WALKING WITH THE FATHER AND CELEBRATING

I love celebrations. I love to jump up and down and exclaim the joys of life.
So might I encourage you today to do a little jumping. And before you start jumping why don’t you do a little reading in the book of Luke.
I try every year to read this book of the Bible to again remind, renew and encourage my heart of the story of Jesus birth and ministry.
After all it is worth the greatest of celebrations and our family plans to celebrate and jump for joy this year.
Join us as we jump and proclaim what it means to have Jesus as our Lord and Savior and the willingness of the Father to send His only Son to pay the huge cost of His life so that we can jump and celebrate forever. Walk with the Father today, Read His Word and Do a lot of Stomping of the feet.
God Bless you All this Christmas!

Walking with the Father and Laughing

This is just too funny!
I have been told I look like a woman on some TV show, Joanna Kerns from Growing Pains a lot and I have been told by my vet that I look like Paula Deen. Oh My! Friday at my hang out, the Patio (my favorite tea place) a lady was sitting at a table and asked me where I got my jeans.
She looked rather well to do if you know what I mean. I looked at the back of my jeans and said “they are Riders” and I didn’t say but I should have said they came from Wal mart and cost $12.99. She replied they sure make good copies of expensive jeans. She proceeded to acknowledge my cute hair cut and wanted to know where I got it cut. And then the big announcement “You look like you are from Texas.” Okay, so I am beginning to wonder what is happening here. Did I need a good laugh? I now know I am a famous actress, cook and from Texas!! I pray today that if you need a laugh or to be encouraged to walk with Father then smile with me and say, Yee Haw, a child of the Father by the grace of God and may I look like him today as I smile and greet those who cross my path.

Walking with the Father and renewing your mind

Ephesians 4:17-24 (ESV)
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!-- assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

It is so easy this time of year to take a vacation from our walk with God and get into the world thing and yes I mean decorations, presents, commitments, parties, staying up way too late, eating food we later regret, complaining, arguing, not getting along with others, blaming others for our problems and yes do I need to add more to the list? I write this out of my own convictions for this time of year. I have lived long enough now to know the battle rages around this time to know the importance of renewing the mind daily as there is much competition for doing the best thing and that is my time with God. If there ever is a time you need to do this it is now before the world tells you what you have to do instead of slowing down to hear the voice of God. I am sitting in my favorite leather chair with an undecorated house and much to be done for Christmas and stopping to think the most important thing I can do this morning is meet with the one whose birthday we celebrate. Much is going on in my life to bring before the Father, much prayer needs to be offer for friends who have contacted me with serious family needs but most of all I just need to sit and renew my mind and think upon who came and died for me. Might I encourage you today to start your day with Him and walk with Him throughout the day! Don’t let your heart become harden to the things of God with trying to finish your to do list. Make Him the first thing on your to do list and watch what happens afterward. Your spirit will be soften, you will be walking in the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. and your goals and direction will be different. Your light will shine as bright as the many trees sparkling around our world. Might these words cause us all to ponder as we back out of the driveway for the miles we have to travel.

“Let us encourage one another...”

Walking with the Father and Our Conduct

Ephesians 4:1-6 (ESV)

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
I read this verse today and thought it perfect for us to think about as we all enter one of the busiest times of the year. May we all be encouraged to think about what we reflect to our families and the people that cross our paths this Christmas season and might we all conduct ourselves in a way that brings God all the glory.

Carol Hoffman
cbhoffman@bellsouth.net
http://carolsdailywalk.blogspot.com

“Let us encourage one another...”

Walking with the Father and the Election

I have hesitated to write about all of this but I find my fingers need a good workout this morning and my heart too!! I am in my fairly normal routine and have just finished my study time in the book of Exodus.
I have been looking at the great lengths the Lord went to get the attention of Pharaoh and the Egyptians. I have now turned on my favorite 25 songs on the IPOD to continue to help my heart rest in Him over many troubling issues both personally and in our world.
Again through the study and music I find the thing to concentrate on is who we belong to and the joy we have knowing and walking with Him. I sat as I waited on my curlers to heat up on the song I will listen to after the election and that is the song...”Just Give Me Jesus”. This summer God led me to study the book of Daniel. I had just finished a 9 month study of the book of Matthew through BSF. I have studied Daniel numerous times but this was the first from Beth Moore. Several verses stood out to me and especially “Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes.” Daniel 4:25 As you might find yourself like me struggling with fear and anxiety about the election be sure you turn your mind to the truth of who God is and His forever promises to never leave or forsake us. We have much to be joyful in as we get to shine as lights in this dark world and I have always liked light more than darkness. Let’s stand out as ones who know and love God. Go vote and take action where God leads but always with the love of Jesus in your heart. Walk with the Father today and be at peace for He knows us, loves us and never leaves us.

