I am a gal who wants to live my best life, and celebrate each "grace moment" that I'm given daily. I am married to a good guy who let's me indulge in the things that make me happy and encourages my growth. I enjoy being an encouragement to others, reading, photography, music, singing, playing instruments, being by the water, cozy times with my hubby, family time, drives with my camera in hand, and traveling to see different places. This blog is about walking the journey of life together. I usually post 1 to 2 times a month; at least that is my goal. Sign up with your email so you don't miss out on the next post! Thanks for stopping by!
This weekend when I was out taking pictures, I saw something that reminded me of the word that God gave me for this year. My word for this new year is LIGHT. Light shines in the darkness and it shines for all to see. As is the case when I go out, God uses the things around me to speak to my heart and this picture had a message that went right along with my word for this year. I saw a rock in the water. There wasn’t that much of it that was sticking up out of the water, however as I observed, I saw that even the little part of the rock that was out of the water, caused waves to separate around it. The water didn’t just roll over it, it made its own little waves. As little as the waves were, it still caused a ripple effect in the water that was very large. God seemed to say that I needed to stand firm just like that rock. That if I am seeking Him, I am the rock standing on the Rock. Even though I may not make a big splash in my life, and may not feel like I can have that much influence over those around me, I will have. I may only make a small waves but the effect of those little waves will ripple out exponentially as He has designed. I need to be just like that rock; stand firm, and let my little light shine! God will do the rest. The “Butterfly Effect” (A Book by Andy Andrews) is in motion.
A couple of minutes later, I took the same shot with a different aperture setting and it change the whole look. God said, just like this shot, you may not always be able to see what is going on or what will happen next. But the rock is still there and hasn’t changed. The water waves are still there, and the ripples are still going out whether I can see them or not. I have to trust. God sees and He knows what I can’t see and what I don’t know. If I trust Him, it doesn’t matter that I can’t see what is going on behind the scenes. He knows.
I am looking for what God has for me this year! I am expecting great things! I can trust Him to show me! The message I got at the beach last week was that I need to shine my light for all to see, however that works out in my life. I make not make a big splash, but I WILL affect people and the ripples will go out! That is what my calling is; encourage people to live their lives pursuing what God has for them, living it out in passionate pursuits, and to honor Him for the gifts He has given us to use for His glory. I hope you find some of that on this blog.
What a great picture story I was given. I was so excited! In what way do you want to be used by God this year? Have you taken the time to ask Him, and then listen to what He has for you? If you are quiet and tuned in, he WILL show you. Let the waves and ripples begin!
1 |līt|noun1 the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible; reflective light.
2|līt| spiritual illumination by divine truth.
The end of the year always brings a special time of contemplation in my life. I spend some time asking myself, “What has happened this year? What have I learned? What has God done in my life? What goals were reached?” And…I begin to write out my goals for the new year. As I pray about the new year, God usually gives me a Word. This has taken place for the last 5 years or so. I am always excited to see what He gives me. This time, God has been very clearly bringing the word LIGHT into my mind and heart. Light is my word for 2013!
So what do words have to do with my year? I find that God gives me a focus on this word where by, I look at my life through the lens of this word, all. year.long. I study about it, I share it with others. I usually find items that represent my word and I have them around me in my house and office. It is fun for me to have the word “light” this year. I love reflective light and things that reflect light. I have them in my windows and throughout my house. It makes me smile just to look at light reflecting through or on an object in my home. It reminds me that I am to be like that reflective light every day I live. As I do this, it begins to transform my life on a daily basis
Even our house that we purchased a couple of months ago, is a bit strategic in this new year. Our home is on a hill and it is a busy cross street. People in my life have spoken that we are a light on a hill, or our home is to be a light on a hill, just like scripture says. I never take lightly those things that others say because I believe it is confirmation that God is giving me, or something that I am to meditate on. So, over the last couple of months especially, He has spoken to me through the books I have read where the concept of light is talked about. I have also had people randomly speak about light and its importance, and I have read scripture where light has come up again and again. All of this tells me that God has a message for me. He is giving light to the hidden things of darkness in my life. Light will become my change agent.
