focus

Choosing Hope

Published on September 19, 2020September 18, 2020 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God. Psalm 42:5

Do you ever talk to yourself?

Talk yourself into something or out?

Ever tell yourself to buck up?

Or to stop it?

These days, when you’re talking to yourself, you can pretend you’re important, talking instead to someone on your wireless headphones.

The verses above are written by someone who is talking to himself.

Asking his very soul why he is down.

When you are down, do you ask yourself why?

Or do you already know the reason.

The Psalmist is not asking why his soul is down.

He knows why.

He is asking why he haven’t risen above the crud.

Why he is still choosing not to praise God instead.

He goes on to literally tell himself to hope in God.

He reminds himself to choose hope.

Then declares he will again praise God, reminding himself of God’s salvation.

Try it.

The next time you are down, tell yourself to hope in God.

Declare you will praise God instead.

Remind yourself of God’s perfect salvation.

Choose to focus on God, purposing to choose hope instead of despair.

It’s ok to remind yourself.

Until it becomes a habit to choose hope in God instead of despair in your situation, you’ll need to purpose yourself.

But don’t worry.

God would love to help you.

Every single time.

Photos by Lina Trochez on Unsplash

Definition of Fear

Published on March 21, 2020June 11, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. Psalm 56:3

Fear is the absence of peace.

Fear is behind the desire for mortal knowledge when the world offers none.

Fear is the belief that God is not enough.

That God is not here.

Fear showcases our deepest fears.

Fear brings us to our knees.

Fear paralyzes our next move, hijacks our thoughts.

Fear wraps us tightly into bondage.

Sounds horrid, yet we often choose fear, inviting it to stay.

If you are reading this today, you are living in the midst of our society’s fear.

The fear of the dreaded killer virus COVID-19.

Fear of the economy taking a nose dive, taking your 401k with it.

Fear of losing your job or income whether short or long term.

Fear of running into someone less than 6 feet away.

Fear of running out of food or, gasp, toilet paper.

In this life, God has given us choice.

We may choose to believe the truth or not.

We may choose to believe His very Word or not.

Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.”

When I am wrapped up in fear, I choose to unwrap, and decided instead to wrap myself in Your peace.

In Your presence.

In You, the absence of fear.

Photos by Laurene Gicquel, Kelly Sikkema, Jon Tyson, & Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Toilet Paper

Published on March 14, 2020June 11, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

The spirit of fear is real.

And it is NOT from God.

Nor are the feelings of panic or anxiety.

They are also NOT from God.

Rushing to purchase extra toilet paper stems from fear.

Combing stores for even more supplies rises from fear when your pantry is already overflowing.

Submitting to anxiety while watching the news creates a response in your body that long term, will lower your immune system.

Science backs it up.

Fear is not good for you.

Fear binds you up.

Fear causes you to react irrationally.

It is the opposite of peace, which is ordained by God.

Instead of fear, God has given us power.

His power.

He has given us love.

His love.

And He has given us a sound mind.

His.

When we refuse the thoughts of fear and embrace God’s words of truth,

When we submit to His love for ourselves and others,

And when we use His power to stay in peace,

Fear will melt away.

Anxiety will leave.

Our mind, body, soul, and spirit will be filled with Him.

Choose to focus on Him.

Choose to weight fear with wisdom.

You’ll be able to walk away from the toilet paper, the eggs, or the cleaning supplies at the store, leaving it for someone who really does need it.

Yes, we all like to be prepared, but let it rise from wisdom, not fear.

And in the end, trust in Him for all of it.

Even more toilet paper.

Photos by Joseph Barrientos & Claire Mueller on Unsplash

Reflecting

Published on February 29, 2020June 11, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Reflecting.

We reflect what we honor.

We reflect what we love.

We reflect Whose we are.

Do you reflect God?

Or do you reflect things of the world?

Or yourself?

The Bible talks about us becoming so filled with God, that we reflect His glory.

When we continually seek His will,

When we consistently empty ourselves,

When we continuously purpose to be His alone,

Our mirror will reflect the glory of God more and more.

What does your mirror reflect?

If we’re honest, our mirrors mostly reflect ourselves.

Our wishes.

Our demands.

Our needs.

Keep your open conversation running with God.

Continually seek His wisdom and peace in every situation.

In every moment.

And slowly, your mirror, too, will begin to reflect the glory of God.

When your mirror reflects more of God than yourself, others take note, polishing their own mirrors for Him as well.

Photos by Alex Lopez, Noah Buscher, Inga Gezalian, & Kenzie Kraft on Unsplash

Controlled by Anger

Published on February 8, 2020June 11, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

And do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:27

Is it ok to be mad?

Super angry at an uncontrollable situation?

Yes.

It’s ok to be mad.

Just don’t let it control you.

There’s a difference.

A difference between anger and a life dictated by it.

The anger.

Sometimes situations in life have justifiable angry responses.

Literally justified.

But if you hold onto that anger, it controls you every time.

Every time you are reminded of the situation, your body will respond as trained.

In anger.

Blood will boil.

Tempers will flair.

You will lash out at people for no apparent reason.

It’s sin.

Why?

Because the anger controls you.

You have trained your body in that way.

And don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-7

When God talks about letting go of anger, He means just that.

Let it go.

Guess He coined that phrase long before the Norwegian ice princess movie we have all watched way too many times.

Doesn’t mean to forget or allow yourself to be hurt again in the same way.

It simply means to keep your peace.

To surrender the anger, knowing God is in control.

To choose peace over anger, learning instead from the pain.

Giving a foothold to the devil is keeping your anger.

Choosing to wallow in it.

Probably deservedly, yes, but that’s not the point.

Living in freedom with God sometimes defies all logic.

Logically, you should be mad as you know what.

But God wants you to live in freedom.

And you cannot dwell in His freedom if you are shackled by anger’s prison.

Break free and allow God to heal your wounds.

How?

Ask God.

Remember, forgiving is not forgetting.

But it’s freedom.

Ask God to forgive through you.

Then whenever it pops back into your brain (you know the devil will insist on reminding you often!), throw it back to God.

Forgive again and again.

Your body will begin to retrain itself, reacting instead with peace.

The absence of anger will release you from the prison of pain.

Learn from situations, yes.

But don’t keep the anger.

It’s simply not worth your time.

Or your peace.

Photos by Clem Onojeghuo, Kenni Fil , & Lauren McConachie on Unsplash

Restore

Published on November 2, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:12

Is it alright for Christians to bend to themselves?

Bend to the world?

No, but we do it anyway.

We forget about God.

We forget about His incredible sacrifice and salvation freely given.

David forgot.

In Psalm 51:12, he asks God to “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation”.

That tells me he needed to be reminded.

Needed to focus on what was important.

