Light, Love, Hope

Truth

Shirley Christmas, Depression, God Is Close To The Broken Hearted, Thanksgiving, Tuesday At Ten 6

As we enter into the holiday season with snow beginning to fall and temperatures dropping even in the South, we prepare for our Thanksgiving feast and then Christmas festivities shortly thereafter. When we’re supposed to be filled with holiday cheer, the truth is that a lot of people are dreading the holidays. Either they are fighting depression, are in the mist of a crisis, or they do not have any family to gather with during the holiday season. There are a whole list of reasons why people are not in the holiday spirit and actually end up dreading this time of year!

Will you take time to remember them? The ones that feel like they have lost hope? The ones with no cheer left within their hearts and souls right now? The ones that are struggling to put their feet on the floor in the mornings and pull themselves out of bed to greet the day?

Some hide it so well that you’d never truly know that they dislike the holiday season. They will force a smile, hum a Christmas song, all the while they feel like they are dying inside.

Maybe they are like so many that have lost loved ones this year. Maybe they will have one vacant seat at the dinner table this year, or maybe, like in our case, there will be several vacant seats when our family gathers around after having lost my sister, granddaddy, and grandma in years past. Along with the empty chairs are hearts that feel as if they have holes in them as they miss their loved ones so much that memories of holidays past leave trails of tears streaming down their cheeks.

The truth is that not everyone feels like celebrating. Some would even like to hibernate, if that were even an option, until after the first of the year.

Will you take time to remember those individuals in prayer? Will you silently speak to God on their behalf asking Him to wrap His loving arms around them?

God, provide them comfort as only You can, Father. They need you …

Prayer

This post was inspired by the prompt word of Truth for this edition of Tuesday at Ten.

And Now Christmas Tunes Surround Us

Shirley Beautiful Music 0

Okay, so maybe not just yet, but pretty soon we all will be surrounded by Christmas tunes … in the car, in the stores, in the restaurants … Christmas tunes every where!!!

That is not a problem for me, though, as I love Christmas music! I have actually already started playing mine in the comfort of my own home.

I was so excited to receive the Celtic Ladies Christmas CD in the mail from Family Christian! I immediately put it in the CD player and turned it up to enjoy! They have been a long time favorite of mine, and I could think of none better to get me in the Christmas spirit than these ladies!

There were some familiar songs as well as some that I hadn’t heard before, but each and every song was sung so eloquently and was simply beautiful. My ten year old daughter joined in on the tunes that were familiar to her, and we had a great time singing together. My 17 year old daughter came dancing into the room doing moves that she learned in ballet a few years ago. I’ll take that as a sign that she enjoyed it as well. 🙂 I can see us playing this CD a lot throughout the upcoming Christmas Season!

If you’re looking for a special CD to play as you’re gathered around the Christmas tree this year or as you’re wrapping all of the presents prior to Christmas day, I highly recommend this one! You and your family will be blessed by these ladies and the message that they bring forth through song, especially the old familiar Christmas hymns. I especially love What Child Is This, Silent Night, and O Holy Night.

Can you tell I’m excited about the upcoming holiday season?

Heavy Hearts

Shirley God Is Close To The Broken Hearted, Women's Health 6

We visited with our dear friend, Debbie, this weekend. We have returned home with heavy hearts now more than ever after seeing her in the condition that she is in. It is truly heart breaking.

Debbie was so full of life in September as she showed us around her town. And now, she lays in that hospital bed with her head drooping somewhat to her right side as the cancer has taken away her ability to walk and to control her neck now. Her right arm is paralyzed according to her husband, while she tries with all of her might to use her left arm and hand.

An adjustable hospital bed was delivered to Debbie’s home Friday, and she tried Friday night to get it into a comfortable position. There’s no such thing, according to her, now, though. Nevertheless, she would send that bed all the way up as high as the setting would allow toward the ceiling just to move it back down again. She would press those buttons with all of her might, and she would find temporary relief for her legs. She’d move it to another position within minutes. At other times, she would adjust the head of the bed to provide some support for her neck. We bought a travel pillow to place around her neck to help offer some support. She didn’t like it at first, but she accepted it back after a few minutes. Later, she had it removed again and used rolled up towels to steady her neck. Then she’d go back to adjusting the bed – the only thing she probably feels like she can control at this point.

