What a wonderful few days spent with my daughter and youngest grandchild!  I am so grateful for these amazing visits!!  I think I've finally figured out how to get my tree up to stay without our cat and kitten "bringing down the house" so those preparations will be finished over the weekend.

I know this can be an incredibly stressful, emotional time of year and I just want to remind you that today you woke up for a reason and with the power to make (or break) another's day with your smile, kind words and little act of kindness.  Love well today and every day and you'll be happier for it!

Blessings upon you!!

Good News

 "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:15

 

Amidst the turmoil of our times, when people turn on one another rather than working together toward a common goal, it is wonderful to hear good news.  Today, I was blessed to hear such news....to know that a friend is a friend indeed.  How wonderful to make another feel as grand as I today.  I would love to be that bearer of good news for another.  I'm going to look for new ways to share good news every day!

 

Let's seek to have "beautiful feet."

Faith Filled Friday!

Often of late, I've been in need of wisdom - for words, actions and direction. I know it is promised when we seek the Lord, but when referring to this promise, we are also called to have faith and do not doubt.

5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. James 1:5-8

The words of a wise man speaking on faith came to mind. He asked - what is the first thing you do when you walk into a dark room? We all answered pretty much in unison that it is to switch on the light so that you can see where you are going. He then showed us the faith we initiate when reaching for the switch and our expectation that the room will be illuminated. Certainly, we do exhibit faith every time we reach for a light switch. In fact, we are surprised if the light does not come on. It is with the same expectation that we should go before the throne with our request for wisdom...with the assurance that God will answer our prayer. Further, we should actually feel the relief as we know His answer is coming and He will reveal the way and illuminate our path. Certainly, God is not a switch to be turned or manipulated, but rather we should hold the faith we do when turning on a light switch in the One who Is and Was and Will be - the Alpha and Omega. He is so much more trustworthy than what we see with our eyes before us.

I hope today holds much light, wisdom and faith for you.

Please don't forget to sign in to the blog - I will be adding more soon. Meanwhile also enjoy this offering from the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdO2cRXVHII. Carol Cymbala wrote this song at one of her darkest hours - not knowing what was to come, but knowing her history with God

It's Thankful Thursday!

I'm meeting the day with an attitude of gratitude! How about you?

In 1904 Civilla Martin went to visit the Doolittles of Elmyra, New York. Mr Doolittle was confined to a wheelchair and ran a successful business that supported he and his bed-ridden wife. Mrs Martin was amazed at the joyful spirit of this dynamic couple and asked if they ever got discouraged. The response from Mrs. Doolittle (who had been bedbound for 20 years) amazed her. “Mrs. Martin, how can I be discouraged when my heavenly Father watches over each little sparrow and I know He loves and cares for me.”

Matthew 10:29-31 came to mind, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father in heaven. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than sparrows”.

The Doolittles' attitude, joy and love in the midst of their circumstances inspired Mrs. Martin to write the hymn "His Eye is On The Sparrow." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7Pk5YMkEcg&feature=related

......And I know He watches me. I hope you, too find inspiration from the Doolittles as you face your own condition today. May your day be blessed and you know His perfect rest as you take comfort in the fact that His eye is on the sparrow and indeed, He watches over you.

I've included the words below and would love to hear how He's working in your life. You can comment below. Why should I feel discouraged, Why should the shadows come?

Why should my heart be lonely and long for Heav’n and home,

When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;

Tho’ by the path He leadeth but one step I may see;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, Whenever clouds arise,

When songs give place to sighing, When hope within me dies.

I draw the closer to Him; From care He sets me free;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain:

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

 Ever feel like you're being watched?  Ha ha ha.  Well, this guy, our 6 year old ragdoll cat does a lot of watching and even whining!  Yep, you read that right - whining.  He actually has a quiet "muew" and has been known to head but a closed door to be near us.  However, when it comes time for me to do my chores, he seems to just hang out and watch, which is what he was doing here..

I am grateful for our bundles of fur, though.  When I'm able to a take a moment and sit quietly, I can always count on the company of one of them - no judgments, just the desire to be petted and near.  Isn't that what we all want, though: to be known, acknowledged and near?  I am so grateful that there is One who knows me, loves me and will never leave me and I can be content in that.  "...be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

It's Thirsty Thursday!

