Everyday Matters
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Genie in a Bible
How do you view yourself? Do you think about what God sees or what others see?
Everyday Genie in a Bible
How do you view yourself? Do you think about what God sees or what others see? It’s definitely a process to be able to hear God’s voice and listen to Him alone. When I got my eyes off of how I looked, performed or cared about other thought about me, I began to truly trust God and see my identity in Him. THEN I was like; “Where should I go, who should I meet, and “How can I serve?” Prior to that I made wonderful plans and then asked God, “Bless what I’ve decided is good.”
God is not a Genie in a Bible. It’s not about saying the correct verses and doing super good deeds to earn His favor. It’s by His grace that He loves us despite what we do or don’t do. It’s about trusting God’s faithfulness and believing He knows the best plan for your life. God loves us for who we are and not for what we do. He loves us and gives us purpose with the gifts He’s given us because He knows that in serving others instead of self we’ll have true contentment…everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Dairy Queen Pride
Our four sons are all adults now and one is married with kids. We have an empty nest. I love it.
Everyday Dairy Queen Pride
Our four sons are all adults now and one is married with kids. We have an empty nest. I love it. I also love that I’ve kept so many stories of their youth from journaling. We had a phrase we’d use and remind one another of when gloating took place, and it was, “pride stinks.” It was years ago eating lunch at Dairy Queen while my husband was out of town and 10 minutes in, the whining began. Joey couldn’t eat his grilled cheese because it didn’t taste like what I made, David didn’t want the bun to his burger, and Marco said his Blizzard was getting too mushy, so he wanted to leave. But Peter proudly announced, “I’m the only one who isn’t complaining!” “Yes,” I said, “but you’re comparing and that kinda stinks too.”
We can always find ways we’re better than someone else and ways we can knock someone down. It’s always easier to look at the problems of someone else rather than our own. Proverbs 22:4 says, “It’s through humility and putting others before ourselves where we find our honor in life and I think peace too…everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Good News
What’s the message out there? I know…right? That’s a loaded question. There are a lot of messages “out there.”
Everyday Good News
What’s the message out there? I know…right? That’s a loaded question. There are a lot of messages “out there.” But there’s one message that I’ve become more passionate about sharing lately.
Okay this is IT. The message of Jesus is to LOVE and forgive others, which you can only do once you have seen your bad self and accepted His forgiveness. I have accepted this GIFT even though what I feel and see in me is often wrong, unfair, hurtful, and judgmental and to make it worse, there’s always more where that comes from. But again, that IS why Jesus died for us. He paid MY debt and forgave all my sin. When He died every sin we commit, all future ones, (like tomorrow’s sins) can be forgiven. I think this is why they call the Gospel, Good News which is actually great news. The fresh new hope and grace you can get each day is a gift of never-ending love and grace…everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday God Understands Fairness
God is bigger. We may know this in our heart but it’s acting it out like we believe it that makes the difference. One of the hardest things to do is to forgive someone who isn’t’ sorry for what they’ve done cuz “it’s so not fair!”
Everyday God Understands Fairness
God is bigger. We may know this in our heart but it’s acting it out like we believe it that makes the difference. One of the hardest things to do is to forgive someone who isn’t’ sorry for what they’ve done cuz “it’s so not fair!” And because it’s not fair we want them to know how wrong they are. What does God want? Go to 1 Peter 3:9 and read; “Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That’s what God asks, and He’ll bless you for it.”
Do you think God tells us to be good to those who’ve hurt us just because He wants to watch us suffer? No. The enemy works through people to hurt us and if we end up hating that person because they’ve hurt us then Satan’s job has been accomplished two times over. But if we respond with love then we’ve gotten Satan back and he’ll wish he never laid a finger on our lives…everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Anxiety Thanks
I trust God’s love, so I really try to obey what He asks from the Bible. But wow is Ephesians 5:20 a difficult scripture to follow;
Everyday Anxiety Thanks
I trust God’s love, so I really try to obey what He asks from the Bible. But wow is Ephesians 5:20 a difficult scripture to follow; “Give thanks FOR all things?!” Nevertheless, I had an amazing experience when applying this for a very difficult circumstance.
