Beauty From Ashes

Beauty from Ashes

Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. -Unknown

When you are faced with a difficult situation, remember that you are not alone. God is not only with you, holding you and comforting you, but He is also transforming you. He is finding ways to make beautiful things out of ugly circumstances. While He does not want us to suffer, in this world we know we will face hard times, but the Lord can take even the hardest days and offer us beautiful, indescribable hope. Read the following passage and be encouraged to look for hope in God today:

"...but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
Romans 5:3-5

Journey on! 

Seek Him in the New Year

"In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly." Psalm 5:3

A new year brings about yearnings for change. It is a time of starting over, of seeking the spring: waiting expectantly for our souls to bloom into life. As we make our plans, let us not forget that our days, right down to the second, are in the Lord's hands. He goes before us and longs to bless us in this new year. Take time to pray over all your hopes, dreams, plans and expectations. Ask God to guide you, to open the right doors for you, and close any doors that are not of His will. Ask Him for hope and joy and peace as you follow Him this year. Seek His will in all that you do this year, and you will be blessed. 

Journey on! 

Be Other-Focused

It's human nature for us to be focused on ourselves, but not always as easy to pay attention to other people. This is particularly true in those times when we are distracted by our phones. I have seen people walk into walls looking down at their screens! One of the biggest things I am trying to teach my children is to be "other-focused." It's not something that we are always good at, but it's something we need to remember daily. How many times have we walked through a store and didn't notice an older woman trying to reach something on a high shelf, or gone to work and didn't pay attention to our co-worker drying her eyes. There are so many times we unintentionally ignore the needs of those around us. I tell my kids when we go to the playground to keep their eyes out for the kids who look lonely, and reach out to them. As we go into this week, pay attention to how you can be Jesus' hands and feet for others around you. 

"When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you." John 13:12-16

Journey on!

Lavished Love

It breaks my heart to see people hurting, especially those who believe they are not loved by anyone. This is a lie that Satan likes to tell to pull us away from other people and away from God. But the TRUTH is that you, the one reading this article right now, YOU are loved. Loved deeply. Loved unconditionally. You are worthy of love because you are a child of God. He created you, and He redeemed you! This world may not always love you the way it should, but no one can ever take away God’s love for you. Believe me…or better yet, go read your Bible. It is filled with verses about how God has loved you and how He continues to love you. Don’t let negative thoughts and lies take over your mental space. Replace those thoughts with specific truths so that you can combat them easily when they threaten to attack you. I find it helpful to memorize scriptures that contradict the lies we hear the most so that I can stop those lies quickly and remember that God’s love for me is truly amazing. Speak truth to your heart and let God’s love bring you joy.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1

Journey on!

A New Year of Hope

“Our hope is not in the new year, but in the One who makes all things new.” - Author Unknown

It’s tradition to come up with resolutions on New Year’s Eve. There really is something renewing and refreshing about entering a new year. We’ve made yet another trip around the sun, and before we set out to do it again, we want to find ways to make it even better than the last. What are your hopes and dreams for 2019? As we celebrate, let us remember that none of our hopes, dreams, goals or accomplishments come from ourselves alone. They are gifts from God, and we need God’s strength to walk through this year. Whatever God has placed on your heart, pray about it, asking Him for guidance, wisdom, and courage. He will walk every step with you. He will be there even if your path takes you in the opposite direction you expect. He will celebrate your victories with you; He will comfort you and grow you through those things that don’t work out. Look for God in everything you do, and He will bless you. Happy New Year!

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you…” Deuteronomy 31:8

Journey on!

Series- Silent Night Peace in a Busy Season: Week 4

Mary’s song is a beautiful passage in the Bible. Here is a young lady who has been asked to do a brave, scary, miraculous thing, who has traveled great distances while pregnant and who has given birth to God’s son among the animals. She holds her precious child, not with anxiety or asking “why me,” but with joy, gratitude, humility, and peace. As you enter into this week of Christmas, let Mary’s song ring in your hearts and let it fill you with the peace of Jesus:

“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 

for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 

for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. 

His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. “ Luke 1:46-50

Journey on!

Series- Silent Night Peace in a Busy Season: Week 3

For many, Christmas is a season of joy and excitement, but not every year will go according to plan. When I was a child, my sister and I were supposed to be in a Christmas wedding as the flower girls, but my sister caught chicken pox. Another year, hanging out with family didn’t go exactly as we had hoped and there was some tension. Sometimes packages don’t arrive on time, or people let us down…there are many types of disappointments we may face because life happens even when it is Christmas. But when we turn to the Lord, focus our hearts and minds on Him, we can still have peace even if we burn Christmas dinner! Even if our least favorite relative is coming to town. Whatever is threatening to steal your peace this season, don’t let it! You can have peace this season and every season because Jesus was born, Jesus died to save us, and He rose again to live in us and with us. He is ALWAYS with you! Hold fast to Him today and receive His amazing peace with or without a perfect Christmas.