My heart hurts for this lady. She is only 60 years old. While that may sound old to some, it is so young in my eyes. She is supposed to have so many more years here on this earth, and yet, she is slowly slipping away.

Her husband, Ray, has been caring for her, and his love and devotion shines through. They married just after Debbie turned 18, according to Ray, and they have been married now for 42 years. That is just amazing! But to see him in action, how he dotes on Debbie and would do anything in the world to take her pain away … it grabs you right there in the heart. That is love! Ray took his marriage vows very seriously as he’s doing all he can with the strength that he has to care for his wife. The roles were reversed a few short years ago as Ray was having health issues, and Debbie was right there by his side throughout the entire ordeal. She took care of her man, and now he is taking care of her. It warmed my soul to see him in action this weekend and to see the love in his eyes as he spoke of being married to her. He began to tear up as she told us that she had declined rapidly in the 12 hours before we arrived on Friday.

There truly are no words to describe what is happening to our dear friend, and yet here I sit as I want others to know about this precious lady and to uplift her in their prayers. She needs it now more than ever.

Just a few short months ago, we were laughing and having the absolute best time with our friends. Now we fight back tears as we update each other or receive updates from the family. We did get Debbie to smile this weekend, and her husband said that she hasn’t done that in a very long time. We started cracking jokes about how Debbie tried to keep us all straight, and that was a job in itself! She smiled, and it warmed our hearts. I tried harder then to find something else to crack a joke about to help lift her spirits, and there it was again. That sweet smile that formed across Debbie’s lips. Although she’s weak, she is still very “with it” and keeps up on the conversation. It may take her a bit to respond now as she forms her thoughts and concentrates to get them out, but she is still very much aware even so much as to offer a phone number when her daughter needed to contact her aunt! We were very impressed with that one!

Oh Debbie. Sweet Debbie.

I took the opportunity every chance that I could this weekend to tell her that I love her. I repeated myself, but THAT, my friends, NEEDS to be repeated! I don’t know if I’ll get the chance again to hold her hand, look into her eyes, and say, “I love you, lady!” I hope. I pray. But it is all in God’s hands.

Debbie was surrounded by her daughter and granddaughters, as well as her husband and her aunt, as we went to leave to travel back to our house. That house was packed to the rim with love, pure love!

Please, if you can right where you are, stop reading for a moment and offer up prayers for our dear friend, Debbie. Please also pray for all of the cancer patients that are struggling right now. We don’t have to call them all by name, as it would be impossible as there are people all over the world inflicted with this. God knows their names and their situations as we cover them all with prayer.

Cancer has touched my family in the last seven years – in my mom and in my dad. We pray over them all the time that they will continue to be cancer free after their surgeries. We are so thankful for the treatment that they sought and want to encourage you – all of the readers – please don’t neglect your health. IF you notice anything out of the ordinary, get in to see a doctor as soon as you can. I only wish Debbie had done so sooner.

Prayer warriors … unite!

We know that God could perform a miracle for Debbie right now if that was His will and His plan. In the event that it is not, though, we pray that Debbie will not have to struggle and be in pain. We don’t want to lose Debbie, but we know that she is suffering at this time. They were giving her morphine, and even that was not touching the nerve pain, according to her husband.

She needs us to go before the throne of Jesus offering our prayers, and I thank you from the very bottom of my heart for praying for our precious friend, Debbie.

Update: We were just advised that our dear friend, Debbie, has passed away. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers as this most difficult time. Debbie will forever be in our hearts, and I am thankful for 17 years of the most beautiful and precious friendship. I love you, Debbie. Always & Forever!

For previous posts regarding Debbie, please see the below:

Where Two Or Three Are Gathered In His Name

The Weekend of A Lifetime

Friends For A Lifetime

One God, One Plan, One Life

Shirley Insights Into Books That Inspired Me 0

My daughter received this 365 day devotional book by Max Lucado from me in the summer of 2014 entitled One God, One Plan, One Life. She was not too terribly thrilled to be the recipient of this book at the time. She had little desire to read any book over the summer but certainly not one of a religious nature. I explained to her that this wasn’t a book where you read chapter upon chapter in one sitting. It was a daily devotional to help her get her day started off in the right direction. Still, there was little interest.

