Job 9: Suffering but not Broken

Job’s anguish and desperateness stirs a deep sense of pain in my soul. To feel so close to someone, to deeply love them, and they appear to turn their back on you. I think any woman who has experienced a heartbreak, break-up, or divorce can identity with the utter torment that must’ve been running through his soul like a virus. As women who are intricately created to be emotional beings, it’s no wonder so many of us can sympathize with Job. I find that when I’m in seasons of despair and anguish I will play that emotional head game that Job could’ve gotten trapped in: What did I do to deserve this? What offense did I commit against God? How can I ever survive? I am obviously unforgivable.

However my understanding of God’s character has transformed through our relationship. Like any relationship there are many stages: excitement, getting to know one another, contentment, ups and downs along the way, re-learning one another and so forth. I’m reminded of 1 Corinthians 13:11 “When I was a child, I spoke like a child. I though like a child. I understood like a child. Now I am a man. I do not act like a child anymore” (NLV). My relationship has changed with God from being a ‘newborn’ Christian and therefore my understanding of who God is and our relationship. As I grow and my mind has expanded, I have been able to understand God in a whole new way…it’s almost like exploring a new city- every little thing is exciting and scary and wonderful!

When I was a child, I saw God as this ominous big fluffy cloud. Untouchable but present and evident. Through the ups and downs of my life I’ve seen him as a commanding authoritarian (do not do this, do not do that), a protector from potentially devastating situations, a supernatural healer, and even a loving dad-figure. Maybe you see Him in one of these ways right now. The thing is though, he isn’t one of these ‘hats’; he just is.

He is present (even when you don’t see him). He is protecting (even when it doesn’t feel like it). He is directing (even when you don’t know where to go). He is loving (when you feel unlovable). He is the healer (when doctors tell you nothing is wrong with you). He is a dad (to all sons and daughters). He is YOURS. He is yours, and you are His. Together you get to evolve and change your relationship. Who said there was a right or wrong way to see God? There isn’t! There is only one rule in this relationship,  and that is to L-O-V-E. Job had to go seek a mediator to understand God’s love for us, but we don’t even need to go anywhere- Jesus (THE Mediator) is in our hearts.

Facing the Mountain

Standing at the foot of a mountain is daunting. The incline is steep and treacherous, the rocks posing a possible threat to security and safety. The mass that is in front of me appears so ominous and dark; it feels so terrifying and discouraging- how will I ever overcome this mountain?

Yet looking behind me I see the long journey I have trekked to get to this point and although what lies ahead of me is scary, going back down the same worn and rugged path is depressing as well. I have two ways to go- I can either try to walk around the mountain or I can climb the mountain little by little. 

I am definitely scared that I will fail; that I won't be able to make it up the mountain- that it will kill me trying. The mountain seems so big to tackle, what if I can't make it? The journey will be long and potentially emotionally and physically exhausting. Another fear that grips me is the fear of the top. Getting to the top of the mountain is an exhilarating moment; it's a moment where you can see the accumulation of your dedication and hard work pay off for the epiphany and glory of defeating the beast of a mountain. Yet, what fear that holds me captive is what is on the other side of the mountain? What if I get to the top of this mountain only to find that the mountain just continues, or worse, there is a bigger mountain ahead? The fear of the unknown is sometimes scarier than the fear of the known. 

I've made the decision to climb the mountain, no matter how small the steps may be. As I climb this gigantic black mass in my life, I need to take each step as a victory and a step in the direction towards the top. When I get to the top, I'll deal with the top and what I may see; it may be another scary mountain of darkness or it may be the prettiest sunrise I've ever encountered. Only God knows. 

Unexpected Turn

Well to say I've hit an unexpected turn would be an understatement. Currently it is Monday, August 1st and I should be in the mountains of Peru..instead I'm sitting back at my house with my dog trying to get some work done. Due to flight delay after flight delay, our entire team missed our connection flight to Peru in Washington D.C. It was midnight and our team literally sat down on the airport floor in front of gate A23 and regrouped.

