❤

As I continue my Lenten journey, I have been asking God to "get my heart right." To change my heart, rip out anything that shouldn't be there...to make my heart more like His.

Today's daily verse was Psalm 19:7: The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

And as I continued reading, it really was the next few verses that hit my heart:
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord , my rock and my redeemer. (Verses 12-14).

And, the prayer from my devotional:
Lord, I give you permission to search my heart today. Though it’s uncomfortable, if there is anything in me that is not from you and in line with your Word, help me to let it go. Thank you for doing it with me. I don’t want anything to hinder our relationship; I want to be fully yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Do you think God is telling me something???Encouraging me to allow Him to search my heart and dig out the junk? Yep, me, too.

Sometimes it is uncomfortable. Sometimes my pride really wants to fight it. Sometimes I think I am RIGHT...JUSTIFIED..to feel/think things are OK to be in there. Bitterness & unforgiveness for someone who deeply hurt me. Judgemental thoughts. Jealousy.

But, God wants to transform me. Mold me. Shape me. Make me more like Jesus.

And...that is what this season of Lent is all about. Drawing near to God & allowing Him to do this work in me.

Lord, thank You. Thank You for Jesus. Thank You that You are transforming me day by day. May I reflect Jesus and look more like Him today.

WHO is JESUS??? (to me???)

As we draw near to Easter, I want my thoughts to focus on Jesus. I will be republishing a series I have done before during the Lenten season- "Who Is Jesus?" Please stop by frequently to join me in thinking about just who Jesus is and what He means to me....

Jesus asked His disciples, "And who do YOU say I am?" It is an important question for all of us to answer....

Once during a bible study, the leader asked us to keep a “journal” of who Jesus is to us, personally, writing down whatever came to us during the length of the study. It was a great "task". I think sometimes I forget to sit and ponder just how much Jesus means to me.

I encourage you to take on this assignment, writing everything you KNOW about Jesus and everything Jesus is to you (for example, He may be “tender” to you…). This is the beginning of my list, and if I were to write everything, you would be here for hours reading it!

Things most precious to me:

Jesus knew He would be Savior BEFORE the beginning of time. Before creation, He knew “the plan”. He knew Adam would fall in the garden. He knew He would have to die for my sin, to BECOME sin for me- the Spotless Lamb- to take away my sin. He would take on my punishment. BEFORE He created me, He knew in order to spend eternity with me, He would willingly, joyfully choose to be my Savior, to take my lashes, to take my punishment, scorn, ridicule, and death on the cross. Knowing ALL of this, He still chose to create me. Wow, that blows me away! The love He has for me.

Jesus is the Creator of the universe- “through Him all things were made- without Him nothing was made.”

He is the Word made flesh. He is the Living Word. He is the Written Word. Genesis through Revelation tells the “story” of Jesus. The Word- the Word that leads me and guides me……

Emmanuel- “God With Us”- Jesus never leaves me, never abandons me, never is too busy for me. Jesus is with me in my trials and my joyful celebrations. Jesus is part of me- “I am in Him and He is me.”

Savior- Jesus is my Savior, saving me from my sins, saving me from myself, rescuing me over and over again……..

Healer- Jesus is my healer, healing me from ALL my diseases- body, soul, mind, and HEART. One of my favorite examples is the leper that says he believes Jesus can heal him if Jesus is willing. Jesus answers, “I am willing.” Those three words bring me such comfort- I am willing. I am willing.  I am willing. I am willing. Jesus, you healed ALL who came to you.

Author and perfector of my faith- my biggest “cheerleader.” Jesus, you want me to succeed, you want me to grow and mature. Jesus, you don’t condemn me, but challenge me, encourage me, guide me and perfect me……..

Bridegroom- waiting in eager expectation to return in glory for ME. As a bridegroom, you rejoice over me with singing (Isaiah 61), Jesus, you are “enthralled with my beauty.”

Jesus is my Intercessor- Jesus is praying for me every day!

Redeemer, You bought back my life....REDEEMED it! My life is "paid in full"!

Friend, a friend that sticks closer than a brother, my best friend……

Freedom! I no longer am in bondage to anything!!!!!!!!

Lover- Jesus, you love me with an everlasting love that never ends……

Way- Jesus, you are the only way to the Father………..

I love you, Jesus.

Who is Jesus to you?

This was first posted  1/18/08

Today is Ash Wednesday. And, if you are out and about, you may see someone with ashes on their forehead. No, it isn't dirt. Don't try to wipe it off! 😳😁

It is the "imposition of ashes" and marks the
beginning of Lent.

I was reading something online which said something like, "Ash Wednesday is the one holiday the secular world won't take over and make it about materialism. Hallmark won't be making Ash Wednesday cards." 😅

Could you imagine? So.....WHAT IS LENT?????

Lent is our time to prepare our hearts for the coming of Easter...a time of repentance. With the beginning of Lent being Ash Wednesday, it is a season of realizing your sin and complete "human-ness." We are reminded that "from dust we came and to dust we will return." We remember that we are sinful creatures in need of a Savior.

