Gift

Join me at Woman to Woman for a Family Friday.


When I think of gift, I think of life, of children.  Children, oh they are a precious gift from God.  Life is so sacred.


For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11


For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  Psalm 139:13-14


So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.  Genesis 1:27

My blessings, gifts from Heaven, making silly faces.

Sweet Blessings~


Linking with:
Five Minute Friday
Brag On God Friday

Delight

Sometimes taking the kids grocery shopping can be a stressful experience.  Join me at Woman to Woman for tips on each trip more pleasurable.

"Take delight in the Lord and He will give 
you the desires of your heart."  
Psalm 37:4

For many, this verse seems like a pass to getting absolutely whatever we want.  Like if God were a genie in a bottle.  But the truth is, when we are truly delighting in the Lord, our desires become His desires.  No longer does a big screen tv seem to be the desire of our heart, but seeing our neighbor saved is.  No longer does a brand new boat seem to be the desire of our heart, but blessing strangers is.

Take delight in the Lord.  Let your desires form into what He wants.  His desires are far more rewarding than anything we could want.

Sweet Blessings~

 

Linking with:
Brag on God Friday

Five Minute Friday

Proverbs tells us to trust in the Lord with all of our heart {Proverbs 3:3-6}.  It is easy to trust God when things are good.  It is easy to trust when things are going our way and we can see the outcome.


But to trust when we cannot see what is ahead?


Not so easy.  We have the desire to know what the future holds and to control it.  But the truth is, we are like a horse with blinders on.  We simply can't see everything.  God can.  He sees the big picture.  He knows all.  How do we trust?


We can trust by placing our lives fully in His very capable hands.  Just like with our children, they may not understand why the have to do school, but as adults we know the benefit it is for them.  Or they may not understand why they can't go to the house of the kid down the street with the abusive parents, but we know it is not safe for them.  We are His children, we don't see it, He does.


Are you ready to place everything in His hands?  Are you ready to trust Him without restrictions?




The winner of the $20 DaySpring gift certificate is Calista from A House and Yard.  Congrats!  Please email me at metzgersix@gmail.com.


Sweet Blessings~


Linking with:
Brag On God Friday
Five Minute Friday

Tender Through the Years

Today I am excited to be part of the Freedom Rocks Blog Tour.  Please join me as I talk about how to be Free From Me!


When I think of tenderness, I automatically thing of my children.  When they are babies, we hold them tenderly, kiss their sweet cheeks and pass them to another with gentleness.


Now they are older.


Yesterday I left my older children home for a short time as I ran an errand.  They wanted to stay home so they each had a job to do before I got back.  I came home and not only did they not do their assigned job, but they had made a mess and did not clean it.


I was furious.  Gone was the tenderness of years past.


Don't my children in this older stage of life still deserve tender kisses on their cheek?  Don't they deserve gentle hugs each and every day?  It so easy to be tender with the babies but they grow older and we lose that.


Today, my friends, no matter the age of your children, 2 or 25, give them a tender hug and express your love to them.


The winner of the $30 gift certificate to Cap Creations is Jennifer.  Congrats!  Please email me at metzgersix@gmail.com.  I do, however, encourage you all to check out Cap Creation, they are a wonderful company with beautiful products.


Sweet Blessings~


Linking with:
Five Minute Friday
Brag On God Friday

Awake in Him

There are times in our walk with God that we feel dry, alone.  We feel as though are faith is falling asleep.  We need that touch from God.  We need His breath.


Are you asleep in your faith right now?  Have trials gotten you down?  Is your faith being tested?  Are you feeling weak?


When it's hard to stay awake in Christ, turn to God.  Let Him breath life back into you.  Let Him wake you up!

"Therefore He says: 'Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.'” Ephesians 5:14

The winner of the Mile In His Shoes DVD is monicaandrew.  Congrats!  Please email me at metzgersix@gmail.com.


