Be renewed!

You may feel pushed down, you may feel unseen, you may feel unknown, the enemy wants you to stop believing in the goodness of God. Praise is the best remedy for a weary soul!

Psalm 112:1-10 NLT Praise the LORD! How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands. [2] Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. [3] They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will last forever. [4] Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. [5] Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. [6] Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. [7] They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. [8] They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. [9] They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. [10] The wicked will see this and be infuriated. They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.

If we fix our eyes on the world we can feel the oppressive, dark, chaotic presence of evil. The multiple reports of spontaneous fighting, shootings, and strife can make us feel like giving up. Add to this world focused mindset and having children can bring us fear, unrest, worry and more. Our minds can effect our lives for despair or hope. Our kids can learn resilience in Jesus or to get stuck in a mind of death and despair. We have to reflect Jesus!!

Fix your eyes and hearts, minds, and souls on Jesus! There is no other place where we can gain His Presence and His peace for a new day! Something has to break, break the strongholds of depression, addiction, past hurts and renew your mind in Him!

Romans 12:1-2 NLT
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. [2] Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Let Basking in His Presence become a daily action. I have heard it said doing an action for 20-30 days, makes a habit become a lifestyle change. Consider making a contract with your kids, or accountability buddy (a family member or friend).

For the benefit of your life and those you love, family and friends, take the time to listen to His people praise in storms, Christian worship calms me and resets my mind on Him. Open the great book, the Bible, ask him to open your eyes to new beginnings! Give your worries to Him!

Nothing else+ The Heart of Worship, by Kari Jobe and Worship together, is beautifully reflected of the need to rely on no one else but Jesus!

Make a change today, Renew your mind in Jesus and His plans, be transformed as He fills you with truth, hope and a new perspective. Your kids, family and friends will watch your walk with Your best friend, Jesus! Others can be transformed to the best path with Him! He brings us a new confidence and strength even for the unknown future. Walking with Him is better than walking alone, He will never leave you.

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Exposure hurts but leads to new life

Exposure to the Light and truth can be painful especially when we watch injustice abound. Those who know how to hide their sin can seem to get away with things. I have to be reminded that God sees all things.

Watching someone you love still stand for truth, boldly speaking for the underdog, is an interesting perspective. No one wants to witness conflict but standing on the Rock even when we may be faulted for our imperfect witness as a Christian is a growing opportunity. We can use every misspoken word or action to learn self control, be a better witness and speak truth in the future. We are still works in progress. God sees our heart, our perfection is complete in Him alone.

Philippians 1:6 says and I paraphrase, “He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion”. Aren’t you humbled to think he takes our imperfections and wants to guide us to completion in Him?

Faith grows in the midst of trial. Romans 5:6-9, reminds me hope builds endurance, and He will strengthen us. I want those I love to learn resilience and deepen their tenacity seeking Jesus first, and remembering He loves them, sees their efforts and will continue to mold them into who He knows they can be. So regardless the voices that surround, as a parent, or in life, I must intercessary pray and trust God for their journey.

Proverbs 10:9,12,18-22 NLT
People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed. [12] Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.

18] Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool. [19] Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.

20] The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless. [21] The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. [22] The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

Don’t be stuck in fear or feel unprepared, spend time meditating on God and His Word, He will equip you for the journey. He is for you not against you.

Spirit move by Bethel Music and Kalley Heiligenthal

I love this song, Spirit move, it’s lyrics remind you we can have a life transformed by the goodness of God. Today, submit to His authority, call on Jesus, repent and move with the Holy Spirit!

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Times ticking

Our impact with our children sharing life experiences; the mistakes and the successes, have a small window of impact as an intentional parent. We must share an absolute truth: our identity must be in Christ alone.

Before we know it, the eye rolls start, the convenient ignoring of our communication or even the disrespectful, angry outbursts of contempt can replace a cooperative, loving relationship.

Unfortunately, way to soon the world influences and culture will attempt to taint the best emotionally sound perspective that includes wisdom from God.

Our voices will seem drowned out by the media, music, our kids peers, social media and many other forces. What a scary thought! Our time is running out.

“There are 936 weeks of time with your kids until they are independent. What are you doing with each week?”, a podcast quote from Doug Fields regarding “Intentional parenting”.

Mr. Fields also shared 5 Cs of parenting: confidence, character, conviction, Acts of service, and competence.

This begs the question for me and for you, what are you doing with the weeks you are blessed to parent your treasured children?

My second question, how am I responding to my relationship with Jesus, my Father God and being open to an amazing walk with Him?

Brandon Lake shared a song, “Just Like Heaven”, it really touched my soul as I listened intentionally to the lyrics. Here’s a sample: Doesn’t it sound like Heaven
When You’re singing over me
There’s not a voice more constant
Your melodies, they never cease
Here I will stand in Your presence
In my true identity
Doesn’t it sound like, yeah, it sounds like
Just like Heaven

What if we treasured our children as much as God treasures us, His kids. To think He sings over us ( Zephaniah 3:17). Our true identity is found in Him.

