What Dreams Are Made of

When it comes to our goals, our heart's passion and dreams... Are we willing to allow God to first "mold, carve and shape" our hearts?

In doing so, we will be prepared by His sweet Spirit in ways we never expect. Strengthening. Pruning. Purging. Conditioning. When we are ready - just enough to step into the reality of our heart's desires - we may finally realize it's truly not what we desire after all and yes, more importantly, not what He wills for us. We are freed up to focus more on what our heart was designed for.

Transformational Freedom

There's a field not far from where I work I often go to during my lunch hour. The mall is just minutes away in the middle of all the traffic and chaos. But the field is set aside just enough from all that to be its own place of solitude... and it will draw you in.

I would just sit and read, write, rest, call a friend just to say hello or just sit and watch nature interact. The field is filled with a variety of flowers, birds, bees, insects, butterflies - you name it. And a groundhog or two. Today the butterflies caught my interest.

Unfolding Grace ... God's Glory Revealed

This week has unfolded to be an incredible week. I have new understanding what it means to be patient, to trust and to be committed … to Him.

Earlier this week I took my focus off His promise to sustain me as He reminds us in 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.” All I saw in that time of weakness was my own situation, albeit I was worn, exhausted and in the first threads of depression. I was ready to permanently walk away from most of the blessings He provided me, including fellowship. In fear and with lack of trust, I stated, “I am leaving.”

The Seeds of Motherhood

In honor of and in remembrance of all Mothers with all thanksgiving to God…

“When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:26-27)

While enduring pain and suffering on the cross, Jesus turned His focus and care toward His mother, Mary. He lovingly and tenderly spoke, releasing her to the care of His beloved disciple, John. It was a moment that radiated the love of Jesus for His mother whom He held so very dearly in His heart.

With Wings as Eagles

As I looked down from the mountaintop, I noticed an eagle ready to take flight from its rocky perch. “Fear not,” came a whisper to my heart. The eagle sprung forward and took flight.

The first few moments of its flight shouted “Freedom!” The eagle circled and zig-zagged purposefully yet gracefully. Another word settled in my heart: “Rejoice!” The eagle spiraled downward into the cavern, then with its mighty wings, it climbed the air and screeched. The echo imprinted itself in the air current as the eagle straightened its body and flew out of my view toward its destination.

I Am a Woman of God

Just recently I came thru a season when I was challenged to discover who I am – not to know my name, not to make a list of labels that describe what I do or what gifts or talents I may possess. I’m talking about who I am at the core of who God created me to be.

What I learned is who I am is a reflection of whose I am, a reflection of His love carried thru the generations of His beloved creation. I am a daughter of the King. I am a woman of God.

Roots of Glory

Where I live, the terrain is a mix of farmland, woods, lakes, streams and patches of small to medium size hills and rocky slopes. In any season it's a beautiful drive on the outskirts of town.  

One of many things that inspires me the most are the trees that poke their tiny branches through layers of solid rock on the hillsides. The tree's tenacity, thrive to survive and ability to overcome obstacles of hardened surface surrounding it are incredible. Immediately I think of Jeremiah 17:8, "They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

On His Mark, Get Set, Go!

Last night I dreamed that someone was teaching me how to run. He didn't just teach me with words. He ran beside me. We started running series of simple sprints. After each run, he'd point out what made that run even better than the previous. Without putting too much focus on what was slowing me down or what I was doing wrong, the focus was more on the dynamics involved with motion, breathing and physical stamina.

Shine On!

There were eight of us linked arm in arm. We inched our way forward. Just a little over an hour before then, the sun was lighting the woods of the Swedish village of Gislaved. But no more. It was dark. Spooky dark. This forest was unlike any I have ever experienced. The woods in Pennsylvania are kind. At least they allow the moonlight to slip through the branches. Not where we were. I held my hand in front of my face, but I wasn't sure my hand was indeed cooperating and if my eyes were even open. I couldn't see a fraction of anything, not the blurry shape of my hand, not a sliver of light.

We were afraid to take big steps, fearing we'd fall into the abyss. Funny how the darkness changed our perception. Our steps were wobbly and insecure, even though we already knew the dirt road was flat and wide, free and clear of obstacles for at least a half mile. We were only a few steps away from the cottage we rented, but the porch light was already dim and seemed to be blocks away. Even so, we all kept moving one small step at a time.

A Precious Identity ... You are loved!

If you are in the midst of heartbreak, and the pain or the hurt is overwhelming you with sorrow; if words, rejection or abuse from others strained your emotions, leaving you to feel helpless, hopeless, worthless and unloved, dear one, there is someone thinking of you and loving you this very moment with an unconditional love that always was and always will be. There is one who understands your sorrow, your confusion, your doubt. God is that someone. The flow of His love is moving through all hearts open to receive it. You are never alone. You are loved. You are accepted. You are so very precious. God loves you!

Forgiveness - A Heart Unchained

What does it mean to forgive someone? Webster defines forgive as “to give up resentment of or claim to requital for; to cease to feel resentment against (an offender)” What does this mean to you? 

Offering forgiveness is not always easy, especially if the hurt is deep. Yet, with forgiveness, there is freedom from having to carry the burden and the pain of the offense in your heart. Forgiveness is also releasing unhealthy and damaging roots of emotions that come as a result: anger, resentment, bitterness and replacing it all with compassion and mercy. That doesn’t mean giving the offender an excuse for their wrongful actions, words or motives. That means to simply pass on the peace that comes with forgiveness, often through positive peaceful action and interaction - the channel for carrying forward God’s command for us to love one another. Where there is peace, there is fertile ground to share seeds of love and hope for a change of heart in those who’ve done you wrong and most, a change of heart in ourselves.

Rejection - Shunned By Man; Welcomed By God

Occasionally others share with me their experiences with rejection. Their heart-break saddens me deeply. Sometimes these stories come to me from seemingly peaceful, picture perfect, “got it together” relationships – at least from the outside. Yet on the inside, there is a different reality. This reality is where the core of heartbreak, pain and depression surfaces as a result of the lack of compassion, lack of unconditional love, lack of understanding and lack of acceptance of others.

Jesus experienced rejection. He knew the pain and the depth of feeling shunned and pushed away from society, from His own people, from family, friends and from His Disciples.

Precious Geodes

One of the most precious 'souvenirs' I brought home from a vacation nearly six years ago was a geode. The outside was just a plain rock - nothing out of the ordinary, yet what I discovered inside the rock when I split it open was a beautiful glimmering crystal.