BY FAITH

"Ever find yourself wondering what the next step is in life? Feel like you are just not sure what God wants you to do next?
That is exactly how I have been feeling in this current season of my life.
I poured myself whole-heartedly  into creating Soul Steps then launching it, and hosting 3 seven-week sessions. During this time I was also training to become a Christian Life Coach. I have since received my certification. I have been diligent, devoted, nose-to-the grindstone, busy,  getting it done.
And now.
Now I am finding myself in a strange season of life. Not at all because I have nothing to DO. I doubt I will ever find myself at a time in life when I do not  have a lengthy to-do list waiting to be checked off. I am ever productive and always have a project or ten that I am working on. But there is something different about this little lul I am in.  Which by the way comes in very handy because I have a precious grand-angel about to arrive.  ;)
This morning I went to the Word for some direction and clarification. I figured I would finish where I left off in Hebrews and after I did that I would look for further inspiration. Yea, well it was all right in front of me all along.
You see I have been reading and journaling in my new journaling Bible and as I read Hebrews 11 & 12 and then looked back over some of the notations I have made in the journaling column I found the very answers I was seeking. Isn't that just like God!? Confirmation that God wants us to share, to "stir up one another." The Word reminded me that He does not want us to "throw away our confidence." That "we have need of endurance to do the will of God."
Of course while reading all of this my ever questioning mind of mine was already working overtime.  Questions popping into my head while I was reading verse after verse of inspiration. Then I flipped to the pages that points  out how the "people of old" did the things they did BY FAITH.  Verse after verse tells of those who acted BY FAITH: Abraham, Noah, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joseph. BY FAITH the Egyptians crossed the Red Sea, BY FAITH the walls of Jericho crumbled. (See Hebrews 11)
The questions I have about the details, the things that I cannot figure out are apparently to be dealt with BY FAITH.
Hebrews 11:8 says "BY FAITH Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out not knowing where he was going...by faith...."
So I may not know where I am going or how to navigate my way there but I do know the One who does. Today I will begin taking the first steps of faith forward into this land unknown. Trusting that He knows and He will show me the way.
Let me encourage you to do the same. Do not continue standing with your feet planted in fear. That dream, that vision, those things you have meant to do...start today. One step at a time. BY FAITH. Believe me you will not be alone if you invite Him as your travel partner.

Those "Piles"

So, back to the Spring Cleaning.
You've pulled everything out and you are left with heaps of piles here and there, either figuratively or physically. Let's first tackle the physical items that you have pulled out of your closet and are not sure what to do with just yet.
It is tough to let go of things that have sentimental value, really tough. One of the solutions for this is to have one place to keep all the "valuable memorabilia". Your issue then will be to keep it all in that one place, whether it be a drawer, trunk, box, basket, or large storage container. You will have to constantly evaluate as it begins filling up, possibly letting something else go in order to make room. (which happens to be a key organizing  tool)
 Some things like art work, may be photographed and an album made of these treasures. Doing online books makes it easy to do a project like this.
My friend (the one I was helping organize) and I discovered something quite interesting as we began giving our adult kiddos some of their memorabilia back; they do not treasure it near as much as we do and they do not want to hold on to it. So it seems fitting that we just keep some particularly important pieces and let the rest go.
This will be the hardest step in the Spring Cleaning process. Maybe you have ideas and tips you would like to share about how you have faced this spring cleaning dilemma.  I would love to hear about them. How do you decide what to keep and what to let go of without over running your storage area?


Now about the spring cleaning of our hearts...How do we let go of those things we have held on to for far too long?  Those things we have become attached to? Maybe they are the labels we have associated with for years, or the emotional baggage of how we were treated in a past relationship. Maybe you have hung on to your self-doubt and lack of worth. Many of us tend to hold on to insecurities and feelings of unworthiness. There may be a whole jumble of things we need to sort through in this emotional baggage category. But just like every step of this Spring Cleaning process, you do it one itty-bitty-teeny-tiny step at a time.
Pick one thing today. Just one. Now begin to process it and identify where it comes from and where it belongs (probably in the sea of forgetfulness).
The best way to begin to deal with these heart-issues is to seek God. Pray about this thing that you have unearthed and ask Him what needs to be done with it. You may have to hash it out and feel a few painful twinges before coming to the end of it, but once you have released it, your heart will be free of the clutter of that thing that has been taking up far too much space.


I will go into greater detail of getting rid of the heart clutter next time.
In the meantime...go tackle those piles.


XO
Much love on this beautiful Spring day.
Sherry

Itty-Bitty-Teeny-Tiny Steps

Like I have said before; once the air becomes warmer and the days are longer we find ourselves ready to dig in and began some Spring cleaning projects. Just yesterday I began assisting a friend with some of her tasks.
First up was her daughters closet. They diligently  began the process by dumping the contents out of the closet  into the room before I arrived. This is the perfect way to begin, but it can be quite overwhelming. Heaping piles surrounding you can make you feel as if you will: 1) never get done, 2) never fit it all back in and 3) it is going to take forever!
Yet, we: 1) got it done! 2) fit it and more back in and 3) were done much quicker than we ever imagined.
How? One teeny-tiny-itty-bitty-step at a time.
You must proceed to tackle one thing at a time. First up was the tangled jewelry. One of us sat on the floor and untangled and sorted through the jumble of jewelry. Then we created a functional yet beautiful display on a closet shelf we had set aside. Done.
Next up was the pilfering through and sorting of clothes. What to keep, give away and put aside for an upcoming yard sale. (the yard sale and give away items are things that you just keep on hanging on to, might wear that one day, it might come back in style, you know....)  After nicely hanging the clothes being kept (in color and type sections of course!), creating a hefty pile for the yard sale and removing a ka-jillion extra hangers, Done!
This process continued through shoes, hats, scarves, gloves, boots, books, CD's; all the typical things you find in ones closet.  We employed the use of baskets to keep things confined and organized. The oodles of flip flops lined upright in a basket taking up much less space than being spread out, and they are easy to sort through to find.


