Super Soft Sensory Square

 

                  Super Soft Sensory Square

✨ Overview

The Super Soft Sensory Square is a simple, soothing garter‑stitch cloth knit flat with plush Bernat Velvet Plus yarn. Originally inspired by a yarn‑stash clean‑out, this project transformed from a potential dust cloth into a comforting sensory tool — soft, squishy, foldable, and irresistible to run your hands over.

🧶 MaterialsYarn: Bernat Velvet Plus, approx. 50 yards (one skein)

Needles: US 10.5 (6.5 mm)

Notions: Scissors, tapestry needle

Gauge: Not essential for this project

Finished Size: Varies based on how long you knit; The one shown is 11 inches by 14.5 inches. 

Skills Used

Garter stitch

Casting on

Binding off

🧑‍🏭 Instructions 

Cast On

Cast on 30 stitches using your preferred method. 

Body

Knit every row to create garter stitch fabric.

Continue knitting until you reach your desired length or until you run out of yarn. 

Bind Off

Bind off all stitches loosely to maintain the soft, stretchy feel. 

Finishing

Weave in ends.Fold, squeeze, pet, or let your cats claim it as their new favorite spot. 🐾

💡Project Story

This pattern was born during a yarn‑stash organizing session. A partial skein of Bernat Velvet Plus seemed perfect for a dust cloth — until the washing instructions revealed it needed hand‑washing. Not ideal for cleaning. But the fabric felt too good to abandon: plush, velvety, and soothing. After knitting until the yarn ran out, the finished piece became a delightful sensory square — perfect for fidgeting, calming touch, or simply enjoying its softness. 

Uses

A calming sensory tool

A soft cat mat

A small comfort square for hands

A cozy pocket-sized tactile aid

download here

Forgiveness is a Chain Breaker

I heard someone say they would never forgive a person who hurt them and they were ok with that. I care about this person and I'm not ok with it because I know how destructive unforgiveness is. So I prayed for God to work on that person's heart. That they would be able to forgive and be free if bitterness. 

Then I went about my day as usual, went to bed as usual and woke up at 3:21. I saw it as 3-2-1, get up. So I got up, took a shower and went to my prayer room. I sat down and wondered why I was up so early, so I said, “Lord, what did you wake me up early for?” I prayed for my family briefly, and then this word about unforgiveness came.

Make a fist in one hand, hold it tight. Relax the other hand with it open. Now, stay like this as long as you can. 

The fist represents you holding onto a debt that the person who betrayed you owes you. Imagine that debt is written on a piece of paper. What do they owe you? An apology? To admit they were wrong? Money? Respect? Your dignity? Maybe it's something they can never pay back, like a trauma, or your childhood, or your innocence. Whatever it is, it's on that paper, and you're holding it tightly. 

You have judged them guilty and the verdict is also on that paper. Keep holding on tightly. 

Now the sentence. You have sentenced them to have their guilty verdict remain tightly gripped in your hand until… When? Is it a life sentence? 

Are you still gripping tightly, is your hand getting tired yet? If you hold your hand in a fist long enough, it will be very difficult to open it and it will start to ache. The longer you hold on, the harder it will be to open. 

How is holding on to this life sentence punishing the guilty party? 

How about your open hand? How does that hand feel? Relaxed? Free?

What if you gave the piece of paper gripped in your other hand to God? Just open your hand and say, “God, you are the judge. Take this debt that is owed to me. You deal with it.”

   

This debt you're holding onto is unforgiveness. Remember, we owe debts to people too, but when we confess our sins to God, we are forgiven, through the blood of Jesus, unless we refuse to forgive others. 

Matthew 6:15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.*

When we forgive others, it doesn't cancel their debt. Only God can do that. So give that debt to God and let him deal with it. Relax your hand, be free. Stop holding on to unforgiveness. I know it's hard. I've had to give debts owed to me over to God. When I can't forgive, I tell God, “I can't do it. I need your help.”

God, doesn't expect or want us to do this on our own. He's our loving father. He wants to help us, but he won't do it if we don't ask. Don't live life holding onto an offense, this leads to bitterness, and bitterness leads to health issues here on earth, and puts us at risk of spending eternity apart from our Heavenly Father.

Are you not concerned about that? 

1 John 1:8 says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”*

And have you not pondered these terrifying verses…

Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven,”*

…it is His will for you to forgive others their trespasses.

Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’*

Earlier this year I realized there was a person I needed to forgive and I was struggling with it. Then someone reminded me that the word says we are to pray for our enemies. I considered this person my enemy. So, I went to God, and I was honest with him. I said, “God, I don't want to pray for this person. I don't want to bless them and I don't want You to bless them. I know this isn't what You want, but this is where I'm at.”

And I left it there. But over time, Jesus and I came back to this person, and He so gently worked with me to open my hand that was holding on to that debt. I didn't just open my hand all at once and release that person. It was like Jesus gently opened one finger at a time until I was finally able to open my hand completely and give it over to Him. In fact, the final release happened for me in a prayer meeting. He showed me a picture of a rope that tied me to this person. My unforgiveness had kept me tied to this person, and I saw Jesus cut the rope, and I was able to fully release that person and pray for them sincerely. Because you know what? The Lord in His mercy brought me to a place where I want that person to change. That person has a spouse and children, and I don't want them to be hurt by this person. Praying a blessing over them will not only bless them but everyone else around them, and hopefully prevent more suffering to innocent people.

Forgiving that person made me free. I no longer return to the traumatic memories when I think of them and I have to give God all the glory for that, because I could not heal that wound on my own and I would never have, could never have forgiven on my own. But God. Thank You Lord. 

*Scripture verses taken from Thomas Nelson Publishing NKJV Spirit-Filled Life Bible

Light of the World

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12 NKJV

For many years I did not follow Jesus, even though I believed He was the Son of God, I did not follow Him. And I always had a sense of something missing inside me. I looked to the world to fill up that empty place, with relationships, with food, with drink, with work, with knowledge, but none of those things filled the empty hole inside me. Then I had a dream where Jesus said to me, "whomsoever believeth in me shall never die". That dream awoke a desire in me to follow Jesus. You know, you can't follow someone without looking at them. So I opened the Word of God and vowed within myself to read the Word everyday. I came to realize, that empty place inside me, the black hole, was the space only the light of Jesus can fill. 

