Wednesday || August 2 || 2023

If I had to title the recipes-- AKA : what didn't work out so well--they would read something like this:

-Always after the fact

-Whoops, I forgot

-Drove to every dead end, what now?

-Left out the key ingredient

-Tried everything else, let's throw up a Hail-Mary

Okay, I hope you're having a giggle with me. It is kind of funny. And true! Maybe a couple of those resonated with you. But the key ingredient I was missing in those recipes was prayer! Or if it was in my attempted solution seeking methods, it was the garnish you throw on at the end.

What I want to share with you today, is that I have been discovering and learning in my faith journey is that Jesus doesn't want me to follow-up with Him, He wants me to come to Him FIRST. The very first ingredient on our "recipe for faith" should be prayer. (Or reading God's word, they're both pretty important :)   )

Putting prayer to the top of our list, it helps us prioritize what God deems important through whatever questions we're working through. God gifts us prayer, the power to come talk to him-- about anything!

Join me and having a recipe for faith that has prayer at the top of the ingredient list.

Tuesday || August 1 || 2023

Don't worry, I will still share the post from my personal page for some time! If you have been following my personal page (or Rachel's), that has been a great way to see them. But when you have a moment, like or follow us on our Open Door Encouragement Facebook page, or on Instagram: @Opendoorencouragement  . We are hoping to build a loving and supportive community, right there on our Open Door Encouragement Facebook Page (and Instagram profile). Also, please feel free to invite others to follow along with us, it is appreciated!

Additionally, on our Open Door page we want to help you keep in tune when we are at in-person craft events, upcoming Bible-gram series, product offerings, and of course, our weekday encouragement with a Bible-gram.

Rachel and I are absolutely floored and humbled by all of the daily and ongoing support we receive from each of you! We are excited to see what God has in store and how we can help share God's word in a simple, meaningful, and heartfelt way. So, to simply put it, THANK YOU :)

.

.

.

As far as today's Bible-gram goes, here are some thoughts.

Prayer.

That word may either incite some kind of internal panic or maybe a prevailing sense of peace.

Regardless of how we currently perceive it, prayer is a wonderful gift. Our good friend Jesus was an excellent model of the importance of implementing prayer into the rhythm of daily life. Jesus showed us that prayer should hold a prominent place in our life. Afterall , it is our open line of communication to our Heavenly Father.

And let's stop and ponder that for a minute. Jesus, who is also God, prayed.

Jesus prayed.

If Jesus is God, why did He pray?

To me, one way to look it was that Jesus was modeling the deep dependency He wants us to have as God's children. God desires for us , His children to talk to Him! And the best way to talk to God is through prayer.

Personally, as a parent, I love it when my kids talk to me-- it's the best! (well, maybe except if they're talking back HA). Anyhow, I love to hear about their day, what was fun, or something interesting they learned. I want to lean down and really listen to what they have to say. I am also just as ready to listen when they have to tell me something difficult, tear-filled, or when they don't feel good. Those aren't necessarily my favorite things to hear from their sweet mouths, but I want to hear them none the less!

God, who loves us so much, wants to hear from us! As our loving Heavenly Father, He too wants to hear the good, bad, what's on our hearts and the worries we may be towing along. God is ready to lean in and listen to what we have to say, no matter what it is. Whether it's a wagon full of worries or a basketful of blessings, God wants to hear all about it. 

Tuesday || April 11 || 2023

Monday || April 10 || 2023

Tuesday || March 21 || 2023

But the real life version? The road runner is actually pretty little. Also, beautiful with long tail feathers. Super quick, attentive and fast. Oh, and vicious!

We were able to observe a road runner from a stone's throw away-- in some landscaping. I remember my initial thats of "Oh wow, he's so cute!" as he lingered by a rock. Shifting to: "holy smokes, he just ate an entire lizard!"

The road runner is just one bird. One kind of bird. Of thousands of species. Of so many animals! I love that we get to observe and take in the incredible workmanship of God's creativity in the world around us! You might not be standing in the desert landscape laying eyes on the unassuming roadrunner eat lunch. But maybe you were able to notice the Robin starting to build her nest this Spring for her coming-soon eggs.

