Tag: strength

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Prayer

Finding Grace #540

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was full of activity but also full of God’s grace! We had a variety of activities each night. Some were planned, and some were spontaneous.

Work was wildly busy, which is about what I expected. I had a full schedule of planned patients, but I also needed to work on some projects and return some phone calls. It felt good to connect well with the Veterans and know God was helping me every step of the way.

On Monday, Lydia went to the county fair with friends. That night, I also had my monthly book club meeting. We had a great time discussing our book and sharing more about our lives! I have already started our next book!

On Tuesday, after work, Lydia had her third driving lesson. I prayed quite a bit because it was on the highway during a busy time. God came through for us, like He always does!

Wednesday night, I dropped off Lydia to watch a friend’s softball game. Then, I ran some errands. She got a ride home, which is good because I was deep into organizing around the house!

I mowed the lawn on Thursday, since the rest of the week would be hot. Lydia went to a sleepover with her friends, so I had the evening to myself otherwise!

Yesterday and today were a mix of organizing and relaxing. I ran some errands, did Saturday things, and watched a movie with Lydia. A good way to end a busy week!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Personality

Finding Grace #539

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was just what I needed. It was both peaceful and productive!

Work went well on Monday and Tuesday. Not much new to report there. I took off Wednesday and Thursday, just because. Originally, I thought Lydia and I might take a trip, but then we ended up staying home instead. It was awesome sleeping in and not waking up to my alarm!

It was wonderful to have a low-key time at home with no major plans! I really should do that more often. We decided to reorganize the house a bit, since it has been a while and things were feeling cluttered. We donated, put away, and repurposed various items. We worked in every room in the house, though we still have a few more spots to go through, such as the pantry. It feels so good to have more clarity and space!

On Thursday, I had two routine health appointments. Then, on Friday, I got a massage. It was wonderful, and I did not realize how tight some small muscles in my back were. 

This week, we also had fun watching movies and cooking. We watched ELLE on Amazon Prime and really enjoyed it! I made a slow cooker pot roast with a delicious gravy. I’ll definitely have to do that again! I might even make a fruit pizza for tonight.

We are planning to hang out with friends to celebrate Independence Day. I don’t know if the weather will cooperate, but we will have fun anyway! Happy 250th, America!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Personality

Finding Grace #538

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a fairly calm week.

On Sunday after church, Lydia and I drove an hour to Detroit Lakes to spend the afternoon. We walked through a flea market, stopped by a car dealership to dream a little, and then went to a bookstore and food co-op downtown. We were thinking of Dave on Father’s Day and thought going on a little adventure would honor him best!

It was pretty routine as far as work. Lots of patients, some cancellations, and no-shows. I always think it will be a challenge to get everything done, but somehow Jesus always helps me finish all my charting! Thanks, Lord!

On Friday afternoon, I took Lydia to the mall to hang out with friends. I went back to work for a bit, then picked Lydia up. She and one friend wanted to walk around a little longer, and so we did a little shopping. It was fun to hang out with them and listen to them interact. Later, I dropped the friend off at her house, and Lydia and I watched a movie.

I loved the weather this week! The temperatures were mild, not too hot nor too cold. It rained on and off, but it was the perfect mix of sun and clouds. This is a really beautiful season!

Today, I worked on little projects around the house. It was nice not to rush. I do my best work when I can take my sweet time, so I relish the opportunity. Lydia helped me in the kitchen, and we enjoyed the time together!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Books and Movies I Like, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Worship

Summer Lovin’

The best thing about Summer is that everything feels so relaxed. At least in my world. Sure, there are plenty of things going on, but it all feels easier. We don’t have to clear snow or drive cautiously due to ice. We don’t have to wear heavy layers, and if I want to let my hair air dry, I can. It stays light until around 10 p.m. at the height of the season, so I feel like I have so much more time. In fact, because of this, I try harder to stick to a bedtime, but either way, it all seems to run more smoothly in the morning.