Until …

She began cleaning her room over this past weekend, and out from under a pile of things came this book! Much to our surprise, she came out of her room with this book in hand and actually began reading the devotional for that day. Of course my eyes lit up and my heart swelled with pride with the sight and sound of my darling daughter taking the time to read what this book had to offer. Finally.

Max Lucado Teen Devo

When she was little, we had a children’s daily devotional that I would read with her at night. It had a short story along with bible verses and a prayer at the end. While she has certainly grown up a lot since that time, she is still in her teen years and therefore needs a teen version of a devotional. This book fits just perfectly as it is intended specifically for teens. As we all know, teens deal with a lot of things that adults don’t have to think about now that they’re older. It is still very much an issue for teens, though, from bullying to alcohol and drug usage among their peers to even issues like purity and self control. This book covers it all in a way that sheds God’s light on these hard to talk about subjects.

My daughter left the book laying around last night, and I picked it up to see what it had to offer. It spoke to my heart right there where I was, yes, even as an adult. We all struggle from time to time with our self worth and being able to love and forgive ourselves. Well, right there at the bottom of the page were these words:

You’ve made mistakes. You keep falling short. No one seems to value you. I get all that. But God forgives you, loves you, believes in you, has a wonderful plan for you. Who are you to reject the one opinion that counts? Love him. Love others. Because he commands it.

Wow.

Max Lucado Teen Devo2

What a perfect message right when we needed it the most. God’s plan … not mine. He knew what I needed to speak to me, and His message was clear.

Whether you read this daily devotional or another, we encourage you to start or end your day with a daily devotional of your choice. You will find inspiration and things that make you think. You will start your day or end your day (depending on when you read your devotional) on a positive note, and you will feel peace within your heart as you meditate on the words allowing them to soak into your being.

Five minutes is pretty much all it takes. Surely you have five minutes to spare to improve your outlook on life and spend a little time with Jesus. If not, then you’re just too busy! Slow down and take time to enjoy this journey that you’re on and the life that God has given to you! We are so blessed … so truly blessed!

Max Lucado Teen Devo1

Where Two or Three Are Gathered In His Name

Shirley God Is Close To The Broken Hearted 1

Debbie

This is my dear friend, Debbie. This precious lady is really more like a second mother to me. No matter what was going on in my life, she has always been there. We’ve known each other for the past 17 years and have shared much laughter as well as tears.

If you’ve been following along for a while, you’ll remember a post from September when our little crew rallied around Debbie after learning that she had breast cancer. Our friend, Betty, and her daughter, Haylie, came all the way from Oklahoma to put their arms around Debbie. Our other friend, Sylvia, traveled from Alabama with her son, Andrew, for the very same reason. We just wanted to love on Debbie for a little while. We wanted her to truly know the love we have in our hearts for her.

Back in September, we were able to forget for a little while what brought us together for that weekend. We threw our heads back laughing and enjoying each other’s company and the unique personalities that gathered around Debbie. We had a good time that weekend, my daughters and I. We took our friendship of 17 years with these precious individuals beyond the computer screen and the Lifetime Lounge and took it into real life. Why not? We had shared our lives with each other through the years any way, the good as well as the bad and the ugly! It was time – past time, honestly, to meet in person and give real hugs versus cyber hugs.

Laughter The Gang

Now, the reality of the situation is forced in our faces once more. Debbie is really sick and is struggling due to the affects the cancer has had on her body. It has taken its toll, going from her right breast and in to her lymph nodes. The last report that I received was that the cancer had spread to her liver as well as fluid around her lung and into her spine. It wasn’t in her brain at that time, though. As you can imagine, this was devastating news for all of us. We can’t begin to imagine what her family must be going through and what she, herself, is having to endure.

This is where it gets really tough!

This is where we ask … Why?

Why did it have to be this way? Debbie is a good person! Why must she go through this and suffer so? Why couldn’t it have been caught sooner or prevented altogether? Why is this happening? No one has these answers here on this side of Heaven.

And at a time like this, all we can do is gather together and offer prayers to our Heavenly Father on Debbie’s behalf. We did just that the evening before we all had to part ways in September. We gathered around Debbie in a hotel room after hours spent together that day with our dear friends that traveled from states away, and we placed our hands on Debbie as we all bowed our heads and prayed for her and over her. Debbie cried. Real tears rolled down her cheeks, and after the prayer, she said that she has never felt more loved in all of her life. Mission accomplished. We came that weekend for her to feel our love, and she did, as strong as ever!

