The world is burning to the ground.

Some days I find myself SO upset about the things that I see happening in our country and in our world that I decide to just sing.

YES. Sing.

I picked a very fitting song for those times when the news brings no hope of a brighter future. My husband laughs when out of the blue I burst out singing lyrics of a song by Matchbox Twenty. The chorus is my favorite:

And I. Believe. The world. Is burning to the ground.

Oh well, I guess we're gonna find out!

Let's see how far we've come.

[Side note: You’ll have to listen to the song on YouTube to really appreciate the beat…and maybe even imagine me hiked up on caffeine all around the house singing! {I amuse myself}] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5wbruScF1c#t=45

Are we keeping ourselves from receiving God's best for us?

"But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in His hometown and in His own household." And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief. (Matt. 13:57-58)

It saddens me to admit that sometimes my faith is weak, and I get lost in doubts and unbelief. When I fail to trust God, my heart’s attitude is the same as that of the people in Jesus’ hometown had toward Him.

In Matthew 13:53-58 we read of how after Jesus had taught in His hometown, people were amazed by Him but didn't believe Him. The last verse reveals that the people’s unbelief prevented Jesus from performing many miracles there. I can’t help to think about those areas in my life in which I struggle to believe and trust in God. 

Could it be that my doubts and unbelief are keeping me from receiving God's best for my life? Am I preventing Him from doing miracles in me? Could it be…that God is waiting for me to trust and believe?

Memories that Heal

The dark place. We've all visited it at some point. We feel discouraged, overwhelmed and weary. We try to pray but the words just don’t come out so we give up and linger there for a while, in the darkness. To be honest, it sometimes feels more comfortable to stay there than to fight to get out. I know, I have been here…many times.

Fill {Five Minute Friday}

Welcome to my first Five Minute Friday entry!

This is an opportunity for us to free write for five minutes. No editing, just "raw" writing!

We are given a writing prompt every week, and we just write. Today's prompt is: FILL

I hope you enjoy my short entry. The reflections of my heart in five minutes. 

Love,

Frances

When our hearts are dirty

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.Psalm 51:7

My dogs are dirty. They spend almost all day running, wrestling, chasing squirrels and napping under the vines in the backyard.  

At the end of the day, they stand outside the door, eagerly waiting for my husband to let them in. It’s as if they dream of this moment all day long. 

When life is a storm, is there really anything we can be grateful for?

As soon as I wake up, I thank God for a new day. 

Mornings are exciting to me! A new day represents another opportunity, a new beginning, a chance to try to be better than the days before. And for that I am grateful.

Several years ago, my life was turned upside down. Pain, rejection, and disappointment made me question the value of my little ‘morning gratefulness ritual’.  ‘Is there really anything I can be grateful for?’ I asked myself daily. 

Sadness replaced the joy of my morning routines, and I wanted my joy restored! It was then I decided to intentionally and fervently find things to be thankful for amid the chaos in my life.  

No…it wasn't easy.

Finding a secret place for sacred time

While it was still night, way before dawn, he got up and went out to a secluded spot and prayed. Mark 1:35 (MSG)

Mornings are exciting to me! I wake up between 4 and 4:30 on weekdays. On the weekends, I’m a little more flexible – maybe I wake up at 6. :)

I can’t help it, I go to bed at night looking forward to my morning routine. I stumble across the living room where my dogs are –already full of energy—waiting for their food. I feed them, and with sleepy eyes I fix my iced coffee with almond milk. 

The first sip, “Ahhh…I’m ready now”, wakes up my mind. It is then I remember, “I have a date!” 

With coffee in one hand, I grab my Kindle, my journal, and my Bible app. Wrapped in my favorite soft blanket, I sit in my secret place, “Good morning Lord”, I exhale, and sacred time begins.

Refuse to play mind games.

I woke up this morning and was instantly overwhelmed by an inexplicable sense of sadness. It didn't make sense, but sadly, it was an old familiar feeling. You see, I struggled with anxiety and fear for many years, and today, it threatened to steal my joy once again.

Then...God whispered.