Here's the point I want to make: As much as I think you will definitely benefit from these helpful tips for cleaning out your closet, I want you to begin to think of these same steps in terms of cleaning out your heart and life.
Those things that have been piling up, making it impossible to walk through the "closet" without tripping need to be pulled out. All the "junk" that keeps getting shoved here and there til you are ready to deal with, needs to be dealt with. It does not magically disappear or get put where it belongs.
It will just keep building up and creating a mess of things. Stuff like anger, resentment, unforgiveness, haunting memories of your past, things that were done to you or those terrible decisions you once made. Those words that keep ringing in your ears telling you the opposite of what God is telling you. All of this junk is cluttering up your heart in a big way.
We have to tackle it just how we tackled that messy closet; one itty-bitty-teeny-tiny step at a time.
One "thing" at a time.
Do you feel like there are just so many things overwhelming you, your life, your heart? As if you just do not know where to start because it is all just too much? Do you look at the mess that represents your life and feel so overwhelmed by it that you prefer just shoving it all back into the "closet" and moving on like it wasn't really there?
That continual shoving and pushing down only creates a bigger mess, one that becomes more difficult to manage.
I want to encourage you to begin pulling it all out...laying it all out there. Then; one thing at a time, one pile at a time, you can begin dealing with these issues.
Taking itty-bitty-teeny-tiny steps out of the mess and into the fullness of a life of freedom.
Let's talk more about handling all these "piles" next time.
Til then, begin pondering all the stuff that has been filling up your heart and life that needs to go.
Much love
XO
Sherry

Living In Freedom

I always feel so bad when it occurs to me that I have failed to keep up with my poor blog.
My life tends to swirl around in fast motion, as I am sure yours does, making it hard to keep up. Just when you are about to catch up something else gets thrown in the mix. I know you all understand full well what I am talking about.
As I reflect upon the point we are at in our current session of Soul Steps I thought I would share a little. In the Soul Step journey women are encouraged  to dig out their "junk." The stuff they have buried and shoved down. This takes a process of discovery. Once it is all dug up  we process what needs done with these things that have caused us to live bogged down.
Depression, un-forgiveness, haunting memories of the past, resentment, regret, shame, fear, anxiety... the list goes on and on.
God does not intend for us to live held down by these things, He sent His son that we would live in freedom. Most of us fail to do just that. We think we have to earn the freedom, we forget to remember that the price has already been paid.
Galatians 5:1 says: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free, stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
It is for freedom that Christ set us free.....
Are you getting that?
We have been set free FOR FREEDOM!
I am pretty sure if you were offered something for free you would be quick to accept the offer. I mean think about it; if you were offered free groceries for a month, you would be showing up at the grocery store. The reason there are people lined up in the aisles of Costco is so they can receive a free sample. When  a new business opens up people are quick to show up for the free samples and goodies that are offered on opening day.  FREE is our favorite price, right?
Yet the greatest gift ever has been given to us for free and we just move on past it day after day after day, living in bondage.
God longs for us to be rid of all of the junk we carry around on our shoulders day after day after day. He longs for us to live in the freedom He offers.


I want to encourage you today to take inventory of what is keeping you from living in that freedom, those things that have been shoved down and are holding you back from living a fully effective life for Christ. He is waiting for you to accept His offer, the next move is yours.


XO

Fight Back With JOY

"Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see him not,

 yet believing,

 you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory..." 

1 Peter 1:8

A scripture about joy may not be the most common one you think of when someone you love passes away. Yet this very verse washed over me as I knelt beside my once vibrant-feisty sister mere minutes after she breathed her last here on earth.

My brave 29-year old sister fought  to remain on this earth to raise the little boy we dubbed “Miracle Michael” four years prior when he entered the world prematurely via cesarean section.  Her doctors announced she could no longer hold off treating the enormous cancerous tumor growing along with her pregnant belly, nearly matching it in size. Once her little angel arrived they whisked her into surgery to remove the tumor once believed to have been a blood clot. Grueling chemo and radiation treatments quickly began, consuming her life and ravaging her body.

The night we gathered together as a family to celebrate the milestone event of her 'two-years free of cancer', our parents delivered the news; our dear dad diagnosed with the very same dreaded disease. He passed away six short weeks later, at the young age of 49.

My tenacious sister went on to raise that rambunctious little boy. Never failing to proclaim the message of Christ and the joy of the Lord. When the little guy turned three years old she began experiencing serious symptoms, the cancer returned with a vengeance. Surgeries and intense treatments flipped her life upside down all over again. Her faith remained rock-solid believing with everything in her that she would be healed.

Yet God’s plans are far more than our minds comprehend.

One hot summer night she breathed her last breath only feet from where her little guy slept. 

No one wanted her miracle to be this; we all wanted her to be healed on this side of heaven. God’s plans were otherwise. Knowing His plans and ways are far greater than ours remained our comfort.

Overcome, I knelt beside my bald sister who once sported unruly long-blond-hair. The song and verse she often quoted rang in my ears; "It is joy unspeakable and full of glory.” It felt strange to have that particular song playing in my mind at a time like this. However, the sweet gift of that message swept over me immediately.  I felt as if she was right there saying to me; 'Oh sister, you would not believe it here, it is JOY UNSPEAKABLE AND FULL OF GLORY, you don't know the half of it.' 

As this message invaded my soul I quickly recalled hearing the very same from my dad.  The night before he went to heaven God showed him an exquisite glimpse of streets of gold and colors brilliant beyond description.

The message seems clear, yet on this of side of heaven so difficult to comprehend and accept. In heaven we have no grief, we know no sorrow, in heaven we only know JOY. The depth of joy we have yet to experience. We are given glimpses of such joy when holding a newborn baby in our arms or marrying the one we love. We feel this pleasure when we have a good ole belly laugh or feel the fresh ocean breezes wash over us. I feel it when I am in the depth of the forest of pine trees high in the mountains. I think these are the little portals of heaven God allows us to experience. 

These are glimpses of the real joy that’s yet to come, the bliss that we have yet to experience. The joy that’s unspeakable and full of glory.

I realize that our greatest lessons in life often come during times of searing pain. 

New York Times Best Selling author Margaret Feinberg  writes about the lessons she learned while going through the trial of a lifetime. 

