"Who Do You Attract?"

Cozily sitting in a soft leather recliner with my feet propped lazily on a solid wooden foot stool...
breathing in the aroma of life and warmth of a slow burning fire...
Peacefully, I stared  intently at the flames, mesmerized..
I sat comfortably in a quiet lodge area in Anchorage, Alaska.

Reflecting and breathing...slow, even breaths.

Peace..

Just what I needed...

Something we all need...

Remembering a quiet time of discussion and prayer that my husband and I shared recently.

I smiled, at how I never cease to be amazed at the way God reveals His Word..just when we need...

I had one of those light bulb moments...

as we read these words together..

"I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Philippians 4:12-13

Sitting there serenely, eyes drawn toward the flickering flames,

I found strength in the memory of what we studied.

The last sentence gently brushed my subconscious..

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

I began to wonder about..."all things"

Was I missing something..??

but what??

I felt like I had read this a million times..

Suddenly, I realized I had been looking at this verse "too individually.."

If we read just before these precious words...

"I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."

The light dawned within me, and it has taken 2 weeks to put it into words.

Even now as always, I must pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal to you the reader...the same Light, 
His Light....even brighter.

As I sat beside the glowing embers...

I was well aware that each life has struggles...each telling a different story...

Maybe you don't think this strange, 
but I found it oddly compelling, as a quiet truth began to emerge...

This scripture has come to be so much more than 
just the obvious comparison of Paul stating he is at peace living
...with great needs..
in the same way he is at peace...with the fullness of life.

I realized there will be times when life is full and sweet as well as times of want and need...and we must recognize Him as our strength when we are peaceful and content!! I don't think I've been doing that.

Most of us... Turn to this verse when we are hurting..and we should..

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"

And we can do all things!! Because He can !!

But have we ever called on Him with this same verse when life is overflowing with goodness?

When all seems well with the world...

The kids are safe..

The report from the doctor is good..

Every one is getting along...

You name it, ......

Really...
take a moment and name out loud 
at least one or two things that are good in your life right now.. 

These are the times we must think on as well, as we read these scriptures.

Remember, there is an art to living in contentment as well!!

What struck me most was that Paul,was imprisoned at the time he wrote these words, 
He calmly held both ends of his life in balance.
He had faith to see both ends.

We are called to do the same....

Sometimes we too find ourselves in a prison of some sort.
At others, we are flying high and free...

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"

Let's take this verse to a deeper level...

When you are hurting claim this scripture like a lifeline!!
(because it absolutely is)

And when the world seems to be...all that it should be....

Practice claiming this scripture yet again and watch Him.....
bless your attitudes and movements.

You will become as a tiny flame 
flickering within the fire, others will be mesmerized.
They will be attracted to the peace and faith that holds your life together in all things...good as well as bad.

Your warmth will radiate a certain peace in the good times and and a certain calmness of faith through the trials....

The warmth of His goodness and faithfulness 
will become increasingly evident when you 
call on Him as your true strength.."in all things."


"I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Philippians 4:12-13