Flourishing in the Difficult Places.

Have you ever felt totally drained?

Has a situation in your life squeezed every ounce of energy from your very soul?

(Your soul being your mind, will, and emotions.)

Yet circumstances make it necessary for you to keep going?

Naomi felt that way in the Book of Ruth.

Her husband, Elimelech, and their two sons Mahlon and Chilion died.

Naomi was left in Moab, a foreign country, with her two daughter inlaws.

When Naomi returned to her homeland, Bethlehem, with one of her daughter inlaws...Ruth, she was so bitter, she wanted people to call her Mara, the afflicted one.

It took Ruth's faithfulness in following Naomi, and believing in the God of her husband to turn things around.

Ruth stayed faithful in those difficult times.

She was obedient in the difficult places.

Even when Naomi felt she had come to the end of her fruitfulness....Ruth had come into the beginning of hers.

God turned their toil-scorched spirits into a well-watered garden of inspiration.

When you feel you've reached the end....Praise God for making things grow in barren places...even if you don't see the progress yet. Stay vigilant in prayer, asking Him to fill your spirit so you may glorify Him with excellent work.....whatever that may be.

THE LORD WILL GUIDE YOU ALWAYS; HE WILL SATISFY YOUR NEEDS IN A SUN-SCORCHED LAND...YOU WILL BE LIKE A WELL-WATERED GARDEN. ISAIAH 58:11 NIV.

Life has it's difficult places.

It is during those times that our only choice is to turn to God - and He does a marvelous work in us. In those difficult places, God wondrously makes us flourish.

THOSE WHO ARE PLANTED IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD SHALL FLOURISH IN THE COURTS OF OUR GOD. PSALM 92:13 NKJV.
If you feel you are in a difficult place, you needn't go through channels to reach our Lord....dial direct!!!  He's always available. 
Love,
Debbie
xoxoxoxo

A Work in Progress.

Do you ever wonder what God is doing in your life?

You may not know, and that's okay.

The real question is this: Do you have confidence that God knows where He is leading you?

The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever.

Psalm 138:8 NIV

We see other's, and they seem to know exactly what they are doing with their lives.

They are going "somewhere".

They are accomplished at something.

They have a purpose.

I'm 61 years old, and don't feel like I've accomplished anything, or made a "mark" for humanity.

I DO hope I've accomplished something for the "kingdom of God".

Your hope should not be based on your understanding of God's purpose for you. Rather, your faith should be firmly grounded in God, who is bringing it about in you.

Because even if that purpose seems very distant, you still trust Him to successfully bring you to the destination.

Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6.

Christ is the model for humility.

When we are doing things in service to the Lord...we are to Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Philippians 2:3.

You might already be doing a mighty work for the Lord.

But are humble in spirit, and draw no attention to yourself.

You have no idea the impact you are having on people's lives for the "kingdom"!

For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

And the King shall answer and say unto them, verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 26:35-36, 40.

It is His able hand that works out His plans-not ours. Trust Him to do exactly what is needed to bring them to fulfillment. We don't have to accomplish something seen by man to be successful in God's eyes. MANY, O LORD MY GOD, ARE THE WONDERS YOU HAVE DONE. THE THINGS YOU PLANNED FOR US NO ONE CAN RECOUNT TO YOU; ...THEY WOULD BE TOO MANY TO DECLARE. PSALM 40:5NIV.

God had a plan for you before you were even born.

BEFORE I FORMED THEE IN THE BELLY I KNEW THEE; AND BEFORE THOU CAMEST FORTH OUT OF THE WOMB I SANCTIFIED THEE. JEREMIAH.1:5.

God sanctified (set you apart) for His use...before you were even knit together in the womb.

Don't worry where you fit in.

Stop comparing yourself to others.

Focus on your relationship with the One that created you for HIS glory.

Trust that He is a faithful and able leader.

Thank Him that your future is a work in progress, and leave it in HIS hands.

You were created for a purpose.

To love and be loved.

Tell someone Jesus loves them today.....xo

Forgiveness....not a feeling...a decision.

Many years ago I had a dream/vision.

I had died in my sleep, and was standing before the Lord.

He was looking over the many things I had done in my life for the Kingdom....checking things off as He read the list.

Then He stopped, and said.....There was this one area that I had failed in.

