Danger Zone

It has come to my attention that there are two of the most dangerous words to see/think/speak and act upon are two of the more common words used daily.
Are you ready for them??
Maybe you better sit down. Maybe you should brace yourself.
... ok.. here it comes.. I'm serious now - - ready???

WHAT. *gasps* shudders* shivers*

ok.. one down.. ready for the next one?!! (*yes I know I'm a sick / twisted individual. let's do this!*)

IF. *chills down the spine*

See.. DANGER!!
Two very common words - used daily - that are like snipers in the world of words - ready to pull the trigger at any given moment! This is serious. These two little words have too much power. I don't like it. It makes me uncomfortable.

Even worse.. if you put those two words together.. WHAT IF
**falls off chair / grips chest / short of breath / oh Lord, I think I'm dying**
I don't have to go into why they're so powerful - we all know why. 
No one is exempt from their power.
No one!

Seriously, all humor aside - It's been drawn to my attention the "comfort zone" of life. We grow so accustomed to routine that we honestly don't know how to cope when things go.. differently. We waiver, we worry, we fret, and we get clouded / distracted by the simplest of things. Why? Because of those two little words ... what & if.

For the past week or so, I've taken a small hiatus from writing. I've had plenty of inspiration, but I really wanted to focus on this topic & pray. I have been slightly distracted by the onset of trout season but God help me, I love it. :) I've been attempting to actively taking a closer look at my relationship w/ God. I was starting to fill with a lot of ideas, thoughts and really take a deeper look at how my relationship with Him affects my life. My comfort zone. That dangerous comfort zone.. where the mind is easily manipulated by those dangerous little sniper words: what & if.

First off the list--> comfort zone.
 Jeremiah 29:11-13
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

Alright - for a gal with some serious trust issues - I didn't fully understand this. I thought this was a hopeful message to encourage those going through trials and help us to keep looking up. Well, after some deep prayerful conversations I've had w/ God lately - it's not only that but a PROMISE. This is a promise for believers that put 100% trust in God that He is in charge and will NOT bring you all those "what ifs" that we worry about. If we continue to pray & trust & obey: those "what ifs" lose ALL of their power. Seriously!
I BELIEVE IT. I FEEL IT. I LIVE IT.
I'm no longer afraid.. I will continue to press forward & when I'm faced with a "what" or an "if" -- I have absolutely NO NEED or TIME to worry. God's got it all under control. He really does.
I BELIEVE IT. I FEEL IT. I LIVE IT.

Next on the list--> fear.
Isaiah 41:9-13

9I took you from the ends of the earth,

from its farthest corners I called you.

I said, ‘You are my servant’;

I have chosen you and have not rejected you.

10So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

11“All who rage against you

will surely be ashamed and disgraced;

those who oppose you

will be as nothing and perish.

12Though you search for your enemies,

you will not find them.

Those who wage war against you

will be as nothing at all.

13For I am the Lord your God

who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you, Do not fear;

I will help you.

In this brief passage: God says "do not fear" TWICE. why? because simply put HE DOES NOT WANT US TO BE AFRAID. He calls us to be His servants, we pray for His guidance, we KNOW He's going to provide, protect, and conquer all! He's full of promises. Has He ever not followed through with them? NO! So, why do we have to be afraid??? Why do we have to be so mis-trusting of Him? Why do we feel we need to take it upon ourselves to rule our lives & the lives of others.. and let fear & worry take over our worlds? How do we fix this? LET GOD TAKE OVER. Let Him overcome your battles - shine through the dark corners - and seriously "those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all." <-- How's that for an awesome Savior?! SERIOUSLY!!! "like nothing at all"
All those "what" and "if" situations that lost some power before.. huh.. even less of a problem!!
Not only am I not worried, but I'm also not afraid. It's really simple.
I BELIEVE IT. I FEEL IT. I LIVE IT.

Yes, there are days when I'm forced out of my comfort zone. Yes, there are days when I get a moment of potential for the "what" and "ifs" to circle my head & heart like a shark in the water.
So.. how do we cope with this?

P R A Y !
B E L I E V E !
T R U S T !
L I V E !

Ask God to bring you the peace of FULLY knowing, believing, trusting, and living His will.
There is no failure. Say you take the wrong step - guess who's there to get you back ? God.
Say you are wrestling w/ a decision or a situation that you aren't sure how of the outcome? Guess who's there - THE WHOLE TIME - orchestrating a way out?! God.
If you don't believe it, you won't feel it. If you don't feel it, you won't live it.
He wants you to live a happy life. He wants you to love Him completely. He wants you to trust Him. He has chosen each & every one of us as His children.

We should not be satisfied living within our comfort zone. We should be fully prepared to live - however God wills us and be gloriously happy & blessed: no matter the twists, turns, ups, and downs.
In God's eyes there are absolutely NO "what ifs" that can hold any power-whatsoever. NONE.

**It's hard to be down when you're constantly looking UP**
Have a great day everyone.
BELIEVE IT. FEEL IT. LIVE IT.

Spring Cleaning

So, short of a awful stomach virus on Mon / Tues - this week has been pretty great. God's working in our lives whether we chose to see it or not. I truly believe He hears my every thought, prayer, desire and has full capacity to provide what's needed for the life He wants me to live. Full 100% trust.
Like I said.. it's been a good week. ha ha!

