Showing posts with label blessings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blessings. Show all posts

Friday, September 5, 2014

Created for a purpose!



you are
Psalms 139:13-14You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.


One of my favorite passages in the Bible, is Psalms 139.  One that I can can turn to quite often for comfort and assurance.
You were designed, created and filled with plenty of purpose and promises for your life.  As much as you may not believe it at times… you were made with a purpose. 
There are many Bible verses that we can turn to to know that we are loved and chosen for a purpose in our life.  Although sometimes we may not fully see or understand these verses until we come and sit down quietly; open up the God’s Word and listen to that still yet small voice that is telling us that we are important, strong, precious and forgiven. 
I have been blessed to be able to work with children through out the week at my job.  Many of these children have autism, down syndrome or IMG_3554cerebral palsy.  Some have epilepsy and are susceptible to seizures.  One thing that they all have in common with other children as well, is that they were all created for a unique purpose.  They were all chosen to have a powerful impact on the world through each and every one of their gifts that they have.  I am blessed to be able to learn so much from  these children everyday I am with them.
Although; at times, their attention spans may be short, when you can catch their attention for just a short moment to teach them something or share a story with them, it’s incredible at the feedback they have to share back with you. 
They all have something to say. IMG_3540Some will communicate very well, while others are non-verbal.  That doesn’t mean that each child doesn’t get their point across and are heard.
Every day is different for these kids.  I’ve come to learn that a variety of teaching methods are incredibly great to have on hand.  What may work one time may not necessarily work another time or it might.  Sometime you never know until that day.  It all depends on the type of day that they are having as to what teaching method we are using that day.  We love challenges, we love the kids and love to learn as we go. 

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

I love working with the children and have discovered a greater passion for teaching more than ever. 
I am so thankful for the chance and the opportunity to be able to work in a Christian environment and grow in faith and spirituality more and more each day.  
Psalms 139:1-24O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up.  You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.  You know everything I do.  You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.  You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!  I can never escape from your Spirit!  I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.  To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.  You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!  Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.  You saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your book.Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.  How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.  They cannot be numbered!  I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!  And when I wake up, you are still with me! O God, if only you would destroy the wicked!  Get out of my life, you murderers!  They blaspheme you; your enemies misuse your name. O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you?  Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you?
Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies. 
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.


Blessings,
name

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Today I Dare to Be….

positive thinking


I love listening to inspirational messages and there happens to be a great daily inspirational message I have found so to be incredibly uplifting and motivational.  This person was talking about the blessings that come from our lives we live.  She refers to a prayer from the Bible in the book of Isaiah, where she talked about how we are to bloom where we are planted and how to prepare ourselves for what is coming up.  We may see ourselves somewhere completely different but we were put in this specific position for a reason, most likely to learn from our experience’s and grow from where we are. If we continue to “bloom” where we are “planted” then we can see we are growing continually.  We can look back at the “blessings” we saw from the circumstances and the challenges we faced.  It’s like the song Blessings says…                              'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
                                       What if Your healing comes through tears
               What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
                                 What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

She moved on to gratitude.  When she was talking about being grateful she reminded mIMG_0793e of something I read a few months ago from a "dare to be" challenge. Challenging yourself to dare to be grateful for what you have and where you are in your life. Fits right in with here message.  Love it!  What are you daring to be today, this week, this month?  More grateful, more confident, better listener….we can always think of something we want to be better in our lives.  Something that can help us be more aware of our surroundings and what is happening all around us and not just in our “immediate world.”  Big things are constantly going on and no matter where we are we can do something to help, whether in our small community town or out in the big city or maybe in another country.  If we dare to step out of our comfort zones then we can make a difference.  We can be the voice to the voiceless and help the helpless.

And when you learn what you need to learn things will begin to happen...when your ready! Sometimes we feel we're ready but this is so true "are we really ready?" Have we actually learned everything from our circumstances to be able to help others where we once were, so we can inspire them?  Hmmm...something to really think about, right?i can do all things through Christ  If we’re patient then things will eventually happen.  I know it seems to take forever, right?  I totally agree with that one, patience is defiantly a struggle for me all the time, but when I put my trust in the my Heavenly Father with it all…then I know I can have the strength to make it through anything.  
I love that she referred to Jeremiah 29:11. One of my favorites verses that can get me through so much. Knowing that God has His plans laid out for me. Probably why I have it in my signature in my emails. What a great reminder. :-) “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.”
The message ended with this quote, ‘Be thankful and enjoy the ride!’ :-)  I loved this, and it’s totally true, when were being thankful for what we have and what we've been through, whether we’ve gone through the good or the bad, if were thankful for all circumstances we have grown through so much and have learned through it all.  Then we can enjoy the ride without all the worries.
Be Thankful!
name

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Celebrate Life!


