High Heel Sprints

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Wrapped in Love & Prayer

12/09/2020

Christmas is filled with many traditions, some have been handed down from generations, while others a started when a new family comes together. A tradition that seems to be one that many families and friends engage in is gift giving.

Our family enjoys gift giving and I have always wanted my children to know why we give gifts. I have tried to teach them how Jesus is the ultimate gift giver and how he gave his life for us. I often ask God how we can know him more and how I can teach my children more about him. I look for ways that I can live the verse from Dueteronomy 6:6-7 that tells us to teach our children about the Lord when we get up, when we lie down, while we walk along the road…intentionally find teachable moments all day and night. I especially wanted to keep teaching them more about Jesus and prayer during Christmas. So several years ago, God gave me the idea to teach my children to pray over the gifts we give others.

We pray over each person we would like to find a gift for, and ask God what gift would be a blessing to them. This is so fun because it is really amazing the things God has revealed over time. I have finally learned to relax and not get caught up in finding the perfect gift, but trust that God will reveal it. Sometimes it has been something from a store, sometimes it is something my children or I end up making, but it has brought so much peace not taking on that worry. God did not create the burden of finding the perfect gift. God asks us to give love, and praying about everything to him helps us live in love and do things in love.

Once we have chosen a gift, we begin to wrap the gift and we pray for the person that is receiving the gift. We pray they feel Jesus love wrap around them as we wrap the gift. We also pray anything else that comes to mind for the recipient of the gift. It has been a blessing to do this with my girls, as we tend to be the ones wrapping the gifts. Learning together to pray and seek the Lord at all times.

So this year even if traditions are not followed as usual, maybe you can start a new one by praying over each person on your gift list. Even if you have decided not to exchange gifts this year, you can still bless your family and friends with the gift of the prayers you pray for them. God hears our prayers and delights in them. Let us be so faithful to pray! I pray this encourages you this Christmas and you savor the prayer, the conversations you have with God. Perhaps even finding new traditions to keep you and you family continually talking about, learning and celebrating our Lord and Savior Jesus!

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you so much for the precious one reading this, please wrap them from head to toe in your beautiful love, that they may know how special they are to you. I pray they know the total and complete covering of love they have in Jesus and that absolutely nothing can separate them from this love, on the best day and on the worst day your love is fully upon them. Please grant this precious one your peace that passes all understanding. Grant rest and joy in the unending gift of your love. May they receive your gift of love and give the gift of love. In Jesus Blessed Name. Amen

Praying you feel so wrapped in love,

Priscilla Hale

*if this encouraged you share it to encourage others too

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Use Your Faith

11/15/2020

What has this year done to your faith?

This year has brought so many challenges. It has stirred fears, questions left unanswered, daily routines stopped, simple tasks required thought and consideration. Extra time and energy spent contemplating how to work through the latest ever changing news and this continues to be the case.

The one thing that has remained completely unchanged is God. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 HCSB He has not been afraid, perplexed or surprised, not one single moment. He knows everything and sees everything. Not one single action is hidden from his sight. In Daniel chapter 2 it tells us He knows everything in the light and all that happens in darkness. Scripture also tells us, The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3 God knows every single detail, all the way to exactly how many grains of sand there are!

My faith was tested this summer. The struggle was intense and I let a whole lot of anxiety in. During this time I sought some counsel and was given some tough & real advice- I was told, “You spend so much time in Scripture, where is your faith? Use what you have been taught.”

This past week the noise and chaos of the world continued just like it has all year. I was listening to some reports, and I felt the Holy Spirit reminding me of the advice, “USE YOUR FAITH.” I began milling that over in my mind, USE YOUR FAITH.

Jesus has very plainly stated in John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. We will have trouble, but he lets us know this ahead of time so we can still have peace, even though there is trouble. He is saying believe me, listen to me, actively live this.

I pray we will take Scripture seriously, we can’t have faith if we don’t know who we are to have faith in. To get to know Jesus we have to read and study the Bible and remain connected to the body of Christ. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the day approaching Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV

When we see trouble, we must direct our minds to go straight to Scripture truth. Speak words of truth over ourselves and our situation. Claiming God’s promises. We would not then be surprised by anything we see or hear, but stand firm leaning into Jesus. Taking action praying,” I see the trouble you mentioned Jesus, I am taking heart that you are on it. You are already working it out for good. Help me overcome my unbelief, grant me the peace you have for me, my eyes are on you Jesus.” We are told to stand firm in faith; we might get some pushes and resistance, often times coming from our own minds, so we need to keep standing firm. Using our faith.

Using faith is an action, one that can be very difficult. We must be persistent in prayer, keep praying and praising, keeping conversation going with God. Lament what needs lamenting and keep looking to God. As faith is tested keep going. Encourage your friends and family. When you notice their or your own faith needs encouragement be honest; reach out and ask for prayer for your faith and pray for other’s faith. Every single one of us when faced with hard times will grow weary, or lose our joy, and need to hear encouragement. I know I was able keep on in my faith and regain the peace I had lost from the encouragement I was given and the prayers that were prayed over me and my family this summer.

Don’t let go of your faith, there are so many fascinating stories in Scripture where God does the impossible and he steps in according to his timing. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8 NIV God steps in many times, after those who pray in faith, at what seems the last minute to us, but to God it is His timing. Perseverance is key, we must keep persisting in faith and keep petitioning God for help, he hears every single prayer. No matter how high, vast or how complicated the terrain of a “mountain” in front of us might be, it is no match for the power of the Almighty God.