Time to reflect.

A time to surrender my heart, deny my flesh & allow God to speak & uproot negative things out of my heart.

You may hear people say "I am going to GIVE UP something" during the journey, like sugar or alcohol or soda or social media.

What I have decided to give up for lent:

[CRITICAL SPIRIT]
I am going to look for the best in others & give people the benefit of the doubt. Dig for gold. Expect the best. Give grace freely & generously.  Walk & operate in grace.

[HARSH WORDS]
Behind my sweet smile, lurks sarcasm & a tongue that can cut to the quick. The Holy Spirit tells me to keep mouth closed but I often choose to ignore that because that little comeback is just "too good" not to get in. Power of life & death are in the tongue. I choose to give up words that kill the spirit & bring death & I choose life giving words.

[OFFENDED HEART]
I choose to give up any easily offendable heart. I am not going to be offended by what other people say or do to me or around me. Again, I choose to believe the best about others & walk in grace when others (intentionally/unintentionally ) hurt me. Choose to be secure in my identity in Christ.

[NEGATIVE SELF-IMAGE ]
I choose to believe that I am His beloved daughter, loved & accepted and my identity is secure in Him. I am His masterpiece, fearfully & wonderfully made.    My worth doesn't come from what others think of me, not from how successful I am or how my kids  are. My worth comes from a good Father & I am loved by Him.

Complaining.

Self-centered-ness.

Turning to food, alcohol, scrolling for comfort, INSTEAD OF my relationship with Christ.

Every judgemental thought.

Every selfish ambition.

I want to "give up" everything of this fleshly, sinful nature....

I want to walk in the Spirit.

I want to walk in the BLOOD of Jesus...

the SACRIFICE of the cross...

I want to put off my old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires...

to be made new in the attitude of my mind...

to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 5:24)

I am tearing my heart wide open, falling down on my face and asking Jesus to do such a mighty work in me.

Purify me.

Make my heart right, Jesus.

Jesus.

What a beautiful Name.

What He did. What He does.

Lord, I do come before You in spirit of repentance, with a broken and contrite heart. Lord, I confess and repent (turn away from) the ugliness of my heart.

I repent of a critical spirit that is quick to judge others.

I repent of complaining. Forgive my heart that complains instead of offering gratitude.

I confess my bad attitude and worshiping at the alter of myself. ME ME ME

I confess my bad choices. Instead of doing the things You have laid on my heart, Lord, I do things my own way.  I waste precious time. I choose the easy way, the lazy way...

I confess my unbelief. I say I believe You, but do my actions trust you completely, Lord? Am I obedient in all things?

Lord, forgive me for going my own way so often. Forgive my pridefulness.

Lord, I turn away from all of these things and turn towards you. Help me, Lord! Thank you for Jesus! I am in such desperate need of a Savior! Prepare my heart, Lord for the season of Easter. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me!  Lord, may these 40 days of Lent leading up to Easter be filled with Your Presence. Thank You for Your forgiveness. I love You Lord. In the Precious Name of Jesus, the Name above all names, the Alpha and Omega, the Lamb of God, the Prince of Peace, Immanuel, the Healer of the lame, the One who sets the captives free, the Light of the World, the Bread of Life, the Resurrection, and the Lover of my soul, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Praying your personal journey draws you close to a God who loves you greatly. ❤❤❤❤❤

He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is His love for those who fear Him;

as far as the east is from the west,

so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on His children,

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him;

for He knows how we were formed,

He remembers that we are DUST...(Psalm 103:10-14)

    ...from dust you are

    and to dust you will return....

Beauty all around...Gifts from Sanibel

I love to walk. And when I walk, I love to notice the beauty around me. And...when I notice the beauty around me, I want to share it! My kids are forever giving me "posting advice" and warning against "oversharing,"

and "less is more" when it comes to photos....

BUT....

I. CAN'T. HELP. MYSELF!

And, my desire is to encourage YOU to notice the blessings and gifts that are all around YOU.

You may be thinking, it's easy to notice beauty and blessings when you are near the ocean or the mountains, or some exotic locale...but oh, how I encourage you to notice 

RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE. 

It could be at the mall (I have shared inspiration from the mall!), on the bike trail, in your own backyard...appreciating the experiences around you...SLOWING DOWN to notice the beauty around you. 

I can get so busy, focused, that I MISS the gifts right in front of me. 

So..I encourage you (& ME!) to 

SLOW DOWN

NOTICE

APPRECIATE

and..

TAKE TIME FOR GRATITUDE.❤

Chasing the Moon!

Did you see the amazing "Snow Moon" last week? If not just Google to see some fantastic images. Itvreminded me of this post I wrote several years ago when I CHASED the moon...

