I picked up this book; randomly open it to a page and this was the scripture.... "Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28-30‬ NLT, but I love the expanded passage (pictured) even more. I don't know about anyone else, but in all honesty, when I'm lacking in a relationship with God, I do feel worn out. It can't just be religious motions for me. If I'm not dedicated to spending time with Him, and making an effort to learn from Him and live through Him, then all my time spent seems wasted. I can read the Word all I want but if I am not meditating on Him, and if my desire lies in obtaining anything other than His company; to bask in His presence; then I begin to feel drained. Like I've wasted mass amounts of energy acquiring 'Things' that are not and will never be equivalent to His Love. So why is it (do you think) that we run to things, to idols, and various distractions with a hope of them renewing our joy? Reigniting in us that which God Himself set fire to? Hmmm. I don't know. But I do know one thing.... my legs have grown quite tired of running. I think it's time to sit still and just be with Him. Let him calm my soul and at the same time set it on fire again. I love You Jesus!

Never Settle

It is human nature to be drawn to what makes us comfortable. We become acclimated to something, so even when it is bad for us, we find ourselves caught in the contentment of our circumstances. We settle, even when we hear that whisper inside saying "there is something better". We silence it briefly because staying where we are, doing what we're used to, is much easier than the daunting task of embracing a whole new lifestyle. But as hard as it is.... you have to inevitably make the decision to change your patterns, and understand that in order to better yourself, you can't keep retracing the same steps; making the same mistakes that will ultimately lead you to the same destination. Even if you take day-to-day baby steps, just start walking in a different direction and you'll get a different result. Hopefully, a better one. Yes, it will be uncomfortable but no one that's ever seen the sky from a mountain top is concerned with the steps it took to get there, sore legs, or how uncomfortable the walk was. All that matters is the view from the top. The view they wouldn't have seen had they not taken the steps to get there. Never settle. Be brave enough to walk in faith through the fear. Don't let anything keep you from the view you deserve to see. 

Tears Heal

Tears are words my soul cannot bare to speak

As they fall upon my cheek 

like the morning dew upon petals 

A peace settles over my soul 

And I am able to cope 

despite the pain of losing you. 

Thirty Year Anniversary

Thirty beautiful years

Through the tears and laughter

Moments captured in time

and cherished forever

Together you will weather every storm you face

Triumphant in faith

God’s grace will bring you through

And a love that’s true will always endure

To your many more days together

May they be blessed and treasured. 

 

Written for Brian Marsh and His Wife by Brianna C. Carey

Contentment is Joy

I'm beginning to understand that whether one has a little or a lot, they must be grateful. Your joy cannot be determined by your circumstances, for they change continually; Your joy must be an unchanging solid foundation on which you stand at all times. Good or bad. Little or much. Because if you aren't happy with a little, you won't be happy with a lot. You have to make the decision to be happy just because.

Give It To God

Some people have just made it their mission in life to ruin yours. But they can only destroy what you give to them of yourself. Whatever you surrender unto them, you give them temporary control over; Surrender your patience and you permit them to make you angry. Surrender your joy and you permit them to make you cry. But if you give them nothing because you've given everything to God, then they eventually give up; knowing that nothing they say or do will determine the outcome of your life because it is not in their hands.... but in Gods'. 

What does it all mean?

Awake and unsettled...... 

It's times like these that I distance myself from the world usually, and go into my me cave for a while, headphones and all, so as to avoid trivial conversation with those who could care less about what I have to say. I surrender to my God to receive wisdom, only to speak and have it fall on deaf ears. The scriptures say: "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." - Matthew 7:6 I have known that pain of witnessing my words be trampled. It's agonizing; and so I think, why put myself through that? Is anything getting through to them God? Could I possibly be sowing seeds that will later grow in the souls and minds of other people? I'd like to hope the latter but I honestly do not know. I look into the eyes of some and I see an empty vessel. Their eyes glazed over as if they are not present, although standing directly in front of me. Every one's always so rushed, so pressed for time, but what time? What is more important than right now? How can one be so ahead of themselves that they aren't even here right now? I wonder these things to myself.....I ponder the meaning of it all. Why we feel the need to fill our silence with generic small talk rather than sit peacefully together in serenity. Why we cant stand to just be still. Why we submit to asking the same old "how are you? Good, how about you? I'm good." question and answer routine everyday, with no intention of procuring a genuine answer to how another human being is actually doing? I just grow so tired of it all..... it all seems so meaningless. I do not desire to partake in this facade of conversation anymore. It's draining, and literally excruciating, both intellectually and spiritually. Sigh..... I need a break. I think it's time for me to step back a bit, quiet myself and refocus my vision so it aligns with my purpose. God grant me the serenity.....