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Hope: Shameless and Worth Fighting For

Romans 5:5  “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. “

Are you hopeful or typically feeling hopeless? 

As you develop a deeper relationship with the Lord it is easier to trust and find hope. The more you connect and feel his love the more you will fill your soul with hope.

Shameless hope is something that in the recent years has left me in awe and wonder. Even in the messy moments when everything is going wrong I’m still able to find hope and press on. I just have to pause a little more to stay connected to the Lord.

For me right now I’m in a never ending busy season surrounded by chaos for 45-50hrs a week. I can’t hardly get past 10 am and my brain feels like mush and it’s near impossible to focus. I pause multiple times a day to just sit still and let the chaos pass through me. I take a deep breath, exhale the chaos out, and focus on one important thing that will positively impact the people around me.

I’ve worried about having enough time for the garden this year.  Fought a lack of motivation to garden plan and start seeds. Worried that I won’t get to vacation with my family in Oct. The list of struggles goes on.

But then I pause. I remind myself so much is out of my control. I remind the Lord of my dreams and acknowledge that he is in control and will work it all out for my good. That is my hope without shame.

I feel like we are all in a season of hard right now in our own ways.  Be hopeful and trust in the Lord.

My prayer for you is to rise up to God’s calling; Isaiah 43:18-19

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Calling: Are You Where You’re Supposed to Be?

Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

What’s your calling? Do you regularly sit quietly in the word connecting with the Lord and realigning your soul with his calling for your life?

I’ve learned in the past year that you can dream big & accomplish anything with the Lord when you are connected and focused on the work he has planned for you.  I’ve also experienced endurance and rest during challenging times when I routinely stop to pray and find contentment in the hard moments. That’s how I’ve known I’m doing the right things.

I’ve also learned that you can waste a lot of life drowning in the mundane when you are not aligned with the Lord. Just because something sounds fun or easy doesn’t mean that’s the best plan. Often you’ll find yourself burnt out, checked out, and just barely surviving.

So what is your calling in 2025 and are you aligned with the Lord ready to do his handiwork?

My prayer for you is to rise up to God’s calling; Isaiah 43:18-19

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Rise Up: Are You Sleeping in This Season?

Ephiesians 5:14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Have you been sleeping? Do you need a nudge to wake and rise up?

This time of year when it’s cold and the night is longer than the light it is easy to feel sleepy. To sit and rest too long in unhealthy ways.  I for one struggle to stay active and pursue my goals this time of year.

However, this is the best time to Wake Up! To ponder, dream, and rise up to action. It’s also a great time to be light for others.

For me I’m busy with filling the freezer.  Planning the garden and starting some seeds. Struggling to balance work and my health goals. Finding contentment and strength for where I am at and faithfully putting my hopes and confidence in future impossible dreams. Most importantly I’m taking each step and day at a time. Trusting that the Lord is with me every step and that his path is the right way for me.

So what are you feeling called to rise up to this season?

Have you started a daily habit of spending time in the word?

What are your 2025 goals and do you have sight on the actions required to reach those goals?

My prayer for you is to Rise Up to God’s calling ❤  Isaiah 43:18-19

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Handiwork: Made for More

Ephesians 2:10 NIV “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Its easy to go through life just going through the motions and not pausing to ponder the purpose. To get caught up in the daily grind or the social media black hole to miss what God has for us.

I can tell you that the simple act of sitting quietly in the word daily is life changing! It gives life meaning and life becomes an adventure. You’ll find incouragement as you grow and purpose as you are moved to do good works aligned with the Lord’s plan for you.

I challenge you this year to make a daily habit of quiet time in the word. Start small with the first 5-10 min of your day.  You’ll start to align with the Lord and find joy, peace, and purpose unlike what you have ever experienced before you new habit!

My prayer for you is to rise up to God’s calling; Isaiah 43:19

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Wake Up! Find Your Calling & Elevate Your Life

Revelation 3:2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.

Have you fallen asleep mindlessly scrolling through social media or constantly buying the latest and greatest things you think you need?

Stop letting life pass you by. In 2025 I challenge you to wake up! Open your heart up to the Lord and sit in stillness waiting for the Holy Spirit to move and guide you. This time of year with the lifeless chill of winter is the best time to quiet your mind and refocus. What is God calling you to do and are you giving it your all to follow?

I know that for me this time of year its easy to get trapped in the mind-numbing scroll of social media. At the end of the week I’m left wondering where the time went and a mile long to-do list. Since December I’ve been diligently making time to goal plan for 2025. I’ve even gone to the extent to create a vision board so I can clearly see my dreams as though they’ve already happened. Here are just a few pictured below.

You blinked and 2025 is here. If you are not careful you’ll blink again and it will be 2026. Don’t let life keep passing you by! Commit to waking up, connect and dream with the Lord, set a clear vision with goals you review and action often.

Your 2026 self will thank you for living your best year!

My prayer for you is to rise up to God’s calling❤️

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Foggy: An Unclear Path or Stepping Out in Faith?

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

What are you hoping for in 2025? Do you have faith to believe God can turn your hopes into reality? How will you walk when the path is foggy and unclear?

I’ve been putting a lot of thought into what I want in 2025. What I want to focus on and dreams I want to turn into reality. But as I’ve dreamed and with my current (corporate) work circumstances I’ve often found myself questioning where I’m at and if this is really where I’m supposed to be. Have I taken a wrong turn?!! Why would God have me work the past 18 years for such a God-less and valueless company?!

I’ve also been running short on sunrise pictures. It’s been nearly a solid month since I’ve seen one that stirs my soul. Sunrises always energize me as I look in wonder and soak in God’s greatness. To not catch a good sunrise for so long becomes energy draining to me.

As I was reflecting on, and honestly a bit irritated with another foggy morning blocking my sunrise view I suddenly realized that’s exactly what God wants me to see! It’s a reminder that quite often the path before us will be unclear and hard for us to see purpose. It’s in those moments that we need to have faith in what we cannot see and trust God! I know with confidence that behind the fog there is a beautiful sunrise every morning. In the same way God is working for my good while I confidently walk through the unknown. The fog also gives me the perfect opportunity to stand out and be a light to others to help navigating the fog.

So again I ask, how will you walk in 2025 when the path is foggy and unclear?

My prayer for you is to rise up to God’s calling; Isaiah 43:19