Do not be afraid

Have I not commanded you? 

Be strong and courageous. 

Do not be afraid; 

do not be discouraged, 

for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

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Let's pray for someone we know who is facing a life change, moving on, or moving forward. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Gifts from above

Every good and perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, 

who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17 NIV

*****

Let's pray for someone we know who is facing a life change, moving on, or moving forward. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Don't be anxious

Whenever you're facing a major decision, I urge you to pray about it. God will answer.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, 

with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:6-7

*****

Let's pray for someone we know who is facing a life change, moving on, or moving forward. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die, 

a time to plant and a time to uproot, 

a time to kill and a time to heal, 

a time to tear down and a time to build, 

a time to weep and a time to laugh, 

a time to mourn and a time to dance, 

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, 

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 

a time to search and a time to give up, 

a time to keep and a time to throw away, 

a time to tear and a time to mend, 

a time to be silent and a time to speak, 

a time to love and a time to hate, 

a time for war and a time for peace. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

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Let's pray for someone we know who is facing a life change, moving on, or moving forward. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Seen or unseen

I've read these verses several times over the years but still, this morning got something different from them. It probably has to do with reading scripture in light of what's happening in life at this moment. That's how we find answers to life's questions. God reveals Himself through His word.

Therefore we do not lose heart. 

Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory 

that far outweighs them all. 

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, 

since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

"what is seen is temporary..." This makes me think of the past and the present. What's already happened is in the past; it's gone and we can't get it back, but there are times I long to go back in time and take a different path only to realize that a different path would alter so much more than the one thing I want to change. I need to let the past go and the events and decisions. Whatever choices I made back then or even just moments ago, God used to set me on the right path - the path that leads to Him and to my purpose in life.

"what is unseen is eternal..." The future is timeless. Christians have (literally) forever. We may shed this body today or tomorrow but we will live on. Instead of dreading or being anxious about the future, the unknown or unseen, we can delight in knowing that we're doing what we're supposed to be doing and that God will guide our way if we ask.

So, change or moving on doesn't have to be looked at with trepidation. It can be a wondrous opportunity that God has presented to us which is for His purpose.

My life verse is a reminder to leave it up to Him and not to worry about what choices I make if I make those choices by consulting Him first.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

Let's pray for someone we know who is facing a life change, moving on, or moving forward. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Everything will be okay

I believe that everything happens for a reason and that reason is in keeping with God's plan for us. It may take months, years or even a lifetime for a person to be able to see how God guided his/her life; all of the accumulated steps that were necessary to reach the person's destiny. It's difficult to be patient. It's difficult not to worry about the future. We want assurance that everything will work out. So, here it is:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, 

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 

plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Whatever change you're going through: moving, starting a new career, going back to school, dealing with an illness, ... trust in the Lord. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

*****

Let's pray for someone we know who is facing a life change, moving on, or moving forward. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Moving on

I know I'm stating the obvious when I say that 'the world is constantly changing,' but I'm telling you, it really is, and I don't really care for change. Change is stressful to me most of the time, but I know that depending on the circumstances, it can be a relief and it can definitely be a blessing. The stressful part is usually temporary and soon the change itself becomes the new normal.

See, I am doing a new thing! 

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? 

I am making a way in the wilderness 

and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19 NIV

*****

Let's pray for someone we know who is facing a life change, moving on, or moving forward. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

The Croods - Movie Review

I'm not really one of those "deep" movie critics, that analyze a film, explaining all of the nuances and how they correlate to the world we live in.  I really just wanted to say, that I really enjoyed this movie!  I thought it was funny, like in a slap stick kind of way, entertaining, and engaging.  I give it 5 thumbs up.

"The Croods", Written and Directed by Kirk De Micca, Chris Sanders, 2013, Dreamworks

Whatta Year!

Actually, it should be "whatta year and a half!"  My last post was January, 2013, and I think that must have been my last "normal" day.  The short and sweet version is that in the past year & a half, I have:  traveled to Romania, Switzerland, Virginia, and Hawaii, bought a new house, got married in it the day after closing, lost 2 mother-in-laws, the first one was 5 days after we got married.  Within a month of getting married, found out I had breast cancer.  Since then, I've had internal radiation, chemotherapy, and external radiation.  The chemotherapy wraps up this coming October.  Because of all of this, I had to drop out of school (again!)  And, I just found out Friday, that my 13 1/2 year old beagle has kidney disease' oh, and an eye and ear infection.

Those are just the highlights, and although they may sound mostly negative, they really aren't.  I have been very blessed through all of this, and have come through it all a much better person.  I'll elaborate on all of these things bit by bit.  I really miss writing, and although I still write in my journal/diary frequently, I miss the interaction of a blog.