You are valuable

God’s love is for ALL people – it doesn’t matter age, race, gender, location, financial situation etc.  He loves and accepts each of us – HIS children!

Here’s what Eph. 3:17b-18 has to say about this:

“And I pray that YOU, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”

Can you reach out and embrace or take hold of God’s truth of how much HE loves YOU, accepts YOU and values YOU?!  Would you set aside some time to ponder and consider how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ?

Zeph. 3:17  says, “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”

God delights in you His child.  You have value if for no other reason other than God created you and that in and of its self means you are valuable.

Have you spent much time considering and absorbing this truth?  He is with you, He delights in you, He rejoices over you with singing.  Wow!  That’s how your Heavenly Father feels about YOU!

Jo-Ann

The Gift

Anyone else willing to admit that they rescheduled (or cleared) a part of their day to watch the final episode of Oprah? 

I have always appreciated hearing her "what I know for sure" segments.  We all have so much to learn from each other.  I was also encouraged to hear her set straight the fact that she believes in the One and only G*O*D and truly recognizes and appreciates God's amazing grace in her life.  She has always encouraged gratitude.  Wise, very wise. 

The most touching moment for me was watching the 400+ Morehouse College men that had been beneficiaries of her scholarship, honor her by walking into the arena each with a single light.  The darkened arena was soon aglow with a symbol representative of hope for a future that her generosity afforded.  Ah....the power of influence.

We too possess this gift from God - the power to influence - to affect the world for good.  It is not one that can only be given monetarily - although it can.  Nor is it one that can only be given by serving with your hands - although it can.  Nor is it one that can only be given by hours and hours of prayer on your knees - although it can.  For it is the combination of efforts of many along the way that enables the *gift* to be given and received.  What gift?  The gift of acknowledgement - of worth.

All are created for a purpose - with dreams - with hope.

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.   2 Peter 1:3

Everything we need is within us - called to serve.  Where you are.  As you are.  With what you already have - you are fully equipped.  Struggling with that right now?

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Phillipians 4:8

Dig deep in the Word.  Call a fellow believer.  Realign your thinking.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.   2 Peter 1:5-7

Begins with faith....ends with love.

I agree with how Oprah ended her show: "To God be the glory".
Indeed.

Press in and press on,
Giselle

Waiting...

Waiting, waiting... I don't know about you but waiting is hard to do because, well... you have to wait. Waiting causes us to have patience. And often waiting is even more challenging when we lack knowledge or understanding, or the reason why. Waiting means someone else is involved and often we aren't privy to the reason why we have to wait... we just have to wait.

I find myself wondering if it's my selfishness, or anxiety, or impatience that doesn't want to wait? And if we could get some perspective and a glimpse at the big picture, would we find ourselves as frustrated with the waiting?

I have found that often waiting builds character, and patience, and sometimes it even broadens my perspective.

If we could only see, if even for a moment, through God's eyes what He sees, wouldn't that change our perspective on so many things around us?

Consider a parent/child relationship. The child doesn't have enough life experience to fully and completely understand the ramifications of the situation. Parents have perspective and understanding the child just doesn't have.

So it is with God and us – His children. Simply put... we're not God. We can't see the world at a glance nor do we understand God's perspective. Which means sometimes we need to wait because God's hand is at work and we don't see the whole picture.

So Lord, help me to wait for the things I feel are important and well I'm waiting, help me to be patient. Please give me a bigger perspective on the situation(s) and continue to build character in me. Amen.

Jo-Ann

Ps. 40:1-3 says, “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.”

A word from the wise...literally.

Hope you're having a great long weekend! Its been a busy one for me, but taking time out to connect with Jesus always keeps my heart refreshed and excited about the future. I pray that you're also enjoying those quiet moments with Him too this weekend! Here are a few thoughts Hes been speaking to my heart about. I pray He would speak to yours as well. His Word thats alive and well and transforms our lives changes everything.....I find that as I ask Him to come and open my heart to Him even more....He does. So beautifully, so challenging and yet so peacefully*

Proverbs 20. 15 " Gold there is, and rubbies in abundance. but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel."
Proverbs 20. 19 "A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much."
Proverbs 20. 25 "It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows."
Proverbs 20. 27 "The lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being."
Proverbs 22. 1 ""A good name is more desirable that riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."

