Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him. Exodus 2:1-4

These last couple of months I have had to trust God to the fullest.  I tried to “fix” things or get answers on my own but to no avail.

You know when you get the “I can handle this” syndrome… Or the I will make a couple of phone calls and will get to the bottom of this…You think that you are Wonder Woman!

However, sometimes life give you one trial after another, or better yet, several at the same time.  I felt as if everything around me was falling apart!

You ask your friends that are prayer warriors for prayer over your situation and before you send the e-mail another situation arises.  At this point, you feel  too embarrassed to ask for prayer for yet— another thing….not only of people but of God too!  Am I the only one that has been there?  You feel as if people will start to think that you are craving either attention or are starting to make things up because it almost doesn’t seem logical!  This of course is a lie of the enemy!  The body of Christ is to unite and pray for one another- it’s biblical my friend!

Today, I read a quote by Dr. Tony Evans: The Greater the Crisis, the Greater the Destiny! 

Did you see that?

Yes, you!!!

The one that is feeling overwhelmed by everything that is happening around you- this word is for you!

I am reminded of Jochebed.  Jochebed was the mother of Moses, one of the major characters in the Old Testament. Her appearance is short and we are not told much about her, but one trait stands out: Trust in God.

She ran out of options.  She had hid her child for 3 months and now couldn’t hide him any longer.

There were no other options….no other way BUT to Trust God!

You see my friend, I had to bundle my issues and place them in a basket too and trust that God will take care of each of my loved ones.

Is it easy?  No way!  Is it the only way? YES!

Today, do not feel defeated, overwhelmed or discouraged by your situation.  Wrap it up nicely for your Abba Father and send it off in the Nile.  He has plans for you that will amaze you!

My friend, HE’S GOT THIS!

Expect the Unexpected!!!! …And remember to Just Breathe today.

Send me a comment or note as to how I can pray with you today.  We are all facing something but when we unite in prayer, there is an unsurpassed power!

Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.  2 Corinthians 5:8

By Anonymous Writer

My dad was a very talented artist — the mayor of San Francisco was one of his friends and collectors. When he got sick and lost his memory due to many strokes he forgot to paint and that was so hard to witness. My dad went to painting like this image to painting like a 5 year old.

It was challenging, but the message I received was that we are not defined by what we do.

I got very depressed but sought out the Lord even more.

How sad that I sought God during a crisis but that is how I was— sort of a user. We never treat friends like this but I treated God in a way where I remembered him when times were tough.

When dad passed away a few months ago I was frightened of God. I found Him to be too drastic. I saw Him as the Old Testament God who needed sacrifices.

However, I started having very vivid dreams. Dreams where my dad looked about 40 years younger, was VERY happy and talked to me about heaven and how sweet and loving God is. In one dream my dad told me that God is upset that there is not enough solidarity on earth. In another dream my dad talked about the materialism on earth and how heaven is a place of plenitude. In yet another dream, I saw Christ speak to me in the kindest and most loving voice and told me that my dad is a good man and loves me so much.

I’ve had about 40 dreams with my dad.

My thinking has changed. I have become more sensitive as to what I am watching on TV. I have become more aware that the Holy Spirit would be wounded.

My thinking of God has also changed—- I am no longer afraid. Through my dreams of my dad, I have come to realize that death is really just a transition; a continuation into a purer form.

Although my dad in no longer here on earth; he continues to inspire me.

I now realize that I am not defined by my career, Christ is my identity!!! This has taken so much pressure off of my work.

Yes, my job is a gift! I am able to work from home and can care for my sweet son but, it is no longer my main focus- I feel more relaxed. By placing God first I now know that every aspect of my life will be blessed.

I go for acupuncture to be more balanced and now I have finally learned that I also need to be a more balanced Christian. Everything in my life needs to be in sync for God to work effectively — otherwise I leave opportunities for the enemy to attack. I am reminded of the armor of God.

So in the end, the funny thing is that my dad’s passing has proven to be a nice thing. He is no longer sick. I dream of him where he speaks of God and I see how happy, young and healthy he is. I now have greater faith in Christ and realize that I need to put God first in everything and I will be blessed.

I have made a choice that instead of reading business blogs that I need to network with like-minded Christians, who are not competing to succeed but who are cooperating and collaborating. I am so grateful to have met Silvia and know she and her blog are a blessing in my life.  She is reminding me to Just Breathe…

And don’t make rash promises to God, for he is in heaven, and you are only here on earth. So let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2 NLT

I was surprised to receive an e-mail from a merchant yesterday that read “We have a surprise for you….you have not requested this, but we have upgraded your shipping option to PRIORITY mail and have rushed it out”.  We have done this at OUR expense!

I was stunned when I read the e-mail looking to see if it was some kind of scam.

Why are we surprised when we read things like this?  I believe that part of the reason is because we are living in a skeptical society that- over-promises and under-delivers.

We are always looking for the “catch”!

I was discussing this specific topic with a friend over lunch. We start to grow weary and in disbelief when someone has overelaborated someone’s skills, abilities, events or an expected outcome. We enter the situation with great expectations– only to have it be deflated.  I don’t believe that any of us does this intentionally but we are living in times where it’s becoming the “norm”.

Jesus never did this to us or his disciples.  He spoke straight about everything, in detail and even used parables to make sure that we understood what he was trying to tell us.

When you are about to make a promise, take a moment and try to make sure that you are not “overly adding” to it.  Wow, your family, family or clients with an unexpected surprise- it will go a long way!  Under-promise and Over-deliver.

