taste + see

As I sit here and write, my lack of taste is evident. I have been dreaming about a pazooki since my husband brought home vanilla ice cream midweek but my lack of taste makes it all irrelevant. What is a gooey, half baked chocolate chip cookie, topped with melting ice cream, when you cannot taste it? Colds are the current state of our home. We started the week prior with the stomach flu and moved on to colds this past week but God has been so merciful throughout it all. We have been resting and resting and waiting for our health to return, which is just what God has been teaching each new day.

Taste is a vast part of life. It is an experience that weaves itself in to memories. A warm cherry pie may take you back to childhood and the kitchen of your grandmother or a summer picnic. Taste may drive you to fill your full tummy with yet another sweet delight or an extra scoop of mashed potatoes. Foods are longed for because of their saltiness or sweetness. But when taste buds are out of sorts, the same desired food means nothing despite its appealing lure.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Psalm 34:8

Have you tasted God's goodness? Truly savored the forgiving grace of God? The insurmountable blessings all around you? The joy. The peace. The love. The patience. The kindness. The faithfulness. The gentleness. The self control. Have you undeniably experienced God?

When you experience the goodness of God, you are not the same. Tasting God is more than an alter call or hand raise or prayer. It is a change of heart and true forgiveness to those who have wronged you. It is an act of faith and quieting of yourself. It is learning to trust. It is waiting and resting and restoration. It involves sacrifice. It touches every part of your body, healing as it moves.

For some, God reveals himself in dramatic ways and meets you with blinding bright lights and for others it is a one on one encounter. From there, you are left with an experience you cannot deny but may not know what to do with. And you go about your day as usual.

To begin to acknowledge the goodness of God is similar to healing from a cold. It does not happen overnight. It takes time. It requires waiting. Resting is essential and listening to the advice of those who have ears that hear.

Praying that your senses would be opened to experiencing God and that the goodness would overflow to others, as well. Praying that you would quiet your heart and schedule to truly bask in the presence of God because busy and overcommitted ears are hardly open to hear.

Praying that if you have made a commitment to follow Christ that it would be more than a decision but an ongoing relationship, ever growing.

Here's to tasting and seeing. 

pocket blessings l january craft

You are loved. You. Are. Loved. YOU ARE LOVED. Do you believe it? God loves you so much that he sent his son to pay for your sins. Anything that you have ever done has been covered by the blood of Jesus. He has made you perfectly in his image and beautiful. You are loved. No matter how ugly you think whatever you have done is. No matter what you did in the past. No matter what you have going on in the present time. You are loved.

You are more than what the world says that you are. You are more than the car you drive. More than the address on your bank statement. More than the words described by those around you. You are beautiful. You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

One of my favorite verses about God's love is Jeremiah 31:3:

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;

    I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

God loves you with an everlasting love. Everlasting. My bible dictionary defines everlasting as perpetual or enduring through all time and to also reference eternal. This is a forever and ever kind of deal. Not the romance love until-death-do-us-part-if-we-make-it-past-the-first-few-years-of-marriage kind of thing. This is an all time thing. This is the message that we want to convey to the recipients of these handmade valentines. And to you.

There is something so freeing and comforting knowing you are loved. So please, make sure you know it and can feel it and can breathe it in and take it with you wherever you go and share it with others.

Praying you embrace the truth in love and not just in a feeling because feelings fade but truth never changes.

We are attaching this printable to the backs of the Valentines and embellishing the actual cards to our little hearts desires. There is four to a page. Click to download.

If you are in the area, we would love to have you! If not, pray about setting up a Pocket Blessings craft night wherever you reside. Someone needs to know how much she is loved and perhaps you are just the person to tell her.

Here's to all the pretty things that are popping out in the stores and the everlasting kind of love. 

For more info on what Pocket Blessings is all about here.

i would never.

Throughout the years, I kept a mental list of nevers. I would never work retail again. I would never be a pastor's wife. I would never ever drive a minivan. I would never. I would never. And then God showed me otherwise. He challenged my nevers through his guidance and obedience and opened my eyes to his blessings. 

It was easy to sit back and say I would never drive a minivan until we started a family and realized the lack of options within our budget for a vehicle with three rows. A minivan became the best purchase option. And I laughed at myself as I drove home with it, thanking God for his provision yet again.

Nevers have a way of building preconceived notions on issues. Never going to forgive him for what he did. Never going to move on from that hurt. Never going to be good enough for her. Never going to find a job that fits. Never going to find Mr. Right. Never going to be physically healed. Never going to be out of debt. Never going to have a good marriage. Never. Never. Never. It is these little slivers that block the truth from pouring in to our lives.

These thoughts are toxic to our well being, especially when they become louder than what God says in his Word.

He said, "Go and tell this people: "'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' Isaiah 6:9

God warns Isaiah that the Israelites are not going to listen to his message but to tell it anyway. The people will hear it but not understand what is being said because their hearts were hard. They were filled with nevers - one of them being God would never punish them. And their false prophets assured them they were just dandy.

Sitting in church, it is easy to constantly hear the message and see what God is doing but never actually turn to him and allow him to break down your walls and take away your nevers and heal you, as he promises (Isaiah 6:10).

If you follow Jesus, are you hearing the word AND understanding what it says? Are you hearing the ringing of your nevers or the sound of Jesus singing over you with the voice of truth? 

