Just a reminder to take time to enjoy the beauty of nature. Slow down. Breathe deep. Marvel at the detail of the Creator’s handiwork. The God of creation is the same God orchestrating the details of our lives- for our good and His glory.
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”- â€â€Revelation‬ â€4:11‬ â€ESV‬‬
🎶This joy I have…the world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it way…🎶
This joy is not contingent on ideal circumstances or life without trial. This joy is rooted in a heart surrendered and trusting the God who sees, knows and loves me. I’m not taking for granted His daily mercies, second chances and plentiful patience (because Lord knows, sometimes I’m a little slow on the uptake).
Today I’m welcoming my 48th year with gratitude and anticipation. And thank you, friends and readers, for continuing this journey with me.
🎶”…A thrill of hope, The weary world rejoices…”🎶
There’s a lot of talk about hope this season as we reflect on the year and holidays past; counting blessings, lamenting losses and anticipating better for the future. We have hopes, great and small, from the unspoken flickers of our heart to the health & wholeness of our families and communities. Yet hope can be a precarious thing when deferred or unfulfilled. So how do we hold onto the thrill of hope? All of our hopes, every single one, must be anchored to the hope of the world, Jesus Christ. He was born, died and rose again to give us a living hope.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead ” -1 Peter‬ â€1‬:â€3‬ â€CSB‬‬
In this truth we can be confident of His love and His plans for us.
“For I know the plans I have for you” —this is the LORD’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” -Jeremiah 29:11 CSB
“This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” – Romans 5:5 CSB
🎶”My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand”🎶
May the hope of Christ be yours this season and beyond ! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!
Some mornings are picture perfect. Other mornings? Not so much. Maybe it’s been one of “those” mornings or one of “those” weeks…the good news is we don’t have to finish the way we started. REFOCUS. RECLAIM. REFRESH…RESTART.
Sometimes faith looks like walking in the opposite direction, going against our natural tendencies and everything we think we know. It’s uncomfortable, intimidating and…like a breeze of fresh, brisk air awakening the senses. Listen carefully, walk closely, God is doing something great.
Ready, set and we’re off! The holiday season is in full swing. Expressions of gratitude, tidings of comfort & joy and shopping deals abound. But for some of us there is only stress and trepidation. The goodness and beauty of the season are eclipsed by neverending to-do lists and unrealistic expectations.
So what if we changed our perspective? Minimized perfection and magnified grace. What if we decided to simply opt out? Opt out of traditions and expectations that weigh us with dread and mask us with insincerity. What if we dared to do something different? Let our “yes” be genuine and purposeful. Let our “no” be firm and free of guilt. What if in the midst of it all we took time to just be…Grateful.
Endless Thanks
Unable to contain in just one day,
A lifetime of profession.
A daily exercise of appreciation,
For this life uniquely my own,
For the glorious triumphs,
For the disheartening defeats,
For the gift of grace,
For mercies renewed,
For everyday blessings,
For the difficult journeys,
For the smallest joys,
For the sting of self-reflection,
For the hope in growth,
For love unfettered and unconditional,
For the joy of family,
For the solace of friends.
Thanks to a God so Magnificent, so Wonderful, and so Good.
Humbled by His presence and in awe of His care. -LAS
“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.”
Psalms 105:1-2
Just wanted to start off the week with a little marriage & husband appreciation. I’ve been married for almost 17 years. No, it has not been all sunshine & rainbows. Yes, every step has been and continues to be worth it. I wouldn’t want to be on this journey with anyone else.
We dream
To reach beyond what we know
Trusting the Dream Giver
Accepting the risks
Savoring the victories
Building on the failures
Ever learning
Ever growing
Together
One
-LAS
If you’re a creature of habit like me, you might agree that routine is our groove. It gives rhyme and reason to our day. Our routine seems to set everything right in our little world.
But what happens when our little world shifts? What happens when our routine collides with possibility?
Possibility wrapped in the unpredictable. The possibility of something different. The possibility of something better.
Don’t be afraid to…See it. Consider it. Embrace it.
Sometimes the path forward is standing still and letting God speak. Listen. He will make it clear.
When I think of God’s goodness, I alternate between tears of gratitude and dances of joy. But maybe you’re thinking “God is good? How is that true with all that’s happening in the world? With all that’s happening in my life?”
Because God’s goodness is not conditional. Goodness is His nature. He is always present, providing ways, offering grace and giving comfort.
I pray you see and experience His goodness today.
“O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good; How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him.”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€34:8‬ â€AMP‬‬
Barnabas Blessings 