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! 

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

Beauty flows

There's a part of me that says I don't want to know what it's like to have this type of "beauty"....The woman who's seen so much loss, hurt, rejection and loneliness in life.  The beauty that comes from living and learning.  The beauty that is found in someone who learns to trust in God for what can't be seen but what can be felt and experienced.

To be honest, there are days when I want to possess the beauty that causes a head to turn, that causes grown men to act foolishly around their friends.  I want to be the woman who doesn't have to hide body flaws, has perfect teeth, hair, skin and a drop-dead figure.  That's just not the case for me.  I'm not unattractive but I'm not THAT woman...but what I am is a woman who has been broken.  I've felt the pain of being next to a man as he gives his attention to another woman, I've felt the pain of a husband who chose to love on another woman while we were married, I've felt rejection - both physical and emotional and THROUGH IT ALL....my beauty OUTSHINES any other woman I've been rejected over.  I HAVE THE LIVING GOD dwelling inside of me.  I am HIS!  I am loved with a love sooooo great that His eyes never wander from me.  He seeks after me. His faithfulness is more than physical and fleeting - it's constant.  It flows through my veins and reminds me I AM BEAUTIFUL!

Women and men alike - WE ARE BROKEN AND BEAUTIFUL!  We have been tested and found faithful.  We may not be Victoria's Secret models or GQ models but we are a treasure to the One who matters most.  We are cherished by The King of Kings and The Lord of Lords. 

#startingover15 isn't about starting over once - but over and over again.  We have to remind ourselves regularly that we are precious in His sight and it's through our broken and humble spirits that God uses us.  Isn't God wonderful?!!!

Never stop loving

Taking it all in...someone's father died this week.  Someone's brother took his life.  Someone's little girl breathed her last breath.  Someone's best friend and spouse crossed over to the other side.

Basically - we are not given any more minutes in any given day to show those who mean the most just how much we love and appreciate them.  It doesn't matter if they show it to us....we have to love again and again and again and again.

I know how much "LOVE" I have within me.  I know I don't always feel like showing it.  There are days when my feelings are hurt, when my needs go unmet, or when I just don't get my way, but that doesn't give me an excuse to stop giving love.

Love is a gift both given and received and I do not want my children, grandchildren or husband to ever doubt I love them.  How empty my life would be without them!  I know....I experienced many days/nights where loneliness was my companion.  Never again, do I want to live life alone.  Now...I'm going to dance like no-one is watching, sing like I just don't care who hears, laugh when I'm sad, put my make-up on, get dressed and live life to it's fullest - because tomorrow may just not be mine.

I choose to start each day over - with a heart full of love.  I choose to hold hands with the man God gave me.  I choose to love my kids and grandkids because they are nothing short of amazing.

How about you?  Will you choose to love again and again?  #startingover15 is all about that...let's love again!

If you could see you, the way I see you

 

It's been too long since I've sat down and taken a few minutes to share from my heart, my apologies. 

How many of us get tossed about from time to time in a way that causes us to doubt ourselves?

I know I do.

Just recently someone I love dearly made a statement that stopped me and made me really think about this, once again.  I know without a doubt that God loves me JUST HOW I AM!  He doesn't look at my size, my shape, my wrinkles, my hair color, my skin, my teeth, my clothes...He looks at my heart, my mind, my soul!  He absolutely LOVES me!  Just as He absolutely loves YOU!

It does not matter what has been said about us, the roads we've traveled, the sin in our past.  Once we ask God to forgive us, cleanse us and make us new again, He does!  We don't have to beg.  We don't have to bring sacrifices to Him like they did in Biblical times.  He paid the ultimate price on Calvary for every sin that was committed from that day forward.  We just have to forgive ourselves and allow The Lord to finish what He has started in our lives.  Join hands with Him and walk the walk with Him.  

God is good to us...in the United States, Ireland, Canada, the Netherlands, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, South Africa, Germany, Malaysia, the Philippines, Russia, France, Brazil, India, the United Kingdom, Kenya, Trinidad and Tobago (all the places where people have visited my blog).

Let's join together across this world in prayer for all of us who are striving to become all God wants us to be!  Lord draw us closer to You!

Here's to #startingover15

WE ARE CHOSEN!

Note to self

I love this note.  It's simple, focused and gives direction.  I/we all need to stop throughout the day and check in.  How are we doing?  Am I feeling overwhelmed?  Am I scattered?  Are my thoughts and actions deliberate, detailed, organized?  What do I need to do to get back on track if I'm off?

It's not uncommon for any one of us to get so wrapped up in life that we lose ourself in the process.  As this year comes to an end, take time to think of your life.  What is it that you love about yourself, what do you want to change, how are you going to help yourself?

Today in the middle of the hustle and bustle...I took time for myself.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve.  I will have my children, grand children, husband, in laws, and friends to our cozy home - and it will be filled with love, laughter and memories...all of which help me to be the best me I can be!

Love to you, to all of us who have taken a step to better ourselves to #startingover15!

Acceptance

This has been something of a struggle for me, speaking honestly.

Over the last 7 years my life has changed drastically.  There's absolutely nothing left that resembles my previous life.  I don't dress the same, look the same, act the same....I don't run in the same circles, have the same animals, drive the same car, or even live with the same people.  I don't attend the same church, have the same daily routines or job for that matter.  Nothing in my life is the same. 

**********************************************************************

I found I must reinvent myself.  Learning I have to dig into God's Word for the answers I would generally just get from my dad (he's passed).  Here I am looking for new ways to fill voids in my life and can't depend on my husband to fill every gap, or any for that matter.  I have to think outside the box - start over if you will....