Sweet Blessings~
 

Linking with:
Brag On God Friday
Five Minute Friday

Roar of the Lioness

Repost from October 12, 2011

"But one of the elders said to me, 'Do not weep.  Behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed to open the scrolls and to loose its seven seals.'"  Revelation 5:5

According to scripture, Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah.  He is our Lion.  We, the bride of Christ, are His lioness.

Lisa Bevere, in her book Lioness Arising, describes a scene in a documentary.  Rangers had a tracking collar placed on a lion, the alpha male, in order to track the herd.  After two years, it was time to take the tracking collar off.  In order to take this collar off, they had to shoot him with a tranquilizer dart.  Once he was down and they were confident of their safety, they moved in to remove the collar.  As they carefully yet swiftly remove the collar, the lion, still conscious, was aware of the rangers yet could not move.  They would never have approached the lion had he been fully alert and capable of moving.  There is nothing more dangerous then being in the presence of a lion when it is fully awake.

Are you awake?  Are you alert?

We are the lioness of Christ.  When we are fully awake and equipped in Christ, then we truly frighten the enemy, Satan.  He may try to bother us but knows he cannot get close enough to capture us or chain us if we are fully awake in God.

Friends, are you fully awake and alert?  Or are you lying down in partial sedation just watching what goes on around you?

As Lisa says, "God did not save you to tame you."  My lioness friends, be ready.  Be alert.  Be fully awake in God.  In this new year when you set goals or focus on one word, satan will be on the attack.  Therefore we must be fully awake and alert.

The winners of the Charles Dickens Devotional and Jane Austen Devotional are Bryan from Brvan and Joan from Reflections of His Grace.  Congrats! Please email me at metzgersix@gmail.com. Sweet Blessings~ Linking with: Brag On God Friday Five Minute Friday

Open for His Plans

The New Year is upon us.  Less than 48 hours away.  


Are you ready for what God has planned for you?  


Are you open to the newness of the year?


I firmly believe God has big plans for His children in 2012.  But we have to be open minded and have a open heart.  We have to be ready.  Ready for something big.


Has God already revealed to you His plan for your life in 2012?  Has He already directed you?  Don't be afraid.  Don't be shy.  Be open.  When we obey and follow His will, we are blessed beyond measure.


"...to obey is better than sacrifice..."  1 Samuel 15:22


In these last hours of 2011, spend some time in prayer.  Ask God to help you be open to new possibilities and new opportunities.  Then be ready for Him to bless your socks off!


Have a safe and blessed celebration, friends!


Sweet Blessings~


If you would like to start the New Year off with some encouragement, you can join us on Facebook or Twitter for encouraging posts throughout the day.  You can also subscribe to this blog and each article will come straight to your inbox!  If you would like prayer for the New Year or anything at all, please email me at metzgersix@gmail.com


Linking with:
Brag on God Friday
Five Minute Friday

Connected Throughout The Day

Do you wake up in the morning and have a beautiful quiet time with God? It feels so good to connect with Him, to touch Him.  You feel His peaceful presence and it feels so wonderful.  Now you are done and it is time to go about your day.


The kids wake up.


You fight traffic.


Work demands so much from you.


Phone calls with irate customers or bill collectors.


Stores are crowded.


The drive thru line is endless.


Homework.


Household duties.


You are now exhausted.  It's been a long day, maybe a stressful day.  You don't feel connected anymore.  What happened to that sweet feeling you had in your quiet time this morning?  Where did it go?  You felt so close to God and now you feel nothing.

"Pray continually."  1 Thessalonians 5:17  NIV

"Pray without ceasing."  1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV

How can we stay connected with God all day long?  The Word tells us to pray without stopping.  Does that mean on our knees, hands folded, eyes closed praying?  No.  It means to stay in an attitude of prayer and worship at all times.  


How can we do that?


When you do that wonderful connected quiet time in the morning, ask God to help you stay connected with Him all day.  Ask Him to show Himself to you throughout the day.  When you are going about your day, say little prayers.  Pray just means talking to God.  If you are driving, pray.  If you are cooking, pray.  Showering, pray.  In line at the store, pray.


