Breathing Room For The Soul

A devotional blog to encourage & inspire written by a mother & daughter team.

The Moccasin Mile

A pair of shoes were the need of the day. My husband and I drove the few miles to the store, and as my “custom” I began the search at the clearance rack. Nothing. So, I began trying on shoe after shoe, after shoe, after shoe. Finally, I spotted the person I believed to be a store associate. “Do you work here . . .” my voice trailed away as I saw her hurrying by, shoe boxes in hand. “Oh, you’re helping another custom . . .” my voice trailed away again as she swiftly moved on.

Believe it or not, she came my way in the next few minutes! Telling her what I was looking for, she directed me to the right area. FINALLY, I found the “perfect fit.” However, I was a bit confused. The sale tag hanging down to give me a “deal” was marked higher than the tag with the actual price. I laughed and showed my husband. “How can the sale price be more than regular price?” I asked.

Time to check out. I carried my newfound shoes, AND the display with the two prices to the front to see what was the “real deal.” The gentleman in the front was puzzled at first. He checked on one computer. Then he checked on another computer. Then he said, “Well, it looks like the price has changed, and they didn’t change the tag. Since the regular price is lower, I’ll have to give it to you for that price.” Then he said, “I used to work in that department and have to go and change all those tags. I can see how they could miss one . . .”

He wasn’t disturbed and this situation. He wasn’t upset at the associated for the miss marked merchandise. He understood. He’d worked the department. He knew how this could be resolved. He had worked that area . . . and walked those aisles.

Like the old Indian adage . . . he had walked a mile in those moccasins.

We have someone much greater whose footsteps preceded ours. Jesus came to earth on purpose to accomplish this very thing. God Himself became one hundred percent man and retained Who is is as one hundred percent God. He showed us the love of His Father and brought us the understanding of experiencing all we face – yet without sin.

Oh, to know love and care like THAT! What a Savior! What love! He walked our road. He knows, He loves. He cares. We are NOT ALONE! We can trust Him – He has been here before.

By Janene Dubbeld

For Gods Glory

 

NEW SCREENSAVERS ARE HERE!!!

Just click SAVE  and then set to your iPhone screen! We designed 2 screensavers this week that go together. One for you lock screen and one for your home screen!

 

In Gods Gallery

 

 

Have you ever thought about God’s creativity? It’s everywhere. He didn’t just cast a sky into creation, He colored it making it a beautiful centerpiece for the whole world. When God picked up the paintbrush to create the beautiful you-He smiled. His design was coming to life becoming His most beloved cherished child.

One of my favorite things to do when I have time is going to an Art Gallery. I can stay for hours studying the strokes of the painter. Walk around the marble or aged wooden floors with no clue of the time.

I think about how the artist feels in the process of his/her creation. What they are seeing in their mind becomes reality and even if you’re at a kindergarten level when it comes to art-it is exciting.

Can you imagine how God felt when He created you? His most prized possession is you. His love for you surpasses the shells in the ocean and the sand on the sea. It’s better than any dream, yet sometimes we lose focus of our worth. The ghosts in our closet prevent us from moving on and choosing to love who God made us to be. You look in the mirror and all you can see is yesterday’s makeup and tomorrow fake lashes. A terrifying cycle of pain.

If we could only see the pain before it arrives maybe we could prepare for it. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt as bad if we wore thicker skin. Negative.

It’s gonna hurt either way-the only step you can take to defeat the pain is to give it Jesus and forgive yourself.

 

In one of my favorite books of the Bible I found this treasure:

“See, I will create
new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I will create.

Isaiah 65:17-18a

If God can forget why can’t we? It’s alright to have a good cry but there is a season for everything and I have a feeling it’s your season to rejoice. So shake off the sadness, wipe away yesterday’s regrets and don’t worry about tomorrow-you won’t need the fake stuff, you’re the original. You’re the only one of you and God  doesnt want us to remember the bad but strive towards the good, living a free redeemed life. Today remember we are like beautiful pieces of pottery in God’s gallery.