We knew we had to find someone from United to help us rebook our flights so we set off for help. The airport was a ghost town, not a soul around. Making our way to the ticketing desk we proceeded to spend the next three hours working with the desk agent to find another flight to get our whole team to Arequipa. The unfortunate part- the earliest he could get us there was Wednesday...and at that point we weren't sure if we would even be able to go do our work.

Being the emotional type and highly exhausted, at that point all I could do was not cry too loudly as I realized that this trip I have prayed about for so long was either not going to happen or be dashed short. It was an emotional night (morning) for sure. However after hours working with the gate agent, we were able to rebook our flights to Peru for Tuesday. We slept on the airport floor in Washington DC on Saturday night/Sunday morning and then caught a flight back to Raleigh on Sunday morning. A saint from church picked us up in the church van and drove our sleepy-selves back to Greensboro.

Now we wait to try Take 2 at this adventure. We drive to Raleigh tonight and got a hotel near the hotel due to another faithful friend who is putting us up for the night. Then tomorrow (Tuesday) we have a 6:00 flight from Raleigh to Washington DC >> Cancun, Mexico >> Lima, Peru -- sleep in the Lima airport for the night >> and then onto Arequipa, Peru on Wednesday morning. It will be a super long 27+ hours of travel but praying that THIS time things go smoothly and without complications. 

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me via text, IG and FB and offering prayers and kind words. I'm not going to pretend I understand this and am not heartbroken but we will press on to Peru.

Stay tuned for more updates from my (per usual) wild and crazy travel adventures. #TheTravelingCupcake

And She Said...I Will Go

Today is an exciting day! After months of fundraising and planning, today is the day I finally board the plane and head to Peru. I'm so thankful to everyone who has supported me financially and in prayer over the past few months. Check back throughout the week as I blog about this experience and being the hands and feet of Christ.

The Faith Journal: Romans 10:17

I'm starting this new project called the Faith Journal. I want to dissect a verse about faith and really study what it's saying and what it means and how to believe it. Worshiping to awesome Hillsong United songs, joining Bible Study, and doing daily devotionals is great and wonderful but I feel like there's something more. I want to have a greater faith in the Lord and I think that begins by getting back to the basics: reading and studying His word.

Today I want to look at Romans 10:17 in different translations and then delve into what God is trying to tell us in this passage. Links in the chapter for you to find more resources

Romans 10:17 (ASV) So belief [cometh] of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Romans 10:17 (BBE) So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Romans 10:17 (CEB) So, faith comes from listening, but it's listening by means of Christ's message.

Romans 10:17 (CJB) So trust comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through a word proclaimed about the Messiah.

Romans 10:17 (ESV) So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Romans 10:17 (KJV) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:17 (MSG) The point is, Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ's Word is preached, there's nothing to listen to.

Romans 10:17 (NIV) Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Romans 10:17 (NLT) So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

I've struggled with this concept of "hearing" God. I don't hear an audible voice, so how can I 'hear' God? When you're going through a tough situation and you silently say a little prayer, does a voice come over the radio and instruct you which path to take? Maybe it does. I know for me personally, that lightning-bolt-in-your-face moment doesn't happen. Does that mean God is silent and I'm forgotten? 

Romans 10:17 reminds me that I can't expect to be spoken to if I'm not listening to the right station. How can I expect to hear my favorite country song when I'm listening to the smooth jazz station? I've got to be in the Word. The Word is God's amplifier to us. He speaks through the words in the Bible. When you're sitting at your ropes end and not sure what to do, it's that small voice in your head that gives you peace or direction. Those songs on the radio that hit you like a bullet even when you've heard it 1,000 times. Those moments are God speaking to you and giving you a sense that He is there, He cares, and He is listening. We've just got to be open to receive it. Just like you can't expect to do well in school without studying, we've got to take time to study what God says to reap the benefits.

So faith comes from hearing, so lets read and hear what God has to say today. 