Listen to worship music.  Between radios, music players on cell phones, music players on the computer, and ipods, we are never without music.  Listen to worship music.  I love to listen to Spotify on my cell.  I can turn on select any instrumental or worship music and I feel His presence.

Read the Word.  I have a Bible in my living room and in my nightstand.  I used to carry a small one in my purse but now I have YouVersion on my cell.  While I much prefer to have an actual Bible in my hands, no matter where I am, the Word is with me on my cell.  If you are waiting in the drive thru, for a doctor appointment, in line at the store or in the parking lot waiting for the kids to get out of school, read the Word.  You can pick a Psalm or Proverb and be blessed in those few minutes.


When you walk away from your quiet time, you don't have to leave God there.  Keep an attitude of worship and praise throughout your day to stay connected to God.


Sweet Blessings~



Linking with:
Five Minute Friday
Brag on God Friday

The Most Talented Artist

Have you looked around lately?  Though the trees may be bare in some areas, they are still beautiful and created just so.  Flowers, whether beautiful summer flowers, fall mums or Christmas poinsettias, the flowers are magnificent.  The beautiful, bright sun peeks through clouds as it rises each morning and makes striking colors in the sky as it sets each night.


Have you been to the ocean and walked on the beach?  Or through the mountains and taken in the gorgeous views?  Whether the massive ocean or tall mountains, it is all so breathtaking.


Have you looked in the eyes of your little one?  Have you looked seen the beauty of other people around you?  Have you see the brilliant colors around you?  God is the most talented artist there could ever be.  Just look around you!


"For you created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13


And this most talented artist created you.  You were created lovingly and carefully by the hands of God.  He choose your skin color, eye color, placement and shape of your nose, and the height you would be once you stopped growing.  You are beautiful.  You are magnificent.  You are lovely.  And you are loved by your Creator.


Friend, no matter what, never ever forget that your Creator loves you.  You are beautiful and special to Him.


Sweet Blessings~



Linking with:
Brag on God Friday
Five Minute Friday

Grateful

Grateful for a day to celebrate thankfulness.

For delicious food and wonderful family to eat with.

A hungry bunch

Grateful for the dog that ate all of the pumpkin cookies when no one was looking.

For, even though today marks the third year we lost grandpa, we had so many wonderful memories of him.

Grateful for all of the Sweet Blessings readers and friends.

For the work of the cross, salvation and my friendship with Jesus.

I pray you all had a blessed Thanksgiving yesterday.  But now that it is over, let's not lose the attitude of gratefulness.  What are you grateful for today?

Sweet Blessings~


Linking with:
Brag On God Friday
Five Minute Friday

Grow

Grow.

Recently I shared my testimony over at Beautiful Mommy Feet, if you haven't had a chance, check it out.  I was raised in the church.  I knew all the right things to do and say. I knew how to be a "good girl."  But I felt like I was missing something.  Something big.  God revealed to me that I was living the life of a Sunday morning Christian.  I made the commitment to dig deeper.  Go farther.  To grow.


I decided to try out this thing called daily devotions, a quiet time.  What started with fifteen minutes began to grow into a half hour, then an hour.  I couldn't get enough of God.  I tasted Him and He was so good!

I never imagined how incredible it would feel to grow in God.  Have I "arrived"?  Heavens no.  We will never "arrive" this side of Heaven.  But I continue to grow.  I continue to read, pray, converse with God and worship.

Are you staying stagnant, or are you ready to grow in God?

Sweet Blessings~


The winner of the Christmas Lodge dvd and FFH's new Christmas cd, Silent, is Deane from Who Is God!  Congrats!  Please email me at metzgersix@gmail.com.

Linking with:
Five Minute Friday
Brag On God Friday

Unexpected and a Giveaway

Unexpected...

I don't have time to give to God, but I push through.  I sacrifice.  Then the unexpected happens, I have more than enough time.