We have got to use our faith! We must not let fear or weakness stop our faith. Refuse to let fear in. It is imperative we continue to lift each other up, encourage each other in faith, and fervently pray for our faith to be strengthened. Pray also fervently for those in the body of Christ to have their faith strengthened! We have got to stay in constant communication with God, staying active in and connected to the body of Christ. Praying we are found to be good and faithful servants in all circumstances.

This week let’s pray and praise relentlessly, keeping our hearts and minds in faith in the One True God! He is faithful!

Peace in Faith to you,

Priscilla Hale

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Truth: God Loves You

10/27/2020

Do you know who loves you? Do you know how deeply you are loved? Do you know you are not left alone to figure out life?

God LOVES us, really really really loves us and wants nothing but the best for us. Everything he has done is for us, is because of his love for us. He is the most absolutely wonderful father. He knows how to give us good gifts and gives them. He knows the desires of our hearts. His Word says, Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:3 NIV He knows the deepest dreams we have, the longings of our heart that no one else does. He designed us with these special longings that we could do life with him and see his glory worked out in our lives.

God’s grace ways, love ways and mercy ways are exhibited so many times in Scripture! It is the most wonderful treasure hunt we could ever go on and God is so vast in his goodness, we cannot exhaust finding all the ways he is so wonderful! No matter how much I learn, I continually discover more! His love is deeper and is beyond what one can learn in a lifetime.

Did you know God sings over us? The LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love he will calm all your fear. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Zephaniah 3:17NLT This truth is so beautiful. We are each such a treasure to him!

He knows everything about us, more than our moms or our best friends! You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts from afar. Psalm 139:2 God knows every detail of our day and he loves to do life with us. He knows our thoughts, what’s on our mind each moment. He is the one that is so safe to share all of our life with. He awaits to heal our broken hearted places, bless us with love, and delight us with his presence.

He knows how many hairs on our heads! Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:7 God loves every detail about us, he wants us to know how intimately he knows us and wants us to know him deeply too. The more we know how secure we are in our Heavenly Father the less we are constricted by fear.

Jeremiah 29:11-13″ For I know the plans I have for you,”says the LORD, “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope, In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you.” says the LORD. NLT Good plans, we are never alone or without something to do! He has plans, and good ones! Something really wonderful: God has plans for us to rest too! As part if these good plans, He planned a Sabbath day each week to take time to rest in him!

He hears our every prayer! I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayers for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath. Psalm 116:1-2NLT God is so kind, he bends down to us, leans in to listen closely. He loves for us to ask everything on our hearts and minds.

He strengthens us: that He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16

He sent JESUS! God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him, shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV. I think we miss the statement, “so loved”. He so loves us! He has gone to great lengths to show us how much! He loves us personally, individually. Yes he loves you and me!

If you have walked away from God because you feel he can’t love you, or if you have thought he is angry at you, or if you are angry at him, I encourage you to stop today and pray. I have been there-all the “there’s”! Express to God whatever is on your heart, ask him to show you himself, tell him your feelings. He is big and can handle anything you have to say to him. Ask him to show himself to you in these above mentioned scriptures, ask him for help to know him more. You will be so glad you did!

I am so thankful the Lord continues to seek us out. No matter how many mistakes or how many times we stumble he is there with grace. It is such a comfort to know the grace is so beautiful and God is waiting and looking to bless us, looking for moments to show us love!

Know you are LOVED completely today and everyday no matter what!

Smiling in His Love,

Priscilla Hale

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Be Glad In It

10/07/2020

This is the day that the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

I think of this verse a lot when I think of worshipping God. I was taught a song as a very small child that repeats this verse. This Scripture has been part of my life as long as I can remember. My Sunday school and music teachers knew this verse too: I will be glad in it and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:2NIV Right now though, in this particular season of life, Rejoice in this day? This one? There is so much crazy, so much unknown, so much trouble! Rejoice?

So often I want to rejoice when every thing on my to do list gets checked off. Rejoice when my husband and I get to go on a date night. Rejoice when I find a great deal. Rejoice when my plans come together. Rejoice when my children are doing well. This is easy! I can so get on board with rejoicing in these kinda days.

It’s just that…. the verse says, “This is the day that the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Doesn’t say in parenthesis when all is going right, or rejoice on certain days a year because those are really the ones God made. It says rejoice in this day, meaning God created this one. The rejoice comes from the fact that God made the day! He brought the sun up, he orchestrated and created this day, he put breath in our lungs for this day.

