Feb5

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Boldness

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Today I am simply grateful for boldness. I am finding that, the more I ask God to help me have boldness, He responds. I’ll be telling a story, mid-sentence even, and realize I’m talking about Jesus, healing, prayer, etc – without so much as a second thought. Where I was shy, and wouldn’t speak my heart out of fear of “what if…” or “what would they think, say, react…” I am now finding the words are there. The boldness to speak them – also there. Thanking God today for all He is, and for helping me become all that I can be through Him.

Feb4

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Peppermint Thieves

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With this being winter (codename: cold and flu season) I have armed myself with some “tools” to keep myself and my family healthy. I recently wrote about the essential oil, Thieves, which I credit with helping whatever ailment was attempting to invade my body. Well, yesterday, I had the opportunity to put the oils to the test again.

Armed with prayer and oils, I attacked the ailment. I’ve never had the flu before, so I couldn’t be sure what I was experiencing. But, I woke up not feeling well yesterday. I hadn’t gotten enough sleep the night before, so attributed it to that. But, the way I felt – purely exhausted beyond words – went beyond the normal lack of great rest symptoms. As the day wore on, my body felt weaker and weaker. I was achy. After lunch, we went shopping for a short time, and all I could do when I got home was crawl into bed. It was at that point that I realized that I hadn’t done anything proactive to try and help my body fight.

I rubbed Peppermint on my stomach, and also used Thieves. It was soothing, but I was still exhausted, and overall just not feeling well. I had a fever, but it stayed under 102. I stayed in bed for the remainder of the evening. This morning, between the hours of two and four, I was up and in the bathroom. It was no fun. The research I did gave lots of suggestions on combating the flu, or flu-like symptoms. Throughout the day, I used some peppermint, but mostly Thieves. My favorite addition to the mix has been Peppermint and Thieves together in a refreshing water drink.

Very early this morning, I made a doctors appointment, cause I was sure this would last longer than I was willing to put up with on my own. Though, through prayer and I’m sure the healing nature of he oils, I am now symptom free / feeling fine! I feel well enough to have cancelled my appointment as well.

I am thankful to God as the Great Physician, our Healer – as well as His gift (therapeutic grade essential oils) to humanity!!

Feb3

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For The Shield Of Faith

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Are you protected? This message is powerful, and really is important. It shares the importance of being fully protected…with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace and now the shield of faith. All imperative. I am thankful to God for His protection.

Feb2

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Fun At The Pinewood Derby

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Today, just like this timeframe every year, is a day met with much anticipation. My boys are both in the Cub Scouts. Each year, they get the opportunity to participate in the Pinewood Derby. This is where these little pine blocks of wood have been turned into little racing machines. You get to handcraft a little car to race against your peers. You get to design it from the block of wood to the final paint finishing.

In previous years, we have approached the Pinewood Derby to just have fun. Yes, they wanted to win, but they were more interested in the car design than the fastness of said design. This year, we knew the recipe for a winning design. So, the choice became theirs – did they want a car that looked neat, or a car that went really fast. As we’ve determined for the previous several years, you can’t always have both. They both had fun, and also raced really well. One child took first place in three of four races (2nd place in the one not placing first), and my other child took first place in all four races he competed in. They both came in second place in their grouping. Out of the entire Cub Scout Pack, one child came in 5th place, and the other 10th place overall.

As you can imagine, they were both thrilled. This was my oldest child’s last year as a Cub Scout. It made his day to walk away with a trophy. No, it wasn’t first place, but he did not care. He had fun, and he won something.

I’m thankful for a day of fun and smiles shared by many.

Feb1

Spotlight on Chris Habermehl: All Things New

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Chris Habermehl is a humble person with a heart of gold. He loves God, and he loves people. He is the worship pastor at Skyline Church in O’Fallon, IL. His newly released CD entitled “All Things New” has many songs that will connect you with the heart of worship. Have you picked up a copy yet? You can order through his website. It’s also available for download at iTunes or Amazon.

One song in particular, “All Things New” is beautiful, and holds great meaning to me. There is so much hope in the music and message contained in this song. This song is comprised of some beautiful instrumentals and vocals alike. God has blessed Chris with talent like no other. His heart and love for God and loving people enough to create music that connects them with God points back to his character. He is someone I am honored to call friend.

This is a song that reached out and touched me – right where I was. The lyrics are my hearts cry to our God larger than life. All of it. It’s pertinent in every way to me. “My heart is overwhelmed.” I often feel this way. I cannot imagine His amazing love. God has such crazy, unrelenting love for each of us. It can honestly feel overwhelming. Even when I don’t feel worthy, His love is redeeming. That’s the thing. I’m NOT worthy, but through Him, I’m precious. And, you are too.

As I mentioned previously, I was recently (January 6th) baptized, and this song just speaks volumes to me – especially in light of and in the timing of that. It speaks of being in despair and how God reaches deep within, lifting up my head, not letting go — and then being made whole. God takes each and every one of us from whatever place we come to Him and turns us into new creations — beautiful in His eyes. He lifts us up, and never lets us go. He makes us clean – all dirt washed away. He loves us that much.

