The Thrill of Knowing

According to the Oxford dictionaries, a thrill seeker is "a person who is eager to take part in exciting activities that involve physical risk."

I have a friend who loves to do thrill seeking activities like finding the most challenging roller-coaster rides. She will travel all over the country to find them. 

I, myself, while on a rollercoaster, am clutching my heart and praying fervently.

Since I'm afraid of heights, bungee jumping, mountain climbing and sky diving are off-limits.

But, there is a thrill that I am seeking. Instead of physical risk, this thrill requires shutting down distractions and becoming still.

I'm talking about seeking the manifest presence of the Lord.

I know the voice of the Lord is a still small voice, a whisper, if you will. (See 1 Kings 19:11-13) I'm hungry to hear His voice.

It takes shutting out distractions. It takes focusing on Him, and most of all, it takes TIME! 

I don't know about you; but time here on earth is my most precious resource. I often waste it; yet, I'm aware of the fact that it is limited.

Each day brings me closer to the end.

The wisest investment of my time is the thrill of knowing Him.

What would be a thrill for you?

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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This post was written in response to the prompt "thrill" provided by the Five Minute Friday community. As always, I'm late to the party, but spent five minutes writing my post, then used extra time to look up scriptures and make a graphic.

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Also, I'm thrilled to tell you the book, "A Family's Legacy: Passing Down Love, Wisdom and Tradition," is now available. One of the chapters in that book was written by me; and I now have an Amazon author's page that has all the details. Click here.

Sharing at Five Minute Friday and Let's Have Coffee

It Only Takes a Spark

 

This week's prompt from the Five Minute Friday community is "spark."  The first thought that came to my mind was the old song, "Pass It On," whose first verse goes like this:

It only takes a spark
To get a fire going
And soon all those around
Can warm up in its glowing
That's how it is with God's love
Once you've experienced it
You spread His love to ev'ryone
You want to pass it on
Sung by Evie
Written by Kurt Kaiser

But as for writing my freewrite for 5 minutes, I decided to go a different direction.

START

Sometimes, it only takes one person to spark a movement. In recent days, we have seen how Erika Kirk's decision to forgive her husband's killer sparked a lot of conversation influencing others to forgive the person who brought pain into their lives.

Then I thought about the first martyr, Stephen, whose dramatic stoning ended with him asking the Lord to not charge the mob with sin - they didn't know what they were doing.

Stephen was actually following the example of Jesus whose last words also asked the Father to forgive those crucifying Him.

The bible tells us that there was a man named Saul at whose feet the mob parked their coats while they stoned Stephen. It implies Saul was in agreement with the crowd's decision to take matters in their own hands.

But Stephen's forgiveness sparked a new way of looking at things in Saul's mind.

Saul tried to dismiss what happenened but he could not.

And one day, Saul had a Damascus Road experience where he did a 180 degree turn in his thinking and became Paul, perhaps one of God's most effective champions for Christ.

I believe Stephen's death sparked Saul's change of mind because the Lord told him it was hard for Saul to go against his pricks of conscience.

It only took the spark of Stephen's forgiveness prayer to start a conversion that would turn the world upside down.

STOP

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

See Acts 7:54-60

Acts 9:3-20

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Sharing at Five Minute Friday 

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What Will You Leave Behind?

Legacy has been on my mind this month.

Unless you have been living off the grid up until now, you have probably heard of the tragic shooting of Charlie Kirk. I had not heard of him until he was assassinated. I don't know all the reasons the shooter decided to do this horrible deed; but it's safe to say he wanted to silence Charlie.

In the days since, one thing I discovered about Charlie was he was not ashamed to proclaim his Christian faith. And so, Charlie leaves behind a legacy of boldness and a love for Jesus. 

It seems many have decided to pick up his mantle.

The next week after his death, the Hope*Books Collaboration book, "A Family Legacy: Passing Down Love, Wisdom and Tradition," was released. I'm one of the contributors to the book and I am so pleased and excited. It has been a life long dream to become a published author.

