Hope

Surviving the Depression War Zone

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Giving up is Where Hope begins

 

To my fellow Christians suffering from depression. Don’t be ashamed, but instead take heart. Reach for help and know there are a host of us who love you and are pulling for you. Sure, more often than not, we feel helpless. I know, with my friend, I often ponder if this is how it feels to have a loved one in a war zone. I suppose in a sense you are in a war zone. You are fighting for your very life, entrenched in heavy battle with satan and his evil army of demons. They surround you and, though they can’t physically lay a hand on you, they make so much noise and create so much smoke and fog that you can’t help but spew and sputter. What you have to know is that the heat is getting turned up because time is running out and they know that you are near victory. It’s their hail mary pass; their last ditch effort.

The thing is, my dear friend, is that you have to remember that amid all that smoke and noise, God is right there. He never left. My prayer today is that the noise be squelched and the smoke be dissipated so that you can see Him and feel Him for All He is. Latch on. Sing “You Raise Me Up” or any other of your favorite praise and worship songs at the top of your lungs and drown out that devil. There is another side to this dark night and it’s right around the corner. The sun is coming up. All you have to do is keep walking toward and with Him. God loves you and so do I.

His sign said, “Ugly, Old and Homeless…”

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His sign said ugly, old & homeless. He eagerly and with sincere appreciation took homeless picthe $20 bucks I handed him. His face lit up as he showed me the Lord’s Supper coin he carried in his pocket. He told me that, though it made his bag heavier, he always had his bible with him. He said “God bless you, friend” and I told him I’d be praying for him. I also told him that the last thing on his sign might be true from an earthly sense, but that the other two couldn’t be further from the truth. Beautiful hearts and souls come in many kinds of packages. With cars stacking up behind me, I asked him if he liked Doritos and, when he nodded yes, I returned his coin and gave him the chips. He went back to his curbside seat and in my rear view I could see that he was already enjoying them. I drove away sad and blessed at the same time.

Note: This was inspired by a man who can often be found sitting on the corner as you leave the Arby’s and Pilot station just off the exit nearest my home. He has been there for about three months. Please, if you see him or another like him, help them in anyway that you can. It really doesn’t matter why they are there; just that they are there and that we all need a little help now and then.

And The Word of God says…

Matthew 25:40

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'”

Breadcrumbs to Heaven…

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Writer’s Note: This was penned into my Dear God journals during my personal “Me and Thee” time Easter Sunday 2014. I post it today as God has been nudging me to revisit this verse and teaching. Don’t you just love how He works? May He never stop speaking to our hearts. Amen and Ehmen!

Walking the Talk

Good Morning, God.

You are risen! You are risen indeed! Thank you, Lord, for doing what you did for me. For dying on that cross. For enduring such great emotional, spiritual and physical pain so that I might share in your inheritance with the Father; that I might live forever in the presence of the Almighty God. Today, Lord, in our time together, I’d like to know more about the verse above. Words are very important to the writing craft and being creative is an important part of the writing process. Lord, you lead me to this verse this morning, and I ask you, with humble heart and a desire for obedience, to show me what you mean and help me to not get caught up in trying to write for the sake of writing and impressing others, but writing with a pen dipped in Your power and then walking in that power. I love you, Lord. With all my heart and soul. Lead me. Guide me. Teach me. I am yours today and forever. And you are mine. Thank you for that! Thank you, Jesus!

Dear, dear child of mine,

I love you, too. I gave you this chapter and verse this morning, because I want to make sure that you fully understand your calling. Yes, it is to write, but it is to write in my power and then to go into the world and live those words. When you do this, your pen strokes will flow off the page and into the heavenly realms leaving a clear-cut path to me. Like a trail of bread crumbs that both nourishes and leads the hungry. But, child, do not get caught up so much in the words. Don’t worry and fret. Who can add a single moment to their life by worrying? Don’t worry about what you will say. Just stay in my presence at all times and I will give you the words to say, when words are what is needed. God back and read 1 Corinthians 4:20. Read it three times, out loud. Each time pausing on a different word and then come back to me and this page. Listen, child. For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by My Power. My Word is the fuel of My Power and it is important that you top off your tank every day. Listen to My voice every day, every moment child and I will never lead you astray. My will for you, my purpose for you, the things that you most desire are within your reach as long as I am within your reach; as long as you remain within the sound of My voice. Hear Me, child, and join me in Walking the Talk. I love you, child. And, yes indeed, I AM RISEN! I AM ALIVE and I AM LIVING IN YOU!

