March 10, 2026

Cast My Cares

September 11, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

When fear feels bigger than my faith
And struggles steal my breath away
When my back’s pressed up against the wall
With the weight of my worries stacked up tall
You’re strong enough to hold it all

I will cast my cares on You
You’re the anchor of my hope
The only one who’s in control
I will cast my cares on You
I’ll trade the troubles of this world
For Your peace inside my soul

This war’s not what I would’ve chosen
But You see the future no one knows yet
And there’s still good when I can’t
See the working of Your hands
You’re holding it all

I’m finding there’s freedom
When I lay it all on Your shoulders
Cast my cares I will
Cast my cares I will
Cast my cares on You 

Finding Favour
Writers: Blake NeeSmith, Casy Brown, Sam Tinnesz

  *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

My word for this morning is comfort.  As I sit in my home, I can feel a crispness in the air.  Fall is around the corner.  I hear my husband and children sleeping. The dogs are beginning to stir.  Soon lunch boxes will be packed, clothes will be ironed, to-do lists will grow, and life will return to its normal pace.

But for now, I focus on the word comfort.  Today I will take comfort in knowing that—

  • whatever I face when this song ends has already been handled
  • as my family goes to work and school that God has a hedge of protection around us
  • God has already worked out the many concerns running through my head
  • every situation we face has been worked out for our good and will only prove to be another example of God’s love for us
  • I am never walking alone

This morning, ladies, as you take each step, you can take comfort in the knowledge that there is Someone we can cast our cares upon. Our Heavenly Father wants us to shed the worry from our lives and place it at the foot of the Cross.  He is in control and He is our peace. Today, cast your cares.  Take comfort in the words of this song, and in these words.

 Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

  *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Lord, today we want to make an intentional effort to cast our cares upon You.  There is so much in life that we are not in control of; but You, Lord, You are in control of all.  Thank You for taking our worry and anxiety from us.  Thank You for being the place where we cast our cares.  You replace worry with peace.  You replace fear with love.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Thankful to be in Your Presence

September 10, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
    I awake, and I am still with You.
Psalms 139:17-18

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

How awesome is this Truth, oh Lord, that Your thoughts of us are vast…and, really, uncountable!  This Truth humbles us!  And yet it also leads us to draw closer and closer to You, our Faithful God!  May our hearts and our thoughts of You be as the psalmist communicates as we meditate on this passage.   May we recognize the privilege of being in Your presence.  May the thought of Your presence be oh-so-very precious to us.  We love You and adore You, dear God!  We pray these things in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

My Help Comes From The Lord

September 10, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

When sorrows come and hope seems gone
You’re the Rock I rest upon
When waters rise and I can’t breathe
You’re the love that rescues me

Out of the darkness I lift up my eyes
Unto the hills I feel my faith rise

Maker of heaven, Giver of life
You are my strength, my song in the night
My refuge, my shelter now and forevermore
My help comes from the Lord

When I’m broken scarred by sin
Death gives way to life again
When I suffer when I doubt
In You I’m free, in You I’m found

The Museum
written by Barry Weeks, Bryan Brown, John Abel, Tony Wood

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

{David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him
from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.  He said…}
“The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer;
my God is my Rock, in whom I take refuge,
my Shield and the Horn of my salvation.
He is my Stronghold, my Refuge and my Savior
—from violent people you save me.
I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and have been saved from my enemies.
2 Samuel 22:1-4

OK, please raise your hands, everyone who has cried out to God like this….  OK, now hands up—this time raised in praise—everyone who has cried out to God like this KNOWING that He IS your Help…He IS your Deliverer…and that He will not tarry.  Oh, how we love to praise Him for His goodness, His grace, His help; yes?

But, just like David, there are days when we are feeling so very poor and needy… days when it takes effort, sometimes great effort, to continue to praise.  Days when our praises are not as abundant as our crying out to God for His help.

I cry aloud with my voice to the Lord;
I make supplication with my voice to the Lord.
I cried out to You, O Lord;
I said, “You are my Refuge,
My portion in the land of the living.
Give attention to my cry, for I am brought very low…
Psalms 142:1, 5-6

And our God—our gracious, compassionate, loving God—He is patient and forbearing with us.  And draws us to Himself…truly our help does come from the Lord!

Let all those that seek and require You rejoice and be glad in You;
let such as love Your salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified!
[As for me] I am poor and needy, yet the Lord takes thought and plans for me.
You are my Help and my Deliverer. O my God, do not tarry!
Psalms 40:16 and 17

What a comfort to know the truth that the Lord DOES take thought and DOES have plans for us.  And yet, we doubt sometimes.  God knows this; He knows we struggle.  He encourages and revives us with His promises.

