Point Out Where I Should Go

Sometimes, it's hard to know the way. Instead of moving ahead, fear of making the wrong choice can make us stuck.

I'm glad my Shepherd will lead me if I just ask. And then ... after asking, it's up to me to take a leap of faith and step out.

Show me the right path, O Lord;
point out the road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.

Psalm 25:4-5 New Living Translation

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You might want to check out my latest post, Generous God; Grateful Girl at my other site, Jerralea.com I love the creativity of God and the generosity of His spirit!

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I just want you to know how highly I value those of you who visit my little piece of the cyberspace to read my words. I believe my calling is to encourage others with words of hope and blessing. Thank you especially to those who respond with comments. You make it worthwhile!

I'm sharing this post at Grace & Truth

Stay on the Path God has for You

Life just seems overwhelming sometimes, doesn't it? You're bombarded with voices wanting you to do this thing or that thing, or to believe every thing said is true and has merit.

But that's just not so.

Not every voice calling is one you should heed. You need discernment to distinguish between not only good and evil, but also what is better and the best.

If you are a believer, you have the gift of a Companion who will travel with you and be your guide. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit telling you which path to take - and then stay on that path!

And if you fall off, He is big enough to get you back on the path if you will just turn back to Him and ask.

Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.

~Deuteronomy 5:33

What land are you trying to occupy? I've been working towards A Rich and Satisfying Life, and sharing my thoughts at my other website, Jerralea.com.

I recently posted #27 of the series, Lord, I'm Tired of Doing This, I Can't Go On. My latest post, "I Make Sure My Roots Are Well-Watered, although not part of the series, is a great companion piece that explores how we are spending our time.

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I just want you to know how highly I value those of you who visit my little piece of the cyberspace to read my words. I believe my calling is to encourage others with words of hope and blessing. Thank you especially to those who respond with comments. You make it worthwhile!

I'm sharing this post at Grace and Truth

Praises even when overwhelmed

Hello, dear readers. Although my plans for weekly posting at the journey got waylaid, I'm popping in to give thanks for the blessings in my life.

It was tempting to be upset at all the things happening currently to keep me from achieving my blogging and writing goals. Instead, I am replacing those negative thoughts with thoughts of the good in my life.

(You might want to read my post at Jerralea.com to read more about this mindset.)

I've decided to look at the obstacles in my writing as blessings instead. For instance:

1. I have people who need me. People such as family, church family and friends are always more important than the next big idea or post I'm itching to write.

2. I have important work. It's important for our family that I work. The jobs I have seem vital (to me, at least) for keeping things going smoothly at my churches. I'm not saying it depends on me. Definitely not! But as a ministry assistant, there is much I can do to help my church family.

3. I have ideas. It's a good thing I've so many ideas I can barely fit them in! Ispiration is a gift from God. I might not be able to do them now, but I've food for thought and goals for the future.

4. I have resources. My work provides me an income to make ends meet. True, sometimes I must be creative; but God gives inspiration and helps me somehow find an answer. I'm thankful to have my other half who helps me with so many things.

5. I have a Big GOD! This is the biggest blessing of all. He helps make a way when there doesn't seem to be a way. In fact, sometimes He has an answer prepared before the need hits which happened to me recently. I will be writing a blog post on that story in the near future.

In conclusion, I praise my Good Shepherd who helps me to lack nothing and who makes my cup overflow. He leads me beside still waters and is always with me even in the darkest valleys. 

I am blessed. I can't help but think He will bless all who come to Him. No, He doesn't promise picture-perfect rose gardens in which we spend every moment. He promises something greater - a Shepherd who will lead, guide and protect each step of our journeys. What more could we ask?

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You might want to check out my post, "Negative Thoughts Should be Taboo."

I just want you to know how highly I value those of you who visit my little piece of the cyberspace to read my words. I believe my calling is to encourage others with words of hope and blessing. Thank you especially to those who respond with comments. You make it worthwhile!

I'm sharing my five blessings at Friday's Faves. Better late than never, I always say.

It's good to travel; it's great to come home!

Hello, dear readers, I am back from my journeys, just in time to wrap up the month of July. 

Share something that made you smile

There was much to smile about in July. One of my favorite things I heard was Baylee saying, "I got to spend 5 whole days with MiMi!" I have to admit I grinned great big. I guess playing all those games of I Spy and I'm Going On A Trip and I'm Taking ____ (filling in the blank each time with the next letter of the alphabet) were worth it!

Share a win for the month

I took time to read two novels for fun in one week. I did actually take one week off totally from writing and 22 days from blogging. Except for the flood of 2011, that has never happened before. 

I tackled two different areas in my home, decluttered them and survived!

Share a great quote

"You don’t win by fighting lies but by reading the truth." - Louie Giglio (She Reads Truth Podcast, This Is The Church, Week 3) I highly recommend listening to this podcast.

 Share a favorite picture

My girls and I took tons of photos. I'm sure I'll be sharing them many times in the future. Here's a collage of just a few.

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Check out my newest post at Jerralea.com - You Were Created for Something Good.

I just want you to know how highly I value those of you who visit my little piece of the cyberspace to read my words. I believe my calling is to encourage others with words of hope and blessing. Thank you especially to those who respond with comments. You make it worthwhile!

