What is Your Worth?

Sunday Scripture

and a

Song

"What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.  And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows."

Matthew 10:29-31 (NLT)

We have all been there. That place where we question our worthiness. Where we question our value, or wonder if we are loved. That place of uncertainty where we wonder, "What's next?" 

One thing is certain. We should never underestimate our value to God. He loves us all so much that He sent His son to the Earth, to live among His people and teach us right living, and ultimately gave His life so that we might know eternal life with God. His gift of love is immeasurable.

When the uncertainties of this world creep into our lives, we must remember our worth is not measured by what is valued by people here on earth. Our worth is measured only by the One who has known us since before we were born; the One with whom we will share eternity. Only God can judge us, and He knows our true worth. He loves us, despite our human frailties. 

The Scripture verses above are from a passage where Jesus is sending out His Disciples. He gives them many instructions, and urges them to not be afraid. 

Likewise, we should not be afraid of the trials that come our way. Trust in God. Know that He watches over you with loving care. His eye is on the sparrow, and He watches you, too. Blessings, my friends.

Audrey Assad is one of my favorite female Christian artists. She wrote a fun, modern rendition of a traditional hymn and simply called it "Sparrow". I love to sing this song, and when I do, joy bubbles up inside me and makes me smile while I sing. What joy to know our God loves us!

I'm sharing this lovely song with you all today.

Subscribers please click on Hope to find to view this video on my blogsite.

Mobile users can click here to view this video on Youtube.

It would be fun to let us know your favorite hymn, or what reminders of God's great love make you smile. Please share in the comments, below. You may post anonymously, if you prefer. Thanks! 

Feeling Restless?

 
Sunday Scripture

and a

Song


"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 
and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28 NIV  

----------------

My Lord, take from me

My restless thoughts

My restless dreams

My restless life

And fill me

With peace

As only

You

can 


*** 

If you're feeling restless, know that you can rest your cares
 in the God who loves you. 
It doesn't matter what you've done, who you are
 or where you've been.
You only have to call on His name; and rest assured that
 He will hear your call.


Please Enjoy "Restless" by Audrey Assad

Subscribers please click on Hope to find to view this video on my blog site.
Mobile users can view this video on youtube by clicking here.


May all your restlessness be calmed in the arms of Jesus.

Even the Winter Won't Last Forever

Sunday Scripture

and a

Song

It seems as if the winter is endless this year. Spring is so very slow to arrive here in the upper Midwest. My crocuses -- that's a picture of them above, on one of our rare sunny days -- are one of the few signs of new life I've seen. It can be hard to feel hopeful when the rains keep coming and the cold winds continue to blow.

Have you ever been in a winter of your life; a time when new life or growth feels so far from the depths of sorrow or darkness that you are living? These are times when hope is so hard to find. 

But nothing stays the same forever. Everything always changes. We see this clearly in Nature, whose cycle of life continues and repeats season after season. Though this season seems endless, we know from experience that soon it will change and new life will begin.

We can count on that -- bank on it. Change is coming, and if we watch for signs of its progress, we will see them. Even the smallest new growth will give us hope that tomorrow may be different. 

God provides -- Everything we need. When hope seems futile, rest in the truth that God is with you and you are not walking this path alone. Believe in the possibilities for change that exist in every circumstance. And put your Hope in the One that never falters or disappoints. 

You can believe in the promise that spring will come, and the sun will shine on your face again. Rest in the assurance that change is a constant in our lives. It is a promise that new life and hope will again brighten your outlook. A surely as the seasons change.

You make springs pour water into the ravines,

    so streams gush down from the mountains.

 They provide water for all the animals,

    and the wild donkeys quench their thirst.

 The birds nest beside the streams

    and sing among the branches of the trees.

 You send rain on the mountains from your heavenly home,

    and you fill the earth with the fruit of your labor.

 You cause grass to grow for the livestock

and plants for people to use.

You allow them to produce food from the earth --

Psalm 104:10-14 (NLT)

Today I'm sharing Audrey Assad's song "Even the Winter"

A song of hope and persistence 

And belief that change will come

Subscribers please click on Hope to find to view this video on my blog.

Mobile users can click here to link to watch on youtube.

Thanks!

What Do You Hunger For?

Sunday Scripture

and a

Song

I believe God puts a hunger in each of us that cries out against injustice, with a desire for what is right to prevail. I believe we are meant for peace, and that our purpose in this life to is to ease the suffering of those around us. 

If we are to live rightly, then we must honor our deepest desire for a world where suffering and hatred would cease; where the oneness of all living things would be honored and cherished. And I believe this begins within each one of us.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

"Blessed Are the Ones" by Audrey Assad

Subscribers please click on Hope to find to view this video on my blog site.

Choosing Acceptance

When winter came creeping back onto my doorstep last week, my heart was not prepared for it. I was enjoying the days of fifty degree weather in early January, and a part of me pretended that we could just skip the snow and cold this year and morph right into an early spring.

Being born and raised in Wisconsin, I knew this couldn’t happen, yet the prospect sounded very encouraging. When they predicted the storm, the meteorologists and reporters pounced on the story with gusto. But in the early morning it was clear that only a mist was falling out there. Forget the fact that it was freezing to glare ice on surfaces. They were wrong. The temperatures would stay warm and it wouldn’t snow.

My cat, Lucky- he knows how to nap!

Sometime mid-morning the rain began to mix with snowflakes. By late morning, there was no denying that only snow was falling. And a lot of it, too. Usually when the first big snowfall begins, in late November or early December, I am filled with excitement like a child (though I usually don’t admit this to other level-headed adults).  This time, however, I chose to turn my back to the window and took a long winter’s nap.

When I awoke, the flakes were falling fast and furious and the world was already white. There was no denying winter had arrived, and I realized I had two choices, enjoy the snowfall in all its beauty or stay in bed until spring. Accepting winter for the good it brings helped with my attitude adjustment.

Walking the snowy trail behind our home

There is a peacefulness in walking amidst the falling snow which can’t be compared with any other time out in nature. Winter brings a coziness and less-hurried pace of other seasons. I enjoy the solitude, warm fires in the fireplace and the family together under one roof sharing hot meals and time together.

We humans have the innate capacity for acceptance. Making the best of our situations and finding the good in them is essential to finding our happiness. We find God’s peace in knowing we are exactly where He wants us to be. Perhaps our circumstances are not what we hoped. We can easily feel longing for things that might have been or once were. Time is an ever-flowing river, constantly moving forward. As much as we would like to, we cannot hit pause; nor can we go back in time.

Choosing acceptance helps secure our present. When we are fully invested in the here and now, we can find joy in our current situation rather than pining for something that can never be. This takes practice, and letting go.

Rocky knows peaceful rest

Relinquishing our hopes and dreams to the One who really holds our future is a process to knowing inner peace. Trusting and relying on God frees us from worry. With His help, and with prayer, we can learn to let go of the wants and desires that nag at our heart. With acceptance, we can appreciate all that we already have been given and live our lives in gratitude instead of want. 

Audrey Assad has written a beautiful song that touches my heart. 

We cannot find true peace until we rest in God.

Restless, by Audrey Assad