Praying that you allow God to move in your life and thoughts and that he would transform your nevers in to pure trust and humility because it is hard to go back on your nevers. Praying that as you hear the Word of the Lord through sermons or podcasts or bible study that you would understand what you are being taught and that it would change your perspective on life.

Praying that your mind would be renewed in the possibilities of God because all things are possible through him (Philippians 4:13). 

Here's to nevers and transformation. 

life with boundaries

A story was once told to me about a father who had turned to Jesus. He loved reading his bible. He spent every spare minute reading and studying and learning more - all the while his family fell by the wayside. I am sure they must have gotten a little bitter and envious of his coveted bible. I cannot remember if this is a true story or where I heard it but is such a great illustration. Even things that are meant to be good in our lives can ruin us, without set boundaries.

Boundaries are vital in our lives. God gave boundaries to the Israelites through Moses via the Ten Commandants (Exodus 20), which were for their best interest. God was telling them what would harm them, so they could avoid it. 

Because of Jesus we are no longer living under law but with regards to loving the Lord our God with all our heart and soul and strength and mind and loving our neighbor as ourselves (Luke 10:27). In following this commandment, we are still not going to murder or steal or make idols because that would be crossing over the boundary of loving our neighbor as ourselves.

God gave us boundaries that we may honor him and fully live.

Boundaries allow us to take inventory on what is important, instead of wandering every which way. In parenting, boundaries are a huge thing to establish because it lets the child know he is loved, still allowed to do X,Y or Z but that there will be consequences if the boundaries are crossed.

As an adult, setting our own boundaries allows us to prosper, as well. It is seeing our weaknesses and instilling guidelines in order to fully enjoy our days. It is committing to an eight hour work day, in spite of your workaholic tendencies of twelve. It is scheduling time with your family weekly to fully engage in their lives instead of filling your schedule with invites and practices. It is setting time limits on social media - how many times a day do you need to check Instagram or Facebook or email? Twenty times or two? It is committing to a bible study or life group at church, regardless of your desire to stay at home playing video games in your jammies.

Boundaries allow sweet spots to form and build and come to life. They help in savoring the time you commit to volunteering or outings with your children or working on special projects.

Praying that you would take an inventory on your life. Praying that you would seek God for guidance on boundaries that you need to instill in your life, whether it be more of less of bible study or family time or ministry or down time or time alone or work or hobbies. Praying this year would be a year overflowing with goodness in each aspect of your life and that they would be done well, not just good. 

Here's to boundaries and doing things well. 

accepting the gift.

For Christmas my husband bought me a new mug. It was really sweet and had a verse picked out just for me by him. It was to replace the one and only mug I had that he had accidentally broke weeks before. I had had my eye on a few mugs. Ones with pretty handles in fun shades of color. Ones that were generous in size with fancy writing and would hold my warm cup of chai perfectly.  As I unwrapped the box Christmas morning, I was more than a little bummed to see a small, black, chalkboard style one inside with a verse about a cup on it. A cup verse on a cup?!

Usually, these sorts of things do not bother me. I generally love his taste in gifts, so I could not figure out why this upset me so much. Gifts are not my love language but I felt like I was ten years old again unwrapping the off brand ice cream maker because the Baskin Robbins ice cream maker had been sold out (although for the record, I did get it for my birthday the following year and it was all I hoped for - my love for ice cream started young).

I know my husband had great intentions and very thoughtfully picked it out. He apologized about the size when I confessed it was a little small and said he would return it. This was the part where I was super convicted of my ungrateful heart.

So often we are given gifts and they mean nothing. They are not what we wanted. We asked and hoped and prayed for something TOTALLY different. The old - we asked to go to France and ended up in Holland. So we return what we can or re-gift it or throw it in a drawer somewhere to eventually end up in donations.

God knows how to give gifts. He knows us better than anyone. He knows when we lay down and when we go to sleep and when we rise (Psalm 139:2). He knows what we need better than we do. And it is not that he gives bad gifts - the complete opposite of it is true -  the reality is that we are not always good at accepting them.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

It is not easy to accept the gifts we did not ask for or ever dream of. The ones that seem mediocre and hardly appear worth a thank you.  The ones that get jumbled in the day. The gift of another sunrise and beds filled with sleeping children and cupboards stocked with choice food and closets full of clothes and cars to drive and shoes to wear and an office to work at.

Praying that this year your cup would overflow. Overflow with grace and compassion and thankfulness. Praying that this year would be the year that you see past the gifts to the heart of the giver. To heart of the one who thought so deeply about you and what would be the most beautiful present for you at this time in your life.

Praying that you learn to embrace each good and perfect gift that you receive with joy and gladness.

And because I could not help it, here's a little print to start your overflowing new year. Click to download an 8 x 10 print.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

 Psalm 23:5 

the gift of transparency.

Merriam-Webster defines a gift as something that is given to another person or to a group or organization. Today gifts of all sorts are being exchanged. Sweaters and game systems. New phones and Barbies and toys of every shape and size. So much excitement and anticipation on the faces of children, young and old. There is something special about receiving a gift. A shiny, new thing you can use and hold and look at. Something that will cut down on kitchen prep time or help with work or will add a new dimension to your hobby.