Facts: Light chases the dark away. God is light. I need to be a light to others. Light illuminates so that I can see the path before me, as well as, anything I might stumble upon. It shines so that I can see beauty, it shows up in the face of a believer, it ignites, it can light up a face, and I am being called to be a ray of light in the darkness.
So what is God asking of me this year? I believe I am to learn more about how He is THE Light and how my life should reflect His light. I also believe that, I and my home, should be light to those around me and that they should be able to see something different shining from within. I want to let His light so shine among women/men that they know who is the center of my life and home. God uses light to show us something we might not otherwise see. I think God loves light and reflective light. We have read in scripture that heaven is full of light and shining beauty. I think God wants me to:
be the kind of person that walks in the Light
full of wisdom and light
a child of the Light
be a light that shines in a dark place
Do you recognize any of those scriptures? I hope so. That is what getting a Word from God is about; learning more about the way that God wants us to live. It all helps me discover God’s purposes for my life.
So, I leave my year of Jubilee in 2012 and walk into the Light of 2013! I have been called out of the darkness and into His marvelous light. I want to be full of wisdom and light; a child of the Light. I take on the challenge of learning what God has for me to learn, and I willingly take His hand to walk in the Light, WITH the Father of Light.
God’s blessings to you as you face this New Year. Look forward and ask Him what He has for you. Remember…I’m walking the journey with you…
I took this photo about a year ago, and it has quite a story to tell. When I moved to Lynden over three years ago, there was a wonderful place that I could walk each day. One day on my walk, I saw this leaf stuck on the barbed wire fence. It was green at the time, and held there by the barb in the wire. I just stopped and looked at how it was hooked, and then went on with my walk. However, the picture, for some reason, just stuck with me. I would walk by there each day and it was still hanging on. Each day it would get a bit drier, a bit more crispy and began to turn the color of fall. But over and above that… it was STILL there. As I thought about that leaf, two ideas came to mind and I thought this is something I need to write about, but it never got down on paper.
So, in the last several weeks, as circumstances in my life made me think again of that leaf that wouldn’t let go, I thought I need to write it down. The interesting part about this leaf? It stayed through the Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer seasons for well over 2 years! Curled now, but secured by the barb. So what were the thoughts that came to mind?
Number one, Satan loves to get his digs deep into our hearts and minds, and he doesn’t easily let go of us. In fact, he can have such a hold on us that even the high winds of winter and the snow won’t loosen the grip. Just like this leaf made it through all those high winds of one particular winter season, it still remained entangled. As the leaf curled up, so can our lives wither if we don’t have a grip on the hand of the Lord. We will let the struggles of everyday life engulf us, and we can no longer feel the Son. Others may even try to help us loosen the grip of the struggles, and yet we don’t let go.
Number two, God is also One who never let’s go of us. The storms may hit, winds may blow, the chilly winters come but He never let’s go of us. He will put His arms around us and protect us and help us hold on. And when I am ready, He will help me let go. I never saw when that leaf finally gave in and let itself be taken where it needed to go, but I know it did because it is gone. God will keep us where He wants us to be, and when the time is right, He will let the wind of the Holy Spirit carry us to the place He wants us to be. We may have a scar or two from the barb, but it doesn’t keep us from going where we need to go, and because of that scar, we may be able extend a hand of understand, to another.
I need the determination of that leaf in this season, whether it is to not be caught in satan’s snare, or to remind me not to let go of God’s hand. You see, if I had tried to help that leaf to let go, it would have broken to pieces. That is what satan wants; to break us. But God… God wants to encourage us to hold on and never let go of His hand and He will gently help us let go of what we need to let go of in order to travel where He wants us to go.