God in His graciousness gave us such a beautiful world in which to live and soak in while we're on this side of heaven. Let's enjoy the lesson in His power, creativity, and beauty in the world around us!

Monday || March 20 || 2023

Friday || March 17 || 2023

Thursday || March 16 || 2023

A huge crowd followed Him, and Jesus in turn responded with compassion.

I'm going to pause here for a moment. Can I just say it's can be so hard to stop, put others' needs first and yours to the side?! Especially when you were already "in the moment" and motion of what you're set on doing.  I'm leaning on the truth that Jesus demonstrated the ability to do this. Even in a time of probably deep heart and experiencing person loss. This truth can prop us up as a parent, and the other roles we carry out in our life. But as a parent, we may not always feel like putting others' needs first. Especially if I'm not feeling well, carrying a burden, or needing to process something. Compassion to care for others when I'm in the "middle of my stuff" feels counterintuitive.

Continuing on, Jesus kindly dismisses the crowd after He cared for them. Then Jesus goes back to what He was trying to do in the first place: spend time with God. In this case, He went up to a mountainside come evening and prayed until the middle of the night! Jesus still pursued prayer and time in God's presence-- even though the time was probably not ideal and he was inconvenienced in the process. Let's dial into Jesus' example of devotion and intention that interruptions don't have to dismantle our devotion time with God. 

Wednesday || March 15 || 2023

Tuesday || March 14 || 2023

Ultimately, planning, preparation & persisting in our work are good things! But alongside of that, it's integral to keep God in perspective and trust His provision in the process. We can be persistent. Productive. Preppers and push-throughers. But in our perpetual work, let's be prayerful about keeping God front and center, trusting His provision, and push on for His purposes. 

Monday || March 13 || 2023

Anyhow, God wanted to provide for His people. He did in such a way, that wherever they looked, all they could do was think of Him.

Trees filled with fruit. God.  Lush fields filled with flocks. God.  Refreshing rain for their crops. God.

Based on the text, I would say God would be impossible to miss! In addition to God's practical provision, He promised His presence to be with them as well. We too can take in how wondrous, practical, and abundant God is through His provision and presence in our own life. Maybe it's a full fridge. Or a full tank of gas. Or maybe it's a dinner table with every seat filled. 

My prayer today is that we each experience the fullness of God's presence and provision today. 

Friday || March 10 || 2023

Thursday || March 9 || 2023

Boom, right after baptisim, Jesus took a right turn into the desert. For 40 days. Not 40 minutes. Not 40 hours. But 40 whole days. 

Let's also not miss the fact that this passage tells us that Jesus was led there "by the Holy Spirit".

Okay. Scene set. Let's dive into this desert thing a bit more. God, led His Son, who is also God, into the desert by the Spirit. The whole trinity was present in working out God's will here. Jesus went in obedience to what God called Him to do. So, into the desert He went.

For OVER a month. Jesus' place of residency was in the desolate, distraction-free desert. 

What was the point of that?

The spiritual deserts of our life that God may lead us to walk through-- maybe for a time, not just a split second-- are a training ground. An unpleasant as it is to have a season of time in the desert, God has His reasons. 

It could be a time of preparation. It could be a time of teaching. It could be a time of eliminating distractions so you can hear His voice. It could be a time of learning how to be completely dependent on God.

A season in the desert will move us to desire and seek to draw on the only source of Living Water. (John 4). I hope we can find hope in this today, my friends. Seasons in the desert aren't meant to destroy us or discourage our faith. They're not a vacation either. But maybe, it's a chance to vacate some things in our life we don't need anymore. We can learn spiritually to pack light and draw our strength from the source of Life Himself.

Jesus, having the full strength of God walked through a season in the desert-- depending completely on His Father. We too, can follow in His footsteps, devotion in following Jesus, even if it is right into the desert. 

Wednesday || March 8 || 2023

The little scene I shared is hilarious, to say the least. But as I mull over what happened to Marv and Harry, it brought to mind a spiritual parallel. 

