It’s The LOFT time again!

Graphic by Kerry Messer

One word.

No.

Whatever confronts me in this 2015, whatever requires a response, I want that response to be based in faith. And so as a steady rule of thumb, if an instant response is demanded, tomorrow is too late, got to tell me now, and I don’t already have a clear direction of faith about it … well, then the answer is NO. Just No.

But, it’s more than just no. It’s No Fear! I want to walk in faith this year, not fear!

Truly, I do not expect to have no bouts of fear in 2015. It’s going to happen. I know it. You know it. But what I am impressed to cultivate is learning day by day, decision by decision to make that decision based on truth and faith and reason and right. I want to look at those yet to be situations, and questions, and opportunities, and dilemmas, and disagreements, and purchases, and make a decision, determine a course of action based on faith not fear. Based on what does GOD say in His Word about this? Do I have a check in my SPIRIT and if I do what is HE saying about this?

I don’t want to do this or that because I am afraid if I don’t so and so will not like me anymore.

I don’t want to say this or that or refrain from saying this or that because I’m afraid he or she will be offended and reject me.

I don’t want to make decisions about parties, events, whatever the invite might be based on the fear of what will happen if I don’t show.

You see what I mean?
I want my decisions in 2015 to be faith-based, not fear based!  So here’s to learning to say NO.
No to fear.
And YES to Faith! 

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. On the contrary, love that has achieved its goal gets rid of fear, because fear has to do with punishment; the person who keeps fearing has not been brought to maturity in regard to love. via 1 John 4:18 KJV;CJB – There is no fear in love; but perfect – Bible Gateway.

Day 6 of 2015 – a day to trust that JESUS loves us and fear not!  ~~~ Kathie

This Week’s Topic: “Potluck: Best of 2014″ 

The Loft is open, come on up!

Graphic by Kerry Messer

And I’m not finding it easy to pick which of my blog posts for 2014 I think is the best. Mainly because I just flat-out have not put in the review time that is needed to make such a decision. 

So here’s what I have done. I went back to January and picked the most uniquely titled one for that month – Armpits! Click HERE and visit if you like. 

Day 344 of 2014, a day to give Thanks! 

Kathie

Well this must be the time to write it – I’ve been thinking about it for weeks now and have not stopped long enough with keyboard in hand to put words to the screen. 

Reflections on 2014. Topic at The LOFT this week!

Graphic by Kerry Messer

Twenty-Fourteen (2014), day 336 in fact of 2014 – 29 days remaining and what have I learned, what has made a sizable impact on me? I need to write about it. I’ve known that as I said for weeks now. So here goes. 

One.

In every moment, in every thing – GOD is ALWAYS good and I am ALWAYS loved. [source]  

A succinct message. One that stays handy on the desktop of my mind because I often need it. It is an anchor for my soul when – when I can’t find my car keys and I should have left 10 minutes ago and when the CAT scan of one I love so much shows two spots on the brain. 

HE is ALWAYS good and YOU and I are ALWAYS loved.
Say it again and again; as often as needed.

Two.

“Life is so urgent it necessitates living slow.”
[source, page 74]

I knew when I read the book and saw the video that I had been nailed! You see I default to hurry. It’s automatic for me. WHAT.EVER.IT IS. As soon as my mind has done it my body should be done with it too because in my mind I have already moved on to the next thing; next task, next conversation, next whatever. How many of you know that is no way to live?  Is. Not. What. GOD. Intended! Search the Scripture. Have you ever seen GOD in a hurry? Have you ever read: ‘and in haste JESUS did this or that’? Thankfully, this year I have been properly told to SLOW DOWN. And slowly I am learning to slow down. :)

One more and I’ll put this to post.

Number three.

Weight loss. Exercise. Food Choices. Portion Size. Walking. Running. Workouts. Any discipline to improve one’s health and we say to them:

Do it for yourself!

And perhaps that will work for a time. But most often not long enough. Not long enough to produce new life.

So what does work?

Do it for JESUS!

Do it because it honors Him.
Do it because it helps YOU believe YOU are loved and that in Him you actually are worthy to work with Him to help others. At least that is what it did for me. 

23 Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,

24 Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah). via Colossians 3:23-24 AMP;CJB – Whatever may be your task, work at it – Bible Gateway.

I’ve learned this year that there is NOTHING. Absolutely nothing concerning me that does not concern Him.

You name it and He is willing to help you with it – help you do it right or help you stop doing it because it is wrong.  

There are no exceptions.
You SURRENDER it to Him and in His Time He will handle it! 

’nuff said! :)

Day 336 of 2014, a day to give Thanks.

Kathie