If you’ve followed me long you know I’m also seeking to refine myself, growing, learning, and sharing. It’s a journey I think many of us seek. But what’s I’ve learned is that it must be intentional! The seasons where I’m studying the word, reading inspiring books, and praying I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phillipians 4:13). However when I get caught up in life swirling around the drain in duties and commitments I sway away from my manta “I JULIE CAN do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens Me!”

Being intentional is not hard but requires discipline! Ever tried to read the Bible in one year? I did! The problem for me was I had so many questions- I’d stop to research something and three days later I was ready to move on. So my one year turned into two. Then I read The Message like a novel in one summer. The point is I finished my goals but not in my original timeline! I’m very much a Type A check the box kinda girl. That’s great for flying a plane and packing for a trip. But sometimes in life we need to slow down be intentional rather than checking the box to move on! So in this season I’m slowing down and seeking peace through personal development and prayer. Lately I’m reading and watching lots of podcasts!

So here is what I’m reading:

Girl Wash your Face by Rachel Hollis

The Light within me by Ainsley

Earnhardt

Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado

Love Does by Bob Goff

Knowing God by JI Packer

Present over Perfect by by Shauna Niequist

Everybody Always by Bob Goff

H3 Leadership by Brad Lomenick

My favorite podcasts:

Max Lucado

Dave Ramsey

Tony Robbins

Rise podcasts (Rachel Hollis)

Simply life on purpose (Kelsey Van Kirk)

Surviving Sarah ( Sarah Bragg)

The Healthy Mom’s podcast (Katie Wells)

My favorite Bible verses in no particular order:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Hard work pays off, but idle chatter leads to poverty. Proverbs 14:23.

Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do. Proverbs 6:4.

the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalm 147:11.

Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3:23

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23.

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desire of your heart. Psalm 37:4

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14.

Psalm 27

Of David.

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—

of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked advance against me

to devour[a] me,

it is my enemies and my foes

who will stumble and fall.

3 Though an army besiege me,

my heart will not fear;

though war break out against me,

even then I will be confident.

4 One thing I ask from the Lord,

this only do I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to gaze on the beauty of the Lord

and to seek him in his temple.

5 For in the day of trouble

he will keep me safe in his dwelling;

he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent

and set me high upon a rock.

6 Then my head will be exalted

above the enemies who surround me;

at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make music to the Lord.

7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;

be merciful to me and answer me.

8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”

Your face, Lord, I will seek.

9 Do not hide your face from me,

do not turn your servant away in anger;

you have been my helper.

Do not reject me or forsake me,

God my Savior.

10 Though my father and mother forsake me,

the Lord will receive me.

11 Teach me your way, Lord;

lead me in a straight path

because of my oppressors.

12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,

for false witnesses rise up against me,

spouting malicious accusations.

13 I remain confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the Lord;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 30[a]

A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple.[b] Of David.

1 I will exalt you, Lord,

for you lifted me out of the depths

and did not let my enemies gloat over me.

2 Lord my God, I called to you for help,

and you healed me.

3 You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;

you spared me from going down to the pit.

4 Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;

praise his holy name.

5 For his anger lasts only a moment,

but his favor lasts a lifetime;

weeping may stay for the night,

but rejoicing comes in the morning.

6 When I felt secure, I said,

“I will never be shaken.”

7 Lord, when you favored me,

you made my royal mountain[c] stand firm;

but when you hid your face,

I was dismayed.

8 To you, Lord, I called;

to the Lord I cried for mercy:

9 “What is gained if I am silenced,

if I go down to the pit?

Will the dust praise you?

Will it proclaim your faithfulness?

10 Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me;

Lord, be my help.”

11 You turned my wailing into dancing;

you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.

Lord my God, I will praise forever

Psalm 34[a][b]

Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.

1 I will extol the Lord at all times;

his praise will always be on my lips.

2 I will glory in the Lord;

let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

3 Glorify the Lord with me;

let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him are radiant;

their faces are never covered with shame.

6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;

he saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,

and he delivers them.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;

blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people,

for those who fear him lack nothing.

10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,

but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

11 Come, my children, listen to me;

I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12 Whoever of you loves life

and desires to see many good days,

13 keep your tongue from evil

and your lips from telling lies.

14 Turn from evil and do good;

seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and his ears are attentive to their cry;

16 but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,

to blot out their name from the earth.

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;

he delivers them from all their troubles.

18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19 The righteous person may have many troubles,

but the Lord delivers him from them all;

20 he protects all his bones,

not one of them will be broken.

21 Evil will slay the wicked;

the foes of the righteous will be condemned.

22 The Lord will rescue his servants;

no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

So what about you friend? What motivates you through the challenges of life? I’d love to hear from you.

💗,

Julie