CIRCLE OF LOVE ...meet Shirley

Today's feature on CIRCLE OF LOVE is

FAITH, FAMILY and FRIENDS

Meet Shirley, she pens a great blog. If you have not gotten acquainted with Shirley yet, I know a quick visit to her blog will leave you encouraged, lifted up and feeling loved.

I am not sure where Shirley and my paths crossed here on blogger land. It was either thru AG blog ring or Thankful Thursday. One of the first things that I noticed about Shirley is how she loves the Word of God. This is evident in all of her posts. She usually starts out with a passage and then shares her heart with us about God's Word. She obviously is very passionate about living for Christ.

This passion is found on her side bar of her blog...look at what her welcome! message says on her blog:

I am honored that you stopped by! I pray you will be encouraged and
blessed. I believe when we share our heartaches and victories, it helps others to know they are not alone. Knowing God is with us, and our steps are ordered by Him, gives us hope for the future!

Another thing that I noticed that she is passionate about is her family. Shirley has been married 25 years and she has 4 daughters, 3 stepsons and 12 grandchildren. Now if that's not plenty to blog about ... I don't know what is! lol

On a recent visit to FAITH, FAMILY and FRIENDS, Shirley shared the following with her readers on the subject of faith and trusting in God:

Psalm 50:10 (New International Version)10 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.

God owns everything, even the cattle on a thousand hills, He created everything on this earth with His words. "And God Said".Over and over again we are told how He made everything including us, in His image, He created us. He is our Father and we are His children. He loves us and has a plan for our lives. It is mind boggling to think about all that He did, and the reason why. All He ever wanted was a relationship with us, because He loves us so much. How do you have a relationship with someone? By spending time with them of course! God is pleased when we come to Him; whether it is praising, praying for a need we have, or just to sit in His presence. Now if He owns everything, and we are His children, and He tells us we can ask whatever we will in His name, He would give it to us; what is the problem? We need to get this in our spirit that He will make provisions for us to do what He has assigned to us. We have to step out in faith, believing what He said will surely come to pass. We all have a job to do, a plan has been laid out for us, today will you just ask Jesus what is His will for your life, what do you need to be doing; ask for direction, then you will experience that peace that passes all understanding. Reach out and touch Him, I promise you, He is waiting! ~Posted by Shirley

WOW! Shirley, that is awesome. What a great encouragement to us to know that all we have to do is reach out and touch Him. He desires to meet our needs. Recently, Shirley shared with me online a little closer of a look at her heart and desire. Please read with me what is on Shirley's heart...

1. PLEASE TELL US YOUR NAME AND WHERE WE CAN FIND YOU ON THE WEB?

Shirley Watts http://shirley-watts.blogspot.com/

2. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLOGGING AND TELL US YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT BLOGGING?

for about 3 months

3. WHAT ARE THE MAIN THINGS THAT YOU BLOG ABOUT?

Encouragement and Hope

4. TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF...if you work ~where? ...have a family ~ tell us about them?

wife of a minister, mother of 4 daughters, 3 stepsons, 12 grandchildren. teach preteen Sunday school, involved in women's ministry

5. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SERVING THE LORD?

Since I was 13 years old

6. CAN YOU GIVE US A TESTIMONY OF HOW GOD HAS PROVEN HIMSELF FAITHFUL TO YOU? In sickness, through a divorce, raising children and stepchildren, and each day of my life. God is and always been faithful to me.

7. COULD YOU SHARE WITH YOUR CIRCLE OF BLOGGING FRIENDS YOUR FAVORITE SCRIPTURE:
Jeremiah 29: 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope .

8. HOW HAS THAT SCRIPTURE MINISTERED TO YOU RECENTLY?By reassuring me He is in control of my life, and he does have a master plan for me

9. WHAT ADVICE ABOUT BLOGGING WOULD YOU OFFER TO YOUR CIRCLE OF BLOGGING FRIENDS? I believe to be effective for the Kingdom, we must write with our heart. We must be able to portray the love of God to everyone that reads our blog.

Thank you Shirley for that great advice. Certainly, you are being the example of exactly what you said ... portraying the love of God thru your writings. Certainly anybody who visits you can see your heart and your passion. Thank you for sharing with us and for being an encouragement to me and to all who are TAKING A STAND! -blessings, Laurie

PLEASE GO BY AND VISIT SHIRLEY TODAY. YOU WILL LEAVE HER SITE BLESSED! find shirley here!

I WANT TO SHARE YOUR BLOG WITH OTHERS! If you would like to be featured in an upcoming CIRCLE OF LOVE feature right here on Fridays...CLICK HERE and you will find information on how your ministry of writing can be featured. -God Bless!