as it should be

"LORD, You have assigned me my portion and my cup, you have made my lot secure... (AND)
I will praise the LORD, who counsels me... I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Psalm 16:5,7-8

Before God brings deliverance He brings transformation...
And, sometimes God's deliverance is delayed for a greater victory.

Father, i believe You, but i need a dose of patience.  Actually, i need a lot.  My guess is greater patience is a required part of my transformation.  

Breathe in, breathe out.  Please chisel away my fears and doubts, Father, gently, yet assuredly, from the inside out.
Thank You.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ reason

"'Come now, let us reason together,' says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.'"  Isaiah 1:18

With our permission, God has the power and desire to be our Cleansing Agent... no stains, no streaks, no regrets.

Thank You, Jesus!

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ Good

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." Psalm 34:8

Open your heart, mind and soul to Him, and be filled with His goodness.

Thank You, Father!

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

can you see it?

"He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me." Psalms 18:19

The Snow... what did you think about it?  Like noses, opinions vary.  I heard rumbles of delight, fright, joy, disappointment, relief, fear.  Many hunkered in, while others excitedly bolted out.  For some it was too much and for others not nearly enough.

One thing for sure, the velvety white blanket caused us to stopped, or at least slowed down from our normal routine. 

I hope the disruption brought more peace into your life than stress.  When God steps in and slows us down from our busy agendas, we have a chance to see diamonds glistening around us.  Do you believe this?  If not, then take a closer look at the velvety blanket.

Zooming in on my simple, old phone camera, you can clearly see the diamonds He has sprinkled around us reflecting His Joyous, Glorious Light.


Thank You, Father, for directing my eyes back on You and Your desired goodness and blessings for us.  The true riches in life are not of this earth, but come from You and the heavens.



friend, we are loved and chosen  by God,
veneal

when less is more

"Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him." Psalm 62:5

No school, again.

Another day to have more time with Him.  Counting my blessings.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

what are you doing?

The LORD says...
"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are My ways higher than your ways
    and My thoughts than your thoughts. 
 As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower 
and bread for the eater, 
 so is My word that goes out from My mouth:
    It will not return to Me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire    
 and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:9-11

Reflecting on this snowy day the Truths of our Father.  He speaks and will accomplish what He desires.  
EnJOY the snowy break, and believe His Word.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ dance

The LORD says...
"Then maidens will dance and be glad, your men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow." Jeremiah 31:13

Do not despair.  You will dance again... God will see to it.

BE-lieve and trust Him.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

I see flakes!

"A friend loves at all times..." Proverbs 17:17

Bad news rattle our nerves, old memories seep out exposing raw emotions, hasty decisions chill our heart and soul. As the frigid winds of life blow and numb my bones, i'm reminded this is still a season filled with God's love.  This wintry weather reminds me of a true and warming fact, God will not leave us out in the cold alone.  He provides us with flakes... snow flake friends.  With our Maker's guidance, they build us up when we are down, and stick tightly to us through trials and hardships.

All flakes are unique and straight from above,
a true gift from our Father sent to us with His love.

No two are alike and each provides a special part,
strengthening and keeping us together with Him in our heart.

And when their job here on earth is gone,
They are called back "home" for His Will has been done.

May your heart be warmed and soul be filled with the love and knowledge God is tending to our needs in all seasons.  

Father, I'm so grateful for all my flakes during the winter seasons.  You truly know what we need. Thank You.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

He has a dream...

"...God our Savior wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the Truth." 1 Timothy 2:3-4

The first dream maker, our Father. His dream is the beginning and answer to many other good dreams.

Share the Good News and help His dream come closer to a reality.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

It's not what you think

"God is love." 1 John 4:8

 If i heard it once, i heard it a hundred times this week... "Why is a Christmas tree still up in the library?"  Watching Dion stare at the tree, i just knew he was thinking what others had been saying. But when i asked him, "do you know what kind of tree this is?", i was the one surprised. 

Quietly he responded, "a green tree." Prepared (once again) to defend and proclaim our transformed Christmas tree is now a Jan Brett winter snow tree, i was stunned. 

Depending on the season, a tree actually can be decorated and called by many different names -- Christmas, snow, Valentine, President, American, Easter, etc.  But at it's true root, Dion was correct.  It is a green tree and will always be a green tree first no matter what is added to it during different seasons.

How would you describe God? Depending on our circumstances, needs and seasons we call God by many different names --  Protector, Defender, Healer, Savior, Shelter, Rock, Deliverer, Friend, Helper, Comforter, Keeper, Redeemer.  But at the root and core of God, He is first Love. No matter what we need for Him to be for us, His relationship with us will always be built first on a foundation of Love.

Thank You, Father, for loving us first.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ new

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!" Isaiah 43:18-19

More numerous than the stars are the blessings our Father have in store for us. Let us keep our eyes on Him.

Thank You, Father.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

if...