Most gifts are unwrapped from pretty paper that held a bow or two but some of the very best ones are things you cannot hold in your hand or keep forever. The gift of time. Time with those you treasure so. The gift of salvation and promise of eternal life (John 3:16). The gift of forgiveness. Forgiving yourself and others for past mistakes and failures. The gift of transparency. Allowing yourself to be you, mess and all and giving God the praise for where you have come from.

Transparency is a key component in relationships of any kind. Being able to be honest about feelings and expectations and dreams is the only way for a relationship to be nurtured and have the capabilities to thrive, especially our relationship with God, who already knows it all.

The bible states how nothing is hidden. God knows everything about you (and everyone else, if that is of any comfort, Psalm 139).

No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Luke 8:16-17

Everything is exposed and if it has not been yet, then it will be. Just give it time. Jesus came that we would have freedom (Isaiah 61:1). He came to set us free. Being transparent aids in our freedom - for ourselves and others. We are not made to hide our short comings or malfunctions. We are made to openly share where we have come from and because of the power of God through Jesus, we are no longer there. We were meant to shine with the light we have been given. To shine through our past situations or current trials. It teaches humility and shows others what it looks like. 

Being transparent turns your shame into God's fame. Transparency allows you to be okay with who you are - who God made you to be. It allows you to openly admit that you are not perfect and did things you would rather not have done or had things done to you that were out of your control. 

Being transparent takes some of the hardest life experiences and allows God to transform them in to more beauty than has ever been. It allows God to take out the victim aspect from rape or domestic abuse or child abuse and turn it in to his victory because through him, we can overcome. It allows God to take the shame out of the divorce or addiction or depression and allows him to give us new perspective on it all and restore us.

It enables us to being honest with others instead of shimming around for an indignant answer. It allows us to be welcomed in to the club of redemption. Redemption from disappointments and struggles and breakdowns.

Praying that you would give the gift of transparency throughout this coming year. That you would have discernment to know when to speak and what to share and what is better left unsaid. Praying that any shame you find yourself carrying that God would redeem to it to a source of victory.

Praying that you would give it at any cost because giving when something actually has a cost - a reputation or job title or relationship status - is the hardest to give. Praying that you would experience the candid warmth that is brought through transparency.

Here's to gift giving and transparency and a merry Christmas.

giving yourself grace.

Giving grace to others is always easier than giving it to myself. Of course you could not come because things got busy - I totally get it. It is okay you forgot it - next time. Late again? God's timing is perfect - amen. Perhaps it is the fact that their stories are better with an epic climax about nearly solving world hunger all during lunch time. Or it's the tone in which it is explained that their child was sick again and up all night. Or the look in their eyes as they pour out their own short coming. Or perhaps they just know how to give themselves grace as God so freely gives to everyone - something that I have been learning the past few months, as I have been giving up my own expectations and leaning more on God's grace in the day to day and embracing my weaknesses.

It is knowing that when you are weak, then you are strong.

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Giving yourself grace begins with failure - knowing that you are a sinner (Romans 5:8) and that you are not meant to know how to do laundry, while prepping snacks for a daily adventure, all while holding a baby and simultaneously cleaning the house and tempting to answer the text message about dinner and the email about the event tonight but also knowing that God always offers forgiveness and grace nevertheless (Psalm 103:12). It is knowing that with Jesus failure is not an option, just a work in progress.  

Failure is not about giving up or being weak; it is about making yourself available to soak up God's grace and mercy. It is a giving up of yourself to allow God to fill you. Fill you will humility and forgiveness and a deeper communion with him.

It is learning that God's grace is sufficient no matter the circumstance. No matter what you have done. Here Paul is talking about how much he learned from his ailment. God says that his grace is sufficient for you. How much more should you freely give it to yourself?

If you expect too much from yourself and lack grace, you may end up feeling like a failure. But you will learn it, if nothing else. Learn humility and balance and forgiveness - for yourself and others.

Praying that you learn how to accept grace and give to yourself if you have not and that if you have mastered it, that you would share what you have learned with those around you because half of learning is teaching. When you really understand something, you can teach it to someone else (at least that is what my math teacher always said). Praying for more dependence on God through out your day and for his strength to be enough. Praying that you would overcome through Christ, since he has already overcome the world (John 16:33),

Here's to failure and more grace. 

one plus one.

I am not a morning person and I  have yet to see a sunrise completely. One occasion I woke up with intent to see it. I googled what time it would rise and left accordingly. I went out in the brisk morning to a place I thought for sure it would make an appearance. I waited. I had some time still. And I waited. As the time came and went I still had yet to see the sun rise from behind the peaks I assumed it was coming from. I had missed it entirely. My lack of knowledge of the sun and sense of direction became evident.

As I walked along in hopes of catching a glimpse, I asked someone. She informed me, as I had pieced together, that the sun rose behind me on the other side of the lake. I had enjoyed the beauty of the lake and surroundings as I waited but did not accomplish what I had come for. Had I asked someone prior, just maybe I could have basked in it that morning.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:

If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Enter here some direction and people. Solomon wisely states the importance of others. Perhaps you are that person. The person who knows the way to Jesus. The person who shows others the Jesus they can open the door to and dine with (Revelation 3:20. The Jesus who loves you and continues to knock despite each failure or disappointment or trial. Perhaps you are the person waiting to open up and see his glory and love and mercy.

