Thanksful Thursday

This Thursday I want to give thanks to the Lord for my husband.  How often we take for granted the love of our husbands and family.  I am thanksful for the loving, hard working, dependable husband which God has given me. 

Always I give thanks to the Lord for my salvation and freedom in Him.

"I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you." 
             Ps. 35:18 NIV


May each of you be richly blessed today.

Kindred Connection Party

Hosted by Kristen at Kindred Connection.  Click on the button above and join us!

1. What is your cultural heritage, and is it a part of your life (eg. do you celebrate your cultural holidays, or have special traditions or food that comes from your heritage)?

Not that sure of my heritage my mom’s family had a lot of Indian blood and Dutch. Never knew that much about my dad’s side of the family. My mom was from Mississippi with a love for good old fashioned country food. You know what I mean: grits, (not my favorite), fresh homegrown vegetables like peas, beans, tomatoes and potatoes. Of course potatoes were always covered in gravy.

2. Give a short description of your vision for your blog.

My visions for my blog are to be a place of encouragement, a place where all can come join in praise to our Lord. While I love writing encouraging words, I also envision my blog reaching out to hurting women in search of the Answer, Jesus. I love God’s daughters and find blogging a great way to connect with them. My blog also allows me to do three I love to do write about the love of life, Jesus, at times write about my grandchildren and share my love taking photos.

3.  What is one thing you are really enjoying about spring?

The warmth of the sun, the flowers, and the beauty of new growth are just a part of what I enjoy about spring.

4. Do you have an idea to share about something we could do today to bless our husbands/boyfriends to let them know they're special?

Little love notes left in his lunch box or a quick text message saying I love you seem to make my husband smile. Oh, and always a glass of iced tea when he walks through the door.

5. Are you involved in any social club (garden club, dinner club, book club, etc.) - or would you like to be?

I am not involved in any social club. Wouldn’t mind being in a scrapbooking girl’s night out if any of you bloggers are around Charleston, WV.

Running

What is the love of your life? What is the one thing you feel you simply must do?  For my 15 year old grand-daughter, Cheyenne it is running. Last year she fell in love with cross country running. When the school team came to the end of that season, she did not hang up her shoes. Instead she started running with the track team and even competing in local races. Recently due to a blow she received to her eye, she was benched. The blow caused blood to pool in and behind the eye. Running could cause the condition to worsen with a chance of losing sight in that eye. So she had to sit her running aside. Pretty sure she thought nothing could be more painful than not being able to run. Her words were “I have to run, it’s in my blood”. Jokingly I told her she didn’t get that from my blood pool (DNA).

So what love of my life will I pass on to my grandchildren? One thing I would like to pass on is my love for praying. Prayer is the one thing I feel I simply must do. Do I always get it right? No! Do I at times sit myself on the bench? Yes! Still like Cheyenne my soul cries out “I have to pray, it’s in my blood”. You might even say I found complete fulfillment in running to the cross.

E. M. Bound said this of prayer. “Prayer should not be regarded as a duty which must be performed, but rather as a privilege to be enjoyed, a rare delight that is always revealing some new beauty."

Scripture Reference:
“The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth. He will fulfill the desires of those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him; He also will hear their cry and will save them.”
Ps. 145:18-19 AMP

El Shaddi

How often have I heard or yes even said “but I can’t do what God is asking of me”? So this morning I am here to remind US that we do not serve just any god. We serve El Shaddi.  El Shaddi means God Almighty.

We serve a God who is all-sufficient, and who is strong enough to overpower and able to overcome all obstacles no matter the occasion! Is anything too hard for the Lord? (Genesis 18:14) He can give child to an aging barren woman. Can He not birth a dream within you and me?

A visiting preacher inquired of a congregation; do you believe God is almighty? Surely throughout the church the voices rang “Amen”. Then the preacher had to go one step further. Do you believe God is almighty in you? You could have head a pin drop. My mind raced, almighty in me? As if he heard the racing of our (for I am sure others thought the same) minds, he said “yes almighty in you”.

Above I have posted the song “El Shaddi”. If you have not already taken the time to listen, please do so. As you listen to the song may the strength of El Shaddi fill your whole being? May you not only feel that strength but may you know without a doubt that God, El Shaddi is almighty in you.