It’s really not that complicated…

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Me:  “But, God, what do I tell those who are struggling with sin dear godin their lives? I mean how can I possibly help them when I am a sinner, too.”
God:  “You make things much too complicated. What do you tell them? Tell them that I love them. Tell them that I am here for them. That’s all. And then let Me do the rest.”

It’s All About Perspective…

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amenandehmen eagle

It’s all about perspective and perseverance…

Proper perspective solves many problems. Before I chose the will of God over my own, life was so much harder. I cried a lot. I felt unsettled. I lamented about my conditions and worried about my future. I struggled to control things that were never mine to control. I had no true purpose and my passion was misplaced. Don’t get me wrong, I still hurt sometimes. I still have problems. I grow impatient. I cry. But I can also quickly turn it around and crawl right back into the lap of Jesus. I no longer wander thirsty, because Jesus makes hope spring forth even in the deserts. When you know Jesus, your past becomes a building block instead of a stumbling block and your present becomes an opportunity to soar high as if on the wings of eagles. Thank you, Jesus! Amen and Ehmen.

Giving Up is Where Hope Begins

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Giving up is Where Hope begins

My Prayer for Today…

You can either give up on a person or situation or you can give that person or situation up. It may sound the same, but it’s not at all. The first is to call it quits, call it hopeless. The latter is to lay it at God’s feet; to, fueled by faith, put it in the great Potter’s hands and let Him create a work of art and fill that work of art with hope. Lord, help me to lay these things at your feet, to give you the materials to work miracles in my life. I’m just so stubborn. Help me with that, please. Show me the way. Amen and Ehmen!

And God’s Own Word Says…

1 Peter 5:7New Living Translation (NLT)

7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Matthew 11:28-29New International Version (NIV)

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

When God Speaks, I’m Learning to Listen…

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Writer’s Note: As I was browsing my Facebook “memories,” I came upon this one from three years ago. It is a FB post along with subsequent comments as the Featured Image -- 351experience progressed. Thank God for these reminders. I just love how God works. Let him into your life and world and get ready for an exciting journey. This is just a tiny example of undeniable ways that He has made His presence and my purpose known in my life. And I would not trade it for the world. In fact, I want more! I want everything He has to give me! Amen and Ehmen!

Posted on Facebook the early morning of September 21, 2012:

So, my computer shut down unexpectedly and when I restarted it, this unsaved document reappeared. It was something I wrote for my personal God Time journal on Sept. 13. I had completely forgotten about it. The notes at the beginning said “You are about to go through some stuff, but I’m right here.” No big surprise that, if you have been following my posts, “stuff” has indeed been invading my world these last two weeks. Thank God, God knows I have a terrible memory and He brings his message right back to me. Oh, how I love Him:

9/13/2012 6:55 PM Journal Entry:

Dear God,
Tonight as I stepped outdoors to go for our evening stroll together, I took pause when I saw a darkening sky. I debated for a moment whether or not I should go and then decided to go back inside, grab an umbrella and get to stepping. I don’t like to miss time with You.
And, as usual you didn’t disappoint. As I walked along, I felt Your Presence urging me to look up. And there, Your sky became a theatre and the story You told, just like You, will stick with me through thick and thin.
“My child, thank you for trusting me enough to come on this walk,” I heard you say. “And, because of your obedience, I have something to share with you.”
“Look up, child. Though there are dark, ominous clouds rolling in, there arestormy skies also white, puffy clouds with silver and gold highlights perched ever so gently in the blue heavens. Those white clouds, blue skies and beams of sunshine represent Me. And, even though, storms may roll in, I Am always here. Just on the other side of that dark cloud and whatever it may bring, I, your Father, your Creator, exists, working even in the storm to bring about good. Don’t forget, my child, that this is My story. I Am the Author and the Producer and I control the outcome. And, this Good Guy, won’t ever be finishing last. Just breathe through the storm and know that all dark clouds will eventually pass and you will see Me in all My Glory, smiling and proud of your obedience and faith. Here, child, take a bow with Me.