Fighting the Enemy

The enemy is not after your money or your stuff. He wants your mind. Your attitude. Your heart. Your faith. Your peace. Understand that you're not being attacked over the tangible things in your life. The enemy is fighting you over the things can't see.

Half Way There: Peru 2016

I can't believe it- I'm over 50% towards my financial goal to go on my mission trip to Peru! Wow. Thank you, seriously, every single one of you who has prayed or financially supported this call to go serve the people in Peru. God is so good and I'm blown away by the support. Thank You!!! 

I have $845 left to raise. That number is nothing to sneeze at but I know that God has lead my heart to go on this mission for Him, so I know He will miraculously work out the funding.

In case you didn't get a chance to read my previous blog post, this summer I will be traveling to Arequpia, Peru to serve with an organization called AIM (Alpha International Missions). For a week I will be able to share the Gospel and pour out love on children and moms in this area while helping support the medical camp in the area.  

As I prepare for this wonderful opportunity God has placed in my lap, I'd love your support in both prayer and financial support if you feel lead.

If you're able to make a gift for this trip:

1. Go to Daystar's online giving website here(you can donate as a 'guest')

2. Click on "downtown campus"

3. Go down to the allocation of "Missions Directed- Unasigned"

4. Include message at the bottom and put "Katlin Peru Mission Fund" in the message box

5. Click continue and fill out the rest of the form with your information

THANK YOU for your prayers and financial gifts. I believe that He will provide the remaining $800+ for this trip and I'm just blown away by your willingness to support global missions. If you have any questions about giving or Peru, leave a comment or email me at katlinvoigt@gmail.com!

The Ultimate Relationship

re·la·tion·ship

noun

// The way in which two or more concepts, objects or people are connected, or the state of being connected. //

We understand relationships; we are a relational culture. We seek relationships. We crave relationships. We require relationships. Most people understand what it takes to maintain a relationship. You call your parents to fill them in on the highs and lows of life. You text your best friend to share something exciting. You spend time with your significant other to stay connected. You share funny stories with your coworkers to create friendship. We do these things rather effortlessly and most of the time without much contemplation because it's natural. So if it's innate to create and maintain relationships, why is it that we stumble with creating and maintaining a relationship with the Lord?

A large part of why people struggle with having a 'relationship' with the Lord is because our minds get caught up in this world. We get caught up in thinking that you can only have a relationship with a physical person or thing- your dog, your parents, your husband/wife. Even the phrases we use to describe how to maintain a relationship denotes the physical existence of another "it's a two way street", "it takes two to build a relationship". But with God, it's not physical - it's spiritual and emotional. Unfortunately we can't call God and have a conversation with Him (wouldn't that be amazing?!). We can't just text Him when something exciting happens during the day or go grab a cup of coffee and share our heart. Our human brains fumble with how to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit.

So how do we have a relationship with the Lord? What can we do to create a strong bond? How can we maintain that love and friendship? If you struggle with going deeper with God, if you yearn to take your relationship from ankle deep to 'all in', then consider these four things to help you get there. 

1. Worship
Worship comes in so many different packages. Traditionally we think of song but worship is a personal expression of your love and joy in the Lord. You can worship through singing, dancing, writing, painting, drawing…anything that is an outward expression of your inner feelings. Maybe you start listening to only Christian music in the car. You could start a photo blog of things that remind you of God's creation. Maybe you want to start journaling your prayers at night. Worship is the way in which you give back the glory to God but find something that you love that glorifies Him!

2. Prayer
Don't get caught up in the number of prayers you give throughout the day; be more focused on the quality of your prayers. Don't get caught up on completely nonexistent rules like "you should pray when you wake up, before every meal and before you go to bed at night". God didn't create rules that you could only pray and give thanks to Him then! I'm the first to admit I can be a little ADD, so sitting down to pray for 15-minutes at bedtime doesn't work for me (#RealHonestMoment: Sometimes I even get distracted at church when the pastor is praying and find myself making a mental grocery list). I encourage you to pray throughout the day, little prayers of thankfulness. On the way to work or school, in the shower, at your desk, at 3:24 every day… whenever! God is listening 24/7 and you don't need to be on your knees listening to Hillsong United in order to be heard. 