With love,

Elena

Mama’s Day Duo

 

From the daughter…

There’s a sweet memory I replay a lot in my head. In this one I remember a bright sunny day hopping in the van and asking mama where we were off to. Mama loved the sun, she loved the warmer temps, oh and one more thing, flowers. Mama loved flowers. You might be in a pickle but carry in some flowers and her sweet heart just melted. This particular day she told me we were off to go get some to brighten the household up. I loved outings with her, I really did, maybe because it was just me & her along with 5 other boys in the house. HA

Wherever she went I followed- she always made it fun. She stopped the big van on the side of the road that day and I’ll never forget how surprised I was that we were picking flowers. That was my favorite day. The wild flowers we picked sat pretty in a vase for a week or so but the memory of that day has never left me.

We still love doing things together. We travel every week together and in all honestly I sit back amazed at how blessed I am.

Thanks Mama! I know you could never be told that enough. Your sunshine itself in so many ways but the most important one is that everywhere you go you show the beautiful love of Jesus. Your tender heart wants to help everyone and care for them like you do your own. You give more sacrificially than anyone I have ever seen and I pray someday to be just like you.

I could go on and tell you all story after story of how this lady has lived and is living an incredible life but I know she would probably ask me to take them down. So I will end here & I hope you all had the sweetest Mama’s day!

From the Mama…

A mother’s most precious gift is her children. Scripture tells us they are a blessing from the Lord. If all mothers were honest, however, there are moments when we are tempted to question the blessing . . . J Like, when you find your daughter eating brown sugar . . . crouched behind the chair . . . ON EASTER SUNDAY MORNING!

But, what you find out, is those frustrating moments are the things we laugh about later – just not at the moment.

Elena, my daughter, is a precious gift of God to me. There are things we are alike on . . . there are areas where we are different, but my greatest joy is that she loves Jesus and desires to live her life for Him.

Doing things together is definitely a big part of the fun! Baking, singing, praying, and of recent, taking writing days together are a few of our fun mother-daughter moments. The memories we make are treasures of the heart. Can we encourage you. . . make good moments with those you love. Let the love of Christ be poured out to others through you! Happy Mother’s Day!

 

Because I knew our Sunday would be very busy with concerts I set up a special outing on Friday to honor my mom & grandma. Guess what?! Mama wanted flowers, (big surprise, hehe)but this time we went to the greenhouse and boy did we have the best time! It may have rained but there was no lack of sunshine in our hearts. -E

               

 

 

 

What God Knows

  Hey friends! I have been missing all of you! Last week was so busy and it really didn’t slow down until today! It’s been a “good-kind-of busy” though. I ventured to SC last week for a mini vacation and we also went to Nashville to begin some work on our new CD. Anyway- I just wanted to say Hi and to let you know that Sunday is Mamas day so we (mama and I) are putting together a blog-post together and we will be sharing that Sat or Sun. Hope you have the best Thursday!

                                                                                 xo-E

“From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth – he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.” Psalm 33:13-15

Misunderstood. It left me weeping. Cutting words. They left me numb. My own reactions – less than perfect. Too late. Judged . . . condemned . . . longing for understanding. Perhaps you’ve been there, too.

And then, through the weeping, the longing, the hoping, the plummeting to the valley’s depth came a voice . . . “Seek not to be understood, seek to understand.”

The journey began. The healing journey. The restoration journey.

The comfort came. The comfort that no matter what “they” THINK – God KNOWS. God knows the rhyme and reason of it all. God knows success and failure – knows them in the earthly, temporal frame – knows them in Heaven’s eyes, and eternal forever.

In my humanity, I wanted them to think well of me. THAT I had to release to God and live as He wanted me to live no matter what “they” thought. The wished for understanding and longed for acceptance was something simply not in my control. These I must surrender . . . and keep surrendering. This robbing of my joy must stop – for truly the strength of the Lord stems from His joy. (Nehemiah 8:10)

Delighting had to come from the concentration on the attribute of our all-knowing Father Who loves.