I don't have money to pay bills, but I tithe anyway.  I sacrifice.  Then the unexpected happens, I have the money I need.

I don't have any extra time or money to serve others, but I do it anyway.  I sacrifice.  Then the unexpected happens, I am blessed by serving.

God is the God of the unexpected.  Give.  Serve.  Worship.  He will unexpectedly bless you beyond belief.  Never say I can't.  Say with God, all things are possible.

Giveaway fun!  I absolutely love Christmas time and I am so very excited to give away two incredible Christmas gifts.

I love Christmas movies.  Christmas time is just about the only time I watch tv and I already have the dvr full of fun Christmas movies.  Even ones I have seen dozens of times.  My husband hates it.  Smiles.  I am so very excited to be giving away a brand new Christmas movie called Christmas Lodge.  This is from the fabulous painter, Thomas Kincaid.  Christmas Lodge is all about family and preserving memories and traditions.

Christmas Lodge--DVD

FFH is one of the very first Christian music groups my husband really liked so they will always hold a special place in my heart.  If you like Christmas music, you want this cd.  FFH puts their own spin on some beautiful classic Christmas songs.  The second I hit play, the kids came running!  Such a great cd filled with wonderful music.

One Silent Night By FFH

How can you win the Christmas Lodge dvd and FFH's new Silent Night cd?  Leave a comment on each blog post every day between now and Nov 17th.  Share the giveaway on Facebook, then come back and leave a separate comment saying you shared.  Tweet about the giveaway, then come back and leave another separate comment saying you tweeted.  That is three chances each day!  For additional entries, "like" us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and follow us on Google Friend Connect, then leave comments telling me you did so.  The winner will be announced next Friday, November 18th.

Sweet Blessings~


Linking with:

Brag On God Friday 

Five Minute Friday

God I Look To You

Are you feeling overwhelmed today?  Stressed?  Things have just gotten too hard and out of control?


Look to God.  He is right there.  Reach out to Him.




Sweet Blessings~



Linking With:
Brag on God Friday

Friday with Friends

Today I decided to join Lisa-Jo over at Gypsy Mama for a Five Minute Friday.  I have never tried this before but her topic today struck me.  Friends.  Click on the link above for details on Five Minute Friday and to visit other great blogs.


Friends.


I was hurt in the past so I didn't think I needed friends anymore.  I was okay on my own. I have a great family, what more could I need?  Besides I am so quiet and shy that did it really matter to have friends?  Then I was asked to join a women's Bible study.  That really pushed me out of my comfort zone in many ways.  I was "forced" to start actually studying the Bible.  I was surrounded with women and had to talk.  Oh my, what will I do!  


That is when I realized, I do need friends.  I was very blessed to be put into the Bible study group I was in.  God sent the best women for me He could.  


Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."  


These women were sharpening me.  They encouraged me.  They pushed me.  They prayed for me.  


God did not call us to be alone.  We need each other.  Ecclesiastes 4:9 tells us, "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.  If one falls down the other can help him up.  Pity the man that falls and has no one to pick him up."


My sweet sisters and I may not go out shopping or weekly lunch dates, but I know they are always there for me.  I can call them up for prayer or encouragement at any moment.  I praise God for my group of sweet sisters.


I encourage you, if you have close friends (accountability partners), cherish them.  Grow that relationship.  If you do not, join a Bible study group, or even start one and build those relationships.  We all need each other.

My closest sweet sisters
My mom, Debi, Mandy, me and Lisa

Sweet Blessings~   

P.S. I think I took six minutes to write and it is very hard not to go over and edit.  *smiles*

Linking up with:
Brag on God Friday
Five Minute Friday

Happy Friday Friends!

The winner of the Courageous Living Bible Study is Tiffani K!  Congrats!  Please email me at metzgersix@gmail.com.

"Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth,
sing praise to the Lord,

 to Him who rides across the highest heavens,

the ancient heavens,

who thunders with mighty voice.

