Just Breathe

Jesus Wept

"Jesus wept."  John 11:35

"In the Wilderness"
Ron DiCianni

This is the shortest verse in the Bible, yet it is such a powerful one.  The impact of these words really makes you stop and think.  Why did Jesus weep?  We find in the previous verses that Lazarus had just died, so was that the reason for Jesus' weeping?
Was it the compassion He felt for those around Him who were also weeping?

While I believe that it may have been for a number of reasons, I feel that compassion did play a major role in Jesus weeping that day.  No matter the trials we go through; no matter the pain that we suffer, Jesus has compassion for us.  He doesn't want us to grieve.

When I think about this verse, it saddens me.  I can't stand the thought of Jesus weeping.  Yet every time we sin, every time we don't speak to Him, every time we choose not to follow Him...we make Jesus weep. Yet He still has compassion for us...He still loves us.

Are you making Jesus weep today?

"As a father shows compassion to his children, so the 
Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him."
Psalm 103:13.

First Dance

So here's a little "Throwback Thursday" for you.

Bree had her first dance at school back in Kindergarten in February 2013. Bet you'll never guess what kinda dance it was? Yep! It was a 50's Sock Hop! How did you ever guess that! 😉

She went with her Uncle, and she had a blast! Janna said she danced her little heart out. I showed her how to do the twist before she left, and Janna said she twisted all night!

So proud of my precious grand baby!

Just Breathe

Don't You Just Love Lavendar?

So, I'm just sitting here, trying to relax.  Taking in the lavender smells filling the air.

Don't you find this scent so relaxing and almost heavenly?  I don't know why I waited so long to bring
this lovely fragrance into my home.  Now I can't wait to run out and buy some lavender plants, some potpourri, scented oils, and whatever else I can get my hands on that has this beautiful aroma!  It's just so simple and clean-smelling.  Just inhaling it really does bring a sense of calm to you.

With that said, I think I'll bid everyone sweet dreams and good night!

Wave At Them As They Pass By

"I love those moments. I like to wave at them as they pass by." Captain Jack Sparrow

"Tropical Sunset"
Kendra Burton

For those of you who aren't familiar with this quote, it comes from the Disney movie "Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest" featuring my favorite actor, Johnny Depp, as Captain Jack Sparrow.

While this is one of the funny lines of the movie, I think this may be how God might like for us to view our problems.  Instead of focusing on them so much, we should be focusing on God.  Instead of stressing out so much about every day life, we should be laying everything at God's feet.  This is what He wants us to do.  Do I do this?  No, of course not!  Do I want to?  Yes!  I want to do what the Lord wants me to do, but I'm too busy trying to handle everything myself.  It's so hard for me to just let go, and let God handle the situation, but that's exactly what He wants us to do.

So the next time we start to worry or stress out, when those problems just keep coming, let's try to give them to God.  Trust Him to work everything out for our good.  Just "wave at them as they pass by".

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."
I Peter 5:7

It Started Raining...

"Come To Me"
Yong Sung Kim

"I asked God to grow; it started raining." (Author Unknown)

This little quote, though short, says it all.  In our lives, we will encounter many storms - trials - tough times - but remember that through it all, God will always be there with you. You may ask yourself, but why do I have to go through these times?  The answer to that question may never be known, but we do know that God tells us to trust Him and not to rely on our own understanding.  ("Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 3:5)

Just like a flower needs rain to grow, so we need "rain" to grow.  God is training us, preparing us for what is to come.  The thing to remember is that when these "storms" come, don't focus on the storm itself, focus on God.  Run to Him, seek His peace.  He will be there to comfort you and help you through your troubles.  Praise Him in the storm and keep in mind that storms don't last forever.

Is it raining in your life today?  Are you focusing on Jesus?

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” 
John 16:33

Just Breathe

The Lighthouse

"There's a lighthouse on the hillside

"Split Rock Light"
Thomas Kinkade

That overlooks life's sea.
When I'm tossed it sends out a light,
That I might see.
And the light that shines in darkness now
Will safely lead us home.
If it wasn't for the lighthouse,
My ship would be no more.
And I thank God for the lighthouse,
I owe my life to Him.
For Jesus is the lighthouse
And from the rocks of sin;
He has shone a light around me
That I could clearly see,
If it wasn't for the lighthouse
Tell me where would this ship be"

You know this song has always meant so much to me.  It pretty much says it all.  Without Jesus, where would I be?

There's been so many times that I've felt lost and alone.  Sometimes we lose sight of Jesus because we're not focusing on Him.  Instead we're focusing on our problems, and we become overwhelmed and afraid. Just like Peter when he walked on the water to Jesus, he was afraid because he lost sight of Jesus for a split second. (...But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him..." Matthew 14:29-31).

Let's not lose sight of Jesus...let's not lose site of the Lighthouse.  All we have to do is call His name, and He will send out His light and save us.

Is Jesus your Lighthouse today?

I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 8:12