How often are we trying to build up a foundation of some things and we then try to stand on it? Thinking it will support the weight of our life, worries, feelings, and even our hope? A life that is built upon anything but the firm foundation of Jesus is sure to come tumbling down, just like that movie scene. I don't think I need to go into a list of things we shouldn't build our life on. I think the Lord has a way of gently showing us what might need to shift.  My prayer that I will partner with today's bible-gram is this: Lord, please give us the strength to seek you as our firm foundation. You are the Solid Rock that I can build my life on and can give my faith the firm footing that it needs. We love you. Amen.

Tuesday || March 7 || 2023

Like a carrot, humility is buried below the surface. Unseen, unnoticed & unknown. Humility is a hard thing-- that is for sure! Humility, character that is below the surface, stands in stark contrast to a society that says being seen and constant recognized is the life that we want to live. Or that it says that's success.

But our gracious God honors the heart that holds onto humility. He sees below the surface and knows the humility that is growing. Let's honor God by cultivating a heart of humility. The visual and visceral imprint of a carrot's position before it's plucked from the ground can certainly help!

Monday || March 6 || 2023

Not to be Debbie-downer, but sometimes my faith isn't radiating the truth that I know about. But God in His grace walked me through inadequacy I felt in my own faith journey sometimes. How can I encourage others to shine Jesus' love + character when I don't always do that myself?

Well, that's when God enlightened me! (no pun intended!)

In the days I feel more like a dark cloud than a bright light, I am realizing I am trying to be my own source of strength. We each have the privilege to shine Jesus' light is because it is Him who lives in us. He is the vibrant source of light in our faith! The victory that Jesus won gave each of us a vibrant new life.

Jesus, as the Son, is the source of our shine.

We are the vessel that carries His vibrant, victorious Living Light inside of us! (John 1:1-5, John 8:12). So, maybe like me, you too have had some not so sun-shiny days in your faith journey. Friend, that is A-OK! Remember that the True Source of light still lives in you and His light will never, ever go out. Amen? Amen. 

Friday || March 3 || 2023

What can we glean from this single sentence in Scripture about Jesus?

He put God first in His day. He prioritized time with God. He prayed.

Jesus made a deliberate point to have devotion time with His Father! He made the sacrifice to get up early, step away from the distractions, and spend time seeking God. Scripture doesn't set the exact scene of the secluded location. I took the liberty of putting a little mountain scene in today's Bible-gram to help us embrace the peace and solace that Jesus was seeking.

We might not have a lush outdoor space or a nearby mountain to run off to to have devotion time with God. But maybe we can find a "go to spot" to time to spend time with the Lord.

Jesus set a precedent for us in seeking God's presence. Jesus, God the Son, showed us the importance of having time with the Father. That time of solitude no doubt filled His soul, shaped His mind , and set His focus for the day.

Let us also pick up this practice. Set aside some time for soul solitude with the Lord. Whether in nature or in a nook in your house--- and see how God speaks to you.

Thursday || March 2 || 2023

Wednesday || March 1 || 2023

Anyhow, our bird-friend today looks like to be floating. Gliding along on the wind that is elevating him into the clouds. Carried by an invisible strength.

To me, this is a beautiful image of trust. The bird did initially flap his wings to get started and get up into the air. But now, he seems to be content with trusting how the wind will guide him along.

In our faith, God extends the same invitation to us in today's passge found in Isaiah. God lets us know that we can in fact open our wings and rely on His strength to help us soar!

Maybe today in faith, you need to: Just open your wings. Or stop flapping your wings so hard. Maybe it's just time to start gliding under God's gracious strength.

Wherever we are in our faith journey, we can keep in mind that God is our strength. It may be unseen to others, but we know we are fully supported by the winds of His strength. 

Tuesday || February 28 || 2023

Some books might be thick. Some books may have lots of chapters in them. Some books might have a binding that's coming apart. Some books might be a sliver thick but with intricate detail. Some books might only have a single sentence in them.

Whatever the length, detail, or size of our story, God the Author of life wrote it and has a beautiful purpose in mind. 

We each have a story, with our life, that can tell of God's love. And you know what? Your story is already a best-seller and God was the first one to have a copy and put it on His bookshelf.

