Life is a gift, y’all.
Sometimes it takes tears to realize that. Sometimes it takes sorrow to see the joy. Sometimes I don’t have the words to capture what I feel, but I do have a bit to share, and that is….
Today
Hug a little tighter
Breathe the air in deeper
Pray harder
Listen closer
Cherish
Life
Don’t fear death
or separation
or the future
or the past
Look at the faces
Of the ones you love
And realize how
Blessed
You are
To have them
Today
**************
Live it.
Hey y’all!
I’m so excited to share this invitation with you.
My friends at Radical Femininity have invited me to co-host the “What Are You Thankful For?” linkup party. From November 11th-25th you can share your blog posts on the theme of Thanksgiving or thankfulness on the link-up at the bottom of this post! :)
Thankfulness is a powerful thing. It doesn’t erase the problems in our lives, but it does change the way we view them. It helps us to see Yahweh’s hand leading us day by day, to recognize His goodness in every situation, and to focus on the beauty in this world. Having a thankful heart doesn’t just help us be more joyful and content, it lifts others up too.
Sometimes it takes a bit of creativity to find the positive side to things. It’s easy to complain. It’s easy to get frustrated or discouraged. But it’s not by our might that we can keep a thankful heart. It’s by His strength. It’s by His Word and Truth guiding us through life. It’s by the joy that He has placed in our hearts that we can rejoice in all things. And sometimes when we look at the big picture, the things we most dislike are actually mercies in disguise.
What if Your blessings come through rain drops?
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
And what if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?
~“Blessings” by Laura Story~
It’s easy to talk about thankfulness. It’s easy to read the Scripture verses about thankfulness, or listen to the songs that remind me of God’s goodness. But in my heart–where only He sees–I know whether I’m living in a spirit of thankfulness or not. I know when the enemy has crept in and planted ungrateful seeds in my heart. And it’s only when I fix my eyes on my heavenly Father, when I remember His faithfulness, His almighty power, His unfathomable love and care for me, that I can see how wrong I am to feel frustration toward Him.
Thankfulness is a daily journey, a walk of contentment, and a work in progress in my heart. I’m so thankful to the ladies at Radical Femininity for inviting us to this party, because it’s such a wonderful reminder to keep a cheerful heart. I’m also thankful for all the other co-hostesses celebrating this too. And I encourage you to check out their lovely posts on thankfulness and comment/follow!
The Co-Hostesses:
Alisha @ Alisha In Progress
Connect at: Google Plus | Pinterest
~~~~~~~~~~
April @ A Simple Life Too
Connect at: Google Plus | Facebook | Pinterest
~~~~~~~~~~
Hannah @ Shining Stars Magazine
Connect at: Google Plus
~~~~~~~~~~
Joy @ Artful Homemaking
Connect at: Facebook | Google Plus | Pinterest | Twitter
~~~~~~~~~~
Leticia @ King Maker Blog
Connect at: Facebook | Pinterest
~~~~~~~~~~
Naomi @ What Joy Is Mine
Connect at: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
~~~~~~~~~~
The Ladies @ Radical Femininity
Connect at: Facebook | Google Plus | Pinterest | Twitter
~~~~~~~~~~
Thankfulness can flood our hearts when we’re overwhelmed by the giant blessings in life, but sometimes blessings come in smaller, every day happenings. And it’s in those seemingly insignificant things that Yahweh can touch our hearts in a special way when we stop to observe the beauty around us and thank Him for it. Here’s just a few things that I’m thankful for and have written down in my Beautiful Things journal lately.
noisy reunions {because there’s a lot of us & we’re having fun}
sweet notes from even sweeter friends
sibling laughter
poems that slowly grow
optimists
leaves that rustle under stroller wheels
crisp autumn air
&
trees that look like fireworks in the sky
Now it’s your turn!
What are you thankful for?