With nothing urgent or pressing to share today, I thought it would be fun to make a list of some things I am loving right now. Here goes, in no particular order!

Reading! For my book club, I read Murder, Motherhood, and Miraculous Grace by Debra Moerke. It came out in 2019, but covers a few decades of her life as a foster parent. It was sad but also quite compelling. I was amazed at all God brought her through! Highly recommend!

Skinny Dipped dark peanut butter cups. FYI, I have several foods on the list. I’m a dietitian, so why not? I got these from Costco. Dark chocolate, less sugar. So tasty! I still enjoy Reese’s, but these are a little healthier. 😉

Games with Lydia. We’ve played classics like Clue, Uno, Leaps and Ledges, and a few others. It is great because we laugh and don’t feel the need to rush.

Lemon almond “parmesan.” Not real cheese, but really good. I have been sprinkling it on everything, and it only takes a few minutes to make! Seriously, check it out!

Campbell’s UNSALTED soups. This is long overdue in my opinion. I am thrilled to recommend these soups. There are three that I know of so far. The tomato soup is delicious on its own or in a casserole. I have the others in my pantry to try soon!

AI meal plans to make my job easier. Ironically, I have yet to give any of these meal plans out, but I am practicing in anticipation of using the concepts very soon. Dietitians teach people how to follow healthy guidelines, but people still want to know “exactly” what to eat. This drives me nuts because I see it as a waste of time. Most people have some sort of routine, healthy or not, so they end up not liking it when I tell them what to eat or do.

The Healing Garden at work. This has a variety of colors and flowers from Spring to Fall. I love the peaceful walk through it as I go back and forth to work and home. I sometimes take pictures of the pretty blooms and always look forward to seeing what is new.

Driving with Lydia. We have been all over lately to get her experience and stack her hours. She is actually a good, calm driver (another way she’s like Dave, thank God!), and we have enjoyed exploring new parts of town! It has been fun to see her rise to the occasion!

The animals in my yard. The cotton-tailed rabbits are so funny, and we laugh each time we see them chasing each other. We also see them lounging in the yard, like they have no cares in the world. The only thing that makes us laugh just as much is the family of quail or partridges that runs around the neighborhood. Oh, I also enjoy all the songbirds, but I haven’t seen as many of them since I am gone during the day!

Excellent sermons at church. God has been doing a good work in us! You can check out the sermons for yourself here! The Hebrews series was especially good!

Thanks for reading and following along each week! I really appreciate your ongoing support and encouragement. Today, I pray you’ll see God’s goodness all around you!

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Father God, thanks for all You do for me. Thanks for the evidence of Your love in my life. You surround me with abundant grace! Open my eyes so I can see more of You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What are your top ten favorite things about summer right now?

Task: Make a list of all the things you are thankful for this week! Be sure to praise God!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #537

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a good week overall. I accomplished quite a bit! Namely, I finished up the insurance updates, which were something I had been meaning to do for a long time! I am grateful I had part of the day off on Tuesday!

I had a meeting about a potential project, but then I learned it was not meant to be. I was disappointed and felt overlooked. But I realized I could possibly still do it on my own. I have some praying to do!

Friday was Juneteenth. I had off work, and we were going to take a day trip. However, I woke up not feeling very well, so we just relaxed instead. We talked about knowing when to get up and go versus taking care of ourselves. The weather was rainy on and off, so it worked out anyway.

Today, I had to work four hours covering inpatient duties. I prayed, and it was an easier day. I was so grateful! I came home to cook and do my Saturday things. Later, Lydia and I went for a drive and explored a bit before coming home to mow and watch a movie.

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #536

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a red-letter week for me, and I saw Jesus work in very personal ways. That said, all week I stayed up late and was groggy in the morning since I had extra activities. Plus, it is easy to lose track of time when it stays light until 10 p.m. in Summer! 😉

On Sunday, Lydia had her first official driving lesson with a professional. She has about 28 hours of driving with me, but I wanted someone else to fill in the gaps of things I might not think to teach her. She passed the first lesson with flying colors!

