Messages from a Hope Filled Heart…

Day 4

My thoughts for today…

What unsettles you? What brings you panic? What brings chaos to your mind?

What disheartens you? What brings you deep sorrow? What brings you guttural pain?

What creates apathy within? What brings aloofness? What brings neglect and avoidance to your soul?

The answers to these question can be found more in your actions rather than your words. As the old adage goes, “Words are cheap…. (But) Actions speak louder than words.”

Seek out those answers with passion. And then, turn to the One who can bring peace that surpasses all understanding. He can settle all that unsettles you.

…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:3

Messages from a Hope Filled Heart…

Day 3

Where is your hope today?

Where is your promise?

Is it in the stock market, your bank account, or you job?

Is it in your friendships, your families, or your loves?

Or is it in your education, your wisdom, or your intellect?

All these things will pass away on this earth. All these things will be in vain.

If you will but trust in the One who created all things.

If you will but trust in the One who gave you breath and strength to breathe.

He will be all you need. ❤️

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Philippians 3:7-8

Messages from a Hope Filled Heart…

Day 2

My thoughts for the day…
If we are to be Salt & Light, how salty and how bright should we be? Salt cures food from rottenness (dying). A light shines to dispel the darkness. If we are to be Salt & Light in this lost, dying and dark world, we may need to evaluate our hearts and our intent.

If our intent is to live without conflict, peace with everyone, never causing a stir, we may be serving the wrong God. Jesus was so bold and told so many of their wrong that they killed Him just to get Him to shut up.


Salt can bring life, flavor, and enjoyment to a midday meal. It can also be bitter, irritate and bring sting to a wound, but it will bring healing through the pain. Light can bring comfort, strength, and clarity to eyes in a darkened room. It can also be glaring, burning, and explosive to those same eyes when concealment is desired.


May we be the Salt & Light that brings life, that brings healing, that brings strength, and ultimately, brings redemption and hope to a lost and dying soul.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men,that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16

Messages from a Hope Filled Heart…

Starting a new blog “series,” if you will, with thoughts and messages that I hope will stir your own heart. I hope these will challenge your thinking, convict your heart when needed, and deepen your search for truth. Our world needs hope, and I’ve found the One who can give it. I hope you will indulge me while I introduce Him to you… ❤️

Day 1

The message of my heart this morning…
To gloat or to groan today exposes the character of our heart. To have withdrawal or move toward action in this era exposes the intent of our purpose. Apathy, anger, or adoration toward our King in this moment exposes the very foundation upon which we stand.


May we, as Christians, be who He called us to be. We are to pray and to put our faith into action that many may know Him so that our God may be glorified. We are to pray for our city that it may prosper. We are to pray for our leaders that their hearts may be turned toward our King.


May we praise Him today for what He’s done, celebrate what He’s doing, and give Him glory for what He’s yet to do! He is a GREAT God who was and is and is to come!


Let us now not grow comfortable or neglective of the assignment He has given us. We are called to walk out our faith in action that our testimony may be evident to those who would believe. May we bust through the gates of hell fervently, and may we set the captives free by His power alone. We’ve been silent and distracted for too long. It is time for the Church to be the Church.


May we bless our neighbor, bless our nation, and bless our God as we join shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand to fight the good fight of faith!! It’s not time to take a break.
We’ve got work to do. ❤️🇺🇸❤️

Numbers 6:24-26:
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Carrying a Burden

Thinking about convos I’ve had over the past several days and how I’m thankful for the Body of Christ.

Hear me. You don’t have to be in the same church to be the Body. You don’t have to be in the same seasons of life. You don’t have to run your households the same way. You don’t even have to be in the same state.

You just have to walk in agreement, following the same God, and BE THE BODY.

Recently, I called a lady who had visited our church on Sunday simply because they had friends there, and they had “a day off” from their congregation because of a building move situation. She was a pastor’s wife, too. She encouraged me as she spoke about the great things of our church, the great message my husband preached, and the refreshing they needed and felt while they worshipped with us. She thanked me, and we prayed for each other.

THIS is being the Body, my friends.

I had another conversation in which I just listened as my friend shared her struggles with a health issue. Cancer. All the fears, transitions, frustrations, and unwanted prognosis while attempting to hold onto faith in a faithful and loving God, knowing without a shadow of a doubt that He’s still God.

Another conversation was filled with excitement and heartache as her son moves away to college, and while she misses him terribly, she knows he’s at the right place, in the right season, doing the right thing. This conversation was concluded by a hand on an arm, a strong look in the eyes, and one friend telling another, “It will be an adjustment, but you enjoy this new season of time with your husband. Focus on putting your attention on him and his on you…Empty nesting can be fun!”