If you have any posts on Thanksgiving or thankfulness, please join the party by linking your post below. Or leave a comment about what you’re thankful for today. Let’s share the many blessings that He has given us and behold the joy that it brings! <3
There were lots of pictures taken on this trip. Between my brother, my friend Melanie, and me, there was almost always a photo being snapped as we toured the Land.
It’s always good to find a balance when traveling though, and at times I purposefully left my camera behind, so I would enjoy the sights without staring through a lens. But, alas, pictures and videos are the best for saving memories, and they’re also perfect for sharing with others. So quite often I had my little point-and-shoot on hand, because you just never know when you’ll discover something beautiful.
Here are some pictures and passages.
Dwell in booths for seven days; all who are natives of Israel dwell in booths, so that your generations know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am יהוה your God.’” (Leviticus 23:42-43)
These booths (Sukkot in Hebrew) are set up all over Jerusalem outside restaurants and homes. Many of them are decorated elaborately, and at night you can hear the families gathered inside, singing in Hebrew, chanting prayers, or talking to one another.
For in the day of evil He hides me in His booth; in the covering of His Tent He hides me. (Psalm 27:5)
It’s estimated that 100,000 people came to Israel for the festival!
Thus said the Master יהוה, “Once again I shall let the house of Israel inquire of me to do for them: I shall increase their men like a flock.“As a set-apart flock, as the flock at Jerusalem at her appointed times, so shall the wasted cities be filled with flocks of men. And they shall know that I am יהוה.” ’ ” (Ezekiel 36:37-38)
Thousands gathered to hear the priestly blessing at the Wailing Wall.
The Jerusalem March went up the street across from where we were staying. It was amazing to see thousands of Christians from around the world showing their support for Israel.
Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the children of Zion exult in their King. (Psalm 149:2)
These gentlemen brought smiles to our faces as they bursted out singing in the Old City.
Walking through the Arab bazaar is like walking through a kaleidoscope, with shops overflowing with zillions of shiny and colorful trinkets for sale. It’s quite different than shopping in the United States, since the shop owners expect you to haggle for the price that you want. Sometimes you have to walk away to get them to lower the price enough. You can get a good deal if you play it tough. ;)
“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase. (Proverbs 20:14)
Sweet Home Alabama followed us there!
I loved the delightful umbrellas hung above this street. :)
And He began to teach again by the sea, and a large crowd was gathered to Him, so that He entered into a boat, to sit in the sea. And all the crowd was on the land facing the sea.” (Mark 4:1)
This tour boat on the Galilee is called the “Jesus Boat.” From the shores of Capernaum, we could hear the Christian music they were playing.
And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He went into the congregation and taught. (Mark 1:21)
This is an ancient synagogue at Capernaum.
“And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to the heaven, shall be brought down to the grave. (Luke 10:15)
We have only the remains of this city today, just as Yeshua prophesied.
After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Desert of En Gedi.” So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats. (1 Samuel 24:1-2)
This is one of the many waterfalls at Ein Gedi (an oasis in the Negev desert). I can see why David and his men hunkered down here!
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of יהוה ; make straight in the desert a highway for our God “See, I am doing what is new, let it now spring forth. Do you not know it? I am even making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. “For יהוה shall comfort Zion, He shall comfort all her waste places. For He makes her wilderness like Ěḏen, and her desert like the garden of יהוה. Joy and gladness are found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of song. (Isaiah 40:3)
There were lots of ibex in the park. Isn’t this one adorable?
“He is not here, for He was raised, as He said. Come, see the place where the Master lay.” (Mathew 28 6)
This is said to be the Garden Tomb. It is one of the most beautiful places in Jerusalem. Wafting through the air was the sound of a tour group from Africa singing “It is Well With My Soul” in their native tongue.
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
{Yeshua (Jesus) is alive, the people of Israel are alive!}
I hope you have enjoyed this mini tour of Israel, and I hope that one day God will make a way for you to visit His Land too. Pictures truly don’t do it justice. There’s no place on earth like Israel, and no other city like Jerusalem. Out of all the earth, this is where Yahweh has placed His Name forever. It’s where Yeshua walked,. It’s where Bible stories come alive.
