It is my heart’s desire to encourage and strengthen others in their walk and love of Jesus. His goodness never fails and His mercies are new every morning. His love is steadfast and immovable. He is the way, the truth, and the life. May you be blessed by my devotionals, prayers, and musings on the goodness of God.
~Carolyn
Latest posts
- I Am Making All Things New
- All Things New
- Who Is Your God?
- I’ve Got Sunshine
- Cultivating Life Video Series Part 3: Don’t Plant What You Don’t Want Watered
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I Am Making All Things New
God has been steadfast in His reminders that He is making all things new. This song was a beautiful embrace this morning in church. I pray that it blesses you as it did me. More to come in the All Things New series.
I Am Making All Things New by Wendell Kimbrough
Then I saw the heavens open, for the former things were past. And I heard my Savior singing: “I have come for you, at last! I will wipe away death’s sorrow; you will no more cry or grieve. To the thirsty I give healing; from the spring of life come drink!”
“For behold, I am making all things new! Write this down; every word is true. Tell the world what I come to do: I am making all things new!”
Then I saw God’s holy city, New Jerusalem, descend. And a voice announced with splendor, “I will dwell with you, my friends! I will be your God forever; you will never leave my side. You were always my beloved, now, at last, you’ll be my Bride!”
“For behold, I am making all things new! Write this down; every word is true. Tell the world what I come to do: I am making all things new!”
We will no more fear the darkness, and the night will be like day; for the Lamb in all his beauty, like a torch, will light our way. And the gates of that great city never close to those who come; every nation brings its glory to our new creation home!
“For behold, I am making all things new! Write this down; every word is true. Tell the world what I come to do: I am making all things new!”
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All Things New
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And He who was seated on the throne said, ” Behold, I am making all things new.” Also He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”
~Revelation 21:1-7
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
~2 Corinthians 3:18
God promises to right every wrong, to make beautiful and whole what has been broken, and to make all things new. That promise isn’t just for when Christ returns. Christ is doing His redemptive work in His people right now, meeting them where they are, and transforming them from one form of glory to another.
God’s work is beautiful and complete. This reminds me of Kintsugi, the Japanese art of healing broken pottery. You see, they don’t throw away the broken pieces when a tea cup or pot has been broken, they mend it with gold. What was once broken is not only restored, but is made more beautiful because of the healing.
We have wounds in our hearts that God wants to mend. When we lay down the armor that we try to hide behind, when we look to Him, when we surrender to His expert care, He not only restores us, but transforms and adorns us to be more beautiful. this reflects His glory and care for others to see and marvel at. The beauty is His to give, the glory is His to receive, and the blessing is our gift from Him.
He is loving and trustworthy. He will tend to you with care. He is gentle and kind. He is humble and will not lord over you the work He does in you. He will walk faithfully with you to the utmost. He is for you and will be with you.
What is it that God is wanting to heal in your heart? What wounds does He want to tend to? Ask Him and He will show you. Let Him love on you tenderly as He transforms you completely.
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Who Is Your God?
We were made to worship, and all of life is an act of worship. The question isn’t if you worship, it is who or what are you worshipping.
As Christians, we know that God alone is to be the object of our worship. We know about not worshipping other gods and know that no one else is worthy of our worship. And yet, at any given moment, we can catch ourselves worshipping our spouse, our children, our work, the sports game on the television, or any other good thing. It truly is a matter of filling in the blank. Idols are not always carved images, they can be these gifts that were designed to be enriching and used for the work and glory of God. They become idols when our affections stray from God and all of our hope and source of identity is placed in these things… the created rather than the Creator.
The good news is that we can ask God to help us become more aware of when our worship is misplaced and to be our help in realigning our hearts and shifting our worship back to Him. He alone is worthy of our worship, and is the only one that can satisfy our heart’s longings.
What a blessing to those we love that they get to remain the gift and blessing from our Heavenly Father that He always intended them to be, and not force them to bear the weight of being our everything… a weight by which they would be crushed. We bear with one another, walk with one another, and point one another back to the only one that can truly carry us through and truly satisfy the desperate desires of our souls… Jesus Christ.
When we first seek after God and His kingdom, everything else is added to us, we can rest in Him and enjoy the gifts given in their rightful place in our lives.
“You shall have no other gods before Me.” ~Exodus 20:3
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” ~James 1:17
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” ~Matthew 6:33
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I’ve Got Sunshine
We’ve nearly all heard the song My Girl by The Temptations, so when you read the next line you will likely read it to the tune.