Isn’t it interesting that God uses the simplest of things to lead us if we are just aware of what is around us, and we listen to His voice. That leaf stayed right there for over two years! So… your season may not be a short one. Hang on! If you do that, you won’t fall to pieces, and He will give you what you need to hold on to Him. Are you watching? Are you listening? Let go of what you need to let go of, but never let go of His hand! God help you to that end.
Do you remember as a kid dropping a big boulder in the water just to watch the big splash and the ripples of the water afterwards? Did you stand and watch how far out the ripples would go? Watching the ripples was just as much fun as the big plunk and splash of the boulder.
Over the last 6 months, I have really felt the work of ripples in my life, and realized that it really is like a puzzle that I shared in another post. If I allowed myself to go back and look at my lifeline, I can see how each situation or person has brought a connection to the next thing, and that situation brought the next. Because God brought this person into my life, there came a divine connection. That led to the next person or situation, and so it goes.
So here is a story about a little ripple. In January of 2004, we made a move to Aberdeen. We started searching for a church to attend. I visited a few churches and landed finally, at Calvary Lutheran Church. I become quite involved and helped in church office, directed the choir for while, which I loved, and co-started a MOPS group with the pastor’s wife. I was very involved. After that, we served at a City Church in Aberdeen, which I loved, and sat under some great teaching! Another ripple…great leadership connection! Then, as we made a move back up north, the pastor and family from Calvary made a move to Wisconsin. We kept in touch. Here’s where that ripple there, transports to the present. December of last year, that same pastor’s wife messaged me on Facebook and asked me if I wanted to go to Honduras and co-speak at a women’s conference there. My way there would be paid. I just had to come up with all the necessary items, including passport. I told her I would pray about it. You see, I have always loved the idea of missions but going to some place hot and humid, not so much. Yet, here was this opportunity to go, and God knows the reasons that I don’t do that. But as I prayed, I felt a yes in my spirit. If God was using this set of circumstances to reach out to me to go to a place I wouldn’t normally CHOOSE to go, He had a reason. So, long distance, we made our plans for the conference, and in January I went to Honduras. Another ripple began.
Joy in the ripple!
In Honduras, I saw how many needs there are in order for them to do the work God is calling them to do. I saw what they had to do in order to get supplies and various items to Honduras. They take care of over eighty children, and more keep coming. They have a not only the children’s village, but a school, medical clinic and a church. The main way they can get supplies in any quantity, is to ship it on a large shipping container and that costs a lot of money! $7000 to be exact! As I was praying about that need, God laid it on my heart to raise the funds for a container to be sent with the necessary items. I remember thinking, wow! THAT is a big project Lord! So I had to ask myself, “Will I be willing to step out in obedience to that calling EVEN IF it is bigger than me?” I said, “Yes!” The ripple gets bigger.
I came back home. I shared my vision of God’s work in Honduras and in my life. He needs people who will be obedient and step in rhythm to His steps to accomplish His purpose. I found people through various connections, whose hearts He touched to help. And you see, each of those people started a ripple of their own! They helped me be the hand of God, to help Worldwide Heart to Heart Ministries send that container. It wasn’t my deal. It was God’s deal!
Here comes the next ripple…people gave, people got excited, people shared the vision, a church took up for an offering, various Facebook friends and personal friends started sending donations. We had people share garage sale items for a BIG and successful garage sale, City Kids sell baked items to raise money, (awesome!), flip-flops, toys, hats, desks, some TVs, a globe, computers, books, media equipment, file cabinets, beanie babies, and curriculum and lots more were gathered for the school there, kids gathered around pictures of the children from Honduras, each taking one child to pray over, and… lives were changed! I have had the privilege of meeting the couple who tossed the big boulder of their lives to start the ripple called Worldwide Heart to Heart Ministries! What a walk of obedience they live everyday to meet the needs in Honduras! All because of lives surrendered and to start a…ripple.
