Tag Archives: hope

Mar3

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For The Other Side (The Reckless Ones, Part 2)

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Today my heart continues be overwhelmed by and with love. Today, the message at Skyline was deep. It wasn’t your everyday message on love and grace…though that’s what it was ultimately about. Today, Pastor Scott spoke in a little more detail about being a reckless lover.

Let’s talk for a moment about loving people like Jesus loved people. After all, isn’t that our mission as believers? Sounds easy enough, right? I’d like to do something Pastor Scott did today – challenge you to think outside the box. We strive to be like Jesus, and love like He loved. That isn’t, however, easy.

Jesus loved the seemingly unlovable. He loved people – all people….even those hard to love. I encourage you to watch today’s video with an open mind, and a heart of love. Ask God to show you how to love like He loved – and to make a difference. Let’s let those who aren’t familiar with Jesus know us by how we love, and not how we hate, nor all the things we stand against. Let’s strive to love like Jesus loved, and be Reckless Ones. Allow this message to challenge your thinking, and help you go more than just skin deep. Love people.

Mar1

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For Words

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Words. They make the world go ’round. I’d like to encourage you on something that has been impressed on my heart. Your words are important. They have huge amounts of power. Your words have the power to build up, or the power to tear down.

Always strive to allow your words to be authored by God, and His breath to breathe life into dead situations. Sometimes you may be inclined to think that words are just words. And, they are – to a degree. What may mean absolutely nothing to you, may be the difference of life in death to another person. That’s just the thing. You ALWAYS need to be mindful of what you are saying.

Before reacting, choose your words carefully. Allow yourself time to think about how you would feel, should the conversation be reversed. Always put yourself in someone else’s shoes. If you were down, or for whatever reason, hurting – think of the kinds of words you would like to hear. Never hesitate to spread those words. Those are words filled with life, and filled with love.

In contrast, if you don’t ponder how your words will impact someone, imagine the damage that can be done when you speak words in anger, or out of hatred and/or hurt. Take time to think about your reaction.

The way you react may make an immense difference — but not just in the life of the person you are speaking to — it often will make a bigger impact on yourself.

I encourage you to always strive to speak with love behind your words. Allow God’s heart, and His love to spread like wildfire.

I’m grateful today to be able to choose words that build up, and bring life instead of tearing down and bringing the exact opposite.

Feb26

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful To A God Who Cares Enough

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The following is a story I read online. I am not sure who the author is, but it is a very sweet story. It kind of puts things in perspective. Sometimes all we need is to see things from a different perspective. Take a moment to read through these. Let the FACT that the God of all creation loves you so passionately bring you peace and comfort.

I’m grateful to a God who knows how to take care of me – every time, in every situation.

Me: God, can I ask You a question?
God: Sure
Me: Promise You won’t get mad
God: I promise
Me: Why did You let so much stuff happen to me today?
God: What do u mean?
Me: Well, I woke up late
God: Yes
Me: My car took forever to start
God: Okay
Me: at lunch they made my sandwich wrong & I had to wait
God: Huummm
Me: On the way home, my phone went DEAD, just as I picked up a call
God: All right

Me: And on top of it all off, when I got home ~I just want to soak my feet in my new foot massager & relax. BUT it wouldn’t work!!! Nothing went right today! Why did You do that?
God: Let me see, the death angel was at your bed this morning & I had to send one
of My Angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that

Me (humbled): OH

GOD: I didn’t let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.

Me: (ashamed)

God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick & I didn’t want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn’t afford to miss work.

Me (embarrassed):Okay

God: Your phone went dead bcuz the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn’t even let you talk to them so you would be covered.

Me (softly): I see God

God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a shortage that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn’t think you wanted to be in the dark.

Me: I’m Sorry God

God: Don’t be sorry, just learn to Trust Me…. in All things , the Good & the bad.

Me: I will trust You.

God: And don’t doubt that My plan for your day is Always Better than your plan.

Me: I won’t God. And let me just tell you God, Thank You for Everything today.

