Tag: hopeful

Lean in, Hold Tightly, Take the Plunge

On By PhillippiIn Faith and Trusting God, Hope and Strength2 Comments

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

Fuel Your Walk Friday

On By PhillippiIn Fuel Your Walk Friday, Hope and StrengthLeave a comment

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:

“We should ask God to increase our hope when it is small, awaken it when it is dormant, confirm it when it is wavering, strengthen it when it is weak, and raise it up when it is overthrown.” -John Calvin

Will you get in touch with the true source of Hope today? What are you needing to ask Him?

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. -Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. -Proverbs‬ ‭23‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. -Psalms‬ ‭62‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Fuel Your Walk Friday

On By PhillippiIn Fuel Your Walk FridayLeave a comment

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:

Anne Graham Lotz said, “Let us firmly fix our eyes on Jesus with a heart of absolute trust.”

Where are your eyes fixed-on your problems and circumstances or on Jesus?

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. –Psalm 16:8

My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. -Psalm 25:5

Multi-Peak Pano

On By PhillippiIn PhotographyLeave a comment 
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!

It was so refreshing to get out into the cool, crisp air this weekend. It had warmed up quite a bit and was a whole 42 degrees. The snow was beginning to melt and we were blessed with sunshine and beautiful blue skies. Signs of spring and new hope were among us. It wasn’t difficult to snap some gorgeous shots of God’s incredible creation. Multi-Peak Pano was one of those that I was able to capture this past Saturday.

“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

Endure…and Dance a Little

On By PhillippiIn Hope and Strength, Other6 Comments

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. -James 1:12

Have you ever experienced one of those stormy seasons where you get slammed again and again, not knowing what will hit you next? You know the saying-when it rains it pours. Well, we’ve been caught in a torrential downpour. It has literally been one thing after the next. I’ll give you the shortened version…Over the past couple of months, our car engine blew in our nearly new and only vehicle due the fault of an auto body shop that didn’t replace our oil plug properly. While trying to figure out how this was going to be fixed, our rental car was suddenly pulled. The owner of the auto body shop decided he was no longer at fault and so refused to further pay for the rental. We were left to tow our car 300 miles away to be fixed, footing the bill for this and the new rental car, which cost thousands of dollars out of pocket. At the time we were dealing with our car, we ran into problems with our septic system. That same week, we experienced a 5.9 earthquake. Shortly afterwards, our daughter was diagnosed with asthma. In addition, we ended up making two trips to the ER that were totally unrelated. Our youngest, also began having heart issues and was recently fitted with a Holter monitor. Furthermore, last week, I slipped on the ice, tweaking my back and knee. It didn’t stop there though. This past weekend, we noticed our tire in our rental car had a slow leak. Then, last night, I severely blistered my hand cooking dinner. And through it all, God has been speaking.

ENDURE-That’s the word that has appeared in my Bible reading numerous times over the past two months. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, endure means “to remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding though it is difficult” and “to undergo especially without giving in.” Remain firm. These are the words that penetrated my soul. So how do we do that when we are getting drenched? We persist, remaining steadfast in Jesus. He is unwavering, the One that is steady. He is our Rock. In 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul says, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor is not in vain.” Therefore, we don’t give up. We don’t give in. Rather, we continue to persevere, putting one foot in front of the other, walking in faith, with our hope grounded in Him and our focus on the eternal, doing everything for the glory of God. And…let us not forget to dance in the rain, remembering to be joyful because despite the challenges and hardships we may face, this is the day that the Lord has made!

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. -1 Peter 1:6

Fuel Your Walk Friday

On By PhillippiIn Fuel Your Walk FridayLeave a comment

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:

D.L. Moody said, “A lighthouse does not have a drum beaten or a trumpet-blown in order to proclaim the proximity of a lighthouse: it is its own witness. And so if we have the true light in us it will show itself. It is not those who make the most noise who have the most piety.”

Are you letting Jesus be the source of your light?

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. -Matthew 5:14

Fuel Your Walk Friday

On By PhillippiIn Fuel Your Walk Friday5 Comments

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:

Corrie Ten Boom said, “The wonderful thing about praying is that you leave a world of not being able to do something, and enter God’s realm where everything is possible. He specializes in the impossible. Nothing is too great for His almighty power. Nothing is too small for His love.”

How are you tapping into God’s almighty power and love?

Fuel Your Walk Friday

On By PhillippiIn Fuel Your Walk FridayLeave a comment

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 these questions percolate in your mind:

Oswald Chambers said “We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.”

How are you praying?

It’s the Little Things…and the Big

On By PhillippiIn Chronic Illness, Lyme, and Mold, Other, Surrender and Acceptance2 Comments

“‘The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ -Numbers 6:24-26

Recently, while trying to cope with the profound fatigue that plagues me and other challenges of living with chronic illnesses, my childhood best friend reminded me… it’s the little things. So, in an effort to look for those little things…

I may not have the energy to go for a jog, but I can walk the block with my family.

I may not have the stamina to run full speed ahead in a family game of soccer, but some days I am blessed to kick a soccer ball around with my kiddos and play the goalie in a shorter soccer match.

I may not be in a fast-paced career anymore, but my body is more at rest and moving at the pace it needs to be right now.

I may not know the future, but I have the present.

I may not think the most positive thoughts at the moment, but I have His Word to give me hope.

I may not always be able to calm the storms of anxiety that afflict me, but I have a God who is bigger than my fears.

I may not see the sun shining, but the Son is always shining down on us.

I may not be living the life I imagined, but God has a plan for me-and His plan is far superior to mine.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11

My Hope Anchor

On By PhillippiIn Depression, Poetry5 Comments 
The dark cloud has touched down
Keeping my head up
Trying hard not to drown

Everything looks gray
The feeling of blah, 
smothering me each day

Needing some shining light,
The gloominess though,
hangs out night after night

Motivation lacking
and energy drained,
my outlook's been blackened

Color has washed away
Dullness sitting in,
despair I can't escape

Passion has disappeared
With joy long gone
depression's back, I fear

Thoughts, easily they spin
like a big vortex
don't want to get sucked in

So I'm hanging on tight
grabbing onto God
praying with all my might

He's my anchor of hope
and will lift the cloud
But not yet, so I cope

It may not happen soon
The weeks might drag on,
hopefully, not till June

Again, the sun will rise
In time, this will pass
and there will be blue skies

Smiles for another day
when the darkness leaves
and the cloud dissipates

Right now, nestling close,
in His wings I'll rest,
in the love that He shows

Copyright © 2021 Aimee Phillippi