From the moment Margaret received her diagnosis she committed to fighting through the battle of breast cancer with joy. Knowing this attitude would make all the difference in the way she survived and overcame her battle. She bravely shares about her courageous journey in her newly released book "Fighting Back with Joy.” She also wrote a corresponding Bible study which will assist in the lessons of growth in finding joy in the mundane as well as the tragic. Bringing our lessons into perspective as we grow in our own relationship with God is imperative as we progress on our journey. I am just finishing up the book and I'm anxious to dig into this wise woman’s treasure trove of lessons in the corresponding Bible Study.

Every day I live I am reminded I must be intentional about finding joy.

Embracing joy unspeakable amongst the tragedies as well as the sublime is a choice.  Battles in life are inevitable, but how we fight them remains one of the most important choices we face.

Like Margaret, I choose JOY.

 Check out the video message from Margaret herself at:    http://mar.cta.gs/0be

Then jump over to these links to pick up the book:   http://mar.cta.gs/0bi or Barnes and Noble at  http://mar.cta.gs/0bh

& the 6-Session Bible Study Kit at: http://mar.cta.gs/0aq   

  

Women of Faith and confirmation....

I am just returning home from an amazing weekend at the Women of Faith conference. If you have never been, let me encourage you to attend! Check out the details here: womenoffaith.com  I attended for many years since it began almost 20 years ago. That is up until eight  years ago when my sweet little grandangel arrived on THAT weekend. In fact I was en route to WOF when the call came that she was on her way, so I turned my car in a new direction for the seven hour drive to be there for her arrival.
So, for the past eight years we have celebrated her birthday on this, the same weekend WOF is close to home in Anaheim. Well, since that precious little angel is now in Japan with her mommy, daddy and sister I had no birthday party to attend and was able to join my aunt, cousin and some friends for this fabulous annual event.
This conference came on the heels of some intense time of preparing for the launching of my program; Soul Steps. It was difficult for me to pull away from working on it, but as God does so well, He used this time in a most powerful way. The messages spoken by the anointed speakers and music artists were profoundly connected to the core message of Soul Steps, which inspires me and motivates me even more!


I believe there is a message God wants women to hear for this day and age. He wants us to know how powerful and strong we are, that we can and should be doing the work He has set for us to do. It is time to be brave and move on from the traps and snares that the enemy has been set before us. One speaker, powerhouse Lisa Bevere, said: "Spiritual attacks have more to do with who you might be in the future than anything about your past." That spoke to the depths of my heart since part of my journey has been to overcome the issues of my childhood, the words that were said and the things that happened to me. The enemy knows if he can get us to stay stuck in that defeated attitude then we will be rendered ineffective as a powerful woman for Christ. It is time we pull out our swords (the Word of God) and use them! We need to quit retreating into the corner of our little worlds where we wallow in our insecurities and struggles, and move out into the world doing the work that needs to be done.
We all know our world is in a crazy place right now, these are signs of the times, which makes it even more urgent that we are doing His work, to get unstuck and move out into the effectiveness He has empowered us to live in.
We need to allow God to go into the deep parts of our hearts and move out all the junk that has been buried in there for long enough. When we release the clutter we have room for the things He wants for us, the fruits of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control.


If you live in the Bakersfield area let me encourage you to sign up for SOUL STEPS where you will be led on an amazing journey out of your defectiveness and into the freedom of Christ.  We will be digging out the junk that you have been buried beneath, the stuff that keeps you stuck in a rut. After years of being buried beneath the rubble it is time to do some spiritual deep cleaning and this is the perfect opportunity to do just that.


The series begins on September 30th, meeting every Tuesday for seven weeks. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me here or at my email; amazinglovecreations@gmail.com  I would love for you to join me on this Soul Step journey as we move out of our broken places and into the freedom of Christ.


Much love and blessings!
XO Sherry

SOUL STEPS UPDATE ~

Greetings!!!!


I am so blessed and touched by the responses to my SOUL STEPS class that will be beginning on September 30th! There is only room for 30 so I would encourage you to sign up while there are still spots available.
 If indeed the response and need is great I will add Tuesday mornings 10:00 - 11:30 am at my home here in Bakersfield. I realize it might be easier for some to attend during the day and I would love to make that available. Let me know if that is an option you would prefer.


I am excited to begin this journey of sharing what God has placed on my heart. I believe women are in desperate need of encouragement and guidance as they strive to manage a life of demands and the heaviness of the burdens they carry. It is my hearts desire to be a vessel used by God to help women GrOw forward in the life God has intended for them.
To register for SOUL STEPS, you can contact me directly via my email mimisherrylynn@yahoo.com or comment here. I will give you further instruction from there.


I am currently working out the details of an ONLINE COURSE as well.  There are several of you who have expressed an interest and I hope to make that available soon.




I want to leave you with a little excerpt from SOUL STEPS, a quote that is the basis of  the message. These are words spoken to me directly from God....

"YOU WILL NEVER BE AN EFFECTIVE ADULT,

 UNTIL YOU QUIT BEING A DEFECTIVE CHILD"

If that resonates with you, then SOUL STEPS is just what you need. If you are debating with yourself, remember that you deserve the time and investment into your spirit. When we are strong as women, wives, moms, daughters, friends, workers, etc.... we are far more effective, doing the work of the Lord. What is more important than that!?

Have a beautifully blessed day! Remember that God is your source, your power, your strength and above all He longs for you to live in that promise and victory!

 "In Him we live and move and have our being"

Acts 17:28

XO
Sherry

He Is Our Strength....

I love how God brings the Word to us to reassure and comfort us just when we need it.

Yesterday morning I woke up with many thoughts and concerns floating around in my mind. I jumped into the shower and was astonished at how quickly I had gone from a deep sleep to all this concern and worry going on in my brain. I tried to reign it all in and pray about each situation...and as happens often with me, I was soon off to the land of what ifs and when/how...etc. I kept on having to retrieve my thoughts. All that in the time of a shower!
A bit later I sat down with my devotional and a hot cup of coffee and cracked open my devotional; "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young.
Let me just share what it had to say........
"I am your strength and shield. I plan each day and have it ready for you, long before you arise from bed. I also provide the strength you need each step of the way. Instead of assessing your energy level and wondering about whats on the road ahead, concentrate on staying in touch with Me. My Power flows freely into you through our open communication. Refuse to waste energy worrying, and you will have strength to spare.
Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am your Shield. But unlike inanimate armor, I am always alert and active. My Presence watches over you continually, protecting you from both known and unknown dangers. Entrust yourself to My watchcare, which is the best security system available. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go."
Isn't God so good to bring the perfect reassurance just when we need it!?

