Anytime, Anywhere, Anything

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

The sweetest time of the day is...When you pray...Why?
Because you're talking to the One who loves you the most. -Anonymous

As we gathered around the dinner table in my parents' home, we bowed our heads and my dad prayed. In his eighties, his voice sometimes quivered. He'd served as an elder and deacon over the years, and prayed over communion at church and at the bedside of the sick and shut in. Knowing my dad as I did, he moved beyond his comfort zone, humbled himself, and prayed out loud because he loved God and chose to serve the Lord.

I don't consider myself to be a great prayer. Oh, I talk to God frequently but not eloquently. Sometimes my prayers are thrown up in desperation, at times I find myself begging (maybe not the best idea,) while other times I just talk as if I'm chatting with a friend. The chats are some of the best prayers.

I love that God makes praying easy—any time of day or night—anywhere—about anything. There are no walls to break through, no papers to fill out, no meetings determining the proper way to pray. Instead, God just asks us to communicate with Him. He longs to hear from us because He loves us so much.

Sometimes I feel anxious, something troubles me to the point that my stomach aches, my nerves get on edge, and my heart hurts. There is only one cure to calm my soul—prayer. Philippians says, in any situation—ANY situation—take requests to God through prayer. Thank Him and then talk to Him about anything and everything.

One of the beautiful elements of prayer is when I can't find the words; the Holy Spirit steps in and takes my needs to God for me. Prayer is one of the most wonderful parts of my walk with God. I love that I can talk to Him any time or place about life.

Talk to God as you would a friend. He listens.

Consider This—God is in the Details

Matthew 1:18-21
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

An important decision requires consideration.

I had dreamed about retiring and pursuing writing for years. When the time neared for me to take the retirement years seriously, Tim and I contemplated what that would look like. We took into account my health, benefits my job offered, the practicality of me no longer working outside our home, and of course our income. We prayed about the decision for me to retire early and thought about what that would mean for our family. I'm thankful God saw fit for us to move forward with our plans and provide Tim with work and me with writing opportunities.

Joseph was a man who considered the needs of his wife-to-be, Mary. When he learned she was pregnant, he didn't jump to conclusions. He could have broken the engagement in haste, instead he contemplated his options. He prayed and pondered about what was best for Mary and for him. Before he made his final decision, God sent an angel to assure him. You see, God chose Mary to give birth to Jesus, and He also chose Joseph to be Jesus' father on earth. God knew Joseph's heart. He found Joseph to be a man of faith who considered what was best for the people he loved. God knew Joseph would do the same for Jesus.

God is in the details of my life, and He knows my heart. He hears me, sees me, and understands me. He has given me the beautiful gift of prayer to guide me as I reflect on decisions and life's choices.

Joseph trusted God with the decisions he made. God trusted Joseph with His Son.

Trust God and give Jesus your heart this Christmas.

Roll into Christmas

Psalm 100
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
   come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
   It is he who made us, and we are his;
   we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
   and his courts with praise;
   give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
   his faithfulness continues through all generations.

We've celebrated Thanksgiving, and Christmas is coming.

Another holiday season has rolled around. Thanksgiving Day we were blessed to spend time with some of our family, something we didn't get to do last year. Nieces and nephews have grown by leaps and bounds, as have our grandchildren. As usual on this holiday, too much food went into my mouth, but my goodness it was yummy.

As I looked around the room and visited with folks, I thanked God for the opportunity to spend time together. Something I'd taken for granted before the pandemic. I also loved meeting my niece's puppies and seeing my mom cuddle with one. The day satisfied in so many ways.

I know the holidays, along with joy, can bring stress and busyness.

As I prepare my heart for the Christmas season, I want nothing more than to focus on the reason we celebrate. Yes, I love the decorations, the music, the movies, and the food, but more than anything, I love Jesus and the reason He came.

Jesus fulfilled the prophets' words in the Old Testament by being born of a virgin, in a manger. That sweet babe grew into the man who gave His life for our freedom from sin. He's the reason we celebrate.

As you decorate the tree, thank God for the beauty He created—as you sing a carol, praise the Lord for his love and mercy—as you shop for gifts, pray for the recipient— and every day, recognize the grace we have because of Jesus. Let's roll from the Thanksgiving season into Christmas with a grateful heart.

Thankful for Freedom

2 Corinthians 3:15-17
Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

The children waved flags in their honor.