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord,
thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil,
to give you hope in your final outcome.
Then you will call upon Me,
and you will come and pray to Me,
and I will hear and heed you.
Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity]
and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
I will be found by you, says the Lord…
Jeremiah 29:11-14

These are such sustaining promises made to you and me by our Faithful, Trustworthy God.  Have you ever considered memorizing God’s promises?  What an incredible weapon to have at your disposal—the Word(s) of God that He is faithful to bring to pass!  Any (or all!) of these passages that we have considered today would be wonderful to have at the ready in your memory…for those times when you are feeling poor and needy.

I love the words of this passionate song…they remind me of this Scripture:

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalms 121:1 and 2

And so, friend, I ask you,

Do you seek Him and require Him?
If so…then rejoice and be glad in Him!

Do you love His salvation and are waiting expectantly for Jesus’ return?
…Then say, ‘The Lord be magnified!’

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Oh, Lord, we totally and completely recognize our great need for You!  And we know, we absolutely know, that You are our Help and our Deliverer!  Thank You, Lord, for the comfort of these promises!  Our help, truly, comes from the Lord!  Amen.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

How Precious To Me Are Your Thoughts

September 9, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
    I awake, and I am still with You.
Psalms 139:17-18

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

click here to listen to a beautiful chorus to help us memorize this passage.

The Verses Project
written by Ryan Delmore

 

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

With All My Heart

September 9, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

In this quiet place with You
I bow before Your throne
I bare the deepest part of me
To You and You alone
I keep no secrets
For there is no thought
You have not known
I bring my best and all the rest
To You and lay them down

With all my heart
I want to love You, Lord
And live my life
Each day to know You more
All that is in me
Is Yours completely
I’ll serve You only
With all my heart

You faithfully supply my needs
According to Your plans
So help me, Lord, to seek Your face
Before I seek Your hand
And trust You know what ‘s best for me
When I don’t understand
Then follow in obedience
In every circumstance

 Singer / Songwriter ~~ Babbie Mason

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Our Heavenly Father, the Great I AM, deserves our all—all our love, all our obedience, all our worship, all our devotion, all our service, all our focus, all our praise, all our whole heart—our everything.  Actually, He requires our all.  Listen to these three examples from the Scriptures where God’s people (you and me, too!) are given the command to love God with all their heart…

When Moses gave the Law to the Israelites, he said:

These are the commands, decrees and laws
the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe…
so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God
as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you,
and so that you may enjoy long life.
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:1-4 (excerpts)

The prophet Jeremiah was given this compelling message to send to the exiled Israelites who had been carried into captivity by Nebuchadnezzer and his army.  Think about how comforted they must have been hearing God’s words!

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord,
thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil,
to give you hope in your final outcome.
Then you will call upon Me,
and you will come and pray to Me,
and I will hear and heed you.
Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity]
and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
I will be found by you, says the Lord….
Jeremiah 29:11-14

Our Lord spoke this convicting message to His followers.

And one of the scribes…asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”
Jesus answered, “The most important is,
‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
And you shall 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: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:28-32

We know from the Scriptures that God desires us to

  • trust Him with all of our heart (Proverbs 3:5 and 6)
  • work heartily as if for Him with all of our heart (Colossians 3:23)
  • seek Him with all our heart (Deuteronomy 4:29 and 30)
  • serve Him with our whole heart (1 Chronicles 28:9)
  • love Him with all our heart (Matthew 22:37)

Here are a few questions that I have asked myself…perhaps you have asked yourself the same things, too:

What would it take for you, {your name here},  to…

♥  Give God your all?
♥  Be sold out for God?
♥  Be His completely?
♥  Serve Him only?
♥  Love Him with all your heart?

Have you answered them yet?
If so, would you share your answer with us (in the comments below)?

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Friends, whether the words of this anointed song—this prayer—cause you to throw your hands in the air raised in praise, or fall on your knees in humble submission, may you voice your commitment to your Father with all your heart!  <3

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Quinoa-Sausage Stuffed Zucchini

September 8, 2015 by

{hu·mon·gous}
(h)yo͞oˈmäNGɡəs,-ˈməNG-/
huge; enormous; extraordinarily large

Yup…that describes the two zucchini that have been (literally)  hanging out on our kitchen counter for a while now.  What to do…what to do…what to do with them; I think I have asked myself this almost every day for a week.  So, this is what I did.

