I’m excited to share that Strong & Courageous Women Magazine has featured me on their blog this week! I’ve written an article about faith triumphing over fear in my life. Read it here: I’m Not Afraid of the Dark… Anymore!
What “dark places” have you struggled with and how did you overcome it? It’s exciting to know that God loves me so much, that He will come through for me especially in the difficult times! Please share your thoughts below!
Live loved,
Hopeless… the sense or belief that there is no light at the end of the tunnel. It tries to convince us that nothing will ever be right again. It’s claim is that God’s mercy is not bigger than our messiness. 
Hopelessness is giving in to what “hopeless” is whispering to our hearts.
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12 NKJV
At one time, I thought this verse was referring to unfulfilled hope making our hearts ache. However, it is possible to view this verse differently and find an applicable truth. Deferred means to put off or delay. Could it be that what makes our hearts ache is not the lack of what we hope for, but the lack of hope? When we put off hoping, thinking that what we long for isn’t in our future, it is then that our hearts truly ache from the loss… the loss of hope, the loss of expectancy.
But when desire comes, when hope rises in us, there is life and expectancy!
Hope… it’s the little word that roars in our spirits! Hope is that ember of burning coal in an otherwise spent fire. It is the fallen warrior who rises up on the abandoned battle field. Hope is the tiny flower that dares to bloom in the dry and thirsty place. Hope.
Photo credits: Andre Scultori
Often times I have thoughts stirring in my mind and heart and I jot notes down to go back to when I have some time. One of my recent entries simply said this:
H-Holding
O-Onto
P-Promises
E-Expectantly
A few weeks ago, Pastor Rita Langeland of Hidden With Christ Ministries, a precious woman with an amazing heart, dropped in to share a word the Lord had given her for our church family. I was excited to hear that her word was titled: Get Your Hopes Up! As I took notes, I appreciated her explanation of two different hopes:
Hope in the Changeable
Hope in the Unchangeable
If you are like me, you probably don’t have to go too far back in your memory to find a time when you were hopeful for something and ended up with a bucketful of disappointment! Unfulfilled hopes are a part of life. It’s not that we shouldn’t desire these things… a certain job, a newer car, a better living situation, etc. But rather that we shouldn’t put our hope IN or our reliance ON those things. Hoping in desired circumstances is hope in the changeable. It is hope that more often than not, may disappoint.
But… hope in the unchangeable will not disappoint! Hope in God’s faithfulness, His unchanging love, His lovingkindness, His mercy, and His grace… that is hope that will never let us down! No matter the circumstances that we encounter, we can confidently trust that God’s plans for us are to prosper us! Romans 8:28 states that when we are lovers of God, all things in our lives will ultimately work out for our good. That is something worth placing our hope in!
I’ve revised my notes to say:
H-Holding
O-Onto HIS
P-Promises
E-Expectantly
What word has the Lord whispered into your heart and spirit? Is it a verse you are clinging to? Is it a promise you are standing on? Hold onto hope in the Unchangeable One! Though you may have to wait, you will not be disappointed by His faithfulness!
“Let Your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in You alone.” Psalm 33:22 NLT
Dive Deeper: Romans 5:1-5, Jeremiah 29:11-13
Please share your thoughts below, I appreciate hearing from my readers!
Live Loved,
Years ago, we didn’t know we were trend setters by dipping our French fries into our milkshakes! As kids, smearing icing on saltines was simply scrounging for a yummy snack. But somehow, the desire to eat salty yet savory snacks became a rage leading to store shelves bearing Pretzel M & Ms™, Pecan Pie Pringles™, and Salty Caramel candies galore! There’s something about the tangy flavor of salt combined with delicious sweetness molded into one bite!
What if you and I were sweet yet savory people? Crazy idea, huh?! What if followers of Jesus purposed to live in a way that offered those around us a “salty sweet” presence that reflected who we are and Whose we are? Let me explain…
It was Jesus who declared you and I the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13). What is the purpose of salt? In a nutshell… this is what salt does1:
Preserves quality
Hmmm….
