Dearest Moms and Dads,

I see you! I hear you! I am one of you, and today I want to encourage you! This job that we have been given is not an easy one. In fact, out of all of the jobs that we have this one will always be the most important. Our children need our guidance and direction. They may think they know it all and have this life all figured out, but their arrogance will have them in ruins quickly if we don’t come alongside of them to help nurture and speak life. All around me this week I have seen signs of the struggles. Many of you are tempted to give up. Some of you have. Some of you are in the trenches right now trying to decide whether you are going to stay in the fight or raise the white flag and surrender. STAY THE COURSE! Do NOT give up!

PRAY for your children! They need protection and a covering over them that you can not provide, only God can. He’s the only one that can see their comings and their goings (Psalm 121:8). Ask Him to oversee and superintend their needs. He loves them more than you do and wants to see them on the narrow road that leads to LIFE (Matthew 7:13-14). When I got out of my car this week I saw this book sitting on a passenger seat in the car parked next to me. To this mom, YES! I see you! God sees you and He hears you!  Keep praying and thank you for inspiring all of us to pray. We need to pray specifically too. They need to hold their thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Most of their battles take place in their mind. They don’t know how to discern the voice of truth verses the voice of lies. When they start to speak against themselves, stop them! Speak against the lie that has been planted.  Teach them how to know their true identity. We are “God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved“!!! Wow! Then teach them to clothe themselves with “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12). We have to be more than hearers of the word but also doers of it. Do more than just preach to them, show them what it looks like. Go and serve others together. There really is not a better way for them to learn than for them to experience!

This one is going to be the hardest to hear…DISCIPLINE your children. When they are defying you there needs to be a consequence!

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  But afterward there will be a PEACEFUL harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:11

Don’t ignore it. It won’t go away, in fact it will only grow to be a bigger problem. Don’t allow them to disrespect you. You have been given authority over them. Don’t waiver. But do not exasperate your children, instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:1-4). In order to do this, we have to be in His Holy word. If you don’t have a bible I encourage you to get one. Every thing that I am sharing with you today comes straight from it. These are not my rules or ideas of parenting but HIS! Let’s honor Him in raising these precious miracles in the way that pleases Him.

And finally I leave you with this, “Do NOT grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest IF we DO NOT GIVE UP.”  Galatians 6:9

STAY THE COURSE SWEET FRIENDS!!!  A harvest is coming!

Love from your sister in Christ,

Gen XOXOXO

I went on a walk last week alone. The morning was so new even the animals were still resting. It was dark, and the clouds hid the stars that helped light my way. I could hear my heart pounding inside of my chest as I took my first steps. I was scared, but I didn’t want to be. I began to have a conversation with The Lord. My question is why? Why am I afraid and what am I afraid of? As I continued to wrestle with this question I asked The Lord to be with me and help me not to fear. The next hour of my time with Him astounded me and what I learned was priceless truth that must be shared.

Here are some of the whispers I heard Him ask me, “Gen, do you think that Daniel was without fear when he was placed in the Lion’s Den? What about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they faced the fiery furnace?” It dawned on me that being afraid is being human. These men, although bold and courageous in their faith, were human and had fear. Let’s get real for a minute, if being locked in a den with mouth watering lions doesn’t scare you then something is very wrong with you. Here’s the best whisper I heard, “It’s okay to be scared…I am BIGGER than your fear.” That whisper alone gave me the courage to keep going.

What about you? Do you wrestle with fear? What are you afraid of? Are you waiting to hear back from the doctor on some test results that keep you awake at night? Have you lost your job and you don’t know how you are going to provide for your family? Is your marriage struggling and you don’t want to lose it and face doing this world alone? Are your finances so broken that you don’t even know where to start in trying to fix them? Are you afraid of losing someone you love to death? I want you to hear the same words I heard whispered to me…It’s OKAY to be scared. Our God is BIGGER than our fear. He is in the battlefield with us. We do not fight alone. We do not walk alone. He is with us.

Look at this verse from Daniel 6:17, “A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, SO THAT DANIEL’S SITUATION MIGHT NOT BE CHANGED.” There is NO situation that our God can not change. PLEASE hear this truth.  No matter how bad things seem to be or how bad they appear our God can change it. He sends angels to shut the mouth of lions. He rescues and saves!