We are so conditioned in, “its all about me”, and that we are to be so glad when “our day” went right. In reality, IT IS NOT OUR DAY! It is the LORD”S DAY! He made this earth, he set it in motion, he gives each human and animal and plant its life. We are to rejoice in Him! Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. Isaiah 49:13 NIV

Not to say we don’t have hard days, sad days, days we feel angry. God knows our human condition and he knows we have emotions, hopes dreams and expectations. He knows the sin in us and around us. He wants us to keep in mind, in all the days, He made them and he is with us in every moment of the day. He never once leaves us, and this is something to rejoice in. We are reminded God knows what we face, the psalmist says, “I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. Psalm 31:7“NIV

Keeping the rejoice mindset is a challenge on its own. We can walk in the knowing it’s God’s day and we are walking along side him. We can rejoice knowing he is celebrating along with us when we are thriving. He is also with us when everything falls apart. We can rejoice that He is sovereign. He is on His throne, He is in control. Even when life seems to us to be spiraling out of control in our view, he is not afraid. He is not shaken. Rejoicing in Him keeps our hearts focused on the big picture, his eternal promises. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:5NIV This scripture reminds us to keep the perspective on the eternal. So when the temptation comes to not worship God because we had a bad day, we can recall the Scripture, knowing God made this day and he will see us through and has a beautiful eternity prepared for all those in Christ.

Praying we ask him to help us to rejoice in him and this day he made. May my mediation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD. Psalm 104:34 NIV Let us be glad we have such a loving God to do every moment of life with. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices, my body will also rest in hope. Acts 2:26 NIV

This is the day the LORD has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Reminded to Rejoice,

Priscilla Hale

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Forgiveness: Whys, Effects & God’s Gifts

10/01/2020

Many messages have told us lately to get angry and go after what ever angers you. Be it a person, a statue, someones business, someone’s character, do life on your terms no matter who or what gets hurt. Social media has proven to be an outlet that has never before been able to reach so many people at one time and created a place to speak ones mind with no filter as far as words go, promoting campaigns of this group be angry at that group and this person spewing angry claims at that one. Total revenge and no forgiveness is the message. This message is NOT healthy! God says forgive.

Lashing out at one another and letting anger grow exponentially into violence does not go well for anyone. The angry destroyer grows more and more angry, never satisfying the anger no matter how much destruction is done, even passing down the inheritance of bitterness and anger to keep the fight going does not serve or remedy the problem for the next generation. Pouring the poison from person to person, it continues to be poison. The person or thing hurt or destroyed by the anger is also devastated with reaching ripples. The ripples are not gentle ones and they are far reaching. Rippling hurt, pain, despair, devastation, hurling wrath, judgement and condemnation. Individually and collectively harboring unforgiveness effects so much of our life and those around us, and it is not good. This is opposite of what Scripture says. In Romans 12:14 NLT it states, “Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God would bless them.”

Generational pain when not handled leads to more of the same, more pain. Nothing gets better only more bitter where forgiveness is withheld. We’ve heard stories where families stopped speaking to one another and a generation later still is isn’t speaking and doesn’t even know what they are supposed to be angry about anymore, but the anger is there. God has specific instructions for us to forgive, and that all vengeance belongs to him. The spirit of anger is very catching, very contagious. This is not what our selves, communities, or country needs to catch. Anger & revenge are a fierce virus that kills, steals and destroys. We are instructed to: Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead be kind to each other, tenderhearted forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32

As I noticed the unforgiveness in our country, God has been speaking to me about some very deep hurts in my heart that I allowed to become grounds of deep anger and bitterness. I had experienced some deep hurts MANY years ago, and thought I would just move past it, but repeatedly the hurts continued to happen as the years went on. I thought I had forgiven but the hurts became even more intense, and really I discovered I was just “sweeping it under the rug” “handling it” hoping things would get better, instead it began ravaging.

I had repeatedly prayed for help and for protection and healing, but now seeing, I had not worked through forgiveness. In fact, I had instead chosen anger, gossip, and pride. I had also watched this same harm come to others around me. I sought counseling, continued praying and tried to manage. It seemed the hurt, anger and bitterness only continued to grow. Until of course it hit a boiling point, and I was so angry over an encounter, “the straw that broke the camel’s back”, and then “a final straw” I called a friend. This friend cared enough to speak hard truth to me. She said, “Forgive, you need to forgive.” At these words of advice I got mad, LIVID, I didn’t want to forgive. I realized hurt and anger were overtaking me and a lot of relationships around me were being affected. In that moment the Holy Spirt- nudged me, to become aware and forgive.

God knows these strikes to our hearts, that hurt so deep can only be healed by him, so he tells us to forgive. He knows our human selves cannot handle what unforgiveness brings. He does not ask us to go running back to the people or things that hurt us. God says come to me, forgive and I will step in and handle the people or situation that has caused so much hurt. This is so hard for us humans because we are so bent on having control.

Basically, in unforgiveness, we decide we need to be God in the situation and decide the outcome of what was done or what happened to us must be avenged by us. The thing is, we experienced the hurt, but we don’t know the whole story around why the person or event happened as it did. Only God knows. Living in unforgiveness claims “I am handling this.”, so it stops God from helping, it casts his help aside.

God has a profoundly deep love for us and cannot stand it when we are hurt, it hurts him to see us hurt, he wants to help us. He completely understands our pain as he has experienced deep pain too and sympathizes with us. He is the redeemer and restorer of our hearts. He calls us to come to him apart from the person or situation and work on forgiveness with Him.

*****Please here this, he does not call us to stay in a dangerous or abusive situations, he does not call us to be manipulated continually by others, he does not call us to stay where someone or a situation hurts us or has a history of hurting us. *****

God asks us to come to him and to let him have control. He asks us to open our heart to him, and say, something like, “this_______ hurt me, I forgive. I give it to you, I give them/the situation to you, it is not my responsiblity to keep carrying this hurt. I give it to you and look to you for help.”