We have the privilege to share our story (filled with God's love) and show it to others. Let's allow the story of our life be highlighted with God's love. However long or short our story is, it can certainly tell of God's love.

Press into His love today, and moving forward friend. God's written a beautiful story of your life because He loves you and has great plans for you. Ask Him how you can tell the story of His love, today.

Monday || February 27 || 2023

As we sat there, we could look out for miles at the beautiful landscape of Texas that surrounded us. I took in how high we were from the ground. Our car looked like an ant, way off in the distance. I even felt close enough that I could reach up and touch the clouds! The vast blue sky wrapped around the mountain every way we looked. It was absolutely incredible!

As I reflect on that mountain-top hike, I will always have the visceral memory of the size of God's love for each of us. As big and tall as that mountain is, God's love for us is even bigger!

Let's just say it's monumental :)

Today's bible-gram and passage can point us to the exact height of God's love for us: higher than the heavens!

Friday || February 24 || 2023

Thursday || February 23 || 2023

Wednesday || February 22 || 2023

Tuesday || February 21 || 2023

It is far different than the one I experienced, that is for sure!

God doesn't have a factory with an assembly line of the same parts and models for every person. There isn't just one singular mold that He uses to make each of us. 

Nope!

God uses custom molds and orginal designs, every single time! God as our Creator, is creative in hand-making and designing each one of us. We're not carbon copies of the previous person. We are uniquely, originally designed by our Creative Father--and created with qualities that are in His image, and no one else's!

Monday || February 20 || 2023

Friday || February 17 || 2023

Thursday || February 16 || 2023

I can't give the exact dimensions of God's wingspan, but I would say it's wide enough to wrap around the whole world, and then some!

We can find comfort and notice God's compassion through this passage. Our God who is incredibly big and oversees the whole world-- can reach each one of us, regardless of where we are.

We are seen, known, and never out of His loving reach. 

Wednesday || February 15 || 2023

God's hand and heart is into every inch of us! Now that is love that we can be grateful for, hands down!

Tuesday || February 14 || 2023

Monday || February 13 || 2023

Friday || February 10 || 2023

This Genesis passage points us to the powerful truth and promise that WE are, all of us, are made in HIS image. Yesterday's bible-gram was a nice lead in for today's devotion. Yesterday we discovered how God is an Artist, Creator and Craftsman. Our God, Who creates and designs beautiful masterpieces also puts parts of His image into every single design! His fingerprints are weaved, painted and molded right into each of us.

What a privilege and opportunity we have to display our Triune God's creative hand and image through our life, today.

Thursday || February 9 || 2023

Wednesday || February 8 || 2023

There isn't a yardstick, ruler or measuring tape that is long enough to extend to the length of God's love.

We can't measure God's love in increments or inches, but this passage does tell us that it is infinite.

God's love is limitless and beyond measure because God Himself is love (1 John 4:7-8).

This side of heaven, we have a tendency to want to measure things. But in God's economy, His love is something we can't put a number on. Just know that it is limitless, beyond measure and ALWAYS abounding for each one of us. I invite you today friend, to wrap yourself up in every inch of God's love found in today's passage. Prayers that you come to experience the full measure of God's love. Amen.

Tuesday || February 7 || 2023

Today's bible-gram is meant to be a sweet reminder that God cares for and created each of us for a wonderful purpose! And in that incredible truth, we can find comfort.

We are deeply cared for. We are created with a purpose. We are called God's children.

This verse is an excerpt from chapter 43 in Isaiah where God was reminding His children ( the Israelites) the same thing.

It basically reads: "I love you, I care for you, and I've created you with a beautiful purpose!"

Ongoing comfort is available from our Heavenly Father. The truth behind why He creaed each of us is simply incredible. Be reminded of this today, my friend!

Comfort in God's truth is the coziest place to be.

Monday || February 6 || 2023

Our brains weren't designed to know, hold or understand every single thought our Heavenly Father has. I know this goes against our knowledge seeking, gathering and analyzing culture. We have systems, programs and technology in place that allow us to find out and learn the ins and outs of everything!

But God, who's thoughts literally outnumber the grains of sand, has infinite knowledge, wisdom and thoughts. I don't think we could even begin to count the grains of sand if we were to scoop up some sand in a teaspoon.

