"The Power of the Tongue"

Here's a little secret about me - Sometimes I'm opinionated and outspoken and, may occasionally even want to have the last word, particularly with my husband. Can you believe it, sweet, little ole me?! So, let me tell you, I need to be reminded of the Scriptures I've included and live by them.

I wrote the poem below and did a study on the power of the tongue for a Bible study I was teaching some years ago and was reminded of this as I was talking to my brother the other day and was referring to James, 
chapter 3.

Well, wouldn't you know it, turns out I kind of needed this today. I was offended over something stupid and wanted to argue and say things I knew I shouldn't. It was only by the grace of God that I didn't speak. It felt like the hand of the Holy Spirit was placed over my mouth.

After my initial inner turmoil I decided to humble myself before the Lord, hold my tongue, repent for my thoughts and follow Him. Immediately my burden was lifted and I had peace. I always do when I obey the Lord. After all, He is the Lord who calms the storms and gives us life.

Because of my decision to keep peace, my husband and I ended up having a nice day together and enjoyed our time together. If I had said the thing I had planned, let me tell you, it would have been quite a different day and so not worth it just to speak my mind, not to mention dishonoring to God.

Sometimes there are misunderstandings between us simply because we are human and pride gets in the way. We need grace and humility to lean on the Word of God everytime, everyday and for every situation to help us to choose rightly.

The Good News is that the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). It will turn our thinking and our heart around to beat as one with the Father.

There are times when we may think that we're right and we want to be heard. But as we continually turn to the Lord He will fill our mouths with good things or keep us quiet when we ought not speak if we will but humble ourselves before Him and heed His voice. I know I need His help daily and God is faithful to give me the direction and correction I need as His child.

Thank You Lord for keeping me from sinning against You with my mouth and for cleansing my thought life with Your Word. I praise You once again for Your amazing mercy and grace.

Even while my flesh is fighting for its own way You continue to draw me near to Yourself that I may choose the way of righteousness. May I continually be humbled in Your presence, submitted unto You, to obey the voice of God. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Be swift to hear and slow to speak
Control the tongue and be complete.
It blesses God and curses men
It ought not be in sin it ends.
Let the words you speak be few
Life not death, My love to choose.
Not to judge, nor evil speak
Lest its very fruit to eat.
For God is Judge and knows the way
Who is able to destroy and able to save.
Be not foolish, hold your peace
Be sober, watchful, yourself to keep.
Let your speech always be seasoned with salt
Full of God's grace, meek, without fault.
Pleasant words are like honey, sweet to the soul
Let My Word fill your heart, your lips to control.

James 1:19-20 - So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
James 3:6 - And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
Colossians 4:6 - Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Psalm 141:3 - Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Proverbs 16:24 - Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
Proverbs 18:21 - Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
(Other Scripture references: Ecc. 5:2-3, Pro. 10:19, 17:27-28, 18:6-8, Jas. 3:2-12, 4:11-12, 1 Pet. 5:8)

"50?!!!"

1 Samuel 16:7 - But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Jeremiah 31:3 - The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “ Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

The hands of the clock struck midnight; it was December 10, 2008. I expected something to somehow be different, to feel different, to look different, to hear trumpets blare or to hear great sounds of celebration. I didn't hear a thing.

I had my husband take several pictures of me for my BIG, can you believe it? 50th birthday! Do I look it? I don't know. Do I act it? I don't know. How is one supposed to look or act? I've always just been me.  I guess I thought I'd see something else in my face, or perhaps I wanted to. I'll tell you one of the things I've written in my praise journal today and for which I am so grateful: undereye concealer, and for that matter all cosmetics! Although not foolproof, they sure do help get a girl through.

Seriously though, I am ever so grateful that no matter how old I am or how many lines, bags, sags or dark circles I may have or end up with the Lord loves me with an everlasting love. He is One who sees me as I truly am, washed in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and with a heart that is His own and so I am accepted in the Beloved just as I am. How Awesome!

Though I'm still a work in progress and at times I faulter and may even fall, He is always there to pick me up. He is a God who doesn't merely conceal my sin but washes it all away and remembers it no more. He transforms me into His most glorious image day by day as I continue to walk with Him.

Father God, though beauty may fade over the course of time, I pray the beauty and radiance of the Lord Jesus Christ would be more and more evident in my life as I continue to cling to Him and follow You in all Your ways.