None of us could haven known what the future would hold. No one knew but our Father in Heaven. He knows the plans He has for Debbie. He knows why she had to walk this path.

We don’t understand, and yet there are things we aren’t supposed to understand. All we know is that our friend is hurting and needs us …

And so … we are returning to Georgia this weekend.

We have heard from Debbie’s daughter that she is having a really hard time and unable to get out of bed without assistance. They made the decision to call Hospice in. And … we, her friends, made the decision to call the prayer warriors together … now more than ever before … to surround our dear friend, Debbie, to uplift her when she’s feeling so down, for God to give her strength when she is so weak, for Him to provide comfort when she’s hurting:

For where two or three are gathered together in my name,

there am I in the midst of them.

Matthew 18:20

God was there that evening in September when we gathered around Debbie to pray for her. I know that without a shadow of a doubt. I believe Debbie not only felt the love we all have for her, but she received a touch from God Almighty that evening as well. I believe He enabled her to hold on a little longer as she has two grown children, lots of grandchildren, and one great-grand on the way. She’s been so strong for so long, and the last message we received from her personally spoke of how she wanted to give up. Of course, we told her that was NOT an option. Keep fighting the good fight … and she has.

We are rushing to her side tomorrow even if all we can do is sit with Debbie, hold her hand, and pray with her, for her, and over her. God will be there. He has never left her side. In fact, He’s carrying her in His loving arms when she’s unable to get around on her own. God has her in the palm of His great and mighty hand. He’s not letting her go. Debbie will be healed, whether it is on this side of Heaven or when she gets to Heaven. As painful as that was to write, I know that Debbie will not suffer much longer. Whether Jesus reaches down and heals her completely on Earth, or whether that just is not in the plans … she will suffer no more when Jesus calls her home to be with Him. There won’t be any more pain, no more suffering, and there won’t be any need for Debbie to shed any more tears. No, there won’t be any tears in Heaven. Debbie will be made whole once again.

We don’t want to lose her, please know that. Selfishly, we want Debbie here with us. We would take this all away from her in a minute if we possessed the power to do so. Yet, we do not. We do have the power to pray, and that is the weapon that we will arm ourselves with tomorrow as we go to battle with this thing that has taken over her body. We will pray, we will fight when she is unable to do so on her own. We will lift up our voices to God in Heaven on her behalf, and we ask you to do the same. Oh, I know you don’t know Debbie personally, but please … say a prayer for her. Pray with all your might, or just whisper a silent prayer … GOD HEARS THEM ALL!

And …

He’s in our mist.

With heavy hearts, we will travel to Georgia on this Friday morning to see our sweet friend’s face. We will gather around her bed, if need be, and pray.

This trip won’t be like the last one. It won’t be fun and laughter like before. I have prepared my daughters who have insisted that they have to go as well. And so, they shall. I believe that God hears the prayers of little children, and they will be offering up their prayers on Debbie’s behalf as well.

Prayer Warriors UNITE!

The gang

Crushing The Idol, Once and For All

Shirley My Story 2

Our family has had a situation play out within the past few months that have been extremely painful for us all to process. There seemed to be an elephant in the room, although no one wanted to ever acknowledge it. We knew something wasn’t quite right, and yet every time we tried to address it, it was brushed aside once more. Nothing ever gets resolved when this happens.

The days of tiptoeing around this elephant in the room turned into weeks, then months, and ultimately years of denying there was an elephant at all. Yet, in the back of our minds, we knew. We saw, we felt, and we lived side by side with this elephant.

By now you may be wondering exactly where I am going with this and what, exactly, am I talking about here. You may even be scratching your head right now while asking, “What is the elephant in the room that she’s referring to?” It is my husband’s addiction to pornography. Before you gasp and shy away from this post, please hear me out and see how this has affected us all. It has been extremely painful, and yet, I feel the story needs to be told.

Click here to continue reading over on Jennifer Dukes Lee’s site, author of Love Idol: Letting Go of Your Need For Approval And Seeing Yourself Through God’s Eyes, where Shirley is the PreApproved Writer of The Week. There you will find the rest of my story and how we are crushing the idol, once and for all, as well as a book at the end that Jennifer recommends to help those who have suffered through a spouse’s pornography addiction.

