What If?

This has been weighing heavily on my heart over the last several days.  I have been on my knees in prayer for some pretty big things happening in my life and around me and this phrase has caught my attention.  What if this was the case for us?

Have you totally thanked God for your spouse, your children, your grandchildren, your finances, your job, your health, your relationship with Him?  Have you thanked Him for peace of mind and the grace that He so freely gives?  How about salvation?  So often we turn our lives and hearts over to God and then go about our merry way without taking the time to lift our hands in praise and thanksgiving - He is so worthy!

I know I am guilty of going through my days without taking time to specifically thank Him for the things that He has so graciously given me.  Man, I am a blessed woman!  I may have trials and tribulations but that does not take away the fact that HE LOVES ME UNCONDITIONALLY!  He has never, not once, gone back on a single promise.  He just pours out mercy, love, grace, and forgiveness - He is wholly committed to protecting me.  He lets me know just how much He cares each and every day.  I have a peace in my heart knowing whatever is thrown my way - I am taken care of by Him.  Thank You, God, thank You so much for loving me the way You do!

#startingover15 God never makes me question His love - and I am so very thankful for that!
How about we begin to thank Him vocally, on our knees, in the car while we are driving, as we sit at our desks, walking outside...wherever, whenever - just thank Him for all He's given us and saved us from.  Who knows...He may just pour out new blessings!

Here's to #startingover15

Hold On, Pain Ends

Hold on, don't quit! It's true, pain ends.

Read the lyrics to this Newsboys song...HIS LOVE NEVER FAILS!
So often we fall or are hurt by another.  We have to read the Word of God and dig into scripture to envelop our hearts with the Love of a God who DOES NOT Fail!

#startingover15 is a continual reminder that God can and will bring us through each and every setback, every trial, every valley.  He won't leave you.  He won't threaten to hurt you. He won't go back on His word. He does not compare your beauty to another's.  He doesn't bring up your flaws and faults, He does not belittle, He does not lie to you or cheat, He doesn't steal from you or set you up for defeat...He brings you joy each and every day!  He brings you a love that is matchless and cannot fail, not ever!

Trust in Him, hold on and turn your eyes upon Him...

YOUR LOVE NEVER FAILS

Nothing can separate

Even if I run away

Your love never fails

I know I still make mistakes

You have new mercy for me every day

Cause your love never fails

You stay the same through the ages

Your love never changes

There may be pain in the night

But joy comes in the morning

The wind is strong and the water's deep

I'm not alone here in these open seas

Cause your love never fails

The chasm is far too wide

I never thought I'd reach the other side

But your love never fails

You stay the same through the ages

Your love never changes

There may be pain in the night

But joy comes in the morning

And when the oceans rage

I don't have to be afraid

Because I know that you love me

Your love never fails

You make all things work together for my good

You…

I Am His and He Is Mine

Do you ever wonder why? Why does God love us unconditionally?  I mean really?! We are so easily offended and feel the need and right to hold someone accountable for hurting us, but God, Himself...LOVES US UNCONDITIONALLY!!

If we would show mercy and grace to those who have wounded us with their words, actions or deeds - who knows what would happen in our lives! I know there would be so much more appreciation for life.  We would live each day in a newfound sweetness.  Things would taste better, smell richer, feel calmer...forgiveness is such a marvelous gift - to ourselves!!

He alone is faithful.

He alone is constant.

He alone is everything.
HE SAYS WE ARE HIS!!

#startingover15 is about starting over - it's about learning to forgive those who have hurt us and putting it all in our Father's hands.  It's about learning to trust in Him and His ways. Give this gift to yourself today!

Speaking Life

This past weekend my sister and I, along with six of our dearest friends met up in a little town for a 50th Birthday Celebration!  I cannot remember the last time I had such a purely enjoyable time with a group of women.  We laughed, we cried, we played games, we rested, we took a walk, we shopped and we ate! It was AhhhhMazing!

During our getaway, we heard such a beautiful testimony of God's healing power from a sister in Christ who called on the phone.  I had never heard such power from a single source in my life on the subject of God's healing power.

She recalled time after time where God showed her through His Word, that life and death are in our words and we must speak out as though we are healed.  Never doubting!!

