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A Promise Kept

April 19, 2012 By 3 Comments

A Promise Kept

Because of this single promise found in Luke 18:33 “And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again”  we can stand strong in His strength.

Because Jesus rose again….

We don’t have to fear tomorrow or face it alone

We have peace that surpasses all understanding

We are sons and daughters of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords

We can sing praises of your matchless love, grace and mercy

We can sleep knowing that should we never wake, the splendors of Heaven await us

We have hope that never ends, regardless of the darkness chasing us

We can take our greatest treasures with us to Heaven…our family and friends

We enjoy the majesty of this gift of life and the beauty you’ve filled it with

We can live an abundant life experiencing joy as only you can give

We can smile through tears, knowing that all things work together for good

We can stand strong in His strength and work though His power, not our own

We are refreshed by the daily renewing of His mercies

We are encouraged by His faithfulness

We know that every tear will be wiped away

We know that His love reaches us…..regardless

We know true, honest and pure love

We know that our God is greater

 

AND because a single promise was kept….

We are looking for the promised return, knowing it could be any moment… a twinkling of an eye

 

Marie Wikle

@spreadingJOY

 

This article was first published in Tell It on the Mountain eMagazine by DeAnne McBurnie.  Thank you DeAnne for how you are spreading JOY!

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Making Memories

April 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I love making memories with my kids

 

Maybe it’s because I just turned another year older recently.

Maybe it’s because the reality of an empty nest is upon me.

Maybe it’s because my baby will be graduating high school the same year my oldest baby is graduating college. (2013)

Maybe it’s because I never want to forget.

BUT lately, I’ve just been remembering and waltzing down memory lane.

It probably doesn’t surprise many of you to know that I’m a happy go lucky kind of gal.  Roll with it, fix what you can and smile through the rest.

Seriously, what else can you do? Right?

It’s in that kind of spirit that I wanted to give you some fun things to do to simply make memories.  After all, that will mean more to you than a clean house, money in the bank and a nice car one day.  Mom’s seriously, if someone comes over and you have a sink full of dishes but you PLAYED with your kids, smile and say – dishes can wait, my kids can’t.

 

Making Memories is as simple as:

