My Place of Grace

Readying myself to head for the Jersey Shore for a couple of days. Packing my bags, making sure I don't forget anything. Taking great care folding my clothes, and double checking that I've remembered the camera, a book, the GPS, the cellphone and charger, toll $, suntan lotion and the like. My mind has been busy and focused on this task, the preparations, and the beautiful prize that awaits me in a couple of hours, when I am finally sitting in the warm sand watching the waves roll in. Somewhere in the middle of all theses preparations, Jesus popped in my head. His name and face were there. A gentle reminder. I stopped my scurrying around and thought for a moment. I've forgotten surely the most important thing. I forgot to invite my best friend. If only I would take as much time and care in preparing for my eternal destination. Checking and double checking, taking care to remember why I am able to go there in the first place. Jesus should be the first thing in my mind every...

Sometimes I wonder in which direction the Lord is leading. There are so many things I want to accomplish while here on this earth, but are they the things God wants for me? I don't want to waste my time and efforts on temporal things. Our time here is short and there is so much work to do. I wish that God would make His path for me clear with signs and arrows and all. but I guess if He made it that easy I wouldn't seek Him earnestly, I wouldn't have to listen for His voice as hard; and our time together would be cut short. The thing I want to most accomplish while I'm here is to daily become more and more like Jesus in the way I speak, act, and love; bringing glory and honor to God the Father, lifting Him up and making Him famous, so that every ear that hears and eye that sees will never be able to mistake Him or His voice. I want to help gather sheep to His flock, help build his kingdom. Lord Jesus, what can I do to serve You? Please direct my path. Fill me with Your S...

Matthew 11: 28,29 -- 28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. I'm running to you Jesus, today has been so hard and heart breaking. My son, Steven, the third of my 4 sons, has been battling mental illness for about 5 yrs. He's been hospitalized 5 times and today will be the 6 th . Today Steven got upset over the fact that his father asked him to leave an I pod that didn't belong to him here at home, while Steven went to work. He and his dad went back and forth and Steven finally gave it to his dad. This episode upset Steven so much that he went into his rage mode, pacing, swearing, kicking things, talking to himself, going in and out the door and the like. The last time he stormed out, my youngest son ran in and said"mom, Steve just dumped Gasoline all over himself and took off running down the street threatening...

"So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, 'Come back to God!' ( 2 Corinthians 5:20, NLT ) WE ARE CHRIST"S AMBASSADORS! WOW! What an honor that Christ called US...you and me... and entrusted us with spreading His message of salvation and love! We are to speak FOR Him...What an Awesome gift this is! It is a great responsibility then, to listen for Gods call upon our lives. We are all given gifts in which to use to get His message out...May we use these gifts to Make Him famous, glorify His name, and build His kingdom! We all have our part in the body of Christ. May we each exercise our part and keep it working to its fullest potential. When we see a part of the body growing weary, may we take the time to minister to it so it can continue to function in its true capacity! Let us be body builders...growing strong in the ways of The Lord! Being an Ambassador for Christ means that we are His representatives...

This is one of my favourite poems symbolizing our journey through life, it’s titled “There’s a Hole in my Sidewalk“ , by Portia Nelson Chapter 1. I walk down the street.There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.I fall in.I am lost…I am helpless.It isn’t my fault.It takes forever to find a way out. Chapter 2. I walk down the same street.There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.I pretend I don’t see it.I fall in again.I cant believe I am in this same place.But it isn’t my fault.It still takes a long time to get out. Chapter 3. I walk down the same street.There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.I see it is there.I still fall in… its a habit.But, my eyes are open.I know where I am.It is my fault.I get out immediately. Chapter 4. I walk down the same street.There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.I walk around it. Chapter 5. I walk down another street. The hole in my sidewalk is depression. I have fallen into it so many times. The older I get, the wiser I am getting. Falling in repeatedly, I have learned ...