Grateful

Shirley Tuesday At Ten 4

This is the most wonderful time of the year, in my opinion. There is a crisp coolness in the air that lets you know that Thanksgiving and Christmas are on their way.

Several of my Facebook friends started at the beginning of November with their, “I am thankful for …” posts. They intend to write what they are thankful for each day on their Facebook status until November 30th. This is wonderful and definitely sets your day off in the right direction when you take time to appreciate the things that you do have in this life. I applaud everyone that is sharing with a grateful heart during the month of November, but why stop there? Why meditate on the things that you are grateful for only in the month of November? Wouldn’t it be better if we all got into the mindset of being grateful and thankful each and every day? Imagine the difference this would make and the change of perspective you would have in your daily life if you would intentionally put on the attitude of gratitude!

We are so blessed in this life. We have far more than we ever truly need, and yet we seem restless at times. We seek to gain more, which doesn’t enhance our character or make us people of integrity. It only makes us people with more material possessions! You could have all of the money in the world, a mansion on a hill with a garage full of every kind of “toy” ever made, and yet you would not feel complete. Money does not buy happiness. Money cannot fill your heart, but love can. And who better to fill your heart with love than our Heavenly Father. We love because He first loved us!

If you surround yourself with people that support you, uplift you, and encourage you that’s half the battle right there! With your own personal team of cheerleaders in your corner, ie: your family, you know that they believe in you and have faith in your abilities no matter what comes your way in life. If you ever had anything to be grateful for – that’s it right there! That should be on the very top of your list! So often we take those closest to us for granted. Don’t. They deserve to be treated as the jewels that they are! Value, treasure, appreciate, and be grateful for them!

As we go into this holiday season, consider all of the things that you have to be grateful for that money cannot buy.

They are there looking at you with those bright beautiful deep blue eyes each morning as you gently wake them from their slumber to get ready for school.

They are there each evening as you kiss them gently on their forehead as you stroke their long blond hair and give “just one more” mini facial as their eyes get heavy and they drift off to sleep.

They are there each morning as the sun rises in brilliant colors as God, The Greatest Artist of All Time, paints a masterpiece. And they are there as the sun sets in the evening as all grows quiet, and we stand in awe of all of God’s creations.

From the simplest things such as the air we breathe to the food we eat; the shelter over our heads and the clothes on our backs; for the gift of another day to share with our loved ones and hear their laughter once more. We have so much to be grateful for.

We are blessed in this life!

This post was inspired by the prompt word of “Grateful” given by Karen as part of Tuesday At Ten. Join her for this link up to build community! Karen visits everyone that links up and comments on their page to show her appreciation for your participation.

Veteran’s Day

Shirley Veteran's Day 0

Today is November 11, 2014: Veteran’s Day!

The U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs states quite nicely what the focus of Veteran’s Day is truly about:

” A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.”

They have written a very nice article on their website regarding the history of Veteran’s Day. Please click here to be taken to their very informative website.

Today, we honor all of the men and women who have served in the armed forces. My dad, Granddad, and father-in-law are among the list of veteran’s that should receive special recognition today especially! Please, we strongly urge you to recognize a veteran today. Thank them for their service to our great country!

In our town, we have A Veteran’s Memorial Park which pays tribute to all those that served. Very early on in this project, my husband and I purchased bricks in honor of our family members that served in the military to be placed in this park. Their names and the capacity in which they served will be displayed for generations to come to recognize and honor them.

We salute you all!

Happy Veteran’s Day!

A Tribute To Steve Caswell

Shirley Lung Cancer Awareness Month 5

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. I would like to take this time to tell you a little bit about a man that impacted my life. This man was Steve Caswell.

I first met Steve as part of an interview for a position at his company. Being an extremely busy man, he only had a few minutes to devote to the interview process. He struck me as the type of person that was extremely smart and definitely one that demanded to be the center of attention. Later as I got to know him, he was always one that would calm any disagreements and would become the moderator who would make it a win/win situation for all no matter how the disagreement began. It would end with everyone working together as part of the same team as it should have been.

Steve was a modest person, even calling himself a “dumb plumber,” never boasting of his talents or knowledge although he was one of the owners of the company. He graduated at the top of his class in the Engineering Field, so he was anything but a “dumb plumber!” He wore a lot of different “hats” in his position. Not only did he handle the day to day operations, but he had several side businesses.

