Check Oil

It’s 7:30AM and I’ve been on the road for about 45 minutes. It’s a glorious morning with a bit of cloud cover that always makes this ranch girls heart happy. Any chance of rain makes my heart beat a bit faster… then I have to remember that there are neighbors in the fields bringing in harvest so I ask God to hold the rain for just a bit for them.

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It’s a road with lots of bumps and many hills. I’m just starting to crest a hill and ding, ding, ding… the check oil lite comes on… seems that God likes to get my attention with car noises 🙃

I instantly look down and let off the accelerator. I then look up again and there is a beautiful black angus calf in the middle of the road where it doesn’t belong…

I continue to slow and start honking the horn… it stands and doesn’t move… I verbally remind the calf that it is a cow…. Not a deer in headlights… it remains in the middle of the road.

I finally get the car to a crawl on the highway and continue to honk with a bit of passion… Until finally it snaps back to life and runs back to the fence that it escaped from….

I look down again at my check oil light and it is no longer there… I know checking oil when it’s hot isn’t very accurate and believe the light will come back on if it’s serious. I do have oil in the car just in case and had put in a quart the week before. And besides I have places to and things to do…

I continue on my drive listening to my audio version of the Bible reading. This is new since I felt God asked me to really dig into His word. Normal we opperate more in a treasure hunt style. I’ll see the same set of numbers throughout the day and look them up once I recognize the pattern God is showing me. I think it’s really fun! However, this isn’t the season He is asking me to operatin in right now.

Then all of a sudden I snap out of the moment and realize wow!!! God, thank you so much for saving me and that baby calf from harm!!! I was so busy doing what I “should” that I almost missed a divine moment where God’s protection was so real. Funny part is that I was almost distracted by something I felt God asked me to do!! I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel like I can hear God chuckle at me.

I started thanking God for who he is and what He did for me.

My Protection - Psalms 91

91 is a number I see often and variations of it such as 911 & 119.

I love the Passion Translation version and want to share it with you.💛

“When you abide under the shadow of Shaddai, you are hidden in the strength of God Most High.

He’s the hope that holds me and the stronghold to shelter me, the only God for me, and my great confidence.

He will rescue you from every hidden trap of the enemy, and he will protect you from false accusation and any deadly curse.

His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you. You can run under his covering of majesty and hide.

His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm.

You will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against you.

Don’t fear a thing! Whether by night or by day, demonic danger will not trouble you, nor will the powers of evil be launched against you.

Even in a time of disaster, with thousands and thousands being killed, you will remain unscathed and unharmed. You will be a spectator as the wicked perish in judgment, for they will be paid back for what they have done!

When we live our lives within the shadow of God Most High, our secret hiding place, we will always be shielded from harm. How then could evil prevail against us or disease infect us?

God sends angels with special orders to protect you wherever you go, defending you from all harm. If you walk into a trap, they’ll be there for you and keep you from stumbling. You’ll even walk unharmed among the fiercest powers of darkness, trampling every one of them beneath your feet!

For here is what the Lord has spoken to me: “Because you loved me, delighted in me, and have been loyal to my name, I will greatly protect you.

I will answer your cry for help every time you pray, and you will feel my presence in your time of trouble. I will deliver you and bring you honor. I will satisfy you with a full life and with all that I do for you. For you will enjoy the fullness of my salvation!””

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭1‬-‭16‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Oh my oh my, Jesus let me know you and Love you completely. Not for what you can do for me, but for the honor of showing others your great LOVE.

Maybe you have moments where you know God and His angels stepped in to offer divine protection. I would love to hear your testimonies!! Even something as “small” as a check oil light can be God extending His great protection to those He Loves.

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Go fly a kite

We have all heard the expression “Go fly a kite!” In this case… it was a completely different concept. It was build a kite, try to fly the kite and not blow away in the process! Our son, Vaylen, was undertaking this great adventure this past weekend.

In Montana, we have wind!!! The only place more windy in my experience is North Dakota. They are missing some hills over there so nothing is slowing the wind down. 🙃

The wind speed was around 30 miles an hour… So to watch a nine year-old try to fly his homemade kite time after time was filled with mixed emotions on all fronts. Tears and laughter, and then more tears.

This creation process brought in the whole family and the entire kitchen table… and countless supplies. We had hot glue, tape, sticks, garbage bags, string, and very high expectations. There were also many suggestions and ideas of how this creative project should go.

Vaylen rode the ups and downs throughout this process. We are on day three and counting. Now that the wind is calming down to a gentle 17mph…he might have a chance!

