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C.A.L.M. Celebrate God's goodness. Ask God for help. Leave your concerns with Him. Meditate on good things. Listen to C.A.L.M. Podcast here Anxious for Nothing...Max Lucado

Patience may be one of the most revealing traits about us and our relationship with the Lord. In our readings this week, I was caught off guard by the connection between idol worship and patience. It seems like a stretch, but when you dig in you'll soon see that when our trust in God to answer our prayers begins to fail, our lack of patience leaves us to put stock in something else—someone else. Our impatience becomes a hindrance to all that God has for us when we doubt His intention for our lives. Patience is an essential component to our calling.  We can't do the things of God with the mind of God on a time table we created. Things of God are on eternity's calendar. We have to remember that just as God is working things out for us, He is working things out for the rest of those that love Him. He's transforming them as well. Patience partners with gentleness and humility (which we'll study later) to give us the endurance we need to dig down deep and bear w...

Thanksgiving  The American tradition of Thanksgiving dates back to 1621, when the pilgrims gave thanks for their first bountiful harvest in Plymouth Rock. The settlers had arrived in November 1620, founding the first permanent English settlement in the New England region. This first Thanksgiving was celebrated for three days, with the settlers feasting with the natives on dried fruits, boiled pumpkin, turkey, venison and much more. Thanksgiving didn't become a nationwide holiday until President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November a national day of Thanksgiving in 1863. Every year following, the President proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving. The holiday has evolved into what Americans now known as Thanksgiving. It is a day to gather with loved ones, celebrate, give thanks for many blessings and, of course, eat. The traditional American Thanksgiving meal includes, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, y...

Preparing for Battle After emphasizing the spiritual blessings we have in Christ, Paul reminds the church that God’s people must still fight battles in the spiritual realm, knowing that God has already promised the victory. But we need not fight in our own strength; we can put on the armor of God and fight in His strength. Every believer in Christ is called to battle, so Paul closes his letter to the Ephesians with a few final words about spiritual battles. Just as the Israelites once battled to take their rightful place in the Promised Land, so must God’s people engage in battle today. But the physical battles of the Old Testament are tangible examples of intangible truths in the New Testament. The battles we face today are of a spiritual nature. Forces of darkness are at work against us, attempting to discourage us and thwart our kingdom missions. But our God is greater. Christ has already defeated the enemy; we simply walk forward in faith, knowing the battle belo...

HAPPY VETERAN’S DAY - I forgot to press publish on this one. My brain went to sleep I guess. Veterans Day, a U.S. federal holiday, is a time to honor and thank those who are serving or have served in the military and are still with us. Note that Veterans Day which is a day to reflect and remember those who lost their lives in service to their country. On Veterans Day, think about how you can show a veteran extra appreciation. Attend a Veterans Day parade or event in your area. Ask a veteran about their service and really listen. Visit a VA hospital. Display the flag to salute our veterans! Thank not only a veteran be find a female veteran and thank her! Veteran’s Day Freebies! Click here Be Blessed and Be a Blessing

Love God - Love Others And Jesus replied to him, “You shall love the lord your god with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” The second is like it, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].” Matthew 22:37, 39 AMP Hum…Am I truly living out this command – are you? I ask myself who is my neighbor and do the see God’s Love in me? Do they see the Light of Jesus shining in me? Only with His help can I walk worthy. God took all the commands and laws and summarized them into two critical points: love God and love others. That’s because His love in us heals and transforms us— and His love through us heals and transforms the world around us. Imagine how much He has entrusted to us! We can’t help but share His perfect love and help others be made whole. What a gift! That’s why God wants us to keep growing in loving others well. Learning to love God first— and loving Him so completely tha...

Walking in Love When we go to God as the source of all life, we receive the Holy Spirit, who authenticates our life in Christ. In Ephesians Paul begins chapter 5 with a call to imitate God. But God does something amazing with our obedience to emulate Him. When we imitate God, we grow into spiritual maturity by the power of the Holy Spirit living inside us, and we become genuine followers of Christ. At the start of chapter 5, Paul says we are God’s beloved children, and as His children, we should be imitators of God. Being an imitator isn’t a bad thing, as long as we’re imitating something that’s good and pure and true. We’ll never go wrong when we follow in His likeness. That’s why we’re here; to love God and to love others. And the way we love God and others is to become more like Christ, which is evident in how we treat others, and to give Him all the glory for all that is good. Just as Christ demonstrated His love for us by giving Himself up for us, we also should love ...