Verse 12 closes with this request: “…uphold me with a willing spirit.”

What?

David sometimes lacked a willing spirit to follow God?

David, who wrote the most beautiful prayers and praise to God in Psalms, at times lacked a willing spirit?

We know he did because he messed up.

Royally.

Do you lack a willing spirit?

A willing spirit to follow what God wants you to do?

Ask Him to help you.

Ask God to uphold you with a willing spirit.

Means you want Him to fill you up with His power, keeping you firmly planted in what is right and good.

Before you do anything else, ask Him.

Ask God for a fresh infusion of the Holy Spirit.

Ask God to restore the joy of your salvation.

David, a man after God’s own heart, knew when he needed God’s intervention.

And so do you.

Sounds like a plan to me.

Photos by jana müller on Unsplash

Something More

Published on October 26, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

And to them he said, “You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.” Matthew 20:4

Within your life, there will always be something.

Something more to be unhappy about.

Something more to whine about.

Complain about.

Honestly, there will be always be something more to cry about.

Breaking your heart.

Am I right?

Comparing your life to others is usually the culprit.

One’s mood can crash to the floor if we allow a view into someone else’s garden to spoil the view into ours.

What is your view?

Isn’t it easy to compare?

When we compare, we become critical.

Critical of the other, delving into pride.

Or critical of ourselves, stooping into self-pity.

Gardens are all different.

Lives are all different.

In reality, even those who seem to have it all together, have their sinful secrets.

Their moments of crap, so to speak.

Enjoy the garden God gave you.

Investigate the new plants He has planted for you.

Water it and feast in it’s beauty.

Ignore the other gardens until you can gaze at theirs with absolute delight for them.

Delight for your friend’s garden.

If you find yourself unable to, remove all social media from your life.

Just for a season.

Remove it, turning your focus to Jesus and the garden He has brought to you.

Spend your new free time on your garden and Jesus.

Learn to appreciate it’s beauty.

And then stay off social media forever.

Or not. 🙂

Photos by fotografierende on Unsplash

Bottom Line

Published on October 12, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

When you strip it all away,

When you remove all of the extra fluff,

When you focus on what is truly important,

You focus on God.

God is everything.

He is the beginning and the end.

He is eternity.

Eternity is infinitely longer than life on earth.

Next to God, people come next.

How much are you praying for the people God puts into your life?

Praying they will know God with all of their heart, soul, and mind?

Because that’s all that matters.

Jobs come and go.

Houses are built and eventually crumble away.

Children are born and grow, leaving to live on their own.

Meals are prepared and eaten.

There will always be more to do.

There’s only one thing certain that will last forever.

Your relationship with God.

And your loved one’s relationship with the Almighty.

Again I ask,

How much are focusing your temporary life to bring more with you to heaven?

It’s easy to let the pleasures of this world distract your focus from things eternal.

God wants us to enjoy this life, yes.

But make sure you also focus on your people.

They need your prayers more than you know.

Photos by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Undisturbed

Published on September 28, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Peace, I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

Jesus was human.

Fully God, yet chose to be human.

There are many things we could talk about, but let’s concentrate on peace.

Jesus was the epitome of peace.

In the Bible, do you see Him distressing ever?

In the Garden of Gethsemane?

On the boat in the storm?

When Lazarus died?

Serving lunch with 4 loaves and 2 fish?

Or was it 4 fish and 2 loaves?

Doesn’t matter as it wasn’t enough for just His disciples and him!

John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Through all of that and more, Jesus was not distressed.

Not panicked.

His face was undisturbed.

Look at His face when you lack peace.

Remind yourself He is in control.

Empty yourself of inward-focus.

And focus on Him.

Focus on His undisturbed self.

If God, who created all things and knows all things, is undisturbed, why on earth are you?

Peace, be still.

Photos by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Resist

Published on September 14, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinnea2 Comments

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13

How do you resist God?

With what words or actions do you tell Him no?

He will never insist.

He will never beg.

He simply tells you His truth and waits.

Waits for you to come to Him.

No manipulation.

No threats.

So how do you resist Him?

Ignoring His prompts to share His grace.

Busying your schedule, crowding out time in His Word.

Choosing entertainment before praying for your family.

Deciding against what you know is right, obeying your flesh instead.

Listening to the lies in your head instead of His truth you know.

Succumbing to selfishness instead of serving.

The list goes on and on.

Resisting God equals loving ourselves more.

But what if you invited God to take over?

What if you, instead of focusing on yourself first, asked God what He wanted?

Continually asked God what His plans are for you each and every moment?

What if you considered God all day?

Instead of merely before bed when you pause and pray?

We resist God when we focus on ourselves.

Instead, resist yourself and focus on Him.

Focus on God.

Photos by Nathan Dumlao, NeONBRAND, & Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Purpose

Published on August 17, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands. Psalm 138:8

What if God’s purposes are for you, not against you?

His purposes you don’t yet understand?

What if God’s ways are higher than yours?

Ways you don’t yet fully see?

What if His allowing trials in your life are for a purpose greater than your very life?

What if His tests are to grow your strength in Him?

To grow your faith in Him?

What if He allows things in order to use you to change others?

What if He plans to use your sorrows through your living, human example of walking through into new life with Him?

Would that make a difference to you?

If you knew that?

That His ways are higher than yours?

Do you trust Him?

Completely?

What if your consistent faithfulness to God in the face of evil is used to glorify Him?

Would that matter?

Would that make a difference?

I think yes.

When we trust God is ultimately in control, our walk is a bit easier.

Steps are easier to take when we know our ultimate purpose is to live for Him.

And the tiny little fact that He is using us.

Using you to bring others to Himself.

You might still step into mud, but you know He is right there to lift you out.

God will use you when you trust in Him.

And it’s just a bit easier to trust Him when you remind yourself of His purpose for you.

To be that light to others.

May your trials be that mush easier as you align your will with His, resting in the knowledge that His purpose will be fulfilled in your precious little life.

Photos by Anita Austvika and Ben Eaton on Unsplash

Thank you

Published on August 10, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings, I will sing for joy. Psalm 63:7

Are His praises ever on your lips?

Is your thankfulness dripping off your tongue?

It’s so much easier to complain.

Grumble.

Whine.

It’s easier because it’s more natural.

Natural in our human mindset.

But what if you turn it all around?

What if you change your focus to how good He is?

What if you change your laundry list prayer life to a time of thankfulness?

God is so good to us.

My summer has been anything but restful.

Moving.

Organizing our material possessions and selling things we deem ridiculous to own.

Sudden job loss.

New house delays and issues to deal with.

Launch new business from scratch.

Start of a new school year with my school under construction.

Whew!

Believe me, I’ve complained. 🙂

And when I’ve complained, my world becomes ugly and gray.

Full of despair.

