Category: DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS Pandemic Times

Thoughts on Reopening

I have seen more and more businesses reopening during these pandemic times. Churches have also started bringing back portions of in person gatherings with outdoor services. While the doors of the church have always been open, one thing I noticed was some people’s Bibles were still closed. Mine was too at one point. All of a sudden I got that lazy worship going on. At the onset of the pandemic I was focused on staying connected to God, my church, friends and family. As things around me started to close and then reopen, I noticed I was just sitting back and waiting. Opening my Bible for personal prayer, devotion and study time takes some work. It’s much easier to keep the Bible closed rather than open it , seek first and search for God’s wisdom. Waiting on the right time to reopen a building or a venue is wise and should be done with precautions. I am not against that. Waiting to read, hear and study Gods word strikes me a little differently. I thought about it and realized closing my Bible and keeping it closed for too long can cause viral attacks on my spiritual health and wellness. I won’t be able to disinfect or inspect if I don’t open up God’s word. So are you waiting for approval to reopen your Bible? Friends, you don’t need it. Trust me. Are you waiting for this phase of global pandemic to end to renew your mind, grow spiritually and become more deeply rooted? There’s no need to wait any longer. Reopen your Bible and let’s stay spiritually healthy as well during this time.

Prayer: Dear Lord, Open my heart as I open your Word. Amen.

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS Pandemic Times

Not Like This

Photo by Kevin Menajang on Pexels.com

I have good news to share today. I want you to know it won’t always be like this. I didn’t think I would be out of a job for so long or not be able to find work after being laid off. That’s my “this”. So what is your “this”? It could be homeschooling and working from home, loss of a spouse’s income, the loss of a loved one, lack of connection and human touch, experiencing financial distress, worry and increased anxiety or fear that things won’t get better. Every season is different. Winter doesn’t look like Fall and Spring doesn’t look like Summer. Can you imagine if it was still snowing in April? Or if it was extremely hot in December? We could not sit by the fireplace and enjoy our warm latte or even bear having a reason to call it “sweater weather.” Just as I go through different seasons in my life, I’m often reminded by reading the Bible that God’s promises are true and I will get through my “this”. So don’t allow what you see happening today in this season to hold you back. You can go from a Damascus road to a life changing conversion. Paul wrote many letters from prison and continued doing what he was called to do despite the circumstances. I think he knew it wouldn’t always be like this. He comforted people, wrote instructions, sent greetings and encouraged churches while he was still in chains. Now that’s what I call living on pitch.

Prayer: Lord help us keep going and keep believing, knowing it won’t always be like this.

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

My Morning Prayer

It’s tough sometimes to seek God. I mean, really look for Him in my daily activities. If you’re like me, you may just be going through the motions at times and doing the same old, same old things. As I reflect on scripture this morning I am asking God on purpose to help me see what He sees in me. I was created by God to do something. In me is a purpose that God has assigned just for me, a unique quality that makes me beautiful. Do I tend to pray by looking and listening? I mean look to God and listen to what He says in scripture? Well, no not really. Most times it’s a listing prayer. I go right to talking about my list of prayer requests. I am learning that my seeking starts with seeing. God has a better angle. His view is always better than mine. He can see farther. God doesn’t need glasses like I do to have better vision. It’s clear to me, when we look at things from God’s perspective things start to look differently in our lives. Now that’s what I call living on pitch.

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

Are You Working On Pause?

In April I wrote a blog post for a group I joined called Lady Boss Christians. You can check it out here. I wrote about pausing and getting rest during this season. While written primarily for women business owners it applies to all. My prayer is that you continue drawing closer to the God of peace and rest today. Some people are tired of being at home, some are afraid to get back outside, and some are working harder than they have before. Let’s remember whether we are being still or climbing hills, God is in control.

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

How I’m Living During this COVID-19 Pandemic

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Photo by Vecislavas Popa on Pexels.com

My last post was about what I’m learning in this season so I thought I would continue with how I’m living as well.  Like some of you, I’m at home all day, working,  cleaning house, doing laundry and cooking my meals.   Honestly I’m enjoying this unexpected change in life.  I’m slowing down and not feeling the rush so much.  There’s no traffic therefore no rush hours.  I have plenty of time.  There’s no running to the office to make those back to back meetings and conference calls.  I only have one meeting I’m committing myself to daily which is a prayer meeting with God first thing in the morning.  I’m able to exercise my faith and my body.  I’m enjoying the natural light beaming through my windows as I begin to work on using the equipment sitting in the corner of what I’ll call my “home gym.”  I’m developing  a quick 10 minute work out routine with my balance ball, dumbbells and resistance bands. I’m trying to build up to 30 minutes a day and incorporate my stepper that’s currently being used as a mini bookshelf.  Speaking of books, I’m reading a little more too.  I’m finding ways to get a chapter or two read of all those books I purchased.   I’m literally breathing in fresh words of encouragement, hope and confidence.  I’m making room for God to speak to my heart.  I’m checking on family members, church members and friends.  There’s still plenty of  phone calls, text and e-mail to answer as we stay connected to each other.   I am shifting, not shaking in fear due to this corona virus. How we do things has changed.  How we worship, shop, eat out, visit stores, communicate among friends, display human touch and even noticing how we wash our hands has all changed.  I’m prioritizing and restructuring  my life during these changing times.  I’m cherishing each moment I have to spend time with God and honor Him in my daily living at home.  I’m listening to God’s soundtrack. God has removed some major distractions in my life so I can be still and pray.   My earthly, temporary home is comfortable now and I am comfortable sheltering in it.  My heavenly home awaits and it is a place I can only imagine how safe it is and what it really means to stay at home.  Let me know how you’re living during this pandemic and what you’re up to.  I’d love to hear from you!

