I'll let Bonnie of Faith Barista explain it in her own words:
So, What’s a Faith Barista Jam?The topic Bonnie choose for this week is: Unexpected Encouragement
Well, it’s what musicians do — a jam session. It’s free form and imaginative. Everyone’s invited to bring their improvisation to the table.
Instead of talking about scales and riffs, we serve up shots of faith.
But life happens and not always as I plan. My world seemed to turn upside down and there have been lots of changes. We recently moved, sold all of our furniture and most of our personal belongings. But as I'm learning, it's ...another opportunity to trust God. (Psst Jill, I really am learning.)
Today in this Faith Barista Jam, I'd like to write about the unexpected encouragement I receive every day from blogging. I've made so many new friends through this bloggy world. I've even had the pleasure of meeting many in person.
Blogging has been such an unexpected encouragement to me. I've always journaled and I find blogging is an extension of that. But I also get to meet fabulous new friends and I love that.
So when life doesn't always seem to be going along as you expect, trust God and appreciate the unexpected encouragement you recieve along the way.
Blessings and love,
Thanks for sharing your precious treasures sis, love you.
ReplyDelete:-) Psst, I'm still learning too!
ReplyDeleteLove you and can't wait for us to meet in person!
Hugs,
Jill
I can say AMEN to this! So glad we have become friends! :) Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteIt's a community like no other! Here in cyberspace are neighborhoods we might never visit otherwise; and friendships that span the virtual.
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful to be among your collection; and you mine. One day we'll see how the Lord used it all to bring blessings to our lives, and great honor to His name.
What we've sown in tears, we'll reap in joy!!! (Psalm 126)
Love you,
Kathleen
aw, I agree! blogging has been such an encouragement and it sure looks like god has used it greatly in your life--so happy :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic group of encouragers! I know my picture is there too, even if you can't see it. :)
ReplyDeleteYou have been blessed many times over to meet these special blogging friends. Touches of God's encouragement.
Love you!
I enjoyed meeting you and the other AZ ladies! What a blessing that was to me.
ReplyDeleteBlogging has been a life savor to someone like me who is home bound much of the time. It is my connection to the outside world. Such a blessing to read and get to know so many wonderful Christian friends.
I love you dear friend.
You are so right...with every challenge that comes along, it is another OPPORTUNITY to trust God. "Opportunity" is such a postive word, isn't it? God loves to turn our difficult times into times of triumph! And everyday, if we take time to notice, He is showering unexpected blessings upon us. Since I have been blogging over these last 6 months, He has also blessed me (as He has you) with new blogging friends. It has been such an encouragement. God is so good! And thank you, Debbie, for your encouagement friendship. You are one of God's blessings to me.
ReplyDeleteLiving for Him, Joan
I've had a lot of life-changing upheavals in my life. including moving when I so desperately did not want to. I later learned in every one of those changes on looking back that they all turned out for my good. God works in mysterious ways for sure.
ReplyDeleteWill you be staying in this area or do you know? It was such a pleasure meeting you at the AZ bloggers luncheon. I like that picture of you and me together. Thank you for including me in your collage. It is so nice. I had no idea when I started blogging that it would open up a whole new world for me and that I would find wonderful people like you in that world. Perhaps we can meet again some time. That would be nice.
Hugs & blessings,
Charlotte
Online community is real. Especially when we connect with a real heart like yours, Debbie. I can't wait to hug you in person my friend. You've encouraged me in so many ways!
ReplyDeleteIt's all about relationship and yes, Bonnie, online community is real - we open our hearts to each other and that's what it's all about...
ReplyDeleteLove you Debbie!!!
It's all about relationship and yes, Bonnie, online community is real - we open our hearts to each other and that's what it's all about...
ReplyDeleteLove you Debbie!!!
Right here. Right here is my unexpected encouragement. I've had a struggle of my own to deal with of late, and then, out of the blue, I get a note from you Debbie, and I know I'll be okay. Is that my sign of faith? Yes, I hope so. My fellow bloggers and blogging friends have also been a huge source of encouragement for me as well, and it's nice to come here to see such a sweet message of love. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYes, relationships here are such a blessing!!!!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, sometimes the road the Lord chooses for us to go down isn't the one we think we want to take, however, He is always right and He is walking that road with us. You are such a dear and precious person and I have so enjoyed meeting you in person and to be able to enjoy your blog. Crossing over the mountain and making it to the next turn in the road is all part of Gods plan for each of us. Like you, I am learning to just rely on Him and trust that I am totally in His care. God Bless. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteEven better when I clicked on the pic to make the collage bigger! And wow! Not only that we are given encouragement through relationships by the Greatest Encourager, you guys look alike! To know that we are all sisters in his big family....Just look at those bright smiles and the bright glow from your eyes....Suddenly I feel the oneness, too! So awesome...To be One in Spirit!!! God bless you sister and keep you.
ReplyDeleteNow I just loved this post...and share your thankfulness for the blogging community....
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I think God definitely sends us encouragement in unexpected ways when we are going through challenging times.
ReplyDeleteWe moved this last year too - and women in the blogging community were tremendous encouragers, through their comments and their posts - voices I needed to hear in a community where I knew no voices! You expressed it perfectly!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, thanks for stopping by my blog today. It is great to meet you! I totally agree with your post today. I love my bloggy friends and they offer me encouragement all the time. Sometimes I sit at my computer laughing with online friends and my family thinks I am crazy!!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, your post reminds me that to have friends we must show ourselves friendly. You show yourself friendly!
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing encouraging words during your visit to my blog.
Debbie, your story today encouraged me, so thank you! I appreciate the notes you've left on my blog, as well.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is so neat!!! And happy to meet everyone--it's a blessing for sure!
ReplyDeletexox
Debbie, It is so, so nice to meet you! I give a hearty, "Amen!" to everything you say here. This blogging thing started from my love of writing and has grown to encourage my love of friendships! I pray we can meet one day soon, Debbie!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is amazing how this world of blogging has connected kindred hearts serving Christ. You are one of those treasures I have found, Debbie!
ReplyDeleteAww thank you so much my friend. You are an encouragement to me!
ReplyDeleteDebbie,
ReplyDeleteIt is a blessing to be counted as one of your friends. I so love you!
The sisters in Christ I've met through blogging and those I am encouraged in online are very special to me and you are ONE of them!
Love you.