2015-09-05 20.14.08

Quinoa-Sausage Stuffed Zucchini

And they were sooo yummy!  They made a complete meal.  I think that this ‘stuffing’ mixture would work equally well in any number of ways: in portobello mushroom caps, in stuffed peppers, in acorn squash.  Anything else you can think of?  (I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments below!)

Here’s the other thing about this recipe (besides fitting perfectly into our healthy but oh-so-yummy POV!) — really quick and so easy!   Enjoy!

ingredients:

1/2 cup quinoa
1 cup water
1 humongous (or 2 medium) zucchini
1/4 teaspoon (each) sea salt, freshly ground pepper
1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
12-16 ounces italian seasoned chicken sausage (sweet or hot)
1 small red onion, diced
2 tablespoons of minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
1 cup halved grape or cherry tomatoes
4 tablespoons (or more) shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese
2 tablespoons freshly grated Asiago (or Parmesan) cheese

directions:

  • get the quinoa going right away (cook according to package directions)
  • cut the humongous zucchini in half lengthwise (if needed, cut a thin slice off the bottom to get them to sit firmly);  scoop out the pulp, leaving a 1/4″ shell
  • put the zucchini boats on a microwave safe plate, season with s&p, and microwave on high for 3-4 minutes, ’til just tender.  place the zucchini onto a broiler-safe pan
  • chop the scooped out zucchini into 1/2″-sized chunks; set aside
  • heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat
  • add the sausage, onion, and zucchini chunks; cook for about 5-6 minutes (’til there’s no pink left), breaking the sausage into bits as it cooks
  • reduce heat to low; add the garlic stirring constantly for 1 minute
  • toss in the tomatoes and marjoram; stir to combine and turn the heat off
  • preheat the broiler of your oven and place a rack in the top position
  • (when quinoa is done) combine with the sausage-veggie mixture
  • scoop into the zucchini boats and sprinkle with the mozz or monterey jack
  • place under broiler ’til the cheese is melted, 1-2 minutes
  • plate and sprinkle the grated Asiago or Parm over top

♥   ♥   ♥   ♥   ♥

God loves you!  ♥  (Please don’t ever forget that!)

♥  coleen

Filed Under: At Home w/ GCH Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

What He Thinks Of Me

September 8, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.
Psalms 139:17-18

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

Have you ever been out of sorts because someone you know (or even someone you don’t even know at all) said something about you?

“Wow, she’s fat.”  “Well, isn’t she just stupid!”  “She’s mean.”

This happens. Most people aren’t so bold to say things to your face, but some people don’t know how to whisper. I think the worst of it is when you have someone come to you and tell you that someone else was talking about you. How do you handle it…what do you do? Do you mull it over? Do you try to take the comments as criticism and determine whether it is legit or not? Do you confront the person? Or do you internalize what they say and let it effect how you think of yourself?

The thing is this…I believe that it is important to listen to our trusted friends. If your boss gives you constructive criticism then you should mull it over and take it into consideration. However, not all opinions should be accepted. In fact, before we accept anything about ourselves we should prayerfully go to God. He can show us our flaws in a different light and show us what He thinks and show us how to change. God does that. Now, if God says that it is so, then it is so.

I remember one day I was driving home…something had happened at work and I was very upset. I started to pray. Through tears and screaming I began to explain to God why the situation wasn’t fair and how I was being mistreated! I can’t remember now exactly what it was about, but I do remember clear as day that the Lord spoke to me and told me, “But you do the same thing to me.” I was stopped dead in my tracks. The very behavior I was upset with was a behavior that I did myself…and to the Lord, of all people! The Lord has a way of showing us our “yuck” without making us feel “yuck.”

In our focus verse this week, the psalmist says to God,

How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand
—when I awake, I am still with you.

We are loved and thought very highly of.  God sees our potential and loves us right where we are.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

Lord, help me to address the areas in my life that are lacking Your light. May I seek Your guidance in shedding Your light on these areas. Help me to cast away, and not internalize, the negative things people say about me and to me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

More Of You

September 8, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I made my castle tall
I built up every wall
This is my kingdom and it needs to fall
I want You and no one else
Empty me of myself
Until the only thing that’s left is

More of You
Less of me
Make me who I’m meant to be
You’re all I want all I need
You’re everything
Take it all I surrender
Be my King
God, I choose
More of You
Less of me
More of You

This life I hold so close 
Oh, God, I let it go
I refuse to gain the world and lose my soul
So take it all I abandon everything I am You can have it
The only thing I need is

All to You, I surrender
All to You, my blessed Savior
I surrender all

Colton Dixon
written along with Ben Glover, David Arthur Garcia
traditional hymn, I Surrender All, by Judson W. Van DeVenter

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

Walking through life everyday, we can become complacent.  Not searching for any more than what we have right now, right here.  But, God does not want us to live that way.  He wants us to live life to the fullest.  He wants us to seek Him and seek His ways. Until we do that, we will never experience the life He holds.  We can be safe…we can be ‘free’;  but are we really?   Are we really, truly free if we come to the same job everyday, perform the same tasks everyday—but are not living for Him?