Now apply those characteristics to personal interactions. Do you and I bring good things to the table? Do we preserve others, enhance conversations, remove bitterness, speak wisdom, promote unity, and brighten lives? Wow! When I consider the characteristics of salt, I sense a strength, an authenticity even, that presents itself while engaging with others. It’s living and interacting in an integral way that brings glory to God.
So where does the sweetness come in?
Colossians 4:6 reminds us, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” I believe the sweetness comes through us in the form of grace! Grace takes mercy to a whole new level!
Mercy is when we don’t receive consequences we deserve. Grace is when we not only don’t receive what we deserve, but we are blessed with something we don’t deserve and didn’t earn! Grace is the ability to treat others with kindness and value regardless of whether we feel it is deserved. It allows us to answer anger with gentleness; to give blessing to those who curse us; and to forgive the ones who break our hearts (Prov. 15:1, Matt. 5:44,18:21-22). In a nutshell… Grace brings a sweetness to interactions, even if they are in painful or uncomfortable situations.
Sweet and salty, grace and strength… a powerful combination, a recipe even. As ambassadors representing the Kingdom of God, when our interactions with others are patterned with salty qualities and the sweetness of grace then wrapped in God’s love, we will walk in favor and influence like we never have before! Each personal connection is an opportunity to love others, be encouraging, dismantle bitterness, and promote goodness!
What a powerful opportunity for us! Sweet yet savory! Be a life well-seasoned! I’m up to the challenge, how about you?
Live Loved,
P.S. Please share your thoughts by clicking the reply button! I appreciate your input.
P.P.S. Try one of my favorite salty sweet combinations here: Rolo Pretzel Turtle Bites
What is it that you need in 2018?
I love learning about the names of the Lord sprinkled throughout Scripture! When I need healing, He is Jehovah-Rophe. When I need provision, He is Jehovah-Jireh. When I need forgiveness, He is Jehovah-Tsidkenu. When I need His presence, He is Jehovah-Shammah. He is my Counselor, my Everlasting Father, the God of Angel Armies, and King of kings. When Moses asked God what name he should give to the children of Israel, God’s response was, “I AM WHO I AM.”
Sometimes… I don’t know what I need. I don’t know what to ask for. I don’t have the words to ask. But He knows! I simply need Him! The I AM! HE IS what I need and He knows what my heart needs… He reminds me “I AM enough!”
He is I AM…
He is enough for you! He is enough for me!
I was meditating on this idea when I read from one of my Christmas gifts: “I Hear His Whisper” by Brian Simmons.
“I {God} am enough for you. When you face difficulties and limitations, I will whisper into your heart, “I am enough.” I will not shield you from every hardship, but I am enough as you walk through them with your eyes set on Me. I am enough. I will be your wraparound shield in the midst of difficulty.
Your thoughts cannot contain the love I have for you. And you will never be able to comprehend with your mind the plans that I have for you. Yet I am enough, and all you need to know is that I am here for you.”
No matter who you are or where you’ve been or what you’ve done, you are deeply loved and treasured by God! Turn your eyes to Him and open your heart to His love and grace! You don’t need to change to receive His love; it’s a done deal! He loves you and there’s nothing you can do or not do that will change His love for you!
Whatever 2018 brings, don’t face it alone! You have an advocate in Jesus! He is your Comforter, your Healer, your Deliverer, and the Lover of your soul! Our Heavenly Father, the Great I Am is enough!
May the Lord richly bless you and your family in 2018! May it be a year of wonderful surprises, amazing victories, and Kingdom revelations! May you know God’s deep, unconditional, abiding love more than you ever thought that you could!
Live Loved,
As the clock ticks towards midnight… not just any midnight, but the end of 2017… I confess, I’m excited! Not to see 2017 end, but to see 2018 begin!
For the past few years, I’ve embraced the One Word Challenge… asking the Lord to give me a word to characterize the upcoming year. It’s a word that would reflect what the Lord wants to do in and through me during this season. (I gave up on New Year’s resolutions a long time ago!) My sweet friend, Deanna Shrodes, writes more about the One Word Challenge.
For 2017, the word He gave me, “training” wasn’t too exciting! But quickly the Lord confirmed in my heart that this was His word for me and why. Now, looking back over the past year, I can see where I’ve been trained and had the opportunity to train. The result has been growth in many areas of my life! There is value in what has transpired in my life and I am so thankful! Yet, I’m ready to embrace the new things the Lord has for me!