Today, I remind you to Just Breathe and enjoy your day!

And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 King 19:12-13

How do you do with time alone? Do you embrace it or despise it?

My husband and I just got away to a short weekend cruise (one of the many benefits of living in South Florida); it was the perfect length of time for me away from my girls.

As we had dinner one evening my husband couldn’t understand that people would choose to dine alone. He commented…”how could they get away by themselves? How could that bring anyone joy? I couldn’t be alone for more than 1 hour.” To which I responded a whole day for me would be great!

We all deal differently with “time alone”– some embrace it others despise it!

However, if we want to hear God speak into our lives, guide us, direct our next steps we have to make the time to silent the noise, the people and the distractions.

I have had amazing “aha moments” while I have been alone with my thoughts.  Don’t get me wrong I don’t want to be alone all the time, however, I believe that we need to balance our time. Yes, allow people into our lives, experience joy
and new experiences but also allow some special alone time to listen to your  Abba Father.

Remember, Elijah didn’t hear God in the earthquake or in the fire but in the “gentle whisper”. Allow quiet time to “hear” the gentle whisper in your life.

Enjoy whatever moment you are experiencing right now and remember to Just Breathe!

Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? I will give you one more chance. If you bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments, all will be well. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. What god will be able to rescue you from my power then?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.  (Daniel 3:14-16)

(You can read the full story in Daniel Chapter 3)

For some reason the topic of friendship and women has always captivated me.  I LOVE the topic of Friendships….healthy ones of course. FOR ME, life would be a very lonely place without them.

One of the things that fascinate me about friendship is how people that didn’t grow up together, are from different cultures, education levels, different ages or from a different era, are not blood related “get” each other.  There is a genuine love that surpasses all the differences and brings unity and enrichment to each other’s lives.

I have read the story about the 3 Hebrew men many times, it was usually in either a children’s church setting or Sunday school class growing up.  However, this time the story came alive for me studying the topic of friendships!  Who would have imagined it?

While it is clear that these men were devoted to God and what they believed in and although we hear of stories similar to this in our present time ( in Middle Eastern countries and some third world countries)  however, what captivated me was their “bond”, their loyalty to one another- clearly their love for one another. 

That is admirable!

This wasn’t a matter of you’re crazy I am not speaking to you again– NO, it was a matter of life and death! What did the three musketeers say?  One for all and All for one?

Scripture reminds us of this type of extravagant love in John 15:13. “And here is how to measure it — the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends”.

Friendships, at times an unexplainable phenomenon, but a much needed one in our lifetime!  If you get a moment today, send your friend a note and let them know how much you love them…it may just be the lifeline they need to hear right now!

I woke up with this song in my heart this morning.  Take a few minutes this morning and just slow down, stop what you are doing and just acknowledge what this time in our lives really represents. Enjoy!

Coming February 2013, the Beyond the Cover Book Club will be reading The Friendship of Women by Joan Chittister.  There will be two online sessions and two in person sessions.  If you are interested in joining us please let me know as soon as possible by commenting to this blog.  The book club will close once we reach 12 participants.

You can purchase the book here:  http://www.amazon.com/The-Friendship-Women-Hidden-Tradition/dp/1933346027/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355253756&sr=8-1&keywords=the+friendship+of+women

Now I am adopting as my own sons these two boys of yours, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born here in the land of Egypt before I arrived. They will inherit from me just as Reuben and Simeon will.  Genesis 48:5

You probably looked at the title of this blog today and thought…WHAT???  I deserve every blessing I receive and some!!!

Allow me to explain….

A few weeks ago my day got so busy with work and other personal things that I was not able to do my devotional.  That night I couldn’t fall asleep and decided to read the Word now since it had been such a crazy day.  Well I come up to this passage.  Jacob, one of the patriarchs of Israel, is about to die and he is getting ready to bless each of his 12 children and sends for one of them- Joseph.

Well our buddy Joseph decides to bring his two boys with him. Ephraim and Manasseh were probably afraid, and questioning why they are even there.  I don’t know about you but if someone sends for me I will go but I will not bring uninvited guests with me….maybe that’s just me.  Isn’t that a little rude?

Stick with me….because this is where God opened my eyes to something profound.

In verse 8, Jacob asks Joseph are these your sons?  I thought….what is wrong with this grandfather…geez, he doesn’t even recognize his own grandsons? But scripture states that he was half blind so we will let this one slide…a littleJ

But Jacob says “bring them to me I want to bless them.”  BAM! 

Jacob was blessing his sons NOT the grandchildren. This passage took me to a very special place with God.   Could you imagine for a moment Jesus going to the Father on behalf of you and telling the Father….”Dad, can you give them (that’s you and me!) my blessing?”

Do you get that you and I weren’t in the “correct” lineage for this blessing????  Do you get that we do not deserve the blessings that the Father is giving us?  Do you get that?

In His mercy and because of His unselfish and all-giving Son we are being blessed each and every day!  Oh yeah and add on top of that  a place is being prepared in heaven for us too!

My friends….undeserved blessings….yup, each and every one of the blessings that we are enjoying right now!

As we enter this month of Thanksgiving don’t let a single day go by without being thankful for what you have and for what is to come!

And as always….remember to Just Breathe!

Wake up, get up and THRIVE in all you do today!  I thought this video from Mandisa will get us started with the right attitude and a little Zumba never hurt anyone!!!  Enjoy, breathe and thrive!