The truth that God has infinite thoughts isn't meant to boggle our minds. Maybe it's an opportunity for us to take a break on trying to figure out and think out every possible thing. God's got it. His thoughts are numerous and beyond what any beach can hold.

Yes, on this side of heaven we will for sure be filled with all kinds of questions. Heck, we probably have enough questions that outnumber the sand! But maybe today we can start to bask in this truth and find peace that our omniscient Father knows what's best, infinitely.

Friday || February 3 || 2023

Thursday || February 2 || 2023

Wednesday || February 1 || 2023

Tuesday || January 31 || 2023

Monday || January 30 || 2023

Peterson writes: "Thoroughly prepared BY the temptations..." (all caps, mine).

What?!

I have NEVER, ever thought of temptations as a preparation tool. Ever!

I'm still reeling over here! If anything, temptations feel like the enemy's sneaky, under-handed, and tricky way to trip us up! (Which, they are.) But what if-- what if instead, when moments of temptation pop up, we take a breath and lean into the opportunity that it presents.

Temptation is an opportunity to turn to God's truth.

Jesus gives us THE example and certainly used those 3 (lame attempts, if you as me) by satan as a training ground to exhort God's Word.

Jesus didn't yell. Jesus didn't have a melt down. Jesus didn't turn and run from it.

Jesus stood there and told the TRUTH over each temptation. 

THEN, He told satan to beat it. 

I love this so much!

Temptation or times of testing don't have to tease how strong our spiritual muscles are. We have the opportunity to flex God's truth in the face of temptation. I mean, who needs weapons of mass destruction when God's truth, His Word-- the Bible-- is a sword itself (Hebrews 4:12). Words spoken in wisdom, from God's Word is the way to talk down times of temptation. We are trained for times of temptation through each moment we meet God in His Word.

And when the time comes, God will guide us in His Word through the help from the Holy Spirit. Now, that is something worth shouting (praises) about!

Friday || January 27 || 2023

Thursday || January 26 || 2023

Wednesday || January 25 || 2023

Tuesday || January 24 || 2023

Monday || January 23 || 2023

I'm sure those of you reading this are probably nodding your head in agreement that our children are our worlds! They are a piece of us and they are a beautiful gift from God! And God asked Abraham to do something that sounds crazy. To go and sacrifice his only son Isaac. If you're not familiar with Abraham and his wife Sarah's back story-- it took them forever to conceive Isaac. Sarah was barren for a longggg time. And then God blessed A + S with Isaac when they were the age of grand-parents. Actually, great-grandparents. So I can only imagine the gravity of this request, especially since they had such a difficult time conceiving  their only child. 

But obedience and faith go hand in hand. You can't have one without the other. Faith is having confidence-- aka trust in God. (Hebrews 11:1) Obedience is an offering of our faith that comes out in action (James 2:14). With that being said, Abraham exemplified faith and obedience by carrying out what God called him to do-- despite not knowing the outcome. This was definitely outside Abrahams comfort zone by a million miles. But through Abraham's relationship with God and love for Him, Abraham trusted God that he could take those sacrificial steps of obedience. That day, Abraham showed us that in our faith journey our obedience has to outgrow our comfort zone to following the Lord's will for our life.

So as you're gathering, obedience feels outrageous. It seems crazy. It doesn't make sense! Even the audience around us might not understand. 

The Bible doesn't give us the text for the conversation (if there was one) between Abraham and his wife Sarah before he left on his journey with Isaac. I'm sure we could imagine that it wasn't filled with excitement or eagerness.  If anything, Sarah was probably confused, concerned, and I would guess completely crushed!

But faith that says yes to stepping out of it's comfort zone has deep seeded trust and obedience to our omnipotent God. Obedience allows our omniscient and omnipotent God to oversee our life. Direct our steps. Obedience trusts God to have an open heart with where he is leading and what he needs us to do. We might not have the full step by step plan with what God is going to do with our steps of obedience, but we can trust that He will and can provide for us in unusual and unexpected ways. 