When we are afraid we have a God that is BIGGER than our fear. We don’t have to let fear paralyze us. We can keep going. We can take another step and go into our own lion’s den knowing that we have a God that will meet us there. We won’t fight alone. Ask Him to help you take the next step. He is always faithful to answer.

I am grateful for my scary walk. I learned how to walk in the dark. I called on Him and He answered me. He helped me to keep taking the next step. You can too. Trust Him. He won’t fail you!  Let’s get to walking!  #truth #gloryup

“For He is the living God and He endures forever: his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth.” Daniel 6:26-27

I have been so busy lately at work I have barely had time to look up. I move from one task to the next hoping to make a dent in the pile only to have more added. It is overwhelming. I got up from my desk to do some filing and on the way back I saw a heart shaped cut out in my melted scented wax cubes in my scentsy warmer. It took me by surprise and made me stop! I immediately felt God’s presence and His Spirit whisper “I love you, I see you, keep marching on.” There I was in the middle of my chaotic and hectic day having a moment with My Lord that took my breath away. I was so grateful he stopped me to remind me of this beautiful truth. Do you see Him? Does He ever stop you to help you see His presence right in the middle of the hard and difficult?

This week I had the pleasure of catching up with one of my dearest friends that lives in North Carolina. We were right in the middle of our visit with one another when she stops me and says, “Do you mind holding for a second I have to take a picture of this amazing sunset that I am seeing right now.” Again, we both stopped to SEE His Presence. This time I got to see Him thanks to the eyes of a beautiful friend. Isn’t that neat of Him? Sometimes when we can’t see He will help us to see through the eyes of another. That’s how faithful He is. He surrounds us with His love at all times. He gives us our loved ones to help hold us up and endure, persevere and overcome.

I love that He is able to show Himself to us in immeasurable ways when we stop in our busyness, in the chaotic moments of life, and pause to invite Him in. This week the verse I have been meditating on says this, “Do you know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He WILL NOT grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who HOPE in The Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31

Do you HOPE in Him? Do you look to Him to help you when you are weak? I hope you do because His promise IS TRUE…He gives STRENGTH to the weary and increases the power of the weak. He RENEWS us! He speaks to us in the heart shapes and sunsets and whispers “I love you, I see you, keep marching on.” How very sweet of Him. I pray He quiets you with His whispers today. I hope you get a glimpse of Him, and He stops you in your track. Be on the lookout for Him…it might be through your eyes or through the eyes of someone dear that He has given you.  He is FAITHFUL!

Spend some time with Him in worship today. This is one of my all time favorites. I love every single word. Invite Him in, welcome Him…His glory is what our hearts long for to be overcome by His Presence, LORD! Be blessed today sweet friends and then be the blessing! #truth #gloryup

Happy 1st week of school from our family to yours. I hope that your transition into a new school year has been a smooth one, but in all honesty there has more than likely been a lot of anxiousness and fear surfacing with so much change. Why do we resist change so much? Why do we like for things to remain constant and unchanging? Over the past four years I have been in a place of change in my life. In the beginning I resisted the change and would grumble that I simply wanted things to be the same. I would even pray for Him to rescue my family from the trials, so we could go back to the way things were. We were never meant to remain the same. We are on a constant journey in growing closer and closer into the image of our Lord, the ONE and ONLY that remains the same yesterday, today and forever more (Hebrews 13:8).

My girls have been on this journey of change right along side of my husband and me. We moved to a new community two years ago. Everything and everyone was new. We had new jobs, new schools, new friends, new grocery stores, new gas stations, new everything. What we once knew as familiar and comfortable had changed, and we had the choice to embrace it or resist. The Lord has been so faithful to us and through His faithfulness He has shown us how to embrace the change. We have all grown closer to Him in the process. PRAISE THE LORD!

My prayer has changed over these years. I no longer pray out of a desperate call for rescue but rather than asking for his blessings, for Him to continue to expand my territory and for Him to be with me as He protects me from evil and harm. I am not the first person to pray this prayer. A man by the name of Jabez prayed it first. He is remembered for this prayer. I have it printed in a frame in my house, so I can remember it often. I hope in sharing this with you today that it would encourage you to pray it too. “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.  And God granted his request. 1 Chronicles 4:10

Friends, let’s pray this prayer boldly. Let’s ask Him to enlarge our territory.  I have met so many more people that have blessed me in ways that I would have never known had I stayed in the same comfortable place. I have had the opportunity to love so many more and to share His light. It overwhelms me to think about the places that I have been and the places that are still yet to come. Let’s stop resisting and start embracing. He really does have GREAT PLANS to prosper us, not to harm us, give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). 

