Painting Life

"The joy of the Lord is my strength."

I painted this on a pallet last week and gave it to a friend. As I was painting it, I kept reading 'joy of the Lord' over and over. 

I don't always feel joyful. This verse continues to remind me that it is not my joy; it is His!  When I am able to accept His joy, then I am strong!

I also painted the words "God Will"  on a board. Because, He will. He gives us joy. He will do what He says He's going to do. He will, because He is God. 

There are times that I have to remind myself that God Will. Sometimes I remind God that He says He will! Sometimes it's hard to believe that He will. 

But, God Will. 

Then I painted

"Shine On"

Isn't it true? When we have been blessed with the joy of the Lord, when we persevere through all things knowing that God will our life will shine on!

Above all, He is King. He loves me and holds me and calls me His own. I am His favorite!  So are you. 

King Favorite!

I painted that too. 

Say That Again, His joy covers me, and God will do all that He has promised. And, as the King's Favorite, we will all shine on!

Delivered

David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the Armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands."  The Story

Even though I've read the story of David many times, this morning when I read it, I was struck by his words. David was able to prophecy!  He told Goliath what God was going to do.

Goliath was the big huge enemy of Israel. They were terrified of him. But, David knew that God was bigger, so he  was able to walk up to Goliath and simply say to him, "the Lord will deliver you into my hands." 

This is true for me, and for you, too. God is greater. The Lord Almighty will deliver his children from the enemy that comes against them, and the whole world will know that He is God!

Say That Again, Lord Almighty!

Introverts

As I was browsing through my Facebook, I found an article about introverts: 10 Ways Introverts Interact Differently With The World. It caught my attention right away, because I am most definitely an introvert, so I read it. And, yup, it confirmed the fact, that I interact differently than an extrovert!

My husband is an extrovert.

And, I would say that several members of my family are extrovert.

So, are many of my friends.

Here's what the article says about introverts:

They withdraw in crowds.

I tend to find a quiet place where two or three are gathered.

Small talk stressed them out, while deeper conversations make them feel alive.

I feel the closest to those who jump to the deep stuff right away and skip the small talk. Small talk is one of my bigger challenges!

They succeed on stage--just not in the chit-chat afterwards.

yup.

They get distracted easily, but rarely feel bored.

I am usually pretty focused, very seldom bored.

They are naturally drawn to more creative, detail-oriented and solitary careers.

Love to write!

When surrounded by people, they locate themselves close to an exit.

Always aware of where the exit is.

They think before they speak.

Reputation of being a listener. Reflecting internally.

They don't take on the mood of their environment like extroverts do.

All processes are more internal with introverts then extroverts , even in their environment.

They physically can't stand talking on the phone.

It's true. At the same time, I always appreciate hearing from friends.

They literally shut down when it's time to be alone.

I have to be alone now!

I read this article to my husband and he commented on how much it sounded just like me. And, it does. I am wired very different than he is. I really value time alone and quiet. If I am not able to get that time, I become exhausted. God made me to refuel differently. No music, no people, nothing. Just God and me.  It is good.

How has God created you to refuel? What are you doing each day to fill your energy cup? God wired you a particular way, how do you honor that?

Thank you Jesus for giving me time to refuel. 

Say That Again, Introverts!

Shine On!

Personally, Halloween, is not my favorite time of year. As a family, we've never had big parties or gone all out on Halloween. At the same time, we haven't told our children that they can't dress up or eat candy either.  We take them to Harvest Festivals or pass out candy to children that knock at our door. Sometimes, our children trick or treat in the neighborhood.

But, this year, it was different. They didn't want to do any of that. They wanted to spend time with us. They wanted to go out for dinner, in their costumes, and just eat out with mom and dad! So, that is the way we spent our Halloween.

They put on old man masks, and we took them to the Olive Garden. It was a lot of fun. I am praying it becomes a tradition with our children. 

Earlier that day I took them to the dollar store and we bought some candy for them to have after we got home from the Olive Garden. They enjoyed that for dessert. 

As a child of God I am called to bring Light into the darkness, even on holidays like Halloween. And, Halloween is dark. 

As we gathered at the Olive Garden and prayed over our food, we were shining light into a very dark holiday, and it brought glory to God. 

We live in this world, as we move through places of darkness, I know His Spirit will be the wind in and around all those that love Him, and His Light will shine. The darkness will dispel. 

If I do not walk into any of those places with the presence of God, than I am missing the opportunity to shine the light God has blessed me with. 

Say That Again, Shine On!