...We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! Romans 5:3-5 The Message These verses encouraged my heart greatly. Especially this... ...we can't round up enough containers to hold … [Read more...]
“In the waiting, we become” –Jeff Goins Hmmm. What is it we become? Maybe Jeff tells us in his new book. Regardless.... When I read this at the bottom of the Nester's post, it got me thinking. We, my husband and I, are in the waiting. We know when we will be moving. We don't yet know where. God knows. We don't. So in all this waiting, I am becoming. What is it that I am becoming? The other day I mentioned that I think I am becoming more patient. Today, I realized that I am becoming more engaged in this moment and less so … [Read more...]
You've heard it... You've read it... God cares for you. But does he really? Have you heard a little voice in your head ask that question with an affected tone, "Does he really?" When you're in the mud of life, sometimes barely able to lift one foot up and move it forward, struggling to stand in the slipperiness of that greasy water-logged and endless swarm of clay, does God care? I think that when Peter penned this... Since God cares for you, let Him carry all your burdens and worries. 1 Peter 5:7 Voice He believed it. I do too. Do you know … [Read more...]
Just in case you're having one of those days.... You know....the kind filled with doubt, or worry, or fear. May these words encourage your heart: Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. John 14:1 ERV We all have days when we let our minds take us places we shouldn't go. Speak God's promises out loud. Start with this verse. We really can trust the ONE who says, Trust me. Hope these were just the encouraging words you needed.... If you like this photo, I created it in a 5x7 format so you can print and frame it. Click here for the image and save it … [Read more...]
Endurance Today my inbox contained an email that contained a graphic with the word, Endurance. I contemplated it for a minute and then was off to the next email. Later in the day a good friend left a comment on Facebook with a scripture verse. It's from a book in the Bible I memorized when I was a senior in high school. But, as I was uncertain with the direction for this Joy Day! post I decided to plug the 'address' into Bible Gateway and see how it reads in different translations. (I memorized it in the Living Bible.) It was there that the word endurance popped out at me, again. Do you believe in … [Read more...]
This has been one of those weeks.... where you realize that you are totally not in control and at the same time, grateful God is in control. If you'd like a 5x7 print of this photo & quote...click here...and save it as you would any photo. So...when this quote from C.S. Lewis came across my path it certainly gave me pause: Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny. ― C.S. Lewis The sun drops in the sky, the air begins to cool, and the lighting is exquisite. That's how it was this evening when we left the house for a walk, with plans to … [Read more...]
Today I'm delighted to introduce you to an extraordinary woman and the creator and publisher of Celebrating Everyday Life magazine...Jennifer Carroll! Jennifer is an inspiration! She's a woman with a dream who works and prays hard to make it a reality. A person of character who takes life's setbacks and uses them to push her onward and upward. And a friend who takes time to encourage. A little more than a year ago I made Jennifer's acquaintance through a Facebook post. She had just produced her first digital magazine. The photography, the images, the creativity, and the spirit of the … [Read more...]
Today strangers walked through our house. If you have ever left your house for the real estate agent and her entourage to tromp through, you know how weird that feels. Before we left the house we had to secure our cats in their 'houses.' We have a large pet carrier that holds two cats easily and a second single carrier. Typically the carriers sit on shelves in our basement. It seemed like a place of safety for the cats during the showing; out of the way. So, before we left the house, we placed our furry friends in their 'houses.' I'm not sure why, but our cats like their carriers. … [Read more...]
Have you given much thought to God being our provider? Provider. It is one of the names that He gives himself. What does He provide? Maybe the answers are quite obvious to you. Maybe not? Usually we think that we provide for ourselves... generally through the work of our hands, or our own cleverness. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Psalm 139:5 NLT This verse reminded me that not only did God provide a position for my husband when we moved to Pennsylvania, but he provided our home as well. As we consider how … [Read more...]
This week I came across this quote: The true genius lies not in doing the extraordinary things, but in doing the ordinary things extraordinarily well. ~ Major General Louis H. Wilson When I came across this quote I truly felt that it spoke of my heart. Not that I am any genius. Far from it. But, I truly believe that every day we can do very ordinary things in an ordinary, ho hum kind of way, or we can do those ordinary things extraordinarily well. As much as I can....I will seek to do the later. How about you? What is it that 'makes' you will go the … [Read more...]
Several days a week I walk past this church. This day, the sun was beginning to set. It was what I call the golden hour. The sky was an intense blue and the church, which seems to usually be shaded, was illuminated. I wanted to share this golden moment with you. The photos were edited and ready to insert into this post. And then I struggled. Wrestled, really. Today something happened that I had to continually stand against with the shield of faith and the sword of the spirit. It involved a church. I believe in the church. Ideally once we choose to follow Christ we need to be … [Read more...]
You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. ~Erma Bombeck Happy Birthday America! I love the quote by Erma Bombeck, because really, we who are Americans, we who celebrate our Independence Day with fireworks and parades and BBQ's are a blessed people. We take so very much for granted. … [Read more...]
This week I think I discovered the secret to rest. Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. Psalm 91:1-2 (NLT) What kind of week have you had? Do you find yourself working hard...at work...at relationships...homekeeping...etc.? Do you feel pressured? Burdened? Fill in the ______? Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest... I admit it.... It is way too easy to … [Read more...]
Recently I went for an early morning walk up the hill to the nearby school. There, I have a lovely view of the town and countryside. It's really quite beautiful. This particular day there was an ethereal cloud hanging low in the valley. The sun was shining high on the hillside as I stumbled upon these lovely daisies glistening with the morning dew. In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed. Khalil Gibran Though I am not a fan of Gibran's theology...these words speak truth. We all … [Read more...]
In the stillness of the early morning, I opened the Word. Thirsty. Hungry. Needy. And I came upon this: Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving. and extol him with music and song. Psalm 95:1-2 We sit in the quiet. We wait on the Lord. We are such people of doing. Yet....here David...the psalmist....gives us something to do. Sing for joy. Shout out loud. Thank HIM. Play music and sing for HIM. Okay...it's really early. It's really quiet. I may not be … [Read more...]
Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Colossians 4:2 ~ The Message Have you read the book of Colossians lately? If not, let this be your encouragement. It is rich and full of wonderful teaching on how to live life fully, in the power of Christ. Here at An Extraordinary Day, we are all about living life to the full. Our home church in Michigan is studying Colossians. The pastor has asked the congregation to read one chapter in … [Read more...]
Have you recently felt like you were up against the wall? Maybe it would be better described as between a rock and a hard place. The Apostle Paul describes it this way in 2 Corinthians 4:8 NIV: We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair. Oh boy! This week I sure felt like I was hard pressed. Paul acknowledged that he was hard pressed...on every side. Do you identify? Some days, weeks, or months can feel like that. When there are no answers, when there is no cure, when we have no place to turn, when we feel backed into a corner...we are hard … [Read more...]