3. The Word
Get in the Word. You've probably heard that in many sermons- so what does that mean? Open up your Bible (or Bible App). Get a devotional. Pick scripture to memorize. Read God's word for your life. The Bible is God's tool for us, it's full of advice and wisdom we can utilize and carry with us daily. Maybe reading the Bible is overwhelming (which for me it is), so start small. Pick one book of the Bible and each day read a few verses or a chapter. Start small, remember quality is better than quantity! Spend time with God reading His words and try to 'listen' to what your heart is telling you. 

4. Community
We are created to be relational people. God designed Eve for Adam because it wasn't good for him to be alone. All over the Bible are references to the importance of community and togetherness - a three-cord strand is not easily broken, he who walks with the wise will grow wise… God knew that we needed people around us to support us, uplift us, provide wisdom and love. So surround yourself with those who will do just that. Look at the friends around you: do they help you get closer to God or hinder you? Are you apart of a life group or a small group in your church? Seek our people and settings that bring you closer to God, that grow your faith, and build you up.

A relationship with God is the ultimate relationship. It is the most beautiful, intimate and loving relationship there is available. We were designed and created to glorify God, and all He wants is a relationship with you.

Stop. Drop. Roll

I had dinner with a friend last night and we both opened up about these slumps in our lives. We're both in this season of struggle and it's so frustrating because neither of us know what to do. Life gets you down, you become exhausted and bored and are just going through the motions of it. But we were called to live a life that is full and beautiful and wonderful (notice I didn't say easy). This morning at work I was listening to an archive series from back in April of Hillsong London and it was one of those rhema moments where I just felt God speaking directly-to-my-heart. It was about living a victorious life and how our thoughts get in the way of that; how are thoughts and emotions play such a huge part in our life and yet if we don't take them captive and give them to God, we're destined for disaster.

If we want to have victory in our lives, if we want to be victorious, it first starts with us having a victorious mindset; having victory over our thoughts. In having victory in our mind is so important to living victorious. Because everything we do stems for our thoughts. Our thoughts determine how we feel, how we feel determines how we act, how we act determines what we do in life. Gandhi sums it up well when he says “A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.” If we want to be victorious, we have to think victoriously. Our thoughts have the power to influence and control our lives. Our thoughts have the power to dictate and determine the course of our lives. Therefore, one small fearful or negative thought can actually have a huge impact in your life. Now fearful and negative thoughts, they will be present in your life, but I don’t believe they should be precedent in your life. And as Christians, I believe we should have full control over our thoughts, not our thoughts controlling us.

Colossians 3:2 says “Set your minds on things that are above, not on the things of this earth”. If we fix our thoughts on this, fix our negativity and fearful thoughts, and live out of those- we will cause ourselves serious damage. Our thoughts are like sparks, and left alone they can cause serious damage. So what we need to do is extinguish those thoughts before flames break out. How to take control of our thoughts, before our thoughts take control of us:

1.      STOP- As soon as a negative or fearful thought comes into your mind, you need to stop. You need to take that thought captive. 2 Corinthians 10:5 “We take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ”. Take that thought captive. Emotions say hurry, whereas wisdom says wait. Your emotions want you to respond immediately, they want you to react but wisdom says stop, wait and think about what you’re going to do next. Before you react on that thought, just think about things for a moment. You have a decision to either add fuel to the fire or to extinguish the fire. So stop. What are you going to do next?

2.      DROP-So we’ve taken that thought captive. The next thing we need to do is drop before God and give that thought straight to Him. 1 Peter 5:7 “cast all your caries, your worries, and your anxiety on Him because He cares for you”. Let Him be your first priority, not your last resort. Because what you give attention to, you give authority to. As soon as those fearful and negative thoughts come into your head, start throwing water over those sparks. Start extinguishing those sparks. Because that water is the Holy Spirit. You can ask for discernment and direction on how to deal with these thoughts. The more water you throw on these captive thoughts, the quicker those sparks go out. When you stop and drop in a real fire, you drop to protect yourself, to cover yourself. Spiritually speaking we need to cover our face and focus on God, and solely Him.