This process is highlighting how creative Vaylen is. He seems to have that creative/builder/engineer mind. He wants to know how things work and to create new things! So… as much as I would like to have a clean kitchen table, I know it is more important to encourage the creative process for Vaylen.

The lesson I’m learning from, “Go fly a kite!” is how important it is to discover what we are created to do. For our son, flying that kite was so much more than it appears on face value. The values of tenacity, curiosity, hope, courage (to fail and try again), and a good work ethic were being established in his life. With our children, we are in the process of discovering who God created them to be and the path that He has for them to walk.

I trust the next time you see a kite you will think about who God created you to be and those around you. He has made you to fly after all.

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Have you ever “Helped” someone when they really didn’t ask for help? How did that go? As an “Acts of Service, Gal,” helping is pretty high on my love language scale in both showing and receiving love. However, the kind of “help” we are giving will determine the response.

I was raised where we all help until the job is done. Overall, I think this is wonderful! A perfect example of this would be helping do the dishes when you eat at someone else’s house. You ask if you can help and even if you are told…No…You start stacking dishes and clearing the table to help your host. Dishes… the job that is always never done. So help doing the dishes is always welcome in my book!

For some of us, myself included, our helping nature can slip over into fixing or fix-it mode. Our minds are meant to problem-solve and we want to take care of people. However, I have learned that my help/ fixing isn’t actually wanted and it isn’t always received well…

A phrase that has saved me a lot of frustration… and apologies for overstepping is… “Do you want me to speak into this or are you just needing a safe place to vent?” When I ask this question, it helps me and the person I asked determine how the conversation will move forward. This is a form of setting expectations and boundaries and it is so powerful for both parties involved!!

Sometimes people do not realize they are venting. Venting is a healthy thing to do as long as it is with a safe person who is able to stay neutral on the subject. I think of venting as getting poison out of our system. A dear friend, Peter Eisses, shared when you need to vent, do it with someone who can help be part of the solution to the problem or situation. I love this because God brings us answers to problems in many ways. Our friends and spouses often have the wisdom we need. Most importantly, we need to lay our situations at Jesus’s feet and receive a complete healing detox. Healthy venting for me looks like letting the emotions and frustrations out and then moving forward in a positive way.

We also have the opportunity to be a safe place for those closest to us as well. If you use the question and ask if they are just venting or would like you to speak into the situation, you are gaining clarity on how to move forward. If they need a safe place to vent, you get to listen. If they would like you to speak into them you have received a green light to share the insight that is being highlighted to you. When people ask for “help” or insight it is more often received compared to when we give people our “help” without them asking for it.

I think we can all easily think of situations where we have “helped” without being asked. When you look back how was your “help” received or did you have to do some damage control? Have we used the excuse, “I just tell it like it is” to help when it isn’t asked for as well? I believe helping is a powerful gift and yet we need to rule our gift. Making sure our help is wanted will ensure our insights have the greatest impact.

So even when we have so much to say on a situation or subject …. You can follow these 3 steps!

Step 1

Ask the powerful question.

Are you just needing to vent in a safe place or would you like me to speak into this situation?

Step 2

Wait for the response.

Step 3

Be part of their solution!

Listening and sharing insight are both powerful ways to help!!!

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Learning and applying these 3 steps has been a game changer in my life. I hope they can benefit you as well!

One of the most unsettling physical sensations in my opinion is having the hiccups. I don’t think anyone enjoys getting hiccups! Hiccups upped their game when I was pregnant with Aryse because she would get them often… Talk about something completely out of my control!!

Just like when you have the hiccups yourself nothing but prayers and time seem to make them go away! I could do nothing to help her with the hiccups but pray. Now that she’s on the outside the hiccups have continued… It is so much cuter now that she’s outside with the hiccups! Aryse gets the hiccups so often we were contemplating calling her, Hiccups, as a nickname. Ok. Jonas was not… but I was. 🤣🤣🤣

The reason why I don’t want hiccups as a nickname is my perception of a hiccup is something unpleasant, unexpected, and not good… No way was I speaking those words/perseptions over Aryse by calling her hiccups.

There are often hiccups in life and we get the joy of navigating them. Thankfully, we’re never alone. Jesus is always here with us ready to release love, wisdom and strategy no matter what the circumstance is.

Even Aryse, our little, sweet baby girl is navigating her first hiccup of life. The day we were discharged from the hospital the doctors noticed a murmur while listening to her heart. This isn’t uncommon and we were told to look out for specific symptoms that would point to a larger problem. Thankfully none of these symptoms showed up. However, at her next appointment the murmur still was present. Our doctor referred her to get a heart echo done to assess the situation.