To my beautiful friend, Judi, I love you! I am so grateful that in His expansion of my territory He brought you into my life. Now, he is expanding yours. It’s time for you to spread your wings and fly. You are so loved and we are so happy for you. We know you are going to go and be a beacon of His light wherever you go!  Be blessed as you have been a blessing. Your friend always, Gen

What if your good is just not good enough? Where does that leave you in a world that says that if you’re not at the top you are nothing at all? We’ve been wrestling with these questions this week at our house. Our oldest daughter is trying out for the High School tennis team. This year the competition is tougher than the year before and anxiety has creeped into my precious baby girl’s heart. I’ve been yearning for the perfect words to say to ease her mind and calm her fears. I’ve been thinking about my own experiences to help me relate to what she is going through and the Lord helped me remember a time perfectly.

I was a Junior in High School when I tried out to be an Officer for the Drill Team. I can remember wanting the position so badly. I was a decent dancer. I had taken several years of dance lessons and practiced often. The day arrived and my nerves were shaken. Something that I had a passion for suddenly had me in a place where I felt frozen and unable to move. I had to do a solo in front of a panel of Judges. The day seemed like an eternity even though only a few hours had passed before the announcement was made. I didn’t make the cut. Tears still surface remembering who was there to hold me. My dad! He didn’t even say a word, he just held me and let me cry. Just this past weekend we were at my parents house and my dad had been working on a gift for Catherine for several weeks. He gave it to her as we were heading home to gear up for our week. The timing was perfect. The gift was perfect. A wooden cross with tennis balls representing Catherine’s passion with the hope of Christ. I felt so much LOVE coming from my dad to my little girl. It was just what she needed.

After remembering my own experience of heartache and brokenness I knew what she needed to hear. I sat down with her on her bed and told her my story. As tears fell from my eyes, I told her I would be there to hold her whether she makes the team or she doesn’t. Her worth is not found in being a Varsity Tennis player. She is a beautiful child of God deeply loved for who she is…not what she does. I think at times we can get so wrapped up into our performing that we lose sight of who we are and why we are here. I told her the most important thing to remember is to give your very BEST to HIM! He is in control and His perfect will, will be done. That is all He requires from us. He takes care of the rest. Did you know that I went on to dance in college? The Lord was still able to direct my steps to keep me dancing for Him. There is nothing too difficult for Him (Matthew 19:26).

I saw this quote from a friend this week and thought again…the timing!

“Your ultimate fear is not being loved. So many people have this fear…especially great performers. They get so tied into their achievements and success that they wonder if anyone will love them for who they are rather than what they do. But what they and you need to know is that you are LOVED by God, and this is the ultimate answer to your ultimate fear. Do you know how I know this? Because love casts out all fear. If you’re a mom, you wouldn’t walk across a busy highway for fear of getting hit by a car. But if your child ran into the street you would run after her because love casts out all fear. LOVE is more powerful than fear.”    – Jon Gordon, Training Camp

So who do you know that needs to hear words of encouragement spoken over them? Who do you know that is wrapped up into performing and may have forgotten that they are LOVED for who they are not for what they do? Who do you know that just might need to be held with no words spoken at all? Good, now that you know who that person is get out there and love them well. It’s never too late to LOVE! Our words can give life or death. You get to choose how to use them. Choose well sweet friends! #truth #gloryup

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

It’s confession time…I am struggling. The truth is I have been struggling for a couple of months now. I feel it and know it but can’t seem to shake it. What is it? This is the question that I keep having with myself in my quiet time. There are days when I can spend time with The Lord and feel His rich presence while other days I am going through the motions, and He seems distant and I stand alone. I quickly dismiss this from my mind because I know it isn’t true. I know what His promises say and I begin to claim them again. I feel as though I am on one end of the see-saw. One day I am going up and down in a continual motion and others where I am stuck in my tracks and not able to move. Have you ever been there? Maybe you can relate with me.

