I LOVE Spring! Everywhere you look new life is evident. The branches on the trees have buds in bloom, the barren fields now have bluebonnets, dandelions and indian paint brushes creating a colorful display of His handiwork. The sunrise and sunset is picture worthy as you see them as if for the very first time. Butterflies have found their wings as they flutterby so aimlessly. The smell of fresh cut grass enters the home as the windows are raised and the spring cleaning begins. We can visibly see the changes all around us. Can we visibly see any changes in us? What do you say we prepare our own hearts and minds for a renewal? Our God is busy at work making us beautiful too.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in YOU. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you REMAIN in ME.” John 15:1-4

Jesus’s words in John 15 are some of my very favorite. It’s a very practical analogy for me to understand. Christ is our lifeline that gives us the nutrients we need in order for us to bear fruit. We MUST REMAIN in Him. We need Him. We need His Holy word daily to pour into our lives so we can receive His nourishment for our souls. Our Heavenly Father is the gardener that does the pruning. If we are not receiving the nutrients for our soul from the vine, Christ, then we are going to be pruned and cut back. We will not bear His fruit. Are you bearing fruit? Here are the fruits in which we should bear:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS and SELF-CONTROL.” Galatians 5:22

Why is it important as believers to bear these fruits? This is how others will know we belong to HIM. It’s for His glory, not for our own. We are in a time where people claim to belong to Him. They call themselves Christians, but they look nothing like Him. We should know a true follower when we SEE them.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by THEIR FRUITS. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”
Matthew 7:15-20

We can turn on the news real quick and see the lies being told to us. Some believe them to be true, but God’s word helps us have eyes to SEE!  We have to open our eyes and be willing to look for the fruits. We have to be willing to look into the mirror ourselves and really ask Him if we look like Him. When He answers be ready. He may be doing some pruning. It may hurt a bit, but the fruit is coming! You can’t help but bloom when He is the gardener and the vine giving you the growth.

Friends, our God IS LOVE (1 John 4:8)! It is the very best characteristic that He IS and He GIVES. The famous love chapter in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 says this:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 

Practice putting in God’s name every where LOVE and IT is. God is patient…God is kind…God does not envy… God NEVER fails! Now practice putting in your name. Are the statements still true? If you are like me, you will realize there is still work that needs to be done. I can honestly say that I fall short of these statements being true for me, but I can also say that I am seeking Him to help me through it. Let’s let Him do some pruning so we can bear more fruit. Let’s let Him do what He does best and make the ones created in His image look more like Him everyday. We can do this. Let’s stay connected to the VINE! Let’s bear some fruit for the world to SEE! He’s not finished with us yet, but He promises to complete the good work in us that He has started. TRUST HIM! #truth #gloryup

Have you ever tried to offer a word of hope or encouragement to someone suffering and could not find the words? This has been the case for me the last couple of weeks. I love to bring hope to people. I love to encourage them and help them look up when they are down, but sometimes there are no words to say and the best thing we can do is be there for them and PRAY.

Last week I went away with my youngest daughter to an educational outdoor camp. The timing was perfect. I had been trying to offer too many words to people that I love with it not bringing any relief to the weary. The Lord literally had me in a place where I could not communicate.  I had no cell service, no text messages, no email, no way to communicate. He silenced me. “Be STILL and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. I love how intentional He was to remove me and keep me from speaking. I had to rely on HIM, not my words, to bring hope to the hurting. I found myself in my quiet time soaking in His creation in AWE of the beauty that surrounded me. In the stillness I could feel Him near. I was able to pour out my heart to Him and ask Him for His help.

Can you imagine if Job’s friends had been silenced to pray for him instead of telling him what he was doing wrong and how to fix his troubles. When I read their discussions with Job it brings me anger and sadness at their arrogance in thinking they knew everything. We can have wisdom and still not know it all. We can sometimes hurt others with our words even though our intentions are for good. Sometimes it is best for us to not speak, to offer a hug rather than a word. I am learning this as I grow closer to Him and closer to the ones I love. I am grateful that He never gives up on me and continues to teach me and grow me.

