A Tall Glass of Encouragement

Not that anyone noticed....and not that I expect anyone to notice but, this blog took a bit of a shift.  I went from sharing spiritual things...to sharing about my thrifty finds and the fun home projects I have been working on at home.  Not that that is a bad thing but if you could see my heart as the Lord does you would see that the shift was due to my lack of zeal, disappointments and very discouraged heart.  Don't get me wrong, I am going to keep up with my fun projects because I really enjoy them but I just have to say that my heart is in a better place.

Here is what I know, and what my heart is totally okay with...

Relationships are seasonal.
Relationships are purposed.
Sometimes they last and sometimes they don't.
Friends come and go. 
They are a gift to be enjoyed.
Friendship brings wisdom, love and comfort.
Friends share truth. 
Friends love you through the growth spurts.

Having said all of that...Here's what I also know,
Relationships were NEVER meant to end on a bad note.  Even though they are sometimes seasonal, God would never end a season on a bad note.  Although it does happen and God is so good to reveal so much to us in those times of separation, we as believers should never be okay with unreconciled, unresolved issues.  It should be a deep pain in our heart and soul until things, Lord willing, get resolved.

A good and very wise friend of mine encouraged me that when relationships goes through a rocky time it is very important to always (and I say all of this with a lot of !!!! because they are all so very important)...
1.  WAIT, Be Patient!!!
2.  While you are waiting, ask the Lord to reveal what He needs to reveal!!!! (Usually the issue that caused the break is not the real reason for the break...God allowed the break to happen so that He could reveal the real heart issues.)  If you continue to focus on the "issue" you will miss it all.
3.  Commit to Pray for restoration, even if your heart is not there yet!!!
4.  Think the best of that person!!!!! (so hard!!!) 
and then most importantly, TRUST that the Lord IS doing good work.

Even though I knew all of that to be truth my impatient heart began to hurt so bad from some spiritual battles in my life that I became soooo discouraged and depressed. 

Literally last night and this morning I told the Lord that I felt like my heart could not handle it anymore, that my heart desperately needed some encouragement.  I asked him this morning to heal one of those spiritual battles in my life.  That afternoon He did more than that.  He not only restored a friendship, He made it stronger than before.  Pride was washed away, Satan's lies were revealed, pain was totally removed, hearts were completely encouraged and truth prevailed.  And because of what was done on the cross, there was complete restoration.

Needless to say...I AM TOTALLY ENCOURAGED!!! 

God's work is...... SOOOO GOOD.  and I say that like I was completely! and utterly! dehydrated! and the Lord just poured me a nice big, huge, over flowing, refreshing cold one. ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.    of course I am talking about a drink of water ;)

I'm Just Saying...

I don't do well with pouting and I don't do well with needy people (and I am not talking about the poor and needy mentioned in the bible).  I am not that needy (most of the time) and when I choose to pout (remember, pouting is a choice!)  I try to do it in private.  So when I am dealing with a needy pouter who expects me to read minds...I REALLY DON'T DO WELL!

I need prayer!  Please.

I need to get over myself!

O God the author of all good, I come to Thee for the grace another day will require for its duties and events. I step out into a wicked world; I carry about with me an evil heart. I know that without Thee I can do nothing, that everything with which I shall be concerned, however harmless in itself, may prove an occasion of sin or folly, unless I am kept by Thy power. Hold Thou me up and I shall be safe.
Preserve my understanding from subtilty of error, my affections from love of idols, my character from stain of vice, my profession from every form of evil. May I engage in nothing in which I cannot implore Thy blessing, and in which I cannot invite Thy inspection. Prosper me in all lawful undertakings, or prepare me for disappointments. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with food convenient for me, lest I be full and deny Thee and say, Who is the Lord? or be poor, and steal, and take Thy name in vain.
May every creature be made good to me by prayer and Thy will. Teach me how to use the world and not abuse it, to improve my talents, to redeem my time, to walk in wisdom toward those without, and in kindness to those within, to do good to all men, and especially to my fellow Christians.  And to Thee be the glory.

A Puritans Prayer 

A Prayer I would like to memorize and have framed in my house

             The Belt Of Truth
Around my waist I put the belt of truth. Father, I commit myself to Jesus as the foundation of my life today. With your strength Lord, I will resist the temptation to stand on any worldly foundation. Jesus, you alone are my foundation for any situation that will arise today. (John 14:6)

            The Breastplate Of Righteousness
On my heart I put the breastplate of righteousness. I can fight any battle today because of the righteousness of Jesus, not my own! Jesus I declare that you are my righteousness and that though the victory of the cross I can stand victorious against temptation, sin and the attacks of our enemy. (2 Corinthians 5:12)

            The Shoes Of Readiness and Peace
On my feet, I put the shoes of the gospel. Father, prepare me by helping me known Jesus in a deeper way. Let your word become the guiding light for every step I take today and let the knowledge of the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection be my source of peace. (Romans 5:1)

           The Shield Of Faith
In my hand I take up the shield of faith. Father, by faith, connect me to the power of Jesus. My desire is to trust in you and your strength alone. Protect me from the arrows of the enemy today as I rely on your power. Give me faith so I may go forward doing your will. (Hebrews 11:33–34)

            The Helmet Of Salvation
On my head, I receive the helmet of salvation. Jesus, you are my salvation. You are my deliverance. Deliver me from all sins and weaknesses – spiritual, physical, and emotional. Cover me with strength, peace and anointing and bring me to complete wholeness in you. (1 Thessalonians 5:8–9)

           The Sword Of The Spirit
In my hand I take up the sword of the Spirit, the powerful word of God. Jesus, you are the living version of God’s word. May God’s Word give me wisdom to apply the Word to life’s situations and today’s troubles. (Hebrews 4:12)