Heart Uplifted

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  • 𝅘𝅥𝅰𝇥 The birds are back, the birds are back, the birds are back in town! 𝅘𝅥𝅰𝇥

    “Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.” 1 Peter 3:4 The Message

    Doo dooot da da dooo doot, Oh wait boys?….not yesterday!  Birds! You know that moment after winter, too warm in the house, crack the window for a cooler breath and sweet singing. Yeah, a true sign of spring. And after-all, those clever winged creatures know better than the celebrity groundhog and our local meteorologist, it is time to return to the North Country.  I peered out to see what bird was here. 3 robins and by the way I have no idea if they were the ones doing the singing. They took turns on the leftover mountain ash berry clusters that never dropped in the fall and held in place this winter. I thought uh oh! We have seen this movie before, those fermented berries have left us heart broken over bird flight gone wrong crashing into our windows. During Hurricane Irene in 2011(?) we watched the well choreographed feeding rotation which picked our mountain ash clean in less than an hour. I think we lost 5 birds that day. Completely sad over that. Not the case this time, Whew!

    Anyway I digress I am sure this tiny flock was weary and I am glad they could feast here after their long journey. By now you are probably like birds, lyrical changes to Thin Lizzy, (disclaimer: no other lyrics to the song can and should apply, just having fun) what is this girl thinking and why this particular scripture….Simple really…..creation has a perfectly designed natural harmony.  There is provision for those creatures even when they are weary. Take hold of the Word above. His promises are real. Louisa and I just had a quick text exchange before we meet this morning. “We are truly being tested” she typed. Yes, but I point out we can see how our God provides for the birds and we know He will provide for all of us. Don’t put it off! Get to know Jesus, Let Him In. Like it says above it is the best invitation you ever received! I hope my zaniness made you smile but more importantly think about it. Is today the day you Let HIM in!?
    Two girls in the woods for ONE trusting and praying!

  • We were made to be Courageous!

    Look at this beautiful dog, please no petting working dog his harness said. I was traveling back from Texas earlier in the month when this little fella’s obedience and alert watch in service for his owner moved me to capture a photo as I waited in the airport. There was a hustle and bustle surrounding him and yet he was calm and attentive. He noticed his owner’s every move waiting to see what was needed of him next. The woman was listening to her phone’s voicemail messages. She was quite poised, standing unable to see, she filled her space just as any other traveler. Soon it was time to move on and off they went down the hall on to perhaps their connecting flight or final destination. They moved in sync and flawlessly. Complete trust and confidence. Navigating a sea of people they both exhibited a courageous ability which most of the other travelers barely noticed. I applauded this “team” in my spirit. Immediately thought of Joshua 1:9, “be strong and courageous, do not be terrified, for the Lord thy God will be with you wherever you go.” Am I that courageous? Are you?

    We are now facing prudent public health moves. And the response is panic. Fear seems to be motivating so many behaviors. I just wanted to say we were made to be courageous! And maybe seeing this helper in the photo will remind us all that we can do it because we have been blessed with so much. In this moment of viewing such a fluid connection I am reminding myself I may not be able to see what is coming next but I can connect with the ONE who sees all as I move forward.

    Two girls in the woods for ONE reminding ourselves to be courageous!

  • Pause to Praise

    If you read my testimony on our website at Heart Uplifted, you would find I personally have had to “pause” repeatedly over the course of too many years recently. My citation there is from the book of Matthew, Chapter 26. “Watch and pray” Jesus asked his disciples. 
    A consideration this morning, insight into watch.  It comes first and perhaps we do not consider that as much we should. So as I am brought to attend to that Word I want to ask you to watch. Is there something that has taken you away from your relationship with God? 

    We need to be watching more. What are those things that have ensnared us? If you aren’t fully attentive how can you see what God is doing. Notice the good. Yes, all of the good. The many blessings. The abundance we have in Him. That brings you to Praise. And ultimately Peace.

    SO here we are in a dramatic all encompassing pause. Are you seeing the good? We have the greatest opportunity ever to connect with God, together in this pause.

    I am not taking it lightly with an underlying condition. Perhaps I should have more concern but I am not going to stay there in my thinking. I live where supplies are not easily accessible and I haven’t run out for more. I believe I have enough. I will not jeopardize anyone I know it is a time to be vigilant. 

    Most importantly this morning I see sharp-eyed, the real gift to be able to pray and be connected with God. Imagine if we all prayed at the same time.

    “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessolonians 5:16-18

    We are just two girls in the woods for ONE praying and rejoicing over all that is good.

