{Fall Whispers In...}

...the cool mornings and nights,

...nature coming to life-breathing,

...faint whisper of wind chimes in the distance,

...sweet and savory smell of BBQ in the air,

...light dancing of the tractor wheel,

...pumpkin Roll candles,

...leaves every so slightly changing their hues,

...pumpkins,

...sounds of football in the air,

...bike rides,

...orchards,

...the neighbor hood alive, breathing in its last breaths before the cold, winter air.

...Thankful for all these.

The time to slow down and be.

How does fall whisper to you?

 By His Grace,

Cole

The Master Weaver...

This past year I have stood amazed at how God is truly The Master Weaver...

Weaving lives together in perfect time and perfect ways.

This was never more apparent than God weaving the friendship of myself and another blogger...

Emily of Whispers of Wonder

I am amazed at the common threads that run through each of our lives.

Put there intentionally and lovingly by a Sovereign God.

...Living and growing up in the same area.

...Knowing the same people where I attend Church.

...Some of those same people being my mentors and her family.

...Serving in the same denomination.

...Her and her husband attending Seminary with my Pastor and his wife.

...Writing and Sharing God's Word

From livingtheswelllife.blogspot.com via Simply Created by Cole on Pinterest

 

God is so good!

Bringing two sisters in Christ together

  who love to share Jesus with others through writing and sharing The Word.

Woven together into His perfect plan.

I am so thankful and blessed for Emily's friendship!

She is a Kindred friend who is a great encourager and prayer partner.

I can't wait until the next time we get to hang-out, chat, and pray for one another.

 

 

How is God weaving your story?

 

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12b

Have a Beautiful Day,

Cole

Give Me Your Eyes...

What Would It Really Look Like...

 To always love as God so loves us...

Putting judgements, slander, and criticism aside for that which builds up in the faith?

What Would It Really Look Like... 

 To be the hands and feet of Jesus as naturally as our heart beats and the wind blows...

Stepping outside of our own schedules and comfort zones?

What Would It Really Look Like...

To invest all in that which lasts?

To lay down our cross and carry the cross of Christ every single day?

Father, 

May we have Your eyes to see, 

wisdom to know, and strength to do.

Amen.

Have a Beautiful Day,

Cole

{This picture in memory of a beautiful life.}

{Sometimes You Just Need To...}

step back...

step aside...

go outside...

Allow your soul to breathe.

That is where I am finding myself today.

Getting out,

doing what I love.

Putting lists and schedules aside.

Searching for beauty in the ordinary.

Quieting my soul.

Allowing my Savior to hold me,

  to open the doors of what He longs to show me.

Breathing in.

Breathing out.

Slowing down.

Allowing my soul to breathe.

Because...

Sometimes You Just Need To.

"in quietness and trust is your strength"

(Isaiah 30:15 paraphrased)

Photo credit

How do you allow your soul to breathe?

Blessings, 

Cole

Thank You to Lisa-Jo for allowing me to link this post.
When I saw that this week's Five Minute Friday was the word, "still,"

this post immediately came to mind as to what the word "still" means to me.

It was written in 5 minutes and no editing this day.

Written raw and from a deep place of the heart.

Love Unexplainable...{Thoughtful on a Tuesday}

This past Sunday our Sunday school leader asked us the question,

"When have you felt the presence of God."

Immediately my mind went back to that college day in the fall of 2000...

I had just joined a group called the Navigators,

where I was invited to a women's retreat where...

I. knew. no. one.

Not even one person.

An hour before they were supposed to leave I dialed the leader who had invited me and said,

"I want to go. I need to go."

Within in 15 minutes...

I was packed,

A friend of the leader's (again who I did not know) dropped off a sleeping bag I could borrow,

And we were on the road.

So totally out of character for me (at the time),

especially for a 2 hour car ride and a weekend spent with girls I did not know.

I went, I listened, I met some wonderful friends who are still friends to this day.

But, it is the next morning that life changed...

I woke up before sunrise and found myself making my way to the downstairs great room.

It opened out onto a beautiful lake.

No one to be around, everyone sound asleep.

As I sat down to watch the sun rise, I felt a changing in my heart.

An immense tugging at my heart.

This love I had never known before was beginning to weave it's way in through the years and places unknown.

I opened my Bible, read some verses and when I turned around the leader I had rode with was there.

She sat down with me, prayed with me, and it was then...

that I was captured by grace and the immense love Christ had for me.

