Encouragement

When You Promised….. #30Layers30Days + #BlogLikeCrazy

Happy November 1st!!!

I am so excited about the month of November! Last year, I participated in GG’s  #30Layers30Days writing challenge on my social media platforms! It was an amazing experience!

I was so thrilled when I saw the prompts for this year in my email box! I am thankful for this space to share the experience with you all this year!

I am also a member of an amazing writing community called  “See JANE Write,” so I am joining in on the #BlogLikeCrazy Challenge also, well actually more like combining the challenges:)!  Find out more about the “See Jane Write” Community,  and the #BlogLikeCrazy Challenge  HERE !!

I hope you will join in!  I will put the prompts below for you!! Be sure to use the hashtags -#BlogLikeCrazy  and #30Layers30Days

Here’s to Today’s Prompt:

When You Promised….

Promises, promises are meant to be kept,  so why are so many broken?  It’s funny how committed I am to promises that I make to other people, but I have not always demonstrated that same loyalty to the promises that I have made to myself. Continue reading →

Don’t Focus on Your Haters, Pray For Them…

img_4544

If you know me personally,  you’d be surprised that I am even entertaining the topic of “Haters.”  I am known by my friends for despising this entire discussion.  I think people have a lot less haters than they think, and I also think people cheat themselves out of meaningful relationships because they are fearful of , or assume people are “hating.” 1491443229931Yet, as I read and wrote tonight’s Scripture passage, found in Luke 23: 33-38, I was inspired to dedicate this one discussion to the “Haters”,   after all,  they do exist, and I’ve never argued that.

In the text, we find Jesus being Crucified.  In the midst of being tortured and mocked,  He isn’t feeling sorry for Himself,  and He is not angry at the people who are responsible for His Crucifixion . Instead,  He concerns Himself with their well-being.  And instead of cursing them,  He prays,

Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing (Luke 23:34).

Continue reading →

Be Prepared to Carry Your Cross…

img_4527

Have you watched the movie  The Passion of Christ? I have only seen it once at the movie theater when it was first released. I found myself crying and burying my face in my hands so many times during the graphic depiction of the Crucifixion.  I can remember thinking to myself,  “You need to face this,” but no amount  of “self-coaching” would allow me to keep from turning away periodically. It was so difficult to watch , and I can 1491356395900only imagine that it was much worse than what was depicted on the screen.  Tonight’s passage is from Luke 23:26-30. I read it several times focusing on each verse.  I kept coming back to verse 26,

As they led Jesus away a man named Simon who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming from the countryside.  The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus.

Continue reading →

Do You Believe?…

img_09221491185001043

Today’s Scripture Writing comes from John 11:25-26, Jesus is providing a new perspective on death.   Because He is , “The Resurrection and Life” He promises Eternal Life to all those who will BELIEVE. This means, Believers “will live, even after dying. ” – v. 25 .

When this passage picks up, Jesus is talking to Martha.  After He shares this “Good News” with her about the eternal life of the Believer, He asks her , “Do you Believe?”   Continue reading →

When I Turn From My Selfish Ways…

 

img_0880

Several months ago a friend introduced me to a daily  Scripture Writing Challenge.  I had no idea how enriching and edifying the practice of Scripture writing would be.  I did not realize how much writing the verses would strengthen, not only my engagement with the words, but it would also ignite a deeper understanding of the words that I wrote.  It became an evening habit that was the best “night cap” to my day! No matter how great or challenging my day was, when I wrote the verses,  my spirit was lifted, and my hope awakened!   This month,  I will be sharing my Scripture Writing and insights here with you.

Continue reading →

Comparison = Joylessness + Neglect 

 

 

img_4460By now most of us have heard the popular saying, “Comparison is the thief of joy,” and many of us can testify that there is truth to those words. But, Did you know that comparison is a choice? Did you know that we can choose to admire, congratulate, cheer on, and even be inspired by others, WITHOUT comparing? Continue reading →

Progress over Perfection!

img_4350I recently read a quote that said,  “Writing is  somewhere between torture and fun.” I chuckled to myself because my initial thought was, “Ain’t that the truth!” I have been challenged to the max this year with actually PUBLISHING blog posts! Over the past 77 days, I have been pretty consistent with writing privately.  I have even created complete outlines for blog posts, but the challenge has  been actually getting those ideas from paper to a published blog! What I have realized is, I have been putting unnecessary pressure on myself to be “PERFECT.” Continue reading →