“But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 (NLT)
Last Sunday, I realized how close we were to the end of the year and I reminded the Lord that I needed a word for 2018. Suddenly, I felt Him drop a word in my spirit with a kiss on my forehead! Truly, the Lord holds precious gifts for us and is just waiting for us to pause and listen!
After this “mic drop” moment, I meditated on the word the Lord gave me for 2018. Immediately, I searched for a Scripture to confirm the word. I can’t help but smile and feel His favor on me for this new season. (Cliff hanger… I’m not going to share the word yet!)
What about you? Have you had it with resolutions that have rotted away? Are you ready for a fresh approach to a new year? Steal away for a few moments and seek His face. Ask Him to whisper His heart into yours. What word can you embrace for your new season? Set your sights towards how He will move in and through you in 2018!
“Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me.
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!” Psalm 103:1-5 (NLT)
I would love hearing the word the Lord gives you, so please share! I’ll share mine too… soon!
Live loved!
There’s something exciting about “new.” Imagine that feeling of popping open the fresh box of pointed crayons, smelling that new car scent, opening an untouched jar of peanut butter, pulling out a new pair of jeans. New is adventurous! New is refreshing! New is an untouched opportunity!
Maybe you’ve heard someone say, “I can’t wait for the new year, I’m ready to be done with this one!” We celebrate each January 1st as a new beginning and a fresh start. It represents an untouched opportunity to explore, grow, and change.
But why wait? By waiting for the close of the official calendar to evoke freshness in our lives, we are missing the blessing of each new day! Too often we wake up in the morning just to have our minds flooded with the happenings of yesterday… missed opportunities, frustrated moments, forgotten commitments, harsh words… all stains that should stay with yesterday but are allowed to bleed into today. Don’t begin today by writing on yesterday’s page. Each new day is a new beginning. You were designed to open to a fresh page when your eyes embrace the morning light!
The Prophet Jeremiah experienced loss, anger, and frustration, yet he reminded himself (and us), “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NLT)
What are these mercies that are new for us each morning?
His faithfulness-Isaiah 30:18, I Thessalonians 5:23-24
His unconditional love-Psalm 103:11, I John 4:9-10
His forgiveness-Micah 7:18-19, I John 1:9
His strength-Isaiah 40:28-31, Philippians 4:13
His grace-Psalm 84:11, Romans 5:20-21
His peace-Psalm 29:11, John 14:27
As you step into your new day, what is it that you need today… His faithfulness, love, forgiveness, strength, grace, peace? All of those things? Me too! And they are all found in our Savior! He is never further than a whisper away! Don’t wait for a new year to gain a fresh beginning; start each day with a new page!
Don’t stop there though, as you experience God’s faithfulness, love, and forgiveness, extend those gifts to the others in your life! Offer forgiveness that isn’t requested; give grace to those who offend; show kindness that is undeserved. Freely you have received it, so freely give!
Our Father is a God of new beginnings! He promises to forget our mistakes and help us clean up our messes. Our eyes and feet point forward because that is how God designed us to move… forward into what He has for us today without clinging to the stains of yesterday. Let each day unfold on a fresh page, purified and ready to reflect God at work in you and me.
Live Loved, because you are!
Please share your thoughts in the “reply” box or by clicking on the bubble by the title!
The first Friday in December is our Women’s Tea at Freedom International Church! It’s one of those events that the ladies, 6 years old and up, wait for all year long. There’s lots of singing, laughter, gifts, fellowship, and food! At this year’s tea, Pastor Sarah shared these anointed thoughts with us and they touched my heart. I asked her to write them down to share with you! So, I’m excited to introduce guest blogger, Pastor Sarah Lehmann, to you! Pastor Sarah has an amazing way of speaking life and encouragement to those around her. When you talk with her, you feel like the most important person in the room! She is an anointed woman of God, wife, mother, and friend. May her words lift you up, encourage you, and challenge you as they did me.
