Category Archives: Calling

“The Story”

Calling, Freedom, Healing, Journey, Love, Protection, redemption, restoration, Safety

A well known story in the Bible, the woman with the issue of blood, and what an interesting name for a lady that was very much like us, she had issues. There was something very unique about her though, her issue was very noticeable, the blood. She was literally know as the women with the issue of blood and because of it, she was considered unclean. When she came in a crowd, people scattered, they did not want to be associated with an unclean person, let alone touch them.

“And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse.” ~Mark‬ ‭5:25-26‬ ‭

I, was the woman with the issue, a heart issue, a heart that was still bleeding, a spirit that was wounded. No matter how put together I tried to pretend, inside my heart was still bleeding, my wounded spirit raw, hence the blood flowing heavily just as from a fresh wound.

My heart, no matter how wounded, torn or bleeding, it still wants to trust, it still wants to be cared for, it still wants to know that it can be healed and made whole, despite things, many things/relationships having been fractured for many years.

In all honesty, I just wanted things to be normal in my life, just like the woman with the issue of blood did, she didn’t want to be known by her issue, she just wanted healing and she went to desperate measures to get it. I, too, get desperate in my own carnal way and try to find healing/fulfillment, because I just want to not have to hurt.

It’s when The Father begins to speak, and especially speaks about your heart and the condition of it, and what He wants to do in bringing healing.

But are we willing?

When we are wounded our heart hurts constantly, the pain is overwhelming, we just want the pain to leave. Then we can help but be overwhelmed by the Love of our Father and how He speaks so gently and lovingly.

“My child, your heart has been wounded, it’s been crushed, it’s been hurt, and you have searched for much fulfillment and acceptance, from people and things, all to ease the hurt within , but I, the Father, who created you and loves you, “I am simply asking you to trust me with your heart!”

The wound hurts, the blood will flow, yet as Abba Father scoops out the infection/pain in the wound in His ever Loving and Tender way, things begin to shift, now the fragments can be knitted together and begin to heal, as Abba Father now applies His tender love as a soothing salve.

The question still is, ” Are we willing to allow Him, the Ultimate Healer to heal the wound?”

Pain is inevitable in life, it really is.

We all have issues, some we can hide better then others, but it is time we stop hiding behind our excuses and walk forward boldly like the warriors God created and called us to be!

God is and Always will be available to bring healing if we just allow Him to.

{When the Basket is Full}

Adventure, Calling, Contentment;, Journey, Peace, Protection, redemption, Rest, ,

Laundry is common thing to every housewife and/or mama. Some days it may feel like a mundane task, because the laundry basket never seems to stay empty for very long at all. I mean, it just feels rather overwhelming at times.

But here’s the thing.

I love doing laundry.

I always have and probably always will.

What a joy to put smelly clothes into the washer and just an hour or so later, you have clean, fresh smelling laundry.

Ahh! So satisfying.

But here’s the kicker.

I don’t like folding laundry and putting it away.

I don’t like it sitting in the laundry basket either.

I enjoy the satisfying feeling of once it’s all done, as in folded and put away.

But folding and putting away, uhm meh😳🥴My general plan consists of just getting the laundry folded and put away as soon as it drys, that way it’s done and I can move on to other things. You know, fun things that I actually enjoy.

But God took me to a place far past the laundry basket being empty, far past being caught up with laundry, I mean it’s not like it’s a status thing to be caught up on laundry, yes it’s nice but there’s more important things.

Here’s where God took me and it challenged me. Would I rather have an overflowing laundry basket and my children’s hearts taken care of or an empty laundry basket and a child/children that feel unheard and misunderstood?

Oh Lord, give us grace, wisdom, courage and strength to keep our eyes focused on what’s important. You as a mama, are teaching and nurturing your children for all of life! And God’s Mercies are new every Morning!❤️

Maybe it’s the not the laundry basket for you, maybe it’s something else, but whatever it may be, just know it’s okay to not always have it perfect. You are human! God is the giver of much wisdom and grace! Ask Him and He will give it to you❤️

“You are Loved”

Calling, Contentment;, Freedom, Healing, Journey, Love, Protection, redemption, Safety,
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:4‬ ‭

With Today being Valentine’s Day, a day of celebrating love, we spend lots of money on flowers, cards and chocolate. And I will be the first to admit that, chocolate and flowers are some of my favorite gifts that have been given to me by my dear husband. It’s a joy to receive such a fun gift.

