AMONG LILIES – BLOG #11

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DEATH GRIP ON JESUS

To the one found among the lilies, 

The title of this blog should absolutely excite you, because here goes…

Some are holding on for dear life. Some declare that they will never let go and then return to their own ways;

and others are gracefully walking hand in hand with their Lord and Savior, and Maker. They completely understand the need. They understand the hypothetical and sometimes literal desperation of being tethered to Jesus; in order to pursue godliness and for a right life. 

I understood and I am understanding as of late, 

the need, to be fully centered on this one thing. 

The one thing, found in the nature and the face of Christ. 

The focus that is Him; and the evidence of being off centered in focus when we are. The thing with this is that things can seem ok, they can seem right until the undeniable presence and nature of God starts to peak through and He begins to make His presence known. Territories that once seemed like a blur or, as though they were lost, begin to resurface in new ways. The way you once noticed what was saving you at a specific moment in time, begins to seem strange and you wonder how it could have ever been a rescue to you in the first place. You decide to question what seemed like the right choices as though they might be counterfeits. You wonder where your knight and shining armor was all this time; when it felt as though you were defeated and like you were drowning? You wondered, could this rescue be real because of how clearly things are beginning to show themselves. The flame that once kept you warm begins to take the place of sloppy second because of the sweet presence that comes flooding in once your full and complete rescue arrives. 

To be found deep in His embrace, and to be tucked away in His arm. It’s as though you are surrounded on all sides by His embrace. It is as though you hug Him and are drawn deeper into His constant being because of how steady He is. You believe that He will always be there, because where can you go from His presence? Where can you go that would escape his warm embrace? And when the emotions all subside, you realize, that maybe you weren’t holding on for dear life (although it seemed like you were). 

Maybe He had you all along but when everything started raging, and drawing you with it’s attention; the though of His presence became faint and you questioned if you should begin to grip even tighter or if just remaining would do. 

You were made to pursue God in peace. We weren’t just made to know God, we were made to experience Him, but it isn’t supposed to be complicated…

Song of Songs 8:7
A huge torrent cannot extinguish love; rivers cannot sweep it away…

life #amonglilies

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ANOL ENCOURAGEMENT BLOG POST – #25

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A NUDGE

Here goes…

I’d like to introduce the notion that I am, a pretty innovative individual. I love to introduce new ideas, original methods, and creative approaches as a means of doing things. 

I started the business A NUDGE OF L E T T E R S as a products and services business. It has been a landing page for Hand Crafted Letters, DIY Projects, Events & Idea Consultations, Blog Posts, Weddings, Christian Encouragement, Business & Building Encouragement, and I even published my first devotional under the umbrella belt of the business. 

My son, who is now 8 was just months old when I founded the business. I love all that the business stands for and the creative and whimsical side of me that it represents. I can feel a measure of expounding happening, or inching its way forward. One that I cannot ignore and I’d love to take you on the journey with me.

A NUDGE OF L E T T E R S will be undergoing some minor and, some very major changes and shifts and I’d love nothing more than for you to join us as we do so. 

You’ll still get a bit of the magical and some kind of wonderful from our page; and, we’d like to elevate things a bit. The stakes are higher and we know this to be true. We’d like to put our best foot forward, by and through “nudging you in all the right ways…”. We want you to experience every advancement with us! We understand that there is a need for OUR specific nudging’s and we’d like nothing more than to fulfill those requests. 

We are truly enthused at what we get to do, and cannot wait to take you along with, as we rally all those longing to be nudged in the right direction concerning a thing or two, (or more). 

A NUDGE OF L E T T E R S has had a lovely 8 year stretch and we look forward to 8 more years of being found under excellent and good management and, in tip top shape. At ANOL we immensely value our contribution to the world of creatives as well as to the worlds we have decided to take on and venture into. We take seriously the quality of advice that we offer up to our clientele as well as to our vast audience. We want to improve and become more of what God has intended for our business to be. We plan to remain innovative in leading and, stewarding our gifts and our talents well. We can’t wait for you to experience, touch, feel, and taste all that we have in store for our audience next. ANOL will continue to blog on occasion and alert you of the things that are to come as they do. 

Be reminded that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him in Spirit and in truth. 

Be encouraged! 

There is more to come! C R E A T E like it matters! 

Best,

ANOL ENCOURAGEMENT 

AMONG LILIES – BLOG #10

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AMONG LILIES?

Are you confused about your location? Are you confused about your vocation? Are you confused about who you are? 

Are you confused about your location?

