Sherry Stahl

  • 11 Practical Steps to Help You Control Your Thoughts

    I published a devotion called, What Are You Thinking About? and felt it needed some practical suggestions to make it complete.  So, here are just a few tips you could implement to help keep your thoughts in check.

    11 Practical Steps to Help You Control Your Thoughts11 PRACTICAL STEPS TO HELP YOU CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS

    1. Practice Breathing Exercises
    2. Decrease Stress In Your Life
    3. Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet of Nutritious Food
    4. Decrease Intake of processed, chemically created foods and drinks
    5. Read Your Bible to help bring peace and renew your thinking
    6. Spend time meditating on God’s Word
    7. Put encouraging Scripture verses on cue-cards and strategically place them for easy access and frequent visibility
    8. Spend time in prayer, brining your anxious thoughts to Him for help
    9. Read Books That can help heal your soul wounds
    10. Get Counseling to help heal your soul wounds
    11. Talk to your doctor if you’ve done all these things and can’t get control of your thoughts

    This list was not meant to condemn you, but to help you.

    If controlling your thought life is an issue for you, then begin to work towards getting your soul healthy, so your mind can think right. There are great books to help you heal wounds you’ve experienced to your mind, will, and emotions.  I recommend getting counseling because too often you can’t see the hidden things of your hearts and counselors are trained professionals to help you unearth what’s been buried, so it doesn’t keep popping up in your life {usually at the worst times}. If you’ve been working on getting your soul healthy, reading your Bible and praying on a regular basis but you can’t seem to get a handle on your thoughts (the meditations of your heart), then you might be struggling with depression or anxiety, or both.

    An inability to control your thoughts is a clinical marker for depression.  

    I have created a page on my website to help discuss many of these issues.  I’m not a health-care professional by any means but have experienced these struggles myself and so do close family members. As a result, I’ve done a lot of research and it’s helping so many people. Click here to explore my mental health page and find resources that might help you, especially the videos at the bottom of the page.

    “May the words of my mouth
and
the meditations of my heart
be pleasing to you”
~Psalm 19:14 NLT 

    Soul H2OIf you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

    WHERE YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP MY BLOG WITH OR PLACES WHERE MY WRITING HAS BEEN FEATURED

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  • Riding Out Roller Coaster Emotions

    “Don’t call me Naomi, she told them. 
“Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. 
I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. 
Why call me Naomi?
The LORD has afflicted me;
the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”
Ruth 1:20-21  NIV

    Wait till you read this! I think your heart will be bursting like mine is. I got to spend this weekend speaking at Braeside Camp’s retreat for single moms and their kids. These girls have ended up parenting without a father in the home through divorce, death or other unfortunate circumstances. Many came with broken, defeated, heavy hearts as they faced their loss and the pain their children are experiencing.  Some wondered if God had forgotten about them or even more devastating, questioned if God was against them.

    In every service, the women received gifts from Braeside and the many donors who wanted to bless them. The Goodness Project donated a mock store, full of clothes from an upscale clothing chain providing lots of guilt-free shopping!  One mom told me how her son had lost his winter coat earlier in the week.  She found two coats that fit him! Another mom hadn’t had a winter coat in years and was able to get a gorgeous, fur-collared parka, along with other clothes—she was over-the-moon excited! Women and kids were proudly walking around in new clothes for the rest of the retreat! Cedarview Church in Paris gifted the families with bags of groceries and cleaning supplies.

    During the services God was setting women free, healing hurts, building courage, giving them prophetic words, dreams and visions… It was crazy! These girls get what it’s like to experience roller coaster emotions.

    So many of the women came feeling poor, alone and sometimes forgotten but left spiritually fired up, knowing the church was there for them, they had new friends and most of all that God lavishly loved them!

    Riding Out Roller Coaster Emotions

    Today’s verse comes from the book of Ruth.  I love her story. It’s an emotional retelling of women who faced extreme loss, followed by great sacrifice that leads to love, redemption, and extreme blessing!  In the first chapter, you learn how Naomi has lost her husband and two sons.  She then loses one daughter-in-law but her other daughter-in-law Ruth insists on staying with her as Naomi travels back to her native country, Israel.  Ruth chooses to make Naomi’s people her people and Naomi’s God her God.  This sacrificial act is what leads to their redemption and the destiny of God for both of their lives.