If you're on the edge of your seat wondering about the follow through and aftermath of God's request, sift through the verses to see how God provides for Abraham and Isaac. It is beautiful, poetic and perfect. Also, a wonderful parallel that points to how God later provided His only Son as our eternal sacrifice for salvation.

Friend, I'm praying big prayers today. For you. For me. For each of us to have an open heart for obedience that says yes despite the sacrifice in the steps God calls us to take to follow Him. 

Friday || January 20 || 2023

Thursday || January 19 || 2023

Wednesday || January 18 || 2023

Tuesday || January 17 || 2023

Monday || January 16 || 2023

Friday || January 13 || 2023

Thursday || January 12 || 2023

Wednesday || January 11 || 2023

Tuesday || January 10 || 2023

Moday || January 9 || 2023

Friday || January 6 || 2023

Every week, we ended our gathering in prayer. John and Barb would take prayer requests and write them on a board, and then we would join hands, and as we felt led, we could say a prayer. I was floored and blown away at the spoken prayers. At the same time, I also recognized the power of the silent ones, too.

I realized it then, that prayer didn't have a script. It didn't have a recipe. Prayer was however you wanted to talk to God.

In words. In silence. In tears. In thank yous. In head nods.

Because the cool thing about prayer is that it's not just us that's doing it. The Holy Spirit links arms with us and intercedes with us-- on our behalf. 

Thursday || January 4 || 2023

Wednesday || January 4 || 2023

Tuesday || January 3 || 2023

Monday || January 2 || 2023

Friday || December 2 || 2022

Thursday || December 1 || 2022

Wednesday || November 30 || 2022

Have you ever planned to get a loved one a gift? Like, had something in mind for them-- that was really special, meaningful and also something you knew that they needed?

It feels really good, right?!

Personally, I get all the feels when I feel like I give a gift to a loved one and I "knocked it out of the park"!

Well, I think that it's safe to say that God feels the same way about giving His Son, Jesus, to us. Jesus is the genuine gift of that God always intended to give us.

And might I add, God completely crushed it-- like knocked it out of this world-- giving us Jesus! 🙌

So, from the beginning, way back when-- before we were even were created-- God had this in the works. It's incredible to know now that God knew us so intimately before we even came to be-- and already had planned to give us Jesus as a gift.

Jesus is the true gift of joy, grace, love, and light--- and was sent to live among us.

Read that again.

I'm getting all the feels thinking about how much God loves each of us to give that to us. Read John 1:14 today, and if you have time, look back to Genesis 1 & peruse Luke 2. Soak in God's truth and how the gift of Jesus demonstrates his genuine love for us. 

Tuesday || November 29 || 2022

Monday || November 28 || 2022

God delivered us the greatest gift we could have ever received. Beyond the size of any box any bow could cover-- God gave us His Son, Jesus.

It is super exciting to share gifts with one another --even receive a few-- that is for sure!

But let's turn our hearts and minds toward remembering the *why* behind each of our gift giving and receiving this Christmas. That will certainly bring real joy in our hearts!

Just a little memo for those who follow along with our posts + sharing on social media:

1. Thank-you! We wouldn't be where we are today without your love + support! It means so much to us + we are so much encouraged by each of you!

2. Open Door Encouragement will be taking a Christmas social media break starting next week. Making margin for quiet and time to celebrate Christmas and for upcoming strategy and growth for ODE as a Marketplace Ministry! 

Digital Bible-gram sharing on IG/FB and on the blog will resume after the first of the year :)

Friday || November 18 || 2022

When you have a moment, read through 2 Kings 4 and see if you can link up the biblical truth in this bible-gram and the paired visuals in the design. Our God shows how deeply concerned He is with his children and works providentially through his practical prophet, Elisha.

Take stock of the good works that God displays through the daily tasks and through a little bit of good 'ole elbow grease. Good stuff right here, my friends!

My prayer is that this month has prompted and stirred your heart to continue to carry out good works for the Lord with gratitude! 

Looking forward to connecting and posting again after a little Thanksgiving break and start our (short) but impactful theme of The Gift of Joy.  See you all then :)

Thursday || November 17 || 2022

Wednesday || November 16 || 2022

Anything from interruptions to illness to inconveniences, to not being able to implement something how I wanted.