I'm drawing a blank today. I can't think of anything to write. Some days the words flow from my mind to my fingertips like butter on a steaming hot piece of corn on the cob; and other days they seem to hide in the recesses of my mind, reminding me of a game of hide and seek. I know they are there but I have to search and search until I find them. Ah Ha! I think I've hit on something! Isn't this sometimes how it is with our relationship with God? There are times when we can talk easily with Him; pouring out our hopes and dreams, our joys and sorrows, our praise and adoration, and can share, listen and receive quite easily. Then comes the flip side. We're stuck, the words don't flow. We withdraw, hide, and avoid by filling our time with activity. I find that in those stuck times is when there's something wrong. I've missed the mark, I've sinned, and I'm filled with so much shame and guilt that they literally wrap themselves around my relationship w...

Here are some suggestions to lift your mood, the only thing you need to have these ideas work is the desire not to be depressed. Then use your will(it will be a battle) to carry it out. Even if your only commit to 15 minutes a day. This won't nessecarily cure your depression but they are helpful in taking your mind off of it for a while. 1. Go for a walk somewhere pretty 2. Call a friend to walk with you. 3. Sing your favorite praise songs to the Lord 4. Write down all the things you have to be thankful for. 5. Organize a drawer or a room. 6. Buy yourself something nice.(even if you don't want to!) 7. Buy something for someone else. 8. Do something nice for someone else.(open a door, run an errand, do some chores etc.) 9. Thank and praise God for the things you wrote. 10.Go to a worship service at your church. 11.Read your Bible. 12.Give someone a hug. 13.Smile at someone. 14.Think of a time you weren't depressed or a nice memory. 15.Call your kids. 16.Watch a funny movie o...

I've been battling depression for as long as I can remember, it's been a silent battle up until a couple years ago. I began writing my feelings and the things God has revealed to me in this time. The wonderful thing is, that when we put our trust in God, He provides the grace we need for the trials we are faced with. I wrote this passage a while back describing a little bit of what course He's taken me through. I have a long way to go, but I am confident that when I choose to trust my God, He is faithful to provide that amazing grace to see me through. Slammed again...back against the wall...trapped like a rat in a cage...call out for help...nobody hears...get down on my knees to pray...Oh God come quick there's little time left...fear gnawing away at my heart...worry and stress have led to duress and I can't pull myself from the dark. Experienced calm just before the storm struck...thought pain was receding inside...oh was i fooled by the lull in my mood...all the ...

Sometimes when I am feeling sad, depressed or overwhelmed with life, it helps me to sit down and write out all that I have to be thankful for. It gets my mind off of me and on the bigger picture. Gods plan, providence and provision. A grateful heart is a wonderful weapon against depression. This is not an all inclusive list...please feel free to add the things you are thankful for! God Bless!...Mary 1. He died so we can live. 2. He made the earth. 3. He made the animals. 4. He created us. 5. He knows us. 6. He loves us. 7. He wants whats best for us. 8. He gave us authority over the earth. 9. He gave us authority over the animals. 10.We can talk to Him any time. 11.We can count on Him. 12.He calls us His children. 13.We are heirs to His kingdom. 14.He's prepared a place in Heaven for us. 15.He walks with us through trials. 16.He gave us His word as a guide. 17.He gave us His word to know Him better. 18.He is perfect. 19.He is three in one, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 20...

Hi All, I just added an awesome video introducing "Emotional Freedom Technique"(EFT), founded by Gary Craig. The video can explain the technique better than I can, but I want to share it because I have seen great results with it. The concept is gaining emotional freedom and also freedom from physical pain by tapping the acupressure meridian points in the body. The web site at the end of the video is very informative as well, and provides a free manual to get started. It's free, it's easy, and it works! so if you're having any kind of problems in your life; why not give it a try? Let me know what you discover, I'd love to hear back from you! Here's to freedom! To view the video, scroll down to the bottom of this blog and click the EFT video icon. God Bless!

A friend of mine wrote a poem about Rainbows. It got me thinking. God first placed the rainbow as a promise to Noah after the great flood, that He would never destroy the earth in that manner again(Genesis 9:13) God himself said" every time I place a rainbow in the sky it will be a reminder of that covenant." Where I live, every time it rains and the sun peeks through those clouds, I can see a big beautiful rainbow(sometimes a double one) when I look out my picture window or stand in my front yard. How symbolic that is, that the rainbow(Gods promise) comes when the sun (God/hope) peeks through the storm clouds(our trials). What a creative God we have! Lord, I thank You for the symbolism that a rainbow represents and for the fact that You have thought of every detail, have set them in place and rejoice when we, Your children discover them. I praise You and Love You. Lord, I pray that we remember the promises set forth in Your word, run to Your first, instead of as a last res...

