A steadfast heart...

I've read through the Psalms many times in my almost six decades of living, but as I'm currently reading through it again it's as if I'm noticing for the first time how frequently the steadfast love of the Lord is mentioned.  In last week's Sunday Soul Food post I mentioned some of those verses.

In Psalm 57:7 and Psalm 108:1 the Psalmist says that his heart is steadfast.  In Psalm 112:7 it says that the Psalmist is not afraid of bad news because his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. In the original language the word firm could also be translated steadfast.  As I am rereading the Psalms, I am convinced that the key to our own heart being steadfast-unafraid, at peace, trusting-is being fully persuaded about God's steadfast love for us. When we are confident in God's love, when we know in the depths of our being that nothing can separate us from His steadfast love for us, then we can face what comes our way in this life trusting in Him and His steadfast love. We can trust that He will lovingly care for us, come what may. (Join me for the rest of this post on Sunday, July 30th, at Woman to Woman Ministries where each Sunday I share a bit of Sunday Soul Food!)

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Also happily linking up with the lovely

Susan B. Mead
and

Sunday Scripture Blessings

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A summer hike...

Yesterday a friend from church invited me to go on a hike around a nearby lake.

It was such a refreshing way to begin the day!

We went in the morning before the weather got too hot,

and were home in time to go about the business of the day.

(All photos taken with my iPhone 7.)

 (photo above and below edited using Kim Klassen's waterfront texture.)

 (photo above and below edited using Kim Klassen's 1412 texture)

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songography at "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out"

image-in-ing:Variations

http://www.lifenreflection.com

buckaroo mama

peabea

Seeing the beauty...

One day after the other, the usually temperamental weather of the Pacific Northwest has given way to blue skies and sunny weather this summer.  It's been splendid!  In the midst of savoring these summer days, there are also challenges in life. That is reality.  To see the beauty of God's fingerprints in the middle of not only the easy to give thanks for things, but even in the challenging things, the ugly, hurtful and frustrating things, is sometimes hard, but one of the keys to learning to trust Him in all things.  And so, in everything I choose to give thanks. 

****************

Since 2009 I've been counting my blessings thanks to the prompting of Ann Voskamp.

 I continue to count my thanks

piling up gratitude day by day

in my journal.

(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)

#10,044-10,164

7-17-17-

-funny group texts with our daughters

-a new viburnum plant for our back yard

-praying with my daughter 

7-18-17-

-stopping by to see our youngest daughter and grandson for a few minutes

-a fun visit with my sweet friend

-how I can see that God is working even in a hard situation

7-19-17-

-our two youngest granddaughters staying at our house so they can attend VBS

-all of our VBS volunteers

-our three daughters who stand together for what they think is right

7-20-17-

-children giving their lives to Jesus at VBS

-both granddaughters took a nap after VBS today

-a family BBQ with the cousins

7-21-17-

-an unexpected visit from my oldest brother

-a nice long walk and talk with him

-a fun and delicious steak dinner together

7-22-17-

-sleeping til seven!

-staying home and catching up on things that I need to get done after a busy week

-an immediate answer to a prayer

7-23-17-

-a church nursery full of babies

-our oldest granddaughter coming home with us after church

-watching Doc Martin with my husband 

still following,

Twelve things to consider about the steadfast love of the Lord...

Consider-

-to think about carefully

-to think of, especially with regard to taking some action

-to take into account

Consider that God's steadfast love for you abounds-it is abundant!

Exodus 34:6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,

Consider that God's love toward you is faithful.  He keeps His covenant to you.

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

Consider that God's love for you endures forever.  He will never stop loving you.

1 Chronicles 16:34 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Consider that God's steadfast love is for you is trustworthy.  You can trust in His love for you.

Psalm 13:5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

(Join me for the rest of this post on Sunday, July 23rd, at Woman to Woman Ministries where each Sunday I share a bit of Sunday Soul Food!)

still following,

Also happily linking up with the lovely

Susan B. Mead
and

Sunday Scripture Blessings

Summer afternoon at the lake...

Last week we took an afternoon off to enjoy some time with our family at a local lake.

It's wonderful to live just a short drive from so many beautiful places 

where we can spend a few hours of relaxation and recreation.

The weather so far this summer has been wonderful-

sunny and warm but not too hot.

Perfect for an afternoon of swimming, fishing, kayaking and picnicking! 

still following,

songography at "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out"

image-in-ing:Variations

http://www.lifenreflection.com

buckaroo mama

peabea

Summer thanksgiving...

