words.

My favorite blog is doing a series on words.
No surprise to God that this was exactly what I needed.
Just at the right time.

Fear.
It takes hold of my heart and takes me places I never want to go.
I know all the scriptures about fear.
I know all the scriptures about anxiety.
I know.  I have memorized them.  Written them on my heart.

Be Not Afraid
It humbles me so how the Lord uses people to encourage me in my walk with the Lord with words.
Words that are like healing balm for my heart and soul.

"Fear is holy ground; it holds the possibility of transformation."  Ann Voskamp 


I trust you, Jesus.
I love you, Jesus.
I know your Promises are true.
Your Words are Healing.
Your Spirit is AMAZING.

I trust you, Jesus.
I look with anticipation the possibility of transformation.
Even though I don't want this fear to be a part of me, I know that it draws me to You.  And for You I will follow.


I have tasted Your goodness.  I have found refuge in You.  You Alone.

Daily Bread

282.  "It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
   to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
   and your faithfulness by night,"  Psalm 92:1-2

283.  A Father who sets His affections on me.

284.  A Father who is patient with me.

285.  A Father who is teaching me about grace and mercy.

286.  watching my son pull my daughter down the hill with my duster.

287.  eating dinner by candlelight as a family.

288.  love and forgiveness.

289.  even though my dad has to start radiation and stands to lose everything he worked his entire life for, I will PRAISE Him.
290.  even though my baby sister, Susan, is moving to Germany I am trusting her to Him.  And looking forward to visiting:)
291.  thankful for my brother in law who is serving our country.  please Lord protect him while he is in Afghanistan.

291.  Jesus.

267

Choosing gratitude

267.  fun, crazy field trip to grocery store with 70 2nd graders.

268.  fun night away with hubby.

269.  running into a friend at Costco:)

270.  pictures hung on walls.

271.  watching Elf.

272.  a sweet and loving husband.

273.  friends who encourage me daily.

274.  a God Who is continuously showing me that it is better for Him to be in control than me.

275.  that old patterns of life can be changed.

276.  even when I feel sadness or disappointments, I can give it to the Lord and trust that His plan is way better than mine.  (Thanks Maia!)

277.  finally taking a video of my new house and sending it to my family and hearing their response:)

278.  Janet, I will forward it to you.  right.now!

279.  one week without facebook has allowed me to not get behind on my laundry and that is spelled like this: RELIEF.

280.  thankful for the difference I feel since cutting out bread and refined carbs.

281.  thankful that His mercies are new every morning.  every midday.  every night.

self control

Whoop there it is.

self control.

staring me in the face ALL the time.

whether it be my 

thoughts.

food.

judgments.

words.

pride.

coveting.

self righteousness.

facebook.

I really do love how the Lord uses all of these things in life that confront each of us
everyday
to run to Him
or run away from Him.
guilty a lot of the later.
But, oh how sweet He is when we are obedient.
When we follow His Spirit and
TRUST.

I walked away from Facebook.
crackbook.
I have found myself getting on the computer and tempted to go
only because it is habit of wanting to see
to hear
how people are doing.
Now, this is not a bad thing necessarily.
Especially if you are one of the lucky ones who doesn't get sucked in.
I am so happy for you if you can walk away.
Or better yet just check once a month.
Not moi.

So, today is day 2.
It feels pretty good.
Ok, I miss seeing updates.
But, I am loving my extra time.
Lovin' it.

P.S.  I don't think there is anything wrong with Facebook (well, I really hate that the guy who started it is now worth billions.)  It has just become an idol for me.  So, I am walking away for a while:)

1000 gifts

251.  a clean house.

252.  the smell of Christmas tree.

253.  the decision to let go of facebook.

254.  tickle time.

255.  stepping heavenward.
256.  a sunday afternoon nap.
257.  clean sheets.
258.  a warm bed.
259.  silly emails with sisters.
260.  the wonder of the conception of Christ.
261.  the wonder of the Resurrection of Christ.
262.  just blown away by His love for us.
263.  The Book of Hebrews.
264.  "Although He was a son, He learned obedience through what He suffered."  Hebrews 5:8
265.  that we have a Savior who sympathizes with us.  how comforting is that?
266.  to have faith and trust, you have to BELIEVE. 

Thankful Thursday

238.  thankful to be back home.

239.  thankful that our new home is kinda feeling like home.

240.  thankful we have a home.

241.  thankful for the beautiful moon this morning.

242.  thankful for the cross i saw in the sky (from airplanes).

243.  thankful for dear friends who encourage me and point me to the Lord.

244.  thankful for the fact that the Lord loves me so much and continuously extends His grace and mercy to me.

245.  thankful for funny comments from my kids.

246.  thankful that my son gets up by himself every morning without a fuss.  eats his breakfast.  does his chores.

247.  thankful that he is nothing like i was as a child.  total gift from God.  

248.  thankful for "green acres"...my car.  it is falling apart.  but, i am thankful that i have a car.  and that it is paid for.

249.  thankful for the sweetest email from my dad.  i really needed it last night:)

250.  thankful for God's Word.  His Truth.  His Promises.