As I sit in front of this keyboard and ponder what to write, my mind goes to summer days of long ago. Lying in the grass, looking up at the blue sky, swirled with white. Wondering what it might be like to be free. Wondering...always wondering. I cherished those moments...when my mind could float away. Settling down in the grass, feeling the small green stems gently tickling my back and arms, an occasional ant crawling across my leg, the simplicity of the moment captured in time in my mind. Closing my eyes, I could feel the warmth of the afternoon sun penatrating deep into my very soul. Almost as if God's strong but tender hands were lovingly surrounding my heart with His protection. The gentle breeze of His whisper assured me He was there. In these moments I felt part of creation, like I belonged. To anyone walking by, I was a happy little girl pining away a summer day. To me it was heaven. I was welcomed and I was loved by the hug of the grass and the touch of my God. Looking back...

I read this poem by Marianne Williamson this morning and it really made me think. We are sometimes our own worst road block to living life to our fullest potential. For me It's fear of failure, if I become the best me I can be I am sure to fail and disappoint so its more comfortable for me to settle for mediocracy. The only problem is, is that there is always this little nagging voice inside that knows I can do better. It's as if I am being pulled like a tug-o-war one side is fear and the other is freedom. Why is it so difficult to let go of our fear and let freedom win. God wants only the best for us. He takes us through valleys, and deserts sometimes to get us there but He does it to show us that in Him there is nothing to fear. I hope you enjoy the poem and it's message helps you on your journey to be the best you you can be, for the Glory of God! OUR DEEPEST FEAR Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. I...

I just finished reading an excellent book. If you want to lose yourself in a story of family dysfunction, hidden secrets, sweet friendship, and Gods redemptive power, Daisy Chain is a must read. I was taken in from the very first chapter. Each character became real to me as their role was so intricately woven into the story line. I felt like I knew each one of them intimately till the end of the book. this is the first book in a trilogy and I can hardly wait till book #2 comes out. Author, Mary E. DeMuth has a true gift for story telling in such a way that God's light and love shines through, capturing your attention from beginning to end. I will think about this book long after I've finished reading! Bravo Mary!

I recently spent a few days at the beach. A quiet little sea shore town called Brigantine, located in New Jersey. Invited by friends of ours, my friend Liz and I set out on an excursion to see the glory of the ocean. A place I've loved ever since I first caught sight of it at the age of 8. There's just something about the rhythmic rolling of the waves lapping the shore line, that memorizes me. As we drove onto the island of Brigantine, the smell of salt water and sea life permeated the air we breathed. The familiar sound of gulls calling in the distance and the sand edged roadside, rose my senses to high alert. Awaiting with eager excitement, that first glimpse of the vast and mighty expanse of ocean laid before me; my eyes longed and strained to see it's beauty. To me there are few better moments in life. Liz and I found the house where we were to stay. It was a small and very homey place with a big, open front porch. The perfect place for reading and talking to God first...

I'm Beach Bound!!! I've been asking Jesus to meet me there, in the rising sun and the grains of warm sand under my feet, the broken shells and the ever loyal waves that lap the shore in their consistent lulling rhythm; where I can marvel and wonder at the beauty of Our Lord... Seeking refuge at the seashore! Grains of sand, seashells whole and broken. Waves lapping the sandy beach. Gods magnificence spoken! Psalm 145:5 - They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

Philemon 1:22- And one thing more:"Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers." 2 Corinthians 1:10b-11 “On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” The apostle Paul was in prison, he wrote many letters while in chains. As I was reading Paul's letter to Philemon, verse 22 caught my attention. It was almost as if God himself was tapping me on the shoulder, saying "Hey Mary, I want you to pay attention to this." Whoa! It's not every day I get messages from my God that are that loud and clear, so I figured I'd better pay attention to these seemingly simple words. "Prepare a guest room for me, because...