Our Nov/Dec issue is here!

I'm praising God for the opportunity to publish this magazine and to work with so many wonderful women! So excited to share our November/December issue AND celebrate our 2-year Anniversary!!
Stop by and order your copy today, and don't forget 1 for a friend :)
http://www.christianwomensvoice.org/

Where You Belong

 

I’ve noticed my calendar is unusually full these days, sprinkled with new social gatherings I’ve surprised myself by saying “yes” to; dates and events I would normally pass up because of insecurity.

They’re wonderful opportunities to “network” and share my ministry but I still hold on to the fear of throwing myself out there, to come out from behind my computer and be visible and vulnerable to embarrassment and disappointment. It’s easier to retreat, to step back to the safe and the familiar. To pour myself another cup of coffee and surf around on Facebook for awhile, LOL.

But then just this morning, these simple words…

“Don’t discount what the Lord has done in your life.”

When I think of where I began and when I began and who I was back then and why on Earth He would love me enough to die for all my ugly sins and how He’s brought me through so, so much….how selfish of me to hide away wrapped up in fear and silence after all He’s done and continues to do!

How can I expect real growth or real change in my life if I

constantly do everything the same way?

I DO belong! However awkward the situation, however uncomfortable and unfamiliar.

I belong right there in the middle of that crowded room full of strangers and all the awkward hellos and the nice-to-see-yous and shifting nervously but refusing to take the empty seat next to the wall.

And YOU belong, too!

When opportunity shows up, stand tall for the Lord. Boldly represent His work in you. Think about where you’ve been, where you are and where you’re going. Shine the light of Him. Share the truth of Him. Be the living testimony of His faithfulness to always place you right where you belong.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you,

and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and

to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

Be blessed today and always,

Debbie

Run Your Own Race

My husband ran his 10^th marathon last weekend. A sweaty, grueling, painful 26.2 miles, but he finished well at just over 4 hours.

There were something like 25,000 runners out there, so many sprinted in ahead of him and many others hobbled across the finish line after him.

But they all finished…their own race…their own time.

It seems we’re all somewhere in our own race, doesn’t it? We have this routine, this life with its schedules and its demands and peopled with those who count on us to keep all the plates spinning while we run.

But it seems there’s always someone running their race a little better.

A little faster.

A little cleaner.

Going about it a little wiser.

With a little less frustration and a little more confidence.

Shining a little brighter and raising the bar, so to speak.

And there always will be.

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
    who walk according to the law of the Lord.
 Blessed are those who keep his statutes
    and seek him with all their heart—
 they do no wrong
    but follow his ways.

(Psalm 119:1-3)

But the Lord hasn’t set you on the path to run any race but your own.

He has given you your set of circumstances.

Blessed you with your gifts, your talents…your challenges.

He did so knowing you’d cross that finish line and that He’d cross it with you.

He didn’t set you on this course to watch you fail or to compare you to the others. The course you run is yours and yours alone.

So, own it.

Run it.

Finish it…in your own time.

It’s yours to win!

Be blessed, my friend,

Debbie

Make it an Awesome Day!

Choose to be happy today, friends. 

The God of ALL creation is on YOUR side!

Make today awesome!

Keep Moving Forward!

Life seems like one big roller-coaster ride sometimes.

Each day can be full of ups and downs – we never really know what to expect.

I heard on the news just last night that there was a malfunction on a ride in a local theme park and the poor people were stuck at the top for 2 hours.

Don’t you feel that way sometimes?

Like you’ve been sort of left to dangle from the top of the ride, helpless and suspended wondering how long it will last?

You’ve begun the journey but all. motion. has. stopped.

It’s been that way for me lately.

I only wish there were teams of rescue workers showing up with lights and sirens ready to hoist ladders up to save me and set me back on sold ground again.

God is that rescue worker, but even when He brings us back down and brushes the dust off our jeans, He expects us to continue on. To resume with life in a positive way.

He’s our strength and our guide, but we have to be proactive in reaching our goal. He has equipped us with brains, hands and feet to press on.

Prayer and faith and belief are only pieces to the puzzle. They aren’t much good if we don’t put one foot in front of the other and use the abilities God has given us.

I just want to encourage you to put action to your faith today. There will be ups and downs in the journey, but sooner or later you’ll find your way back to solid ground.

Keep moving forward!

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. (Phil. 3:12-15)

Many Blessings,

Debbie

Waiting Out Every. Necessary. Step.

The swift change in temperature took me by surprise today and I welcomed the swirling leaves at my feet and the whisper of autumn across my face.

The quiet afternoon called for home-made bread.

Maybe enjoy a cup of coffee while the dough rises, I thought.

Maybe spend a few minutes in prayer for those heavy on my heart today and give praise to God when He directs me to the absolute perfect scripture….like He always does.

There’s a lot to be learned from making bread.

The perfect combination of ingredients sending up little drifts of flour. Steady hands working, kneading, preparing.

Each step is necessary.

Each step takes time.

Precious time.

And the waiting is difficult…but well worth it.

Lord Jesus,

Help me to be patient and to remember that as I wait upon You, You’re gathering all the necessary “ingredients” together and working them, molding and shaping them to perfection. You know me like no other, and even though I want to speed up the process or somehow “help” You to bring about the blessing sooner, it’s ALL in Your hands…..not mine.

I’m learning to be thankful for the waiting. For each necessary step. Each one takes time. Precious time. And yes, the waiting is difficult. And regardless of the outcome… in the end, I will praise You.

Amen.

Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
    your vindication like the noonday sun.

Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
    when they carry out their wicked schemes. (Psalm 37) NIV

Be Blessed,

Debbie

What Will You Own Today?

We don’t have to look far to find things that complicate our day.

A restless night of sleep disturbed with constant nightmares can set our whole morning off track; like little fingers jabbing at the center of our joy.

Those few tense days awaiting that call from the doctor with your test results; how the “future” dangles by the phone lines.

Deadlines, pressures and that pile of bills awaiting your attention and how the numbers in your checking account just don’t add up.

All the things to be figured out and tough decisions to be made. How they tug at your time and your energy.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

We can attach ourselves to hope today….or to fear.

We can attach our peace to faith in God or give in to uncertainty created by the one who smiles on our defeat and laughs at our nightmares.

It’s a choice, really. What we “own”.

We’re free to either choose the Word of God and His promises to us or we can be a slave to the evil one.

Faith doesn’t come alive – I mean truly come alive until it’s lived out!

Wouldn’t you agree that what we own deep down in our spirit is what we will offer the world today?

1 Corinthians 10:31 
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (ESV)

1 Corinthians 6:20 
“you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (NIV)