Quiet Life!

When I think about living a quiet life my mind wanders to the simplicity of living in the country years ago. While enjoying those quiet summer nights in Tennessee; you could hear the crickets chirp, and watch the warm summer breeze flow through the fields of corn or soy in our backyard. It was in that quiet place we enjoyed gardening so much and walking through the back country roads. The cows were mooing and the horses were neighing. It was in that time my husband could step outside and hit a few targets or visit a neighbors stream to do some quiet life fishing. I remember the hot days of working part time with our son at a local farmers coop, we worked on a wash line with selecting the squash, melons and other produce for local distribution. It was a hot sweaty low paying job, but it was so much fun.  We purchased silver queen corn at a small price and did some canning in those days. 

It was a city girls dream of living in the country being fulfilled. I enjoy the quiet life so much that I’m hoping to make our home just as inviting, comfortable and welcoming with the simplicity of everyday living. It’s a place where we can enjoy simple worship, and rest awhile. While I’ve had a physical pause these past couple months I realize the simpler times of life are often more important than the hurried pace we often find ourselves in. 

May you take time to enjoy the summer breeze and take a moment to just relax. Enjoy your day and stay safe. #quietlife

Blessing.

(1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.)

Strong

Strong and steadfast in faith. 

What can that mean? 

Strong and Steadfast in our faith! 

It can be the one who is firmly rooted or planted. It’s a firm grit and solid determination that’s covered in stability and humility. 

1 Peter 1:6-7 reminds us to greatly rejoice even though there may be a refining process at the time. It’s in the storms of life wheee one can ask for the Lord to give them a heart of praise and thankfulness. 

It’s the one who remains steadfast and immovable; loyal in their faith. 

God calls us to a personal relationship with Him, and it’s one that is unchanged by the winds of time. It’s the seed planted deeply in the rich soil of life that takes deep root. 

In a world that’s ever changing with each new season, we’re like the leaf that falls to the ground and grows into a beautiful mighty tree. When the winds of culture, hardship, or temptation come, it’s these deep roots that ensure us to be anchored in the unchanging nature of Christ. 

Be a strong and steadfast believer, holding onto to faith and offering hope when and where it’s needed. 

May God continue to shine in your life as you read these words. 

(“Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you And give you peace.”) Blessings.

Streams 💦

What is it like to be planted by a stream of water?  🌱💦🪨

We can be like that little shoot emerging from the flowing stream, it’s the one poking through the crags and crevices. It’s that plant that has taken deep root. It’s like one you see in a river bank or mossy rock trickling water down a flowing stream. It’s the person who has taken such deep root in knowing the Lord and loving Him with their all. 

“Psalm One” is filled with such wisdom and guidance for the one who knows what it’s like to have walked on slippery slopes, but then the son-light has cleared (Psalm 1) is their pathway as they’ve placed their trust in Him. 

It’s the one who is nourished with the fruits of the spirit. It’s that intimate knowledge and relationship with the One they’ve chosen to walk with and share with others. It’s a progress in the making, and a day by day experience. This chapter is a reminder to not follow after the crowd, but take deep root and pleasure in knowing the ways of the Lord. In our fast paced, high energy society there is a deep calls to deep joy that comes from knowing and loving the Lord. 

Today, is a day to choose Him and follow His guidance. God knows our ways. He knows everything about us, and everything we will face today. He knows everything we are thinking, everything we may be struggling with. Yet, God says; You can come to me. You can meditate on my Word. You listen seek My counsel. I want you to thrive and be whole. 

Isn’t that great news?

May you find blessings today. 🌱💦🪨

Healing!!!

Healing comes in different ways, shapes and forms. It can arrive in an instant, it may take years  or it may not come at all. It can be healing of the body, mind or spirit, it can be physical, spiritual or emotional.

The Lord Gods Holy Word reminds us to not faint or grow weary. (Isaiah 40:31) 

How is it that we can be so weak and unable to get through, yet the Spirit of God enables us to overcome and make it through the day? 

I say it’s a thing we find by walking in the spirit and being able to realize the Lord is our strength and portion. In the morning when we rise, we can take heart and call unto Him, and call on Him when we rise and when we sleep. 

(Verse: “Isaiah 33:2: "O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble.")