Through each nail pounded,

Through ripped flesh and a crown of thorns, 

God reached into my heart and filled it with love un-explainable.

Source

The rising sun sprayed across the lake,

the light bouncing through the wall of windows into the basement.

The light shedding love and grace into the darkness,

Into a daughter who was searching for her King.

It is at that moment in time that the Love of Christ captured me fully.

Wanting to die to self that He might live in me.

I had accepted Christ 2 years before and was walking with Him, 

but it is that fall day...

with the sun shinning bright,

the peace of a morning,

the truth of His Word...

...that I was filled with Love unexplainable.

How have you felt the presence of God?

Have a Beautiful Day,

Cole

*This is just part of the story of Jesus chasing my heart.*

Enough...{Thoughtful on a Tuesday}

1Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name;

make known among the nations what he has done.

2Sing to him, sing praise to him;

tell of all his wonderful acts.

3Glory in his holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

4Look to the Lord and his strength;

seek his face always.

 

5Remember the wonders he has done,

his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,

6O descendents of Abraham his servant,

O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones.

7He is the Lord our God;

his judgments are in all the earth.

Psalm 105: 1-7

This beautiful Psalm was a part of prayer this week in Church.

I was in the nursery, but had the speaker on...

catching bits and pieces of truth,

while playing "restuarant" with the beautiful children there.

It was later that day,

when home and sermon CD in the player,

that I sat down in quietness and trust...

Stilling my heart before God {a heart full of many thoughts/questions/feelings},

praising Him in worship,

asking Him to speak to me through His Word.

It is then that I heard in the stillness of my heart,

the question,

"Will I be enough?"

"Will I be enough on this journey?"

You see, even when I forget, and I do,

God knows precisely what I need to draw nearer to Him.

 

Each day I need to look for what He has prepared for me.

Everything is hand-tailored by Him to provide for me. 

To be thankful for needs met, thankful for things I do not {yet} see.

 

God has to be enough.

God is enough.

All rest is blessings.

No matter the amount of time. No matter the journey.

All is His. 

We are safe in the arms of Christ...

because...

God is constant.

God is steady.

I need only to...

slow down,

quiet my heart,

trust,

4Look to the Lord and his strength;

seek his face always.

 

 

It is then that I believe...

He is enough.

Where has God shown you that He is enough?

Have a Beautiful Day,

Cole

in the power of Christ...{Thoughtful on a Tuesday}

Seconds turn to minutes to hours to days...

Jobs come and they go...

People build and people tear down...

Trends come and they go...

Storms rage, fires burn, earth quakes...

Seasons of life change with the turning tides.

Through it all...

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my all-in-all
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that Cross, as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand
Here in the power of Christ alone

Blessings, 

Cole

{Right where I am...}

I've been reading the devotional book, "Jesus Calling," by Sarah Young...

and each and every time I read it...

God meets me right where I am.

source

Yesterday's devotional stuck with me...

I'd like to share with you a few words from it.

"Approach each new day with desire to find me. Before you get out of bed, I have already been working to prepare the path that will get you through this day."

Do I really begin/approach each new day with a desire to find Him?

How often do I let the daily routine of life come before my time with Him?

Is my one, true, desire to live fully for Him, not for the approval of man?

"There are hidden treasures strategically placed along the way. Some of the treasures are trials, designed to shake you free from earth-shackles. Others are blessings that reveal My Presence: sunshine, flowers, birds, friendships, answered prayer."

Do I see the trials of this life as blessings?

How do I count the blessings He has given?

{Colossians 2:2-3; Isaiah 33:6}

Words from a devotional, from God's Word, to reach us right where we are.

Questions to think upon, pray upon, to grow from.

{I'm gonna go grab a cup of coffee and sit some more with these verses/words. Will you join me?}

Do you have a favorite devotional?

What questions is God asking you?

Blessings, 

Cole

P.S. I hope you'll join this journey tomorrow. I've got something {in}couraging to share with you.

* I was not paid for the mention of this devotional. It is just my honest opinion and wanting to share.*

I Find Him In...{Thoughtful on a Tuesday}

I Find Him In...

...the setting Kansas sun,

...wide, open fields of wheat,

...the breeze that blows against my face.

I Find Him In...

...the kind gesture of a co-worker,

...the sweet words of a friend,

...the worship song on the radio.

I Find Him In...

...the stillness that is morning before the world is awake,

...the eyes of students ready to learn,

...a sleeping newborn baby.

