God has a firm grip...

It's 3:50am, and I can't sleep.

So, I get up, begin "piddling" on the computer, and I receive a healthy dose of Beth Moore in my inbox.

Her Siesta Scripture Memory Verse is in Isaiah this week, and although I feel sure that everyone that reads this passage, will receive a *different* word....

what I gathered from it today, just pounded on me, like a heavy book!

He has a FIRM grip on us.

And when the wind blows, and the storms of life get rough (and by storms of life, I mean vicious wicked people)....He says, let them go. I have a firm grip on YOU!

And you know, when my kids were little I would always tell them "don't worry about that other friend...let's just worry about YOU)

Funny, how my Heavenly Father is preaching the same word to me today.

Don't worry about them. They are mean.
Let us just sit here and worry about you. And take care of you.

So, I had to post her message here today, so I could look back and reflect on where I am today....
so that tomorrow (so-to-speak) I can remember....that even today, He had a firm grip.

Isaiah 41:8-16 The Message
8–10       “But you, Israel, are my servant.
You’re Jacob, my first choice,
descendants of my good friend Abraham.
I pulled you in from all over the world,
called you in from every dark corner of the earth,
Telling you, ‘You’re my servant, serving on my side.
I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.’
Don’t panic. I’m with you.
There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.
I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

11–13       “Count on it: Everyone who had it in for you
will end up out in the cold—
real losers.
Those who worked against you
will end up empty-handed—
nothing to show for their lives.
When you go out looking for your old adversaries
you won’t find them—
Not a trace of your old enemies,
not even a memory.
That’s right. Because I, your GOD,
have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go.
I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic.
I’m right here to help you.’

14–16       “Do you feel like a lowly worm, Jacob?
Don’t be afraid.
Feel like a fragile insect, Israel?
I’ll help you.
I, GOD, want to reassure you.
The God who buys you back, The Holy of Israel.
I’m transforming you from worm to harrow,
from insect to iron.
As a sharp-toothed harrow you’ll smooth out the mountains,
turn those tough old hills into loamy soil.
You’ll open the rough ground to the weather,
to the blasts of sun and wind and rain.
But you’ll be confident and exuberant,
expansive in The Holy of Israel!

I love a spirit filled teenager...


I am pretty lucky. To be honest.
When Scott and I started dating, he was working with our youth group at church. Honestly, they were our first set of "married friends"....

And, we worked together in Youth Ministry for years...and then just about the time Mason began his pre-teen years, God moved us from that ministry.

But, it seems like forever, we have been surrounded by teenagers.

Some good..well, some can be thugs, sure. But can't we all.

Anyways, I am lucky enough to be surrounded by some pretty awesome ones.


And the other day, my sweet friend Kayla, who, by the way, is a grownup, trapped in her little youthful body... ;)
shared this pic on Instagram.

What a powerful scripture. Philippians 1:11

Oh, if my actions can just be righteous enough to make God proud.