A Woman's Prayer

It is crazy how the cycles of life come and go.  I have seen certain things come and go and never come again...and other things, come and go and come again.  It is amazing how quickly we forget that regardless of our circumstance - GOD PULLS US THROUGH!

My husband and I have lived in a beautiful home for almost two years now.  We have grown a garden, planted trees, and flowers, raised our fur babies, watched our grandsons grow up and play in this house, swam to our heart's content, laughed, cried, fought and grown together and deeper in love in this home.  We found out a week ago on Friday that we are being forced to move out of this home. 

My husband has worked for the company who owns our home and it was a benefit offered when he accepted the position.  Now that they have new plans for his team...and have let him go, so goes our home.  We are now faced with a new phase of "starting over."  Where does he find work, where will we live, will it be a forever home or a temporary home, will we be forced to move away from our beautiful grandsons, daughters, friends, church, and my job???

I don't have the answers but I serve a mighty God who does and know this... I AM PRAYING!

#startingover15 #herewego #servinggodnomatterwhat

I want to be known as a woman of great faith and I do have faith, that as a daughter of the KING OF KINGS, I can call upon His Name and the Authority of that Name to move mountains on our behalf.

There's no room for fear here!

Breaking Strongholds

Read the words to this beautiful song, sung by Koryn Hawthorne.  It's proclaiming the power of the NAME OF JESUS!  He alone has the power to break every stronghold in our life.  As we begin speaking out His Name and lifting His name high, He moves on our behalf to break the chains that bind us.  The chains of doubt and unbelief, the chains of division, the chains of brokenness, bitterness, unforgiveness, and strife.  The chains that leave us empty and wounded and alone no longer have the power to hold us as we proclaim His power to heal every wounded area of our life.  I invite you today to begin this practice if you have not already done so and watch as God moves mightily on your behalf in this new chapter of your life!

#startingover15 #breakingstrongholds #speakthenameofJesus

Speak the Name

The atmosphere is changing

Nothing stays the same
Heaven is waiting
For the mention of the Name
The Spirit is moving
Burning like a flame
Healing the broken
By the One we proclaim

Raise it up
Fill the sky
Chains will fall
Mountains move
We lift Him high

Speak the Name
The Name above all other names
Speak the Name
The Name the wind and waves obey
All of heaven's coming down
Fill the earth with the sound
Of the Name
The Name of Jesus

Gather all who wonder
Hostages of shame
Miracles unfolding
At the mention of the Name
Our darkness is fleeing
Mercy raining down
Healing waters flowing
As our lips make the sound

Raise it up
Fill the sky
Chains will fall
Mountains move
We lift Him high

Speak the Name
The Name above all other names
Speak the Name
The Name the wind and waves ob

Be Intentional

This is something I have to truly be "intentional" about!  Especially on those days when being happy isn't so easy.  You know those days...when you get up, still wanting to stay in bed...go take a shower, drop the shampoo bottle on your toe,  cut yourself shaving and cannot pick your clothes out for the life of you?!  It is hard to just walk out the door with your happy face on when your day starts out that way.  It's also hard to be intentional about your happiness when your health or the health of your loved ones is in question.  It's hard to be intentional when you don't know how you're going to make it financially or when your emotions are a wreck.  Life has a way of challenging us all from the simplest to the most difficult circumstances and can drain our joy and happiness if we let it.

I'm here today to tell you - we all have the power to choose to be happy - no matter what curve ball is thrown our way.

Now, I'm not saying we in ourselves have the strength to do this alone.  I do however firmly believe with God's help, we can find our "happy" and silence the hurts, pain, and fears as we turn them over to God and allow Him to handle them.  

We can have joy over anxiety - Psalm 94:19

We can find joy when we face trials - James 1:2-3

We find joy when we praise God - Psalm 47:1

We know God approves of enjoyment in our life  - Ecclesiastes 9:7

We find joy knowing our hope and peace are found in and through Him - Romans 15:13

We can find joy knowing we have eternal life when we believe on Him - Luke 15:7

We are promised joy when we praise God - Isaiah 35:10

Our joy cannot be taken away from us - John 16:22

We are promised a new day and joy comes EVERY morning! Psalm 30:5

Take these scriptures to heart! Happiness and Joy are found in Him! What an amazing gift that is - nothing can take that away from us!

#startingover15 #beintentional

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!