Let This be the Year

It’s 6am here.

Dark and early.

That wonderfully quiet time with the perfect cup of coffee and the soothing warmth of the fireplace…and my heart stirs.

I think of this new year stretched out long before us with its possibilities and opportunities. I think of how we each enter into this clean slate of promise, of hope and dreams yet be realized.

Friend, let this be the year not only for dreaming big, but for taking long, big-girl strides toward turning our biggest, wildest dreams into reality.

Let this be the year of seriously moving toward a healthy mind, body, spirit and lifestyle and for helping others to accomplish the same.

Let this be the year of gathering up all the loose ends of our lives and bringing organization and structure where it’s needed.

Let this be the year of living more aware of those needing prayer, friendship… the love of Jesus. I pray we will go about our days with eyes wide open and sensitive to the needs of those around us.

Let this be the year of breaking down the barriers of fear and worry that we may find strength to turn worry and fear into faith and trust; trust in the One who moves mountains.

Let this be the year of salvation for loved ones who have turned away and against it far too long. I pray you and I will be that light to those living in darkness, and may they realize that the truest, purest form of happiness isn’t found in the things of this world but only when we run to the open arms of our Savior.

Let this be the year.

"'If you can'?" said Jesus. 

"Everything is possible for one who believes." 

(Mark 9:23)

I would love the opportunity to pray with you for the big things you'd like to accomplish in 2016. You're welcome to share your thoughts in the comment section. ALL things are possible with Jesus!

Quiet Miracles

The words came quiet but strong. Even in the noise of my hair dryer. Even in the nuisance of a neighbor’s early-morning leaf blower. Whispering behind all the chaos in my own head planning out the day.

“Quiet….miracle…”

Wait…what?

What does that mean? I puzzled.

I envisioned the quiet miracle of life taking place in a mother’s womb. Quietly growing. Quietly being.

The quiet miracle of healing…of the heart, of the mind and of the whole body. The healing of relationships broken.

I thought of the quiet miracle of each new morning and the sun quietly appearing, casting light and promise.

I’m praising God today for the quiet miracles that come in a single phone call. An unexpected email. The few perfect words spoken from a friend’s loving heart. God gives us quiet miracles every single day, not with grand fanfare but in a simple flutter of angel’s wings.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (2 Cor. 12:9)

Only the voice of God can be heard as a whisper amid noise, chaos and confusion. It’s that same voice that speaks miracles into being, answers to every cry of the heart. He’s present and hears the prayers of believers gathered in His name professing the hope they have in the One who saves and blesses and creates the new and beautiful from our own mess knowing He is the one true constant from which all miracles emerge. There is no other.

As God puts the final stitches in your quiet miracle, I pray you find rest and comfort…contentment…in the process knowing there will be no miracle left undone. 

Believe and trust in Him.

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