While she was driving, I had a meeting at church with one of our lead pastors. She’s in charge of the leadership program I finished, and we talked about next steps. I got to tell her about my previous experiences in teaching others, and there’s a possibility I could do more of the same. For now, we are going to have me step into a current system to see whether we can either provide support there or develop it further. I am grateful to serve and feel like God has me right where He wants me.

On Monday after work, I went to the chiropractor and then to a new book club at church. I am excited to share more later, perhaps, but I am excited for several reasons. It is a small group, and everyone there loves to read. We may have others join (men or women), but for now, there are just four of us. We plan to read one book a month, including a couple of suggestions I brought off my shelf at home. It ticked a lot of boxes for me on a personal level and I was praising God after. I am glad to make new friends, read several genres and discuss them, and actually tackle my stack of books!

Tuesday was my blog writing night, and Wednesday was church for Lydia. Pretty normal for us. But being busy every night made me not get around to mowing until Friday night. It was super windy and I got a lot of small dust and grass particles in my face, but I am glad I got it done.

On Thursday, a coworker convinced me to go with her to a dietitian social event at a local winery. It was a beautiful day, and I was feeling pumped with all that had already happened this week. I am so glad I went. It has been about thirteen years (since Dave died) that I have been involved with that group. I met five or six ladies, and we talked all about dietitian things and life in general. They were very welcoming, and I am sure I will go to more events!

Today, we went to Panera for lunch. Lydia was craving a Caesar salad, and we haven’t been in forever! Otherwise, I started my book for book club, started another class for church (on my own), and did other Saturday things. It was a perfect end to a great week!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Apologetics, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Wisdom, Words, Worship

Worthy of Honor

I heard something interesting recently. One difference between praising God and worshiping God is how we talk about it. While the connection may be a little more complex, it made a lot of sense to me. Praise happens in the third person; that is, we talk about Him to people. We tell others how He is working in our lives. Worship is when we talk to God directly. We tell Him how amazing He is!

So, that has me thinking about how often I praise God versus how often I worship Him. I am the only one in all of creation who can worship and honor God like I do. And, you are the only one who can worship God in your way. We are made in His image, yet still unique.

One day soon, those who love God will be singing “holy, holy, holy.” So, if we don’t speak up or sing out, that part of the heavenly chorus is missing. Even so, during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem during Holy Week, Jesus said that if the people didn’t praise Him, then the rocks would cry out.

At church lately, we have been singing a song called “Worthy” by Elevation Worship. I can’t recall all the lyrics from one day to the next, but that doesn’t matter. All I need to remember is that only Jesus is worthy of my worship and praise. He is above all and greater than everything!

That song has been waking me up, and I am glad Jesus is on my mind first thing. Whatever I have going on in my day or life, Jesus is bigger and better. My problems are not problems for Jesus! He doesn’t face the same obstacles; He has overcome them all!

So, when I worship Him, I agree with Him. I come into alignment with Him and His purposes for me. When I praise, I tell others all about Jesus, and we build up our faith. As I pray, telling Jesus about my problems, those very same problems hear how strong and mighty Jesus is! It’s a good trade! My problems will either be resolved, or I will grow in His strength and handle them with His grace.

It all starts with Jesus. Only He is worthy of all our praise and worship. We must lay down anything else that would compete with Him. Your phone, job, hobby, schedule, distractions, not even your family… nothing and no one is worthy of all your praise and worship besides Jesus! Honor Him today!

When we seek Jesus first, He will take care of the rest! He is our treasure and our reward. We don’t have to strive because in Him is life and all we need.