“Our Father in heaven knows our frame and remembers that we are dust. He knew our inborn treachery, and for His own sake engaged to save us (Isaiah 48:8-11) . . . His knowledge of our afflictions and adversities is more than theoretic; it is personal, warm, and compassionate. Whatever may befall us, God knows and cares as no one else can.” A.W.Tozer

This all-knowing, powerful, loving Father who knows ALL about us, sent His Son save us, gives His Spirit to guide and comfort us, and wraps us in His loving arms with healing hugs of hope. Not rhetoric. Truth.

So . . . no matter what “they” think . . . GOD KNOWS!

By Janene A Dubbeld/FGG

We have turned our weekly scripture e-cards into screensavers for anyone who has an IPhone. All you have to do is click on it and SAVE, then set it to your phone.

 

 

 

 

The bobby pin truth

A girl, a hot hot 180 degree summer, an open tent camp meeting, and one lonely bobby pin. Hopeless situations are made of these things. I’m telling you, you don’t know what humidity is until you only have one bobby pin and a tent full of flies & dead heat. Complete exhaustion mixed with the reminders of your faults- should have bought bobby pins yesterday.

Raise your hand if you ever felt defeated and lost at the sight of all the flaws in the mirror.

(Currently raising every limb)

Maybe the mirror is an invisible one. One that is in your brain and in the back of your pretty little mind speaking negativity every chance it can. This mirror is able to be a kind one but too often it leaves you feeling less than. Or maybe you have two mirrors- a real life, gigantic one that helps you realize the largeness of your onion sized pores & also a mirror that doubles as a time machine, replaying every hurtful thing that ever crossed it. I have two. Do you? Maybe we could trade. HA

There are so many days I wish I could. Days like these I especially can’t put off reading God’s Word and talking with Him. He is the definition of all the good and beauty. He reminds me how special I am and how glad He is that I am His. He speaks sweet things to me, about me and diminishes every thought of ugliness I could ever ponder.

For His glory and because of His love, He hands me this gift. A gift wrapped in iridescent comfort tied in a ribbon that leaves you craving for more of this over-and-above love.

In Isaiah 60 at the tail end of verse 19 it says “But the Lord will be to you an everlasting light. And your God your glory.”

I love that: He IS to ME an EVERLASTING light. He shines positivity in the shadows and is a constant ray of love when feeling unlovable. For always and always and always-He is here…with me…forever. Speaking truth when lies penetrate our joy and leave us shaken. He has made you enough so forsake the lies of feeling less than. He is enough for you when your discouragement is too much. He is our glory, the reason to sing and praise. So talk with Him today, read on in The Word about His unfailing love and don’t forget to listen. He thinks your pretty incredible and can’t stop thinking of you.

That my dear friend is the bobby pin truth!

With Love and for Him,

Elena

Interested in a FREE screensaver for your IPhone? Click save on the photo and then set it into place!!Here at BR4TS we believe in keeping the word of God close to our hearts and at our fingertips as much as possible. That’s why we have started giving out a FREE screensaver designed by us. Enjoy

 

 

The Duet

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17,18

 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Psalm 73:26

 

It was an old, worn devotional book that recently brought me back to Habakkuk. Things weren’t good for Habakkuk. In fact, that would be a drastic understatement. Things were awful – and the immediate future didn’t offer positive change. Habakkuk was a prophet, yet he was human being just as we are. He wrestled with the current events as he contemplated the plight of his nation and himself.

 

Keeping hope when circumstances tempt hopelessness? Allowing the joy song to resound in the midst of sorrow? This seemed impossible then, and there are moments when it seems impossible today. But, Habakkuk discovered a marvelous truth that brought his struggle to surrender. A truth that lifted his eyes to a Sovereign God filled with loving kindness, and brought him to worship.

