refreshing words {rejoicing always}.

the daily reading from "jesus calling" a few days back really spoke to me.  this fall is quite busy for us.  and as a mom, i'm always trying to savor the moments.  i don't want to get carried away with the hustle and bustle of life that i miss the now.  too busy to notice bella twirling about the living room in her tutu.  how emmy searches for her thumb when she's sad.  the chill in the air, promising change... the simplicity of a quiet house and the smell of bread baking.  how my heart feels full when i climb into bed at night and rest next to my husband.

these are all moments i want to savor.  lord, may i not be too busy to treasure each one.

"rejoice in me always!  no matter what is going on, you can rejoice in your relationship with me.  this is the secret of being content in all circumstances.  so many people dream of the day when they will finally be happy; when they are out of debt, when their children are out of trouble, when they have more leisure time, and so on.  while they daydream, their moments are trickling into the ground like precious balm spilling wastefully from overturned bottles.

fantasizing about future happiness will never bring fulfillment, because fantasy is unreality.  even though i am invisible, i am far more real than the world you see around you.  my reality is eternal and unchanging.  bring your moments to me, and i will fill them with vibrant joy.  now is the time to rejoice in my presence!"

(phillippians 4:4, 12; psalm 102:27)

help me, father, to rejoice in you for you are my constant in an ever-changing world.

*i talk about this devotional often... if you haven't picked up a copy, do so!  the refreshing take it gives on our relationship with jesus is life changing.

refreshing words {trusting in jesus}.

yesterday's jesus calling reading. love, love, love this lil book and how it applies to my heart every.single.day.

"i want you to learn a new habit. try saying 'i trust you jesus' in response to whatever happens to you. if there is time, think about who i am in all my power and glory; ponder also the depth and breadth of my love for you.

this simple practice will help you see me in every situation, acknowledging my sovereign control over the universe. when you view events from this perspective--through the light of my universal presence--fear loses its grip on you. adverse circumstances become growth opportunities when you affirm you trust in me no matter what. you receive blessings gratefully, realizing they flow directly from my hand of grace. your continual assertion of trusting me will strengthen our relationship and keep you close to me."

(psalm 63:2, isaiah 40:10-11, psalm 139:7-10)

may i strive to have this be my response: i trust you jesus. loosen fear's grip on me. i am yours, lord. may i trust you more this year that i did in the last one.

refreshing words {his strength in our weaknesses}.

i was thumbing through jesus calling tonight, my ultimate favorite devotional, and came across this reading i remember seeing this summer. it just spoke perfectly to my heart tonight, and i had to share it.

as i've written about before, seven years ago my dad was diagnosed with a rare liver disease. he's probably had six beers in his entire life, so it has nothing to do with alcohol. just one of those fluke things in life that doesn't seem fair. it's been a hard journey over the years for all of us to trust god in our fears, to accept this turn of events, and to watch dad suffer and grow more and more sick.

i guess you never know what you can handle until you're in the middle of it and you're still surviving. that's how the past couple of weeks have been for me, my mom and my sister. my dad's health has gone downhill so fast. he's been hospitalized in boston for over a week now, his disease aggressive and progressing. we don't know what's next... sometimes it seems hopeless... other times i can barely see what the next moment holds, let alone tomorrow, next week, or next month.

that's why this reading spoke to beautifully to my heart tonight:

"come to me when you are weak and weary. rest snugly in my everlasting arms. i do not despise your weakness, my child. actually, it draws me closer to you, because weakness stirs up my compassion--my yearning to help. accept yourself in your weariness, knowing that i understand how difficult your journey has been.

do not compare yourself with others, who seem to skip along their life paths with ease. their journeys have been different from yours, and i have gifted them with abundant energy. i have gifted you with fragility, providing opportunities for your spirit to blossom in my presence. accept this gift as a sacred treasure: delicate, yet glowing with brilliant light. rather than struggling to disguise or deny your weakness, allow me to bless you richly through it."