Prayer for self

Jesus, shine Your light in the dark places inside me. Awaken in me the desire to follow You. You are the light of the world. When I follow You, I do not walk in darkness but have the light of life. Thank You Jesus for filling me with Your light and Your life.

Prayer for others - fill in the blank with name(s)

Jesus, give (___) a revelation that the empty and dark places inside him/her can only be filled with Your light by following You. Jesus, You are the light of the world and I pray (___) follows You and no longer walks in darkness but has the light of the world. In Jesus name, amen. 

Scripture and Prayers for Healing

Isaiah 53:5 NIV

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Prayer for self

Father, I know Jesus was pierced for my transgressions, He was crushed for my iniquities. His punishment brought me peace and by His wounds I am healed. Thank You Jesus. You paid the ultimate price to make me free and healed and whole. My mind cannot comprehend this truth Lord, please let it sink down into my spirit. Thank You Jesus!

Prayer for others - fill in the blank with name(s)

Father, I know Jesus was pierced for (___)'s transgressions, He was crushed for his/her iniquities. His punishment brought (___) peace and by His wounds he/she is healed. Thank You Jesus. You paid the ultimate price to make him/her free and healed and whole. I pray (___) knows and believes this and receives Your redemption in his/her life in Jesus name, amen.

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Exodus 23:25 NKJV

“So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. 

Prayer for self

Lord, show me how You would have me serve You today. Bless my bread and my water and take sickness away from my midst. Thank You Lord for this promise, I believe You will do just what You say, in Jesus name, amen.

Prayer for others - fill in the blank with name(s)

Father, I pray (___) serves You, Lord God and You will bless his/her bread and water. And You will take sickness away from (___)'s midst. In Jesus name, amen.

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Psalm 6:2 NKJV 

Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak;

O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled.

Prayer for self - fill in blank with issue

O Lord, have mercy on me, for I am weak in (___). Heal me of (___), for my bones are troubled. In Jesus name, amen.

Prayer for others - fill in the blank with name(s)

O Lord, have mercy on (___), for he/she is weak, heal him/her, for his/her bones are troubled. In Jesus name, amen.

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3 John 2 NLT

Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.

Prayer for self

Father God, I place my hope in You to make me healthy in body and strong in spirit. Thank You Lord, amen.

Prayer for others - fill in the blank with name(s)

Father God, I pray all is well with (___) and that he/she is healthy in body and strong in spirit. If not, I pray he/she places all his/her hope and faith in You for healing and strength. In Jesus name, amen.

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1 Peter 2:24-25 NLT

He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.

Prayer for self

Father God, thank You for sending Jesus, who personally carried my sin in His body on the cross so that I am dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds I am healed. Once I was like a sheep who wandered away but now I have turned to my Shepherd, the Guardian of my soul. Thank You Lord!

Prayer for others - fill in the blank with name(s)

Father God, thank You for sending Jesus, who personally carried (___)'s sin in His body on the cross so that he/she can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds (___) is healed. Once he/she was like a sheep who wandered away but now I pray he/she turns to our Shepherd, the Guardian of our souls. In Jesus name, amen.

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Mark 11:22-24 NLT

Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.

Jesus, You tell us to have faith in God. Jesus, You tell us the truth. In this day where we hear so many things in the news and don't know who to believe, this I know, You Jesus, tell us the truth. And the truth is we can say to this mountain be lifted up and thrown into the sea and it will happen when we believe it will happen.

Prayer to move mountains (fill in blank with your mountain... like illness, fear, pain, etc, be specific)

Father, I have faith in You. I believe Jesus was telling the truth, so I say to (___), ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ 

and now I visualize it happening so that I can truly believe it will happen and have no doubt in my heart. Jesus said I can pray for anything, and if I believe that I received it, it will be mine. Thank You Lord! Amen.

This is not a prayer to pray only once, pray it several times a day until you see that mountain move!

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Exodus 15:6-7 NLT

“Your right hand, O Lord,

    is glorious in power.

Your right hand, O Lord,

    smashes the enemy.

In the greatness of your majesty,

    you overthrow those who rise against you.

You unleash your blazing fury;

    it consumes them like straw.

Prayer for self or others, fill in the blank with the a circumstance to pray against, such as pain, illness, depression, fear, addiction, cancer, etc.

Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power.

Your right hand, O Lord, smashes (___). In the greatness of your majesty, You overthrow (___) which rises against You. You unleash Your blazing fury; it consumes (___) like straw. Thank You Lord for defeating (__) in Jesus name, amen.

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Proverbs 4:20-22 NET

My child, pay attention to my words;

listen attentively to my sayings.

Do not let them depart from your sight,

guard them within your heart;

for they are life to those who find them

and healing to one’s entire body.

Prayer for self

Father God, I am Your child, I pay attention to Your words; and listen attentively to Your sayings. Help me Father to not let them depart from my sight and guard them within my heart;

for they are life to me and healing to my entire body. Thank You Father!

Prayer for others - fill in the blank with name(s)

Father God, (___) is Your child, I pray he/she will pay attention to Your words; and listen attentively to Your sayings. Help him/her Father to not let them depart from his/her sight and guard them within his/her heart;

for they are life to (___) and healing to his/her entire body. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

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Psalm 107:19-20 NKJV

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.

Prayer for self

Lord I cry out to You in my trouble, and You save me out of my distresses. You send Your word and heal me, and deliver me from my destructions. Thank You Lord, I received Your healing and deliverance in Jesus name, amen.

Prayer for others

Lord I pray (___) will cry out to You in his/her trouble. Save him/her out of his/her distresses. Send Your word and heal him/her, and deliver him/her from his/her destructions. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Scripture and Prayers for Salvation

            The Road to Emmaus Oil Painting 

                     by Leota Jordahl 1985

John 3:16 NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Prayers are best spoken out loud when possible. Romans 10:17 says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

 

Prayer for self 

God, You loved me so much that You gave Your only Son so that if I believe in Jesus, I will not perish but have eternal life. Wow, Father, fill my heart with a great revelation of Your love for me. Help any unbelief I may have about Jesus, Your Son and how He saved me. Thank You Lord, amen.

