January 1, 2015

Seek…

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seek… look, find, in search of, quest, search by questioning, obtain, try or attempt, to go to, to ask for, request, explore…
…God, truth, mystery, faith.
As 2014, has rolled away to the yesterday of my focus on belonging – Where to I belong? Who do I belong to? Do I belong? – it has evolved into the hunger for deeper truths, binding truths and roots of faith. In a world so upside down, disjointed and marginalized – unity is lacking, even among the faithful of God’s people. Even as my “restless” soul tried to nestle into the Lord – I felt a void – a sense of completion, certitude, assurance was still evading me. There was more that I wasn’t seeing…I needed to seek…the Lord.

But if from [there] you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29

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Though I had been through an amazing year of true joys, true sorrows and true redemption, I was so confused. I was anything but certain that I had found my place. No, the Lord had more in store for me – seek. Why? I have everything. I am so comfortable. I have a good thing going on. People need me. No seek. What? Seek what? Seek more…

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his presence always.
1 Chronicles 16:10-11

seek-godMore. Of God…I was already overwhelmed and had a lot going on. But seek more of God. Ok. So digging deep into the roots of who God created me to be and deep into the knowledge and truth of who God is…I will seek…

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 9:10
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matt. 7:7-8, Luke 11:9-10
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. “For in him we live and move and have our being.” As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ Acts 17:26-28
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

…I am not just seeking verses that contain the word “seek”…it is all a matter of faith, belief and mystery. I am seeking God’s truth, God’s plan…because all other “truths” and “plans” have failed me. It has caused hurt and schisms and led to restlessness and ingratitude. This year, this day, this moment in the wake of God’s revealing purposes – one joy at a time and one gift at a time – it is time to take a perspective shift. As His purposes are being revealed, coupled with seeing God’s gifts being used – I will SEEK, praise, trust and give thanks – Eucharisteo. (One Thousand Gifts, 2008)
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Seek ye first the kingdom or God and His righteousness, and all [your needs] shall be given to you…Matthew 6:33

Happy Blessed New Year,
Shariprpl

 

January 2, 2014

Walk through the Bible in a month and a year…

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daily god book So in my quest/decision to choose a new devotional for 2014 – I didn’t need to choose – it was gifted. Yes, a Christmas gift. So I thought,  awesome!!  I love all devotionals that read like Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling books. I was almost tempted to buy another Bible – a One Year Bible this month but I am glad I didn’t.

This devotional – The Daily God Book: A Year of Listening for God by Erin Keeley Marshall – is set up a bit differently; there is a Bible passage to look up (so you must keep the “good book” close by), there is a theme – a message – and finally a prayer called ‘Talk to HIM’ and a thought challenge to carry with you all day long. I just love the set up. But more than that I love how the entire year of the devotional walks through the Bible. It is awesome to see a devotional incorporate the WORD into daily devotions – not just a verse but passages of Scripture. It is so important to rely on the Word of God to meet your daily, monthly and yearly needs. And so perfect for morning, evening or morning & evening devotions. I am so excited to walk this year through the Word, with the help of this devotional.

the-storycvr Also on my list of books to read – this month – is The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People foreward by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee. This was a Christmas present last year and I was hoping to delve into it but better late than never and what a great read to start the year. I hope to be completed by the end of January. So, with all that I have chosen to take on this year – I know God is right behind (beside, before and around) me – I know that He knew that I was hungry to experience and understand more of His WORD, His truth, His Promises – HIS STORY!

I am all set to start 2014 – with gusto and true passion for the Word of God – I am amazed at what the Lord does with productive choices and longings. I know this year will be filled with ups and downs, I know the struggles will come and I know the doubt will creep in – BUT – I am determined to cling to His promises and HIS WORD that I may see the truth I craved last year and beginning this year afresh with the choice to make the Lord the focus of my every day – through this year of walking through the words of truth and grace – I will truly see where I belong, where my place is in His Story as long as I listen to His voice.

I pray this year that I hear Him and hear Him clearly – that I may see the path that He has set for me…
The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind. Proverbs 15:24

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14.

Grace and Peace be with you today and throughout this year!
Many Blessings,

Shari

 

December 31, 2011

One Word 2012: Health

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Last year my good friend, Amy (@Backseatwriter) wrote her One Word 2011 post for New Year’s Day. I didn’t. I wrote a post, yes, reflecting on my year past and the things I hoped to change in Reflections: A Year Past and A Year Ahead. In my post I had hoped that my 2011 would be brighter and filled with less of the stress, anxiety, negativity, pain and bitterness that overshadowed 2010 .It seemed each day was filled with dread – dread of each day at work, more bad news, more ho hum days, grim, grey and faithless. Looking back on my 2010 reflections, I suppose “trust” should’ve been my One Word 2011.

Not that 2011 was uneventful, no it was filled with a lot of events. Unbelievable events, uncertainty, and many questions filled 2011.  I claimed faith and trust in my Savior at the beginning of the year:

“And though it seems cold and solitary – my Saviour walks with me.
This year, this journey – I have no idea what lies ahead on this road.
I have to take it and I have to rely on my faith and communion with my God to make the journey…

I know that I will look and I will see the miracles, the grace, the joys and the hope.
Through the hard times and the pain – I will still see Him and I will rejoice.
I know I won’t understand everything but I haven’t given up and I know I am not ready to.
During this “new year” I am determined to rely on my faith and my God to guide my steps.
I am hoping and praying for a better year or a better way to handle what comes.
I truly hope and pray for a blessed 2011!”

I had no idea that I would have to trust God – I said I would trust Him and He guided me through life changing emotional pain, emergency surgery, cancer, medical bills, more surgery, renewed faith, relationships and He is still holding my hand. As of December 19th – my health is still of concern to my doctors, I am ending 2011 with uncertainty, about my health and wellness.

So this year I am claiming my “health” – yes, my physical, emotional and spiritual health. I am claiming it in the name of God. I feel like my trust came with faith and my health will come with happiness and abundance. No matter how dark the days seem, I have this irrepressible hope that remains. So I claim my health and happiness and my faith, trust and hope shall remain as I enter this year of uncertainty.

I claim my health for 2012. What are you claiming for this coming year? What is your ONE WORD 2012?

Have a blessed New Year! In Jesus’ name! May He bless you always!