When I returned home I was renewed. I wasn’t bogged down in the sufferings. I was lighter. I had found rest for my soul. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29. And those that I had been trying to speak encouraging words to were lighter too. The Lord heard my prayers for them and HE was bringing them comfort. Our God is faithful. He hears us when we pray, and He longs to help us in overcoming our sufferings. “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And HOPE does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” Romans 5:3

I don’t know about you but when it comes to character’s, I want to be more like Job than his friends. Job’s life had been stripped of everything yet He continued to PRAISE our Father. He continued to have HOPE in our God. I want to be able to have the courage to say these words, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him.” Job 13:15 

Right before I left on my trip, I heard this verse and this song at my church, Currey Creek. Listen to it in your quiet time. Listen to John Piper’s message in the middle of the song. Do NOT lose heart friends. Every bit of our sufferings is producing an inheritance. Every millisecond of our misery and pain is meaningful.  It’s working for us an eternal weight of GLORY!  DO NOT LOSE HEART.

Get alone with Him! Disconnect from the world. Be STILL and know that He is God. Pray. Trust. Watch Him be faithful!

#truth #gloryup

“Be on guard against the pit of self-pity. When you are weary or unwell, this demonic trap is the greatest danger you face. Don’t even go near the edge of the pit. Its edges crumble easily, and before you know it, you are on your way down. It is ever so much harder to get out of the pit than to keep a safe distance from it. That is why I tell you to be on guard. There are several ways to protect yourself from self-pity. When you are occupied with praising and thanking Me, it is impossible to feel sorry for yourself. Also, the closer you live to Me, the more distance there is between you and the pit. Live in the Light of My Presence by fixing your eyes on Me. Then you will be able to run with endurance the race that is set before you, without stumbling or falling.” Sarah Young – Jesus Calling

I have been reading from this devotional for several years now. Many times as I read them I can recall exactly where I was the year before. This week when I read this one it was as if it were the very first time I had ever read it. The Lord gave me fresh eyes to see and ears to hear, and I am very grateful. Listen friends, we have an enemy that is working hard to trap us and send us barrelling down into a bottomless pit. He knows that if he can get us there it is very difficult for us to get out. We have to be on guard and ready for the battle, and I love the truth that is spoken for us to hear. When you are occupied with praising and thanking Me, it is impossible to feel sorry for yourself.

So I am getting serious about my attitude of thankfulness. I have started a notepad at home and at work that I leave out with a pen ready for action. For every negative thought that I think towards myself or others, I am going to stop and write down three things I am grateful for. I am hopeful in doing so that I will see visibly many blessings that I have been given. I hope that it causes me to stop thinking negative thoughts, and I stay far away from the pit. I hope it keeps me walking close to My Father and helps me fix my eyes on Him. I hope that it keeps me running my race well, so I will not stumble and fall.

Here are some verses that I have written down on my notepad to remind me of His truth:

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” –  James 4:7

“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.” –  Psalm 89:15

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” –  Colossians 4:2

“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – I Thessalonians 5:18 

I invite you to join me. Let’s get serious about our attitudes of gratitude. Think of the power that we will have against darkness when we are OVERJOYED with THANKS! It’s time to stop allowing the whispers of lies to enter into our thoughts.  It’s time for us to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Are you ready? Put your armor on today (Ephesians 6)…clothe yourself with Christ (Romans 13:14) and let’s get out there and bring LIGHT into the darkness. We are MORE than CONQUERORS! (Romans 8:37)!

