Sun Setting on the Snake

It's Majestic Marvel Monday! Since Mondays can often be one of the tougher days of the week and for many, it means back to the daily grind, what better way to put a smile on your face than to marvel at His majestic wonders! I absolutely love photography! It is both a creative outlet and passion that brings me joy. So, each Monday, I will post at least one photo of God’s majestic marvels I’ve captured. See and be in awe of His creations and beauty!

He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them water as abundant as the seas; he brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers. -Psalms‬ ‭78‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Snake River

“Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. -Job 37:14

“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.”

-Martin Luther

Copyright © 2022 Aimee Phillippi

Fuel Your Walk Friday

Fuel your walk with some Jesus and Joe.

I love Jesus and I love me an iced cuppa fresh cold brew halved with vanilla almond milk. What better way to combine the two and perk up the beginning of your weekend, than to “Fuel Your Walk” with some Jesus and Joe. Once a week, I will be posting a little snippet, thought, quote or question to ponder in relation to your walk with Christ. So grab your favorite mug, pour yourself a delicious cuppa Joe and get comfy as you let this question percolate in your mind:

True faith means holding nothing back. It means putting every hope in God’s fidelity to His Promises. -Francis Chan

Are you holding back in your faith?

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. -Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

ABC’s of Serving in Love

The greatest among you will be your servant. -Matthew 23:11 NIV

A-ttentively listen to others

B-uild up your loved ones with encouragement by leaving notes of love where they can find them

C-are for another’s child

D-eliver groceries to someone in need

E-at a meal with seniors at a senior center

F-eed and care for animals with no homes

G-ather books and drop them off to avid elderly readers

H-elp another by sharing wisdom in an area you have knowledge or expertise in

I-mitate Christ by humbling yourself and showing patience

J-oin in another’s hurt by being compassionately present

L-eave a message of hope for a waitress on your receipt

K-eep care kits in your car and hand them out to the homeless

M-ake a meal for a mom who needs a night off

N-otice the positive in others and tell them

O-ffer a helping hand to a neighbor

P-ray with and for someone in need

Q-uicken the time it takes another to do a job by assisting him in completing it

R-each out to a friend and ask what you could do to brighten his day and then do it

S-hare something you have two of

T-hank those cleaning the restrooms and public facilities you frequent and offer words of appreciation

U-plift others by sending hope-filled text messages

V-olunteer at an animal shelter or other organization in need

W-ake up early and help your spouse get their morning going by making your loved one coffee or breakfast

X-off a task on a loved one’s to-do list

Y-ield to selfishness, step into another’s shoes, and step up for them by being available even when you’d rather be doing something else

Z-ip it when you want to say something negative and instead offer a friendly smile

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. -Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Snow Drift Deer

It's Majestic Marvel Monday! Since Mondays can often be one of the tougher days of the week and for many, it means back to the daily grind, what better way to put a smile on your face than to marvel at His majestic wonders! I absolutely love photography! It is both a creative outlet and passion that brings me joy. So, each Monday, I will post at least one photo of God’s majestic marvels I’ve captured. See and be in awe of His creations and beauty!

As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.‭ -Psalms‬ ‭42‬:‭1‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

“Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. -Job 37:14

“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.”

-Martin Luther

Copyright © 2022 Aimee Phillippi

Fuel Your Walk Friday

Fuel your walk with some Jesus and Joe.

I love Jesus and I love me an iced cuppa fresh cold brew halved with vanilla almond milk. What better way to combine the two and perk up the beginning of your weekend, than to “Fuel Your Walk” with some Jesus and Joe. Once a week, I will be posting a little snippet, thought, quote or question to ponder in relation to your walk with Christ. So grab your favorite mug, pour yourself a delicious cuppa Joe and get comfy as you let this question percolate in your mind:

God’s strength in your weakness, is His presence in your life. -Andy Stanley

Are you trying to own your own strength or are you submitting to God?

The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him— my father’s God, and I will exalt him! -Exodus‬ ‭15‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. -Isaiah 40‬:‭29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Snow Crystal Sky

It's Majestic Marvel Monday! Since Mondays can often be one of the tougher days of the week and for many, it means back to the daily grind, what better way to put a smile on your face than to marvel at His majestic wonders! I absolutely love photography! It is both a creative outlet and passion that brings me joy. So, each Monday, I will post at least one photo of God’s majestic marvels I’ve captured. See and be in awe of His creations and beauty!

The love of Christ is like the blue sky, into which you may see clearly, but the real vastness of which you cannot measure.

