I am changing Joyful Friday up a little this week. I have finally gotten up the courage to share my testimony of how God drew me to Him. How he took the bad decisions I made and worked them for good. How he picked me up out of the deep black pit I was in, dusted me off, wrapped His arms around me and put me back on my feet, facing Him. On His path, surrounded by Light and Love.
My wonderful friend Nikki from SimplyStriving was kind enough to take some of her precious time to read it and give me some suggestions. I am eternally grateful for her insight and kindness! Because it is so long, I have decided to make a page dedicated to it. I will give you a snippet of it today, along with a song that sings along with my spirit. Then, should you want to read the whole story and have a few extra minutes you can click on over and check it out!
Taken from "God's Story through My Life" -
"So I woke up one day and decided to go with "Plan B." I began to relive the years I felt I had missed. I started drinking, doing drugs and then found less than desirable ways to make money. My goal was to make as much money as I could as fast as I could so that I could leave my first husband and my life as I knew it quickly and completely, never to look back. I was as far from God as I can ever imagine someone being."
Oh Happy Day by Jesus Culture truly sings along with my spirit!
I pray that you will read my testimony with an open mind and open heart. I also pray that you will find encouragement and hope in it. That you will be reminded that you can not stray too far from God. His love for you is perfect and unconditional.
I would love to hear from you! What is your testimony? How has God worked in your life to bring you to Him?
Blessings and Joy to all!
Showing posts with label abundant mercies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label abundant mercies. Show all posts
Friday, February 10, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Faith - The Title Deed
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
This is one of the first scriptures I learned. It defines faith. Today, I read this verse in the Amplified Bible for the first time. It blew me away. It is fascinating to me how having more insight to the original meaning of the words and language used in penning the Bible opens so much in understanding.
Hebrews 11:1 AMP
Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed*) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].
{*emphasis mine}How many times have you asked God for something, having full faith that He will answer you, then walking back out into your daily life start having the "but if it doesn't happen" thoughts or that little voice in your head planting seeds of doubt? I know I do, often.
If you inherited a home that you had never seen and were handed the title deed to the home, would you doubt its existence? Would you need to see photographs of it before you bought your plane ticket to go take possession of it? Would you say to your friends, "well, I hope this house is mine." Or would you say "I have a home in ...! Would you like to come with me to see it?"
God has so much for each of us. So many blessings and rewards. Our part is to believe, have faith, accept them as reality before the realization of them. When you ask God for something, before you end your prayer, thank Him for it as if it has already happened. Then water that prayer continually with praise and thanksgiving. Also, I have learned to live out that faith. To live life as if it is already answered, not as if I am not sure if it will happen.
God is so Good, so Faithful. HE LOVES YOU! And so do I!
I pray you have a blessed and joy filled day!
Today I am linking up with Barbie for Fresh Brewed Sundays - Come on over and join us!
*THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Joyful Friday - Vol. 2 O Praise Him
Joyful Friday is here again! Today I get to share an amazing blessing for our family that has filled us with joy and excitement! This is the one I mentioned earlier in the week in my Tune-In Tuesday post.
First I would like to give God all the glory and share a verse and a song to sing the praises of our Awesome God to! So much joy can be had just in the act of praising God.
Psalm 63:4-5 NIV*
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
O Praise Him by David Crowder Band
I am going to share a little background so you can get an understanding of just how much this means to us. And of the amazing work God has been doing in our lives. 5 years ago, my husband was a man that wanted to be so much more as a husband, father and provider. However, after years of many let downs he had come to the conclusion that he would be a "grunt" for the rest of his life. Then he found a man and a company that saw the same potential I saw in him. They gave him a chance and he proved that what I had been telling him and trying to get him to believe of himself was true. In the years since, he has progressed quickly in his field. The same company went through many changes with the economy. My husband has felt for a while that, even though he is so grateful for the opportunity they gave him, he is no longer supposed to be there. The job hunt was going slow and we were starting to doubt the decision to make a change.
A couple of Sundays ago our Pastor spoke about clarifying your vision and being specific in prayer. The next day he found a job that was a perfect fit for him and our family. He laid it at God's feet that this was the one he wanted. He came to me and told be that he had clarified his vision for his new job and that this was the one. Thursday he got a call from them and this past Monday had another phone interview with 3 of the higher ups in the company. They liked him so much that they flew him up to Tennessee "all expenses paid" to "meet him and give him a tour of the plant." To some that may sound like a normal thing. For us this is something that we would see on TV not in our real lives. I was so overwhelmed with joy and gratitude that it took me about an hour to stop crying. (yeah, I can be mushy and emotional at times) :)
Today he is there, and I am here...waiting "patiently" for a call or text or anything from him. I was planning on waiting until I got the definite answer to post this. But I feel that just like in prayer, we give thanks and praise before the answer, in complete faith that He has heard and is faithful to answer. So this is my joy, my song, my gratefulness, my faith and my heart singing praises to my Amazing, Loving and Faithful God!
We are moving to Tennessee! I believe it and so it shall be!