Another in which the wife is watching a terrible disease daily rob her husband’s quality of life, and there’s nothing she can do about it but pray. This conversation didn’t amount to words of solution or even of any words I felt could be of great comfort, except, “God is with you, and please, tell us how to help (because we won’t impose, but we’re here).”

In all these, the Body was being the Body as it should be. Carrying one another’s burdens. Being there, not just in word and deed, but simply in presence and love. Sharing the raw, unedited feelings of the heart and not shielding it out of pride, isolation or fear.

If you’re not a believer, you may have no idea what I’m talking about. And that’s ok.

But if you are a believer in the One True God…

Let’s BE THE BODY, Church. ❤️

“Bear ye one another’s burdens. For in this, you the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:2

Small Southern Town

What do you love about where you live?

I love where I live because it’s beautiful, quaint, and comfortable. It’s also filled you all kinds of options. I’ve always been a “small town girl,” and while growing up, I always thought I’d live in the same small town forever, raising my kids and living in a “little white house with a little white picket fence.”

Well, God kinda had different plans for me. Since moving from my home town, I’ve lived in 2 states, 5 towns, and 1 city. I’ve gone to 3 schools, lived in 12 houses, and have been actively involved in 6 churches. And 3 of those towns have been while raising our sons. But each have been small towns, at least in the scale of metropolitan areas.

And truthfully, I’ve loved every town I’ve lived in. That’s just being content in where you are and who you’re with, but that’s another blog for another day.

So, you ask why I love where I live… it’s a small town that really has grown quite a bit since we moved here. However, we live on the outskirts of town, and we don’t normally deal with the busier side. Our city officials have taken great care to beautify the downtown, moderate what comes in and out, and worked hard to keep that “small town feel” to the area.

I love our church, the people, and the atmosphere of community and family. I love our neighborhood that is well kept, and the people are always friendly. I love that we’re located just minutes from the lake, a few more minutes from the mountains, and less than an hour from a major city. So, you can be anywhere you want within a short amount of time. And I love that we live in an area where people still long for togetherness and a sense of camaraderie among the (smaller) masses.

And I believe that’s what builds love for where you live. When it’s all about you and yours and competition, stress, strife, and success, I believe you loose that sense of community and forsake care and compassion for cutthroat self ambition and ego.

You don’t have to live in a small town to achieve this, but I think it helps. However, I’ve had friends who live living in a big city, and they have still accomplished this by creating a community of family, whether it be in their neighborhoods, churches, or workplace. Where it is doesn’t matter as much as with whom it is. If you are gathered together with likeminded people, accomplishing a common goal for a greater purpose, that sense of family and belonging will naturally arise.

So, what about you? What do you love about where you live?

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Romans 12:15-18

What’s Your Plan?

Create an emergency preparedness plan.

Creating an emergency preparedness plan will be determined by which emergency it might be.

Is it flood, fire, water spout? Is it earthquake, tornado, or tsunami?

If you’re rising high to avoid the flood plains, the tornado is going to call your name. If you’re digging under to avoid the quake, the tsunami might find its way through the tunnel. If spreading waves to avoid the flames, the water spout might feel too comfortable to join.

Emergency Preparedness Plans must be in tact for all disasters; yet, one plan is often over looked and forgotten.

What about your heart? Does your heart have an emergency preparedness plan?

This one isn’t really complicated. It doesn’t take a lot of time nor do you have to buy a thing.

Just have a little talk with Jesus. Tell Him all about your troubles. Repent of your sins, and believe.

That’s it. It’s that easy.

And you’ll be prepared for life.

You’ll be ready for anything they might come!

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

Silly Saturday

Modern or Vintage?

Vintage or modern?

Which are you?

Traditional or trend?

Old fashioned or contemporary?

One isn’t better than the other.

One isn’t more important.

Yet, it’s the soul of the matter that counts.

If classic is your standard, yet you’re unyielding to learn something new, your rust will begin to show.

If state-of-the-art if your thing, yet you’re ridged to receive wisdom from the past, your polish will begin to chip.

Conventionalism without adjustment for change doesn’t allow for growth.

Modernization without adjustment for proven failures doesn’t allow for depth.

It takes both to progress beyond what has been.

It takes both to establish success moving forward.

Truthfully, one without the other only brings certain death to both.

 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!

Psalm 133:1

As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Proverbs 27:17

Don’t Teach Tolerance

Not really a whole lot to add here.

It’s just good old fashioned truth.

Let’s do better. Let’s live better. Let’s be better.

Tolerance and intolerance is subjective to who’s defining it and who’s regulating it.

Good and evil is clear cut from absolute truth.

I know. Truth today has been relegated to relativity that has made it cheap and sold to the highest bidder.

But real truth, the Only Truth, can be found.

We might just have to search for it a little deeper than just below the surface…

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, andthe life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 14:6

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:32