Things I'm learning on this Journey

God gives us people for a reason.

We need fellowship.

We need prayer.

We need support, both his and other Christians.

We should be open to new ideas.

We should learn the Bible in our own way, through various interpretations.

We need prayer partners.

We need earthly partners.

We need Him.

We need life.

We need love.

We need hope.

We need light.

We need his mercy.

His grace.

His forgiveness.

Sunsets

Sunsets are one of my absolute favorite sights in nature. Sunrises sre equally amazing, but I'm always driving and can't grab pictures of it. Sunsets remind me to reflect, take joy, and praise Him for the wonders that surround me every day. 

And of course, Psalms has some perfect verses to go with it. 

Psalm 113:2 NIV "from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of The Lord is to be praised. 

Psalm 65:8 NIV "the whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy." 

Inspirational Monday! 4

Today's is mostly focused on prayer. It can be so hard, and so difficult, to pray. Sometimes it makes you feel like you are whining, like you are asking for help too often, like God doesn't care about your problems. Think about it like talking to your best friend, partner, or parent, or someone you would feel strange about going a day without talking. That's how it is with God. Unless you build that foundation, unless you build that prayerful relationship with God and acknowledge that you need that line of communication in your life, it will always feel strange or off. He's your God! He has done so much for you, just speak and He will listen. 

Inspirational Monday Part 3

Inspirational Monday

Some people are visual people; others like to read and figure it out for themselves. I am a happy combination of both of these, but I think on Mondays, or at least once a week, I will start posting pictures, and images of things I find inspiring or as good reminders of how far my faith can go if I am willing to let it. 

So important. So many of us sit and ask "Why God? Why are you letting this happen?" Without praying and really thinking about it. 

I think this image, and verse, are both incredibly powerful. No matter how dark life gets, no matter how much it seems like we can't come back from it, He is always there. 

Kids and devotionals

My son, like most kids I assume, says things some days that stun me by their logic, reasoning and intelligence. He's only 10 but he's been exposed to a lot and he amazes me daily.

A few months ago, he was excited about a devotional. He doesn't have his own Bible (yet!) but he went to a Christian day care and learned a lot, and has watched me reading my Chronological Bible this year, and regular NIV Bible before this year. Right now he's enjoying Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids.

He really enjoys it, and after he reads his daily devotion, he will sometimes ask me questions without any prodding from me. I love that we have this connection and that he feels compelled to discuss this with me. 

Usually when he gets in one of his sweet moods, he will say he loves me more than anyone. The last few months, he has said he loves me more than anyone except God, because God has to be first because he is first. I teared up and was grateful and blessed that this young child understands. He understands so much more than parents think children do at times. And this was without anyone sitting there telling him that that was how it has to be. He's amazing and I am so blessed that he is my child. 

Mitch Albom

A few weeks ago, I was given a Kindle, for Mother's Day. Since then, I have been obsessed with reading a wide variety of books, many I had been meaning to read but simply hadn't gotten the chance. My local library has an awesome e-book availability, and I've enjoyed the books I've been able to read.

Here are some quotes I found personally inspiring or thought provoking from Have a Little Faith: A True Story.

"My thoughts are not your thoughts Neither are your ways my ways For as the heavens are higher than the earth So are my ways higher than your way And my thoughts higher than your thoughts"

"Many great minds have set out to disprove God's existence. Sometimes, they retreat to the opposite view. C. S. Lewis, who wrote so eloquently of faith, initially wrestled with the very concept of God and called himself "the most dejected and reluctant convert in all of England." Louis Pasteur, the great scientist, tried to disprove a divine existence through facts and research; in the end, the grand design of man convinced him otherwise."

"It is far more comforting to think God listened and said no, than to think that nobody's out there."

"Thank you, Lord, for returning my soul to me." When you start that way, the rest of the day is a bonus."

"What profits a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul?"

"But it's not me against the other guy. It's God measuring you against you."

Thank You.

My Journey

It's been hard. It's been a long one. I know I'm only 30, but my faith has been something I have been constantly, and still, trying to figure out and work on. I've had doubts, I've had times when I wanted to give up because I felt like God had given up on me. I know He hasn't, and I am continuing to allow myself to grow and understand more.