 

 

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

What I’m Learning from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Giving (1)

As you know we are in uncertain times with the corona virus ( COVID-19) pandemic that is happening around the globe.  I’ve watched the news reports, watched the shelves empty as people shop for basic needs, and watched how we all have become more aware of our hygiene and are cleaning responsibly.  This time of pandemic has grabbed our attention, changed our focus to mini retreats of being at home with one another.  It has brought a whole new meaning for me to the staycation, the stay at home, the telecommute, and the overall virtual experience.  I’m learning the real value of quiet time and solitude, but even more the value of gratitude.  I’m learning to pull over, turn off, be still and listen to God speak.  I’m learning to dial in, plug in, connect and reach out in various communication forms.  My takeaways are becoming giveaways.  I’ve lost some things materially but I’ve gained much more spiritually.   Maybe God has to take away our jobs and the stress, in order for us to give away words of comfort, encouragement and hope to others.  Maybe God has to take away our consumption of time spent focusing on mindless activities in order for us to be more mindful of Him and who He is.  I’m learning God is still in control of my life and I don’t have to quarantine the gospel.  I’m learning to just share it.  I may have to stay at home but the gospel of Jesus Christ doesn’t have to. The  messages of  hope found only in Christ Jesus have the power to overcome anxiety, hopelessness, panic and fear.   Here are a few scriptures to help us meditate on and share with others. (John 3:16, Romans 8:28-31,  Luke 12:22-24)

 

 

 

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

Lessons I’ve Learned

I’ve learned that it is ok to feel the pressure but it’s not ok to pressure myself. You know that feeling of wanting to get it right, get it all done, and get it all together can be overwhelming. Taking on more than we need to can be a way of putting pressure on ourselves. I’m here to tell you, that you don’t have to add anything more to life’s daily to-do list. You can pace yourself through it. By pacing, I mean sometimes things will go quick and sometimes they move slower. Everything you do doesn’t have to be a sprint, a fast-action drama, a fast forward or a speed race. Clocks will keep on ticking no matter what, so think of your pace before pressuring yourself to do more than you can handle. Now that’s what I call living on pitch! What are you pressuring yourself to do or accomplish? How will you pace yourself today?

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

Study Habits

Do you have good study habits? Do you know where you get them from? Sometimes learning from other people requires spending time with them and watching how they act and react. I’ve learned a lot from watching my parents do different things. I’ve been in their classroom a long time. I discovered learning and developing good bible study habits requires spending time in the Bible. I’m learning more to watch how I act and react as I spend time in God’s word. Watch and learn, now that’s what I call Living on Pitch.

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

Why Giving Up Is Not An Option

It’s the beginning of a new year, wait it’s a whole new decade has begun and most of us are focusing on making some sort of lifestyle change. This is the time where we tend to focus more on our health, wealth, mental, and spiritual well being. I want to tell you that giving up is not an option because of what the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. I love this passage and it is one of my favorites. Here are a couple of reasons why you can’t give up no matter what you are going through.

1. Your inside is becoming better than your outside. Internally God is at work. That peace you have in the midst of a storm, That’s God. That unexplainable sense of calm, that’s God. That choice to let it go rather than argue and make a big deal out of nothing, that’s God at work in you. God intentionally works on us from the inside out. He is gIving you strength, courage, hope, faith, love, peace and wisdom to make it through every day.

2. Your ability to see matters. How you look at your situation matters. You may not be able to see things clearly or right away but clarity comes by focusing on God and eternity. Maybe your future is looking brighter because you had that financial setback, that car problem or lost a job. You may lose a few material things on earth to win the eternal rewards waiting for you in heaven. Don’t lose sight of knowing that nothing on earth compares to having eternal life in Christ. You are victorious, and you win when you see how God prepares for you to be with Him forever.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Corinthians%204:16-18&version=ESV

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS prayer

Written Prayers

img_1193Happy New Year from Living on Pitch!  If you are reading this I wish you a healthy and prosperous 2020 New Year.

I haven’t written much last year on the blog and I’d like to write more this year.  I  like to write things down and as I get older, I need to write things down so I don’t forget.  I noticed I don’t write down a lot of prayers even with a prayer journal by my bedside.  I can make a list which is often easier to do as far as putting names on a list, writing out things to do, places to go, etc.  Writing out a shopping list, thinking over my bucket list,  and creating new things for my vision board seems much simpler that writing down a  prayer.  I am determined and encouraged though to do the things that aren’t the most convenient for me this year.  I am encouraged to write down more prayers.   I believe written prayers can be just as good as my silent or spoken prayers.  How does writing out prayers sound to you? Written prayers might help you stay focused on spending more time with God and written prayers can be read over again throughout your day to day activities.  Will you give it a try?  See if the power of prayer and the power of the pen  help you win today!

I want to offer a prayer for you today.  I  pray God blessings on your life.  I pray for your goals, dreams and heart’s desires.  I pray for focus, vision, wisdom and grace to cover you all year long.  May God’s  peace reign over you  in whatever comes your way this year.  I pray for the challenges that will change you, the things that are not seen but on their way to make you better, bolder, and build your faith in God.  May the ups and the downs cause you to be strong in the Lord.  I pray for lessons learned in both the wins and the losses.  I pray for good evenings and good mornings with God.  I pray for a new year filled with memories, laughs, and most of all love.  Amen.