  • Laying on a blanket looking at clouds and or stars
  • Having an afternoon tea party with your princess and her stuffed friends
  • Playing basketball in the yard
  • Painting fingernails
  • Walking in the park
  • Reading out loud together
  • Late night movie fests, with popcorn and m&m’s
  • Mail cards to your small children. They LOVE getting mail. (ok, mail cards to your child…period. ) We all love mail!
  • Take silly photos. Yes, we want the pretty family pictures, but always, always ALWAYS take the silly ones too.
  • Dream together.  Know what your children dream of doing.  Secretly work to make it happen
  • Toss the football
  • Handle problems together
  • Bake a cake and don’t wait for it too cool before frosting it and eating it. Such a treat.  And do NOT cut perfect squares.  Just scoop it out.
  • Try new recipes together. If they don’t turn out, laugh!
  • Share PB&J’s
  • Buy chocolate chip cookie dough for the sole purpose of eating it raw
  • Walk in the snow together. Try to catch snowflakes. Close your eyes and enjoy the coolness on your cheeks
  • Sing in the car! Sing loud.
  • Go to the park and swing.  If they have a tall sliding board, slide! If they have a see-saw, even better
  • Explore your city together.  Let your child take pictures.  You’d be surprised at what they love….pictures are worth a thousand words
  • Plan a day of NOTHING. NO chores, no dishes, no cooking – tell everyone – it’s a lazy day all around.
  • Let your child play with the camera on your phone and be silly with them.
  • Color. Seriously.  When is the last time you got a HUGE box of crayons and colored? (psst..make sure you color outside the lines)
  • Ask your child what made them smile this week.
  • Sit on the floor and play.
  • Have a mad, crazy game night.  Order in Pizza and play one board game after another
  • Hot Chocolate out with the kids
  • Picnic outside with an ordinary meal
  • Pop some popcorn and sprinkle with different flavorings. Try ranch, taco or even cinnamon sugar
  • Text your kids.  Seriously.  Text them randomness, facts of the day, verse of the day, silly photos.
  • Give turn down service. Leave a small piece of their favorite chocolate on their pillow and a note saying you love them.
  • Play in the rain.  Just do it.  Treat it like snow.  Have fun!
  • Hold hands.
  • Always play music from a juke box. ALWAYS. Do not let this opportunity pass you by
  • Have cereal for dinner
  • Enjoy the extra sprinkles without question
  • Roast marshmallows and hotdogs
  • Blow bubbles
  • Write on the porch or driveway with sidewalk chalk
  • Play hopscotch
  • Cry together.  (Not only will you make a wonderful memory of support, you’ll let your child know that it is ok to cry.)
  • Shower them with hugs and kisses. Even when they don’t want them. They will thank you for it one day
  • Always answer the question. Even if they’ve asked 100 times already.  Just answer it.
  • Eat cotton candy together
  • Collect sea shells together
  • Gaze at a rainbow
  • Volunteer together
  • Have water balloon fights
  • Play “cars” on the floor
  • Enjoy go-kart riding with your kids
  • Have dessert first
  • Experiment with homemade pizza.  Use tortilla shells, wraps or bagels.  Have fun creating different kinds
  • Have your kid’s friends over and have a peanut butter contest. See how creates the coolest sandwich w/peanut butter.
  • Dance with your kids.  Be footloose and fancy free
  • Catch lightning bugs
  • Make homemade banana splits or sundaes.  Have toppings galore
  • Spend time in a hammock together
  • Host a neighborhood art exhibit
  • Have a watermelon seed spitting contest. Only rule is EVERYONE must participate
  • Play in the sprinkler
  • Feed ducks
  • Enjoy a petting zoo together.  Pet something you are afraid of
  • Start a Thank you Journal, and add pics and notes about people who make a difference in your world and then DO something sweet for them
  • Start a lemonade stand and donate proceeds to Spreading Joy
  • Build a fort out of blankets and camp out in the living room
  • Play in the town of “____” with huge cardboard boxes
  • Silhouette art – draw an outline of your head and frame it.  Lamp without shade, black construction paper and it’s practically done.
  • Jump rope
  • Hula hoop
  • Play in the band. Yes..you.  Mom, grab that broom and make it sing! Pots and wooden spoons make great instruments
  • Make hand turkeys each year and watch how they grow
  • Make, freeze and enjoy frozen kool-aid
  • Whip up some mud pies.  Ohhhh the memories there.
  • Watch the rain together.
  • Go roller skating together
  • Disney for everyone
  • Make Snow Angels
  • Remember out loud with your kids.  Talk about the fun, silly, serious things that you love about each of them.
  • Send your child something unique to them for no reason. Again, everyone loves surprises in the mail
  • Go for a long walk
  • Fly a kite
  • Plan a scavenger hunt.  Do it at a mall with pictures, or at home.  Leave fun clues.
  • Cozy up by a warm fire and talk about nothing
  • Bake cookies together
  • Saturday Morning Cartoon Fest.  See if you can find some awesome cartoons of Yester Year.  Bugs Bunny, Road Runner etc.
  • Pancakes for everyone.  Make a wide variety, chocolate chip, banana or sprinkle in some cinnamon for a delightful flavor.
  • Is your child going on a sleepover or away for the weekend, week, summer etc? Slip a note into their bag telling them you’ll miss them and love them. This seems so very small, but is actually HUGE in their eyes.

 

 

Tell me, what are some things that you do to make memories?  What memories do you have as a child that has just stuck with you?

Please share them with us as you never know who you’ll inspire to do those things to make memories of their own.

Inspire us in the comment section below

 

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Hope in Emptiness

April 12, 2012 By 2 Comments

 

I love that with the Resurrection there is hope in hopeless situations.

I love that even though it looks like things will end, that the beginning is right there in Christ, A new beginning in Christ. I love that when I feel that all is lost, the SONrise will remind me that the day can be even brighter when I choose to focus on HIM.

I love the joy we have in knowing that the gift of the cross is open and available for anyone who seeks peace that passes all understanding.

As we follow Jesus all the Way, This is my prayer for each of US

Lord, help us not to:

Focus on those that hurt me or use me for their gain. Even when I “thought” they were true friends. (Luke 6:28 Bless them that curse you and pray for them which despitefully use you)

Focus on how it looks like I’m not reaping from the goodness I’ve sown, when I’m so very blessed even though it’s not financial.

Focus on the impossibility because I know that with God all things are possible.

Focus on the why’s, the doubts or fears because I know to do so limits the good that I can do for the Lord.

Focus on the pain that engulfs my heart sometimes because in doing so, it blinds me from noticing and helping others that are hurting.

Focus on the famous because when I do, I lose sight of the forgotten ones that you bled and died for.