Most importantly, Steve was a family man with five children and a wife that he adored. He had strong faith and did not hesitant to share it with others. He would do random acts of kindness for individuals with one example being to help fund someone’s college tuition when the person wasn’t sure how they would be able to go to college or complete the year due to finances. Steve did all of these acts of kindness without wanting any recognition at all. He preferred to remain anonymous with only the individual knowing that their needs had been met.

Steve organized trucks and manpower from the state of South Carolina to drive through the night to help hurricane victims when Hurricane Katrina tore through Louisiana. He did not just pay for supplies and send the people. Steve was among those working and serving to help others in need.

I had the privilege of working with Steve for ten years. One of the biggest things that stuck with me the most about Steve was his faith. Not only did he say it, but he put actions behind his words. He was a believer, and he did not hesitant when the opportunity arose to share his faith with others.

Steve was diagnosed with non smokers lung cancer on December 11, 2007. Although Steve began to struggle due to his health declining, Steve still had strong faith. He had a page on the Caring Bridge site where he wrote his thoughts during his illness. He was not one to complain, but rather, he would write encouraging words, often quoting scriptures in what he would write. He knew that others were reading, and he wanted to leave behind words to uplift and help people hold on. His words were a living testimony. He truly walked by faith at that time. He never gave up, even in the mist of suffering. He clung tightly to his Jesus.

The doctors only gave Steve six months to live, but because Steve was a fighter, he managed to hold on for ten months. Even in his final days when he was really struggling, he made several telephone calls to people to make sure that if there were any wrongs, he was going to make it right while he still had time. Further, if you went to encourage Steve with your words, he would always find a way to turn it around to where he was the one speaking to your heart encouraging you in life despite his struggles. He made one such call to me, and I will never forget the call that I received on Labor Day weekend.

I was lucky enough to visit with Steve one last time in the hospital when he had gotten really bad. I was only allowed a few minutes, but I wanted to let Steve know how much he meant to me. When I asked what I could do to help, his only response was to pray for them. A lot of people say that they will do it, but I took that opportunity to pray with him right there that very moment in that hospital room. That is something that will forever stay with me.

When I went to leave his hospital room, we waved as we always did. The look in his eyes let me know that this would be the very last time that I would see my friend, boss, and mentor. Steve passed away the very beginning of October in 2008.

Steve impacted so many people’s lives, as evident by the Celebration of Life Service that was held in Steve’s memory. They played a video of his life with his children, his wife, and with his parents and brother. They showed this so we could all remember Steve in this way and not how we last saw him in the hospital. Our last memories of Steve were with him laughing and enjoying life with his family. The way it should be.

I wanted to share Steve’s story with you today, especially since November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. As noted above, Steve had non smokers lung cancer. Some people do get this rare type of cancer; however, if you are using any type of tobacco product, I would like to encourage you to kick the habit if at all possible. Get as much help as you can when you’re trying to get rid of this bad habit, but please stop the use of any type of tobacco product. They contain harmful chemicals that will affect your health.

For me, personally, I used to chew tobacco. I tried to quit several times but used the excuse that the stresses in life caused me to go back to this nasty habit. However, when I truly got serious about it, and I wanted to rid myself of this habit, I found that I did have a support team that would encourage me and help me along the way – none other than my very own family: my wife and my children.

Steve was a health nut prior to his diagnoses. He worked out and ate right, yet he still got this rare form of cancer. It opened my eyes to the fact that I was putting harmful chemicals into my body and needed to stop. The sooner the better! And any time I picked this habit back up, Steve would come to mind, and I knew that this was not something that I needed to be doing. Thankfully, I have kicked this habit once and for all. You can, too, no matter what tobacco product you are using!

Your life is precious. Consider kicking whatever bad habits you may have to prolong your life and ensure many more days of laughter and joy with your family. They’re worth it!

A Tribute To Steve Caswell was written by Dusty … Shirley’s husband. Dusty is a huge Elvis fan, a real cowboy, and my hunka-hunka-burning love. 🙂

Turn

Shirley Five Minute Fridays, Intentional Marriage, Intentionally Focused, My Story 8

Things haven’t been right in a while. There have been struggles … lots of struggles … and happiness? That seems like something in the past that will never return again, or if it does, it will only be for a fleeting moment.

