Sweet and Sour 365

Today's reading came from Ecclesiastes - and every single time I think of this book in the Bible I think of Footloose! If you are around my age - you remember the first time this movie came out with Kevin Bacon. He was speaking to his city council about a time for every purpose under heaven...a time to laugh, a time to weep, a time to mourn, and a time to dance. But, my verse came from 11:4 and it got me thinking. "Those who wait for perfect weather will never plant seeds..." I tend to wait too long. He says move and I say - did you really say that? He says, "Be willing to try new things that I lead you to." and I question leaving the comfortableness. My sons devotional last night was for me...another message. "You may look back and wish for the days when things were easier. But those easy times were to train and prepare you for the adventure ahead." Now, I believe that sentenced is more about my daughter but was also for me. There is a purpose for eve...

"But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt." ~James 1:6

“The one who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. Those who walk alone are likely to find themselves in places where no one has been before.” ~Albert Einstein

"It is infinitely better to fail with courage, then to sit idle with fear." ~Chip Gaines

“God is gently calling you from the jaws of trouble      to an open place of freedom      where he has set your table full of the best food." ~Job 36:16

"But when I give you a message, I will loosen your tongue and let you speak." ~Ezekiel 3:27

“Fear loses oxygen when every moment suspends itself under the purpose of bringing Him glory, of knowing His name and His nature. Sometimes, instead of leading us up and out of those very fears, big and small, He lets us live them. He gives us over to them. Because it’s in this giving over to our fears that we find the perfect love that frees us from them. Forever.” ~Sara Hagerty

“There’s a difference between good judgment and living in judgment.” ~Bob Goff

Several years ago, I poured out all the best words I had into a book proposal, only to get rejected. At the same time, other writer friends were getting accepted by publishers. I said on the outside, “Good for them.” But on the inside, I just kept thinking, “Ouch…that means less opportunity for me.” After processing for a while, I turned to God’s Word. He showed me new and life-giving realities. Other people’s success does not threaten mine or yours. When they do well, we all do well. And remember there is an abundant need in this world for your contributions to the kingdom — your thoughts and words and artistic expressions ... your exact brand of beautiful. Know it. Believe it. Live it. ~Lysa TerKeurst  

"You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept." ~Matthew 5:14 (MSG)

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." ~Ephesians 4:2

"Who knows why God allows heartbreak, but the answer must be important enough because God allows His heart to break too.” ~Ann Voskamp

"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." ~John 7:38

"When we wonder why art and creativity matter to us in such deep and moving ways: because we (and all creation) were created by an Artist." ~Shauna Niequist

"Thank you God for this day and my beautiful new room. Amen!" ~ my son Sometimes we just need to rearrange some things and get rid of clutter to have a fresh outlook - a new perspective - a shift in our mood. Sometimes that happens within us. God's stirring something new in my heart.