Blog Posts

When God shines a light on a dark space within

🌿”I hold on to the hope that all this falling apart will soon become falling into place.”
– Sabina Laura

I shared last week about how I recently missed the opportunity in the moment to shift the atmosphere until the next morning.

What I didn’t realize until this morning was that I had picked up a spirit of heaviness from that situation, and agreed with it that night.  So when I shifted the atmosphere in the car over my family & I, I didn’t realize that that heaviness remained.

It wasn’t until this past Sunday morning during worship that that weight was broken off of me, and I immediately felt lighter and brighter again.

I still have a lot on my plate, but I was reassured through this morning’s devotion that the Mighty One lives within me, as He does in each of His daughters & sons. And as a result, I am able to, in a split second or the length of a thought, immediately invite God into any situation.

🙏Thank You God for being the Hope that restores. Even when we can’t see what is really going on, You do. You know that in Your timing, my freedom will come to pass when I am in a situation where I can’t see the Light for the darkness about me, as long as I invite You into it.

#HopeinHisPresence

Honest Prayer Feb. 24/2023

🙏God, I lift myself up to You this morning. Not only do I need Your healing touch to flush out this head cold, but I need to hear Your voice more clearly. Tune my heart to sense Your Words when I feel overwhelmed by situations, emotions or decisions I am facing. Thank You for reminding me to shift the atmosphere when You prompt me to, and for always showing up when I do. I give all this day holds into Your living, capable hands. With this grateful heart, I thank You for being with me, always.

#honestprayer

Shifting the Atmosphere – revisited

I recently had a crappy evening, where most of the group I was with was walking on eggshells around one person’s mood.

And I forgot to shift the atmosphere until the next morning. When I remembered the lesson I learned almost 10 years ago now on what my part is when I am faced with a situation or a person’s mood or attitude that doesn’t feel right.

“Be a thermostat & not a thermometer. Change the atmosphere around you with your attitude rather than just reflecting circumstances all day.”

Sandi Krakowski

🌿Tired of walking into a live drama?

🌿Feel like you are stuck in a sitcom you can’t escape?

🌿Sick of surviving?

Sometimes in the spiritual battle we face God has already equipped us to confidently engage.

➡️If you are ready to take action, there are three ways to change the atmosphere wherever you are. Read more at:

https://karlalees.com/2014/10/17/3-ways-to-shift-the-atmosphere/


#sharingHope

Here as in Heaven

🎶The atmosphere is changing now for the Spirit of the Lord is here. The evidence is all around
that the Spirit of the Lord is here. (Repeat)

CHORUS: Overflow in this place, fill our hearts with Your love. Your love surrounds us.
You’re the reason we came to encounter Your love, Your love surrounds us.

The atmosphere is changing now for the Spirit of the Lord is here. The evidence is all around
that the Spirit of the Lord is here. (Repeat)

Repeat Chorus

Spirit of God, fall fresh on us.
We need Your presence. Your kingdom come, Your will be done here as in heaven. (X3)

A miracle can happen now for the Spirit of the Lord is here. The evidence is all around
that the Spirit of the Lord is here.🎶

🌿HERE AS IN HEAVEN
@elevationworship

#worshipHymn #sharingHope #hopeinHisPresence

Extending grace

👣”Give your pace grace.” – Mary DeMuth

As I continue to journey towards better health in this season, I know realize that I am my worst critic and most unlikely cheerleader.

Last Thursday, these four short words almost stopped my heart when I read them in Mary Demuth’s last e-newslettee, and I was convicted that I have not extended myself the same grace I do almost everyone else I encounter.  And as a recipient of the ultimate Grace, I am beating myself up in place instead of applying grace in the spaces which need them so I can keep pace with God as I walk with Him.

Maybe you too can relate.

So when I
• do something stupid (in my opinion)
• misplace an item I need (which happens more than I like when I am not paying attention)
• am frustrated by where I find myself right now, in the waiting for the want or where yet to be revealed
• discover a new raw, painful wound within
➡️I need to immediately pause, pray & apply grace in the place that needs it.

NOT continue to beat myself up or keep listening to enemy lies.

🙏God, would You help those of us who are frustrated with where we find ourselves, either in the waiting room, or the self made bump we encounter? Would You reveal what we are to do next, whether it’s to apply grace, invite Holy Spirit touch a hurting space, or ask for increased faith to follow the pace You set. Thank You for Your gentleness, faithfulness & patient love. Amen.