    Naomi’s words in the verse above are those of a woman whose heart and will have been broken by loss. She’s taken a seat on the bitter bus and doesn’t want to get off.

    Naomi feels that God is against her, but those feelings take an about-face as God lays out His redemption plan for her life and Ruth’s. It’s easy for me to stay calm when I read through the book of Ruth because I know the ending.  I know Boaz is going to come into the story, fulfill the role of kinsman-redeemer, marry Ruth and provide for her and Naomi.  I know that beyond just fulfilling his family obligation, Boaz shows love, compassion, and care for Ruth. I know all this because I’ve read it before, but Naomi didn’t have this privileged information when she was going through the devastation of loss.  Just like you don’t know the end to your story and how God is working to make your ride end well; hands raised wishing you could go on again!

    Prayer

    Father… I thank You for your stabilizing peace in the midst of chaos, loss, and confusion. You are my hope, my joy, my peace, my life.  In You, I have all I need for life. You are my ever-present help in times of trouble. You have great plans for my life so help me learn to ride out the roller coaster emotions when they come.  Help me never to never forget these truths and live in the wonder of Your lavish love for me!  In Jesus Name…Amen

    If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women. 

    #Dare2Share
    Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else! 

    DRAWING FROM THE WELL
    If you have time, Read the book of Ruth. It’s only 3-4 pages long.

    1. Ruth 1: 13(b), 20-21
    2. Ruth 2:1, 5-10
    3. Ruth 4:13-17
    4. 1 John 3:1

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  • Mistakes That Make You Think

    I’m sorry again for not getting my Soul H2O Devotion out again last week. It posted partially on my website blog and not at all through email. I would appreciate your prayers for all the technical problems I’ve been facing over the past months with my email, website and computer.  So, here’s the devotion that was supposed to go out last week.

    ~Sherry
    xoxo

    In due time
she gave birth to a son.
She named him Samuel,
for she said, "I asked the LORD for him.” 
~1 Samuel 1:20 NLT

    We all make mistakes, but the key is learning from them.  Last week I made a few mistakes that made me think… like, really think.

    MISTAKES THAT MAKE YOU THINK

    Last week’s devotion was about a woman named Hannah who desperately wanted a baby. When I talked about how she asked God to give her a son I wrote:

    “When telling Eli this covenant she made with God,
    he prayed a prayer of blessing over Hannah’s life
    and the next year she gave birth to a baby boy named Samuel.”

    Last week’s devotion was about a woman named Hannah who desperately wanted a baby. When I talked about how she asked God to give her a son I wrote,

    “When telling Eli this covenant she made with God, he prayed a prayer of blessing over Hannah’s life and the next year she gave birth to a baby boy named Samuel.”

    That’s what I said last week but if you read today’s verse that is a part of Hannah’s story, you know the statement I made was wrong.  I’ve already corrected it on the post but wanted to make sure I let all of you know.  I was clearly getting the story about how Sarah and Abraham had a baby boy one year after the angel told them they would. But, as I said in last week’s devotion, Hannah’s story isn’t wrapped up neatly with a bow on top.  Like the story of Abe and Sarah, the promise didn’t come in a short time-frame.  When talking about Hannah, the Bible only says that “in due time she gave birth to a son”.  We don’t know how long she had to wait for the promise.  So often, we have to wait for the promise.

    IN DUE TIME

    Hannah, Sarah and Abraham all made mistakes while waiting for their promises so I think we’re in good company when we get it wrong.  The key is picking yourself up and moving forward… towards the promise, until you receive all God has for you!

    Prayer

    Father…I’m sure this isn’t news to you, but I’m not perfect.  I make mistakes. Please forgive me and help me to learn from my mistakes, so I don’t continue to make the same ones. With Your strength, I commit to taking the necessary steps to change my ways.  In Jesus Name…Amen

    pdf download image9 TIPS ON HOW TO LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES_2643

    As I thought about the mistakes I made last week, I came up with 9 Tips on how we can all make the most of our mistakes, learn how to Fail Forward and not go backwards. So for this week’s Drawing From The Well section, I’ve put these tips into a Downloadable Bible Study for you!