I am certain that I am not the only one needing a little reassurance today. A hopeful rest and trust that God has it ALL under control! It is so difficult to remember sometimes.



SO, the above is yet another draft I found in my pending file on my blog and it is as timely as ever. Again this morning I woke up with loved ones on my heart, namely my kiddos. This is obviously a trend of mine!  The words to today's devotion were straight to the point and quite appropriate for this particular time of life.  "This is a time in your life when you must learn to let go of loved ones, of possessions, of control. In order to let go of something that is precious to you, you need to rest in My Presence, where you are complete.
Apparently I am a slow learner!
Yet equally apparent God is not giving up on my lack of ability to catch on. Thankfully!

In case you too are feeling apprehension, worry, fret, anxiousness, here are some valuable verses to help ease your angst...


Psalm 28:7
Matthew 6:34
Psalm 56:3-4
Genesis 28:15
Psalm 89:15
Hebrew 13:8
Isaiah 41:13


I pray that as you go into this day, the day the Lord hath made, that you will find your strength and courage in the God who made you!!! Seek Him, seek His peace amidst the darkness, the struggles and trials. He is the light and the life!!!


God Bless you...and MUCH LOVE to you!!!
XOXO
Sherry

What's Your Name?

HELLO MY NAME IS....

Have you heard the amazing song "Hello My Name Is" by Matthew West? 
(if not check it out)
It has made a profound effect on my heart and the hearts of the women at a retreat I was blessed and honored to speak at over the weekend.
In the first session I asked them to identify with the negative connotations that rang in their hearts and minds as they listened to the song play and jot down the name that they are calling themselves.

You see we all tend to fall prey to negativity and either repeat or create negative names for ourselves.
 I struggled for years to squash down the nagging voices of negativity. Some days I still struggle with their ability to creep into my subconscious.
Can you relate?
What name have you been calling yourself?
Play the song and see if there are words/names you can identify with.
You don't want to give power to the enemy by saying them, but in identifying these destructive words we will learn to reject them as soon as they appear on the horizon.


After a weekend of enlightenment and discovery we played the song again and this time they were instructed to write the name that they NOW call themselves.
 The positive one.
What an amazing transformation happened in hearts of women who trust God with their identity.

The song says we are identified as A CHILD OF THE ONE TRUE KING!!!

I want to remember to believe THAT!
I want to find my identity in the way HE sees me and not in how I see myself or how I think others might see me. Nothing matters except the way my God sees me. Since He is the one who created us, He is the One who knows our worth.

I pray that you will find your name, your identity in the One true King, the one who knit you together in your mother's womb (Psalm 139).

Find your name, your identity.
If you need help I would happily help you come up with your "new name"!
Try these on and see which one fits you best  ;)

 Redeemed, saved by grace, blessed, beautiful, amazing,  treasured, loved, healed, brave, strong, victorious, gracious, kind, loving, peaceful, set free, happy, favored, cherished, beloved, wanted, worthy, precious, valuable, important, priceless, extraordinary......

Love & Blessings to you!
XO
Sherry

Life Is Tough...But...God is good!!!!

It's been a trying time. A trying time indeed.
More things have happened in a short period of time than usually happens in a long stretch of time.


God has been faithful through it all.
It has not been easy.
The days have been tough.
But never, EvER has hope been lost!


I am so thankful for the faith in God that lies in the center of my being. It has not been there my whole life, but once I accepted Christ at the age of 23 (ish) He has made Himself real to me in every way, every day. Praise God for His presence!
 Praise God for GOD!!!!


Life is tough people! I know I don't have to tell you that!
Can you recognize His presence amidst the chaos and confusion? Are you able to hold on to the lifeline of a God who will never leave you nor forsake you!?


That is all we have my friend....HE is all we have!!!!!


Hebrews 13:5 says "I will never leave you nor abandon you!"


That is the lifeline we hold on to as the rest of the world and life threatens to fall down upon us! As we find ourselves being swallowed up by the huge pit of quicksand that longs to over take us!

I BELIEVE!!!!

My heart and soul have been absolutely consumed lately. Rather than give you a laundry list of ALL that is going on in my head, home and heart I thought I would just see if I can somehow express some of my feelings and emotions in hopes that I can bring light to someone else.




Life has been full, overflowing actually, with a lot of BIG stuff.
The big things that only happen once in a great while, if EVER!
Those kinds of things that are the high scorers on the score sheet of stress levels.


A very dear friend of mine who has been going through a very trying time once told me that "You never know desperation, until you have been desperate"
She certainly knows desperation!
I am pretty sure I know desperation.
But that is not where the story ends.
The story goes on to the one who holds the hope and the future.

"BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS, DO NOT BE AFRAID OR TERRIFIED

 BECAUSE OF THEM, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD GOES WITH YOU;

 HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU."

DEUTERONOMY 31:6

I am thankful to be able to put all of my faith and trust into a loving God who cares for me. Who will never leave me nor forsake me.
He is right there beside us, helping us walk through this journey we are facing.
He carries us when we cannot take another step forward.




We go through seasons...
Some seasons are filled with cold, dark days.
Some are full of flowers and rainbows.
All are important and necessary.


We must remain in faith when we cannot see through the piercing darkness. It is easy to take the next step or to sing the hallelujahs when we are seeing rainbows and flowers.
Faith calls for us to do so even when we cannot see the future, when it does not LOOK as if it could ever work out.




Who ever thought when Jesus was placed in the tomb after dying a gruesome death on the cross that three days later that huge stone would be rolled away and the tomb would stand EMPTY!?
 That Jesus would be ALIVE!?!?!? 
That there was a power THAT strong!


