Equipped for Turbulent Times - Part Three

I've written quite a bit lately about the turbulent times we are living in. It's not often that we experience a worldwide pandemic, civil and racial unrest and  the upheaval of a contentious election season all at once! However, it's important to remember that even though the events of 2020 may have caught us by surprise, none of these things have been a surprise to God. There is nothing that we face that He hasn't equipped us to walk through. Today, is part three in a three part series on some of the "tools" in the toolbox that God has given us for turbulent times.

Contentment

[And it is, indeed, a source of immense profit, for] godliness accompanied with contentment (that contentment which is a sense of inward sufficiency) is great and abundant gain. 1 Timothy 6:6 AMPC

You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your desires go unfulfilled; [so] you become murderers. [To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned.] You burn with envy and anger and are not able to obtain [the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you seek], so you fight and war. You do not have, because you do not ask. James 4:2 AMPC

Dissatisfaction is a cruel taskmaster. It is an inner emptiness that cannot be filled. Contentment is noticing, seeing and acknowledging the goodness and blessings of the Lord even in the messy middle of turbulent times. A mindset that bases contentment on our circumstances being the way we want them to be will find that contentment is a very fleeting thing. Are you able to see God's care for you, His blessings, even  during this season of coronavirus and unrest?  (Join me for the rest of this post on Sunday, August 30th, at Woman to Woman Ministries, where each Sunday I share a bit of Sunday Soul Food!)

still following,

Also happily linking up with:

Sunday Scripture Blessings

Susan B. Mead

Sue Moore Donaldson

Equipped for Turbulent Times - Part Two

I've written quite a bit lately about the turbulent times we are living in. It's not often that we experience a worldwide pandemic, civil and racial unrest and the upheaval of a contentious election season all at once! However, it's important to remember that even though the events of 2020 may have caught us by surprise, none of these things have been a surprise to God. There is nothing that we face that He hasn't equipped us to walk through. Today, is part two in a three part series on some of the "tools" in the toolbox that God has given us for turbulent times.

Strength

Seek the Lord and His strength; yearn for and seek His face and to be in His presence continually! 1 Chronicles 16:11 AMPC

...And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold. Nehemiah 8:10 AMPC

The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower. Psalm 18:2 AMPC

The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him. Psalm 28:7 AMPC

May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. Ephesians 3:16 AMPC

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]. Philippians 4:13 AMPC

One of the enemy's favorite tools to use against us is weariness-he loves to wear us out and wear us down to the point that we just want to give up.  This is especially true in times of trial and trouble. God is well aware of this and continually reminds us in His Word that our strength comes, not from trying to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps, but from Him.  (Join me for the rest of this post on Sunday, August 23rd, at Woman to Woman Ministries, where each Sunday I share a bit of Sunday Soul Food!)

still following,

Also happily linking up with:

Sunday Scripture Blessings

Susan B. Mead

Sue Moore Donaldson

Equipped for Turbulent Times-Part One

I've written quite a bit lately about the turbulent times we are living in. It's not often we experience a worldwide pandemic, civil and racial unrest and  the upheaval of a contentious election season all at once! However, it's important to remember that even though the events of 2020 may have caught us by surprise, none of these things have been a surprise to God. There is nothing that we face that He hasn't equipped us to walk through. For the next three Sundays, let's focus together on some of the "tools" in the toolbox that God has given us for turbulent times.   (Join me for the rest of this post on Sunday, August 16th, at Woman to Woman Ministries, where each Sunday I share a bit of Sunday Soul Food!)

still following,

Also happily linking up with:

Sunday Scripture Blessings

Susan B. Mead

Sue Moore Donaldson

Weekly Gratitude Journal

Yesterday I got busy and forgot to post my weekly gratitude list! I almost let it happen again today, but thankfully I found a few quiet moments to sit down and write this post.

I know that life has taken a turn that no one could have predicted this year. However, we can choose to make happy memories even in the middle of this challenging season. One of the things I determined to do this summer was to take the grandkids to one of our favorite swimming spots at a local river. Our tradition is to get root beer floats at A&W after an afternoon of swimming. We've gone a few times so far this summer and have had so much fun.Yes, the reality is that life has taken some scary turns in our nation and world, but the truth is also that there is so very much to be thankful for.

************************

Since 2009 I've been counting my blessings thanks to the prompting of Ann Voskamp.

 I continue to count my thanks, 

piling up gratitude day by day in my journal.