I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day
When it’s cold outside I’ve got the month of MayThere are times when the skies are cloudy. There are seasons of our lives that feel damp, cold, and frozen. However, we can still experience the sunshine and warmth of the love of Christ even in the midst of those times. This isn’t about wishful thinking. This is about inviting Jesus into the places that we find ourselves in and being honest with ourselves and Him. Telling Him of our feelings and struggles doesn’t reveal that our faith or trust are less than, they reveal what is really in our hearts. It is in the real that He meets us. It is only in being real that we can find true comfort.
Jesus wants to come alongside His people and gives us an open invitation. This is an invitation to come completely as you are, unfiltered, and without reserve. To come to Him without any efforts to clean yourself up first. It is simply, “Come as you are. Come to Me. Talk to Me. Share with Me. I am here. I am listening. I will hold you. I will strengthen you. I will be with you.”
What a promise. Only He can truly sooth and comfort us. Only He can bear the weight of our suffering. Only He can carry the weight of our pain and us along with it. Draw near to God and God will draw near to you. Take some time to sit in His presence and openly share with Him all that you are thinking and feeling, holding nothing back, completely unfiltered. He loves you and wants to hear all about what you’re carrying. Invite Him into the real of your mind, heart, and life. It is in those moments of real that you can find the sunshine on the darkest of days and the warmest of warmths when all seems frosted over. Experience the light, the warmth, and the comfort of His embrace.
“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” ~Matthew 11:28
“The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” ~Psalm 34:18
“To walk through suffering as a Christian – to share in Christ’s sufferings – we have to face the darkness. We have to feel the things we hate to feel – sadness, loss, loneliness. We have to drink the bitter cup we’ve been given. No shortcuts, no free passes. But this is the strange way of true comfort. It’s the only way to discover soothing that is substantial enough to bear the weight of our souls.” – Tish Harrison Warren
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Cultivating Life Video Series Part 3: Don’t Plant What You Don’t Want Watered
“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about Him, so that He got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And He told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” ~Matthew 13:1-9
“Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” ~John 4:13-14
“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this He said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” ~John 7:37-39
“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” and he said to Him, “Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.” ~John 21:15-17
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Fire Evacuation Level 2
Friday evening I received a text message from my local Sheriff’s office informing me that I lived in a danger zone with a level 2 evacuation notice for a fire. Level 2 means “Be ready to evacuate at a moments notice, but this may be the only warning you get, so decide if you’re going to go ahead and leave now.” 18 different fire agencies responded to this fire, as well as helicopters and planes for dropping water from the air. It has taken all weekend to get this fire under total control.
I got my kids something to eat as I debated packing things up. I knew where the fire was and didn’t think there was a huge chance our evacuation level would progress to level 3, “Get out now, don’t even take the time to take anything with you,” but I also wanted to be prepared if the need should arise. I made a couple of phone calls and started gathering together provisions.
My children, despite my best efforts to reassure them, were feeling anxious and nervous once they realized there was a fire nearby and that we might need to evacuate. Questions about what they could bring, if the cats would come with us, how they could help (they’re 6 and 7), and where we would go were circling their minds. These were the very same questions that I was needing to find answers to.
As I was trying to gather a couple days worth of clothing and supplies for each of us, my son slipped into his room and put everything that I had gotten out for him into his little Avengers suitcase and declared that he was packed. I gently explained that I appreciated his efforts, but that I hadn’t finished and that I needed to still have everything out so that I could refer back to the pile to see what was still needed. If he wanted to help then he should empty the suitcase back where everything had been, and that when I had finished he could be the one to pack up his suitcase. I assured him that him going and playing was actually helping, that him trusting Mama was truly the best thing that he could do. We talked for a minute, and after a reassuring snuggle he went to the play room to pick out 4 stuffies to take with us if we needed to leave.
As I watched Malachi go, I called a friend back and asked them to pray over us and for stress and anxiety. I had been doing ok, but was starting to feel the gravity of the situation. Being a single mom, feeling the full weight of my responsibility was starting to weigh heavy. Afterwards I still felt stressed, but I also felt reassured and grounded because I knew that our Father was going to take care of us- fire or no fire, house intact or burnt down, because that is what a good and loving Father does.