We need people. People in our lives to guide us and point us and share and explain and pour in to us. Life is not meant to be done alone. We are missing out on the sweetness of community when we are trying to do it all alone. We are missing out on knowing Jesus deeply or possibly at all without others. Others to pray with. To cry with. To laugh with. It is here that the church is more than just walls of a building but a reflection of Jesus. It is here that lives are intertwined and God's story is written on hearts.

Praying that if you do not have a community that God will show you the people he has in your life for just that purpose. Praying that you will be able to see the truth in Jesus and be the person who picks others up when they are down and points them to him. Praying that you are able to see the blessing that comes with doing life with others, not alone.

Praying that if you are searching for truth that you would find it and open the door accordingly. Praying that you would embrace the opportunity to take some time to meet with someone God has been leading you to. That you would see the way he has so intricately weaved your lives together for his purpose and glory for such a time as this and that you would thank him for the blessing of friendship. 

Here's to friends and pointing and guiding. Here's to doing life together. 

simplicity standards

On my quest for simplicity, I stumbled upon More or Less by John Shinabarger, which I had downloaded months back as a Kindle freebie and just recently started reading it. It is straightforward. It is basic. It is like answering right there questions in class. It is constantly saying things that I know and believe, with sprinkles of inspiration that keep me going. But there is a truth that made the simple life more attainable and made me question what simplicity is. What is enough? What does it look like for me and my family. Yes, we have enough. God has blessed us graciously and we have a surplus of things. And most likely if you are reading this, you do, too but that is another story. We are rich. God has been showing me how rich we are since giving my life to Jesus.

Being rich is not about having millions in the bank and houses in other continents or states. It is about having more than you need. It is the mere fact you have options. It is deciding which pair of pants you will wear. Which food sounds good to eat for lunch. Which kind of cream you like in your coffee. Which decor you want displayed in your home.

When food, clothing and shelter needs are not met, options are not important or typically offered.

Simplicity is asking yourself what is enough for you. How many shirts do you need in your closet? How much food do you need in the fridge? How many square feet do you need to live in? What is enough for you to be content?

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Simplicity is asking what you will be content with having. Nothing we have is ours. It belongs to God. He made it and has given it to you. He has blessed you and given you more than you probably need, which is not a bad thing. It is when it starts ensnaring you that it becomes an issue. When you start coveting those blessings. When you start lusting after the new car or home or phone or outfit. When you think only of yourself with your material and monetary possessions, not caring for those who needs are not met. When the care for the item becomes more than the caring of relationships and of people. 

Praying that you will find contentment in God alone and that through his grace he will open your eyes to your abundance. Praying that you will be able to set boundaries in your life that instill simplicity in your life and change the way you think of needs and wants. Praying that you will not fall in to marketing but would truly enjoy what you have. 

Praying that you will not fall in to temptation or lust for material items this Christmas season but that you would seek out to fill the needs of others with your abundance. Praying that you would be able to determine what is enough for you and go from there.  

Here's to less stuff and more contentment. 

a note of thanksgiving.

I am thankful that God has not left me where I was but keeps moving me forward in to deeper and more meaningful relationship, which keeps changing me for the better. I am thankful to look back at my failures and short comings and know that it is not who I am now. I am thankful for progress and pushing and challenging and knowing that only by God's mercy + grace am I able to put one foot in front of the other.

I am thankful for the chaos and the crazy because I am able to embrace and savor the stillness that much better - being able to bask in his goodness in both and see that he good.

I am thankful for the colorful leaves that are piling on the grass in my backyard and slowing turned crunchy and brown because it is proof time is ticking and a reminder not to waste it and just how beautiful a creator God is. And I get to witness his handy work each day. Leaf by leaf. Lesson by lesson.

I am thankful for the two littles that constantly grab my feet and yell mama from the other room because God created them for me. Just for me. For me to care for and love. To share in eye color and mannerisms and dance parties. And to make me ever braver and stronger and more patient still.

I am thankful for a husband to handles my crazy self with constant grace and encouragement, more than I could ever give myself. Who pops kettle corn and cooks for me just because. Who gives me breaks and tells me to stop because sometimes I do not know when to sit down. Who constantly teaches me to keep giving and serving because that is what we are here to do.

Praying you find yourself doing more thanking than complaining or compairing as the year rounds out and that your eyes are opened to all the blessings around you. That your eyes would be met with new and beautiful things that point you to the creator. Praying that despite your circumstance, your heart would start cultivating thankfulness and be ever renewed.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;

 give thanks to him and praise his name. 

Psalm 100:4

tree ornament tutorial l pocket blessings december craft

Hope you will be crafting along with Pocket Blessings this month, as we make these sweet tree ornaments. The message behind them can be found here. We are doing both fabric ornaments and ones made out of sticks. There is a tutorial on how to make the stick one here. Since I could not find one on how to make the fabric ones, here is a quick step by step.


What you need: 

• fabric scraps  
• needle + thread  or sewing machine, I used my machine 
• scissors 
• ribbon, 3" long 
• 2 cotton balls 
• tree template, click to download or cut your own

Cut tree template out of fabric. Mix and match sizes to your liking. 

I used pinking shears for the tree top to add some flair. If you want to embellish with any beads or ribbon, this would be the time to do so. 