(isaiah 42:3, isaiah 54:10, romans 8:26)

the beautiful words of jesus. what i'm clinging to now and always.

refreshing words {hope of heaven}.

life seems heavy sometimes. there are days when it seems too much to bear... it doesn't make sense... where grief can seem to outweigh blessings.

i've been reminded of this lately. so many stories, so much suffering. amidst the struggles and trials of life, there is one thing every human needs in order to keep on going: hope. hope is what tells us that life won't always hurt. that it won't always feel so heavy. that it won't always seem this dark.

this too, shall pass.

i love this devotional i read a couple of days ago...

"hope is the golden cord connecting you to heaven. this cord helps you hold your head up high, even when multiple trials are buffeting you. i never leave your side, and i never let go of your hand. but without the cord of hope, your head may slump and your feet may shuffle as you journey uphill with me. hope lifts your perspective from your weary feet to the glorious view you can see from the high road. you are minded that the road we're traveling together is ultimately a highway to heaven. when you consider this radiant destination, the roughness or smoothness of the road ahead becomes much less significant. i am training you to hold in your heart a dual focus: my continual presence and the hope of heaven."

(romans 12:12: rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer...

1 thessalonians 5:8: but since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.

hebrews 6:18-19: so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for god to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. this hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil.)

irving bible church in irving, texas was the place where nick&i met, we established deep friendships, and were employed and involved in several ministries. we just heard this week that the youth group there is grieving the loss of one of their students, friends, brothers. please be praying for this young man's family as well as the youth group at ibc. these things never make sense... pray these kids are held in the grace and peace of jesus, and that in him, they would find hope.

refreshing words {walking this path}.

read this devotional this morning and it just encouraged and blessed my heart and i wanted to share:

"keep walking with me along the path i have chosen for you. your desire to live close to me is a delight to my heart. i could instantly grant you the spiritual riches you desire, but that is not my way for you. together we will forge a pathway up the high mountain the journey is arduous at times, and you are weak. someday you will dance lightfooted on the high peaks; but for now, your walk is often plodding and heavy. all i require of you is to take the next step, clinging to my hand for strength and direction. though the path is difficult and the scenery dull at the moment, there are sparkling surprises just around the bend. stay on the path i have selected for you. it is truly the path of life."

(psalm 37:23-24: the steps of a man are established by the lord, and he delights in his way. when he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the lord is the one who holds his hand.

psalm 16:11: you will make known to me the path of life; in your presence is the fullness of joy; in your right hand there are pleasures forever.)

our little family is in a place of waiting right now. waiting for god's plan for us to continue to unfold; waiting and trusting his provision for us. he is always faithful! he is never late. he holds us in the palm of his almighty hand and will continue to bring about the *beautiful* plan he has for us.

what are you waiting for today? what path does god have you on? wherever life may find us, what a blessed reminder it is: "in HIS presence is the fullness of JOY."

refreshing words {living in the moment}.

nick&i found a new devotional that we *love*. since graduating from seminary four years ago, i have struggled with my quiet time. it's like a piece in my brain is now far too analytical sometimes for my own good.

i'm working on that.

but we recently bought jesus calling, by sarah young and it is refreshment for my soul. she writes so tenderly, in the words of jesus speaking to his children, rather than readings written out of do's and don'ts of the christian life. ms. young works as a christian counselor, so i'm sure that is why my heart is so drawn to her writing style; gentle, loving, peaceful. this devotional has ministered to me so much that i am going to start posting a few of the readings that have especially encouraged me.

here was yesterdays... it spoke so much to my heart with where nick&i are right now in our life transition and trusting god to put all the puzzle pieces together, even when we can't see how he will do it:

"rest with me a while. you have journeyed up a steep, rugged path in recent days. the way ahead is shrouded in uncertainty. look neither behind you nor before you. instead, focus your attention on me, your constant companion. trust that i will equip you fully for whatever awaits you on your journey.

i designed time to be a protection for you. you couldn't bear to see all your life at once. though i am unlimited by time, it is in the present moment that i meet you. refresh yourself in my company, breathing deep draughts of my presence. the highest level of trust is to enjoy me moment by moment. i am with you, watching over you wherever you go."

(psalm 143:8, genesis 28:15)

if you are looking for something to read each day that will refresh your heart and mind and bring you closer to the heart of jesus, check out this book. a-mazing. there's nothing more life changing than reading what the god of this universe would say to me.