Are you allowing where you are physically to determine where you are going in the natural. Naturally you can only place one foot in front of the other, and naturally you can only take one step at a time; and while this is the natural approach to life, it certainly is not the heavenly; 

nor is it fully the approach to life according to cause and effect. You see, heavenly speaking, your one step can equate to thousands in the Kingdom of God; 

and your thousands of steps can equate to no impact at all in the Kingdom of God, all at the same time. 

God rewards effort and in the same breath He doesn’t. God rewards heart posture and in the same breath He’ll honor someone with a janky heart posture with a cause at a moments notice. 

God rewards integrity and good character and,

in the same breath He’d plead and win, a case for an individual who is less than perfect without ever even questioning it. God’s ways are past finding out, and we will leave that there. 

FOUND AMONG LILIES

So what about being found Among Lilies in spite of your shortcomings baffles you? What about it makes you feel like an imposter? I can assure you that you are not; all have fallen short of the glory of God, and yet He invites you still. He invites you to partake in the promises of glory after glory and, grace upon grace. He invites you to lavish in His goodness time and time again. Have you accepted His offer? Or, do you think of it as some sort of trick or something so baffling? 

What about your vocation confuses you? 

Either…

You feel under qualified to be where you are and like you do not have what it takes. 

You are riding the wave of success like none other and you are not coming down for anything, ever or, at all. You may be trapped in a place of “that isn’t for me.” and waiting on God for the clearance to let it go. You are experiencing your promised land and you love it here, but it does not come without its challenges. You are waiting on your next and you are doing so very graciously in spite of the temptation not to. You are coasting without a care in the world but you also know that you are onto something even greater.  You are flustered at the time it is taking to get where you know you should be but you will not let go of your God or take your eye off of the prize; even for a moment. 

What about these things tell you, you are not going to make it? What about these things tell you to brace what is ahead? What about these things tell you to question your worthiness? What about these things causes you to doubt who you really are? 

Your identity is not up for negotiation and neither is it up for grabs. Whether you are on the mountain top or passing through the valley; your identity, remains the same. Let’s give up allowing those that have not taken the time to identify who they truly are to sway our thinking. You know the time you have put in as well as your discipline and dedication to covering yourself in your truest identity. Don’t allow any miscellaneous soul or spirit to rob you of that. Either you call them higher or you leave them in your dust. Don’t be bound to people, places or things that are hell bent on remaining the same. The LORD frees you from them, remain free. 

You were made to pursue God in peace. We weren’t just made to know God, we were made to experience Him, but it isn’t supposed to be complicated…

Song of Songs 8:7
A huge torrent cannot extinguish love; rivers cannot sweep it away…

life #amonglilies

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AMONG LILIES – BLOG #9

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GOD IS YOURS

Here is your reminder that God belongs to you. He is yours and you are His.

How do you go to Him?

How do you make your request known?

In what ways do you let Him know that you understand who you belong to?

God is yours, how do you approach His throne?

Is He the person you go to about all things?

If you believe that someone belongs to you, how do you go to them? How do you approach them when you have a question or a request?

Are you approaching God in a way that proves that you are in relationship with Him?

OR

Are you approaching God like you don’t believe that He belongs to you?

God is yours; He designed it that way. No one wants to receive someone as their own without having them receive them as their own, in return.

God does not want to receive you as a daughter among the lilies without you receiving Him as your own, as well.

What have you decided to receive God as in your life? Who is He to you? Who is He in your life?

The way you see God in your life will determine the way you connect with Him on the level of prayer as well as any level of intimacy.

You want to love God more, that is the goal. You want to love Him the way that He has loved you. The thing about this is that proximity makes all of the difference. Proximity in your mind, in your thoughts and the way that you choose to process His love, mentally, physically and emotionally. God is a good Father and He loves you very much. He wants to express that love to you and wants it to be reciprocated. Do you have the capacity to allow God in, in ways you have not before? Do you have the capacity to know Him deeper. Do you have the capacity to seek Him further? He is one call away, and one prayer away. He longs to answer you in ways you have yet to be answered by Him? He wants you to experience Him more intimately and personally. In the same way He delights in you as His, and wants to reveal more of Himself to you.

You were made to pursue God in peace. We weren’t just made to know God, we were made to experience Him, but it isn’t supposed to be complicated…

Song of Songs 8:7
A huge torrent cannot extinguish love; rivers cannot sweep it away…

life #amonglilies

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AMONG LILIES – BLOG #8

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THE LORD WILL ALWAYS

“The LORD will always…”

Are there absolutes about God? Well the better question to ask is:

Do you believe that there are absolutes about God?

The absoluteness of God should lead one to a stillness and a rest in Him. It should lead the women among the lilies to higher ground and still waters, to peaceful streams, and the like.