This situation is definitely a hiccup. When I look at my daughter, I am overwhelmed with love. She is so sweet and I wonder how is it possible that her heart isn’t perfect. The results from the echo came back and the hole in her heart hasn’t closed at this time…. Yet!

When the doctor called and told me the results, I definitely went numb. Even in the numbness, God showed up and was speaking to me. After I hung up the phone with the doctor, I looked at my phone’s time and it was 414. When I see these numbers, I think of Esther 414. Specifically the last part where Mordecai is telling Esther that she was appointed queen for such a time as this. I knew God was saying that He has appointed Aryse for this time. Even in the difficulty there is protection for her.

Just like Esther was chosen to be queen from hundreds of beautiful women. God chose to bless our family with Aryse. I know that He loves her more than I can ever love her. Aryse was and is God’s child, first. He formed her in my womb, and now we are patiently praying and waiting as He continues to knit her heart perfectly together.

In full disclosure, there have been tears and questions of why. However, I always come back to this… God is good and He is working all things for good. My hope and prayer for you as you navigate hiccups in life is… that you run to God as your strong tower of protection and peace.

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Jesus,

I thank you for the blessing of being a parent to my children.

Thank you for wisdom and strategy to raise them to go… In the way You have prepared for them.

I praise you Jesus for your goodness!!

I ask for your strength and wisdom as we navigate this hiccup with Aryse’s heart. Thank you for knitting her heart together for Your glory.

Jesus thank you for releasing healing to children that need your touch. Thank you for providing Your strength to their families.

I love you. I love you. Even in the ups and downs. I love you.

In Jesus name,

Amen.

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40 days and nights of rain, 40 years wandering the desert… 40 days and nights Jesus fasted and prayed before His ministry started. 40 seems to be pretty consistent in the Bible as a time of preparation for a promise and 41 seems to be the time of breakthrough! Last time I shared how I was trying … to wait patiently on Gods timing on our daughter’s arrival. She did finally arrive at the beginning of week 41 of the pregnancy according to the ultrasound. Again… all three of my healthy boys showed up on 37 weeks so 41 seemed way over due!!

The preparation to get from 37 weeks to 41 weeks wasn’t my idea of fun, especially the last week. My birthday came and went just two days before her arrival and I was a mess. Basically my cry to God was why isn’t she here!!! This is taking forever! When contractions started I was so happy!! My husband even commented on it saying, I was is such a better mood. It was true!!! I was so happy the wait was over and it was time for the delivery of our promise!

Delivery in my book was way better than the waiting!! I’ve said often, I’m naturally a Martha and learning to be a Mary. So the doing is easy part…the sitting and waiting not so much! As things turned out we ended up with a bit of a situation while she was born and we were moments away from a c-section. I fully believe, God lined up the right Doctors to handle the situation. Both Aryse and myself came through thanks to God’s protection and His perfect timing. It’s also clear why waiting was so important. It is much easier to see the, why, on the other side!!

So now we are in the land of 41 apprehending the promise and stepping into our new day together as a family of 5. I feel like the work is just beginning!!! I think that is the way of promises and promise lands there is a lot of work to do. The adventure with God never ends. Every season we go through has new promises and lessons to be learned.

If you feel like you are still in the 40 days and 40 nights or even the 40 years wandering in the desert stay strong! You can do this you are closer to breakthrough than you know!! God is working all things out for your good and His glory.

Our prayer for you today

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Thank you, Jesus for always walking hand-in-hand with us on this journey.

We are never alone.

Thank you for your guidance and protection.

Give us your perspective as we navigate our 40 days and night seasons.

As we step into our promised lands, help us stay focused on you.

We praise you for each season. I trust you, even when I cannot see where we are going.

I know, father God that you are a good father.

I ask that you release your love in tangible ways for everyone who reads this.

So they can experience your love in a deeper way.

Amen 💛

We would love to know what promises you are contending for and the promise lands you have entered.

Where is my promise?

Up at 1am… up at 4am do some stair climes to get baby down and out. She is the focus of my promise from God at this time. In my mind we are already 2 weeks over due.. all three of my boys arrived fully developed and healthy at 37 weeks with weight ranges from 7 - 8 lb. So at 39 weeks my pacience has eroded to zero and even endurance is getting questionable at times…

August 20th, 2021 God gave me our baby girls name and the promise that we would have her. We were at a conference and an amazing woman of God was speaking named Dena McClure. She was speaking on hope and how hope is an anchor and an usher into intimacy with God. Dena shared a dream she had about the Titanic. The Titanic had been brought up from the ocean floor and been completely restored! It was set up as a display where people could come and tour the great restoration and the improvements that had been made. It was during this time where I heard God put her name together. Arise Hope.

