what are you wearing?

"I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

On Halloween or on any day, no matter how you are dressed, you are beautiful to God.  He created and designed you specifically for this day and time.  May you draw others to Him as His light shine through you.

we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

BE a pumpkin!

"...God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done.." Genesis 2:2-3

Friday is here, and it's the end of another hectic week... projects due, deadlines looming, events evolving.  And then there's the regular work routine still intact. Think i'll be a pumpkin this weekend...

Time to sit still and smile... and thank God for ordering and modeling how to live.

we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

you did what??

"Then Job replied to the Lord:  ^'I know that You can do all things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.'" Job 42:1-2

Bad news
Lost documents
Destroyed relationships
Forgotten appointments
Hurtful words
Careless actions
Selfish decisions
Missed opportunities
Wrong choices 

Nothing surprises God... nothing catches Him guard... nothings causes Him to be unprepared... Nothing keeps Him from accomplishing His Will.  
Everything will be fine, not because of us, but because of God.

He knows... He cares... and He loves you.  He is in control.

Thank You, Father.

we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

feeling rattled?

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.  Great is our Lord and mighty in power, His understanding has no limit." Psalm 147:4-5

He who has numbered the stars, has also numbered each bone and created each cell in our body.  We may get rattled, but because of Him, we are not destroyed!

Thank You, Father.

we are loved and chosen by God,

veneal 

Mighty Word ~ courageous

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

No matter the season, nothing is too terrifying with God. So thankful He is always with us.

we are loved and chosen by God, 
veneal

with each step...

"Does God not see my ways and count my every step?" Job 31:4

Approximately 4,862,000 steps culminated our school's major fund raising event.  Over 700 students accepted the challenge of signing up and collecting pledges for the fun run. 

For each lap completed donations were earned. For each step taken excitement built in reaching their goal -- the finish line.  Whether for raising dollars or for team spirit, encouragement, cheers and celebration greeted each and every student all around the course. 

4,862,000 total steps, give or take a few thousands.  At best, we can only estimate the total number of steps in the fun run.  But there is One who knows the exact, absolute number.  God counted each and every one, and He still does.  He doesn't miss a single step or detail in our life. When we can't think, remember, count, go or do, He does.  His love for us is unending, unfailing, unstoppable and undeniable. Truly we can't count all the steps in our day, but we can count on God.
Thank You, Father.

we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

fall to Him

The LORD said...
"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." Jeremiah 31:25

It's what i need most right now... Him.

Father, i am running on empty and running to You.  Thank You for catching and reviving me.

we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

what are you climbing?

"He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His Arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young." Isaiah 40:11

Instead of climbing walls...

Climb into His loving Arms.

There we will find comfort and peace... and it's safer.

we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ variety

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1

Do you know of any two children who are exactly alike?

No matter who you are, 
what you are like, 
what you do, 
how different you are from others, 

GOD LOVES YOU! 
Just the way you are.

We are loved and cherished by God, 
Veneal

Stresssssed?

"When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul." Psalm 94:19

Do this, do that, get this, get that, make this, make that, go here, go there... hurry, hurry, hurry!  The deadline is near!
Can you relate?

Gray clouds are going to clear up.....

put on a happy face.

Breathe and remember this time will pass. You will survive. You have before and you will again, with the One True Helper who always holds us close.

Thank You, Jesus!

we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

ouch!!

"He has made everything beautiful in its time." Ecclesiastes 3:11

Stung from the words or actions of another?  Just remember, God is in the business of caring for and healing all our hurts.  He has the Power to make something beautiful out of all things.  As you trust Him, i'm praying you soon see and feel  the goodness of His Loving Hands.

Thank you, Father for taking and tending to our stings.

we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

a real ding-a-ling

"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise." Psalm 98:4 KJV

I had not considered my minister a ding-a-ling.  But, he is.  When asked to join the children's hand bell team during the service, he did.  Towering over the others, he stood attentively on the end clutching his two bells.  With direction and on cue, he cheerfully rang with God's other children and helped deliver a joyful noise to God and all present.

In everything we do... teaching, singing, disciplining, dancing, ringing, playing, drawing... may we do it making a joyful noise to the Lord.   

we are loved and chosen by God, Hallelujah!
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ safe

"He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters." Psalm 18:16

If your boots aren't tall enough to keep you out of the deep waters, His Arms are long enough to pull you up.

Trusting our One and Only True Savior in all things.

we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

the stars are out!

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians3:12-13

Our school fundraiser campaign kicked off on the red carpet. To compliment the theme, the halls were filled with movie stars/teachers ready to tackle the lead role of cheerleader for the classroom competitions. It didn't take long during the pep rally to see students star struck, and excited to join the fund raising event.

I think most will agree teachers surely wear more hats than any other profession.  And, adding the role of a movie star is a natural one. They dress for a variety of different parts from-the-heart everyday, going to any length needed to reach, motivate, teach, inspire and "love on" their students.  What ever they pour out, students drink up, and their minds grow as they are challenged and encouraged.  I love working with the best movie stars on earth... teachers and all other school support team members.