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“Lord, You are more precious than silver, more costly than gold, and more beautiful than diamonds. Nothing I desire compares with You.” Help me live it out, in Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What does it mean for you when Jesus is greater than all of your problems, your schedule, your decisions? How does thinking of Jesus as your treasure and reward change your plans and your efforts today?

Task: Catch up on my old blog posts about praise and worship!

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Travel, Words, Worship

Rest, Relax, Recap

On Thursday of last week, Lydia and I flew to Illinois to spend time with family. We had a lot of fun at the barefoot shoe expo, but we also enjoyed just hanging out. We ate good food, went to a school fundraiser for my nephew, ran errands, watched a couple of movies, played games, and laughed a lot. We missed my mom and Dave, of course, but we know they would be thrilled we got together.

On Saturday, my sister and I went to the expo in Schaumburg. We also took Lydia to Woodfield Mall. As we sat in the food court eating lunch, we were people watching. People of all sorts of cultures were there, and many fashions were also represented. We smiled at a few people’s choices, but we know that’s not always the full picture. Among the hundreds of people, some are likely brothers and sisters in Christ. Then I had a thought: I wonder if someday in Heaven, we will recognize each other. “Oh yeah, you’re the one with the tattoos, piercings, hot pink hair, and neon dress at the mall!” 🙂 I hope so!

My family and I also had several other good conversations. We talked about God’s goodness and His patience. It seems that often, someone who is good and godly will die, and God will leave the hateful jerk no one likes. It doesn’t seem fair, but we can trust that God knows best. In fact, 2 Peter 3:9 says (NLT), “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” What mercy! You can also read more here.

May be a graphic of text that says 'That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, NO EYE HAS SEEN NO EAR HAS HEARD and NO MIND HAS IMAGINED what GOD has prepared for those who love M CORINTHIANS 2:9'

We discussed some current events and hot topics. None of us is worried because we see world events through a different lens. We also reviewed some short-term and long-term plans. At various times, we mentioned prayer requests and other concerns. I am so grateful for my family of faith.

On Monday, some of us went to breakfast on the way to the airport. As we waited for our food to come, we asked each other what we were reading for our time with the Lord. Some had very specific Bible reading plans and devotional books. And some were taking an in-depth approach to a book of the Bible. I shared that I had been reading the Gospels and recently moved on to Acts. I like to have two or three different Bible translations open to compare as I go.

Finally, we discussed what Heaven will be like. The new Heaven will combine with the new Earth. It is a physical place, not just a bunch of clouds and harps! Anyway, my family talked about all the cool things we will get to do with our new resurrection bodies. Maybe we will hike mountains without tiring and see all sorts of wild animals with no real danger. Alaska is on my bucket list, but can you imagine how wonderful the new Alaska will be? I don’t have to worry if I don’t get to go in this lifetime – I will have eternity to check it out! I also hope we’ll get to explore other planets or galaxies! Only God knows!

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Heavenly Father, You are faithful and good! Thanks for the blessing of time with family. May we honor You in all we do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: When you imagine Heaven, what do you see? Have you ever looked into barefoot or minimalist shoes? (They have three main characteristics: zero drop heel, flexible sole, and wide toe box.)

Task: Don’t be afraid to have important conversations with your loved ones. Your family and friends need to know about Jesus. Ask good questions and be willing to listen to different perspectives.

Posted on in Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous, Travel, Wisdom

Finding Grace #532

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week flew by! We had a whirlwind mix of work, school events, and traveling!

Mother’s Day was on Sunday. We enjoyed church, seeing friends, and then relaxed. I am grateful for the love and support of so many wonderful ladies!

On Monday, I had an orthodontist appointment. We talked about my MARPE plan after the 3D mockup. The good news is that I am done with turns! I don’t have any other appointments until August, and then we will discuss our next steps.

On Tuesday, Lydia had her final middle school orchestra concert. (That’s hard to believe!!) In addition, she had to get a new (rental) viola because a seam was busted on her other one. She also got a new bow. At some point, we’ll have to decide if we keep renting or buy a viola. Decisions, decisions!