It’s also where tension and terrorism is raging right now.
Let us never forget to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go into the House of יהוה.”
Our feet have been standing
Within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem is built
As a city that is bound together,
Where the tribes have come up,
The tribes of יהוה,
A witness to Israel,
To give thanks to the Name of יהוה.
For there the thrones of right-ruling were set,
The thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,
Let those who love You be at rest.
Peace be within your walls,
Rest in your citadels.
For the sake of my brothers and companions,
I say, “Peace be within you.”
For the sake of the House of יהוה our God
I seek your good.
Amen.
“For יהוה your God is bringing you into a good land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills. When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise יהוה your God for the good land He has given you.” (Deuteronomy 8:7-10).
I am so thankful to Yahweh for the opportunity to visit that good land.
Here’s some of the beautiful things:
Sabbath in Jerusalem
Jerusalem honors the Sabbath unlike any other big city in the world, and that’s an amazing thing to be a part of.
Visiting a Messianic Synagogue
The congregation was overflowing with believers form all over the world. There was such diversity, and yet so much unity. The teacher talked in Hebrew. Someone in the congregation translated into English (for which I am very thankful!). A lady sitting in front of me took notes in Chinese, and a lady behind me quietly translated the teaching into Norwegian for her friends. His message was themed on Joshua 1:7–“be strong and courageous”–and how we should not fear death. It was especially powerful considering that it was preached at the start of this recent wave of hostilities in the Land. There was such peace in all of our hearts as we sang familiar hymns and Hebrew songs together, including some of my favorites: Ram Venisa, Come Thou Fount, and Blessed Assurance
The sandy hills of the Judean Dessert
Not only was the desert picturesque, it was also fascinating to see Bedouin dwellings, camels, and shepherds leading their flocks of sheep, as we drove along the highway. It reminded me of Yeshua calling Himself the Great Shepherd, and explaining that we are the sheep of His pasture. Suddenly 2,000 years seemed so much closer.
Washing clothes by hand
Okay, so this might sound like an odd “beautiful thing,” but I felt like a real Israeli as I washed my clothes by hand in the apartment where we were staying. The kitchen window was open and I could hear Jerusalem outside and breathe its dry air. (Any time that I get to feel like a native, it’s a beautiful thing.)
The worker who loved his work
He was an older man, with a gentle smile, kind eyes, and a peaceful countenance that defied the noise and hustle of the open-air market. I could tell that he delighted in his job as he slowly selected the carrots, oranges, apples, or pomegranates–whatever we requested–to press into juice. He told us how it was good for our health, and seemed to get as much pleasure in serving us and as we did in sipping that delicious fresh-pressed juice.
Israeli flowers
I love how many beautiful flowers there are in Israel, especially considering that it’s in a desert climate.
“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.” (Isaiah 35:1a)
Reading Hebrew
This was my first trip to Israel since learning how to read Hebrew. It was exciting to read the signs and labels and be immersed in a culture where Hebrew is the native language. Note to self: I should have learned to read a long time ago! (It’s actually quite easy.)
Fellowshipping in the park with friends
When family in Messiah from all over the world gathers in His city at His festival to worship Him, it’s the most beautiful thing of all! Here’s one of the songs we sang together (led my James Block).
P.S. If you’ve never heard James Block’s music, I’d highly recommend you do. He mostly sings the Psalms and returns God’s Hebrew names to the text.
My goodness, y’all, I don’t know where to begin.
I know it’s been a while since I last posted. Life has been busy and blessed, and I’ve been taking more time to cherish this thing called “life” rather than write about it. Sometimes it’s good to take a break, but I’m looking forward to sharing about the many things that Yahweh has been doing in my life.
A few weeks ago, I had the incredible opportunity of celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) in Jerusalem with some of my family and many friends from around the world.
It was a good trip, with lots of sightseeing and memory making (it was my brother’s first time in the Land.).