But when I’ve changed to thanking Him for all of it, it’s amazing to me how my world, my same world, becomes beautiful and bright.

Full of hope.

Declare how good He is and thank Him in advance.

You’ll be surprised at how peaceful and hopeful you’ll be.

But that really shouldn’t surprise you.

Focusing on God always points us to rest.

To Him.

To His goodness.

Thank you God for all of it.

Thank you God for finishing our beautiful home and bringing the workers.

Thank you for fixing our website and delivering our materials soon.

Thank you for giving us Your wisdom in all that we do.

Thank you for giving me and my teacher friends grace and peace as we enter the new school year still under construction.

Thank you for surrounding our children with godly friends and influences.

Thank you for always taking care of us and going before us every step of the way.

You are so good.

So good to us all.

Thank you.

Now it’s your turn!

Photos by twinsfisch on Unsplash

Stamped

Published on July 27, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

I just love the following quote: Be stamped with God’s nature, and His blessing will come through you all the time. (Oswald Chambers)

Stamped with God’s nature means to be marked.

To follow God.

To follow His will in me.

To mirror ourselves after Him.

To keep inline with Himself.

To reject self-pity when faced.

To reject fear when faced.

To reject jealousy when faced.

To react in life how God would want you to react.

To react with His nature through you.

Through me.

Because when we do this through Him, His blessings will follow.

God’s abundant peace will flow through your fingers.

God’s perfect love will cast out all fear.

God’s total acceptance of you will keep you safe and secure.

We can only be stamped with God when we decide to follow Him.

And we can only stay stamped and fruitful with His strength in us.

That’s the miracle.

God uses weak humans to fulfill His purposes here on earth.

He uses us to bless others.

But only if we do our part.

Only if we allow Him to do it, rejecting the flesh when moments arrive.

I want to be continually stamped with God.

I want to let God’s blessings flow through me to others so they can taste the goodness of God.

You?

Photos by Amador Loureiro, Marcus dePaula, & Susan Kirsch on Unsplash

Ugly Poster

Published on July 20, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6

What does it look like?

The big ugly poster you see when you begin to think poorly?

When you start dwelling on the nasty?

What does it look like?

Your big ugly poster.

Because you tend to hold it up too much.

You’ve seen it enough times to know what it looks like.

Mine really doesn’t have any pictures on it.

It’s mostly black.

Dull.

Frankly, all it does is obscure my view.

My view of all my blessings.

You?

Guessing yours is similar.

Sometimes the big ugly poster can change, adding hurt from the past.

Or dreams that were crushed.

Or people who have broken you.

Or situations you wish were different.

Guess what happens when you only see the big ugly poster?

Your mood becomes absolutely horrid.

Your fears begin to hold center stage in your vulnerable brain.

Hopelessness and despair become your companions.

Time to put it down.

With God’s help, put it down.

Tear it to pieces.

Train your arms to never scoop it up again.

And if you forget, throw it down instantly, as if it were poison.

Because it is.

Your big ugly poster is poison.

The antidote to fear is security.

Look around and see how God has provided for you.

The antidote to hopelessness is hope.

Open your eyes and see all the blessings God has poured out on you.

Remember.

That’s the answer.

Remember God is in control and remember all He has done for you.

And will do.

Stand up straight.

Straighten your crown.

And smile.

And while you’re at it, step on that poster.

Photos by Kelly Sikkema, Corinne Kutz, Brandi Redd, JESHOOTS.COM, & Fiona Smallwood on Unsplash

Voice

Published on July 7, 2019June 14, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman. Ruth 3:11

How loud is your voice?

Have you forgotten how it sounds?

When you are faced with disappointment, does your voice disappear completely as you become invisible?

Find it.

It’s there.

Somewhere deep inside.

Don’t think you can?

Why?

Are you feeling defeated?

Like you don’t count or can’t be loved?

Those are lies and you know what to do with those: throw them out!

When those thoughts enter your precious brain, refuse them.

You are worth it.

Say that out loud.

I am worth it.

There.

I knew your voice was in there somewhere.

Your voice becomes rusty when you haven’t used it for awhile.

When letting people run all over you has become a daily habit.

Sometimes, when life has beaten you down, your voice becomes hidden.

Like a precious jewel.

Uncover it.

God made your voice.

And it’s beautiful.

Do you believe me?

You should.

Your voice is a melody unique to you.

Your thoughts and opinions are from your precious self.

God created you to be a strong, loving, kind person.

You must use your voice to become the person God intended.

When something is troubling you, say something.

When you have an opinion, voice it.

You are worth it.

I know -I’m naturally a people-pleaser, and I literally hate it when others are mad at me.

Well, that’s fine, but I cannot let that desire to please others squelch my voice.

Squelch who I am.

God gave me my voice for a reason, and I must stand up for myself.

So should you.

Be nice about it of course.

Using your voice is not meant to be in anger or an irritation to yourself and others.

It’s merely speaking up for yourself.

Making your thoughts known to your loved ones.

Did someone upset you?

Speak up.

Nicely.

Use that voice.

Your relationships will become rich with meaning and your emotions will be at peace.

Ask God to continue changing you into the precious child He created you to be.

Ask Him to full His purpose in you, and that includes not being a wall flower, I promise you!

Practice in the mirror.

Then flash that pretty smile and speak.

Photos by Madison Bersuch, wenkui xiao, Alex Lopez, & Ben White on Unsplash

Fear’s Enemy

Published on June 30, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Luke 10:19

Truth.

Truth is Fear’s enemy.

Why?

Because Fear wants you to ignore truth.

Fear wants you to focus on worry, neglecting all things true.

What are you afraid of?

What fear has gotten a hold of you?

Ever think you’re not good enough?

That’s fear.

God’s truth holds that you are enough just by being you.

Fear of rejection begs us to ignore ourselves, bowing instead to unloving our very selves.

Afraid you’ll lose your job?

Doesn’t God hold all things in His hands?

Doesn’t He promise to bring you your needs like He clothes the flowers in the fields and the sparrows of the air?

Can you be a Christian and still fear?

Absolutely.

Why?

Because we forget Whose we are.

We forget and turn instead to our flesh filled minds, churning out our own responses to life.

When Satan (or fear) whispers a doubt in your mind, what is your response?

Do you agree with it?

If so, that’s an invitation for fear to move on in.

Makes it even easier the next time, which I can guarantee you will happen.

You know that.

What if, instead, you refused it?

You declared God’s truth instead?

You would win, that’s what.

Your mood would stay out of the toilet.

Satan wants fear to rule your life.

To dictate your every move.

To make you apprehensive of making any mistake at all.

To become afraid to use your voice, standing up for yourself.

To worry about being alone.

To worry about being a substitute wife, because you’re not his first one.

