Give God the right to direct your life...

Is it the default setting of all human beings to continually fight for our rights? I'm not sure if this is common to all humanity or more common to the American culture. All I know for sure is that it is all too often my default setting and I'm pretty sure that's not a good thing. For example, I have my day planned out, and then someone or something happens that upsets the way I had planned to spend my time. I become annoyed that my rights to spend my time the way I want to has been violated. 

In our culture, fighting for our rights seems to be a badge of honor. We have taken the words of the Declaration of Independence that we are "endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" and we have made the pursuit of happiness our god. We think that anything standing between me and my pursuit of happiness is an infringement on my rights-even if my pursuit of happiness is trampling all over your rights!

Am I saying that we never stand up for ourselves or never say no to others who would take advantage of us? Not at all. (Join me for the rest of this post on Sunday, March 31st, at Woman to Woman Ministries where each Sunday I share a bit of Sunday Soul Food!)

still following,

Also happily linking up with:

Sunday Scripture Blessings

Susan B. Mead

Simple spring decorating...

Oh, how I love spring!

My favorite way to decorate for spring is to bring some branches covered with spring blossoms into the house.

It's such a simple thing to do, but adds such beauty!

still following,

image-in-ing:Variations

http://www.lifenreflection.com

buckaroo mama

peabea

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY at CREATE WITH JOY

Tom the Backroads Traveller

http://sharonrwagner.blogspot.com

Monday Gratitude...

So many people hate Mondays. May I suggest that, perhaps, it might help to face Monday with gratitude instead of dread. It really could help, and it certainly couldn't hurt!

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

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)

#11,870-#11,891-

3-18-19-

-my husband making me my morning coffee

-"For the Word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything He does." Psalm 33:4

-an afternoon with the five youngest grands at the park

3-19-19-

-God's provision

-trees beginning to bloom

-our small group-food, fellowship, Bible study, hearty discussion-I love it!

3-20-19-

-a new teapot to replace my cracked one and the store taking my cracked one back!

-answers to prayer for a friend's needs

-a fun dinner out for Scottish food with our youngest daughter and her family, 

(our Christmas gift from them)

-this beautiful first day of Spring!

3-21-19-

-sleeping in

-phone calls with both of my sisters 

-Hula Boy dinner with the two oldest grands

3-22-19-

-flowers from my guy

-group texts with our girls

-getting some household chores done while my hubs is at a meeting

3-23-19-

-going to Glassybaby's seconds sale with my friend

-our oldest grandson doing some yard work for us to earn money for new baseball shoes

-our whole family going to his game

3-24-19-

-God's presence with us

-God sending us ministry friends

-holding my sweet youngest granddaughter while she sleeps

still following,

Why should I read the Bible?

Our physical bodies need light, water and food to be healthy and to grow. The Bible, God's Word, is light, water and food to our inner being, our mind, will and emotions, and to our innermost being, our spirit. For our mind to be renewed, our emotions to be healthy, and our will to be strengthened to make right choices, we need the spiritual light, water and nutrition of God's Word. Our spirit, the command central of the Holy Spirit within us, should be in control of our mind, will and emotions if it is being properly nourished on the Word.

Over the years, many believers have confessed to me that they struggle to read and understand the Bible. While they know that the Word of God is important in their lives, many don't realize that it isn't just important, it's absolutely vital. Just as you cannot survive physically without light, food and water, you cannot survive spiritually, and you certainly cannot thrive, without the Word of God. You cannot come into full spiritual maturity, have a renewed mind, walk in the fullness of inner healing and deliverance, or be victorious over your own flesh or the wiles of the enemy without the Word of God. It is the tool that the Holy Spirit uses in our lives to transform us in all of those areas.  (Join me for the rest of this post on Sunday, March 24th, at Woman to Woman Ministries where each Sunday I share a bit of Sunday Soul Food!)

still following,

Also happily linking up with:

Sunday Scripture Blessings

Susan B. Mead

Friday Faves...Tips for Spring Cleaning and Decluttering

Spring has officially arrived! Have you started your spring cleaning yet? I've deep cleaned my  kitchen and pantry, which is the most daunting job on my spring cleaning list. Getting the rest of the house spring cleaned shouldn't take long. I'm reposting my three part series on cleaning and decluttering for those of you interested. Happy Spring Cleaning!