There’s three groups of people I would like to acknowledge in this particular post regarding Valentine’s Day.

To the lady or guy that is single or widowed and you feel like no one has noticed you or even said anything about celebrating today. Maybe some of you even joked that today would best be named, single awareness day, I have been there. In fact, I used to hate Valentine’s Day, I would be absent on social media that particular day, because I couldn’t stand the thought of seeing yet one more sappy post. So yes, for some of you it’s a hard day, and it’s okay to admit that, in fact I would encourage you to admit that it’s a tough day for you. If you have lost your beloved spouse, I am sorry, my heart weeps for you. But I do want to encourage you and remind you, that you are Loved, you are important and you are cared for, first and most important, by your Heavenly Father who created you! You are Loved❤️ And I challenge you to embrace the Father in this journey you are on, May you rest knowing His grace is sufficient.

The second group of people that I want to speak to and encourage is, those of you who either didn’t get flowers, chocolate and etc. because you chose not to celebrate this Valentine’s Day, or maybe it was because financially you could not afford to buy anything extra or special. I want you to know, it’s okay! My encouragement is that you love your spouses me those around you unconditionally, and still let them know you love them and you are thankful for them. Speak words of blessing over them, that is such a gift all in itself! And when you see the sappy posts and bouquets of flowers in social media, enjoy the Beauty of them, but please don’t allow jealousy and bitterness to take root in your heart, because you don’t have any flowers! And may you also know you are Loved by your Heavenly Father, rest in that, He is Enough!

And lastly, to all the spouses and fiancés that are celebrating and did receive gifts, flowers and etc. Enjoy them, take all the pictures you want! It’s okay to do that! But also remember, the flowers will wilt, the chocolate will be ate, the most important thing is that you love each other and tell each other that! Don’t even stop that! God has brought you two together for a reason, seek Him and He will lead you. You are Loved by Him❤️

So what is Love to you? How do you show/portray love to a desperate world that longs to fulfill the God sized vacancy within them?

Frequently in today’s culture and society, love is something that feels good, sugarcoating what truth is, just like slapping a bandaid over on a wound and hoping it heals.

Just as we know that a wound will not heal if the proper care is not given, in the same way, we know at some point in every situation, truth must be spoken, and very likely feelings will be hurt and there may be someone offended by the truth.

Love is speaking the hard things, speaking truth in a society, during a time when truth is often swept under the rug and what we want to hear and what feels good to us is spoken instead.

Warrior friends, are we willing to still speak the truth, knowing it may cost us some heartaches and trials? Will you stand the test and still stand for truth? Will you love your spouse even in the hardest of times?

Just remember you are Loved by One who Died for you on the Cross.

You are Loved❤️

“The Change of Season”i

Calling, Contentment;, Freedom, Journey, Protection, redemption

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‘Tis a season of change’

Fall has arrived with its cool crisp air, I gladly welcome it, rejoicing greatly at its arrival, because it’s my favorite season. Summer with its warm breezes and sunshine is but a faint memory in our minds and it truly is a change of seasons. The trees are in a season of letting go of what they have been growing. The leaves are ever so pretty but it will only be a matter of time before they decorate the yard in a color array and then the brisk autumn wind will whisk them away to any nook and crevice that will hold them for a short time.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:”                                                                                                                          ~Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:1 ‭

The change of seasons and all that comes with it, has me pondering and meditating on the season of life I am in, one that only the Lord  can orchestrate and enable me to walk forth in boldness, depending on Him daily, moment by moment for Grace, Strength and Wisdom, which is He so faithful to give in abundance, if only we ask!

In this season of life, in this amazing journey that the Father has me on, as a new bride and mama, I am many times, in fact daily, often moment by moment, made aware of my  constant need of the Father, to stop and listen for His sweet gentle voice. If I even dare try on my own strength, I am soon left depleted and weary. I need to understand that on my own I am nothing, I CAN NOT do it!