Prayer for others - fill the blank with name(s)

God so loved (____) that he gave His only Son, Jesus, for (____). Lord I pray (___) will believe in Jesus and have eternal life.

Amen

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Titus 2:13-14 NLT

while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

Prayer for self

Father God, I look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of my great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave His life to free me from every kind of sin, to cleanse me, and to make me His very own person, totally committed to doing good deeds. Father, I know I need You, I need Jesus, I can't do any of those things on my own. Thank You, Lord!

Prayer for others - fill in the blank with name(s)

Father God, I pray (___) looks forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave His life to free (___) from every kind of sin, to cleanse him/her, and to make him/her His very own person, totally committed to doing good deeds. In Jesus name, amen.

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Isaiah 43:11-12 NLT

I, yes I, am the Lord, and there is no other Savior. First I predicted your rescue, then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world. No foreign god has ever done this. You are witnesses that I am the only God,” says the Lord.

Prayer for self

Father God, You are the Lord, and there is no other Savior. You predicted my rescue, then You saved me. No foreign god has ever done this. I am a witness that You are the only God! Thank You Lord!

Prayer for others - fill in the blank with name(s)

Father God, You are the Lord, and there is no other Savior. You predict (___)'s rescue, then You save him/her. No foreign god has ever done this. I pray (___) will be a witness that You are the only God! Thank You Lord!

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Luke 19:10 NLT

For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.

Prayer for the lost - fill in the blank with name(s)

Jesus, You came to seek and save the lost. Lord (___) is lost so I know You are seeking him/her. I pray that Your ministering angels would go to him/her and that he/she will realize he/she is lost and recognize his/her need to be saved and turn to You. Lord, Your will be done in his/her life. With the authority You have given me, I decree (___) is saved in Jesus name.

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Psalm 51:14 ERV

God, spare me from the punishment of death. My God, you are the one who saves me! Let me sing about all the good things you do for me!

Prayer for self

Thank You God, that You spare me from the punishment of death by believing in Your Son Jesus, who took my punishment on the cross. My God, You are the one who saves me! Let me sing about all the good things You do for me! I praise Your Holy name!

Prayer for unbelievers - fill in the blank with name(s)

God, I pray (___) will believe in Your Son, Jesus, so that You can spare him/her from the punishment of death. I pray he/she will say "My God, You are the one who saves me! Let me sing about all the good things You do for me!" In Jesus name, amen.

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Isaiah 12:2-3 NIV

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

Prayer for self

Surely God, You are my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. Lord, You are my strength and my defense; You have become my salvation. With joy I will draw water from Your wells of salvation. Thank You Lord!

Prayer for others - fill in the blank with name(s)

Surely God, You are (___)'s salvation; I pray he/she trusts in You and will not be afraid. Lord, You are his/her strength, defense and salvation. I pray he/she will joyfully draw water from Your wells of salvation. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

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John 6:44-45 NIV

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me."

Prayer for self

Jesus, You said, no one can come to You unless the Father who sent You draws them, and You will raise them up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to You, Jesus. Father, draw me to Jesus and teach me so that I will be raised up to eternal life at the last day! Thank You Father, amen.

Prayer for others - fill in the blank with name(s)

Our Father, draw (___) to You Lord and Jesus will raise him/her up at the last day. I declare, by Your Word (___) is taught by You God, and he/she hears You Father and learns from You and comes to Jesus. (___) will be raised to eternal life at the last day! Thank You Lord.

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John 3:17-18 NIV

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Prayer for self

God, You did not send Your Son Jesus into the world to condemn me, but to save me through Him. I believe in Him and I am not condemned. If I did not believe, I would stand condemned but because I have believed in the name of God’s one and only Son, Jesus, I am saved. Thank You God.

Prayer for others - fill in the blank with name(s)

God, You did not send Your Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. So I pray (___) will believe in Him and not be condemned, for whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. So Father, I pray he/she believes and is saved in Jesus name, amen.

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1 Peter 1:13 NLT

So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.

Prayer for self

Lord, help me prepare my mind for action and exercise self-control as I put all my hope in the gracious salvation that will come to me when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.

Prayer for others - fill in the blank with name(s)

Lord, help (___) prepare his/her mind for action and exercise self-control. I pray he/she will put all his/her hope in the gracious salvation that will come to him/her when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.

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1 Peter 1:8-9 NLT

You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

Prayer for self

I love You Jesus, even though I have never seen You. Though I do not see You now, I trust You; and I rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting You Jesus will be the salvation of my soul. Oh, thank You Lord! Amen.

Prayer for others - fill in the blank with name(s)

Father, I pray (___) will love Jesus even though he/she has never seen Him. Though he/she does not see him now, I pray he/she will trust Jesus and rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy, knowing and believing the reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of his/her soul. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

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Romans 5:16-17 NLT

And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. 

Prayer for self

Father, the result of Your gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God, Your free gift leads to me being made right with You, even though I am guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is Your wonderful grace and gift of righteousness. And I receive it and live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Hallelujah, amen!

Prayer for others - fill in the blank with name(s)

Father, the result of Your gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God, Your free gift leads (___) to be made right with You, even though he/she is guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is Your wonderful grace and gift of righteousness. I pray (___) receives it and will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ, in His name I pray. Hallelujah, amen!

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Romans 5:1-2 NLT

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

Prayer for self

Father God, I pray for a revelation of Your word in my heart, that I have been made right in Your sight by faith and I have peace with You because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for me. Because of my faith, Christ has brought me into this place of undeserved privilege where I now stand, and I confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing in Your glory God. Thank You Father!

Prayer for others - fill in the blank with name(s)

Father God, I pray (___) will have a revelation of Your word in his/her heart, that he/she has been made right in Your sight by faith and he/she has peace with You because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for him/her. Because of his/her faith, Christ has brought him/her into this place of undeserved privilege where he/she now stands, and confidently and joyfully looks forward to sharing in Your glory God. Thank You Father! Amen.

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Psalm 27:9 NKJV

Do not hide Your face from me;

Do not turn Your servant away in anger;

You have been my help;

Do not leave me nor forsake me,

O God of my salvation.

