Wondering today if you have a favorite Scripture verse...Perhaps one you’ve adopted as your family blessing or maybe it’s a passage that you live by to stay focused and purposeful. There are those verses stored in our memory banks for times when a friend is in need of hope or encouragement, or are otherwise feeling out of sorts. You may also have a verse that’s rocked your core during a Sunday morning sermon or personal Bible study. I can lay claim to all of these examples and imagine you can as well. Today however, I want to focus in on a specific verse that is so merciful, entirely loving, completely empowering, and amazingly awesome! Yes, I used the word “awesome” because the author of H

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10 This guy...yep, he’s a stunner. It’s a very brisk January day and this impressive buck is taking full advantage of a sunny spot in our backyard. He’s our neighborhood alpha-male with a small herd that is also occupying our property, although they remain for the most part hidden beneath the tall pines that border our land. Our neighbor’s dogs Lucy and Ricky (I know that ‘s hilarious right?) are going out of their ever-loving minds warning that the intruder and his gang are near. I reward the dogs with cookies and words of praise but they aren’t satisfied...the intruders are no

John 16:24 (NIV) Until now you have not asked for anything in my Name. Ask and receive and your joy will be complete. Proverbs 15:23 (MSG) Congenial conversation—what a pleasure! The right word at the right time—beautiful! While exploring Pinterest today I discovered the sweetest thought about choosing JOY and just have to share it with you…“When you choose joy you feel good. And when you feel good you do good. And when you do good it reminds others of what joy feels like and it just might inspire them to do the same.” There, didn’t that just make you smile? These action statements are a choice that we have the power to make each and every day. Believe me I’m not discrediting those days when

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:1-4 I hoped to have a different direction for my second

…Instead, speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music from your heart to The Lord, always giving thanks to God The Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:19-20 When I read these verses I think of how easy it should be…speaking with uplifting words and praises coming from my heart through my speech whether in speaking voice or literally singing. I am after all, a believer and one who should be so filled with joy that it (JOY) literally spills out of my mouth to encourage and bless anyone who comes near. Yet our world causes the mind to form less than psalms, hymns and spiritual songs as our first thoughts. We can wake up