Tag: joy

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:

“JOY is the settled assurance that GOD is in control of ALL the details of my life
The quiet confidence that
ULTIMATELY EVERYTHING is going to be okay
And the determined
CHOICE to praise GOD
in all things”

-Kay Warren

Do you have the “settled assurance” that everything is being held by God, and are you sending up praise to the One who’s got you?

one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. -Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. -Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. -Psalms‬ ‭150‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Mountainside Aglow

On By PhillippiIn Photography1 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!

Sunsets are like God’s paintings in the sky.

-Unknown

Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy.
‭‭-Psalms‬ ‭65‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“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

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, 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:

In his book Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God, Francis Chan said, “When I am consumed by my problems-stressed out about my life, my family, and my job-I actually convey the belief that I think the
circumstances are more important than God’s command to always rejoice.”

What are you conveying?

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? -Matthew 6:25


Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. -1 Peter 5:7

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:

Joyce Meyer said, “The more you trust Jesus and keep your eyes focused on Him, the more life you’ll have. Trusting God brings life. Believing brings rest. So stop trying to figure everything out, and let God be God in your life.”

Are you letting God be God in ALL areas of your life? What do you still need to let go of?

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. -Jeremiah 17:7-8

On the Forest Floor

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!

Today’s Majestic Marvel Monday, is a new Gallery Edition post! In addition to my typical Monday share, I will occasionally showcase some portfolio pieces in a collection format. This one is called On the Forest Floor.

I had so much fun capturing these images in our backyard last week. A stroll through our forest of a yard, had me noticing the smallest of God’s wonders-plants, leaves, and fungi I typically wouldn’t take notice of. This beauty would have easily been missed if I hadn’t been present and fully aware. These hidden gems On the Forest floor were a result of my backyard treasure hunt. I’m learning that sometimes it takes opening our eyes a little wider to really see all that He has given us.

Fall on the Forest Floor
Berries and Dew Drops
Mossy Sprinkle
Web of Droplets
Single ‘Shroom
Festive Greenery
Twiggy Greens
Blade and Berries
Stellar ‘Shroom
Rusted Curl
Blades of Raindrops
Spiky ‘Shroom
Topped Trio

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

Copyright © 2021 Aimee Phillippi

Fireweed Flair

On By PhillippiIn Photography2 Comments

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!

This week’s mountain shots are decorated with some Fireweed Flair. This is the first time since being in Alaska (not quite a year now), that I got to see these beautiful wildflowers dressing the hillsides throughout the landscape. While these shots only show a few of these tall, fuscia-colored flowers that thrive in mountain meadows, they sure brightened up these pics!

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

Copyright © 2021 Aimee Phillippi

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

5 Things I’m Learning in a Season of Monotony

On By PhillippiIn Surrender and Acceptance2 Comments

This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. -Ecclesiastes 5:18

The monotony of the days have been taking their toll lately and I’ve found myself increasingly frustrated and irritable. Like painting with those messy Crayola watercolor paints. One color runs into the next in the plastic, oblong case, and, in no time, there’s a muddied mess. This can happen when we don’t find satisfaction in the day to day work God has given us. The resentments build, anger and frustrations arise, covering up and muddying the beautiful fruits underneath that He’s trying to sprout in us. If we aren’t careful and paying attention, these can also conceal the many blessings He has given us. Just like the muddied watercolors, underneath each puddle are vivid colors, we just have to clear away the muddy mess to see them. God taught me five things recently about finding color in my life in a season of monotony:

1. See the good

While in Ecclesiastes, He spoke: find satisfaction in work. This doesn’t mean I’m supposed to turn work into an idol. What He meant by this was to find enjoyment in the work that I have been given during this season of life, rather than grumble my way through it. On my YouVersion Bible app, another translation stated find enjoyment in his toil and when I clicked on the word enjoyment, it further stated or make his soul see good. One way we can see good, is by counting our blessings daily. And, instead of seeing our daily tasks as just tasks, we can think about what good will come from accomplishing them, whether in the short-term or long-term. This brings us the second thing I learned about how to see good.

2. Start the day with “I get to”

On Instagram, Dr. Caroline Leaf posted about beginning each day with an “I get to” mentality, rather than “I have to”. I get to wake up and teach my girls at home, I get to wash dishes for my family, I get to prepare and cook for my husband and our daughters. Not everyone gets to do these. When we change our perspective and reframe our thoughts from “I have to”, to “I get to”, we can see the colors for what they are-bold and beautiful blessings that can wash away the dark and dreary.

3. Get creative and cultivate more joy

As far as enjoyment goes, when I asked God how to find satisfaction in my work, this popped into my mind: get creative. Creativity calms me and brings me joy. We can use our creativity by mixing up those mundane tasks and making them fun. How? Here are some ideas that occurred to me:

Tired of…

  1. Making dinner? Why not involve the family and have a dinner dance party. Grab a cooking utensil as your microphone, crank the tunes, and break out your best moves in between meal prep and cooking tasks. And if you live alone? Who says you can’t cut a rug to your favorite jams too?
  2. Homeschooling? Add some simple arts and crafts projects to your week or interrupt a day here or there with impromptu nature walks, scavenger hunts and photography challenges.
  3. Cleaning? Have at it with cleaning karaoke-80’s style. Choose your favorite hits and clean through two songs, karaoke through one, clean through two, karaoke through one and so on-or if the whole family is cleaning, the songs can be divided up and rotated through. If it’s not your song, clean. When your song comes on, belt out your number.
  4. Meal prep? Why not create some new meals? And if you aren’t super confident in the kitchen, start small. Alter recipes by adding new ingredients or experiment with new spices.

