what child is this?

“'How will this be,' Mary asked the angel... 

'The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.'" Luke 1:34-35

Impossible situation, impossible solution... we have all faced them at one time or another.  And sometimes we're smacked in the face by what feels like an endless cycle of challenges and trials... with one right after-the-other. 

How can this be?
What will happen next?
How will we continue?

The CHRISTmas story is full of lessons, hope and direction for any season we are facing.

Whatever the question, the answer remains the same:

When we are weak, He is strong.  Trust Him.

God is with us, and He will see us through.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live, love and do like we believe it,
veneal

do you hear what i hear?

  Would you like to listen to my prayer today? It might be yours too.

Lord, the waters are white capping all around, I really need a break from the rocky waves in life -- health issues, financial uncertainties, loss of precious loved ones, unexpected detours, increased demands, heartaches... how much more?

You must trust Me.  

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3 

Father, i do trust You, but haven't i been through enough?

I am working in you and on you, Child.  

"Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."  Isaiah 46:8
 

Father, i'm tired and worn thin.  

I've got some rough ends to smooth out in you.  We will gain much through these times.  Trust Me.   

"But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him." Jeremiah 18:4

Father, i know i'm not perfect, but aren't i good enough?
 

I understand how you feel.  Remember Jesus had had enough in the Garden too.  But you must trust Me to do what is best.There is still work to be done.  

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..." Ephesians 3:20

How much more, Father? 

Just leave it to me.  

"And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear."  1 Corinthians 10:13 
 

But how much longer it take?

Until you give it all to Me.  

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.." Proverbs 3:5

I have surrendered all to You.

No, child, there are some parts of your life that you still have your fingers gripped tightly around... areas concerning your life, your family... to name a few.  Don't worry, I promise you that i know what you can bear.  I have a perfect plan for you.  

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

I am afraid of what's to come.

You need not be fearful. I am always with You.  

"There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear."  1 John 4:18

 

Okay, Father, Your Will be done, not mine.  But can you please do it gently? 

It will be as it needs to be.  

"... we gave up and said, 'The Lord's will be done.'" Acts 21:14

I love you, Father.

I love you too -- and more than you can humanly understand. Just trust Me.  

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love."1 John 4:16 

In Christ we pray and give thanks,

amen, amen.

we truly are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

recipe for survival

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

It's been 2 months since i posted; even though, practically everyday i jotted down thoughts and feelings, but it stopped there.  Since our move in June, i've been out of sync and a routine. Sometimes it easier to give in... yet the constant Voice in my soul, told me it's not time to give up. So, here goes...  

My morning JOY of cooking holiday treats for friends and family also stirred some unexpected emotions.  Searching through recipes, i found several favorites i made for loved ones now gone. Instead of preparations filled with excitement, i found a bowl of sorry... a cup of sadness, spoon of regret, splashes of salty tears along with some bitter herbs creating for a dish i didn't want anymore... but there it was.  

And i know i am not alone. Familiar recipes during JOYful times can find the ingredients in our life altered. Hurt and pain surface from many places, expected or just out of the blue... the loss of a loved one, an unexpected health diagnosis, a hearten heart, financial ruins, misaligned priorities.

While the easiest way to relief the pain may seem to crunch it up and toss it in a dark corner of our heart, it fails to dismiss the pain.  My recent holiday recipe search reminded me the main ingredient for all happiness lies firmly grounded in one fact.

When i cleared my table of all the recipes, one card remained. How and when it got there, i haven't a clue.  But i know the JOY it restored immediately in my soul. When all is said and done, John 3:16 reminds us to hang in there.  The best is yet to come.  Jesus guarantees it... for you and me... ETERNAL LIFE.  Whatever ails us now will vanish one day, in a glorious moment. And we will be completely healed... no more sorry, no more pain, no more tears. Just endless hallelujahs!

So merry CHRISTmas??  Absolutely!

Thank you for some grace, as i  reconnect with you, my family.  Yet,what better time to do it than during CHRISTmas.  Thank You, Jesus, for another reason for loving You.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

finger pointing

"But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with His finger. When they kept on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them,

'If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone...'"

Father, we are living in turbulent, fragile, uncertain times. So many lies, garbage stones and anger are filling our streets, lives and souls. It's difficult to decipher the truth from lies. And in a hot, bothered moment, it's easy to get pulled into the wrath. May we remember Your finger writing and reduce our finger pointing, so healing in our land can occur. Our trust and obedience to You needs to override and rule in our thoughts, words and actions. Ultimately, the Truth will rise and prevail, as Your Word never lies nor deceives. Help us stay anchored to you as peacemakers and doers, especially now. The innocent need to see and feel Your Presence through us, Your children, more than the stone receivers who are receiving our finger pointing.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

shine on

 "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4: 30-32

Every October, i am reminded of the tale comparing a Christian to a jack-o-lantern.  God personally picks and prepares each of us to do His work.  Through continuous love and discipline, He diligently removes the yuck from us.  He rids us of the harmful seeds of hate, jealousy, anger, doubt, revenge, fear. Once in the loving Arms of Jesus, His Light shines from within us to draw others to Him.

Don't you agree, that's a beautiful tale of Truth?  God's Hands tenderly and continuously on us removing the junk and making more room for His Light to shine brighter!

 
Smile, give thanks and let His Light shine for all to see! With so many dark and painful corners, our world desperately needs more of Him.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

growing smaller

 "... clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5

Truth can be like an oxymoron.

When is smaller taller?

We are bigger in His eyes, when we are smaller in our own.

I hope you have an awfully awesome weekend!

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

roots matters

 "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19

How are you doing?

If we are anything alike, current issues have unexpectedly thrown you around creating some painful bruises... each producing a greater awareness/need of love, patience, compassion, possibly correction or other lesson. 

Keeping our roots in His Living Waters builds and strengthens our faith, especially during turbulent times. Rocks and difficulties in life are not there to deter our growth, but to lead us into a deeper relationship with God.  And because of His mighty love we will not perish but produce. His glorious Sonshine streaming through us is meant for others to see, so they may witness and believe Him too.  

Father, many days i'm unsure what direction i'm moving and even why i'm moving.  But as long as my roots rest in You, i am confident of Your love for me and trust You will provide the strength and direction needed for each moment.  How grateful i am that no matter what's going on in my life i am not alone, You are with me.  I'm digging my toes deep in Your unshakeable, unconditional foundation of Love as You grow my faith and strengthen my heart and mind in 

serving You where i am planted.  Thank You.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,
veneal