Sunday

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). When we think of this verse, we usually think about “good works” as ways we can help others, and that’s true. Remember though: In the beginning when God was getting creative and bringing everything into existence, He evaluated His creation and decided it was “good.” Creativity can minister to a person’s heart the same way a meal or a hug might. (Inspired by "Project Inspired")

I listened to this very Podcast on this subject on the iPod (Midday Connection) while I created at my desk. I call this set of photo collage, "The Blues" compiled of the color blue that inspired me. Creativity inspired by God, indeed! :-)

Sunday

Proverbs 18:22

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.

Prayers of safety and a safe return of my great nephew, Arin, as he's deployed in the Navy. He and his beautiful wife, Kristen, (also in the Navy) very recently loss their baby girl at five month before she was born. I had the pleasure of giving them the gift of shooting their wedding this past September. To everything there is a season, turn, turn, turn.

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Sunday

"He sends forth springs in the valleys; they flow between the mountains" ~ Psalms 104:10

Something about the water moves me. I could sit near & watch it for hours. The movement, the sounds, the rushing, the certain path it flows in. And how amazing that something so soft has the power to take entire cities down, yet God is merciful and just.

Namaste :-)

The Sunday Community

Sunday

I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Psalm 32: 8

This verse is very near my heart today as I ponder my path.

With the Lord blessing me with a job that I love completely, finances are somewhat different now. In a big way.

I pray deeply and keep the faith that God will work everything out as he instructs me and teaches me the way I should go.

With his almighty, amazing eye upon me.

Amen. :-)

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Sunday

Matthew 7:7-8, “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

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Sunday

“He was created of a mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that He formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy, He the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute.” ~  Augustine

This is a cross that suspends from the very high ceiling at work in the worship center. It amazed me to stand beneath it & know every thing that it stands for. Made from a real pine tree. Can you imagine carrying such a heavy load? We think we can. But we really don't.

Amen.

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Sunday

And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. ~ Luke 17:6

When I was a child, I sold mega amounts of Girl Scout cookies (thanks, dad - Lol). I received this necklace as as gift. I didn't understand what it meant. My GS leader told me that if I had faith as small as the size of this mustard seed, ANY AND ALL things would be possible. I couldn't believe that's all it took! I kept saying, "THAT'S IT??" Surely, it must've been tougher than that. I held on and still hold on to that very important piece of truth.

Over the years, I don't know what happened to my necklace, but I never forgot about it. Imagine walking into a bookstore a couple of days ago & finding it again. :-)

Peace and Light.

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Sunday

 

 “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”  Proverbs 31:30

 This is one of many verses a father should share with his daughter. When I was growing up, I was truly jaded by my definition of "beauty." Thank God I have six brothers who defined "beauty" and showed me constantly how much of it I was/am. And most importantly, the fact that beauty may get you in the room, but common sense will keep you in there.

Happy Father's Day to all readers, and Namaste.

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Milestone

Psalm 139:13
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. (NIV)

Thanking our Heavenly Father for allowing me to see my milestone day! He has brought me thus far, and I pray that he will continue to love me, unconditionally, in spite of my flaws, and continue to lead me on the path that He has laid before me.

Amen & Namaste :-)

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Sunday

2 Peter 3:8 - But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

I love Mitch Albom's books. They're always filled with such positive messages. I finished this one last night. Such a great reminder about time:

1. "Our time" and God's time are no where NEAR similar to each other
2. We are spiritual beings having a human experience
3.  Treasure the moments you are given
4. Never wish for more time
5. Or less time
6. Everything will be exactly when it is supposed to be
7. God measures our minutes on Earth to make us appreciate them

Amen :-)
Sunday Scribbling

Sunday

Elisha - A Tale of Two Vessels

"... The jar had to be empty: Obviously the only thing that stops a vessel being filled is if it is already filled with something else! So Elisha instructed the lady to get empty jars. The Bible speaks of us being filled with the Holy Spirit. But it also speaks of the emptying process that allows us to be in a state to be filled and used by God. We need to be emptied of pride and self dependence to be filled by God. That is the message of 2 Cor 4. Firstly, it speaks of God’s light (the oil giving light of the Holy Spirit) being in our little vessel:

“For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”

And secondly it goes on to show the ‘emptying’ process that occurs so that we can be filled with the Lord’s life and power..."

Amen and Amen :-) 

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Sunday

Being thankful for quiet days....