I am very much the type that likes to know what will  be happening, I want to be fully prepared for what I will face, I want to know that I have what it takes, equipped and ready to stand strong and tall. I don’t want to admit defeat. I don’t want to fail. I want to do the right thing every single time, have the correct answer in the proper tone of voice for every situation.

So just as the trees are needing to let go of what they have known for the past 6 plus months, the leaves that have made them beautiful to behold, each tree must give up the right to hold on to each single leaf that grew forth from its strong and lofty branches. No tree is exempt, from the tall, stately trees to the smallest ones, they all must let go!

I, too must let go, I must let go of wanting to get it right every single time, the need for perfection, the need for knowing what I will face each day. I must let go of hanging on to what I want and what feels comfortable and familiar to me. I must surrender.

                                                          “Let go and let God”

The truth is, on my own I will never be able to do that, but there is a God in heaven who enables and equips us with strength and grace for every moment of each day of the journey. He is faithful to give exactly what we need!

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”                                                                  ~II Corinthians 12:9 

The stark nakedness of the trees at the end of the fall season, is a fresh reminder that in seasons of life, we too, will be stripped of what we like, what we hide behind, thinking it makes us look good, when in reality the Lord wants us to let go and allow Him to make something even better and far more beautiful out of our brokenness. So let us learn from the trees, to let go and let God.

So whether you are in a spring, summer, fall or winter season of life, may you find sweet rest in the Father, knowing that He will equip you for every part of the journey.

 

 

“To Trust or to Understand”

Calling, Freedom, Healing, Journey, Peace, Protection, redemption, Rest

We all have a vague idea of what we think our lives should look like, at least what our feeble minds can fathom, but are we okay, surrendered to the Father if that changes and our lives shift so completely and we barely recognize who we are or where we are?

On the darkest of nights when the waves of pain hit you with searing blows, and the tears spill down your cheeks like a torrential river. Your heart feels like it’s been ripped in two and your lofty dreams lay shattered all across the floor on display for all the world to see.

On the day when the battle has been the realest yet, the storm is raging all around and within you, you cling to the tiniest glimmer of hope you see, yet the final blustery gusts of the storm batter your weak and exhausted body and you sink to the floor in utmost despair.

When yet another wave of grief has hit your spirit and as the new day dawns, it seems to take every ounce of strength to even get your feet on the floor and then you wonder how you will ever manage to stay on your feet?

The truth is, each one of you have experienced one or all of the scenarios above. It’s hard for our feeble minds to process through any one of the scenarios mentioned above and see the good in any of it, but is it really for us to see or even understand why God is having us walk this season of life?

There seems to be a lot of focus on understanding every scenario we are faced with, when really all the Father wants us to do is trust Him, resting and knowing that He, ultimately is the One in control and He will take care of us just as He promises.

What is our motive behind needing to understanding everything we face? Is it because we don’t trust God to be faithful and reveal His perfect plan for each moment of our lives, and we want to hang on to at least a fragment, in our feeble attempt to control what is really completely out of our hands.

Oh dear ones, may the Lord instill grace, abundant grace as you walk forth, in the season of life you are in! May He give strength to take that next step, and may you know and believe that He can be trusted, even tho the circumstances make absolutely no sense to you.

You are loved!

“To Trust Again”

Calling, Freedom, Healing, Journey, redemption, Rest, restoration, Safety

The ground has lain dormant through the harsh cold months of winter, enduring every icy blast of cold air and freeze after freeze. Everywhere you look is brown, no sign of life seems to be in sight. But then with each passing day, the sun shines a bit longer, the air becomes a bit warmer and suddenly you notice little green shoots pushing through where everything had been brown before.

The farmer anticipates the thawing of the cold ground, daily he checks the ground in his field awaiting the time when he can work the ground in preparation for the planting season. He purchases seed, he prepares his machinery, oiling all the necessary bearings, ensuring that the moment the ground is ready he can be turning up the soil in preparation.