    [imic_button colour=”btn-warning” type=”enabled” link=”https://sherrystahl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/9-TIPS-ON-HOW-TO-LEARN-FROM-YOUR-MISTAKES_2643.pdf” target=”_blank” extraclass=”” size=”btn-lg”]DOWNLOAD—9 TIPS ON HOW TO LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES—BIBLE STUDY[/imic_button]

    YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
    MONDAY     Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis, Soul Survival – Donna Reidland,
    TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
    WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
    THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms
    FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin 

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  • Year After Year It Was The Same… Will It Ever Change?

    “Year after year it was the same
Peninnah would taunt Hannah
as they went to the Tabernacle.
Each time,
Hannah would be reduced to tears
and would not even eat.”
~1 Samuel 1:7 NLT

    Have you ever been picked on?

    Well, I sure have. At school, it started in Kindergarten with a girl named… well you shouldn’t give names, so let’s just call her ‘Nasty Nancy’. Nasty Nancy was relentless. She would sometimes trick me into believing she wanted to be my friend when she was just working her schemes, usually ending with me looking like the fool.

    One of the most memorable was Grade 2 Picture Day. Nasty Nancy and a group of girls were all talking when she called me to join their circle. I was thrilled to be included and ran over. She made some comment like “Aren’t you all dressed up”. Wrongly mistaking her words as a compliment, I proudly told how my mom had made my dress and put curlers in my hair the night before {Yes, I know, I’m dating myself with the curlers comment, I know}. At which point, Nasty Nancy jumped in the puddle and splashed mud all over me. I ran away in tears as all the girls laughed. If a basement flood wouldn’t have destroyed much of my childhood photos you could still see the mud all over my socks in the class picture… mud and a really bad curling job.

    This week’s verse highlights a woman named Hannah. She knew all too well what it was like to be picked on. Hannah lived in a situation that seemed like it would never change. Scripture tells us how Hannah was married to a guy named Elkanah. Back then, Jewish tradition—not Scripture, taught that when a couple married; if the wife had not produced a child by their tenth anniversary, the husband was to take another wife, so his family line would live on.1

    YEAR AFTER YEAR IT WAS THE SAME

    It was probably at the ten-year mark when Elkanah married Peninnah and the two women became rivals. Peninnah was cruel and took every opportunity she could to “taunt Hannah and make fun of her”2 because she couldn’t have children. The most difficult of times took place as the family all went to sacrifice in the temple—our equivalent would be going to church. I worry this is how it feels for girls struggling with infertility or single women at church on Mother’s Day Sunday.

    WILL IT EVER CHANGE?

    All this devastated Hannah and she “would be reduced to tears”, not be able to eat. This one day, Hannah was crying so hysterically the priest Eli thought she was drunk. She broke because, “year after year it was the same”. She was left wondering, ‘Will it ever change?’ Then, one day in an act of sheer desperation, Hannah begged God to make her a deal. She asked God to give her a son and promised that in turn she would give the child back to God for service in the temple. When telling Eli this covenant she made with God, he prayed a prayer of blessing over Hannah’s life and she gave birth to a baby boy named Samuel, who became one of Israel’s greatest prophets.

    After fulfilling her vow to give her son back to God, the Lord blessed Hannah with five more kids!4

    If your testimony has been the same as Hannah’s, “Year after year it was the same”, and you find it hard to believe change will ever come your way, understand like Hannah did that only God can heal this deep of a hurt. I encourage you to bring your anguish to God and see what He will do. God’s Word promises that He “is able to do immeasurably more” than you could ever ask or imagine, so ask Him.

    Prayer

    Father… Thank you for allowing the Bible to include stories of people’s lives that don’t have a pretty bow tied on top, so I can relate and learn from them. Break any mindset in me that has given up hope because it’s been the same “year after year”. Please help me to keep an abundance mindset and live in faith, believing you will work on my behalf. Let my thoughts, dreams and imaginations line up with Yours. Thank you for reminding me of Hannah and how Your power is at work in the most broken. You’re at work in me, so breakthrough is on its way! In Jesus Name…Amen

    Home Chris Tomlin#MUSICPIC

    Song:  Home
    Makes Me Feel: Hopeful, Encouraged
    Sung By: Chris Tomlin
    Website: https://www.christomlin.com/
    CD: Never Lose Sight
    Written By: Jason Ingram, Jonas Myrin, Chris Tomline, Ed Cash
    © 2016
    Label: sixstepsrecords
    Official Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIb4NC5ikYo
    AZ Lyrics: https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/christomlin/home.html
    My favorite lines as recorded on AZ Lyrics (link above):

    Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/track/2aMb1asq5acm7cDYlFsYhY?si=lyBFJ-gQRNW5sZWuqzuSkA

    If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

    #Dare2Share
    Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!