THAT is the power I am putting my hope in.
The resurrection power!!!
I BELIEVE!!!!
Do you believe?
Is your hope in the One who holds the future or only in what your mind can comprehend?


I want to encourage you to put your hope and faith in the ONE who holds the future. The One who died upon the cross to save us from our sins and then surprised everyone by rising from the dead!!!!!

"MAY THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY & PEACE IN BELIEVING,
SO THAT BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT YOU MAY ABOUND IN HOPE"

EPHESIANS 15:13


Whatever you are facing today, whether it be desperation or simple exhaustion and frustration...hold on dear one to the perfect promises of our faithful and loving God! All He asks you to do is to BELIEVE!!!!


XO
Much love to you!
Sherry

The pain of a friend....

So....when I posted here the other day I noticed several "drafts" that had been saved. This one jumped out at me and I feel as if it needs to be posted. I don't think I had felt finished when I wrote it months (maybe a year or so) ago. I was probably "flitting" around that day too!!
 ;)


Here it is.......


As I drove away I immediately began asking God to forgive me for failing a friend so deeply. Yet, as soon as the words came out of my mouth I knew that I did not want God to patch this one up and make me feel all better. NO, I deserved the pain that had pierced my heart because a lesson was here to learn. I knew it immediately.
One thing about getting older is knowing and fully understanding that it is necessary to own our mistakes, even when they are invisible ones that we could easily get away with.

The reason I knew how deeply I had hurt my friend is because every word that came out of her mouth could have just as easily came out of mine, had I the guts to say them. She wasn't speaking to me directly, she was speaking to the five of us girls sitting at a sweet little bustling Italian cafe' over dinner and tiramsu. We had failed her. She was not pointing a finger or speaking an ounce of judgement, just simply speaking with open honesty. Her world had crashed down around her and none of us had a clue. We didn't have a clue because we were so wrapped up in our own little lives that we failed to see the veil of pain and deep heartache that was stretched over her world. Here we were sharing small talk not even noticing that her heart was bleeding.

We get so caught up in our own worlds, there is much to get caught up in. We are busy, we have our struggles, issues, situations, heartaches, things to do, errands to run, jobs to go to, things to accomplish, our daily lists go on and on and on...... In that, we fail desperately to be there for one another. God in the flesh. There to comfort and just BE with those who we love and are hurting.

I'm not sure how we fit it all in sometimes, it just seems to be too much. People to love on and enjoy, relationships to deepen and nurture. All while juggling every ball in our own lives  (work, errands, housework, kids, parents, laundry, illness ...)
Living in balance seems to be the biggest juggling act of all time.
How do we do it?

I don't have the answers, you can rest assured I will be seeking them. I will be trying my darndest to hone my personal juggling skills. I am not interested in learning how to juggle as a hobby, but as a way of life, a way of keeping the things, the people, that are important to me from falling and crashing to the ground.

I hope I never forget the lesson I learned, because for far too long I have felt as if everyone one else needed to learn it, HA! the joke was on me! I was just as desperate and in need of such a valuable lesson.

Here's to lessons learned and that we might never forget the impact of them upon our hearts and lives. As you go out today, be the blessing so many need in this busy, hectic world.

XO
Love & Blessings!
Sherry

Flitting and Trusting

Have you ever found yourself in a dance of avoidance?  When you are supposed to be doing one thing but you keep on flitting and doing OTHER things? It seems like your mind cannot focus or that you have too much inside and you have to get it ALL out?


Well, that seems to be where I am today!


I am supposed to be preparing for a retreat I am going to be speaking at, yet I am finding myself suddenly wanting to create a blog post!  Not sure where this is even leading, I am going to discover it along with you  ;)


I have so much on my mind and my heart. As we all do at any given time.


The retreat message I am preparing does not come difficult to me, only the thought of "speaking" does...I can write all day long and feel fine about people reading what I have to say, but when it comes to standing in front of sweet gals and trying to eloquate the message in my heart, I struggle BIG time!


My heart is also being pulled by the vortex of a huge life event that is in the wings.
 My son and his wife and two little girls will be leaving in two weeks for three years to Japan. That is a whole lot of ocean between this mom/mimi and my precious ones!
For years they have lived 7 hours away which was inconvenient but oh so doable! Now I cannot just jump in my car on a whim and go hang out with my loves. They surely will not be able to come home either.
So, my heart is left to ache this difficult time and I feel like a bucket of tears, spilling over at the tiniest bump. That bump can be just a thought, a word, a song, a sight, a text message, a photo...you name it!


Life is full of struggles and challenges.
  Many of you are going through some pretty tough times.
 You wonder when the fog will EVER lift!
 Seems like some days you just feel so weighed down by all that is on your "plate" as you hope for brighter days ahead.
When will you be able to rest peacefully when you lay your head on your pillow at night.
 When will the lonely feeling ever end.
 When will you receive the answer to that prayer that is ever on your lips.
 How can you keep on going like this?
 How can you make it another day?


God holds every answer. He is also the source of our comfort and joy as we find our footing in this often treacherous world, as we navigate through our struggles and anguish. He is reaching out to hold our hand and guide us through any struggle we find ourselves in.
He loves us more than we can ever imagine.
He knows the outcome and He wants us to be reassured that in the end, it will be okay. 
It really will.
Not everything is perfect or easy, but He is almighty and will never leave you nor forsake you.
He has the whole world in His hands and He wants you to find comfort and peace in the fact that He wants nothing but the best for your life.


I am going to remember that as I kiss my sweet boy, my darling daughter-in-law and my two little grandangels good bye. As they fly off to this new adventure in their lives. I KNOW that God has great things for them, I just also know that my heart is in knots at the very thought of missing them!


I want to encourage you today in anything YOU are going through, that you know God has YOU, He has your loved ones and your circumstances. Relinquish all the control and worry over to Him. He has never intended for us to worry and fret, but to think on good things!


I am going to leave you with the verse that has been my great companion through many a tough time. It has helped me keep my focus when my son was deployed, or when I feared the worst in a diagnosis or just had a time of anxiety that I could not get a grip on.
I would encourage you to write it upon your heart as I have...so you can pull it up when you are feeling those moments of overwhelm and anxiety.