It’s hard to describe a trip to Israel. It’s not like a normal “vacation,” because Israel is different than anywhere else in the world. Every time I’m there, it’s life-changing. This time one of the lessons that hit home with me is that I need to be praying for Israel more than I have been.
While I was there I felt the tension in the air. Psalm 122–“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem”–takes on a deeper meaning when I’m standing in its streets, when friends talk of the riots that raged outside their hostel, when an ambulance speeds past, and when news reports are from just up the road.
Since flying back to the States, the tension in Jerusalem has risen drastically. Places where we felt safe a few weeks ago have now been affected by terrorism. 
So often in the States, I live my life without standing for Israel like I should. It’s during these times when Israel is in distress that I feel the most unhelpful. But there is one thing I can do–something any of us can do anywhere–pray.
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet,
till her righteousness shines out like the dawn,
her salvation like a blazing torch. (Isaiah 62:1)
During my Bible reading, the promises to Israel have been jumping off the pages. Yahweh has made a covenant with Israel, and He never breaks his covenants. He has promised to give the Land of Israel to the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob forever; and He is faithful to His Word. He has not forgotten His Land, and we shouldn’t either.
But I want to do more than just pray for Israel. And as I seek the Father, surely He’ll show me what to do. He has ways for all of us to stand for the Promise Land.
It is by His strength that Israel will become all that He has promised it to be.
“But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.
I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people;
the sound of weeping and of crying
will be heard in it no more.
(Isaiah 65:18-19)
I long for the day when Yeshua Messiah brings peace to Jerusalem.
Those who trust in יהוה are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So יהוה surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.”
(Psalm 125:1-2)
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Let those who love you be at rest.”
(Psalm 122)
I love it when a beautiful song comes to mind, playing softly in my heart and soothing my soul.
I often have a song in my heart, and the other day it was “This Little Light of Mine” by Addison Road. One line in particular spoke to me that day. It’s so simple, yet powerful:
Don’t forget whose child you are.
In a noisy world where it’s so easy to drown out the still, small voice of our heavenly Father, it’s so important to remember whose child we are. We are His children. He is our Father. He loves us more than we could ever fathom. Our devotion to Him is so small compared to His devotion to us.
Don’t forget whose child you are.
Our identity is not in our faults, our sins, our problems. It’s not in our past, our present, or our future. It’s not in our title, our degree, our accomplishments, our job, our personality, etc.
We are His children.
He is our Father.
And no one can take that from us.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Yeshua Messiah our Master. (Romans 8:37-39)
Don’t forget whose child you are.
Cast your burden on Yahweh, And let Him sustain you; He never allows the righteous to be shaken. (Psalm 55:22)
It’s September, friends.
Can you believe it?
Fall is soon approaching.
I love fall. But fall has one problem. After fall, comes winter.
And winter is something I dread.
I hate to admit it, but it’s true. I have been mourning the loss of the green grass and the sunshine and leaf-filled trees for a little while now, and dreading the cold and the gray. I know I have no right to complain about winters in Alabama. Even if I lived in Alaska, complaining wouldn’t do any good, but still I have this dread.
As silly as it may seem, underneath my dread for winter I see a disposition that too often troubles me. I have a tendency to worry about losing what I love when I should be enjoying it with all my heart. This preoccupation with future ‘”dread” is a sneaky critter. He wriggles his way into joyful moments and worries me with some future misery that he convinces me is sure to happen. What goes up, must come down, right? When I’m so thrilled with life, surely there’s something sad about to happen to zap my enthusiasm.
It’s nonsense really–worrying about the future–because it doesn’t do any good. But it’s also incredibly human, and something we all have to struggle with, regardless of the facts:
Dreading the cold doesn’t make the winter any warmer. It only steals the sunshine today.
Worrying about the future doesn’t prepare me to face it. It only steals my joy today.