Blessings over the rest of your weekend!

Mary

Share yourself

Blessed are we when we need Him!

What are you being called to?  Who are you being called to influence within your set of circumstances? At the You Matter Day in Stonewall this weekend, we were reminded of Esther and that we were created for such a time as this.

Going through things - good and bad calls us back to God.  Perhaps you are praising Him today for an answered prayer or His ever-near presence in your life.  Perhaps, you are in a valley, drowing in pain.  Many things call us to question our purpose.  Remind yourself, that you are created for a purpose.  That is the truth - don't fall victim to a lie.  Have you dared to explore your heart?   Are you reviving your spirit and your heart - preparing yourself, renewing yourself for His work?

Ephesians 4:1
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

 Say YES to Him and His calling on your life!  If you're unsure, seek the counsel of a trusted and godly friend, then dare to be a Daniel and step out in faith.  We'd love to hear your stories.

Press in and press on!
Giselle

Dirt Therapy

I am one of those people who grew up on a farm and now lives in the city. Having grown up on the farm with gravel roads, prairie grass, the barn out the kitchen window and a field out the living room window there is something about tapping into the familiarity of my childhood roots. I love the peace, quiet, and smells of rural life. I realize if someone is born and raised in the city they may think the birds are loud, the tractors are unfamiliar and the smell of the barn is anything but inviting, however if you are like me the smells and sounds of farm life are quieting and settling. I expect each of us have those things in life which remind us of peaceful, happy, care-free days of when we were younger. For me time in the garden does that. A couple of weeks ago I pulled a weed and the moment I smelled the dirt I inwardly felt myself sigh... peace. I'm looking forward to spending time in the garden, taking a deep breath and setting aside the things which are cluttering my mind.

Ps. 45:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.”

Whether it's time in the garden, swimming laps in the pool, going for a bike ride, crotcheting a baby afghan, kneading bread...whatever that is I would like to suggest each of us intentionally set aside time to still the busyness in our heads and ponder God.

The God of the universe

     the God who doesn't change

          the God who is the beginning and the end.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Rev. 1:8

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Heb. 13:8

Yes, that's my God! The one who cares about the big details in life and the little things which occupy my mine.

And one more thing... if you're finding yourself concerned about the possibility of the world ending on May 21 let me remind you of this verse from Matthew 24:36 "But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.”

Whenever that day is – God knows, and He is a trustworthy God. So let's commit ourselves and our days into His hands and enjoy some time in the garden.

Jo-Ann

Be inspired by Joe

Whenever I go grocery shopping at Superstore there is no way that I'm coming out before I take a nice long walk around (usually try on a few things) through Joe Fresh style area. Joseph Mimran, the designer behind the brand, who also is the name behind Club Monaco and PC Home wanted to design great and internationally inspired clothing at easier on the pocketbook prices for everyday people.
I cannot help but be inspired by that whole thought....when we can be accessible to people no matter their station or lifestyle it changes everything. As an Interior Decorator I deeply respect Mr. Mimran and how he has chosen to not "be above anyone," but truly connects with people coming from all areas in life.

It’s so important I think in our daily lives that we ask God to connect us to people he has prepared to connect us with.....whoever they are. It’s not up to us to produce fruit.....its up to us to obey the prompting of the Lord. He will prepare and He will bring to life what needs to...we just need to say... and every day " whoever you have prepared to connect with me today, prepare my heart and give me the words, that your glory may be revealed and you may be glorified"!!!!! This also is for our growth and benefit. As we are being transformed into Christ's likeness more and more. Amen.
So next time you're in Superstore and you see the Joe Fresh area....think again about how God longs to use YOU to connect with all people;)

Philemon 1.6 says it so well..... "I pray that you may be active in your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ."

Have a great weekend Ladies! (Those of you coming to our You Matter day in Stonewall on Saturday, we are so looking forward to seeing you!!)

Mary