Yesterday was Thanksgiving and guess what? I actually went to be with the family for the feast! It was wonderful to see my family, eat a delicious meal and play Apples to Apples!

 There are so many times I stay home and miss out on events or activities because of my fibromyalgia. It can be very disappointing and lonely. Sometimes it can be hard to stay positive. Staying focused on God helps a lot with my attitude.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight,

O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 NKJV

Building 429: Jason Roy Shares the Heart Behind "Where I Belong"

One Year Book of Amish Peace - Chat Party!

As we look ahead to the closing of one year and the beginning of another, let's pause for an evening of encouragement and fun. Let's share how we can hear God's voice in the simple things -- both during this busy holiday season and throughout 2014. Grab your copy of "The One Year® Book of Amish Peace" and a warm winter drink and join +Tricia Goyer  for an author chat party on Tuesday, December 4th at 8:00 PM EST (that's 7:00 Central, 6:00 Mountain, & 5:00 Pacific)!

"Simple Things" Author Chat Party!

Hope to see you there!

Shield of Faith

 Today's Devotion:

The 7-Day Prayer Warrior Experience by Stormie Omartian 

 Day 5  Ephesians 6:16 & "Go Deeper" verse on faith Genesis 15:1

Stormie Omartian is one of my favorite authors. Her books are always such an encouragement. Here are some things I found to go along with her devotion.

 Ephesians 6:16  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

-Matthew Henry:

"Faith is all in all to us in an hour of temptation... We are to be fully persuaded of the truth of all God's promises and threatenings, such a faith being of great use against temptations... Violent temptations, by which the soul is set on fire of hell, are the darts which Satan shoots at us. Faith is the shield with which we must quench these fiery darts, wherein we should receive them, and so render them ineffectual, that they may not hit us, or at least that they may not hurt us. Observe, Faith, acted upon the word of God and applying that, acted upon the grace of Christ and improving that, quenches the darts of temptation."

Genesis 15:1 NKJV  After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."

-F.B. Meyer:

"For all of us there is need of a shield, because the world hates us; and for each God will be our compensation for every sacrifice we have made."

-John Wesley:

"The consideration of this, that God himself is, a shield to his people, to secure them from all destructive evils, a shield ready to them, and a shield round about them, should silence all perplexing fears. And thy exceeding great reward - Not only thy rewarder, but thy reward. God himself is the felicity of holy souls; He is the portion of their inheritance, and their cup."

FELIC'ITY, n. [L. felicitas, from felix, happy.]

1. Happiness, or rather great happiness; blessedness; blissfulness; appropriately, the joys of heaven.

2. Prosperity; blessing; enjoyment of good.

Heavenly Father I pray You will increase my faith and help me to be strong. Let me live joyfully everyday knowing you are the protector of my soul and reward.  

In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Psalm 40:1-3

I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
² He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
³ He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.