I leave you peace; My peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world does. So don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid. — John 14:27

Series- Silent Night Peace in a Busy Season 2

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Jesus is given many names, and these names reflect all the miraculous ways that He works in our lives. He gives us wisdom, He lifts us up with His strength, He loves us as His own, and He gives us peace. This Christmas season, meditate on the names of Jesus, and think about how each one of them applies to His relationship with you. Draw near to Him and embrace the many ways He wants to bless you, and thank Him for coming to earth as a babe in a manger and for giving His life to save ours.

Journey on!

Series: Silent Night- Peace in a Busy Season Wk. 1

“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7”

When I was a child, we traveled 11 hours away every Christmas; this was before you could reserve hotel rooms on Priceline! My parents would drive until they were tired and then drive around looking for a hotel with open rooms. We were all tired and cranky by that point, so when we finally found a vacancy, it was such a blessing. 

When I imagine looking for a place to sleep in Mary and Joseph’s time, with her practically in labor and either walking or riding on animals, I can’t imagine that being a peaceful situation. I am sure it was stressful and exhausting. And to finally come across an inn only to find out there was no space for them must have been disappointing. But thankfully, the owner had compassion enough to make room for the little family in the stables- Not ideal, not peaceful, among the braying donkeys, bleeting sheep, or mooing cows. But the young couple found refuge in the midst of chaos. Does your holiday season feel chaotic, busy, maybe not ideal? How can you seek refuge in Jesus this holiday and carve out intentional time for peace? This season should be about faith, hope, peace and love. How can you infuse those things into your life this month?

“…The Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11 

Journey on!

You Can!

"Whether you think you can, or think you can't...you're right." Henry Ford

My dad used to quote this phrase all the time growing up. He believes that a positive approach to life can accomplish great things. Now, we aren't all equipped to do some things, but with perseverance and dedication, we can do a lot more than we realize. And the second part of the quote is true as well: if we choose to believe we can't do something before we have even tried, we never will. Don't sell yourself short. Take a look at what talents and gifts God has given you. Pray for direction in what you hope to accomplish. Set a goal and chase after it with confidence in Him to bless your endeavors if it is His will. Stop saying "I can't" and you may be surprised what you are capable of accomplishing! 

"I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

Journey on!

Seeking God for the Next Adventure

"You are never too old to set another goal, or to dream a new dream." -C.S.Lewis

This quote is beautiful because it takes us out of our complacency, and invites us to question, "What does God have in store next for my life?" Being able to stop, listen and receive direction from God is a great habit to form. You were made in God's image, to glorify Him in this world. What does that look like in this particular stage of your life? What dreams and goals has He been placing on your heart for a long time, that maybe you have ignored? Take time this week to listen to God's voice. Ask Him to reveal to you the plans He has for you and what steps you need to take in faith to receive them. Don't be afraid to try something new. Open your heart to new adventures, but always do so by seeking God first. We do need to be sure that our next steps are blessed and given by Him, not by simply our own desires. But when we seek the Lord, He will give us those desires that He himself has placed in us. May God bless you in your next great adventure as you look to Him. 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 

Journey on! 

Be a Good One

"Whatever you are, be a good one." Abraham Lincoln

Life passes in seasons, bringing new difficulties and joys, asking us to accomplish new feats, and growing us in new ways. Our lives may go through stages of being children, young adults, married people, parents, grandparents, businessmen or military women, missionaries or teachers...There are many, many paths our lives take us down, and if we have God at the center of our lives, He will lead us along the way.

But whether our jobs change or our relationships change, whether we dream new dreams or anchor ourselves to one area, God has called us to be our best selves in EVERY season. Will we be perfect? Never. But we should seek to honor God by using the gifts He has given us. We need to make the most of opportunities He provides us. What can we do today to be even better than we were yesterday? How can we go the extra mile? Our relationship with God is not based on our works, but while we have the health and means to do so, we should emulate Jesus in everything that we do. By doing this, we honor God and bless others, and in turn this blesses our lives as well!

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Col 3:23-24 

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When Life Hits Hard

"Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith." -Steve Jobs

Even the most successful people in the world have difficult days. We all go through things that make us wonder where God is in the circumstance. We know He is always with us, yet we don't always know His plans. Why would God bring me to this place? I can't see my prayers being answered, so does He even care? The truth is God cares deeply, and we don't always see the big picture. Even when life knocks you for a loop, keep your faith strong. Trust in God. Know that even when we can't see it, He is there. Even when we can't understand the situations, He is always working things out for the good. Let your tough days strengthen your faith in God, and believe that He has you in His loving hands. 

"For we live by faith, not by sight." 2 Cor 5:7

Journey on! 

Hope and Strength

"I know You're able and I know You can
Save through the fire with Your mighty hand
But even if You don't...
My hope is You alone." - Mercy Me

When you go through a tough time, don't give up hope! Remember that the Lord is with you even when it feels like you are alone. He cares about your struggles and heartaches even if it seems He is not answering your prayers. He gives us incredible strength when we aren't sure we can press on. So don't give up hope- instead, lean into God. Embrace His words through scripture. Trust that even when things aren't going our way, God is still God, and we always have hope!

"Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10 

Journey on!