I love this book because 9 of us authors became vulnerable and shared the gentle and intentional ways our grandparents passed down their values to us. All these ways of leaving a legacy required them to spend time and attention with their families.

Perhaps they didn't stand on a stage and declare their faith; but their everyday actions started a ripple effect through their children and grandchildren.

Both of these events made me realize everyone will leave a legacy whether they intend to or not. And, you never know when your last day to make an impression will come. Will you model a life lived for your faith? Or will you leave behind the memory of someone more concerned about themselves than others. You're only here for a short time. Which will you choose? 

Granny Violet's example show us tht a woman who had nothing in the world's eyes could build a rich community of friends and family who could feed each other, meet needs, provide fellowship, and pray for one another.

This is one of the insights I share in my chapter of the new collaborative book. If you’re looking for encouragement and practical wisdom, check it out here.

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home. 

Sharing at InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Let's Have Coffee

Pick Me!

For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. 2 Chronicles 16:9a NASB1995

I have read this verse multiple times, but one day, when I was in a worship service, this verse was quoted. I suddenly imagined myself jumping up and down and waving my arms, shouting, ''Pick me! Pick me!"

This brought a smile to my lips. But I don't have to jump up and down to attract His attention.

I just need to make sure my heart is completely His.

This verse means God is searching for loyal hearts so He can defend them. He knows the enemy uses every means possible to derail us from believing. But God is greater and will defend and support every heart that wants to believe.

You can rest on that fact.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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This post was written in response to the Five Minute Friday prompt, "pick." As always, I wrote the post in 5 minutes, but took extra time to look up scripture and make a graphic.

Last October, I wrote a scripture prayer focusing on other verses that tells of God watching over us. I'd love to share it with you now:

The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night. 
The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.
Psalm 121:6-8 New Living Translation

Father,

Such comforting verses! You are watching; and even when Harm comes our way, You are there. You will make it all work out for the good of Your children.

Why worry? Why fret?

We trust You, Lord, for You are good and there is not a shadow of darkness in You.

Lord, be with us as we begin our week. Give us divine appointments that we keep as we represent You in everything we say and do.

Cleanse us from all unrighteousness, Lord, and keep our eyes on YOU.

In Jesus’ name, so be it, amen.

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In light of what happened this week when believer Charlie Kirk was shot and killed for his beliefs, you might say, "Well, it doesn't look like God was watching over him." 

I believe God only allows events like this to happen to a believer when He has a plan to work something out for good. (See Romans 8:28) I believe Charlie's life will accomplish even more fruit now than before. (I had never even heard of Charlie Kirk until his death.)

It's a tough pill to swallow, but life on this earth isn't the main goal for the believer, or even the best thing. Being in the arms of Jesus is.

Charlie fulfilled his calling. May we go out and fulfill ours.

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Sharing at Five Minute Friday

Sweet Tea & Friends 

Tell His Story 

Let's Have Coffee

Everyone Leaves a Legacy

Everyone is born and eventually everyone will die. What you do with the time in between determines what legacy you leave behind.

People are watching your life. It doesn't matter whether you intend to leave a legacy or not, you WILL leave one.

For example, I had a great aunt who was an Avon lady. Each time I visited her as a child, two things happened. She opened the door when we knocked and showed great delight that we had come. She always made a point of greeting me, the child, separately from greeting my parents. It was like she was so honored I had come. And then, when we left, both my mom and me received some sort of Avon product. 

My memories of my aunt are that she was generous and welcoming.

I also had a relative who could never stay in one place. He left wives, children and locations all the time. He was your original rambling man, a person who ccrisscrossed the country by stowing away on trains. (It's a wonder he stayed alive as long as he did!)

I'm sure he didn't intend to leave a legacy of a life lived for himself ... but he did.

Your people are watching you. What example will you leave them?

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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This post was written in response to this week's prompt, "legacy" at the Five Minute Friday community; but also because legacy is on my mind this month.

The book, "A Family Legacy: Passing Down Love, Wisdom and Tradition" releases this week. I am one of the authors of this book written in collaboration with 8 other authors.