    DRAWING FROM THE WELL
    1 1 Samuel 1:6-7, 2:21 NLT
    2 Psalm 102:4
    3 Isaiah 42:9, 43:19
    4 Isaiah 51:3
    5 Ephesians 3:20
    6 2 Corinthians 9:8

    ENDNOTES
    1 https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/peninnah-midrash-and-aggadah Website Accessed: 2018-07-16
    2 1 Samuel 1:6 NLT
    3 1 Samuel 1:7 NLT
    4 1 Samuel 2:21

    YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
    MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis, Soul Survival – Donna Reidland,
    TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
    WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
    THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
    FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin

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  • Sometimes You Have to Make A Choice And Live By It

    “The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy.
I have come in order that you
might have life—
life in all its fullness. “
~John 10:10 Good News Translation

    This weekend I spoke at a women’s event in Toronto.  My cousin Kelly came to help me sell books and jewelry.  After that, Kelly and I met up with my sister Lori at a mall.  Three female cousins in a mall should equate to a lot of sales for any shopping center if it weren’t for our indecisive trio.  It’s clearly a faulty family gene. If I don’t decide quickly without a lot of thought, I can overthink things. To help me make decisions I’ve resorted to creating excel spreadsheets. Todd understands this weird way about me so when we start talking about purchasing something new he’ll say, “Well, here comes a new spreadsheet!”  Yes, I’m ‘that’ person! The inner excel Geek is pretty strong in this girl J  I used to just write a pros and cons list on a sheet of paper to help me make decisions, but once I learned Excel the decision-making process got a little longer and a lot more detailed.  This pattern in my life has helped and hindered me. If I’m not careful I can waste too much time deciding but eventually, you have to make a choice!

    SO MUCH OF LIFE IS A CHOICE

    John 10:10

     

    The little word might in today’s verse comes with an invitation to make a choice. I don’t know how I missed this before.  This is a Scripture I memorized in my youth, so it can roll off my tongue with the speed of a commuter train.  Yet, in all the decades I’ve been quoting John 10:10, I’ve never thought much about the word ‘might’, when Jesus says He has “come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness”. Sometimes it’s the smallest words that make the biggest statement.  Jesus’ promise of an abundant, rich, satisfying, full life is conditional, it’s not a given.  Often in Scripture God’s promises start with an emphatic ‘I will’, but Christ’s offer here is not a guarantee.

    In my understanding from researching the original Hebrew wording of this verse; it might be better translated into English to say, “the thief comes so that he ‘might steal’, ‘might kill’, and ‘might destroy’.1 In this verse, Jesus is offering to give you something while the thief Satan is attempting to take some things from you.  Neither action is guaranteed to happen.  The choice is yours to make.  You can choose to receive and live the full life Christ intended for you, or you can allow the enemy opportunity to take from you.  I firmly believe that even in times when the enemy does accomplish his purpose in your life by taking from you, that doesn’t mean that you’ve lost your life abundant, well… it doesn’t have to mean that, because it’s a choice.  Living in an abundance mindset; one that believes God is not limited and He always has more; helps you rise above any circumstance where the enemy effectively steals, kills or destroys in your life.  Living in the abundance mindset will give you the strength to endure any loss as you trust, God has more good things in store for you.

    So much of life is a choice, but the choice of whether or not to accept Christ’s offer of the abundant life should be a no-brainer, no-spreadsheet kind of decision J  Honor Christ today by living your life to the full, expecting more and making your life all God hoped it would be!

    Prayer

    Father… Thank you for giving me the ability to choose.  Help me to break patterns of indecisiveness, and my tendencies to waffle back and forth when trying to live out a commitment I’ve made. Break the shackles of lack off my mind and increase my faith to believe in Your abundant supply.  Since I have Your divine power dwelling inside of me, I have the ability to make wise choices, so I choose to receive and live in the abundant life you’ve offered.  In Jesus Name…Amen

    TWEET THIS

    Something good J

    Soul H2O BookIf you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

     

    #Dare2Share
    Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else! 

