“Do-It-Yourself” projects – They make it look so easy on TV. From home improvement to self improvement it’s NOT as easy as it looks! Our first clue that it’s not going to go as planned is in the title: “Doing it YOURself”. We can only take a project so far relying on OURselves. We need help, advice, guidance and sometime intervention along the way.

We can’t expect anyone to do the work FOR us of course, but who makes up your work crew is more important than the skill set you brought into the project. Through Him all things are possible.

Now…the doesn’t mean you won’t have to re-do or two along the way. That’s often when His best work is seen.

Pick up that paint brush and hammer. Get to work. Then rely on the Ultimate Craftsman to put His touch on life’s improvement projects.

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. – Chronicles 16:8

How great are those moments when you feel that you are absolutely SHINING!
No matter how big or how small the circumstance, it’s amazing!
It’s Him working through you. It’s you calling on Him fill your life. THAT’s amazing!

Sometimes, these moments happen and we forget to pay attention. We miss out! AH!

I’ve noticed a funny thing happens when we take notice and take time to be grateful…they keep coming around!

Whether you SING His praises in your heart – or – you SHOUT them out loud…you’re giving thanks AND you’re inspiring someone else to share their “SHINE” with the world.

SHINE, SHOUT and SING it out!…And Give thanks for the journey and the relationship that brought you here!

SHINE On!

What happens in those moments when you’re just not “feeling” it? When all the to-do lists and stresses of life begin to occupy your thoughts more than good things?
What do you do in those times when you feel “far away” from God?

Pslam 139: 1-2 says:
1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

Even when we feel “afar”, God know us intimately. He knows our thoughts, our stress, our pressures and our doubts. He has searched us and He knows us. The other day when I felt the stress of life piling up I caught myself praying to God saying, “I know you know me. I know you love me but I’m just overwhelmed. This is the best that I can do…”

As I said the words I felt a response gently saying, “No. You are your best when you are with me.” And I knew it to be true…

James 4:8 encourages us by saying, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

When you’re feeling far away, when you’re feeling overwhelmed… draw near to God. He will meet you there. We are always at our best when God is with us…

Be encouraged this week, be encouraged when you’re weak…

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you!

SHINE ON!

To take on a task of goodness: Tomorrow, before you’ve finished your morning coffee or fab beverage of choice…do one thing nice for someone, anyone! Just because.
Not a whole lot of time, right?
Ahhh…creative kindness is born!

Proof that the little things in life ARE the big things!

Let us know how it goes.

Good Luck and SHINE On!

“A chord of three strands is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12

We reflect on this verse often when it comes to marriage but have you ever thought about its application to your friendships? When you have God at the center of your relationships, it’s difficult for anyone or anything to break you down. Specifically, the enemy has a harder time seeping into our lives and sabotaging our relationships.

If you gathered your closest friends in a room and closed your eyes what conversations you hear? Would you hear of negativity and despair?

Or would you drink in uplifting and positive talk? Chatter of summer plans and weekend trips…The next “project” in someone’s life…Highlights from last night’s movie…Excitement about tomorrow’s job interview…Plans to buy something special…Intrigue about a new discovery…ALL engaging, positive “surround sound.”

Voices of praise, words of encouragement, hearts for the King: All things that have nice ring to them for a reason! Surrounding yourself with positive people helps you see the positive things in your life and makes way for the great things to come. Let’s be honest, everyday can’t be sunny, but there is something to appreciate about a rainy day!

Be that person in your friend group who shines the light of positivity…little things can make a big difference…and if your “surround sound” doesn’t sound so good, maybe it’s time to rethink what you’re “tuned” into.

With a JOYFUL heart, SHINE On!

It’s summer! SHINE On! Take a trip…in your mind or on the open road.

From driving cross country to driving across town, from diving deeper into your faith to helping others as they step into theirs, traveling any path can be so much better when we have someone along for the ride…answering questions, enjoying the journey, pointing out important stops along the way, where to hang a left, or just stay in the right lane…

Have you ever asked someone to follow you to a destination that you were familiar with and they were not?

We can be so worried about their pursuit that we aren’t particularly good drivers ourselves. The time we spend looking in the rear view mirror and over our shoulder, is time we’re not looking ahead OR following the right path ourselves.

In reality (and safe driving practices:) if we’re going about our own journey the right way, leading by example, taking our time and using the right signals – it’s a whole lot easier for all of us to get where we’re going.

As you set sail for a summer of travel, by book or by map…ask yourself, “Where am I going?”

The definition of the word Shine is to give off Light. But the simple fact is you can’t give what you don’t have.
The Light has to be inside you first in order for you to share it with others.
Think about the instructions a flight attendant gives before an airplane takes off. If anything were to happen and the oxygen masks drop down, first put the mask on yourself then help those around you. It’s hard to keep either you or another person going if you’re both frantically gasping for air.
You have to SHINE from the inside out. In an overflowing, “you’re-so-filled-up-you have-to-spill-out-on-others-or-you’ll-burst” kind of way! A natural outpouring of all that fills you up!
Does it feel like you are working, running here and there and trying to do your best to be even the least bit “shiny” to others… but it’s just doesn’t feel right? Do you end up feeling more and more exhausted and in need of your own “pick me up”?
If you’re finding you’ve lost your SHINE, look inside…
Are you all filled up with the love, and grace, and kindness of the Light of the World? Or are you trying to do everything yourself on a small reserve of faith? Stop trying to help everyone else while you’re gasping for air. It’s ok. Take a moment, or a day, or a week and refill. Spend time with God getting full again on His love and kindness, His grace and blessing. Fill your heart and mind to overflowing and you’ll give to others naturally.

SHINE!

What went on today? What’s planned for tomorrow?
It might be a relaxing day of rest. It might be a hectic day with too much on your to-do list. It may be a day full of service for others, chalk full of errands and projects…whatever the day holds, it’s still yours to make the best of. This day and every day is a chance to show the world how you SHINE!

Open a door, give a smile, share a kind word…just because! You might be suprised at how the world around you can become a kinder place AND full of His light!

What are you going to do to SHINE On today?

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
Isaiah 60:1

What an encouraging word! An offer to rise up and out of dark places, places where you doubt and are unsure. Places where you’ve been hurt or have hurt others. Places where you don’t feel loved of accepted. ARISE! The Light has come! The glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Do you feel it? Do you know that you are His daughter? Do you know that He loves you? That He can heal your hurts? Do you celebrate that His Light has come in your life?

Wherever you are today, wherever you’ve been… Arise, SHINE, for the Light of the World has come!

Today is the day! But it doesn’t happen by accident. You have to take the initiative…

SHINE!

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