Sew from bottom to top of tree and add ribbon about 1/2" before the top. I used an 1/8" seam allowance. 

Be sure to fold ribbon in half if you would like to have a loop for hanging. 

Sew down. Stuff to your liking. I took apart the cotton balls, so it was not too firm. Half of one stuffed the base and 1 1/2 for the tree top. 

Center the base on the tree and pin, leaving about 1/4" to sew. 

Finishing sewing bottom of the triangle. Sew the three sides of the base and you are finished. 

And no gift would be complete without a tag. Click to download. Tags measure 2" in diameter. 

If you have any questions. please let me know. Here's to enjoying some craft time and blessings others.

drinking the cup poured for you.

There is nothing more soothing than a warm cup filled with a scrumptious drink on a brisk morning. Sitting and relaxing as you hold it close. Enjoying the heat of it, as it warms your cold fingers but careful not to drink it down quite yet as it is still too hot and a burning tongue emanates thoughts.

And so the admiring the color of the cup begins. Noting of the beauty of the steam floating off the top and embracing its handle that fits so perfectly in your hand. You watch. Taking it all in. Never once using it to quench your thirst or warm your soul - what it was meant for. Never savoring its sweetness on your taste buds. Never drinking it down.

Then you happen to notice the beauty of a cup held by another. It sparkles more than yours and is just the right temperature to indulge. It must be better than yours. And so you go about holding your cup but never drinking it, all the while admiring the other. Ever seeing but never tasting. 

Several times in the bible Jesus refers to the cup that has been poured for him by God. He asks his disciples if they can drink his cup (Matthew 20:22). He asks God to take the cup from him (Luke 22:42). The cup is symbolic for the persecution he is about to endure. The suffering for our sins and death on a cross. The reason he was born. His sacrifice. 

Each of us has a cup. Each of us have trials that we must go through to be refined and cleansed and made complete in Christ. It is easy to look at the trial or struggle of another and think it is so minimal that you would endure that one instead or wrongly believe they are trial free.

Wisdom and guidance is found in asking God what he wants to teach you through this trial. Whether this was birthed out of your own sin or something entirely out of your control, there is a lesson to be learned and wisdom to be gained. And shared. Being able to share that part of your story with someone is a powerful testimony. Sharing with a Christian encourages and may give hope, while sharing with a non-believer shows glimpses of God's glory and his power in your life.

There is power in the cup that has been poured for you. There is hope in each sip and a deeper relationship with Jesus as the cup empties.

Praying that you would drink what is in front of you and feel the warmth of God's presence in each sip. Praying that you hold on to the truth of God's promises and that the beauty of it would catch your eye as you take it in. Praying that your heart would not wander to another's cup but be filled to the fullest with your own.

Here's to sipping and drinking and tasting the goodness of the Lord. Here's to your cup. Cheers. 

pocket blessings l tree ornaments

For the month of November, Pocket Blessings will be making tree ornaments. In the bible, trees are often used to symbolize a person being rooted in God. Truly growing in relation and faith with him. Growing in trust and reliance.

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:3

They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:8

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. Psalm 92:12-13

This is the sort of life that God wants to instill in each of us. He wants us to be thriving and growing in him. Constantly learning more about who he is and revealing those characteristics in ourselves. It is the abundant life of following Christ and in that there is nothing better.

This is the message that we want to portray to the recipients of these ornaments. The relationship and growth that is offered because Christ was born. Christmas is a fun holiday but the fact Jesus was born in to the world, God with us, is simply amazing. 

Praying that if you do not have roots in Christ, that you would seek him and find him and bask in his grace. Praying that you would learn and find the truth. Praying that if have never experienced Christmas in the light of Jesus, that this year you would have new eyes to see the beauty of the God of the universe coming to earth to die for your sins. All because of love. Because he loves you.

Here's to roots and growth and Christmas.

A simple tutorial on how to make the trees and printable tags will be posted next week. Here's God's will leading to you in some way to participate in little crafts of kindness,

For more info on what Pocket Blessings is all about, read it here. 

your reward.

Penny loves to help me in the kitchen and is naturally my baking side kick. Her three year old self has mastered pouring and scooping and stirring and tasting. Depending on what we are concocting, she will stay glued to the chair for the entire duration of the product without a second thought of her toys in the living room. Especially if she knows she is going to get to lick the spoon, which only happens when frosting is being made, since all other batters have some sort of raw egg. After all of her efforts of mixing and measuring, she is rewarded with her spoon full of frosting and the world is good.

The bible says that we have rewards and treasures and are promised them in to the next life. When we believe in Jesus, we are promised eternal life. We have done nothing to earn this. The reward for believing. The reward for our faith.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

When life gets hard and the future seems hazy and you do not know what the outcome is going to be, it is easy to fall away. It is easy to make your own path to fix the problem. To go off and play with your own toys, away from God, instead of sticking around through the hard parts - through the work.

That is when you have to ask yourself: is Jesus and the promise of eternal life enough for you? Are you okay with a reward you cannot touch or see or fully grasp? Is your dedication worth it? Is the pain of an illness or the loss of a loved one or the financial instability or the ridicule from friends and family or the pressures at work worth it?