This morning as I walked in the still, quiet air, I was delighted by God’s glory. It was one of those rare mornings that the moon and the sun were sharing the sky. The sky was beautiful, with blue/gray and pink hues. There were clouds sweeping around the sun, making a breathtaking sunrise. But, the moon was incredible! It was a huge, perfect golden circle in the sky. As I walked, I tried to keep that moon in sight. I knew it wouldn’t last much longer, the later it became and the more the sun rose.

As I turned the corner and went on my usual path, and as the moon made its journey, it was now behind me. It began setting in the sky, behind houses and trees, and it became harder to find. As I continued to walk, I kept looking behind me, stretching my neck, trying to catch those last glimpses of the beautiful moon. When, I finally turned my head, and looked straight in front of me, there it was! The moon had been there all along, as I kept looking behind me searching for it.

I instantly thought of Paul’s words, “Forgetting what is behind, and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14) I thought how often in life we keep looking behind us, chasing the moon! We may have had a success in life that we keep remembering and trying to imitate. Or, we may have had a failure that we keep thinking about, and wishing we could change it. “If only…”

But, Paul tells us to forget what is behind us! Forget about the mistakes and failures of the past. And, although we rejoice in our successes of our past, instead of being stuck in those, look forward! He says he is “straining” toward what is ahead. That means that it may not be easy to go forward, to keep our eyes ahead. But, we are to “press on” toward the prize- our supreme and heavenly prize in Christ Jesus. Don’t be foolish like I was- trying to find the moon behind me when it was in front of me all along! Jesus is right in front of our eyes! Keep your eyes on Him- straight ahead, pressing forward!

Father, we praise You and glorify Your holy name. We thank You for Your creation- the sun and moon and beautiful mornings when we get to see them both in the sky. God, help us to forget what is behind- the failures that we keep reliving, the regrets of yesterday, the mistakes we have made. Your Word says “there is no condemnation in Christ, and that Your compassion is new each morning.” Help us to let go of those things, God. Also, help us to see that Today is a new day. We rejoice in the successes You have brought to us in the past, but we also want to focus on the new challenges of Today. Help us to strain toward what is ahead. Help us God to “press on” everyday. Thank You for Your love, Lord. Thank You for Your Word that teaches us something everyday. Thank You for life experiences that help us see Your Word in our lives. I pray we all will have eyes open to You, Lord, so that we can see how You are working in our lives everyday. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's the day of "love". Lovers around the world celebrate their affection for one another. Families make heart-shaped pancakes.....Men buy red roses and chocolates...Some women even receive gifts such as jewelry.

But, what if you don't have a spouse?

What if you have a child who won't speak to you?

What if you are grieving the loss of your loved one?

Or, what if your "honey" doesn't buy flowers, chocolates, or jewelry?

What if you feel disappointed?

Unloved?

Whether we are celebrating the love of those around us, or we feel "left out" in this love thing, we need to remember our Heavenly Father loves us more than we can ever imagine.

For God so loved the world...

“We love because God first loved us!” (1John 4:19) We can only love God and take delight in Him because He FIRST loved us! "For God so loved the world, that He have His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) God loves the world so much that He sacrificed His one and only Son so that we may live.

God loves the WORLD, and you are included in the WORLD, but God loves YOU….personally. God loves YOU so much that He gave YOU Jesus.

When our youngest child Abby was about 8 months old, I was making my bed and I happened to look over at her. She was quietly napping in her swing. All of a sudden, I was filled with such an overflowing, intense, unconditional love for her. It was like a wave of love washed over me. I HAD to stop making the bed, drop everything and scoop her up, kissing her from top to bottom. I thought, "Abby, you are "addicting!" Sometimes I can't even do anything else but love on you!" I felt so much love for her.

She hadn't DONE anything.

She hadn't performed.

She wasn’t “being good.”

She was just….being.

And, I just felt overwhelming love for her. God whispered to my heart at that moment. “Tracy this is how I feel for you. I want to scoop you up and love on you. You don’t have to DO anything. You don’t have to perform. You don’t have to “be good.” Just BE.........”

Sweet Reader, God feels that way for you as well. He has an overflowing, intense, “gotta
stop what He is doing, scoop you up and love on you” unconditional love. Beloved, we don't have to DO anything, He JUST loves us! He just has to pick us up, breathe us in, kiss us, love on us.... The God of the Universe feels that way for YOU! Doesn't it just bring you to your knees?

God loves you and desires that you love Him back! “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. And He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17) Your God sings over you like a mother singing to her newborn babe cradled in her arms.

Do you get it?

Can you comprehend how much God loves YOU?

He takes delight in you. You make Him smile. You are His Beloved!

I'm sorry to say that our sweet husbands, children, parents, and friends will disappoint us at times....they are not meant to fill our needs, our longing...

Only your God can love you the way you need to be loved.

Completely.

Unconditionally.

Beyond measure.

And, because God loves us, He wants US to love one another.

This is the message we have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.-1John 3:11

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.-1John 3:18

Remember, LOVE isn't a FEELING. LOVE is an ACTION.

Love someone today.

Happy Valentine's Day!