    DRAWING FROM THE WELL

    1. John 10:10
    2. 2 Peter 1:3
    3. Joshua 24:15
    4. Deuteronomy 30:19

    YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
    MONDAY     Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis, Soul Survival – Donna Reidland,
    TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
    WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
    THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
    FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin 

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  • How Powerful Is Your Blow Dryer?

    Seek the Lord and his strength,
seek his presence continually!
~1 Chronicles 16:11   ESV

    Ok, I know this story is a little silly, but it really was one of those wake-up call moments in my life.  God often speaks to me through the mundane of life.  I don’t see writing in the sky, but God is always talking.  If I pay attention and listen, I can hear Him; or in this case, feel Him. So, here’s what happened…

    About a year ago, my blow dryer died. Yes, it was a sad, sad day. I found an old one around the house, but it was so old it didn’t work well.  Honestly, the machine was so weak it should have been stripped of its name ‘blow’ dryer and titled, “The Puffer”.  At the time, I didn’t have money to get a new one, so I thought I’d just wait a little while until I found a sale.  Weeks went by, months went by and I just got used to this underpowered blow dryer.

    blow dryerWhen I opened our trailer in the spring and used my “camp blow dryer” I was shocked, literally blown away!  {Pun intended J } There was so much power in this little machine.  It took half the time to dry my hair. There were other benefits too, my hair looked smoother, shinier than when I used the weak blow dryer and I’m guessing our hydro bills have gone down!  Then it hit me… I had allowed myself to just settle, accepting that weakened state.  I got comfortable with weakness and somehow decided to live with less power than was available.

    When I thought about how I had accepted living with and underpowered blow dryer for soooooo long, I felt the Lord asking me,

    Are You Living An Underpowered Christian Life?

    Sadly, my answer was yes.

    I began to think about how often we live life without accessing the power of God? Jeremiah 10:12-13 explains how,

    “God made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. With his own understanding, he stretched out the heavens. When he speaks in the thunder, the heavens roar with rain. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses.”

    And, then Psalm 147:4-5 tells how God,

    “determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.”  

    Our God is so powerful!   Since his spirit lives in us, we too should be powerful, as long as we’re plugged into the source.  You see, the key to accessing God’s power is explained in today’s verse, “seek his presence daily”. All you have to do is spend time with Him. What an invitation!

    Let something rise up within you.  Get unsatisfied with your weakened state.  Don’t Settle.  Seek the Lord and His power, “seek his presence continually” and you’ll be able to live a super-charged Christian Life, with power to equal your days!

    Prayer

    Father… Thank You for Your wonder-working power! I live in awe of your great power and accept your offer to give me strength when I’m weary and to increase my power when I’m weak. Help me to place myself in your presence, so I can experience that Spirit empowered recharge station.  Strengthen me, according to your word.  In Jesus Name…Amen

    Stay Plugged In To The Source!

    Soul H2O Book

    If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

     

     #Dare2Share Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!

    Drawing From The Well-Blue

    1. 1 Chronicles 16:11
    2. Luke 9:1
    3. Psalm 147:4-5
    4. Ephesians 3:16

    YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
    MONDAY     Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis, Soul Survival – Donna Reidland,
    TUESDAY     Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
    WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
    THURSDAY     Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
    FRIDAY     Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin 

    Read More

  • Follow Your Dream {Wherever} It Leads

    “Now give me this hill country
that the LORD promised me
that day.”
~Joshua 14:12 NIV

    Two night’s ago, I went to the Toronto Film Festival (TIFF) for the first time in my life.  I was beyond excited to go because my cousin Dave Walpole, a well-known Youtuber was one of the main actors in a movie that premiered at the festival.  The theatre was packed with about 30 of our friends and family there to cheer David on!  The night was kind of surreal.  I mean, how often are you related to an up and coming movie-star?