Forgiveness.

I tried to justify my feelings of unforgiveness toward my abusive mother, and the other people in my life that had wronged me over the years.

I defended the hurt and anger I felt for beatings, and for the misery I experienced.

God told me that He would deal with those other people when their time came to stand in front of Him.....but right now He was dealing with me.

Why was I risking eternity with unforgiveness?

I awoke from the dream...or warning in a daze.

The knowledge that Jesus died for everyone kept ringing in my brain.

His mercy and compassion wasn't just for me!!!

It was for everyone.

I needed to change.

Instead of praying that the people that caused pain in my life would change, I started to pray that my heart would change.

What is the true meaning of repentance? A change of heart.

I didn't grasp that until years later.

My prayer became.... for people to come into other's lives to minister the Word of God to them.

To show them the love of Christ.

I wasn't the "one" that was going to be able to do that.

To the people that had hurt me, I looked like a hypocrite. They knew my past. Who was I to tell them about Jesus?! They called me a Bible Thumper, and a Jesus Freak.

Even Jesus was rejected by His family....Luke 4:24

I am by no means a prophet, I am using this verse as an example only.

I had come to the realization that forgiveness was a decision.....not a feeling.

When I made the decision to forgive, I knew that things might still come up that would still cause hurt feelings, and some animosity.

I had to keep going back to that decision I had made to forgive.

That didn't mean I had to go back to the same relationships...enabling the abuse to go on.

I can still "walk in love" from a distance.

Praying for change in my heart to continue. Praying for laborers, for the people that need that personal relationship with Jesus.

Praying that none should perish.

We all sin and fall short of the Glory....but 1John 1:9 says....If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Forgiveness is a difficult thing. If you remember that it's not a feeling, it's a decision.....it helps to let things go, and give it to God. There are so many other things in your life that are waiting for your attention, rather than dwelling on someone that probably isn't even thinking about how you are feeling right at this moment in time. Make that decision to give it to the One that can take care of it for you. Release it. Experience the freedom from that burden. Then start the journey of filling your heart with prayer for a change of heart....your heart.
You took away my clothes of sadness, and clothed me in happiness. Psalm 30:11.
In His Love.
Debbie
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Live Life.

Today was a truly enjoyable day for me.

I understand we are supposed to rest on the Sabbath.

Some people consider weeding to be work.

I find it an enjoyable task....a hobby that brings me joy.

I also love hanging whites on the line on a sunny day.

Since I work during the week, I take advantage of the sunshine when I can.

My clotheslines were full of curtains, and sheets today...drying, and being bleached by the sun.

I don't mean to offend anyone by "working" on Sundays....I am the type of person that likes to use every minute I can to accomplish something.

I find it difficult to just sit still.

By the end of the day, I am ready to fall into bed and rest.

Live each day the fullest you can,

not guaranteeing there'll be a tomorrow,

not dwelling endlessly on yesterday.

JANE SEYMOUR

Life is difficult sometimes.

We go through situations that we wish would just be over.

Life is such a brief journey.

I read this in Max Lucado's book "In the Eye of the Storm"......He who "lives forever" has placed himself at the head of the band of pilgrims who mutter, "how long, O Lord? How long? (Psalm 89:46 NIV). 

"How long must I endure this sickness?"

"How long must I endure this spouse?"

"How long must I endure this paycheck""

Do you really want God to answer? He could, you know. He could answer in terms of the here and now with time increments we know. "Two more years on the illness." "The rest of your life in the marriage." "Ten more years for the bills."

But he seldom does that.  He usually opts to measure the here and now against the there and then. And when you compare this life to that life, this life ain't long.

Our days on earth are like a shadow. 1 CHRONICLES 29:15 NIV

After I hung the curtains, and put the fresh sheets back on the beds, I noticed the shadows from the sun getting lower in the sky.

The bedrooms had a warm feeling to them.

The daylight was ending, and evening was starting.

My heart felt joyful.

I knew evening was an extension of the day.....I had more "time" to enjoy....things to do. 

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

PSALM 90:12

The wise don't expect to find life worth living, they make it that way.

What we need is not new light, but new sight; not new paths, but new strength to walk in the old ones; not new duties, but new wisdom from on High to fulfill those that are plain before us.

Live your life while you have it.  Life is a splendid gift-there is nothing small about it.