Visiting a friend two years ago at the Mayo Clinic I had a huge anxiety attack alone in the hallway with hyper-ventilating…the whole works. Driving home the next day I heard God say, “Thank Me for the attack.” “What craziness was this?” I kinda laughed but did it anyway; “Thank You God for the anxiety attack.” I said it once but as I continued to repeat and thank Him for something so awful I began to sense His great love for me. The more I thanked Him the more I felt enveloped by His love, so I also added, “You’re so nice to me.” I was so overwhelmed by His presence that I had to pull over because I was crying so hard. His ways are often my “whys?” But His ways always bring peace…everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Mother Lament
I called a friend for a favor and while talking to her I sensed deep heaviness and hurt in her spirit. When I questioned her, she shared that she was going through a very difficult time with her two oldest children.
Everyday Mother Lament
I called a friend for a favor and while talking to her I sensed deep heaviness and hurt in her spirit. When I questioned her, she shared that she was going through a very difficult time with her two oldest children. I knew she had been dealing with some sad and difficult issues, but I was just baffled why God had allowed so much time to go by without fixing the situation. “Why her God, I wondered, she is so good, and she loves You so much?”
I prayed for her as she cried and then remembered the verses, I had just read from Lamentations Chapter 3 and knew they would encourage my friend, so I shared, “The Lord does not abandon anyone forever. Though He brings grief, He also shows compassion according to the greatness of His unfailing love. For He does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.” There is no pat answer for all our hurting “whys” but there is always hope in a God who cares…everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday The Untamed Tongue
“No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James pulls no punches. That muscle in our mouth can kill or heal, spark wars or absolve a world.
Everyday The Untamed Tongue
“No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James pulls no punches. That muscle in our mouth can kill or heal, spark wars or absolve a world. Professor and Author Chad Bird says this; “From beginning to end, the Bible speaks about the power of speech, for good or for ill. With speech, the Lord God worded the world into being. And with speech, the serpent wooed the world into evil. When God commanded, “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor,” he made explicit what we all know: that human society, relationships, justice, and one’s own soul are destroyed by lies.
Some of the hardest moments in my life were when, knowing a lie would be the easy way out, that it would save me embarrassment, but in speaking the truth, even though it hurt, it also opened a door to healing. Think how God began our world with the words, “Let there be,” and how He heals through the words, “I forgive you” …everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday New Creation
Here’s the deal from 2 Corinthians 5:17; "If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here.
Everyday New Creation
Here’s the deal from 2 Corinthians 5:17; "If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here.” However, that doesn’t mean our flesh isn’t at times screaming for what is pleasurable from our old life. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit can we let the past be the past.
It’s not what we do, but what God does in and through us that sets us free. Our “do” is our choice to listen to His voice and His Word. James 4 tells us that if we choose to be a friend of the world, we take our stand as an enemy of God. Wow. We may say, “I’m a Christian,” but are we really “saved” when we choose to follow what the world has approved but God calls sin? We may still struggle with sin, but it’s important that we ask God to move in and change us. Confess, repent, and stop riding on the fence. I confess. Sometimes, I still sit on the fence. But by receiving God’s grace and walking forward in it… I get better. Everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Accept Yourself
Sometimes I get disgusted with myself. It’s when I’m in this place of self-pity and I feel stuck.
Everyday Accept Yourself
Sometimes I get disgusted with myself. It’s when I’m in this place of self-pity and I feel stuck. The way to peace begins with accepting the truth of myself—the whole truth. My struggle to cope with certain people has a simple explanation: they represent to me precisely those things that I have refused to acknowledge and accept in myself.
To accept the truth of my brokenness is unbearable if not impossible, without turning to Jesus. If my vision of myself is not purified by the mercy and compassion of Jesus, I have to get dishonest, camouflage my warts, and present to you a self that is mostly admirable, fault free, and superficially happy. When I accept the truth of me, shipwrecked and saved, and give it over to the person of Jesus, I am at peace even if I don’t feel it. The peace that comes from God and surpasses all understanding, (Philippians 4:7) was provided by Christ on the cross and doesn’t depend on our shifting feelings …everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Justice Delayed
Life is promised to be wonderfully perfect AND with purpose in heaven. This earth is not our home. There’s something more!”
Everyday Justice Delayed
Life is promised to be wonderfully perfect AND with purpose in heaven. This earth is not our home. There’s something more!” Psalm 145:8 is good; “The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to get angry, full of unfailing love.” His love for us waits, waits for us to know and accept Him and what He did on the cross for us and our sins.