2025 is a year for Hope to Arise!

Timing on promises can look a lot different than what we expect especially the time line… I was a few months pregnant at the time of the conference and fully expected our baby to be a girl… after getting her name.

Nope… we received an amazing bold and loving baby boy. God is my strength and a hero (warrior) of God are the meanings of his name. Oh how he follows these attributes!

So here we are about 3 1/2 years later still waiting on our promise, Aryse Hope yet again. I can’t help but change the spelling to include the letter Y. All of my kids have one :)

If you have promises in your life that you are contending for I’m standing with you!

💛 Family Restoration

💛 Financial Breakthough

💛 Healing

💛 The arrival of little bundles of joy to complete your family.

💛 A Spouse

💛 New Career

💛 Life Purpuse & Passion

My Prayer for You & 2025

Jesus, I ask that you release new waves of hope and strength in this new year.

May we have Your Grace to wait upon your timing.

May Your glory and goodness shine bright!

I ask, Holy Spirit to revive dreams and promises that seem to be forgotten and unfulfilled.

I ask, for Your Will to prosper us be released here on earth!!

Open our eyes to Your protection and divine timing.

Let our hearts be on fire with Your LOVE!

Release restoration for families and bring the prodigals home into Your loving arms!

Bring families into completeness and wholeness through Your goodness and faithfulness.

Holy Spirit, Help us partner with Wisdom to make choices that bring honor and glory to your Kingdom in connection to family, finances, business, work and friends.

Jesus, you are so worthy of our love!!

Let our eyes and hearts always stay locked on you.

In Jesus’s name,

Amen

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Blessings as you enter 2025!!!

Wow, life is busy! Every day, week, and month in this season has been going by with lightning speed. There are a few reasons  why that come to mind. We are soon to be welcoming our baby girl in about a month! Fall season is always a busy season for our family on the ranch, my husband’s taxidermy business, and for my currant job at the Post Office.

There are always so many things to do and they never seem to stay done… laundry, dishes, cleaning and homework help. This season I really felt that I had to fight for connection with friends and family because of how busy we are. How often does the enemy distract us from what is important by being busy?

I want everything I do to glorify God even those dishes… when we are so busy it’s easy to end up crashing from exhaustion and pushing off things that are so very important. I have to fight for connection with God, my husband, children, family and friends.

When we are in a busy season it is vital to find pockets of rest and connection. My go to has been a bubble bath for rest. Connection time for my husband and I resulted in getting up early and going hunting with him. For the boys we focus on cooking/baking and playing card games together. For friends and family, I rely heavily on phone calls and a magical app called Marco Polo. If you haven’t ever tried Marco Polo I highly recommend!!! You record a video and send it to your friend or family member. When they have time they watch and respond with their own video back. You can set up group chats as well :)

As the Holiday Busy Season approaches take time for connection and rest. Ask God to highlight ways to stay connected with family and friends. follow those nudges to call people when they come across your mind. What worked in a different season may not work in this season.

God reminded me today of a great way to have fun with him and to stay connected with others I care about. A great woman and friend named Dawn Jones, shared this wonderful idea. Get a container out that you don’t mind looking at to leave on the counter top. My choice was a mason jar, but I might switch to a pretty vase. Take small pieces of paper and write people’s names on them, fold the paper, and drop them into the jar. When I remember or my kids remember for me… We pull out a piece of paper and read it and take action.

I also have pray needs, requests, and questions for God on these papers as well.

“God encounter me with your love in a new way today.”

“What does wisdom look like for me in this season for finances?”

“Show me my children’s identity in you, Lord.”

It’s really fun to see what God brings to our attention with just a little piece of paper! The possibilities are endless so have fun with what you write down!

Now to the action part after you have chosen a paper and read the  contents. If it’s a name, I start praying for them and asking God to bless them. Surround them with His tangible love. Release dreams of strategy. I pray whatever bubbles up. My mind may not know what’s going on but God does and I trust Him. Next, I reach out to the person usually through a phone call.

Tonight our oldest pulled out a bunch of papers from the jar and had my husband and I both pick one at different times. I said the name out loud and my husband shared that he had also drawn that name…God does nothing on accident and His still small voice is always there.

I got the message loud and clear. It’s very important to reach out to this person and to lift them up in prayer. I did reach out and the conversation didn’t seem super important… however it not my place to rate the value of our conversation. Sometimes we expect a harvest when we are simple to plant seeds of love. My role was to respond in obedience to Holy Spirit and make the time for a phone call.