In this book, you will read the stories of some incredible grandparents who modeled the values so important to them. You will meet people like my granny in the chapter, "Violet: The Color of Connection," who believed hospitality practiced by feeding people and playing games with them and praying for them was the best way of building a circle of connection.

You can order your copy here TODAY!

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Sharing at Five Minute Friday and Remember Me Monday, Let's Have Coffee

Look Who is Behind Me

This week's prompt for the Five Minute Friday Community is the word, "behind."

I'm first tempted to think I'm behind since this is now Monday and I have not written my five minute free write yet. But I'm not behind because the link-up is open through Thursday. (See what I did there?)

Thinking it over, I decided to go a different direction with this post. Here is my offering:

START

i try to keep my focus on Jesus. I really do. I know that keeping all my thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ is the key to kingdom living. (See 2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

But, often, I fall prey thinking of the past, to reliving all the mistakes made, or even more futile, imagining what I would do differently if I had the chance.

I must put those things behind me and press forward in my race Home to the finish line. (See Philippians 3:13-14)

However, today something occurred to me. There is something else besides the past behind me. Goodness and mercy are on a mission to chase me down. (See Psalm 23:6)

I often tell of the time the Lord spoke to me in 2019 asking me the question, "What if you believed, really believed that goodness and mercy is chasing you down?'

Ever since that day,I've been working to remind myself there is something good behind me - the goodness and mercy of God. 

In fact, goodness and mercy are chasing behind every believer. Actually, they catch up to us more than we might think. Take a moment and list every blessing in your life.

Yep, that's goodness and mercy!

STOP

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

I'd love to share with you a prayer I wrote back in March about the goodness of God.

Psalm 27:13-14 NLT

Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
    while I am here in the land of the living.

 Wait patiently for the Lord.

    Be brave and courageous.

    Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

 

Father,

I love the part where we will see Your goodness in the land of the living. We don’t have to wait until heaven to be blessed!

 

To be sure, heaven’s reward will be above and beyond what we can imagine in this life; but it’s good to know we will get good stuff here on earth, too.

 

Lord, today I ask for bravery and courage for all those who are hanging on by a thread, waiting to see Your goodness. I know You are behind the scenes, making things happen, working out Your will so that in the end, we will say it is good.

 

In Jesus’ name, so be it, amen.

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

I'm sharing at Five Minute Friday and at Sweet Tea & Friends, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Let's Have Coffee

A Prayer to Travel the Opposite Path

But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.

    If you keep to my path,
    I will reveal to you the salvation of God.”

Psalm 50:23 NLT

Abba,

The giving of thanks is hardly a sacrifice when I consider all that You have done for me! 

I know I am human, and when going through a rough patch it is difficult to lift my eyes and see all the blessings I have been handed. The enemy wants me to focus on everything that is wrong, any perceived injustice, any slight, any time I feel taken for granted.

And it's true those things happen; and a big part of the reason why people around me zero in on those wrongs and dwell on them so much they are blinded to the goodness.

But as a believer, I should fixate my attention opposite from the focus of the worldly. My eyes should be on Jesus and the incredible gift of salvation and the promise of a forever Home where none of the trials and injustices here on earth will happen.

It's been said our destiny is determined by our choice. As a believer, I choose You and the future I have with You - not only in the hereafter but also in the here and now.

Because I know that trials will come, but You will deliver me out of them all. (Psalm 34:19)

I stand on Your promise to share my burden. (Matthew 11:28)

I know You have promised to guide us on the right path. (Psalm 48:14)

And finally, I believe with everything in my heart goodness and mercy are pursuing me all the way Home to You. (Psalm 23:6)

In Jesus' holy name, I pray, so be it, amen.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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This post was written in response to the Five Minute Friday community's prompt, "Obedience."  

Disclosure: I wrote the prayer in 5 minutes, but added the scriptures and graphic later.

I have been blogging a long time, so this subject has been discussed before. 

Check out the archives:  

The Opposite Life

But God Says

Opposite 

Relevant - the story of two opposite sisters

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

I'm sharing at Five Minute Friday and 

InstaEncouragements Link-Up

Tell His Story 

Let's Have Coffee