After being sick for a few days, then working the rest of the week: I am sincerely grateful for the weekend off!!! Even if it is raining, I'm still going to be happy & thankful. It felt good to be home, in better health, spending time w/ my children, and getting an opportunity to catch up on "looketh to the ways of her household".


 Friday kicked off w/ dinner & jamming on guitar at my house with some friends. TOTALLY awesome evening!! There was even rice krispie treats for dessert.***which I'll admit: I didn't make w/ the greatest of ease. I felt awkward and I'm sure w/ practice I may get better.. but they are not my forte.**

Saturday was a day filled with cleaning. I started in the carport & put away some items that have been lingering, started to get things in motion for spring: outdoor activities, building pallet art, and etc..
I seriously am getting excited. Rain pushed me indoors. I cleaned like a fiend. haha! bathroom sparkles, kitchen sparkles, living room got tidied up, the laundry is COMPLETELY caught up, and little bits here/there were spiffed up w/ a little Mr. Clean to help freshen up the place. I was pleased. A decent sense of accomplishment.

Sleep didn't come to me easily. I slept well but I was awake at 3 a.m and couldn't fall to sleep again. So, what did I do w/ those hours?? It was a great opportunity to reflect, talk to God, and just.. be.

I think I understand why God invented Spring: the season of rebirth. It really is a re-birthing process. It's as if everything has been sleeping for a few months and all of sudden say "hey, time to get up & get busy." I love it! My 2nd favorite time of the year. I'm counting down the days to opening day of trout season. This year, God willing, I will catch as many trout as I possibly can. **and YES, you can expect to see some seriously cheesy grinning pictures on FB of me-- holding my "whoppers" -if I do! **

So, this morning, I got to seriously thinking.. I was doing a mental spring cleaning. I've been praying to be focused on what God wants. I have felt peace, joy, and happiness again (*where once I was feeling stress, worry, and fear.*) It was as if.. my attitude changed - like the seasons have changed..






That thought led to this thought : we, as (*whatever you want to call us*) Believers, Christians, Followers of Jesus, the Body or the Kingdom --> have seasons within our faith. By taking a closer look - I started to feel a better understanding on God's promises & how He may view our 'lives' on Earth.

Let me talk this thing out & see what you think..

Ok.. let's start with Spring.
--> It's a re-birth. (being born again) We accept Jesus and start to grow, plant seed, and bloom where we're planted. Taking the rain as nourishment - knowing it's equally important as the sun. (taking good days the same as bad days - rejoicing, being thankful, and pushing forward: GROWTH) Feelings of love.. Spring is the time when animals pair up for mating - -to further the population. Easter. *the gospel* The prospect of GOOD NEWS. Bringing joy, peace, and comfort and furthering His kingdom.

Alright.. Summer
--> Constant heat.  It's a maintaining period. The seeds have been planted and continue to grow.
If we forget to water those seeds -  we'll wilt and die from the heat. God will provide. Continued growth - more of a maintaining kind of faith.. Knowing what needs done & actively working on it.

Next - Fall (*my favorite time of year*)
--> Ok, lets start with harvest. Time to harvest what the year has brought. Thanksgiving: a reminder that we should be thankful all year but taking a special day to really lift up and celebrate the things we're most thankful for really helps.
Activity. Getting prepared. --> Making ready for winter. Steadfast working for the Kingdom. Knowing that there are times coming when we may not feel God's presence but know He's already got it all planned out, He's already there, and that we need to keep pushing on, fully trusting & relying on Him.

Now: Winter.
--> Long, cold, and devoid of "life" There are times when we still have faith but aren't sure what God has planned. We're bracing ourselves against life (like harsh winter winds) and trying to look ahead through blizzard like conditions. It's a battle, a struggle, but survivable. It's not life threatening.
**winter is the season of waiting** It's a time of "rest" but not stalemate. Underneath the snow and ice there are seeds, bulbs, and grass that are enjoying their rest, waiting for Spring. That is how we should be: joyful - even if we feel we are a bit "out of touch" or anxious. We know He continues to work on us - even during "lulls". . We should remember the excitement: He is King. He is coming. He is alive!!

Regardless of what season the world around us may be in - we can be at any of these "seasons" of faith. Sometimes - they can happen all in ONE day (*much like the weather in PA has been*) LOL!!!
Here's a few bits of TRUTH to help you --> no matter what season..

#1) God is ALWAYS there. He is always ON TIME. He is NEVER going to fail us. His promises are REAL promises. His love is REAL love. His back has NEVER turned on us. He is FORGIVING when we fall short. His mercy is GREATER than any mistake we may make. He knows we're going to make them. He ALWAYS provides. There is NOTHING you can do that will make Him not love you.
HE LOVES YOU !! 100% times ETERNITY!

#2) No matter what is going on in your life: there is a REASON for it!
Good, bad, happy, sad,  = we need to keep as much FOCUS on God as humanly possible. Be CONSTANTLY aware of Him by giving thanks, praises, and PRAY for uplifting, guidance, clarity, and keeping an OPEN HEART on Him. Study His word. EMBRACE and BELIEVE what He has written. The Bible will provide answers. However, you must know that some things MUST be learned by experience in order for us to TRULY believe & understand. We gain a deeper understanding - a better look at the bigger picture & be an example of testimony to others around us: as God intends for us to be.

I truly hope & pray that you KNOW God is working FOR you and not against you. I pray that you are able to COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS and feel His love in your life so that you may feel JOY, PEACE, and HAPPINESS; regardless of your 'season'.

<3