We would love to know ways you stay connected with friends and family in a busy season, and if you try the prayer jar! Please share in the comments below ❤️

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When I was in my early 20s, I found myself in victim land. The root cause went back to childhood. Details on this area are not important. Things happened that shouldn’t have happened. Things my family didn’t find out about until a few years ago. I do know sexual issues and self-worth issues started because of the situation.

The enemy always goes after destroying what is pure. Children have been under attack and so often what happens is not talked about, processed, and most importantly healed until years later. I know my situation is not the only one and that breaks my heart. Parents ask your children questions and create a safe place for them to always share with you.

Fast forward. I’m in an emotionally and at the end, physically abusive relationship in my early 20’s. I was fully in victim land. Let’s remember I chose to start dating this individual. I need to take ownership on my choices in getting into that mess. It’s so easy to get to these places when we have scars that connect to our identity and value. It is so easy to slip into these traps when someone speaks words that seem to fill the void in our souls. I have been in this place, and I know it well.

I can quickly recognize when someone is in victim land by the way they speak and their actions. You do not have to be in an abusive relationship to be in victim land. You may have heard the phrase “victim mentality” but I like to call it victim land. Here are some ways to recognize if you are in victim land.

1. The blame game.

   When it is everyone else’s fault and you are not willing to take ownership for your actions, you are in the blame game. This results in isolation and the inability to trust people. Having been hurt walls are built to protect our hearts. We blame others and keep everyone at arm’s length. When we do let someone in the cycle repeats because of our expectations. People are not trustworthy. What you fear materializes into reality.

2. Comparison.

   You have not been through what I have. You are correct. I have not been down your road and you have not been down mine. We each have our own journey of walking in victory out victim land. Comparison is exactly what the enemy wants. It creates a divide instead of unity. I can do ___ better than she can. Why do they always get the opportunities. Can you see the lines, comparison brings between us? We are created to build each other up: not tear each other down.

3. Hopeless.

   Things will never get better or change. Our attitude is 99% of the battle, in my opinion. The other 1% are things that are out of our control. We can always control our attitude. Let’s focus on Hope. Our God is a God of victory and a good father. How can He not work all things out for my good? Our words release power. Are we speaking life or death? Are our words getting in the way of God’s blessings?

4. Un-forgiveness.

   When we hold back forgiveness, we are locked in victim land. Un-forgiveness holds us captive not the ones that have hurt us. The pain is real. What they did was wrong. Forgiving does not endorse their actions. Forgiveness ensures your freedom from their actions. It releases you from the chains they tried to bind you in. Forgiveness has been offered to us by a perfect savior, Jesus. We do not deserve forgiveness, yet He still offers us this beautiful gift.

5. Stuck in the past.

   This connects to un-forgiveness because often if we are stuck in the past, it’s because of what happened there. We need to live for the future and put our energy, focus, and time there. Let go and let God. Simple words that will change your life, I promise!!!

These are just a few examples of areas I had to conquer in order to get out of victim land. Staying out of victim land is a daily choice. I need to continue forgiving as situations come up. Take ownership of my actions and how others are affected. Ask for forgiveness when I mess up and hurt people. I will use the battles that I’ve been through as a testimony of God‘s goodness and healing. Finally, I will keep my attitude filled with hope as I focus on the future. You will notice that all these actions are centered on my actions and no one else’s. Victims have no choice and are helpless.

You….

You.. Right now, can take action as a powerful individual and remove yourself from victim land!!!

I want to invite you to examine your heart and see if Holy Spirit highlights any area that is holding you in victim land. You are created for victory! Victim land is not your portion. We would love to hear about the areas God has helped you overcome. Please comment below and share your victory.

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I cannot see how losing my job is connected to God protecting me… This was a very real thought I had when I thought I was going to be losing my job about ten years ago. There were financial needs and no strategy insight on how to meet them. I was only seeing to close up. I was seeing what was right in my face. I did not see how God was actually repositioning my family.

Time after time I have seen God’s protection in repositioning my life. Without that situation we would not have moved to a different town. A town I completely fell in love with because of the people I would meet. I didn’t know what it was like to have friends who prayed together and loved each other. This new town we moved to was a place of healing and so much growth. I’m so glad for God’s protection in the repositioning.

Was it easy? No. Was it full of bumps and side roads? Indeed it was! I can’t remember who actually said this… one of my mentors. Margriet Leach and Peter Eisses co-lead a class I took so I’m giving them both credit for this. When things are going sideways start asking God questions. “God, what are you teaching me in this moment?” “God, what am I not seeing?” “Is this situation about my heart or is this about ….?”

