Walking… Moving in Fatih…

walking moving in fatihA New day.. A New beginning.

New opportunities and new stories to unfold!

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for another bright and new sunshiny day…How exciting it is to know that my life has purpose.

As I come before You and lay down my agenda, how I pray I would sense Your freedom and grace.. I want to live this day confident of Your presence, fully aware that my days are numbered and my life can make a difference in this world….

Open my eyes, Heavenly Father,  that I would be aware of the opportunities You have given me to love, encourage and spread hope…

Refresh my heart, Oh Lord, fill me with Your goodness… Draw me close to You that I would walk in Your peace…

May my life be a sweet fragrance to those who are near to me.

I love You so so much…

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him..”

Philippians 2:13

Oh, Lord, take my eyes off of me, and put them on You..

Live in love,

Lisa

Shifting Shadows…

shifting shadowsI woke up to these words this morning, and they filled my heart with such beauty and hope..

“May I always be filled with the fruit of Your righteousness, those good things that are produced in your life-by Jesus Christ.. for this will bring much glory and praise to God..”

Philippians 1:11

Oh, Dear Lord,  Good morning.  Thank You so much for this new day..

As I come into the beauty of Your presence, may my heart be washed away from anything dirty or staining.. May Your love cleanse and fill me with Your peace.

Your righteousness.. which is the good you have filled me with gives me the comfort and peace I need to live a live of love and I so thank You for that…

May my life bring you glory and much praise as I lay down my agenda and hold tightly your hand.

I seek Your guidance and wisdom for my day..

I just want to be close to You in all that I do.

Thank You that I just have to be me..

I love You so much Jesus…

In Your name I pray,

Amen

“Be to me a protecting rock of safety where I am always welcome.. for You are my rock and my fortress..”

Psalm 71:3

“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of Heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows..”

James 1:16-17

Thank You God Your goodness…

Live in Love,

Lisa

Refreshed by His Grace…

refreshed by his grace“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?”

These 13 words make my life so, so much clearer…

When faced with issues of the heart, God is our judge….

Not man..

When given the opportunity to love I pray I would love.  When given the opportunity to forgive I pray I would forgive.. When given the opportunity to see the good in others…

I pray I would see the good..

Father, I love you.  I so pray that when You look at me, You see a reflection of all that You have done for me flowing in my life and being poured lavishly out to the people You have drawn in my world..

No bitterness.  No judgment… lots of grace

May Your light shine bright in the darkness, that other’s would see Your heart of beauty through my life.  May they feel refreshed by Your goodness and grace. .because I choose to please You…

Forgive me, Jesus, when I fail.  Cleanse my heart, that I will know that You are near..

May you look at me and say…

” This is my daughter, and I am so proud of You…”

Thank You for this beautiful day, and thank you for all the new opportunities to love others…

In Jesus Name,

Amen

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of Your mind..”

Romans 12:2

“May God give you peace, dear friends, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ..”

Ephesians 61:23

Live in Love,

Lisa

People Matter…

people matterI was so reminded this morning, just how much kindness matters..

People matter.

My husband and I had an appointment this morning to get blood drawn.  But it turned out to be much more different than we thought.. I just got finished writing them a letter…

Here is my letter…

“Hi!  Good Morning.

My Name is Lisa…. @ approximately 6:30 this am we checked in today, Thursday, 9/26/13. My husband needed to have blood work drawn, so we choose this office. It’s  scary when you are worried about your health.

The two women working behind the counter were busy, and in an intimate conversation about their families and relatives and something about their bad relationships… There wasn’t a “Good Morning”  “Hi” nothing like that… just a very stern “Sign in”.

The girls didn’t even look up..   In my heart, I was thinking… this just feels bad.

It just kept getting worse as people were coming in the door.  “Sign here”.  “Give me your urine sample” .. ect.. Never a please or thank you or even a smile.

When she yelled for my husband, and told her to give her his paperwork, I walked over to the girl, behind the counter,  and gently mentioned to her that kindness matters… people matter, and we had a small conversation where other patients were nodding in agreement…I told her that please, and thank you go along way.  People matter.