Fast forward a month and the day has arrived, the ground is finally ready and has been tilled to perfection and is ready to receive the seed which has been purchased to be planted. Pound after pound of seed is planted into the now warm and fertile soil, as the tractor and planter makes it continuous rounds across the field.

Now in faith the farmer anticipates the growing of the seeds, he knows the process and has prepared himself for the thawing of the soil, the preparation and the planting, but now comes the part where his Faith and Trust must be in the Lord!

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” John‬ ‭12:24‬ ‭

So how about you my friend, has there been a season that looked like winter in your life? Has your heart grown cold and it seems like you won’t see the light of day again? Has one whom you love dearly, hurt you to the point it seems you would never get over it or ever be able to trust fully again? Does your heart ache with every breath you take, and you wonder where God is?

Oh my brother, oh my sister! My hearts weeps with you, but may I challenge you, to take a look at the farmer and learn a mighty lesson. Even when you see nothing growing and all is brown and seems cold, will you take a step of faith and plant a seed of faith and walk forth? Will you keep readying the machinery ( your spiritual life) so that at the first hint of warmth and sunshine you are ready to begin the preparation process?

A seed is purchased and then the ground prepared and then it’s planted. But the next step is, the seed MUST Die to what it was so it can grow into what it was intended to be! Allow the Lord to bring healing, so that you may grow into new levels in Him!

Because of Him🙌🏽

~Vinny

“A Heart to Belong”

Calling, Freedom, Healing, Journey, redemption, Rest, restoration

Breathing a weary sigh, she stepped outside letting the door close gently behind her, thinking that maybe a breath of fresh air would help clear her mind, so that she could focus. Despite her best intention, the feelings of frustration and despair kept washing over her, why did it seem like she was all alone and none would understand the turmoil and anguish within her heart?

In her mind she replayed the all too familiar scene from the evening before when she had flung herself across her bed sobbing, it had felt like her heart would break from the pain. The fear had clenched her and gripped her like never before, the fear of not being loved was real and even now that very thought and other thoughts threatened to cripple her as she walked along.

Was there no one that cared?

Was there no one who would love her?

Was this all there was to life, a vicious cycle of tears, heartache and pain?

Was it worth it, really worth it to endure the pain and the struggles of life?

Then there was the gentlest of voices amidst all the questions and turmoil within, “my daughter, I care about you, I created you in my image and I love you, will you receive my love and allow me to care and heal the pain within your heart?”

“You may not understand this season my daughter, but I see each and every tear you cry, and I know that you question why, but I am asking you to trust me with your heart and allow me to carry you through this time? I know it seems scary, I know it seems vulnerable, but I promise I will not fail you?”

“Will you entrust me with the every area of your heart? Will you allow me to care and heal what has been broken and shattered within? I am your Father and I desire to care for you and your heart.”

With tears streaming down her face, her flesh attempting to rise up and stop her from taking action what she knew she needed to do, she spoke into the night, “Yes Father, I trust you to care for and heal my heart, it seems vulnerable but I am trusting you!”

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” ~Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭

My friend, it is not easy for trust that has been broken, to be regained immediately, in fact; it often takes years to regain/restore that trust, but we serve a Father who delights in us, He rejoices over us and He wants us to be Whole and abide fully in Him! What will you trust Him with today?

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” ~Zephaniah‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭

“He’s Always Faithful”

Calling, Healing, Journey, Love, Peace, Protection, redemption, Rest

When all around me seems uncertain

The need before me ever so great

Oh Father, I choose to trust You

You’re always on time and never late!

Oh Father, will you come and meet us here?

We are in desperate need of You!

We thank You that Your Mercies

Are without end and every Morning New!

In You I am believing and trusting

To meet us in this hour

Oh Father, will You come

In Thy fullness and in Thy power?

Oh Father, I surrender it all to You

And my all on the altar lay.

Thank you Father for Your Grace

That is sufficient for every single day.

Father, I thank you that You are

The one and Only Jehovah Jireh

The One who is the Great I Am

And the Lord our Provider.

Oh Father, I praise Your Holy Name

Thank you for meeting us in our need.

To You belongs All Glory and Praise

You are a Good, Good Father indeed!

