Tag: jesus

Your story…

December 22, 2017

Word press says: Share your story here

It must always say that, in this space where I begin typing; but today was the first time I noticed it. It’s funny because it coincides with the title of one of the books I’m reading, a devotional by Matthew West (a well known Christian singer and song writer), The Story of Your Life.  

(Good song too… Story of your life.)

We all have a story and life experiences that have shaped and are currently continuing to shape our story.  I often pray that God would use me and its exciting when He does. You don’t always realize it at the time, but then you look back and have one of those ‘aha’ moments and you realize that God knew exactly what he was doing (duh) even if you had no clue. Sometimes your story involves some sort of struggle or adversity and we all find ourselves asking Why!? Well I like how Matthew West put it, instead of asking ‘Why, God?’ we should ask ‘What are you up to, God?’ So instead of focusing on the negative that we’re going through, we should shift our focus on Him and trust that He has a greater purpose for us and our lives and there is a reason for what we are experiencing. It may not be easy; it probably won’t be easy, but I trust that if God brought me to it, He will get me through it. Cling to Him. “The deepest need that you and I have in weakness and adversity is not quick relief, but the well-grounded confidence that what is happening to us is part of the greatest purpose in the universe.”  What He has planned is much bigger than us and much greater than what we are going through. And I have hope that by doing this, shifting my focus, He will bring forth the joy that He promises; like Paul who was filled with ‘unshakeable joy’ despite being in prison.

West goes on to quote C.S. Lewis, “God whispers to us in our pleasure, speaks in our conscious, but shouts to us in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” 

My husband and I have our own story that began with us growing closer to God and resulted in a total transformation  of our marriage and a renewing of our vows this past summer. At first I thought it was just an awesome thing for us, but every so often (at least 6 times in the last 4 months) I’ve had people mention it to me or ask about it and I realized that this is Our Story to tell, to give God the glory; it’s exciting to see God working, in us and others. I’m thankful for Our Story, one that perhaps I’ll share more about another time, and how God continues to work in our lives and marriage. 

Do you have a story of how God is working in your life? You should share it with others! Are you currently experiencing a struggle or adversity? Ask God to show you more about it or ask Him how he wants to use you and trust that He will get you through it. ❤

The Power of Prayer!

December 12, 2017

I’m so ecstatic right now… God is so awesome!
Never underestimate the power of prayer! God wants to know the desires of your heart.
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
I like to ‘Go Big or Go Home;’ I pray hard for miraculous things to happen and for all the glory to go to God. It is hard, to say the least, when you pray really hard and whatever you were praying for doesn’t happen the way you wanted it to, especially when it’s a request for healing. I find comfort in Romans 8:28 (NIV): And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. It doesn’t mean that everything is going to be roses and sunshine, but it means that you can trust that even when the answer is No, or things don’t go as YOU planned, He has a greater plan and that there is a purpose for everything.
But today, there was an answer to prayer that was a YES! And that is why I am ecstatic and so full of joy that I have to share it with you! I have been praying for a couple weeks now, for healing for my friend’s mother, and someone who is also dear to me as well. I requested her permission to share this with you. She was having some issues, and then a lump was discovered in her neck area that needed a biopsy. The biopsy was scheduled for today; I told my friend from the time she told me of this lump, a couple weeks ago, that I was going to pray that it would be completely healed and gone and that there would be nothing there to biopsy when the time came. Well, I received a message this morning that read: “Nothing there to biopsy this morning!! God is good! Thank you for praying!!!!” I got chills and my eyes filled with tears of joy! I was and am still so excited for this answer to prayer! God IS so good!
So please, never under estimate the power of prayer! Talk to God! He wants to hear from you and know the desires of your heart! Not all the answers will be what you wanted or hoped for, but we can rest assured that He knows what is best! We are certainly praising Him today for this answer to prayer! Amen!