This verse is a prayer for self

Father, do not hide Your face from me;

Do not turn Your servant away in anger;

You have been my help;

Do not leave me nor forsake me,

O God of my salvation.

Prayer for others - fill in the blank with name(s)

Father God, I pray (___) is (will be) Your servant so You will not hide Your face from him/her, but help him/her. Lord, do not leave or forsake (___) O God, You alone are his/her salvation. Thank You Lord, in Jesus name, amen.

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Luke 10:2 AMP

He was saying to them, “The harvest is abundant [for there are many who need to hear the good news about salvation], but the workers [those available to proclaim the message of salvation] are few. Therefore, [prayerfully] ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.

Prayer for workers of the harvest

Father, Your Son said the harvest is abundant, that there are many who need to hear the good news about salvation. But those available to proclaim the message of salvation are few. Father I ask You, Lord of the harvest, to send out workers into Your harvest. Lord, give Your workers a heart for those who have not heard the good news about salvation. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

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Luke 24:6-7 NLT

He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.

Praise the Lord! We serve a God who is alive! He is risen!! Thank You Jesus!!

Father, today I pray for my friends and family who don't know Jesus, who don't believe He is Your Son, who aren't saved yet, Lord I pray (name each one) will come to know Jesus and be saved so we can share eternity in heaven with You Father, in Jesus name I pray, amen.

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Luke 23:34 NIV

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Prayer for self

Father, I come to You in Your Son's name Jesus and I ask You to help me forgive the way Jesus forgives. And I thank You for Your forgiveness for my sins. And I thank You Jesus, for Your finished work on the cross that has made me righteousness in our Father's sight. Thank You Jesus!

Prayer for others - fill in the blank with name(s)

Father, I pray (___) will know what Jesus did on the cross for him/her. That He paid for his/her sins and redeemed him/her. I pray (___) will not waste His sacrifice by rejecting this truth but believe in his/her heart and confess with his/her mouth that Jesus is Lord and be saved. Father, I want (___) to have eternal life in Jesus and I know that is Your will God, You want none to perish. Thank You Father for hearing my prayer, amen.

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Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Prayer for self

For it is by grace I have been saved, through faith—and this is not from myself, it is the gift of God— not by my works so I cannot boast. For I am God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for me to do. Father, I ask You to reveal to me the good works You have created me to do, that I may walk in Your will for my life, in Christ Jesus, amen.

Prayer for others - fill in the blank with name(s)

Our heavenly Father, it is by Your grace (___) has been saved, through faith. For he/she is Your handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which You prepared in advance for him/her to do. Father, I ask You to reveal to (___) the good works You have created him/her to do, that he/she may walk in Your will for his/her life, in Christ Jesus, amen.

Thank You Lord, salvation is the best gift ❤

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Psalm 91:14-16 NIV

Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Prayer for self

I love You Lord and believe Your Word, that You will rescue me and protect me because I acknowledge Your name. When I call on You, You answer me. You are with me when I am in trouble, You deliver me and honor me. You bless me with a long life and show me Your salvation. Thank You Lord.

Prayer for other believers

Because (___) loves You Lord, You will rescue him/her; You will protect him/her, for he/she acknowledges Your name. He/she will call on You Lord and You will answer him/her; You will be with him/her in trouble, You will deliver him/her and honor him/her. With long life You will satisfy him/her and show him/her Your salvation.

Prayer for people who don't know the Lord yet

Lord I pray (___) will come to know You and love You so that You will rescue and protect him/her. I pray he/she will acknowledge Your name. That he/she will call on You Lord and You will answer him/her; You will be with him/her in trouble, You will deliver him/her and honor him/her. With long life You will satisfy him/her and show him/her Your salvation. In Jesus name,  amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Romans 10:9-10 NET

because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation.

Prayer for self

I confess Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and therefore I am saved. Lord help any unbelief I have in my heart.

Prayer for others

Lord I pray (___) would confess with his/her mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in his/her heart that you God raised Jesus from the dead so that he/she is saved.

Hope 4 Healing Prayer Mantle Ministry

Hope 4 Healing Prayer Mantle Ministry was born out of a desire to bring the love of Jesus and a faith in His healing touch to people who are suffering in a tangible way.

Rachel Cinader, President of Hope 4 Women International and affiliated charity Dress A Girl Around the World, both 401c(3) non-profits that help women and girls in impoverished nations in Uganda and the Philippines. Hope 4 Women International teaches women a trade to become self sufficient.  Dress A Girl Around the world sends hand made dresses to girls around the world. Rachel was receiving emails from volunteers letting her know of medical issues that were interfering with their ability to donate their time to the cause and requesting prayers. Rachel knew I love to knit and asked if I would make a prayer shawl for one of the volunteers suffering with a serious medical condition. When I agreed, she asked if I would like to teach others to knit. And the ministry grew from there.

We are a group of Christian women who gather on Tuesday evenings to knit, crochet and teach others to knit and crochet. We pray over each project before sending it off to the recipient. Usually we make shawls but we've also made hats and lap blankets. We believe in following the leading of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

We are finding the needs are great. We've given to men, women and children for a variety of reasons, not just physical health related problems. We've given to grieving widows, people struggling with drug addictions and others with mental health issues. We have volunteers who send in completed knitting projects as well. We pray over them and send a card with a prayer and scriptures to the recipients.

Hope 4 Healing Cross Shawl Pattern

Baptism

 I was praying one day and asked the Lord to show me anyone I needed to forgive. This is a prayer we should ask the Lord everyday because not forgiving is poison to our souls. But if I'm honest, I don't pray this prayer everyday like I should; sometimes I falsely believe I don't harbor unforgiveness, other times I simply don't want to forgive. But the Lord is always faithful if we ask and we wait on Him to show us. And this particular day I was humble before Him knowing that if I said I had no sin I deceived myself and the truth was not in me and I was ready to confess my sin and let His faithfulness to forgive me and cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I was surprised by what the Lord revealed to me, I had not forgiven myself for getting divorced. I had stood before the Lord and men and made promises I did not keep. I was divorced 17 years ago, how could I still be harboring unforgiveness towards myself for this? Haven't I been over and over this? I've asked for forgiveness a million times over it seems and I know the Lord has forgiven me, why is this coming up now? I haven't even consciously thought about it in ages. But I suddenly had a vision of myself being baptized, going under a sinner and coming up washed clean by Jesus' death and resurrection. And I started thinking about that, baptism.