To compare yourself to others who have had space in a loved one’s heart.

Fear is based on the faith of the unknown.

The what if.

Don’t you dare base your life on what if.

Base your life on what now.

Base your life on what now with God.

He knows.

He cares.

He’s enough.

Kick fear to the curb.

And slam the door.

Photos by Yusuf Evli, Aaron Burden, Adam Muise, & Aime Cox-Tennant on Unsplash

If God Does

Published on June 25, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34

“If God puts you there, He is amply sufficient.” Oswald Chambers

Unpacking this, there is so much to see.

If God places you anywhere (and He does, because He is sovereign over all), He is completely and totally enough to cover all of your fears and anxieties, washing your mind with His peace.

Completely and totally enough to cover it all.

Even those fears you harbor deep inside.

He is enough, washing your mind with His peace.

If God places your hands to work, He is more than enough, helping you not only survive, but thrive.

If God places you at home with your less than appreciative child, His love for you will cover the gaps, filling your heart with Him.

If God places you in a hospital, caring for a loved one, His care for you will shine through your care of that loved one.

If God places you in front of a large crowd, your voice will carry His message to others, speaking to their very souls.

If God places you somewhere to stand up for His name, His strength will carry you securely onto the wings of His safety and love.

If God calls you to live without your spouse, His care for you will cover all of the holes left behind.

If God calls you to mother or father children who have grown in your heart alone, His grace will marry the lines between parent and child.

When God places you, His child, in any situation, He will be enough.

He is enough.

He will do all this and more if you place your trust in Him, wanting to mirror His likeness.

To be His hands and feet.

To shut yourself down, pouring out His life instead.

Shutting yourself down doesn’t mean you become nothing.

It’s the opposite, really.

Shutting yourself down means turning off your selfish ways and pouring out God.

God, who loves all of us so very much.

Remember Whose you are.

Remember what that means.

That when He places you in life, He is more than enough.

More than enough.

Overflowing amounts of Jesus are available you.

I’d rather have Him than anything else.

Thank you, God, for being more than enough today.

Photos by Michael Liao on Unsplash

Please Pray!

Published on June 1, 2019June 1, 2019 by amylinnea1 Comment

Oh precious Jesus,

Thank you for life.

For relationships.

For love.

Thank you for caring so much about us, that You gave up Your life.

For us.

Thank you for Your perfect peace, which passes all understanding.

Please surround my dear sweet student and her family.

As you know, they lost their precious mother last week during an accident.

They are devastated, understandably.

Lost.

Please surround them completely with Your peace.

Your comfort.

Let them know beyond a shadow of a doubt that You love them.

That You are in control.

That You have their back.

Fill their minds with Your peace.

Fill their rest with sleep.

And fill their empty spaces with Your love.

Be real to them.

Be present with them.

Help them to lean on You as their Rock in the storms of life.

This is an epic storm, Lord.

Guide them to safety.

To peace and rest.

Securely guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

And bless them abundantly, as they are Your servants.

Be real to them, oh God.

Thank you, sweet Lord, for all You do.

Hem them in behind, beside, and before.

Comfort them in all their tears.

Secure their thoughts and hearts in You.

In Your precious name we ask, Amen.

Photos by Jon Tyson, Olivia Snow, Samuel Martins, & Naassom Azevedo on Unsplash

What Then

Published on May 25, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25

What if I told you there is a Friend who knows your name?

Not only your name, but every thought you’ve had, every tear you’ve shed, every smile you’ve given?

Who longs to be your first confidant and constant lifelong companion?

What if I told you there is a Provider who will meet your every need?

Who longs to shower you with blessings if you let Him?

Who will not only give you food to eat, but food for your parched and weary soul?

What if I told you there is a Comforter who hears every cry?

Whose heart breaks with yours, yearning to remove every one of your burdens, big or small?

What if I told you there is a Protector who carries all authority in heaven and on earth?

Who longs to stand not only at your physical door, but your mind as well, slaying giants seen and unseen?

What if I told you there is a Shepherd who wants to guide your every step, keeping it from slipping?

Who longs to gently steer your words, thoughts, and deeds towards life and not death?

What if I told you there is a Father who wants to give you everything you could ever possibly need?

Who longs to not only protect you, but love you unconditionally, providing you with wisdom, truth, and every good thing?

What if I told you His name is Jesus and all of it is real.

True.

Available.

Today.

What then?

Remember Who He is.

Remember Whose you are.

And trust.

Always.

Begin again, today.

Faith

Published on May 18, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9

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Faith.

What exactly is faith?

Believing.

Faith in God is believing in Him.

Believing He will do what He says.

That He knows best.

Believing He has our back.

That He is leading us down paths of goodness.

Abraham had faith.

Faith when God told him to sacrifice His only son whom he had waited his entire life for.

The son that held the promise of generations to follow.

Yet when God asked Abraham to sacrifice this only son, there was no hesitation.

Because Abraham had faith.

Absolute faith.

Do you?

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Jesus had faith in God as well.

When the time came, Jesus asked that the cup would be removed.

But He ended his prayer with, “Not my will, but Thy will be done.”

Faith in God’s higher ways.

Jesus had perfect faith in His Father’s plan.

Explicit trust.

Do you?

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It all boils down to Whom you believe in.

With who or what you place your faith.

We all have faith in something or someone.

Even the absence of faith is faith that nothing is there.

Will you place your faith in yourself?

You will fail and so will the rest of the world.

No one is perfect except God.

Or will you place your faith in the One who created all things?

Abraham’s absolute faith.

Jesus’ explicit trust.

Both fully human.

We can, too.

Just ask.

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Photos by eberhard grossgasteiger & Ben White on Unsplash

Release

Published on May 11, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32

What if you decided to release all of the junk?

All of the junk you keep in your brain?

Un-forgiveness of others.

Memorized list of how each hurt you?

Deservedly yes, but it was so yesterday.

You’re only hurting yourself, you know.

Internally, your body reacts poorly when you hold onto things.

How do you know if you still have junk?

The thought of that person brings it all up again.

Washes over you like a sickness.

What if you released it?

Deliberately deciding not to hold onto it, no matter what it is?

Declaring yourself unoffendable?

What if, the very next time someone “hurts” you by their words, you, instead of launching into poor me, decided not to claim that pain at all?

Refusing to participate?

You’d enjoy freedom.

If people cannot offend you , you will remain peaceful.

Not a license to turn you into a doormat.

Talking about little things.

Snide remark from a child.

Spouse not treating you perfectly.

Taking a boss’ criticism personally instead of separating it into doing your job better.

Jesus wants His kingdom to come here on earth.

Was He wanting us to live our salvation in freedom on earth?

Not wrapped up by the bondage of past offenses?

Freedom in Christ means the freedom to forgive.