Oh Father, we proclaim Your Goodness

Your Faithfulness is without end

Oh Father, we praise Your Name

That we can always on You depend!

Africa-Part 3

Adventure, Calling, Journey, Protection, Rest, Safety

In Kenya, April is one of the months of the rainy season there, not to mention it rained almost daily while we were there. The mud was a constant challenge, but it added plenty of adventure to our African experience.

That Wednesday morning, we awoke to the sound of rain, so we waited until mid forenoon to head out, and still it was raining, so we had our first supermarket experience and each member of the team got a pair of boots, because there was mud everywhere.

Eventually we were on the road, heading back to the Masai village where we were to have a church service. It truly was a trip, we will never forget. Nine people packed into a vehicle (in Kenya there’s always room for one more), and once we hit the dirt roads the adventure began as we slid all over the muddy road, with 3 to 4 foot gullies on either side of the road.

We got stuck a number of times, I eventually lost track of how many times we got out and walked, the sticky mud slowing our walking progress. We were determined to not give up and about 4 hours after we first began the journey we reached our destination; tired, sweaty and covered in mud. We were served coffee and refreshments, then later a meal, by our dear African sister Ann, who served us so well. ❤

Our destination was a church in this particular Masai village and driving up to it, I didn’t see exactly what I expected but in that building was a service unlike I have ever experienced in my life. The building itself could not have been more then 14-16 feet wide and maybe 32 feet long, but it held over 250 adults plus all the darling children.

In this building is where I got my first experience of African worship, it was so amazing, God did incredible things there❤ Some of the girls on the team got to dress up as the Masai ladies do, plus we all got Masai jewelry, which is absolutely beautiful.

We had the opportunity to pass ou candy and some small gifts to the children, seeing their faces as each one was presented with something was incredible to see.

We then headed back to our hotel for the evening, this time we didn’t get stuck, although there was still so much mud everywhere. I am convinced the enemy was desperately trying to deter us from going. Praise God🙌 he was defeated and God did incredible things in each of our hearts and lives.

That evening as the team debriefed over the delightful evening meal they prepared for us, we all agreed our faith was strengthened, because of the experiences we had through the mud and mire on the road that day.

Below is a video that one of our incredibly talented team members did, and if you want a great visual of what all took place, please watch it 😊

https://youtu.be/d6ZgOCyIMzY

Africa- Part 2

Adventure, Calling, Journey, Rest

Before we continue, with our Kenyan adventures, would you take several minutes and pray for our African brothers and sisters❤ Their faith is incredible, but they need our prayers, so that they too, can finish strong.

Tuesday morning we awoke to hearing all the sounds of the town of Nairobi, plus the patter of heavy raindrops on the roof, and oh the bed felt so good, so getting our weary bodies moving was quite difficult. Our team met for a briefing for our week ahead, which then turned into a mini revival service right there in the hotel lobby.

We then began our journey over to the first village where we would spend a few days. God allowed us to find this incredible hotel, right in the village, and we were taken care of so well, the food, hospitality and their ever welcoming smiles when we would come back in the evenings, after a long day, were so amazing.

We also experienced our first meal at a Kenyan restaurant, which was a unique experience but the food was so good.

Whenever we would come back to the hotel the children from the village would come running to see if we had anything for them. Pictured below is me with Angel, she was the first little girl we met when we arrived at the hotel and she was always among the first to greet us when we would come back in the evenings. She had very little, but she always had the sweetest smile. ❤ Several different times we passed out candy and balloons to the children which was a huge hit for all of them.

Those of us who had never been to another country were quite shocked by how many people could fit into one small vehicle, not to mention the driving in Kenya, there were a number of times we all held our breath as mere inches were between us and the vehicle beside us. We soon got used to it tho and by the end of the week we didn’t even think about it.

Our first full day in Kenya was incredible and heading to bed that night we were super thankful for soft beds and hot showers (for those that figured out how to turn the hot water on, some of us had to experience cold showers). We didn’t know what that the next day was going to be day filled with many challenges, including lots mud😏

So in part three you will hear more about our African adventures and what incredible things God allowed us to be a part of.