“Let us encourage one another...”

Walking with the Father and His plan

Today I ran into someone who was a big influence in my life. She is a woman of God who raised twin daughters too only a little ahead of me. God brought her into my life during my girl’s teenage years.
When I first heard about her at church I went hunting to meet her and received a huge blessing. She lives the Word. She taught me so much in the short time of our relationship but when God took us different directions she left me with a hunger to know God better. She was used by God to aid me in understanding a close relationship with God. I have used many of the things from her life in leading other women to know God. I have been wanting to see her and thank her for all she did for me that perhaps she never knew. Every thanksgiving season I think about her and thank God for her godly influence in my life. Today in the grocery store I was on the phone talking to my mom when she walked past. I told my mom there was someone I needed to go see. I could tell she was in a hurry and I called her name a couple of times. I know the feeling of hurry so I decided it best not to bother her as I know if she is like me she is on the move with many things in her life. I silently prayed “Lord if you want me to see Nancy, then I will need to just run into her without chasing her.” I went in the opposite direction and after finishing my shopping was going to the front of the store. I came around a corner and there she was walking right at me.
He reminded me again today that He is in control. He is trustworthy.
I needed that truth today. There is much happening in my life to make my heart sorrow and God said to me “ I know that and I want you to know I am in charge even in the grocery store of who crosses your path.”
Isn’t God good? Walk with Him today and watch out in the grocery store as you might just meet a blessing!

Walking with the Father and Remembering

I have the blessed experience recently of reconnecting with my best friend during my growing up years. After many years where God took us on different paths our paths are now crossing again. The things we experienced together were rich blessings. I don’t think either one of us recognized that at the time but now spending time together our memories have taken on new meanings. They are like gifts to our souls. She remembers things I had forgotten. She has given me a new perspective on things that I need to hear. No one knows my past like her and when I talk of those times there is no one I had rather have sitting across from me. She loves God and knows Him well. She has experienced His love and care in her life. There are memories that are are hard on our souls and are best left alone if nothing profitable can be put to label them good. There are things that are good and need to be remembered. Might I encourage you today if you need to make a phone call to reconnect to someone from your past to not delay. A gift from God might just be awaiting your soul.

Walking with the Father and Dancing

It was one of the those nights of funny dreams. I dreamed that someone had purchased me a complete pink outfit for dancing including the pink shoes. I wanted to put it on but I was afraid I would run the pink hose. I was awake long enough to wonder why I dreamed about having my own dance outfit. It was similar to my granddaughter Abigail’s outfit. It came to me that yesterday I was thinking about how Jesus tells us to be like little children. One of the things Abigail and I love to do is dance together.
It is so much fun to put on some dancing music and just let go of all the stress and burdens. We laugh and I experience sore places in my body I never knew existed. Oh how often we all put on that adult face that says” I am so together and have everything under control.” What a joke if we are truthful. God never intend for us to be God and handle all things and carry the weight of things He alone resolves. I bet some of you need a pink outfit too although maybe the men need a blue one. If you don’t have the outfit how about putting on some great praise music and walking with God with a little dance around the house? Well, that sounds like a good idea! I think today my walk will include a little dancing. Do you want to join me? I guarantee you will laugh and feel the stress go off your back and I believe God will smile. So did I hear someone ask” how long we should dance? “ Everyday because we know our freedom is in Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Walk and Dance with the Father and enjoy the freedom!

