Making “quiet moments” doesn’t take a cruise

April 29, 2015April 29, 2015 / Susan Woodward

Finding a place of solitude is hard. It’s even harder for a Mom. Little kids demand our presence with every wake moment. Older kids still need our constant supervision and guidance. And our young adults still manage to consume many portions of our days/nights as they continue to learn and grow. Our early rising “quite times” can be thrown off just as quickly as our late evening “quite times.” It is easy to be distracted with laundry, school papers and homework, house cleaning, and taking care of bills when you have a precious alone moment. Remember…All of the other things that “have to be done” will be done. Eventually.

The most important thing you can do when a “quiet time” exists, sneaks up on you, or is strategically planned…is to soak in the presence of God. Through prayer, His word, Thanksgiving and Praise you will become a better Mom…No really….YOU WILL Become a Better Woman!

Slow down and create calm quiet moments that will change your life and relationship with the Lord. It is in our unhurried moments that we can see and hear from Him clearly. We connect best with our creator when the “craziness of life” is purposely put on hold. If we take the time to connect just for a moment…we may see others hurting, be aware that our husband needs encouragement, linger on each word spoken by our children and find joy in each sunset and sunrise He gives to us.

If Jesus needed solitude than surely we must! We carry the weight of those we love and those who we are connected with and He carries the weight of the world! He found peace and time alone often. (Matthew 4: 1-11) (Luke 5: 16 and 6 :12) (Mark 6:31)

Making quiet moments doesn’t take a cruise (although I did soak in the presence of the Lord like never before on such an amazing trip away with my husband for ten days) With each and every effort we make to create a moment of solitude…no matter how long it is (even if it’s just ten minutes) will bring us blessings, give us strength and wisdom.

Let your life be a reflection of taking many quiet moments. It is in these moments that you will refuel. You will not short change yourself or your families because you will receive the goodness, wisdom and insight that only our creator can give us. Nothing is really more important. The laundry will always be there…the kids will always need you. Tuck yourself away in the closet, your car during a practice or a lunch break, or get a babysitter for an hour a week.

I have learned sometimes the hard way to take the solitude I (and you) so deserve and need…

I have been working on this my whole life…It started very young with reading my bible and writing. Sometimes writing just a prayer in my journal and other times my whole situation and frustrations came pouring out of me and onto the pages. I admit that for periods in my life I have been really, really bad at taking the moments needed with my Savior.

Every day is a new day that I strive for “quiet moments” with Him and Him alone. Look for them. They are there. Find direct messages from God in His word and from His voice as He speaks to you in your special times with Him.

HOPE…..Is Everything You Need!

March 30, 2015 / Susan Woodward

There are many terms in scripture like faith, hope, love, joy, grace, peace, etc. that we come across as we read our Bibles. What is HOPE? A modern idea of hope is “to wish for, to expect, but without certainty of the fulfillment; to desire very much, but with no real assurance of getting your desire.” According to biblical usage, “hope” is an indication of certainty. “Hope” in scripture means “a strong and confident expectation.

Hope deals with things we can’t see or haven’t received or both. Hope is the confident expectation we have with certainty, that Gods word is true. When we know that what the Word says has occurred or will occur in accordance to what is written…..we have HOPE.

Romans 8:24-25 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

When we possess a biblical HOPE it changes us. It doesn’t allow us to escape from reality or keep us from problems. It doesn’t keep us drifting from one thing to the next either. If we have a biblical HOPE based on believing Gods promises are true than it gives us results and keep us in line with life….and death.

HOPE Changes us…..

How we see things –This is our temporary home.

What we value –We become heavenly minded instead of earthly minded.

What we do with our lives –How we use our time, our gifts, and our talents.

HOPE gives us power to live courageously, to be all God has called us to be in Christ.

HOPE gives us Rewards & Blessings….

It gives us joy and peace -Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
It gives us protection -Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His loving kindness,
It gives us strength, courage, boldness -Psalm 31:24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD.
It gives us endurance, comfort, confidence in the face of death –Thessalonians 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope.
It gives us confidence in ministry –1 Timothy 4:10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

Putting our HOPE in anything other than The Lord will hope-sometimes-thats-all-you-have only leave us disappointed.

God is called “the God of Hope.” This means He is the source of all real HOPE. If we are going to have HOPE (a confident expectation), it must come from Him for He alone has the power to give it.

–Psalm 62:5 My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him.

If you are without Christ, you are without God and without true HOPE.

HOPE depends on knowing the word of God, resting in His grace and living a spirit filled Life!

If you have a Biblical, Spiritual, Confident, HOPE In Jesus Christ…..You Really Do Have Everything!

You are a Magnum Opus!

March 22, 2015March 30, 2015 / Susan Woodward / 4 Comments

Dare to be You!

Just the way that God has created YOU to be!

There is only one of YOU uniquely designed by the Master Creator…to be YOU!

You have your own interests, talents and gifts. You have your own likes and dislikes. You have your own personality and perception. You have your own look, your own set of opinions and your own divine purpose in serving Him!

Don’t cover up, hide, and try to be like someone else. Do not envy the talents and gifts of others!

Embrace yourself ….Embrace the uniqueness of how you were formed….Embrace that YOU are YOU for a reason. You have a purpose and He has a perfect Plan for you.

No one the Lord designed was a misfit, none of His plans were an afterthought and nothing He has created needs to be tweaked or changed!