So don’t waste another day, make the changes necessary for treasuring your kids, there’s only around 936 weeks from their birth to 18 so realize we can make a difference.

Proverbs 22:6 AMP
Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

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At the Cross

On the night before Easter, I meditate on the love of Jesus. I owe it all to You, Jesus. He is the Savior of the World. Praise Him for this love that can not be denied. He loves you!!!!!

“At the Cross”, is a song by Chris Tomlin, and has been a favorite praise and worship song since 2014. He took on all our sins, bore our inequities, and loved us that much. I hope it fills your mind, heart, and soul with the Presence of God.

Matthew 28:16-20 ¹⁶Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!

¹⁸Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,^[b] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Where’s your hope?

We are His chosen. He looks down at His children with understanding and we are created in His image. How the Father wants our connection!

Psalm 33:12-22 NLT
What joy for the nation whose God is the LORD, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance. [13] The LORD looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. [14] From his throne he observes all who live on the earth. [15] He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do.

How many times have you counted on your own strength and lost? Whether it is haywire emotions or a spiritual time of isolation, we can feel drained of all energy, hope and contentment. I used to ponder ‘ is God still with me?’ Then I realized, it’s at these times of exhaustion and perhaps aloneness, I can best hear the message of my Savior. It isn’t a time of punishment but a time to seek to be refreshed by the Living Water that saves and has the best future in store.

15b We can’t count on our strength. We can’t succeed without Him. He wants to guide us to His purpose. We must have reverent awe. Fear with respect for God is understanding. He is our Father.

Fear with respect for God is understanding. This is not meant to cause PTSD, it is meant to bring us to Him in awe, fear with courage attached as we honor and respect our Creator who loves us and knows us individually.

16] The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. [17] Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory- for all its strength, it cannot save you. [18] But the LORD watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love.

Our rescue is in Him alone. We must rely on His unfailing love. He is our commander Our Father is our only hope. He is with us in the battle.

19] He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine.

He is our help and our shield! Our barrier to the evils of life that want to tear down our defenses. The distractions of other idols vey for our heart, mind, and soul to slowly erode our strong tower of defense. We must let God provide His barrier of protection. The Armor of God is full body and mind protection.

20] We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield. [21] In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

We can rejoice and trust in His Holy Name! He is worthy of our love and our hand must be in His! He knows the future.

22] Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone.

Choose today, who you will serve: the Holy One, Jesus or your own or another humans’ foolish plan.

Today, I am ending this post with the first part of Psalm 33 positioned last. These words from scripture are a great reminder in our world, trust in Him alone!

Psalm 33:1-11 NLT
Let the godly sing for joy to the LORD; it is fitting for the pure to praise him. [2] Praise the LORD with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on the ten-stringed harp. [3] Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy. [4] For the word of the LORD holds true, and we can trust everything he does. [5] He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the LORD fills the earth. [6] The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. [7] He assigned the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. [8] Let the whole world fear the LORD, and let everyone stand in awe of him. [9] For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command. [10] The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. [11] But the LORD’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.

Stand in awe, when He spoke the world began! His intentions can not be shaken.

Inspiring Guest Post: Your Mess Can Become Your Message

There’s a testimony waiting to come out of your story. I made a mess of things, but God knew what message was coming from it. I remember being pregnant out of wedlock, focusing on my mistakes and the mess I had made. I remember the pain and disappointment. I remember thinking that my child was a mistake that I had made. I remember the feeling of being a single mother with a child whose father was nowhere in the picture. I remember someone calling my baby a bastard as I held her. I remember the look of embarrassment and shame. I remember the fear and the pain.

But I also remember God sending a stranger to remind me that my child was a blessing from God and wasn’t a mistake. She looked and saw the pain I was carrying and helped me to see my situation, my baby, through the eyes of God. At that moment, God sent a messenger to remind me that He still had a plan for my life and my child’s life. There was purpose coming out of my pain.

When I laid my mess at the feet of Christ, He cleaned it up and reminded me that there’s no failure in Christ because He makes all things new.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
~ 2 Corinthians 12:9

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
~ Romans 8:1

He knew what you would be tempted with, the failures, the setbacks, but He also knew what was deep inside you waiting to be released at the appointed time.

Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
~ Genesis 18:14

“For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.”
~ Habakkuk 2:3

We go through the valleys to climb to get to the hills. Look to the hills from whence cometh our help; our help cometh from the Lord. God has mountaintops ready for you, but you must be willing to push through the storms of life to get there. On this journey, you will have storms that arise. The word says, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

When Christ died on the cross, He gave you victory over all circumstances because He rose over it all: sickness, pain, grief, trials, lies, fears, and shame. Whatever you are going through, remember there’s glory coming out of it. There’s glory in your story.
By Iris Pelton-Hamlett

“Reflections on Inspiring Light through the Cracks”, my first book is available on Amazon.