What happens when we walk with the Father

I have always been aware of things in myself that I didn’t like. I guess most of us see things that we wish we could change. Over the years I seem to like to read books that give me some encouragement to stay on the course of change. Be Better-Look Better-Act Better-Perform Better-Be Smart. The book shelves at most of the major bookstores are covered with How to Books. It is a real draw to read them and to put all the change we want to make into a 12 step plan or a month plan or to try to figure it all out ourselves. I just came home from vacation all fired up about a new plan for walking better on the treadmill- So maybe for a time change will occur, until another new plan comes along.
Looking back and reflecting I remember many years ago as a young wife and mother recognizing in myself things that I did not like but not sure how to change. I didn’t like me you might say and I wanted to be different. Pretty revealing thoughts and maybe you have had these on occasion. I believe that many feel that way today and that is why Oprah is so popular. She is a big change encourager. After consistent attempts to change I sought help from my heavenly Father. I needed to admit and confess I needed the help but it was in His hands to bring the change and on His time table. Today, do I still feel I need to change? Well of course! One thing I do know is that today I am a different woman.
And you ask why is that, what book did I read or program did I follow?
Oh yes, I can tell you how. Walk with the Father and do it every day.
Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t but pursue the most important relationship you can have with your Father. He is the power and healer of us all and He is the one that orchestrates the change that needs to occur. Why? So that we grow more like Him and it bring Him glory- Not a book, not a plan, not a self help plan but God.
Walk with Him today and if you are down on yourself about something,
Give it to Him and give it to Him often until you have surrendered all of your striving to His power and strength. Rest in Him the Greater Healer and powerful Changer of His children. I am doing that again today.
Let’s keep walking and trusting the Father to do what only He can do and that is make us like Him.

Seeing and Hearing as I walk with the Father

I have just returned from a wonderful vacation in Florida. I spent several mornings walking with the Father on the beach listening to the sound of the waves and and looking at His creation. I also spent some time listening to my favorite songs with my IPOD. Truly a blessing to be able to see and hear God’s voice through the roar of the waves, see the birds soaring through the sky, diving down into the water for food and the endless view of water.
I felt my body relax and mind renewed. It is a special time every year I get to reflect on the previous year and ask the Lord for His help to walk the next.
As we were packing to leave our 2nd home in St. Augustine I saw a guest book to sign. It asked a question that caused me to stop and think “What was special about this trip?” It didn’t take me long to write these words “As my husband George and I stood on the deck and watched our two grown daughters walk the path to the ocean pulling the three grandkids and one on the way and a cooler for some fun time on the beach it brought such a joy to our hearts.” I had that same thought as I sat at the edge of the pool one day watching my two wonderful son in laws play with their children in the pool. Ten years ago they were not a part of our family and now God has blessed us with them. Words can’t really express the feelings in my heart of praise to God. Thank you Lord for giving me this time and opening my eyes and ears to see the work of your hands.
I pray that as you walk with the Father that you will have many moments when you stop, look and listen. God has much to say.
Keep you eyes open and ears tuned into God. He does speak.

The beginning of a walk

I thought today I would sit and write the story of a little girl who lived years ago in a far away land named Carol. She lived on Toney Drive in Decatur Georgia with her mom, dad, big brother and dog Inky. She loved to ride her bike, play the piano and pretend church. One night her mom and dad took the family along with another family squeezed into a station wagon to a revival. Yes, a revival under a tent. People would come to an open air church meeting with a pine bark floor. They sat in folding chairs or stood around the opening. Someone played the piano. The preacher spoke loudly and passionately about the Lord! The preacher pulled out his handkerchief and blew his nose. At the end of the service they had a altar call. That is where people walked down an aisle to the front. The little girl sat and watched a lot of people walking and crying. She didn’t say much going home but when she got home she called her mom to her purple bedroom room to talk. There on her bed she asked her mom questions about God and a short time later prayed to ask Jesus to come into her heart. She called her grandparents, Mee-Maw and Dad to tell them of her decision. They all rejoiced.
The little girl began her walk with the Father at 9 years of age and now she is 54. May those of you who read these words be encouraged to know God reached down to this little girl and He is still reaching for those that don’t know Him. Even though the preacher spoke maybe a little loud and blew his nose and waved his handkerchief in the air God used him to bring another one into His kingdom. God uses us all in our imperfections to bring Him glory. Walk with the Father today and wave you handkerchief. You never know when some one will be watching, and watch your words, someone is listening.

When you feel like you can't walk any more

There have been times in my life when walking has been hard. Times when I just wanted to stay in bed with the covers over my head and not face the day problems . We all have been there and will experience days and moments when the walk is plain just too hard. I had a friend years ago in a small group that told me some good advice. She had lost a child to cancer and had fought hard to help her live. After she passed away she did not want to walk. For a time she lost her way and her ability to walk. She said she had learned if she just put her foot on the ground and took one step forward and tried to make it to the bathroom and then the next step after that she could make it through the day. Another woman who mentored me for a short time told me after my daughters went away to college and I was so sad to allow myself a short time when I gave in to tears or not walking and then after a short time to pray and get on with God’s plan for the day. Both ladies walked on the journey with me for a short time and I still remember them and their words. I today have spoken that advice to my heart. Keep walking Carol! If you need some encouragement today or perhaps down the road it comes to you that you want to give up and not walk anymore, try some advice for some ladies who have experienced that thought and feeling and keep walking. Take that first step.
I am so glad God sees our ways and our steps and directs them.
Praise His Name as He is the One who Keeps us Walking when we Want to Stop and Give Up!

A Daily Choice

It is morning and I am going through my normal routine of trying to focus again on another day.  I stood looking in my mirror rubbing on my anti-aging cream and again thinking to myself this is not as fun as it use to be when I looked into the mirror and didn’t see the wrinkles.  I have my IPOD playing music in the background of my Christian songs and of course my  favorites.  Again I face the decision whether to walk and turn my thoughts away from aging, sorrows and not feeling 20 anymore to God. I try to listen to the words of the song playing and sometimes sit down in a chair for one song.  Again another day to choose to walk with Him.
One thing I do to help in this turning my mind is to leave my Bible and study books right where I can’t miss them.  It invites me every time I pass to sit and think and look at the source and solution to my distractions and my heart. I also regularly pray during this time to keep me hungry for Him.  I am afraid my hunger so often is for life to be easy, happy and less stressful and yet I know God’s desire is that I bear much fruit and glorify Him.  That does not happen unless I make that choice daily to be and walk with Him.
Might I encourage you today to make that choice to spend time walking with the only one who can and does direct our minds upward when many things try to keep us focus on our immediate surroundings. Read the Word!
Stand Firm!
Press On!
Look Up!
Keep Walking with the Father!

Still Walking With the Father

Well it has been awhile since I have written my thoughts for all to read or for those of you who have time or willingness to read my ramblings.  Words are hard to use in describing these last months so I think I will express them this way--

Phone call, Mom's heart attack
Mom's bypass surgery
My grandson being admitted to hospital for swallowed coin
Daddy's inability to handle situation with mom
Putting my Daddy in a dementia unit 
Bringing mom home
Admitting her to a recovery facility
Mom becoming very sick and taken back to hospital for another stay
Bringing her home
Going to see my dad at the dementia unit
Bringing him home

I could write more but you get the point.  You might say things have been sorrowful and hard.
Yes, I have continued to walk with my Father and I use that in the most endearing way I can as the MY has taken on a deeper meaning.

As I stood waiting for my daughter Christy to get to the hospital I was leaning on a concrete column in the valet parking area.  I physically felt a deep sense of God's presence and peace wash all over me from my head to my toes. To say I didn't still have moments of fear of whether either of my parents would ever be healthy again or even come home was a big concern and fear of mine.

Do you need encouragement to keep walking today then take a verse from scripture God gave me in Romans  8:15 that says, For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we cry, Abba Father.  We have a Father we can cry to.  I have done that repeatedly.  God bless you and if you need today to cry Abba Father do and see what assurance He brings you of His presence.
Let's walk together with the Father through these hard days!

One of Those Nights

Have you ever just had one of those nights when you felt God was trying to tell you something?

My dreams last night were that way. I was young again. Okay, so let’s not laugh too hard! The word that has become probably one of my most unfavoritiest words “WAIT” was what I was doing in my dream. (Pardon the word unfavoritiest as I know that it is a Carol word but it fits so I will take the pleasure of using it when I want.) The longer I waited the longer my face became until my face was stretched way down my body.

So how could that be you ask “a long face?” but remember Pinocchio had a long nose after telling many lies. You ask “what were you waiting for Carol?” Well, I was single and waiting for my man to appear on the scene. And yes, that was part of my life and most likely the very first time I felt the deep need for God’s help in the process of waiting. The waiting obviously was rather long as my face was a pure example of how I was feeling. Most people pretty much can tell my emotions by my expressions. Just the other day as I was waiting for one of my daughters to meet me for lunch a waitress came up to me and said “Lady are you okay?” The expression on my face must have said there was a problem. No problem but I was ready for my ice tea and I needed it real bad. Again I was waiting and the face revealed my impatience.

I have had many things especially over the last few years to wait for and the waiting has been long and hard. I wish I could say my heart and face reflected a peaceful and relaxed wait but I know that it has not always been that way. I just pray I don’t have the face in my dreams and that God will have mercy on me as I struggle now again with the hard word "WAIT".

Are you waiting on anything today!? Well , let’s make an agreement to wait with hope and expectancy for God’s favor and blessing. If you see me and I have a long face give me a goofy grin and remind me of my very unfavoritiest word and that God is never late. The long face I dreamed about last night would have a hard time opening its mouth to pour down ice tea and that would be a most unfavoritiest thing to happen. By the way I just poured two glasses of ice tea in my mouth so I guess today my face is not too long. I pray that continues...

Walking with a Happy Face
Carol

Detour

What a week it has been. My calendar was full and each day I had something to do or accomplish but God had different plans. For the first time since moving to Alpharetta I encounter the worse traffic, the kind that sort of drives you crazy. I had appointments two days and both days found myself being detoured because of the unexpected. Each time I found myself heading in a direction I was not familiar with and trusting that the signs were leading me to the familiar again soon. Both times I ended up where I was suppose to be but not on my time schedule.

What spiritual truth I was reminded of from this experience. I am so thankful we can trust God to lead the way and change our plans. I have asked the question of Him “Why” more times than I can count. I can look back on my life and see some huge things God saved me from which would have brought much grief into my life. I have also seen Him give me much more than I deserved and again know that He knows the future and my needs.

Again, I thank Him that He knows, He sees and He understands much more than I can imagine.
May this truth encourage you today as you trust Him with your plans, your journey in serving and glorifying Him.

Words

Grace and Peace in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is with this in mind that I attempt to put my words in writing that have been sitting in my heart for a while. It is not an easy thing to do to write. And if I based my experience in high school on whether I would ever write, the answer would be a large NO! I have always enjoyed words much to the dismay of my parents as I know they grew weary of hearing so many growing up. My father once told me to try to count to ten without saying another word. I am not sure if I ever made it. Oh well, so now I find that the opportunity is there for my words to be put in writing. What a splendid idea and one I pray blesses you. I knew that words really matter to me when after becoming a mother of twins I heard the words “I am so glad it is you and not me” till I thought I was going to be depressed the rest of my life. One Sunday morning our Sunday school teacher challenged us to find a scripture for the year and ask God to use that verse in our life. I wasn’t real happy about the idea at first but remember I was discouraged at the time. The Lord knew my discouragement and lead me to look at Hebrews 10:24,25 which says the following “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." This verse truly did a work in my heart and over and over again when I have struggled to know my calling I always go back to this verse and am challenged to live this out in some small way.
It is with this verse in mind that I will be writing a regular blog in hopes that number one God will be glorified and that you the reader will find courage in your walk with the Father.

Walking With The Father

When I first started thinking about writing a blog I had to think through the title of my blog. Several suggestions were made but “Walking with the Father” became very clear in my mind and heart. I have always like to walk and spending time with my heavenly Father is priority in my day. Yesterday at church, Andy spoke about what happens when he doesn’t spend time in the Bible or time with the Father. He listed the following things of which I will add my own interpretation from a woman’s perspective.

Number 1 was that ‘we magnify the weakness of others instead of looking at our own weaknesses.” I amen that one. I think we as women deal more with that than men.

Number 2 “we evaluate this life as if this is all there is and we lose the eternal perspective.” Whew, have I been guilty of that as I mope around with a long face not only making myself unhappy but everyone that crosses my path.

Number 3 “We tend to close our hands to others” In other words become selfish and think about our selves and our needs.

And number 4 is holding on to anger too long.

Well, if you needed the encouragement to pick up your Bible and read, I pray that these thoughts will encourage you to spend some time and “Walk with the Father” in the best place possible, His Word.