I don’t know about you, but that gets me jazzed! Through connections that only God can orchestrate, lives are not only touched, but challenged, and then…changed. Only God can do that in the heart of people. You may not be able to go to Honduras, but you CAN be a part in various ways of giving. I think the lives of those involved in the activities of God’s Honduras Project would say with me, they have been changed! It is how God works! I told Mary Frenter, the founder of the ministry, that I thought that as I brought the last of the items down for the container, that I would kind of close this chapter, and support their efforts financially in whatever ways I can. She laughed and said, “Oh JoAnn, you won’t be able to do that! The Holy Spirit has a hold of you! It’s more like, what’s next?” I laughed. Then, I thought about that on the way home, and she is probably right. When God gets a hold of a willing heart, He will use you in continued ways you never dreamed of. They do need more monthly support given that God keeps sending more children to them. I have accepted that call to give; both in items needed and financially as our budget will allow. If you would like to partner with me in this ministry, this is their website: http://www.h2hcv.org. He will bless you beyond anything you could dream, as you partner with them in taking care of His children!
Here’s to you picking up that boulder and giving it a throw! Watch carefully as one ripple touches another and another as it becomes bigger and bigger! I’m at the water’s edge and I’ve already thrown my boulder. Ready to throw yours? Walking the journey with you…
This is a post that I had written quite some time ago, actually in September of 2011. So as I was reviewing it, I realized it started that day! I now see the pieces coming together.
In Washington, we have a lot of experience with rain. However, we also enjoy the beautiful lush green color that goes with it! We know a refreshing rain is good for many things. One of those things is the freshness to the air we breathe. So, as I sat yesterday inside my cozy office, I was thinking about that. I decided to take a moment and I went outside to listen and to watch as the rains came down.
As I watched the rain and saw this little plant, I realized, or God chose to remind me, “so it is with our lives”. We need times of refreshing so that we can continue to grow and revive our weary souls. New beginnings so to speak; renewed every morning. We may decide on a different direction for our lives, a move, re-arrange our home or decor, or maybe even our change our schedules so that we CAN have more times for the soft rain of change to happen. It brings peace and calmness to our souls. You may be in a torrent of rain right now, but all the more important for you to really pray over these words for your life circumstances. Ask God to reveal Himself in the circumstances.
So here is what I felt as I watched the rain. I feel change coming. Have you ever had one of those seasons where you feel like something is about to happen and you aren’t sure what? You are kind of excited but not sure what God is up to? I have been living with this feeling for a long time. I feel God calling me to rely on the Holy Spirit for direction. I am in preparation for something yet unknown, but its going to be great! Crazy, huh? But…exciting!
I think that is the whole idea, though, don’t you? He wants us to live in expectancy of His next move or work. But we have to lay a foundation for that work before hand. Think about this…satan lays his groundwork before he plays out his full hand. Have you ever thought about that? He doesn’t just hit you with an attack. He has been laying ground work by planting doubt, discouraging you with circumstances, causing insecurities, hurt in relationships and anything else he can come up with. Then, before we know it, he is inside our door! One little chink in our armor and he will use that to turn your life upside down. Spend time with the Lord and let His refreshing rain fall over you and give you what you need when you need it. Use the Word to stand against it, pray always, so you are laying a solid groundwork!
What refreshing rains are falling on you? What will you re-arrange so that you can have times of refreshing in your life? You see, 10 months later, I am finding out that there is a move in my future to a different home, and selling the home we have lived in for over three years. He is moving me into a different season and I am moving forward TOWARDS it as each day passes!
Funny isn’t it? No…not funny, but exciting to see the hand of God move in our lives and see all the pieces of the puzzle start coming together. God bless you as you throw the umbrella away and let the soft rains of change wash over you! Walking the journey with you…in the rain!
The winds of change have blown over me. A new door I must walk through. When the winds of change blow over you with a “suddenly” what do you do? Do you walk in fear? Chase it down with a conquering spirit? Re-group and make a new plan? Do you stand in a one spot afraid to move? Afraid to risk a next step? A “suddenly” can be anything unexpected that comes in to your life, whether good or something not so good. What is your first reaction?
