Faith in Progress . . .

Advent . . . I'm waiting!!!

2010-12-13T19:28:00.000-08:00

Are you waiting for a miracle? For something to change in your life? Well, I've got news for you . . it doesn't work that way! You have to be an active participant in your life! Turns out, God is calling on YOU! Are you ready to answer? Better yet, "Are you ready to listen?"
Well, that's where I am at. I need to slow down and LISTEN!
EVERYDAY, I devote a little time to scripture, but haven't really listened, so "Here I am, Lord" I am ready to listen! I want to listen and learn from YOU!
In this ADVENT season, oh Lord, Help me to slow down and listen, really listen . . . to the simple needs of a child, the want of a neighbor, the tearful plea of a friend, the longing from my own heart . . . YOU are here and when I answer to ANY of these . .. I do them for you as well!
AMEN!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-13T10:53:00.001-08:00

Retro Plaid Christmas 5x7 folded card

Personalized Christmas cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

The Window is OPEN . . .

2010-08-26T09:19:00.000-07:00

You know that saying . . . "When God closes a door, He opens a window?" It almost seems like we should always have a window open . . . to let the fresh air in. When I think of my current situation, if the door had not been closed, I never would have looked to the open window, so it leaves me wondering, should we always look to the open window and not remain behind closed doors.
God is everywhere and always providing fresh air and "Open window" opportunities to serve Him. We just have to be able to listen and be in tune with what He is leading us to do!
"...For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future..." Jeremiah 29:11
So, leave the window open, let the fresh air in and listen for God's whisper to lead you to hope and a future!

Hey! Where Are You?

2010-04-13T13:40:00.001-07:00

Hey! Where have you been?
Ever wonder if God has wondered about you and where you've been? Of course He knows, but as a parent myself, I ask my kids this very question whenever they have been gone for a long time.
I feel like I've been gone for a long time. I haven't even posted anything here in two years, so where have I been? Where has my prayer life and devotion been? It has been kind of sporadic, which has left me feeling like I've really been away.
So, in this season of renewal, I am going to get back on track and seek God first in the morning and tend to what needs to be done first.
Dear Lord, Thank you for always being there and that I can always come back to you. I know you want a relationship with me and care about where I am.
"I am with you always" Matthew 16:20

In a Matter of Minutes

2008-08-27T05:52:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what draws people to you or repels people from you?

Is it our attitude or as some people call it, our aura?
When we are negative about ourselves,

does that negative aura repel people away from us? I think it does.
If we are to be a reflection of the love of Jesus Christ, then how can we radiate or reflect that love if our face is a scowl of anger?

I was in a print store two days ago, trying to explain to the clerk a type of printing that I needed to have done. As he stood there in a confused look and said that he didn't understand what I needed, I reflected back a scowl, insuring that his store had done this type of printing for me before. In other words, we both were not communicating our ideas very well and our attitudes were becoming tense , which was reflected in our facial expressions.

Anybody watching? Yes, of course!

The clerk stepped away for a moment and in that moment . . .

I had a chance to "regroup" and catch myself . . .

I put on a softer face and a smile and thanked him for his efforts. I decided, in a little moment of a prayer, to be kinder.
His demeanor changed as well. By the time I left, we were both smiling.

Now, mind you, this whole ordeal only took about 15 minutes.

Hmmmm . . .

In a matter of minutes!

So, in a matter of minutes, I was repelling and then in a matter of minutes,
I changed.

I was then reflecting . . .

I think I like the way it feels to reflect and draw people in . . .
as a reflection of the love of Jesus and drawing people in!

Choosing a "Life" Partner . . .

2008-08-25T08:06:00.000-07:00

We recently celbrated 24 years of marriage and as I reflect over the years . . . it is truly by the grace of God that we are still going strong! We have chosen to make God the center of our lives.

I can laugh, cry, and sigh over the things we have come through and I say without a doubt that the Holy Spirit has guided us through many stormy days along the way.

Webster's Dictionary defines "Life" as "A time of being alive and a way of living."

I am alive and our way of living together is with the grace of God and through the Holy Spirit . . . we've still got a whole lot of living to do!

I'm Giving myself a "Time-Out" . . .

2007-10-18T09:36:00.000-07:00

Time for a little R & R

Relax & Reflect:

Relax: Take time to sit and relax with a 5 minute devotion 3x daily.

Reflect: Give thanks to God for what He has revealed to me during the day.

* I am going to make an intentional connection throughout the day to build my relationship with God the Father, because I now know and readily admit . . .

"I can't do it alone!"

Thanks be to God!

A Better You . . . A Better Day . . .

2007-10-16T05:15:00.000-07:00

Each day I try to begin with a simple devotion in order to get my attitude off to a good start and filled with the Holy Spirit. Then, as soon as I really get going with work and other people have to get involved . . . the old attitude creeps in and before I know it, I'm not operating in the Holy Spirit . . . it's more like the "Holy Heck, I'm agitated!" Result: By noon, I'm running on empty.

Today, I am going to try a noon devotion as well to help me get through the afternoon and be fresh when our girls get home from school.

The realization is . . . I really need God's presence all day long (all the time), so the Holy Spirit can guide me in a gentle way toward others. I sometimes forget that the way I interact with others gives witness to whom I am interacting with . . .

"Holy Spirit or holy heck!"

Today, Romans 8: 9

Dear Lord,
Help hold me steadfast in your Spirit, that I may give you the glory in all my interactions with others. Thank you for your gracious love and gentle ways. Amen

And so it begins . . .

2007-10-15T06:19:00.000-07:00

As I reflect this morning and begin my day, I take a moment to pray . . .

What does the day look like?
How can I intentionally lay out the day before me?

I first began with prayer and scripture.

I prayed for the well-being of my daughter as she headed out the door for school, knowing that she faced a situation with her friend. I prayed for her courage to remain strong and able to forgive.

I found scripture that supported my prayer . . .

And the Lord's servants must not quarrel; instead he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
2 Timothy 2:22

I thank God for help and confidence that everything will work out today . . . because I first stopped to pray.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for this day. Help me to remain faith-filled and to listen to your Holy Spirit. Guide and guard my heart in all I do today, so that I might bring you glory in some small way. Amen