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Restore My Soul – Nothing Can Separate
Yesterday I ate a bowl of ice cream. That may seem like nothing, but the entire experience was a battle in my mind. At first I justified it by not eating as much as I would like to and that I didn’t have a big lunch. The sad thing was that it didn’t even taste good because of all the guilt running through my mind. I had restarted my fitness goals only a week earlier and here I was blowing it already. I felt like I was letting myself and God down because I had asked for His help to refocus and follow through. It was as if that one…
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Sweet Serena
I received a phone call the other day from a woman named Serena. She said that her counselor had found my name online in conjunction with Grief Share. She told me that she had lost her significant other about a year ago and was deeply struggling with her grief. The church I attend was getting ready to restart the Grief Share program and I invited her go join us. I told her I would send her the book so she would be ready for the class. About a month later the class dates were all set and I wanted to call Serena to give her the details but I couldn’t…
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Restore My Soul – Cathedrals
Over the years I have had the opportunity to visit many cathedrals and take in their majesty. Some of my favorite things about them are the way that they have stood for centuries because of the sound architecture, the beauty of the stained glass windows that tell stories and the hand carved alters that are so detailed they fill you will awe and wonder at the intricate details. I was reading a book called Getting In Shape God’s Way this summer and came across a verse in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 that read, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you…
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Restore My Soul – I Am Richly Present
Today was one of those days that God demonstrated His message in a very beautiful and visual way. I was sitting by the river and trying to clear my mind so that I could enter into my quiet time with God. With my mind full of thoughts and racing, I began to wonder if my prayers would even reach heaven. I was having trouble focusing and deep down what I really wanted was God’s presence. As I began to read my devotional the verse was in Habbakkuk 3:19 which reads, “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on…
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Restore My Soul – Speak My Truth
During my 40 days with God I wrote about each days experiences in my journal. Now as I review them to write about them it’s like receiving those messages all over again and they are still perfectly timed. I’ve started getting frustrated with some of the reoccurring issues that I’m working on and began wondering if I will ever be able to overcome them. As I reviewed my notes for today’s blog I was reminded of the answer to that question. My message from God today: Speak My Truth In this season I have been blessed with several different books and devotionals to read and study. Each one has had…
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Restore My Soul – I Am Your Hiding Place
Have you ever had a day that you just wanted to run away and hide from it all? A day that you could just step out of your current circumstances and have space to not think about them. I have days like that a few times a year. They are special days that I call my Brock days. His anniversary date that He went to be with Jesus and his birthday. Those days are often reminders that the world goes on. It doesn’t slow down for anything. On those days I want to intentionally remember the good things and yet the hurried pace of the world tries to crowd them…
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Restore My Soul – My Cherished One
Today was a day that I sat in awe of God. In my quiet time I reviewed all the events over that last few months and took note of the many things that I have to be thankful for. The way that God orchestrated so many details to work exactly as He planned. So when I received His message for me today I was humbled and in awe. God’s message to me today: Refuse to worry, My cherished one! The definition of cherished is to protect and care for (someone) lovingly. “He cared for me beyond measure and cherished me in his heart” Think about that. God cherishes you! He…
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Restore My Soul – Rest In My Nearness
Have you ever been with people yet felt alone? It’s a strange feeling but very real. Last night we had dinner outside by the river. It was a beautiful setting and I was excited to be there. Dinner was cut short and I was left outside by myself watching the water flow by. For a brief moment I felt very alone as I finished eating. The enemy didn’t waste anytime in sending tempting thoughts of self pity and pouting. But just as quickly God sent His message. God’s message to me today: Rest in my nearness. “Stay calmly conscious of Me today, no matter what. Nothing takes Me by surprise.…
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Unmasked
I was at the grocery store the other day and as I waited for some food from the deli a man was walking towards me. My cart was in the way and when I moved it he thanked me and said it was the nicest thing that had happened to him all day. He began to tell me a little about himself and we ended up talking for about 15 minutes. As he shared about his past work experience, his dog, his new job as a school bus driver and his planned weekend at Yellowstone National Park, I listened to him and knew this was a Divine Encounter. I learned…
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Restore My Soul – This Is The Day
What a gift to be sitting on the deck this morning listening to the soft rain as it dances on the tin roof. Smelling the fresh scent and seeing all the beautiful colors of flowers that are in full bloom all around me. Birds are chirping in the trees adding a beautiful melody to the songs of nature. My coffee steams a bit in the cool morning air and the temperature is just perfect. God’s message to me today: This is the day that I have made; rejoice and be glad in it. This moment wouldn’t have been possible if I was still working in the office. It’s 9:45 am…