As I prayed this morning, my heart was set in eager anticipation of what God wants to do in our lives and in our country!
I am speaking peace and unity over this year and the American people.
God is for us and His plans for us are great and wonderful!
Be encouraged! Live in peace and anticipation of what He’s going to do.
As I was praying for our election and the voters who are/will be standing in line today to cast their votes, I asked Father for a word to pray over them and the day.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 was immediately brought to my mind:
I call Heaven and Earth to witness against you today: I place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse. Choose life so that you and your children will live. And love God, your God, listening obediently to him, firmly embracing him. Oh yes, he is life itself, a long life settled on the soil that God, your God, promised to give your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Just as He spoke these words to the ancient Israelites, I believe He is speaking this word to us today.
The choice is ours.
Life or Death
Blessing or Curse
Let’s be purposeful in our choices for His Name and His Glory!
I am praying Life and Blessings over us all today! ❤️
Whether or not you’re in the USA, you may be experiencing loads of anxiety.
Is fear trying to suffocate you?
Listen, there is so much going on in the world right now. 2020 has been one challenge after another.
We have been dealing with an illness that we’d never heard of before earlier this year. We’ve lost loved ones. We’ve lost jobs. We’ve been separated from each other. We’ve seen our country divided over issues that are beyond heartbreaking. We have severe political division.
Despair and doom and gloom are everywhere we turn.
Maybe you’re facing some things that don’t even have anything to do with COVID and the circumstances related to the pandemic. Maybe you’re facing other health concerns, family problems, marriage issues, financial struggles.
Maybe you are a single mom who feels totally alone. Maybe you’re trying to homeschool for the first time and find yourself overwhelmed more often than not.
I know it would be easy to collapse in the face of all the angst and turmoil. Sometimes the fear feels like too much.
I get it! This year has been wacky, challenging, and has just seemed like a little too much for me, at times, too.
But I’m here to tell you, there is another way! It’s a new month (Happy November!) and what better time to discover you don’t have to live according to what fear mandates! Dread and anxiety do not have to rule your life!
There is a path to peace.
Isn’t that good news? The best news?!
It would honor me to introduce you to the Prince of Peace: Jesus, the King of Kings!
Do you know Him? If not, I want you to know my Saviour, my Redeemer, my Hope, my Source of life and peace and abundance.
He is THE answer to all this turmoil, all the challenges, all the uncertainty, all the fear. He doesn’t just offer us His peace.
He IS Peace.
In the Bible, we read of the foretelling of Jesus the Messiah’s birth in Isaiah chapter 9 . . .
A child has been born for us; a son has been given to us. The responsibility of complete dominion will rest on his shoulders, and his name will be: The Wonderful One! The Extraordinary Strategist! The Mighty God! The Father of Eternity! The Prince of Peace!
Great and vast is his dominion.
He will bring immeasurable peace and prosperity.
In Jesus’ own words in John chapter 16 . . .
And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!
If you don’t know Him but you want this peace, stop right now and talk to Him. He is listening. Always. He loves you and His love is immense and immeasurable! He wants to have a relationship with you. He is just waiting for you to give your life to Him.
He is waiting to be the Peace that you’re longing for.
Talk to Him now.
You will be absolutely amazed at the incredible Peace that He brings.
Just look at what Philippians 4:7 says:
If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.
You’re standing at the crossroads, and it’s time to choose: turmoil or peace.
Do you want to continue down the depressing, life-sucking road you’ve been on? The one that gets you nowhere? The one that makes you want to give it all up?
This is the most important decision of your life. It will change everything.
Please let me know if you’ve made this life-altering choice. I want to celebrate with you!
Could you REALLY use a weekend away with your girlfriends for some quiet downtime to rest, relax, and recharge? Yeah, I hear you- ME, TOO.
But, with COVID travel restrictions still in place among other difficulties {finance, logistics, etc.} it’s just too hard to get away.
What if you could have a weekend retreat in the comfort of your own home? Guess what, my friend?! YOU CAN! AND you can invite your closest friends to join in, too!
That’s right- totally online, and it even gives you an excuse to lock yourself in your room for a few hours Friday evening and then again on Saturday morning to focus on taking care of YOU.
Here are the details:
When: Friday, October 9th-Saturday, October 10th {6pm-10pm EDT on Friday and 9am-1pm EDT on Saturday}– can’t make those dates work? No problem — all registrants receive lifetime access to all FIVE retreat workshops.
Where: The guided retreat takes place 100% online so you can access it from the comfort of your home or anywhere else that you have an internet connection.
Why: Motherhood is hard, community is essential—join us in learning to remember God’s faithfulness and His love. Never has it been more important to practice refreshing our souls by constantly remembering who He is, what He’s done and what He’s said.
Who: Real Refreshment Retreat Online is for ALL moms in all stages of motherhood.
What’s included?
Worship sessions led by Called Worship
Prayer
Laughter
Teaching- 5 workshops led by Rachael Carman
Fellowship
PDF handouts and workshop guides
A PHYSICAL gift bag mailed to your home {for the first 500 registrants}
GIVEAWAYS & PRIZES
And more!
You may wonder… What’s the cost?
Early bird pricing is in effect now and is only $39!
So, take the plunge! Learn more and sign up here: GO NOW!
Thinking of you,
Scarlett xo
{This post may contain my affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through my unique links, I make a small commission. Thank you!}
Rachael Carman is a homeschooling mom of seven. Like us, she knows too well the darkness that this season has brought about. She knows how isolated you might be feeling, and she wants you to know you are not alone!
We were not meant to walk through this life without community—let’s come together and find the refreshment our Father promises.