Wednesday evening was an orientation at the high school. Lydia is a little nervous but also excited about the fall. She has some experience already, having been there several times for Congress, Speech, and some orchestra events. Because of extracurricular activities, Lydia has grown in confidence this year, and I know God will be with her!

I crammed a lot of work into a few short days! Lots of patients and lots of charting, lol! My coworkers complimented me on my unique way of teaching difficult concepts in a practical, memorable way. That made me feel good, and I am glad they trust my input!

Friday was the thirteenth anniversary of Dave’s death. I have been able to take it off for several years in a row. It is a gift to myself, so I don’t have to pretend to be upbeat if I am not feeling it. It’s not that I will automatically feel sad, but I just give myself the day off so I can “be” and do whatever I want. We usually celebrate by doing fun things and eating good food in his honor.

The best part of the week is that we hopped onto a plane to visit family! Some of us went to a barefoot shoe expo today, and tonight we are hanging out with the others.

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Wisdom, Worship

Fan the Flame

Last Friday, I attended our church’s weekly prayer meeting. I am glad I went, though honestly, I considered skipping it since it had been a long week. Still, I decided to go with a good attitude and expectant heart, a sacrifice to honor the Lord.

I walked in, sat with a friend, and waved to a few more. It turned out to be a really good experience with the Lord! Just what I needed.

In addition to worship and prayer, we happened to have a special guest. He was an evangelist with roots in our church from about 45 years ago! He told some cool “God stories” and then gave a brief sermon.

The topic was about not quenching the Holy Spirit, protecting His holy fire in our hearts, and fanning the flame of our faith. Satan hates our relationship with God and wants to pull us away from all Jesus has for us. He wants to kill our passion and influence, and he is always looking for ways to get us off track.

So, if you find yourself disinterested or feeling blah about God’s work, then you need to fight to stay close to Jesus. Check your heart and discipline your flesh; consider fasting and re-establishing good boundaries. Get rid of distractions and tune your heart to the Master.

To fan the flame, we must pray without ceasing. Fervent prayer, mentioned in James 5:16, leads to tremendous power and spiritual energy. Prayer, quite simply, is a two way conversation. Sometimes we talk and sometimes we listen. That said, we also must steward our time, energy, and resources. How we love, pray, and serve matters. Let’s choose wisely!

We also fan the flame when we invest in our relationship with God. To start, we do this by praising Him, reading His word, talking to Him, and asking the Holy Spirit to help us. In the parable of the ten virgins, five were prepared with oil, and five missed out because they were not prepared. The oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit and the time we put in with Him to work in our lives. We cannot live off someone else’s faith!

Later, we were all praying together as the speaker closed. He went around and had a word of prophecy for a few of us. This is basically a special insight and calling out God’s truth in our lives. He addressed a few physical conditions with healing prayers. This included a couple of people with gut issues, and he then asked if there was anyone with neck issues. After a minute of no one stepping forward, I said, “Oh, maybe that’s me!” I was surprised!

He prayed for my neck, then asked a few questions about me (to get a fuller picture and make sense of things). I don’t recall all he said in the moment, but the main takeaway was that I felt “seen” by God. Yes, the healing words were important, but the personal connection with Jesus is what meant the most to me!

Sometimes we need those little personalized reminders of God’s love. He does not owe us anything; in fact, the opposite is true! But He is so kind and gracious to bless us. I would have rather stayed home, but in faith, I went, and He had a sweet message for me. Thank You, Jesus!

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Father God, thanks for meeting me on a personal level! Thanks for encouraging me and bringing healing to my life. In You, I have everything I need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you had a personal connection with Jesus lately? When was the last time you felt the fire of faith?

Task: Fan the flame of faith today and don’t let the devil steal your joy. Spend time with Jesus like your life depends on it! Spiritually, it does!