Letter from a Friend

Another one of my inspirations that continues to fill me with hope many years later. I bought a framed piece of art in 1990 with this beautiful message. It spoke to my heart. Little did I know the true significance of its message. God relentlessly pursues our hearts...he's been pursuing mine for decades. Thank you, Jesus, I finally turned towards you.

May you realize just how much God loves you, too.

From my collection of inspirations...

Letter from a Friend

I am writing to say how much I care
for you and to say how much I want
to know you better.

When you awoke this morning, I
exploded a brilliant sunrise through
your window hoping to get your
attention, but you rushed off without
even noticing.

Later, I noticed you were walking with
some friends so I bathed you in warm
sunshine and perfumed the air with
natures sweet scent, and you still didn't
notice me. As you passed by, I shouted
to you in a thunderstorm and painted
a beautiful rainbow in the sky and you
didn't even look.

In the evening, I spilled moonlight onto
your face and sent a cool breeze
to rest you. As you slept, I watched
over you and shared your thoughts, but
you were unaware that I was so near:

I have chosen you and hope you will
talk to me soon. Until then
I will remain near. I am your friend and
love you very much.

Your friend Jesus.

Under His Wings

Almost 20 years ago, I received this piece of inspiration from my friend Ginny. She is a beautiful angel that entered my life to offer me encouragement, support and provide spiritual nourishment as I began a journey of recovery and growing faith in God.

a poem about letting go and trusting...

Under His Wings

As the eagle must force her young from the nest,
To teach them how to fly,
So our Father must press us out
Of routine things he'd have us try.

And just as the eagle guards her own
to insure their safety in flight,
Our Lord is near when we try our wings -
We're never out of his sight.

But should the eaglet begin to fall,
the Eagle swoops down from above
to rescue its young and bear it up
on wings of strength and love.

So how can we doubt the eagles creator,
the One who made us all,
would fail to save and deliver us,
if we should start to fall.

~ BJ Hoff

Broken Dreams

A friend offered me this piece of encouragement almost 20 years ago...it has carried me through many rough patches along the way. From my collection of inspirations...

a beautiful poem about letting go and trusting God...

Broken Dreams As children bring their broken toys With tears for us to mend, I brought my broken dreams to God Because He was my friend. But then instead of leaving Him In peace to work alone, I hung around and tried to help With ways that were my own. At last I snatched them back and cried, "How could you be so slow" "My child," He said, "What could I do? You never did let go." - Author Unknown

Inspirations of the week...

A experienced a chain reaction of inspirations this week...one after another...after another...after another. The closer I moved towards God...in praising Him and walking in His will, the more He revealed himself to me. Some of the inspiring messages that I've received this week include:

'Everything' Lifehouse (drama)
A new post on Life is Full of Unhandled Exceptions filled me with the spirit, rekindling the fire within to praise God for his loving mercy and grace. This video is amazing. May it move your spirit.

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. ~ James 4:8

Thank You, Jesus!
Over the weekend, Thankful Paul dropped by my blog to say hello. I decided to return the favor in-kind and visit his blog, Jesus and the Atheist. What I discovered amazed me...a powerful testimony of a new believer in Christ. It reminded me of the power and grace that only God can offer. May you be blessed and inspired by his testimony.

Be Blessed Movie
One of the blessings that I received this year was to reconnect with a good friend from High School. Over the years we've lost touch with each other...traveling along our separate paths. During the Spring, Leslie, reached out to me through classmates.com. What a delight to hear from her almost 20 years later.

Today, I received an email from her with a link to a motivational movie on 'Finding Joy. The past few months, I've felt anything but Joy'...so, what a delight to receive this gift. I explored the Simple Truth's website and found this movie on Blessings. Gifts are meant to be shared...May you be blessed and inspired by this movie.

I'd love to hear what inspires you...

Trust in Christ = Hope for a Future

How can I serve thee, Lord?

A thought, a prayer, a small gesture towards a friend in need...
that, I believe, is how Christ calls me to serve Him in my day.

We may never know the impact someone's words or gestures
have in changing someone's outlook, heart or mind. I've found
that when I extend kindness and serve others ahead of my own needs,
God raises me to a new level of grace...one where the desire to serve
Him increases.

Lord, deliver me from my selfish ways that I may serve those in
need of hope, love, and faith today. Let your light shine through
me that others may see your Glory and be drawn to you.

In Christ, Hope is born anew. His Light casts out the darkness.
The promise of His love is everlasting.

*******************************************

A friend of mine is battling with depression, spiritual
warfare and a deep sense of hopelessness in her life.
I thought I might offer her a bit of hope to cast a ray
of light into this dark season of her life.

I found this little heart rock in my travels and added some
scripture quotes to this beautiful stationary to create a card for her -
A reminder that trusting Christ offers hope for our future.


(click on the image for a close-up of the sweet little heart rock)

Great Light of the World...

Great Light of the World - Bebo Norman

Transformational imagery created using original photography (see Golden Radiance post) and Kaleidoscope software (PhotoEchoes)

The Promises of the Holy Spirit

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
~ Ezekiel 36:26


I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.
I will counsel you and watch over you.
~ Psalm 32:8


And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
~ John 14:16


When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth;
~ John 16:13

Prayers of Abandonment

Image on prayer card with *Brother Charles of Jesus prayer

*Prayer of Abandonment of Brother Charles of Jesus

Father, I abandon myself into Your hands;
do with me what You will.
Whatever You do I thank You.
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only Your will be done in me,
as in all Your creatures,
I ask no more than this, my Lord.

Into Your hands I commend my soul;
I offer it to You, O Lord,
with all the love of my heart,
for I love You, my God, and so need to give myself--
to surrender myself into Your hands,
without reserve and with total confidence,
for You are my Father.


The Third Step Prayer
(from page 63 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous)

God,I offer myself to Thee-
To build with me
and to do with me as Thou wilt.
Relieve me of the bondage of self,
that I may better do Thy will.
Take away my difficulties,
that victory over them may bear witness
to those I would help of Thy Power,
Thy Love, and Thy Way of life.
May I do Thy will always!

Copyright ©Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.


My personal prayer...

Holy Father, thank you for your grace and mercy working powerfully in my life. You are my strength, my guiding force. In you, I find peace and purpose. I offer myself to thee Lord, to use me according to your will. I lift up my fears and anxieties to you, knowing and trusting that you will work everything out according to your will. Please clear the clouds of doubt from my mind that I may see the path ahead. Let your will be done, not mine.

God, I lift up my hands in prayer, my heart in surrender and my will to be conformed to your ways. Relieve me of the bondage of my fears and doubts. Forgive my lack of faith in your love for me. Empty me of all desires, demands, needs and expectations of myself and others that aren't according to your will and plan for me. Fill me with your peace, purpose and strength.

In your Son's precious and Holy name I pray

A Thrill of Hope...

"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
~ Isaiah 9:6 (New International Version)

May the Holy Spirit fill those empty and lonely places of your heart, may you rest quietly and peacefully in his gentle embrace. May God's love and grace fill your hearts to overflowing this Christmas. Wishing you the blessings of His overwhelming Peace, His unfathomable Love and His unending grace. I pray that during the days ahead that your hearts be filled with a renewed sense of Hope.

Blessings,
Kimberly

Christmas Songs - Josh Groban - Oh Holy Night.mp3 - Josh Groban