 

“Habakkuk learned that life cannot be a solo affair; it is a duet. If life were a solo, it would mean a tragic breakdown when the high notes must be reached, or the low ones melodiously sounded. A duet means harmony – human life linked on to divine purpose and power. Habakkuk’s experience shows that you have lost nothing if you have not lost God.” J. Stuart Holden

 

“The road is dusty; the journey is long. Look up! Look up in the early morning when the sun comes peeping over the horizon, out of the shadows of the night. Look up in the noontide when the resting spot is still afar in the distance. Look up when you see the even-star.” Lettie Cowman

 

Join yourself to the ultimate leader of song, Jesus Himself, and know – you need never face the music alone. Place your life in His hands and know —

the music of an individual life is best as a duet.

 

“I will praise Him, yes, I’ll praise Him!

There will be a better day.

There will be a bright tomorrow

God will never pass away.”

                                                                                             —-Selected

 

                                                                                                     By: Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG

Hey Have an IPhone? Want a FREE Screen-Saver? Just click “save” on this photo! Here at BR4TS we believe in keeping the word of God close to our hearts and at our fingertips as much as possible. That’s why we have started giving out a FREE screensaver designed by us. Enjoy

Garden Glory

“Follow me” the faint eight year old words called. “It’s so beautiful in the woods!” Curly headed Jazzlyn bounced through the ‘familiar to her’ landscape of big brown trees. Tip your head completely to the sky and you’ll see the leaves waving to the sun. I did, I saw, and then I almost tripped over dirt-how did that get there. HA

It was a pretty day as I followed Jazzlyn through their woods to the special spot she wanted to show me. The funny thing is, this wooded area by their house is probably a couple hundred feet from the road but if you didn’t hear the cars, you wouldn’t know that. I had almost made my way to the end and jazzy said, “look, isn’t this area just beautiful! It has no dead plants or vines.” She was right! It was a picture of fresh green leaves. She loved it. She had to show it to me and I’m so glad she did.

Jesus whispered in the wind, “that’s what I want you to write on next.” It’s amazing that an little eight year old can inspire the lesson God wants to teach you.

“It’s beautiful, there are no dead plants or vines.”

If only my heart could reflect that more often. A heart that is a vibrant growing garden with nothing sprouting up to hurt me or anyone else. That is the kind I want. One that brings the gardener glory.

Glory-in the end, isn’t this all that matters? I’m learning that, atleast I’m trying! Ha

May every struggle I face bring glory to the gardener
and may the garden of my heart  flourish
with His great
love.

. Last year God gave me a verse. It stayed with me through all of 2016 and it seemed even when I didn’t turn to it, I ended up at this Psalm.

The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Psalm 58:11

I hope this devotional inspired you and the story helped you as much as it helped me.

Love,

Elena

“Why Don’t You Cry?”

 

“He (Jesus Christ) himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins – and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” I John 2:2

 

Do stories impact you? They sure do impact me! Often its stories people tell me – things that have happened in their lives. Other times it’s something I hear in a sermon – or even in a “story song.” Sometimes it jumps out as I’m reading . . . whatever the source, stories impact.

So . . . I want to share one with you. It was told of a missionary who was sharing the most important true account story of all time with a child who had never heard it told. He told of our loving God the Father who gave His only begotten Son, Jesus. He explained that Jesus, the One who had never sinned, took our sins for us to the Cross so we could have salvation and eternal life.

As he told of the Crown of thorns on His head and the nails piercing His hands and side tears rolled down the face of the child. But in the middle of the telling, the child pulled on the hand of the missionary. The missionary stopped and looked down. The child spoke. “Did this Jesus die for you, too?” the child asked. “Oh, yes,” said the missionary, “He died for everyone in the whole world.” The next question from the child changed me. “Then, why don’t you cry?”

That moves me to tears even now. It moves me to prayer – “Oh, Jesus, don’t let me be calloused to the cost of the Cross! May I never cease to be impacted at the wonder that You, O, my God would die for me. May my eyes not be dry as I remember Your sufferings at my expense. May my worship intensify, my awe deepen as I keep my internal gaze upon You, O, Christ of Calvary.”