Forgive and forget.

Doesn’t mean you are blindly trusting others who have proven themselves unworthy.

But the pain isn’t kept.

The pain doesn’t keep you in bondage.

Your body cries out for freedom.

Your mind cries out for freedom.

Your soul is free.

Let’s choose that freedom today.

The choice is yours.

Photos by pan xiaozhen, Gianandrea Villa, Robert Metz, & Jason Dent on Unsplash

Stand Up

Published on April 27, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

When it comes down to it-

When the rubber meets the road-

When the time has come-

What will you decide?

What will your choice be?

Will you stand up?

Mock?

Or stay seated?

When life turns a corner….

When left unsupervised….

When no one who matters is looking…

What will you decide?

No one can see your heart.

Literally, no one can see your true self.

But we can see your actions.

Your words.

Your inaction.

Those reveal your true self.

They witness the desires of your heart.

So I suppose, yes, we can see it.

Your true self.

Clearly.

But beyond the rest of the world, your God sees.

Nothing escapes His notice.

Nothing.

Whether you trust Him for your life or not, He sees.

He sees everything.

Absolutely everything.

Your tears He tenderly watches when no one else is there.

Your triumphs He rejoices as He longs to see you thrive.

But He also sees your blunders.

Witnesses these as well.

When you bend to the world, spewing forth ugly words, He sees.

When you succumb to popularity, demeaning those inferior to you, He sees.

When your will bends to the winds determined by your peers, He sees.

When you mock authority in secret or in public, He sees.

When you pretend to follow God, He sees.

When you laugh with degrading jokes, participating in your heart, He sees.

He sees and He knows.

While you might succeed at fooling the world, you will never fool Him.

God, our ultimate judge.

Stand up for what you know is right.

Stand tall among the crowd.

When you do, that little guilty feeling which always accompanies an error big or small, will dissipate.

Be a light.

In this world, you’ll either bring light or darkness wherever you go.

Which would you rather do?

Next time you face a questionable situation, will you stand up, mock, or stay seated?

Stand up.

Photos by Vladislav Babienko, Javier Allegue Barros, & Helena Lopes on Unsplash

Listening

Published on March 30, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Proverbs 4:20

How are you listening to God?

Are you even listening?

Or are you talking to God, demanding what you wish to be…?

We all have plans in our head of how we wish life to unfold.

We all have ideas of where we’d like to go in this one life.

Ever think about what you pray for?

Do you spend most of your time asking God for things?

Showing Him your laundry list?

How much time do you spend praising Who He is?

Reminding yourself of the absolute awe you should feel?

Or listening?

How much time do you spend silent, listening to His whispers to your heart?

In life, the rule is to listen more than you speak.

How about in prayer?

We should listen more than we speak.

Listen to the heart of God.

Yes, ask Him for His provision, protection, and peace.

But devote most of your prayer to listening.

If you’re too busy talking, you might even miss your answer.

Psalm 1

Published on March 16, 2019March 8, 2019 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers, (vs 1)

I am blessed by God when I choose to listen to Him, ignoring the evil ways of my natural self, shutting out the noise that clutters my mind.

but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night. (vs 2)

I am filled with joy when my sole focus is God; when I focus on His promises remembering His truth.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers. (vs 3)

When I purpose my mind and thoughts on Him, I am a strong tree with roots firmly planted in the ground – never faltering, never swaying – immovable in Him.

Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. (vs 4,5)

I will not be like or resemble the ungodly, who are without the peace of God. Their actions on earth will pass away like the wind. They will forever be separate from God, my God.

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. (vs 6)

My God will continually watch over my every step all the days of my life. His goodness and mercy will follow me and my head will be covered by His tender love and protection always.

Photos by Alexandru Tudorache, Rodion Kutsaev, chau kamto, Daria Nepriakhina, & Matt Hoffman on Unsplash

Real Life

Published on February 16, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. Romans 7:18

Life is real, folks.

Messy.

Super messy.

Why?

Broken world.

Selfishness.

Lies of the enemy we believe.

Death.

Are you aware that when God created our world, death was not yet present?

The Garden of Eden was brimming with life.

Death was nowhere until sin entered the world.

The death that surrounds us takes many forms.

Depression or deep grief is like death as in it robs us of hours or days.

Death of dreams happen when life becomes twisted and hard.

When we no longer are able to choose what we wish, faced instead with choices we hate.

And then there’s literal death.

Loved ones who leave us.

Unknown babies who grow in heaven.

Not to mention our own selves.

Real life is not Instagram happy faces.

It’s not Pinterest worthy decorated homes or birthday cakes.

It’s not a perfect family photo.

Sometimes, it’s gut-wrenching grief.

But pulling yourself up and starting anew.

It’s homes that are not always happy, with laundry overflowing, and lop-sided birthday cakes made with love.

It’s usually perfectly messy homes that are loving and comfy.

It’s real family relationships with yelling and arguments, filled with selfish moments.

But family relationships which genuinely care and in the end, hug and love no matter what.

Real life is not perfect.

Real life is messy.

Frankly, it can be disastrous at times.

But when we all admit our imperfections, life becomes simpler.

No, we don’t have to live up to that imperfect expectation.

We’re not perfect.

But God, who created us and never makes mistakes, knew that.

He knows it.

And He loves us anyway.

Let’s stop pretending everything is OK.

Because when we admit it’s not, God steps in and fills our many cracks.

Me, I have lots.

Photos by Steve Johnson, Alice Achterhof, Mike Petrucci, & NASA on Unsplash

Trust No Matter What

Published on February 9, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. Psalm 40:2

Is it hard to trust God when things look dark?

When life seems to be hanging by a thread, and you cannot do a darn thing about it, is it harder to trust Him?

Although you could argue, what else is there at that point?

When life is bleak, what else is there to do, but to trust God, who knows all things?

On the other hand, trusting God is super easy when life is a bowl of cherries.

I don’t even like cherries, but I’d take that over stress any day.

I like boring.

A boring life seems divine at the moment.

Predictable.

But, alas, that has not been my road.

My road has been filled to overflowing with drama.

Yes, I love drama, but not swirling around me.

I love acting and can challenge anyone to the lead of a play any day.

But in real life, I take sanity.

Pure sanity.

And predictability.

Routine.

I love routine.

Trust.

Does trusting in God mean more when life’s difficult?

Maybe.

I can tell you this: it’s in the stress of life that we grow.

We grow up when life is hard.

When God allows drama to fill our lives, it’s the perfect opportunity to grow.

To see how God will solve things.

Trust.

Can you complain along the way?

Probably, but make sure you pass the test.

Find a buddy and complain.

But make sure that buddy points you back to God.

Photos by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Life

Published on February 2, 2019February 2, 2019 by amylinnea2 Comments

What is life?