3.      ROLL- Now we’ve stopped, we’ve captured those thoughts. We’ve dropped before God and given Him our thoughts. Now we need to roll over and move on. Roll over and move on. It’s that simple. Thoughts are much like waves, you can’t stop them from coming, but you can choose which ones you’re going to surf. Be someone who is quick to drop before God, quick to roll over and move on. Don’t dwell on the thoughts you’ve already handed over to God, it’s such a waste. You don’t need to carry certain things, God will carry them for you.

Check out the full message here

Perfection of the Heart

Remember that you live in a fallen world: an abnormal world tainted by sin. Much frustration and failure result from your seeking perfection in this life. There is nothing perfect in this world except Me. That is why closeness to Me satisfied deep yearnings and fills you with joy.

I have planted longing for perfection in every human heart. This is a good desire, which I alone can fulfill. But most people seek this fulfillment in other people and earthly pleasures or achievements. Thus they create idols, before which they bow down. I will have no other gods before Me! Make Me the deepest desire of your heart. Let Me fulfill your yearning for perfection.

“You shall have no other gods before me.” —Exodus 20:3

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. —Psalm 37:4

This is the exert from today's Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (I highly recommend getting this devotional, it's a great quick 2-minute start to your day and always seems to applicable to what I'm going through that day). Today really spoke to me as I struggle with perfection on a daily basis. I love how it was put, that God planted a longing in each of hearts for perfection. He created a desire in our hearts to crave perfection but only one thing can satisfy that, an that is Him. How beautiful is that? Normally 'perfection' is painted in such a negative light but really it's something we should strive for every day because ultimately our goal is to be more like Him. 

Perfection doesn't have to be such a negative thing. I think of the bracelets we all got in Sunday school "WWJD"- What Would Jesus Do. These were meant to remind us as kids to think of how Jesus would react to a situation before we acted. That is the simplicity of pursuing perfection; striving to act and think more like Christ. Christ is love, patience, kindness, forgiveness, mercy and grace. When we set our eyes on Christ and try our hardest to embody Him, that is what true Christianity looks like. It's not about wearing a bracelet or a cross around your neck, it's not about posting scripture on social media, and it's not about owning every single type of Bible out there- that's what looking like a Christian looks like. Striving and looking like Christ is a step shy of perfection (because obviously, we all fail daily and hourly to be 'perfect'). It's about laying down yourself and picking up the cross daily. 

Lay down your pride and pick up humility. Lay down your greed and pick up a giving heart. Lay down your ego and pick up your compassion. Lay down your fear of the future and pick up faith and hope. Lay down your anger and pick up love. Lay it down and lean on God to show you what to do, how to react, what to say, where to go. He is Lord, perfect and beautiful in every way, and He will mold you into His perfect image day by day if you'll only lay down yourself and open yourself up to Him.

Day 04 of 30: I Believe

Day 04 of 30: Your views on religion

I've checked the box "Christian" on Facebook, but really, I'm a firm-standing-passionate-believer of Jesus Christ my Savior and that He died for me and you and He will come again. 

I've never been a huge Newsboys fan, but their song "We Believe" literally makes me want to raise my hands in praise every time I hear it come across the radio. What is my religion? What do I believe? To put it in the most simple words...

I believe in God the Father.
I believe in Jesus Christ.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, and that He's given us new life.
I believe in the crucifixion 
I believe that He conquered death
I believe in the resurrection and He's coming back again.
I believe. 

Day 03 of 30: Let's Raise A Glass…Or Not?

Day 03: Discuss your views on drugs and alcohol

Drugs. I have no tolerance, it's as simple as that. 