"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 you."
Philippians 4:6-9


Let's focus more on HIM and less on our circumstances! By doing so we will feel the peace of God that SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING!


Love and blessings to you on this beautiful day that the Lord has made! REJOICE and be glad in it!!!


XO Sherry

TIME

Time is the equalizer of all mankind.
No one can obtain more than another in any way. Even the rich cannot purchase more.
 We are all given the same 24 hours a day. 1,440 minutes a day to use to our best ability.
Yet have you ever found yourself feeling as if you do not have enough time? Do you ever find yourself looking at the lives and accomplishments of others and feel as if somehow they must have more time in order to do all that they do?
I suppose some of you are like me, wishing for more time in a day. Wishing for more time to accomplish the things on our lengthy lists.
I have some pretty big goals and aspirations this year so I know I must figure out how to conquer this time machine issue.
How does one fit it all in?
Maybe that is part of the issue right there. Maybe it is not possible and that is part of the problem. I try to fit more in than I should, more than is possible.
Don't we all?
I do want to do it ALL. I want to go everywhere and do everything I can. I want to be at every event, take every opportunity I can. How does one choose which ones are better than another? Which ones are more important than another?
I think part of the answer lies in finding our gauge in which to measure things by. Measuring the importance and value of the decisions of which things matter most.
But how do we do that?
How do we come up with a gauge, a standard, a guide?
I think it lies in the things that we value, what matters most. We make room for the things that are important, the things God wants us to squeeze into the nooks and crannies of our 1,440 minutes of each day.
One of the ways I have practiced for the past few years as a guideline for measuring the ways I should use my time and energies is to choose "a word of the year".
This word is used as a focus, a source of encouragement a rudder and guide in my daily life.
This word is something I keep at the forefront, I make it present in my life so I am reminded of  my intentions.
I spend a lot of time coming up with my word each year. This year I thought I had my word figured out only to discover that this word I had chosen was causing me more frustration than encouragement.
 I had chosen the word DO.
 I had good intentions, pure motives when I chose the word. Yet as time goes by I find that this word causes me to feel the pressure of doing more than is possible. I chose it because I am trying to accomplish some things that have been on my heart for a very long time, things that keep on getting put off because everything else in life has a way of trumping these things I want so desperately to do.
So I am back at the drawing board.
Maybe my word is ACCOMPLISH? I need to focus on accomplishing the dreams God has placed in my heart. I want nothing more than to finally be at a place of accomplishment. I want to achieve my goals! I am ready for God to use me the way I know He wants to.
What about you? Do you have a word of the year? Did you choose one only to find that it caused you more struggle than encouragement? If you did, you can re-think it. It does not matter what month it is. You are not stuck. God has great things in store for you, for your life. Open yourself up to Him.
I would love to hear about your word for the year.
How you came up with it and how it has served you.
I know it will take more than one little word for me to find the time I need to, to keep myself focused, but it is a start. I pray daily that God will lead me and direct me every step of the way, each of those 1,440 seconds of every day.

Let the New Year Begin......

Whether this has been a year of pleasure, pain, or a wild mix of both...it was undoubtedly a year that God was at work in your heart and life.
I for one feel like it was a year of tremendous highs and desperate lows. One that I am thankful I do not have to live over again, yet on the other hand one that I wish I could enjoy part of  once again.

Every year as the last page of the calendar turns over I find myself reminiscing and pondering the past. Not just the last year but the years before.
Tonite I am remembering the New Years Eve, many moons ago that I braved the cold and crowds along with my three kiddos as we camped out overnight in downtown Pasadena, California waiting for the annual Rose Parade. It was definitely a night we will always remember.
Most of our New Years Eves were spent at home playing games and sipping sparkling cider watching the ball drop in New York City Times Square and I remember those just as fondly.

All those years I was the only one who fessed up to  "making resolutions".  I still make resolutions/goals for the new year. I spend time pondering, reflecting and praying about the lessons of the past and the growth of the future.

I always have so much I want to accomplish, so much I hope to achieve. I find myself making lists and journaling my thoughts.
How about you? Are you a resolution maker or do you just take it as it comes?

I do not think there is a right or wrong way. I think we are all wired differently and whatever works for us is what we should do.
It's just like how I need to write things down to remember them and some people just remember.....

I just challenge you to pause, pray and reflect long enough to feel God's presence and hear His voice. To have a bearing on what HE is wanting for you in this new year. What changes you need to make, what things you need to continue with. What is He telling you to do differently? Is He calling you to step out of your comfort zone? Is He calling you to do that thing you have been putting off? Is He maybe just calling you to come closer to Him? Maybe it has been too long since you have drawn near to Him?

Listen.......
What do you hear?

I pray this is a year of drawing close to our Father as He longs for us to be close to Him.  He is our source of strength and hope as we step into the future.

For several years now I have chosen a "Word of the Year". Last year my word came to me and did not make much sense, well that is until the year began unfolding. It did not take long for the word EXPLODE to make itself understood! It was definitely a year of explosion for me. Much of that was positive but just as much was negative and difficult. Like I said, it is a wild mix of both!

 Such is life.

I haven't had a word "come to me" yet, for 2014. I am taking some time tonight to pray and see what He has for me.
How about you? Do you choose a word? What is YOUR word for 2014? I would love to hear it.

I want to wish you a new year filled with HOPE and PROMISE, with HAPPINESS and JOY, filled with LOVE overflowing!!!!
Be blessed and KNOW the love of God that is beyond everything!!!!!

XO Blessings!
Sherry

Releasing Our Grip

 When I read my devotion for the day in "Jesus Calling" I knew immediately that I wanted to share this with you in light of our"Back to School theme''....

Here it is.....

**Entrust your loved ones to Me; release them into My protective care. They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands. If you let a loved one become an idol in your heart, you endanger that one - as well as yourself. Remember the extreme measures I used with Abraham and Isaac. I took Isaac to the very point of death to free Abraham from son worship. Both Abraham and Isaac suffered terribly because of the father's undisciplined emotions. I detest idolatry, even in the form of parental love.
When you release loves ones to Me, you are free to cling to My hand. As you entrust others into My care, I am free to shower blessings on them. My presence will go with them wherever they go, and I will give them rest. This same Presence stays with you, as you relax and place your trust in Me. Watch to see what I will do."**


WOW! Talk about hit you where it hurts. I will admit that I am guilty....oh yes, VERY guilty!!!!