What are you joyful for this week? I would love to share your joy with you!
*THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Joyful Fridays Vol. 1
I am starting something new! Joyful Fridays! Every Friday I am going to post on Joy and how we can have more of it in our lives. I would love to make this a Link Party or Blog Hop but I am not sure I have the following for that just yet. If this is something you would be interested in, please let me know in comments or email!
This is one of my favorite songs by Casting Crowns off of their Until the Whole World Hears album and it going 'round and 'round in my head last night inspired me!
There are so many scriptures in the bible on Joy and Joyful that I am sure that this is something that God wants us to have lots of in our lives. In John 10:10, Jesus tells us that he came so that we can have an abundant life and to enjoy it! Each Friday I am going to give a verse on Joy and share a little of my own insight and how I apply it in my life.
and a great King above all gods.
I would like to say that I am consistent each day but I am not. That is something I am working on. However, on the days that I make the time to spend time with God and to sing and make a joyful noise to Him, I can feel and see the difference. He is our Rock, our King; the Alpha and Omega. We live in a chaotic and ever changing world. We can rejoice in the fact that our God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow!
Maybe you aren't comfortable singing out loud. Maybe you were not gifted with a singing voice. Well, I fit both categories and am here to tell you that you should forget yourself and just try it. Yes, some of us even have to step out in faith just to sing out loud! Once I got over my own insecurities and reminded myself that this was not for me but for God; that it is not a contest but a way for me to bring joy and praise to my King; I let go and let loose! It felt great! Once we ask Jesus into our hearts, we are filled with Him, His Holy Spirit. When I focus on praising and worshiping God with my less than lovely voice, Holy Spirit steps in and helps. That is why He is here, to be our helper, counselor, comforter. To step in and fill in where we are weak, broken, unable.
So turn on your favorite worship song or just click play above and SING, SING, SING! Make a JOYFUL NOISE and start (or finish) your day with the peace and joy of the Lord!
I would love to hear from you. What songs do you enjoy singing out? What things bring you joy each day?
This is one of my favorite songs by Casting Crowns off of their Until the Whole World Hears album and it going 'round and 'round in my head last night inspired me!
There are so many scriptures in the bible on Joy and Joyful that I am sure that this is something that God wants us to have lots of in our lives. In John 10:10, Jesus tells us that he came so that we can have an abundant life and to enjoy it! Each Friday I am going to give a verse on Joy and share a little of my own insight and how I apply it in my life.
Psalm 95:1-3
Amplified Bible (AMP)
1O COME, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation!
2Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!
3For the Lord is a great God, 2Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!
and a great King above all gods.
I would like to say that I am consistent each day but I am not. That is something I am working on. However, on the days that I make the time to spend time with God and to sing and make a joyful noise to Him, I can feel and see the difference. He is our Rock, our King; the Alpha and Omega. We live in a chaotic and ever changing world. We can rejoice in the fact that our God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow!
Maybe you aren't comfortable singing out loud. Maybe you were not gifted with a singing voice. Well, I fit both categories and am here to tell you that you should forget yourself and just try it. Yes, some of us even have to step out in faith just to sing out loud! Once I got over my own insecurities and reminded myself that this was not for me but for God; that it is not a contest but a way for me to bring joy and praise to my King; I let go and let loose! It felt great! Once we ask Jesus into our hearts, we are filled with Him, His Holy Spirit. When I focus on praising and worshiping God with my less than lovely voice, Holy Spirit steps in and helps. That is why He is here, to be our helper, counselor, comforter. To step in and fill in where we are weak, broken, unable.
So turn on your favorite worship song or just click play above and SING, SING, SING! Make a JOYFUL NOISE and start (or finish) your day with the peace and joy of the Lord!
I would love to hear from you. What songs do you enjoy singing out? What things bring you joy each day?
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Daily Struggle
I have some days that I am just not on my game. So far, this week as been full of them. I tend to beat myself up for these days, telling myself that I am doing something wrong or not having enough faith. Most times, when I can pull my head out of the funk I realize that I am putting words in Gods' mouth. I have to continually remind myself that I have become the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ. For someone that has been anything but righteous in life and is very aware of the bad choices made, this is a very hard concept to accept. It is easy to say, write on an index card, memorize and repeat; but truly believing it, acting accordingly, not condemning myself at every turn, is another thing completely.
In comparison to many I know, I am a fairly young Christian. It was only 4 years ago that I began to truly understand the truth, love, mercy and grace of our God. I knew of Him, knew the bible pretty well, but I never knew Him. I had prayed the "sinners prayer" in the past but was just going through the motions. I really had no idea what I was saying or what it truly meant. Being so young in my faith, I wonder, how long before I start to find stability in my standing with Christ? How long is it going to take me to get it through my head that He loves me and forgives me, sees me approved, acceptable, righteous? Not through my eyes or my works, but through the blood and Resurrection of Jesus.
See, I know these things, yet still I sit here feeling like a mess. Then I am reminded of Philippians.
2 Corinthians 5:21
Amplified Bible (AMP)
21For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [[a]endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].
