Enjoy the journey ....

So many things in our everyday lives, you know, the busy-ness of it all, can get us a bit off track, take our focus off of what is most important. 

I came across this devotional it really helped to clarify specifics in my relationship with the LORD.  We are all on a journey and it is wise to take the time to evaluate just where we are in our walk with Him.  Hope this helps you as much as it does me in my prayer time! 

I have missed blogging here, and as you can see from my last post, I've been away for quite a few years on a 'journey' myself, but on this road of life I have not been alone, growing and learning with every step. I dare say I am a bit rusty with my writing so please bear with me as I dive into this again!

For now, I pray you are learning and growing through your life's journey ... and whatever the road God is taking you down, whether bumpy or smooth, uphill or down, able to see clear and straight ahead, or with curves and obstacles you can't see around, His presence is always right there with you!

Just knowing that brings a secure feeling of comfort to my, often times, anxious and fearful heart!

Well, I do hope to see 'some' of you still online here and if so, I'll be looking forward to see your comments! Blessings to all who may venture this way!!

Prayer Journey

-Katherine Kehler


Have you ever taken the time to evaluate your journey with God?

Are you growing in your love relationship with Him?

You may be thinking, “Can you really know if you are growing spiritually?”

Yes, there are ways you can evaluate your spiritual growth.
One way is to think through your prayer journey.

Are you praying more? Because prayer is talking with God,
ask yourself if your communication with Him is getting better.

I encourage you to take the time to think through your prayer journey.

The following are some of the elements in my prayer journey that show me if I am growing spiritually:

Trust in His Promises

Am I trusting God and His promises more that I did twelve months ago?

“Up to this time, you have not asked a single thing in my name;
but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy may be full”
(John 16:25)

Ask Specifically

Am I asking for specific things, or do I pray generally?

You will recognize when your prayers are answered if you ask specifically.

“For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him.
And then helping you do what He wants”
(Philippians 2:13)

Intercession

Am I praying for others on a regular basis?

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers,
intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone”
(1Timothy 2:1).

Cultivate a Quiet Heart

Do I have a quiet heart?

Panic and peace cannot occupy the same place.

“When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble?”
(Job 34:29)

Resting, Trusting, Leaning

Do I trust and rest in God, or do I let circumstances determined my feelings?

“But I have stilled and quieted my soul…”
(Psalm 131:2).

Thankfulness, Praise and Worship

“A single grateful thought toward heaven is the most complete prayer.” 
- Gotthold Lessing

Spiritual Warfare

Do you dress yourself with the armor of God each day?

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities,
against the powers of the dark world and against the forces of evil in the heavenly realms”
(Ephesians 5:12).

Pray Without Ceasing

Talk to God about everything.

“Pray continually”
(1 Thessalonians 5:17)

“The real reason for prayer is intimacy with our Father.”
- Oswald Chambers


Father, we know You want to have a close, growing relationship with us.
Lord, we also want to know You more.
Deep within our souls we want to know You.  Amen.

pondering a lesson from the dandelion

This especially spoke to my heart today.

The Bible tells us to ...

"Cast all your care upon Him because He cares for you." - I Peter 5:7

"Therefore; do not cast away you confidence, which has great reward." - Hebrews 10:35

We do not want to reverse the process:
casting away our confidence and carrying all our care!
His desire is that we roll all our burden on Him and not be anxious about anything ...
most of our time and energy go into carrying what God asked us to cast on Him ...
We experience freedom and His amazing peace when we cast it all upon Him ...
knowing that He is in complete control of the circumstances we walk through!
We are never alone, and we never need to carry the burden!
He gives us that choice!

So why wait ... let's all roll that which concerns us over onto Him ...

You keep your confidence ...
He will keep your cares!!

(Words in italics from Meet Me in The Meadow by Roy Lessin)

I may be one of the few who do, but I love how pretty the dandelion seed heads are!  Oh, yes, they may be a nuisance, but they do make for some pretty pictures!  I've seen quite a few on line this spring, so, I just had to join in!  I took some images of a few I picked from our front yard ... (for some reason the back yard has escaped this springtime fate)!  Have to say, they do seem to be extremely hardy this year, lasting far beyond their allotted time, and stubbornly popping up again after mowing!  Normally, our landlord sprays the yard before they have a chance to pop their little heads up, but maybe this year he's cutting more out of his budget, as well.

I wanted to share the above devotion with this photo. 

Remembering as a young girl making a wish then blowing and watching the seedlings breaking free and floating away ...
if only we could cast our cares off as easily as we blew those dandelion seeds away! 

I am learning ... He is patient with me, full of love, and ever faithful! 
For that, I am ever grateful!

This week I'm praying your cares are few, and encouraging you to be care-free, not care-full, and to give those you are carrying to Him, for He truly does care for you!  Prayers to you all for a blessed week in Him!

~ Deborah

It's been awhile since I linked up to the photo challenges ... I've been walking through some life challenges of my own that has kept me away, but this week I'm happy to be back over on Katie's site, again!  I always get encouragement from the other entries!  Click below to join in!

Be Heavenly Minded ...

Set your mind on things above, 

not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:2