Author: Denise

Sensitive. Ha! Well, that can have its up and downs depending on what one is doing now can't it?! Seriously, though, I enjoy painting in watercolors, my family, and my rescue tabbies. In all I do, I try to point myself back to what matters most, the love and saving redemption of Jesus. If you like, you can visit my blog page for my watercolors, or my blog ramblings. :)

Continued Refinement

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A lot has happened since my last post and once again I find myself right back here acknowledging my lack of posting.

However this time it is more an accountability confession as I had sensed I was being prompted to post before now by the Holy Spirit, yet put it off.

I tried to justify and console myself with the fact that I had indeed been writing, just not posting. Sort of half the job.

I wouldn’t particularly accept that excuse myself; yet here I was thinking He would.

These words spring to mind:

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8

Holy Spirit promptings are for obedience. I had not listened.

What should one do when one realizes this?

The scripture goes on to say:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8-10

What a loving and merciful Lord we serve! One who refines us, teaches us, prompts us and does not condemn us when we fall short (because we will in our imperfections).

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Rom 8:1

I let too many things prevent me till now.

“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.” 2 Cor 12:9

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26

I’m leaning into the fire.

I hope and pray you stick along for the refinement with me.

Blessings to you!

Denise

What is it for you?

~ Denise ~ 1 Comment

Have you ever started to go do something and then got distracted by something else?

For example, I can pick up the laundry hamper and go in to start a load of laundry and then see something along the way that needs picked up. I’ll put down the hamper, pick up a random item, put that away, notice the trash needs emptying, go wash my hands, clean off the counters, which can lead to restocking paper products, vacuuming, picking up a random item, etc. until I realize I haven’t started the laundry. Have I mentioned before I can have a squirrel moment? I’m blaming it on menopause!

Now, I could argue that all the things I found to occupy my time were worthwhile, and I was accomplishing things that needed to get done, however, the task I had originally prompted myself to do was neglected by distractions.

The Holy Spirit has been prompting me that I have been practicing this same technique in another area. For quite some time, I’ve felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to write/blog again. Now, in total transparency, I have been writing and journaling, I just haven’t posted anything.

I could give a plethora of excuses for not listening to this.

Doesn’t matter if I’ve put other “good” things in place to justify or pacify the disobedience. Disobedience is what it has been. I was neglecting a prompting that I was hearing. Any distractions, whether worthwhile or not, didn’t make me any less disobedient, or without sin. Can’t blame that on menopause! What sinful natures we are, and thanks be to God, there is a cure for that!

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

A confessed sin is forgiven, removed and forgotten! I can step forward in obedience, trusting in Him for the strength and guidance for the task He calls me to.

How gracious and loving our God is! Jesus cares about every bit of me! And He cares about every bit of you!

He cared enough to die on the Cross for all our sins! We just need to seek Him and surrender to Him.

The power and the magnitude of the Cross is that Jesus died for all who come to Him and surrender to Him!

“There is no one righteous, not even one,” Rom. 3:10

“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Rom 3:23,24

“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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17

Have you surrendered your life to Jesus? Or are you trying to do it on your own?

What decision are you putting off because you’re waiting for the right time, the right knowledge, or experience, the right sign, or you’ve been distracted from?

What are you putting in place of being obedient to the stirring that you’re feeling in your heart right now?

What is God calling or asking you to be obedient about right now?

Whether it seems big or small to you – what is that stirring in your heart?

What is it for you?

Gifts Amidst Sadness

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Sometimes it is amidst sadness that we find great gifts.

Yesterday we attended a celebration of life for my second cousin.

Listening to family remembering his life, and talking with other family members, I was again reminded of family threads that run through and in us that we are often seemingly unaware of. I thought about my great grandparents and grandparents, some I recall, and some I’ve never knew, who have shaped and impacted generations, and still impact generations today. I thought about how generations before that may have impacted tendencies deep within us, without us even being aware of it. The thread running in my mind was how words and actions have the power to impact generations.

I know that God places each of us where we are supposed to be. I know that He places in each of us a desire to know Him. As I’ve walked and continue to walk my own spiritual journey, I’ve realized there have always been people surrounding me that were drawing me to the love of Jesus. When I was younger, I would have been hard pressed to describe the feeling I had when I was with my Mother’s side of the family, I just wanted to be around them. Yes, I loved my Father’s side of the family, but I was drawn to my Mother’s side.

Lately I have been thinking about our older generation. I’ve come to realize that even though our older generation was not always as vocal with their spiritual beliefs, they lived it. And, by living it out, they drew in me, a little girl who was being led down a false path to continue to lean in and press near to Jesus. I rejoiced yesterday; when the Lord’s name was declared! Praise Jesus!

When I was very young, I remember gathering, playing and laughing with multiple generations of my Mother’s side of the family. We would gather at my Great Grandmother’s house for picnics and gatherings. As the years passed, when any from that generation would gather together, for whatever reason, there was always the feeling of acceptance, love, family, of just being home. Sadly, the gatherings became fewer in between as most of the older generation passed, & the younger generation scattered.

For years now, whenever I think of Heaven and what it might be like, I remember those gatherings. To me Heaven would be an expanded version of those gatherings. Where not only those who have passed on would be gathered in one great picnic and homecoming, but I would also one day see all those in my life that my family circle has expanded to be: whether by marriage, birth, friendship, church or community. Heaven will be one glorious homecoming of all those that the Lord has placed in my life for His purpose.

Yesterday, some of that generation gathered again, to remember a loved one passing. For me, that same feeling was there. That feeling of hope. The hope that I have in Jesus. With that hope is the belief that He is pursuing those I love that don’t know Him. The belief He cares enough for us to pursue us. We just need to respond.

So, while it is sad to say goodbye here on earth, a great gift is bestowed. The gift of hope! The gift of Jesus! That is what I believe Heaven will be. Oh, what a glorious homecoming!

May you find the true gift of Hope this Christmas Season.

May you know Jesus.

“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

“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

 

Choice

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I was with someone this week who was worried about the results of a medical test.

The individual administering the test was assuring this person that everything would be fine, as things had been  going well.  When the results proved her words were true, she then proceeded to say “See, there was nothing to worry about“.

The person I was with said, “Well, I worry”. 

I said, “Yes, you do worry.  Why do you worry?”

Their response was, “If I have nothing to worry about then everything is good.”

I actually had to write down what they said.  I don’t think they realized how much they had spoken from their heart.

Out of the overflow of the heart, one speaks.

We can only determine our attitude.  Whether it be positive or negative.

No matter how much I may desire someone’s attitude to be positive I can not change it.  Only pray about it.

Everyday we have a choice to be anxious & worried or take the path of peace.

There are many things that we could all choose to be anxious or worried about.  I think of the anxious, worried path like a train rail.  We can get stuck on that track.  Round and round our thoughts go.  Streaming down the track, increasing speed and tension, including additional bumps and stresses because of our heightened tension.  Ever snap at someone because of other stresses going on?  Ouch.  I have.

So, I have a choice.  Experience has taught me the quicker I can remember not to get on the trail rail the better.  I’m learning as I’m getting older (ha!).   Aren’t we all works in progress.  I try to remember this promise:

Philippians 4:4-9

“Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever  is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.”

Peace be with you.

You are worth it!

~ Denise ~ 2 Comments

DSC01829

Early this morning I was thinking about how I used to view things.

How I used to think of myself, life and those around me.

I remembered this video that I posted years ago and the impact that I felt.  It expressed so many feelings that I had felt over the years.  Perhaps you will find some similarilities.

It is worth 15 minutes of your time.

YOU are worth it!

Just Stop and Think