Obey, Adore, Pursue
December’s airwaves are filled with notes of joy and words of truth as carols proclaim our Savior’s Birth! Christmas is a time of celebration like no other… filled with sharing, friends, family, and traditions. Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus can almost seem common place during this season. But His birth was anything but a common place! As I meditated on the approaching season, my heart longed for fresh revelation. It was with this mindset that I considered some of those figures in our Nativity scene. What do their actions teach us today?
Mary… she demonstrated unquestioning obedience even in the hard things. Mary’s decision to obey came at a great cost. We can only imagine the stigma, being unmarried and with a child, she faced in the culture of her day. When Gabriel revealed to Mary her destiny, she didn’t ask for guarantees or affirmation. She simply obeyed. Mary received no applause for her obedience.
An opportunity to obey in the ‘hard’ things, is also an opportunity to see with eyes of faith without looking for affirmation or applause from others. From our obedience to God, we derive a fulfillment greater than any applause that comes from men. We obey because we love the Father and we have a deep, meaningful, and abiding sense of fulfilled purpose as a part of His plan. The lesson of Mary: Be willing to be obedient in all things!
Shepherds – these people dropped everything. After the angels’ radical announcement, the shepherds were quick to search out and adore Jesus! They left their work… their ‘do-to-list’… and made adoring Jesus their first priority. Life is busy and we all have obligations and priorities that require our time, energy, and attention. In our busy lives, can we be quick to ‘drop’ what we feel is important and run to Him?
God honors our love-gifts of time spent with Him by giving us all that we need in order to accomplish (with joy) the things we had set aside to spend time with Him. The lesson of the Shepherds: Be quick to adore Jesus!
Wisemen – those who kept seeking Jesus. The Wiseman were wealthy, had influence and were most likely very comfortable. Yet they chose to search long and far to find Jesus. They endured all kinds of weather, rough roads, wrong directions, and threats from an insanely jealous king. But in the end, they found Jesus! They never stopped pursuing Him.
Have we become satisfied with a ‘comfortable’ relationship with God? Has going to church, doing good, and even daily devotions developed into a spiritually sedentary lifestyle? Let’s never stop seeking the King of Kings. Let’s not allow storms, rough roads, or threats from the enemy to keep us from actively cultivating and growing our love for Jesus. And may comfort be a blessing that comes from our increased capacity to love our King! The lesson of the Wisemen: Never stop seeking the King!
Obey, adore, pursue… lessons from the ones who were there on that very first Christmas! Lord, May our hearts be willing to obey You, quick to adore You, and persistent to pursue You!
In Him, Pastor Sarah
Freedom International Church, Pastors Eric & Sarah Lehmann, Wesley Chapel, Florida
Thank you, Pastor Sarah, for sharing this encouragement! You are a blessing!
Joy
It’s a small wooden trunk, a simple box really, but every time I glance at that trunk, it brings a smile to my face! It’s not the box itself, but the knowledge of what resides in it. Words… so simple, yet quite profound. My wooden trunk is filled with the words of others… words of thanks, words of love, words of encouragement. That trunk is a “thesaurus,” literally, a treasure of words that speak to my heart.
You may be familiar with the Five Love Languages™ introduced by Gary Chapman. These “languages” are the primary ways that people tend to give and receive love. Words of affirmation are appreciated by most everyone, even if it’s not each person’s top love language. For me, it ranks near the tippy-top! So, when I receive a card that includes a note of blessing or affirmation, it touches a place deep within me and replenishes my “love tank.”
Words of affirmation can be simple “good jobs!” or “You’re great!” But that’s truly just the start! Life-filled words stir sparks of hope in disheartening situations. They bring inspiration in the midst of discouragement. Words of affirmation provide comfort in hurt, light in darkness, and peace in the fearful places.
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24
Life-giving words are tools that build others up. They may be declarations of a positive future, celebrations of character qualities, or sharing of proud moments. We are made in the image of our Creative Father God! He enables us to find creative ways to use our vocabulary of “life” words to build up those in our realm of influence. One of my “treasure cards” includes 10 truths that a precious sister wrote about me. What a creative way to build up a friend!
The beauty of written words is that you can revisit them often. However, spoken words are precious drops of blessing as well. Encouragement and life spoken to or about someone in the hearing of others strengthens hearts and heals souls. Ephesians 4:29 reminds us to use our talk to build others up according to their need at that moment.