I have recently had a “suddenly” come into my life. It means a whole new paradigm shift. It means starting over in many areas. It means depending on God for the details. It means leaving new friends I love. It means leaving a quiet place for one not so quiet. When these things happen, I may feel like I am between a rock and a hard place, but God knows the beginning from the end so have to get my heart right; setting my mind and heart to risk starting over again. I have started over many, many times, but the process always brings a few quakes in the very beginning. I also know it can bring new and exciting things into my life as well. I know all about blooming where I am planted..and after all, I have seen flowers grow out of a rock! So… I am covered, right?
As I work through the process, I have to ask myself, “is who I am longing to be wrapped up in where I live, or what house I live in, or what car I drive? Is my desire to be used of God something that works in one area but not in another?” I know the answer is a resounding NO. So I start asking God some questions: What do you want me to learn from this “suddenly”? Who do you want me to meet? What legacy to do you want me to leave with those that I have shared life with where I am currently? Who do you want to bring into my life that is new? Where do you want to plant me in this change that I am making?
My request?
Remind me once again that it is never too late to start again in a new place.
Make my home an atmosphere where your love is felt in every corner of that home. It belongs to You, after all.
You see, no matter where I am, this home, a new place, Honduras or any number of other places I have been or lived, I know He has a purpose for my life. I’m seeking the new with the familiar because I know He wants me to remain flexible in Him and His plan for me. Refine me. Is it always easy? No. Most certainly not. But He does tell us that He will ALWAYS be with us. So I cling to that reminder, look back at the blessings He has given me through my time where I have been at, and take all that love and blessings into the new ground that He is giving me.
So I am forward-looking about my “suddenly”, and moving ahead with His abounding grace to the new place He is taking me. This blog is about the journeys of my heart, and I’m about to embark on a big journey.
How are you handling your “suddenlys” in your life? Does it paralyzed you or energize you? Don’t stand, afraid to move. Step out in faith and prayer. Take my hand and let’s walk this life journey of “suddenlys” together knowing He has it all under His control. Scripture says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”Proverbs 3:5 & 6. That’s my life verse!
Are you ready? Got a “suddenly” going on? Here’s my hand…let’s walk the journey together!
There is a thunder in the distance…and it is not a Spring storm! It’s the roar and shout of the saints coming together to do something great! I’m so glad to be a part of this crowd!
What’s the thunder about? Over the past five months, I have been fulfilling the call that God gave me when I went to Honduras this last January, to raise the money to send a shipping container of needed items to Honduras for the orphanage, school, church, and medical center. I have prayed more than ever over it because I knew it wasn’t something I could do by myself. God’s ideas are always bigger than we can conceive on our own. I knew it had to be God moving in the hearts of others to work as a team in order to make it happen. AND?… It IS!!! We are very close to meeting that need and I am even believing God for overflow so that we can actually purchase a few other items that are needed. Is God faithful? ALL the time!
This is the kind of activity that I think God wants us to be involved in. Not just meeting the needs, but He knows when we work together, we become family, friendships deepen, you have common goals that drive you forward together, joy is spread, and hearts made light when we let our lights shine through our love in action! It is like a big wheel, where God is the hub and we are the spokes in the wheel; we all are needed to give support to the hub so the wheel can turn.
Is it effective? Absolutely! I love how I have seen people from church to pastors, classmates to Facebook friends, new acquaintances to past co-workers, join together and say, “I want to help and here is my donation!” VERY cool! At church, we are talking about “Live.Love.” I can think of no better way to be an example of that then what I have seen take place these five months! As times may seem to be getting more difficult, it is wonderful to know that we have been given the very gift that we need for such a time as this…each other.
Don’t let your opportunity to join in where in where you can! You can change a life and it won’t be just the person you are helping. It WILL change yours in ways you never thought possible. Thank you for walking the journey with me. You make it all worth while!