I don’t like this person that I have been, and I want to transform back into the easy going, happy go lucky, full of joy and encouragement lady that I know and miss. I have kept my struggles to myself in hopes that I could fix them. It is not working, so this week I reached out to a dear sister and asked for her prayers for a specific situation that I was walking through. I just sent her a text message asking for her to pray. She instantly texted back and asked if I could talk. It was a rare time that I had the house to myself with no interruptions. I responded yes and within minutes we were on the phone together…just the sound of her voice brings me comfort. I was doing most of the talking and she was doing the listening. Her listening skills amazed me. At the end of our conversation, she asked if she could repeat to me some of the things she heard me say. She had been taking notes while I was talking. I grabbed a pen and paper and started writing down what she heard me say. Here are some of my own words: “I’m scared. I am angry. I have fear about this world we live in. It is causing me to be tense and rigid. I am trying to control everything. I want to be able to trust again.”

Wow! I was finally able to HEAR my problem. FEAR is robbing me of my joy. Over time my fear has caused me to stop trusting my God and take matters into my own hand (this is never a good idea guys…God is God and I am not). During my time with Him I was doing all of the talking, and when you are doing all of the talking there isn’t any time to listen. In a relationship the communication is supposed to go both ways. He was able to finally speak to me through my beautiful friend, and I am so grateful. Since this phone conversation there have been many tears shed and confessions made. I was able to come clean before Him. I love the verse that He led me to just yesterday. These words were written by David when he himself was struggling. “Create in me a pure heart, ‘O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the JOY of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51:10-12 NIV

What a mess I am, but what a faithful God He is. I love that He alone restores my soul. I love that when I won’t stop talking long enough to listen He gives me a friend that will be able to speak to me. You guys, He pursues us and never gives up on us in all of our brokenness. If you are struggling with something don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Maybe you have a trusted friend just waiting to hear from you today. Text them, call them. They will listen. Lean in and trust God. Don’t take matters into your own hand. I can attest that this doesn’t work. God is God and we are not. He is still on His throne despite the chaos we see in this world. He knows what He is doing. I am getting back to trusting Him and Him alone. He is a good good Father, gentle and loving in all of His ways.  We all go through seasons of drought where we grow weary and tired. If you are in this season now with me, lift your head!  Rain will fall again. #truth #gloryup

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV

“Be strong and courageous. Do NOT be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV

“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 AMP

Did you realize that we are 1/2 way through this year? It’s going by so quickly. Summer is usually when I have time to get organized, clean closets, drawers, purge old things and make room for new things, but what are we doing to clean and purge from within ourselves? Do you ever have time to just rest and evaluate where you are and where you are going? This week I received a self assessment in my inbox from a dedicated Christian author, Lysa Terkeurst, and I was brave enough to take it. What was even more brave was sitting down with my daughter and having her answer the questions too from her perspective. It was an intimate moment for us where I gave her permission to be truthful with me. I learned a lot in the process. I learned areas in which I need to grow and become a better me. I don’t want to pass through life mediocrely. I want to live life well. I love this passage in Psalm 90:12, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” So what do you say about joining me? Let’s gain a heart of wisdom.

Here’s the instructions on how to take the assessment: Next to each statement in the list, note whether that statement is true or false for you the majority of the time. Then, cover your responses and have a trusted friend or family member write their answers about you on another page. At the end, prayerfully compare the two sets of answers to see what it’s really like to do life with you. Make sure you both have time after doing the assessment to talk about your responses and how you might be able to improve in the areas that need attention.

Pray this before comparing both sets of answers: Lord, thank You for the gift of refinement. Thank You for extending grace to me because I so desperately need it. Thank You for _________, who so lovingly wants to help me become a better version of me. I pray You’ll give me the heart to read these answers without hesitation, hurt, or bias. Help me to see Your guidance through this assessment, and show me areas where I can grow. I want to bring the fullness of Your presence everywhere I go, to everyone I meet. In Jesus’ name, amen.

1. My friends and family know they can count on me to encourage and support them.
2. In a conversation, I listen well and wait for my turn to speak.
3. I process my thoughts before speaking directly to someone, especially in a heated discussion.
4. I am the first to apologize.
5. I am more oriented toward speaking truth and have difficulty giving grace.
6. I remain my authentic self regardless of my surroundings.
7. I am easily approachable and others are able to confront me when I’ve offended them.
8. I am more oriented toward giving grace and have difficulty speaking truth.
9. I assume the best instead of the worst.
10. I am quick to extend grace and understanding.
11. I celebrate the success of others, even when I may not experience success of my own.
12. I acknowledge others when they have a better idea than mine.
13. I am quick to forgive without holding grudges.
14. There are topics or negative emotions that I avoid discussing.