Precious Father, we come to you today with many thanks! We are grateful for the way you love us and speak to us. Thank you for giving me fresh eyes to see and ears to hear this week. Thank you for showing me how to be on guard and to battle the darkness with PRAISE and THANKSGIVING. Lord, I pray you stir many hearts to start their own notepad. We are tired of the whispers of lies that are being told to us. We are putting our armor on today, Lord! Clothe us in Christ and help us walk victoriously. We serve a mighty God who has already OVERCOME! Remind us of this truth often…we are more than conquerors through YOU who loves us.  We love you too!  Amen

Confession time…last week I allowed my circumstances to steal my JOY! One trial led to the next and very quickly things were out of my control. I desperately wanted to fix what had been broken. My eyes were on the fixing instead of remaining focused on the ONE who can fix all things. Have you been there? If we’re honest with ourselves it happens more often than we care to admit. Our joy is contingent on our circumstances. It’s the “if…then” way of living. If this happens then I will be happy. If I get that new job…if my husband does this…if my kids do that…when we get our new house then…when the cancer is gone…when my bank account has this much money, oh how the list could go on and on.

Look at what Jesus says, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that MY joy may be in you and that YOUR joy may be complete.” John 15:11

“When things are going well, we feel elated. When hardships come, we sink into depression. But TRUE JOY transcends the rolling waves of circumstance. Joy comes from a consistent relationship with Jesus Christ. When our lives are intertwined with his, he will help us walk through adversity without sinking into debilitating lows and manage prosperity without moving into deceptive highs. The joy of living with Jesus daily will keep us level-headed, no matter how high or low our circumstance.” The footnote to John 15:11

I love how His joy is in us to make us complete. When you really stop and meditate on this thought it will take your breath away. We have, at all times, HIS JOY in us. We can call on Him to help us despite our difficult days. Have you ever watched someone go through a trial and you thought how in the world are they so strong and positive? This is how they do it. They are a living example of someone who is walking in relationship with Christ. He is faithful. He does not disappoint. He helps us conquer our fears and face each day with courage. He helps wipe away the tears when the news is bad. He comforts us and holds our hand when the loved one is gone. He gives us strength to keep getting up and trying again. I don’t know about you, but these truths bring JOY to my heart.

So how will you choose to live today? You can do hard things! You can overcome! You can have JOY despite your circumstances. CHOOSE JOY friends…dig down deep and ask Him to help you. When you do you will radiate to the world…you will be CONTAGIOUS and others will want to be like you. So get out there and do it. Cause other frowns to be turned upside down because the JOY living inside of you is MORE powerful than the difficult of all our days. Last week was a good lesson for me. I had to get back to Him, and He was as faithful as He has always been. I am going to work hard to choose JOY today. Join me!

I had the pleasure of going to see Casting Crowns this week at the San Antonio Rodeo with my girls and precious friends. It was my Valentine’s present from my husband, and it came in His perfect timing. It was the first time I had ever seen them in concert and they were the REAL DEAL! Every song that has been written has a story. This one I share with you today was written when the lead singer was diagnosed with cancer. A time when life was hard, yet he never walked alone. Now these words encourage many as we face our own trials. Take a moment to enjoy the words today and JUST BE HELD!  Blessings friends!!!  #truth #gloryup

Have you ever stepped into something that you were called to do but had no idea what you were doing? I have! It’s scary and unsettling, and if I think about it too much it paralyzes me. This year I took on a new job as the High School Registrar. My heart desired the job, so I could be close to my girls before they leave for college. That was my intention, but The Lord has revealed that He desires more for me in and through it. He has now stirred my heart for more than my own children but for all of HIS! It overwhelms me.

One of my favorite parts of my job is fulfilling the Seniors’ High School transcript request. Everyday they come into my office with their request in hand. I love to visit with them about where they want to go and which school is their top choice. They have dreams! They have desires in their heart that they hope are fulfilled. I love that God has given me the opportunity to HOPE right alongside of them. The really cool part is when they leave my office. I get busy printing their transcript and attaching the school profile sheet, folding it, stamping and sealing it and finally PRAYING over it. I lift them up by name and ask God to direct their path, to lead them to where He wants them to go, to protect them on their journey and to give them COURAGE to TRUST Him with their lives and for His perfect will to be done! I walk it over to the mailroom, drop it in the outgoing mail and then say AMEN!

