Do You Already Have What You're Praying For?

An Exclamation Point Love! Photo by Chris

Dear Reader - 
As always, I want to write to you personally. 
Heart to heart.
Love to love.
So much is happening in my world, but there are some things I've learned just lately that I want to share with you because I think they pertain to you, too.
Today I write the first one.
Many of us pine away wishing we could be more of something. Smarter, wiser, more loving, more discerning, a better mom, a better dad, a better friend, more organized, on and on.
I was that way this year in three areas. I prayed and almost immediately God showed me I already had what I was praying for.
For example. I prayed I could be a more loving person; not judgmental; truly free to share love without worrying about the risk. I prayed about this and immediately I turned to this verse in Song of Songs 4:5: "Your pure faith and love rest over your heart...." As I read this, I was at a ranch, sitting on a log, enjoying the warm morning sun. I was surprised. Really surprised at such a quick answer and affirmation. What I truly desired I already possessed. But then the real shocker. I turned around, looked down, and saw what I posted a photo of here.
God is not worried about me. I shouldn't be worried either. I just need to step into who I am and rest in His exclamation-point-love for me. 
What are you asking Him about? Watch for the immediate answer and trust it is Him and it is true.
Love to you!
- Chris
Read my story in my book, Tapestry - The Divine Design For Your Life; available in Kindle and paperback at Amazon. Click here.

What Will You Say Yes To?

Many of us stretch our lives too thin. It goes on for a while and then we find ourselves sick, tired, emotionally and mentally drained. I felt like God said to me this year to stop spending so much time planning what to say "no" to and start intentionally discovering what I want to say "yes" to. Once I have determined that, there will be ample grace and power to wean out the things that are not "yes."

What are you saying "yes" to?

Luke 5:15-16 - Massive crowds continually gathered to hear him speak and to be healed from their illnesses. 16 But Jesus often slipped away from them and went into the wilderness to pray.

Nothing Can Steal This Joy

Even on days when things aren't going well, there is an inner joy I have that is hard to explain. It's like a little diamond in my heart that stays polished and glistening. It was part of me before I was born, but ignited in my twenties, filling a hole in my heart that no prior
human experience was ever able to fill. It had to do with discovering who I was, who I belonged to, and how much I was dearly loved in spite of anything I had ever done. I'm so thankful for that little diamond of great joy.

Galations 5:22-23 - But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.

When You Have Nothing Left to Give

Sometimes I feel so exhausted. Yes, I am doing things I love. Yes, I'm accomplishing a lot - almost everything on my lists. Yes, I'm keeping up, almost. But sometimes I am spent. Totally spent. Like right now as my body forces me to rest with a nasty cold. How do I balance my life and avoid exhaustion? There is only one answer. I can't. But when I surrender all of this in my trust that I am not alone - I can operate from a state of rest, believing my Maker's hand is upon the things I am supposed to get done. He is My helper and my strength.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Psalm 61:2-3 - When I'm feeble and overwhelmed by life, guide me into your glory, where I am safe and sheltered. Lord, you are a paradise of protection for me.

March 24 - Forget These 3 Words!

I was thinking today about how I think. Wrong thoughts tend to creep in when I lose my focus of who I am and what my purpose is. Take these three words, for example. Today I want to strike them from my thinking and vocabulary!

Impossible - Because I know that with God - all things are possible.

Stress - Because God's promise to me is "be anxious for nothing but in all things, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.

Afraid - Because I know that perfect love casts out fear. I live in and under perfect love. Therefore I do not and cannot fear.

So there - You have my permission to call me out on these any time!

See Matthew 19:26; Philippians 4:6 and Ephesians 3:20; and 1 John 4:18.

March 23 - The One Thing

Recently I was feeling overwhelmed. My brain was shorting out as I tried to remember all the little pieces of things I felt responsible for carrying out and completing.  I wrote them all down. When I finished, I realized there were too many for one little me. Exasperated, I prayed: "What am I to do? How did this happen? Why do I feel this way? What can I do?" And finally, "What is my purpose?"

In an instant, I sensed God speak: "You were created to be loved by Me and to let Me love others through you." Period. No more. No less.

Today, let's narrow our focus; shorten our lists; and build upon that for which we were created.

John 13:34 - "Love each other just as much as I have loved you."

March 22 - Stop Planning. Start Doing!

Every year I buy a fresh new planner and begin to create my perfect year with goals and strategies; dreams and hopes; prayers and pleas.

But I feel like this year my message to me is "Stop planning. Start doing." 

There is comfort and safety in the planning, isn't there? It feels important, but has little power on its own. It takes legs and hands; a mind to create; and a heart to risk and have faith that we can and we will. 

How do we break free of the planning and start the "doing?" Take one step today. Another tomorrow. Begin the task, type the word, buy the paint, make the call, find your team, meet one deadline. You are on your way! You CAN and you WILL because you are not alone! Go!

Habbakuk 2:2 - Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.

Proverbs 16:9 - In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.