joshuaulmer-blog

[joshuaulmer-blog]

How are you handling the quarantine?! The kids and I have been sitting down to breakfast and studying Psalms...it’s been a great way to have discussions with them about where to turn to in times of uncertainty and our need to trust God in the midst of all that is going on. We homeschool and always have so that hasn’t changed. What has changed is that the kids and I aren’t running around to a lot of obligations and such, this has created a lot less hurried sense in our minds and with that means all are much happier. With the sense of rushing not in our minds it’s given way for us to see where we can slow down around the home and it has been wonderful to see Josie’s heart to pitch in with a lot of things. I think that first and foremost this is a time of calling us to press into God, but then also a time to press in and see where our time would be spent if we were home more....while I’m not loving the aspect of the virus...I am loving a life that is slowed down, not rushed...and from the actions and attitudes of the kids, I can see it’s been great for them too! Ways we have been spending the extra time: building marble sets, watching videos on drawing, Josie has sewn with my mom, Reuben has joined me in workouts in the backyard, played Sleeping Queens a lot, straighten and organize the house...just to name a few...it’s been so great! So here is to taking the time to recognize the good moments in the midst of all that is going on and taking the time to soak in this time with those you love! • • #quarantine2020 #quarantine #quarantinelife #faith #trust #hope #God #life #endure #love #breakfast #rnifilms https://www.instagram.com/p/B99g9LBBi0I/?igshid=lnbuyg0887y9

[joshuaulmer-blog]

Rise As I come to this last day of the @hopewriters challenge...this has been the hardest word of all. I think it’s partly because the last year has been pretty much the opposite of a rise....it’s been one blow after another. Yet as I think on it, here I am. Inhale, exhale, inhale and my chest rises. The moon sets, the sun rises. All these things set in motion by the Creator...and because of Him tomorrow when the sun slips through my bedroom wind and causes me to wake from my slumber...I too will rise! So this is just a small thank to the One who gives me life to rise! #hopewriterlife #hope #joy #life #thereismore #God #faith #Jesus #writer #blogger #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurlife https://www.instagram.com/p/B7PfNHMBsl6/?igshid=1lexj3ae6zhms

[joshuaulmer-blog]

Brave Brave isn’t always being the first to do something daring. Brave can look like showing up when you have nothing left. Brave is digging in when you have to bear a heavy weight that seems impossible to hold. Brave is pressing on even when it’s so dark you can’t see the next step to take. Brave is saying that even though I don’t know how the story ends here in earth, I’ll still give my all to the King. #hopewriterlife #hope #brave #joy #content #blogger #writer #faith #God #Jesus #thereismore • word 6 for @hopewriters https://www.instagram.com/p/B7NQxlChe1S/?igshid=t1gwxj9csohk

[joshuaulmer-blog]

Slow Slow doesn't readily seem to be the pace of most of American society today. Rather we live in a busy and overwhelmed life...and I think honestly most of us like it that way. When we begin to slow down in life it means we have to choose to do so, and being slow also means not filling it with other things than what is normal for us. We want to shift from running errands, going to events, church, friends, whatever it maybe and we stay at home but then busy ourselves with projects or chores around the house. This isn't slow. Slow I'm finding for myself is a deliberate action to sit still and rest in that moment of not busying myself with anything at all. God charges us to "be still and know that I am God" - Psalm 46:10.....being still can't happen while running around in a constantly hectic life...to be still, one must be slow....slow to the point of stopping. If God charges me with this, then I need to incorporate this more in my life. I need to choose to live a life that walks in the Slow! #hopewriterlife #faith #slow #slowliving #slowlife #journey #joy #bepresent #God #hope #entrepreneur #writer #blogger Day 5 @hopewriters https://www.instagram.com/p/B7J1O8IhdYA/?igshid=115bobeswao7x

[joshuaulmer-blog]