I want to enjoy the last days of summer for as long as they last. And when fall comes along, I want to savor its beauty. I want to take walks through the woods and discover colorful and unique leaves. I want to enjoy the cool breeze that allows me to wear a jacket again. And I want to make memories with my family and friends as we celebrate the fall feasts together (Yom Teruah is right around the corner!).
I want to enjoy the seasons as they come to me, because that is the way that the Creator made this earth to be. It’s the way He made our lives to be also. Life changes. There’s the good times, the rough times, and the in-between times. But all along Yahweh is faithful. He is good. He never changes. And He wants to bring us peace.
I don’t want winter to cloud my sunshine.
I don’t want worry to steal my joy.
Today I want to cherish the beauty of the season and be thankful for my many blessings.
So here’s a few things that I’m thankful for:.
Living Waters, by Brother Yun–This book is incredible! I just might do a book review when I finish reading it.
Living Language Hebrew–because it’s an amazing program for the price tag, and it actually works for me.
27 days (and counting!) till Israel!
This morning–Walking in the damp grass. Seeing how the droplets of dew glitter silver and gold in the sunshine. I’d write a poem about it, if I had the words to describe it.
tobyMac music–because its good and fun and makes me happy. Especially this song:
We live in a messed up world, y’all.
I’m reminded of this everyday, with every terrible news report that I happen to hear (though I try not to hear too many), with every heartbreaking story, with every injustice that steals the lives of the innocent, with every tactic of the enemy to destroy what God has called good and holy.
I don’t like to think about these things. I don’t like to let it infiltrate my blog either, because I want this blog to be a place of beauty and joy. But perhaps by admitting that these things weigh heavy on my heart, I can also share the hope that is within me–the hope that’s within all of us that have our faith in something greater than mankind.
If our faith is in mankind, when we look at reality, we will be depressed. But if our faith is in Yahweh, Almighty, if we truly believe that He sent His only Son to die for us. To redeem us. To restore back to Him even the worst of sinners. Then we will have hope. We will have joy. Because we’ve read the end of the Book. We know that His is the victory.
Even in the darkness, we will have light.
Because every terrible news report shows our desperate need of a Savior.
Every heartbreaking story cries for a Healer.
Every terrible injustice calls for the King of Kings.
It all points us back to Him.
The world will try to bring us down. Fear will try to steal our joy. But hope is calling to us. Waiting for us. Longing for us to reach out and hold His hand. His perfect love casts out fear. His joy is our strength. His peace surpasses all understanding.
This is the hope we have as believers.
I’m thankful for this hope. I’m thankful for the friends and family that remind me of it. I’m thankful for the birds that still sing in the tree tops and the flowers that still bloom each spring. I’m thankful for the continuity of life, despite how much the culture changes around me.
I’m thankful for the Word of Life that never, ever changes., and shows me the paths of life.
I’m thankful for the Light.
This song is beautiful in so many ways.
I hope that it encourages you as much as it encourages me.
You satisfy my soul with Your love
You make my heart sing
You lift me on eagles wings
Just when I thought that my heart it would faint
Hallelujah, You make all things beautiful
Hallelujah, trials and testing prove there’s gold
Hallelujah, You turn mourning into joy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf4kDOyS7wE
What’s a song that encourages you right now?
I don’t know what my future will look like.
But I know this much–I want to live a life of simplicity.
Simplicity means walking with my Savior day by day, allowing Him to lead me through life.
It means letting go of my complicated worries and trusting His perfect plan.
It means getting rid of what’s crowding out my life–all the unnecessary wants and desires and fears–to focus on what matters.
It means delighting in simple things, because sometimes those are the most important things.
It doesn’t mean that life will be easy–because, let’s be honest, it isn’t–but it means that it will be livable by His strength.
There’s nothing wrong with big dreams and big accomplishments, but those only come after a lot of simple things have been done. Day to day life is full of simple victories. Every time we choose to do the right thing or speak the right words, we have done something great.
And perhaps one day, we’ll see how all the simple things we did each day were bigger than we’d ever dreamed.
What do you think?