Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 This year has flown by so quickly.  It seems like just yesterday that we were gathered at my mom’s house for her annual New Year’s Day Fish Fry.  Now Thanksgiving is knocking on our front doors. I don’t ever want to get beside myself and think this blog is about me.  It’s not.  It’s all about God, and my journey to be in closer relationship with Him.  It’s about you and your love for Him.  And your acceptance of His love for you. With that in…

We lived on Cross Street for most of my life.  The picture that accompanies this post was taken on the porch of our house on the day that I got baptized.  So many of my memories from my childhood are attached to the house on Cross Street. I learned to drive on that street.  I fought the neighborhood tough girl on my brother’s behalf on that street.  I got ready for prom on that street.  I walked to meet my friend on that street.  I watched my brother relieve himself in the front yard on that street. After my mom and stepfather got divorced, my mom and brother moved into…

FEAR=False Evidence Appearing Real.  This acronym came to me last night, and I knew I needed to write about it.  I was up late loading tables and baby shower supplies into my car, so I didn’t get around to it.  Then, I heard a man use the acronym tonight while I was debating about investing in my future. To some, that’s a coincidence.  For me, that was a God moment.  He had just told me last night to let go of fear.  I’m deciding to trust Him.  With bad credit.  With limited funds.  With no idea how to get it done.  I’m trusting Him. Fear is a very real thing…

Can you hear it?  Right there!  Are you listening?  You still can’t hear it?  Settle down.  Breathe.  And listen.  There it is.  It’s not shouting.  It’s still…it’s small…it’s the voice of God. Elijah is a prophet in the Bible.  The book of I Kings, chapter 19 records Elijah’s escape from Jezebel.  Jezebel was the queen of Israel at that time.  She was angry with Elijah.  In the previous chapter, Elijah had shown the people of Israel that there was only one true God.  All of Jezebel’s prophets were executed by Elijah after their showdown.  Jezebel wanted revenge.  She wanted Elijah’s life. So, the man of God, who had just witnessed…

Over a month ago, a friend sent me picture of her kids after a Color Run. It jogged my memory (like my pun? LOL) that I had signed up for the Foam Glow 5k way back in June of this year. I was feeling so optimistic about my health journey at the time that I registered. However, I had settled back into eating and watching TV probably a week after that optimistic feeling hit. My last 5k experience at the Bubble Run almost took me out. You know they have the couch to 5k app? It helps get you from no exercise to being able to complete a 5k. Each…

There are so many different gifts and talents in the body of Christ. Singers, actors, prayer warriors, musicians, writers, poets, seamstresses, gymnasts, crafters, carpenters, doctors, teachers, ministers, and ushers to name a few. Some people are probably scratching their heads at that list. We are used to talking about the gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12…the gifts of healing by the same Spirit, the working of miracles, the gift of prophecy, the gift of discerning of spirits, the gift of tongues, the gift of interpretation of tongues. However, this is not a list of the only gifts that we can possess from God. Our professions are an extension of our…

In working with preschoolers, I spend a little time admonishing them to color in the lines. Inevitably, they will say “No scribble scrabbling?” And I’ll reiterate that they need to give it their best shot. Why do we care if they color in the lines? It’s just a visual sign that they understand the concept of boundaries. Boundaries are so important to having a healthy and whole life. I shared on my podcast that I’m currently in a class with other adults. We’re all working to establish healthy boundaries in our lives. The course has been eye opening for me. I first read the book about two years ago. I’ve…

I have spent a lot of my life bound. Bound by other people’s expectations of me. Bound by my perceived shortcomings. Bound by my poor decisions. The sermon from Sunday was entitled “Free Me” and came from Acts 16. Acts 16 tell some of the story of Paul and Silas and their mission work. Paul receives a vision from God that they need to preach the gospel in Macedonia. On their way to Macedonia, they encounter a slave girl who is possessed with a spirit of devination. The girl follows them for days crying out that they are the real deal. That Paul and Silas are servants of the Most…