  • Fingerprints

    The beauty and majesty of our world is astounding. We are extremely blessed to live in the Adirondacks located in upstate New York.  If you have not come to explore this region of the country, do come visit. You will not be disappointed. Mountain views, pristine lakes, forest wild, call of the loons, the balsam air so fresh and even the occasional moose walking in plain site.
    It evokes serenity and peace. If you need to unplug the middle of a lake, Ah…there is nothing like it. Can not wait for the ice to melt and warmer air.
    I do have family in other states and while I can enjoy the change of scenery always upon returning home there is a new found appreciation for this place. I do not want to take it for granted. God’s fingerprints are all over our spectacular moonscapes, brilliant starry skies, glorious sunsets, misty lake mornings and snowy crystal-like paths in the winter.  You will want to soak in the wide view.

    For me however, I have always been about the intricacy of pieces. Even when I explored photography my close up kit was always on my camera. And typically, you do not find people in my photo collection from excursions or vacations. I can remember my parents being anxious to hear about my trips when I was still at home and see my pictures.  My Dad would always ask, “Where are you and your friends?  No people on this trip.”  He could never understand why there were none. Honestly, most times I did not even think of posing for a picture or getting a group shot. I was more enamored at using my close up kit and getting a clear magnification of flowers, ferns or rocks.  I love to look at individual flower petals, the edges of leaves and rock veins and so many new born plants or baby trees.  The tiniest intrigue me. Never mind light dancing on water; whether puddles, streams, lakes or ocean, I can not study enough through a camera lens. Smallest details show God’s fingerprints and they are everywhere and on everything.  Maybe that is why I was so drawn to the sermon that inspired this fingerprint.  It points to Jesus in every book of the Bible.  The link to the full sermon is below if you care to read it in it’s entirety for yourself.  Tell me what you think.

    I wanted to capture God’s print in Bible with this graphic. Now, I am not a design expert and it is not perfect. It is about the message to me.  We thought it should be placed on something useful as we study. Perhaps to use for a prayer journal, to record Bible study or sermon notes, or a place to dream and reflect.  I spend a great deal of time on the computer but I love writing with pen and paper. And I make it a part of my devotional time to express in my own words what The Word has stirred in my heart.  It is great to look back. Sometimes you can not believe what was happening and other entries can remind you of a crucial focus point. Writing should not ever be a lost art.

    So today we introduce this journal with the challenge to see God’s Fingerprints in your life and take time to reflect on it. Whether your prefer the wide view or the very small He is in it all.

    Two girls in the woods for ONE, looking at the details of His Majestic Creation!

    Find sermon here The Fourth Man by Oral Roberts

     We are affiliated with ChristianBook.com click here to order this book by Oral Roberts.

    2285X: When You See the Invisible, You Can Do the Impossible When You See the Invisible, You Can Do the Impossible
    By Oral Roberts / Destiny Image

    Almost every Christian wants to achieve the impossible for the Lord. Not many people realize just how possible it is to do the impossible! In this book, Oral Roberts, veteran, elder, and statesman of the faith, shares his most powerful secrets on living a life of miracles, as he has done for more than sixty years of ministry.
    You will discover incredible secrets such as:

    • How to see the invisible
    • How to become an original and fulfill your destiny
    • How one touch from God can change your life
    • How to look to God as your source for everything
    • How revelation knowledge will lead you to unparalleled success

    These truths will work for everyone, including you! These are precious truths that transcend time, culture, and societal norms. You can count on them to lead you to do the impossible!

  • Treasure in the Ordinary

    “Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden] which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.” Jeremiah 33:3


    Transformation. Why are we always looking for the dramatic? It is rebuilding, reconstruction, remolding, redoing and reworking. I don’t know if you read the hummingbird entry but the backward flutters to move forward.  That is me!  Whether it is due to my full tilt thought loop which causes much distraction or just going too fast; I relate to rework because I am in process…. no drama here, just subtle changes and continual learning from my mistakes. Growth. I know this scripture speaks of great and mighty things. And yes, I believe in that. But the intimacy of our Lord is in the simple and ordinary along with things we do not know and cannot understand.


     So you see this beautiful caterpillar. This summer we had a girls overnight camping trip. My sweet sister in Christ, and co-planner and organizer, Sandi, and I were out walking on on the trails and down to the lake just enjoying being outside and being together. So much fun, she and I do not lack enthusiasm when we meet. And we sort of skipped through the trail with delight like little girls and never missed a beat in our conversation. We were both struck by the beauty of this little caterpillar. He was not at eye level the colors caught our attention. I had to take this picture. DO you know what he becomes? Turns out his transformation is drab and ordinary. He is a brown hooded owlet moth. Not what we expected. But wait, isn’t it a great and mighty work. For sure! Why do we overlook the ordinary, the drab, the simple things. Even though his outcome is not as dramatic as his starting point. The process is astounding.


