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9/23 words to live by

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Thy word have I hid in mine heart… Psalm 119:11


I get inspiration and encouragement from lots of places – from other people sharing their life experiences, nature, even from some of my favorite TV shows. Mostly, though, I’m motivated by words – expressions and sentiments that seem to settle within my soul,  bringing light to dark places, helping me stay centered and focused on the right things. Words might do the same for you.

This post is a sharing of just a few of my favorite words to live by. My list is way longer than these six, but these as of late seem to ring loudest within me. Enjoy.

Living in God’s true love is a process. First, God loves us, and by faith, we receive His love. We then love ourselves in a balanced way, give love back to God, and learn to love other people. Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life – a Daily Devotional

Life is reminding me daily that seasons come and seasons go. So much of what is now won’t always be. Cherish the people and things you delight in. Love on people who aren’t easy to love (life is too short). Make amends. Forgive. Keep praying on the things that are especially hard – they won’t always be either. Cultivate an eternal perspective. . . focus on what will truly last. So thankful that ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever’ (Hebrews 13:8). Kim Cash Tate

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11 KJV

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. Steve Jobs

I write because it’s cheaper than therapy. I write because it gives me patience. Writing for me is like praying on paper. What I pray for is compassion and empathy, for insight, and writing helps me pay attention. It helps me worry about folks who I think deserve some. It allows me to at least try to understand our shortcomings and virtues as human beings… but also how they sometimes get misappropriated. I want to know why we do what we do, and why we’re always so surprised by the outcome. I also write because I want to be a better person – I want us all to be better. But I accept this award on behalf of all African-American writers whose goal is to help put a smile on a reader’s face, a fire in their minds, and hope in their hearts, because that’s all we have.  Terri McMillan, in her acceptance speech at the 2002 Essence Awards

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. Ralph Waldo Emerson

What are your favorite quotes, verses or other readings that inspire your living?

 

Summer Graces

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To every thing there is a season… Eccles. 3:1 KJV


If you’re like me and not much of a cold weather person, the excitement for January’s start can quickly fade once the heart and harshness of winter settle in around us. Though I love hot chocolate, a good bowl of chili, and being wrapped in my favorite blanket in my favorite spot on the couch, I have to be honest: summer can’t arrive soon enough! My bones yearn for sunshine and the graces of a new season – hurry, please!

Well, winter’s grey has left us, and spring has birthed a new set of days with promises for life to abound. Summer is here!

I do enjoy summer’s opportunity for spontaneity, but like you, I do make some semblance of a plan so as to get the most out of the season’s days (because winter WILL return, right?). Here’s my list of what I’m looking forward to!

Thankful just to be able to start again, to welcome the new!

My “shetreat.” No, husband, you ain’t going, sisters, friends, nobody! Just me and God. I’m headed to beautiful Charleston SC this year, and can’t wait to partake of my favorites.

Outside of Charleston, I don’t have plans for a lot of other travel, but an extra beach trip is always in order. I can sit and look at the ocean all day…

What’s summer without a book or two? Hope to dig into Fervent by Priscilla Shirer, Grace from Max Lucado, and maybe something fun and totally random. Any suggestions?

I’m glad to be able to give and help someone else along. Looking forward to volunteering this summer at a local charity that’s doing great work for those in need in the Triangle NC area.

Time spent with family and friends is made extra special when you can cut up and just have some good ol’ fun. My family and I know how to do this quite well. Join us, won’t you?

Well, your turn! Tell me what’s on your summer’s horizon. Whatever you set out to do, be safe and enjoy!

Faith of a Woman

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For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. (Mark 5:28 KJV)


It is the belief that God is there, with her always. It is what keeps a smile on her face when times are hard. It’s the joy in her spirit when the world says she should worry. It is seeing it happen when no one else can or will. It is the size of a mustard seed, because that’s all it takes.

It is the faith of a woman – strong, hard, daring. Perfectly centered on her perfect God. Believing, seeing, knowing. How is faith achieved? How does one have faith? Have you ever met one of those women of God and witnessed the faith she has?

I believe faith is a gift. It is given of the same God to which it is aimed. He bestows it in a willing vessel for His glory and for others to behold. If received and used by the vessel, it is a powerful force, capable of moving mountains, opening and closing doors, making ways out of no ways.

The woman in Mark 5:28 had faith. She had no other choice. She was at the end of her rope; Jesus was her only option. Had been all along. Her faith brings her to Him. Or, to hem.

If I could only touch Him, she said. That will do it. That’s all I need. Just one touch. Her faith moved through Jesus so powerfully that He felt virtue leave Him. Where did it go? He had to know. He turned and saw a poor face. That’s where it went – to her.

I want to be that kind of woman, with that kind of faith. The faith that causes Jesus to stop in His tracks and look for me, to look at me, through me. To see it all. I want His love to heal me, save me, cover me, fill me. What a blessed way to live.

Nothing’s more beautiful than a woman with faith in her God – arms stretched out to hem, her first love.

Repost: New Day, May 2015

How have YOU demonstrated faith in God?