Continue, according to Your Word to draw me with Your lovingkindness, which is better than life. Continue to turn my heart toward You and as a song I've heard says, I ask, "Turn my heart, oh Lord, like rivers of water. Turn my heart, oh Lord, by Your hand. Till my whole life flows in the river of Your Spirit and my name brings honor to the Lamb."

Thank You, Father, for the day I was born in Christ Jesus and the life I have eternally in Him! That is the day I truly came alive and all of Heaven rejoiced and celebrated my birth in You!!!

"Blessings May Be Just Down the Street"

Mark 10:14-16 - "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

The day after Thanksgiving as I was walking my dog I considered shortening our walk when I saw some children playing at the end of the street. Now it's not that I dislike children or anything, on the contrary, I think they're precious and oftentimes purposely go in their direction knowing how much they love my dog. But since I wasn't feeling that great I just wanted to walk the dog, let him do his business and be on my merry way with no distractions.

Well, my little social butterfly of a dog, Gideon spotted the children from at least a half a block away and was pulling on his leash to get to them. So, while I was considering crossing the street before the kids spotted us he was already charging full force ahead. How could I deny him? He loves everybody and especially children! I guess he figures they're so much like him, care-free, full of energy and always ready for fun.

As soon as the little ones saw him they all came running, asking excitedly if they could pet Gideon, getting licks all over; their faces full of joy and laughing with delight. I smiled too and took delight watching them get acquainted as they rolled on the grass together.

One of the little girls, who had been first to approach Gideon, who was no more than eight or nine years old, stood up after she had finished loving on him, very mature and adult-like, with a hand on her hip, looked me square in the eye and said ever so thoughtfully, "How was your Thanksgiving Day, did you have a nice one, where did you enjoy it?" Then she shared with me some of the activities of her Thanksgiving Day and how much she wanted a dog but how her Mom wouldn't let her have one right now and how she'd also like to have a horse and other aspects of her life. I think she was a bit of a social butterfly herself.

She was such a little lady, her nails polished for the holiday and just a real girlie girl. She was something else and actually had me in stitches listening to her and watching her little grown-up self, so out-going, smart and confident. Her girlfriend shared with me that her Grandpa just had staples taken out of his head and that her sister called it a zipper. They just blurt out these things and make me laugh. You never know what they might say. They can be absolutely hysterical; and they're not even trying!

Aah, kids. They really do say the darndest things. I watched them in their sweet innocence, running, jumping and playing, going from one thing to the next without a care. How adorable and beautiful they were. I'm glad I went to the end of the street. They blessed my whole day - and Gideon's too!

Lord God, keep and protect these precious ones by Your mercy and grace. Draw them near to You and grow them up in the things of God. May they know You from an early age, love and serve You and be bright and shining lights for all the world to see. Lead and guide them into all truth through the Lord Jesus Christ all the days of their lives and into Your divine destiny and perfect will. Preserve in them the innocence and child-like spirit they now possess throughout their lives. Use them mightily for Your glory.

Thank You Lord for these little ones who helped lift my spirit and brighten my day. Help me to be more like them, instilling within me more of a child-like spirit. And in days to come, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, may You lead others also to walk just a little farther; perhaps just down the street where a blessing may be waiting. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

"Broken but Refined"

John 15:1-5 - “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

Philippians 2:13 - for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 
Hebrews 12:5-11 - And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Luke 5:36-39 - Then He spoke a parable to them: “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better.’”

Tears often come out of nowhere
is my heart still soft?
I wish I would shine brighter
I pray remove the dross.
So often I seem to stumble
My God, I'm frail and weak
I pray I'd not repel them Lord
but cause them Christ to seek.
Forgive me where I've failed You
helping me to stand
Point me in the direction
of Your kind and outstretched hand.
Forgive me when I've been frightened
and close in from the fear
Break me out of the confines
Father, draw me near.
To see from Your perspective
and not through the eyes of this flesh
But anointed by Your Holy Spirit
the Name of my God to be blessed.
Lord, surely I'm not perfect
but the Perfect One is dwelling inside
Work in me to will and to do
for Your pleasure, as in You I abide.
I've not the ability to change myself
and so I keep pressing in
Desiring the depths of Your holiness
ever grateful You've paid for my sin.
I'm laying at the feet of Jesus
once again at the foot of His cross
Relying on the crimson red color
where You've given me life for my loss.
I'm asking for new garments
to drink of the new wine
Preserved within a vessel
Lord, that You've refined.