You are a Magnum Opus! ~meaning: A Great Work of Art!!

Designed by the Master of all Artists!

He has made NO mistakes in His creation and handiwork.

You are a Beautiful Masterpiece!

So, Live Fully……Daring To Be YOU!

This Picture Day Was Different

March 12, 2015March 12, 2015 / Susan Woodward / 2 Comments

A great day for some pictures! So We Thought!

Sunday was a beautiful day out! Amanda and I set out to take some Country shots of Kayleigh. Like many other times, her mom got her ready and we headed out with a goal in mind.

But….this picture day was different!

Maybe, just maybe, this picture day was different because Kayleigh is now TWO! Nothing comes too easily with her these days. She has a mind of her own and a little stubbornness mixed into all that sweetness of hers.

We were in a quiet area with nothing around us for distractions…..Yeah right!!

It was much different in the eyes of a two year old! She wanted to touch, throw, walk through, sit in, and even EAT the snow that consumed her attention. She found mailboxes to open, a fence to climb, sticks to play with, and puddles of mud to walk through….And Yes!!! We were exhausted after only ten minutes!!!

She only peered into the camera with an actual smile ONE time that day…..

But later that night, while working on the hundred plus shots I had, I came to the conclusion that I actually liked the candidness of our adventure. One picture stood out the most. I couldn’t help but reflect on this scripture:

Psalms 25:4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.

As she grows, the world will have many distractions. Like the sticks, mud puddles and mailboxes did this day. There will be things that intrigue her just like the beautiful, cold, white snow she hadn’t experienced before. Things may draw her attention away from where her focus should be. Too many roads could bring her too many choices that may cloud her thoughts or actions.

I’ve decided that I’m not only keeping this picture…but I am blowing it up!

Just for Mimi’s sake!

Kayleigh scripture

It will always remind me to pray this scripture over her in hopes that she can one day tuck it into her own heart. That she grows up loving the Lord and seeks him first for guidance and direction. That her path will always remain straight and narrow.

So when life presents her with obstacles (and it will) and throws her some distractions (and it will) she will always remember to Ask The Lord to Show Her His Ways, and Teach Her His Paths.

A Picture Day Mess?

No Way!

It Was A Picture Day Success!

Love is a Verb!

March 9, 2015March 9, 2015 / Susan Woodward / 2 Comments

The opportunities are endless! We should be praying and looking for ways every day to put LOVE in Action. They are all around us. And after all….Love is a verb!

Everyone needs to be encouraged and deserves to be told they are loved. But when we choose to put our Love In Action we are making a conscious effort to Show Love through an Act of Service. This Kinda Love can leave people speechless….

Examples of Actions of Love:

-becoming aware of a need and making a way to fulfill it is an Action of Love.

-facilitating a need to be met through others is an Action of Love.

-choosing to do something for someone to brighten there day is an Action of Love!

-making, creating or working on something for someone else is an Action of Love!

-visiting, teaching or helping someone is an Action of Love!

Christ Love was and still is an Action! He brought sight to the blind, made the lame walk and healed the sick, just to mention a few. He still puts His Love in Action for US every day! As our provider, healer, protector…..

Nobody will ever put their Love in Action like He does for US! He fulfilled our greatest need when He died on the cross to save us from our sin!

Wow! ~ Talk about Love in Action! Nothing can separate us from that kind of Love…..EVER!

It’s an Act of Love that leaves us speechless! It is indescribable and way too hard for us to even begin to comprehend.

His Action of Love for us was full of….Forgiveness….Love….Mercy…. and His Amazing Grace!!

Each one of us can put our Love in Action far more often than we actually do. We often fail to meet a need. Sometimes we put ourselves first, or are just too busy to fulfill an opportunity to Show Christ Love! But remember, His Love shines through us every time we Act on Love. So, be careful not to miss the mark. Be aware of those around you. Watch for simple ways to make a difference in some ones day. Sometime God places an opportunity right before you. Pray that He reveals them to you and that you remain open to putting His Love… That Is In You…into Action.

When you step out, take action and make love more than a word, it becomes just that…More Than a Word!

Doing little is much if God is in it!

Let His Love….

The Greatest Love of All…

Shine through your Actions of Service to others…

Put His Love in Action today!

Does Your Life Have A Message?

March 2, 2015March 2, 2015 / Susan Woodward

Are the things you hold of importance in life, life changing to others?

Who do you inspire to be like?

Do you have a message to share? Or are you inspiring anyone?

To Inspire means: to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence; to produce or arouse a specified feeling, thought, etc.;

The Bible was inspired by a divine influence. The writings were inspired by God. And oh what a message it is!

The 12 disciples were inspired and became Jesus followers. They trusted and believed in His wonderful message. And it was one of His Amazing Grace!

I am inspired by a God who promises me an eternal future. He is creating in me a wonderful message, which I can only pray reaches others, as I live by Truth, Love and Service!

So, does your message share Hope?

Is it Inspiring anyone to know Jesus and transform their life?

Make a choice to make your message matter!

Lord, Use us to inspire others to want to know you personally. Let our lives (at all times and in all things) share the message of you alone. Your love, Grace and Mercy. Forgive us for when we miss the mark and our words or actions distort our true life message of you. Help us to be better at reading your word more often and living your beautiful message more boldly. Create in us clean hearts oh God. Guide and direct us in the way that you want us to go….so that when we draw others to you, we also bring you all the glory deserved.

Amen