Dream I’ve been sitting on the thought of how a dream can be a make or break thing in our lives. A dream can either come to fruition and launch us, or a dream can fail and break us. Either scenario has something in common…time. See time rushed is usually what leads to failed dreams, while waiting for the proper time to come then a dream can come to fruition at the appointed time. This makes me think of the life of Joseph in the Bible and the dreams he had….all of it took time, his dreams even took him on paths he probably never thought would happen, yet he stayed the course trusting the dreams that God had given him…and at the right time those dreams came true and not only blessed Joseph but those around him. I like Joseph want to dare to continue to dream in the times of trials, and like him I too hope that I will let God’s timing bring those dreams to fruition. • #hopewriterlife #faith #God #bible #writer #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurgoals #trust #staythecourse #staythepath • • @hopewriters https://www.instagram.com/p/B7ITGXJhXjj/?igshid=1mcjhc5pni4zq

[joshuaulmer-blog]

OPEN Open is the posture to receive Closed off I can never dream Open is the posture to receive Release and let go, even if slow Open is the posture to receive Guarded is not so brave Open is the posture to receive Now open my hands can rise • #hopewriterlife #joy #life #hope #openhands #praise #trust #faith • @hopewriters https://www.instagram.com/p/B7FFEf7BpF5/?igshid=ambhqiqf4b97

[joshuaulmer-blog]

Break forth o light of day Our eyes are open and ready to see Break forth o light of night Give way for me to dream Break forth o light of the moment Lead & guide even if slow is the way Break forth o light, send out a ray Help me to see beyond and be brave Break forth o Everlasting Light Put away darkness and help me rise • #hopewriterlife • @hopewriters • #writer #hope #life #joy #sadness #darkness #ocean #light #God #Christ #enduring https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Cqb1qBif_/?igshid=1kpktk94il7r2

[joshuaulmer-blog]

NEW A new day is coming That will break forth with light That will open our eyes to see A new day is coming That will give way to a dream That will slow our pain and misery A new day is coming That will give a way to be brave That will cause my heart to rise A new day is coming • @hopewriters • #hopewriterlife #faith #joy #newday #homeschool #homeschooldad #entrepreneur #entrepeneurlife #blogger #lifestyle #lifestylecoach #writer #writersofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B6_cwGcBacW/?igshid=2gmo3zttfx7t

[joshuaulmer-blog]

The last day of 2019 and there are so many things I could say about this year, but the shirt I happen to be wearing today that says HOPE in large letters says it all. 2019 so far is the hardest year I have ever experienced in my life so far. While it's been the hardest it has also been a year full of drawing closer to God than ever before and some of the sweetest moments I have ever experienced with Him. One of the big things I have learned this year comes from Lamenations 3:21 This is I call to mind therefore I have hope. Whether in the midst of depression, anger, sadness, or despair......all the way to the other end with joy in the little moments of the ordinary, the thankfulness of the breathe in my lungs upon waking in the morning, I can have hope. I can have hope because I've learn to see beyond my circumstances and see that Christ is all the Hope I need. I have learned that Hope goes beyond what I feel in the moment, Hope is something I call to mind. I call to mind what Christ has done in the past with his death on the cross and overcoming the grave and I have Hope, I call to mind that in this moment as a believer I have the Holy Spirit that lives within me and is with me in these moments daily, and I call to mind that the future is already written by the Author of the entire story from beginning to the end here on earth. So I'm walking into 2020 with the HOPE that I don't have to rely on me, that I don't have to rely on others but instead I have hope in God who has been with me all along. When all seems silent He is there, when all seems stormy and I can't see in front of me, He is there. When my eyes open and I acknowledge the inhaling and exhaling of my breath in the morning, He is there. "This I call to mind, therefore I have Hope!" Thank you Lord for giving me the insight this year of the Hope that you are! Let's walk into 2020 full of Hope found in Christ! https://www.instagram.com/p/B6wz78uhlM3/?igshid=10slztj5e7vgf

[joshuaulmer-blog]

