Dear Heartstrings Family,

Thank you for coming to my blog site. As you know full well this has been an incredible season. A season of falling and rising.

Let me explain what I mean by this. Personally, loss has been wrapped in beauty. Such contrasts but, I know God is Sovereign. He is aware of every heart, heavy or happy. So, I get to lean into Him as my Shepherd ever more. Not a bad thing. For He is my God, my Refuge and my Fortress. I lean and rely on Him and live confidently in Him. Just as I shelter myself under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91 teaches me this. I believe it.

What do you believe today? Is your trust in man's wisdom, reports, or in the Lord God Who is in control? Remember, how the children of Israel came back from viewing the Promised Land? All but two reported how scary things were...giants in the land and fortified cities so huge. But, Joshua and Caleb alone reported the good news of abundant fruit and how delightful the land was.

What of a season of falling? Aren't you tired of getting scrapes and bruises from falling? When the best place to fall is at the feet and mercy of The Most High God...which is where I am choosing to live. Hope is there to refresh and renew our minds, if only we will.

So, rising during while all the horrors of war continue, sickness is evident in family and friends so close to home, and a heavy garment of discouragement weighs on the shoulders of many. 

Rise up and give God the glory and praise that is due Him! Put on a garment of praise! Look into the face of the One Who loves you and gave His life for you to have sweet fellowship with the Father. 

As you may notice, I haven't included scripture to back what I am saying. Did your mind recall what your Bible tells you? If not, then, you aren't spending enough time hiding His Word in your heart. Take a moment now and recall His promises!

My prayer today is this...Lord, life feels so fragile, fleeting, and changes so fast. One day makes all the difference. Help me live every moment to please You, Abba. Amen.

Now, James 4:8 says..."Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."

Jeremiah 29:13 says..."and you will seek Me and find Me when you search for me with all of your heart."

Hebrews 11:6 says..."Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

How diligent are you? I am realizing I can always in all ways draw closer to God. Many are groping to fill that place with worship of other gods. But, only The One True God can fill that place. He gives us a heart to rejoice in Him, to trust. We can lean all our weight on Him and He won't fall down. But, without our dependence on the Lord, we are bound to fall down. 

That vacuum you feel in your life is intended to be filled with the Holy Spirit of God. I may not see the answers to all of my prayers this hour. But, God will answer. 

I want to pray with you now. Dear heavenly Father, thank you for bringing us together on this day. Help us to worship You with lifted hands as we kneel before You. Take our sins and blunders and place Your hand upon us in a certain, assurance that we belong to You. Pour You precious Holy Spirit upon us. Take the distractions and burdens as we lay them at the cross. Set us free and focused to live our lives sincerely before You. Oh, God our breath, our very life is from You. You are Sovereign. Help us through this season with Heaven in our sights. We long for You to catch us up Lord Jesus. May it be today in the matchless name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Come and let us return to the Lord!

Abundance is...God's plans for this season