Dr. Joad was the head of the Philosophy Department at the University of London. He was known for undermining Christianity in the college world. He believed that God was an impersonal part of the cosmos and that there was no such thing as sin. But before he died, Dr. Joad came to the understanding that there was sin as the Bible describes and the only solution for sin was the cross of Jesus Christ. He became passionate about following Jesus. God’s love delayed justice and gave this man time to recognize his sin and receive life in Christ. In this instance, justice delayed is condemnation denied. God and His love are real…everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Sharing Our Hurt
Believe me I know what it means to hurt. The recovery from my scoliosis back surgery was horrendous both physically and emotionally
Everyday Enough in Jesus
Who are you? Do you believe who others say you are or who Jesus says you are? So many of us hurt with this brokenness because we believe the lies the enemy shouts, telling us we’re not good enough. And guess what? We’ll never be good enough, but GOD IS good and more than enough. HIS grace IS available for every situation, feeling and circumstance we go through. Romans 8:37 tells us; “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Shame has no place in our lives.
Travel one day at a time and know that you’re not alone. You’re not a mistake and your past doesn’t define you. My life has been turned upside down and inside out. It has taken sharp turns that I never envisioned or planned for and that may be true for you too. But no matter how life tries to shake you, shame you or shock you, the unconditional love of God, with no condemnation, will do the same and make all things new and beautiful…everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Sharing Our Hurt
Believe me I know what it means to hurt. The recovery from my scoliosis back surgery was horrendous both physically and emotionally
Everyday Sharing Our Hurt
Believe me I know what it means to hurt. The recovery from my scoliosis back surgery was horrendous both physically and emotionally. And I was surprised at how the issues resulting in my parent’s divorce of 44 years affected me emotionally and physically too. Hurt from someone you love is pure pain. But I’ve noticed that the more I open up and share my heart of pain the more people respond to share their own hurts of an unfaithful spouse, abuse, absent love from a parent and the pain from their own children. Oh, the sins of others have such painful consequences for so many of us.
So more than ever I’ve been holding on to Zechariah 9:12 by returning to Jesus my stronghold of security and prosperity as a prisoner of hope; believing that God will restore double for my trouble. Real hope is a constant positive attitude that in trusting my Redeemer, and despite what may happen, things will change for the better…everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Simple Prayer
Sometimes I like reading the Message Bible because of its everyday relatable language. I mean look at Matthew 6 telling us how to pray The Lord’s Prayer
Everyday Simple Prayer
Sometimes I like reading the Message Bible because of its everyday relatable language. I mean look at Matthew 6 telling us how to pray The Lord’s Prayer; "Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place and just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace.
The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. God knows better than you what you need. Pray simply: Our Father in heaven, reveal who You are. Set the world right; Do what's best— as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with You and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You're in charge! You can do anything you want! You're ablaze in beauty…everyday!
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Mom Memories
Five years ago, Susan’s mom was in a car accident that resulted in her losing all of her long-term memory.
Everyday Mom Memories
Five years ago, Susan’s mom was in a car accident that resulted in her losing all of her long-term memory. When Susan was little, her mom and she used to quote from ‘Winnie the Pooh’ where one of them would ask, “Have you ever seen a dragon fly?” And the other would reply, “I have, I have seen a dragon fly!” The other evening the daughter was sitting with her mom while they were watching TV and the daughter randomly asked, “Have you ever seen a dragon fly?” And her mom responded, “I have, I have seen a dragon fly!” They stared at each other, and then Mom jumped up and shouted, “Oh my goodness, I remember!”
We go back to our own mom memories and sometimes we want to be the little child sitting on our mom’s lap, but that season is gone so we grieve and then try and be the child our mom needs now. You wanna scream; “I’m not ready,” and I get it. But let’s ask God to help us see and remember what’s good right now in this season…everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Popular
What makes you feel important loved or even liked?
Everyday Popular
What makes you feel important loved or even liked? How often do you check the “likes” on your Instagram or Facebook post? I know. Been there. Done that. But REALLY the place I feel the most love is when I know who I am and whose I am. I’m God’s girl. To think, He loves all of you and He LONGS to have you rid yourself of the garbage and dirt that makes you feel ashamed or unloved. We’re so important and significant to God. He gets us, gives us gifts to have purpose and He never stops loving us.
Jesus instructs that we’re to be willing to accept ourselves as least in importance. The least is a symbol of those who have the lowest places in society; the poor and the oppressed, the prostitutes, the tax collectors. But Jesus concern was that these should not be treated as inferior (Matthew 18:10). He was well aware of their feelings of shame, and because of their humility and His compassion they were of REALLY great value. Remember with God, you’re always popular…everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Change Me
Oh that place when you know the only change that will happen is if you God ask to change you.
