A Great Book! A Lousy Virus.

while searching Amazon for a journaling bible, i ran across this and recognized the author's name. i've heard our daughter and some of her friends mention jennifer. the book intrigued me so i promptly hit 'put in cart'. it arrived yesterday and i read the first two chapters twice. TWICE! it's that good. and it's not just for young women. i'm 60 and i totally identified with it and know i'm going to be blessed for reading it and implementing her suggestions in my bible studies. i encourage you to do the same. this is strictly because i like her book and intend to purchase others. i didn't get it free. buahaha

jennifer is down to earth, wife, mother, sister, daughter, child of the King. she knows the ups and downs of life and shares them with her readers. she uses words that are easily understood and, with scriptures, she reminds of His love and promises that will stand for eternity. money well spent.

here's the link for jennifer's blog ~ jen hatmaker

and in yucky, nasty, barfing news,

i've had a virus for the past 15 days. it's been horrid. never, ever had one to last so long but count myself blessed as my brother and his wife had theirs to last three weeks. for the first time in 15 days i awoke with no headache, no chills, no nausea. after getting up very warily, i decided to take it easy, rest and try to stay this way. it's worked. praying it's gone, gone, gone. and i feel, and pray, for those i know that are still in it's throes. there's no antibiotic for it, you can only treat the symptoms. stay hydrated. light diet. no dairy! cough drops. tylenol. generic dramamine. immodium ad. too many days of wrapping up in a quilt while still in jammies. too many days without makeup and hair that really needs a cut and highlights. what a blessing that love isn't based on how you look when sick.

and to end on a happy note, since i began with one!

oh, how i love my Lord.

and oh, how i look forward to eternity

with Him {heart font!}

A Daily Blessing

One of my favorite blogs is Melissa Lester's, A Little Loveliness. A precious Christian sister that has a beautiful way with words. Within the devotional that captured my attention while spending time on her site was a few paragraphs of her oldest son. It painted such pictures in my mind that I literally felt I was standing on the sidewalk watching Carson along with her.

 There are many facets to Melissa's blog, one of which are her devotionals. (You can access them from a tab on the top bar.) I pray you enjoy it as much as I have this morning and that it touches your heart in such a way that we all begin to truly enjoy the moments of our days. Our Father has given so many blessings that I don't want to miss a single one. What about you?!

We have a rain front moving in overnight and my head is beginning to throb a bit. Time to go to the doTerra cabinet and get started on stopping a weather induced migraine. I don't know about you but mine seem to increase the older I get instead of decreasing {big frown font}. On the bright side, it's Autumn {HAPPY font} and I love each and every day this season brings. And then Winter! {HUGE HAPPY font}. My very, very favorite season of each year. But I won't rush you to it yet, let's enjoy the changing leaves and the crisp cool days of Autumn.

Enjoy Catching the Breeze and have an awesome day.

Nelson Mandela

"I always knew that deep down in every human heart, there is mercy and generosity. No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion.  People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."

Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom

A Lot Can Happen

We talk about not having enough time

to do this

to do that

We procrastinate

We wait for someone else to do it

We make excuses why it isn't done

We wonder when it will happen

We say it can't be done

 

What it really boils down to

is we all have the same amount of time

in a single day

We are given the choice of what to do

with it and with the day

How you choose

determines what will happen

Each choice has a consequence

Each action has an outcome

 

His choice had a consequence

that affected the world

And He had the same amount of time

as we do today

 

I pray I'm serving others

in my days

as much as He

served us on that day.

His Everlasting Love

Thus the heavens and the earth were completed

in all their vast array."

~ Genesis 2:1

 "My child, I created nothing in the world without forethought. Do you really think any creature could just "evolve" without precise, delicate thoroughness from My hand? If I know when a sparrow falls, and how many hairs are on your head, do you not also believe I am in control of the details of your life? You were a child in My heart long before you were a spark in your mother's eyes. With thoroughness, I created the world and everything in it. And with thoroughness, I will carry out My eternal plan for you."

