Category: Praise

  • Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

      Birthday Cake for Jesus
      Reading Christmas Story together

      MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS and Blessings from our home to yours,
      from Steve and Teresa and Skipper too

      Candles lit one by one
      Sacred moments
      Put aside exterior noise and commercial trappings
      Sit down to view birthday cake for Jesus
      One gold candle for the One to be crowned King.

      Focus as family take turns reading out loud verse by verse
      Oldest to youngest join in reciting the Christmas Story – the
      Birth announcement declared in Luke 2
      Rest of the world, life, put on hold
      Sets us back over 2,000 years ago to Bethlehem, the town of David in Judea.

      The angel speaks to Mary,
      Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.
      You will be with child and give birth to a son,
      And you are to give him the name Jesus.
      He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
      The LORD God will give him the throne of his father David,
      And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever;
      His kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:29-33)

      Let these sacred words sink in
      Find a place to rest, take hold, germinate, and flourish
      We sing together: “Happy Birthday to You. Happy Birthday to You, dear Jesus.”
      Thank you for coming to earth.
      Thank you for saving my soul and saving the world.

      Thoughts to ponder – think back to how it must have felt for:
      Zechariah and Elizabeth
      Mary and Joseph
      Shepherds watch their flock by night
      Simeon, the Temple priest
      Anna, prophetess, who never left the temple awaiting the Savior

      Emotions:
      Joy, fear, doubt, and elation
      Surprise, confirmation, thankfulness, and devotion
      Trust, praising God in the Highest, brokenness, and pain
      Amazement and relief
      Just to name a few

      ***

    • Sheep are Valuable

      Round #3 … the Resume of a Sheep taken from Psalm 23. First, we talked about sheep being vulnerable. Our second session: sheep go astray.

      This time let’s move to Sheep are Valuable!        

      Being a curious person, I looked up the definition for the word valuable: having considerable worth, bringing a high price, having qualities worthy of respect, admiration or esteem.

      Wow! Our Heavenly Father is speaking about me and about you! You are precious, treasured, cherished and appreciated, my dear sheep-friend.

      The next time someone flings you a sarcastic remark or circumstances throw you for a loop—remember that He deems you dear. He respects you beyond all measure.

      When you have a few minutes, ponder Psalm 139.

      “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful”

      *****

       

    • Loved

      Loved

      This week’s Five Minute Friday writing prompt is: LOVED

    • Breathing in His Grace

      Swan Creek anchorage by Rock Hall, Maryland

      All is calm.
      All is still.                                             Fish jump occasionally.
      Blue Heron glides overhead.
      Subtle creek ripples
      Gently past our vessel
      Sanctuary – tucked away snugly
      Within a protected cove.

      Take a few deep breaths
      Breathe in His grace and 
      Breathe out His praise  *
      Breeze cooling as sun sets
      Slowly behind pine tree line.
      Another day draws to a close
      Opportunity to thank the One
      Who made all things possible.

      Picture taken at Swan Creek at anchor, Rock Hall Maryland

      • Matt Redman – Your Grace Finds Me! 

    • He sees all

      God sees a lonely, breaking heart
      So, He sends rays of sunshine to warm a soul
      An unexpected smile from a stranger
      Manatee swims beneath the boat 

      God sees a lonely, breaking heart
      So, He delivers frolicking dolphins
      Comfort words from a friend
      Bursts of flowers from a cactus

      God sees my lonely, breaking heart
      So, He orchestrates morning chatter from birds
      Awareness … my husband truly cares
      A pelican confidently swoops

      I am not alone
      This too shall pass
      Reminders to enjoy
      this present moment

      *****

    • I’m Back !!!

      Greetings & Salutations!

      Been so long busy preparing and traveling on our year-long Great Loop journey that I am sorry I’ve neglected this blog. In the interim, I hope you’ll find, read, comment on our blog link at www.TravelsOfSanctuary.com. Our blog will give you a clue as to what my husband Steve and I have been doing for the last six months.

      Steve & Teresa on the deck of Sanctuary
      Steve & Teresa on the deck of Sanctuary

      This is day #179 of a potential 365-day trip. Doing the math, I calculate that 182 days will be one-half way through. I can honestly say I am not the same person when Steve and I began on September 3, 2016 back at Lakeshore Yacht Harbour, Muskegon, Michigan.

      I’ve been honest with everyone—we are living aboard my dream boat on Steve’s dream trip. We’ve weathered ups and downs. In case you wonder if every day feels like living in Paradise; the answer is no. Many are wonderful and we see beautiful sights such as sunsets, manatees, and Key deer.  I can move my body geographically to a warm location, but with the body also comes my mind and soul. All my previous deficiencies and hang ups come along with me. My fears, doubts, worry (I know that I am not supposed to worry), probably even multiplied—they did not automatically magically disappear (wouldn’t that have been sweet?)

      Circumstances of life and known people stayed behind for a time. New circumstances, geography, people took their place while on this year long journey. I’m thankful for stay-over visitors we have from time to time.  My main source of communication, interaction needs to be found in my husband of 40 years. Other Looper boaters and my surroundings change constantly and sometimes daily. Lately, the mantra I repeat is:

      I cannot do this, Lord! I cannot do this without You!

      Depending on the day, I may be referring to:

      • Being stranded on the boat for a few days and nights without leaving while rocking and rolling in a storm trying to remain brave and not get seasick
      • Washing another dirty dish by hand
      • High temperatures and humidity feeling ready to pass out
      • Not seeing my children/grandchildren/friends for months at time
      • Lack of exercise aboard due to not much square footage and no car to take me away. We rely predominately on our own two feet or bicycles

      I constantly remind myself that He is my all in all. The great I AM. Learning to lean into Him as I combat impatience, loneliness, frustration, anger, and physical limitations. God gives me the choice and will to praise His name and be thankful for my many blessings of which there are many if I look around me. God is still in control.