    Similarly, I can look back and be wowed about how far I have come in life. However, there is this comparative, competitive false nature in the world that hits you like you are not enough where you are… as if drab, simple and ordinary is not good. The world has overly romanticized, photoshop-ed (not sure if that is a word) “perfectly” amazing images. Influencers bring forward this fantastic imagery as what is expected and it could leave you disappointed if you do not see things that way in your own life images.

    Sandi and I both searched out what type of moth or butterfly starts this way.  Thought for sure he would be more elaborate. Honestly, I was like that’s it?  Transformation none the less. You can not compare butterflies to moths. I had to stop and look at the moth. Beauty is found in so many variations and at different stages. Believe in the ordinary as treasure. This moth is spectacular in his own right and so are you!


    Two girls in the woods astounded by the process.

  • You Matter

    “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the waste land.” Isaiah 43:18-19

    I am not certain when or if it has always been this feeling of knowing that God is showing His presence to me.  I can’t pretend to have it all together because I do not.  I have sensed something different in me since I was a young girl. Now years later I recognize the gifts, joys, disappointments, and trials that can be converging for this particular moment.  I can step out in faith or continue on my own way.  But I am trying to be done with “my way” because the more I am surrendered to our Lord and Savior the more I am strengthened and joyful.



    And still I know there is more and I want more! Who doesn’t? We all get caught up in our lives and before we know it we may have lost being present. It seems impossible to me that I have been married for 25 years and my son is twenty-one making his own way in Texas, so far from me. Changes ring loud in my mind because my current season is a so different. I am more used to being over-scheduled, and time now may be my own but as it turns out it is not about me. Amidst the happenings of growing in Christ there of course have been things that have distracted me immensely and unexpected changes to my health have left me transitioning and reinventing my daily routine now.
    But I can not be still, there must be forward momentum and I have always taken the time to write and sort through things. So, sharing my observations might help engage in a meaningful conversation here. Because I find no matter what life has thrown our way….. encouragement can never be in surplus and we need those kindnesses and learned depths to resonate in each of us. After all, sharing life’s happenings is a spark that can ignite true sisterhood.  So here I am starting, because there is no time like the present and we need to live for the present moment. 

    I share this verse because so often the words and actions of others can derail us.  We meet and in 2 seconds we have accessed one another and made a judgement. Good, bad or indifferent. We feel we can account for who is standing in front of us when it has taken a lifetime for each of us to get to this point. I have judged and been judged. Discernment may lead me often to a greater level of understanding, however, sifting through to communicate effectively has an outcome that depends on the wounds of the recipient and my very own wounds.  And let’s face it we all have wounds. I have stood in the blast zone, been embraced for facilitating an awareness to truth, been isolated as the “unselected” or sought out so much by others that it overwhelms me. Some friends are family, and family true friends while others have faded off as if no exchange had taken place. I don’t take entrance on the emotional roller coaster anymore. In all, I have come to rely on the “peace that surpasses all understanding.” Not at all an overnight change but a personal continuum, learning of Love.

    We each have to be confident in Christ in our present. “See, I am doing a new thing!” So my point in this, reacting or not reacting is our fruit. We can work to forget past pain and move toward healing. True healing of our mind and body. This comes from the conscious effort to live in the present.  It is gaining life application of Isaiah 43: 18-19.


    But to truly embrace this “new thing” we must receive His Love. Receiving is difficult for us. Come on, we rely on ourselves far too often. No matter what assessment others have made of you.  You are loved! Get out from under that past. Renew.


    Hey, we are just two girls in the woods on the sweetest journey…. knowing HE is making a way. So we pray and share our time with the goal of encouraging others.  
    Remember that all we do and say is….for Audience of One.

  • Bring on the mud!

    “But those who wait for the LORD [who expect, look for and hope for Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; they will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired.”  Isaiah 40:31 Amplified Version


    This is such a beautiful verse! You know Jesus is the only expected person, He is our Hope. There is a great deal to be found within the text. But I chose the amplified version of this verse for one bracketed phrase [rising toward the sun]. We think of soaring into the sky for sure with the visual reference of the eagle taking flight. 


    But, on my mind today is the process, the continuum, the time of waiting, the in between. Rising, each of us transformed in one degree or another and so it goes on and on. And we can easily get caught up in the end result. Ok, try and stay with me here I am burdened to share this and I so want to get it right. Our perspective today was not what it was yesterday. 

    Since I was a toddler I was attracted to sunbeams streaming. I can vividly remember just wanting to touch the light on the floor in my bedroom. Of course, I could not grasp the source of the light at all, and I really wanted to try. Looking up was a challenge for this brown eyed girl, I have a tremendous light sensitivity. (still do, you will rarely see me without sunglasses outside) So there was and always is a lot of squinting and tearing up but never was I dissuaded away. No matter if it required wiping tears from my eyes I did not want to give up on looking that way or moving toward it. Even in what appeared to be a mess. 