By Janene/FGG

 

Pecan Prayers

A hot and humid Georgia Sunday didn’t stop the congregation from hauling in their pot-luck or pitch-in dinners. They walked across the small slab of concrete between the church and the fellowship hall, setting their delicious hard work in the kitchen of the nicely air-conditioned hall. Crossing over the concrete again, they made their way into the small sanctuary.

I was visiting that day and was sweetly welcomed to join their gathering after the service had ended. I landed at the overflowing dessert table and was met with a decision. Pumpkin or Pecan… The ladies standing beside me, pointed out a pecan pie near the edge of the table, and told me of the elderly lady who had made it, declaring her praise. I happily agreed to taste a slice and I’m not sure I have ever made a better decision. After the dinner was finished, I spotted an elderly lady, crowned with white hair picking up her pie plate to return home. I had to tell her how wonderful her pecan pie was, I had never tasted better. She began to tell me the story of her pecan pie.

“My pies never turned out, they always flopped and so I prayed. I prayed that God would help me make a good pie and He did. He helps me every time and everyone eats them so I think He’s doing alright.”

I smiled at this. What a precious reminder and how neat that God brought it to me by the way of pie. Can I hear an Amen?

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 NLT

Pray about everything. That means big and little situations in your life. Even down to the tiniest detail of your life.

Write down your requests today, every one of them. From a heartache to a headache-He cares.

And we do too! If there is something your wanting prayer with email us, we have a prayer chain that goes through the country and would be happy to pray with you.

 

With love,

Elena

My Father’s World

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Psalm 73:26

 

A story is told of a pastor who lived in Lockport, New York just before the turn of the century. Maltbie Babcock by name, he would often head out to enjoy a hiking area called “the escarpment.” Heading out to walk this ancient ledge near the city, he would often declare, “I am going out to see my Father’s world.” They say the view from there was incredible indeed – taking in the “greens of farms and orchards to the blues of Lake Ontario.”

There must have been circumstances in this pastor’s life that caused the necessity to “get away” and “refocus!” To take the time to remember, simply by the beauty of the nature around him, that this world still belongs to God. When Pastor Babcock left this world in 1901, his wife gathered and published many of the writings he had penned.  A friend of his, Franklin L. Sheppard put some of these words to music, and today we continue to gain strength from the reminder of the hymn, “This Is My Father’s World!”

Aren’t the words of this verse especially encouraging?

 

This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet. This is my Father’s world: why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King; let the heavens ring! God reigns; let the earth be glad!

 

In Acts chapter 4, we find that Peter and John were boldly proclaiming Jesus, even when it wasn’t the most popular thing to do! They were facing strong opposition! Yet they boldly proclaimed that “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 Those opposing them were astonished – for these were “unschooled, ordinary men.” But they took note that they “had been with Jesus.” (V.13) Even when given earthly “commands” to “not speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus” these men chose “to obey God rather than men.” (v.18,19) After their release, and they went back to their people, they prayed, “Sovereign Lord,” . . . “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.” (v,.24) Then, on down in their prayer, they asked for BOLDNESS! Their faith in His sovereignty strong, they sought His Holy Spirit to enable them to “speak His Word with great boldness” (V.29) in spite of their circumstance.

As people of God, our hope is in the fact that our God is faithful. We must proclaim His Word — which endures forever! (I Peter 1:25) When all is said and done, no matter how we are tempted, tested, or tried – our God is in control.   In all stages of life – young, middle-aged, older; whether we have lots, or little; if we are in excellent health or overcoming sickness, our God is “rock-firm and faithful.” Psalm 73:26 (MSG) Truly my heart cries out with the Psalmist, “You’re all I want in heaven! You’re all I want in earth!” Psalm 72:25 (MSG)

When God brought this whole earth into existence, He was faithful. Peter and John and the others experienced His faithfulness – even in opposition. Pastor Maltbie Babcock realized His faithfulness in his day. Today – our God is still faithful! No matter what, when our faith is resting in the Lord, we can rely on the fact, “This is my Father’s world!”

By: Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG