08
Jun '19
Transformation
08
Jun '19
God’s blessings have always taken me through life. He’s made everything possible for me according to His will. Certainly, I’ve drifted away and taken my own route plenty of times, and fallen flat on my face. He’s always been right there to lift me up and guide me in the right direction. He created me, He knew my destination from the start. He knew all the trials I would face, He knew the heartbreak, He knew the hurt, He knew that I would be this determined person that was going to do things my way regardless of what
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08
Jun '19
The (Vacation) Table
08
Jun '19
I just got back from a vacation from a small island called Seabrook Island in South Carolina. Just south of Charleston, this is a small island, only 6 miles in diameter – but delivers big with huge private beaches and amazing views of the Atlantic. What an amazing place to visit. Time just seems to slow to a turtle’s pace as my whole body just relaxes into God’s creations on this little tiny island paradise. I’ve visited this island every year (except one!) since 2005, and not only am I blessed to be able to go to such a beautiful place, I’m blessed every year to see something different on this
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01
Jun '19
Details and Destinations
01
Jun '19
When I go through difficult times in my life, I usually find myself doing what I’ve done most always when something happens that I wasn’t expecting. I journal (aka blog), and I make lists. Lists of things that I can specifically pray about – dreams that God has placed in my heart that maybe I had lost somewhere along the way by relying on my own strength and not fully trusting in Him. These need to be in black and white for me (nowadays they’re written down in my Echo prayer app), and something I can reference often during prayer time. I also write blogs/journal
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01
Jun '19
Compared to Others
01
Jun '19
I have a bad habit of comparing myself to others. I know that this behavior isn’t healthy. I know that I am God’s child. I know that I am created in His image. Why do I compare myself to others? I don’t know. My self- esteem has always been a little on the low side, but I feel like I’ve grown a lot over the years. I know that He surrounds me on all sides every day. Satan roams around constantly looking for an opportunity to slither in and drag us down. God gives me grace and direction each morning I wake up. He’s got my day planned and He knows exactly what’s in front of me. There’s no need for me to worry and
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25
May '19
(Un) Forgiveness
25
May '19
I think we all struggle with this topic at times. Unforgiveness is a nasty thing. It eats you from the inside. I’ve seen it happen in my own life with someone who was absolutely unwilling to forgive someone who they felt had wronged them. I learned in a book by Andy Stanley called “Enemies of the Heart” that people with unforgiveness in their hearts build walls, they react defensively and they have shrapnel spewing from their heart through their own words and actions. Hurt people hurt people. They are angry. I learned in this book that a heart filled with anger is looking for the rights to be wronged and to be fairly paid back. In most cases, that can never happen, and people
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25
May '19
Reflections
25
May '19
When I look back on my life I can see all the highs and lows. I can see all the bad decisions and mistakes I made. Looking back, as teenagers and twenty somethings, you would think that’s when most people make the majority of their mistakes and have to learn some hard lessons. Not me, although I did make a few, it wasn’t until later in life that I made my life-altering mistakes. Getting older doesn’t mean we quit making mistakes, but we are supposed to learn from them and move forward. When I look at every bad choice I made, I can also take each one of them and see where God’s hand was in them. He lets us make those choices, but He knows how much we can handle. I discovered a long time ago that God is in control,
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18
May '19
Knock if Off (The “Eye Surgery Saga”)
18
May '19
Well, I continue to blog over and over about trusting God. God has gotten me through so many hard times, and has pulled me out of some mirky waters over the years. So, now I come upon another struggle. Eye surgery. My eyesight is pretty important to me; I would guess any seeing person would agree and say the same. So, when I found out I had to have surgery on my eye to replace my natural-born lens, it was a bit concerning. After all, this is MY eye we’re talking about, not someone else’s. Eeek. I did some research, talked to friends, and everyone assured me that this is something that is simple and routine and just another day on the job for the doctor, and yes, that seemed (and still seems) to be the case.
I went into the surgical center 2 days ago to have eye surgery, everyone was great, the surgery was done, I could see AMAZING out of the eye that I’ve been having problems with the last 2 years. I was EXCITED to say the least! Then after I got home, put the
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18
May '19
Representation over Idolization
18
May '19
So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols. You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true. When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ? 1 Corinthians 10:14-16
I wear a charm of a gold cross around my neck. It is a symbol not to tell others that I am Christian. It is a reminder to me of my commitment to Christ. I have worn it now for nearly fifteen years, which is when I first was born again. Every so often, I will look in the mirror and stare at it. The design of it is simply beautiful, but it is
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18
May '19
Inspired
18
May '19
Writing, journaling, blogging, it all helps me to stay focused on God. It helps me to remember things that are important to me. For me, writing helps me to stay connected with my thoughts. Maybe like a lot of you (or it could just be me), I don’t have a great memory. Writing nourishes my relationship with God. It teaches me to remember, to research, to think, to study, and to learn. I’ve often wondered where I fit into God’s plan. I’ve often felt lost and out of place. Surrounding myself with people that love God has helped me to find purpose. They’ve
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11
May '19
Is the “Bad Stuff” Actually the “Good Stuff”
11
May '19
Did some “bad stuff” happen in your life? Were you rejected by someone close to you? A friend? A family member? Did you engage in a lifestyle that wasn’t healthy? Were you hurt by someone you thought would never hurt you? Do you look back and realize that those you thought had your back, didn’t? Yeah, I think it’s happened to all of us. Although not easy, why shouldn’t we be glad (even thankful) for what happened? I think God removes people and
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