God allows us to have boundaries. When we see a pattern of harm, we can distance ourself from the person or situation, either completely staying away or putting safe boundaries in place that we can live with and not be confined by anger, bitterness, anxiety or fear. It is my opinion that is one reason Jesus says forgive 70×7 because he knows the hurt could surface in our minds again, so when that happens we know it is safe, right and best for us to go straight back to him and say, I forgive_________ and trust you, help me. Then let him lead us with what comes next.

Since the evening my friend said, “Forgive.” I have poured a lot of time and prayer and research into working through forgiveness, As mentioned earlier Jesus said forgive 70×7, this Scripture implying keep on forgiving I start to ask for help with forgiveness every time this particular situation comes to mind, I still stumble but will continue to ask God to help me live in forgiveness.– In complete honesty, had to ask God to forgive me & help me forgive today again over this matter. — It wasn’t/isn’t a pretty process and definitely not easy and I am still working through it. – 70×7- Talking it out with God every time, speaking I forgive, just like you forgive me, God.

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your Heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15 NLT and But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins too.” Mark 11:25 These verses cut straight to my core when I began studying forgiveness after my friend told me I needed to forgive. I absolutely don’t want God to withhold forgiveness from me, as I cannot even begin to tell you how many times a day I sin. Scripture states: Make allowance for each others faults and forgive anyone who offends you, Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13NLT —-Remember the call is to forgive, the call is to pray to God, the call is not to stay in a harmful situation. The hope for reconciliation and restoration, is there but sometimes that is not what is possible this side of heaven. However, peace can come from God and the ability to go on in life with love is there. Forgiveness though, is always possible and the so is the freedom it brings!!!!

I wonder if our communities and nation are experiencing some of the troubles we are due to so much unforgiveness. Generational unforgiveness and individual, personal unforgiveness.The angry messages on the news and how people treat one another is absolutely void of grace, love and forgiveness. God says, “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.”
Romans 12:17 Unforgiveness steals from us, it steals the opportunity to be at peace and be oneself, it alters our relationships with those around us if we are always walking around with a chip on our shoulder, it weights us down and kills joy and love. Unforgiveness steals from our communities and it is so far reaching, because so many opportunities to experience love and share love are lost when unforgiveness rules.

If you would join me in praying to God to help us individually work through any areas we need to personally forgive and seek forgiveness and praying fervently over our nation that forgiveness would ripple through it and all spirits of unforgiveness, grudge holding, hate and animosity would be cast out. As it has been said before, it starts with one. Really wonderful and beautiful things can come through forgiveness, in many facets of life.

May we be blessed today to walk in the beautiful life Jesus came to give us, forgiving us, and teaching us how to forgive too. The of freedom of being forgiven and forgiving others and situations is such a profound gift. May we receive healing in our hearts and minds so we could live in the love, light and grace that Jesus came to give us!

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:15 NLT

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Grace Walk

09/21/2020

God has been teaching me so much the last few months about his love and the grace he is constantly extending. His love and grace do not change based on circumstance. Taking notice of some life events, heartaches, frustrations, strange times (2020 anyone?) I was desiring a mindset of grace and love where I felt empty. I began praying over the places in my life where I was not living in love and grace. I experienced a sweet moment with God regarding my prayers to live grace and love filled, I wanted to share how God answered this request of my heart and is teaching me his ways.

My Goal: Live daily in grace, love & peace filled myself & toward others.

Step 1: Realize, become aware of what or who am I allowing to steal peace, love and graciousness.

Recognizing certain situations and certain people brought struggle, drawing me away from being who I want to be, led me to pray. I began listing what I was discovering to God in prayer. Discovering is empowering. Discovery makes a way for change and equipping to live according to God’s will. To do this, it is necessary to seek God for help, seek his counsel to reveal these problems. My human strength wains and I need God continually filling me with love and grace so I have it to give. I can’t give what I don’t have, and I knew these areas desperately needed God.

I was facing a particular situation where my struggles were deep and did not bring out the best in me. Being tired of living in defeat, frustration and anger, I asked God for victory, strength and help this time. I very much desire to live extending God’s grace and love. I knew I was facing some “triggers” that had caused me anger, fear and emotional pain, tending to leave me lacking grace & loving words and stealing my peace. God has spoken over and over in his word, do not be afraid, and “I am with you”. I was already bothered and I realized this time I did not have to be afraid or angry or frustrated. Huge lightbulb moment!

Step 2: Prepare ahead of time=spend time in prayer

So here’s what happened. I stepped into my challenge implementing what God had taught me, doing what I knew would keep me grounded in the goal to live lovingly & gracefully. I literally wrote on my hand, “your grace has found me just as I am” (which is a lyric from a Michael W. Smith song) to remind myself God has compassion for me, he knows my struggles. I did my best to be engaging and kind, but found the struggle was intense due to past hurts. I ended up having to retrieve an item from my car outside. Once outside I asked God, “Please help me live and respond in the love, grace and peace you came to give me,” as I was noticing my thoughts were leading me to think and respond opposite of grace, love and peace filled.

Those simple words, “help me live in love, grace and peace”, a cry of my heart, became a beautiful new empowering outlook on life. I then heard a whisper in my heart, Grace. Grace. At that moment I took a few steps and in those steps I spoke the words “grace walk”! I am on a Grace Walk! God’s whisper to my heart was, “come on a Grace Walk with me!” I felt so much peace. I was safe and secure knowing he was with me and knew exactly how I was feeling in that moment, he had grace for me, and he strengthened me to have grace for others. I knew he was speaking the answer to that “help me” prayer from the few days before.