Summer is flying by! We've had a lot going on, such as the usual busyness of ministry and family life and two major house projects. A new and improved very large patio is completed and updates to our kitchen are in process. We are still managing to savor some of the sweetness of summer and spending time with the grandkids when we can. You'll notice one such day tucked into this week's gratitude list.  We took an afternoon to "play hooky" and to spend a few hours picnicking and kayaking with some of our family.

****************

Since 2009 I've been counting my blessings thanks to the prompting of Ann Voskamp.

 I continue to count my thanks

piling up gratitude day by day

in my journal.

(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)

#10,0220#10,043

7-10-17-

-a few moments in the Word before starting a busy day

-spending time with my daughter and grandson

-a quiet evening with my husband after too much busyness

7-11-17-

-french lavender plants for my patio pots

-our oldest grandson helping us with some yard work 

while our middle grandson played in the dirt and sprinkler

-God's provision for needs and even for wants

7-12-17-

-taking a bit of mid-week time off

-going to the lake with two of our girls and four of the grandkids,

 (plus our "unofficially adopted" granddaughter from church)

-kayaking!

7-13-17-

-Psalm 103

-morning clouds giving way to afternoon sun

-demo day for our old countertops!

7-14-17-

-watering my plants in the cool of the morning

-dinner and shopping with a friend

-asking God for help to find something I needed and Him answering

7-15-17-

-a slow and quiet Saturday morning

-a new to me birdsong in my backyard

-fresh caught crab for dinner!

-a lovely evening walk

7-16-17-

-wonderful worship and word

-more new faces at church

-resting

still following,

What do I meditate on?

What do I meditate on?  What are my thoughts focused on?  What am I pondering about?  Just today in my devotions I read these words in Psalm 104:34, "May my meditation be pleasing to Him".  I wrote it as a prayer in the margin of my Bible, "May my meditation be pleasing to You".

It was a great help in my spiritual life when I realized I didn't have to let my mind meander wherever it wanted to. I heard someone say, "think what you're thinking about!", and it really has made a world of difference.  However, reigning in this unruly mind of mine is an ongoing, daily process,.  On any given day, much like a willful child, my mind pushes against restraint and tries to go its own way.  On those kinds of days I meditate on, focus on, and ponder things like a recent hurt or offense, a situation I'm worried or anxious about, fear of the unknown future, or resentment over things I'd rather not have to do.  On other days my mind isn't necessarily focused on negative thoughts, rather its just not focused at all, flitting here and there, willy nilly.

Whatever it is I'm thinking about, there comes a time to stop the madness-to stop the worrisome, fearful, or resentful thoughts, to send a cease and desist order to the willy nilly random thoughts-and to practice experiencing a mind at rest.  (Join me for the rest of this post on Sunday, July 16th, at Woman to Woman Ministries where each Sunday I share a bit of Sunday Soul Food!)

still following,

Also happily linking up with the lovely

Susan B. Mead
and

Sunday Scripture Blessings

Ten thousand blessings!

I've been keeping my gratitude journal since the fall of 2009.  

This past week I passed ten thousand as I count my blessings!

So here I am posting my ten thousandth blessing and beyond, a day later than my normal Monday gratitude posts because I seem to not have enough hours in the day lately!

****************

Since 2009 I've been counting my blessings thanks to the prompting of Ann Voskamp.

 I continue to count my thanks

piling up gratitude day by day

in my journal.

(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)

#9996-#10,021

7-3-17-

-God's help and guidance 

-support and encouragement

-our family

7-4-17-

-U.S.A.'s 241st birthday!  God bless America!

-10,000!!!

-our family coming over for BBQ and to watch the neighborhood fireworks

-getting to know our neighbors better as we watched the fireworks

7-5-17-

-a text from our weary youngest daughter that our newest grand baby slept better

-finally getting something I've been procrastinating about done

-a need met

-a beautiful evening walk

-Psalm 92-"they shall still bear fruit in old age"

7-6-17-

-an unexpected chance to see my youngest daughter and grand baby

-the way our grand baby stretches toward the sun because he loves the warmth on his face

-a really good prayer time at church tonight

7-7-16-

-baking for the work crew that is helping with our new patio, (I love to bake!)

-many hands make light work-so thankful!

-the joy and privilege of being a Nana

-a good visit with friends 

7-8-16-

-a quiet Saturday morning after a busy week

-time with Jesus and time to write

-our oldest granddaughter spending the night

7-9-17-

-a sweet spirit at church

-an encouraging word

-lunch and fellowship

-baking with my sweet unofficially adopted granddaughter from our church

still following,

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