July

Hello! I'm glad you've stopped by. I hope you're enjoying the blessings of an abundant Summer!

You might be wondering, "What type of blog is this anyway?" Simply put, this blog is about having a relationship with your creator. It's not about theology, doctrine or creeds and I claim no label, group or movement. Oh sure, if you're a good detective, you could read through every post here for the last year and gather some clues about where I've been, who I've been and who I am now. You could even find that my emphasis has changed from time to time. For everything there is a season and the Lord sheds light in different areas as needed. That's why you might find one post that really speaks to you and others that really don't. :> But, if you come back in a couple of months or read back a few posts, you might find just what you needed to hear. Our Father knows just what you need. He also loves you tremendously and amazingly!

The love of God has been made very real to me and you will read a lot about His love here. Nothing can compare to His love. You'll also see that I enjoy creation. I am particularly fond of mountains, water, sky and flowers. Sometimes I come here just to take a little nature walk! If you do too, that's okay. Our Father speaks to us in many ways and speaking to us through His creation is one of His most creative.

One of the most amazing things about the Internet is how it connects people from all walks of life from all over the world. I love seeing how God lives and moves and has His being through each one of you. You're amazing! Never doubt it! I love to know that you are there, so please feel free to say hello or make a comment. If you return during this month of July you will see that new posts will appear below this one.

Never forget that God is on your side!

Just Hangin' Out

My tame Blackberries are ripening now and the wild ones are soon to follow. Yum!


When I walk around my property in the mornings, I stop and pick a few for an energy boost. The dew is heavy on them so there's no need to wash them. It's a sweet time of fellowship with my Lord as we walk together and then stop to pick a few berries.
If I feel a breeze, I'll stop and let it brush my cheek and I'll thank my Lord for it. It's a good time of just hanging out. Did you know that our Lord just wants to hang out with you? It is possible to find Him in between the lines of a prayer list. It is possible to find him anywhere. But what He really wants is a relationship with you. He just wants to hang out with you to get to know you and for you to get to know Him. Sure, He already knows all about you but He loves it when you willingly share bits of yourself with Him. That is a relationship and friendship. When you can confide or share secrets with someone- that's friendship, too. If you haven't already, try just hanging out with Him sometime. You'll love it.

The Gift Of Kittens

Tea anyone?
:>
(I hope you're not a cat hater!)
I can hardly believe it!
My cat had 7 kittens- again!
The first time it happened I was amazed.
I'd never had a cat have such a large litter.
But a second time?! Wow!
I'm so thankful for kittens.
:>
They are one of God's cutest gifts to me!
They are spiritual to me.
Are you laughing?
EVERYTHING is spiritual to me.
I find the Spirit of God moving all over the face of the waters.
He is all in all.
He is everything to me.
I hope He's everything to you, too.

Quietness

I love the quiet of early morning.

It's my favorite time of day.

It used to be the time that I would "storm the gates of heaven" with prayer.

Now I'm just quiet or softly whispering.

Maybe that storming time will come again.

I don't know.

It doesn't really matter.

He- is all that matters.

And for now, we're enjoying the quiet together.

He's Thinking Of You

In the quiet of evening, do you think of Our Lord?

He's thinking of you.

He is!

He loves you!

It doesn't matter what you've done or what you haven't done.

He loves you dearly.

Accept His love today.

It is a most wonderful gift.

The Gift Of A Dream

I had the most wonderful dream recently! It was a gift of a dream.

I had gone to my bed feeling very weak and ill in mind and body. I hoped to sleep away some time and misery and didn't know how I would make it through the rest of my day.

Just as I was dosing off, I caught a snatch of wonder!

I was a little girl again, dressed in a Pink frilly dress. Like a little fawn, I was traipsing down a hillside similar to the one in my photo above. The only difference was, my hillside was covered with little Pink flowers. In the dream, I knew it was Spring. The sky, the breeze and the temperature, all together spoke of Spring! And everything was absolutely perfect!