I know. That sounds incredibly lame, and well, ungrateful!

The Holy Spirit has been kind and gracious to me, in my grumpy days. God has nudged me numerous times that He doesn't want me to live in that space. Because, as I just pointed out, it does not cultivate a heart of gratefulness. 

Do we have things that go wrong, not go our way or we just plain aren't happy about?

Absolutely!

But we don't have to live in the immediate feelings that those happenings might trigger. We can instead acknowledge them, and also pray for God to help us to have a heart of gratitude! Deep gratitude isn't based on circumstances. It's based on the history of God's past faithfulness and full trust in His and the truth that He is in control.

So, the inventory thing.

Taking the time to take stock of God's movement and hand of grace throughout our life is intentional and it builds a stockpile of evidence that He ultimately loves us and will never leave us. So let's do this inventory thing. Let's take time to reflect on God's very real presence in our life. I'd be curious to know how much lif His goodness starts to stack up.

Tuesday || November 15 || 2022

Monday || November 14 || 2022

This bible-gram is a strong reminder for us to recall God's past provision in our life and the fact that He is dependable. That can prompt us to rely on Him today, and each day as it comes. I am beyond grateful for God's daily provision. I hope that you can press into this truth and promise too. 

Friday || November 11 || 2022

As the Israelites navigated their way out of Egypt, through the desert, to the promised land, God was their guide. God did so through the form of a cloud. Imagine, a big puffy, comforting cloud giving you covering overhead and steadily floating along to lead your way.

Todays bible-gram looks at and remembers God's goodness in the way that He cares for us. In what ways is God's love currently covering, comforting or leading you?

Thursday || November 9 || 2022

Wednesday || November 9 || 2022

Tuesday || November 8 || 2022

Monday || November 7 || 2022

Well my friend, that is the Holy Spirit. 

The day we said yes to receive salvation, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, zip-loc-style, was sealed in our heart, giving us the gift of spiritual support and posture of faith.

We have the choice, each day, to lean into the Holy Spirit's strength and receive ongoing support for our heart posture. With the indwelling support of the Holy Spirit, our heart overflows with God's love and in turn comes the heartitude of gratitude.

God has lifted me through His Word & Spirit this Monday morning, and I pray my friend that He supports the posture of your heart today, too.

Friday || November 4 || 2022

Thursday || November 3 || 2022

Jesus did go to the cross for us, this we know. He died on the cross, this is also true.  

But. BUT 3 days later, Jesus ROSE. He rose from the dead-- ultimately DEFEATING death and sin!!

THAT is what we're celebrating! The new life that Jesus gave to each of us!  As Christ followers, we have the privilege to celebrate today the ultimate victory that Jesus, our champion, won for us.

Tuesday || November 1 || 2022

Because of the gratitude for the ultimate gift God gave us, we in turn gratefully serve Him by doing good works.

Good works do not have to be complicated or come with a price tag. It can be the gift of a listening ear, helping hand or a soft heart.

Here's to cultivating a harvest of good works, that ultimately give God the glory!

Monday || October 31 || 2022

Because, well, there are days we may feel like what we're doing doesn't add up or it doesn't look like it will amount to anything.

But in God's economy, it does. The day in and day out, showing up kind of diligent work ethic, does.

When we carry the 3 D's while we do our work, it deepens our faith & demonstrates the heartitude we have in getting the job done.

Keep going. Keep doing the things that the Lord is lovingly directing you to do. Let your heart whistle while you work, doing good work for the Lord.

Friday || October 28 || 2022

Thursday || October 27 || 2022

Wednesday || October 26 || 2022

Over the years, God has continued to gently re-shape my mind and heart on what it truly means to be his child. He's released me from viewing myself as as a Christian, but as a Christ-follower.

Read that again.

A Christ- FOLLOWER.

Yes, this seems bold and risky to say something like that, but I'm finding freedom in that truth.God desires for us, His beloved children to FOLLOW Him. God goes first. He is more than deserving to have first place in our life.

Today's bible-gram is a beautiful picture of the Israelites (God's home-fries) saying YES to putting God first.

