Jan28

Spotlight On 33 Miles – Let It Be Glory

Posted on by
Standard

This new CD “Let It Be Glory” from 33 Miles has, literally, a message for anyone – any living breathing human being. I cannot tell you how many times I have sat listening, tears in my eyes, as God touches me and blesses my heart – exactly where I am, exactly when I need to hear the words. When this CD is released, you need to get your hands on a copy. If you, or if someone you know is hurting, your heart will give thanks for playing this CD. I can speak from a personal place when I say this is God’s heart poured out right here.

This song, also entitled “Let It Be Glory” is so very powerful. It speaks volumes to the hurting heart. It contains a powerful reminder to those who are struggling – who are walking through life, dealing with what may seem to be a sequence of unbearable trials. In a way hard to put in words (yet they did so beautifully) this song brings peace by explaining that you are not alone. No matter what burden you bear, there IS hope. Things may be hard, and you may not be able to see the light at the end of the virtual tunnel. You are not, however, alone. What you are going through right now will not last forever.

The biggest thing I walk away from this song knowing is that I am not alone in my struggles. In the midst of those, there is – and always will be – HOPE. No matter what I am, or will go through, God’s hand is in the midst of it. There is a reason for every tear, for every moment, for everything that is a part of my story.

God is God, no matter what. He is in control.

If this speaks to you as much as it has to me, I urge you to pick up a copy of this CD when it comes out in a few months. In the mean time, if you would like to talk about it, please don’t hesitate to post below, or send a message via my “contact me” page. I look forward to connecting with you.

Smile. You are not alone. Hope is real. Don’t ever forget how very loved you are.

To 33 Miles, you have my gratitude (again) for following after the heart of God continuously with such passion. You may never know the impact your music has on people, but never doubt the difference it makes. Your hearts and love of God and people touch and bless so many countless people, myself included. Also, never doubt how loved and appreciated you are.

Jan28

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For New Friendships

Posted on by
Standard

I am honored to walk through life with friends. What I really like is when God opens up doors, and allows for new friendships to emerge. Something amazing happens when people open up and share – strengths and vulnerabilities. Opening up, and allowing friendship to happen – priceless.

You may be like I am – or at least WAS – and think you are okay walking through life alone, or with very few people by your side. And, while that may work for a season, it will not ever work long term. As I have mentioned time and time again, we were created as community people – to do life together. We weren’t meant to walk through life alone.

I am grateful for friendship – that beautiful relationship that grows and turns a friend into family. I am grateful to God every single day for my family – those especially that I am connected to by blood, but on a different level, those family connected through friendship and the body of Christ.

It is nothing short of amazing to see how God can connect people and provide grace, love, hope, support, encouragement, and so many other things as people link arms and do life together.

Jan27

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful To Have A Story To Tell

Posted on by
Standard

Today at church, our pastor spoke about having a story. Each and every one of us have a story to tell. It is ours, and ours alone. The good, the bad, the beautiful and even the ugly make up who we are and the life we live. Our past, present and future comprise our story. It is this story that people will see whatever we are a witness of.

As Christians, God gives us a story. He doesn’t erase the “bad” parts and keep only the good. No! Instead, He redeems us, and allows every part of our story to share grace, hope and peace with others. The things in my life – the ups and downs, the peaceful moments and struggles alike, will be a living testimony of who Jesus is – through us.

Something I have said before, and that was mentioned today is that we are very well the only Jesus some people will ever see. As I was explaining to my husband, there are many people who do not know Jesus. They don’t attend church, and the Bible is nothing more than “just another book” in their eyes. To that person, I (as a Christian example) may very well be the only church, the only Jesus, and the only witness of who He is that they may ever know.

I want my life to be a witness of who He truly is. The life change and personal transformation I have experienced – and continue to experience every day – is something I want every living breathing human being to come to know. When people experience even a fraction of the love He has for us, life change happens.

I want to live my life in such a way that my story – my experiences in life that brought me from where I was to where I am today – speaks for itself. It is my desire that my story share the same amount of peace, grace, hope and love that was shared in such a real way with me. If anything I have been through in the course of my life (good or bad) can be used to share Him with another human being – to share grace, peace, hope and love — it will have a purpose greater than I could imagine.

I am one person, with one story – and it is with that story that I want to share gratitude and thanks to God for giving me. It’s my story. I am the only one with this story. I am thankful for my story – for all of it – for it is what has made me who I am.

Jan26

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Days To Relax

Posted on by
Standard

Today was one of those days with no larger agenda needing to be accomplished. We had a few things to do, but nothing major. All in all, it was a great day. I was able to stay home and play games with my children. Spending time together as a family – priceless!

I believe that sometimes we all need to just take a step back and breathe. We need to take a moment to relax and enjoy life – not be caught up in all the things in life that ultimately don’t matter. Take time today to just unwind. Take a moment to enjoy those around you.

Jan25

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Those Who Challenge Me

Posted on by
Standard

Today I am thankful for those who challenge me to become the best me I am capable of being. This is in any area – personally, mentally, physically, and professionally.