As I joyfully made my way down that incredible hillside, I was absolutely and totally euphoric. I FELT it in my dream and it wasn't just a quick wave of Euphoria it was steady and constant joy, as if at any moment I could fly!

And then I awoke.

Wow! What a treat considering the state of my body and mind only seconds before. I then spent some time just basking in the sweetness of that dream and thanking God for it. I can't even begin to explain how it ministered to me and helped me get up and finish my day.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.

It's Just Monday

Okay... so it's Monday.
Everybody has one.
In fact, everyone on my side of the world it having one RIGHT NOW.
It's no big deal. You can do it.
It's been done by billions of people before you and you're one of them.
You're not alone.
Move forward.
It's just Monday.
~ Smile~

Let It Rain!

It sure has been raining a lot lately... It seems more like Spring than Summer. I've been thinking, Will these rains never end?!

Yesterday, I came across a familiar passage of scripture that reminded me that the rain is a witness for our God! I loved reading this passage! This is what our friend Paul told the people at Lystra:

"And in the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." (Acts 14: 16-17)

Our God does good!

He gives gifts of rain and fruitful seasons!

He Satisfies our hearts with food and gladness!

That's my God and He's your God too.

The Harvest

I'm harvesting my early apples right now. There is a great sense of satisfaction in gathering food you've grown yourself! But really, I didn't grow it- God did! What an awesome God He is to create something that grows and nourishes His creatures.

For the earth is the Lord's, and all it contains!!

In harvesting my apples, I feel like I'm able to share in the harvest that He enjoys; the harvest of the people whom He created and loves.
God does desire a bountiful harvest, my friends!

Lord, your kingdom come and your will be done!

The Shack

I finished reading The Shack by William P. Young.

The Shack is a fictional story about a man named Mac who comes to know his God in a very personal way. The man had heard a lot about God but hadn't really experienced Him. Since knowing God instead of just knowing about Him is something very real and dear to me, I found the book intriguing. I had heard a lot about The Shack before I read it so I knew it wasn't going to be a traditional or religious book. In fact, I think it gives religion a good swift kick.

WARNING- SPOILERS AHEAD

I had also heard that there was a violent crime commited in the book. To be honest, I had to put the book down a few times because of it. I have a highly sensitive nature and a very visual and vivid imagination, so I generally don't read or watch crime stories. Thankfully, I have the talent of skimming a written page or I wouldn't have been able to read the rest of the book. I had even thought that I wasn't meant to read the book and almost sent it back to the person who loaned it to me. But I came to the conclusion that I was supposed to read it and I am very glad that I did.

One of my favorite parts of the book is when Mac is hanging out at the lake with Jesus and Mac is asking Jesus questions and wanting to talk about spiritual things. Finally, Jesus let's Him know in His own special way that He just wants to hang out with Mac and enjoy the great outdoors. In other words, BE QUIET! ;> Boy, can I relate to that! Ha!

I've heard that some people have taken the book too seriously. Some of the heresy police are raking over it with a fine tooth comb. I'll admit that (even) I was tempted to become paranoid over "questionable doctrine" rather than just read the book and let the Lord teach me if He wanted too. Friends, God can be trusted with a book! He can be trusted- period!

Fear not little flock.

Has anyone else read The Shack? Let's talk about it.

Mercy!

His mercies are new every morning!

If you're thinking about yesterday's failures- forget them!

It's not about us- it's about Him!

If we focus on us and how we are "performing", discouragement can set in quick!

If all you hear is "do better- do better." You are listening to the wrong words!

Listen to His words in the bird song.

Listen to His words in the color of the morning and evening skies.

They speak of glory! They speak of beauty and victory!

His words are full of life and mercy!

Great is His faithfulness!

Happy 5th of July!

Here in the United States, we celebrate the 4th of July but since today is my 28th wedding anniversary, I decided to post these sparklers today! I've always loved sparklers. I can't help but smile when I see one. I hope they make you happy, too. Happy 5th of July!