Mrs. Blankenship's art classes made this beautiful flag.

On Veteran's Day, I had the privilege to watch the program the school put on to honor the men and women who served in the military. The children lined the halls and waved flags and the vets marched around the school. The scene brought back memories of an old-fashioned, small-town celebration. After the march, the children gathered in the gym. My daughter, Sara, sang The National Anthem, then the men spoke about their time in the military. A student from each class got to ask a question and hear the responses. I admit at times I had tears and chills.

One of the gentlemen in the group was a very special guest. Former Superintendent William Bick, who the school is named for, spoke to the students. At ninety-eight years old, he told them he served in WW2. What a treasure to have met this honorable veteran.

All the veterans who spoke represented the freedom they fought for and the safety they defended for our country. They gave their time to protect our freedom.

My dad served in WW2, my husband as an Air Force Reservist, my brothers in the National Guard. I've always had great respect for our military.

Our American freedom is not the only freedom we have. Believers and followers of Jesus hold a freedom that can never be taken away. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we also gain freedom from sin through repentance, freedom to live a life following the Savior, and freedom from the world. No matter what goes on around me, I know Jesus is with me and He comforts me.

I thank God for the veterans and military persons who serve, and I thank God for the One who gave His life as a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus loves us so much. He wants us to have the freedom He offers, the freedom to love, forgive, and hope.

On Thanksgiving, give thanks for our military and for Jesus, the one who sets us free.

His Light Shines in the Darkness

John 1:4-5
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

I like that extra hour of sleep when we fall back.

In the fall, I look forward to change. I love the way the trees show off their red, orange, and yellow leaves. In Ohio we have a lot of maple trees. They glow a golden yellow, and this year they have waved their dressy branches in the most spectacular way. The cooler weather reminds me winter peeks around the corner. Yes, I'm one who enjoys snow and bundling up or cozying in for the colder months. Many folks may disagree with me, but I like when the clocks fall back, and the hour of sleep I lost in the spring is restored. The morning light wakes me, and in the evening, I can huddle in our cozy home.

I've written about hygge before; the act of creating a comfortable and inviting environment inside when the weather or time change gives us darkness early. Part of the hygge experience is lighting candles, turning on lights to brighten the darkness, and cuddling in a warm blanket.

When God created the earth, He made day and night—darkness and light. As a believer, I experience a light, unlike the sun or a lamp. I don't welcome the darkness of the world, a shadow of sin which Satan brings with him. When that darkness falls, I cling to the light of Jesus. Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." His word lights my way, and His light overcomes all darkness. Jesus is the hygge I want when the darkness of despair, worry, sin, or sorrow try to smother me. He is the light of the world. He alone brings peace and comfort in times of darkness. As the dark surrounds me, Jesus' light of love and grace illuminate my life.

Seek the light of Jesus.

Start Fresh

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Sometimes we need to think like a relief pitcher.

We watch a lot of baseball at our house. Tim works as an usher for the Cincinnati Reds. Two of our grandsons play (and a granddaughter plays softball,) and when the Reds are away, we watch their games on television. We root for the starting pitcher to get the game going, then for the relief pitchers who, we hope, finish the game well. In baseball, the relief pitcher enters the game after the starting pitcher has a high pitch count, or has become ineffective. Games often employ more than one reliever. Those guys do their best, but in the games where they just can't get the other team out, they are relieved by another reliever. Here's the thing, the relief pitcher can't let themselves get stuck if their performance fails to meet the needs of the team. Instead, they have to shake it off and keep their bad day from spilling into the next game.

Think like a relief pitcher. Each day gives me a new opportunity to start again. Just because the previous day stunk, doesn't mean today has to follow suit. We all have those times we'd just as soon forget or at the least, push behind us. I thank God He's the God of second chances. He urges me to repent from sin and start again. He renews my spirit every day. He encourages me to not lose heart.

I can imagine how a relief pitcher feels when they fail to live up to their potential. I've been there. I get discouraged when I fail. But each day is a brand-new opportunity to renew my faith and seek my Father in heaven. Earthly troubles are just that—earthly. God gives us hope through Jesus and help through the Holy Spirit.

Start fresh each day with Jesus.

Crayons and Hope

Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

The delicious scent of crayons fills me with hope.