The resolve found in God’s absoluteness is like that of no other. It can convince even the most timid of minds to believe in themselves and to believe in Him.

John 14:1
“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

Jesus says concerning a matter but it can apply to God’s word as a whole:

John 14:2

“If it were not so, would I have told you that…”

And what this means is that the absoluteness of God is also His surety. You can be sure that the word of God wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true. You can be sure that every “The LORD will always…” is also true. If the word of God promises that He will do something it’s because He will.

In this instance it promises that:
God will always lead you,
that He will always satisfy you,
and that He will strengthen you.

God is interested in keeping His promises. The words “The Lord will always…” is no small thing. Of course there are things that He requires of you and in the process He promises things to you and becomes your assurance.

Similar to a best friend or one who would never lie to you. God won’t lie about His commitment to you. He is determined to honor the words He has promised and what His word says, you can trust.

This isn’t to say that God is sitting somewhere making everyone’s wishes come true. It is to say that He cares about every minute detail of your life; to go as far as to orchestrate and curate every detail of it. He is the Author of your story, the Master Builder so to speak. You can be sure that there are things about your life and story that only He knows and that He is eager to unfold in your life. You can be sure that these things are good, intended not to, harm you and determined towards a hope and a future for your life. Jeremiah 29:11

These words alone prophecy what is only good towards you.

The word “future” implies distance and the long haul concerning your life. The word “hope” implies possibility and idea of what is good and outworkingly well and prospering concerning your days. The word “hope” implies a level of anticipation towards the tomorrow of the individual believing on the words that the “The LORD, God” writes, and commits to concerning you. Understand that God can and will always promise what is best concerning you. He does not lie and He isn’t a God who changes His mind.

I know that there are constantly words going out concerning you;

no matter those word, God’s word stands alone and in a league of it’s own concerning you, both now and forever.

You were made to pursue God in peace. We weren’t just made to know God, we were made to experience Him, but it isn’t supposed to be complicated…

Song of Songs 8:7
A huge torrent cannot extinguish love; rivers cannot sweep it away…

life #amonglilies

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ANOL ENCOURAGEMENT BLOG POST – #24

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WILL HE?

Will He find faith in you when it is all said and done?

Life can be hard. Life’s circumstances can deem themselves as “taking you out” “and under”, at any given time and moment. 

Things can be brought to a halt, and they can speed up, in no time. 

What seems to be taking forever can be changed overnight and what seems to change overnight can suddenly cease to even exist. 

There are whirlwinds in life, circles and cycles, commitments and the breaking of those commitments; but nonetheless there are things that remain. 

The things that remain are decided upon in the Bible; they are faith, hope and love. No matter what it is that fades away those three things can always be found by, in, through and towards the believer. The word of God is so confident in this, that it says even though the earth and everything in it passes away these things would be what would remain. (Matthew 24:35, 1 Corinthians 13:13)

So the question I hope to nudge you to, through this blog is that of;

Will He find faith in you when it is all said and done? Will He find a level of belief in you that could only be sourced by the Holy Spirit? 

Will He find something in you that is worth more than gold? Something so precious and something so valuable that others gaze and glean to find out if it is real? Will He seek out in you genuine faith? Faith that can only come from His calling on and over your life? 

Can He search out in you the things that make you yearn for more of His presence and truth? Can He find in you what is not of this world and is “otherworldly”? Can He find in you what is born of Him and Him alone? Can He find in you exclusivity and Oneness with and in His Spirit? 

Is He who you have declared loyalty to in the good times and in the bad? Are you only His, and how deep does your devotion go? 

All these questions shouldn’t and won’t be answered in one sitting; but it is to get you to ponder and to get you to wonder and not wander out into places that were not meant for you to be or to go. You are His and He is yours. Tell Jesus to have His way in your life while you make no mistake that it is Him who honors you; although you have never seen Him or known Him in a way outside of your pursuits.

Be reminded that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him in Spirit and in truth. 

Be encouraged! 

There is more to come! C R E A T E like it matters! 

Best,

ANOL ENCOURAGEMENT 

AMONG LILIES – BLOG #7

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DON’T LET YOUR BELIEF AND HOPE DIE

There is a God and He is the God who rebuilds. This is an attribute of God that I have been tossing about more recently, within me. I’ve been thinking about the build and I want to remind you that you have things that are worth fighting for, in your life. Now this portion of my blog and ministry is all about the unhurried, uncomplicated and at ease part of your pursuit of Jesus. The type of fight that I am referring to is that of territorial gain, that of recovery, and that of your belief and faith as something that is, an operating force within you and, in your life. 

