A Season of Thankfulness

Hello everyone! Christmas is right around the corner. I want to take the next few weeks to write about my season of thankfulness.

I have been thinking about this was for several weeks. I know it’s not exactly Thanksgiving but I think thankfulness is something that should be practiced in our lives your round.

The one thing I am most thankful for is Jesus. He came to Earth and became man. He died for me and all mankind. He rose again and sits at the right hand of the Father. I am who He says I am, I have what He says I have. I am His child and I walk in His Authority. No one nor anything can take that from me!

Thank you Father for all you have done for me!

Merry Christmas!!

Until next time,

Elizabeth

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Change

Hello all! I’ve been thinking a lot about change. Change can be good, bad, scary and cause any number of emotions.

Change is inevitable if you are living on this planet.

Most of the change in my life over the past few years has been quite good. Some change has challenged me and some change has saddened me.

The one steady thing through all the change in my life has been God’s unending love and strength.

I encourage you in this ever changing world, God is unchangeable! His love for you will never change and He will always be there to guide you through all the change in your life. In fact, I think He allows change so we can grow and become more like Him!

I look forward to change, I always find it makes me a better person than who I am now.

Embrace change and embrace what God is teaching you through your time of change!

Until next time,

Beth

The Changing Colors

Hello everyone! Jeff and I had a wonderful time on our fall leaf tour this past weekend in Western Arkansas. We saw so many beautiful colors: reds, yellows, oranges, greens, browns and some colors in between.

Not only are the colors changing but we also had a time change this weekend. Fall back!

This time of year I think about how quickly our world changes. The seasons, the times, the people, the politics. Everything changes; well almost everything.

The one person that will not change is God. He never changes! And the one thing that will not change is His love.

James 1:17 says; “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Unlike the fall leaves; God does not change with the weather, the times, or at man’s whim. He is not moved by these things nor will He bend His Will to suit them.

As we come into a season of thankfulness, I am thankful that God never changes. His love is always the same! Yes He gave us the colors of Fall, time and the seasons for our enjoyment. However, He does not change with such things. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Enjoy the changing colors but remember He loves you! His love never changes and He will never change!

Until next time,
Beth

Thankful for Jeff

Hello everyone!

I want to take time today to be thankful for my husband, Jeff. This blog is dedicated to you, Jeff Billingsley.

I had the most wonderful birthday week last week, right up to my actual birthday! Thank you sweetheart for being so romantic and taking time to plan everything. I felt so special all week long and I still feel special! You are such a wonderful, Godly man! God gave me more in you than I could have ever asked for. I truly am thankful and grateful for you.

I want you to know I love you and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us in this next season!

Love,
Beth

Never Miss an Opportunity

Hello everyone! Jeff and I had a wonderful relaxing weekend in NW Arkansas. A beautiful place indeed!

We also had the opportunity to speak into people’s lives. If we hadn’t been looking, we would have missed our opportunity to speak life to them. No, we didn’t know them well but God sent them across our path. What if we had not been paying attention? What if we had not been looking? What God-given opportunity would we have missed?

One thing I’m learning in this new season is I don’t have to know people well to speak life to them or to encourage them. Sometimes your presence and your listening ear is enough to do both. What I want to say to you today is never miss an opportunity because you are so wrapped up in what you want to do that you miss who God has placed right in front of you.

Always look for your next God-given opportunity! You will make a difference in people’s lives, a difference that will be last long after you are gone.

Until next time,
Beth

Be Thankful for Family

Hello everyone! We spent last week in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. I loved the fall colors! We traveled with my mom and dad there. We love their company. I also got to see my grandfather and Jeff got to meet mom’s side of the family for the first time.

My grandfather is very old now and I was glad I could see him and Jeff could meet him.

In fact, I’ve been thinking the last few days that we never know how long we have with our families. Each day with them is a gift from the Lord and we should be thankful for the time we have to share with them.

We are not promised tomorrow. Our family members are not promised tomorrow. Let’s not let silly things interfere with our family relationships. If there is a family member you need to forgive, forgive them. If there is a family member you need to go see, go see them. If there is a phone call you need to make, make that phone call. We can never make up for lost time nor can we get missed opportunities back.