A dear friend once reminded me to pray in the spirit, and quite often I find myself doing just that while alone, and at times when driving. I’m focused on what’s around me, yet it’s a deep calls to deep type of prayer. God has shown me through these times to trust Him in ALL things no matter.. 

(Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”)

Today, I’m learning to lean fresh and anew, praying for clarity and wisdom in choices that affect my health and wellbeing. It’s a challenge that requires patience and dedication. I know one thing, when He gives you a new season to walk through, He is there. God’s plan is always to give you hope and a future, so learn to lean upon Him. It will make life’s journey easier to get through. 

(Verse: Jeremiah 29:11, the Lord declares, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope".). Blessings. 

HOPE!!!

Mantle of Hope 

A mantle is something that covers in a loose warm covering, cloth, veil or shroud. Hope is an expectation or a belief in something positive such as; a good outcome. 

Lately the word HOPE is definitely something many are holding onto. So many are hurting and suffering. Yet…

Hope remains! 

Hope is quiet!

Hope is resilient!

Hope is tiring at times!

Hope is exciting!

Hope can be lengthy!

Hope can be short!

Hope can bring comfort!

Hope can bring peace!

Hope can help others believe!

Hope may not be seen!

Hope is an assurance!

Hope is confidence!

Hope is being anchored!

Hope is in getting real!

Hope is in suffering!

Hope is in healing!

Hope produces perseverance!

Hope produces character!

Hope is a promise!

Hope is in Christ!

When life throws hurdles, as it will. God remains steadfast and unshaken for those whose faith is anchored in Him. May we rise above and remain strong and faithful to hold onto Hope! Know that God loves you and Hope remains …

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.( Psalm 27:13)

Blessings… 

Teacup Story. 🍵

There was a couple who used to go to England to shop in the beautiful stores. They both liked antiques and pottery and especially teacups. This was their 25th wedding anniversary.

One day in this beautiful shop they saw a beautiful teacup. They said, “May we see that? We’ve never seen one quite so beautiful.” 

As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke “You don’t understand,” it said. “I haven’t always been a teacup. There was a time when I was red and I was clay.” My master took me and rolled me and patted me over and over and I yelled out, “let me alone”, but he only smiled, “Not yet.”

“Then I was placed on a spinning wheel,” the teacup said, “and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. Stop it! I’m getting dizzy!” I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, ‘Not yet.”

Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I wondered why he wanted to burn me, and I yelled and knocked at the door. I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as He shook his head, “Not yet.”

Finally the door opened, he put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. “There, that’s better,” I said. And he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. “Stop it, stop it!” I cried. He only nodded, “Not yet.”

Then suddenly he put me back into the oven, not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. All the time I could see him through the opening nodding his head saying, “Not yet.”

Then I knew there wasn’t any hope. I would never make it. I was ready to give up. But the door opened and he took me out and placed me on the shelf. One hour later he handed me a mirror and said, “Look at yourself.” And I did. I said, “That’s not me; that couldn’t be me. It’s beautiful. I’m beautiful.”

“I want you to remember, then,” he said, “I know it hurts to be rolled and patted, but if I had left you alone, you’d have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I knew it hurt and was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn’t put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn’t done that, you never would have hardened; you would not have had any color in your life. And if I hadn’t put you back in that second oven, you wouldn’t survive for very long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. You are what I had in mind when I first began with you.”

(Author unknown).  

Moral:

God knows what He’s doing (for all of us).He is the Potter, and we are His clay. He will mold us and make us, So that we may be made into a flawless piece of work. To fulfill His good, pleasing, and perfect will. No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not tempt you beyond what you can bear. (1 Cor. 10:13)

Healing Waters!

Dear Lord, as we go through a new day with all the things we have to do, may we pause to reflect upon Your healing waters. We need complete healing in our hearts, in our homes and especially our nation and in the world. We need the strength to be stronger in the winds of change and hours of adversity. 

This morning Lord, I pray that Your healing would come to those who need it and that Healing Waters will continue to flow in and through them as they seek You. (Psalm 147:3) 

May we find peace in this day and in our world. So many are hurting, too many are suffering and in pain. Lord, we thank you for healing the hearts of those who a need Your touch. We pray for Your strength and healing to come, in Jesus name I pray, Amen

(And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” Revelation 22:1-2)