No matter what the day holds, with Him, you, His Stars, bring out the shine in our students.

you are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ healing

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

Crushed, falling apart?

Don't despair. No matter how bad things are, we are never alone or forsaken. God will care for and watch over us... His promises are true.


we are loved and chosen by God, 
veneal

where there's smoke....

"The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth."  Psalm 45:18

How did you finish the above phrase?  If i were a bettor, i'd say most did with "...there's fire".  But as i experienced in the beginning of the school year, that's not always the case. 

Sometimes where there's smoke, there is "an opportunity".  In the library, smoke bombs were released to test the smoke alarm... an opportunity to insure safety mechanisms were functioning properly in case of a fire. 

Father, smoke bombs are dropping left and right in our world.  Give us the patience and wisdom to remember it might have more to do with an opportunity and need to turn and talk to You than an actual fire. I want to turn the smoke bombs into active prayer bombs as we are reminded to look first to You for directions and for protection.

we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

Seek Shelter

This re-post is actually from exactly one year ago today... God's Word still rings true. Prayers to all in the path of Matthew. 

The LORD said...
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you (your name) are mine.
 When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
     the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..."  Isaiah 43:1-3

When words fall short, His Arms reach in.

When darkness comes, His Light still prevails.

When tears roll, His Strength still holds.

When fear overcomes,  His Comfort sustains.

When doubts seeps in, His Peace washes over.

When anger demands time, His Joy conquers. 

When all else fails, His Love never, never quits.

He knows, He cares, He can, He will... Resting in the great I Am.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

here's the point...

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." Jeremiah 31:25

This has been a trying week for many. And like many of you i am mentally and physically whipped.  Several days i've been tempted to skip sharing a Word with you, but God who is faithful, even when we are not, carries on... if not through us, then others.

This week a bright-eyed student dashed in the library and stopped right in front of my face. Holding his treasured pencil high in the air, he beamed and said, "Look!!" I did and then asked him how he knew i'd like to see his pencil.

He said, "My teacher told me!"  I shot Ms. B a note of thanks for making my day. She shared the following note with me:

The little boys that brought our library books this morning were having the best conversation about that “Got God?” pencil this morning.  One said, “Do you see this cool pencil that my dad got me?  It has God’s name on it… you know God… the one who created us!”  The other little boy said, “Yeah, I know God… he created everything.  Everybody knows God, but some people don’t understand that he saved us…”

Sometimes it’s the little things you over hear that make your day!

Thank you, Mrs. B, for encouraging me and reminding to keep my eyes and ears open to the blessings around us.  And thank You, God, for refueling me and refreshing me through others.

So, here's the point... we don't have to do everything.  God will get done, what needs to be done.  His Will will be done, with or without us.

we are so loved and chosen and cared for by God,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ power

"But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

True Heroes know where their super powers come from... within.

 Thank You, Jesus!

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

how did that happen??

"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness, I will build you up again..." Jeremiah 31:3

Needing just 2 items and in a hurry, i used the self-checkout. It had been a stressful day, actually a stressful week, with many concerning issues. As i walked away from the register, i noticed a piece of paper in my hand.

My mind was racing... what is this?? where did it come from?? I didn't pick it up.

I looked up at the clerk and pounded her with questions. "Did you give this to me? Did you see me pick it up? Do you know where i got this?"  But i already knew the answer.  She knew no more than i did. How did that happen??  I had no answer; i was completely baffled. But when i turned the paper over, i was totally blown away and driven to tears.

I obviously had not been heeding God's messages or signals, and He felt a CLEAR, direct approach was necessary.

God misses NOTHING... He knows every minute detail of our live and heart, and He gives us what we NEED....  NEVER DOUBT HIS LOVE.  HOLD ON, HE'S GOT US.

we are LOVED and CHOSEN by God,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ truth

Jesus said...

 "Take care of My sheep." John 21:16




It's what you do, and do well... 
       and why God has you where you are.

Never doubt it. 
You are an important part of His plan.



 


we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

calling all Super Heroes

"Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God." Psalm 146:5

A troubling week with a school shooting, ended sadly with the earthly loss of Jacob Hall.  With thousands of prayers for him knocking on heaven's gate, it's hard to accept God had a different plan for him... yet He did.  In reading Jacob's parents' message after their loss, i was deeply moved by their words of love, compassion and forgiveness.  Their dependence on Jesus is obvious.  I honestly don't know how anyone can handle the loss of their child without the hope we profess and have from Jesus for eternal life.

Jacob's parents want his service on Wednesday to be surrounded by super heroes.  A fitting tribute for one of God's smallest soldiers who wanted to save others.  He personally knew the Greatest Hero of all and lived his live  accordingly, one filled with love, kindness and forgiveness.  A big lesson from a small child in a hurting world. God surely used Jacob in his 6 short years in a powerful way, impacting thousands for His Kingdom.

Whether by my cross or a costume, i will show my support for Jacob who personally knew the Super Hero most needed in this world... Jesus.  As believers, covered in His unconditional love, grace and mercy, may we honor Jacob's memory by living each day in love, kindness and forgiveness too. 

we are loved and chosen by God for His glory,
veneal