Thankful Thursday! Relationships......

Today a very dear friend sent me the following story and I just had to share it today:
Fable of the porcupine

It was the coldest winter ever and many animals died because of the cold.
Some porcupines, realizing the gravity of the situation, decided to group together to share warmth.
This way they were better covered and protected; however - the quills of each one wounded their closest companions. After a while they decided to distance themselves one from the other and soon after they began to die, alone and frozen.
So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth.
Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. They learned to accept the little wounds that were caused by these close relationships, in order to benefit from
what their companions offered. It was this way that they were able to survive and thrive. Moral of the story:

The best relationships are not ones that bring together perfect beings,
but are instead ones where individuals learn to live with the imperfections of others and can still accept the gifts they have to offer.

This reminded me of church family and friends.


Just as the following scripture reminds us:
1 Peter 2:21-23 (New International Version)

21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."[a] 23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

I'm thankful for my amazing Christian family that love me enough to hold me close - even when I wound them with my words and actions!

In Christ and still growing,

Holly :)

Tuesday's Truth! God's word is forever Inherent

Isn't it wonderful to walk in the knowledge that all things written in the word of God are true and will stand forever? That it isn't just a story book or someones opinion but the Inherent WORD OF GOD! That makes me go WOW..............................

I had a devotional this morning speaking about commitment, engagement and marriage and have posted just a small portion of it below:
Think of the engagement and wedding rings you gave your Fiance' or your Wife. How would you feel if she discarded them and chose to move on to other relationships? I see your resolve about commitments. Therefore I have honored and will continue to honor you. You see, My commitment to you is forever. My eternal covenant with you will never change. Your commitment to obedience and faithfulness is a beacon
light that never flickers nor fails.
Be like Moses. Numbers 12:7 (NASB) "Not so, with My servant Moses, He is faithful in all My household."

This was such encouragement to me! I walked through a Marriage where the other partner chose to leave and then an engagement that went the same way. For a very long time I played the blame game on myself and tried to be Lord and not forgive the sins that helped cause these relationships to end......

Today I'm thankful for the one in my life that will NEVER LEAVE ME NOR FORSAKE ME.... Aren't you? We can have hope in the fact that if we are striving toward him and his ways - walking in obedience to his word - that he will lead and guide us in the way we should go.....

WHAT COMFORT and oh my..........WHAT PEACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Hugs,

Holly

Fearless Friday! Dying to Live

I have a very good friend that recently wrote a song that is titled:
DYING TO LIVE FOR YOU!

Yesterday I couldn't get the song out of my head.... I sang it all day long!
It speaks about the fact that as Christians we are dying daily to our flesh and
sinful nature in order to live for Christ... AWESOME SONG BY THE WAY KEVIN!!!!!! :)

It says that He paid the price and made the sacrifice in order that we might LIVE FOR HIM~~~

Just as Colossians 3:5-6 says: Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.

Its a constant war against sin - isn't it? Today I have many loved ones on my heart that need the Lord and his mercy!

Please join with me in prayer for our loved ones that are still walking in their own strength but DESPERATELY NEED THE STRENGTH OF THE LORD!


Have a blessed weekend,

Holly

Thankful Thursday: 10 Things You Don't Know About Me!

1. I'm very short.......... 5' 1" and a 1/4.....lol
So this must mean I'm not really chubby - just short!!!!!!!!!

2. I still love my ex husband... I know... weird - huh?
in a Godly love and as the Father of my children and Papa to my new Grand babies!
Sooooo - my salvation prayer for him is very dear to my heart as he is a huge
influence in my Son's life!

3. I love to barrel race horses! At age 47 and a bad back - I can't race them any
longer - but I still love doing it and watching my Dad (who is 70) still runs
them! AMAZING......................

4. I was blessed with two amazing children that I love dearly... Son and Daughter.
They have blessed me with a Grand Daughter and two little men!!!!!!! Nana's
bundles of joy!!!

5. I do not like to SHOP.... crazy, huh?

6. I was named after my Aunts... Polly (which is where Holly came from) and
Gertrude Rebecca (which is my middle name - Rebecca).....

7. I miss my Momma with all of my heart. We lost her 12 years ago..... Amazing
LADY!

8. I enjoy the beach and SUNSHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Would love to retire to Colorado
or anywhere that the sun shines most days!

9. I'm fearful of ever getting married again... Its a desire of my heart... BUT
I have a fear of it not working out once again.... Still growing in that area.

10. I finally love the Lord FIRST! Amen............

I of course love the family of God as well............ Many of you woman have blessed my heart in great ways. I found Lynn at unequally yoked marriage a few years back and she encouraged me to join a study! Blessed and healed my heart in many ways! Thanks again Lynn for reaching out and caring.... Love ya girl....

Hugs,

Holly

Gratitute Wednesday: Thankful heart

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.


Today I am just grateful for SALVATION! I'm thankful that His Spirit is in me and bringing about sanctification... If it weren't for the Lord, there is no way on earth I would ever choose the right way or His way!

This week has been a very very hard and long week (I know) its only Wednesday, lol....
But through his grace - I am strengthened and can do all things. Knowing this brings amazing peace to my heart.

I'm grateful that I have a Savior that knows my needs and cares about my smallest thought.....

Grateful this Wednesday for the fact that I'm his child and he loves me in spite of me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hugs,

Holly :)

Keeping My Eyes On The Lord

Today just seemed like one of those days.... Where none of my projects at work seemed to work out correctly - I felt crabby - out of sorts..........BUT GOD, right!

I had a devotional in my email that focused on this scripture:
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

That was soooo good for me today! At times I become very impatient with others but expect them to be over and above patient with me....... .

I'm learning slowly - to just take that 2nd breath - realize that we all fall short and focus on the fact that the more I practice walking confidently and boldly in obedience is when I will surely start reflecting more and more of Christ.

Hebrews 5:8
Although he was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which he suffered!

WOW... makes me reflect that my small suffering is NOTHING IN COMPARISON!

Hugs,

Holly

Fearless Friday: Family Tragedy

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Today I'm joining Angie at Fearless Friday for prayer - please look at the request and join us as well.....


This past week we had a neighbor shoot himself.... We formerly attended church with this family in the past and he was a 2nd cousin to my Son in Law.

Such a sad situation and they most certainly need the Lord to comfort and restore them..... Please remember them in your prayers!

In Christ,

Holly