You can be at ease and still triumph. You can be at peace within when everything around you seems to be, or gives the illusion of tumultuous. 

Now let’s get back to God being a, and the, God who rebuilds. (Psalm 147:2, Genesis 2:6,9,10) 

I’ve never seen the previous passage the way that I do now. God knew that He was going to create an Adam to spearhead some things on the earth and instead of just doing what He had planned; God went about creating roles and means in an entirely different way. He knew that Adam would tend to the garden but still created a mist and even an entire river to do what He would give the sky (via rain) and Adam charge over, and concerning. 

This reminds me that God is not at a loss for making ways to accomplish what He has planned. God is not at a loss or at a deficit of resources; He has several and doesn’t need any one of them. 

This is also a reminder that the sole purpose that God made a “man” isn’t so that He could do something for God but, for other reasons entirely. God’s word has said that even the rocks would cry out in the place of the believer if they didn’t choose to;  and in the instance of creation at first, it is the same. God has alternative methods and ways and He isn’t worried about the process or the order in which something will take place; because, and, but He is the God who created the specific order. 

Now back to having things to believe for; because God created the order you can be sure that He is the One who bends the order and makes the order according to His perfect will. Now, since God is the One who created the order you can be sure that He is the God that might also rebuild the order in one’s life or towards that life.

It is your responsibility to tell yourself the truth about the truth. It is your responsibility to tell yourself the truth about what is a lie; and it is your responsibility to believe on the One who rebuilds with only the truth at hand, and in mind. Can He find you in faith? Can He find you building on His ability to? Can He find you standing on the vision? 

Refusing to allow your hope and your belief to die. Knowing that you aren’t crazy because you stand at a place where you can see, but you aren’t quite sure how. Can He find you in faith just as much as He is in, and is all knowing? He is the God who rebuilds. 

Remembering that nothing has to be ready or prepared in order for God to move or for His plans to be sought through. Knowing that God is not in a hurry, ever. Being reminded that when He worked and when the first of creation worked it wasn’t as a means to an end; because we were always made to live forever. We could coexist and coincide with our respective works without having to rush off to something else or make sure we finished something first. Our work, our design, and our creation all came together in order to keep it that way. There was not then, nor is there now any lack in God; His quality provision is His best work (Genesis 2:9). Knowing that God is not in need of your specific duties, commitments, jobs or attire; or that He has His rocks on standby (Luke 19:40) should bring ease to whatever you are doing. God has already done the planning, it is up to you and I to walk in His way. 

You were made to pursue God in peace. We weren’t just made to know God, we were made to experience Him, but it isn’t supposed to be complicated…

Song of Songs 8:7
A huge torrent cannot extinguish love; rivers cannot sweep it away…

life #amonglilies

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AMONG LILIES – BLOG #6

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MAINTAINING BOUNDARIES

When I began this specific page the entire purpose was to present the idea that those among the lilies could indeed pursue God’s presence in peace.

That you could find rest, rest and assurance and peace in that place. You would not have to look far or long for that rest because it would be the rest that you had pursued in your own time and in God’s presence long before you knew, on the inside of you.

The outworking of that peace would take time, but in it taking it’s time you would have to commit. You would have to commit to maintaining your boundaries. Now, you may be thinking, “well I don’t want to keep those boundaries.” “I want everyone to like me” ‘I just want to be nice and keep everyone else’s peace.” and the list of thoughts can go on.

I don’t know any other way to pursue peace outside of managing and maintaining boundaries. It may seem like a hard thing to do at first but after having the will to create them it will serve your hope and thoughts for the future if you allow those boundaries to take their course.

Your boundaries provide guard rails to your tomorrow and they provide safe keeping to your peace. Your boundaries state and make known the distances you are willing to go with others.

Your boundaries say clearly what your plans are and what you intend to conquer and peruse.
Your boundaries tell others what you are towards and the plans that you have decided on long before your words ever could.

Maintaining and managing the boundaries you have set for the life you’d like to lead says everything there is to say about the direction you are going in life.
You want the boundaries you keep to speak clearly, the peace you have set your heart and affections on.

That is the peace that is worth the establishment of your boundaries in the first place.
You understand that establishing the boundaries sets you up for success across the board and along the journey of pursuing God’s presence in true, and unhurried, peace. Maintaining your boundaries ensures that you know what it will require of you to be the woman; among the lilies that you were destined to become.

You understand that unhurried takes practice and commitment. You understand that the level of lady you desire to be requires levels of separation from what does not respect those boundaries that you have set in place to possess the desired outcome of
relationships, presence, pursuit, quality of life and living that assist, and are towards your future hope (both today and tomorrow’s).