"Open My Eyes"

Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.
Isaiah 50:4-5 - The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to hear as the learned. The Lord GOD has opened my ear; and I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away.
Matthew 13:16-23 - But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Psalm 1:2-3 - But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalm 23:1-3 - The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Open my eyes Lord
let me speak what You speak
Unto those that are weary
and those that are weak.
Awaken me each morning
open my ears
Help me Lord God
most gladly to hear.
Through good times or bad times
bearing much fruit
For I am planted by rivers
with prosperous roots.
Continually producing
for Your law's my delight
Wondrous, extraordinary
the Lord gives me sight.
Oh, the beauty and the splendor
of an omnipotent yet tender God
Who lovingly leads ands guides me
with His staff and rod.
Who brings me to quiet waters
there to give me rest
Holding me in His strong arms
my head against His breast.
To listen to His deepest thoughts
to share with Jesus, mine
Thank You for precious moments, Lord
alone with You, for time.
Thank You for refreshing
and for healing as I wait
Thank You for Your righteousness
and paths that You make straight.
You deserve the glory
I'll forever bless Your name
So grateful You pursue me
and for the heart that still You change.

"Secure in Him"

Psalm 119:89 - Forever, O LORD,
Your word is settled in heaven.

Our lives pass by quickly
in an instant they change
But God's Word is settled
His truth remains.
So it's Him that I look to
in these uncertain times
My confidence is in Him
Who will lead me and guide
Into all that is good
and all that is right
I'm reaching out Father
I'm holding on tight.
Letting go of the things
that are weighing me down
Help me Lord Jesus
only in You to be found.

"Moving On"

Philippians 3:7-14

But whatever former things I had that might have been gains to me, I have come to consider as [one combined] loss for Christ's sake. Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One), and that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law's demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith. [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] that if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.

I dreamed I was walking down a hallway

seeing the present and past

Familiar and unfamiliar faces

and those that have now gone to black.

A religious man talked to the dying

empty words he spoke

Oh, how it grieved my spirit

for it seemed that he offered no hope.

I continued walking forward

looking for one I once knew

But she occupied no seat in this gallery

then I came to a door that was new.

I awoke and I saw the sun shining

I arose and I stood to my feet

Words of life were spoken

words of Christ went deep.

Not the same old empty tradition

but where true love is expressed

When the hand of God breaks through to earth

and gives you life for death.

I pray that I may know Him

the depths of Him to grasp

Continually pressing onward

forgetting what has passed.

For those things that once seemed so important

quickly fade away

In the face of God Almighty

in the brightness of the light of the Day.

"Fearfully & Wonderfully Made"

Psalm 139:13-14 For You formed my inward parts;You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.
Psalm 139:17-18 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You.

What a wonderful thought - God thinks you're absolutely terrific and can't get you off of His mind. He's thinking so many precious and wonderful thoughts of you all the time that they couldn't even be numbered if you tried. He has created a masterpiece in you. You are a classic; you are His jewel. You are unique, amazing, astonishing, incredible, worthy of admiration, fine, enjoyable, excellent, pleasant, awesome, beautiful, fabulous, fantastic and very good. That's the definition of the word wonderful and God has said it, so it is true.

And not only that, He says you're fearfully and wonderfully made. Fearful here means "very", and that means in the fullest sense, wonderful. It also speaks of being complete, complete in Him. You are indispensable and certainly, positively, truly, exceptionally, exceedingly, extraordinarily and decidedly wonderful to Him. And that's not it! He also says you are greatly valued, greatly desired and one He holds in great esteem. You are beloved and dear to Him, over-refined, cherished, unable to calculate in worth, prized and rare. This is the definition of the word precious.

You are beyond compare in the eyes of God. He sees you as no other but made you for Himself. You are the only one like you; you're in a class by yourself. No one can replace you and only you can accomplish what God has predestined for your life. For you see, He has fully equipped you and made you who you are to accomplish His purpose as you walk with Him.