Yes, some of these may sound silly, but why not? Life is supposed to be enjoyed.

4. Embrace the mundane with a cheerful heart and glorify Him

Not only do I need to worship God in the wilderness, like He’s been showing me lately, but by embracing this season of monotony and doing the work He’s set before me with a cheerful heart, trusting Him with the season and tasks He’s given me, and doing it for Him, I’m glorifying Him in the process. This is a form of worship.

5. Be eager to work for the Lord

As I was reading in the Word tonight in Exodus, the words eager to help in the work the Lord had given stood out so I circled them. And on the next page, eager to get to work leapt off the page. He was telling me that I need to be eager to do the work He has given me. According to macmillandictionary.com, eager is defined as: very enthusiastic about doing something…So, in other words, I need to get intensely excited about working for the Lord. He chose this work for me and rather than just seeing these as dull repetitive duties to be completed, I need to see them as the Lord’s work and be be eager to do His work.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. -Colossians 3:23-24

21 Things I’m Looking Forward to in 2021

On By PhillippiIn Other2 Comments

As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. -Psalm 71:14

It can be difficult to see the possibility of change and blessings in such dark times. Last year sure was a ride! And while the pandemic has turned our lives upside down, it doesn’t mean our future has to look bleak. What are you hopeful about this year? Here are 21 things I’m looking forward to in 2021:

  1. Drawing nearer to Jesus
  2. Finding creative ways to spend time with my family
  3. More game playing
  4. Growing closer to my husband
  5. New adventures
  6. Increasing my trust in God
  7. Coming up with fresh content for my blog
  8. Cooking with our girls
  9. Teachings from God
  10. Being more present
  11. Reading the entire Bible
  12. Writing more poems
  13. Capturing Alaska with my camera
  14. Observing Alaskan wildlife
  15. Catching fat salmon
  16. Writing my book
  17. Continuing to heal
  18. Finding other ways to serve God
  19. Canning salmon and veggies
  20. Moving to the beach
  21. Collecting seashells at the coast

Even when life hammers us, and we aren’t sure what blow we’ll take next, let’s continue to put our hope in Jesus. Let’s praise Him and enjoy what we have been given. Find and cherish the small joys. Sometimes it’s just a matter of wiping enough of the fog from our lens to clearly see all that we have to be grateful for and the opportunities that await us.

So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun. -Ecclesiastes 8:15

ABC’s of a Christ-Centered Christmas

On By PhillippiIn OtherLeave a comment

Aim your eyes at Him and you will experience the joy that only He can give.

Be Merry by rejoicing in His goodness!

Come to Him as you are, frazzled and all. He doesn’t care. He just wants you, 

Do everything as if you are doing it for the Lord-all the shopping, all the wrapping, all the cleaning, all the cooking, all the honey-do lists-all of it.

Every good thing in your life, thank Him for. Make a gratitude garland by cutting out paper shaped Christmas lights, coloring them, and writing down something you are thankful for each day on the individual lights.

Find others to serve. Someone is always in need. 

Give with a cheerful heart. This year, cheerfully give a gift to your least favorite person.

Have a birthday party for Jesus and don’t forget to bake Him a cake!

Illuminate others through acts of kindness, like filling Christmas socks full of candy, tying them with shiny ribbon, attaching a Christmas verse and dropping them at your neighbor’s doorstep.

Jam to Christian Christmas music. Hillsong, For King and Country, and Matthew West are some of my faves. Pentatonix also has some amazing Christian Christmas songs.

Keep Him at the center of your celebrations. Pray before meals and have each person thank Jesus for something or pass around the Christmas story and have each family member read a short section. 

Love with all your heart. Don’t hold back.

Make memories with crafts, games, and stories that include Jesus. Pinterest has many nativity crafts and ornaments that are fun to make. 

Nurture your relationship with Jesus by making time for Him, and wrap yourself in His peace. 

Order faith-based Christian gifts for others or better yet, make something and attach a card with something you love or appreciate about them.

Pray for a friend or family member. There are a lot of people struggling right now.  

Quench your thirst by reading the Word. Hop onto the YouVersion Bible app and begin a Christmas devotional.

Rest in Him by setting aside moments throughout each day where you pause, close your eyes and breathe in His peace.

Seek Him in everything you do and commit all your plans to Him. He will help you to not burn out.  

Teach someone about Jesus’s love by telling them what He has done in your life. 

Use Jesus as the talking point in your conversations. Be bold and bring others to Christ. 

View forgiveness as a gift to not only the other person, but yourself, and forgive someone who hurt you. Give yourself and someone else the gift of forgiveness this Christmas!

Worship the Prince of Peace by praising Him, singing to Him and dancing in His presence.   

eXplain the Christmas story to a neighbor or friend. 

Yield to Him. Surrender it all-all your stress, all the busyness, all your hurts and hangups-bring it all to Him. 

Zap any negativity as soon as it enters your mind. Change the channel in your head to more positive thoughts by thinking about what is lovely, beautiful and true.