Idolatry?!? I sure never thought of it like that!! Ohhh mercy!!!
Endanger??? Oh no!!!!

I have often found myself consumed with concern over each one of my kiddos and my grandangels. Oh I know it is not OKAY to be worrying (that's why I used the word "concerned" ha!) yet I know I am only fooling myself.

This is an ongoing issue that I am consistently working on and trying to be better at. To release my cares and my loved ones unto Him. He is the ONLY ONE who is capable, He is the Master controller over everything!

Oh Lord I pray you will help me day after day to remember that I am helpless and it is not (and never has been) my job to cling tightly to my precious ones. 
 Oh Lord please help me to release my grip.
Help me to remember that there is nothing I can do that you cannot do.

I entrust my loved ones to you Lord and I promise I will try my best not to be an Indian giver!

XO Love & Blessings!

You are a TREASURE!!!!

You matter more than you will ever know.

God loves you more than you will ever realize.

If you can know anything today, those two things would be plenty!!

Have you really stopped to think about how valuable you are?

Do you know that God made you JUST AS YOU ARE,

with all the specific and unique talents, traits, abilities, gifts, personality.

He had a plan and a purpose for you so He created you for just that.

If you have never read it....Psalm 139 will spell it out for you.

"For you have formed my inward parts; You have covered me in my mother's womb.

 I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

 Marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well."

YOU ARE A TREASURE!!!!

There really aren't too many days that we feel like a treasure, or maybe not special at all. BUT if you stop and think about it, think about the fact that HE created you just as you are AND then He GAVE His one and ONLY son to die so you might live....

then, you might begin to grasp it.

Right now, I hope you can pause and just soak in the love of God,

 to FEEL treasured and cherished.

"For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die;

 yet perhaps for a good man someone woud even dare to die.

 But God demonstrates His own love toward us,

in that while we were still sinner,

 Christ died for us."

Romans 5:6-8

You are special

You are wonderfully unique

You are beautiful, just as God created you

You are loved

You are treasured!!!!

XO

Love & Blessings!

Sherry

TRANSITION

There is a whole lot of "transition" going on in our lives these days.
Between my husband and I and each of our jobs, the word is being spoken in volumes

As I was walking and praying in the crisp cool, dark and peaceful air at 4 this morning, .... I was thinking about this stage of our life and it reminded me of  another type of transition.

 When we had our children we took Lamaze natural childbirth classes. In the coaching and teaching they described the various stages of childbirth. There was this one specific part of the labor and delivery process that they warned us about and gave us specific tools and tips to get through.
I remember that they told the coaches that this was going to be one of the hardest parts of their "job"  and they would have to hang in there and offer loving support at this particular time. They also made some strange (or so it seemed at the time) warnings that it was during this time that although you might be whispering great encouragement as you lean in to this laboring momma to be....you might also be prepared for a sudden turn of events in that she just might take you by the collar and begin screaming at you and blaming you and acting a little bit crazy!!!! For the mommy to be this was a time marked with nauseau, extreme pain, & sudden bursts of emotion (thus the collar-grabbing-screaming-at-the-coach).

This difficult stage of the process is called TRANSITION.

 Although I never did grab my husband by the collar I sure do remember pleading and begging at that point for someone to just GET THIS BABY OUT! I was done, I had enough, I wanted to just get up and walk on out of there and have someone ELSE take over. It is a desperate feeling. Yet, there is NO way out. It is impossible to get that baby out without the process.
So, we have to keep on pushing through and endure the process.

There are times when our lives are "pregnant" with possibility and new things to come. Yet until we go through the entire process of labor and delivery of sorts we will never come to the end result, and lo and behold transition is an essential part of this.

 It is the hardest part.

Just as it was when I was having my precious babies, there shall be a prize, a perfectly wonderful GIFT, a light at the end of the tunnel.   The end is near.

I recently saw an illustration that describes this perfectly.
The illustration is a dissection of a picture of  someone digging their way out of a  tunnel. They are digging and digging and digging and then, they just get too tired, too overwhelmed, they stop, turn around and walk away. The bad thing is, when we look at the picture (seeing that which they cannot see) we find that had they just pressed on another few inches...just a little bit more digging and trying and giving it their all, they would have reached their reward!!!!
 The end was RIGHT THERE!!!


Transition is HARD...SO hard. We are desperate, we are tired, we are DONE with this. It is times like this that we need our coach to bend down and whisper in our ear, YOU CAN DO THIS. HANG IN THERE, YOU ARE ALMOST THERE.
If you are in a time like this, let me be the one to tell you...........HOLD ON...Just keep on digging, your light at the end of the tunnel is close, soooo close.

Just keep on keeping on.

When you feel ready to give up, visualize that tunnel scenario and remember you might be walking away JUST when you are about to break through!!!

XO

A Mother's Day Lesson from Momma Bird

Since we went to church last nite I was able to wake up leisurely and just hang out, a lovely treat indeed!!

I meandered onto the patio and was immediately welcomed by the cool, fresh early morning air (it is getting in the 90's here now).
 The MANY birds that have been hanging around our home lately were busily singing and flitting around. Right away my husband noticed that a little baby bird was making it's first attempt to fly out of a nest that had been built up in the gutters of his shop. He watched it try to set sail, only to drop the 20 feet or so to the ground. Then it began hoping around trying to muster up the strength it would take to get back to the nest. It would flutter up as high as it could, very close to the building, and then it would slide down the side of the building....back to the ground.
 Attempt after attempt.
Hopping, fluttering, flopping.....

Immediately I thought...this poor little birdy needs some help.

 Where is it's momma!?!?!?

 As quickly as I had that thought, I knew the answer.........

Momma bird is purposely NOT helping her precious little baby so it will gain strength, determination, and confidence to do it on it's own.She is probably watching from a spot close by, staying out of sight so her little fledgling will keep on trying.  Each time it flutters it is building the necessary muscles that will enable it to one day soar on it's own.