If you peek at the passage out of Joshua, it says that the ark went first, THEN the Israelites followed.

The ark was carried by the Levites (the priests), and that housed God's holy presence. Take stock of what else the scripture says. They noted how much distance they placed in following God in the ark. God is completely holy and needed that space between the Israelites.

I think what we can glean is that God is holy & deserving to get first place in our life, we have the privilege of following Him, AND He deserves the space to guide us through His leading.

Each of the microscopic dots on today's 'gram represent alllll of the people that said yes to yielding to God & Him going first.

If God can lead each of the millions of Israelites with His divine direction, I think we can trust Him to go first and lead us too.

We have the complete privilege to follow. 

Tuesday || October 25 || 2022

Friday || October 21 || 2022

Wednesday || October 19 || 2022

Friday || September 16 || 2022

But God invites each of us to rest. To stop. To pause. To put work down for a period of time. To remember Who He is. Who really is in charge. He is the One that is over it all. So, I will be doing that. Re-centering, re-charging in His compassionate and caring presence. 

If you feel like you will be missing out on my regular posting, you're not, promise! If you're longing for some Bible-grams in the mean time, head to (on our website) Days of Devotion, Tokens of Truth, Motivation Messages or Awesome Attributes. Those are wonderful topics to dig more into God's Word. 

So for now, it's see you later! Take some time to slow down, and drink in the season as the leaves start to change! 

Love, Mallory

Thursday || September 15 || 2022

Wednesday || September 14 || 2022

Super exciting!

Well, what if I told you that we each have a gift given to us? Available to us, right now? No waiting-- in the present?

And that very gift can help us with how we experience every day life?

I know. The anticipation thing-- What is it, you may ask?!

The gift of God's presence!

The promise of God's presence, in the present, is a pervasive theme throughout scripture. The thread of His eternal presence isn't something that goes away just because we might not "notice it".

We capture and connect God's presence when we say yes to being more alert and present, in each given moment. Taking stock of what's moving inside of us and around us. In those moments we can examine and experience how God's presence is being made known.

Lean in with me. Let's look, see, sense and really experience how God's Spirit is surrounding us with the gift of His presence, today. 

Tuesday || September 13 || 2022

Monday || September 12 || 2022

Friday || September 9 || 2022

Thursday || September 8 || 2022

Wednesday || September 7 || 2022

If you find yourself in a "valley season", whether it's pain, loss, uncertainty, disappointment or grief, God is with you, friend.

God will walk with us, at whatever pace we're at, right down in the valley.

His vast presence is present.

Psalm 23 is a truth we can tether ourselves to and can reassure us. Especially in verse 4.

"Even though I walk [through the darkest valley]....YOU are with me."

Tuck that truth down in your heart and hold it close. Remember that God's vast presence is everywhere, even in the valley and He will lead you with the presence of His eternal light (John 8:12).

Tuesday || September 6 || 2022

Experiencing God's presence (the Holy Spirit) in the present doesn't happen on accident.

It is intentional.

I'm still learning and leaning into that fact.

When I've over-loaded my schedule (with good intentions!) and I'm sprinting from one thing to the next, my body usually does okay keeping up. It's my soul the takes the hit. It's like my soul gets whip-lash from frantically going from one thing to the next.

And on days like that, my fuse is short, I feel stressed and I then decide that everyone else is in my way-- because, well, I've got things to do!

Anyone with me?

So, we have to start taking stock of what we're saying yes to and setting ourselves up for. Is my soul going to thrive or just crash trying to keep up?

Let's reset our soul, today. Each day as it comes. God gives us the gift of rest to bring the new day in, so that we can physically and spiritually be refreshed to start our day.

Challenge yourself to have a few moments of stillness first thing in the morning before all-the-things start up.

Still can be a noun, adverb, adjective OR a verb. Personally, I want it to be a consistent action in my life, so I'm all for it being a verb.

🌿 Still = Lessen. Let up. Subside.

Try being still. See how that sits with your soul. I promise you will be flooded with an everlasting Presence of Peace.

Friday || September 2 || 2022

Thursday || September 1 || 2022