Don’t you think it’s time for a change?

Isn’t it time to return the heartache and pain in exchange for joy and love in our hearts once again?

TURN THE PAGE!

Turn

Only … allow it to be better this time than ever before. While the sins of the past have been repented of and forgiveness given by God’s grace, let’s put it all behind us. Cast the hurt and pain aside. Write it all down and burn the pages if you must, but rid yourself of all that has been tagging along stealing your joy, happiness, and intimate moments with your family. Anger has no place here, neither does destruction.

It’s time for new beginnings. For a fresh start.

The pages of the book are crisp and clean … white … just waiting for you to write the next chapter of our lives together.

Begin writing a new chapter, focusing on our happily ever after!

I want my happily ever after.

And it starts … right now.

Light Of The World

Shirley (in)courage 0

Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness …

We used to sing this in church on Sunday mornings. Swaying as the music enveloped us and the words flowed freely from our lips. Looking up to the ceiling as if looking right through it and up to Heaven, the congregation was filled with others lifting up their voices in song.

Have you truly ever stopped to consider what it is that you’re singing? Have you given it any thought? Or were you just singing along to the old familiar song because everyone else was doing the same?

Light of the world …

That is Jesus! He is the light of the world:

Jesus stepped out into this fallen world to save us all from our sins. His brilliant and beautiful light is inside of each believer’s heart shining brightly for all the world to see, if we only accept Him into our hearts as our Lord and Savior.

John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,

“I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,

but will have the light of life.”

Does it bring you great comfort as it does me to know that Jesus now lives within our hearts? When you feel as if you could get swallowed whole by the darkness in the world, does it reassure you when you consider that the light of the world is with you?

This verse speaks truth and life! Think about it!

As I was taking a moonlit horseback ride with my sweet companion last night, I stopped to think of us being guided by the light of the moon and stars. It occurred to me that Jesus is our light and He is leading the way, if we only allow Him to do so.

Right there under the vastness of the sky, I drew in a deep breath and paused to look up at the Heavens to thank the Light of the world …

I imagined the twinkle in the eyes of Jesus with every twinkling star that I saw.

My most favorite piece of jewelry is an oval shaped pendant with stars all over it. When I wear this necklace, I am reminded of the true light of Jesus and how I’m held to a higher standard now that He is living within me. I am to show the world His light in my life …

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine …

Just like the old childhood song we used to sing, I am going to let the light of Jesus shine brightly for all the world to see.

Won’t you join me?

What if believers every where banned together, holding hands across the Nation, as we look to the Heavens, thanking God for His everlasting light, vowing to let our little lights shine …

Oh, what a wonderful world it would be!

Seek

Shirley Tuesday At Ten 4

The bible is full of verses on the word “seek” … here are just a few:

Deuteronomy 4:29 ESV

But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him,

if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Proverbs 8:17 ESV

I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.

Jeremiah 29:13 ESV

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

When you feel lost, seek Him out … call upon the name of the Lord, and you will find Him there waiting on you. Oh how he loves it when you call out to Him. When you speak His name and ask for His help. When you wish to see His hand upon your life, seek, and you shall find Him!

What I especially love are the verses that speak of seeking him with all of your heart and soul or seeking with all of your heart. There is a difference in saying, “Okay, God, where are you?” and crying out to Him, “Oh God, I need You! Show Your mighty presence in my life. Let me see Your hand guiding, shielding, and protecting me on this path. Change me, oh Lord, to be a better person! Oh Father, shine Your love upon my heart. Forgive me of my wicked ways and transform me! I turn from my sins and focus my mind and heart on YOU, oh Lord!”

Job 5:8-9 ESV

“As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause,

who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number:

Psalm 63:1 ESV

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;

my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you,

as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Psalm 40:16 ESV

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who love your salvation say continually,

“Great is the Lord!”

Psalm 119:2 ESV

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,

who seek him with their whole heart

2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves,

and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,

then I will hear from heaven and

will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Seek Him, friends … while there is still time.

Isaiah 55:6-7 ESV

Seek the Lord while he may be found;

call upon him while he is near;

let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts;

let him return to the Lord,

that he may have compassion on him,

and to our God,

for he will abundantly pardon.

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Light, Love, Hope

Light in the Darkness Surrounded by Love with Hope for those in need.