Step 3: Keep practicing and praying, practicing and praying

I took many Grace Walks that day. Some were very close in time proximity. Some conversations and circumstances bothered me, bringing forward my triggers. Instead of feeling fearful (which is the emotion of lacking love) and so uncomfortable-no peace, even had tinges of anger and frustration. I took a little Grace Walk. Reading my hand “your grace has found me just as I am” and it brought to mind, God’s grace has found them/the situation, just as they are too.

These little Grace Walks totally transformed my experience that day. I noticed I lived in the security of God to take a walk with him at any moment. Any moment my thoughts or emotions weren’t what I desired them to be, off on a Grace Walk I went. I became very aware of the moments I needed a fresh breath and for God to fill me up again with His love so I could live & respond in grace and love. This has always been available to me, but at this point it was the first time I ever asked for God to help me in this particular way, and realized I had to keep doing it, it wasn’t a one and done. I stepped away on so many “Grace Walks” that day and was so much more grace and peace filled than ever before.

I am so thankful for God’s love pouring out to me, and he has it for you too. And this year…..just wow. There have been so many moments, headlines and situations that have done their best to steal the peace and security that God extends. These Grace Walks will be part of the rest of my life, and I wanted share this. I don’t always remember to take the Grace Walk, but once I do it feels so good to step aside with God and feel him helping me along.

How to take a Grace Walk:

A Grace Walk can be taken when I realize my response will not be as loving or as kind as I would like. I can step away with God and ask him to help me, take some deep breaths and reenter the conversation/situation with more love and kindness than I could have otherwise.

At the office, after a very tough call or email, a grace walk can be taken. It can be as simple as a walk to the printer then back to the desk, or a little longer walk to the hallway and back, and or a quick step outside for a breath of fresh air. The great thing about a Grace Walk is it can be long, or only 5 steps before returning, but there is huge power in stepping away with God for a moment. This works great at a business office or home office!

A Grace Walk can be taken after reading a headline or hearing news that brings intense emotion or unrest. One can turn off or set down the source and take a Grace Walk with God. There is so much importance and empowerment reaching out to God, because many things we come across we cannot control, but going to God takes the concern straight to the source of the one who can truly help, and is in control. All that even has to be said is simply “help”. Simply say, “God what do I do with this information, or God you are needed, send help.”

When the children are all demanding attention after an intense day of daily tasks a Grace Walk can be taken. The Grace Walk might be as small as a lap around a bedroom. But a Grace Walk none the less. A crucial pause with God to change our heart to breathe in God and return to our children with God’s help, love and grace can be redeeming in a tough day. We can also teach our children to take a Grace Walk! They have hard times too.

As exercise trends continue, how about a Grace Walk? An exercise of walking and pouring out to God all our thoughts and feelings about the day and struggles and victories and concerns and questions. Walking with him on the sidewalk and asking him for all we need…..like we are supposed to do anyway 🙂 Savoring the grace he extends to us and letting His love in.

We need grace so much now, and we need to be able to extend it to others too. Everyday something is challenging what our normal was; and we already had plenty of challenges. Stepping aside with God, take a moment with Him, let him pour some grace into us and then we step back in to face the challenge. If we realize when we step back in we still don’t have the grace we need, we can take one more immediate Grace Walk with God and try again. Grace upon grace!

Never more have I needed or perhaps, never more than now have I realized I needed to take God at his word and receive his grace than this year. Taking a moment to be refilled by grace can help one live with more peace and be able to be at their best.

I pray this helps you like it has helped me. I need so much grace in every moment and definitely know I need to be extending grace to everyone around me. I also know I cannot do this on my own, I am empty on my own. I must continually step aside with God and let him love on my heart and speak grace into me. Then I have grace to give others and myself in the situations that arise.

I pray you are blessed with numerous Grace Walks with God. There is nothing like the sweet time with God! I would love to hear your grace walk stories, or if this helps you. I think sharing this with each other can lead to so much grace filled encouragement that is so needed.

I am praying the beauty and experience of Grace Walks with our loving Father God, bless you in more ways than imaginable.

Seeking Grace,

Priscilla Hale

Filed Under: Christian Living 1 Comment

God is Good! We need God!

09/18/2020

God is so near. He is in our hearts and all around us. During some quiet moments I have been reflecting on this most wonderful treasure. He can be found in so many different ways. The gentle breeze ever so lightly brushing across one’s face. He is the delight filled morning sounds of a chirping bird. God can be felt in the embrace of a hug. Seen in the bright splendor of delicately opened flower petals. God’s creativity can be seen in the vast variety of leaves, so many shades of life green. God can be felt in a smile blossoming across your face when reminiscing of a sweet time. He can be felt when a word of grace is spoken that brings calm to a rush. The joy of witnessing an act of kindness. All this good is Him! He created it all!! Every single detail of it! God is so magnificent, a few descriptions of Him:

God is breath.

God is light.

God is the source of living water.

God is LOVE.