Passionate Enthusiasm Your life in God is an adventure of faith— and the fuel to keep you going is your passion. Our passion is that unapologetic willingness and enthusiasm to do what God has called us to do. Enthusiasm comes from two Greek words: en, which means “in,” and theos, which means “God.” So if you are in God, you have enthusiasm. When you live from a place of passion, you take performing your work and living your life from a place of “have to” to a place of “get to.” You don’t do anything out of obligation, but out of excited gratitude. Passion will enable you to do what you never thought you could. Passion will enable you to keep going when you want to give up. Passion will help you to inspire everyone to come along on the journey with you. We are filled with the Holy Spirit of the living God; therefore, we ought to be the most passionate people on earth. So, when you feel your passion begin to wane, stand on God’s promise to us: “Even youths grow tired and weary, and ...

Well this is it for this series ! I hope you’ve enjoyed it and I want to personally thank you for stopping by my blog. Life certainly is a journey and I have truly enjoyed  #journaling on this #write31day journey with many talented writers and bloggers. We were created with many different gifts and talents.  God not only gives us a purpose, but He also gives us the gifts we need to fulfill our purpose. God gives us these gifts so we can give to others - share yours with the world!!! Click here  for the blog link to the series. Enjoy! Be Blessed and be a blessing! All Photographs in this post/blog series © Cheryl Howard unless otherwise indicated.

Unity Pray that God would help you live in a manner worthy of your calling. We are called to be children of the King and represent the Father to the world. Our conduct should match our calling because God controls the circumstances of our lives. The word worthy means “equal weight.” Paul lists three virtues of Christlike character: humility, gentleness, and patience. When we walk in humility, gentleness, and patience His peace binds us in unity. Some days it not easy to display these characteristics. “But God” – with His help and strength there’s nothing He can’t do. He will help us to live in the light of His truth. Our beliefs inform our behavior. In Ephesians 4:2, Paul lists behaviors that believers should embrace. Make a list of these actions and attitudes. How do they compare to the behaviors valued by today’s modern culture? Which of these characteristics do you particularly struggle with? May God give you the Spirit of wisdom & revelation so tha...

Self-control means to have full grip or control over oneself. Firm grasp over thoughts, attitude, reason, desires, ambitions, and longings. Our bodies have to serve the spirit and soul and not vice versa. So where does self-control come in ? Everywhere. It takes self-control to show true godly  love  instead of lust and infatuation—to love others not as the world loves, but as Christ loved us. “And walk in  love, as Christ  also has  loved  us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:2, emphasis added throughout). It takes self-control to have godly  joy  when we are facing a difficult situation in life. “Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8). It takes self-control to get along with others and make  peace  instead of constantly getting into conflict. “Blessed are the peacemakers” ...

God's Word is Eternal!

God meant for His children to succeed. God stated unapologetically in Joshua 1:8 that conditions exist under which “then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” (NASB) The only way we are going to impact the world and the next generation is to prove that our faith in Christ is real and that it works. The gap between our theology and our reality is so wide we’ve set ourselves up for ridicule. The sad part of it is that some of us are working pretty hard at something that is hardly working. Why do we spend so much time and energy on spiritual exercises with few effects while the rest of the world sleeps in on Sundays? Why are some of us getting up before dawn to have a quiet time with effects drained to the dregs by noon. Why are we running out of ink in our highlighters marking Scriptures that rarely jump off the page and onto the pavement? Why are we doing everything we can to convince others to do something that hasn’t worked terrifically ...

  “Moment” is defined in Dictionary.com as (1) an indefinitely short period of time; an instant – " I’ll be with you in a moment ." (2) the present time or any other particular time – “She’ll be with you in a moment,” and (3) a definite period or stage, as in course of events; juncture – “At this moment in history.” How do I want to spend my time? Some days seem to pass by more quickly than others. The choice is mine at to how I spend my time. What impact can I make on those around me? I was reading an article earlier today that stated whether we want to or not everything we do and say makes an impact on others. At this “moment” as you’re reading this I’m making an impact on you. The moment we speak, the way we engage with other people and through the things we post on social media – we make an impact on others. It’s my strong desire that you and I will be intentional about the choices we make to make a positive impact on those around us, those we encounter ...

Choices "It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."   - J.K. Rowling   You have a choice as to the street where you live. You choose not only your home but those who will live next door. Your choices affect your relationship with God and the outcome of everything you do.   Choices—we all make them every day. But in the end, they make us.   Choose to cultivate your inner person, and don’t sacrifice your character on this life’s road chasing success. Wisdom and folly both want to control our lives, and we have to make a choice which one will. Be blessed and be a blessing!

A Few of My Favorites Psalm 27:4-7 (NIV) 4  One thing I ask from the  Lord ,      this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the  Lord      all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the  Lord      and to seek him in his temple. 5  For in the day of trouble      he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent      and set me high upon a rock. 6  Then my head will be exalted      above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;      I will sing and make music to the  Lord . 7  Hear my voice when I call,  Lord ;      be merciful to me and answer me. See, I am doing a new thing!      Now it ...