 

My agenda for rest of July

Hello, dear readers. I wanted to pop in and say my presence on the Journey will be minimal in July because I'm actually out journeying.

I've been to Tennessee to see my mom, sister and brother-in-law. Next, I'm on my way to Panama City Beach to do this:

When I return, I'll be catching up and reflecting so I plan to have new content for you in August.

May you have a blessed July!

Weekend Wrap-Up #3

PRAISES

My friends, I hope you have had a fantastic week. My week went by as a blur because of attending the grandkids' games and getting ready to go out of town. Still, there are always high spots:

• I love the Cobb Salads at Chic-Fil-A! So yummy.
• New nightgown. So comfortable! (Sometimes those little creature comforts mean so much.)
• Evening breezes: Even though here in the midwest we were in the midst of a heat wave; by the time of the kids' evening games, there were breezes blowing. It really was not bad at all to sit and watch the kids play.
• Game night: As a family, we love to play board games or cards after dinner. It's a great way to bond and have conversation; but it has been difficult to find something all age levels enjoy because the twins want to play, too. We found a good solution, the game of Spoons! (It's a game of matching 4 cards and then grabbing a spoon. You always have one spoon less than the number of players, so then one player gets eliminated. It's sort of like musical chairs with cards.) The kids love it if they can grab their spoons before their dad can.
• Father's Day Get-Together: Because of busy schedules, we don't get to see Malia, Gavin and Rory as often as the other kids, so holidays are important when all 10 of us are together. I'm so thankful we live near enough to each other to make this happen. I'm very conscious that some don't get to celebrate together.
• BONUS: I've got great Dad memories. My dad moved to heaven thirty years ago; but I cherish all those long-ago fun times

PRACTICING THE PRESENCE

This week I'm persevering with my series, A Rich and Satisfying Life. I'm thinking about changing the way I do things. You can read about it here.

This week also marked the end of my Living Intentionally series for my weekly devotional email, The Pit Stop. I'll be taking a break next week; and then we will dive into talking about God's faithful covenant love. (I'm always looking for more readers. Leave a comment below if you would like to study the word with me by receiving a once-a-week-devotional on Wednesday mornings.)

PONDERING THE WORD

Remember last week we talked about the fact God does not keep a list of our sins? (See Isaiah 43:25 MSG)

Here's what He did with that list.

13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14 NLT

PRAYING THE PRESENCE

Father,

We are so grateful for being made alive in Christ and having our sin-debt canceled. We rebuke the enemy for reminding us of what You have already forgotten. Help us to walk in right-standing with You this week! We praise You for Your mercy! We love You.

We pray this in the Name Above All Names, Jesus.

So Be It.

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Check out my latest post at Jerralea.com - Transformation: Changing Your Ways

I'm sharing my post with the crew at Friday's Fave Five where we always look for five blessings in our week. I'm also linking up at Grace & Truth.

Weekend Wrap-Up #2

PRAISES

This week I'm thanking God for these blessings:

• A/C and kids to help keep it running: We are in the middle of a heat wave, and our A/C decided to kick off after flashing a warning that meant it needed cleaning. Living as we do surrounded by cornfields, this is a yearly chore. Unfortunately, our unit is built into a wall and it is a real ordeal to get it out, taken outside and cleaned, then re-installed. Jim is still not able to lift truly heavy things so our son-in-law and daughter came to help. They are the strongest people I know!
• Things that make me smile: I saw a license plate that read GROCGTR; should mine be PIKRUPR since I do pick-up orders?
• Getting my ride road ready: We had a new belt, sensor and LED back-up lights installed, tires and brakes are good to go. We are ready to roll!
• Haircut - due to games my grand twins have and the games my hair stylist's kids have, we've been unable to connect. My hair was getting quite bushy, y'all! It is now under control. Thanks, Selena!
• The Plan Begins: The first step on the path to a debt-free retirement has begun. I know there might be obstacles along the way but so glad to get started. It's a two year plan that could possibly take three, but either way, I'm closer.

PRACTICING THE PRESENCE

This week's focus has been on my environment. I'd like to say both physical and spiritual; but my desire is to be authentic, so I'm admitting nothing happened to my physical environment. However, I really feel the spiritual is much more important and causes the physical to line up ... in time.

My next installment of A Rich and Satisfying Life at Jerralea.com was about the environment of our inner thought life. You don't HAVE to dwell on every thought that comes to your mind. 

This week's Instagram post adressed environment in terms of we are not here to be comfortable.

PONDERING THE WORD

But I, yes I, am the one who takes care of your sins - that's what I do. I don't keep a list of your sins. (Isaiah 43:25 MSG)

I know God says in His Word that He will remember our sins no more; but somehow I thought maybe He made a list of how many mess ups I've made. But He says there is no list ...

Whew!

PRAYING THE PRESENCE

Father,

I thank You for all the good things You have brought into our lives. You have truly blessed. Help us to keep our minds focused on You. Let us dwell on good, lovely and worthy things. Help us repent when we we've messed up, extend forgiveness to others and accept it for ourselves as well.

In Your Awesome Son's Name, we pray. 

So Be It.

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Check out the newest post at Jerralea.com - Environment Matters More Than You Know

I'm linking this post to the Friday Fave Five community and to Grace & Truth