He, and He alone can make all things new. This song so sweetly captures the heart of God and His love for us. That love is life changing. He makes all things new.

Thank you, Chris, for allowing God’s heart to flow through your music. This CD will touch the heart of many people.

Feb1

365 Moments Of Gratitude: I’m Thankful For YOU!!!

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Internet blog reader concept

That’s right! YOU! I’m thankful for YOU! If you’re reading this post right now, then know you have my gratitude. I’m grateful for the love, support and encouragement from my readers.

If you are new to my blog, pull up a seat and stay a while. Better fasten the seat belt though, cause it might just be quite the ride!

Really though, I want you to know I sincerely am grateful you take moments of your day to share with me. As always, thank you for connecting – either via comments below, or sending a message via my “contact me” page.

It’s an honor do do life with you. If there is anything you’d like to talk about – or anything that you’d like me to stand with you in prayer on – don’t hesitate to ask!

Have a great day guys, and know – you are loved!

Jan31

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Snow

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I love the snow. I wish it snowed more here. I live in a place that should get more snow than we’ve seen the past two years, but alas – not so much. That said, we had some beautiful snow today. It was short lived, and no real accumulations – but beautiful nonetheless.

Here is a shot of the snow:

Beautiful Snow

Thank you, God, for the snow – can we have more?

Jan30

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For First Responders (Prayers Requested For Newtown, Connecticut)

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As I sit here, tears flood my eyes. Again. My heart breaks. Again. If I could send a message to Newtown, CT – it would be this: You are not forgotten! You are loved. Thoughts and prayers are still going out on your behalf.

It’s interesting. The saying is true. Time doesn’t erase horrible things that have happened, but it does make them easier to deal with. That’s true. However, and I wasn’t even there that day, the emotions are still very real. My heart breaks, and my tears still fall. As I read accounts of those who followed that call of duty – to what has undoubtedly become one of the most horrible days of their lives, I still cannot imagine.

I read a really great article last night. It was so real. So down to earth. It was that day, all summed up. There was a massive amount of information (I’m sure) not put out there, mostly out of respect for the families, as well as to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation. However, I am grateful to have read it. Not because I like to cry, but instead because I like to pray. This article is a recipe for how to pray. If you ever aren’t sure how to pray, read it. It’ll break your heart, but it will help you pinpoint your prayers.

Newtown, CT – you are not forgotten!!

I wrote about this on Facebook last night. This is what I had to say:

***Warning: Tissues needed!!****

I don’t normally post stories like this, especially ones that have me in tears over and over again. However, God’s got Newtown, CT on my heart – and this article explains a little bit of why. As I sit in tears reading this, my heart continues to break with all those who lost someone that day, as well as with all the first responders still healing as well.

Please take a moment to pray for those involved. They still need it. This article is heartbreaking, but it is a recipe of how to pray.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/29/nyregion/horrors-of-newtown-shooting-scene-are-slow-to-fade.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0

Jan30

Spotlight on Chris Lockwood – Coming Alive: I’m Still Standing

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Did you know that Chris Lockwood has a new EP out? Have you purchased / downloaded his Coming Alive EP? You can find out more at his website.

I can’t think of enough words to adequately describe this music. Full of heart and passion. My goodness – some phenomenal talent. The vocals and music are amazing. I will share my thoughts on the other songs on this EP as well, but this song – man, it’s good! The raw emotions – the perseverance – the fight — so real.

Do you ever feel out of place – like the new kid on the block? Like an outsider peeking in?

This song tackles the idea that life isn’t always easy. It isn’t always going to be smooth sailing, and you won’t always want to plaster on a fake smile. There may be times where you look around, eager to grasp onto anything – anything at all – that will give you strength. You may realize that things that were once of paramount importance are nowhere to be found. The question is – will you give up?

There will undoubtedly be times when you look around, and simply do not like what you see. Even when it seems like your world may come crashing down around you at any moment, never give up. Don’t ever allow life’s circumstances to get to you to the point that you lose your footing. Stand firm. Even if you find yourself staring life in the face, and feel like you’re losing that staring contest, always remember hope — and to stand. Keep on standing.

Never give up. Life’s not always going to be easy, but keep on standing.

Chris – I just want to thank you for creating this EP. Talk about moving and powerful. It really speaks volumes, on so many levels. You, my friend, are an inspiration.

Jan29

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For SWAT: The Shoes Of Peace

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SWAT – The Shoes Of Peace. This is the title of the message from the current series – and yes, I am thankful for it. The truths found and shared in this message speak for themselves. I am so grateful for a pastor and a church who seek the face of God, and share Him with our community and beyond. The words spoken – in this case about the shoes of peace – are powerful. We have discussed the armor and weapons necessary to keep you safe during times of battle.

This is the video from this past Sunday’s service.