This is my part of my morning devotional today and I loved it since John and I had been discussing how beautiful the day has been. Since moving here and being retired, we've had more time to ride around, to explore, to stop when we want and just watch the water flow. We've seen more birds that I've had to look up, fish that I've learned from John's excitement, and today part of the discussion was the fact that He didn't have to give us so many beautiful creatures. He didn't have to give us so many shrubs, trees, and flowers that bloom at some point year round. He didn't have to. But He did. He takes such delight in pleasing His children. I want to give back that same feeling to Him. Not to ever take for granted the simplest things in life. Is there a God? Look around you. Could man make everything you see? Whether indoors or out, there's something there that man can not do. Oh yes there's a God. And He wants our love, our devotion, our obedience. Just as I love my children and family, I have a heavenly Father that loves more than I ~ and that's difficult for me to imagine as I'd die for mine. Just as he did for me. But for strangers? Truly? I'd have to know the cause and the why's. Jesus knew He was dying for some that will never make it to Heaven, but He wills that we do. We have the choice. Please don't pass it up. I only saw the Garden and it was more than any Garden I've ever seen. I felt more peace and comfort than I've ever felt. There is a God, and He wants to know you.

I love Melissa Lester's blog and have featured her on here before. I really need to add her to my labels over on the right hand side {smile font}. Hers was the first updated blog I saw when I came to my site and I know the area of which she has photographed her daughter. I grew up not far from there and it was always a place our family visited during its open hours. Talk about God's beauty. The garden you'll find there is well tended to and cared for and many photographers use it, as well as weddings and receptions. I thought I'd end my post by letting you visit her site and see for yourself why it left me with a calm and peaceful feeling. Melissa is a beautiful Christian and Godly woman, and she not only has written books but is a speaker should you need someone for a women's day of devotion. Click here for a visit to Jasmine Hill ~ and yes, she makes her daughter's dresses. Another talent of hers.

Have a most blessed week and notice the beauty of it.

A Few Life Lessons

I just love snow scenes and these are beautiful

not to mention some pretty neat lessons.

I would love to give credit where credit is due, but I can't verify this with accuracy. If you know, let me know, and I'll be glad to provide credit and a link. And thank you, Raymond, for yes, it did indeed bring peace to my soul this afternoon. I have made peace with my life and know what to avoid and what to embrace. Life is a blessing, with all it's ups and downs, it's still a beautiful blessing.

But for you who revere my name,
the sun of righteousness will rise

with healing in its wings."
Malachi 4:2

FROM THE FATHER'S HEART

My child, in this life you will experience injustice, illness, rejection, misunderstanding, and death. But the time is coming when I, the sun of righteousness, will both rise and de-scend to call My children home. Heaven's healing waits for those who have known and revered Me ~ and a special place in My kingdom. Don't be weary doing good things in My name. Because you have acknowledged My name, I will acknowledge yours.

This was my devotion this morning

and I was comforted.

I hope it brings the same to you, dear friends~

The Have's and Have Not's

Wow, you must read this~

Daily Devotional~

He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart;

he gently leads those that have young.~

Isaiah 40:11

From the Father's Heart: My child, you are indeed one of My precious lambs. I know your nature. Like a sheep that easily wanders astray, your cries bring Me to your side in a moment. When you are hurting, I do not pour salt on your wounds. Instead, you will feel My soothing love and tender touch, healing the cuts you have sustained. When you cannot walk alone, I will carry you gently until you have safely reached green pastures again.

A grateful response: Just like a caring shepherd, You carry me as one of Your lambs close to Your heart. I love Your tenderness, the way You nurture me and soothe my bleeding wounds. I want to stay close, Lord, listening for Your heartbeat, keeping my eyes on You. I love You, Lord.

A simple truth: There are no greener pastures than God's own backyard.

Don't Wonder! Click!!

Please go, right now, to Melissa Lester's spot and read her note for today. I promise you, you'll be glad you did~Nancy

Comfort from the Saviour

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

~Philippians 4:13

O God, without you my strength would fade and my confidence would fail. Thankfully I will never have to worry about this because your grace, your Spirit, and your Son will strengthen me and help me weather any storm. Thank you, in Jesus' name. Amen.

And thank you, my Savior and King, for words of comfort that come at a time when they are most needed~