All posts in category Spiritual
Extravagantly Loved
Today has been a weird day. The past week and a half has actually been a bit off for me. Sick kids, messed up routines, hectic schedules, and the like. So when I got home from church tonight, I played one of my favorite songs – Casting Crowns’ Your Love Is Extravagant.
Then I read today’s devotional on the Proverbs 31 blog. Glynnis Whitwer writes about how John referred to himself as ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’. I am also the disciple whom Jesus loves. And, as Paul states, this love is ‘by grace, … it is the gift of God, not a result of works so that no man can boast.’ Eph 2:8-9
I needed that reminder tonight. I needed that fellowship with my Father- a soft place to land where I feel secure and at peace no matter what storms are swirling around me. His love is truly extravagant!
Posted by M. Terry on February 6, 2013
https://wholetothecore.com/2013/02/06/extravagantly-loved/
Merry Christmas!
May you enjoy this wonderful day as we celebrate the birth of our Savior!
Blessings from Whole to the Core
Posted by M. Terry on December 25, 2012
https://wholetothecore.com/2012/12/25/merry-christmas/
Celebrating Advent – The Angel’s Candle
Today we celebrate the last Sunday of Advent. This week’s candle is called the Angel Candle and it represents the love which God shared with the world when He sent His Son, Jesus!
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:8-14
Just as the angels shared the Good News of the birth of Christ, we are also commanded to go and tell. May we spread the true Gospel through our words, actions, and attitudes, loving each other just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us!
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
Posted by M. Terry on December 23, 2012
https://wholetothecore.com/2012/12/23/celebrating-advent-the-angels-candle/
The Cradle and the Cross
God’s only Son
Jesus, Jesus
No other name
Mighty to save
Jesus, Jesus
Posted by M. Terry on December 20, 2012
https://wholetothecore.com/2012/12/20/the-cradle-and-the-cross/
Jesus Loves the Little Children
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my
fortress,my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:1-2
Thankful for a God who comforts, provides peace, and loves at all times.
Posted by M. Terry on December 14, 2012
https://wholetothecore.com/2012/12/14/jesus-loves-the-little-children/
Celebrating Advent – The Prophet’s Candle, The Candle of Hope
Today we celebrate the first Sunday of Advent. This week’s candle is called the Prophet’s Candle, and it represents the hope God gave to His people with the promise of the coming Messiah.
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
Isaiah 11:1-2
There are over 300 Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in Jesus.
Mathematically speaking, here are the odds of any one person fulfilling these 300+ prophecies:
- 1 person fulfilling 8 prophecies: 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000
- 1 person fulfilling 48 prophecies: 1 chance in 10 to the 157th power
- 1 person fulfilling 300+ prophecies: Providence at it’s best!
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
“when I will raise up for Davida righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
The Lord Our Righteous Savior.
Jeremiah 23:5-6
Posted by M. Terry on December 2, 2012
https://wholetothecore.com/2012/12/02/celebrating-advent-the-prophets-candle-the-candle-of-hope/
Prayers We Didn’t Expect to Pray
I am still fasting from blogging during our church’s 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting, but I felt led to share this story. Just over a week ago, my 4 yr old nephew, John Michael, went in for a CT scan after weeks of headaches. The following morning he was undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumor. We are thankful that the mass is non-cancerous, but we are truly blessed to know that prayers were lifted up to the Lord from all over the globe! Here is a post from Caring Bridge that my sister-in-law wrote just a couple of days ago, and I knew I needed to share it with you:
A week ago today I handed my little boy over to a team of surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses. All of my common sense said I should have lost it. But I can truly say that I experienced a peace that passes understanding. For six and half hours, we waited while they worked with skilled hands on our precious boy. I am so thankful for those of you who came to the hospital and prayed and those who prayed from afar. We felt your prayers. God used Dr. Smith and his team to heal my little boy. It is hard to believe it was just a week ago. This week was long and hard but the Lord sustained us. There were moments yesterday where it felt like things were almost ‘normal’ (whatever that looks like)
Overall we had a great day- we did lots of resting. John Michael even played a little bit and worked on his walking. He is ready to be back to normal but I know it will take a while.
Mark is putting up a fence in the backyard so I don’t have to worry about our puppy Lolly getting out. I also know that physical work is part of his therapy in dealing with all this. I know for me this caringbridge site has been a huge help so I know the need to do something.
Please pray for all our strength to return, for peaceful nights- JM is a little off with night and day because of all our time in the hospital, and pray for COMPLETE HEALING! We are so thankful for all your prayers.
My prayer is that during your time of prayer for us that God draws you to himself. I am thankful that I serve a God who sacrificed himself for me. I know that there isn’t any kind of pain that I feel that He hasn’t experienced. I pray you know this God. We love you all.
Posted by M. Terry on November 4, 2012
https://wholetothecore.com/2012/11/04/prayers-we-didnt-expect-to-pray/
Follow ’40 Days of Prayer & Fasting”
The other day I said I was fasting from blogging (and I still am except for this quick invite). If you would like to join me as I follow my church’s daily prayer and verses, ‘like’ First Baptist Church of Indialantic on Facebook, and you will see each day’s prayer posted.
Posted by M. Terry on October 12, 2012
https://wholetothecore.com/2012/10/12/follow-40-days-of-prayer-fasting/
My Daily Bread
This daily bread I am writing about is not whole wheat, oat, whole grain, or rye. I am speaking of God’s Word. Today my church began 40 days of fasting and prayer. Fasting consists of giving up something and replacing the time you spend on that activity with seeking the Lord through prayer and reading the Bible. I feel that God has led me to fast from blogging which saddens me in a sense because I love to share all that I learn about health and nutrition with others. But I am excited as well as I know that God will speak to me and move around me as I focus more on Him. So for the next 40 days, I will be praying for my marriage, my children, my family, my church family, my children’s schools, my friends, my country, and anything else the Lord places on my heart. And I will be delving more deeply into His Word. I pray that all my readers will continue to strive to stay active and eat clean so you can serve and love others to the best of your ability, and so you can be a shining example to others around you! I look forward to writing again on November 21st- just in time for all those holiday recipes, tips, and encouragement!
This is the Air I Breathe
Posted by M. Terry on October 8, 2012
https://wholetothecore.com/2012/10/08/my-daily-bread/
Proverbs 31 Devotionals
Whole to the Core Blog 