Change is in the air.....

So often, I've allowed things that have happened in my past to get me bogged down in a miry pit.  

I also find it very difficult to forgive myself sometimes.  

A couple of years ago, I started doing a little "exercise" when I would start feeling overwhelmed where I would take a deep breath and simply breathe in Jesus.....

and breathe out whatever the "demon of the moment" might be.  

Hence the new blog title....."Breathing in Jesus"!!!

A few things that I'm working on breathing out.....

fears

rejection

self condemnation

hopelessness

prejudices

pride

anger

jealousy

irritations

discouragements

bitterness

self pity

stress

accusations

.....and instead.....

breathing in Jesus.....

and His grace and His mercy.....

but, most of all His Love!!!

Deb

SONday Morning Song - This Blood

A precious lady in our choir has sung this song the past two Sunday's.
I cannot even begin to explain how the Holy Spirit comes down and fills the sanctuary.
I have God bumps just listening to the song as I type this.

I wish I could post Ms. Deanna singing it.....
but due to copyright laws, I'm not allowed to do that!!!

Just know....
that when she sings you can tell that it's entirely for HIS Glory!!!

Breathing in Jesus,

Deb

Breathing in Jesus

Taking a deep breath and realizing.....

change can be good!!!

 Job 33:4

The Spirit of God has made me, 

and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Breathing in Jesus,

Deb

Friday Foto

(photo by Pappy of a tree alongside Broadway in Knoxville, TN)

Isaiah 55:12

You will live in joy and peace.
    The mountains and hills will burst into song,
    and the trees of the field will clap their hands!

(and maybe even smile....;-)

In HIS Most Precious L♥ve....and with mine, too!!!

Blessings,

Deb

Topical Bible

I do a lot of research on the Internet for topics in the Bible.  

One of the best sites I've found is Open Bible. 

You can type in any word and it will give you scripture references where that word can be found.

Y'all might already be familiar with this site.....

but, if not....

just click on the Bible below and check it out.

It's pretty awesome!!!

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. 

It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

In HIS Most Precious L♥ve....and with mine, too!!!

Blessings,

Deb

Wednesday's Word - Strong

In HIS Most Precious L♥ve....and with mine, too!!!

Blessings,

Deb

Feed Me

When I read my Bible and devotionals.....

listen to CHRISTian music.....

enjoy God's creation in nature.....

and in my family and friends.....

especially, our grandbabies.....

I have to stop and realize that God is feeding me.....

emotionally.....

but best of all.....

spiritually!!!

There's no amount of actual food in the world 

that can fill me up like HE does!!!

All glory and praise to our precious Lord and Savior!!!

image credit

In HIS Most Precious L♥ve....and with mine, too!!!

Blessings,

Deb

SONday Morning Song - Stronger

In HIS Most Precious L♥ve....and with mine, too!!!

Blessings,

Deb

Friday Foto

I caught a glimpse of this web early one morning as I stood at our kitchen window.....

so I went out for a closer look.....

with my camera in hand, of course!!!

I think the only reason I could see it was because of the dew.

Isn't it amazing?

It's just a miracle to me that God created a creature that can make something this elaborate and yes....beautiful!!!

Job 8:13-14

The same happens to all who forget God.

The hopes of the godless evaporate.

Their confidence hangs by a thread.

They are leaning on a spider’s web.

In HIS Most Precious L♥ve....and with mine, too!!!

Blessings,

Deb

Thoughtful Thursday

A few years ago God led us to leave the church we were a part of.  

We had felt Him leading us away for several months, but then something happened that let us know that He was serious!!!  This was a difficult time for us for several different reasons.  My grandmother had just passed away and I was grieving her loss.  My Mom had some medical issues....and still does!!!  

God knew exactly what He was doing, though (surprise, surprise ;-) and we are so glad that we listened and obeyed, even though it was not an easy decision.  

For several years I had been feeling like something just wasn't "right".  

I kept telling Pappy that I was getting somewhat disheartened with "organized religion"....and I still am!!!  That second sentence about it not being about policies, procedures (and I'll add politics).....

is what disappoints me about today's churches!!!

 It finally dawned on me.....

my relationship with the Lord has nothing to do with religion. 

 Yesterday, I received the following in an e-mail from Peace Be With U and it is worded much better than I could ever even begin to explain.  

I fall so short of being the Christian that I should be.....

but I wouldn't trade this relationship with Jesus for anything in the world!!!

Christianity is not a religion....it's a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ, and it's personal!   It's not about policies, procedures, perfection and performance.   We all fall terribly short if we are being honest.   It's about believing that Jesus is exactly who He said He was and asking Him to be the Lord of your life.   It's about loving others like He did.   Unconditionally, with no strings attached other than just loving them for who they are. It's about forgiving others like He did.   Even when the world says they don't deserve to be forgiven. It's about reaching out to those in need and helping them.   Not when it's convenient....but when its completely inconvenient. It's about loving God with all of your heart, mind and strength and making Him the number one priority in the life He gave you. It's about realizing that without Jesus we are all just sinners, separated from God and on the fast track to eternal destruction.   It's about loving the One who traded His life for yours because of His scandalous love for you!   It's not a religion....so stop trying to be perfect!   It's not about "cleaning up"..., it's about "showing up" and developing a personal RELATIONSHIP with the Son of God who can and will transform your life, your world and your eternity when you invite Him into your heart! The sole purpose of our ministry and our store is to introduce as many people as possible to Jesus Christ because we know that once a person meets Jesus face to face, their life and their eternity will forever change!   You just can't encounter the risen King without falling deeply in love with Him!  Once you do, His heart begins to change your heart and that begins to change the world.   Help spread His message of love, hope and forgiveness! Peace Be With U  In HIS Most Precious L♥ve....and with mine, too!!! Blessings, Deb

Wednesday's Word - Mercy

In HIS Most Precious L♥ve....and with mine, too!!!