      How do you handle loneliness? Frustration and anger? Have you been in a situation where you are at the end of your resources and had to call out to God in desperation? Maybe you are there right now. I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to leave a comment or question. We can both grow together spiritually.

      Blessings to you & your family, Teresa

      I leave you with a few choice words from Colossians 3:15, Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

      *****

    • Pot of Gold

      Recently I had the opportunity to sit at a book signing table with another talented writer, Kerry McAvoy and a dear friend, Vicki. Just like in past signings, I am amazed at the similarity of people who cross our paths (or stop at our table). We received words of affirmation, shared stories, and even received hugs from total strangers. Connectedness.   Womens Expo Book SigningRelational. Each of us has a story to tell; some put the words down on paper, others tell their story with just the words from their mouth. Either way, the story deserves to be told. Told to the current generation and then the next generation will become a part of the original whole.

      In conferences I’ve heard that if you intend to go into the writing business to make tons of money, you’d better chose a different vocation because that probably won’t happen. But then again, maybe those people weren’t counting new friendships, words of thanks and praise. Today my gifts equaled much more than money can buy. Like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Thank you all for the vital part you play in shaping my world which causes me to thank my Creator. The one who gifted me with insight, courage, and the talent and motivation to write my story.

      *****

    • Shine Like Stars

      “Do not be afraid to be different from other people. The path I have called you to travel is exquisitely right for you. The more closely you follow My leading, the more fully I can develop your gifts. To follow Me wholeheartedly, you must relinquish your desire to please other people. However, your closeness to Me will bless others by enabling you to shine brightly in this dark world,” Jesus Calling.

       So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe—Philippians 2:15.

      Are you afraid to be different than other people? I would have to admit that sometimes I am; other times, I don’t have that problem at all. I do wish that I’d fall into the last category more often. When I read the quotes in this post, I understand them to say that being different just for the sake of being different is not entirely what God intended either.

      I suspect that He would have us be different in that we no longer follow the selfish goals and desires of this world including addictions to career, food and drink, fashions, etc., Purposeful forsaking those worldly pursuits in order to follow after purity and His will for our life. This might mean less time with eyes and mind focused on electronic devices and more quality time being renewed and not conforming to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will,

      I like the idea of shining brightly in this dark world and shining like a star in the universe. Someone to point others to the True North and bright and morning star. Hope. Renewal. Truth, honesty, justice, lovely praise and virtue.

      Shall we strive together to be and model those good behavior patterns, relinquishing the need to people-please, so our gifts can be more fully developed? I’m in, are you?

      *****

    • Where is your gaze fixed?

      Instead of trying to “fix” yourself, fix your gaze on Me, the Lover of your soul. Rather than using your energy to judge yourself, redirect it to praising Me. Remember that I see you clothed in My righteousness, radiant in My perfect Love. (Jesus Calling)

      The song, He is Mighty to Save by Hillsong United continued to come to my friend’s mind as we navigated through and beyond yesterday’s challenges together.

      Horizon Display

      Savior, He can move the mountains

      My God is mighty to save

      Forever, author of Salvation

      He rose and conquered the grave.

      Jesus conquered the grave.

      Yesterday was an amazing day all the way around. An event which my husband and I + family and friends had been preparing for, praying over, sweating about and eventually turned over to Him finally came to completion. We are overwhelmed, thankful, and still amazed at the outcome! To top it all off, God displayed His handiwork across the horizon in the evening skies.

      When was the last time you doubted, second-guessed God and His timing? I should know better since He’s proved over and over again that He is faithful and just. His timing is perfect even though I sometimes long for a speedier response. When will I learn that His thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord? “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

      Lord, I want to fix my eyes on You; not on me. The fact that You see me clothed in Your righteousness, radiant in Your perfect Love is tough for me to even comprehend. Yet, You said it and I believe it! I praise You and thank you this day and how You showed Your faithfulness.

      *****

    • Teachable Spirit

      ‘Seek My face with a teachable spirit. Come into My presence with thanksgiving, desiring to be transformed’—Jesus Calling. Sarah Young mentions further, “I want you to be all Mine … I gave everything for you … hold back nothing from Me.”   Book Cover Template Life is Good v2

      I wonder just how much I hold back. He desires all of me, but oftentimes I cling to my rights, my will, my desires. Do you find yourself doing the same? When I hold back little things such as choices and priorities, I lose on a much larger scale. Reminds me of a favorite quote of mine, Let go and let God.

      Now that my first book is FINALLY out there, can I ease up? I’m told no by the experts. Even though the work was long and sometimes difficult, my journey (or at least the next chapter) has just begun. Now comes the marketing and promotional end of publishing: book signings, talks, interviews (check out interview with Jan Holst from MLive) , social media posts, etc.,

      I am so very thankful for all my angel helpers along the way, but I still cannot do this alone. Engaging others will serve to further a mission and purpose for writing my grace story. So I now seek His face with a teachable spirit. Not a spirit of knowing-it-all or pretending to have my life all together. Such is the contrary! I need my Heavenly Father and a team EVEN MORE NOW. Transform me into a useful vessel. Useful for Your service, Your plan, and purpose. Keep me grounded in Scripture by sharing my grace story and showing others that Life is truly Good, Fragile, and Precious!     

      • What ways can you exhibit a teachable spirit?
      • Is there some area of your life you are holding back from God? If so, name it.
      • Can you place three items on your thankful list today?

      *****