He Is Enough My King left His heavenly throne to be born into flesh The savior who was born to die for you and I To be the sacrifice that no other could satisfy He Is Enough Yet we spend our time longing for more Filling our hearts with all that leaves us empty Yet the One has come who is more than plenty He Is Enough Of all the things we long and chase after to meet these expectations we often forget the very one we say we are celebrating. We forget that He is more than Enough. May we this Christmas remember that no matter what is going on, whether in grieving, life disappointments, or whether in happiness we have a Savior who came to us 2000+ years ago and satisfied all we have ever needed, all we need in this moment, and all we will ever need. This Christmas I am thankful for Jesus the light in the darkness, the Hope ever present, the only One who is more than enough! Merry Christmas!! https://www.instagram.com/p/B6f8V_ihFMK/?igshid=1v7st5q4injuf

[joshuaulmer-blog]

"Oh taste and see that the Lord is good!" Psalm 34:8a For those of us that are coffee drinkers and I assume the same goes for tea drinkers....when I wake in the morning I can already smell the coffee before I brew it, I can sense the warmth of it as I sip it yet the coffee hasn't been made and that first delightful sip hasn't hit my lips. I can experience all this that I just described because I have become accustomed to the ritual of partaking in coffee most mornings that the memory of it often fills my senses. I got thinking this morning about how often do I feel this way about God. Have I come to a place that He is a regular part of my day so much so that upon waking the thought of being in His Word, in worship, or in prayer begins to fill my senses? Does the aroma of God wake me, am I reminded of His deep soul touching warmth that has the power to fill me to my core? Have I "tasted and seen that the Lord is good" and now I can't wait to start my mornings with Him? Let's be honest, as a coffee or tea lover we will jump at any chance we can to have a cup of coffee or tea. Do we also jump at any chance we can to partake in time with our Heavenly Father? I think one of the problems we have is that we will find ways to sit and savor all that we can from a cup of coffee or tea, yet when it comes to time with God we don't treat Him the same. I know for certain there are days like this for me. This year has brought about trials and time that have lead to me spending more and more time with God and I an say that even thought the last year has been a dark and trying season it at the same time has given me many opportunities to "taste and see that the Lord is good!" And creating space and time most days to partake in time with my Heavenly Father it has definitely become something I look forward to and long for most days! https://www.instagram.com/p/B6LXx5Ehz50/?igshid=135lg8eq5xbjm

[joshuaulmer-blog]

Launch Out Into The Deep : Understanding Christ's Power In Luke ch. 5 we see that Peter and others had been fishing all night but hadn't caught anything. Jesus tells Peter to go out to the deep and cast his nets. Peter probably looked at him like he was crazy. Commentary notes on this let us know that it was a crazy idea to cast the nets at the time of day that Jesus was suggesting. This time of day wasn't one in which fish were typically caught. Peter out of obedience did indeed go out to the deep and cast his net. Upon his obedience two things happened his reward was great and he also understood even more the authority of Jesus and who he was. It caused Peter to fall on his face because he then understood even more who Jesus was. It seems often times in my life the closer I get to Jesus or the closer I desire to get to Him the more he calls me to the deep, calls me to things I don't understand or don't make sense, even dare I say impossible. But as I learn to obey, even some times in reluctance I am always met with reward and greater understanding of how great He is. Let us go to the deep when we are called, let us obey the call to do what seems impossible, and let us be met with the reward of seeing how great our God is! https://www.instagram.com/p/B6CF0RsBN95/?igshid=3c5ql73100yx

[joshuaulmer-blog]

Last night as I knelt doing prayers with my kids we were talking about things we are thankful for. We talked about the simplicity of being thankful for our home and that we can easily take that for granted. I started to fight back tears by the time I had left doing prayers with them. I was overcome with the humble beginnings and where my King was born. The One who deserves all my praise was born in something that compared to my house makes me look like the richest person on earth. Yet so many days I dream about doing something different with my home, wishing it looked like this or that, comparing it to who knows who that I saw on social media. As I write this it still overwhelms me at the weight of that. My Savior the one who died for me spent the entirety of His life with so much less than I have....and yet there are days that I just want more, not content with more on this earth than my King ever had. Oh how this shows the condition of my heart. Lord forgive me of not always being a good steward of what you have blessed me with and for taking it for granted. Lord thank you for this reminder last night and I pray that if the day comes that you bless me even more on this earthly home that I will be a good steward of what you have blessed me with to be a blessing to others. For now I will learn to be content, seek You Lord for my daily needs, pour out the desires of my heart and my dreams to You and seek Your will....and with this home that you have blessed me with or where ever the future may lead me, let it be a place that friends old and new come to and experience the overflow of You! https://www.instagram.com/p/B572kEyB82Q/?igshid=1enseou7nv7ys