You were made to pursue God in peace. We weren’t just made to know God, we were made to experience Him, but it isn’t supposed to be complicated…

Song of Songs 8:7
A huge torrent cannot extinguish love; rivers cannot sweep it away…

life #amonglilies

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AMONG LILIES – BLOG #5

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YOU DON’T HAVE TO “FEEL” LIKE YOU BELONG

Are you waiting for your feelings to approve what already is? 

Are you waiting on things to confirm your belonging within God’s family and Kingdom? 

You’ve taken the appropriate steps with Him. You are developing a relationship or already have strong roots in Him. You have decided to listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit regarding the direction you’ll go, and where you will follow. 

Are you waiting on a feeling to confirm your belonging?

God calls you to each and every one of your waking breaths. He calls you to purpose at the rising of every sun. You do not have to wait to be assigned to life, and a life of abundance in order to pursue it. It is your God given right to pursue all that God has for you and all that you have the faith for. 

No matter your starting place or point, remind yourself that you are permitted a good life. You do not need the approval of another in order to pursue that good life. 

The good life is for who so ever will; 

pursue it, run after it, acquire it, obtain it and the like. You are not in line waiting on God to approve of you. If you are where you need to be spiritually and faith wise; God will and can match whatever you bring to Him. He promises to exceed your offering as well as your ask. 

He doesn’t lie. It’s a truth that I love to hold onto. In a world full of lies and, one consumed with little white lies; God does not lie. He isn’t lying to you or anyone else either. He tells you the truth, all of the time.

Now back to your feelings;

Have they been tricking you? Are they like a yo-yo? Are you certain one day and then mind boggled the next? Have you been taken on an emotional roller coaster? Are you finding yourself not knowing what to believe one moment from the next? Are those who you are in communication with not making it any better? Do they have their own narrative about things and would like for you to believe “that”, regarding your belonging as well?

Are you being gaslight or are you just too much into

your head about it all? 

What about actually belonging baffles you? What about your acceptance being already solidified confuses you?

Is the deeper rooted issue found in identity? Is unbelief something that you struggle with? What has you believing that you would have to work towards the being acceptable for the good, perfect and pleasing life that God has for you? 

Others may try to convince you that you have to strive for a relationship with them but God is different. Every relationship has different requirements. 

He created you for relationship with Himself, you don’t have to beg Him to commune with you; He already wants to. You don’t have to beg God to be kind to you either, He already chooses you. You don’t have to convince God to stick up for you, He has already decided on His thoughts towards you. You do not have to ask God to be present in your life, He has already decided on walking through life, with you. God is not a far off God; He has already committed His presence to you with Him. He loves to be the God you are depending on. He delights in your need of Him.

Don’t wait on a feeling to confirm your belonging, trust in the truth concerning all matters. 

You were made to pursue God in peace. We weren’t just made to know God, we were made to experience Him, but it isn’t supposed to be complicated…

Song of Songs 8:7

A huge torrent cannot extinguish love; rivers cannot sweep it away…

life #amonglilies

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ANOL ENCOURAGEMENT BLOG POST – #23

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“SINCE THEN”

“from that time forward…”

“within that time.”

“therefore, since…”

Since you were told that no one is coming to save you how have you seen God move in your life? 

Since you were told that no one will relieve and revive you how have you experienced God refresh your soul? 

Here’s a reminder that you are in the exact place that you need to be in order for God to show up in your life. You are exactly where you need to be in order for Him to change things. You are exactly where you need to be in order for God to shift what needs to be shifted in your life. You are exactly where you need to be in order for a real life miracle to occur. 

Here is your reminder that you are surrounded by a cloud of well doing witnesses. You are surrounded by those who have ran their race and those who have ran it well.

You are surrounded by those who have lived to tell the testimony of God’s faithfulness to them. You are surrounded by good reports. 

Since then, since they told you that you couldn’t do what you have actually done? Since then, you are no longer entangled to or with the opinions of other people. What will you do with your new found freedom? 

How will you use it, and what for? 

How will you engage with the wind beneath the wings you already have?

How will you thrive?

How will you soar?

If you couldn’t lose what would you do? 

 If your success was guaranteed what would you hold on to? What would you hone into? 

God is so for you! He is so after His purposes for your life. Don’t be let down by unbelief; be unrecognizably hopeful and optimistic in this year. God will shock you as you journey on into your pursuits within this year. You are more than capable and God sees you as good. 

Be encouraged! 

There is more to come! C R E A T E like it matters! 

Best,

ANOL ENCOURAGEMENT