Connect

Unplugging from the world.

Connecting with God out in nature.

Seeing His people worship.

Sometimes it is important to just get out in His beautiful creation and connect with Him in a fresh way.  Will you do that today?

Sweet Blessings~

Linking With:
Five Minute Friday
Faith Filled Friday 

Enough

I am thirsty.


I am yearning for something.


I need to feel loved.


I need to be satisfied.


God is all I need.


God is enough for me.


Everything we need, everything we want, everything we could ever imagine, God is enough.  He satisfies us in ways we cannot begin to imagine.  Run to Him today.  Let Him satisfy you.  Let Him give you a "God hug."

Review:
Earlier in the year I was asked to review the e-book Yelling: The Cause The Casualty, The Cure, from Eternal Encouragement.  I have shared many times about my struggle with being a "yeller."  This book has definitely blessed me.  Lorrie helps you identify the triggers that cause you to yell and teaches you how to eliminate them.  She also gives you scripture to pray over yourself and teaches you how to take care of yourself physically.  Oh my friends, if you or someone you know struggle with yelling, this book is most definitely for you!


Yelling: The Cause, The Casualty, The Cure, is now available at Amazon for Kindle!  The book is available on Tuesday, July 24th for FREE!  That's right!  If you have a Kindle, or have the Kindle app for your cell or computer, head over to Amazon on Tuesday and download the book for FREE.  Can't wait until Tuesday?  The normal price is a very affordable $4.99.

Also on Tuesday, July 24th, Eternal Encouragement is having a Facebook Party.  The topic they are discussing is yelling.  So on Tuesday, grab your coffee or sweet tea and sit down for some great discussion with friends.

Sweet Blessings~

Linking With:
Five Minute Friday
Faith Filled Friday 

Life Story

Your life tells a story.  What story is it telling right now?

Is your life story the one of someone defeated?  Always running into problems and always full of worry and doubt.

If your life story one of perfection?  We all know that no one is perfect, but do we put on that mask and portray a perfect life to others?

Is your life story one lacking in joy?  Always full of anger, rage, and negativity.

Or is your life story one that reflects Christ?  Problems come, but you run to the cross.  Even in bad times there is joy in your heart and it reflects on your face and in your attitude.

When someone sees my life, I want them to see the real me.  The flaws and all.  I want them to know that life is not perfect.  I want them to see that I do have bad days and I do get moody.  But I want them to see that there is joy no matter what the circumstances are.  That is how they find Jesus.  Too often people think they have to wait until they are perfect to come to Him, so they wait.  But they will never be perfect.  Too often people see Christians angry and gloomy and think "why do I need that, no way!"  I want my life story to be real.  I want my life story to reach people.

What is your life story saying?

Sweet Blessings~

Linking With:
Five Minute Friday
Faith Filled Friday 

Stop Rushing And See

On Fridays I like to link up with the Gypsy Mama for her Five Minute Friday.  She gives us a one word prompt and we are to write on that word for only five minutes.  Well today I am cheating a little.  This is a post I actually started for a guest post I am doing soon.  But after seeing the word prompt for today and reading the post at Woman to Woman, I felt God telling me today was the day.




Shortly after learning that I was pregnant for the very first time, I decided to start a journal.  A journal that would someday, maybe when she married or had her first child, go to my baby.  I journaled about my excitement to welcome this little bundle into my life, then after she was born I continued to journal about her life and how much we loved her.

With each of the following children, I continued journaling to them in their own journal.  My goal was to write to each child two to four times a year.  I love writing to them, even though I just pray they can actually read my handwriting. {smiles}  These are journals that, until this moment, no one other than my husband knew existed.  I would like for my children to not know about them until I present them to each one on that special day.


The past few months I have been thinking about my journals and realized I hadn't written in awhile.  So just this week I decided to pull the journals down and write.  I was shocked and saddened to realize that it has been a little more than two years since I had written to my precious blessings.  Life moves on.  It moves so fast.  I let myself get so busy that I hadn't shared with my children all those precious things they do. I was too busy to write out verses and encouragement for them.  Too busy to share with them in way for them to always see in black and white how much I love them.


