I've started the new year

determined to have a more regular time SET ASIDE to just BE WITH GOD.

Here's the deal [and I'm being honest here -] 

I talk with God ALL DAY LONG, throughout my day. 

I believe He knows every little thing about me

- and praises - He loves me anyway.

But in the hustle and bustle of my crazy life

 I've not been the best about having a DESIGNATED time to just BE with God... 

[Strike through, because - really - there is no excuse... right?]

- And side note: I believe God is real and loves us all and wants everyone to have a relationship with Him. And oh, the peace that I've experienced when I am near to Him.

So I've started a prayer journal - 

I don't plan to share it here because this is a journal where I'm writing my prayers out. 

It's just between God and me..

[Based on  this, from Beth Moore... check it out -]

{Love the categories to direct my prayers each day - }

Anyway... one thing I was really praying about at the beginning of the year 

[and still am...] was that God would help us as a church 

[His universal church - those born again - Jesus believers]

to stand boldly for Him. 

I believe that we [yes me too] need to be ready at any time to speak the truth of Christ to this fallen world we live in. 

[I believe that HE is the only way to true peace.]

And I have to share that I LOVE how God speaks to us...

As Craig and I were walking along at Manatee Springs by ourselves... no one around... we come upon a guy getting ready to take his morning swim...someone we'd never met... and struck up a conversation with him... it turned to spiritual things as he boldly asked if we knew God...

We stood right there near a body of spring fed water [full of manatees]

and prayed for this world we live in.

I love that God showed me a bold believer! 

They're out there...

And I can be one too.

... and so can you...