This simple prayer has caused me to wonder and ask who prayed this over me? Who did God place in my path that I might not have ever known was praying for me? I know my parents prayed for me, my grandparents, but I never really thought about Counselors or Teachers at my school. Think about your life. Who was praying for you? I am here to tell you that someone out there was praying for you! GOD STIRS HIS PEOPLE TO PRAY.

This week, I have been reading the book of Joshua one chapter at a time. I can relate to the fear that Joshua must have had after The Lord gave him direction to lead the people to cross the Jordan River into the PROMISE Land. Moses died! What! That’s not the way Hollywood would have scripted the ending. Moses was the leader, the one the people knew and followed.  Joshua is the one appointed to carry on with the task at hand. Sometimes we are called to step into the position to see that the people reach God’s Promise Land. My predecessor before me was in this position for 14 years…big shoes to fill. I am still learning something new every day. This is the part where if I get fixed on what I do not know I begin to fear. Listen to these words that I read this week, “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life.  As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:5

I love that I can hear God’s voice speaking directly to me through His Holy word. Can you hear Him saying it to you? If so, then you are really going to love hearing this;

“BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. DO NOT BE TERRIFIED; DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL BE WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO.” JOSHUA 1:9

That one is worth memorizing! Keep it tucked away inside of your heart, so on those hard days when you don’t think you can you will be reminded that you CAN and WILL will God’s help! Don’t let fear rob you of your FREEDOM of the Promise Land. The Israelites with the direction of God leading through Moses and Joshua reached their destination! They received their inheritance by taking one step at a time. You can too! Just one foot in front of the other! Don’t give up…keep taking that next step!  BE BRAVE and COURAGEOUS!

Father, THANK YOU for your promises in your Holy word that reminds us of who you are and that we are never alone. Thank you for helping us to be BRAVE and COURAGEOUS. This world can be scary and hard, Lord. I love that you remind us not to be afraid. Keep reminding us. Help us to memorize your word so we can recall it often. Keep it fresh on our lips. Lord, thank you for those that you lead to pray for us. Help us Lord to feel your nudge to pray for your people. You are leading all of us to your Promise Land and for that we are thankful. We love you too!  Amen!

I want to share one of my favorite songs with you today. The very first time I heard it, it reached deep down into my soul and moved me. Do you ever feel like songs were written just for you? Isn’t it amazing how music can minister to your soul? I love these words written by William Shakespeare (1564-1616), “Music can minister to minds diseased, pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow, raze out the written troubles of the brain, and with its sweet oblivious antidote, cleanse the full bosom of all perilous stuff that weighs upon the heart.”

I experienced that very pluck from my own memory when I heard “Tell Your Heart To Beat Again.” I recall exactly where I was on Sisterdale Highway when it’s words caused me to pull over, so I could clear my eyes to see. On this particular beautiful summer day, I was not expecting to revisit a time in my own life when I had to tell my heart to beat again. There are times in our lives when it feels like we can’t go on. The pain and suffering seem almost too much to bear, yet we keep breathing. Maybe you are at this place in your life right now. You feel as though there is no hope and you don’t know what tomorrow may bring. The fear paralyzes and wakes you from your sleep. You toss back and forth without an answer even though you have been seeking Him for it. I pray that these words from David, The Psalmist/Songwriter, affirm you while you wait upon The Lord. He is mighty to save!

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3

I also hope that as you take the time to listen to this song, close your eyes and meditate on each word. Picture the great Physician healing and repairing your own heart and then hear his whisper to you, “Tell Your Heart to Beat Again.” Don’t let the enemy’s voice be louder than The Father! Stand in agreement with Him that your heart is healed. You can forgive again, you can love again, you can get back up again. YOU CAN!