Focus on being powerful and mighty and just simply remain available for anything that you have for our life.

Focus on our inefficiencies but rather wrap my heart around the fact that I can do all things through Christ because HE strengthens me.

Focus on the past, because it will bog down my future with guilt, shame and keep me from pressing towards the great things God will do through me….right HERE, right NOW.

Lord, do help us to keep our eyes on YOU and to remain hopeful right in the middle of the impossible, because of the Empty Grave.

Remember:

Because of the empty grave, there is hope in emptiness.

Keep your eyes on the Lord. Hopelessness will try to consume you at some point in your life, but look to the empty tomb, and the hope in the Resurrection of Christ and know that He loves you enough to take on death, hell and your fears for you.

Don’t focus on fear or failure.  Focus on the Father.

 

 Yes, I will

 

In Christ Alone

 

I will Follow

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Where is Goodness and Joy

April 9, 2012 By 5 Comments

The other day I was talking with a friend that I had not talked to in a while.  Knowing that she had been through a deep, horrible loss with the death of her beloved brother, I emailed her to let her know I was thinking of her and praying for her.

Through a series of emails, she made a statement to me that many of us often forget when the pain is overwhelming and the darkness has consumed our days.

She said:

“Goodness does still exist here, you just have to look real, real, real, real, real, real, real, real, real, real hard.”

Here, among many other things, is what I shared with her.

 “Goodness is still here.  The negative overshadows it.  Hurt covers it.  Pain hides it.  Uncover the goodness!”

Pain, discouragement and disappointment can and often does bring isolation.  Then the depression creeps in.  When that happens, JOY is covered up and because you don’t “feel happy”, the negative emotions take over.

Happiness is a fleeting emotion, while Joy is undeniable faith in an almighty God, who has your best interest at heart.  We may not always understand our pain, anguish or why we don’t seem to be reaping the goodness we’ve sowed, but we can claim great joy in the Lord as we walk through the hardships that lay ahead.

I’ve had several people tell me that the only reason I can be actively spreading joy the way I do is because things are good and/or that I’m just looking at the world through rose colored glasses.

When I speak of spreading the joy of the Lord “regardless of circumstances,” I speak from experience.   Yes, I’m so blessed! Yes, my needs are met and many of my wants are met as well.  Yes, I have a wonderful husband, 2 amazing kids and family that I adore.  Yes, I have a job to pay the bills and to give support to Spreading Joy with.  But yes…I do know pain, hurt and just how dark negativity can make things.

 

There have been times that I’ve looked up towards heaven and said “seriously???? Lord?? Really?”

There have been times that I’ve sobbed, not just cried, but poured out my heart to the Lord saying, “again??? Must we endure this again?”

There have been times when grief has so filled my heart with sadness that I simply couldn’t get out of bed.

There have been times when I’ve wondered… “when Lord?  When will a positive answer to prayer come”

There are things on my “only GOD” prayer list that I look at and wonder can I muster up a grain of a mustard seed sized portion of faith for those needs.

There have been times that my hearts tells the Lord, “I’m sorry, Lord.  I’ve completely failed you and I don’t have the wisdom to take the next step”

And as much as I try not to, there are those times when I whisper in my heart, “why Lord.  Why? I simply don’t get it!”

 

But I can firmly stand on the Word of the Lord with Nehemiah 8:10 saying the joy of the LORD is my strength.  Am I always happy? No, I’m not.  But do I have joy through sorrow? Yes, I do.

So, how do we find the goodness and find joy that gets hidden during these horrid times in our lives?

We look for them, seek them, choose them and keep them.

  1. Look for the good. There is usually something good about each and every day.  Trouble is our heart is so discouraged that it shuts its eyes to anything but the negative that surrounds the trouble.  Uncover the joy that is waiting to be discovered.
  2. Use praise as a weapon.  Being openly grateful about the blessings in our world will drive discouragement away.  Don’t get me wrong, it may be a fight between your heart and mind, but it is worth it.  Praise the hurt away.  Sing until the clouds lift from over your heart.
  3. Laugh.  I love laughing and sometimes, I laugh at the most inappropriate time, which tends to end up being funnier for those around me.  When your heart is in despair, find your favorite cartoons, your favorite funny shows and watch them.
  4. Saturate your day with the Word of God.  Listen to the Bible, read the Bible. Find some online preaching.  We should be in God’s word daily anyway, but more so when we don’t “feel like it.”
  5. Pray!  Surround yourself with the Comforter Himself.  God knows your heart, empty it of the hurt that is filling it up and let God’s joy strengthen you.
  6. Do something for others. Don’t let negative feelings about how small “your something for others is” cloud your heart. Just do it.  I’m telling you, and I’ll keep telling you – go and give a box of Little Debbie Cakes away or a pack of Reese’s Cups.  The smiles will be unbelievable.
  7. Dig deep into your memory.  On the days when the sorrow is so great due to a horrible loss and you are working your way through the pain of that particular event, do something powerful and REMEMBER something good, just for a few moments.  I know this kind of day.  Even though you have great peace and trust the Lord to carry you through, the pain is so great that you wonder how you’ll function.  Use the memories of something awesome to remind your heart that “this too shall pass” and just how amazing God’s grace truly is.