    Watching him act on the big screen was inspiring.  He had chased after his dream and it motivated me to want to follow after mine.  When I thought about how Dave had followed his dreams, for a long time, and at great cost, I was reminded of a poem by Larry S. Chengges, my Aunt Wendy (also Dave’s Aunt J ) gave me along with my 16th birthday ring—yes, she spoiled me! To this day, I have the poem hung up in my office, so I’m reminded to…

    Follow Your Dream Wherever It Leads

    I would have been proud of any of my cousins if they were in a movie premiere, but I felt extra proud of Dave.  You see, I was babysitting Dave’s sister Katie when he was born.  I’ll never forget going to the hospital to meet my new cousin when my Uncle walked out of the hospital in a daze.  Uncle Bryon told us how Dave had serious heart problems and they didn’t know if he was going to make it. As a family, we were devastated.  I remember babysitting Dave and worrying as his lips and skin would go blue.

    Dave’s love for movies began as a young boy.  Since he couldn’t play outside as much as the other kids, Dave watched his fair share of movies!  In his teens, the doctors were able to perform a surgery that changed David’s life.  The next year he was doing backflips off of the diving board in our pool! I remember being so overwhelmed that I thought I would cry.

    I felt the same way last night as I watched Dave follow his dream on the silver screen while he rode a horse across the South-African plain and charged up a hill.  It reminded me of the story in the Bible about Caleb and how he “took the hill country”.  Joshua 14:6-15 tells how after forty-five years, Caleb chased after his dream. Something stirred in him to not let go of the promise that was given to him through Moses. Scripture recounts the story of how an 85-year-old Caleb took hold of his hill country.  First, he defined it, then he declared it… next, he fought for it… after, he and all his family to follow rested in the blessing of the dream.

    So, what is the dream God’s placed in your heart?  Define it, declare it, and fight for it, so you and your family can one day enjoy it!

    Prayer

    Father… Thank you for your dreams.  Help me not to settle for mediocrity, but chase after the dreams, the plans and purposes you have for my life.  Let me honor You by living life to the full! Give me the courage to take my hill country. In Jesus Name…Amen

    ————————————————————————————————————————————–

    Dave’s IMDb page:  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5278955/
    You can see the movie today at Tiff Friday at 6:15pm  Click Here For Tickets
    Dave’s YouTube Channel FTD Facts: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2vcjazcVurVmpn5svBRA-Q

    ——————————————————————————————————————–
    Soul H2O BookIf you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst-Quenching Devotions for Women. 

    #Dare2Share
    Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!

    Drawing From The Well-Blue

    1. Joshua 14:6-15
    2. John 10:10
    3. Acts 2:17
    4. Jeremiah 29:11

    YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
    MONDAY     Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis, Soul Survival – Donna Reidland,
    TUESDAY     Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
    WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
    THURSDAY     Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
    FRIDAY     Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin 

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  • Yes, Jesus Loves Me!

    SORRY!  I’m still working on my site to get things updated and my images aren’t working properly 🙁
    I’m praying I can respond to your emails today.  

    “I am praying
    not only for
    these disciples
    but also for     all who will ever believe in me.
    May  they  experience  such     perfect  unity
    that  the  world  will  know  that  you sent me
    and  that
    you love them
    as much as
    you love me    .”

    ~John 17:20,23 NLT
    http://www.sherrystahl.com

    Bedtimes for my kids were very routine.  By 8pm they were in PJ’s, brushing their teeth. After toys were put away, they would be snuggling down for a story. The kids shared my love for books and knew it was a great way to extend their day, so they would always ask for “Just one more Mom”.  The whole nighttime program culminated in face-tickling while I sang, Yes, Jesus Loves me.

    Bedtime was a great time to assure the kids of my love and remind them that Jesus loved them too!  Nothing brought them more comfort, than to know Jesus loved them. On night’s when they were particularly afraid of the dark, or when they woke up in the middle of the night scared; they would want me to sing, Yes, Jesus Loves me, over and over. Now, they would pay me not to sing! Let’s just say, I have other gifts J

    If you’ve ever wondered if Jesus loves you?

    His words recorded by John in today’s devotion should make the answer clear…

    Yes, Jesus Loves YOU!

    In Jesus’ last prayer time before His crucifixion, He was praying for YOU!  Seriously, I’m not joking. If you’ve put your faith in Jesus, you’re part of the “all who will ever believe”, He was talking about you! And, according to Hebrews 7:24-25…

    He still is!

