I’m so thankful to be a part of the blogging community! Thank you so much for supporting Drawing Closer To Christ. ❤️

I’m so thankful to be a part of the blogging community! Thank you so much for supporting Drawing Closer To Christ. ❤️

Hebrews 12:6 NLT, “For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
Discipline rarely feels good, but it’s good for us. God loves us too much to let us continue on in sin, which will eventually lead to death if we don’t repent (James 1:15). He wants us to lead fruitful lives that are full of purpose. His desire is for us to become all that He created us to be.
I’m thankful for the times God disciplined me for my sinful actions. Experiencing the consequences of my wrong choices, helped me to understand the importance of making right godly choices. Through Christ, we have the freedom and the power, to make choices that will bring life, instead of death, to ourselves and others.
God disciplines us because of His love for us. However He is merciful. He knows exactly what we need and when we need it. He knows our hearts and He knows our struggles. He knows the best way to work in our lives to get us to where He wants us to be.
When we have hearts that are willing to trust God and obey Him, then we know He will be patient with us as we mature in Christ. It’s a joy to know, that as long as we keep our eyes on Jesus, we are making progress.

Psalm 136:1 NIV, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.”
Life is better when we have hearts that are thankful. Even on our most difficult days, we can be thankful knowing that God is there with us, since He promised He’d never leave us alone.
It’s normal at times to feel frustrated or weary. However we can still look to Him with thanksgiving because He understands our feelings. He will give us peace of mind, and strengthen us in our weakness. We can pray and ask God to help us to remain thankful, so that we can see our circumstances from His perspective.
When we hope in Him, He will often let us know in simple and unexpected ways that He is with us. There is no burden we have that the Master can’t carry for us. Cast your cares upon Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).


Thank you to my big brother in Christ, Matt at Jesusluvsall, for nominating me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. I admire Matt’s perseverance to keep sharing the love of Christ with people from all around the world regardless of his own challenges with chronic illness. His writings inspire me to keep going!
Visit his blog at: Jesusluvsall
The Sunshine Blogger Award is peer recognition for bloggers who inspire readers by promoting positivity and bringing joy.
Matt’s questions to me:
1- What is your blog about?
My blog is about sharing my faith in Jesus with others to help encourage them in their Christian walk. ✝️
2- Why did you start blogging?
It’s a great way to connect with others from different places, and a way to share about Jesus and my life experiences. 👩🏽🔧👩🌾👳🏻♂️👩🏿🎨
3- Do you have a hobby? If so please describe it.
I like reading, walking, writing, going to the movies, and visiting new vegan restaurants with my daughter.🚶🏿♀️📚 🍛
4- Have you traveled to other countries? Which ones and which one is your favorite?
Only South Korea and Canada. They were equally nice experiences. 🇰🇷 🇨🇦
5- What is your favorite movie and why?
Private Benjamin with Goldie Hawn. It’s a very funny movie that makes me laugh. 😂
6- What is your favorite season and why?
Spring. It’s always so refreshing to see the flowers blooming and the weather getting better. Especially when I was living in states that actually have winter (unlike Florida). 🌺🍃
7- What is your favorite holiday and why?
Christmas. It’s a beautiful time of year with all the lights and other decorations. And most importantly to remember the birth of Jesus. 🎄
8- Do you prefer morning or evening and why?
Mornings. It’s always a blessing to see that God has brought me a new day. Seeing the new day is a reminder of His faithfulness. ☀️🌞
9- What kind of music do you like?
Mostly Praise and worship and gospel. Occasionally some pop and R&B. 🎶
10- What song or songs inspire you?
Many songs inspire me, but recently I’ve been listening to CeCe Winans, “One in the Same” over and over again. 🎤
Here’s the song: One in the Same
11- If you and I had dinner together would it be in your home or at a restaurant and what kind of food?
Probably at a Restaurant, either Mexican or Italian, but I’m flexible lol. 🍕🌮
I nominate the following bloggers. Please answer my questions below. ❤️🌞
My 11 questions to you. Thanks for answering! 😁
1. What’s an important lesson you’ve learned in life?
2. What is a good book you’ve read?
3. What is your favorite characteristic about yourself?
4. What are your hobbies?
5. Why did you start blogging?
6. What topics, if any, have you wanted to write about but haven’t because you feel your “fan base” would not approve?
7. Are you married or single, kids or no kids?
8. What are you passionate about and why?
9. What is your favorite food?
10. Do you prefer a plane ride or a road trip?
11. If you could wake up in the morning in a different place, where would that place be?
Rules:
• Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link back to him/her.
• Answer the 11 questions provided by the blogger who nominated you.
• Nominate 11 other bloggers and ask them 11 new questions.
• Notify the nominees by commenting on one of their blog posts.
• List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo on your post.
Thanks for participating (if you choose to), and Inspiring me with your blogs. ENJOY! 🤹♀️