Join us for an Evening of Real Refreshment TONIGHT from 8:30pm-9:30pm EDT. It’s a time to join with fellow moms, no matter how much distance is between us. It’s time we gather, and
Laugh together
Pray together
Study His Word together
Rachael has a message from Jeremiah 2:13 that she can’t wait to share with us!
Oh, and there will be fun GIVEAWAYS and PRIZES!!!
If you’re thirsty for a reprieve from the chaos that is life right now … make plans to take one hour for yourself TONIGHT at 8:30pm EDT.
Join me, Rachael Carman, and hundreds of fellow moms for AnEvening of Real Refreshment– you’ll be equipped and encouraged from the comfort of your own home in this FREE 60-minute online mini-retreat for moms.
When: Thursday, September 24, 2020, from 8:30-9:30pm EDT
What: It’s a time for sisters in Christ to join together for worship, prayer, laughter, and Bible study.
Where: In the comfort of your own home!
Why: We have been running hard these past few months—the world is more uncertain than ever and “normal” feels like a memory. We need REAL refreshment—refreshment that can only come from God.
How much does it cost: NOTHING! An Evening of Real Refreshment is absolutely FREE!
In this hour-long event, you’ll find encouragement, hope, community, fellowship, and PRIZES!!
Sally Clarkson, whom I consider one of my wonderful parenting mentors, is having a fabulous online event that I do not want you to miss. Whether you are considering homeschooling, have already started your homeschool year or simply need some refreshment as a mom (homeschooling or not), please sign up for this conference!
Normally, Sally has multiple conferences across the USA and a few international locations, but this crazy COVID year is different. She and her husband, Clay, are offering this online version to all of us at no cost.
What a gift!
Here is a message from Sally with links to sign up . . .
Dear Friends,
Tomorrow, August 18, is the launch for my new book, Awaking Wonder.
I am so very excited to release this book into the world as it is a legacy of our family, the story of how we lived together at home, opening up the worlds of faith, creation, ideas, creativity, education to our four children and how home was a perfect place to nurture life and to pass on purpose to them for their own lives.
It would mean so very much to me if you would help me spread the message to the world, as so many parents are in need of inspiration, encouragement and support at this time.
It is my heartfelt prayer that this book will inspire and remind parents and teachers that our children are precious, that we are those who help construct their foundations of faith and virtue, and that our labor to love and serve them is of eternal value.
Clay and I had reserved hotels all across the US to host Awaking Wonder conferences. However, because of Covid, all of the conferences had to be cancelled. We then dreamed up filming our own in-home conference, in the rooms where our children learned, grew up and were inspired. We hired a professional videographer to record 12 messages that correspond with the book Awaking Wonder. They turned out beautifully. We decided that since so many are in need of encouragement that we would give this conference away for free for 12 days so that anyone any place in the world might enjoy these messages. (Available for free from August 20-August 31) We will have fun giveaways for all who register every day for 12 days. Don’t miss out.
All you have to do to receive these conferences as a gift from us to you is to register at: awakingwonderathome.com
Registration ends on Wednesday night, August 19th at 12 midnight (MT). Please make sure to register in time to be eligible to win a gift from our drawing.
It means so much to us to have such an encouraging, engaged community. Thanks for helping us spread the word and thanks for supporting our messages through the books we write.
What an honor to be a part of what God is doing to bring the hearts of parents to their children at this time. We are very blessed.
Love to you all! Sally
Please let me know if you sign up!
Registration ends on Wednesday night, August 19th at 12 midnight (MT). The videos will be available for 12 days and will then move to Sally’s member-only site. So don’t miss out!
Thinking of you,
Scarlett xo
(This message does not contain affiliate links. I know how much Sally has meant to me over the years! And I want you to be encouraged, as well, especially in this challenging season we are in. This is one of the best ways I could ever think of!)
I’ve been spending a greater amount of time than normal on Facebook lately. I’m in a few homeschool groups, and goodness, they are being inundated with moms (and a handful of dads) who are choosing the homeschool journey for the first time. It is a crazy thing to watch.
They are making their decisions because of so much uncertainty regarding COVID-19.
Some of them are afraid their kids will get sick.
Others do not want their kids in front of screens all day.
Some of them have realized, thanks to the schools choosing to teach virtually back in the spring when we all began the quarantine, that they can ditch the regular school work and create their own.
And others of them have seen their children truly flourish by being home.
Are you one of these moms?
What questions do you have?
What concerns?
Have you written your goals for the school year?
Have you chosen your curriculum?
Are you lost?
Frustrated?
Overwhelmed?
Is your spouse or significant other onboard?
Are you worried about the workload?
How will you get everything done?
Maybe you work full time, and your spouse will be home with the children. How will that work?
I get you. I truly do. And I am sending a gigantic virtual hug right now.
I remember those months before I started homeschooling. The overwhelm was strong. The choices for curriculum, and even which philosophy I aligned with, were many. I spent so much time researching and contemplating.
Every single mom I know has struggled with confidence, not knowing if she was making the right choices for her kids.
Every. Single. One.
But I promise you, it will all come together!
You are not alone.
I believe in you!
You can do this!
I encourage you to write out Philippians 4:13 and make it your mantra. Post it on your washroom mirror, by your coffee maker, on the dash of your vehicle.
Keep it in front of you and declare it often! I believe the Word is powerful. And speaking it out loud is powerful. It changes the atmosphere. It redirects our thoughts and attitudes and lights up our paths.
Try it . . .
How did that feel? Do you notice a difference? If not, go for it again. Keep going until you know it aligns your spirit with God’s truth.
This is a practice I encourage you to go through daily.
Fill your mind and heart and home with Scripture.
And please reach out if you have questions or would like some mom-to-mom encouragement.
I had moms in my life who were such huge encouragements to me because they had walked the road a few miles ahead of me.
I would be honored to give to you as they did for me. To be a life-giving voice in your life.
The Scarlett Thread 