-Robert Murray M’Cheyne

“Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. -Job 37:14

“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.”

-Martin Luther

Copyright © 2022 Aimee Phillippi

Fuel Your Walk Friday

Fuel your walk with some Jesus and Joe.

I love Jesus and I love me an iced cuppa fresh cold brew halved with vanilla almond milk. What better way to combine the two and perk up the beginning of your weekend, than to “Fuel Your Walk” with some Jesus and Joe. Once a week, I will be posting a little snippet, thought, quote or question to ponder in relation to your walk with Christ. So grab your favorite mug, pour yourself a delicious cuppa Joe and get comfy as you let this question percolate in your mind:

J.I. Packer said, “Even when we cannot see the why and wherefore of God’s dealings, we know that there is love in and behind them, and so we can rejoice always.”

Are you rejoicing?

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. -1 John 4:16 NIV

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! -Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Faith, Jesus, Christ, Bible, Bible Verses, chronic illness, covid, hope, blessings

Peace; and Freedom in Disguise?

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. -Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

Well, it happened. Four years of dodging Covid, one of my biggest fears, and all four of us are positive. To many, this fear may feel unfounded, but for a family living with chronic illness, it can be terrifying. It’s not the short-term I’ve been so fearful of, but rather long-covid, because I know what that feels like. That’s my life already-the unbearable daily fatigue and suffering. So yes, a double dose of long-covid symptoms is terrifying.

Not only have I been concerned about myself, but our youngest as well. Yet tonight, after reading the positive home tests in our hotel room, three days after illness struck us, a wave of peace has washed over me and settled-a peace only He can give. Peace is something I’ve experienced some of, but not enough of. I’ve literally been ridden with anxiety ever since this virus reared it’s ugly head in 2019. But, as much as I’ve scrupulously tried to control us not getting Covid, it’s completely out of my hands. It’s absolutely beyond it.

Now, I know we are not supposed to fear, but the truth is, I struggle sometimes with pretty significant anxiety, and it’s been incredibly difficult not to fear. To be completely honest, I have often succumbed to it. Tonight though, with His peace, he’s giving me another opportunity-an opportunity to walk in faith and trust Him, despite these circumstances we find ourselves in.

If I look at this right, maybe this too, is a blessing in disguise-freedom from bondage, because I’ve literally been in bondage to this virus since the first few cases broke out. Maybe this is an opportunity to strengthen my faith and finally walk in peace, knowing all is well, in spite of the trials we are facing.

*and how timely that our weekly memory verse for homeschool this week was this…

do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. -Isaiah‬ ‭41‬:‭10‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

God is always right on time.

Fuel Your Walk Friday

Fuel your walk with some Jesus and Joe.

I love Jesus and I love me an iced cuppa fresh cold brew halved with vanilla almond milk. What better way to combine the two and perk up the beginning of your weekend, than to “Fuel Your Walk” with some Jesus and Joe. Once a week, I will be posting a little snippet, thought, quote or question to ponder in relation to your walk with Christ. So grab your favorite mug, pour yourself a delicious cuppa Joe and get comfy as you let this question percolate in your mind:

A.W. Tozer said, “You can see God from anywhere if your mind is set to love and obey Him.”

What will you set your mind on?

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. -Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” -Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭37‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” -John‬ ‭14‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Lean in, Hold Tightly, Take the Plunge

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. -2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. -John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

Have you ever thought that God may be allowing the difficulties in our lives to shape us, strengthen our faith, and learn to trust him in the hard? What if it’s all ultimately for good?

The apostle Paul tells the Philippians that nothing pales in comparison to knowing Christ-that this is what matters. Maybe what we are experiencing right now, as tough as it may be, is there to teach us something, to help our faith mature, and our relationship with God to flourish in ways we wouldn’t be able to learn or grow otherwise. It may not be what we want to hear, but we must ask ourselves this question honestly-if everything in life was easy, and our days went seamlessly smooth, would we be reaching and grasping ahold of God like we are in these incredibly challenging trials? God knows what He’s doing, even when all may feel hopeless.

Let us not give up hope, for the one we seek is faithful to continue His good work in us! Let’s use this time wisely, these especially difficult days, and instead of giving up hope, let’s lean in even more closely and not just take a dip-but dive head first into His Word. He has much to teach us and He wants to give us an abundant and prosperous life.

Remember, even when life is unbelievably tough, He is the Prince of peace and this gift of peace is one only he can give. It’s a peace that can exist even when our circumstances are anything but peaceful. So, lean in, take that plunge into His Word, and hold tightly to the One who’s got you!

More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. -Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. -Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