Terri's Wellspring

Detours and Rest Areas

4 03 2014

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1 NLT

Sometimes we get off track for achieving our life goals. We may have been making good progress on our commitment to our health, our work and our prayer life and a crisis or some other distraction arrives and we suddenly lose focus on what we were doing. It can easily happen when we live in a world where many are tethered to their smart phones and breaking news arrives on the bottom of our TV screens. It is easy to get off track. Others may be still on the same path to progress but weariness has set in. Gathering enough strength to keep moving forward seems too difficult. In either case, whether you are on a detour or if you are parked at a rest area, it is time to get moving on the right track. It is time to refocus on what the Lord has called us to do. We can unpack any distractions that keep us from returning to the right path. We need resiliency and stamina to run the race before us. If we need direction or strength, the Lord will provide. We can step out on faith today and get back on track.

What’s Ahead

3 03 2014

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT

We can trust God for what is ahead for us in our lives. The next step, the next endeavor, even the appointment we have this week are opportunities for us to stand firm in our faith. We can stand on the solid ground of trusting Him. Following His lead, walking in full faith gives us the confidence to move forward. We are listening carefully for the what, where, how and when from His Holy Spirit. Hearing Him, we can step out on faith and we can be certain that He is there with us. He empowers our journey to walk into our purpose. The different aspects of our lives may seem disjointed, unconnected and even undesirable but He is working everything together for our good. We can stand firm in faith and continue to trust Him for what’s ahead.

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Tags: Romans 8:28, What's Ahead
Categories : Uncategorized

Wherever you are

28 02 2014

So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. But his father said to the servants, Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found. St. Luke 15 20-24

At different junctures in my life, I have found myself in places or situations where I knew in my heart I did not belong. I am so thankful for God’s mercy and love that even when we are running from what we know to be true as soon as we acknowledge and turn to Him, He is there with open arms. Some of us are initially runners – think about Jonah or the parable of the Prodigal’s son, which applies to many of us in some way. But even if we find ourselves in the belly of a whale or eating with swine, God’s love for us is extended to us wherever we are. I have heard so many stories where people feel disconnected from God. They felt their circumstances were too hard, or too bad for God to handle or to accept. But as soon as they took a step of faith toward Him and turned their hearts toward Him, God’s a transformation began that reflected His Holy will for our lives. Wherever you are on the journey – God is available to provide peace, healing and deliverance once we turn our hearts and our will to Him. We can take a step of faith today toward Him. He is waiting with open arms.

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Tags: prodigal's son, St. Luke 15:20-24
Categories : GUIDANCE, Uncategorized

Make Room

27 02 2014

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1

Our hearts and souls are constructed to be vessels of faith, peace and love. The Lord made us so that even during disappointment and hurt feelings we could clear away bitterness and unforgiveness. Routine events of daily living open the door to interactions that give us a choice of harboring things in our heart or dealing with it to let it go. People are always imperfect and may be a source of disappointment but our trust is in God. Letting go of the hurt, the stored up offenses and resentment give us space in our hearts to welcome what God has for us. Letting go is essential for our hearts to be healthy and whole. We want to make room for the gifts of His Holy Spirit to take residence in our hearts and minds and emanate out through our words and our deeds. We want to make room in our hearts for His peace, His joy and His love. We can start our spiritual spring cleaning early and let go.

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Tags: John 14:1, Make Room
Categories : GUIDANCE

I was an Apple Pie

25 02 2014

How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! Psalms 133:1

One of my first (and last) acting debuts was to play the “apple pie” role in my elementary school’s production of “Johnny Appleseed”. It was conservatively a few decades ago, but I had forgotten all about this chapter of my life until recently. In wishing a childhood friend happy birthday, I discovered a picture on social media with me in my apple pie costume and the whole class cast. Viewing the picture, transported me back in time to my elementary school auditorium and the crazy costume that I wore to tout the many contributions of Mr. Appleseed to our country. I laughed as I looked at the familiar but now distant faces of friends that I walked to school with or ate lunch with or simply shared a classroom with over the seven years I spent there. I remarkably remembered everyone’s name in the picture and had some estimate of where our childhood houses stood. I remember nicknames, some family history but most of all the strong sense of community that I shared with them. It was seven blocks from my school to my house. I can recall crossing street names and Mr. Bell who served as a community crossing guard. I remember houses that had a yellow and green “H” in the window that stood for helping hand. These were safe places were students could stop and get help if needed. It was truly a community. I am thankful for these memories and for the person who posted the picture online. It was a reminder of a blessed upbringing and motivation to learn about the neighbors in my present community.