Alcohol. I find it so funny when you join a new women's Bible study and after getting comfortable enough with someone, you try to feel it out if they're a Christian that drinks or a Christian that doesn't drink. Anyone else had that awkward moment after Bible study when they want to have a "Ladies Night" at someone's house? I have wonderful friends who choose not to drink and I have wonderful friends who do choose to drink. I, personally, think that drinking is okay if it is partaken of in the right manner.

There are many versions of Ephesians 5:18 but one of my favorite translations is the Message  "Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him." Ephesians 5:18 (MSG). Having a glass or two of wine with a friend, a couple beers while watching the football game, or toasting champagne at your best friends wedding are all fine and dandy. It's when you start crossing the line between a casual drink to enjoy the atmosphere and becoming drunken that there is an issue. 

It's important to know your personal limits; where is your line? Drinking cheapens life in the fact that we typically make poor life decisions while under the influence of alcohol and not the influence of the Holy Spirit. When you are under the influence of the Holy Spirit, you can make decisions based on His desires. When you are under the influence of alcohol, your decisions have a higher opportunity of falling subject to the temptations of the enemy. 

So I choose to drink within my limits. I've learned my limits over the years and know when to call it quits. At the end of the day, I want my actions to glorify God and show love and kindness to others, and if I can do that while enjoying a glass of wine then #PraiseTheLord.

Day 01 of 30

Day 01: Blog about your current relationship status

Some of my friends say my standards are too high, but I'm not willing to compromise on the qualities and characteristics that are important to me in a future-husband, after all this is the man I am going to spend the rest of my life with. I am currently single and am just waiting for God's perfect timing. I've learned {the hard way} that forcing the timing on a relationship is more detrimental than having patience and waiting for God to bring two people together. God can move mountains, calm the seas and heal sickness, so I have faith that He can and will orchestrate the most wonderful relationship when He sees fit. 

I believe it's important to have a set of qualities and characteristics you are looking for in a potential boyfriend/husband, because it will give you almost a baseline…uninfluenced by how attractive a guy is and how absolutely adorable he can be ;) Justification and compromise of your standards is so much easier when you have a guy in mind. Some of the qualities I, personally, think are important: 

1. He is a practicing believer. 

“Do not be yoked together with an unbeliever…For what agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?” 2 Corinthians 6:14-16. 

2. God is the center of his life. 

He seeks God’s direction in every decision he makes.

3. Looks for a mentor and counsel.

“The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” Proverbs 12:15

4. He is patient and is slow to anger. 

“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.” Proverbs 15:18

5. He is honorable of your heart and emotional well-being. 
I want to feel safe knowing I can trust him with my heart, my feelings and my deeper dreams.  “Love each other deeply because love covers all wrongs.” 1 Peter 4:8.

6. He is disciplined.

“He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.” Proverbs 5:23

Maybe its the dancer in me, but I absolutely love this quote and a sweet friend reminded me of it this week "Dance with God and He will let the right man cut in". So I will continue to dance with God until He allows the right man to cut in

Thankful Heart

Jesus Calling

July 24th 

"Thankfulness opens the door to My Presence. Though I am always with you, I have gone to great measures to preserve your freedom of choice. I have placed a door between you and Me, and I have empowered you to open or close that door. There are many ways to open it, but a grateful attitude is one of the most effective.

Thankfulness is built on a substructure of trust. When thankful words stick in your throat, you  need to check up on your foundation of trust. When thankfulness flows freely from your heart and lips, let your gratitude draw you closer to Me. I want you to learn the art of giving thanks in all circumstances.See how many times you can thank Me daily; this will awaken your awareness to a multitude of blessings. It will also cushion the impact of trials when they come against you. Practice My Presence by practicing the discipline of thankfulness."

Psalm 100:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:18

It is no secret that I have been struggling to have a positive spirit or a positive outlook at my job. Lately I've dreaded every single day going into work and it's just a miserable experience until 5 o'clock rolls around. I find myself in a pit of complaints: complaints about the work, my boss, the commute, the strict new rules we must follow…definitely not a very Christianly spirit. I haven't been grateful to God for the things I should be thankful for and goodness knows I haven't expressed them to Him. 