 

This in no way is an exhaustive list, but it is things that I do and turn to time and time again.

I’ve been sending out a message on twitter for a while now.  I will send it out almost daily as I know different people will see it at different times.  It says

JOY….  Choose it today! Look for it today… Expect it TODAY!

 

In the middle of your discouragement, remember the joy is right there too.  Your eyes are closed to it because sometimes it is just easier to see the darkness.  But remember, even in the darkest night, all it takes is one flicker and that flicker can be seen for miles.

Uncover the goodness; don’t let it slip by you without you grabbing hold of it.

How do you uncover the goodness and joy that is within your reach?

Will you share some of what gets you through the dark times?

What verse or verses get you through?

Inspire someone by leaving a comment.

 

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21 Precious Memories of My 21 Year old

April 2, 2012 By 2 Comments

April 3rd 2012 is a mixed emotion kind of day.

I wish I had friends in high places that could fly in, pick me up and take me to Arkansas to see my son for his 21st birthday.  It is the first birthday that I’ve ever NOT seen him.  I knew that not seeing him for “a birthday” would come eventually, but really…are we mom’s ever actually ready for that?

So in honor of him, I’ve decided to waltz down memory lane.  You don’t mind do you? Hmm?

I’m a random gal, so these memories are completely random.

I remember….

 

  1. Megan asking how to spell “apple” and your 5 year old self confidentially answered “s-n-o-t”
  2. The toddler, little boy that always held my hand while he slept
  3. The 2nd grade protector of the Princess Kristen. You walked behind her as she climbed stairs so if she stumbled, you would be there for her. I loved you for that more than you could possibly know.
  4. Trying to figure out what orange chips and broken jeans were. I have always loved your literal mind
  5. Your favorite outfit.  Cowboy boots and shorts.  Nothing more.
  6. Yoohoo was the drink of choice
  7. Power Rangers and Street Sharks were neck and neck with Richard Scary’s busy town.
  8. How you loved and adored “the baby” before she was born.  You wanted a little brother, but always treasured the gift of a sister.  I loved how you played with her and talked to her before birth.
  9. You driving off with just Megan the day you got your license.  I cried tears of joy and was a tiny bit fearful.  So grown up, yet still my baby.
  10. Not being able to get the lawn mower to start and you matter of factly reminding me to “do what we always do…Pray about it” at the young age of 5 years old. Child like faith…amazes me.
  11. Watching you sleep and thinking just how proud of you I am.  I don’t think I’ll ever outgrow watching you sleep.  Ever.
  12. I remember the Christmas you were horribly sick. I had a double ear infection and you had some flu bug. You threw up for hours. You were worried Santa wouldn’t come with your one special gift if you didn’t sleep.  “he showed” but then you cried after you were sick all over all your new toys.  You finally slept and were so thrilled to find them perfectly fine when you woke.
  13. I remember how big and grown up you looked as you were walking into kindergarten.  You were a head taller than all the rest of the kids.  You being a head taller than most served me again as I searched for you in the sea of green caps and gowns on your graduation day.
  14. Always shooting hoops with you, tossing the football and being able to hit each of your fast balls.  Well, except the one that got out of control.  I hit it, but not with the bat.  I used my arm to deflect it from my face and you thought you had broken my arm.
  15. I remember the Mom and Todd dates, where we talked about you, your hopes, dreams and things going on your day to day world.  We also discussed just how to treat your future girl friend and the gentleman that you could become.
  16. Establishing honest communication with you at a very young age.  It has always been something that I treasure, knowing that YOU know that you have the freedom to ask me anything.
  17. How your training wheels had long stopped touching the ground before you’d let us take them off.  They were so bent that they truly didn’t work, but you needed the security more than the wheels.
  18. The older you got, the less you liked to read.  But I do treasure the years that we were able to read all kinds of books together.  Especially your favorite – All Because a little bug went Kachoo.
  19. Singing at the top of our lungs as we rode along in the car and laughing when someone would mess up the words to the song. OR singing them wrong on purpose!  Especially when Megan would sing “wise Christmas” or “Winnie NUT Pooh”
  20. Sparring with you, having fun and then stepping into your very controlled punch.  You were horrified as you thought you had hurt me badly.  And yes, it did hurt pretty badly.
  21. The courage you showed as a 10 year old boy, sparring with the older adults. Your height moved you out of the kids class and into the adults.  Even though they were stronger, smarter and older…you always made them earn their wins.  Always.  And you even won several yourself.