Our ability to experience these things are because God is so near. Life is wonderous and beautiful with breath, light, water and love. We take for granted God is where we have these wonderful, yet necessary for life blessings. We literally cannot live without these things. God is the only good. Jesus tells us this: “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. No one is good-except God alone.” Mark 10:18 NIV

We call so many things around us good, without even contemplating where good even originated. We say a meal was good, a play was good, a walk was good, a day was good. Goodness is from God alone. On the other hand, it is worth pondering why many things seem to not be going good, not of good report, not good natured, not good or loving.

Perhaps it’s because for quite some time people have asked to keep God out or away. This request literally demands: keep breath away, keep light away, keep love away, get rid of the source of living water-life. And we have watched this kind of godless environment unfold more and more. People so busy and out of “breath”, darkness of depression and stress, anger and divisiveness, absence of love, breeding acts of hate, a “parched and weary” land and people.

Many have not personally asked God to go away, but have gone along with the idea- ok, no to God in school, no prayer before events, separate events from: ones with God and ones without. Leading to no thought of God. A large part American society has not even left room for any time with God. Not even knowing who He is because Bibles aren’t read, church isn’t attended, prayer isn’t on the daily agenda, a total disregard for the creator of the Universe.

The all about me mindset is a primary culprit. God created the earth and knits together every single one of us in our mother’s womb, check out Psalm 139. God is where Love originates and God is LOVE. Think on that! GOD IS LOVE. For us to love and have love, give love, experience love we have to have God because HE IS LOVE! There is no having love without him…He is it! God is such complete and total love he gives us the choice to choose HIM/LOVE or not. He allows us to choose him in our life and he also lets us choose our own way because love grants freedom.

I grew up in a family that God was priority, I was taught staying close to the family of faith was important, being an active part of church was important to many around me. And not for the things one might think…not checking boxes, or earning salvation or even to make God happy. (it is a good thing God’s happiness does not depend on us) These parts of life and prioritizing them are actually a command from God. Not a command of do this or else, but a command because God wants us to have love filling our hearts and lives, he wants us to be encouraged living in His glorious light, because this is the best thing for us! When we live in community and serve others it brings fresh air to our spirits. We feel love and share love. We lighten other’s loads. We are refreshed and we refresh others just like cool water on a hot day refreshes.

I am praying that we will take a minute and look around, How can we bring light, love, breath, refreshment to our communities?

One big step is to actually find out who God is. Not go off some message we heard, video we saw, protest or even friend or family member saying this is who God is. It is quite the thing to hear about someone’s vacation, then tell someone else, hey- this place, I heard is amazing, but one really can’t go into much detail because it was not personally experienced. WE have to go search out who God is on our own. Our most faithful friend or well intentioned family member can’t experience God for us. One can only experience God personally on our own, asking God in prayer who he is, studying his word to discover him, and making it a priority to learn who God is.

We can’t love like God or be filled with love without Him.
What the world offers as “love” is temporary at best, it will fade. Only the LOVE of God is lasting and truly soul satisfying.

I pray we will all grow deeper in our understanding of who God is, that we would live and flourish in this wholly satisfying and life giving LOVE. Praying we will be encouraging others to find out who God is for themselves through prayer and studying Scripture. Praying for those who view God as angry, condemning or flat out believe He doesn’t exist, will take the time to ask the question, “Who is God?” and begin to discover the truth of who He is.

Praying that those of us who do know God will take notice of places that are dark, unlawful, lacking love, lacking light will faithfully pray for God to come to those places like only He can and fill them. Bringing His love, light, breath, and living water. May we continually pray to be filled with the love of God, and take that life giving love everywhere we go. Asking God to fill our mouths with loving words in all the different places we go, filling our hearts with his love to share.

Our neighborhoods, communities, states and nations are desperately in need of God’s love. Let’s bring this LOVE to every place where it has tried to be cast out. No human leader is going to be able to solve the problems we have, as many of the true root problems are not in the realm of human solving. We must invite and exhibit and share God’s LOVE. May we search wholeheartedly to learn of and live in this LOVE.

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 28-31 NIV

Love in progress,

Priscilla Hale

Filed Under: Christian Living 2 Comments

Challenge:

09/16/2020

The ultimate challenge: to keep eyes on God. Many different challenges circulate, from the seemingly silly, the fundraising challenge for a cause, the personal challenge to overcome. One challenge has been on the forefront of my mind: to keep my eyes focused on God. Broadcasts and stories are challenging the things we knew or thought we knew. Message after message contradicting itself. This year has presented challenges like never before in literally every single detail of life. We are given a challenge in Scripture to keep our eyes on God, live standing firm on His Word. This year seems like that challenge has been tested to the core. Bringing the questions forward: Who am I really trusting? Believing? Who am I listening to?

Staying faithfully focused is challenging in all sorts of ways, day dreams come, topics that don’t interest, or meetings dragging on too long, cause the mind to wander at a basic level. Then there are distractions that stir emotion. A word, statement or image send our attention into tailspin emotion. These emotions bring out a whole other level of challenge. Oh the human emotions! Knee-jerk reactions from deep seated emotions can rattle even the most grounded person; inciting a 180 on focus.

The fastest way to let the challenge of keeping our eyes fixed on the Lord is a falter in our emotions. We hear things that scare us, or offend us, or downright anger us and then let emotions take over. These emotions are so damaging when not checked quickly. The vain imaginations can begin as a little quip in the mind and turn into a boiling over total mess within just a few moments, our minds conjuring up the most graphic of far out tale. Jesus has told us, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have over come the world John 16:33 NIV” you will have trouble in the world. Wow! Has there been some trouble lately. There now seems to be trouble even in the most mundane thing.