After reading this mornings devotional in Jesus Calling, I prayed that the Lord would help me to have a grateful heart, recognize the blessings He has given me, and verbally praise God for His goodness. I went about my morning like normal and while driving to work the heavens opened up and it poured monsooned rain. Guess whose umbrella was in the trunk of her car- this girl!! I absentmindedly prayed that the Lord would let the rain stop when I arrived at work so my hair wouldn't look liked a drowned rat going into work. Pulled into the work parking lot and -poof- rain stopped for 4 minutes to let me get inside pretty much dry. Blessing #1 

Later in the afternoon I got an e-mail from my boss and in an uncharacteristically kind and thoughtful gesture, she had sent me a Starbucks gift certificate to 'thank me for all my hand work and dedication lately'. Considering I have little interaction with her anymore, the fact that she went out of her way to send me the gift card was a kind and thoughtful gift.  Blessing #2

On my afternoon lunch break I had to take my car into the shop for an oil change. I thought I'd be clever and book it for the late afternoon so less people would be there and it'd be quick. Well an hour and a half later I was still sitting in the lobby! Finally the technician came in and retrieved me and brought me back out to my car. He apologized that it took so long and told me that because it took so long, this one was on the house today. Blessing #3

I got back into my car and headed back to work, going back to my devotion that morning: "See how many times you can thank Me daily; this will awaken your awareness to a multitude of blessings. It will also cushion the impact of trials when they come against you. Practice My Presence by practicing the discipline of thankfulness." Blessings can be small and tiny things throughout a day from a rainbow, a singing bird, a breeze on a hot day, but when you start viewing them as blessings from the Lord they become that much sweeter. There are seasons in life when it doesn't feel like Lord is blessing you but maybe if we start praising Him for the small things in life, that season will become more bearable and positive.  The Lord is good all the time, and all the time the Lord is good. 

Who You Are

These words are not my own. They are a transcript of the truth; the truth that is sometimes impossible to believe. This video was posted on Facebook tonight and I opened it. These words are not my own. These words are His words, spoken into broken hearts, tired minds, strained and desperate souls. These are His words.

You are beautiful. You are smart. You are funny. You are kind. You are unique. You are worthy of love and affection. You are never too much, and you are always enough. You are precious. You are a diamond, a rose, a pearl, the most stunning of all God's creation. You are worth more than you could ever imagine. More than numbers on a scale or the hair products you use or the shoes that you wear. More than how many girls wish they were you or the number of guys who wish they had you. More than the price tags on your clothes or the percentage at the top of your math test or even the number of followers you have on Twitter. Your worth surpasses all earthly things because in the eyes of the Lord God you are loved, and you are worth dying for. 

Regardless of who you think you are, whether you model in a magazine or you model pottery with grandma, whether you're on the hot list or the not list, whether you're a head cheerleader or a high school drop out. Whether you're miss popular or you've never had anyone you can call a friend. Whether you love yourself and love your life or you can't stand to look in the mirror and you feel as if everything in your life is falling apart. Whether you're such a winner or you feel like the worlds biggest failure...regardless of who you think you are, the reality is YOU DESERVE someone who would give up their life for you, because you are powerful, strong, capable. Read about the women in the Bible: Esther, Ruth, Martha, Mary; these women changed the world FOREVER. And inside of you, each and every one of you is a woman with that same power, that same strength, and that same world changing capability. Your responsibility is to find that woman and to set that woman FREE. This is WHO YOU ARE. Any voices in your mind that try to tell you otherwise is from the enemy. So the next time you hear these voices, you say "No, not me Satan. I am a daughter of the living God: cherished, loved, adored, above all things, by the Creator of all things, for the glory of Him, who is greater than all things. I AM AWESOME.

God has such incredible ways to speak to us. Please check out the Anima Series on Youtube.

DISCLAIMER: This is a transcript of his video, not my own words but spoken into my heart.