David Tripp

Sometimes I get so distracted by trying to figure out what God wants me to do or learn through this circumstance that I lose sight of him. If I am close to Jesus, I don’t need to know where we are going because He is leading me step by step.

Feelings are like goldfish. Their growth depends on the size of the pond and how much they are fed -John Thomas

This reminds me that my feelings are not my identity nor do not control my destiny. Even when I am feeling depressed or anxious, I can soak in God’s truth instead of how crummy I feel.

Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit –Zechariah 4:6

My weakness cannot prevent God’s Spirit from accomplishing all He intends to do. I’m so grateful, the final outcome never depends on me.

The Power of Words

Posted June 22, 2021

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Admittedly, I have a sensitive spirit. With that in mind, I want to try to explain something that is very hurtful to me yet may affect others differently – raised voices and harsh words. When voices elevate or sharp tones are used (even if the words are not directly addressed to me), I feel like I am pierced. I think the psalmist understands as he laments about those “who have sharpened their tongue like a sword. They aimed bitter speech as their arrow.” Psalm 64:3

While some may be inclined to fight back with words, I withdraw. It feels like a piece of my heart is being ripped away. Since my spirit is wounded, I want to protect myself because I no longer feel safe to be myself. My trust is chipped away.

So I am writing to anyone who stumbles upon this blog urging you reflect on the power of words, how just a few careless words spoken harshly in anger may affect some people. It could be a thoughtless label such as “control freak” or “lazy.” It could be an angry tirade after a difficult day. Perhaps it is even a heated debate where you vehemently argue your point. It may even be a sarcastic joke.

Our culture says it’s perfectly fine to vent and argue and label. But we are each created in the image of God and should consider the impact our words have upon each one whom God treasures. Our tongues hold an amazing power of life and death. Choose to wield yours to bring life.

Bars or Stars?

Posted June 4, 2021

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Two women looked through prison bars – One saw mud, the other saw stars.

Our ladies’ group began a study written by Linda Dillow, Calm My Anxious Heart where she included the lines above. For several weeks, I have been pondering this. What do I see? Both statements are true of the view from the where the women stood, yet each woman chose a different place to focus.

In my life circumstances, what am I gazing upon? Do I dwell upon the bars limiting me from what I think I should be experiencing, or do I see the stars of God’s good plans for my future?

That was my challenge – to reframe those negative thoughts into ones that better reflect God’s truth. In recent years, scientists have gained much information on how our brains function. The longer we think a certain way, the stronger the neural pathway becomes, so when I focus on negative ideas, those become entrenched in my thinking. However, God our marvelous creator, has given our brains an amazing capacity to change and develop new neural pathways. (Long before scientists could explain how the brain works, God told us our minds are transformed and renewed by being in His presence and meditating on His words). I want to stop falling into those old ruts and let God begin to renew my mind.

Here are a few of the places where my thoughts keep getting stuck and baby steps on a new pathway…

Complaining or refusing to accept the circumstances God has given me/Every good thing and every perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of lights. James 1:17

Carrying my burdens and worries/ Those who wait on the Lord will gain new strength, they will mount up on wings like eagles. Isaiah 40:31

Doubting God’s love and sovereign control in my life/ And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love Him who are called according to His purposes Romans 8:28

Counting my problems instead of blessing/ Psalm 23 The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want…

Comparing my life, ministry or gifts to someone else/ In His presence, there is fullness of joy, at his right hand there are pleasures evermore. Psalm 16:11

These new thoughts still don’t come automatically but turning my eyes to the stars has come more easily after many, many repeats. May God ingrain his truths into each of our minds so in our trials, we default to trust instead of turmoil.