“Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn whatever state I am in, therein to be content.” Helen Keller

I woke up this morning thankful for many Sabbath blessings: beauty, worship; special time with precious children at church: singing Acts 16:31 and sharing Bible stories. Then we shared a healthy meal with family, a beautiful walk in a garden setting and a soothing warm soak in a natural hot spring…yes I had plenty to be thankful for!

But there is always something to draw us near to God, to our knees for prayer and today was no different. My Mother-in-law, sweet Ila was admitted to the hospital this afternoon with pancreatitis; she is in good hands with the great Physician, stabilized with medical treatment, and very much loved and supported by her family and friends.

This powerful promise reminds that us that God understands: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  (Philippians 4:6)

I just came home from the hospital, so I’m write a new addition to this message from what I wrote earlier.  I was preparing to facilitate a group meeting this coming week. I chose the topic gratitude because I know it to be a true remedy to life’s woes. I read many different things about “gratitude.” I found it interesting that many of the stories about gratitude kept referring to problems but in the context of being grateful. Here are a few paraphrases from some of the quotes:

Even the darkest of moments can be faced with a grateful heart; not for the problems but for the growth it can evoke with the help of Jesus.

When things seem their bleakest, I can choose to seek the courage and strength and hope accessible in my Lord and Savior for the light of understanding and gratitude.

For “when it gets dark enough you can see the stars.”

Just for today, I will practice gratitude. I will choose to accept the gift of gratitude, receiving the things that come my way. Knowing I can trust my Heavenly Father, I will be content and let the peace of Christ keep me. I will cultivate thankfulness. I will be thankful for an attitude of gratitude.

I don’t like resolutions when they don’t come to completion…good intentions are not enough.  Whatever your next steps… my prayer is “we stay on God’s course.” BE focused and follow through for action and transformation!

If you already made some resolutions—good we hope they are going well. There may be some that have already gone by the wayside. Don’t give up, never give up, keep moving forward. Stay the course, remember your direction determines your destination!

It is not about perfection, rather process and progression. If you miss your target get right back to it and results will happen. Remember if don’t try at all you will never reach your goal. The way, the truth and life is found in abiding in His presence.

So where is God leading you? Are you willing to go the distance with Him? What or who motivates you? Do you have enough support or help to achieve the goals that are most meaningful to you? What will be your reward when you achieve these goals? Can you see yourself at the “finish line” having achieved some of these goals? Are you smiling, exclaiming, proclaiming & PRAISING?

 2012 Transforming Focus

Stay on course, keeping your focus on God and His life-map for abundant living.

1. Focus: Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:22 NLT

2.  Focus: “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:4-6 NKJV

3.  Focus: “My grace is sufficient; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks.  I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. 2 Corinthians 12:6-8

4.  Focus: ^“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:5-7; 13

5.  Focus: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-8

6.  Focus: “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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12

7.  Focus: “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 1 John 5:1 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16

8.  Focus: “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18 NIV

9.  Focus: “You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set…” Psalm 119:1-3 The Message

10. Focus: “So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.” Philippians 3:14-16 The Message

11.  Focus: “God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. Now he who supplies seed to the sower …will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”  2 Corinthians 9:11-15

12. Focus: “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned…Then the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9

Overflowing Grace

Open your heart and let His abundant grace overflow into your soul.  There is nothing like a connection with God in nature. Breathe in His presence and enjoy! Look up and experience His creative power…abundantly overflowing for us. Some times we have to get away and be in awe of His creative beauty. It is both peaceful and powerful to embrace Him. God gives us so many good gifts, Lord help us to receive.

These are a series of waterfalls in the Columbia Gorge along Historic Highway 30 in Oregon. Can you name the different waterfalls? Could it be Bridal Veil Falls or Horsetail Falls?

It took us thirty years to return to the Multanomah Falls bridge, where my husband proposed during the summer of 1980. Ah, so much life in between. We met in Tennessee and after over 25 moves we made it back to Oregon. It was good to go back to celebrate our special memory of our commitment to love.  Our love endures because we continually seek God’s love, grace, forgiveness, patience and presence. We spend more time apart in the daily survival of work but we cherish the moments of quality. We nurture our time together as we find pleasure in nature: walking in the woods, along the ocean shore or high in the mountains. Love is being together.

God calls us to come away and be with Him, wherever we are, just as we are. Yes, I want to choose moments with God in nature in some way every day.  Most of the time we spend quality time within my home. It doesn’t really matter where. He wants us to experience spiritual wellbeing by being with Him in a relationship—the joy of sharing in His presence.

Breathe in the fresh mist and pure air of His Spirit. It is His desire to be with you…rest in His presence and experience God throughout your day. Receive His blessings of peace, joy and love right now.

Pause for a moment, just be still and soak in His love:

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in  him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:16-19

Reflection: God reveals Himself in many ways; have you seen His works in your life and around you?  Write how has God blessed you today…

Prayer: Seek God, He is waiting. Speak to God, He hears. Prayer is ”talking to a friend” in conversation. Lord I want to connect; I want more than talk, I want to hear you and receive you in my whole being.

Feel free to share your prayer requests on our prayer link.