alone with Him

My heart has been heavy, feeling a bit overwhelmed. Not sure why. I need to stop, slow down, enter into His presence, seek His peace, His love, His joy, His strength, His comfort, His Word, alone in prayer. Just Him and me. 

1 John 4:4  “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

Joshua 1:9  “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 9:9-10  “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

Isaiah 41:10  “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

who do you want to be?

Be Someone

Be someone who listens, and you will be heard.
Be someone who cares, and you will be loved.
Be someone who gives, and you will be blessed.
Be someone who comforts, and you will know peace.

Be someone who genuinely seeks to understand, and you will be wise.
Be someone kind, someone considerate, and you will be admired.
Be someone who values truth, and you will be respected.
Be someone who takes action, and you will move life forward.
Be someone who lifts others higher, and your life will be rich.
Be someone filled with gratitude, and there will be no end to the things for which you’ll be thankful.
Be someone who lives with joy, with purpose, as your own light brightly shines.
Be, in every moment, the special someone you are truly meant to be.

© 2003 Ralph S. Marston, Jr.

what i see

It's a dreary, rainy day.  Looking out the kitchen window, I see a Crepe Myrtle tree.  Actually, there are several (my favorite tree).  But, this particular one has unusual fall colors.  Some leaves are tones of golden yellow, while others are shades of rich burgundy.  Unique and different, yet part of the whole.

You know what this reminds me of?  

Family.  Everyone knows how it is, from its roots, to the trunk, extending out to branches.  We have a family, we are a family, we belong to a family.  Like trees in a forest, there are many different families. Unique families. Families that intertwine, that continue to spread, that become new families, and the cycle goes on and on.

Life is beautiful. 

The clouds have parted giving way to a beautiful Carolina blue sky. The sun is bright and glistening on the Crepe Myrtle trees. 

Yep, life is beautiful!

quick quotes

quotes from one of my all time favorites: CS Lewis

i don't consider it a 'fun fact' but...

I came across this last week. It applies to some types of depression. Yes, there are several types with specific symptoms and specific treatments. 

Although there are a number of tv commercials for depression medications, for the most part, mental health still carries an unspoken stigma. The public has become aware of the subject, yet it's still an awkward conversation. 

Tell someone you have cancer, and they understand. There are numerous types and treatments for cancers. Tell someone you have depression, and they (typically) don't understand. They don't want to talk about it. Depression can be an uncomtable subject. And no, we're not crazy. 

it's Autumn!

Nothing could be finer than to be in North Carolina when the Blue Ridge Mountains are painted by the strokes of the Lord God, Creater of all.  I have trembled at the overwhelming beauty spread all around me... Life is good...

only a month away

Facebook is a wealth of information. Several pages I like have beautiful ideas for Christmas decorations. Here are just a few of my favorites:

testing & trials

Sometimes I can't see beyond a trying time or a testing of my faith or learning thru my trials. I admit, I often ask 'why me?, 'what now?', 'haven't I had enough?', 'how can this make me happy?', 'again?', 'how can I deal with any more?', 'haven't I been here before'.

'Lord, I need you', 'Lord, I give it all to you', 'Lord, use me', 'Lord, teach me',  'Lord, strengthen me', Lord, lead me', 'Lord, may Your will be done'.

See? There's an indescribable difference! Leaning on the everlasting arms of Jesus my Lord... That's the only way...

lessons learned in life