  When I was 6 or 7 we were in church in Albert Lea, we met at the YMCA there and the Pastor said anyone that wanted to be baptized could be after church. I told my parents I wanted to be baptized. I remember being in the water with the Pastor with lots of people standing around the pool, their legs. That's what I saw because it wasn't about who was there, who they were, who the pastor was. It was about the water, I remember the water shimmering. It was about a calling I didn't understand but obeyed. I remember coming up out of the water feeling complete. And then my parents took me to my aunts house to dry my clothes and then we were off to the zoo. I don't remember the zoo at all. But I remember that my parents had plans to go to the zoo and they delayed those plans because I wanted to be baptized. They took my request seriously. They didn't for a moment think I was just a child that wanted to get in the pool. 

  But later in life I was just a stupid kid following the crowd and getting in the pool. As a teenager, 18 I believe I was, my parents sent me and my best friend Marcy to Christ for the Nations conference in Texas. They had a night where they called anyone that wanted to be baptized to do so in the pool. By this time in my life I was very casual about my relationship with the Lord. I talked to Him when I was in crisis but pretty much just did whatever I wanted to do. And when everyone else was getting baptized, I was baptized too. I may have been sincere in the moment but when I returned home to the world I had left, I was not concerned about following the Lord. It wasn't long after I was married at age 21 that I began doubting Jesus was the only way and started looking into other religions, cultures and beliefs. I stepped so far off the path the Lord wanted me to walk upon, it would only take His miraculous power and pull to get me back on it. That didn't come until after I was remarried and in my late 30's. 

  So here I am 45 and the Lord is showing me I harbor unforgiveness for myself for things He has forgiven me for. So I forgive myself because this is just dumb, holding things against myself that God has forgiven me for. Agreeing with the enemy who keeps bringing up my dirt to make me feel guilty. No! To hell with you devil and all your demons, I'm not listening to your lies any more. I'm forgiven by the grace of Jesus. Not because I deserve it, because of love. 

For God did not send his Son to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. John 3:17. 

  So I had a vision of myself being baptized and felt this was the Lord showing me it is time to be baptized again. With a pure heart of love for Jesus and what His death and resurrection mean... eternal life for those who believe. This is my public witness. To proclaim Jesus as the way, the truth and the life. That I go to the Father through Jesus. That I am committed to following Jesus, to putting God first and to loving my neighbors as myself. To shine His light in this dark world. 
  Don't think I didn't have my doubts. This vision came to me in early April and my baptism is scheduled for June 23, there's a gap there, not just because it was still snowing in April and I wanted to be baptized in my parents pond. There's this selfishness in me that wants to do its own thing, that doesn't want to commit everything to the Lord. And what if I am baptized again for the 3rd time and I fail to follow Jesus fully. Duh, that's why I need a Savior because I will fail, but Jesus redeems!
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24

Power of our words

Proverbs 18:21 says that death and life are in the power of the tongue. Remember when we were kids and we said sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me. Not true. What people say about us can hurt us if we let them, but more importantly the words we speak have power. The power of words does not come from us. The Lord's power is loosed when we speak life words. The devils power is loosed when we speak death words. Our power is in our freedom to choose whose power we will loose with the words we speak. 

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witness today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.

Matthew 18:18 Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

We are so often careless with our words not paying any mind to their power. My prayer today is that we would get it, that words have power and that we would choose life words today.

#100happydays Part 4 #100plushappydays

Day 370 of 100 Happy Days

When I began the 100 Happy Days Challenge, I had no idea it would turn into a way of life. I knew when I reached 100 days I didn't want to stop so I set a new goal of 200 days. When I reached that I knew I didn't want to stop so I set a new goal, one year. When I reached that I didn't want to stop but I don't need to set another goal because once you're in a routine it's no longer a goal, it's a way of life.

But wait, I do have a goal I haven't reached, to inspire one person to begin and complete the 100 Happy Days Challenge. Who will it be? Who is up for this challenge? I know some of my facebook friends spend ALOT of time on facebook, so...do something with that time that will change your life, fill you with joy and inspire your friends and family. 

Maybe you think it would be too hard or you don't like following the rules, so make your own rules. It's your challenge, do it your way. One of the many blessings this challenge gave me was a photo gallery of the good things in life to look back on. Another blessing is hearing my friends and family tell me they enjoy seeing my happy day posts. Actually let me just count the blessings this challenge has brought me.

1- Focusing on the positive
2 - Seeking happiness
3 - Finding happiness
4 - Good memories recorded
5 - Reflecting on the good things the day brought
6 - Multiplied blessings
7 - Inspiring others
8 - Honoring others
9 - Honoring the Lord
10 - Letting go of the negative
11 - Realizing happiness is a choice
12 - Realizing no matter how dark the day, there is always something to be grateful for

Well you get the idea...I've got 369 photos of the blessings this challenge has brought me so far. So what are you waiting for? Take the challenge!!!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Even if you're not ready...check it out at...

100HappyDays.com

Child Like Faith

As a child my home was full of love. My parents loved each other, they loved me and my brother. They loved the Lord and passed that love on to us. There was never any arguing or yelling in our home. I suppose that is why when I was about 8 years old I was shocked to find out my parents were getting a divorce. Still there was no fighting or arguing. Mom moved out and our parents agreed to joint custody, one week with Mom, the next with Dad. They never used us as leverage, they never had a bad word to say about the other. Even so, I was heart broken and confused. I suppose because all I ever saw was love, it made no sense that they would part ways. 

I don't know how long it took for my heart to mend but life went on and I got used to having two homes. But that didn't mean I didn't long for my parents to get back together. Every birthday wish I used to pray they would get back together. Every falling star I saw my wish was for my parents to get back together. Yes I know, every kid from a broken home has this same wish. But how long does one pray the same prayer and get no answer? When do you realize your wish is never coming true so you might as well give up?