The clouds are rolling in and I am hoping for a big, beautiful thunderstorm!  We need the water here and I just love the way the clouds form in the sky.  For some reason it's always fascinated me.  I am so grateful that I am able to enjoy fresh water throughout my day: I rise to drink a glass of water, shower and refresh, use water in preparation for my meals and then get to drink it throughout the day providing hydration to my cells for better health.  This is something I don't take for granted.  What are you thankful for today?

The Choice is Yours

 So, I was awakened in the middle of the night - and it took a bit to get back to sleep, so when the alarm rang this morning I decided to hit snooze.  Funny thing, our animals don't understand about snooze and the ruckus began prodding me to jump up and start the day.  While tired and sleepy-eyed, I followed my normal routine - thanksgiiving and praise for this new day.  I did put a song on to get my day started right as I showered and I've placed the link here for you to enjoy as well.  May your week be filled with gratitude for all that you have today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd24fpsF1Qw

"Never part without loving words to think of during your absence. It may be that you will not meet again in this life." Jean Paul Richter  

What amazing words to live by.  We are never guaranteed tomorrow.  This year I have heard of more unexpected deaths of people who appeared to be healthy and were making plans that would take them well into their old age. 

 

Were there words that haunted a friend with whom they'd had a spat, a relative with whom they no longer spoke over some imagined wrong?  Is there someone that came to mind even as you read this?  We must remember to "not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth."  Proverbs 27:1  And because we know this, let us part in kindness, encourage one another, speak to one another in truth and love.

 

"Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

 

As a little girl on a trip to Texas to see family at Christmas, I was thrilled to see my first fireflies.  At first just a few, and then, they seemed to fill the night in front of the car's headlights.  It was amazing the way the shining little little lights danced in the headlights and then it appeared as though we were being engulfed by a swarm!  A dear friend had a similar experience when he awoke to a surprise and ran to tell his parents about the pretty white carpet someone had placed in their yard.....You guessed it, both were "first snow" experiences. 

What God has created is amazing and even now when snow falls, I feel the child-like wonder rise up in me again.  I want to skip and run from window to window to see it and declare - It's snowing!

 

Give thanks to the LORD of lords, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.  To Him who alone does great wonders, for His lovingkindness is everlasting; to Him who made the heavens with skill, for His lovingkindness is everlasting; To Him who spread out the earth above the waters...who made the great lights...the sun to rule by day...and the moon and stars to rule by night, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.  Psalm 136:3-9

 

Enjoy this day... with thanksgiving and purpose!

 

Today is a day filled with wonder, trouble, joy, sadness, love and even hate.

The news screams of children (11-5) killing other children mob-style - meaning as a mob upon one person.  People are aghast!  They ask - how can this be?  There've been 3 such murders of other children in the same state over the last month.  "It must be the parenting, they say."  REALLY?!?!?  While I believe that is definitely contributory, how about looking at the mainstream media who, for nearly the last year, have glorified the same behavior of rioters mobbing individuals, setting businesses on fire, stealing from them and "partying" in the street about these action with no consequences, politicians calling for violence and murder against anyone supporting our former President or his supporters and they are applauded with no consequence.  The message to children -  if someone doesn't agree with you, you have the right to harm them....even kill them and there will be no consequences, because afterall, they dared to disagree with you."

Oh, how we need a heart change - revival in our land.  

Beloved, let us love one another .... (1 John 4:7a)

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

What if we did this? We could see the beauty of the changing weather - even a "simple" cloud in the sky.  Rather than seeking and seeing others faults or where we are not in agreement, we could see the beauty of God's creation in that individual.

I hope you are enjoying a beautiful day as you seek to love one another!  God bless you!

Wow!!  Boy is today a "jumpstart" day! Woke up at 7:30 a.m. (somehow slept through the 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. reminder alarms).  I am usually entering my car and heading downtown at 7:30 a.m.  Well - I shot up like a bullet, showered, applied make-up, dressed and was out the door and getting into my car at 7:50 and still made it to work on time (which is 10 minutes before I'm due there)  

So, I started thinking.  While I certainly would not choose the rush and ramble morning I had thsi morning as an every day event, it would appear I'm leaving time on the table that I could put to good use.  To awaken with drive and get my quiet time, workout and a chore or two done each morning before heading to work would be amazing!!  So - tomorrow - it's off to a new routine!!  Just as Psalm 30:5b states that "joy comes in the morning."  I am headed for new joy each morning!  Blessings upon you and your day! 

Ever have a day like this??