    How does that make you feel, knowing that when Jesus was getting ready to die on the cross, His thoughts were of you? While you’re letting that soak that in, the rest of today’s verse should ‘about knock you over! In Jesus prayer for believers (of all times), He explains how the world will know God sent Him because of the unity amongst believers and then He explains the mind-boggling truth that God loves you “as much as” He loves Jesus.  Whaaaaat??? This truth is too much for my brain to comprehend. How can it be true?  With all my faults and failings, how can God the Father, love me as much as He loves His perfect son, Jesus? I really don’t get it, but I’m working to help my brain believe, and it’s my prayer that you will too.

    You might just want to sing that little song today, Yes, Jesus Loves me!

    Prayer

    Father… I thank-you for Your love! I’m asking for You to help me understand how wide, how long, how high and how deep is your love for me.  May I experience Christ’s love, even though it’s too great to understand fully.  Expand my mind to embrace Your truth. I want to know your love that surpasses knowledge, so I can be made complete in You.  In Jesus Name…Amen

    Soul H2OIf you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

     

    #Dare2Share Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!

    DRAWING FROM THE WELL-PINKY

    1. John 17:21,23
    2. Hebrews 7:24-25
    3. Ephesians 3:18-19 (I used the NLT for the prayer)
    4. Lamentations 3:21-23

    YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
    MONDAY     Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis, Soul Survival – Donna Reidland,
    TUESDAY     Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
    WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
    THURSDAY     Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
    FRIDAY     Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin 

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  • Feel Like You Don’t Have What It Takes–You Don’t Need To!

    Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.
Each time he said,
“My grace is all you need.
My power works best in weakness.”
So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ can work through me.
That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses,
and in the insults, hardships, persecutions
and troubles that I suffer for Christ.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.
~2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NIV

    The Last decade has been a frenzied, whirlwind of activity. My life has so drastically changed from working in finance to writing, speaking, and blogging. In this past year, I took on co-coordinating The Word Awards. Last year, many of you cheered me on as I received the beautiful glass trophy for the Article-Inspirational/Devotional category. Fast forward one year and I was the one handing out the awards. What a change of events! There was more work involved in running the awards than I had ever imagined. All these responsibilities on top of a busy speaking schedule from April to mid-June left me exhausted. Seriously depleted mentally, physically and spiritually. I wrote to you how I knew I Needed To Fill Up My Well because The INfilling must be greater than the OUTpouring, and I didn’t have any What I didn’t realize is that little breather of a break was not enough when you were completely burnt out. I recognized more than ever that; I Don’t Have What It Takes.

    Thankfully, I know someone who DOES have what it takes!

    I don’t have enough—but HE is more than enough!

    Jesus power works best when we’re weak. When I’m weak, He is Strong. It’s a huge comfort to me, to know that I don’t always have to be strong. I don’t always have to have it under control. When I don’t, God does.

    2 Corinthians 12:8-10

    In today’s passage, Paul is telling the Corinthian believers about his struggles. To the people, Paul had it all together. To them, he was the voice of God. Since the printing press hadn’t been created yet, Paul’s listeners wouldn’t have their own copies of the Bible. The had to rely on the Rabbis of their day to read and explain Scripture to them. Since ancient times, people have been putting ministers up on pedestals, but they’re just like everyone else. That’s what Paul was trying to explain to them in verses 5-6 of this chapter. He essentially told them, ‘I Don’t Have What It Takes, but Jesus does.’ Paul had his own set of weaknesses, but he didn’t let those weaknesses keep him down. Paul’s life became power-infused when he stopped trying to get out of the difficult situations and realized that God was working through his weakness, to impact the world.

    God’s grace was all Paul needed. God’s grace is all you need. Take it, so you can be strong!

    Prayer

    Father… I thank You for Your power! Your strength brings me hope. So often I feel weak, weary and incapable—like I Don’t Have What It Takes. Help me to take my focus off of my inadequacies, my weaknesses, and my insecurities. Help me to focus on Your strength, Your grace and Your ability to make me strong when I am weak. You are all I need! In Jesus Name…Amen

    Soul H2O BookIf you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

    #Dare2Share Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!

    DRAWING FROM THE WELL-PINKY

    1. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10
    2. Ephesians 3:16
    3. Daniel 10:19
    4. Philippians 4:13

    YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:

    MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis, Soul Survival – Donna Reidland,
    TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
    WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
    THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
    FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin

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