I Find Him In...

...the hug of my mother,

...the helping hands of my dad always silently protecting, even now,

...the laughs shared between the bonds of sisters and brother.

I Find Him In...

...the cleft of the rock,

...the trials that are insurmountable on my own,

...those that seek to kill and destroy.

I Find Him In...

...the sweet words of the Hymn, “It is Well,”

...the soft, worn, pages of my aged Bible,

...His promises kept.

Where Do You Find Him?

 source

Praying the day God has given you is full of blessing!

Cole

Good for the Soul...{Thoughtful on a Tuesday}

Hi There!

How are you?

This past week/weekend was so good for the soul...

...seeing my best friend from college and her family!

{Her kids are cutie, cute!}

...Loving the fashion of the Derby.

{I admit...I L.O.V.E. the hats.}

...Taking a road trip to the Hesston Barn Sale.

...and meeting new friends!

{Me, Beki, Amy D., Amy J.}

Come back later and I'll tell you all about it!

{There may be some pretty eye candy too!}

In the meantime...

What is feeding your soul right now?

How did you spend your weekend?

See ya soon!

Blessings,

Cole

On the Wings Of...{Thoughtful on a Tuesday}

Traveling down the highway...

worship music playing softly in the background...

when {it} catches my eye.

 source

A large bird beginning its flight out of the grass filled ditch.

It takes off...

facing head long, neck stretched into the wind.

Its wings spread wide and then I see it...

The winds of the day...

push back,

blow back,

ruffles the feathers,

of this creature God has made.

It does not fall to the ground,

it does not press harder into the wind,

but....

it surrenders.

Its body relaxes,

its head turns,

and the rest of him follows suit.

It is gliding,

soaring,

going where the wind goes.

And I wonder...

How much easier, peaceful, would my life be if I was like this bird in my walk with God about everything?

...to quit striving

...to quit planning

… to not fall into thinking “my way” is the best

and instead

…soar on the promises,

hope,

and trust in God.

It is only when we cease striving and know that He is God....

{Psalm 46:10a}

that

those who hope in the LORD

  will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

  they will run and not grow weary,

  they will walk and not be faint.

{Isaiah 40:31}

{thankful for God’s blessings all around}

What brings you peace?

Have a Lovely Day,

Cole

A concert full of worship... {Thoughtful on a Tuesday}

This weekend was a wonderful weekend of...

encouragement, worship, and spurring one another one.

We had heard of a free concert being played at our local, historic, state theater so we decided to go.

Four friends, 1 car, worshipful music, several hours spent in a restaurant sharing our lives and encouraging one another.

 

The band...

Cloverton.

Their lyrics...

worshipful.

Their sound...

awesome!

It was the perfect start to a night full of encouragement and the blessing of friendships.

²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. ²⁵ Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 

Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV

 I am thankful for the friendships God has allowed to come into my life.

The friendships of those I live close to...

The friendships of those far-away...

The friendships of my blogger friends {you}.

I love taking trips with these three friends as much as...

I love sitting and catching up on life in a restaurant or coffee shop.

How do you like to spend time with the friends God has brought into your life?

Have a Lovely Day,

Cole

P.S.

 I have a surprise tomorrow here on this blog....{a hint} it has to do with friendships. 

{I was not paid nor received any compensation  for my opinions or writing about Cloverton. They are my thoughts...just wanted to share.}

 

The Waters... {Thoughtful on a Tuesday}

“Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, ”

Genesis 29:15a NASB

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

Romans 8:31 NASB

These words have spoken to my soul this week.

They have given me strength and courage.

As I stand up from clenching the sides being seated in the boat,

I peer out over the horizon and

begin lifting my foot.

Cautiously,

slowly,

down to the waters.

source

Waters unknown to me...

but completely known to the ONE who is.

Staying in the boat isn’t wrong,

but there are times when God calls us to step out of the boat with a purpose far greater than

what we can comprehend or imagine at the time.

Through His Word...

He is speaking love that He is always with me,

in control,

for me,

and not random.

Everything He does in our lives is for a purpose,

has a purpose.

I am reminded this week that when we take a step,

be it however big or small.

God moves for us...

...Opening up doors...

...Calming the waters...

...Always in control...

I need only keep my eyes on Him, His Words hidden in my heart.

And....

take the step.

Are you taking any new steps?

How do you see God moving? 

Have a Lovely Day,

Cole