Today I tell you - if you are in a financial situation - begin claiming the victory and believe it.  If you are facing difficulties in your marriage, health, job, family~ ANYTHING...begin praising God for the turnaround! Claim the victory, claim the healing and increase...speak it into existence with conviction and certainty! 

Here are a few scriptures to speak out loud and claim for yourself:

Sickness: Exodus 23:25

Loneliness: Deuteronomy 31:8

Loneliness in marriage: Deuteronomy 31:6

Unsaved loved ones: 2 Peter 3:9

Financial breakthrough: Deuteronomy 28:1-14 and Galatians 3:13-14

Joy through trials: James1:2-3, Romans 15:13

The Bible is filled with promises and God cannot lie so it’s time for us to claim them!

Claiming victory today and a complete turnaround in any area lacking in my life, join me!  

#startingover15 is about taking back all the devil stole from us and creating the life God has in store...Greater than anything we can hope for or dream of! 

Behaviors and habits

This has struck a chord with me.
As I'm writing for my own sake most of the time, I had to stop and really think about my words, my behaviors, my habits, my values and my destiny.  I don't want to look at quotes and phrases and sort of identify - I want to KNOW when I'm writing about it - that I have full awareness.

I have serious moments of insecurity.  I doubt my worth now after being lied to, cheated on and ignored while the person I love has fulfilled their own selfish needs to pay attention to another woman.  I have struggled as a woman who used to look in the mirror and never doubt my worth or value in the relationship to wondering why I was ever chosen.

I say that to say - I have to, NO MATTER WHAT...Keep my words positive.  I have to continue to have a good behavior in spite of the happenings - past or present, in my life.  I have to work diligently on creating healthy habits that reflect my values because I want to have a beautiful destiny that my family and friends can look on with pride. That I can be proud of!!

I may not be a college graduate, I may not have riches and wealth of great measure - but what I have is my reputation.  What I have is, a family I love and value.  What I have is a husband I want to honor with my words and actions.  What I have is, a relationship with God that I want to preserve, grow and share with others so that they too can have a beautiful destiny. 

Friends, we should all strive to be the best version of ourselves not just for us - but for those we love and value - they deserve it!

#startingover15 isn't a one-time thing - it's a daily commitment to finish our race without shame or guilt - but in a manner, we can be proud of! 

Tattered Pages

I know it's been a while - and I apologize.  Life gets in the way of doing things we love sometimes...but that's not always a bad thing.

Last night was a night of dreams for me.  I dreamt I was looking at a book that the binding had been loosened from being opened and closed many times, the edges of the pages were torn and tattered - I was drawn to the book.  At first glance, it looked weathered and old, maybe out of date.  Why would I want to read it? 

As I began to thumb through the pages I saw the book was a reflection of my life...I read, and re-read several chapters looking for the lesson I was supposed to learn. I wasn’t getting it, the pain I was reading kept appearing time and time again....and then it hit me... I was still standing.  I was reading and reflecting, I had made it through and was there, stronger and no longer defined by those pages, I wasn’t defined by the events found on the lines.  I found the courage time and time again to make it through triumphs and tragedies! I no longer needed to feel insecure or unworthy or inadequate by anyone’s standards or lack thereof...God called me and found me so valuable that He gave me a story! My story, full of His grace, love, kindness and tenderness when others chose to reject me, hurt me, or look down upon me. 

#startingover15 is for all of us who need to be reminded that we are valuable, we are irreplaceable, we are qualified, we are overcomers!  How will your book read? Stop judging people by outward appearances and get to know their heart. 

I'm not perfect

Do you ever get upset with yourself for making mistakes?  I know I do.  There are times when I look back and I think, I did what was right.  Then to realize what I did was wrong, just makes me upset with myself.  However, I have to remind myself that I am not perfect. I don't claim to be perfect and I'm not striving for perfection.  What I'm striving for is to be the best "me" I can be. 

God doesn't expect us to know it all, He does.  He doesn't expect perfection, He is the spotless Lamb of God.  He doesn't judge us harshly but loves us with His grace and mercy. 

We need to remind ourselves of the ONE who walks before us, guiding us and leading us through this maze of life - He doesn't expect perfection. 

It's been a long time since I've blogged.  Much has happened, moves, jobs, life...
Thank you for the continued reading and support - we are all in this together.

#startingover15 #savedbygrace #heistheonlyperfectone