You’re shattered
Like you’ve never been before
The life you knew
In a thousand pieces on the floor
And words fall short in times like these
When this world drives you to your knees
You think you’re never gonna get back
To the you that used to be

Tell your heart to beat again
Close your eyes and breathe it in
Let the shadows fall away
Step into the light of grace
Yesterday’s a closing door
You don’t live there anymore
Say goodbye to where you’ve been
And tell your heart to beat again

Beginning
Just let that word wash over you
It’s alright now
Love’s healing hands have pulled you through
So get back up, take step one
Leave the darkness, feel the sun
Cause your story’s far from over
And your journey’s just begun

Tell your heart to beat again
Close your eyes and breathe it in
Let the shadows fall away
Step into the light of grace
Yesterday’s a closing door
You don’t live there anymore
Say goodbye to where you’ve been
And tell your heart to beat again

Let every heartbreak
And every scar
Be a picture that reminds you
Who has carried you this far
‘Cause love sees farther than you ever could
In this moment heaven’s working
Everything for your good

Tell your heart to beat again
Close your eyes and breathe it in
Let the shadows fall away
Step into the light of grace
Yesterday’s a closing door
You don’t live there anymore
Say goodbye to where you’ve been
And tell your heart to beat again
Your heart to beat again
Beat again

Oh, so tell your heart to beat again

These are some of the words shared on Facebook by David Molak’s brother, “In today’s age, bullies don’t push you into lockers, they don’t tell their victims to meet them behind the school’s dumpster after class, they cower behind user names and fake profiles from miles away constantly berating and abusing good, innocent people,” the post said, adding that that’s exactly how the final night of David Molak’s life played out. David was 16 years old (pictured far left with his brothers and mom).  Such a tragedy that could be prevented if we understood the magnitude of our words.

You guys…THIS IS A BIG DEAL! We have to use caution before speaking. We have to stop being a part of using words to tear down others. We’ve all heard our mom’s tell us, “If you don’t have something nice to say then don’t say it at all.” These words are full of WISDOM. We should listen to it and put it into practice. We should speak LIFE! We are ALL created in His image. He loves us ALL. We should be for each other not against each other.

Here’s a challenge for all of us…when we hear someone speaking negative against someone else refuse to participate, redirect the conversation and speak LIFE to them. Most of the time it is in their own insecurity that causes them to speak against another. They think it will make them feel better about themselves. It’s not true. It will leave them feeling more empty and the hurt will continue.  Speak LIFE! Speak LIFE!!!

If you are experiencing the hurt and pain from words spoken against you, I have encouraging words for you. YOU ARE LOVED! YOU ARE VALUABLE! Do NOT listen to the lies. Proverbs 11:9 above tells you that through knowledge the righteous escape.  You are His RIGHTEOUS child!  You have the knowledge of truth to see you through it all. If you are feeling as if this life would be better off without you, get help! That is the enemy lying to you. Write this verse down, memorize it and recall it often: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

He fiercely LOVES you and there is nothing that can separate you from His LOVE!
#truth #gloryup

Happy 2016!!! I hope it is off to a wonderful start. About four years ago I decided to forgo making a New Year’s resolution. I had never been successful in keeping one. Instead I had a faithful friend that encouraged me to pray and ask God to give me a word that would direct my steps and keep me focused. She also encouraged me to find a verse that would go along with my word. I did it! You would think that picking one little word out of the English dictionary would not be so eventful or powerful but let me tell you from experience…it is!!!  It has been life changing for me and CHALLENGING! This year is no different. When I felt the Lord affirm my word…I cried! This is not going to be easy. He is stretching me and asking me to keep sharing His TRUTH!