The ability to keep Eyes on God is only going to come by listening to Jesus’ instructions. The only way we can take heart, is to keep our eyes on Jesus and our hearts, minds and ears engaged on his truth. In Jesus is where the peace we crave is found. We cannot allow our minds, ears and hearts to take in all the noise- and be it angry, divisive, fear ridden, half truth noise and allow it to consume our time, attention and energy. We have to train ourselves to quickly turn to Jesus, and say, “this is the trouble you warned us about, help”

I am as guilty as the next of hearing something reported and becoming very upset or angry or very scared, and totally forgetting what Jesus has said. The moment I allow these outside messages to enter my mind, it is of utmost importance to take the thoughts that come from things I have heard/seen/felt to Jesus. IMMEDIATELY! It is the only way to not be led astray by emotions, or vain imaginations.

Here are two ways this message is traslated: Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalted itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV and, We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5NIV

The longer we let our imaginations/mind go on run away trails, the harder the challenge becomes to keep eyes on God.

We have never lived in a “season” like this before and we have also never been so inundated with such a plethora of information. Not only is it information that is being presented, it is information that has messages and agendas behind it. Scripture says, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and gentle as doves. Matthew 10:16 NIV” We must be grounded in the Word of God and must be in prayer continually. We must be continually learning who God is and his character so we are being equipped and empowered to discern what we are hearing and seeing so we live wisely. It is so important we take all our thoughts about the things going on around us to God to be able to stay firmly grounded in Him. I must confess, I have gone down many “rabbit holes” in trying to learn and discern. Sadly at the expense of the loss of spending time in the Word and in prayer, where true understanding and discernment are found.

We most definitely want to be wise and understanding to what is going on in our communities, states and globally. But the only one who truly knows it all is God. In order to thrive and live with eyes on God, facing fears and concerns is to keep praying and seeking the Lord more than we are seeking anything else. Greater time in Scripture and prayer and less time listening to all the noise of the world, be it a news station, a social media outlet or even talking to others, is key to keeping eyes on God. To do and live our best durning this time is the crucial practice of staying in the Word daily, praying and taking quiet moments to listen to God’s response and turn off all the other “noise”. Remember He hears every prayer you pray, and so many need prayer, and prayer is POWERFUL. We are not left hopeless and powerless in the midst of all the chaos. We have the God of the Universe listening and helping us in his most Divine way!

May we be found faithfully trusting God in the power and love we have been given by the Holy Spirit, walking and talking with our Good Father more than we are focusing on anything else.

Let’s pray for each other and ask God to help us meet the challenge of keeping our eyes on Him!

Eyes fixed upward!

Filed Under: Christian Living Leave a Comment

Have you seen the new opportunity?

03/26/2020

Opportunity??????????? This might not be the first word that comes to mind in this time.

These “opportunities” were not the ones listed on the to do list or in the planner, but wow! We have been given the opportunity to be at home.

given the opportunity to see the morning a little different

given the opportunity to learn something new like “zoom”

given the opportunity to look into Scripture to see what God says

given the opportunity to see your neighbors out walking more than ususal

given the opportunity to be flexible

given the opportunity to see your children more

given the opportunity to laugh at a Tik Tok video with your college kid

given the opportunity to cover things in prayer usually not prayed

given the opportunity to reflect on the gift of life

given the opportunity to consider how we want to live going forward

given the opportunity to wake up to global effects

given the opportunity to reflect on feelings about being told to stay home

The gift of opportunity may have come in a package that was quite unrecognizable at first. Even as it arrived, fear seemed to be the wrapping paper, taped with anxiety. Clarity appeared to be no where in sight, but a deep breath, prayer and reflections have changed the perspectives of many. Look now though! A little more calm has come and people are reaching out to serve one another. More attention given to government, and consideration of how to be the best citizen now graces conversations.

I truly believe God is giving us the opportunity to receive the gift of”slow down and turn to him”. His way is not hurry & rush. He is patient. He is generous. He is merciful. He He is kind. He is loving. He desires the best for us. He is giving us the gift to turn back to him and his ways!

What opportunities have you found?

I would love to hear what opportunity you have seen around you! What gifts of opportunity have you found? Let’s share this with each other in the comments, helping each other discover hope, strengthening faith and receiving opportunity.

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The Most Important RSVP of My Life

03/03/2020

14 years ago, in my lowest point of life, I was invited. The invitation didn’t come packaged in the most lovely of paper with gold foil, or with a hand lettered envelope with my name exquisitely displayed across the front. While the invitation wasn’t the most glamorous, it has become the most lavish invitation I have ever received and rsvp’d to.

My sweet neighbor and dear friend came over the morning after the worst night of my life at that point. She came over to check on my son, who was in a body cast in a hospital bed set up in our living room, due to a broken femur. We talked and she asked me to go with her to a Bible study at this gal’s house that went to her church. I have to confess, having grown up at church my whole life-which I am thankful for- knowing lots of Bible stories, and still attending church weekly at this point, I believed Jesus was my Savior. Deep down though I felt I was always too broken to be with the “good Christians” so I was unsure of this invite. I had taken religion classes at school, and it being an environment of 99% law, maybe 1% grace and forgiveness, I believed I didn’t measure up so I smirked at the invitation.