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A big responsibility…

Every morning on my way to work I listen to the Family Life radio station and like clockwork the last 3-4 minutes of my commute always consists of the radio program ‘A Word With You’ by Ron Hutchcraft. I wanted to share today’s with you because it really hits home. The title is: Driving better when you’re being watched. Here’s the part that I think grabbed my attention most: 

“You can be a reason they’re attracted to Jesus or a reason they reject Jesus-a major factor in whether they spend forever in heaven or hell. Did you know that most people who come to Jesus do it because of a Christian they know? Did you know that most people who reject Jesus do it because of a Christian they know?”  (You can listen to or read the whole program here.)

Woah. 

This isn’t the first time I’ve thought about this. I think about it quite often, especially everytime I feel like I’ve screwed up. I don’t want people, especially those who don’t know Jesus yet, to look at me and think ‘if that’s what a Christian looks like, I don’t want any part of it.’ I’m not perfect, I’m a work in progress and always will be, and I have to try my best to remain close to God so I can live the way He wants me to. Life is hard and we’re all human and speaking for myself, I can think of many, many times in the past where I shouldn’t have ‘vented’  or over reacted, or should have bit my tongue or been more patient. At least I can learn from my mistakes and try to do better.  I’m a Christian, a work in progress, and one who wants to turn people TO Jesus, not away! 

On another note, it was a great morning for a run- I love my Friday morning runs…TGIF! 40* on December 1st, I’ll take it!

Baked goods and Jesus…

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November 30, 2017

In my Run for God devotional, one of the questions this morning was: ‘What do you share with others that gives you the greatest joy?’

I have always loved sharing the food that I make, especially baked goods, with others.  At every job I’ve had, I’m always the coworker who brings in baked goods to share.  I run into people from my previous places of employment and they still comment on missing my ‘yummy baking.’  I’m thankful for my ability to bake and I do appreciate seeing people enjoy things that I’ve made.

In the past I have compared sharing Jesus to that of sharing baked goods… I don’t ever want to ‘bug’ people, but I do often invite people to church…it’s like when you have your favorite food – let’s say a luscious cheesecake – you want to share it with people, you want other people to try it too because you think they will like it!  That’s why I invite people to church, especially people close to me.  I LOVE our church, our church family, and the way God speaks through our Pastor. I love having a relationship with God and looking back and seeing how things have changed in my life for the better because of that relationship.  Why wouldn’t I want to share that with others? I want them to experience it and enjoy it as well.  It’s never about judging anyone or saying or even thinking, ‘Man, I think you really need to go to church’; not at all.  It’s always out of love and just a desire to share something so wonderful that many are missing out on.  So for my friends and family, neighbors, etc. reading this – don’t be offended when I invite you to church, just know that I love you enough to share my yummy delicious cheesecake… and my church with you.

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Back to the real world…

November 29, 2017

Back to a normal routine, including up way before dawn for an early run, usual route, favorite running partner, then to start the day back to work after a long Thanksgiving break!  The only thing out of the norm this morning was the weather/temperature!  It was an unseasonably warm morning with a temperature of 51*; beautiful morning for a run and a great way to start the day!

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Scenic run…

November 24, 2017

Sometimes you have to switch it up… I love to #run and often find myself running the same routes over and over.  I have a running friend, Whitney – the story how we met is a good one for another post another day 🙂 — anyway, when we run the same ol’ route in the early dark hours before work, its enjoyable and passes by quickly because of the company and nice chats.  However, sometimes by myself I just feel like I need to switch it up… those were my thoughts this morning when I headed out for my run.

It was a beautiful morning to run a couple scenic trails, one of which leads to a reservoir that I often forget exists.  To be honest, for being born and raised in the same small town I live in now, it might be surprising to some to know that I didn’t even know this reservoir existed until a year or two ago.  I guess it’s a hidden gem… if you like quiet, natural beauty of course.

Ps. I’ve seen people occasionally attempt to fish in this  and until today I had never been able to see the bottom … well, they are waisting their time.  It was crystal clear this morning, not nearly as deep as I thought, and not a fish anywhere to be found.  Sure is beautiful though!

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