Don't Quit

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Its not uncommon lately to read or see an image of corruption, uncertainty, and a world in need. We can try to fix or bandaid the circumstances, but we need a now and eternal solution. That solution is Jesus Christ. I know it may sound cliche, but it's the Truth that will change the hearts and lives of men and women. 

I know we can grow tired, but the facts are plainly written in God's word for us on how to live and overcome. God gives strength to walk it out. 

Jesus' instructions will provide the answers we are looking for. 

Stay the course. Finish the race. Don't quit. 🌼⚓

Galatians 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Bible Reading this Morning 📖

Romans chapter(s) 12 & 13

In a world that's been turned upside down, we can turn to Jesus, who never changes. God's word never returns void and goes forth to accomplish what He intends. We can receive direction, insight, wisdom, and hope through scripture, so we can obtain the tools necessary to achieve peace and stability. God's word (Bible) is a guide into understanding who God is and what He says about it. It's so refreshing to know that God has not left us without instruction and a way to have relationship with Him. 

Ephesians 6:11-18 New International Version (NIV)

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Jesus' Truth = solution ❤️

We overcome through Jesus' sacrifice, following His lead, living out His Truth, accepting His Love for us, and Loving one another. ❤️

John 13:34-35

34         “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

  

    Proverbs 4:23 

      "Above all else, guard your heart, for           everything you do flows from it."

 

Previous BookPre

Be Still & Know

          Jesus:  The Way, Truth, & Life. 

End of day May 9, 2020

Be Still and Know I am God. That passage reminds us to turn to the author and finisher of our Faith. Be Still describes a position of turning to God Who is able to do above and beyond our own ability and strength. This isn't a call to do nothing, but yet to turn to Jesus and Trust His guidance and His plan. Be Still is a place of surrender to Jesus knowing He's got us in His hands, our hearts are in peace, and His lead I will follow. 🌼

           

Psalm 46:10(NIV) 

“Be still, and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Romans 15:13(ESV)

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Not without Hope

Hope:  to believe, desire, or trust.

Online church services in our lounge clothes, saltines and sweet tea for Good Friday Communion, coloring Easter eggs, and chocolate have pretty much defined our unique family Easter this year.

Although I feel gratitude and love being with my family,  I can't help but feel both gratitude and grief during this season.  For well over a month, we have all faced quarantine, social distancing, and an array of things affiliated. Our world has been halted, impacted by a virus among many other obstacles, storms, and struggles.  Our hearts hurt for people going through this difficult season. Our prayers continue for God's peace and provision in every way needed. 

With that, We are not without hope. This doesn't demean the present situation or circumstances we face, but gives light to the Truth and reality of Jesus' sacrifice, and what this means for us all.  I'm so thankful to know that even in the midst of uncertainty, we have a living, loving God who holds the world in His hands, who never changes, and that His purpose never fails. Easter is that reminder that our Lord overcame death and we can all obtain Life and Love through His death, burial, and ressurection. Happy Easter. ✝️

We are not without Hope. 🌼

Anchor ⚓

03.17.2001 *muah* ❤️🍀

We usually buy each other anniversary cards, but this year is a bit different with so much happening around our world. I thought writing about how we met would be appropriate this year.  It is our prayer, that those who have been impacted by the storm, virus, or any other circumstance, will overcome and receive God's very best provision and peace.

 I started using this blog with the intention just to journal after my mom's passing. I really don't consider myself a good writer, but writing/journaling helped me to cope and to focus on the good things. Jotting down thoughts helped to sort through, knowing God is still in control, that He's still Good, and He has a good plan. With that said, this blog is only for my personal use, but if you do happen to read any of it, I hope you're encouraged, knowing that Jesus loves you and He has a plan for your life. 

