Sharing today's article

Hey friends...
      just sharing my article in today's paper:

http://www.thecamarilloacorn.com/news/2014-04-25/Faith/

Get Your Faith On!

 

Confession time - I’m guilty.

I opened the door to negativity and it walked right in and sat down!

Been moping around for a few days discouraged, disappointed in myself and questioning my dreams again. Feeling like I’m not “doing life” right.

You know the story…walking and kicking up dust in that same rut down a road that leads to nowhere fast.

I kept looking in that tiny rear-view mirror with all my past mistakes smoldering behind me instead of the big, broad view ahead that shines of God’s goodness, blessing and favor.

“Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19

So, what’s an encourager to do when she could use a bit of encouragement herself?

She has a pity party.

But I have found that a pit party’s an ugly place to be. I don’t wear “sad” well and tears are my contacts’ worst enemy. 

But this time, just before the tears came…God showed up in a big way, picked me up off that dirty, dusty road to nowhere and set me back on the solid ground of His Word.

I just love how He works.

He sends little sparks…little jewels that serve as reminders of His constant presence.

When we’re down, we can only focus on the closed doors; opportunities lost and second chances just out of our reach. We don’t see the OTHER doors God is opening just around the corner…and He definitely is!

Why do I question His greatness or his ability to work things out when my dreams and ambitions have been woven into the very fabric of who I am by His capable hands?

If you’ve been spending too much time looking in your rear-view mirror lately and giving your days over to regret and on things better left in the past, I invite you to join me today in kicking negativity to the curb and putting on the full armor of God! 

It’s a “one size fits all” kind of thing.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:10-11)

 Photo credit

A Word of Encouragement for Your Week

Good morning, friend.

I hope your week is off to a great start.

I spent part of my weekend enjoying the activity in the garden from my front-row seat on the patio. The finches and sparrows put on quite a show.

I noticed how each one had its own purpose, it’s own agenda.

I watched as they freely flit in and out beneath the arbor pausing only to flutter in the bird bath or sit and preen themselves on the fence. Their sweet song brought smiles from the inside out.

I admire their freedom; not a care or worry in the world. It’s almost as if they know and understand how our amazing God cares and provides for their every need.

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. (Matthew 6:26)

As you go through this week; perhaps a mix of challenges and joys, blessings and heavy-hearted sighs… or if you’re sputtering along with an empty spiritual tank…resolve right now to make it a great week. One. Day. At. A. Time.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Sometimes it’s not easy to pick up the pieces of our yesterdays and begin fresh and new each morning with a smile, but with Jesus, we certainly can. His compassions NEVER fail. He is ALWAYS with us.

He alone is our true hope.

With all my heart, I want to encourage you today. Whatever leaps of faith you’re contemplating. Whatever dreams you’ve decided to pursue. God can and will replace your uncertainty and doubt with strength and reassurance.

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life (Matthew 6:26-27)

Be Happy tip for 4/17/14

Be Happy tip for 4/9/14

His Compassions Never Fail

Good morning, friend.

I’m enjoying the view this morning from my front-row seat here on the patio. The finches and sparrows are putting on quite a show in the garden. They’re fun to watch dressed in vibrant yellow and detailed markings - each one has its own purpose. Its own agenda. They freely flit in and out stopping to perch on the trellis, the feeder, the fence post or splash the dust from their feathers in the bird bath. Not a care in the world. I think they must know, sense it somehow, that our amazing God cares and provides for their every need.

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (Matthew 6:26)

As you start this new week; perhaps with a mix of challenges and joys, blessings and disappointments…resolve right now to make it a great week. One. Day. At. A. Time.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Sometimes it’s not easy to pick up the pieces of our yesterdays and begin fresh and new each morning with a smile. But with Jesus, we certainly can. His compassions NEVER fail. He is ALWAYS with us. He alone is our true hope.

I just want to encourage you as you begin this new week. Whatever leaps of faith you’re contemplating, God can and will replace your uncertainty and doubt with strength and reassurance. Whatever situations you face with trepidation or fear, remember that you already have the authority to cast them out in the name of Jesus. Only accept what is from Him this week. You are His and He is yours.

Claim Him Lord of all!

Debbie