If you took the assessment and learned an area where you need to grow share it with someone you love. Ask them for help in holding you accountable. It needs to be someone you share life with and see often. Don’t forget that you have the ultimate best friend and companion in The Lord. He knows which ones are true and false about you even better than you do. Ask Him to help you. I certainly will be asking Him to help me with mine. I know He will be faithful to help us. He can’t fail. Let’s finish the year strong friends. We can do ALL things through Christ who gives us strength. #truth #gloryup #finishstrong

Let these instructional words from Proverbs bring you life and direction as you continue to pursue your biggest dreams in becoming the very BEST YOU!

“Pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let you eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; keep your foot from evil.” 

This week our family had an appointment we have been dreading. We have been putting it off as long as we could. The history of the past told us that surgery would be in the future for our baby girl. Her daddy remembers the pain all too well because he was born without cartilage in his knees. His love for all sports had to come to a halt at the young age of 13. He underwent major knee surgery and had part of his femur removed to repair the broken knee. He was on crutches for almost 2 years with 6 different casts of all colors and physical therapy daily to build back the muscle he had lost. The doctor told him he would never play sports again, or I should rephrase that to say he “should” never play sports again. He told him if he risked it and played and had one bad hit to the knee it could cause him to be disabled for life. That’s a hard blow for a young boy who loved his sports. That same love and passion lives on in our almost 12 year old daughter. We have watched her since she was three years old be able to use her God given talent to play her sports. It’s been nothing short of amazing to see someone that has never been taught have natural skills and abilities that can only come from above.

Over the past few months we have watched her develop that same pain in her knees. It’s been painful for her and painful for us knowing what could lie ahead. I remember studying a couple of years ago about the power of prayer and asking The Lord to break us free from all of the sin and strongholds that have been passed down from one generation to the next. I don’t know about you, but if my Lord can stop my sin, strongholds and even my genetic flaws from passing on to my children you better believe I am going to petition before Him and ask Him to stop it with me. I continue to pray that prayer over my babies, and I witnessed our God answering that prayer this very week. As we sat in the doctor’s office watching this Pediatric Orthopedic doctor run a series of tests on our Ashley we heard him say some amazing words, “This has nothing to do with her cartilage. She’s in good shape there. She needs to keep playing her game. Sitting it out in front of a tube will only make it worse.”  You guys, I was so relieved. She does have exercises and stretches that she is going to have to do in order to strengthen her muscles to train them how to work correctly, but there is nothing genetically wrong with her knees. PRAISE THE LORD!

Please do not underestimate the power in prayer to our most POWERFUL God! There is nothing more than He wants to do for us than break off the ties that bind us and holds us back from becoming the men and women he designed us to be. I LOVE these words in Isaiah that Jesus himself spoke, “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.”
Isaiah 61:1-4

We are His children that he bestows beauty upon. We are called oaks of righteousness, those who love him and seek to please Him. We are a planting for the display of His splendor…others will know we belong to Him because of our fruits. We have the opportunity to rebuild and restore! Let’s get to rebuilding!  Loved ones that you will never meet on this earth could be with you in eternity by the way you rebuild and pass down the love of our God to the next generation. It’s a big deal! We should be on our knees more seeking for our freedom and the freedom of all. Be blessed sweet friends, we have a God who LOVES us!  #truth #gloryup #mygameHisglory

Today is my last day of my contract for the year. Summer is finally here for me, and the timing literally is perfect. I am worn and tired and have found myself not recognizing the person that I see in the mirror looking back at me. I have not been pleasant to be around. This week I had a heart to heart with God and asked Him to reveal what is wrong with me. Why am I struggling? I found my answer in Philippians 2:14-15:

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.”

There have been complaints on my lips. One complaint leads to another and before long I haven’t lifted one gratitude to the Heavens for my many blessings. No wonder I feel dull and dim. In order to shine like stars in the universe we have to be obedient to not complain or argue. The Lord reminded me ever so gently that I needed to stop my grumbling. I need to return to giving Him thanks and praise, so that is what I am going to do. My gratitude journal that I started a few months ago has been sitting on my desk collecting dust. In the beginning I was faithful to write down several items I was thankful for each morning. Sometimes I would even stop in the middle of my day to jot down my praises. My workload increased and my stresses did too. My mind became distracted by the demands surrounding me, and slowly the art of praising turned to the art of complaining.