We live in a very reactive world. Social media is full of reactions, very strong reactions. Jesus had moments where he addressed situations and questions and another time He refused to answer when He was asked who He was. If He would have answered He would not have gone to the cross. Jesus knew where He was being positioned. Jesus trusted His Father in all things and walked fully in unison with His plan.

On the other side we have Jonah… a prophet in the old testament. God asked Jonah to go to Nineveh and ask the city to repent. Unfortunately, Jonah had no desire to go to Nineveh and basically ran in the opposite direction. Here we see how God used a storm and a large fish to help reposition Jonah to where he was supposed to go. I really hope that I am never like Jonah and running from God. I do think that often God is asking us to do things and we are dragging our feet and then things get a bit more intense like a storm or losing a job.

I want to challenge you to start asking God questions. Questions about everything!!! Jesus used questions so much in His teaching and training. I believe He loves our questions! I want to be like Jesus and know where God is positioning me. I know that God is a good Father so even when things are uncomfortable… I know the end result will be good.

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Please share areas in your life where you have seen God’s protection in repositioning you.

Yesterday evening, God showed me part of a movie I had never seen before. You may or may not have seen the movie, Overcomer. As I said before, I haven’t actually seen the whole movie… but it is on my watch list now! The clip I saw showed this young girl at the starting line of a long-distance race. Her coach puts headphones in her ear and tells her to press play when the race starts. Off she goes and no music plays… but her fathers voice comes through loud and clear. He coaches her through the entire race. I’ll paraphrase some of what he said that stood out to me.

“My daughter I’m here with you. We are going to do this together! I believe in you! Set a steady pace. Pump your arms. Push through the burn. Push hard up this hill! Let gravity pull you down the other side. It’s time to track the leader down. You are giving everything you got. I see you winning!! You can do this! Focus on the finish line!”

This is a beautiful picture of how God desires to speak to us each and every day. Each and every day is an invitation to hear His voice and see nature declare His goodness. God uses all our senses to communicate to us. Taste, touch, sight, hearing, and smelling … yep all of them!

This young girl gave every part of herself for this race. For her father, she followed his voice, put in the hard work, and ran the distance. My desire is to pour out all I am at the feet of Jesus. Hold nothing back from Him. There are times when we feel like we just cannot take another step… you can!! Through the fire we go and our hearts and motives get purified. We are never alone for this uncomfortable process.

“I have fought an excellent fight. I have finished my full course with all my might and I’ve kept my heart full of faith.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Our life is often compared to a race in the Bible. Run the good race and finish well. I see our finish line as the arms of Jesus at the end of our lives. There have been many hills and valleys in my life and more to come. As I have learned to hear God’s voice for me, I have become more and more secure in knowing… I’m not alone. God knows where I’m going and nothing surprises Him. He works all things out for my good! I am confident that I am able to run the race He has set before me.

Right now that looks like… Working outside of the home 6 days a week. Loving my husband and children when I come home. Sharing God’s love in any way He asks me. Doing the “little” things well. Enjoying the moments of wild and crazy (boy mom) and finding pockets of peace. And… listening to God’s sweet melodies to my heart.

We would love to hear how God is speaking to you in this season.

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Just a peak of the movie :)

In Eastern Montana, the rain is so important every year. Prayers go up to heaven asking, God please bring the rain this year. However, God is teaching me a new way. The new way is through thanksgiving and praise. Enter the gates with thanksgiving and enter the courts with praise. This year as the spring seemed to continue on and on without the much-needed rain. God whispered praise and thanksgiving into my heart.

I was reminded of the boy with his two loaves and five small fish. Jesus took them and gave thanks and then a miracle happened multiplication so extensive no one left wanting more. A crowd of 5,000 was fed from one offering of praise and thanksgiving.

What could God do now with my praise and thanksgiving for rain… that had not shown up yet? I’ve learned that when God brings something up. It’s an invitation with expectancy. I stepped into praise and thanksgiving.

On our gravel road, on a beautiful spring day, the boys and I danced around thanking Jesus and praising Him for the rain that would come and nourish our land. Before we started I explained what God had been talking to me about. They were ready to go all in with a happy dance, so I can assure you their dancing was better than mine! We switched into singing some worship songs as we continued our walk.

A week later, the rain came. The ranch is absolutely beautiful with green grass! The rain that praise and thanksgiving brought. I think about the power of our words… I believe we got to partner with God and bringing the rain to the Ranch. God can do all things without us; however, He gave mankind dominion over the earth so we must step into partnership with Him. I believe He loves to partner with us. As a good father, always ready to teach and share wisdom.