Proclaim the power of God,

whose majesty is over Israel,

whose power is in the heavens.

You, God, are awesome in Your sanctuary;

the God of Israel gives power and strength to His people.

Praise be to God!"

Psalm 68:32-35

Praise be to God!  He is so good my friends.  What are you praising God about today?

Sweet Blessings~

Linking up with:
Brag on God Friday

TGIF

Today is the last day to register for an awesome prize over at Woman to Woman!  Check it out!

TGIF!  It is finally Friday!  Do you have big plans for this holiday weekend?  One last summer event?

I remember growing up TGIF was a big deal.  Friday night family comedies were always on tv and at that time, they were clean and family friendly.  My family typically made Friday night pizza night and we would eat our pizza and watch the TGIF shows.  That is the only time we ate in our living room, pizza and TGIF.

Today I want you to think of TGIF in a different way.

Today God Is First

Today God is first.  Today and everyday God should be first.  He should be the first thing on your mind as you wake up.  Do you wake up thinking, ugh another day or praise God for another day?  Do you turn to the cell phone or tv first or open your Bible first?  We should always remember God first, not just the morning.  My husband made a comment recently about watching tv.  He said we should think before turning the tv on each evening, is there anything more eternal we could be doing?  Maybe calling a friend to check on them, read the Word, or helping a neighbor.

Each day should be a TGIF day.  I want to challenge you this weekend.  Before everything you do, think of God first.

Sweet Blessings~

For the next week I will be enjoying time off with my family.  I will not be posting any new blogs during that time, but I would love to connect with you on Facebook!

Linking with:Brag On God Friday

Jogging with God

God is always there.  He loves us and loves spending time with us.  I believe God reveals Himself to us each and every day.  The question is, are we aware of Him?

This week I started something new.  Something I enjoy doing but, honestly I am too lazy so it has taken me a very long time to get motivated to do it.  I went jogging.  I absolutely love to be in nature.  Outside when walking, jogging, or even just sitting there, I feel so very close to God.  I hear the birds, see the squirrels and watch the sun come up.  It is incredible how I can feel so close to God while outside.  Each day I have went jogging, I had already had my quiet time with God, yet I felt the need to continue conversing with Him.  I am so very thankful for that time that God and I have.

How has God revealed Himself to you this week?

Sweet Blessings~

Brag On God

God is so good!  Can I get an "amen"? 

Often we get bogged down with our problems and 'things' that we forget to praise God for all He has done.  So today I want to do just that.  I want to praise God.  As I am sitting here 'counting my blessings' I realize that I have much to praise God for.  But today I want to focus on my husband. 

In August, Jeremy and I will have been together for fifteen years and married for fourteen.  Jeremy has what you call ADHD to the extreme.  The man does not sit still well at all.  But that makes him fun.  He loves to play and laugh. 

Is Jeremy perfect.  No!  We were raised two completely different ways so we see many things differently.  We argue like any other couple and get on each other's nerves like any other couple.  But I still love him deeply and I am so thankful to God for giving me Jeremy. 

Our boys are playing baseball right now which is fun, but makes for a busy schedule.  On top of baseball, Jeremy works full time, has Bible study, we are in the middle of a church plant right now, and he cares for our lawn and cars.  He has not had an hour off to relax in almost a month.  Plus he has been fighting a cold for the past week.  But he pushes on.  Why?  For our family.  I so appreciate all he does. 

I am not very good at hiding my emotions, at least not with Jeremy.  He knows when I am angry, hurt or tired.  Many dinners have included Jeremy asking the kids to share one nice thing about mommy to lift my spirits. And there have been many tickle fights just to make mommy laugh.  

So how am I bragging on God?  I am bragging on Him or praising Him for the way He made Jeremy and for placing Jeremy in my life.  I could not ask for a better man to call my husband. 

Please share with us something/someone you are praising God for today or something God has done for you.  Let's brag on God!  

Sweet Blessings~

Today I am participating in Beholding His Glory's Brag On God Friday!