#sharingHope

Psalm 91:14-16 MSG

🌿PSALM 91:14-16 MSG
“If you’ll hold on to Me for dear life,” says God, “I’ll get you out of any trouble. I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust Me. Call Me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times; I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party. I’ll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!”

🎶CAME TO MY RESCUE
by Chris McClarney
https://youtu.be/ba2on0WRqhI

🙏 God, not only are You just waiting for me to hold on to You 24/7, but You are on standby to rescue me when I look to You for aid. Just like the Father in the Prodigal Son passage, You throw me a party to celebrate my return to You. Not only that, but You have now woven me into the fabric of Your family, Your story, and I will live with You forever when I step from this world into heaven. What thoughts of wonder are dancing through my head again this morning as I look to Your Word, believe in its Truth, and claim Your promises for me in my life today! 🙌

#sharingHope #psalmmyheart

Psalm 91:9-13 MSG

🌿PSALM 91:9-143 MSG
Yes, because God’s your refuge, the High God your very own home, Evil can’t get close to you, harm can’t get through the door. He ordered His angels to guard you wherever you go. If you stumble, they’ll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling. You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

🎶ANGELS (Psalm 91)
by Harbourside Music
https://youtu.be/1EsfvEang6Q

🙏God, thank You for Your gift of my angelic bodyguards, and all the ways they have kept, are keeping & will keep me from harm. Not only do You go with me, but they guard & protect me, often without me knowing. This additional reminder of just how good You are to me leaves me breathless in awe & wonder. 🙌

sharingHope #psalmmyheart

Psalm 91:3-8 MSG

🌿PSALM 91:3-8 MSG
“That’s right – He rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you – under them you’re perfectly safe; His arms fend off all harm. Fear nothing – not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day, not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon. Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you. You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses.”

🎶THIS IS OUR GOD
by Phil Wickham
https://youtu.be/nPDzQyk76PQ

🙏 God, You knew that fear would rear its ugly head this week, and the Words in this passage help calm me as I take them in. You have my back always. There is nothing I can face that You aren’t prepared for, and nowhere that You can’t sheltered me within. The storm can swirl about me but I can be at peace resting in Your embrace as I trust You to protect me. This is who You are, motivated by Your great love for me – which I find both mind blowing and comforting simultaneously. Thank You again, for this timely reassurance.

#sharingHope #psalmmyheart

Psalm 91:1-2 MSG

🌿PSALM 91:1-2 MSG
You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow, Say this: “God, You’re my refuge. I trust in You and I’m safe!”

🎶PSALM 91 (ON EAGLES WINGS) by @shaneandshane
https://youtu.be/rG_y6X2K_dM

🙏 As I spend some time pondering these words, I am drawn not only to the word ‘presence’ – the gift of wholly being with another, but also Shaddai. One of your names, meaning both ‘God Almighty’ & the God Who Is More Than Enough’. And because that is Who You are, I can rest safely with You, knowing You are more than strong & mighty enough to
➡️protect me
➡️care for me, &
➡️defend me.
Help me to hide myself in You when I am needing refuge or respite from a difficult situation or season. For because You are More than Enough, I can confidently & safely put my trust in You, over & over & over again.

đź’•What a gift of love to honor & celebrate each & every day!

#sharingHope #psalmmyheart

How was your weekend? #gettingreal

Confession time. This past Saturday, I had back to back shifts where I usually don’t, and ended up dehydrated. Had an allergic reaction after eating dinner somewhere where I usually don’t have any issue, and ended my night with a panic attack (thanks, menopause!) when I couldn’t find my keys. I took my allergy medication, and went right to bed. Praying I would find my keys. (Which I did the next morning.)

Sunday morning, I was going to push through, go to church and get some work done around the house, and I clearly heard, “Rest.” Which isn’t my norm to hear, so I did. I laid down, read a bit, watch a bit of a fave comedy, napped beside the cats, and only switched one load of laundry. Pushed fluids & ate well.

Today is much a better day, because I did the self triage I needed to before I ended up in emerge or sick with exhaustion. I gave myself permission to say no when God clearly wanted me to.

Am I comfortable with that? No, to be honest. But having spent so much time reading Psalm 139 this past week has reminded me God knows me so well that following His lead will be for my best. Can’t wait to see how He makes Psalm 91 relevant anew to me this week!

#sharingHope