What area in your life could use some praise and thanksgiving? Just like how we had no rain, what areas seem impossible and out of reach. Are there family members that you’re no longer in contact with? Are your finances out of control? Is there a dream in your heart that hasn’t come to completion. I encourage you to step in to praise and thanksgiving even though you haven’t seen the promise fulfilled yet. Please share in the comments areas that you are waiting for God breakthrough in. We will partner with you in praise and thanksgiving.

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About four and a half years ago, I learned how God can speak to us through numbers. It became such a fun adventure each day. What number would I see the most? I would type the numbers into my bible app and see what bible verses would come up. 1010, 818, 333, 922, 911, 222, 1111, 243, and the list goes on and on!! Some of you might have bible verses popping in your head right now. If you don’t take this as your personal invitation to go on an adventure with God.

God was teaching me to pay attention to numbers and patterns. Today, I saw 508 a few different times, and I knew God was bringing up forgiveness. 508 doesn’t have a bible verse connection for me, but I bet I will find one by the end of this! 508 hit a bit more personal. When I first started my career I had a situation with a boss that resulted in me being repositioned to a different work location. The whole thing felt like my world was being turned upside down. All because I had answered questions with the truth. My new work location ended up being my old bosses home town, and I got to see 508 connected to my old bosses name every day for about three years.

The shock I had in seeing the name and number for the first time. The knot in my stomach. Eventually, moving on to numb… indiffernce.. with waves of hurt and pain and even a bit of rage at the injustice of my circumstances. This situation happened almost ten years ago! Yet, still I know 508 represents my old boss and holds an invitation to forgive. It has moved past representing just that one person and always serves as a reminder to let go and let God.

If I’m being honest forgiving was not really on my radar until God really got ahold of my heart. He started showing me 508… and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I was being asked to pray for my old boss. Praying and forgiving seemed to go hand in hand for me personally. As I prayed, I was able to release more and more forgiveness. Simple prayers: Jesus please draw near to _____ and show them your love today. Release blessings over them. Let them encounter your goodness today.

With my relationship with Jesus, I do not have the right to withhold forgiveness. If I do, I am putting myself in God’s Judgment Seat. That is a place I am not remotely qualified for!! If Jesus is able to forgive my sins, I have no right to hold onto the sins committed against me. The sins committed against me have already been paid for. My freedom has been paid for!! If I hold unforgiveness in my heart the fruit of bitterness will grow and poison everything it touches. Forgiveness is for us. Forgiveness sets us free first and then opens the door for that person to walk into reconciliation.

I can hear alarm bells going off. I hear all the excuses and reasons to not forgive….

“You don’t know what they did!” “I can’t let them back in my life!” “I would rather die than forgive them.” “They don’t deserve my forgiveness!” “If I forgive them I’m condoning their actions.”

I haven’t walked in your shoes; however, my shoes have plenty of dirt on them. Dirt that I will share on as we continue our journey together. There isn’t anything new under the sun. The details change but the root causes are the same. Abuse, lack of love or affection, lies, cheating, stealing, gossip, abandonment… trama has many faces. The enemy goes after all of mankind because they are created in the image of God. The more intense the attacks the greater your destiny is to bring freedom and healing to others.

Forgiving, is saying I choose to put my heart in Jesus’s hands. He is my protector and provider. Jesus will heal the hurt and pain. I want nothing to stand between our relationship (Jesus + Me). Forgiveness is a huge topic so even though there is more to dive into I believe this is the right ending for today.

Is there someone coming to mind that needs to be forgiven in your heart? Forgiveness takes time and isn’t always a once and done deal. Forgiveness sets you free. As I was writing this I had to stop and go find a bible verse for 508… 5:8 was as close as I got, but it does fit perfectly into this conversation.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

To be pure in heart we must forgive even when it’s hard. It’s through Jesus’s strength that we can forgive. He paid for it all. You can give Him the hurt and pain. Forgiveness will see you free in the most amazing ways.

I know this is a subject that can stir things up. Please leave us comments on your healing journey through forgiveness.

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The light that no one ever wants to see has appeared on my dash… It is 12 AM. I’m on my way from my grandparents Ranch to where we live. It’s about a two hour drive from the Ranch. My estimated time of arrival was going to be 2 AM. Needless to say, I had to backtrack.

It would be easy to let frustrated take over, but all I can see is God’s protection. So often delays and backtracks hold divine favor. I got to drive the two hour drive in our new to us SUV. It has heated seats!!! One of my favorite inventions!! My ETA was later; however, I knew I would arrive safely.

I think sometimes we tend to push off our spiritual check engine lights. It’s so easy as a mom to get lost in the house work, the bills, dishes, and laundry that never ends!  Can you think of an area in your spiritual life that is blinking? Have you been able to find time with the Lord that builds you up? So often we put everyone ahead of ourselves because of our servant hearts. Having a servant heart is a beautiful thing. Yet our greatest strength over exerted can be a weakness.

