Today for the first time I am stepping out and being brave and joining one of my blogging friends, Lisa-Jo Baker's  Five Minute Friday #FMF writing challenge.

This is where a brave and beautiful bunch gather every week to find out what comes out when we all spend five minutes writing on the same topic and then sharing them.

These are the guidelines.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

I encourage you to check out Lisa's blog here and also invite you to join us and give us your best five minutes on the topic -

BRAVE

Here I GO!!




This is what I know about being BRAVE...

I Am Not.

But He Is.

And He is with me and goes with me.

When I am faced with my own failures.
He is with me.

When I am faced with challenges of being a mom.
He is with me.

When I am faced with wounds from others.
He is with me.

When I am faced with loss.
He is with me.

When I am struggling to understand.
He is with me.

When I am faced with a diagnosis of cancer.
He is with me.

When all of this and more make me tremble and feel like I am frightfully stranded at the top of the broken Ferris Wheel - I open the Word or put on some Worship music and I am reminded.

He is hope.
He is strength.
He is peace.
He is wisdom.
He is healing.
He is courage.

And He is the source that is powerfully cheering & unbelievably providing these things so we can face and get through it all...somehow - someway.  
His Way.

Remembering His Word and His provisions from the past - helps me to be able to face what comes to my doorstep in the future.

Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid...
for it is the Lord your God who goes with you.
He will not leave you or forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6

STOP

Jewel of Inspiration: The Joy Of The Lord Is Our Strength!

Sometimes we experience moments, days, or seasons that try to sap & drain our joy & strength.  I declare these words and scriptures over my life and yours today!

If our faith gets beat up & worn we gradually begin to lose our vibrant joy
and then before long our strength weakens and our hope begins to fade.

Many times it happens so quickly & subtly in a variety of ways 

that we don't even notice it. until somebody recognizes it.

To help get out of a funk I encourage myself and others to get your praise on!

Crank up some of your favorite music -spend time reading a strengthening 

word from the Bible and be aware of your many blessings and magnify 

that instead of allowing whatever situation

 or whoever'scomments to drain & rob you!

Music and specifically Praise Music always lift my spirits and change my attitude 

and focus and it has the power to change the atmosphere around me!

Renewing your heart and mind by magnifying the good in your life

 and singing with grateful joy is so healing!

When we struggle or suffer let us help, remind & encourage one another to drop what chains us and in celebration & gratitude share our testimony and remembrance 

of how the Lord was our source, our support and our strength to overcome!! 

In the midst of praise & testimony He has the power to lift burdens, give strength

 and instruction to press through the hard days! 

Praise Him alone or join together and sing for the joy of 

what He has done and is yet to do!

Here are mighty scriptures to proclaim over you life.

Insert your name and your loved ones names in them - put on some worship music

 and celebrate with a grateful heart!

A psalm. For giving grateful praise. Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 

Psalm 100:1

Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob!

He says, "I removed the burden from their shoulders;

 their hands were set free from the basket. 

Psalm 81:1, 6

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. 

My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him!

Psalm 28:7

Nehemiah said, "Go, and enjoy good food and sweet drinks.  Send some to people 

who have none, because today is a holy day to the Lord. 

Don't be sad, because the joy of the Lord is your strength! Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send some of their food to others, and to celebrate with great joy.  They finally understood what they had been taught.

Nehemiah 8:10,12

 "Holy joy will be oil to the wheels of our obedience"  ~Matthew Henry

"Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life.

The quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be okay and

 the determined choice to praise God in all things."

~ Kay Warren

Be Inspired!

Pinky Vern

A Good Friday

When I think of all that the Lord Jesus Christ has healed me of -
I think of this day.

I consider the work at Calvary.
I give thanks for all that was
fulfilled and settled that day at the cross.
Jesus was wounded that we might be healed.
Our Sicknesses
Our Sorrows
Our Pains
Our Lives
 All Healed By The Blood of Christ.
It doesn't mean we will not have pain, sickness or sorrows.
It does mean we do not carry them or go through them alone.
It means we are loved.

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.  But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement (punishment -NIV) for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:4-5


Every time I read that verse my heart is overwhelmed knowing
that the punishment for my peace was upon Him.
Even now tears flow and I am moved with gratitude for the peace I have experienced
and the healing He has provided through His afflictions on the cross.

Are you in need of some peace,hope & healing today?

God has made a way for forgiveness, peace, hope & healing to come.
It was accomplished and finished on the cross and that was enough to
Save & Heal all of us!!

Pray this prayer and trust Him today and make this the best Friday Ever!!

Dear Lord,
I acknowledge that I am a sinner and believe that you died on the cross for my sins.
I confess You as my personal Lord & Savior and Thank You for dying on the Cross for me!
Today I repent of my sins and struggles.
I give to you the wounds and heartaches that I have carried on my own and pray you would 

bring healing into my life.
Amen.

"Because our God’s acquainted with grief, He is intimately acquainted with us, 
with our thorns hidden and driven deep. We don’t cry alone."~ Ann Voskamp
www.aholyexperience.com

Click here to listen to a beautiful version of At The Cross.


Be Inspired By The Cross,

Pinky Vern