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8

We all have them -- those rear-view moments that turn into WOW moments. Do you know what i mean?  When on the backside of a trial, you realize God was with you every step of the way.  These moments reveal a sacred Truth; if God is in the midst of things when we are unaware of it, how much more is He also in the midst of things troubling us right now.

I.Must.Leave.All.My.Worries.With.Him.  HE.HAS.THIS.TOO.

In a trial, check your mirror; God is present and with you.

Thank You, Father!

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ winner

"Because of the Lord’s great love (for us) we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail." Lamentations 3:22

His compassions never, never, never, never, never, NEVER fail -- no matter what.

And the winner...

You and me!

Belonging to God is a win that never ends or disappoints.
Thank You, Father!!

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

He's here!

Jesus said...
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19-20

Returning to school after a wonderful sleep-in late, laid-back two week break was hard.  But last week i saw something that put a skip in my step and a big smile on my face ...Jesus in our parking lot!

With "Jesus" clearly written on both sides and a big cross on the hood, there was no mistaking who was there.  But then i remembered, He is always there, maybe not in a truck, but always in my heart.

Skip and smile big, because Jesus is always wherever we are, my sisters and brothers in Christ. May others see Him too in what we do and say today.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

celebrating today!

"I am the LORD, and 
I will bring you out from under (your circumstances). 
I will free you from (bondage), and 
I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with might acts of judgment.  
I will take you as My own, and 
I will be your God."  Exodus 6:6-7

I am so thankful for the Great "I Will's"...

No matter what happens or doesn't happen today, we are still cherished, pursued and loved by God.  And that is reason enough to celebrate.  Believe and know He will see us through each day as He sees fit.

Thank You, Father.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ goals

" Live in peace with each other...
warn those who are idle...
encourage the timid...
help the weak...
be patient with everyone...
always try to be kind to each other...
be joyful always...
pray continually...
give thanks in all circumstances...
test everything...
hold on to the good...
avoid every kind of evil..." 1 Thessalonians 5:13-22

My goal in 2016... greater faithful living.  That's what i'm striving for one day at a time.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,

veneal

pass the Handbook, please

“I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free.” Psalm 119:32

As one year ends and another beings, i also find myself winding down from a hectic season of ups and downs. Will 2016 be easier or more challenging?  Am i ready for the days ahead? Now is the right time to reflect, redirect and refresh. In preparing my mind, body and soul for 2016, i need to review a Good Handbook.  Maybe you can benefit from it too.

HANDBOOK 2016

Health:

1.       Drink plenty of water.

2.       Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

3.       Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured 

          in plants.

4.       Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.

5.       Make time to pray.

6.       Play more games.

7.       Read more books than you did in 2015.

8.       Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

9.       Sleep for 7 hours.

10.    Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11.    Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

12.    Don't have negative thoughts on things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in

         the positive present moment.

13.    Don't overdo. Keep your limits.

14.    Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

15.    Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

16.    Dream more while you are awake.

17.    Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

18.    Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past.

         That will ruin your present happiness.

19.    Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

20.    Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

21.    No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

22.    Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.  Problems are simply part of the 

         curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will

         last a lifetime.

23.    Smile and laugh more.

24.    You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:

25.    Call your family often.

26.    Each day give something good to others.

27.    Forgive everyone for everything.

28.    Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of  6.

29.    Try to make at least three people smile each day.

30.    What other people think of you is none of your business.

31.    Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32.    Do the right thing!

33.    Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

34.    GOD heals everything.

35.    However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

36.    No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

37.    The best is yet to come.

38.    When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.

39.    Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

And when all else fails or questions arise, consult the original Handbook on living life to the fullest… the Bible.  It is a proven and true Source for everything under the “Son”!

friend, you are loved and chosen by God,

veneal

can you see it?

"For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. " Psalms 149:4

He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me." Psalms 18:19

The Snow... just like noses, most everyone's opinion of it varies.  There was delight, fright, joy, disappointment, relief, fear.  Some hunkered in, while others excitedly bolted out.  For some it was too much stuff and for others not nearly enough.

One thing for sure, the velvety white blanket caused us to stopped, or at least slowed down from our normal routine. 

I hope the disruption brought more peace into your life than stress.  When God steps in and slows us down from our busy agendas, we have a chance to see diamonds glistening around us.  Do you believe this?  If not, then take a closer look at the velvety blanket.

Zooming in on my simple, old phone camera, you can clearly see the diamonds He has sprinkled around us reflecting His Joyous, Glorious Light.


Thank You, Father, for directing my eyes back on You and Your desired goodness for us.  The true riches in life are not of this earth, but come from You and the heavens.



friend, we are loved and chosen  by God,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ cheers

"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

It's a day of new beginnings... rejoice!

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

what's new?

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-24

If you got up this morning with yesterday’s worries… go back to bed and try again.  It’s a brand new day and a brand new year; and God has chosen to share it with you!  May there be singing instead of tears; trust, instead of fear; joy, instead of dread; and peace, instead of worry.

But I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal