Archives for March 2015

Empowered For Impossible Tasks

2055840056_e0e3e7ce29_z

Let’s face it. Some tasks God gives us to do seem impossible. We wonder what he was thinking when he called on us. Doesn’t he know there’s no way we can do what he’s asked?

Consider Noah and the job he was given. When God prepared to flood the earth, he said to Noah, “You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you.” (Genesis 6:19)

Whoa! If anything qualifies as an impossible task, surely this would be it, right? Had I been Noah, I probably would have started spitting out all the reasons I would fail before I could hear the second part of God’s message. The part that stated how his power would be at work.

That’s right, God did not give Noah an impossible task and then leave him to struggle through on his own. No, God enabled and empowered Noah to accomplish his directive. God said, “Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.” (v.20-21)

God was prepared to do the impossible part—gathering the animals. Noah simply needed to act as greeter and caretaker once they were there. Rising to that challenge would still require trust in God and good old-fashioned work, though. But Noah did it. With God’s help, he accomplished the impossible task.

Has God given any of us seemingly impossible assignments? Are we lacking the time, the abilities, the resources, or the emotional and spiritual strength to do the things he’s asked us to do?

Whether it’s answering God’s call to a new job or ministry responsibility that’s above our heads or granting forgiveness to someone who has grievously injured us or someone we love, let’s tune our ears to hear how God will enable and empower us to do the impossible.

As with Noah, God will not leave us to struggle through on our own. He will accomplish the impossible part. He will supply all that’s needed and give wisdom to know when the task is completed if we will only act in faith and obedience.

So let’s go forward with God’s help. Let’s do the impossible.

“‘For nothing is impossible with God.’” Luke 1:37

*When has God helped you do the impossible?

*Flickr photo by ecstaticist, Creative Commons License

Blogging Break Plus Grandson Photo Fun!

IMG_1112

I’ve decided to take an early and extended Spring Break blogging break this year. With several out-of-town trips to help take care of the two little sweethearts pictured here today and also other out-of-town day trips I’ve needed to take, I’ve been meeting myself coming and going. Time to give myself some breathing room where blogging is concerned. I’ll be back with regular posts (including a few encore posts) on March 23.

Before I skedaddle, though, I thought you might enjoy a little photo fun today featuring my twin grandsons. After all, what could be better to leave up on my blog for a couple of weeks than photos of my new little loves?

Hope you enjoy the view here today! I’ll be seeing these sweet boys in person during part of my spring break. And that’s the kind of break that will make this grandma’s heart happy!

*Isaiah is on the left above and James is on the right. This shot was taken a few weeks ago so they are already a little bigger now. Wish they wouldn’t grow up so fast. Enjoy some more recent shots below!

IMG_1310 - CopyIsaiah sleeping like the angel he is :)

IMG_1323

Our sweet James likes to “play toys” with Grandma :)

IMG_1330Our precious Isaiah with his Lovey. Can’t get much sweeter than this, huh?

IMG_1370 - CopyThis was James’s first time in the swing. As you can see, he loved it. And we love him!

“The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:3

*I get to see my little loves during spring break. What will you be doing?

*My photos

Visual Overview of The Mother of the Bride Blog

IMG_4084

Mother of the Bride, I need to take an early and extended Spring Break blogging break so I thought this would be the perfect time to point you to a visual overview of my entire Mother of the Bride Blog. I’m hoping this will make it super simple for you to catch sight of posts that interest you so you click over to them and quickly find the help you need.

You’ll find this visual overview of the blog on my Mother of the Bride Blog Pinterest board. Since I’ve pinned each post to this board, you can just scroll down and see not only the title of each post but a photo as well. This way if you don’t have time to read blog post titles, the photo alone will help you decide what to investigate further.

I’ll return with regular blog posts on March 23, but in the meantime, enjoy window-shopping my blog through my blog post Pinterest board. Hope it helps!

Mother of the Bride Blog Pinterest board

*You can also see a complete listing of my blog post titles in the archives section at the bottom of the sidebar to your right. Just click on each year and then each month to get a drop down list of all the titles.

*My photo

Midweek Morsel: God’s Love—A Love That Lasts

IMG_2674“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1

In Psalm 136, the Psalmist repeats the phrase His Love endures forever no less than twenty-six times. He ends each verse of his psalm with those blessed words. Do you think he’s trying to make a point? I’d say so!

If you ever begin to think that God’s love for you or for our world has run out, turn to Psalm 136. Read those precious words and let the message of a love that has no end wash over you. No matter what happens in our lives or in the world around us, God’s love is ever-present, ever cradling us in its faithfulness. We can count on the love of God.

Thank you, O Lord, for a love that lasts! Thank you for being our sure foundation!

“‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10

*How has God’s enduring love impacted your life?

*My photo

Old West, Flyer-Inspired Wedding Stationery Idea

5167199598_118ce01326_z

Well, Ma of the Bride, is your little bride-to-be cookin’ up some rootin’, tootin’ fun for the day she’s gettin’ hitched? If so, why not add to the Old West rustic fun with some invitations that match the style of the wedding?

Typography style stationery that looks like flyers from the Old West will be the perfect addition to an Old West/cowboy/rustic themed wedding. Regional or era-appropriate wording like “Y’all come” or “gettin’ hitched” can add to the overall fun, too, on everything from save-the-dates to invitations to the rsvp cards. The happy couple can get as down-home as they’d like or reign it in a bit, whatever suits their particular personalities and styles.

The typography style flyer-invitation might be something that the bride or groom or another family member or friend could design fairly easily, too. Saving money is always a plus, isn’t it, MOB, not to mention the personal touch that will always be remembered.

So Ma, if your sweet gal is cozyin’ up to the idea of an Old West, cowboy, or rustic-themed wedding, show her this idea and see if it tickles her down-home fancy. Ya’ll have fun now!

*If you’d like to see some other western invitation ideas, check out the Western Wedding Invitation page on Zazzle.

*Flickr photo by Sarah Parrott, Creative Commons License