Today I was speaking with a friend who shared some thoughts and made me challenge the way I go about doing things. It made me dig deeper, search further and come up with more creative solutions.

The moral of this post today is to urge you to not ignore those who may challenge your thinking. It may just turn out to be the blessing in disguise you had no idea you needed!

Approach others and life in general with an open mind. Your life and the way you approach things might just need a makeover and/or fresh set of eyes.

Jan24

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Choices

Posted on by
Standard

The choice is yours. What will you choose today?

If you’re like me, you’ve likely heard this many times, in many situations. It’s really true though. As I have said before, much of life is a choice.

Take, for instance, your attitude. You can choose to let your situation instill fear while you watch as your world crumbles before you…OR…you can CHOOSE to look life in the eyes and hold on for dear life…knowing that, ultimately, you will be okay.

I know that life sometimes resembles a never-ending roller coaster ride. In this instance, do you hold on – getting hold of anything within your reach, closing your eyes (thus also missing the ride) praying to just make it through the moment? Or, do you sit back, take fear and turn it into strength and enjoy the ride? Maybe you even throw your hands up in the air, knowing that you are taken care of, being held, and will not fall!

I don’t know about you, but I take great joy and strength knowing that not all hope is lost, and that I DO have control over my attitude, emotions and surroundings…not all off the time, but much of it for sure.

I’m so very grateful for choices.

The choice is yours..what will you choose today??

Jan23

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Open MRIs And Christian Radio

Posted on by
Standard

This morning, I had an MRI of the brain with contrast dye. In short, a brain scan. This is the test that will teach you if you’re claustrophobic or not. Even if you had no idea before hand, you might just very well learn how not fond of small contained spaces you are!

As I was preparing for the test, I was actually okay. There was music on in the background, but I really wanted “my” music. The technician asked if there was anything else I needed. I asked about listening to different music. She told me she’d be happy to change the radio station. I asked her to change it to our local Christian radio station. To my delight, she did. Such enormous peace in the room. As I continued to prepare, and was then rolled into the machine, I had a moment of panic. I wasn’t okay in that moment. I didn’t freak out, and actually didn’t say anything. Instead, I remembered a very powerful word: prayer! So, in that instant, I prayed. I asked God to help me have peace. I told Him something I know He already knew. I told him that I wasn’t going to make it if He didn’t help me. I kept repeating the word peace over and over in my head.

In that very instant, total and complete peace filled the room. I just closed my eyes and began to really enjoy the music. I was relaxed and at peace for the duration of the testing. It is with much gratitude that I say thank you to God for prayer and for the calming Christian music.

Jan22

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Working Internet Connection

Posted on by
Standard

I am thankful when technology works. Not so much when it doesn’t. I have had a few days of internet browser and uploading issues. I was not able to upload to my blog, and never quite determined why. With troubleshooting and testing theories — oh, and much prayer — we’re back in business!

So, yes, today I am thankful for a working internet connection!!

Jan21

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Thieves!

Posted on by
Standard

For those of you unfamiliar with Young Living oils, this title might throw you for a loop! Let me explain…

In recent weeks, my eyes have been opened to the world of therapeutic grade essential oils. I’ve known, or at least heard about them for many years now – almost a decade. However, like much of humanity, I was skeptical. I had no idea how something – an oil – could really make a difference. As time progresses, I will share personal testimonials about how these oils have made a difference in my life. Today, I’ll share a brief, but powerful story.

There is a little oil that packs a big punch – Thieves. From Young Living’s Website:

Thieves was created based on research about four thieves in France who covered themselves with cloves, rosemary, and other aromatics while robbing plague victims. This proprietary essential oil blend was university tested for its cleansing abilities. It is highly effective in supporting the immune system and good health.

So, let me rewind and tell you a little story.

This past Thursday, I started the day with a slight headache. It went from a slight headache to a really annoying headache by lunch time. I took my daughter to lunch, and sat there, waiting on my food. As our waiter was conversing, he asked if I was okay. I told him that I was, but just had a really bad headache. I figured I must need food, since I hadn’t had much that day yet. That wasn’t the case. Nothing, not food, ibuprofen, peppermint oils, NOTHING was working. I went home and it progressively got worse. Finally, with the aid of prayer, more peppermint oil and some good rest, the headache was gone. It was replaced later that evening with a tickle in the back of my throat. This did NOT make me happy!

The next morning, I woke up with the same tickle, just worse. I used my “normal” oils, but nothing targeted to help in this case. Fast forward a day.

I wake up Saturday morning (and several times through the night) to a really sore throat. At this point, I’m an unhappy camper. I did a bit of research, and learned that Thieves would be an excellent choice to help my body fight off whatever was ailing it. So, I put two drops on my tongue. Then I put a swallow of water in my mouth and gargled with it. After gargling for a bit, I slowly swallowed. I could, literally, feel it working. I did that three times spread out throughout the day. It felt so much better by evening.

Sunday morning, and I’m not kidding, it was gone. It was completely gone. It was, again, a combination of prayer and definitely oils that helped the duration be so short. I’m grateful to God for what I’ve now deemed is (one of many of) His gifts to humanity! It’s up to us to take hold and use them!