Category: Inspiration

As I sit on my couch enjoying the early morning sunshine in Michigan, I am so grateful that just two weeks ago I was waking up in Israel at beginning of a wonderful trip. It was a great joy and blessing, so I want to share it with all of you. We did so much and my heart is so full that I’ll need to share it in “bite sized” pieces.

Days 1 and 2 were travel days where sleep was hard to come by since we were all so excited to get to Israel. We were at the airport by 8:30 am on Saturday and did not arrive in Israel until Sunday evening.  It wasn’t easy, but it was so worth it! First there was a short flight to Chicago, a delay of the flight to Newark, a force in change of planes due to issues with plane 1. We arrived in Newark, NJ and had to collect our bags very quickly, change terminals and then check in at El Al. But 1st we had to go through interviews with El Al/customs that were very rigorous, I had to answer questions for 30 minutes.

The flight left at 11:30 pm and finally, on Sunday evening we arrived at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. We got through customs, collected our bags, met up with the rest of the tour and our four buses headed to The Western Lagoon Hotel in Netanya. We had a lovely dinner and went to bed.

The next morning we awoke to a beautiful view of the Mediterranean.

I’ll share more soon, but for now I leave you with this encouragement from Jeremiah 29:11-12 (Good News Translation)

“I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me and i will answer you.”

Oh how He loves us!

This challenge is as much for me as it is for anyone else. In the busy-ness of daily life, I don’t pause often enough to really be aware of and grateful for all that I have. It’s not just the things, but the people, places, surroundings, and even circumstances.  I mean not just casually, but to really consider those “things’ and how they impact my life, and to take time to really rejoice.

This all started when I was reading Deuteronomy 26, which is a really great scripture on how to present your offerings.  I highly recommend it. My Pastor, George Pearson’s has taught on it’s importance — it’s about being thoughtful, recognizing the goodness of God in providing for us, and presenting our offerings with thankfulness and joy.

Anyway… it “dawned” on me that I should be more mindful not only when giving an offering, but in my every-day life. I think God is pleased and loves it when we think this way because thankful thinking draws us closer to Him. And because by recalling all that He has done, we become more full of faith and receptive to what He wants to do for us now.

So…for the next 6 weeks (or more) I am challenging me and you. Let’s regularly pause to consider the people, relationships, places, surroundings, circumstances and things that we should be grateful for. Pick just a few each day and take a moment to really rejoice over them, and to thank God for them.  Then, follow it up with a quick prayer and ask the Father to minister and provide for someone else who is in need of those things.

For example: Today i am extremely grateful and thankful for words, for the love of God and for being able to share with you. It fills my heart with joy and I am so blessed to share my grateful grace-full life with you. Blessings, dear ones. Oh how He loves you and me!

And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you.  Deuteronomy 26:11 KJV

Faith Sisters – I think all women need them. They are fellow followers of Jesus, women of the Word, of like precious faith – and yet not religious, but very real women! These are women who will answer my call at any time, listen to anything I need to say (without shock or dismay). They will pray, tell me the truth – what the Word says, set me straight when necessary, and encourage me in the faithfulness of God.

I am privileged to have several women like this in my life. Some are like mothers, nurturing me with the love of God. Others are like sisters, we learn and grow together in grace and faith.  No matter time or distance, the Father’s unconditional love has bound our hearts together. I am humbled by the gift of these Faith Sisters, and so grateful for each one and how God has used them to strengthen my faith. My prayer is that all who read this will find and connect with the Faith Sisters (or Brothers) that I know He has for you.

One of my mothers in the faith wrote this beautiful poem and gave me permission to share it with you. Just as Roberta effortlessly radiates the love of Jesus, I pray these words will minister His peace and grace to you.

 MOST PRECIOUS TREASURE

Be encouraged, little Daughter:
Your God is on your side.
Draw near. Bask in My Presence.
Let My Love abide.

Allow My living waters
To wash away each thought
That counteracts My promises
And the life that Christ has bought.

You are My precious treasure
Purchased at great cost,
The sheep that I came looking for
Who is no longer lost.

Arise and shine right where you are.
Let’s join in harmony.
Your world awaits your entrance.
Through you, they’ll soon find me.

I find in you, great pleasure.
You’re the apple of My eye
I promise: I’ll not leave you.
I’m always standing by.

By Roberta M. Spinney; shared with her permission.

The Bible is such a rich treasury! I am reading Rick Renner’s book titled, Sparkling Gems From The Greek 2 (very good!), but I also enjoy digging into meanings of words in the whole bible. For example, the word Peace. In English, I tended to reduce it to “the absence of conflict.” But oh, it is so much more! In fact, understanding this one word has impacted my life ever since I learned it. Dr. Billye Brim taught me about it and I am so grateful!.

The meaning of peace in Hebrew includes: safety, security, prosperity, abundance, health, welfare, to be well, to have favor, wholeness and completeness. Or to put it simply, to have nothing missing, lacking or broken in my life.

I continue to dig in the Word and learn more about this peace. I  believe God’s will is revealed in His Word (and He means what He says). As a result, I choose to believe the Word, expect to receive it, trust Him, hold it close to my heart, and I refuse to let go of His peace.  Here are a few examples:

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.  Numbers 6:24-26