  • September 21, 2012 at 8:32 am: Things started happening that evening and, if you look at my posts, you’ll see no posts from me 9/13 and beginning on 9/14, posts are about stressful events. It actually started the evening of 9/13, which is why I didn’t post this to begin with. Look how quickly I forgot. He gave me a message to prepare me and I just let it sail right out of my head and heart when trouble started. BUT, he brought it right back to me. God is so faithful; even when I’m silly stubborn. Now, off I go to the auto repair shop to see what is up with my AC. Whatever it is, it’s just a thang. Thank God, that I even have a car.
  • September 21, 2012 at 11:35am: My goodness, now I understand why God gave me this reminder this morning. :( Breathing through the storm just as He suggested.
  • September 21, 2012 at 8:16pm: Still blown away that of all the documents (probably 50 or more) I have worked on over the past two weeks, how THIS ONE unsaved, unnamed document (Document 17) is the only document to grace my screen after my computer unexpectedly shut down. By the way, my computer has been shut down and everything closed at least a dozen times since last week as well. Can I just say wow, again? I am just so glad God is so faithful and patient with stubborn folks like me.

Every Cloud…

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every cloud silver lining artwork created

Just the other night, I stood outside and looked up at the sky.

There were no stars; just a slight glimmer of light riding upon a low hanging cloud. Not sure where it came from, whether a moon beam that had somehow broke through or maybe even a stray beam from a nearby street light. Regardless, it was pretty; made me think of the metaphorical cloud with a silver lining. You know, I think every cloud really does have a silver lining. Why? Well, because I think it’s just another way of saying what His Word already tells us in Romans 8:28:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

Yep, God is busy right now sewing a silver lining in the clouds of our lives. Believe it. Believe His Word. Believe Him. Thank you, God, for loving us so. Amen and Ehmen.

You See Rubble. God Sees Gold. Let the Remodeling Begin!

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nature shot at stone mountain

The most valuable building materials are not hiding on the other side of the world. There is no need for trucks or airplanes to get them to you. No, the most valuable building materials can be found right next to you; in your place and time. For, what you may see as mere rubble; cracked and broken pieces that can’t possibly amount to anything, God sees as gold. He sees promise. He sees the perfect stockpile of building materials from which to build new life and new hope. Our job is simply to hand Him every single broken, splintered piece; every fragment, no matter how wrecked or small. Indeed, no matter what it was that created such disarray in your life, God—the glorious and almighty Creator of all—is waiting to help you put it all back together and to build something beautiful, something better; a life that reflects Him; a life of purpose that brings you joy and brings Him glory. As His child, this is your birthright and the legacy He intended for you since before Creation. Let the remodeling begin. Thank you, Jesus. Amen and Ehmen!

And the Word of God Says…

Ephesians 1: 4-5: “For He chose us in Him, before the creation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love, he predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.”

John 6:12: “…he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.”

Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

The Sweet Breath of Heaven

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fruit of the spirit artHope. Joy. Peace. Love. These are the words that best describe our Father and are the very things He desires for us. And, the best part is that all four are ours for the taking. The trick is to fully breathe Him in. For when we fully breathe Him in, we can’t help but exhale a sweet breath of Heaven into a world gasping for air. It all starts with us. Or, at least that is my take on it. Happy Sunday, y’all!

And God Says…

Galatians 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

1 Corinthians 13:13

Three things will last forever–faith, hope, and love–and the greatest of these is love.

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Job 32:8

But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.