 

I sure do love you son! Forever and Always

 

I could list a million memories here.  Probably a zillion.  More than anything I want you to know how very proud of you I am.  You were absolutely the best surprise ever.  From the moment I found out I was expecting you, I promised God if He would use you, that I’d do everything I could do to point you to Him.

I love you son.  I hate that we are apart on this special milestone in your life, but know that you are right in the center of God’s will…and that…makes me happy.

 

I’ll hug you soon.

 

Happy Birthday Son! I love you

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God’s Waiting Room

April 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

WAITING.... (lake hamilton AR)

God’s Waiting Room

I love having discussions about the Bible on twitter!  Many use twitter for fun, and it IS fun, many use it for work, as do I for Spreading JOY, many just are curious.  I was and am all of that but mostly, I want to use twitter for Jesus.

Here are tweets from that Bible Chat.

Reaching others for Christ, one tweet at a time.  These are my notes from that discussion:

 

Father, pour out the Holy Spirit on this chat as we encourage those who are waiting on answers & help only YOU can give.

 

Today we are discussing God’s Covenant with Abraham and pulling out some truths that can help us when we land in God’s Waiting room

When we are waiting on God for any reason, we feel so alone and that no one in the world understands what we are feeling

There are many examples of great faith in the Bible when it comes to waiting… Joseph, Moses, and Abraham

Abraham was a man of faith. God told him to go and without doubt or argument, Abraham went.

What is a covenant?  Dictionary.com says it is an agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do or not to do something specified

Gen 12:1-3 What was God’s covenant with Abraham? And what was Abraham’s responsibility in this promise?

See Also Genesis Chapter 15 for the ceremony

Gen 13:16-19 God also told Abraham that his seed would be as the dust of the earth so that it couldn’t be numbered.

Abrahams descendants will possess the promised land, God will be their God &

Through Abraham’s descendants all Nations of the World will be blessed.  He would be the Father of many Nations

God also told him And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee

Abraham responded to the covenant with faith! Gen 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness

Difference is, when Abraham believed…he stepped out and WENT by faith.

Abraham has a choice (part of HIS part of the covenant) he must believe God and be faithful.

Was this covenant just to Abraham alone? Who else was included?

How many times do we say God…if this, then that? We are playing with fire when we don’t keep our end of the promise.

Dont take lightly your promises to the Lord.  While grace abounds, HE is a Just God!

Abraham, obviously a man of faith believed God. But like many of US Christians, the waiting got to him/them.

No doubt after 12 years and still childless, his heart wondered how his descendants could be as the stars in the sky.

When we pray, God always answers. Always.  We may not like the answer but HE always gives us an answer.

God will either reply to our prayers with a Yes, No or Wait.  We are thrilled with the immediate “yes” aren’t we?

We have to often times work our way through the “no” from the Lord as our finite minds can’t comprehend HIS wisdom

The “sure…but WAIT” from God is often the hardest.  In this day we want what we want, and we want it now.

Abraham was in God’s waiting room along with Sarah his wife.  They should have encouraged each other but what did they do instead?

You would think with the example after example of people messing up by pushing past God that WE would be smarter and not do it

Not waiting on the Lord and trying to fix it ourselves ALWAYS puts us in another mess

This is one place where we fall down on the job as Christians. We don’t encourage each other to wait on the Lord.

Isn’t God good to keep His promise of never leaving us or forsaking us! even when WE cause our own problems

God showed everyone that regardless of age, or being past child bearing years, HE COULD. we need to grab hold of that

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him.  Faith will shine in your life!

Will you risk believing? Will you step out on faith? Will you wait on the Lord? Even though you don’t understand?