    No matter what we go through it is about rising.  Do not let anything tear you down, keep reaching for those sunbeams and looking for the light. Today is a bit of a spring melt down here. The snow banks are brown and yucky. I can choose to focus on what was pristine white to avoid thinking of the mud approaching or the new spring green everywhere and call only that beautiful. But without the muddy mess we would never get there, no beautiful ending. The mud , the “in between” is vital. In our mess we look and move toward what is Beautiful. The process, transitions, the transformation are still glorious.


    I am circling back to thinking of our “Glorious Mess” charm. I was so attracted to that message and today it seems I have a new found appreciation. I pronounce that I am a glorious mess, are you? It is all good, you are okay. We are moving toward something and it is beautiful.  Bring on the mud I want to discover the light in it! 


    Always going to God.




    See original post “Waiting for God” By the way we love turtles!



  • For ONE

    “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,”  Ephesians 4:1



    There are so many times the Lord confirms His presence and let’s you know He hears you.  There are times I talk as a child for sure.  The domino pictured here represents just such a time.  They were given out as a reminder to fall into what we had learned during the study that day.  Randomly handed out, I had hoped that mine would be 4:1 because this verse from Ephesians was completely front of mind.  When I received mine it’s dots were not what I hoped. So I engaged in a conversation with the Lord. “I really, really wanted 4:1”,        “You know why I wanted it.”, “Right now it would mean so much if I had gotten 4:1”,  “Should I stand up and ask if anyone has 4:1 so I can trade.” Oh, that’s silly I thought. “But, why didn’t I get 4:1?” “I really thought I would.” Suddenly the track lighting over the next table caught my eye and I saw a domino laid out on an empty table. I swear I heard “Look,” I jumped up immediately to get a closer look. YES! 4:1! I scooped it up and exchanged the one I had for the one I really wanted. Thank you, Lord. I was completely ecstatic, no one understood the reason for my broad smile. You may even think this silly.



    But to me the take away, He hears and what you want isn’t going to fall into your lap, look for it, He will lead you! I have held on to this domino for about 5 years now. And the verse is fixed in my heart.


    For ONE!

  • Let Him In

    “for with God nothing will be impossible.” Luke 1:37
    Can you rest in that message from the scripture above? No fear, no worry, no pain.  And a big one no doubt. When we each can “Let HIM in” how much we gain. Our focus is removed from ourselves and on to the importance of what surrounds us.  We can let love flow and become love to those who need us. Circumstance, behaviors, attitudes and emotions can not speak louder than Truth. Our neighborhoods, our towns, our nation and our world need this message. Faith needs to be exercised. It begins with me and you. We speak of how key the Lord is to us daily. As we work in laughter, sometimes through tears and stepping in faith for what He has planned we come to realize so much is unknown. But our faith is stronger and growing each and every day. We are thankful to share. The essential key is we have let Him in and we continue on in our partnership with God. Nothing is more significant or matters more to us. So no matter where you are in your journey. Whether never having considered letting Him in or praying through the last season of your life with the intimate knowledge of seeing His hand in your daily life… Consider the Lord more and more, and Let Him In.  We designed these keys because we know gaining entrance, the instrumental and deciding factor in Heart Uplifted is reaching out in love. Wear a key or give a key as an opening like none other.
    We are just two girls in the woods, For One!
    www.heartuplifted.com

  • What is with the fork?

    Pin designed in memory of Greg

    “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived—the things God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

    There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So, as she was getting her things “in order,” she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. The woman also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible. Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

    “There’s one more thing,” she said excitedly.
    “What’s that?” came the pastor’s reply.
    “This is very important,” the woman continued. “I want to be buried with a gold fork in my right hand.”
    The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say. “That surprises you, doesn’t it?” the woman asked.
    “Well, to be honest, I’m puzzled by the request,” said the pastor.
    The woman explained. “In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners I always remember that when the dishes were cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, ‘Keep your fork.’ It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming… like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful and of substance! So I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder, ‘What’s with the fork?’ Then I want you to tell them: ‘Keep your fork… the best is yet to come.’”
    The pastor’s eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman goodbye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She knew that something better was coming.
    At the funeral people were walking by the woman’s casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing, and her favorite Bible and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the pastor heard the question, “What’s with the fork?” And over and over he smiled.
    During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the gold fork and what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you oh so gently, that the best is yet to come.
    Wear a fork and share the best is yet to come!  May your heart be uplifted today