Faithful Blessings

This last week or so has been a little rough in some ways. It seemed that reality finally caught up with me and crashed through my idea of the way things could or should be--in my own eyes, of course. So, here's where I need to remember that my God is Faithful. He is my Jehovah Jireh--my provider. I do know that in my head--and I have experienced it time and time again; so why is it so difficult to feel it in my heart?
I have often been somewhat critical of the Israelites when they lost heart and didn't remember how faithful God had been to them in their recent past--their escape from slavery and the parting of the Red Sea or the manna and fresh water from a rock to keep them alive in the desert. It seems they were always complaining and whining to God.
Or, the Jews in Jesus' day who had witnessed miracles right before their eyes...all the people who were healed of many different diseases as well as crowds being fed with a little boy's lunch.
So, now it's my turn. Am I going to forget how God has lovingly provided for me through the storms in my life? Or, will I choose to believe that once again, although my circumstances can look pretty bleak if I dwell on them, my heavenly Father will again be my faithful provider.
I don't know if anyone ever sees this blog or not--but if you do, would you pray for me that I would remember that His mercies are new every morning? Great is His Faithfulness!

Spring Break Blessings

Wow~it's been way too long since I posted a blog on here! School, kids, relationships, Christmas and much more have crowded my schedule with way too many blessings...if there can be such a thing? Jesus said, "Give to others, and God will give to you. Indeed, you will receive a full measure, a generous helping, poured into your hands---all that you can hold. The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you." At times I have felt that I had way more than I can hold on my plate, but I believe that He was, (and still is), stretching me--'enlarging my tent', if you will, and that He is getting ready to pour showers of blessing on my life and my loved ones'.

In the meantime, I am so totally relieved to be done with my finals and this quarter of school. I feel like I have given so much of myself into all the various people and things I'm involved in that I haven't had time to refuel...and there is so much more I need and want to do. Another one of my favorite verses is in Matthew 11:28 where Jesus invites all of us who are burned out to come to Him and REST...for His yoke is easy and His burden is light. So, I have decided to take an extended spring break and skip this upcoming quarter of school to get caught up on resting, refueling and relaxing--(what does that mean, again...?)

Well, I have put my personal interests and hobbies on hold for so long that I've almost forgotten how to do them. One of the things, (that I've been envious of my friends who had the time to do it), is scrapbooking. I discovered that while I had what I thought were great ideas for things I wanted to do, I was spending a great amount of time just looking for the perfect stickers or embellishments to match my plans. So, we created a website which will make available many, MANY of the supplies that swamped-for-time scrapbookers can order from the comfort of their own computer chairs. You can click on the blue underlined words to visit our site, Cheryl's Scrapbooking Ideas.

Faunching Blessings

Yes, faunching is a made-up word. It came from an expression that I thought I remembered hearing that meant a horse or other bridled animal that is straining to go on with it's race. However, I have made it a part of my vocabulary and it has become somewhat of an inside joke with my friend Dennis.
It does seem to describe perfectly what I've been going through of late. I have begun to dream again and to make plans which will allow these dreams to come true. Of course, the Lord has been quite patient with my impatience, loving me just as I am; but loving me too much to let me stay that way. Dennis reminded me today about the verse that says, "Those who wait upon the Lord will be renewed..." well, God, I have been waiting...and waiting....and frankly, I don't feel very renewed." I guess that's where my infinitesimal, baby-mustard-seed-like faith needs to kick into gear, right? Just smile and nod...

Thank-you, Lord, for loving me even when I'm ever so impatient. p.s. do you suppose Jesus is 'faunching' to see His bride, the church in person...???

Speechless Blessings

Recently, a close friend of mine told me he was speechless after something I had said to him. When I thought about that, the song Speechless by Steven Curtis Chapman was going through my mind. The lyrics use the synonyms breathtaking, astonished, amazed, and astounded to help get the idea across that his "words are stolen away" when he considers God's great mercy, grace and love which he lavishes, (another awesome word), upon His sons and daughters. Just think: the all-powerful Creator of everything--rejoices over me?!! What can I say--how can I respond to such a marvelous truth?

Thank-you, Jesus. Praise you, Lord. Please, never let me take You for granted.

Autumn Blessings

Yesterday morning, when I went on a walk, I saw my first beautifully colored fall leaves that had fallen on the sidewalk this season. It reminded me of something my pastor had said last week when teaching on how we can truly live the christian life. He said that the gorgeous colors that we see in the autumn--all the various hues of purples, reds, oranges and golds--are actually always there in those leaves. The rest of the year the chlorophyll is present in sufficient amounts to cover them over. What I believe he was telling us was that like those leaves, if we are in relationship with the Lord, we have within us the glorious power of His Spirit available to us at all times. Sin and doubt, like the chlorophyll, tries to keep that power from showing through in a magnificent display of God's mercy and grace.
Lord, I want to be like an autumn leaf--letting the brilliant fruits of Your Spirit shine through!