Fireworks, family, picnics, and parades....it all makes for a great celebration. The 4th of July. Independence Day!
Freedom, sweet freedom. Simple question for you. Are you free?
Oh, I don't mean as in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I mean really free?
We all have areas in our life where we are held captive, don't we? An addiction, a bad habit, a bad relationship, even negative thoughts can hold us captive.
For many years I fought with negative emotions regarding myself. Never feeling smart enough, pretty enough, thin enough, just never enough.
I have come to realize that I will never be enough...not in and of myself that is.
Some of you may know I have a tattoo on my foot with Psalm 73: 25,26 on it.
This decision came after I went through divorce and loneliness and searching for worth.
God broke through and I finally understood...He alone is enough.
Enough to fill every empty hole in my heart.
Enough to heal every emotional wound.
I hope you will give Him your place of captivity and ask Him to free you too.
May this year truly be your Independence Day!
"Whom have I in heaven buy You? There is no one on earth I desire besides You.
My heart and my flesh they fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Psalm 73:25,26
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
FLABBY FAITH
There's something that's happening to my body is I get older. I'm getting 'softer'. Some may call it flabby, or fluffy,or cushiony, but I prefer 'softer'.
Now that I'm working in a women's clothing store, I hear this from many women. One particular comment stands out..."Oh no dear, not sleeveless. I don't want my arms to show!"
The conversation continues about how time and gravity make changes, how we should at least be lifting soup cans to build up some muscle and develop tone again.
We know that daily exercise, over time, develops those muscles resulting in less flabbiness and more strength and tone.
To strengthen and tone our flabby arms, we need to exercise them. In the same way, I think we need to exercise our faith.
But how do we exercise our faith? Lifting soup cans isn't the answer!
Hebrews 11 says that "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
In other words, faith sees the promises of God coming true before they happen.
So, 1st...we must exercise our knowledge of God's Word-His promises, by spending time reading and studying it.
2nd...we must exercise our prayer life, by praying and believing that what God has promised He will be faithful to deliver.
The 3rd and hardest part of training our faith muscle is believing without seeing answers.
That's when we exercise our minds by remembering God's faithfulness in the past and trust that He will be faithful again, regardless of what circumstances may look like.
We all need to challenge ourselves to exercise our physical bodies, but let's challenge ourselves to flex our faith muscles too.
By spending time in His Word, in prayer and reminding ourselves of His faithfulness, we will soon see the results and enjoy the benefits of a peaceful mind, a strong spirit and hope for the future.
Will you take the challenge?
Now that I'm working in a women's clothing store, I hear this from many women. One particular comment stands out..."Oh no dear, not sleeveless. I don't want my arms to show!"
The conversation continues about how time and gravity make changes, how we should at least be lifting soup cans to build up some muscle and develop tone again.
We know that daily exercise, over time, develops those muscles resulting in less flabbiness and more strength and tone.
To strengthen and tone our flabby arms, we need to exercise them. In the same way, I think we need to exercise our faith.
But how do we exercise our faith? Lifting soup cans isn't the answer!
Hebrews 11 says that "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
In other words, faith sees the promises of God coming true before they happen.
So, 1st...we must exercise our knowledge of God's Word-His promises, by spending time reading and studying it.
2nd...we must exercise our prayer life, by praying and believing that what God has promised He will be faithful to deliver.
The 3rd and hardest part of training our faith muscle is believing without seeing answers.
That's when we exercise our minds by remembering God's faithfulness in the past and trust that He will be faithful again, regardless of what circumstances may look like.
We all need to challenge ourselves to exercise our physical bodies, but let's challenge ourselves to flex our faith muscles too.
By spending time in His Word, in prayer and reminding ourselves of His faithfulness, we will soon see the results and enjoy the benefits of a peaceful mind, a strong spirit and hope for the future.
Will you take the challenge?
Thoughts from the Throne: A.S.A.P. As Soon As Possible!!Is that how you li...
Thoughts from the Throne: A.S.A.P. As Soon As Possible!!
Is that how you li...: "A.S.A.P. As Soon As Possible!! Is that how you live life? It seems that we live in ASAP mode, doesn't it? Whether it's your job, your hom..."
Is that how you li...: "A.S.A.P. As Soon As Possible!! Is that how you live life? It seems that we live in ASAP mode, doesn't it? Whether it's your job, your hom..."