Sometimes taking a look into the mirror is hard to see, but it is in those honest reflections where we can transform the most. I am grateful that I was brave enough to see what was staring back at me, and I am even more grateful that The Lord was faithful to reveal the truth to me through the reading of His word. He is so very faithful. I adore Him and His timing that today is my last day of work. He is giving me time to rest and rejuvenate my soul, so I can become pure and blameless and shine like the stars in the universe. I plan on spending a lot of time with Him enjoying His creation, writing down my praises and returning to JOY!

So how about you? When was the last time you took a good look in the mirror and reflected on what you see? Don’t be afraid to look. Don’t be afraid to ask God to reveal the truth. When He does be ready to do what it takes to transform into a better you, one that is closer to the image of Christ. He thinks the world of YOU! He created you in your own unique and beautiful way to SHINE for HIM! Let’s get busy doing what we were created to do for His glory! Have a wonderful summer friends! #truth #gloryup

This is a prayer that I have been meditating on this week through the First 15 devotion. I thought I would share it, so that you can meditate on it too.

Dear God, thank you for the grace and mercy you have given me. I am broken and flawed. I need a Savior, not just once, but daily. Guide me to live a life worthy of your love. Help me point to you in all that I do. You have blessed me, Lord, now let me be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The tragic shooting in Orlando, Florida this past week has gotten our attention. As if that news is not tragic enough there was also the murder of an up and coming rising star, Christina Grimmie, who was shot while signing autographs after a concert. Yesterday the news hits home again with a 2 year old boy tragically killed by an alligator at a Disney theme park with his mom and dad on vacation. The news has a way of reaching us wherever we are in the world, and if we’re not careful it will rob us of our JOY. I have experienced it myself this week. Listening to the commentators and news reporters share details and opinions does nothing to lift my spirits. In fact, most of the time if I tune in long enough it can cause me to have anxiety and fear. So I choose to turn it off and instead open the book with the GOOD NEWS.

It doesn’t take me long to read the words on the pages and experience a renewing of my mind. All of a sudden the anxiety and fear that was built up inside of me begins to fade and His peace washes over me. I remember that it is because of HIM that I walk in VICTORY. Jesus is the way, the truth and the LIFE. Do you believe this statement to be true? If you do then what are you doing to make sure others know Him? How are you reaching others with the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ?

I have a beautiful friend from my hometown of Mt. Pleasant, TX that I had the pleasure of meeting up with a few weeks ago. I loved every minute of my time with her. As we were getting ready to say our goodbyes she invited me to come to her car. She opened the back hatch and there was a suitcase that she began to unzip. To my surprise she started handing me four amazing t-shirts. She wanted me and my girls to have them. Boldly on the front it says Jesus is Life with John 14:6 written on the back. “I am the way and the truth and the LIFE.” She has started making simple yet bold shirts to share the GOOD NEWS! I was so excited I had to put it on immediately, and I couldn’t wait to get them back to my girls. I love this woman’s heart for Christ. She is sold out for Him, and she is reaching many for Him far and wide with her t-shirt ministry.

Last Friday the girls and I wore them as we helped deliver Meals on Wheels to our sweet friends on our route that we help with in the summer. I LOVE that every time we rang the doorbell they were greeted with the message that JESUS is LIFE. What if we took that message with us every day? What if it was more than words on a shirt, but it was seen in the smiles on our faces or the way we reach out to others in need. You guys, we have a deeply hurting world in need of the GOOD NEWS. Let’s share the message and bring HOPE to the least, the last and the lost. The victory is for ALL of us! It’s not a secret in how to obtain it, so let’s shout it to the roof tops and help others find their way to Him! He’s coming soon, and He wants to take all of us home!

“Thanks be to God! He gives us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57

Enjoy this beautiful version of “In Christ Alone” sang by the late Christina Grimmie. She was a believer and follower of Christ who is still reaching others for Him beyond the grave. The words to the song are beautiful and true!  Be blessed my friends!!!  #truth #gloryup #prayersforOrlando