I’m living it! Are you? Walking the journey with you…
It’s been a long time since I posted and I apologize for that. Life took over for a while and I realized I needed to get back to the things I really enjoy. I don’t want to disappoint those who look for my posts. So, here I am!
I was reading an article this morning, in my “home school time for me”, regarding the importance of light in photography. The article stated how we need to be a Seer of Light. This terminology took me on a journey that led to a lot of creativity and contemplation. There are so many implications in that phrase, and it just made me want to share some of the thoughts with you.
First, look at what being a “Seer” means. A Seer is defined as “someone who sees; sees with spiritual eyes; perceives meaning of that which seems obscure to others; clarifies truth.” In the context of photography, you are looking at what you want to photograph, and then, noticing the light and how it hits the subject of your photo. Light in photography is the most important element of your photo. You can even take pictures of something, and move your angle to change how the light hits it, and you will change the whole outcome of your photo. The most striking mid-day light can be used to your advantage if used well. I “created” with light today with various objects and had so much fun! I have always enjoyed how light reflects but I now look at how light accents, highlights, shadows, or enhances what I’m seeing more than I have before.
But here is the other side of this lesson. We also need to be a Seer of Light in our spiritual lives also. We need to look for God’s light on our situation. In what ways can we be reflections of His light in our daily lives? He may be giving us some bright mid-day light that exposes some pretty sharp edges in us. Notice what those edges are. Or, maybe He is lovingly shining the soft light of His love as a reminder, so that, you just have to stop for a moment and enjoy it. He may be focusing in on one subject in our lives, or He may be wanting you to see the bigger picture.
I posted the above picture which was part of my own project after reading the article. I was so excited with the outcome that I printed the photo out as a reminder to me. After I posted the photo, a friend commented that this concept will take my photography to a new level. I think so too. However, more than that, it will change how I look at ALL things in my life. I tend to relate any learning experience not just to those moments of subject matter, but to my whole life.
So, open wide the window of your spirit and become a Seer of Light. Allow the Holy Spirit to shine His light over you and speak to the areas of your life that He wants to speak to. Notice how the light hits your spirit, your eyes gates, and your mind. It is to our benefit to watch where His lights shines. We are to be lights to the world after all! We will shine a lot brighter when we “see” the light of His glory shine in and around us. Then, we can turn those times into a photographic moment in our lives that will step us up to a new level with Him!
I pray that this ray of light has helped you to be more of a “Seer”. It is my prayer that you see things that others don’t see because the Holy Spirit is giving you a new vision. Shine on… press on… sweet Seers of Light!
When I was praying over my new year and setting goals, little did I know that God had His own planned detour. I know that what I am doing right now is something God wants me to do, but what I wasn’t expecting was that going to Honduras was a part of that plan! However, God had His hand working in it and I was given an opportunity to go with my airfare and room and board paid for. What a blessing that was! I could never have gone otherwise at this time. As I contemplated and prayed about the trip, I felt I was to say yes. As soon as I said yes, God provided a gift from a friend that confirmed I was to go. So, I called the person that asked me, and accepted their invitation.
Now, to make things a bit more clear for you, I don’t like the heat. I swell up from the heat. It makes me grumpy to be in the heat. I don’t have a very good attitude in the heat. And on top of that, mosquitoes love me! And where I was going had ALL of these conditions. So, it would not have been my CHOICE to go. So given all that, I KNEW God had something spectacular in mind for me to be a part of.
Indeed He did. I think we in America miss out so much on what God has for us because we don’t necessarily believe that the God of the Old and New Testament is still doing the same things today that He did then. He is the same yesterday, today and forever! Right?So what is it about our faith, that lacks in this area? Do we not trust Him? Do we not take Him at His Word? Do we believe it can happen to others but not to ourselves? Do we think it’s weird to receive healing or sign and wonders? What keeps us from receiving the power that is ours for the acceptance of it? I ACCEPTED!!