We are going to face fires in this life. There are going to be level 1-3 evacuation notices and sometimes no warnings at all. There are going to be physical, emotional, and spiritual crisis. How often are we like my son, trying to be helpful and telling God, “I’ve got this! I got the stuff that I need packed.” And God is telling us, “Slow down, hang tight a minute, you need more than what You have in your bag.” Or, “You have packed things you don’t need for what is going on right now.”
I was pleased with my son for wanting to take initiative and to be helpful (both Malachi and LilyGrace wanted jobs to do), but there was an order that things needed to be done in. For example, the kids were worried about our two kitties and wanted them to be put into the cat carriers right then and there, so that they would be ready to go and not get left behind if we had to evacuate. I explained that wouldn’t go so well for the cats, that they needed to be the very last thing to get loaded into their carriers and then the car, but that I am glad that they love and care about them so much.
What is it that we are trying to pack first and tell God that we’ve taken care of, but is actually out of order of what He knows to be best for us and for everyone/everything else? What is it that we are trying to take care of in our own strength and wisdom? Where are you resting or not resting in Him? What is going on around you, in your heart, and in your thoughts that He is wanting to address? Before acting out of anxiety, self-assurance, or pride seek Him for guidance. There may be more things that He is wanting to add to your pile before it is packed into your suitcase for your journey.
We didn’t have to evacuate and we are so thankful. I am grateful that God doesn’t waste anything that we face, but rather all of life is an opportunity to grow in our knowledge, experience, and relationship with Him. Times of distress, or even total devastation, can become treasure because of the lessons learned and the closeness of God found in their midst.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything 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
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.” ~Proverbs 3:5-7
“And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty.” ~2 Corinthians 6:18
“You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart.” ~Jeremiah 29:13
Smoky Sky -
Cultivating Life Video Series Part 2: The Vine
The Vine “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” ~John 15:1-5
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” ~Galatians 5:25
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” ~Galatians 6:7-10
Scooters and Snails
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Cultivating Life Video Series Part 1: Soil Survey
Soil Survey “That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about Him, so that He got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And He told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” Then the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And He answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “”You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. “Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” ~Matthew 13:1-23
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” ~1 John 1:9
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You Might Just Step In Poop
The other day, as my kids and I were in my car, my son recalled the time that he had been at his grandparent’s farm and slipped in a cow pie. The filth was all over his clothes, shoes, even his hair and some on his face. I used that as an opportunity to impart some wisdom and said, “This is a perfect example of why it is so very important to be careful about how we walk and about where we step, because you might just step in poop.”
As our reminiscing continued, I was reminded of a conversation that I had had with someone. They’d been walking on the sidewalk of a major city and somehow managed to step in little “present” left behind from someone’s dog. This was surprising since they weren’t near a park. That same person had been traveling and were in a business when out of nowhere they stepped in poop. I shared the story with my kids, as we were in full poop conversation mode, and my son was a little confused. I explained that, while on a farm, one would expect there to be piles of poop, causing them to be mindful of their surroundings and actual foot placement. But when you are walking down the sidewalk, or even inside a place of business, places that you would think should be “safe,” you can find yourself slipping into a false sense of security… but that didn’t fair too well for my friend.
You see, scripture tells us to pay careful attention to how we walk- how we live our lives. Even in places that one would think is “safe,” we are to always be mindful and on guard, making the most of our time. Being careful of what we look at, what we allow to influence us, taking every thought captive and making it obedient to Christ. If we don’t, we will be like my son and friend, getting poop on us. Whether we slip in a place where it should have been obvious to tread carefully, or in a place that is just seemingly unreal that it could ever have been a minefield, the cause is the same… our awareness just wasn’t what it should have been. We were looking to the right or the left and missed the warnings.
It takes intention to walk the narrow path. It takes focus to maintain eye contact with God. Ask God to help you see where your eyes and heart have wandered. Ask Him to guide you in the way that He would have you live. Draw near to Him and let Him shine His light on your heart, on your mind, and on your life. His ways bring life. His ways are for your good. He wants to shape and grow you to be more like Christ, and that is something we should be mindful and intentional in pursuing.
Be careful how you walk, or you might just step in poop.
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” ~Ephesians 5:15-17
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” ~Matthew 7:13-14
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” ~Psalm 32:8
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” ~Psalm 119:105
“And calling the crowd to Him with His disciples, He said to them, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” ~Mark 8:34-36
Mercies Anew 