Something or someone that is alive.

Breathing.

Growing.

Potential.

How does life begin?

God.

He is the author of life.

He created the world and everything in it.

How does life end?

Natural causes, accidents, and illness.

Or by choice with the hand of a “bad guy”, murdering a life undefended.

Recently, our country has heard the heart of people who want to choose life or death for the defenseless.

Those involved wish to declare themselves god.

They want the authority to kill innocence just before or after birth.

For what reason?

It’s unclear.

Convenience.

Unhealthy child, although that definition remains murky at best.

Thinking they know a child’s future will be a “non-quality” life.

Could I argue that some living people have non-quality lives?

Sitting around, depressed and living off of other people’s money, not contributing to the good of society?

Yet, those adults still deserve a chance.

Why?

Because they are valued human beings.

We must declare that babies are human beings.

No matter the stage of development in or out of the womb.

If babies are humans, then they fall under the laws of protection.

If babies are non-humans, they fall prey to nothingness.

It’s legal to kill nothing.

Why?

Because it’s nothing.

Destroying life is a choice.

A choice of convenience for only the adults involved.

May God open our eyes.

May He show us just what is going on.

And may God have mercy on our country.

Photos by Kate Krivanec, Liane Metzler, Kelly Sikkema, Alex Hockett, & Paul Hanaoka on Unsplash

Our Job

Published on January 26, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Psalm 16:8

Sometimes I say, “Really, God?”

“Really?”

Sometimes I wonder just what He’s thinking.

Sometimes, I say, “Don’t you want to try this instead?”

“Seriously, don’t you?”

Sometimes I wonder just what He’s doing.

Sometimes, I throw up my hands and say, “I have no idea how You will solve this doozy of a problem.”

“Seriously, how do You plan on fixing it?”

Sometimes, I wonder just what He’s planning.

We wonder because we want to know.

We want to be in control.

We want to give Him input.

May we be reminded that God is God and we are not.

May we ask Him to guide our mouths and every step.

And may we never forget just how much we matter to God.

Our every detail matters to Him.

Nothing is overlooked.

He has already gone before us.

We need only to pray and trust.

Photo credits by George Mihaila & Igor Kasalovic on Unsplash

Be Still

Published on December 22, 2018June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

To the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 25

Lord, what are Your thoughts this morning?

Be still.

Be still and know that I am God.

I am above it all.

Everything, big or small.

I am above your children.

I am above your husband.

I am above your job.

Your health.

Your house.

Remember Who I am.

I am the Great I Am.

I Am means I have always, are currently, and always will be.

As a result, you can be still.

If you choose.

Be still and know that I am God, trusting in My perfect plan chosen specifically for you.

Be still, my child, be still.

I am here.

Photos by Aaron Burden, Emil Vilsek, Donnie Rosie, Denys Nevozhai, & Maria Shanina on Unsplash

Published on December 15, 2018June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

What is your focus?

Yourself?

Your needs, wants, and desires?

I get it.

It’s totally natural.

When you focus on your own self, nothing else matters except for your happiness.

Satisfying your needs.

Children naturally look out for number one and our job as parents is to curb that selfishness.

Tantrums usually result when children have little consequence for displaying that me-monster.

You’ve seen the horror unfold in stores.

Good parents are those that take the child out, not giving in.

Hopefully, as we grow into adults, we focus less on ourselves, and more on other people.

Parenting thrusts us into this role whether we want to or not.

I can remember staying home for years with the children.

My needs were second to theirs; however, their daily “after lunch quiet times” away from me provided sanity, key to my mental state.

Focusing on others with physical work is relatively easy.

Physically hard, yes, but easy in a way.

Unless you are grumbling and complaining as you work, thinking of only your “put out” state of mind.

On the other hand, mentally focusing on others and not yourself is an entirely different ballgame.

For example, what if your spouse communicates differently from you?

Should you focus on your natural point of view or theirs instead?

Imagine the difference if you focused first on your spouse, turning to yourself last.

What if your students at school or your own children at home seem to come from another world entirely?

Enter that world and look around.

Mentally.

Little people need authority from parents and teachers, but the focus can still be them.

Authority which oozes love and acceptance.

Think of Jesus.

He would patiently listen to children, calming them down with his love and authority.

And if He was married to your spouse, He would think of them first.

Always.

As Christians, Jesus DOES live in us.

We can be His hands and feet.

With strangers.

With children.

With our spouse.

The next time an issue crops up, don’t immediately switch the focus to yourself.

Keep focusing on Jesus.

Give yourself a time out if needed.

Yes, moms need those as well. 🙂

Invite God to wash your mind with His.

To give you His focus.

To see what He wants you to see.

And to ignore what He wants you to ignore.

Photos by Elena Taranenko, Dmitry Ratushny, Joanna Nix, & Keegan Houser on Unsplash

Cobwebs

Published on December 8, 2018June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. Psalm 119:15

Feel as if your mind is stuck?

Wound up with who knows what?

Feel immovable?

So overwhelmed you have no idea where to begin?

When we become so consumed with life, our connections to God become clouded.

Cobwebs begin to weave their way this way and that every time we rely on ourselves instead of God.

When we focus on the millions of things we could, no should be doing, not asking God what He wants us to do.

Whenever I begin to feel the weight of all I’m supposed to take care of, I can feel brain connections popping.

Like an overloaded circuit.

What if you didn’t go through the mail.

Ok, just look for bills that are immediately due, but ignore the rest.

What if you only sent gift cards to family members for Christmas instead of placing the pressure of finding the perfect gift for all 39 people in the next 3 weeks?

What if you skipped dusting and ate only soup and eggs for a week’s nightly dinners?

Would anyone die?

Your children might think life has if they hate your dinner choice, but who asked them?

Create margin.

Space in your brain.

You literally cannot do it all.

Clear the cobwebs by focusing on God.

Ask Him to order your steps.

Before you commit to yet another thing, ask Him if you should.

Cut out the extra.

Reload your circuit board.

And clear out those cobwebs.

Photos by Sam Hetterich, John Carlisle, Esther Driehaus, & Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Belief

Published on December 1, 2018December 1, 2018 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Believe Me.

You are loved.

Valuable.

Unequaled.

Perfectly formed.

Made in My image.

Believe me.

I am here for you.

Always.

Continually by your side.

You are never forsaken by Me.

Ever.

Believe Me.

I have ordained your steps.

Your life is safe with me.

I know your every move.

Your going out and your coming in.

Nothing is hidden from Me.

Believe Me.

Because I believe in you.

Love, God

Photos by Matthew Smith, Thomas Quaritsch, & Elijah Hail on Unsplash

True Thankfulness

Published on November 24, 2018June 14, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 106:1

Are you thankful?

Truly thankful?

For all of it?