"When I give you no special guidance, stay where you are. Concentrate on doing your everyday tasks in awareness of My Presence with you.  The Joy of My Presence will shine on you, as you do everything for Me. Thus you invite Me into every aspect of your life.  Through collaboration with Me in all things, you allow My Life to merge with yours. this is the secret not only of joyful living but also of victorious living. I designed you to depend on Me moment by moment, recognizing that apart from Me you can do nothing.

Be thankful for quiet days, when nothing special seems to be happening.  Instead of being bored by the lack of action, use times of routine to seek My Face.  Although this is an invisible transaction, it speaks volumes in spiritual realms.  Moreover, you are richly blessed when you walk trustingly with Me through the routines of your day."

Jesus Calling, April 13th, Colossians 3:23; John 15:5 & Psalm 105:4

This touched me in such a way - I'm always "concerned" about not knowing if I'm "doing what I should be doing." This reading told me that it's okay to not always be "in action", but to be thankful for quiet days. And also to use the "I'm bored" times to turn my attention fully to Jesus. This was right on time. Thank you, Sweet Heavenly Father.

Sunday Community

Sunday

He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.  Romans 4:25

While visiting w/mom, my bro & sis-n-law, my mom asked would we have had the strength to stay on the cross. Especially when we would've had any chance to free ourselves at any moment. Jesus knew what his purpose was when he was born. What a mighty sacrifice of a Father to ask of his Son out of love for wretches like me.

Amazing Grace. :-)

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Sunday

1 Corinthians 13:12 

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

Last weekend on beautiful sunny, yet cold day, I decided to take a stroll through the grounds of a local monastery. It was the most quiet, peaceful place I've been in a while. I even had the pleasure of meeting & walking with a nun that had come out for a bit of fresh air. She told me I truly needed to return in the Spring when the grounds are in full bloom, but I found lovely as it was. In their very large garden where they grow their own food (love that!), there was a large mirror. I could envision how it would look in the summer surrounded by the flowers structures that are bare boned right now.

And returning in the Spring is very much in order. And in the summer as well.

Wishing you all a peaceful, blessed, grateful Sunday! :-)

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Sunday

Proverbs 22:6 ~Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

This verse always brings to mind our family "wall of fame." My mother had a wall covered with all nine of her children in their senior and gradation cap/gowns photos. Underneath it all, she had a framed saying with this verse. And it still rings true. And none of us have ever turned from it. Thank you, mom :-)

Pictures: by me; outside of the North Canton City Library

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Sunday

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ~ Matthew 6:26

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Sunday

Job 28:10 - He cuts out rivers among the rocks; and his eye sees every precious thing.

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Picture: tracey

Sunday

"When you saw only one set of  footprints, it was then that I carried you." ~ God

Wishing everyone wellness and peace in the upcoming new year. May your goals, dreams and wishes comes to fruition.

I read this today in "Jesus Calling" while doing my Bible study in my room. It surprises me how many things try to distract me during this time. From son busting in to ask goofy questions, to "D" doing the same. It truly irritates me when everyone knows what I'm doing. Anyway, this struck me and called me out! I don't usually like to write in my books, but I found this highlighter-worthy:

When you are dissatisfied with your behavior, you tend to feel unworthy of My Love. You may unconsciously punish yourself by withdrawing from Me and attributing the distance between us to My displeasure. Instead of returning to Me and receiving My Love, you attempt to earn My approval by trying harder.  All the while, I am aching to hold you in My everlasting arms, to enfold you in My Love. When you are feeling unworthy or unloved, come to Me.  Then ask for receptivity to My unfailing Love. 1 John 4:15-18, Deuteronomy 33:27; and Psalm 13:5.

This is me. When I know I've done things that I know don't please God, I hide. Just like Adam and Eve. my prayers are choppy and stunted, like a child admitting to his parents that he did, indeed, break the window, or any other repentance. Now any other time, I'm glad to know He's right by my side, but when I know He's giving me the side-eye, things just aren't right with my soul. But the most awesome thing is knowing He loves me, regardless. Such a comfort.

Here's to walking a much more true-er path in 2013.

Sunday

D. James Kennedy, Christmas Stories for the Heart
The star of Bethlehem was a star of hope that led the wise men to the fulfillment of their expectations, the success of their expedition. Nothing in this world is more fundamental for success in life than hope, and this star pointed to our only source for true hope: Jesus Christ.

Picture: me
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Sunday

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. ~ Mark 1:35

Morning is my most favorite time of the day, especially while the rest of the city sleeps. As I start my day, light beings to come through the blinds treating me to a wonderful gift from God. :-)

Picture: me
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