Chasing the Moon at the Internet Cafe!

Have you ever "chased the moon?" Please join me at the Cafe today as we ponder Paul's words about "forgetting what's behind and straining towards what is ahead!"

At the Well today..

Please join me today At the Well for a devotion on Light and Truth!

Use that razor, girl!

Yes, it is that time again......

SUMMER= SHORTS = SHAVING!

Hop on over to LACED WITH GRACE today to read how razors relate to the Word of God! Click here to read the devotion....

Are you talking to me, God?

Today for Word-Filled Wednesday, I HAVE to send you to my close friend, Lori's place! Scroll down and read yesterday's post, first, though! It was on being busy......Just gotta love God's timing (and His sense of humor!)

God, are You talking to ME????? Click here for this great inspiration!

I can do all things through Christ!

AAAAHHHH!!!!!!!! Why did I schedule a Party Lite party AND a garage sale both during the LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL??????? Looking at the calendar, it didn't seem so bad.......

But, silly me....don't I know that in ALL things God works for my good? He teaches me so many lessons when I meet quietly with Him. And, WOW! How His Holy Spirit works when I allow Him....when I stay close to Him.....walking with Him.....leaning on Him.....clinging to Him.

Let me give you an example. Being a "good girl", I was making reminder calls to some of the ladies I had invited to my party. During that time, TWO of my friends that I hadn't talked to for a while shared tremendous trials and difficulty with me and we had the opportunity to pray together. I also am continuing to lift them up on my own. I will also continue to encourage them now that I know about their struggles. IF I hadn't been having a party, I wouldn't have known. IF I hadn't obeyed the Spirit's prompting and begun making calls, I wouldn't have known. Oh, my sweet sisters and brothers in Christ, "God works ALL things (even Party Lite parties) together for the good of those who love Him and all called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

As I have been pondering this, and as I have been encouraging myself NOT to be stressed, but reminding myself that He will equip me and help me IF I lean on upon Him, trusting Him.....and clinging to Him, I read this in my daily reading:

"When you turn from your problems to My Presence (Jesus "speaking" to us), your load is immediately lighter. Circumstances may not have changed, but we carry your burdens together. Your compulsion to "fix" everything gives way to deep, satisfying connection with Me. Together we can handle whatever this day brings." from Jesus Calling.

Lord God, I thank You that You care for all of the silly, little things in my life. I am tempted to NOT pray about things like garage sales and parties and kids' activities because I think YOU may think it silly.....YOU have more important things to listen about.....like cancer and oil spills and lost jobs. I can feel "guilty" about "bothering" You with my petty things when there are so many other "more important" things to be praying about..... But, are You not God?? Are You not big enough for ALL of these things???? From garage sales to oil spills, YOU ARE BIG ENOUGH! And, You care about it all! If it is important to me, then it is important to YOU! If it is a concern to me, then You want me to bring it to YOU! You can "handle" all of our problems.....we don't "use up" Your power.....it is endless........You are enough! Lord, I pray Your Word over my circumstances today- I trust in You with all of my heart, leaning NOT upon my own understanding, but in all of my ways, I acknowledge You and You will direct my steps, You will straighten my path. I choose NOT to worry about anything (not any of my trials, problems, or circumstances), but instead, in prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, I present my requests to You and then the peace that passes all understanding will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Jesus, You tell me to come to You.....to give You my burden and take Your Yoke upon me because YOUR yoke is easy and You will give me rest. And, You promise that in ALL things You are working for my good because I love You. Thank You, God for Your love......for Your mercy....and Your grace. You are GOOD. In Jesus' Name. AMEN!

Open the door!

Throw the door open wide!

Let Him in....

There is so much He wants to do IN you....

for you....

THROUGH you!

Please visit my dear friend, Lori who is hosting WFW here!

Do you like to garden?

I'm at Laced with Grace today sharing about a lesson God taught me using rose bushes, my sweet son, and GRACE......Please join me over here!

WFW....Beautiful

"The King is enthralled by your beauty." Psalm 45:11

I spoke last weekend at wonderful women's luncheon at the theme was "Princess." I love this message because in a world that is constantly trying to tell us that we don't "measure up"

......in lots of ways....

I'm not "good" enough....
I'm not pretty enough...
I'm not skinny enough....
I'm not smart enough....
I'm not a good enough mother...
daughter....
friend....
I'm not good enough because I don't have a husband.
I'm not good enough because I don't have a career.
I'm not good enough...
I'm not enough!

God tells us something entirely different.

Before the creation of the world, I chose you! (Eph. 1:4)

I knew you before I formed you in the womb. (Jer. 1:5)

I created you with such care and wonder. (Psalm 139:14)

I know you completely, inside and out, like no other. (Psalm 139:1-3)

You are the apple of My eye. (Psalm 17:8)

You are beautiful to Me. (Psalm 45:11)

You are radiant and your face is never covered with shame. (Psalm 34:3)

You are a display of My splendor. (Isaiah 61:3)

I have counted every hair on your head. (Luke 12:7)

I rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

I surround you with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7)

I hem you in before and behind. (Psalm 139:5)

I watch over your coming and going both now and forever. (Psalm 121)

I redeem your life from the pit. (Psalm 40)

Your name is written on the palms of My hands. (Is. 49:16)

You are a new creation. (2Corinthians 5:17)

I have clothed you in robes of righteousness. (Isaiah 61:10)

You are clothed with strength and dignity. (Proverbs 31:25)

You wear a crown of beauty instead of ashes. (Isaiah 61: 3)

I crown you with love and compassion. (Psalm103:4).

And there is no where you could ever go to escape My love for you. (Psalm 139:7)

We have got to get a hold of WHO we are as His Beloved....His precious daughters....and rest in the security of being HIS.

As I was researching facts on beauty and advertising for my talk, I came across this Youtube video. It is HEART WRENCHING and I wept after I watched it. Please know it is graphic, but it is NOTHING you would not see in a Victoria's Secret commercial on TV. I think sometimes we can so insulate ourselves in the Christian community that we aren't always aware of what is going on in the "world." Many women and young girls are watching secular TV and see these commercials daily. Many watch the reality shows that some of these images came from. God has placed such a burden on my heart for our generation and the next generation of young women.....this is what they face daily. The video is called "Onslaught" and it is very appropriately named.

If you struggle with insecurity and just need to know HOW MUCH HE LOVES AND CARES FOR YOU, and would like a copy of my talk, please just email me and I would be happy to send it to you. And, please visit for more Penny for more WFW!