Blessings,

Deb

Valley of Blessing

When we think of a time during our lives when we are in a "valley", we usually don't think of it as a time of blessing....at least not until we get thru the rough patches and can look back and see how God might have been working on us....refining us....teaching us a lesson.  

Only then, can we see those times as a blessing.

I was recently led to 2 Chronicles, Chapter 20 and it was AWESOME how God spoke to me thru His Word.  You might recall that this was when Jehoshaphat was King of Judah and some of the surrounding cities had declared war on him.  

Have you ever felt that way?

Like maybe the entire world had declared war on you....

like you are/were in the middle of a raging battle.

King Jehoshaphat turned to the Lord.....

and here are a few things that just jumped off the pages of my Bible speaking to my own heart.....

Verse 2

A vast army was marching against Jehoshaphat

That vast army to me is simply "life" and all the challenges I face every day.....

you know, those "t" things.....

trials, troubles, tribulations, temptations!!!

Verse 4

"seek the Lord's help"

In other words, pray, pray, pray!!!

Verse 9

 We can cry out to You to save us, and You will hear us, and rescue us.

Verse 12

 We do not know what to do, but we are looking to You for help. 

Verse 15

 Do not be afraid!

Don't be discouraged by the mighty army

(the mighty army, i.e., whatever the problem of the day might be)

for the battle is not yours, but God's.

Verse 17

 stand still and watch the Lord's victory.

Sometimes God wants me to just back off and let Him do the work because when I try to "fix it" - well, I just cause a bigger mess!!!

Verse 20

Believe in the Lord, your God, and you will be able to stand firm.

Verse 21

Singers were appointed to walk ahead of the army singing to the Lord and praising Him for His Holy splendor.

 I need to praise and worship God ahead of time for answering the prayer I'm gonna be praying.  This is where the "praying, believing" comes in....that He's going to answer in a mighty way.....

so much better than I could ask or think!!!

"Give thanks to the Lord!

His faithful love endures forever"!!!

In HIS Most Precious L♥ve....and with mine, too!!!

Blessings,

Deb

SONday Morning Song - Never Once

In HIS Most Precious L♥ve....and with mine, too!!!

Blessings,

Deb

Friday Foto

We are soooooo blessed to have a Dollar General Store just down the hill from the house because it's so handy when you need something in a hurry.  

I went down there earlier in the week 'cause I needed cooking oil for a cake I was baking....

and lookie at the owl runner that  jumped into my hands and forced me to buy it!!!

Hope y'all have a great weekend!!!

In HIS Most Precious L♥ve....and with mine, too!!!

Blessings,

Deb

Wednesday's Word - Worship

In HIS Most Precious L♥ve....and with mine, too!!!

Blessings,

Deb

Seeking HIS Will

Proverbs 3:5 was a scripture reference for not just one, but two of my devotionals yesterday morning.  
I think what God was trying to draw my attention to was seeking HIS guidance in ALL I do.....

EVERYTHING.....

not just big decisions, but small ones, too!!!

Proverbs 3:5 

(NLT)

Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

(KJV)

In all thy ways acknowledge him, 

and he shall direct thy paths.

(NIV)

In all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

(Aplified) 

In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, 

and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

In HIS Most Precious L♥ve....and with mine, too!!!

Blessings,

Deb

It's all up to me

Isn't it normal for all of us to play the "blame game"?  
None of us want to be seen in the light of our sins....but want to cast the shadow of doubt on someone else.  As I typed those last words, I was suddenly reminded of Adam and Eve.  Neither of them would own up to what they had done, when God confronted them for eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  Eve blamed the serpent, and Adam even tried to put the blame on God for giving him the woman in the first place!!!

I've struggled for most of my adult life with an issue that I've tried to blame on someone else.  I've been keeping somewhat of an online "diary" on a private blog that documents this struggle and how my life has been affected, especially the problem I have with my weight.  A friend posted the above "sign" on Facebook recently and I knew that it showed up at just the right time so that God could point out to me that NOTHING in my past....and NOBODY in my life....can make me do anything.....the final choice is all my own!!!  

I can no longer continue to play the "blame game".....
the final decision and choices I make are all mine....
whether they're good, or bad!!!

This sign served as another reminder of showing grace to others.....
and also, choosing joy!!!

Romans 12:1-2
And so, dear brothers and sisters,
 I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. 
This is truly the way to worship him.
 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world,
 but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, 
which is good and pleasing and perfect.

In HIS Most Precious L♥ve....and with mine, too!!!

Blessings,

Deb

SONday Morning Song - The Only Name

I absolutely adore the group Big Daddy Weave.....
and this song is just awesome!!!

In HIS Most Precious L♥ve....and with mine, too!!!

Blessings,

Deb

Friday Fotos

We've been on "stay-cation" this week!!!

Mark 6:31
Then Jesus said,
 “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.”

In HIS Most Precious L♥ve....and with mine, too!!!

Blessings,

Deb

Wednesday's Word - Fear

In HIS Most Precious L♥ve....and with mine, too!!!

Blessings,

Deb

Happy Labor Day

Since, it's Labor Day, 

I thought I would share this photo of our grands today....

'cause they're a labor of love!!!

(go Big Orange)

Matthew 11:28

Come unto me, 

all ye that labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

Hope y'all have a great Labor Day!!!

In HIS Most Precious L♥ve....and with mine, too!!!

Blessings,

Deb

SONday Morning Song - You Are Wanted

In HIS Most Precious L♥ve....and with mine, too!!!

Blessings,

Deb