I have to quit expecting, start accepting and make changes where I have the power to change.

Listen....none of us have it all together all the time.  I certainly don't, but gosh darn it I'm willing to do whatever I need to do to be the best me I can be for me and those in my life.

#startingover15 is about acceptance just as much as it is about #embracingchange

Learning to love again, learning to be loved, learning to love myself again....

Accepting me for me - the good, the bad and the blessed!

Second chances

A friend of mine recently posted on Facebook and it's had me thinking about my answer. 

Her post read..."It's easy to talk about all the things you don't like.  Life is hard and full of disappointment.  Tell me what you love."  My answer was..."Having a second chance at life."

We all have experienced a second chance in life...or I think most of us have.  Whether we received the second chance or gifted it - we've made the decision to try again.  For some of us the second chance has been profound, even life changing.  

God has been so good to me.  He gifted me love after I felt it was lost.  He gifted me grace and mercy although I am undeserving.  He gifted me salvation through His sacrifice.  He gifted me peace that passes all understanding.  He does this each and every day whether I fail Him or not.  He's the God of second, third, fifth, a thousand chances....and I owe my life to Him.

It doesn't matter where you find yourself today...I promise you that as the sun sets this evening, it will rise again tomorrow and with each passing day we will be given the gift of a NEW day and new opportunities.  Thank God!!!

#startingover15 #forgivenagain #forgiveothers #joycomesinthemorning 

Trusting in the dark

It's so easy to trust in God when everything is going great, all our needs are met, physically, emotionally and spiritually; we seem to have it all together...UNTIL....

 an unexpected expense comes up, until sickness hits, maybe family problems, a child is showing rebellion, there's trouble in your relationship, your car breaks down....

Whatever the situation there are times when we just feel completely in the dark and alone.  That's not the time to give up, but rather....it's the time to trust in God.  Trust God to make a way when there doesn't seem to be a way, trust Him to restore and bring about a new hope.  Trust Him for healing, deliverance, for wisdom, discernment, salvation....

I'm not always the best at exercising my faith in the exact moment that a trial might hit...but give me a few moments, hours, days and I do eventually surrender my situation to the Lord.  He's the only one who has the answers and He really does care and desire to meet our needs.

Wherever you are today....turn your worries and cares over to God and He will illuminate your life with His grace, love, peace and understanding.  He won't ignore you...He's amazing like that.

#startingover15 #havefaith #inittowinit

I know who I am.

This song is running through my mind.  I love listening to #Israel Houghton's music.
There are some serious truths to this song...
I was broken and God healed me!
I was dying and you gave me life

Isn't that the truth?!  I thought my life would never know healing again.  You know the healing of a broken heart.  The healing of a woman who lost her identity after divorce.  The healing of a mom whose daughters suffered greatly and there was nothing I could do.  The healing of a loneliness.

I experienced lows I'd never known before.  I didn't identify with any group of friends or church - it had all been torn apart.  Then The Lord stepped on the scene, created a new mind, a new heart, a new hope within me and began blessing my life.  There were times I doubted and shoot there are still times when I wonder what God has up his sleeve but I know who I am!

Oh how He's blessed me...

I am His!  I am free!  I am covered by God's grace!  I am no longer a slave to the past!  I am chosen!

Wherever you are today - no matter the circumstance, God's love is enough to not only pull you through but to set you on a new path.  Just let go and let God!

#startingover15 #anewcreatureinChrist #godismyallinall

Fighting the battle

It's Thursday night...I'm sitting in the office, listening to the birds talking back and forth to each other...hearing the neighborhood dogs bark at passersby and the faint distraction of the evening news streams in the bedroom.  I'm home alone tonight - my husband is at a meeting - so I'm taking this time to reflect on the past few days.

I've faced some trying hours over this last week.  Just because the Lord blesses our lives with great joy, peace, happiness, successes and health does not mean we are immune to difficulties.  We have an enemy who roams about seeking whom he may devour and destroy and he will stop at nothing to tear down God's children - and use anything he can to do it.  I am so glad I have a God to turn to in those times.

As I called on the Lord in my time of need - He once again reassured me that HE is in control.  He loves and cares for the things I love and care for - INCLUDING me!  Please please please don't forget God loves you when you are in the midst of your trials.  That's the time when He thrives most...He wants to flex His muscles for us and fight on our behalf!  He wants to prove His strength, love, mercy and grace....He's truly the best man we'll ever know.  

Tonight before you close your eyes - take your need to the Lord.  Pray for your spouse, your children, your parents, your Pastor, your neighbors and your friends.  Pray for our government and our communities....Pray that God would protect us all in this time of need.

To each one of us who found ourselves #startingover15 at one point or another....may we learn to fight on our knees and turn the battle over to the One who never loses!

Writing with a thankful spirit - thanking God for every battle He's won!

Hope

Are you facing a difficult time in your life?  Do you have even a spot of hope?  If so, don't give up - give it to God.  God promises He'll never leave or forsake us.  Because it's in His Word, He has to do what He said He'll do.  He truly is incapable of lying to His children.

Life is cruel sometimes and people we love can be just as cruel but often times it's because they are fighting something on the inside.  Maybe they don't know what it means to trust and hope in something greater than themselves....don't try to change them or their mind, give them to God.  God is the miracle worker and He is so patient, gentle and kind...never will He lash out in anger, say things He'll regret, belittle or hurt you....He will only love, love, love you.  So place your HOPE in God.  He is there to see you through.

#startingover15 is just my way to share with you how God is with me and has been with me over the last 6 year journey and counting.
From one woman to many others like me....it's okay, you'll be okay.  We will be okay...just continue to place your situation in God's hands.