Thank you to my sister in Christ Eileen for nominating me for The Awesome Blogger Award. I am truly grateful that you thought of me. Your writings always inspire me and help me to draw closer to Christ.
You can read Eileen’s writings at:
Rules:
– Thank the blogger who nominated you.
– Tag your post with #awesomebloggeraward.
– Answer the questions given to you.
– Nominate and inform at least 5 bloggers.
– Give them 10 new questions to answer.
Eileen’s Questions for me:
1. Why did you start writing a blog?
To help inspire others in their walk with Christ. Also to connect with other people. 💻 👩🏿🦳👱🏼♂️🧕🏼👲🏻👨🏿⚕️👱🏽♀️
2. Do you have a favorite Scripture?
Yes, it’s always been John 3:16 ever since I was little. This is also the first verse I memorized.📖
3. Famous singer?
Shirley Caesar 🎼
4. Favorite time of the year?
Spring. Beautiful flowers and a refreshing time of year. Things come back to life after winter. 🌞🌹🌸🌼
5.What blessings can you share?
If I could share something that would bless people, it would be to let them know they have a unique purpose in Christ. They don’t have to compete with others, in Him they can be themselves and follow His plans for their lives.❤️
6. Any pets in your family?
No. But we used to have a dog named Toi years ago. She was a Papillon. 🐶
7. Any favorite TV program?
I don’t watch many TV shows. The TV is usually off during the week. Right now I just watch movies on Netflix on the weekends. 📺
8. Do you prefer to write a letter, text someone,call someone, or spend the day with them.
I like all of these, it just depends on the situation. 📱 ✍️
9. If you can talk face to face with Christ what would you ask Him?
What areas does He want me to improve on most as a Christian. 💒
10. If you only had one day more to live here on earth what would you do?
Probably spend time with family and post one final blog to share about salvation. ✝️
My nominees:
My questions for you:
1. If you only had one day more to live here on earth what would you do?
2. If you can talk face to face with Christ what would you ask Him?
3. Do you have a favorite Scripture?
4. What has been your favorite vacation?
5. Who is Your favorite actor or actress?
6. Do you prefer a plane ride or a road trip?
7. What’s your favorite color?
8. Why did you start your blog?
9. What’s your favorite food?
10. Who do you admire most?
Thanks for participating (if you choose to), and Inspiring me with your blogs. 🌺
Galatians 6:9 NIV, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
I used to keep this verse on my desk at work, so that I could remind myself daily of the importance of doing right. The key is keeping our focus on Jesus Christ and not people. When we look at people, we will often see many who are not doing right, yet they seem to be prospering.
Psalm 1:6 NLT, “For the LORD watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.”
Sinful wicked ways will eventually lead to destruction. However following the ways of Christ will lead to life. He promised to protect us and watch over us as we seek Him. He also has promised that we will reap a harvest if we do not give up on doing good.
It’s often easy to do what is wrong, but it takes faith and perseverance to do what is right. Doing what is right will bring God glory, while helping to lead others to Christ because of our godly actions. Keep persevering and doing good. Remember, God is a rewarded of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

I remember some years ago, I was waiting on God to supply my need for employment. They had altar call at church, so I went down for prayer. I told the elder my situation, and this is the verse she gave me…
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
These words brought me peace. Because even though I was still waiting on God’s direction for the right job for me, I could rejoice, pray, and give thanks. According to His Word, that is His will for us in Christ Jesus. I no longer felt powerless in my situation, because doing these things empowered me to honor God and bring Him glory.
When you find yourself in a place where you are trusting God to open up doors for you, you can rejoice, pray, and give Him thanks. He will direct your paths. Find peace and joy knowing that He is working things out for you as wait.