[joshuaulmer-blog]

It's dark in the valley The land far below Where nights feel longer And daytime feels less It's dark in the valley The land far below Where my heart aches, moans, and groans Where feelings of despair seem the weight of my bones It's dark in the valley The land far below But morning still comes To those that have hope It's dark in the valley The land far below I must remember Remember to press on somehow It's dark in the valley The land far below I must keep following the Way Remember to cling to the light that's found both night and day It's dark in the valley The land far below But light still shines Light from Shekinah Glory Oh Shekinah Glory You're guiding my path Through the dark valley The land far below And in this I rest I rest that You know The path through the dark valley And the land far below A reflection of reading in Psalms • • Photo: @amongthepine Design: Me • • • #truth #bible #journal #faith #journey #God #entrepreneur #seektruth #Jesus #hope #life #design #nature #dadlife #homeschooldad https://www.instagram.com/p/B3PrjC0hFmC/?igshid=ijxtd9dpk9qs

[joshuaulmer-blog]

It's dark in the valley The land far below Where nights feel longer And daytime feels less It's dark in the valley The land far below Where my heart aches, moans, and groans Where feelings of despair seem the weight of my bones It's dark in the valley The land far below But morning still comes To those that have hope It's dark in the valley The land far below I must remember Remember to press on somehow It's dark in the valley The land far below I must keep following the Way Remember to cling to the light that's found both night and day It's dark in the valley The land far below But light still shines Light from Shekinah Glory Oh Shekinah Glory You're guiding my path Through the dark valley The land far below And in this I rest I rest that You know The path through the dark valley And the land far below A reflection of reading in Psalms • • Photo: @amongthepine Design: Me • • • #truth #bible #journal #faith #journey #God #entrepreneur #seektruth #Jesus #hope #life #design #nature #dadlife #homeschooldad https://www.instagram.com/p/B3PrjC0hFmC/?igshid=ijxtd9dpk9qs

[joshuaulmer-blog]

It's dark in the valley The land far below Where nights feel longer And daytime feels less It's dark in the valley The land far below Where my heart aches, moans, and groans Where feelings of despair seem the weight of my bones It's dark in the valley The land far below But morning still comes To those that have hope It's dark in the valley The land far below I must remember Remember to press on somehow It's dark in the valley The land far below I must keep following the Way Remember to cling to the light that's found both night and day It's dark in the valley The land far below But light still shines Light from Shekinah Glory Oh Shekinah Glory You're guiding my path Through the dark valley The land far below And in this I rest I rest that You know The path through the dark valley And the land far below A reflection of reading in Psalms • • Photo: @amongthepine Design: Me • • • #truth #bible #journal #faith #journey #God #entrepreneur #seektruth #Jesus #hope #life #design #nature #dadlife #homeschooldad https://www.instagram.com/p/B3PrjC0hFmC/?igshid=ijxtd9dpk9qs

[joshuaulmer-blog]

“Our sorrows can sometimes make today feel unbearable. And that is the point of this promise: when we meet the unbearable, God himself will bear us.” “Our dreams falter and fail; God does not. Our hearts grow weak; his steadfast love is from everlasting to everlasting. Our hopes rise and fall; God’s mercies come at their appointed time every morning — and they will carry us through today.” From: @desiringgod • • The Lord is the strength of my life. Psalm 27:1b • • • #faith #God #scripture #joycomesinthemorning #joy #peace #Jesus #dadlife #homeschooldad #morning #sunrise #fog https://www.instagram.com/p/B2l-EZdBVtf/?igshid=gee24kkihkz5