I love the idea of flourishing and seeing fruitfulness in every area of my life. Don’t you? Flourishing sounds like productive growth. Sadly, that is not always my reality. Some days, I don’t flourish at all or see any fruit in my life. Somedays, I feel dried up and lifeless in my purpose, pursuits and passions. However, on the days when I do reap a harvest from my labor and endeavors, it’s ...
Continue ReadingSetting a Place at the Table for Mercy
“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful."Luke 6:36 Mercy me! Has every ounce of common, every day courtesy, decency and mercy gone out with the wind? Could the growing lack of empathy and sympathy for others in our society be the cause of so many discouraged, disheartened or heartless responses to today’s realities? Can we all see the exasperating struggles that hatred, ...
Continue ReadingCombining a Housekeeping Day with Purposeful Praying
“Pray without ceasing.”1 Thessalonians 5:17 I just found myself with a home needing housekeeping and my heart needing purposeful praying. That’s when it came to me. A good solution might be to combine both needs this week. I know we’re instructed in Scripture to “Pray without ceasing.” and I try to pray often each day. However, with all that is going on around the world, at home and abroad, I’m ...
Continue ReadingDelighting Myself In, Committing My Way To, and Trusting in the Lord This New Year
“Delight thyself also in the Lord:and he shall give thee the desires of thine heartCommit thy way unto the Lord;trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”Psalm 37:4-5 Now I know. Now I see why God didn’t lead me to pursue fresh plans or follow my dreams and desires last year. He knew what I didn’t. He knew what was beyond the horizon. He knew I would be needed in other ways than my ...
Continue ReadingFocusing on the Horizon of New Opportunities
Well, I wanted to start this year off with a renewed and reinvigorated focus. Instead, I’ve found myself at an unexpected cross-road, ankle deep in thought and staring at a vast, blank horizon. It’s puzzled me that I haven’t been able to see the path ahead. I’ve prayed, searched Scripture, pondered, and asked God to show me. Ironically, He prodded me with this thought, “Beth Rayann, you’ve ...
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