A New Year's Eve Tradition

When I was a little girl it was our family's tradition to go to service on New Year’s Eve and “bring in the New Year, in church.” As an adult the tradition is still ingrained in me.  To me there is something wonderful about ending the old year as I began it and starting the New Year as I want to end it… in the house of God, in the presence of the Lord.

It never ceases to amaze me the sense of child-like awe, wonder and expectancy I feel when I enter God’s house. I am excited as a child about to unwrap a much awaited and longed for gift, not sure what it is but knowing that something wonderful waits within. The beautiful thing about going into the house of God is that I always leave feeling refreshed, renewed and eager to face whatever challenges life throws my way.

I can totally relate to how David felt when he said, “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord. Psalm 122:1″  God’s house for me is a place to lose myself in the wonder of his presence and allow his sweet Holy Spirit to minister to my hurts, lift my burdens, renew my joys and give me courage to face another day, week, month, year… with Him by my side to guide and direct me. 

 You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.Psalm 118:28-29 

Father, thank you for your guidance throughout this year, I pray your protection over each of us during the remainder of this year.  As we approach a New Year, renew our desire to serve you, increase our faith that we would hold fast to the promises that you have made us, give us courage to share whatever you lay on our hearts in this coming year.

 Trusting Him,

~Bernadine~

I've share this post several times over the years. However the words still remain true and for me. It's New Year's Eve and in just a few hours I'll be on my way to the house of the Lord...

Follow His Lead

When I was planning my wedding, I had a vision of a beautiful first dance. However, I am not a very good dancer. So, I was concerned about looking silly swaying from side to side during the first dance. I shared my concerns with my then fiancé. He sweetly said, “Don’t worry about it, Honey. I’ll teach you. Just follow my lead.”

So, two days before our wedding my fiancé taught me a simple waltz. it was quite interesting at first. One of the reasons was that I’d get so distracted thinking about where my feet should go that I missed his cues. However, as time passed our movements became more in sync. As a result, on our wedding day we glided around the floor without a trace of awkwardness. I’m sure it’s because I willingly followed his lead.

At times my life feels out of sync with God and I wish it would flow as smoothly as that first dance did. Unfortunately, I don’t always willing follow His lead like I should. Recently, I’ve been talking to Him about something that’s very important to me. All the signs are pointing in the direction He wants me to go. Yet, I hesitate. I ask Him for another sign, simply because it’s not the direction I want to go.

I often sing the song, Where He leads Me, I will follow; but still at times, I hesitate and second guess myself when He leads. Today, as I write this devotional, I’ve made up my mind that I’m going to trust Jesus to lead me and to follow His lead. He truly knows what’s best for me and I want my life to be in sync with His with plans.

8 I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress. 9 Don’t be like a senseless horse or mule that must have a bit in its mouth to keep it in line! Psalm 32:8-9 (TLB)

This devotion was also posted at Laced With Grace

Trusting Him,
 ~Bernadine~

A Girl of the Word - Quiet Time Journal

I'm happy to announce that the first Journal in my Quietly Becoming Journal/ Bible Study Guide Series is now available on Amazon. This interactive journal will make an excellent addition to your quiet time materials.Purchase your copy on Amazon
Trusting Him,
 ~Bernadine~

Mark Within Salvation Book Review

Reading Mark’s story, the third book in Alisa Wagner’s Anoma Series was a total emotional roller coaster. Zach the brother of Ruth emerges as a very strong character in this book. He is now known as Mark so that he can remain under the World Government’s radar after completing a daring robbery of the World Bank. He and his friend Li are on a mission to strengthen their underground network so that Pastor Tom’s and Ruth teachings can have a wider reach. 

There are many twists and turns in this book as the story comes together. Mark and Li are doing an excellent job working to expand the underground network however, Mark has a secret that could put their entire operation in jeopardy. Also, danger follows Ruth and their expanding colonial family.

I love the way this underground group has grown into a strong family unit who are there for each other even in the face of danger. They continue to encourage and pray for each other while living their lives with hope in the one true God. Their small but determined group thrive as they make inroads in weakening the World Government.

Alisa Wagner has done an excellent job with this book. You will find it hard to put this book down once you get started. I’m excited that she has decided not to end this series at three books and look forward to reading other books in this series.

If this book sounds interesting to you, check out the entire series on Amazon, starting with Eve of Awakening. I promise it will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Trusting Him,
~Bernadine~

Uniquely His

Dear Friend,

Do you know that you are one of a kind? You are a unique individual designed by God himself? Before He even formed you in your mother’s womb He had you future planned. Everything about you, from the smallest birth mark to each hair on your head He thought about and designed unique to you. If that isn’t love I don’t know what is. I love how this Psalms puts it:

13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed. Psalms 139:13-16 (NLT)

Sometimes we have a negative self-image based on how others see us and the way we think about ourselves, our achievements, appearances etc. However, none of us is perfect. We all have different strengths and weaknesses. Unfortunately, many times we focus so much on our areas of weakness that they dominate our view of ourselves. Sometimes it makes us afraid to try new things because we are so sure that we are going to fail.

One thing I'm trying to do is work harder on my areas of personal strengths so that I may become better. Also, try a few new things and maybe discover some hidden talents within myself.  In fact, let’s all show God our appreciation for loving us so much that He took the time to make each of us unique and special. We can do this by trying to see ourselves the way our Creator sees us. We are the apple of His eyes, He delights in us, He loves us, and He wants us to succeed in life.

4 The LORD gave me this message:
5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.
Before you were born I set you apart
and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:4-5(NLT)

Trusting Him,
~Bernadine~

Published previously on my teen girl blog