Prayer:

El Shaddi, this morning I give you all my praise. I thank you that to this outcast on her knees, you were the God who really sees. Thank you that you saw and knew that you could birth a dream in me. El Shaddi, I ask that the women reading this will know that you are an Almighty God that loves His daughters. May they know that you are still giving dreams and visions to your daughters? May they know that you are more than able to accomplish (complete) that which you place in their hearts. Amen.

Promise

The sky is full of dark stormy clouds. The weatherman is calling for severe thunder storms. The storms may come but for now the soft rain begins its gentle rhythm on the deck. In times past I have watched as the thunder rolled across the big Texas sky and the lightning seemed to strike right at the foot of our towering pine trees. After the storm would pass, the beauty of the rainbow would fill the sky. We now live in WV and the storms aren’t as prominent here. Still all of this has set mind on two scriptures. My heart rejoices as the Holy Spirit reminds me both God’s character and promise.


“I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth” Genesis 9:13

"Go out and stand before me on the mountain," the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.” 1 Kings 19:11-12

Often in the storms of our lives we do not hear God but He is there. God chose not to show himself to Elijah in the windstorm, earthquake or fire. Instead God chose to prepare his prophet to hear the small still voice. Just as the rainbow was a sign of the covenant so we have His promise that He will never leave nor forsake us. He’s right there in the big middle of that unbearable storm. Finger to lips – hush… listen... can you not hear His gentle whisper?

With a love for God’s daughters,
LindaJ

Keep On

When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stone-cutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow, it will split in two and I know it was not that blow that did it but all that had gone before.                Author unknown

Are there times when like the stone-cutter it seems as though there is no evident of your hard work? You have been praying so hard for a relationship, ministry, unsaved spouse, wayward children (grandchildren).  Must like the stone-cutter, at times it seems as though God is not hearing our spiritual blows of the proverbial hammer. Having been there many times, I understand this. Still I know that after months, yes and even years that rock splits. Right before your eyes you see the proof that prayer does work. Right before your eyes you now see the fruit of a ministry, the salvation of your spouse or perhaps a wayward child (such as me) comes back to the Lord.

"Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks."  Matthew 7:7-8 NLT

With a love for God’s daughters,
LindaJ

Are You Basking?

Did you know vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin? Vitamin D is produced by the body in response to sunlight. Vitamin D is essential for strong bones because it helps the body use calcium. Research is increasingly revealing the importance of vitamin D in protecting against a host of health problems.


Research done some years ago in a Texas Women Correction facility showed that during the winter months the prisons seemed to suffer greater from depression. This research narrowed down the finding stating that the lack of sunshine was the major cause.

Bet right now you are wondering where is she going with this. Well let me tell you. Did you know there is another sun (son) light we must have to grow properly as children of God? His name is Jesus, the true light. Just as we find time to spend soaking up the sunlight, so we must spend time soaking (basking) in the SON’s Light. Depression, worries and woes can wither as we bask in the Son’s Light. Not only will our spiritual bodies grow stronger but our very being will be nourished.

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4 NKJ

“So that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.” Acts 17:27-28 NKJ

You will find me basking in the Light today.

With a Love for God's Daughters,
LindaJ

Thankful Thursday

Welcome to my blog. I am new to this game but when I saw “Thankful Thursday” I said now there is something I can write about. So here I am with keyboard in hand (or under my hands) pondering what do I type when I have so much to be thankful for.


Yesterday was not a well behaved day for me. Have you ever had those days when you just wake up with your emotions bending in the wrong direction? You know what I mean, someone (like a husband) hurt your feelings the night before and you’ll be darn if you are going to let them off the hook that easily. Now at my age one should know the only person that will truly suffer these bended emotions is me. After hours of the self pity act of “well he owes me an apology”, the phone rings. Guess what they are talking, laughing just like their normal selves. As I said the only person bothered is ME!

Then I am reminded of an Abba Father waiting on me. Even though I’ve messed up (sinned against Him) He welcomes my call. He reminds me of His unconditional love. He smoothes my ruffled emotions, calms my troubled soul and put things back into prospective for me. Today I am thankful that we serve a God of mercy and grace. I am thankful that He loves us unconditionally.

“The LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” Jeremiah 31:3

Good Gifts

God has given me so many wonderful gifts but today I have chosen to tell you about one that recently rocked my world. For years I have prayed that my oldest son, Michael, would come to know God in an up close personal way. My prayers for him went something like this "Father, you know you have given my son an ability to learn and grasp knowledge with ease. Thank you Father. Still Lord in all of that knowledge he is often a "prove it to me" person. Please Lord, I ask that he may hear your spoken voice. Lord, from the beginning of our relationship you have given me visions and at times spoken aloud to me. This I pray for Michael and all of my family. When he hears your voice, he will know it is you that has spoken and will know that you are more than just God of the Bible. He will know you are the one true living God that still speaks to his children and calls them by name. Amen"


This past September my mom went to be with the Lord. She had given up on life for the past two years as she simply waited to die. This past summer we made two trips to Texas to be at her side. All of the family was gathering to say their goodbyes. One by one she would speak only a word or two as they came in. As my son, Michael arrived I noticed that he seemed different in some way. He sat by her bed and prayed over her. He asked my sister for a bible and read the 23rd Palms to mom. For a few weeks before, my daughter in-law had said she would find Michael just reading the bible (not his normal thing).

To bring further meaning to the story I have to tell you, for days my sister would not leave my mom's side. Finally I convinced her that we needed to go eat. Our husbands would sit with mom. As we drove back into the Hospice parking lot I knew something was wrong. Our husbands met us at the cars to say mom had died. The first thing that came to my mind was that I had caused my sister to lose the very thing she so desired - to be by mom's side at the time of death. My spirit was broken and I felt so guilty for taking her away.

Michael came to me; at first he was just trying to comfort me. Finally he suggested we go into the family room for he wanted to tell me something. Now this is what God did for me. Michael said "Mother, God told me to tell you this 'you of all people should know that I AM in control. I did what I needed to do when I needed to do it. Do not question my actions' ".  Without a doubt I knew God had truly spoken through Michael for me. See while God took one thing from me He gave me another kind of gift. He gave me just what I asked of Him. Imagine that the first time my son would hear God's voice it would be to give me a message.  Do we not serve an awesome, loving God?

What good gifts has God given you lately? We would love to hear your comments.

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11 NIV

Kindness

"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."
                R. T. Kendall, Controlling the Tongue

Today's scripture:  Will they not go astray who devise evil?  But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.   Proverbs 14:22

His Toil

...and find satisfaction in all his toil, this is the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:13 NIV

This is one of my husband's toils that I too find great satisfaction in.  (big smile)

Rise and Shine

Do any of you remember the old children church’s song “Rise and Shine”? For a few years I had the privilege of having my granddaughters live in my home. Each morning I would wake them with this little song.

Rise and shine

And give God the glory, glory

Rise and shine

And give God the glory, glory

Rise and shine

And give God the glory, glory

Time to rise and shine, it is going to be a beautiful day. As I remind myself, no matter the weather outside - rain or shine - it is going to be a beautiful day. For God has given me one more day to praise Him and enjoy all the beauty of His creation. 

"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."  Psalms 118:24 NIV

 

Frio Canyon - TX

Picture taken by my son

He Lives

Jesus is alive! He is not a myth or a fairy tale. He lives; I know He lives! My Redeemer lives.

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received,

that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and

that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day

according to the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4

"BECAUSE HE LIVES"  - Writer Bill Gaither

Chorus:  Because He lives I can face tomorrow,

              Because He lives all fear is gone;

              Because I know He holds the future

              And life is worth the living just because He lives.

Diffuser of Fragrance

Have you ever heard it said that one can be known by the fragrance they wear? When you walk up behind someone do they know by your fragrance that it is you? There are many things about my grandmother that I remember. Her long hair put up in a bun, her love for painted fingernails and the way she smelled of Avon talc powder are just a few of my memories.

Don’t know about you but when I leave this world I want to be remembered. Remembered not necessarily for the fragrance I wore but for being a diffuser of a fragrance. My greatest desire is that all may see the great love of Christ through me. God’s word says that through us He diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

Ponder with me this morning – do we as Christians bring and leave the scent of God’s love with others? We can you know!

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."  2 Corinthians 2:14-15