Are You Looking For Your True Purpose? Start Here!

Why does my to-do list always try to steal my joy? I was feeling rushed and discouraged as I walked up to the school to purchase a large number of Bell Game (big football rivalry game) tickets. A bus load of special needs kids were being helped out. "Okay, perfect," I thought..."I'll pray for all these kids whose life struggles are no where near anything I *ever* have to deal with." I silently said a quick prayer as I heard one of teachers struggling to get a girl off the bus. I didn't think much of it and hurried to the ticket window. 

The grocery store was next, when I realized I needed one more ticket. I quickly shopped (about 20 min) and headed back to the school. I ran up to get the additional ticket. On the way back a beautiful young down syndrome girl was getting off the bus, head down, wiping tears as her caregiver reprimanded her. It had taken 30 minutes for her to find the courage to exit. She was having a difficult day. I slowed as she passed and prayed for her. 

Three more stops led me to three beautiful, warriors, women who'd lost their hair as they courageously charged the silent enemy inside...cancer. More opportunities to offer prayers for the very people The LORD had placed in front of me. 

I'm thankful for the reminder that people are truly going through incredible difficulties & I have the opportunity each and everyday to stand in the gap and pray for them. What a Blessing and wonderful responsibility/honor The LORD gives us. There's always someone struggling who needs to be lifted up to our HEALER. Pay attention friends...you may be the only person praying for them. 

Who is in front of you today? 

It's time to pray!!!

*Pray for All Men*~"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men"~1 Timothy 2:1

Jump on the "Thankful Train"...keep your eyes up and look for opportunities. What are you thankful for?

WHEN THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT...HE WAITED!

He swiftly flew in. The white, gray and black coloring stood out against the dark tide pool rocks. I had food...he wanted it. As people walked by, he'd move a short distance away only to return again. He was patient. I tossed some crumbs in his direction.

After a short time, another seagull flew in. He was smaller in size and a dull, dingy gray in color, blending perfectly with the backdrop. I was partial to the first seagull who came to share my day, giving him all the food as the smaller bird stood back and watched in hopeful expectation. I finally relented, throwing some remnants in his direction also. I finished eating, crumpled my trash and put it in my bag.

The first seagull realized his food was gone and quickly flew away to find the next meal further up the beach. The grey bird remained by my side. There was no reason for him to. As people passed, setting up camp, he made himself comfortable in the shadow of my chair. I soon found myself wanting to reward him. He seemed extraordinarily dedicated to me. I reached into my bag, opening the ball of trash, looking for something to give him. I found a few slivers of tomatoes, lettuce and bread crumbs. I set the food down very close to me as he bravely came to get it. After another 20 minutes passed, I shuffled through my trash, wanting to find something...anything. 

His perseverance and faithfulness at remaining by my side touched me. I wanted to feed him. "What a strange feeling," I thought, "it's just a seagull...who isn't even much to look at for that matter."

Then it hit me, the similarity of how I must appear when I come to The LORD; some days I show up, wait a short time to be filled and then go about my day. 

However, on the days when I feel extra needy, I slow. I sit patiently waiting for HIM. I am dedicated, determined, unwavering and faithful in drawing closer, waiting for the full abundance of HIS Love and Blessings to pour over on me.

Oh how I want to be like the second seagull...always waiting in hopeful expectation. I want to never lose sight of JESUS' Love and all that HE has to share as I sit at HIS Feet, drawing closer in expectancy. I want to be steadfast in faith as HIS Mighty Hand reaches low to feed, help, guide, direct, forgive and save me.

"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"~Matthew 6:26

Join me in persevering friends. Don't wander. Don't chase after the next thing that will never fill the emptiness. Let GOD'S Love envelope you. Be like this steadfast bird who in his faithful persistence, caused me to reach in again and again looking to bless him. 

In your seeking...you will find HIM.  "Be of good courage." HE will "strengthen your heart" and reward your faithfulness with HIS Love.,,"Wait, I say, on The LORD." 

Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!~Psalm 27:14

Bring It To The Light!

So yesterday I had a plan for my day today. I was going to spend the day cleaning and writing (forcing myself to stay in -no adventures- and get some things accomplished). But it's weird, I've just had this sadness that's creeped in from nowhere that I can't shake, so I'm just laying here in bed with zero accomplished. It seems like whenever I'm determined to dig deeper, get closer in my walk with The LORD, do what HE'S calling me to do...the enemy fills me with all kinds of depressing thoughts.

So today I'm determined to push past these lies and negative thoughts, setting my mind on Truth and Praying that whatever this sadness/hurt thing is that's pouring over me goes away, in JESUS' Name. This Christian walk is never smooth, it's a day in and day out steadfastness in seeking my SAVIOR. So here's the truth...as a Christian, I still struggle. I'm not perfect. But I can look to The ONE who is. I can sit at HIS Feet in all my messiness and let HIM Heal me. Because when I say, "Have YOUR way in me JESUS," there's always going to be some ugliness deep in there that comes to the surface...things that need to be brought to The Light of CHRIST. 

Today I'm thankful for the reminder...the negative thoughts and feelings are not Truth. They are just *feelings*. So when I take them to The LORD in Faith, asking for HIS Wisdom, I'm throwing them into The LIGHT of HIS Love and Truth. 

"But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says:

“Awake, you who sleep,

Arise from the dead,

And Christ will give you light.”~Ephesians 5:13-14

Would You Stand Up?

 

Today I'm going to tackle the emotions that have had me really thinking ever since the terrible tragedy in Oregon. 

Would you stand up? 

To think that after witnessing the first person being shot for their faith in CHRIST...the call from the gunman came for *all* CHRISTians to stand up. 

Would I stand up?

My immediate answer, sitting safely locked behind my door, tucked away in bed, with my family surrounding me and all the comforts that money can buy at my disposal, "Of course I would stand!" 

But then putting myself in that classroom, alone, fear flooding my senses, my family coming to mind, would I truly be ready to leave it all behind and stand? My answer becomes, "I would hope that my *faith* was strong enough to stand." 

I want to be unshakable, immovable, no matter what is thrown at me when my time to stand comes. I get glimpses of where my faith-walk is through every day trials and my on-going cancer scares. Some days are good and other days have me wavering in trusting. 

I want my Faith to be bold enough to *step out of the security of the boat and walk on water* keeping my eyes so securely fixed on JESUS that I go/do/say/follow/trust wherever HE leads. 

"And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus."~Matthew 14:28-29

So today I'm thankful for the reminders of the Faithful Servants of CHRIST who Boldly Stood Up proclaiming their Faith and Trust in JESUS, laying their lives down for HIM. 

I pray that this example touches each and every one of us, prompting us to truly look at where we are in our *Faith-walk* with JESUS. Let's go deeper friends. Seek HIM more. 

Let's pray for the families who've lost their loved ones. Let's walk out in Faith and Love, giving more and expecting less. Join me in praying for greater Faith.

#IAmAChristian 

It's A Prayer Thing!

It's been a long, hard week. Sometimes the roller coaster ride of emotions can leave you tired and frazzled. I'm *choosing* to stay focused on The LORD, for when I do, my weakness is covered in HIS strength. And if we're honest...the days can be a struggle when we're trying to go it alone. So join me today in remembering that whenever we're facing anything, let that be a *prayer trigger*, right where you're at. Call on the Name of JESUS, and watch HIS Peace immediately flood over the entire situation. 

I'm thankful that my help is but a Prayer away! What an awesome reminder as we head into the weekend. 

"Peace I leave with you, MY Peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."~John 14:27