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE

I am convinced beyond a shadow of any doubt that the most valuable pursuit we can embark upon is to know God.

KAY ARTHUR

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Rainbows and a Promise.

Good Sunday morning!

I'm excited about this post this morning, because I'm sharing something that always brings my heart joy......Rainbows.

Roxy, from Living from Glory to Glory, was telling me about the rain they had experienced, and afterward she saw a rainbow.

That subject always quickens my spirit.

My bible is not just "The Good Book".....it's a "Katuba".

A  Jewish bridegroom's written promises to his bride at the time of the engagement.

These promises are written down for her to read. She can hold them in her hands. She can be comforted, and encouraged by the words as she waits for her groom to return for her....and they can be wed.

My bible is a tangible book of promises written to me, by my Groom....Jesus.

I can hold it in my hands, touch it, read it, be comforted, and encouraged while I wait for my Groom to return for me as the Bride is raptured up for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.Rev.19:7-9.

That's what a rainbow is to me....it's tangible.  I can't touch it with my hands, but I can see it with my eyes, and know in my heart that it was created by God as a covenant, or promise, to Noah that the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.Gen.9:15.
Verse 16 says:and the rainbow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.  Verse 17:and God said to Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between Me and all flesh that is upon the earth.
When I see a rainbow, it's not just a pretty arch of color after it rains.....it's a real thing....a promise from God.
 I seek rainbows out after a storm. They reassure me that He is there through it all.....maybe looking at that same rainbow, and remembering His promise.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo 

Nothing Like a True Friend.

Insomuch as any one pushes you nearer to God, he or she is your friend.

FRENCH PROVERB

This is My commandment, that you love one other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. John 15:12-13 NKJV

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son. John 3:16 NKJV

We have friends that come into our lives for just a season.

They walk in, then walk out....for the short time they were there, they may have made a profound impact on our lives. We don't understand where they went, or why they went. God knows. They are willing vessels, used for His Glory....meant to draw us into a relationship with Christ Jesus.

It takes a lot of obedience, courage, faith and love to build these kind of relationships for Christ.

*Having someone who understands is a great blessing for ourselves.

Being someone who understands is a great blessing to others. JANETTE OKE. 

Then there are the people that "really" know us.....*We should all have one person who knows how to bless us despite the evidence. PHYLLIS THEROUX.

These are the friends that you will have for the rest of your life. You're welded together by love, trust, respect or loss~or simple embarrassment.

Your hearts sing in harmony.......Don't walk in front of me~I may not follow.

Don't walk behind me~I may not lead.

Walk beside me~And just be my friend.

Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat~~~refreshing! 

PROVERBS 25:13 THE MESSAGE.

A friend hears the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.

*A friend understands what you are trying to say...even when your thoughts aren't fitting into words.

ANN D. PARRISH.

*I cannot count the number of times I have been strengthened by another woman's heartfelt hug, appreciative note, surprise gift or caring questions...my friends are an oasis to me, encouraging me to to go on. They are my well-being. DEE BRESTIN.
*Rich is the woman who has a praying friend. JANICE HUGHES.
For the women that have blessed me with their friendships....I want to thank you for your care, compassion, honesty, and love.
I thank God for you.
Debbie
xoxoxoxoxo

Prayer.

Open wide the windows of our spirits and fill us full of light: open wide the door of our hearts that we may receive and entertain Thee with all the powers of our adoration.*Christina Rossetti.

There isn't a certain time we should set aside to talk about God.

God is part of our every waking moment.*Marva Collins.

When I'm visiting with my youngest daughter Melissa, and her husband Kevin, it's natural for us to talk about God most of the time we are together.

It's not intentional...it's just the normal conversation for us.

It's like that with prayer.

There is prayer before meals, and prayer before bed......and.....

Whenever there is a need, we feel free to sit down and start praying together....whenever, where ever.

Before Kayla's gymnastics meet, she and I sat in the bathroom and prayed together.

Romans 12:10 NKJV says....Be kindly affectionate to one another,...

fervent in spirit, serving the Lord:

rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer:

distributing to the needs of the saints,

given to hospitality.

After a while you are in constant communication, or fellowship with God, and you almost forget to pray.  For me, anyway, devotion, and meditation time is different than fellowship time.