In my elementary years, I owned a large coffee can filled with broken crayons. The tin held every color you could imagine, some with the paper intact, some free of wrap. Instead of tossing the colorful sticks when they crumbled under pressure, mom gave me a can to store them. I loved digging through the pile of color to find just the right one for whatever I was drawing. And the smell—an aroma that signified the beginning of a beautiful creation. 

I scribbled with them until they smashed down to a nub. Some of the tiny pieces, melted with wax, were recycled into candles. That glorious can of broken crayons gave me hours of joy.

I may not be a crayon, put to the test by little fingers coloring vigorously and snapped in two, but I relate because I'm a broken person. We all are in some way. It's difficult to live in this world with all the violence, negativity, distress, and grief. At some point emotions, spirits, and bodies break. I've never broken a bone, but my spirit and emotions have been crushed, sometimes through my own actions and at times by others.

But the good news, yes, the great news is—God loves the broken. He's close to the brokenhearted, He heals the one whose heart hurts. He renews the crushed spirit and offers hope.

I love that about God. He doesn't discard the person whose life looks like a pile of fragmented pieces. Instead He takes the cracked spirit, and the emotional mess and creates a brand-new work of art.

God embraces broken people every day. The love He gives wraps around anyone who seeks Him. He adores His creation and wants the best for us.

God opens His arms to the broken. Run to Him.

Broken

God loves broken people.

Healing begins with Him.

 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. 

Psalm 147:3

Joy is...

Psalm 65:8
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
where morning dawns, where evening fades,
 you call forth songs of joy.

Joy is not necessarily the absence of suffering; it is the presence of God. -Sam Storms

With autumn tumbling toward us, I cut down some of the flowers in my little garden. I've enjoyed the black-eyed Susans since early July, but they were looking pretty ragged. Even though I hated to trim them down, I knew it was time. Funny thing is, when I cut away the battered stems, I exposed another flower. The gorgeous pink blooms of my zinnias waved their lovely heads. Now when I look out my front door, the pink catches my eye, and I appreciate the change.

A flower garden varies throughout the season. This year due to a late frost, my little garden didn't fare as well as usual. Yet, the daffodils, tulips, blazing star, columbines, lavender, black-eyed Susans, and zinnias bloomed their joyous blossoms despite the set-back.

Life shifts, change is inevitable, sometimes with change comes stress and suffering. With all the craziness in the world today, it's difficult to hold on to joy. I like what Sam Storms said about joy being the presence of God amidst the suffering. God doesn't move away from us. If anything, we move away from him. Yet in the midst of some of the most difficult things we experience, He offers joy and hope.

As I attempt to navigate life, I cling to the hope I have in Jesus. He fills my heart with joy, even as I struggle, because He stands beside me and wraps me in a God-hug. He fills my heart with joy through my husband, family, and friends. He fills my heart with joy through His Word. The Bible speaks of joy, a lot. This little three letter word carries a great importance in the lives of believers. Think of joy as a life preserver. Regardless of the circumstances, I can keep my head above water and float with joy and hope in my heart.

My wonder deepens when I understand joy comes from God.

He's in the midst of suffering, reach out to Him and seek His joy.

James 1:2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 

Restoration

1 Corinthians 3:16
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 

Proverbs 24:3-4
By wisdom a house is built,
    and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
    with rare and beautiful treasures.

I'm fascinated by this truth—when a house is abandoned, it falls in to disrepair.

As my husband and I drove around the city, we noticed so many abandoned homes. It was sad to see places that once housed people in such poor repair. I thought about the laughter, shared meals, and life that once dwelled there. Kind of like a person who loved God then turned away from him. An emptiness of neglect fills the space.

HGTV and other channels are filled with television shows about restoring neglected and dilapidated houses. On Maine Cabin Masters, the carpenters restore cabins for folks who want a safe and beautiful place to relax. At the beginning of each episode, we see the damage done by animals, rot, and time. Chase Morell and his team of Mainers start with demo day where they strip the house down to the bones, and remove all the nastiness. Before they can start the remodel, they reset the foundation and make sure the house is secure. Once that's finished, they transform the place into a lovely, livable space.