🌼🌼🌼

Looking back more than 19 years ago, little did I know that in 2000, I'd meet my husband in a non-dating, online chatroom. At the time,  I was working with youth and music ministry in my homestate of Tennessee, and decided online chat would be a great way to reachout, and encourage others. I decided to visit various age groups of chat outside of just youth, where Stac and I ended up chatting. Neither of us were expecting to build such a great friendship that would ultimately turn into more. Over time, we met face-to-face in October, and that Christmas, Stacy, proposed at the airport before flying back home to California. He had initially bought me the ring as a promise to commit since I'd told him I wanted to wait a while on marriage.  When he gave me the little box, my reaction gave me away on how I changed my mind on waiting and just how I truly felt. So, before Stacy's flight, he took the ring off my finger and knelt down in the airport and asked me to be his wife.  We thought it was crazy, but we are crazy and God is good. 😊 Of course I said, yes. 

3.17.2001 ❤️🍀

We began planning our wedding, but that March, Stac flew in to visit, we packed up my apartment and filled a uhaul to drive 2800 miles to California to get married on St. Patrick's day. We had no idea it was St. Patrick's day. It took us a minute, but eventually figured it out 🍀😆 Boy, was that a drive and adventure lol! We drove across the map to only sleep 4 hours in 48 hours so Stac could make it to work on time. Talk about dedication. Not advised lol. Sleep is good. 

 After 8 years in my husband's homestate, Stac, our new Baby boy, Christian (14 months), and I  moved back to my homestate, Tennessee, to work and be close to family again. Needless to say, it's been quite the adventure, not without challenge and a Blessing along the way.  God has proven to be faithful and that His plan is better than our own and may not always unfold in the way we may think. With that,  I'm thankful for what the Lord has done, His direction, who He has given me to share this life with, and look forward to what the Lord has next for us. I love you, Stacy Torres. Happy 19th Anniversary, my love. Let's. Go.  ❤️❤️❤️

 Isaiah 55:9 --

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts

Jeremiah 29:11--

 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.

Proverbs 3:5-6 --

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will make your paths straight.

                 03.17.2001 ❤️🍀

Perspective

Just want you to know: 

Step outta the Boat

Philippians 4:13 New International Version (NIV)

¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.


So, I love to fish and although I've hooked a few, I'm no expert and definitely appreciate my husband's advice. Same goes for our walk with Jesus. My daily walk requires me to stay connected to the author and finisher of our Faith, Jesus, so I can keep walking this path called, Life.

Fishing, June 2019

Romans 10:9-10 New International Version (NIV)

9 If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Romans 3:23-26 New International Version (NIV)

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[a] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

In saying this, too many precious people hang their heads when they make mistakes, the enemy tries to keep them bound by shame. Jesus paid the price, now it's time to lift your eyes, take that gift of life and be free. This doesn't take away the result that needs to be addressed or dealt with, but the awesome part is that Jesus is available and near to all who call upon Him, to help walk it out. Lets. Go. Step outta that boat, take Christ hand and see what He can do.

Fishing, June 2019

Love Rejoices in Truth 🔆

1 Corinthians 13 New International Version (NIV)

13 If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 🌼

In reflection,  one piece of this passage that stands out, but seems to be avoided is Love rejoices in Truth. Love does not accept wrong or say yes, it's ok to do whatever....it actually says no sometimes. Why? Because it's not good for us. Not a popular message, but necessary and relevant. For instance, when I say no to my son because he wants to eat the whole bag of chocolate (he loves chocolate! 😆 Lol), it's not that I'm against my son or walking in hate, it's absolutely the opposite. I love my baby boy absolutely more than anything, he's my gift, and I want the very best for him. I know that in making certain choices, it will lead to a better outcome. In relation,  God is not looking to take away from us, but He says no because He does love us and certain things can lead us to destruction. In essence, I'm thankful for God's no and His Truth. As I stay in the word and reflect on what God has to say about it, I can make clear, adequate decision.  Jesus' Truth is what I need to lead a healthy life both now into eternity. 🌼

Captured a tranquil image at the end of our day of fishing, June 2019