An older gentleman, Alex, was hard of hearing so instead of maybe walking over to him, she just yelled louder at him.. embarrassed him.  It was sad.  He’s an older gentleman couldn’t he have been treated with respect.. My heart hurt for him.

Maybe she could have gone over to him and talked with him instead of yell from behind the counter… It’s an awful feeling sitting there waiting your turn, hoping they will not embarrass you too..

Please understand I am not trying to be mean, nor am I speaking from an angry heart.  Just a heart that says… kindness matters.  People matter.  And please and thank you go a super long way.

Life is hard.  Your lab could make it easier for people if people felt like they mattered…

Kindness changes things..

Thanks for listening..

Lisa”

Dear Heavenly Father, I love You.

As I come before You this morning, I want to pray for the two girls working behind the counter.. How I pray their hearts would be softened, and they would be encouraged that it’s okay to be nice.  To care about others… Whatever their struggles I pray for peace… and if they don’t know You love them, and have a plan for them, how I pray they would come to know You..

 I know that they were upset at me for calling them out..it was hard for me too… I pray they saw love in my eyes, and goodness in my voice… My heart was just so heavy for the elderly patients  that were going to be “yelled” at next..

And, Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times I too have treated others with the same disrespect.

Love changes things…

May your hope be poured into our lives. .May we all be reminded that life is hard, and if we can ease someone else’s day with just a smile, or a please and thank you, we would generously do so..

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for this morning…

Thank you for the opportunity to love others, and shine of Your goodness.

I pray hearts would be changed..

I love You,

In Jesus Holy and Precious Name,

Amen

“Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words would be an encouragement to those who hear them..”

Ephesians 4:29b

Thank you God for your great forgiveness..

Live in Love,

Lisa

No Greater Love…

No greater moments can we have than reaching for our saviors hand.
In daily living or distress…
 
our eyes fixed on Jesus and His blessedness.
 
He at our side; or carrying us through, His word comes alive…
“I will never leave you.
 
Fear not my precious child He whispers….’I love you and have you by your hand’.
 
I Love you,
 
(Written by Marylou Ribaudo)
 
Mary Lou is my Beautiful Mom!
 

Shinning Star..

shinning starLove changes things..

Your heart shines bright in this world full of anger; darkness and fear..

You are a shinning star..

People so need hope.  Goodness. Kindness…

“For You were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, live as children of the light (for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord and have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of the darkness..”

Ephesians 5:8

How beautiful it is, Heavenly Father, to know that I shine of Your love and goodness..

I so want to please You with all of my heart, that others would see Your beauty, goodness and grace..

Help to keep me away from the dark things that easily want to pull me into the shadows.. I pray you would fill me with the desire to stay in the light.. and when I can’t seem to help my own self.. How I pray your protection, mercy and grace pulling my heart and soul into Your waiting and loving arms…

Knowing and believing that darkness in the end only offers me sadness..

How I love the warmth of Your light.. It’s my heart’s desire…

I give You, Oh, Lord, this new day praying that I would make a difference in this world.  That people who are searching for love, hope and kindness would cross my path and I would be able to be used by You to love them…

Your love is the best…

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

Under God’s direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love..”

Ephesians 4:16

Live a Life of Love,

Lisa

 

I Surrender…

surrender” When doubts filled my mind, Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer..”

Psalm 94:19

Doubt can create so much havoc in my mind!

If you are struggling with a decision, or maybe you have worries and fears that invade your mind and make it hard to see past your own nose..

God’s comfort is my first step..

” I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look to Him are radiant their faces are never covered with shame.”

Psalm 34:4

When you seek God’s heart in Your fears, struggles and doubts, He will fill you with His comfort, and renew your heart with hope and cheer..

Prayer is not about getting what we want, or focusing on our circumstance, but instead it’s about laying down our will and desires and letting God’s word of comfort penetrate our hearts and minds.. then we will be able to see what is good, right and pleasing to Him…

Dear Heavenly Father, as I come before Your gates this morning, how thankful I am that I do not have to do life alone..

That You see deep within my heart, know my weakness and want the best for me makes my heart sing, and I am so very thankful..