While driving downstate to see the kids, I can be talking to God just like I talk to the Mister.

Other times I might be praying about something in particular, or someone.

That is difficult to do while driving, because I can't really concentrate on what I am doing, and pray effectively...other than to shoot up a quick arrow prayer.

Prayer is an ordinary, everyday thing.

People who pray want to share a life with God...to love and be loved.

To speak and to listen.

To work and to be at rest in the presence of God.

If a care is too small to be turned into a prayer then it is too small to be made into a burden.

You will make your prayer to Him,

He will hear you.

Job 22:27 NKJV

When we call on God,

He bends down His ear to listen,

as a father bends down to listen to his little child.*Elizabeth Charles.

Then there are the times when things go wrong, and good things don't happen. When our prayers seem to have been lost. Those are the times when God is most present.*Madeleine L'Engle.
Our God is faithful.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.Psalms 119:105.
In His Love.
Debbie

Seashells and Lavender open for business.

It's been laid on my heart to re-open Seashells and Lavender as a blog to journal my spiritual journey.

It won't be a blog that shares decor ideas(Lakehouse does that)....but hopefully minister to the hearts, and spirits of others, as well as cause me to draw closer to Jesus Christ, my first love.

I've been lacking in the accountability department.

Hopefully this will help to keep me faithful with my devotions, and scripture reading.

I'm a Christian....this will be non-denominational as far as sharing.

If you need prayer....request away!

*You're blessed when you're content with just who you are~no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought. Matthew 5:5 The Message.*

Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have.

*It is always wise to stop wishing for things long enough to enjoy the fragrance of those now flowering. Patrice Gifford.
May we realize the blessings in each, and every day. Pray that the Lord open our eyes to see the treasures that are there, in front of our face...before the sun sets, and we lose yet another 24 hours of life seeking for that perfect tomorrow.
In His Love.
Debbie

Seashells and Lavender will be closed.

With the change of seasons, I've decided to make a big change in my life.

I'm closing up shop.

I've had my own business since 1994.

I started out with a dried flower business....growing my own flowers, drying them, and using them in arrangements.

I slowly built up clientele, and eventually businesses took notice.

After we moved to Houghton Lake I opened the store, "Country Gatherings".

The shop did well for a few years, but when the economy took a nose dive, so did my business.

I closed the shop, and ended up renting space in a larger shop down the road.

The owner recently decided to sell her place.

It's time for me to put my days of being in business to rest.

At the end of the month....Seashells and Lavender will be "closed".

The business, as well as the blog.

I will be going back to running the "Lakehouse" blog.

I'm hoping the new followers from Seashells and Lavender will follow me back to Lakehouse.
It's been a little confusing trying to get this blog going. I lost my blog roll, and the blogs I had been following for the past few years. I would have to go back and forth between blogs to keep up with my old friends.  I sincerely hope you understand why I'm doing this.
I learned some good lessons from doing both blogs, and made some great new friendships through Seashells and Lavender that I hope will continue over at Lakehouse.
I plan to continue with my posts the way they have been.....God, family, life, home.
Please don't give up on me.  
I'm just moving back to where I started.
~~~~Debbie~~~~
houseatthelake.blogspot.com

Sweet Surrender.

Sweet Surrender.

I am not ready to break out the Fall decorations yet.

Our boat is still in the water...waiting for just a few more days of that perfect combination of sun, and heat.

I have no choice but to admit to "September" with the earlier setting sun, and the cooler evenings.

Pulling on a sweatshirt before going out to sit by the campfire with a glass of wine, and good friends.

Our local market is filling up with mum plants, and gourds of all kinds.

It won't be long, and piles of pumpkins will fill the fields, and market bins.

A trip to my favorite winery,this weekend ,will fill my new wine cabinet.

Instead of serving my friends the usual summer Michigan salad on Tuesday, the menu will include a French salad, and potato soup, with some crusty French bread.

I am letting go of Summer a little at a time.

The seashells will give way to more candles as the darkness comes earlier in the evening hours.

As I slowly give in to Septembers' embrace, the sweet memories of Summer will be stored in my heart. The place where I hold the cherished times spent with loved ones.
It's time to look forward to a new season. Times filled with the excitement, and laughter of children. The anticipation of the coming holidays! More time spent with my children. 
One day at a time......
xxxooo