Blog Posts

Random 🤔 for the week

As I was pondering Psalm 23 again today, something occurred to me. It may seem random to you, but it fits.

God accepts us as we are. Anxious, fearful, grieving, broken, hurting, orphaned, outcast, overlooked, lonely, whatever it is, He accepts all of what has been part of our story.

So why is it that when someone shares their story in an autobiography, on social media or a blog, some feel we have the right to ‘dis’ their story? I may not agree with the contents, but I accept that this is the reality according to the author’s point of view.

God does that with us. He gets why we feel or think the way we do, and accepts us as we are. With no judgement, even though He has the right to do so. Instead, He comes alongside us, hears us out, gently points out the better way, and loves us along each step of our journey together. He shows us in Psalm 23 that He is in for the long haul.

🌿”Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:7)

Friend, I have had more than a few convos with folks I don’t agree with. I accept their view point as theirs, and hope they will do me the same courtesy as we converse. I don’t try to change them as I hear them out. I can accept them as they are even though I may not like their actions. I can extend compassion for their story without agreeing with them. I can show them that I value them without sharing their values.

💕May we bring glory to God in how we get along with one another in our communities by extending kindness and acceptance without judgement.

#randomthought #hopefortheharddays

Still waters…

When the storm swirls about me, 🌿Psalm 23 reassures me that You will lead me to still waters.
🍶To be refreshed
💤To rest
🔋To recharge
🙌🏼To revel in Your Presence there with me.

#hopefortheharddays

Feeling anxious?

I recently had a bad bout of anxiety, which isn’t my usual battleground. It won round 1, and then I took a moment to ask God what was going on. I also had some unusual patterned tinnitus in the early mornings occuring right after I took the  medication. Which I didn’t twig to until I spent time in His Presence.

I felt a peace & confirmation, after that prayer session, that I no longer needed this med which had been prescribed for the mild depression I experienced while awaiting my 2 year overdue surgery.

It’s now been almost a year since I had my life altering for the better surgery, and I believe my body had been trying to tell me it didn’t need it any longer. We really are fearfully, intricately, & wonderfully made!

So I contacted my doctor, and she agreed for me to take it off of my day to do list.

A few days later, I had a follow up physio appointment, and my physio was shocked at home much stronger my legs were now than they had been at my previous visit.

One of the side effects of this medication – muscle weakness. The other was the tinnitus, which brought anxiety along for the ride.

It’s been over a week, and I feel about 20 years younger in terms of energy. My mind is sooooo much quieter. My body feels stronger. And my faith is that bit deeper as I took the leap to trust and follow through with how He was leading me, despite feeling anxious in that moment about the change!

Anxiety can’t remain in the presence of God, friend. It doesn’t like God’s peaceful, calming and loving manner.
If you are battling anxious thoughts, start fighting back with some worship, some bible verses, and some writing out your prayers and feelings.
You will feel much better when you do, and I pray God shines the light on your next step of freedom as He did for me!

#hopefortheharddays
#hopeinHisPresence

PS. Let me clarify one point. Clinical anxiety or depression are long term medical conditions. They are not the same as brief bouts of anxiety or the occasional feeling blue. But I know people with both who always feel lighter and/or calmer after spending time in His Throne room. xo

Weary? Come rest in Me

🌿”Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” – Matthew 11:28-30 MSG

🙏How this weary & thirsty soul longs for rest. But not only rest while I sleep, but the kind of rest which knows the weight of the world is not on my shoulders any longer, but Yours. That I can live less weighed down because You took that sin weight upon Yourself in the cross! So Jesus, today I ask You to guide me and walk closely beside me through this day ahead. That I might not only walk with You, but join You in Your work along the way.

🎶ALL WHO ARE THIRSTY
by Brenton Brown

#restformysoul #hopeinHisPresence

Rest on the Rock

✴️”Once I knew what it was to REST upon the rock of God’s promises, and it was indeed a precious resting place, but now I REST in His grace. He is teaching me that the bosom of His love is a far sweeter resting-place than even the rock of His promises.” – Hannah Whitall Smith

🙏That I might make these words my own, God. Help me to let go of my fears and what ifs as I become enveloped in Your embrace. Not to cling as much to Your promises as to the Promise Keeper, to push into Your Presence versus focus on the presents I receive as Your child. Oh, that You would take me there!

🎶TAKE ME THERE by Anna Golden

#restformysoul #hopeinHisPresence

What rest & is not…

Repost @coolurbanhippie

“I don’t know who needs to hear this but rest is not a reward. You don’t have to earn rest. You need rest. You deserve rest. You are worthy of rest simply because you are a living being. And don’t ever feel guilty for taking time to rest.”

#restformysoul

It is time to rest…

⚠️It is time to rest.
To lay everything
on the line,
to leave it in Your hands
and only pick up
what You want me to
in this moment.

🚧To let all else
rest at Your feet,
where You can bury it
under the cross,
redeem it through
Your blood, or
let it linger in the waiting
until You want me to
face it, embrace it,
unlace it or grace it
with Your help.

🛣️The road may look
long ahead,
but I know
if I make time
for the pitstops of rest
You have for me,
I will arrive refreshed,
as You lead the way
for me as we go together,
as I rest in & with You.

✍🏻Original poem by moi.

#restformysoul
#hopeinHisPresence

Rest in Me…

🌿Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him. Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken. (Psalm 62:1-2)

🙏You call me to Yourself, to reassure me of Your presence and remind me of Your loving care for me. All of me. Right now I am drawn to the rest I can experience and receive as Your child, Abba. Hold me close as the storm rocks about us. Soothe my worry with Your song, calm my anxiety with Your love. You are my sure foundation, and will never be shaken. May my faith deepen as I learn to rest in You, as You designed me to do.

🎶Worship for today:
REST IN ME by @cecewinans
https://youtu.be/0D4jmMgRBeU

#restformysoul #hopeinHisPresence

In repentance & rest…

“This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…”

Isaiah 30:15

These words came to mind this weekend as I was seeking rest and quietness in His Presence. But there are a few words missing from this verse as I looked it up to confirm the full wording.

“…but you would have none of it.”

I can run myself ragged on the roller coaster ride through daily living when I don’t take His Word to heart in its entirety. Maybe you too can relate.

I do not want to become hard hearted and stubborn like the Israelites were, over and over, in the Old Testament.

🙏 So Jesus, would You equip me through Holy Spirit to seek my strength, my salvation, in You. As I rest in Your salvation, and lean with trust into Your strength when i feel weak, would You meet me in my need. Help me to quiet every other voice but Yours, that I might attune myself to Your voice above all others. Amen.

🎵 Worship for today:
SONG FOR THE BRIDE by @briandoerksen

#restformysoul #hopeinHisPresence