Be thankful for your family, be thankful for the time God gives you with them. Above all, love your family! Be Christ to them if they don’t know Jesus and don’t miss God-given opportunities.

Until next time,
Beth

I love the Fall!

Hello everyone!

I love the fall! This time of year the air seems so fresh. The colors may not be bright but they are vibrant! I am so glad God thought of the fall. It would be very sad to go from summer straight to winter. Fall is also Harvest time. Thanksgiving is coming! This season gives us an opportunity to appreciate all we have and all God has done for us, our harvest. As you are celebrating this season, be mindful of God’s grace and perfect plan for you. He created this season for thankfulness.  Be mindful of those who still need Him. The sights, smells and wonder of this time of year all point to Him! Will you slow down long enough to see Him in this season?

Happy Fall!

Until next time,

Beth

A Divine Conspiracy

Hello everyone! You may be wondering about the title of this blog. What does it mean?

A Divine Conspiracy is how I would explain the wonderful marriage I have with my husband!

From the time we met and even today, God is weaving a beautiful tapestry of our lives. He knew what He was doing when He sent Jeff into my life. He conspires on our behalf very well.

I am so thankful for my husband’s leadership in big and small ways. I always know where he stands on an issue, I never have to guess. I always know I am loved, regardless of any circumstance. He’a got my back! I could not thank you enough Jeff Billingsley! I love you!!! Thank you for all you do for us!!

Thank you Father God for Divine Conspiracies!!

Until next time,

Beth

Encouragement We Can All Use

Hello all! First of all, I’d like to give you an update on Jeff’s book. It should be out soon, no date yet. We are so excited! You can keep up with the progress of the book with Jeff’s book blog at www.mysecondchancebook.com You will find excerpts, Q&A, and other interesting writings. He does a wonderful job!

I would also like to share 5 encouraging scriptures we could all use. I was feeling a bit under the weather yesterday and these really helped me. I would like to thank Tayler Beede for providing these scriptures on her blog; www.nittygrittylove.com Please check out her blog!

1. Matthew 11:28-30 {When you feel weary}

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart ,and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

2. Colossians 3:23 {When you feel unappreciated}

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

3. 2 Corinthians 12:9 {When you feel like a failure}

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

4. Philippians 4:6,7 {When you feel anxious}

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.”

5. Romans 8:28 {When you feel unsure of your future}

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

 

I hope these will encourage you like they encouraged me!

Until next time,

Beth

My Thoughts for Today

Hello everyone!

Today I’m turning over specific thoughts in my mind and no this won’t be a happy subject. I want all of us, including me, to do some serious self-examination. I’ve read and heard some things the last few days that greatly disturb me.

Why do some Christians feel the need to point out other’s supposed “wrongs”? Why do some Christians feel the need to be “Pharisees” and be “thankful” they “aren’t like others for such and such reason?” Do they really believe they were born sin free? Do they really believe they are without sin? I’m sorry but the mere thought that anyone would think that makes me laugh. Yes, laugh out loud!

Weren’t the Pharisees the ones who had the Son of God right in front of them but couldn’t “see” Him for all of their judgments and “man-made laws?” Just as Jesus said, the blind leading the blind. I think he also called them vipers or snakes as well as hypocrites. Is that truly who you want to identify yourself with as a Christian? A snake? A hypocrite?

We have got to be aware of our thoughts and our motives as Christians. If we ever want non-believers to truly want what we have, we have got to drop this “holy than thou” Pharisee mindset. There is not one person on this planet that is not without sin, myself included! We are saved by grace and forgiven because of what Christ did for us, not because of works or our own merits! Heaven help us if we tried to save ourselves!

Do you have a Pharisee mindset? Do you see yourself as “better” than someone else or “without sin” just because you have not experienced certain things? Did it ever occur to you that perhaps you have not experienced certain things because of the Grace of God and not your own works or abilities? Are you judging others because you are insecure about your own life?

Think about it!

Until next time,

Beth