 Momma is a wise old bird.

I was struck by the correlation of it being Mother's day and me sitting here witnessing this little life lesson being played out before my very eyes.

 I admit, I have struggled with this concept of motherhood, stepping aside and allowing my baby birds to struggle and hop around trying so desperately to succeed. I tend to want to swoop in and pick them up and set them back, safely in the sweet cozy little nest. I like nests, I like cozy and safe and hassle free living! ;)

Although my little birdies have long ago flown our own little cozy, sweet nest, I am still finding I have to step back and watch them struggle and hop around....building strength, confidence, determination, ON THEIR OWN.

Who knew I would STILL be doing this?? Oh, they are fine on their own, this momma just thinks she has to be right there helping and supporting and watching ever so closely to be sure that her baby birds are safe and protected from any vultures that might come upon the weak little birdy as it struggles to find it's wings, lest it be devoured.

Lord knows we have had plenty of experience in this. All three of my kiddos have had to endure some pretty rough patches as adults. Times when they were once again learning the ropes of flight. Gaining new strength and confidence, determined to fly in the face of adversity and the pain that had tossed them from the cozy little nest that was once theirs.

Lessons from an empty nest come just as hard as those when the nest was full and bustling. But now, I must stand further back, I have learned even more how very important it is that I ALLOW them to feel the struggle and the anguish of defeat, in order that they then find the thrill and strength of victory.

The greatest desire for this momma bird is that no matter how many times my precious baby birds fall or get tossed from the nest, that they never forget where their strength comes from. We have but one source of strength within ourselves and that is God Himself. When we ALLOW Him in to rule and reign in our hearts we gain a strength that we would never otherwise have.

To all of you moms out there who are experiencing your little fledglings flutter and hop around learning how to spread their wings to fly....stand back dear ones, allow them the space they need, but be close enough to see if danger is eminent. They need time, they need practice and one day they will be soaring so high and you will feel so proud.

As I continue to watch our own little back yard birdie flutter and hop around I am reminded how very important our role is as momma bird. Knowing when to step back and when to step in. When to allow our little fledglings to struggle and even fall, before stepping in to save the day. A lesson I have to master so I can have the healthiest, strongest. most confident baby birds soaring high overhead!!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all you Momma Birds out there!!!

Love & Blessings,
XO

SURRENDER

Ahhhhh..... such is the way of God that when you hear His Word and let it seep deep down into your soul, it will begin to feed you like nutrition. That is why I often refer to it as "manna to my soul". He gives us just what we need every day, no more, no less. Only what can be digested and make sense to our earthly minds.

Often times I experience, what I am sure many of you do to, when I hear a message, read a story or devotion, hear a song, and it all seems to be saying the same thing to my heart. Such great confirmation. I love when this happens because I KNOW I am receiving a personal message from God. You know what it is like when someone tells you something and you feel like YES!! You get it! You understand. Well, I guess that is what this feels like to me. It is like YES GOD! That is EXACTLY what I needed to hear! (Duh! Like He didn't know! ha!!)

I had this experience over the weekend. It seemed like every message I listened to on TV (love me some church on TV when I am home on the weekends) while puttering around the house, the songs that I had playing while I was in my studio, the devotion I read in my awesome new devotional ("Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young)...were ALL speaking to me. Funny thing is, it was not so much to ME as it was to my heart about OTHERS I know who are going through some pretty tough times right now. OH, believe me I know it is still for me...because His Word is ALWAYS relevant in my heart and life. But these messages are meant to be shared, which is exactly why I am bringing all this up............

I want to share it all with you today!!!!!

SURRENDER TO GOD'S STRENGTH!!!
You have been hurting so deeply. Your heart is aching so terribly that it hurts, it really HURTS. Sometimes the simple act of breathing is painful, it cuts deep.
You must remember that when you are the weakest HE is the strongest! The battle is NOT yours, it is HIS. He wants to fight for you. He wants to protect you from all the pain you are feeling. He wants you to find PEACE in HIM.

YES, the pain you feel is REAL. VERY VERY VERY real!!!! Nothing minimizes how awful it is for you right now. But He wants you to move from that painful place to a place of TRUST, TRUST in HIM! Because when we are fearing, when we are anxious....we are NOT trusting Him!!!!

I am one to speak. I have worry stamped in a huge crease on my forehead. But then again, that may very well be why I know so much about how I am SUPPOSED to behave!  ;)

I often meditate on Philippians 4:6-8.......

"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. "

Seriously, these words are imprinted upon my heart because I have had to refer to them so many times.
I encourage you to write them upon your heart. (which means memorize them so they are there to stay).

When you find yourself ready to go crazy with fear or worry...begin to recite these words, out loud, or silently in your mind. It doesn't matter, just SPEAK THEM!

It is a daily walk. Day by day, sometimes moment by moment. Get through this moment, this day and THEN move on to the next. Just like manna for the soul, you have the energy and strength you need RIGHT NOW, He has equipped you with just what you need.

He has not left you, He never will leave you nor forsake you!!!!
He loves you.

PRAISE HIM.
Oh I know.....it feels a little weird to praise Him when you are feeling like you can barely think a positive thought right now. That's okay, He understands! Begin to offer the "sacrifice" of Praise. Sacrifice means that it cost you something. So when you reach deep into yourself right now and make the effort to sacrifice that praise that does not come easy, you are doing just what you should be doing.

PRAISE is FAITH at work!

You never know when your victory is coming, so do not give up!!!!! Never EVER give up!!!!
God has not nor will He ever give up on you!
Dig deeper. Dig your heels in. HOLD ON.
Shake off the negative.
 Stay in a constant attitude of praise and thanksgiving.
(what a perfect season to be practicing this!!)
One of the best ways to practice this is by coming up with at least one thing every day that you have to be thankful for.

You may be on the brink of your miracle. The change you are looking for may happen TODAY. The revelation you need to hear from God may come TODAY! That pain inside you may begin to ease TODAY! So....hang in there! Never, ever let go of HOPE!

Surrender to HIM! Give it ALL to Him. He is waiting..................

XO