Stepping Out Of the Boat

“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.” ~ Matthew 14:27-29 (ESV)

The people who know me in real life can attest to that I am really a shy person. Some might even think that I am a snob; I really don’t mean to be…I am just quiet until I know the person for a little while. After the first ice is broken, I can be quite funny 🙂 …

Please read the rest of my devotion this morning over at…

Blessings on your day…

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Thankful Thursday ~ Trust

“The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”
~ Psalm 9:9-10

You know, I love the Psalms. They have become a huge part of my life. The best thing about the Psalms is that most of them are an encouragement instrument (at least it is true for me)…I am encouraged that David who wrote most of the Psalms, struggled too with ‘every-day’ life. But God was His tower, His strength…

The other day I was thinking (again) about how faithful God has been in my life. Even when I was faithless, He never gave up on me. And to top everything off, He made sure that I (and all who believe) have a way to spend eternity in heaven with Him. It still boggles my mind that God would go this far to give up His son so I can be redeemed — marvelous indeed.

Seriously, how I can not trust God with the little issues in my life when He did the most important part — taking care of my Salvation…

We are currently uncertain how long my beloved has his current job (he been at the same place for the past 10 years — budget cuts), but I am not even a little nervous. I believe that what ever happens, happens for a reason. I will trust God to work everything out for the good…

So, this week, yours truly is thankful for trusting God – Who was, is, and will be forever…

Have a super blessed Thursday…And don’t forget, next week, Thankful Thursdayers will meet back here for the month of August…Thrilled to be back blogging/sharing my thoughts we you all. The sabbatical from blogging did me good 😛 …

To find more Thankful Thursday participants this week, please visit my sweet sister in Christ and friend, Lynn at Spiritually Unequal Marriage.

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Thankful Thursday ~ Seasons

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: … a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted…”
~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (ESV ~ emphasis mine)

The other night on my way home I thought about our son (as I do often…and pray for him)…I can not believe that he is on his own for a year already.

As I was thinking about the past year, I thought about all the seasons – not only the yearly seasons, but the seasons of life. And I finally got the passage of Ecclesiastes…we have to let go of the past and look to the future…So my focus today is on the seasons of my life and how the Lord helped me grow through them…

  • Lord, thank You for being there for me in all the seasons of my life. No matter how far away I was at one point, You made sure that I don’t fall off the edge completely. You always has me in sight…
  • Lord, thank You for allowing me to grow in my marriage. Although not always the perfect wife, You helped me to become better at it…
  • Lord, thank You for allowing me to be a mom. Motherhood has helped me to become more patient. Thank You for helping me through the hard years of teenage hood…
  • Lord, thank You for the childhood I had. I am for ever grateful for my parents. Their love for you has left an imprint on my heart…
  • Lord, thank You for all the friendships you have brought into my life. The past and current ones. All the friendships have helped me to grow into the woman I am today…
  • Lord, thank You for all the wonderful Biblical teachers in my life. With the power of Your Spirit, they have helped me learn more about You…
  • And Lord, thank You for what You are going to do for the next season in my life. Lord, may I have an open heart and spirit to follow you, no matter what…

What are you thankful for today? I would love for you to link up your post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: no matter what season in life you find yourself in, cherish the past, but look with joy to the future…

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Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Mariposa
2. mama meji
3. gina @ chatswithanoldlady
4. Twinkle Mom of Sunflower Faith
5. Stacy – CONTEST!
6. Melanie
7. Home with Amy
8. Rocks of God’s best gift
9. Linda
10. Nancie
11. Laurie Ann
12. Denise
13. Cheryl@ Hope
14. It’s All About Him!
15. Lynn (Spiritually Unequal Marriage)
16. Mary
17. BP @ Raindrops & Rainbows
18. Tere {Blessings in Life}
19. Laurie @ womentakingastand
20. Erica
21. Pia @ My Life’s Journey
22. Marsha
23. Willnette
24. Joanne @ BLESSED…
25. Charlotte
26. Jenileigh’s Journey
27. Mary
28. Felicity
29. Michelle @ Dei Gratia
30. Beth@The Accidental Pharisee
31. Michele
32. Jenn
33. Peggy@Mazes…
34. Sharon @ Reservoir
35. Serendipity Park
36. Kim aka GoofyMamma
37. Beth
38. He & Me 3
39. Jill
40. Debra
41. Heather @ Not a DIY Life
42. Tammy
43. toknowhim
44. Kim @ Scattered Stones
45. Tracy @ Thirsty for Him
46. Happy Mamma
47. That I may know Him more
48. Mel’s World with Melissa Mashburn
49. annb
50. Heather@mommymonk
51. Chelsey at Joyfully Living
52. Willow
53. gengen
54. Sherry(@myjourney)
55. Bonnie
56. Kellie
57. gail @ challenges and adventures
58. Gina’s Public Diary
59. Joy@littlecowpokesinthecountry
60. Liza’s Eyeview
61. Amanda Bowers
62. Nancy @ Homemade Blessings
63. Tessa @ Jesus-Filled Hope
64. Tanja
65. Lisa@blessedwithgrace
66. Tracy @ Seed Thoughts
67. Tracey @ Cheese and Whine
68. Kathy C.
69. Crystal’s Random Musings
70. Front Porch Legacy
71. Lea
72. Irene *The GreenGreek*
73. Denise@Teacups & Time
74. Leanne from Canada
75. Mommy Magee
76. in the masters hands
77. Sabrina
78. lisa
79. SharonB
80. Tami @ The Next Step
81. becky aka theRAV
82. Cora from Hidden Riches
83. Paula @ Refined By Him
84. LaDonna
85. Janet @ Daily Provision
86. Audie
87. Chel @ Chasing Contentment (my first time!)
88. Tea with Tiffany
89. Tara @ Feels like home
90. Vanessa
91. Dawn’s Daily Life
92. Mari Taylor
93. J-ME
94. Ann
95. Tricia @ Venturesome Sojourners
96. Susan (A Happy Heart at Home)
97. cheryl
98. Rebecca
99. Honeybabybee