TRUTH – 2016 Word of the Year
“If you abide in my word, you are TRULY my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you FREE.” John 8:31-32

I heard Him whisper this to me as tears were falling. “Gennie, you have told many about my GREAT LOVE and SAVING GRACE, don’t be afraid to tell them some of the hard TRUTH.  I want to set my people FREE!!!” You guys, it is His word, THE TRUTH, that sets us FREE! He didn’t give us His Holy word as a punishment, or as a list of rules to follow, but as a guide to show us a way straight into His loving and redeeming arms when we follow them. I kept returning to Him in prayer asking for confirmation. Honestly, I didn’t want this to be my word. I thought I might have misheard Him, I was doubting that this was real. Just as I was ready to dismiss it, I walked into my girl’s bathroom. We gave them markers that can write on mirrors for Christmas. We wanted them to encourage each other with them…speak life!  I was expecting to see, “You’re AWESOME!” “Thanks for being a GREAT SIS.” “I love you!” “You can do it.” But I found God’s word instead…His TRUTH! Chill bumps!

A couple of days later I received a text from my girlfriend. I had asked her to pray over me and my word. I was doing the same for her…there is POWER in PRAYER!!!  She texted back that she had been reading in Acts about Paul’s truth and how God used so many unusual things to get His truth across to the stubborn Jews. She affirmed me and said, “I know God will use you and unusual things in this same way!!!” WOW!

Then I turned to Acts myself to study and look at what I found, “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do NOT be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” Acts 18:9-10

He answered my prayer when I asked for confirmation not once, not twice, but three times!  So you guys…this will be a year of TRUTH! I have no idea where He is leading me but when He asks me and affirms me, I GO!

How about you? What is your word of the year? What is your verse? How will you complete these blanks? This is the YEAR I purpose to:

EMBRACE:_______________________

ENGAGE:______________________

BE:____________________________

Let me encourage YOU to pray and seek Him for His answer for you. May His affirmations be as sweet for you as they were for me. Let me also encourage you to step into it…whatever it is…don’t be afraid of it! If He is calling you TO IT He will certainly bring you THROUGH IT!!!  He is faithful!

Dearest Heavenly Father,

Thank YOU for being so faithful. Thank YOU for answering and hearing us when we pray. Lord, for my friends that are reading this that desire to stay focused on you throughout this New Year, please speak to them. Give them ears that hear and eyes that see! Lord, help us to be obedient to wherever or however you chose to use us for your glory. We will go Lord, if you lead us!!!  It’s in Your Son’s most Holy name I pray, Amen!

One year ago today was my first entry to Journeytothehills.com. This is the 53rd post, one post a week, with a little more than 9,000 views, over 5,000 visitors in over 46 countries. That is a MIGHTY and BIG GOD reaching His people He passionately LOVES!  I stand in AWE! I had no idea that a year ago saying YES to God would lead to this. What a journey it has been.

As I reflect back over the past 365 days, what I love the most out of each of the entries that have been written is the legacy that it is leaving behind AND the difference it is making for His Kingdom in the HERE and NOW. When we say the Lord’s prayer we say, Your Kingdom Come thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. I think it’s fascinating that the Creator of the World allows us to play a small part of bringing His Kingdom to earth. This is LEGACY LIVING. I think too often we think that our legacy is what we leave behind but it is also about the here and now. I have enjoyed pointing to the Savior of the World who came to redeem His children and bring them into eternal life. I want to reach others for Christ! That’s my purpose in this life. If I can reach just one new soul with the message that Jesus LOVES them, forgives them and has a beautiful future for them then this is worth it.