(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)

#13,559-#13,581

Thank You, God, for-

8-3-2020-

-this slow journey through the Psalms and the way You speak to me through Your Word

-my oldest grands and their friends asking me to go with them to the lake

-kayaking on the lake

8-4-2020-

-singing worship songs with the grandkids in the car

-a fun afternoon at the river with five of the grands

-honest conversations

8-5-2020-

-Papa and second grandson going out to breakfast together

-walking around Lake Sacajawea

-making vacation plans together 

8-6-2020-

-a summer rain after a long stretch of hot weather

-our daughter safely home after having to work out of town

-a really good prayer time at church tonight

-a new sweater for my birthday from my friend

8-7-2020-

-a sweet Friday date day together

-2 Thessalonians 3:3 "the Lord is faithful and He will strengthen you and set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil one"

-laughing together 

-a FaceTime call from my oldest granddaughter

8-8-2020-

-friendship

-a beautiful summer evening for a walk

-grandson #3 facetiming me and asking me to tell him a story

8-9-2020-

-God at work in our church

-lunch with our kids

-a restful, peaceful Sunday afternoon 

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A Shift in Perspective

It is easy to lose our perspective in the valley seasons of life. At times it can feel as though we are trapped in a pit surrounded by insurmountable problems with no way out. Perhaps you are experiencing a valley season right now. In some ways, we are all in a valley season together as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic, the economic shutdown and the civil unrest and tension that our nation is experiencing. But, there are some problems that are unique to you and your situation. If the schools don't open, some of you are wondering how you will  homeschool your children and work at the same time. Some of you have a loved one who is desperately ill from the virus and some of  you may have lost a loved one. Maybe you have suffered a job loss. You may feel desperate for some fellowship but your church is still unable to open up and meet in person. You may live in a city that is experiencing rioting and upheaval. Your business may be suffering. You may be a heavy hearted and discouraged and scared wondering if the racial division and inequalities in our nations will ever change. What constitutes a valley season for you and me is as diverse and unique as we are. But, the ways to get through a valley season pertain to all of us in spite of the uniqueness of our struggles.  (Join me for the rest of this post on Sunday, August 9th, at Woman to Woman Ministries, where each Sunday I share a bit of Sunday Soul Food!)

still following,

Also happily linking up with:

Sunday Scripture Blessings

Susan B. Mead

Sue Moore Donaldson

Weekly Gratitude Journal

The past two weeks were jam-packed with fun and adventure! I also celebrated my 63rd birthday, which I can't wrap my mind around. I don't feel old. I don't feel like a senior citizen. But, the truth is, I am! One advantage to growing old is being able to look back at life and to track God's faithfulness in the best and the worst of times. I can clearly see how what the enemy meant for evil against me, God has always worked out for my good. I can see how God has made all things work together for good in my life. I have seen God's goodness in the land of the living, in the days full of fun and adventure, in the middle of the mundane moments and in the days full of difficulty. God is good and I am blessed. Of that I am sure.

************************

Since 2009 I've been counting my blessings thanks to the prompting of Ann Voskamp.

 I continue to count my thanks, 

piling up gratitude day by day in my journal.

(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)

#13,510--#13,558

7-20-2020-

-a reduction in our car insurance this month!

-a good friend to talk to

-talking and praying with one of the young mamas from church

7-21-2020-

-my husband carefully planning all of the details of my trip to the Grand Canyon

-a fun day at the river with the grandkids

-my guy saying to me, "You are the best thing that ever happened to me"

7-22-2020-

-watching our youngest grandson, grandkid number eight!, for a few hours

-a fingernail moon in a blue hour sky

-God at work in a situation I've been praying about 

7-23-2020-

-a morning with my guy before I leave on my trip tomorrow

-our church family's support for a grieving member

-rehearsing God's faithfulness

7-24-2020-

-my guy getting up at 2:30AM with me to make me coffee and take me to the airport

-a safe trip in spite of a delay on my layover

-surprising my grandkids

7-25-2020-

-black eyed susan growing by the highway

-praise God that my daughter's thumb that got smashed in the tailgate of the truck wasn't broken or severed!

-so much fun playing with the grandkids

-a delicious steak dinner made by my daughter

7-26-2020-

-a spotted wild horse running next to the train ride to the south rim of the Grand Canyon

-the AWEmazing Grand Canyon

-a good report from home about church

7-27-2020-

-seeing the Grand Canyon's changes in color as the sun sets and as it rises

-showing my youngest grandson a hummingbird sipping from a bright pink flower

-a California condor flying right over our heads

-a thundershower in the canyon

-making fun memories with my grand babies

7-28-2020-

-a good cup of coffee after a few days of not so great hotel coffee 

-texts and calls from my guy

-my Navajo bracelet

-rocking my youngest granddaughter to sleep

-God's goodness to me in the land of the living

7-29-2020-

-this amazing time away

-all of the walking we've done

-the hot/dry Arizona weather

-a little afternoon nap

7-30-2020-

-quiet time devotions before heading home

-phone navigation for this directionally challenged girl

-being housed in a nice hotel after a long delay that made me miss my connecting flight in Phoenix

7-31-2020-

-listening to worship and prayer on the flight home

-lunch at our favorite spot after my guy picked me up at the airport 

-a nice evening home together

8-1-2020-

-puttering around the house

-a miracle that the mechanic found nothing wrong with the kid's truck when the check engine light came on still a long way from home

-flowers from my guy

8-2-2020-

-sweet birthday texts, messages, etc. from my family, siblings and friends

-God's love and care and faithfulness to me these 63 years

-a fun family birthday dinner at my daughter's 

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