Life goes fast, often dragging us behind… It’s time to press pause and ask ourselves, “How can I build others up today?” “What word of encouragement can I speak to a service worker?” “What positive declaration can I make over a difficult situation?” “In what way can I celebrate my spouse, child, or co-worker?” The opportunities are unlimited! All that’s required are life-building words and a heart to bless! II Corinthians 4:7 declares that the Treasure that’s inside of us longs to pour light and life on those in our world; and YOU and I get to be a part His plan!
Dive Deeper: Proverbs 18:21, II Corinthians 4:6-7 
Live Loved,
Please share your thoughts by leaving a reply!
Excited to be featured on Strong and Courageous Women Magazine’s Blog today! This is an encouraging and uplifting digital publication featuring articles about marriage, parenting, beauty, faith, and more. Some of my articles have been featured in recent issues as well as the work of friends that are faith-filled women! Head on over and let “Beautiful Mess” encourage you today!
Strong and Courageous Women: Beautiful Mess
For Subscription information: Strong and Courageous Women: Digital Magazine
Live Loved!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! November and December usher in wonderful opportunities to reflect on the blessings in our lives as well as the people who make our lives richer! But as our calendars fill up and our wallets empty, the season seems to slip by much too quickly and on January 2nd, we look in our rearview mirror wondering how it flew by in the blink of an eye!
It feels this way each year for me… so, I’ve been contemplating… what can I do, or not do, to treasure the days, value the moments, and capture the pleasure instead of haphazardly racing through the season.
Savor… I’ve decided to purposely savor… savor the preparations, savor the time invested, savor the opportunities, savor the finds, savor the people!
Savoring involves using the 5 senses to experience and appreciate the world around us.
Tasting… so easy this time of year! Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa… each involves deliciously prepared foods that we anticipate each year. But there’s so much more to tasting! The preparation time and effort going into our food can involve times of cooking together, whipping up cookies with a promising baker, sharing a special recipe with a new family member, inviting the input of someone who usually doesn’t offer it. Savor the moments of food preparation as well as the food.
Smelling…. Ahhh, at this moment, there’s a caramel pecan candle filling my home with a sense of warmth and delight. Cinnamon, pine, favorite perfumes, honeyed-ham, all evoking images that bring delight… or maybe not. Our sense of smell is uniquely connected to our memory. Sometimes memories can be painful or remind us of loss. But even those moments have value. They remind us of past blessings, victories over pain, and anticipation of new memories being made. Savor the smells and the memories that come with them.
Feeling… Feelings of the heart and feelings of touch are precious opportunities to savor the season! Whether you live alone or in a houseful of chaos, look for opportunities to encourage others with kind words, thoughtful actions, and genuine affection. Give to those who don’t expect it and can’t give in return. Hug instead of shaking hands. Offer soft answers to those whose stress levels push yours. Savor the opportunities to be a blessing.
Seeing… We see with our eyes and envision with our mind. Savor the people in your life with both! See who they are and who they are destined to be. Understand that our loved ones do not always show us their kindest moments yet love embraces the person for who they are not for what they do! Savor the delight on your loved one’s face as they open a gift from you. Capture a mental snapshot of an unexpected, serene moment. Delight in the splashes of color uniquely displayed during the holidays. Savor the sights of your eyes and heart.
Hearing… Close your eyes and hone in on the sounds… the laughter, the music, the greetings, the bells. Choose to tune out the demands on you that seem so urgent—but can wait. Sift through the must dos and set them aside for some things you choose to do that bring you joy. Listen to the words of Christmas Carols, focus on the silly stories your children share, laugh at the joke you’ve heard 10 times before, hear the heart of your loved ones, even if their words don’t match. Listen carefully, hear with your heart and savor the tune.
Savor the Season! Embrace the moments! 
The new year will come with its demanding schedule, list of responsibilities, and new challenges. But for now, pause with me to enjoy this season of celebration! Enjoy the reminder that God loved you so much that He sent Jesus to earth to bring His Kingdom into our hopeless situation. Thank Him for the blessings of breath in your lungs, food on your table, and sunshine each day. He’s a good, good Father!
Live Loved,
Please share your thoughts in the reply box!