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Thankful Thursday ~ Hope

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” ~ Psalm 42:11 (ESV ~ emphasis mine)

First of all, I would like to thank your wonderful participation over the last couple of weeks – you ladies are so wonderful sharing your grateful heart – you all ROCK!!!!

This week I will not really give you a list, but share my reflection on hope with you. I have looked up ‘hope’ in Webster: “to cherish a desire with anticipation”….Wow – what a definition that is.

As of lately, I only survive on the hope I have – a hope that all things will work out for the good. In Romans 5:4-5, Paul shares: “…and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

What if I wouldn’t have that certain hope? What if I were hopeless like so many these days…It makes me shiver…I am glad that I can put my trust and hope in God. Even when the days don’t seem so sunny, I do always I have Sonshine. My Lord makes my journey lighter.

I so now can understand Christian teachers like Pastor Greg Laurie, who just lost his oldest son in a car accident. If the foundation is not Christ, but our own ability to make it through life – we would be lost. Lost in hopelessness.

I was never a great journal-writer, but over the last couple of months, I have shared – in writing – with my Lord the hope I have. The trust I put in Him. Although I always have prayed, I have never expressed my prayers in writing. As I am looking back over my prayer journal, I can see the changes. All I can say (as the Psalmist states) “For I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God”.

One of my current favorite songs is “My Hope is You” by Third Day. I listen to it often. Let me share with you the chorus:
“My hope is in You – show me Your Ways – God being truth – In all my days…My hope is in You…”

Yes, God is the only hope we can really hang on to, because He has a wonderful ‘record’. He has shown His faithfulness over thousands for years – and I know that He will be faithful until eternity…Hope in Him never disappoints 😛 …

Thank you so much for stopping by today. What are you thankful for this week? Please link your Thankful Thursday post below…

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Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Gina’s Public Diary
2. Twinkle Mom
3. Heather@mommymonk
4. Angie
5. Cheryl
6. Denise
7. Tänia of Faith Prints
8. toknowhim
9. Felicity
10. Aisha 😀
11. Susan @ Forever His
12. Ann/mom2HandH
13. BP @ Raindrops & Rainbows
14. Peggy
15. Peggy@3Ms..aMazing Grace
16. Nancie
17. Pia @ My Life’s Journey
18. Paula @ Refined By Him
19. Cheryl@Hope
20. Laurie @ womentakingastand
21. Cara Lynn
22. Linda
23. Millie
24. Willnette
25. Lynn (Spiritually Unequal Marriage)
26. LaDonna
27. Tracy @ Thirsty for Him
28. Sherry(@myjourney)
29. Amanda
30. Ladynred
31. Michelle
32. Lisa@blessedwithgrace
33. ari_1965
34. Ice Cream, Family and… Hope?
35. Joanne@ Blessed…
36. genny
37. Serendipity Park
38. alihsee @ remember the moments
39. Tami @ The Next Step
40. Colored Heart
41. Susanne
42. Schotzy
43. Renee @ In Christ Alone
44. Kim aka GoofyMamma
45. Stacy
46. Amanda Bowers
47. Heahter @ Not a DIY Life
48. Willow
49. Mary
50. Robyn@Overflowing Grace
51. Tammy
52. Brianna
53. Gina@chats with an old lady
54. Mama Bear
55. Kristi@ Kikis Corner
56. akash
57. flmom
58. Michele-ScreamFree Parenting(this works)
59. Erica
60. Mamasmurf (Chrissy)
61. Tracey @ Cheese and Whine
62. SharonB
63. Carrie – Oak Rise Cottage
64. Karen
65. In Light if the Truth
66. mhstultz@hotmail.com
67. Tracy @ Seed Thoughts
68. Karen – Focusing on Relationships
69. Julie
70. Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
71. Rosheeda
72. Prairie Chick
73. Lea
74. Mommy Magee
75. Annabelle @ Christian Momma
76. Front Porch Legacy
77. Nancy @ Homemade Blessings
78. Diane
79. Donetta at a life uncommon 🙂
80. jennifer’s joyride
81. Michele
82. Tea with Tiffany
83. Irene *The GreenGreek*
84. Bella Mama
85. Beverly
86. becky aka theRAV
87. Kathy C.
88. pam @ without fear
89. Laurie Ann
90. Kim @ Scattered Stones
91. Janet @ Daily Provision
92. Mariah
93. Heather
94. Linda aka Yellowroseli
95. Janera
96. Nessa @ Ramblings of a Texas Housewife
97. Marsha
98. Nette
99. Tessa @ Jesus-Filled Hope
100. Kathy
101. Edie @ Rich Gifts
102. Kathy @ Joyful Journey Journal
103. Rocks-thankful for the HOpe
104. Kathleen
105. Pat
106. Blessedw5mom (Heather)
107. Kathy S

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