Tag Archives: christian

Our Unexpected Journey

Posted on by

Jer 29:11

I wrote the post below nearly a year ago, but, until now, Mark and I just weren’t ready to share it.

*************************************************

March 13, 2013

Throughout life’s journey, some situations go according to plan and others don’t. Many situations that don’t go according to plan are seemingly insignificant and easily brushed off. Others are more significant, and when they don’t go according to plan, we are hurt, sad, confused, angry, the list goes on. I believe it’s in these more significant situations – these unexpected journeys – that we can most clearly see God is in control, full control; a realization that can be extremely comforting.

Almost a year ago Mark and I started trying to have a baby, and thus began our ‘unexpected journey.’ We became pregnant really quickly and we were so excited (but also scared and nervous)! I remember seeing the positive pregnancy test – it was so surreal.

My first sonogram didn’t show a heartbeat. Mark and I were disappointed, but the sonographer reassured us that it was still early and that by next week we should be able to see a heartbeat. Continue reading »

Celebrate Jesus

Posted on by

Thanksgiving has passed, and Christmas is upon us. In fact, our Christmas festivities already began last weekend, will continue this weekend, and not end until the week after that.

It’s easy to get caught up in all the hubbub that surrounds this season – decorations, lights, gifts, get-togethers, food…the list is endless. Let’s stop for a minute and remember the TRUE reason for the season – Jesus.

A few weeks ago I was at a craft fair (looking for Christmas gifts, nonetheless), and a wooden plaque that read “Celebrate Jesus” caught my attention. These two words are so simple, yet so profound, aren’t they? They pricked my soul, causing me to stop and think about the upcoming Christmas season.

Celebrate Jesus

Continue reading »

Carry Me Now

Posted on by

The song Carry Me by Josh Wilson has really resonated with me lately. The words are so powerful. We have such a truly awesome God who never leaves our side. It’s so important (but sometimes so difficult, oddly enough) to trust Him in all circumstances.

Here are a few of the lyrics. I just love them.

Jesus calm my heart
Come near me please
Lord don’t let these worries get the best of me
Oh I believe, that You’re still here with me
Cause You meant what You said when You said You’d never leave

Carry me, carry me, carry me now
From my sinking sand to Your solid ground
The only way I’m ever gonna make it out
Is if You carry me, carry me, carry me now
God carry me, carry me, carry me now

I encourage you to click this link to listen to the whole song.

What songs have resonated with you lately?

 

Upcycle Your Life

Posted on by

SavvyExpression finally has a tagline – Upcycle Your Life. While on a walk earlier this week, my husband and I were trying to think of a phrase. He threw out, “Upcycle Your Life,” and it stuck. It just fits with everything this blog is about.

up·cy·cle [uhp-sahy-kuhl] To process (used goods or waste material) so as to produce something that is often better than the original. (source: dictionary.com)

Generally, when we hear the term ‘upcycle’ we think of repurposing something old or something that would otherwise be thrown away. I often blog about this – using rummage sale finds to make something new. However, ‘upcycle’ can apply to so much else in your life!

Cooking – taking ingredients lying around the house to make a delicious dish. Fitness – implementing a new workout to become a healthier person.

Most importantly, spirituality – turning your life over to Christ so He can ‘process’ YOU and make YOU ‘better than the original.’

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6a)

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Deck the Halls!

Posted on by

Our Christmas tree has been up since just after Thanksgiving. Last year, my husband had the bright idea (seriously) of storing the tree, fully decorated and intact, in our basement. It took literally 3 minutes for us to ‘trim the tree’ this year – how convenient!

The rest of our house; however, was lacking the Christmas spirit. This weekend, my husband and I finally had time to do a little more decorating. Using sticks I spray painted from our yard, unused treasures in our basement, and some items from Wal-Mart, we decorated our mantel (all while listening to Christmas music). The hubby even helped! He’s such a wonderful husband :).

Though we enjoy Christmas lights, decorations, gifts, and time with family, this is not the TRUE reason for the season. Christmas is the celebration of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior’s birth. Let us not lose our focus – Jesus is the reason for the season!

(You’ll see a window picture frame in the pictures below. Click here to see the post about that project.)DSC00534 Continue reading »

three : sixteen

Posted on by

I’ve been awol! :/ These last several weeks/months have been extremely busy. Because of that, I’ve completely neglected my blog. This will likely be the norm for the next few months, unfortunately. But, today I have something worth blogging about! 🙂

Many of us know the famous 3:16 passage in the Bible…For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. – John 3:16

However, I never knew there were so many other powerful passages that came from chapter threes and verse sixteens in the Bible. Today’s church service was titled “three:sixteen.” Below are the three scriptures discussed during today’s sermon regarding the Holy Spirit:

  • John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” – Luke 3:16 NIV
  • As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. – Matthew 3:16 NIV
  • Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? – 1 Corinthians 3:16 NKJV 

I encourage you to read your Bible. Read the passages surrounding the scriptures above to better obtain the context in which they were written. The Bible is full of truth. You may find yourself surprised at how applicable the information in the Bible is to your daily life. Give it a try! 🙂

I should be back here in a month (hopefully sooner!). In the meantime, share some scriptures you find powerful…

Bring The Rain

Posted on by

This song came to mind today, so I thought I’d share my thoughts…

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there’ll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that’s what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

— ‘Bring the Rain’ by MercyMe

 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 

I’ve sung this song so many times, meaning every word of it. But then, the rain actually comes, and the praising becomes extremely difficult. When your (my) heart aches, it’s so difficult to praise and thank the Lord for what is happening. It must be done, though. So eventually, through the tears, I sincerely praise and thank Him, knowing, believing, trusting that He knows all.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord… (Jeremiah 29:11). He knows the big picture. I don’t.

Did you think to pray?

Posted on by

I noticed I was smiling the other day as I saw these words on Pinterest. This is something similar to what my husband often says to me – “Did you pray about it?” he’ll ask, as I’m crying, worrying, or frantic about something. And I’ll stop, look at him and, more often than I’d like to admit, say – “No, not yet.”

In the midst of troubles it’s easy to forget to pray, but that should be the first thing we do! Too often we use it as our last resort. Our mentality (at least mine oftentimes) seems to be, “Well, since there’s nothing else I can do, I’ll just pray about it.” That is sooooo backwards! Prayer is sooooo powerful! We are calling on the One who parted the sea, who healed the leper, who raised Lazarus from the grave…the list goes on! Why do we feel prayer is our last resort? It’s like saying, “Jesus, I believe I can handle this better than you, so I’ll try my plan first. If it doesn’t work, then I’ll ask you for help.” That makes absolutely NO sense! Prayer, Jesus, Our Savior – THIS is what we should turn to first and foremost.

And on that note, Lord, I pray that you would guide me in everything I do and help me to think to pray first and foremost. Amen.