Thoughts of “what could Bible study even help” entered my mind. I believed I had broken my life beyond repair. I had very little self worth, felt I had failed at pretty much everything. I had experienced a dark & grave hopelessness the night before, the kind where the tears had all run out, and my spirit checked out of my body. I felt my failure was so deep and that I wasn’t of value to anyone. But! The light of the morning came, and in that light, the invitation!

When the Bible study was set to begin, I decided a night out with my friend would be good, so I went. I purchased my workbook, and quite honestly sat with a very judgmental attitude towards those around me thinking, “they really think this will help”. The longer I was there the more curious I became. Intrigued by the first assignment: write a letter of expectation to Jesus about what you hope to learn, or anything on your heart. I wrote the letter, did the homework and showed up again the next week. Oh was I about to be in for the ride of my life!

I met Jesus! I met the real Jesus!!! Not some idea of Jesus, or what some authority told me Jesus was. No, I met the real, amazingly loving, gracious compassionate, fun, exciting Jesus! The Jesus that had so much compassion for me, he took severe punishment and died for every single failure I had ever had and every failure I would have for the rest of my life! This Jesus, the real Jesus of the Bible, in those pages of homework, wow! I fell in love with Him that February in 2006 during those 12 weeks of Bible study!

I could not get enough! I was sad when I would make it to the end of my homework, but excited with anticipation for the next lesson. I was amazed over and over and over, and continue to be! Jesus was the most wonderful thing I had been missing out on my whole life…..missing out on him, even though….he had been in my life from before my very conception!

Jesus had always been with me at church, I had been learning about him from little on. My first memory is in church! I was faithfully taken to church, and that is really wonderful! I am very thankful that church was very important to my family and still is, but I had some deep soul brokenness from little on that clouded my view. The brokenness I had, needed healing and love that would only come from time in Scripture personally. This is true for all of us, pastors, teachers & friends can be wonderful at sharing Scripture, but they cannot do what Jesus can when we spend one on one time in the Word with him.

Today, because of an invitation, from an invitation, I know who Jesus really is. You see it took a precious lady, Kelly, to open her home and host Bible study, and her invitation to my neighbor Rachelle to come study with her. I feel this invitation became more and more lavish as it was extended, because to Kelly I was a total stranger invited in! My life has been forever changed from that invitation!!!!! Praise be to God!

I have such a passion to study Scripture now, I have not stopped studying since that February 2006 lavish invitation, by the grace of God! What started as a letter in a white envelope from a first Bible study assignment, has become a tall stack of Bible studies and more books about Jesus, and the most precious…Bibles in various translations to help me understand more and more! All because of one invitation and the passionate love from my Savior Jesus for me to know him!

I have been invited in and become part of the royal family of God, and so have you!!! He wants all of his creation to know they are extended this lavish invitation! Choosing this invitation to meet with Jesus in the Scriptures will bring blessing beyond measure, unmatched with anything else! And the most amazing thing about this invitation….. This invitation extends into ETERNITY!!!!! IN HEAVEN!!!!!!!

The thing is, like every invitation experience, you can hear about it from someone else. They can tell you about the decor, the music, the food, but it is not the same as experiencing it for yourself! Jesus excitedly waits for your rsvp and for you to meet him! He is so excited to share His beautiful life giving love with you, he wants you to experience this invitation personally. He has things to share with you that are just for you!

Whether we know every Bible story or if we just heard his name for the first time today the invitation stands! Another great thing, if we lost the invitation along the way or even declined it multiple times, we can go to Jesus right now and he welcomes us in. And as I mentioned earlier…thinking I couldn’t be with the “good Christians”, well, ….they don’t exist. We are all sinners, all broken. Satan is the one saying we are not good enough to go and received the invite. Jesus is extending the invitation to his lavish love whether we are feeling all put together or dragging in after mid night with missing glass slippers!

Being connected to a church family that encourages you to read the Bible for yourself is so important. Learn from Pastors and Bible teachers, where they are preaching God’s word, this is of great value. God tells us to stay connected, this is part of this wonderful invitation. The invitation to a whole family in Christ, we are all sinners, so you won’t find a “perfect church” here on earth. You will, however find others who will walk with you, cry with you and celebrate with you in this beautiful invitation of life with Jesus.

If you feel led to host a study or attend one, do it! Invite others! You cannot imagine the impact it might have on one heart and the domino effect of love that can come from it! I have been completely transformed-know I am still on my journey with Jesus- but life is so much richer now! It has been a tremendous blessing to share Jesus! I have made amazing relationships with others in the last 14 years I would have never met had I not accepted the invitation to Bible study!

If you need place to begin to find a Bible study, visit some churches near you, read about them and attend weekly services and find out what studies they are offering. I also encourage you to pray and ask Jesus to help you find one! He is amazing at answering prayer! There are online Bibles and apps you can start reading it for yourself in just a click today!

Your invitation awaits, and may it have the most “shares”! You might be the one that Jesus uses to transform someone’s life like mine or be indescribably blessed by how Jesus can change your life!

With Love,

Priscilla

*Thank you Kelly R & Rachelle S for inviting me & sitting with me at the feet of Jesus in a way I had never experienced before!*

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