WoFWell, I've been thinking about this recent conference I was able to attend back in October of this year, I was incredibly blessed to be able to listen to the hearts of several women of faith while in Sacramento, Ca.  
While each one of them had a completely different life story to tell, they all centered around their undying love for Jesus.  They shared of hardships and trials and even some of the tears and pain that occurred in their lives and how they had been brought through these trials to be able to see the triumphs and victories over these times to believe and see what lies ahead in their brilliant futures.  Each one of their stories ran over several years of their life where they had their ups and downs.  Sometimes just when things started to look up…their world came to a crashing halt! Then, when it seemed as if all they wanted to do was give up, they rose to learn from their past and push on toward their future.
Philippians 3:13-14 -- Now, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

I mean, have you ever felt like that?  Most of us have.  But, in truth, as it says in the scripture, in this life we will face trials….but take heart HE has overcome the world! 



christine-caine1Christine Caine was probably one of my favorites that weekend.  I love how she spoke on ‘a plague of frogs.’ I seen that scripture in a whole new aspect that day.
Christine shared that we are important – each and every one of us --  and God knows and cares from each and every one of His children.  It doesn't matter where we live or where we were born, we are more than just a number in the system, we all have a name and are fearfully and wonderfully made!  Whether we grew up and lived with our birth parents or if you've been adopted or if you live in a child care center somewhere...you are more than just a number in this big world....you have a name and you matter...and you are loved!
It says in Jeremiah 29:11, “’I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord…”  God’s got a plan, a purpose and a destiny for you!

I am fearfully and wonderfully made! 
Ephesians 2:10 -- For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.


How are you going to live without your fear?  You don’t have to be defined by your issues?  Christ knows your name and who you are.  I can't wait to dive into Christine's newest book, "Undaunted," and learning more through her writing as well. 

Isaiah 49:1 -- Listen to me, all you in distant lands!  Pay attention, you who are far away!
The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name.


undaunted
Psalm 139: 1-24 --  www.biblegateway.com


O Lord, you have examined my heart

and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.


You’re wanted!!!  You were made for more! The truth will make you free!

Galatians 5:1 --So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

angie smithAngie Smith spoke about fear, and who doesn't have some kind of fear in their life, right?  Angie shared about fears through the voice of Hagar, and how when Hagar was sent off with Ishmael they face trials, their faith was tested but even  where human provision may have run out, the ‘well’ is always there and God was always with them helping with there needs. Hagar
   Genesis 21:8-21

what women fear

Angie spoke about Psalm 139 today and the impact on this chapter in her life.

Angie told her story about here daughter and each of their births.  She opened with her twin daughters and how she had them figured to be the best babies in the world.  She had no trouble taking these angels to the store and out and about.  Although, her next child came to be the complete opposite.  "She's a negotiator" Angie said.  As she told the story about telling her daughter that if she would quit sucking her thumb for 2 weeks, she would take her to Toys R Us and buy her anything she wanted for not sucking her thumb for 2 weeks!  All in all and to quote "a very funny story" her daughter agreed to the proposition.  Well, 5 minutes later Angie found her daughter in her room sucking her thumb. When she asked her about their deal just earlier, her daughter turned to her saying, "eh...I'll just get it for Christmas."  Kids!

Now Angie told us of her cute little stories of her girls but she left one story for the end.  Her next little baby girl.  A little girl who halfway through her pregnancy, the doctors had advised Angie to 'end her pregnancy.'  They told Angie and Scott that their baby girl wasn't developing like she should be, she didn't have a pancreas, she didn't have 4 chambers in her heart and there were two other organs missing.  Knowing how strong Angie and Scott felt about the human life growing inside of her they trusted God and they continued to full term against the wishes of the doctors.  By their next appointment, the doctors were amazed about how much progress the baby had made.  Her organs had been developing and she had 4 chambers in her heart.  Angie made it to deliver her baby girl.  Although she was weak and small, they were aloud to hold their precious and beautiful baby girl for a couple hours on the day of her birth.  And even through they only had a few hours with her, she said that they would have a lifetime of memories  for as long as she'd lived that day, and they would never have traded that day of anything.  They loved and cherished every moment they had spent with their precious and beautiful daughter.