I will continue to be vulnerable and share some of my biggest hurts and hang ups as well as some of my biggest victories in 2016 as long as God continues to lead. My time with Him is the most precious of each of my days. If you don’t have a time set aside for just you and Him let me encourage you to find it and let that be your goal for 2016. Make it a sacred space and place where you go and meet Him each new day that He gives. I promise you it will be more fulfilling than any gym membership or diet plan that is out there. These words of Jesus blow me away:

“I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will NEVER drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose NONE of all that he has given me, but RAISE them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that EVERYONE who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6: 35-40

This is my favorite picture from 2015…PURE JOY! Jesus FULFILLS me! He listens to me, comforts me, forgives me, speaks to me and adores me like no one on this earth. I am completely SOLD out in serving Him. It’s really weird to most to put your biggest secrets and hurts out for all the world to see.  It’s straight up WEIRD. I get it. It’s totally worth it if one more sister or brother joins me in Heaven on that day that He comes to take us home. This year is going to FLY by…we will blink and it will be over just like 2015. Our time on this earth is so short in comparison to our eternal home that awaits us. How are you investing in your FOREVER home? Are you storing up treasures there or keeping them here where rust and moths destroy? What will you do TODAY to invest in your FOREVER?  How will 2016 bring you closer to our Lord who created us in His image? I don’t know about you, but I am certainly going to try to grow closer to Him. I am going to try to leave a legacy that not only honors my family and teaches my great great grandchildren that their Great Great Grandmother LOVED GOD with all of her heart, soul, mind and strength but also brought so much GLORY to His Holy name.  That is my goal for today, tomorrow, and into my FOREVER!

My family gave me the sweetest Christmas gift ever! A new tire cover to put on the back of my red wrangler jeep. They believe in me, they believe in helping me share the good news with others. On Christmas Eve at our Christmas Eve service we passed out candles like most churches do. At the end of the service our Pastor called up three of the children to help light the candles, our Catherine was one of them.  Then he announced that we were going to break tradition this year. Instead of singing “Silent Night” we sang, “Go Tell It On the Mountain.” He said the church has been silent too long! So as we passed each candle and lit up the church we sang loudly and proudly that Jesus Christ is BORN and we WILL GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN over the HILLS and EVERYWHERE!!!  I look forward to telling many more stories that point to our Savior!  I hope they richly bless you in your own journey through 2016, but more importantly I pray you find your own intimacy with HIM. There really is nothing better.

Happy New Year!!!

I saw this video just yesterday and it went right along with the message He placed on my heart.  I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.  Let’s start investing into our FOREVER and do some LEGACY LIVING!!!  #GLORYUP

The doorbell has been ringing a lot this week. The dogs go crazy and the girls holler for me to come as they have been told they can not under any circumstance answer the door. By the time I make it to the door there is no one there, and I see the FedEx man driving away while a package is resting up against the side of the house.

You can imagine my surprise when I went to the door and actually found two sweet teens bringing gifts from their mom to me. It was so unexpected and I was overjoyed to see them. I hugged each of their necks and wished them a MERRY CHRISTMAS! They wished me the same as they handed me a fresh from the oven poppy-seed cake and a wrapped gift.  The present was perfect for me. My girlfriend knows me so well and she gave me a gift that she knew I would love.  I am so grateful for my new book that will draw me closer to Him!

Our girls have been saving their allowance, so they could do their own Christmas shopping this year. I dropped them off downtown on Main Street and told them to have fun. They sent me this pic holding up some of their presents and their stop for lunch in the window seat of our favorite spot…oh the sweet memories they made. When I picked them up they could not wait to show me what they had gotten for everyone. They were overjoyed and quickly wrapped their gifts themselves and placed them under the tree. This IS Christmas!!!

I hope as you prepare to CELEBRATE and unwrap your presents that you stop and ponder on the perfect gift that ALL have ever been given. Have you unwrapped it?  Do you receive it? God’s GREATEST JOY was in GIVING His SON to us, so that we could be reconciled back to Him. I love to unwrap it. This year I wrapped an empty box and placed this verse inside of it.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE.” Isaiah 9:6

This is God’s Christmas card to us! You still have time to wrap an empty box with this verse to share. Let it be the first present opened. May it bring a sense of the TRUE SPIRIT of Christmas into your home as you CELEBRATE BIG! It’s the BEST GIFT under the tree!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR HOME TO YOURS!  Love, The Coe’s