Is it after the first year... the second year... the third. Is it when your mom gets engaged? Is it when your dad gets remarried? No, child like faith never gives up. And in my case the Lord answered another prayer, I believe to keep my faith alive. I was probably 12 years old and my beloved cat Kraus went missing for days, maybe even weeks, I don't recall how long but I missed him and I loved him and I wanted him home. I was so desperate one night I was walking home from my friends house and I cried out, "Please God, bring Kraus home!" and I had barely walked another block when Kraus came running up to me. 

This quick answer to my prayer strengthened my faith. At that age I didn't pray often but there was always a knowing in my heart that the Lord would bring my parents back together. Yes my dad was married to another and it looked like my mother would marry another as well. I was ok with those circumstances, I accepted the way things were. But if my parents divorce taught me anything, it was that things are not always as they seem and that circumstances are temporary. 

So when my dad and step-mother announced their divorce, I was elated. I will never forget the conversation I had with my step-sister, Heidi. She asked me if I was upset they were getting divorced and I told her no because now my parents can get back together. Being older and wiser than me, she did the 'right thing' by telling me, that's never going to happen, every kid wants their parents to get back together but it's never going to happen. You know the way people are always saying, don't get your hopes up. I hate that saying. It's the worlds way of saying don't have faith. 

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Meditate on that scripture, Lord knows I need to now that I'm no longer a child and the world has tried to beat the child like faith out of me.

But as a 13 year old, Heidi's words had no effect on me, I just shrugged and knew she would be proven wrong. And she was, 29 years ago today. My parents were remarried on December 13, 1986, I was the maid of honor and my brother was the best man. It was the evidence of my unseen faith, my hope in a God who could do what the world said would never happen.

Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

I may never know if they would have gotten remarried had I not had faith. But I do know, I would not have the faith I have today had I not had faith as a child.

Hebrews 6:15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

If you are one of those people who say, don't get your hopes up, I do not mean to offend. I understand you've been hurt, probably as a child and it is your way of guarding your heart against more hurt. Here is a prayer for you to pray out loud.

Let Your mercy be upon me Lord and heal the wounds in my heart that have dashed my hope. Teach me how to have childlike faith. Teach me to trust You Lord and fill me with hope. Increase my faith, increase my hope and increase my love. In Jesus name, Amen.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

The Lord thinks about you, He has thoughts of peace and a future and a hope for you. And should you think this verse is about someone else and not you. Let me remind you of what Jesus said...
"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matt 6:26

You are more valuable and the Lord wants you to have hope, he wants you to have child like faith and he gives to those who ask. My parents anniversary is a reminder to me that the Lord answers when we ask. What prayers has the Lord answered in your life?

Holy Spirit Cowl

The Lord blessed me with a talent and a passion for knitting. I praise the Lord for the gifts He's given me. One of my favorite Bible verses is 

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust 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.

Today I'm writing to tell you how this verse manifested itself in my life recently. A while back I knitted myself a hat from a free pattern on Ravelry called Skyping Beanie by Halldora J

I decided I wanted a short cowl to go with it but I didn't have a pattern. I chose not to search for a pattern as I'd seen many before and never felt compelled to make them and so I'd never knitted a small cowl, I was not sure how to begin. I knew the hat was 80 stitches around and that the cowl should be bigger, not much to go on. So I prayed in my heart for Holy Spirit to guide my hands. 

I grabbed my favorite circular needles, size 9, and then pulled a good length of yarn off the skein and began "casting on", putting the yarn on the needle to begin knitting. After some time I stopped to look at the length of the yarn tail and felt I should cast on more stitches. The second time I stopped I felt like I had enough to begin knitting so I counted the number of stitches, it was 100. I counted again to be sure, yes 100. I thought, "That sounds like a nice round number Holy Spirit."  and I knew that the Holy Spirit had prompted me to stop there.

I won't bore you with the details but I can tell you Holy Spirit guided me through the whole project or rather, "directed my path" because I acknowledged Him in what I was doing. This project took 2 or 3 hours and I admit there was a moment I thought I should do a pattern that was more like the hat pattern but I stopped myself and said in my heart, "No, I trust You Lord." And I'm glad I did, because I love what the Holy Spirit directed...

Printable Pattern Here: Holy Spirit Cowl pdf

#100happydays Part 3

Day 78 of 100 Happy Days

  Seeking the sweet things in life. That is what this challenge truly is about. In my last post I wrote that I expected this would become more challenging as the days go by, well I was wrong. If anything, it has become more enjoyable and now I wonder whatever will I do when it is over. I don't want it to end. I'm not alone in this, I realized as I searched #100plushappydays. 

It has become part of my daily routine. Look for something that makes me happy. Happy. I know this word seems like some grand destination once everything in life is perfect we will arrive at. But that is not reality because there will always be stuff that can bring us down if we let it. No, happiness is a series of small and occasionally big things that give us pleasure or make us thankful that we focus on continually that brings joy. 

In fact I have found that gratitude and happiness go hand in hand. Everything I've photographed over the past 78 days are things I am thankful to have in my life. This does not mean I have had no sad moments, no frustration, no anger, no chaos or challenges in my life. I have. I have cried, I have yelled, I have been grouchy and irritable. But I have chosen to brush those things off and re-focus on what I am thankful for. The sweet things in life. It's really hard to be both angry and grateful at the same time, so I keep seeking the sweet things. And this 100 happy days challenge is one of those sweet things. 

This practice is training me to expect happy moments. I have had days where I posted my picture for the day early and then something else later in the day makes me more happy and I wished I would have waited. So I put it off till the end of the day. One evening, an hour before bed I started to post my photo thinking nothing more would happen that day but right  before  I hit save my best friend showed up at my door; I quickly hit delete to post her photo instead because that became the best part of my day. I have days where I take multiple photos and have to chose which one gave me more pleasure that day. 

It has taught me to focus on the positive in life. Sure I've had days when I've gotten towards the end of the day and I haven't photographed anything and I wonder what to post. But that's not a bad thing either because it makes me pause and reflect on what was good about the day. This can be a challenge to photograph but I have gotten creative, well some might call it cheating, taking a photograph of a photograph I've found online. But hey, it's my challenge, it makes me happy to do it my way.