It has been a dream of mine to share my writings in a published book with others and share what led me to Jesus! I have been blogging for a few years and as I have accumulated my written blog posts, I have felt growth in my walk with Jesus and His people. I have had trials, joys, challenges, health issues, and heartbroken moments and I have learned more and more about the importance of walking with Jesus. I hope to inspire other people to seek Him for all wisdom and guidance. We are all His beautiful people, created in Christ for a mighty purpose.

This book can be accessed through Amazon. Consider a gift purchase of an ebook on Kindle for your reader family and friends or a paperback option. Many of my own friends do not have a WordPress account. If you purchase the e-book, it is amazing: the digital copy has links to the songs I have used to tell stories in many of my posts. If you feel prompted to buy, thank you so much! If you feel prompted to leave a review on Amazon, thank you. Share the link below with friends.

Regardless, You are a child of God and He wants to know you personally, we must reach out to Him. God bless you! Mary

I am crazy

Call me crazy! However, the more I walk this planet, the more I see some pretty unbelievable circumstances. How about you? Do you feel a little crazy?

The foundation of truth found on the Rock of Ages, the Father, theCreator of heaven and earth is unshakeable. God never changes! His Word is alive and cuts through the bone and marrow. ( Hebrews 4:12)

Hebrews 4:12-13 MSG
God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. We can't get away from it-no matter what.

Hebrews 4:12 NLT
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Find out for yourself what truth is as you personally dig deep into the Bible. Then you will understand the crazy people! I am one of them and glad to be in amazing company.

Crazy People, a song by Casting Crowns, is so well written. It is fun loving and yet serious about who some of us crazy people follow. Enjoy this song! And join the circus led by the Amazing RingMaster, Jesus, who loves you!

Crazy People by Casting Crowns

Crazy in love with Jesus is amazing!

Who’s stirring the pot?

The pot is boiling, who is stirring the pot? Things are heating up. It’s time to step up to the stove.

2 Timothy 1:14 AMP
Guard [with greatest care] and keep unchanged, the treasure [that precious truth] which has been entrusted to you [that is, the good news about salvation through personal faith in Christ Jesus], through [the help of] the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

The treasure of the good news about salvation through Jesus Christ alone is a gift to share not hold onto ourselves.

The gift effects the mind, body and spirit for eternity. It is more priceless than gold or any currency. It is more life changing than the most pampered spa visit. It leaves you refreshed from head to toe.

The peace that surpasses understanding can not be attained without Jesus. No power of hell nor scheme of man can pluck us from the hand of God.

Picture this: A huge black or red copper pot is filled with water, boiling at high temperature, the cook is placing one mistake after another into the pot. He stirs the water and contents with a huge slotted spoon. A creepy laugh escapes his lips, as a smile curls on his face. If the enemy can get those created in the image of God, all of us, to turn from the gift of relationship with Jesus, then the enemy wins our souls and we die.

This is the attempt of Satan, to steal kill, or destroy each of us, created in the Image of God. He knows each weakness, the enemy knows our places of regret, shame and guilt.

On the other hand, if with every attempt to drop our sins in this pot, we repent and ask Jesus to forgive and save us from this death, the pot of boiling water can’t overflow. We can seek Jesus for life changing futures. We will be saved to new life, our destiny is not written in the boiling water but in the One who created us for a purpose. We will have peace that surpasses understanding and if in trial we will no longer walk alone.

The healing balm of anointing oil from our Savior Jesus is just a repentance away! Be renewed in mind, body and soul. Jesus is Savior, Wonderful Counselor. Prince of Peace, King of Kings.

We may need to repent and turn from past mistakes and sin. Even in our past lives, we can learn and comfort others with the wisdom we gain in relationship and salvation in Christ. That is the key, our lives can be a story that draw others to Him.

So, if you know Jesus as Lord of your life, now is the time to share the gift with others. Don’t be afraid, someone likely prayed for you to meet Him. Ask God to bring the boldness of David against the giants in this world. He will prepare you with His Words in this hurting world. He needs your witness to those lives you intersect, we must answer the call to love like Jesus.

Psalm 32:8 NLT
The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.

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Count your blessings

When our lives or those we love are challenged with a huge obstacle, it could be health or painful circumstances, we must live in gratitude. God is always good! He will walk through you the challenge. He is just a prayer request away. He is always open.

Besides prayer, worship Him in challenging times. It brings joy over sorrow. It helps refocus your mind on the stability of His goodness.

Psalm 100:2-5 NLT Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. [3] Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. [4] Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. [5] For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Count your blessings! Embrace the journey perhaps with new exercises. Today, start a new tradition of listing 10 blessings in your journal. Gratitude changes a poor attitude. It brings insight into all the good things often overlooked as we walk through our day.

Our mind has the ability to set the course for our day, our career, and our future. The battle for God‘s purpose for our lives and potential is found first in the mind.

Romans 12:1-2 NLT And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. [2] Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Acknowledge Him! Walk with Him! You will never be alone.

Glory to God, He is the gift giver!