God: You’re welcome child. It was just another day being your God and I Love looking after My Children…

Feb24

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful To Know So Many Reckless Ones

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That’s right. Reckless. Are you a reckless one? In this context, you should aim to be! Skyline Church started a new series entitled, “The Reckless Ones” and I must say I’m very excited to be at a place full of so many reckless ones. It was the early church that took this concept and ran with it. They were reckless in the way that they loved. They cared enough about people – all people – to reach out to them – right where they were…without regard to their own personal safety at times. They let love lead the way. Their actions centered around this concept that love was and is the most important thing.

May I learn to be more like the reckless ones of the early church. In the process of attempting to be more like Jesus, and love like He loved – I’m grateful to be surrounded by so many reckless ones in and around Skyline Church.

Feb21

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For Resolve

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I am thankful today for ongoing and continued resolve.

There is nothing in this life that is worthy of your giving up.  I do not mean a bad habit, or anything of that nature. (Those, I firmly believe you also have the strength to deal with as well though.) Instead, I’m referring to those things that may have you shaking your head – wondering if life is worth it, or will ever change. I mean, you. Don’t ever even consider giving up on yourself.  You are worth fighting for.

The ongoing resolve screams “keep going” even in the face of uncertain circumstances.

My friends, if you find yourself with any of these thoughts or similar struggles today, I encourage you to reach out.  Though you may at times feel lonely, I want to assure you – you are not alone. You do not have to walk through life alone. If you’d like to talk about it, please let me know. You can post below in comments or send me a message via my “contact me” page.

Feb20

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For The Sword Of The Spirit

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Do you know what the Sword of the Spirit is? Do you know how vital to your own survival it is? I urge you to take a few minutes and watch this video. It is the final installment of the Spiritual Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) series from Skyline Church.

Feb18

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful That Somebody Is Praying Me Through

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Yesterday, I wrote an open and honest account of how I was feeling – and just the emotions that surrounded that. I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to read – but more than that, for taking the time to pray. Please know you have my gratitude. I have received words of support and encouragement from many of you – and I am grateful more than there are words. This is the beginning to a beautiful new day. In fact, I already shared one blog post that talks about a song that means a great deal to me. It’s referenced in this title as well. Knowing that you are not alone – and that you have people to lean on when you don’t feel the strength to stand firm on your own — that, my friends, is what the body of Christ is all about.

So, it is with gratitude that I say thank you for being part of the many “somebody’s” who are praying me through. Our God is good. He is faithful 100% of the time. His hands are not small that they cannot reach me. All of the things from yesterday are still real, and still there. However, with God – and the beautiful people He’s blessed me to do life together with – I am still standing. All these things are in His hands.

Thank you for your friendship and support – but especially for your prayers. Please connect and let me know how I can be praying with you as well! It’s an honor to do life with you.

Feb16

365 Moments If Gratitude – Thankful For WBGL

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After all the talk of transition with our local Christian station(s), today was the first day as an official part of the WBGL listening family.

Although I have heard the music and message on air from WBGL before, somehow it seems more “my” station since the switch.  As I listened to the radio all day today, God touched me so many times – through the music as well as the spoken words.

More tears today. These tears, however, were not negative in any way, shape or form.  They were simply as a result of God’s love and grace. So many things that got said today were spot-on…pertinent for exactly such a time as this.

I am grateful for the on air voices who spoke from their heart and allowed God’s grace and love to flow through the airways. Thank you WBGL. It’s an honor to walk through life with you! You are also so very loved.

Feb10

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For The Helmet Of Salvation

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You know what? I am thankful for a God that loves us enough to equip us with such amazing armor and weapons to be able to not only face, but also defeat the enemy! Today’s church service was entitled: SWAT: The Helmet Of Salvation.

Feb6

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful That God Never Gives Up

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I’m still so very much a work in progress. But, I’m thankful to be His work in progress. Thanking God today for never giving up on me…and for helping me love like He loves, and for never ever seeing anyone as a lost cause.

I recently had a conversation with someone. They were talking about a “friend” who they literally see as a lost cause – even to God. I was very quick to note that NO ONE is truly a lost cause.

I’m grateful beyond words to a God who does not ever give up on ANYONE – not you, not me, and not that person you cannot begin to offer grace to because…Yes, even them. God loves each and every one of us – His precious creations.

Thank you, God, for not ever giving up on us!