Good things are easy to list.

Health.

Joy filled days.

Grocery stores brimming with food.

Meaningful jobs.

Secure homes.

Fuzzy socks.

Steaming hot coffee.

Loving husbands.

Precious children.

But…

How thankful are you for the darkness?

For every thing that has broken your heart?

A spiteful boss.

Ungrateful children.

A friend’s betrayal.

Abandonment of a spouse through death or divorce.

Children born in heaven.

God has a purpose for all things.

All of it.

Every little thing.

Thanking Him in the good times is easy.

Effortless.

Thanking Him in the bad times, is not.

It’s painful.

Sounds almost ridiculous to even suggest.

I mean, how can we possibly even think about thanking Him for the darkness?

I ask myself, can I thank God for my life?

For my entire life?

Everything?

Honestly?

I can try.

Found it’s easier if you can thank Him for pain AND redeeming you all at the same time.

Well, here it goes.

Thank you, God, for the relationship rupture and my dear sweet husband.

You know best when allowing things to happen.

Thank you, God, for child heartaches and our precious relationships now.

Thank you, God, for the babies in heaven and the promise of new life for a bit.

Thank you, God, for the agony.

And thank you, God, for the relief.

The blessings I have are brighter when viewed through the prism of pain.

I know I’m more thankful, because of it.

All of it.

More conscious of the blessings.

My husband is, too.

It’s when you can thank Him for all,

For everything,

That you know you’ve put Him first.

Your trust in Him is secure.

Why?

Because you know He is in control.

Absolute control.

And you are safe in His arms.

Completely safe.

Ok, now it’s your turn.

Photos by Chris Lawton, Lina Trochez, Steve Halama, Guillaume de Germain, Ben White, & Simon Maage on Unsplash

Will You?

Published on November 17, 2018June 9, 2023 by amylinnea2 Comments

The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. Psalm 145:18

Will you keep trusting God when all looks wrong?

Will you keep your faith as it looks like God has turned His back on you?

Remember Job?

Job kept his faith even as his entire life fell apart.

Life as he knew it melted away.

All of his children died.

His business failed.

His home burned.

His possessions were a total loss.

His wife was livid as she blamed Job for it all.

His friends gave him bad advice.

He was alone.

He felt God had turned His back on him.

But Job’s faith never faltered.

He stayed faithful.

He never wavered.

And God restored him.

In God’s perfect timing, Job was completely restored.

Do you have that kind of faith?

If God took away everything in this life, would you trust Him still?

God’s not likely to do just that.

However, life will sometimes look like God is absent.

Gone.

Not with you.

But He is here.

Always.

Rest assured, God is in complete control.

God never lost control in Job’s life.

God simply allowed Satan to test Job.

God had Job’s back.

And God has your back.

Always.

When your life feels as though God has left, will you trust Him still?

You should, because He is faithful.

He restored Job and He will restore you.

Completely.

But you must be faithful.

Trusting.

Completely.

Like Job.

Allow God to work.

And rest in the knowledge that He is sovereign over all.

Even you.

He sees you.

Every little thing.

Hallelujah.

Photos by Marita Kavelashvili, Federico Bottos, Katie Drazdauskaite, & Paweł Czerwiński on Unsplash

The Other Side

Published on November 10, 2018September 25, 2025 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:17

The devil is laughing.

Literally full of glee.

People are so dumb and we give him plenty to chuckle about.

8th grade boys writing about how dumb serving the less fortunate is.

A daughter who ignores her parents and sneaks out anyhow.

A student who steals answers from his teacher.

A cell phone which demands the attention of the husband, ignoring real life instead.

A company who devalues their workers, looking instead at the bottom line.

An advertising company selling inferior products, lying to their loyal customers.

A news show inflaming facts, intentionally stretching the truth to anger the population.

And that’s just the things we see…..

A child’s snide remark, confirming the lie in the mother’s head, declaring her unfit.

A bully’s words sinking into a teen, confirming their lowered status.

A boss devaluing his employee through unnecessary long hours away from home.

A young adult who moves out turning her face from God despite her upbringing.

The devil is laughing.

Because we are so fooled.

He shows us people with whom to compare, stirring jealousy and discontent.

He creates doubt in our abilities whether it is dinner, meetings, or haircuts.

He causes anger when he convinces us how important we are compared to others.

Why do we fall for his foolish ways?

Because we are human.

Fallen.

We choose it.

But there is another choice.

Life.

Specifically, the tree of life.

Remember the Garden?

There was a choice handed to Adam and Eve.

If you eat, and disobey God, you will be like Him.

You know what happened.

Folks, the devil has been laughing at us from almost the very beginning.

Time to stop.

Time to choose life every time the devil provides us with his choice.

His days are numbered.

That’s why he works on us.

He wants to take as many as he can to the pit.

Or, with Christians, he wants us to live in the pit each and every day, decreasing God’s influence on others.

Ouch.

But laugh instead at him, because the jokes on him.

We win.

Let me hear you laugh.

We have already won, we currently win, and we will always win.

Why?

Because God has done it all for us.

Choose life and live as if it matters.

Turn the tables and laugh instead at the devil.

Feels great, doesn’t it?

Photos by Ben White, Justin Young, Tim Mossholder, Lucas Lenzi, Priscilla Du Preez, Marcus Cramer & Scott Webb on Unsplash

Proof

Published on November 3, 2018June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations. Deuteronomy 7:9

You want proof God exists?

You want proof He is here?

Open your eyes.

Look around.

Really look.

Before God,

Your life was a mess.

Before His salvation,

Your life was a wreck.

Your life after God has had many disasters.

But He is there every single time.

Carrying you through.

Not unscathed, but whole.

Instead of looking at your life and focusing on the disappointments, be amazed at how He has been there.

And still is.

Instead of asking God for proof of His very existence, look at His proof staring you in the face.

Your spouse.

Your children.

Your job you didn’t know you’d need.

Your safety net of family and friends.

Physical provision just when you needed it.

Emotional support from a friend when it mattered most.

Unexplained bursts of joy in the midst of trials.

A peace which passes all understanding keeping your heart secure, while life on the outside looks chaotic.

God smiles at us all the time.

Through others.

That’s the proof.

Me, I tend to focus on the “too bad’s”.

Too bad life isn’t this way.

Or that.

And then I become unhappy.

Frankly, I have the distinct ability to wallow in the unhappy.

Gee, no wonder I do when I focus only on the “too bad’s”.

Look at life, instead, this way.

We live in a broken world.

But God has made all the difference in this life.

His provision has carried you through things you didn’t even know were wrong.

His love has filled you with peace time and time again.

So instead of focusing on the “too bad’s”, focus on the “it’s great that’s”.

Choose to focus on the good that most certainly outweighs the bad.