Thoughts from the Throne: Knit or Knot
Thoughts from the Throne: Knit or Knot: "You know, I love yarn! Walking through a yarn store or aisle just makes me happy! Beautiful colors and glorious soft textures! I just lov..."
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Knit or Knot
You know, I love yarn! Walking through a yarn store or aisle just makes me happy! Beautiful colors and glorious soft textures! I just love it! The problem is I can't do a darn thing with it!! I can't crochet or knit. My son is world class knitter, I'm just a knotter, if you know what I mean. He makes scarves and mittens, afgans and sweaters and yes, he tried to teach me...without success. Try as I might, it always ends up a mess. Knots and dropped stitches, never a finished project.
I feel like that sometimes too. A mess, lots of dropped stitches and knots. Ever feel that way?
Does God really know what He's designing in me?
Do you ever dislike the design He has planned for you, like I do?
You know, none of us are completed projects. We are all works in progress. And we all have a few dropped stitches too!
Psalm 139:13 says, "for you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
Although like me, you may be a knotter, and not a knitter, remember that God is working on us and in us, designing us exactly the way He wants us to be.
So whether you knit or knot, when you think of yarn, remember that you are God's beautiful work in progress and He never drops a stitch.
Blessings,
Queen Dee
I feel like that sometimes too. A mess, lots of dropped stitches and knots. Ever feel that way?
Does God really know what He's designing in me?
Do you ever dislike the design He has planned for you, like I do?
You know, none of us are completed projects. We are all works in progress. And we all have a few dropped stitches too!
Psalm 139:13 says, "for you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
Although like me, you may be a knotter, and not a knitter, remember that God is working on us and in us, designing us exactly the way He wants us to be.
So whether you knit or knot, when you think of yarn, remember that you are God's beautiful work in progress and He never drops a stitch.
Blessings,
Queen Dee
Monday, June 28, 2010
A Student Again...
Last week I attended a Speak Up With Confidence Seminar in G.R. This is my second year of attending and I am amazed at how much more I learned this year. It was gratifying to hear many of the leaders tell me how much improved I am over the course of the year. Learning things like outlining, the aim of a message, how to build a talk or Bible study, were all helpful learning tools.
But what I took away more than anything is the need to be in the Scriptures, studying on a daily basis.
Oh, I read the Word, but honestly, not much more than that. My goal for this next 12 months is to be a student of the Bible. I am going to read it in chronological order, not necessarily in the order it is in the Bible. This should prove interesting. I must confess one of my daughter's actually planted the idea in my head.
As I read, I'll be sharing my thoughts on some of the stories and lessons. It is so helpful to write or journal our thoughts, so blogging is the perfect answer. Whether anyone else reads this or not, I will have what I read more deeply thought out and ingrained in my spirit for having done the journaling. I hope you'll join me and also keep me accountable.
Queen Dee
But what I took away more than anything is the need to be in the Scriptures, studying on a daily basis.
Oh, I read the Word, but honestly, not much more than that. My goal for this next 12 months is to be a student of the Bible. I am going to read it in chronological order, not necessarily in the order it is in the Bible. This should prove interesting. I must confess one of my daughter's actually planted the idea in my head.
As I read, I'll be sharing my thoughts on some of the stories and lessons. It is so helpful to write or journal our thoughts, so blogging is the perfect answer. Whether anyone else reads this or not, I will have what I read more deeply thought out and ingrained in my spirit for having done the journaling. I hope you'll join me and also keep me accountable.
Queen Dee
Do Overs & Start Overs
God, Can I get a do over on this life? I've made so many stupid mistakes, made so many hurtful comments, didn't do things I should have done and did other things I shouldn't have. Unfortunately, life isn't a dress rehearsal, or is it? The next life will be one of joy unspeakable, praise, perfect fellowship, no tears, and Sonshine all the time!! Today, instead of a Do-over, I'll accept a Start over...choosing to live in fellowship, joy, praise and thanksgiving for all of the blessings You have given. Sort of a practice session for the life to come...
Psalm 73:25,26 "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none on earth I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail: But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Blessings,
Queen Dee
Psalm 73:25,26 "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none on earth I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail: But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Blessings,
Queen Dee
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