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles

Is. 40:31 Continued -- they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

God wants us to trust Him.  God wants us to Wait on Him.  God wants us to believe HIM. 

What is your favorite go to verse to remind your heart to Wait on the Lord?

Something I try to remind others and do so often, (and myself) “Time spent waiting on God is NOT Wasted Time”

Just as you count on the sun to rise, You can count on the promises of God. God wants us to prove Him. Mal 3:10

 

Some last thoughts:

Do you have loved ones you want to see come to Christ? Keep praying for them.

Do you have financial needs that are an “only God” category in your prayer journal? Keep praying for them.

Do you have Children that seem to be moving farther and farther from the Lord? Keep praying for them.

Do you have dreams of making a difference for the Lord in the lives of others? Keep seeking God’s direction

Do you want to use your gifts for the Lord more often? Seek HIS face daily and trust God to guide you.

Do you fear that your faith isn’t strong enough or big enough? Remind God that you believe, but ask Him to help your unbelief.

Do you want God to use you for much? Be faithful in the little He gives you.

Trust God!  Even when your heart says it’s impossible.  Even when your gut tells you not to step out.  TRUST GOD…regardless

When you are in God’s waiting room, remember you are not alone.  Remove your eyes off of your own fears, doubts and hurts

And do something to encourage someone else that is in God’s Waiting Room.  [handing you a magazine]

Reflect on some times where God has blessed you beyond your imagination.  Will you share in the comments below?  The idea is to get you to remember so that the next time you are waiting, you won’t forget. 

Share your favorite verse about waiting on the Lord. You never ever know who it may encourage! 

While you are waiting… praise HIM

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Priceless Gift of You

April 2, 2012 By 1 Comment

I took time earlier to talk about the Priceless Gifts that we often “feel badly” for giving, because we devalue them.  We value those gifts when we receive them, but don’t place the same value on them when we give them.  

As I prepared for the Live Seminar of Priceless Gifts, my heart was stricken with the fact that people devalue themselves for so many reasons when in reality they are so very priceless.  So, in the Seminar I added this before tackling the other priceless gifts.  Enjoy! 

Many people spend time looking at themselves through the eyes of “society” and that is a huge mistake.  God intended for His children to see themselves as He sees them.  We are created in His image and when we neglect to see ourselves as God sees us, we do Him a great disservice.

Now, I’m not giving you the permission to have a holier than thou mentality, but I do want to encourage you to stop for just a little while and look at yourself through the eyes of the Lord.

Ladies – You are a Princess – Yes, a child of the King and our daddy adores us!  John 1:12

Jesus is your big Brother – We all know how big brothers are!  They will come to our rescue anytime, anyplace and anywhere.  Jesus is NO different.

You are an Heir to the throne – No King is mightier and no throne more powerful than the one that awaits us for all eternity.

You are created in HIS image – Gen 1:27

You are God’s workmanship – Eph 2:10

You are a new creation – 2 Cor 5:17

You are sealed with the Holy Spirit – Eph 1:11

You were known even before you were conceived – Jer 1:5

HE knows your name – the Creator of the universe, the ONE who spoke this world in to place, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, KNOWS YOUR NAME!

After 25 years of dreaming of meeting Chuck Norris, imagine how excited I was to have Chuck Norris say… Marie, it’s finally great to meet you.  NOW imagine when I get to Heaven to meet the Lord. I won’t have to tell him my name.

HE KNOWS ME!

You Matter – to Him, everything that matters to you, matters to HIM.  Everything.

Stop measuring yourself by what society says and does.  If they were truly happy with themselves, there would be less drinking, pill popping and plastic surgery.  They aren’t happy with their own standards and you won’t be either. If you want to measure yourself against someone, choose Christ as your measuring stick! Live up to HIS expectations.  

Some thoughts:

  • Right where you are right NOW – you are enough
  • Enjoy right now… change what you can, but don’t let the rest stop you from living your life out loud for the Lord.
  • Society has conditioned us to think that we are not good enough. Stop believing society and start believing God. Psalm 139
  • We miss out on the joy that is all around us because we are focused on the negativity that tries to swallow us up.
  • You mean the WORLD to someone.  You always have and always will.
  • Make the fun memories now! Take the silly pictures NOW.  Chat over coffee now.
  • You are a gift! You are a treasure! YOU are Priceless!

 

Look at yourself through the eyes of the Father.

You ARE:

Sharing this IS spreading joy

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