When He First Stood To Walk
I saw a wheelchair bound boy get up and walk the field; first with help around him if he needed it. They would ask him if he wanted to rest and his response was, “No keep walking!” He would walk more and they would ask him again. He would reply, “No keep walking.” HE experienced the healing power of Jesus and by the end he was walking without much assistance at all! That was just the beginning of his healing! I saw people set free from years of bondage. There was a woman who received healing from boils on her legs. Another received her sight back. It goes on and on. God worked through my hands as I prayed over a man’s back and legs and saw God bring this man’s spine into alignment so his legs were of equal length. You see, God’s power is for anyone who believes in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and has the Holy Spirit living inside of him/her.
God shook up my faith. He gave me signs and wonders the whole time I was there. I won’t ever be the same, and I don’t ever WANT to be the same. As I went the first day to teach a class for pastor’s wives, I stood before the crowd of women and looked into their eyes. Tears welled up in mine as I realized, THIS was why I had come. In the middle of all the things that are going on there, these women had come to know Jesus more. To be encouraged in their walk of faith so that they could in turn, share that love of Jesus with someone else. That’s the blessing. If I had gone and saw nothing else but this, it would have been worth it. But God in His mercy and power, showed me so much more.
I don’t complain about my house anymore because I saw how others MUST live without the choice of living different. I am now even more thankful for what I HAVE. We complain of weather when it hits, or a bad day, a bad perm (I did that), or any number of trivial things every day. I saw people who would gladly have traded any of those problems for their lack of food, a job, clothes, or not being able to care for their children. Many of the children in the orphanage are there because their parents had no way of caring for them. Yes, it opened the eyes of THIS heart!
One of the activities I did with the women was to have them trace their hand, and put their name at the top right of the sheet. Then they passed it in their row to the next person who then added her name to it, until they had the five or six names in their row with each name on a finger or the palm of the hand. I asked them to take it home and lay their hand over it and pray for everyone on their hand during the days of the conference. Each day, I had them add something about their gifts, challenges or where they think God may be taking them, to their signature on that hand. So each day, they had prayer coverage over those things. The day I left, one of the women came to me and wanted to give me her paper with her hand on it. She asked if I would pray over her hand and for her church. Now THAT’S connection! I accepted it and came home and put it in a frame above my desk. Everyday I touch that hand and pray over it. What a blessing!
There is so much that was poured INTO my heart that it is hard to share just a few. But I want to encourage you to think about your days in the light of what Jesus wants to do THROUGH you. He may not ask you to travel to Central America, but He might! When we need to learn things we might not learn where we are, then He will send you where you need to go. That applies to a different neighborhood, church, community, state, or wherever. Would you go? Would you be obedient even if you knew you would have some discomforts? I hope you will, because you will miss the blessings of a lifetime if you don’t be obedient to what He is calling you to. ASK Him! He loves to dream with you!
Did I survive the heat? I swelled up like a balloon! My feet were like clubs. But did I make it? Yes. God graciously allowed me to work through the discomfort every day, for the blessings He gave me, everyday. Will you step out into the deep with Him? I hope so. Maybe you can dip your swollen toes into the Caribbean as I did and enjoy the views that only He can give you! This is YOUR YEAR! Move forward. May God help you to that end!
Here we are at the end of another year. To some of us, this is exciting! We look back on our year and see all the things that God has done for us, accomplishments we have made, and it helps us decide what we might want to change in our new year. We might be thinking of areas of our life that might need “adjustments”, or just plain need to be changed. Whatever it is for you, there is a way to make it fun and exciting. Don’t entertain the thought that you don’t need them. You do! Don’t think of them as resolutions. If you don’t make them, you just made a resolution anyway; that is, to no do anything for fear it might not happen.
So how do we handle them?
