a joyfully abundant life

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Up Close: Making Bible Study Personal

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This Is My Life

jacquegarner

Ice cream + “strawbees” + “chokkit” = perf

Ice cream + “strawbees” + “chokkit” = perfection.

Making ice cream with Pops.

Making ice cream with Pops.

She’s barefoot right now. But overnight it’s g

She’s barefoot right now. But overnight it’s going to drop from the 70s down to near freezing with the possibility of snow. #crazyTNweather

THIS DAY! - {insert profound thoughts} - But serio

THIS DAY!
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{insert profound thoughts}
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But seriously! This day has certainly redeemed itself from this morning’s chilly, rainy, yucky-ness. The windows are open, I’m baking bread, and enjoying a quiet Saturday. What are you up to today?

Snow days make me want to bake. Started out this m

Snow days make me want to bake. Started out this morning with some yummy muffins. Cookie dough is chilling and I’m about to start some bread. How do snow days affect you?

Today's Psalm (Psalm 11) in the #oneyearbible sure

Today's Psalm (Psalm 11) in the #oneyearbible sure is a timely word for today!

There's a phrase that probably every pastor has heard as they lead their churches. "People are saying . . . " (And it's not a new thing - just read Psalm 11 to see what "people are saying" to David.)

This phrase almost always means, "I don't agree with something and I mentioned it to another person and they agreed with me so I'm going to take my concerns to the pastor."

Sometimes these concerns are legitimate. But more often they're based on incomplete information, personal opinion, perception, and/or speculation based on listening to the voices of others who are operating with incomplete information, personal opinion, etc.

There's so much speculation swirling around right now. So much "people are saying . . . " The enemy thrives in speculation. He knows it steals our peace and our joy. He knows it distracts us from the truth. He knows it brings division.

Can I encourage you today with the words of David? THE LORD STILL RULES and you can trust Him. He is working on your behalf. Let Him lead you from His omniscience. Let Him handle the unknowns as you lean into Him. Share your concerns - your "people are saying"s - with Him and let Him filter out the garbage. Cling to Him, knowing He holds you in His hand. Let the peace that passes all understanding guard your heart and mind.

I'm praying for you today. I'm declaring Psalm 11:4 and Philippians 4:6-7 over you. Hold fast!

People are saying: The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?

The truth is: But the Lord is in His holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. Psalm 11:4

I got to start out my Saturday with this view befo

I got to start out my Saturday with this view before heading out to the church to get ready for our first Sunday service of 2021. So thankful for the two grand boys who were added to our family in 2020. Definitely two of the best parts of the year!
#arloreed #gigix7

I woke up early this morning (NOT on purpose!) I t

I woke up early this morning (NOT on purpose!) I tried to go back to sleep but I was too excited about starting my new faith journal. #nerd
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Last year I felt the Lord leading me to read through the Psalms in 2020. He is so good. So wise. He knew exactly what was heading my way and the Psalms were exactly what I would need on the best days and on the worst.
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Reading slowly (so slowly! I stretched 150 chapter out over the whole year) allowed me to really soak in His Word. To gain a deeper understanding of who he is. For my faith and trust in Him to grow exponentially like never before.
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When each day seemed to bring worse news than the day before, the Psalms kept me anchored in hope. The beautiful relationship David and the other writers had with God taught me so much about the kind of relationship God wants with me.
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I developed the habit of processing everything through Him first. Everything. All the feels. The good, the bad, and the absolutely ugly. I laid it out before Him in my journal and through spoken prayers. And it has changed my life.
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Did I do this perfectly? Nope. Not. Even. Close. And I don’t expect to be perfect in 2021 either.
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But because of 2020, I have a greater expectation for 2021. I’m not afraid of what’s to come for I have seen that He is truly faithful - not just because I read that He was, but because I’ve experienced it. I know that He works out everything. EVERY. SINGLE. THING. for the good of those who love Him. He wastes nothing and everything holds a purpose.
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So, hello, 2021! I’m looking forward to what God is going to do in me and through me. I’m excited about the direction He is taking my family and our church. I am believing for Him to do big things in the body of Christ - for hardened hearts to be softened towards Him, for the lost to be drawn into relationship with Him, for healings and deliverances to abound, and so much more!
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Let’s do this!
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#happyplanner #faithplanner #oneyearBible #diveintotheWord

This is not where I expected to be today. • Back

This is not where I expected to be today.
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Back in the spring when I found out our 7th grand baby was on the way, we were at the beginning of lockdown.
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I never dreamed that we’d still be living in some alternate reality and I would not get to be at the hospital when Arlo was born.
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But here I am. Still in my pjs. (Well. That’s everyday!) Waiting at home. Not a hospital room.
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And remembering that even in disappointment: God is good. God is faithful. God is able.
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There’s still so much to be thankful for. There is still a God who reigns supreme and He is the same God who’s faithful love surrounds me and comforts me.
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“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:1‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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