I think back to Mary and Martha. Oh how this story drove me nuts. I bet you know which sister I tend to be (Martha). I am learning the importance of being a Mary. Mary at the feet of Jesus had chosen better than Martha who was ensuring everyone was going to be fed and taken care of. In my current season, I must blend Mary and Martha together. I’ve had so many conversations with Jesus while washing dishes and folding clothes. As a busy mom, He is meeting me right where I’m at.

I want to encourage you to find ways to take care of yourself. This can be as simple as enjoying a bubble bath with the doors locked. If you know the importance of the locked door… you have experience with children under the age of five. Painting your toenails, a bright new color, take the time to read the Bible or a book that just puts a smile on your face.

I’ve learned that God just wants to enjoy His time with us. As you find pockets of time for you, I want to encourage you to also posture your heart at the feet of Jesus. Make sure your spiritual check engine light stays off! I would love to hear your experiences where God meets you.

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Isaiah 54 gets quoted a lot because its talking about expanding our capacity and influence to bring God glory. However, we don’t often talk about the stretching that occurs during and even after the process. Physical stretching has become more and more important as I have aged let me tell you! In high school and even college, I just did it halfheartedly because we had to. Now, I fully appreciate and understand the importance! However, the spiritual stretching took me longer to understand and appreciate.

The only reason for a tent or a territory to be expanded would be because wealth allowed it and or increase demanded it. When our oldest was born, we lived in a single room for about a year. All together things were a bit cozy that is for sure!! We were able to purchase our first home and then the real stretching happened!

What we thought things would cost… Things were more. On our own was lonelier than we expected. A million new responsibilities seemed to be stretching us into new people. I would love to say that we always handled the stress of stretching with peace and harmony. However, the truth is that this time actually brought us into a place where we were desperate for the more of God. Things on the surface looked wonderful, but on the inside was a desperation for true purpose and connection.

God answered. Did the stretching stop? No… No, it did not. It actually increased. We are called to be holy and set apart. That requires stretching, but it is so so worth it my friend!

Every time things don’t go exactly how we think it should be: This is a stretching moment where we can lean into Jesus and become more like Him. Take a look at what is happening in your life right now. Do you see areas that God is stretching you and calling you up higher? When we lean into the stretching process, we are able to go beyond what we ever thought was possible!

Isaiah 54:2 New King James Version 2

“Enlarge the place of your tent, And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, And strengthen your stakes.

What on earth is a “Past Trap”, lady? The could have, should have, wish it would have been of the past. The list can go on for quite a bit when you add the areas, we wish didn’t happen at all or the best times of our lives that we want to relive each and every day. Whether positive or negative the past can be a trap.

As a mom of boys ages 8 and 2, I spend a good deal of time out playing. Encouraging their adventurous nature to expand. I don’t believe in quiet very often when we are playing outside unless we are working with animals. There have been times that I have run backwards encouraging them to catch me. Let me tell you running backwards can be a challenge!

Knowing where you’re going and seeing the steps in front of you helps a great deal!! In my own life, God usually lets me see about 5 steps ahead. This helps me stay focused in the moment and complete things with excellence.

I want to encourage you ask Holy Spirit to highlight to you what areas in your past have been a past trap. Where you have spent too much time and energy going back instead of looking to the future of promise. Once, something comes to mind spend time asking Jesus what He would like you to do with it? Any time you give something to Jesus, He wants to give you a gift in return so make sure you ask!

Every day is a day filled with promise and possibility go forward in boldness!

Philippians 3:13 TPT

I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however, I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead.

I have a wonderful friend, who is an amazing artist. She has a unique way of capturing the light of someone’s soul in portraits. The only portrait I’ve seen of hers have actually been of the most surprising subjects. She took the time to capture the beauty and love of people with disabilities in our local community. The response of “This is what I look like?”

Her voice filled with awe and wonder brought tears to my eyes as my artist friend recounted the exchange as she gifted the portraits back to her subjects. My friend has an artistic gift that brings life, joy, and meaning to others in the most unexpected ways. Every time she shares her gift of art she is letting her light shine brightly for her Heavenly Father.

What gifts do you have to shine on the world around you? If nothing is coming to mind ask people who are close to you such as siblings, parents, friends, spouse, and if you’re really brave co-workers!! Every person on earth has a gift so I know you do also!! I would love to hear what those gifts are and how you are letting your light shine bright! Drop a comment and let me know: What are your gifts?

Matthew 5:16 TPT

So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that your commendable works will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.

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