  • When was the last time you told someone about your walk with God?
  • When was the last time you were on your knees with God?
  • When was the last time you were in His Word, seeking His Will for you?

You may say, ‘I am too old’ or ‘I am too young.’  Perhaps you may even say, ‘I am not physcially able to do anything.’  Sister in Christ, you are able.  You can pray.  You can say positive words to a hurting person. You can even post things to your Facebook page to encourage someone.  You never know when your words, your actions, your kindess will impact a person who needs a touch from God.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Thoughts

September 7, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.
Psalms 139:17-18

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

Thought

– an idea or opinion produced by thinking or occurring suddenly in the mind

Being in Israel this past summer, I understand more fully sandy, hot and dry.  I think about the areas where Jesus would have walked and what He created—it is so awesome.  There are still things we are processing.  It truly puts life and our efforts into perspective.

When we were in Israel, we traveled to many of the traditional sites, learned a lot of history, and soaked in the Israel that God is still blessing and is causing to bloom.  For it truly is!  The crops are plentiful, the people are thriving, and they are in peace within their country.  There is a military presence in the city of Jerusalem, especially on the Temple Mount, but we never felt threatened or tense.

God is awakening His people to serve Him in new ways.  He is inspiring the scientists to discover new things; the people are creating new techniques and procedures for medical purposes; and all they need to do is be quiet and think.  To ponder the things of their chosen fields. And that is what we need to do—be still and wait on God to speak to us.  As we wait, He will bless us.

David was a great example of waiting and sitting before the Lord.  He would go to a quiet place and meditate on the great love God had shown him and his family.

Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:
“Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?”
2 Samuel 7:18

David was wonderful at being humble.  He did not let the fact that he was a king stop him from baring his heart and soul to the One who formed him in his mother’s womb.

As we wait on God to answer our prayers, we may become discouraged thinking, “He does not care about my little issue…” or,  “I have asked way too many times about the same thing….”  Let’s change our thoughts.  Let’s see how they align with Scriptures.  Or how we go about asking God—demanding from Him or thanking Him for all of the great and wonderful things we have before presenting our requests.  God wants us to acknowledge that He is first in our lives (not second, or third, or even fourth).  We need to train ourselves to put Him first in all that we do, all that we think, and all that we are.  Then all else will line up with God’s Word and His will for our lives.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

Father, we come humbly, thanking You for the goodness and mercy You have shown us.  You know our hearts and our needs better than we do.  Help us to learn Your ways and Your will for our lives.  May we pass on your most excellent ways to our children, friends and loved ones as You grant us the favor to do so.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Break Every Chain

September 7, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus
To break every chain
Break every chain
Break every chain

You’re the all-sufficient Sacrifice
So freely given such a price
Bought our redemption
Heaven’s gates swing wide

There’s an army rising up
There’s an army rising up
There’s an army rising up
To break every chain
Break every chain
Break every chain

Digital Age
Songwriter: William Andrew Reagan

 *  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

For in that day,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
“I will break the yoke from their necks and snap their chains.
Foreigners will no longer be their masters.
Jeremiah 30:8

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
John 8:36

As I started off this year, I had two goals in mind:
1.   Let God lead     2.   Take care of my temple, offering it as a living sacrifice

But, a month into this journey, I realize I have allowed earthly chains to bind me.

  • Emotional chains
  • Prideful chains
  • Chains forged by bad habits and neglect

The sad thing is, I wasn’t even aware of the chains.  Not until I started seeking God and delving deeper into His Word.  I am learning that I need to turn to Him more often, especially when trying to conquer unhealthy habits or when I want to go my own way.  Sometimes it just seems so much easier to continue on as is.  Change of any kind is hard.

choosehardgraphic

That’s it.  We all must choose our hard.  For me, if I am going to do hard, I want to do it with Someone who has already conquered hard.

Now I will free you from their control [break his yoke from you]
and tear away your chains [shackles].
Nahum 1:13 EXB

I want to do hard with the One who can free me from the control of temptations and bad habits.  I want to do hard with the only One who can break my chains of bondage and set me free.  For only then, will I be free indeed.  How about you?

Choose your hard.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »