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Monday Morning Minute ~ God-sized Dream

Monday Morning Minute

Currently I am reading “You’re made for a God-sized Dream” by Holley Gerth. What a powerful book (thank you Lori for your review on it)! I have had so many dreams for my life; but most of them have not come to realization.

“It’s tempting to hide our dreams away. We tell ourselves we’ll pursue them later or that we need to feel safer first. But the reality is, later may not come and living out a dream is risky no matter when we decide to do it.” ~ Holley Gerth

My sweet friend, the quote by Holley pierced my heart. Isn’t it true that we often concern ourselves with the nay-Sayers, but do not listen to the ones that encourage us? God has given us all dreams, and we need to stop being scared and move forward trusting Him to see us through. Take heart my friend and step out in faith, as I am now, trusting Him to give me the faith I need.

Trust in the LORD, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
(Psalm 37:3-4 ESV)

Lord of Mercy and Grace; thank You for giving me a God-sized dream. Thank You for giving me faith to see this one through and not get discouraged by the few nay-Sayers that want to squash my dream. I have let so many dreams slip through my hands; this one I am holding on to, because You give me the courage. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Photo Copyright © Iris Nelson

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Thankful Thursday ~ His Faithfulness

Before I start my post this week, I would to remind you that my friend Laurie at “Women Taking A Stand” will be hosting Thankful Thursday in the month of March.

For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
and I walk in your faithfulness.
(Psalm 26:3 ESV)

Over and over I see how distressed people are these days. Have you noticed that more and more people are fearful of their future? I often tell my friends that I don’t know where I would be without God in my life.

I know that life is not easy and not everything goes according to plan. Maybe life is not going according to our plans, but I know for certain that God is moving us in the direction of His plan. Paul in his letter to the Philippian church noted:

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
(Philippians 4:11-13 ESV)

Sometimes I look at my situation and forget about God’s faithfulness. But when I look back at my life, I know that He always has been with me; moving me along His plan. Since I have gone through the highs and lows in life, God can use me to encourage others who are on a journey of despair. May I always share with others His faithfulness and love.

What are you thankful for this week? Please share by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: God is faithful and He will use your life story to bring others close to Him.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. The Minimalist Guide to Being a Thankful Wife
2. How To Deal With Anxious Thoughts
3. Beyond Romance
4. Six Years		 5. Heather @ Living In the Moment
6. Reflections
7. Sarah @ The Fontenot Four
8. Kathleen 🙂		 9. bp @ Raindrops & Rainbows
10. lorig
11. Mia De Vries
12. Jess @ Homestead For Him

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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Thankful Thursday ~ Family

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
(Psalm 9:1 ESV)

So, the holidays are all over for 2012. I have to say that this year Christmas was double special for me. Not only was I able to chat with my sweet sister and niece in Germany via Skype, but also our one and only son celebrated with us yesterday. It really is a long story and the past is in the past.

German DinnerI made one of our son’s favorite meals: rouladen, red cabbage and dumplings 🙂 …I hadn’t made it in such a long time (the picture is from February 2011) that I wasn’t sure I can get it all together. But yeah, I did!!! Not only was the food good, but also the company.

It was so great to eat, talk, and laugh as a family once again. We even went for a walk together (after the apple pie of course). All I could do this morning was thanking God for the time we had as a family yesterday.

Sometimes we have differences in our families, but Christmas is the best time to put those differences aside and allow God to work in our hearts.

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: through God’s love differences can be overcome.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. One Thing I Never Want To Forget
2. Bethany
3. Heather@Living In The Moment
4. Stewards		 5. 2013-My list of 10
6. Hope, I Can if I Will
7. LaughingLady
8. Pamela @ the Songs on the Way		 9. Highly Favored
10. The How to Blog
11. The End of a Momentous Year

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Thankful Thursday ~ Grace, Love & Mercy

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
(Ephesians 4:7 ESV)

This may be a strange title for Thankful Thursday, but these are the things that I am thankful for each and every morning. As I get ready to get into my car, I walk around it and thank God for His grace, love and mercy.

Without His grace, love and mercy I could not make it to heaven. Think about it!?! All the goodness I would have to perform, would not get me even close to heaven. I really try to be ‘good’ every single day, but to be honest, I slip up quite often. Not necessarily the things I do, but the things I think.

But because of His love, His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). It is good to know that He is faithful even when I am faithless.

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: It is by grace you have been saved by faith (Ephesians 2:8).

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Tami @ The Next Step
2. Sweet and Simple Thursday
3. Your Gift
4. Attentiveness vs. Distraction
5. For When You Fail
6. Being uniquely transparent!
7. Laughing @ Teaching What Is Good
8. Melanie @ M&M		 9. bp
10. becky aka theRAV
11. Laurie @ Women Taking a Stand
12. Chelle-nothing that can harm you
13. God on Trial – Can We Stop Putting Him There?
14. 50 Shades @ Upward Not Inward
15. Angel @ Finding the Inspiring
16. Kathleen @ Joyful Servant		 17. Daily Journey
18. Jhona O. @ We Weirdos
19. False Trinity: Satan, Antichrist, False Prophet
20. Kayla @ Practicing Prudence
21. Style N Season: Be Prepared, Do Your Best, N Let God Takes Care of The Rest
22. the Songs on the Way
23. Gilligan & Maryanne

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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