1 Corinthians reminds me my body is God's temple, or his home. Like a house, my body can fall into disrepair. Maybe I haven't taken care of my physical needs. I'm sick and don't seek the proper care, or I fail to exercise like I should. I'll feel the effects of the neglect. What if I haven't taken time to keep myself mentally alert or healthy? My anxiety causes me to worry. What if I ignore my spiritual needs or step away from God into sin? My soul feels abandoned and empty. When that happens, I'm broken and distraught.

When I suffer from spiritual neglect, I first need to restore my relationship with God, seek forgiveness and rebuild my spiritual foundation. Without a firm foundation the house will crumble and fall. Jesus, the one who shores me up, gives me a solid base. Through Bible reading and prayer, the Holy Spirit speaks to my soul with wisdom and understanding. God secures my foundation, and I fill up with his rare and beautiful treasures. His hope and grace pour into the spaces of what was once an empty, desolate place. God wants to dwell in his temple with the people He loves.

Invite God to dwell in you.

He Strengthens our Hearts

Following Jesus is not for the faint of heart.

The good news is, God will strengthen us. 

Bible reading, prayer, and relationship build spiritual muscles that include our hearts.

I pray He strengthens your hearts as we live for Him.

 

Exciting News!

"Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. 

The time will pass anyway." -Earl Nightingale 

Once upon a time I dreamed of having a book published.

Through the years, the dream changed here and there, 

but I never closed my mind to the possibility.

I'm excited to announce I signed a contract with Mt. Zion Ridge Press. 

My debut novel, Home Where She Belongs is set to enter the world spring 2022.

I'll post more about this great adventure in the coming months.

To get updates first, sign up for my monthly newsletter at 

Hope for Today's Heart.

I'm so thankful God has given me this opportunity to use the talent he's given me.

Click to Tweet: Share my exciting news!

 

God, Pour Your Peace

 We fill our minds and hearts with so much stuff—

Social media, TV, radio, gossip, negative thoughts.

How about allowing God to pour his peace in instead?

In a world of chaos, God's peace brings comfort and confidence. 

Let's open our souls to the peace that passes understanding,

the calm that only comes from God.

Be Still and Listen

This world is a noisy place. 

Constant clamoring for our attention.

The radio, television, social media, loud speakers in the grocery store.

Good grief!

It's time to be still and listen to the Lord.

Hear his voice in the din. 

Close our eyes and open our hearts and ears to listen 

to the one who speaks with wisdom.

 

God Adores his Children

1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

I’m not a materialistic person, but I own items precious to me.

I love the wedding band Tim gave me on our special day, and the turquoise ring he gifted me for an anniversary. In the corner of my living room, a small oak rocker, mom gave me a few years ago, reminds me of her. My dad’s red lunch pail, he carried to elementary school, rests in the dry sink my brother made me. Our home is filled with art created by many family members and friends. And of course, I own a lot of books. So much of what I own has sentimental value. They may not mean as much to someone else, but they are my special possessions.

When our pastor read 1 Peter 2:9-10 in his sermon, the phrase “God’s special possession” leaped off the page. I’m treasured by God, and because I’m his child he adores me, in the way I delight in my children. He created me in my own unique way, and he loves me for who I am. Because I accepted Jesus as my Savior, I’m part of a chosen people, his royal priesthood.

In my sixty-three years, I’ve experienced hurt and heartache. At times I didn’t feel loved or lovely. I’m sure most people can relate. Life on this earth can simply be hard. But take heart, God created you and me in his image and he cherishes us. Because he values us, he asks us to seek him, love him, follow him, and talk to him.

God adores his children—yes, us!

He’s made each of us unique with our own abilities and talents, and he calls us into his wonderful light.

Take a few minutes this week to thank God for his love, and if you haven’t invited Jesus into your life, he’s reaching out his hand and asking you to follow.

Click to Tweet: God Adores his Children 

This Lauren Daigle song reminds me how much God loves me: 

Children’s Picture/Board Book Review: Near: Psalm 139 by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Jago

Book Description:
From Sally Lloyd-Jones, the author of the bestselling The Jesus Storybook Bible, comes an uplifting new board book in a soft padded format that is a perfect fit for little hands. Inspired by Psalm 139—which begins, “O Lord, you have searched me and you know me”—Near’s lyrical text reminds little ones that God is with them anywhere they go in God’s wide world.

God is my Father who made everything.

And I am a little explorer of the wide world.

He is near me

And he protects me.

He sees me

And he knows me.

He is strong

And he looks after me. He is with me—always!