If you've thought about taking this challenge, stop thinking about it and do it, you will not regret it. I'm here to tell you, it's the small things that add up to a life of gratitude that brings joy. My prayer seed today is that one person who is near and dear to me, whose feet are set on a path of destruction, I pray that person would read this and take this challenge, because changing paths starts with one step. 

To sign up for the challenge go to: 100 Happy Days Challenge

P.S. Local honey makes me happy, I bought this honey at the Clear Lake Farmers Market, it's delicious!

#100happydays Part 2

Day 50 of 100 Happy Days

Half way through this challenge to be happy for 100 days in a row. Looking back, this challenge has definitely been a positive one, more on that at the end. Looking ahead, I imagine it will be more challenging as the days go on. I have given myself a rule to not use the same thing twice. This has already been a challenge when I'm going about my day looking for things that make me happy.

So far my biggest challenge has been the fact that I have to photograph what made me happy that day. Some things are so fleeting. The big dog in the back seat of the mini-cooper that whizzed by on the highway. The sunset as it peeked out behind the clouds. Chad's face as he described how awful chocolate covered ginger tasted to him. The eagle that soared by. Sometimes I just forget to take a picture. I had lunch with my beloved cousin Tiffany who I rarely see any more.I guess I was too busy enjoying her company to think to take a picture.

Other things are hard to capture on film. How do I photograph the dedication of the dispatchers I work with; agreeing to work over-time so someone else can have a day off. Coming to work no matter how they feel. Filling in shifts when we are short staffed, and it seems we're always short staffed. Pushing through from one crisis to the next.

How do I capture a feeling on film. Like feeling the presence of the Lord during worship. The feeling of satisfaction knowing dispatching emergency services makes a difference in our community. The feeling of refreshment after a good nights sleep. The feeling of peace during prayer. And love, the love that comes from God, I feel His love everyday.

Maybe I just need to get more creative with my photos so you can see some of these things.

1 John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

Tell me what made you happy today?

#100happydays Part 1

#100HappyDays Challenge Day 25

So a friend of mine posted on Facebook a link to this 100 Happy Days Challenge. Here's their slogan "Can you be happy for 100 days in a row? You don't have time for this right?" My first thought was yes I can be happy for 100 days in a row and who doesn't have time to be happy? 

So here's the challenge. Everyday submit a picture of what made you happy that day. Simple, who doesn't have time for that? So why take the challenge, I decided to take the challenge because after my first initial thoughts about it, I started thinking about all the people and places and other things that make me happy. My mind went forward to what I know is coming in the days, weeks and months ahead. Yes months, because this challenge is not for a month or two and don't stop at three. And therein lies the challenge, even for a person who already considers themselves a happy person. 

The rules of the challenge do not say it should be something different everyday but for some reason I have applied that rule to myself. I have chosen to post my photos to Instagram and Facebook in order to inspire my friends and family. And also to honor them because they are a huge part of what makes me happy.

So I'm a quarter into the challenge and I thought I'd share some of my insights so far. I now wake up and wonder what will make me happy today. This is not a thought I ever recall having in the past. It makes you look at life a little differently.  I find myself looking and searching for things to be happy about. The pursuit of happiness :-)

I've known for a long time that being happy is more of a choice than a feeling based on ones circumstances. (I won't go down that bunny trail today) It's about focus and perspective and gratitude. Gratitude is huge. It's hard to be in a bad mood when you are thinking about all the things in life you appreciate and are thankful for. Gratitude is a practice. Just like anything, the more we do something the better we become at it. Several years ago I started practicing giving thanks for something twice a day, I carried a rock with me to remind me to give thanks when I touched it. By this I mean consciously thinking I am thankful for family, friends, lights, etc...Practicing gratitude is a life changing en-devour.

As I was thinking about all this, I realized it's pretty easy for me to be happy right now. Life's going smoothly for the most part, the weather has been fantastic, most of my friends and family are doing well. Maybe it was coming across a photograph of my friend Nadine that gave me pause. You see she passed away just over a year ago and I remember the sadness of losing her. It made me wonder how I would handle this challenge should something tragic happen in the next 75 days.

Would I take a break? Would I give up? I hope not because the more I thought about it the more I realized that it is during our darkest moments where we need to look for hope the most. It is those moments of laughter through the tears that keep us pushing through the hard times. As much as I hope and pray that nothing tragic happens in the next 75 days or ever for that matter, reality is, loved ones will pass away, tragedy will strike. But I feel better prepared to face those times now more than ever, not because I am focusing on being happy. You see this practice of gratitude I'm talking about brought me closer to God. I now know I can trust in Jesus to carry all my burdens if I am willing to give them to Him.

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light."

He will carry your burdens too, if you're willing to give them up to Him.

Where peace comes from...

Philippians 4:6-7 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.

This verse makes me happy, it gives me peace, well not the verse but the Word in action. I started meditating on this verse a few years ago. It's not a quick fix. But lets be honest 'quick fix' for the heart of man is an oxymoron because anything in life we think will help us quickly is no fix at all. It could be a band aid but  our heart's trouble will not heal themselves on their own, we need Jesus. 

This verse in action over time is a heart healer, not a quick fix because it takes time and it takes effort. But so does worry if you stop to think about how much time and energy we waste with worry and often about things that haven't even happened. This verse speaks to that worry. This is what it said to me. Oh, you are worried, well then bring that worry to the Lord. Tell Him about it, talk to Him about it and then thank Him for His solution, for His peace, for providing for your every need. Tell Him what you would like to see happen. Do this often, talk to God all the time about everything and give Him thanks all the time about everything. If you do this over time the peace with which Jesus covers our hearts and minds is indescribable joy. It is. 

Now when the enemy comes knocking, my first reaction is not worry and fear, it's to turn to the Lord, to trust the Lord. Even when the request I made to the Lord does not come immediately or at all, I still have that peace described in this verse. You see it does not say when you pray and give thanks and make your request known that you will get everything you ask for. It's not because the Lord doesn't want to give us our hearts desires when they line up with His will. Often we are asking for something that requires another person to change and He will not over ride anyone's free will to choose for themselves. That said, don't stop asking because He does nudge us, thank the Lord for my parents and others prayers to the Lord who brought me to this place of peace and joy through Christ Jesus, I would not have put my trust in Him without those nudges.

