Over the pass year, really going into the second year for some, alot of my friends have lost someone in their life VERY dear to them. From the loss of a parent, mother and/or father to the loss of a child, it's my hope that anyone walking through such would take this time as a time of growth. Through your healing can bring you such great measure about life...healing...spiritual growth...
Recently in an effort to help a friend who lost her father, I went to the local bookstore to search for grief books for her and I both. For me to help to know more about the process of grief, I've been there, I know what it's like first hand loosing my father when I was 20 years old, but I am not familiar with it from the other side.
One of my passions in life is to be there for others, meet them right where they are in their life, taking them by the hand as they walk through to the other side. Because we all know times come up and there is hope. We do get through things. As the hands and feet of Jesus, I want to be that friend thats there for them. Now I might not always know what that looks like or how to handle that but I know He will equip me each time.
So the book I came up with about grief is Grieving God's Way by Margaret Brownley. I usually try to go for something that my mind can understand, that I can relate to and that I can translate.
I encourage you that no matter what stage of grief your in take time for yourself to move forward each day and gain the full knowledge of grief for a true spiritual growth opportunity.... God calls us to grow right where we are, not when we get things in line or when we straighten ourselves up.
A life of spiritual growth is of a Christian life. Grow in the knowledge of God's word:
Colossians 1:10 so that you may live in a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in everyday: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
Mature: Ephesians 4:13 until we all reach unity in faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measures of the fullness of Christ.
Here's the link to Grieving God's Way on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Grieving-Gods-Way-Lasting-ebook/dp/B0078FABJU/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1383312575&sr=1-1&keywords=grieving+god%27s+way
It's also available on iTunes, print and also available in audio.
Raise your HAND
If you'd like to grow....
Grow Spiritually
A step towards SPIRITUAL GROWTH is keeping a prayer journal:
-don't over think it!
-include dates of entries
-include dates of entries
-include scripture that stood out to you, that speaks to your heart, your situation. This will increase your knowledge of God's word.
-record prayer request
-record answered prayers
-include friends & family request-pour your heart out, your thoughts, your frustrations, your happiness, sadness, joy
-don't feel guilty
-it may take days or a week to finish a page, write a little a day or a lot
-don't know what to write to get started, confess that. Start by stating you've come with an open heart not understanding just where to short journaling.
-use words ONLY
-bullet list
-use color...pens, pencils, crayon, markers
-look on Pinterest-"inspiration for prayer journaling" "prayer journal"
-use pictures
-use words, color, pictures together
-combo
-mix media
-be FREE-hear encouraging words write them down
-focus in on key words of your prayer, your concerns, note verses by that key word. Google the key word for verses ( ex. joy bible verse ) but then read them in your Bible, journal verse from the actual Bible. (openbible.com is good to find verse on by word)
-expect God to speak to you
-journaling, getting in God's word is like recharging your soul, like recharging your cell phone
-it's not an artsy thing
-write what you hear in you quiet time
-writing in your journal helps your mind stay on track when praying
-helps you become closer to God
-more discipled in your prayer life
-increases your faith
-between you & God only
-no organization, God wants your heart
-tell God how you feel about Him
-what you need
-ask Him to show you areas He needs to deal with in changing you, changing your heart…growing you!
-George Washington, first president of the U.S. kept a journal even at the young age of 20
-take notes during a sermon, paste them in your journal
-a journal reflects your walk with God
-most important is it's written from the heart
-a place you can be real with God, confess your weaknesses and sins, draw close to you're Heavenly Father
-take time to dream and receive God's infinite love
-it can also be a place to "be still" before your maker and reflect, reflect on your life
-prayer journal is about both our relationship with God and our needs, also the needs of others
-transforms you in your daily life with God
-renewal what you're learning, Bible Study, verses, lesson
-listening, turn to scripture and listen when no one else can help
-learn to hear God's voice
The forgotten dream
Forgot to share my dream with y'all from not last night
but the night before! Are you ready...!?!?!?!
I dreamed a raccoon got in my house!
See, I love birds. Like bird feeders in my yard.
I know, I know it's a true sign I am aging but just last year
I filled both bird feeders up with the special feed
I get at Lowes that squirrels don't like.
And raccoons came and ate out of both feeds.
How do I know this because my dog told me.
Her's smart like that...
She chased one off the feeder one night.
He scooted fast under our fence. Wipe the forehead on that one.
She was safe and so was he...
So back to the dream!
What did I do when I realized he was in my house?!
Well I, in my dream, got up to go to the bathroom and saw him in my house.
So I screamed for the hubby to get up....that's all I remember!
Pick Me
Okay,
so most of you know
#iheartmail #iheartart !!!
#iheartmail #iheartart !!!
Especially, if you've taken
my online art class
you've seen
my love
for
mail!
Artist Roben-Marie Smith
is hosting an
online art class,
You've Got Mail...Art!,
starting June 15.
She is currently giving
away three spots
to her class!
I so would love one!
So I am hoping Roben-Marie
sees this blog post, it's
one of the ways
to enter in a chance
to win.
I wish you all the luck Roben...
to see more about her
online class
click the link
below
Listen to the words...
Do you ever truly
sit listening to the words
of a song or do you go just
for the sound, the beat!?
I'd say I do both from time to time.
When I listen to the words,
I strongly hold on to them.
It might be a few words,
the chorus or a mix of words
through out that I might
compile in my own
way!
sit listening to the words
of a song or do you go just
for the sound, the beat!?
I'd say I do both from time to time.
When I listen to the words,
I strongly hold on to them.
It might be a few words,
the chorus or a mix of words
through out that I might
compile in my own
way!
Today while cleaning (serving)
my daughters
my daughters
book case out
(she's on a mission trip,
chi alpha), I turned
(she's on a mission trip,
chi alpha), I turned
her radio on and
listened to klove.
Christian music artist
Meredith Andrews
was a guest
on the air today.
So of course
they played
her songs. The one that
stuck out to me was
"Pieces"
I didn't know the
name of the song
at the time.
The words that stuck
out were, don't hide
who you are.
So I googled
those words with
Meredith's name.
"Pieces"
came up.
So rather than
sharing a video with
the music and all
I thought I'd
share the
words
with
you.
See what
grabs at your
eyes...
Pieces by Meredith Andrews
Verse:- 1
It's a complex puzzle you call your life
It's an uphill climb, it's a constant fight
And it wears you down
Feeling like you're alone, like you don't belong
And you won't be loved if you don't measure up
And you wear your scars
Like they're who you are
[Chorus]
Give Him your wounds, your bruised and broken pieces
All your questions, all your secrets
You don't have to hide who you are
You belong to someone greater
Than all your past mistakes and failures
Rested who He is
He knows how to make your pieces fit
Verse:- 2
He's the light on the road when you're lost in the dark
And He won't run away if you show your heart
Wants you to believe it
You can taste that freedom
[Chorus]
When you give Him your wounds, your bruised and broken pieces
All your questions, all your secrets
You don't have to hide who you are
You belong to someone greater
Than all your past mistakes and failures
Rested who He is
He knows how to make your pieces fit
Bridge:-
You are completely known
You are completely loved
This is where you belong
[Chorus]
Give Him your wounds, your bruised and broken pieces
All your questions, all your secrets
You don't have to hide who you are
You belong to someone greater
Than all your past mistakes and failures
Rested who He is
He knows how to make your pieces fit
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