My Thoughts:
Jago’s vivid illustrations and Sally Lloyd-Jones insightful text come together to create a dynamic board book that teaches children, God is always with them. As I read through the text, I found comfort in the words. I can imagine this book would fill little ones with peace and joy to know that the one who loves them so much is with them always. I love the opening: “God is my Father who made everything. And I am a little explorer of the wide world.” The beautiful illustrations take the reader on a great adventure with three children who travel from the city—to the arctic—to the ocean floor and more. This is a perfect gift for Easter, a wonderful story to share with grandchildren, or a teaching tool for Sunday School. Five stars. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Good Morning!

Sometimes as I fall asleep, my mind tumbles into itself with anxious thoughts.

My remedy is to bend God's ear with my concerns.

I love that God wakes me in the morning, with the assurance he loves me.

He loves you, too!

 

No Darkness at All

No matter how dark the world seems, God's light outshines.

He houses no darkness, only light.

The birds, in this beautiful print, remind me of 

the gold finches who visit my feeder.

Even on bleak winter days, 

they flit and flutter and go about their business.

I notice when the rain pours and clouds darken the day,

they gather at the feeder eight to ten at a time. 

They bring me great delight!

Like the little flock of birds, let's join together 

and shine God's light in the darkness. 

Let's bring joy, peace, and kindness to a hurting world.

Only in Him will the light break through the dark.

 

Be Still and Know...

Psalm 46:10-11
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep..."-Robert Frost

We traversed the curvy hill into town. Foliage slept in an array of gold and brown on the ground. Trees rested their slender, naked limbs. Even in winter without snow, the scene took on a lovely glow and a story of hope.

Deciduous trees conserve water, a scarcity in the cold or dry months. Their time of rest allows them to re-energize and prepare for the coming spring when leaves sprout again.

The gray of winter often brings on sadness, depression, anxiety, or lack of energy. Yet, I've learned from the trees to rest in winter, to be still, and embrace the quiet. Even when the world isn't quiet, I cherish time to sit with God and seek his wisdom.

God knows I need winter. I crave a time to reconnect and kneel before his throne and worship the Creator. Like the trees, I raise my arms to him and let the stress of life drop like leaves.

Even as he asks me to be still and know, the Lord promises to sit with me. He is my refuge and fortress. I see him in the evergreens, a constant reminder of the steadiness of God.

This spending time with God isn't always easy. Some days I wake up prepared for the quiet, the prayer, the listening. But other days, I've struggled. I want to sleep instead of rise and worship—Some days chaos trumps stillness—Sometimes dread overwhelms and frustration lingers. But I won't give up. I continue to strive to find the quiet and be still before the King, to offer gratitude for everyday life.

Find moments in the winter days to stop, be still, and hear from the God who loves you.

Gratitude Opens the Heart to Joy

Luke 17:15-19
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

The beautiful thing about gratitude—it leads to joy.

As a writer, I embrace words. I have favorites and some I'd rather not hear or read. In the novel I'm writing, I search for the perfect words to express the characters actions and emotions. When I edit, I remove unnecessary words and rewrite the scene.

As many writers do, I've asked God to give me a word for the year.

In 2020, God gifted me with "Be Brave." He basically told me not to fear. In 2020, fear tossed me on my head at times. Yet, I clung to Him and the words he gave me. When anxiety reared its ugly head (which happened more often than I care to share) I called on the Lord for courage.

Now we are waltzing into 2021, praying for a better year. As I asked God for my word, the one I'd focus on for 365 days, He whispered "Gratitude." The Oxford Dictionary defines gratitude as "the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness." I love that returning kindness is part of gratitude.

In Luke 17, Jesus healed ten lepers. He sent them to see the priest and as soon as they stepped away from Jesus, the leprosy left them. As it turns out, only one returned to thank him. And he was a Samaritan, a group of people regarded as lowly and unworthy. That man's heart overflowed with appreciation toward the one who healed him. He could finally live without ridicule and shunning. The Samaritan, low man in society, poured a grateful kindness over the one who gave him his life back. He showed gratitude to Jesus with joy in his heart.

When I imagine being sick for years and despised by most people, and through love and compassion Jesus released me and restored my life; I wonder, would I be like the nine ungrateful men or the one who poured joy over Jesus.

As the New Year rings in, embrace gratitude, show appreciation and return kindness.