So I thank You Lord Jesus for Your peace that I don't understand but I love oh so much. It amazes me that even when I am not getting the answer I have asked for, the peace still comes. The joy still comes.

Essential Oils for Christians: Proceed with Caution

I believe essential oils are a gift from the Lord, as we know from His Word, He made all the plants (Gen 1:29) and their leaves for healing  (Ez 47:12) But the Lord flashed the yellow light at me while I was racing around the essential oils track. And we all know what the yellow light means...proceed with caution.

It wasn't anything physical, although I do believe we need to inform ourselves on the safe use of essential oils. No, it had to do with the thief and how I'd left my house without a burglar alarm in the past and let him come in and steal my joy and steal my peace before; the Lord was warning me not to do it again.

John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (NKJV)

Jesus came to give us life. The thief, Satan, wants to steal that life from us. Satan's the oldest thief, he knows what he's doing and he is very sneaky. So please let me be a burglar alarm to wake up those who are asleep as I was several years ago and allowed him to steal from me.

In my early 20's I had some health issues and someone suggested I try yoga and meditation. I learned some basic yoga stretches and some breathing techniques to help me relax and I really liked the practice. I started reading information on yoga and got a tape on meditation. The idea was to empty your mind. Well I grew up in a Christian home and I knew that emptying the mind was a bad idea. So I didn't pursue yoga meditation, and I thought the yoga exercises were just that, physical exercise. But I had opened my mind to a false spirituality without realizing it.

In 2001 as my first marriage was falling apart I was introduced to Qi Gong aka Chi Kung. This is the"mother" of all martial arts. Qi or chi being the 'energy' or 'life force' that moves through the body, so they say. The meditation part intrigued me because it was about focus and visualization. We were not taught to empty our minds and so I thought it was okay. Instead we were encouraged to bring in good energy, positive energy, release any negative emotions or energy. That type of thing. How could that be bad? It was very relaxing and I was content.
  The problem is these practices come from a foundation of idol worship and this false spirituality lulls you slowly into a self confidence that excludes the Creator. I was living a life of self deception really. I was full of pride. I was self sufficient, I didn't need the power of the Lord, I thought I had it all together. Not even close. My relationships suffered tremendously. I started having all kinds of physical problems, with my stomach, my digestion, my back. It got bad enough I was missing a lot of work and I finally went to a primary care physician and realized I was suffering from depression. The opposite of what the spiritual meditation promised. But in the process of these illnesses, I had gotten lazy about meditating and I quit doing it. God in His mercy used my sin to bring me out of it. It wasn't overnight, it was a process.

So too was it a process to come back to the Lord. The biggest turning point was when I had a dream, I saw Jesus, He was so beautiful. And I heard the Lord speak to me saying, "Anyone who comes to me will have eternal life". I picked up my Bible again and began to read it every day. I still do. The Word transformed me. (Romans 12:2)

So I speak from experience when I say be careful when you are researching, buying and using essential oils. The new age (which is a misnomer because it's really old) has hijacked the essential oil market in a lot of ways. And I have found a lot of blending between the Bible and false spirituality that I find disturbing. Like I said the thief is sneaky, he can be very subtle, he's not going to announce himself. He even uses scripture to lull us into thinking it's of the Lord when it's the enemy trying to deceive us. He always sprinkles in some truth with his lies or else we would see right through him immediately.

Before I go on I would like to say I am not trying to tell anyone where to buy or not to buy essential oils. Whether you should or should not use them. What I am saying is seek the Lord first and do your research.

As of this writing, the only oil company I have purchased from is Young Living, however, I will not be buying from them again because that yellow light I mentioned was Holy Spirit highlighting some things about this company that have me concerned. Such as the way they are touting the use of essential oils in the Bible and at the same time promoting new age spirituality.

Their webpage and their product guide use the following to describe some of their oil blends.
Abundance "is created to enhance the frequency of the harmonic magnetic energy field that surrounds us."
Aroma Life "pulsing with life, this vibrant blend energizes your life force."
Harmony "is an exquisite blend that promotes physical and emotional well-being by bringing harmonic balance to the energy centers of the body."
Envision "helps awaken and renew that drive to overcome fear and begin experiencing new, more rewarding dimensions."
"Sacred Frankincense is ideal for those who wish to take their spiritual journey and meditation experiences to a higher level."

On the Young Living website you find a link to the founder D. Gary Young's blog where you can read this.

"I believe that the essential oils are a conduit between us and God, and I truly believe without question that they increase our ability to communicate on a higher level than ever before. As you start using the oils, one of the first things you will notice, if you don’t have a specific ache or pain, is that your spiritual relationship with Father in Heaven will magnify over and over and over. If you use the oils for no other reason than that alone, they will change your life." To read the entire blog post click here.

There is nothing biblical to support essential oils bringing us into a relationship with 'Father in Heaven'. In fact anyone who believes they can achieve a closer relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ without the Holy Spirit of God is deceived. But then again, Young doesn't mention Jesus Christ in his blog, or anywhere else that I have seen so one must wonder what god he is in a spiritual relationship with.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying we need to check out every single place we buy from and make sure the owner believes in Jesus Christ. That would make our lives very difficult indeed. However, when I go to other websites to make a purchase, amazon, target, hobby lobby and countless other places, I am not confronted with false spirituality.

And maybe your thinking, what I thought at first, that it doesn't matter because I don't believe in that new age garbage anyway, so it won't effect me to buy from this company. That may be so. But remember, the Lord has called us to be examples for others.We are not to cause another to stumble. I've decided I don't want to take the risk of leading another person astray by calling myself a Christian and then affiliating myself with a company that promotes a spirituality the leads away from Christ.

There are alot of  essential oil companies out there and unfortunately many of them have new age lingo in their marketing and some don't sell 100% pure essential oils. However, when I sought the Lord on this matter, I did find a few companies that sell 100% pure essential oils and do not promote a false spirituality. As a bonus, they are a lot less expensive than Young Living, (even at wholesale) most likely because they are not multilevel marketing companies.

Like I said, I'm not trying to tell you what to do. Wait a minute, yes I am. I'm telling you to seek the Lord first in all things. (Matt 6:33) Let Holy Spirit guide you and you will not be led astray.

Psalm 34:10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.