If we know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more so does God know how to good give gifts? (Matthew 7:11) Can you imagine what it means to have rewards in heaven? What it really means to have eternal life and rewards. Jesus comes and saves us; we simply believe in him and we have eternal life, (John 3:16) not because of anything we have done. We are faithful and store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:1-4). It is truly amazing the love that God has for us and the gifts he graciously gives us now and promises to come.

Praying that your eyes would be focus on Jesus and the work that he did on the cross for you. Praying that you would embrace the rewards God has for you in this life and the next. That you would enjoy the work he has put you here to accomplish and that you would be obedient to do it, despite the impending trials.

Praying that your perspective would be one of eternity. That you would see how God is using you for his eternal purposes and that you would be okay with that, no matter the cost because you know your rewards on earth are temporary and eternity is ever coming.

Here's to your promised rewards and eternity and an ever changing perspective of trials.

thoughts & insecurity

Compliments have always been hard for me to accept, no matter the source or the reason. At one point I was getting so many that I found myself regularly venting about them to my husband, then boyfriend. I started going out of my way to try to avoid getting another. Changed my hairstyle. Stopped wearing those earrings. Kept that outfit in the closet. It really was an annoyance for me.

In reality, it was insecurity. I was full of insecurity. Compliments felt like a handout. Someone trying to be nice and make me feel good with false intentions but I did not need their help and could care less what they thought - simply out of my own pride. God has been working on my in this area since then and I welcome them now. If someone takes the time to tell me something sweet, I embrace it. And if it happens to be done out of malice, then it lies on them and not me.

Insecurities can show themselves in the strangest of places, like marital status or job title or number of children or personality traits. They form in conversations or appear in invites or the lack there of and start playing themselves out before we know it. These are the ties that hold us back from freedom to truly live for God and his plans for us. This is where the captive lives.

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

In order to be free from insecurity, we must rely on the power of Christ and what scripture tells us. Through his power, we can demolish strongholds - in our thoughts and habits. We have the power to take every thought captive for Christ. Thought of not looking put together and putting yourself down. Thoughts of what someone thinks about you and how others perceive you. Scripture says that you are chosen (John 15:16). You are a child of God (John 1:12). You are victorious (1 Corinthians 15:57). You are more than the mental picture you paint of yourself.

You must believe who you are in Jesus.

Being held back to a calling that God has placed on your life due to insecurities, whether something as small as talking to someone or as big as a change in career, is not a fun place to be. It is there that you find yourself smothered by fear and doubt and lacking trust.

When you focus on who God says you are, insecurities start to melt away. When you become so consumed in who God is and how big he is and his plan for your life, you find strength and take your eyes off of what is wrong with yourself. When your eyes are fixed on Jesus, instead of yourself, your decisions will be based on what he says, not what others say or your own doubts and fears.

Praying you find confidence in who God says he is and who you are because of what Jesus has done. Praying you can embrace the word of God and truly understand how God sees you and live in that freedom. Praying you take each negative thought captive and that your insecurities become small victories through Christ.

Here's to focusing on who God is and less of who you say you are.

pocket blessings l craft night

Over  year and a half ago, as I was reading through 1 Peter 4:10 and God really challenged me with it: 

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Craftiness runs in my blood. I thoroughly enjoy making almost anything that involves fabric or glue. It is something that has always been easy for me and something God has gifted me with to use for his purposes. I felt him nudging me to do a craft ministry that makes items to give to others in the community. I had no idea what this would look like or what it would entail and leading it seemed daunting. I have hardly any expertise in leading. I prayed about it for a few months before I mentioned it to anyone. This is where Pocket Blessings was born.

It just so happened that God had moved Juli and her husband, Scott, to our area a few years before and we had met in Sunday school. She is the craftiest person I know. Naturally, God directed me to ask her what she thought.  It never ceases to amaze me how God gifts us in certain areas and calls  us to use them for his glory. And how he brings people beside you to help you and show you the ropes.

The neighborhood we live in is referred to as the pocket and our focus is on small things because it is the small things that make up the moments, that turn into years, which form memories - hence the name was born of Juli and her husband, Scott.  

The goal for Pocket Blessings is to make an impact in our community for Christ one handmade blessing at a time. Each item comes with a verse attached and is covered in prayers, both for the person who made it and the one receiving it.

It such a rewarding time for both the people involved and the people crafting. The community comes together and God brings the people he wants to be there and the people he wants to receive them. It is a win - win.  

Praying God will give you guidance and direction if you feel him leading you to participate or put in to action something he has placed in your heart.Praying that you would embrace your gifts and that God would show you how he wants you to use them in your current season of life, whether in big or small ways. Praying that if you find yourself wondering what your gifts are that the Lord would you reveal them to you and you would accept them as the present that they are,

Interested in starting a Pocket Blessings craft night in your community / church / area?

Here are some tips to get you started:

Choose how often: we do once a month on the 3rd Saturday at our church but you can do it whenever works for you.

Who: we like to open it up to not only our church but community, too, so we leave fliers throughout town (i.e. coffee shops, library) but the choice is yours. You can do it by yourself or with a few close friends. Do not let numbers stop you from making a difference or crafting abilities. We do a demonstration for each craft before we start and help through the night.

Craft: varies, we like to incorporate upcoming holidays (we make it the month before, so delivery can be arranged by the month of the holiday). Each month I will post what we will doing, along with any resources (i,e, printable tags) that we are using. 