1. I have always been a BIG proponent of setting goals each year. Every December, and sometimes even earlier, I begin to ask God to shed some light on things for next year. I never get picky about what I write down. I write down EVERYTHING big or small. I allow God the opportunity to choose what He will bring about in my life.
2. Over the last several years, God has given me a word for my year. It is something that I pray for Him to give me. I research it, and because I am a visual person, I look for pictures that will represent that word for me. I purchase a few items of visual reminders. I put the picture on my office, iPad, my desktop, my iPhone and anywhere else I may need to put it so that it is in front of my eyes. I explore. I dream. I envision. ~~> I. Get. Excited!
2012? Wow! Let me share what God has laid upon my heart. This year, God gave me the word…wait for it……..JUBILEE!!! I’m so excited about it. I think of the Biblical times regarding the Year of Jubilee and it is a time of celebration; shouts of joy! Reflections on what God has done and then listening to what He wants you to do next. The idea of Jubilee comes into our current times too with celebrations of 25, 50 and 60 year anniversaries. But I like to think of it in more biblical terms and that it is a year of forgiveness of debt, the ground is left alone to replenish itself for future crops and then during that time, it is a time of reflection and trust. You see, in those times, they wouldn’t have the crops they would normally depend on either. So they had to trust that other items would be enough to sustain them until they planted once again. I like to think that as God gives me this word, He is asking me to trust Him deeper, be a noticer of His work in my life, supernaturally work in my finances, and give me direction where He wants me to work with Him. But I am open to His leading this next year.
God has given me a word for the year for about the last 5 years or more. Last year it was Celebrate and this year Jubilee. But He added another this year and that word is, relentless. Just a few days after that word came to me, I ran across John Bevere’s book CALLED Relentless. I purchased the book! I believe He has something to tell me about being relentless, not giving up, seeking, learning, and listening. So I will be relentless in my pursuit of my year of Jubilee. It is like a well-spring stirring up inside ready to spill out!
So, as I was looking for something to represent my year of Jubilee I came across something that I really liked. I am a gal that loves red. Why? About 13 years ago, God began speaking to me about the color red and the cross. I came to see it as a reminder of what Christ did for me on the cross and His blood that was shed so that I might be given salvation. And in the years following, I started adding that color to my home. I haven’t stopped. It is the primary color of my kitchen, master bedroom and I have a little of the red color in each room. Red is a color that is action oriented, deep need for physical fulfillment, compassionate, and likes to experience life through five senses. That is SO me. However, I’m also a blue person. Blue people have an inner need to find peace and truth. They like to live their life according to their ideals and beliefs. Color is important. With the right color you can change how a room looks, how you look with the right color of clothing, and also what it does for your skin tone and eyes. That’s not to mention what it can do for your overall well-being to have colors you love around you! So I am concentrating on bringing those colors into my world in 2012!
If you visit my Facebook page, you can see my picture for My Year of Jubilee. The diamonds representing the Jubilee or celebration and the color red because that is my main color. I will also be adding from the blue category, some blue/turquoise into my vision. I will be on the hunt for good finds to include that in my home, which I found just today for my toast this evening for New Years!
What about my goals? I write those goals of mine down in a little book. I have it right by me to read through. When God meets a need on that list, answers the desires on that list, I highlight it. At the end of the year, I have a wonderful “altar of remembrance” for that year. It brings me joy and gratitude to see what He has done for me. He cares about everything on your list. Don’t limit Him! Go get out that tablet or journal and begin dream with God! See what He will do! He is faithful and wants you to trust Him. Dream big and watch Him be faithful to answer! I would love to hear what you have planned for the new year. Leave a comment! ♥
change the whole look. God said, just like this shot, you may not always be able to see what is going on or what will happen next. But the rock is still there and hasn’t changed. The water waves are still there, and the ripples are still going out whether I can see them or not. I have to trust. God sees and He knows what I can’t see and what I don’t know. If I trust Him, it doesn’t matter that I can’t see what is going on behind the scenes. He knows.
Journeys of My Heart 
