It’s funny how we have no idea, sometimes, how the Lord is working in and through us and how, sometimes, we don’t fully know His plans for our lives. I suppose, then, that it makes us cling to Him all the more. Not knowing– brings us to a place where we need to depend on Him for everything. It brings us to a place where we are desperate for more of Him, every moment of every day.

 …It’s a beautiful place to be.

{ Been busy lately…I’m learning to balance my time..to manage my schedule…to wait and to go. Next weekend I head off to Arizona and I cannot wait ) This eastern girl is going out west for the first time. If only you could see the smile on my face at the thought of being in the mountains…ahhh… I am so thankful right now…my heart is full of joy—at the thought of Him. In the midst of business the Lord is the one who says “be still” …He is the one who lifts up my head…praise Him for what He is doing…honor be unto His name– f o r e v e r. }

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks;

                                           for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 

                                                                                  I Thessalonians 5:16-17

                                                                                                                                                          :: peace ::

People. Comforable where they are. Comforable with the situations that they are in. I can honestly say that I don’t fully understand why some people don’t understand that there are people desperately in need. People are so comfortable doing the daily routines, doing the regular traditions…afraid to step outside of all that they have known and are used to.

People can think about what they will do…they can think about how they can help….when they will do something…but do they actually do it?

Oh God, I want to be one who puts their words into actions. I don’t want to spend all of my time talking about things…and not doing anything about it.

The other night, as I prayed, I was brought to the story of Peter walking on water. Jesus had called Peter to follow Him on the water. Peter was afraid. He was afraid to walk out of the boat. To take a step of faith. Once he did, he cried out for Jesus to save him before he drowned. “you of little faith” …Jesus told him and took hold of Peter.

Sometimes I find myself like Peter, afraid to actually walk out of the boat…and once I do, I’m afraid of falling. All the more, I know that Jesus is reaching out…He will catch me…He will be there to hold me up.

After Peter walked on water, the disciples and others knew that Jesus really was the Son of the living God. When people see that Jesus is leading us, His people; when people see that we are taking a step of faith no matter the cost; then they will know that we are following a King unlike any other.

A King full of glory, of passion, and of majesty.

Jesus, be my strength. My Love. My Everything. I am humbled to be your servant.

Put my words into actions. As You lead, be magnified and glorified.

“Trust Me, child…”

{ Let Jesus be your strength, today. }

{ this is what i call beautiful }

Praise the Lord.
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord.

Let the name of the Lord be praised,
both now and forevermore.

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.

The Lord is exalted over all the nations,
his glory above the heavens.

Who is like the Lord our God,
the One who sits enthroned on high,

who stoops down to look
on the heavens and the earth?

He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;

He seats them with princes,
with the princes of their people.

He settles the barren woman in her home
as a happy mother of children.

Praise the Lord.

May His name be known….I am in awe of Him. In all that I do and all that I say, may He be seen. As a man of God once said, “I want to make Christ look great.”  Cling to Him…with a thankful heart, give Him praise today   :o)

http://beautifuljourney.smugmug.com

I traveled from Cincinnati to Dayton, Ohio this morning. Visiting two large cities in one day. I don’t know what it is, but everywhere I look I see people striving for something. Something that is temporary, something that does not satisfy. I look around and see people striving to achieve the “American Dream.” Better cars, better looks, better homes…Is this all there is in life? People are literally working their lives out just to achieve a better lifestyle.  

If we are fixed on ourselves and our selfishness, we will never reach out. The poor, the deprived, the ones who simply need love…

…oh, that we might be an example of Christ I remember sometime last year I was talking to a guy a few years older than me in class. Each day I talked to him about everyday things, the things of life. Some days he would talk to me about which car or motorcycle he would be getting or how much he drank the night before. Some days this young man would ask me questions about my faith and sounded really interested in what I was saying…but one day was a little different than the rest. He was talking to me about going into the Marines and asked me what I thought about it. Then he asked me what I wanted to do with my own life. I told him that I want to be a missionary and he said that he had never heard such a strange thing before. He couldn’t understand why someone would want to devote their life to such a cause. I mean, shouldn’t we be living and getting paid to buy better cars, better things? He knew that I was a Christian, but he told me, none the less, that he had never heard of someone wanting to travel for God. I tried to explain it to him, but he sort of just sat there and looked at me. I simply smiled.

I ran across this young man a few months ago once again and told me that he was about to leave for the Marines service. I have to wonder if he ever remembers the conversation that we once had and if he still thinks I’m the strangest person alive  :o)

All I know is that this life is short. 

It makes what we are living for all the more precious.

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,
since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal”
{ II Corinthians 4:18 }

Lord, fix my eyes on what is not seen…on You and You alone.

 Reach out, today…and show someone His  l o v e .