Who to give to: we pray about which organization / place (i.e. local nursing home, hospital units, rehabilitation homes) God wants us to give to leading up to craft night - he has not let us down yet. So pray and do not be intimated to ask around. Perhaps a friend is the perfect recipient or knows someone who is.

Supplies:  use what you have and/or ask for donations - people love to give and most have some supplies they need to get rid of, especially for a good cause. Freecycle is an awesome resource for free crafting supplies.  

Message: we start out with a prayer and teeny message explaining what we are making and a pull it together with a verse

Share: If you are  interested crafting along, be sure to tag on instagram @ingracealways or #pocketblessings

I will share more about the craft we are doing for November in the coming weeks and how you can prep for it. And of course, if you are in the Sacramento area, we would love to have you attend.

words & conversations

I have found myself loving deep conversations. So much time has been spent in small talk that it just feels empty and void. Really getting past how are you doing. I am not looking to tell my life story or pour out my heart ache or hear you express every minute detail. More like embracing life and real beauty and feelings. Feelings have always been hard for me. Surface level is always so easy and nonchalant. It rolls of the tongue and pairs well with a smile. It fills the space and consumes a five minute window well. But it lacks depth and passion. It skips past emotion and feelings.

So often we go through life guarded and on edge with walls built up to the skies, when what we need is to crumble. To be genuine. To be authentic. To find ourselves in how we really feel, wearing parts of our heart on our  sleeves. It is asking for prayer during trials or wisdom for a new endeavor. It is changing your facade to reveal how you are really doing. It is hard and messy and can be uncomfortable. It may be said over tears or through bursts of laughter. It is life. It is beautiful. It is real.

My sister was in a car accident recently and suffered traumatic brain injury. She is still recovering. She has head aches and delayed speech, which has greatly improved. She has new anxiety and random bursts of crying. As we have talked, she has been apologizing for getting emotional over nothing, to which I responded how in awe I am of her expression - whether willfully exposed or due to measures beyond her control. There is beauty in sharing and exchanging what you are feeling; An openness that cannot otherwise be given.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 2:17

Jesus was real. Jesus did not waste any words. He used them to heal. To save. To give life. To fulfill prophecy. He was passionate and expressed how he was feeling; he openly cried (John 11:35).

Deep conversations allow growth and give God an opportunity to work in others through you. It allows for connections and common ground to be shared. It gives understanding in situations and healing in others. It helps clear your mind and reveals new incite.

Whatever you are lead to say or to share, I pray that you would bring glory to God. That you would see Jesus' example and be able to live through his teaching and love.

Praying that you are able to find the words to speak with whomever the Holy Spirit leads you to. That you would be open and transparent and find encouragement and refreshment. Praying that you would exchange more than a few redundant words as you go about your day but that you would make an effort to listen and intentionally interact with those God has placed around you.

Here's to real conversation and less idle chatter. More expression and depth. 

Project Love: You've Been Wooed, an alternative to You've Been Booed

You have probably heard of the phrase "you've been booed" referring to the usual Halloween related - treat leaving - door bell ditching shenanigans. I grew up doing it through out my neighborhood. My family would prepare some yummy home baked goodness and one of us would get the honors of running at the speed of light to leave them at the door step of an unsuspecting friend. It was always something to look forward to during the fall. 

This year, I thought it would be fun to add another dimension to it and Jesus. Because everything is funner with Jesus, right? And the "you've been wooed" treat leaving, giveable way born, complete with a poem, verse, and sign to put in the door or window. 

It is a reminder of how God made you (Psalm 139:13). How he loves you (John 3:16). How special you are to him. How Jesus died for your sins and was raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-5) and is with you always (Matthew 28:20). You are loved. 

Yesterday the theme night at our Awana club was SOS - Share Our Savior, so I gave each of the girls in my group a print out of this in hopes of them continuing to share the gospel. 

I challenge you to share the gospel or remind someone of the love. 

Praying you find some enjoyment in sharing and giving and anonymously reminding someone of how loved they are by Jesus. Praying the Lord will put someone on your heart to share it will and that you will be obedient and enjoy the process of baking or buying yummy treats. Enjoy it with your children or friend or husband and make it a small event and memory. A small blessing for the day. You never know how big of an impact your little act of kindness will make in the life of a friend or neighbor or loved one.

Here's to finding some time and adding some fun to your fall festivities. Here's to telling someone how awesome they are to Jesus.

Click to download file.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

peace.

Peace. Our culture boasts peace with circle trademarks and an easy, two finger hand gesture. It is associated with hippies in bell bottoms and headbands in their sit ins to overcome political issues. World peace is the cliché answer to every question.

My concordance defines it as a state of calm; freedom from strife or discord; harmony in personal relationship.

The peace that this is referring to is not comprehensible by the world. It can only be found in God. He freely offers it and you need only to take it and let it rest upon you like a warm embrace on a cold, snowy day. You can choose to take his peace or let the world fool you with its promises. There is always a choice to be made. The former always looks good on you.