And see His hand that has been on your life, is on your life, and always will be on your life.

Proof.

Photos by pixpoetry, Annie Spratt, Artem Bali, & George Hiles on Unsplash

Published on October 27, 2018June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him. Psalm 62:1

There will always be more.

More teacher books to read, lessons to try, activities to save.

More recipes to try, nutrition to evaluate, exercise methods to investigate.

More decorating shows to watch, websites to pursue, ideas to glean.

More clothing to see, outfits to make, stores to shop.

We will never reach the pinnacle of knowledge in any area of our life.

There will always be more we could know.

More knowledge to glean.

More, more, more.

I find this overwhelming.

Why?

Because I want to do my very best in all things.

I want to be the best teacher, so I read blogs, read books, tweak lessons, and constantly keep looking to make my classes even better.

I want to be the best self, so I keep pursuing blogs, saved links, and books to find that formula which will set me up for success.

I want to be the best Christian wife/mother/daughter/etc, so I read books, blogs, and save even more books on my future reading list, which I admit will could never all be read in my lifetime.

Folks, we don’t have to prove ourselves.

God loves us and accepts us.

Knowledge is wonderful, even ordained by God.

But it can become a religion of sorts.

An idol in the very least.

Yes, we should keep pursuing knowledge.

But not at the risk of feeling inadequate if we don’t.

The lie of having to know everything is false.

It will never happen.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but you will never know all in whatever area you focus.

Use your God-given talents to work, improve, and pursue knowledge.

But let God guide you.

If your saved links or saved emails, or list of books to read all of a sudden vanished, would that almost be a relief to you?

That is an indication of information overload.

If you don’t want to be so bold as to delete years of saved “bookmarks”, then place a time limit on your knowledge search.

Give yourself 20 minutes a day to read your book or saved link.

Devote an entire day to plunge beneath the waters and organize, deleting unnecessary items.

Whatever you decide to do, simply remember this.

God knows all, so we don’t have to.

He ordains your steps when you trust in Him.

Allow Him to guide your knowledge search, knowing you are already enough.

You have already secured His love.

Thank Him for your knowledge thirst.

Then sit back, take a drink from your book, and savor the satisfaction of being enough.

Because you are.

Photos by Joost Crop , Valentín Betancur , Miguel Orós , & Nong Vang on Unsplash

Fear

Published on October 13, 2018June 9, 2023 by amylinnea1 Comment

For I am the Lord your god who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13

That one.

I’ll take her.

She looks like an easy target.

I’ll whisper a lie into her head and wait for her response.

Should I tell her no one really likes her and she’ll never measure up

should I remind her of all her recent sins, convincing her she’s trash?

Eh, doesn’t matter.

Either lie is believable.

Oh good.

She took it.

Believed it, too!

You can tell by her mood, which has plummeted downward.

Oh, and the tears.

I’ll come back again tomorrow, whispering another lie.

Wow, it worked!

This is seriously almost too easy.

Destroying people with lies is amazingly simple.

You say this girl is a Christian?

Well, glad she’s not walking in God’s truth.

If she was, she would declare my words a lie.

Does she even know Whose power is hers?

Thankfully, she seems to have forgotten.

My job is done.

She looks defeated, no longer able to fulfill God’s plan for her.

Score, I win again!!!!

Time to find another victim.

I’ll return now and then, making sure she’s still under my thumb.

Who knew my job as Fear would be so dang easy?

Photos by Michael Mouritz ,Soragrit Wongsa , Jeremy Perkins , & Eric Ward on Unsplash

Doubt

Published on October 6, 2018June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:31

Where is my next victim?

I’ll pick him.

Over there.

The one looking at his phone.

I know… they are ALL looking at their phones, but I mean the one over there.

The kid wearing a striped shirt.

I’m going to whisper a doubt into his head.

Great- he looks concerned.

What do you know….looks like I succeeded.

It’s tomorrow and I’m at it again.

I see him getting ready for school, so let’s pile on the doubt.

Oh good, he thinks he’s the stupid kid walking around at school.

He just threw his things down in disgust at himself.

Let’s confirm the doubts and really take him down a few pegs.

Wait, he’s a Christian?

Not sure if that matters.

Look, we got him to skip praying, so I can move in yet again, confirming the doubts yet again.

No, instead, I’m going to double the doubts.

What is my name?

Fear.

I tend to rule.

No, I do rule.

I have absolute power when folks give it to me.

How do they give it to me?

Succumb to the lies I tell them and don’t believe the truth.

I’m only silenced with the power of God.

But if I can get them to forget all about that, I win.

I am so used to winning, it’s almost boring.

I’m serious.

My job is so easy.

Oh no.

That kid I taunted is in Bible class.

He’s listening to the teacher proclaim victory over fear.

Let me quickly plant a doubt.

Shoot, he declared the truth in immediate response.

Now they are praying and he is agreeing.

Guess I have to leave him for now.

Time to find another victim.

Let’s try her…..

Photos by Issam Hammoudi, Michał Parzuchowski, Ryoji Iwata, & Lukas Juhas on Unsplash

Letter from God

Published on September 22, 2018June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. you lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. Psalm 31:19

A few days ago, God impressed upon me to encourage my friends at school. I believe God wants to remind all of us who we are when placing our lives into His hands…when we become a child of the King as we place our trust in Him and Him alone.

I see you.

I see you when nobody else does.

I see your many joys and also your tears shed in secret.

I see the many long hours you continue to work.

I see your heart.

I know you want to do your very best for Me.

That brings joy to My heart.

Know that I see all that you do.

I need to remind you of something: you are enough.

What you are is enough.

You are my precious son, my precious daughter.

You have nothing to prove to me.

I love you for who you are.

What do I want from you?

All I need from you is your heart.

Give me your heart and release everything else into My hands.

My capable hands.

Give me your lesson plans.

Give me your seating chart.

Give me your curriculum you struggle to plan.

Give me that one child.

You know who I’m talking about.

Give me office toner issues.

Give me all of your security concerns.

Give me your teeny tiny breaks.

Give me all of it.

Everything.

Surrender it and do not ask for any of it back.

I will faithfully help you every step of the way.

All the way to May and beyond.

You are enough.

Take a step back and survey your life.

I have been with you, I am with you and I always will be with you.

Always.

Know that I love you and am immensely proud of who you are.

Love, God ❤

Fill in the concerns with your personal struggles. Write them all down. Everyone. Then pray and give them all to Him. Every single one. Tear up the list and refuse to worry anymore. Pray that He replace your worries with peace. Remind yourself that “God’s got this” every time that worry begins to creep back, threatening to steal your peace. Then keep your faith close, looking forward to God’s perfect solutions.

Photos by Jeff Kepler & Ksenia Makagonova on Unsplash

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