In comparison to many I know, I am a fairly young Christian. It was only 4 years ago that I began to truly understand the truth, love, mercy and grace of our God. I knew of Him, knew the bible pretty well, but I never knew Him. I had prayed the "sinners prayer" in the past but was just going through the motions. I really had no idea what I was saying or what it truly meant. Being so young in my faith, I wonder, how long before I start to find stability in my standing with Christ? How long is it going to take me to get it through my head that He loves me and forgives me, sees me approved, acceptable, righteous? Not through my eyes or my works, but through the blood and Resurrection of Jesus.
See, I know these things, yet still I sit here feeling like a mess. Then I am reminded of Philippians.
Philippians 4:6-7
Amplified Bible (AMP)
6Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ([a]definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
7And God's peace [shall be yours, that [b]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall[c]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
So now, I will run into His arms and remember that the riches of His love will always be enough. Today I will sing and dance to my Lord. Starting with Forever Reign that I posted about yesterday. Loud and often. The best time to sing and dance to God is the time that you feel the least like doing it.
Psalm 149:3-4
Amplified Bible (AMP)
3Let them praise His name in chorus and choir and with the [single or group] dance; let them sing praises to Him with the tambourine and lyre!
4For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation and adorn the wretched with victory.
Just typing this out and reading over these verses has already started to mend my soul. It is going to be a good day after all.
I would love to hear your thoughts. Do you struggle with these feelings? If so, how do you deal with them? Did this post and these scriptures help you?
Philippians 4:6-7
Amplified Bible (AMP)
7And God's peace [shall be yours, that [b]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall[c]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
So now, I will run into His arms and remember that the riches of His love will always be enough. Today I will sing and dance to my Lord. Starting with Forever Reign that I posted about yesterday. Loud and often. The best time to sing and dance to God is the time that you feel the least like doing it.
Psalm 149:3-4
Amplified Bible (AMP)
3Let them praise His name in chorus and choir and with the [single or group] dance; let them sing praises to Him with the tambourine and lyre!
4For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation and adorn the wretched with victory.
Just typing this out and reading over these verses has already started to mend my soul. It is going to be a good day after all.
I would love to hear your thoughts. Do you struggle with these feelings? If so, how do you deal with them? Did this post and these scriptures help you?
4For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation and adorn the wretched with victory.
Just typing this out and reading over these verses has already started to mend my soul. It is going to be a good day after all.
I would love to hear your thoughts. Do you struggle with these feelings? If so, how do you deal with them? Did this post and these scriptures help you?
Monday, January 16, 2012
First Post - Abundant Mercies
Lamentations 3:22-23
Amplified Bible (AMP)
22It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassion's fail not.
23They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.
I don't know about you, but if the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness were not fresh everyday, I would be in a lot of trouble! I am grateful to know that when I fail, His compassion does not. He knows me and understands me and He loves me anyway! Once I wrapped my head around that, I was brought to my knees. Each day I have to be reminded and each day He is faithful to remind me that He is Love.
My intention with this blog is to give voice to my journey - My physical, spiritual, creative and mental journeys. At 35, I have already passed much of the journey and will add those flashbacks as I feel inspired. For now, I am going to start with the present - because it is a gift!
The reason for this intention is the hope that even one person may read this blog and feel encouraged. No matter where you are in life, there is always hope for today and tomorrow. If you are beat down, broken, jaded or just plain tired, then stick with me. I have faith you will see "light" closer than the end of the tunnel!
In sharing this Truth and Love I will also share myself. Not a "church face" but the real me, with real struggles, joys, lessons and tons of laughs and love. Being a homeschooling mom, stay at home wife, artist at heart if not in skill and a lover of all things beautiful, I venture to say that this should be a pretty interesting mix of information!
I am fumbling my way through "this blog thing" and hope to have more for you soon!
Peace and Love to all!
Jamie
23They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.
I don't know about you, but if the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness were not fresh everyday, I would be in a lot of trouble! I am grateful to know that when I fail, His compassion does not. He knows me and understands me and He loves me anyway! Once I wrapped my head around that, I was brought to my knees. Each day I have to be reminded and each day He is faithful to remind me that He is Love.
My intention with this blog is to give voice to my journey - My physical, spiritual, creative and mental journeys. At 35, I have already passed much of the journey and will add those flashbacks as I feel inspired. For now, I am going to start with the present - because it is a gift!
The reason for this intention is the hope that even one person may read this blog and feel encouraged. No matter where you are in life, there is always hope for today and tomorrow. If you are beat down, broken, jaded or just plain tired, then stick with me. I have faith you will see "light" closer than the end of the tunnel!
In sharing this Truth and Love I will also share myself. Not a "church face" but the real me, with real struggles, joys, lessons and tons of laughs and love. Being a homeschooling mom, stay at home wife, artist at heart if not in skill and a lover of all things beautiful, I venture to say that this should be a pretty interesting mix of information!
I am fumbling my way through "this blog thing" and hope to have more for you soon!
Peace and Love to all!
Jamie
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