Multitude Monday and Counting Blessings

Last week I began my journey of counting 1000 gifts. Every Monday I will be posting new things I am thankful for

whether

large or small...

obvious or unusual.

Thank you for joining me on my road of gratitude.

I know this will impact my life and I hope it will encourage yours.

#21 A small son's hand cupped in mine, trusting me to lead the way.

#22 My husband's pure heart and devotion that makes me feel adored.

#23 My teenage son who is spreading his wings and reminding me of God's mercy and grace.

#24 Hope for my future even when I can't see it.

#25 Progress on a big home project!

#26 Overwhelming peace and joy in my heart.

#27 A friend's newborn baby girl reminding me of God's fingerprint on every life.

#28 Closed doors and open windows.

#29 New friends that bring me inspiration with every tweet!

#30 Transitions in life that keep me seeking THE ONE in control.

Continue to seek out the extraordinary within the ordinary...

Bloggin’ Chocolate Eatin’ Coffee Drinkin’ Gabbin’ Gals and God.

There it sat… like a big blank piece of paper handed to me in school. The teacher had just assigned an impromptu writing assignment due in 20 minutes. I had no clue where to start. I was in shock. What do I write? Where do I start? Will anyone read this blog? What am I doing?

That’s how I felt the day I decided to start this blog.
I had read a few blogs here and there, but hadn’t given much thought to it. I had been busy building my website, and had never planned to do much with blogging. I had some blogger friends that seemed to be having fun, but I wasn’t sure it was for me. Lately, as my decorating site had been growing, I was feeling the need to connect with women in a more personal and heart-sharing level. There seemed to be something missing and I needed to find out what it was.

Then, I began to pray for God to lead me and show me what He wanted for my blog and for me. I knew through my less-than-normal life experiences, struggles, hurts, triumphs, and victories God had things for me to share, hearts to reach and hands to hold.

Like a huge door opening wide, like a big breeze had just blown through my back door, I stumbled upon the Relevant Conference.

Relevant was going to be a gathering of Christian bloggers, who had a common interest to blog with a purpose while blessing their family and others. As I read that, I knew this was for me. That’s all I needed to hear! It came like a shot in the arm, at just the right moment.

Immediately after signing up for the conference, it was like the floodgates opened up. I had instant friends and tweeting peeps to join me in my blogging journey. I quickly felt encouraged by common hearts who would come alongside me in this journey of faith, home, marriage, mothering, and LIFE. I began to read blog after blog of women sharing their hearts on a common life path. I instantly felt connected.

As you can see I am now over my shock and stage-fright and getting my feet wet with this thing called blogging. But it is so much more…

As I look forward to the Relevant conference, I pray God will reveal my unique voice for my blog. It’s easy to feel intimidated by those who are further along than me in their blogging pursuits. Maybe feel I have nothing unique to give or say. However, I know God has a unique purpose and plan for me in any endeavor I pursue. I am on the Road to Relevant as a jumpstart to my blogging pursuits and very ready to take in all God has for me in that special weekend.

The best part of the conference will be meeting face to face for the first time, all my new-found tweetin’,bloggin’, chocolate eatin’, coffee drinkin’, gabbin’ gals who love God!

Hope you can join me. See ya there!
Are you bringing the chocolate?

If you want to know more Relevant gals and see the blog that has become a place to meet other christian blogger gals like me. Head over to Gather Inspirit where you can even join a forum and get in on the fun!

Worthy Is The Lamb!

On this Sunday I wanted to post one of my favorite worship songs, sung by Kari Jobe! Listen and be blessed.

Heavenly Fire!

I recently saw this quote, and wanted to grasp onto it and ponder it, chew on it a bit…

"There is in every woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity." ~ Washington Irving

This quote caused me to stop dead in my tracks… hmmm… there was part of it that troubled me! “which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity”

So, I asked myself, “When has the heavenly fire burned brightest in my life?

Looking back on my past and when I was going through the biggest trials, crying out to God, I felt closest to Him. I was in the Word every moment I could, grasping onto every line to catch the nuggets of truth that could carry me through even a single day. I was communing with Him in prayer all through the day, trying to hear his voice speaking to me. In these moments of complete surrender, my flame was burning brightest.

So what happened? Why has the fire dimmed and faded?

Let’s face it…

Life gets good, and I get lazy.

I have short term memory loss I guess. I haven’t always stayed as consistent in my walk with the Lord as I would like. My Bible reading and prayer life has waned at times.

I know I would like to be in that place of abiding in Christ, of walking with him in a consistent walk, no matter what the situation at hand. Seeking him at all times and in all circumstances, not letting the embers of my heart die out, but yearning to keep my heavenly fire burning bright and in turn having it radiate so brightly that others are affected by the light and warmed by its presence.

How about you? Would you like to catch some of that heavenly fire? Let's fan the flame and share it with others.