~ super through Christ alone ~

Posts tagged ‘Faith’

Baby Karnes Heaven Fund

~ Please help contribute to funeral & medical costs for Jeff and Starla Karnes who lost their newborn baby girl, Cadence-Brooke Valley Karnes, RIP ~

Starla & Jeff expected to welcome their baby girl into this world in early December 2025. Instead, she was welcomed to heaven in early October 2025.
I’m Cadence-Brooke’s aunt Belle, and I know that Jeff and my sister, Starla are heartbroken and mourning through the most difficult thing they’ll ever have to endure – something NO parent should ever have to face: The death of a child. As we’re told in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, we as believers in Christ will never have to grieve in the way others do, those who have no hope. This is a truly astounding testament of Jeff & Starla’s faith: I saw these loving parents’ grief-stricken, tear-soaked faces: right in the midst of their deepest sorrow, in the abyss of the worst heartache imaginable, saying goodbye to their newborn daughter’s earthly body. Yet they still lifted their eyes toward God and chose to Bless the name of the Lord.
No parent ever truly “recovers” from this. But we who are alive and remain, continue and strive toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of Christ Jesus. In other words, we keep going – each day to fulfill our mission. Jeff & Starla will continue… they’ll continue parenting their other two young children, they’ll continue being an excellent uncle & aunt to my & our sister, Sarah’s little ones; they’ll continue in service to the ministry at Definition Church in Greensboro, North Carolina; They’ll continue to choose to bless the name of the Lord, Jesus.
I’m asking primarily that our church families & community members, neighbors and friends come together in prayer through this difficult time. I am also humbly asking that you find it in your hearts to help out the Karnes family by giving. The unexpected financial medical and funeral costs they’re incurring can only serve to add burden upon despair in such an already devastating situation.
Thank you, for giving to others – for in giving unto others, you’re giving unto the Lord. (Luke 6:38, Romans 12:13, Matthew 25:35-40)

To Donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-cadencebrookes-funeral-costs

Double Talk Thought: “A stillborn baby is a still born baby.”

Bible Verse: “…The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21b

Word that has Lost its meaning: first breath

Relatable Lyrics: “Held” by Natalie Grant

Category:

Hope Amid Sorrow

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Believing for the Best in You

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Dear Husband,  

When you’re struggling, when you need a friend, when you are at an impasse and don’t know what to do;

When we can’t seem to come to an agreement, when I don’t understand your point of view, and you can’t see mine;

I don’t stop caring.  I’m believing in something.  I’m believing for the best in you.

 

Dear Children,

When you make mistakes, when you behave inappropriately or do the wrong thing, even when I discipline you, even when you think I’m disappointed in you;

Believe me, I’m seeing something.  I’m seeing growth.  I’m believing for the best in you.

 

Dear Mother,

When you feel alone, when you feel run down, when you’re hesitant to change, yet ready to move forward; I’ll be your cheerleader.  I’ll be your backup.  I’m believing for the best in you.  

 

Dear Sisters,

When we’re far apart, When we feel like we can’t relate, I have faith in our relationships; I’ll never doubt us.  I’m believing for the best in you.

 

Dear Brothers,

When we’re disconnected, when we have failures to communicate or forgive or see eye-to-eye, it’s okay, we’ll make it through; I’ll never stop having hope for reconciliation.   If you get weary, I’ll keep the faith for you.  I’m believing for the best in you.

 

Dear Friend,

When your life seems to be falling apart around you; When you feel like you have let me down; When I try to help but I’m not sure my efforts do any good; I won’t stop trying.  I’m believing for the best in you.

 

Dear Stranger,

When you need a helping hand; when a handout is not what you need, but a hand up, I won’t look down on you.  I won’t judge you for your past.  I won’t make assumptions about your situation.  I’m believing for the best in you.

 

Dear Self,

When I start dwelling over failures, when I judge myself by my past mistakes, I will stop.  I will forgive.  I will do better.  I will look at you the way God does.  He’s believing for the best in you.  

 

Double Talk Quote: two days before summer camp, Me to Mica: “So…Are you excited?”  Mica (enthusiastically):  “Um-hum!” (pause) “About what?”  (I guess she’s just excited in general!)


Bible Verse:  “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17


Word that has Lost its meaning: disbelief


Relatable Lyrics:  Believing For The Best In You by Stormie Omartian

“After all I’ve said to try and change your mind,

Are you still gonna doubt my words?

You can tell me your failures and point out your flaws – I don’t hear you…

…I’m believing for the best in you.”

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Uncategorized

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Think Big and Be Big

you're just like me2 twins

Just before putting his foot in his mouth, Fred Flintstone tells himself “Think big and be big, think big and be big, think big and be big.” Although the episode ends in him feeling pretty small, it’s because his “think big” attitude is based in pride and pretension.

I love the quote, however, because when used in a healthy way, it can promote confidence and positive mental health.

In 2007, I began writing affirmation cards for myself.  They include 3-4 positive, encouraging and self-affirming sentences.  Over the years, as my faith in God has increased and the realization that all the powers I hold within are from Him, I have revised them extensively to incorporate scriptures and Biblical principals in them.  I call them my “Think Big” cards.

These cards were inspired by the Lord, as I would do my devotions in the morning.  I’ve never tried to write one.  In the beginning, I wrote them for the sole purpose of motivating myself.  But after seeing both Grandma and my sister, Sarah struggling with depression, I started lending them out.  I even typed a few samples and put them on “to-go” rings for their keys.  I believe these revelations could be helpful to anyone but could especially benefit people of faith who struggle with low self-esteem,  or mental illness, or have problems with life direction.

Over the years, as I’ve struggled for freedom, I believe (at least I hope) that I’ve grown in the Lord.  I’ve written 3 rounds of the cards over time.  I guess you could equate the messages with strategies to manage money.

1.  “Think Big” cards focus on getting out of emotional debt.  Sometimes, especially with mood disorders in particular, it feels like you’re drowning.  These affirmation + scripture combinations focus on adjusting your life view and actually seeing the positive aspects of your life.

2.  “Think Bigger” cards focus on managing day-to-day life and increase capacity to take care of yourself while incorporating God as the number one priority.

3.  “Think Biggest” cards focus on building emotional wealth.  They are about going a step beyond yourself and reaching out to others to bring God glory.

I know I’m not the only one who could benefit from this.  It needs to be shared.  One day these cards will be published and they will be a life-changing blessing to someone who is in emotional need.  My hope is that they will bless many people.  I can see them in print and on peoples’ key chains.  I can see them as a phone app that people read and reread 3-5 times a day.  I can see them meaning something to someone.  Not just me.  I am not alone.  This.  This could would should will happen.  Amen?

 

Double Talk Quote: “That cat roared at me.” – my 5-year-old, bilingual niece, Hope

Verse:  “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”  Romans 12:2

Word that has Lost its meaning: pride and pretension (hopefully)

Relatable Episode: summery here: http://www.tv.com/shows/the-flintstones/the-masquerade-ball-59978/

(March 10, 2015 –  twins 8 months)

Category:

Bipolar Mommy, Psych Tips, Uncategorized

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