Surrender To The Light

How different life can look when His light is shinning through it.

Surrender to His light. Don't resist.

I remember when I thought that if I surrendered to Him, I wouldn't have fun anymore!

Just look around at God's creation.

Do you really think that He doesn't "believe" in having fun???

Let His light shine on you today and ENJOY!

He's waiting with open and love filled arms.

The Journey

Where are you at in your journey?
What is the Lord teaching you?
I once made a mistake in thinking that MY journey was supposed to be YOUR journey as well. ~Blush~

No, each path is one's own, although some may be similar.
Maybe you've already been where I am passing.
Perhaps you haven't been on my trail yet.
Let's respect one another.
I do not want to force anyone to walk with me.
I just want to share the souvenirs I've picked up along the way.
If you don't like them- that's okay.
Anything that I post on this blog is not an expectation that I have for you to perform or measure up. I love and accept you just the way you are.
If something makes me happy- I want you to be happy, too. That's all.
I'd love to hear about what you're discovering on your journey.
Let's share souvenirs.

Sring Up, Oh Well

Spring up oh well!
Ha-ha!
Can you imagine? Whoosh!
That's how it's been for me at times in this walk with the Lord.
Sometimes, I feel so full of Him that He simply cannot be contained!
And then, there's those other times.
Yeah, you know, those times...
The "duh" moments when it's like I'm just standing there looking down at a barely visible underground spring...
Bubble- bubble... Is it there?
Yeah, "it's" there- I promise.
He's there. He said He would never leave us or forsake us.
He's there, whether you feel Him or not...

Well, can we make Him be felt more? Can we turn that bubble into a geyser?
At one point in time I would have answered, "Yes." I would have suggested praying more, reading more scripture or how about popping in a new worship CD?
Well, God can use those things but that's just it-they're things. They're not Him and I have learned that I can't make Him do anything. (Surprise- surprise!)

The Lord knows your heart, my friend. Don't worry.
If you're going through what seems like a dry time, there might be more going on there than you think. The Lord is a creator of beautiful things and He is working in your life whether you see it or not.
He will finish the work he began in you.
And
They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.

Truth Light Life

Truth~ Light ~ Life ~

These are ours today.

We can be a part of these things.

Actually, these are more than just things- they are a person!

The Son of God- The Lord Jesus Christ!

We can be one with Him....

We can dwell in Him and He in us.

We can be filled with Truth, light and life.

Away with lies!

Away with death!

Away with darkness!

Let Christ reign!

His Promises

I am with you always. Even to the end of the age.

That's a promise from our Jesus and His promises are true.
If you're one of those people who are feeling burdened by focusing on commandments, obedience and (your) failures, try focusing on His promises today.
Some would claim that to focus on His promises is nothing but a "feel good gospel".
Please! Isn't there enough "feel bad gospel" out there?! Come on!
Haven't we heard enough of "Do this, do that, and you're a filthy worm?"
YOU, my friend, were worth dying for!
YOU, my friend, were created in the image of God!
Lift up your head and look into His eyes!
Do you see His love?
Do you see His compassion?
He wants to walk with you, cry with you and YES even play with you!
He wants to know you and He wants you to know Him.
I promise.

Peace

~ Peace I give unto you.~

He's given us so many things but to me- peace is priceless.

To be in the midst of a heart wrenching crisis and then feel His peace come flowing in... oh, it is worth so much to me!

Oh Father, if the one reading this today is in one of those times of peril, I pray that your peace- the peace that passes all understanding- would fill and flow and surround this precious one right now.

Sermon In The Stars

Ever heard a sermon in the stars?

I have.

When I was a teen age girl, steeped in misery, the stars spoke to me.

They were God's spokesman.

They told me to believe in Him and I did.

They told me that there was a God and that He was big and that He was beautiful.

Have you forgotten?

Have you ever believed?

Look at the stars.