God sees you different than you see yourself. 

                                                There is hope beyond where you are right now.

sheila walshSheila Walsh is always amazing to hear and a blessing her hear her thoughts and teachings.  She spoke from Romans Chapter 12, identifying that there is ‘nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ.’  
   
   It’s not about who you are,     
   it’s about whose you are!      

         I am a daughter 
                of the 
                                                           King of Kings!


Shannon Ethridge
Shannon Ethridge graced us with her presence as she shared that God is more than sufficient to meet ALL of OUR needs! 



Shannon's life story was incredible to be able to listen to her heart as she  told her story.

I just want to break down some of my favorite quotes spoken by Shannon this day, they pretty much say it all about surrending your life over to God and letting go.  Knowing that we are going to make mistakes and even though we may fail at times, God is there to embrace us and pick us back up and dust us off.  
  • Let God woo you and pursue you
  • Embrace your bridegroom
  • Loving Jesus without limits!”


Even, the one of the few men (Ken Davis) that we there shared a few good points, 

1 – To believe with all of your heart that God is the author of ALL YOUR JOY!  
2 – To believe with all your heart that perfection is not a requirement! AND 
3 – To believe with all your heart that He will NEVER let you down!











Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Dreams!

                         DREAMS! 

Now that's a great word, just by itself!  But, for a small word it can provide an amazing and huge impact on our life.

Have you ever had a dream? Yes, many of us have!  We dream at night and then there are those little daydreams through out the course of the day that can sometimes happen, right?  We think about things that we would love to have and be, if we only had the time or we were in a different place in our life, right?  Sometimes we tend to give up on our dreams a little to quickly, right?  But, really.....we don't have to. No, we don't have to give up on our dreams! And Yes, we can achieve anything we set our hearts and minds to.

It may be a difficult process but it could be worth it, when find out what we're really supposed to be doing.  If we don't attempt to go for our dreams, we may never know what could or would have happened.
What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve!  God has given us the ability to dream...to dream BIG!  God has plans for each and everyone one of our lives.  Now...how are we going to pursue these great things planned for us.  Like it says in Jeremiah 29:11 -- 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.  Our hope is in the Lord because He gives us that hope for our futures.  

We all strive to be successful, because let's face it...success and achieving your goal is HUGE!  But, Success is a Journey, not a Destination! To achieve success we have to take this amazing journey that keeps us moving.  We just don't stop at a destination, we eventually keep going and move on.  We just don't sit in one spot and not do anything.  We need to be always moving forward toward the next goal once we reach the previous one.
As we go through life we find that 'life' is a series of choices, and we all have choices in life that we make.
Is your life a joyful noise to the Lord?  Sing your dreams, share your dreams with others around you.  Is your smile glorifying God's name?  Do you bring joy?  Can people see your dreams with you?  If you let people in on your dreams, they can help you achieve them.  So go out there and BE JESUS to those who surround you!  Show the love of Christ through your smile and through your actions....let those people see Jesus through you!

Make a list of 25 dreams...what you would like to have, do and be, if you could have, do and be whatever you wanted/needed. Make a book, cut out pictures and watch your dreams come to life.
{in no specific order -- I just want to see my dreams be accomplished :)  Then look back and see all the things you've checked off, maybe then you'll have to start a new book; because you've accomplished everything from your previous book.

Meet and marry my future husband! :-)
Be a mom
Be debt-free
Be able to buy my dream house with my future family
Travel!!!
Be able to sponsor a child full-time through a sponsorship program
Tithe regularly
Become an actress in movies, tv and Theatre - Extra in Christian Mingle
Become a journalist and work for a newspaper/magazine -- Created Evoke Magazine
Publish a book and be an author of many books
Buy a car
Be able to share God's Word with anybody that I come in contact with boldly and confidently. -- Working on stepping out of my comfort zone. 
Go on a missions trip
Participate in Christian Theatre
Live in another state
Visit every state --- almost done
Visit every Continent  -- America, Central America -- done
Graduate from a University
Have an Internship
Sing in front of a large audience
Act in front of a large audience 
Create and Write my own blog
Go on a road trip with friends
Learn to play the guitar -- getting closer