Dear Lord, as I lay down my worries and fears, I pray You would help me, may Your will be done in my heart and mind, and please give me the strength and courage to trust You will all of my heart.. Open my eyes to what is real. I want my life to be pleasing and beautiful to You and You alone.

 I will not be afraid because Your righteous right hand is with me..

Oh, Lord, fill my day with hope, beauty and love.. May I surrender my heart to You that I would not live a self-centered life, but instead a life of loving others as myself..

I love you so much..

In Jesus Name,

Amen..

“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praise worthy think about such things.”

Philippians 4:8

“So do not fear, for I am with you.  Do not be dismayed for I am Your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand..”

Isaiah 41:10

Live a Life of Love,

(Eph 4:31-32 & 5:1-2)

Lisa

Radiate Sunshine..

you light up my life“You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.  You, Oh Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light..”

Psalm 18:38

Such beautiful words of hope and healing…

Dear Heavenly Father, how beautiful You are.  You save the humble, you see our hearts and You pierce us with Your great love… Thank You for that. Thank You that when my actions don’t match my heart.. You touch me with Your amazing grace just enough to remind me that You are near.. You are humble, and gentle.. and that gives me the strength to surrender my fight..

To be humble in spirit and mind is beautiful to You, because it mirrors You..

You amaze me.. Oh, Lord…

How I pray my heart and my actions would be pleasing to You.. That Your love would keep my lamp burning bright with Your amazing light of goodness and grace.  How I pray that other’s will see that light shining bright in and around my life…

For You glory and the love of other’s I pray,

In Jesus Name,

Amen

” Take My yoke from Me and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and my burden is light..”

Matthew 11:29

Thank You, Heavenly Father that You give rest to my soul…

Live in Love,

Lisa

Rich and Glorious..

rich and gloriousThe beauty in God’s word never seizes to amaze me..

” I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future He has promised to those He called.. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance He has given to His people..”

Ephesians 1:18

He loves you that much…

Dear Heavenly Father, to the best of my understanding I pray for You to come into my heart and flood me with Your light of love that I would understand the wonderful things You have planned for me… I pray you would pierce the darkness and let me see Your beauty and grace.

 Please, Oh Lord, forgive and cleanse me of my sins against you.  I never wanted to hurt You.. Cleanse me… Draw me into Your presence and fill my heart with Your hope..

Thank You that  the moment I accept You into my heart, I have become Yours.. Nothing can ever separate me from Your love, comfort and protection.. Nothing!

Amazing..

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord..”

Romans 8:38

In Jesus Name,

Amen..

I Love You, Jesus..

Live in Love,

Lisa

A Sweet Heart…

kindness always makes me want to be a better person“…What is important is faith expressing itself through love.”

Galatians 5:6b

I saw these words in action last night and my heart melted a thousand times…

We were hanging out at Buffalo Wild Wings with some very dear friends.  Just laughing, talking and catching up.  Two young boys, all dressed in their Air Force fatigues, hats and all walked by us on their way to take their seats at the bar.. Of course I noticed them, everybody did.  They made you smile.  They just seemed so vulnerable and yet so strong.

Our friend, who is a Retired Lieutenant Commander of the Navy, watches them walk by, and sit down. Without saying a word to any of us, he calls the waiter over and whispers in his ear, and points to the two young Airmen..

He didn’t want the waiter to tell the boys who he was.  He just wanted to pay for their dinner and drinks…

Just the thought of seeing his love for these guys makes me want to cry… you could see it in His eyes.

No words needed.

Dear Heavenly Father,  how beautiful is this story.  I am praying Your loving kindness and goodness over all of the lives that were touched last night.. From our waiter, who was able to witness generosity, and goodness.  To a beautiful wife who beams over her husband’s constant kindness. To my husband and I who love our dear friend, and love what He has done and continues to do for our Country, and to these two young, sweet boys may your love, hope and great protection cover them.

Dear Heavenly Father how I pray for all of our military…

Their love for our Country humbles me..

 May they ALL know that You love them…

Kindness always makes me want to be a better person..

I love you, Jesus..

In Your name, I pray,

Amen

Live in Love,

Lisa

“For the whole law is summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself..”

Galatians 5:14