Everyday Change Me
Oh that place when you know the only change that will happen is if you God ask to change you. So crying in the middle of a dark living room I asked God to forgive me, to change and mold and make me to be more like Him. I didn’t ask that He change the other person but instead I knew the only real solution was that my heart be changed. And still you can cry, “It’s not fair,” and God gets it.
I often don’t often understand why a particular heartache is happening but it isn’t always for me to understand. Know the answer to the question, “Can God be trusted?” And He can because of His grace and comfort to meet us right where we’re at. Humble yourself by swallowing your own pain and pride and look at Peter 5; “Humble yourselves under God and He will lift you up in due time and then cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you”...everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Healthy Marriage
Marriage is not always happy, but it can be healthy.
Everyday Healthy Marriage
Marriage is not always happy, but it can be healthy. The reason it's not always happy is because what happens isn't always good. There are circumstances, people or problems that can be very challenging. But despite hard issues you can have hope, peace and have a healthy marriage. My husband, Dan and I, have had our share of arguments, fights, and disappointments but through it all we share a love of God.
We share a commitment and an understanding to listen to one another with honor and respect. Yet, even with that shared commitment we still fail and fall but thankfully we get back up. It’s by God's grace we can extend kindness that may not feel deserving. It’s following Colossians 3:13-14, "Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever you have a complaint. Forgive just as the Lord has forgiven you. AND to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity."
So, while you may not be able to have always a happy marriage you can certainly have a healthy and hopeful marriage... everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Bumper Stickers
A guy and his car are standing at the pearly gates. The car is covered with Christian bumper stickers. The guy is trying to talk his way into heaven, but Peter won't budge.
Everyday Bumper Stickers
A guy and his car are standing at the pearly gates. The car is covered with Christian bumper stickers. The guy is trying to talk his way into heaven, but Peter won't budge. The guy says, "But look at my car!" Peter finally compromises and says, "OK, your car can come in..."
Much of the time people don't realize what forgiveness truly means in their lives. They really believe the sin that separates them from God in the first place, is worth it. And sometimes they look at forgiveness as a license to keep on living in the flesh while expecting God to jump through hoops they’ve set up. When we have a relationship with God, we get the Holy Spirit living in us and THAT is what keeps us from staying comfortable in our sins. You look at Paul talking to the Romans, and he says, “I sometimes fall and do what I don’t want but with Jesus I don’t have to stay down.” We can walk and drive in freedom when we let God’s forgiveness change us…everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday God Covering
When feeling lonely or afraid I go to the Psalms for comfort Psalm 91:4
Everyday God Covering
When feeling lonely or afraid I go to the Psalms for comfort Psalm 91:4 really hit me the other day; “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. He will shield you with His wings. He will shelter you with His feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” Imagine God like the Psalm reads-- a strong and majestic eagle Who’s there to shield you with His wings and protect you with His feathers.
When you’re fearful and anxious don’t think about the “what ifs” and other scenarios that will make you more anxious. Instead think about God’s promises of protection and redemption. Visually picture God comforting you as the child you are. In Romans 8:28 He promises to work all things for the good. Not all things are good, but God always is. It takes courage to walk forward in faith despite your feelings, but you can do it because God, the Protector will cover you and be right by your side...everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Feeling Indicators
Lately life’s been hard, so I have been saying to myself once again; “Debbie your feelings are indicators, don’t let them be dictators.
Everyday Feeling Indicators
Lately life’s been hard, so I have been saying to myself once again; “Debbie your feelings are indicators, don’t let them be dictators. I get it. My feelings are valid, and they indicate good and bad things happening in my life, but I shouldn’t let them lead me, especially when I feel afraid. Rather, I cry out to God and say, “I’m afraid. Help.”
I read this post on Instagram which said, “And then I realized that to be more alive I had to be less afraid, so I did it, I lost my fear and gained my whole life. We may feel fear but the way to lose “it” is to go forward in courage from the grace and strength God gives. The only way I can do that and leave my fear behind is by looking to God for hope rather than white knuckling it. I think a lot on what God says in Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and courageous. Don’t fear or tremble before them, because the Lord your God will be the one who keeps on walking with you. He won’t leave you or abandon you” …everyday.