My God My Everything

As I was walking today I was listening to a song by Casting Crowns called This is Now. The lyrics give a beautiful visual of a blind man that looked up and saw his Savior with his eyes for the first time. Can you imagine what that would be like to have the first face you see be the face of Jesus? I imagine that Jesus had an amazing smile on his face as he looked fully into the man’s face, seeing more than just the outward appearance, but deep in the man’s soul. That would be a visual you would never forget. Before receiving his sight this man only…

Today I was reminded of a Valentine’s Day 30 years ago. I received a gift that I still have today safely tucked away in my cedar chest. It was a note written on the heart shaped liner from a box of chocolates. The note was written in the sweetest little kid hand writing and said, “Launa, I love you and your baby the mostest, love Josh.” It was from one of my younger brothers who was about six years old at the time. The reason that this note is such a treasure to me was because it was given to me at in my life when I had made big…

A few months back I received a text message that my aunt from Arizona would be driving through and wanted to meet for lunch. I was excited to see her and also invited my mom and sister to the lunch date. It would take place in a nearby town and so I scheduled time off from work. Later that day I saw a Facebook post that a new store in town called Fashion 15 would be having their grand opening the same day. The store offers clothing and jewelry all for $15 or less. The first 100 people through the doors would receive a punch card good for one free…

There is something about a declaration that makes what you are declaring feel real and powerful. The definition of declaration is a positive, explicit, or formal statement; proclamation. One of the most important declarations that we can ever make is found in Romans 10:9-11. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.  As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” Speaking God’s word out loud not only…

I’m approaching the finish line of my Fit at 50 goals. There are only three weeks left until my yearly physical when I will receive the final results of my lifestyle changes. Physically I feel healthier and stronger and I’m starting to see some results in my appearance which is exciting. Besides the outward changes I have also noticed changes on the inside. I won’t know the cholesterol count and other internal medical updates until the tests are back, but the more important changes are taking place in my heart and mind and in my attitude and thoughts. I’m smiling as I see God’s creativity in the timing of all…

One of my least favorite things to do is go bra shopping. It’s sometimes embarrassing, uncomfortable and expensive. But is has to be done. I have always done the deed by myself and have never really been pleased with the outcome. I’ve settled for some because they were less expensive only to have them wear out quickly. Others have lasted longer but left me feeling awkward in appearance. My husband suggested that I get fitted at a nice department store so I would remove all the guessing and disappointments. That’s where, in my mind, the embarrassment would come in, no thank you. But finally one day I did. Of course…

I watched a movie a few months ago called, “I feel pretty.” It was about a girl who had no confidence, then bumped her head and she had it. What she did with it was amazing at first, but her confidence was found in beauty and it didn’t last. I’ve thought about the movie often and I know I don’t always have the confidence I should. We have confidence that comes from our identity in Christ and it will always be. But I don’t always live in that confidence. Shortly after watching the movie I had a dream that I was in a room with a lot of people, a…

Last summer we had a home security system installed. It took learning a new phone app and some tutorials on how to operate the home screen, but it works great. The system warns if there is fire or water problems, intruders, doors left open and even has a microphone and video recording. The system is armed for two different scenarios, staying or leaving (coming or going). There is a key phrase that has to be said in order to clear the alarm and an access code to open and close doors. At first it seemed a bit overwhelming and I set the alarm off a few times when I forgot…

My co-worker Hannah shared with me the other day that she had heard a message at church where the minister called daily frustrations or set-backs as Character Building opportunities. We laughed about it and I thought it was a positive way to explain things. Yesterday was a Character Building day. It began at 2:30 am when the neighbors car alarm went off for 20 minutes. It startled me and I instantly jumped out of bed to see what was going on and make sure it wasn’t my car. As it continued it’s loud horn and flashing lights I wondered how long it would take the owner to turn it off…