The Plan I Have For You

Remember that saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?"  The truth is words can hurt.  They can tear right through the very fiber of your soul.  Sometimes its not even the words that hurt but the context in which they are said. This morning, I crafted a quick, smart reply on instant message to something that struck a cord with me.  Finger ready to hit "send," conviction hit me like a sword in my chest.  Words, they do hurt.   Deuteronomy 2:2-3 Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. I will proclaim the name of the Lord . Oh, praise the greatness of our God! These words in Deuteronomy speak of the words of God, how they should fall gently and be nourishing to the soul.  Our words should be too. Not only do we need to guard our tongues from the harmful words we say, we need to make mor...

There may be a lonely valley, waiting just around the bend. Many trials will come, before I reach my journey’s end. But through them I’ll be faithful, as I walk in victory. Pressing toward to the moment when my father says to me: Well done my child, your race is over You have fought the fight, and you’ve kept the faith Enter in to the joy of the Lord. Well done my child, you crown is waiting. Here is your robe of white, your mansion is just inside. Come in to the city of the light, well done my child… When I finally see the streets of Gold and the gates of pearl. I know that I’ll forget my every struggle in this world. Every pain and heartache will quickly fade away. In that glorious moment when, I hear my Savior say: Well done my child, your race is over You have fought the fight, and you’ve kept the faith Enter in to the joy of the Lord. Well done my child, you crown is waiting. Here is your robe of white, your mansion is just inside. Come in to the city of the l...

Its been one of those weeks.  The weather has been terrible, and I just have a bad case of the blahs.  The mountains before me this week seem a little taller, and a lot more intimidating.  I have struggled to write, but I made a commitment.  So this morning, I sat down in front of my computer and prayed again for a message to share.  After reading another passage and praying for guidance, it still wasn't coming.  I decided to scan through facebook for a few minutes to clear my mind.  In my news feed was a verse: Psalm 66:5 NLT   Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles He performs for people! And below the continuing story of a family and the provision of God after a serious car accident: https://www.facebook.com/UnwrappingHisGrace Part of our responsibility as Christians is to encourage one another.  Every one of us has a story of God's amazing provision in our lives.  Today, I want you to help me write the...

I'm in love with a mixer.  Yes, its the Empire Red KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer.  An avid cook, kitchen appliances and utensils rank on my wish list.  I've been drooling over her for quite some time. See this beauty?  She's my Sunbeam.  Purchased from a neighbor after his wife passed away from cancer, she is my first stand mixer.  She has a heavy duty motor, dough hook, and she mixes a mean batch of chocolate icing.  The kind that leaves your average hand mixer smokin'. In all honesty, the KitchenAid Artisan mixer is a shiny newer version of what I already have.  My Sunbeam has created many memories in our home...birthday cakes, goodies for friends and family, and most importantly the opportunity for me and my children to spend time together. I didn't get to know my neighbor that well, she passed not too long after we moved here.  But I am sure the mixer made plenty of memories in her house too.  I unders...

Happy New Year!  Its a chance for people all across the world to reflect on the past year and to create "resolutions" for the one upcoming.  First of all, let me say thank you.  During the past year "The Plan I Have For You" has grown in readership and has now been viewed by almost 3,200 people in 10 countries.  I am humbled.  I never would have dreamed the desire God laid on my heart to use my love for writing as a ministry tool would reach such a broad audience.  Today in my quiet time, I found these verses: 1 Timothy 4:14-16 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. 15 Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers. Until now, my blog has been something I've committed...

I have my alarm set to a contemporary Christian station.  A few weeks ago, God woke me with these words from Colton Dixon's song "You Are" If I had no voice, If I had no tongue, I would dance for you like the rising sun. And when that day comes and I see your face. I will shout your endless glorious praise. I've been a part of a church choir for many years.  As I sing, its my shout to God for his amazing grace, provision and mercy on my life.  Its as much of a ministry and a blessing to my heart to stand and sing as I hope it is to those who hear it. In July of 2011, I had a very minor ear surgery.  The procedure, simple, performed in office, was the greatest thing in the world for the dizziness and constant pain I had been facing.  I never expected something so simple to literally change my life.  As soon as the procedure was finished, I could tell sounds I heard all my life were very different. The doctor assured me it would level out in the coming...

As I sit writing this morning, the sun is breaking through the clouds from the east in an explosion of warmth and light that makes me think of heaven.  These moments in life where we see just a tiny glimpse of what the eternal holds, they are so special. Tears of joy, that's what's flooding my face right now.  Reflecting on the past few months and the sweet release God has brought me.  Recently, several of our choir members prepared cardboard testimonies to use during our Christmas musical.  The stories just our group can share of God's amazing plan for each of us is yet another small glimpse of the greatness of our Lord.  My "testimony" is the final one.  It was meant to be a general summary of how nothing compares to life with Jesus.  Ironically, it accurately describes my journey as a Christian. I was brought up in church and saved as a child.  I have no doubt the experience was real and I know with certainty I gave my heart to Jesus that...