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Tags: apple pie, Psalms 133
Categories : Uncategorized

Daily

24 02 2014

Give us today our daily bread. Matthew 6:11

He meets our needs daily. We can start the day with confidence that our God will guide our steps. We will commit a listening ear for His leading and a yielded spirit to where He is leading. We know that our “to do list” will not overtake us as we put Him first. When we seek Him first all the other aspects of our live will fall into place. We are thankful for clarity in where to go, what to do and what to say. A clear vision will keep us from distractions and needless toiling.
We are approaching each day with gratitude. So many blessings sprinkle our lives and we are thankful. We will walk in peace. We will stand firm in faith. We will experience His love. He is so good, so kind and so gracious to be our Heavenly Father and we are thankful.

Daily I shall worship thee, Lamb of God who died for me.
Whose extended endless mercies, daily I shall worship thee

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Tags: Daily, Matthew 6:11
Categories : PURPOSE, Uncategorized

Sufficient

21 02 2014

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

II Corinthians 12:9

Whatever today brings it is what the Lord has provided and it is sufficient for me. The list of things I have to be thankful for far outweigh my faith wish list. God has provided this day, this time and this place for me. I am so thankful for every blessing. The peace in my heart, the love He has for His children provides joy and confidence that He is working things out for my good. It is a good day to employ contentment and to immerse my thoughts into the goodness of God’s grace. It is sufficient for me.

Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,

My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. II Corinthians 12:7-10 MSG

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Tags: II Corinthians 12:9, Sufficient
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, Uncategorized

Always Trusting

20 02 2014

And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalms 9:10

Our faith, our trust, our confidence is in God. Our trust is in Him for each promise for His children. We stand firm in faith for things that are yet to come. We have confidence for things that have yet to manifest themselves and represent the things that are not seen. Seemingly set-backs, things we don’t understand or other challenges may come but we remain undeterred. Our Heavenly Father is in control of everything even the details of my life. My faith is in Him today, now, tomorrow and into eternity. My hope remains in Him. He is able to provide for each need along my journey. I can fully trust in Him.

GOD’s a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times.
The moment you arrive, you relax; you’re never sorry you knocked. Psalms 9:9-10 MSG

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Tags: Always Trusting, Psalms 9:9-10
Categories : Uncategorized

Our Source of Victory

17 02 2014

I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:1 -2 NLT

Our God is our source of Victory! Whatever we are facing today – He promises to be with us as we put our trust in Him. Standing steady during adversity can be complicated but it is an opportunity for strengthening our faith muscles and testing our endurance. In the end, it will make us stronger. Continue to keep our mind on Him, thinking of His goodness, His grace and His mercy in our lives. Here, He promises to provide peace to them whose mind stays on Him. The passage today is a reminder about God’s greatness in our circumstances. He alone brings victory in our situations. What a blessing that we serve a faithful Father who brings Victory to our lives.

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Tags: Our source of Victory, Psalms 62:1
Categories : Uncategorized

Unconditional

14 02 2014

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

God loves us now. He will love us today and that love extends into eternity. His love never changes. It is not conditional on what we say or do. It doesn’t matter where you were born, what you did yesterday or where you stand today. God loves you. He loves you today and seeks to be in relationship with you through His Son Jesus Christ. We are in a world, where unconditional love is scarce. Love, commitment and devotion often depend on something else. The emotional love we share with one another depends on how we are feeling, how you are acting, what I did yesterday or some other factor that may ebb and flow with time. I am thankful that God’s love is unconditional. We can experience His eternal love today and always. An open heart to Him is a first step for each of us. Accepting the gift of salvation is available to us now when we let the Lord into our hearts and into our lives and our living. His love, and His mercy brings healing and deliverance to our whole lives. It transforms our soul and giving us new life. The gift of the Holy Spirit permeates our living nurturing, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In relationship with Him, the journey into a blessed life becomes clear. His love is unconditional and is available to each of us today. Let us open our hearts to Him and the powerful love that He has to offer.

Dear Heavenly Father –
We thank you for this day and the gift of your love. I realize that I am a sinner and I am sorry for my sins. I open my heart to you and accept your Son Jesus Christ as my Savior. I thank you God for the gift of your love and this new opportunity to walk with you and to follow your Holy Spirit. In your Son Jesus’s name, I pray.
Amen

Please know we are praying for you. If desired, please send a prayer request in reply to this email.

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Tags: John 3:16, Unconditional
Categories : GUIDANCE