Category: Inspiration

A Sweet thought…a child of God the Father

“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” (Romans 8:16 NIV) Just take a quick mind snapshot of children asking Santa for gifts for Christmas. It’s so exciting for parents to watch their kids sitting on Santa’s lap and hearing their little voices tell Santa exactly what they want. 🎅🏻🤶🏻Parents take off to Walmart among other stores many times with credit cards in hand to make sure that Santa lives up to their child’s expectations. They make sure Santa deliverers to their tree the exact things the child asked for🎄 So Sweet🍪🍰🍿🍩 for parents and children alike. As well as Walmart and many other stores.🏈🥋⚽️🤹🏽‍♀️🎨🥁

My mind and heart keeps asking as a child of God what have I asked for? Did my Father deliver? Just how does this prayer of hope work as a child of God? Does God like Santa ask me have I been good? Have I shown love across racial and culture barriers? Have I been self-righteous in my deeds? Holy Spirt, as you are available to affirm with my spirit that I am a child of God I ask for Christmas that You speak truth to my heart according to Romans 8:16. And, vs 17 “if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.…”

Christmas has a way of joyfully awaking the truth in our hearts, strengthening our will to live within “The Light” that permeates our being. John 12;36 -37 (NIV) “For with thee is the fountain of life: In thy light shall we see light.” (Psalm 36:9 ASV)

Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them. Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him.…” What do we believe about Jesus?

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What message does your dozen give?

The caption read, “Even your eggs are happy when you start your day with prayer.” The picture showed a carton of eggs with happy, smiling faces. It caught my attention and made me realize how prayer changes us.”

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“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
Psalm 145:18 (NRSV)

It seems worldwide the heat of politics is blazing hot and the reports of hurricanes, tornadoes among other natural disasters are overwhelming to both my thoughts and prayers. I often feel so overwhelmed that I don’t even have the energy to utter a prayer. It was so refreshing to see smiling eggs put a smile on my face and joy in my step that I paused to meditate and pray. So often eggs are a topic of conversation in both our dietary needs as well as symbolical in nature.

I imagine we all have an egg story and lots of tags to add on. How often have you heard, which comes first the chicken or the egg? 🥚🥚🥚

The dozen eggs sparked my thoughts and started a prayer storm within my inner being asking have I been calling on the Lord in TRUTH? (reference scripture above) If so, the Lord is very near to all the troubles that boggle my mind. Yes, I can balance an egg on a teaspoon. Paint a smiley face on an egg. Tell an Easter Story from an egg. Hide a egg to delight a child’s find. Let my imagination do the work and I may just find “a good old egg” smiling at me.

🍳 Try It!

Person, Place or Thing

“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.”(John 15:2, NIV)

Do you ever wonder why people, places and things seem to always be moving and changing in your life and others? Could this be part of the cutting off and pruning John is speaking of? 

“Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths.” (Psalm 25:4, NKJV) 

Do you ever feel like a tumbleweed and wondering where is the landing? 

For days I have been pondering this line of thinking. I’ve seen people being in places that was never even thought possible. Some people going places that was not even on their bucket list. Things that held the imagination captive for over 50 years that dissolved like an ice cube when life happened in unexpected ways.

As I write I want to sing my way through scriptures that connect to the two scriptures mentioned here and many that connect to the stories myself and others share. The active words from God that are recorded in scripture dance in my head like raindrops on a tin roof.  “Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…,” says Isaiah. Now, we are waiting for the Lord but,  John, the revelator says of Jesus; “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:20)  As we move through our days with a song, dance, clap, shout, weep, stomp, joy and wait for the knock let us pause and enjoy the meal. 

Acts 17:28 “For in him we live and move and have our being.  As some of your own poets have said,  We are his offspring.” 
“Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered.” (Psalm 105:5, ESV)


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Thoughtful Thoughts 🦉

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

If a branch is not attached to the vine, it withers and dies. I don’t think on this visual much in the cold winters of Northern Virginia. Mainly, because trees and vines lay bare. And, often snow capped.  Therefore, my thoughts go more to, “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”  (Isaiah 1:18 ESV)

Great thought! Maybe greatest of all thoughts! Yet, as Spring peeks just outside my windows my thoughts begin to pause and wonder, did that tree or vine make it through the freeze? Did the elements from the cold  bruise, damage or clearly break the branches that 👀  so sad and barren among the greens, pinks, yellows and purples? I stare and wonder is it possible for the branch that looks so out of place barely hanging on going to make it?  I rush to snap a tiny portion to see if maybe I will see life inside the dead brown look?

As warm days pass and I see a vine full of blossoms and fruit with a barren brown dead branch tucked in among the beauty and edible fruit I must say it takes no thought to say, cut it out. “If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.…” (John 15:6)

As I thoughtfully write today, Easter Monday,  I think how children from all walks of life will gather at The White House to search for colored eggs and maybe shake hands with The POTUS and First Lady. Maybe we as Christians should be as diligent and joyful to be invited into The House, The Temple of the Living God, and search for edible colorful 🍉 🍐🍋🍍🥝🥝🍇🍇! How many did you find? Did you win a trophy or other award?

Lets make our thoughts thoughtful?

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Ash Wednesday 2017, March 1

Makes me pause, think and face truths as I will hear the words, “repent and believe in the gospel”

So often I have  had opportunity to evaluate myself. Have you? Seemly, all to often I am reading about or having this conversation with others.   What is the difference between ‘privilege and entitlement’? I love the way Brené Brown, acclaimed author and life coach explains the difference;  “The difference between privilege and entitlement is gratitude.” Then Todd Brown responds;   “Whenever someone does something nice for you, your response should always be appreciation. Go the extra mile to show that you are grateful and honored by what others do for you.” Todd also calls to my attention these words:

“Look at your interactions with your coworkers, leaders, and even your friends. Do you sometimes feel as though you are not getting what is owed to you? Analyze the situation. Is this a result of an unhealthy relationship, where you’re not being seen or appreciated, or is it because of prideful expectation?”

The Apostle Paul writes; “You will shine among [a warped and crooked generation] like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.”- Philippians 2:15-16 (NIV)

Join me as we  approach ASH Wednesday, March 1, 2017 and see just how bright we are shining to give light to the world.  If need be take joy and;  “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Much ❤️

Lets light up the SKY! 🌕🌚🌔🌗🌘🌕🌏🌛💫⭐️🌟✨