How could you say no to this Man?

Pull up a chair.

I'd like to share something with you.

Do you realize what you are worth?

You were bought with the blood of Christ Jesus!

At the moment Adams' lips touched the apple, the shadow of the cross showed on the horizon.

Jesus knew all through history: with Moses, Abraham, David, Daniel, and Ruth.

He saw the shadow getting bigger, and bigger.

God's plan of redemption could have been halted at anytime throughout history. during all the times His people rejected Him.

Instead of aborting the plan, the angel was sent to Mary with the news of Jesus.

As Jesus grew, the shadow of the cross grew toward Him.

The sounds of the spikes being pounded into His flesh echoed in His ears.

But the screams of the imprisoned over-shadowed even the cross.

Jesus suffered and was tortured for YOU! His heart hurt more than the thorns and the nails.

It wasn't the spear that burst His heart, it was YOU!

I have written your name on my hand. Isaiah 49:16

Quite a thought, isn't it? Your name on God's hand. Your name on God's lips. Maybe you've seen your name in some special places. On an award or diploma...But to think that your name is on God's hand and on God's lips...my, could it be?
  Or perhaps you have never seen your name honored. And you can't remember when you heard it spoken with kindness. If so, it may be more difficult for you to believe that God knows your name.
  But He does.  Written on His hand. Spoken by His mouth. Whispered by His lips. Your name. Max Lucado.
 Sometimes we forget our worth. We feel like no one notices. No one really cares. We feel alone.
There is someone that thinks you were worth having a rough, filthy beam pushed into His open flesh, and carrying that beam to a place where he would accept spikes pounded through flesh, and tendons so He could hang on a cross for sins He never committed so you could experience eternity. If you were the only person standing at the foot of that cross, He would have STILL hung there for YOU!! Thorns on His head, spear in His side, yet it was a heart-ache that made Him cry. He gave His life, so you would understand. Is there anyway you could say no to this man?
Debbie
xo

Time Slips By.

There is an urn hanging on a wall in one of the gardens.

A Robin has had a few clutches in a nest she's built inside the urn.

Not all of the eggs have hatched, and not all of the chicks have survived; yet the Robin keeps raising clutches of chicks in the same nest throughout the summer months.

Creation fills the earth with beauty season after season.

We can't wait for the warmth to get here after a long winter.

Our conversation is all about the cold, and how it lasts too long.

Then once the heat of summer is upon us, we whine and complain and cannot wait until we can wear sweaters again, and enjoy the cooler temperatures of fall.

The rush comes up quickly for the holidays, and everyone wants to decorate their homes and get ready for parties and special dinners.

After the holiday season we get back into the slump of the winter blues, and start longing for the warmth of spring, and summer again.

It seems we are always rushing from one season to the next. Never satisfied with what we have while we have it....except for a few short weeks when each season first starts.

Life is fleeting.

I remember being in high school. It seemed that was my whole life back then. Nothing else mattered.  Those few years seemed like the most important years of my life!!

Until I graduated, and I realized that high school was just a stepping stone to the next chapter of things to come.

So many life experiences......things I had never imagined.

God had a plan for my life.

He saw the big picture.

I had no idea.

When you are young, you think you have your whole life ahead of you.

You believe you will live forever.

You dream about getting married, having children, and growing old with your love.

Never in your wildest dreams would you believe that you would lose your husband at age 25, when your babies are only 22 months old, and just shy of 4 years old.

God....I thought we would live forever!!! NOT for just a moment.

The problem with this world is that it doesn't fit. Oh, it will do for now, but it isn't tailor made. We were made to live with God, but on earth we live by faith.  MAX  LUCADO

I had to learn to live moment by moment.

Losing a husband showed me that we DON'T live forever!

We have to slow down, and live each day like it's our last!

Stop rushing for the weekend.

Don't live for that holiday, or vacation time.....you might not reach that goal.

Enjoy the days in the meantime.

We don't get "do-overs".

This is IT.

I understand situations aren't always the best. I've had health issues that have plagued me for years.

I get that!!

Look around, I am sure you can find something to be thankful for. There has to be something that will bring you joy in your day.

If not, open a window and listen for a bird that's singing! or a child that's laughing! smile at a neighbor! bake cookies for a friend! call your parents! kiss your spouse! hug your kids! or ride your bike!

After Michelangelo died, someone found in his studio a piece of paper on which he had written a note to his apprentice. In the handwriting of his old age the great artist wrote: "Draw, Antonio, draw, and do not waste time."
Well-founded urgency, Michelangelo. Time slips. Days pass. years fade. And life ends. And what we came to do must be done while there is time. MAX LUCADO
Live life!
Debbie
xoxoxoxoxoxo

Laughter is a Mini Vacation.

Two weeks ago I had a visit with two of my sisters.

It's been quite a long time since the three of us were together.

We sat around a campfire out by the water's edge....and we laughed.

We weren't laughing "at" anyone...we were just laughing about silliness....you know?

The more we laughed, the funnier everything seemed.

THE BEST LAUGHTER, THE LAUGHTER THAT CAN HEAL, THE LAUGHTER THAT HAS THE TRUEST RING, THE  LAUGHTER THAT FLOWERS OUT OF A LOVE FOR LIFE AND ITS GIVER.

MAXINE HANCOCK

Someone would snort, and that turned into hilarity.

LAUGHING AT OURSELVES AS WELL AS WITH EACH OTHER GIVES A SURPRISING SENSE OF TOGETHERNESS.

HAZEL C. LEE

Our past was forgotten.

The abuse from our childhood was left where it should be....in the past.

The three of us were able to enjoy each other "in the moment".

WHOLE-HEARTED, READY LAUGHTER HEALS, ENCOURAGES, RELAXES ANYONE WITHIN HEARING DISTANCE. THE LAUGHTER THAT SPRINGS FROM LOVE MAKES WIDE THE SPACE AROUND-GIVES ROOM FOR THE LOVED ONE TO ENTER.

EUGENIA PRICE

OUR MOUTHS WERE FILLED WITH LAUGHTER, OUR TONGUES WITH SONGS OF JOY. PSALM 126:2 NIV
By the end of the evening we all had charlie horses in our cheeks, and joy in our hearts. It was the best visit in a very long time....like a mini vacation!
Take time to laugh. It is the music of the soul.
Thank you Dee, and Chrissy.....I had a blast!!! Love you guys!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Debbie
xo

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