Cleaning and Decluttering Part One

Cleaning and Decluttering Part Two

Cleaning and Decluttering Part Three

Have a happy Friday

and

a safe and blessed weekend!

 

             

Monday Gratitude Journaling...

Mondays are full days, the mornings spent getting back into routine after the weekend and getting focused and organized for the coming week, the afternoons helping our oldest daughter by picking up our two youngest granddaughters from school and watching them until she gets home from work. Actually getting my weekly gratitude post published on Monday makes me feel on top of the game! And here it is!

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

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)

#11,843-#11,869

3-11-19-

-holding sweet youngest granddaughter and singing until she fell asleep

-a beautiful sunny day for a walk with youngest grandson

-taking the two middle granddaughters for Wendy's fries and frosties after school

3-12-19-

-"I love, Papa"-youngest grandson (21 months)

-God's work in us, our family, our church

-our daughter's wisdom, insight and encouragement

3-13-19-

-middle grandson in his "The Man" sweatshirt coming by to see me on his way to preschool

-a mid-week lunch with my guy

-purple and white crocuses 

3-14-19-

-the reassurance of Psalm 31

-getting some spring cleaning done

-God's continual work in us in the area of forgiveness and unity

3-15-19-

-an "a bit of this and a bit of that" cookie I made that turned out so good!

-a wonderful date day that was sunny enough to enjoy lunch outside by the river

-these longer sunny days

-the oldest grands' school concert

3-16-19-

-the sound of frogs 

-praying together with some friends

-repentance

-taco salad with homemade guacamole for dinner-so yummy

-our beautiful oldest granddaughter all dressed up for a school event

-our middle daughter and oldest grandson safely home after a Mt. St. Helen's climb

3-17-19-

-a very healing moment for our church during communion

-lunch with friends

-God at work in us

-this beautiful, sunny day

still following,

The Creator's love seen in the beauty of creation...

God’s splendor is a tale that is told;

his testament is written in the stars.

Space itself speaks his story every day

through the marvels of the heavens.

His truth is on tour in the starry vault of the sky,

showing his skill in creation’s craftsmanship.

2 

Each day gushes out its message to the next,

night with night whispering its knowledge to all.

3 

Without a sound, without a word, without a voice being heard,

4 

Yet all the world can see its story.

Everywhere its gospel is clearly read so all may know.

Psalm 19:1-4 The Passion Translation

I normally share a scripture and then some of my own thoughts in this space each week. This week I wanted to share some quotes relating to the scriptures found in Romans 1:20 and Psalm 19:1-4, both shared above. I have two books by author Dana Candler that I would highly recommend. Deep Unto Deep and Entirety In the quotes below, taken from Dana Candler's book, Entirety, she writes of how God speaks to us through the beauty of His creation if we only have eyes and ears to perceive it.   (Join me for the rest of this post on Sunday, March 17th, at Woman to Woman Ministries where each Sunday I share a bit of Sunday Soul Food!)

still following,

Also happily linking up with:

Sunday Scripture Blessings

Susan B. Mead

Gratitude journal...

I cannot get myself together with blogging lately! Once again, life happened and I didn't get Monday's gratitude post done on Monday. I had a full day of things to do away from home and thought I would get a post published in the evening, but instead I ate dinner, took a hot bath, and went to bed early. The time change has me all discombobulated with my sleep schedule! Again, better late than never!

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

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)

#11,819-#11,842

3-4-19-

-this song

-the Holy Spirit connecting Matthew 22 and Galatians 5 to me

-answer to prayer

-our small group praying for one of our members

3-5-19- 

-a really good prayer time in the prayer room this morning

-His body bruised for my iniquities

-dinner with G. and I.

3-6-19-

-one last morning in the prayer room before heading home

-a safe flight home

-Lent begins-"draw me nearer, nearer Blessed Lord, to the cross where You have died"

3-7-19-

-quiet time in my favorite spot at home 

-friendship

-seeing the two youngest grands after being gone a week

3-8-19-

-Friday morning date day coffee in bed

-a sweet Friday date day 

-my husband helping me with the grocery shopping-we were out of everything!

-a friend helping me care for another of our friends post surgery

3-9-18-

-Psalm 91

-a sunny day

-phoning a friend

-hot peppermint tea 

3-10-19-

-our associate pastor's great message today

-lunch with our kids

-a sunny Sunday afternoon drive

still following,