But, so busy with what?  We rushed through our days why?  My kids are growing up so fast.  I don't want to rush anymore.  I don't want to be busy with nothing anymore.  I don't want to put anything {other than God of course} above my family.  I want to enjoy my kids.  I want to really see them.  See their individuality, their passions, their strengths, their dreams.  


We used to sit down at night together and read a book, a chapter a night.  When was the last time I did that?  I don't even know.  We used to sing fun and silly songs together.  My favorite song that we sang to each other came from our favorite book, Love You Forever.  When was the last time we sang that song to each other?  I don't remember.  Yes, kids grow up.  Yes, interests change.  But that doesn't mean we quit being a family.  It doesn't mean we stop connecting and reaching out.


It is time to refocus.  Time to connect.  Time to place a high priority on my family.


Mandy, one of my lovely co-leaders of Woman is to Woman, is starting a series today for Family Fridays.  This series is taken from the book, Resolution for Women, which comes from the movie Courageous.  Please take the time to check out her post today and follow along each Friday.  I promise you will be blessed.  Click HERE.


Sweet Blessings~
 

Linking With:
Five Minute Friday
Faith Filled Friday 

Real

We {I} can tend to put on a mask.  Being vulnerable, transparent, letting people see inside us, is hard.  Being stripped of everything and letting people see the real us is uncomfortable sometimes.  We worry about people judging us and looking down on us.  We worry about them gossiping and walking away from us.

Being real is hard.

I am so thankful for friends I can be real with.  Friends that I can trust.  For a long time I didn't have that.  For a long time I was afraid to open up.  If I let them see the real me, they might see my failures and flaws.  One thing I found is that when you are real with those you are close to, you see that you are not alone in your fears and failures.  There is always someone who has been there, done that.  So when you are real with them, they can offer up advice, encouragement and prayer.

Remember we are not meant to do this life alone.  Don't hide things inside.  Talk to a friend.  Be real with them.  Let them help you.  Let them encourage you.  Let them be a shoulder for you.

Two are better than one for because they have a good return for the labor: If either of them falls down one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to pick him up.  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 

Sweet Blessings~
 

Linking With:
Five Minute Friday
Faith Filled Friday  

Are you looking for a Mother's Day gift? Check out all of the beautiful collections at DaySpring!  You will find beauty and encouragement in ever item.  For 30% off your Mother's Day order, enter the code MD30off from now until May 14th.

Mother's Day Special- 30% off Select Items

Community

We are not meant to do life alone.  Often times we are going through things and we shut our friends out.  We shut our family out.  We turn away from everyone who loves us and wants to be there with us.


The Word tells us in Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."  And Ecclesiasters 4:9-10 says that, "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.  If either of them falls down, one can pick the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to pick him up."


When you are going through something, sickness, marriage problems, problems with the kids, anything at all, don't shut your friends out.  Go to them.  Let them "sharpen" you, let them pick you up.  Let them encourage you and pray with you.  We all need each other.


I am so very thankful for my community of sweet sisters.  Women I know I can count on.  Women I know will be there for me when I fall or need sharpened.


Friends, when you are struggling, don't give up.  Turn to your friends to be lifted up.

Are you looking for a Mother's Day gift? Check out all of the beautiful collections at DaySpring!  You will find beauty and encouragement in ever item.  For 30% off your Mother's Day order, enter the code MD30off from now until May 14th.

Mother's Day Special- 30% off Select Items

 

Sweet Blessings~
 

Linking With:
Five Minute Friday
Faith Filled Friday 

Too Loud

This world is loud.  We have children, spouses, work, email, television, cellphones, traffic, bills, friends, and so much more whispering to us.  It gets loud.  In this loudness, it becomes hard to hear the One we truly need to listen to above all else...Jesus.


Jesus is speaking to you.  He speaks to you every single day.  Don't let the loudness of the world block out His voice.  Don't let sin or doubt block out His voice.  Listen to the One who created you and loves you.  The One who laid down His very life for you.


Take time out every day to sit in the quiet, in the stillness and listen to Him.  Ask Him to reveal Himself to you, He will.

"Be still and know I am God."  Psalm 46:10

Sweet Blessings~
 

Linking With:
Five Minute Friday
Faith Filled Friday 

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

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