Peace that transcends all understanding comes in the midst of major life decisions and uncertainty. It is wrapped in tests results and deadlines and snuggled close to broken hearts. It is given through hugs and open ears and heard in encouraging words. It is sitting in waiting rooms and in the doctor's office. 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Jesus tells us that he is leaving peace with us. He tells us this during his final hours on earth, after celebrating the Passover with the disciples. This is part of his final speech. He is telling his disciples what he wants them to remember and the most important things before the final betrayal, as he knows what is about to happen.

Jesus left us with peace. He freely gave it to the disciples and offers you the same. Peace when you do not make your deadlines or arrive to your appointment on time. Peace when your relationship is failing and your heart is breaking. Peace when your body is not functioning as it is was made to. Peace when your child needs more leading than you have guiding expertise. Peace he offers through it all.

He goes on to say to not let your hearts be troubled. In Proverbs, it states:

A heart of peace gives life to the body. Proverbs 14:30

When you are filled with peace of God, you are able to thrive and be filled with life and breath and movement. You are growing and taking it all in. You are trusting God, who knows you full well. You are trusting him to make a way for you in the desert, as his promises state. You may not see the outcome but that is okay because you take peace for this moment in time and choose to take it for the next .

Praying that you can feel the peace of Christ throughout your day and winding its way in each thought and action. Praying that you can grasp the gentle whisper of peace as the world bellows its voice your way.

Here's to embracing more peace and life.

more relations.

I have had people ask about God and where to start, so here it is simply put.

The thing always I like to clarify first is that God is not a religion. I have a relationship with God, I do not follow religion. Yes, there are rituals and teachings but those are trailing behind the relationship because without it nothing is of importance and becomes just another thing to do.

Like getting to know a person - a friend, coworker, future spouse - you have to spend time with them. You cannot simply hangout with people who know Sally, talk about Sally, explain what she is like, list her characteristics and what she's done for each person and expect to really know Sally at all. You may have a general idea about what to expect when you meet Sally but you have to actually spend time with her to know her. The same is true with God. You have to personally spend time with him in order to know what he is like. To taste and see that he is good (Psalm 34:8).

Church is look like group dating, if you will. This is the part where you may have encountered Jesus for the first time. Perhaps through an invite from a friend or family member or you were brave and just showed up. I met my husband through friends back in junior high, perhaps you can relate. Church is when everyone comes together to worship and get to know God together. You have the opportunity to get to know God through his message from the pastor. Through the people he has strategically placed next to you in your Sunday school class or at the end of the row in service. Through tithes and offering. Through volunteering in various ministries throughout the week and getting involved in God's community and bible studies.

Church may be the part that feels more scripted and you may try to look good and be on your best behavior but just be yourself. You just need to come as you are and realize that you are coming to a place that is filled with others who are imperfect and sinful, too.

Not perfect in the slightest. After all, no one is perfect, no not even one (Romans 3:10).  So do not feel like you are an outcast, you fit right in, really.

Church is a place filled with people who realize they need a savior and choose not to do life alone anymore because life with God is AMAZING.

When you are dating a new person of interest, a lot of time is generally spent hanging out with him or her, especially one on one. He becomes the thing you cannot stop thinking about. You wonder how you ever were without her. And may even think of ways to impress him.

Your relationship with God needs the same thing, without the impressing part. You need one on one time. It is carving out time to get to know him. Just you and him. Reading your bible. Writing down what speaks to you through it. It's taking down questions about things you do not understand and God leading you to someone who is able to answer them, most likely someone in the group dating part. It is learning to clear yourself from distractions and listen. A relationship without quality one on one time is not going to last or be deep, especially with God.

And the best part of a relationship with God is that you just have to come to God as you are, messy parts included.

And just in case you need a nickname for him, (because when you get to know someone a special name is something you share) I thought I would leave you with some compiled from 

A Confident Heart by Renee Swope. 

Emmanuel: My God with me (Matt. 1:22-23)

El-Channun:The Gracious God (Jonah 4:2)

El Hanne'eman: The Faithful God (Deut. 7:9)

El Roi: The God Who Sees Me (Gen. 16:13-14)

El ha-Gibbor:The Mighty God, God the Hero (Isa. 9:6)

El Shaddai:The All-Sufficient God (Gen. 17:1-2)

El Sali: God of My Strength (Ps. 42:9)

El Olam: The Everlasting God (Gen. 21:32–33)

El Elyon: The Most High God (Dan. 4:34)

Elohim: God, My Mighty Creator (Gen. 1:1)

Jehovah Jireh:The Lord Who Will Provide for Me (Gen. 22:13–14)

Jehovah Rapha: The Lord Who Heals Me (Exod. 15:26)

Jehovah Nissi: The Lord My Banner (Exod. 17:15–16)

Jehovah Shalom: The Lord My Peace (Judg. 6:24)

Yahweh Tsuri: The Lord My Rock (Ps. 144:1)

Jehovah Rohi:The Lord My Shepherd (Ps. 23:1)

Jehovah Shammah:The Lord Is There for Me (Ezek. 48:35)

Abba: My Father (Ps. 68:5–6)

Praying that you will seek God and find him. That he will be the one you run to in joy and heartache. That you would learn to trust him as each of these names is played out over your life tine. Praying that you would enjoy your time spent with God and know that there is nothing sweeter. 

Here's to getting to know God better than anyone you know. Here's to a renewed relationship with the creator of the universe. 

And a little printable, if you need a reminder of his awesomeness. Click to download an 8x10.