In Christ Jesus you are of a royal lineage for you are His descendent, birthed into His family by the blood of Jesus where you are seated in heavenly places in Him. There is no higher rank. You have been inducted into the Lion of the tribe of Judah, made a king and a priest where His estate is yours and all pertaining to life and godliness; He paid the price. What was once owned by satan through sin has been bought back; you have been redeemed. Your position is secure because it is in Him you are found when Christ Jesus you have made your own. You need not question your standing, status, position or place for you are His sons and daughters, perfect in Him and lacking no good thing.

I think you're pretty special too and I pray you are blessed today and see yourself as the Father sees you through the Lord, Jesus Christ, PERFECT!

I will praise You

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made

Through Your Son, Jesus Christ

and the life that He gave

And for the grace You have given

that You see me the same

As Him who now fills me

I am seen without blame.

For I am forgiven

because He paid the price

Shedding His own blood

that I might have life.

Life that's eternal

never to end

An eternity given

that I might apprehend

Your thoughts toward me, Father

and to give You my praise

For You who have made me

and for the life that You saved.

Thanking You for the Perfect One

dwelling inside

Ever reaching forward

toward the goal for the prize

Of the call in Christ Jesus

all else left behind

Until perfection in Him

at last I would find.

I feel Your delight, Lord

just as I am

Hearing the beat

of Your heart that You send.

Marvelous are Your works, Lord

I know in my soul

That precious You find me

but it is hard to take hold.

For Your thoughts are without number

more than the sand

Your love is so great

complete and so grand.

To know without ceasing

You're thinking of me

Lord, in my mind

I cannot conceive.

But Your Word You have spoken

unto me You impart

You take hold and ravish

captivating my heart.

Such love I've not known

such joy and delight

Carried away

and seized by the Light

That opens my eyes

and makes me to see

Touching and changing

and setting me free.

Free, Lord, to love You

because You've loved me

First and so purely

I reach out and receive.

Blessing the name

of my Savior and Lord

Whom I worship and honor,

love and adore.

No, I'll not wait till Heaven

but I must sing His song

I must tell of His greatness
all the day long.

For you see, I had nothing

until He took hold

And made warm a heart

that once was so cold.

He filled me up

making love to abound
His love, everlasting

in the heart He gave, found.

May the love of the Father

through the Lord, Jesus Christ

Light your way on the path

and may you soar to new heights

Through a love that sustains you

and strengthens each day

As you see yourself through His eyes

so wonderfully made.

(Please read all of Psalm 139 and see yourself through God's eyes-
"Fearfully & Wonderfully Made")

"Formed into His Image"

Romans 5:3-5 - ...we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Bang, bang, bang

going off in my head

As motionless I lay

on the MRI bed.

Taking image after image

I briefly wonder if I'm dead

But quickly I dismiss it

and sing songs of God instead.

It's a song of how He is my source

and how He is my strength

And how I Iift my hands in praise

and He fills me with faith.

It is Christ I am believing

as each step He'd have me take

With total trust in Father

even as I wait.

My Father brings me comfort

He lifts me when I despair

He's my consolation

so later I might care

For someome else in trouble

that a shoulder I might lend

Strong, that is in Jesus

in Him to be a friend.

"Out of the Ball Park!"

Hebrews 11:29 - By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

I may not be the brightest
I may not be the best
Perhaps I'm not the prettiest
and some days I'm just a mess.
At times I'm lacking courage
and I feel I've lost my nerve
Pulling the covers over my head
for life's just thrown a curve.

Then I find myself imagining

that I've just hit the ball
It's going long, the crowd's going wild
it's gone beyond the wall.
The cheers from the stands are deafening
as I run and round each base
They're from those who've gone before me
they're shouts from the fathers of faith.
And so I keep on going
encouraged by the roar
From the Lion of the tribe of Judah
that helps my feet to soar.
Ever leading homeward
headed toward the plate
For the treasure I will find there
my reward, in Christ by faith.
(Read all of Hebrews, chapter 11 to be bountifully blessed)

"Good Morning?, Yes!"

Psalm 118:24 - This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

I wake up in the morning and there's my puppy, Gideon right there beside me in bed content as can be. I reach over to pet him and he's so glad to see me, rolling over for his belly rubs and back scratches and then kisses my face all over. He's excited to be alive from the moment he wakes up. When Lucy Lu, one of our cats comes in and jumps up on the bed he can't wait to give her a great big "Good Morning." As she rubs up against him, Gideon kisses her all over her face too and it's just the cutest thing. They love each other to pieces and it's the same little ritual every morning.

They then follow me as I head to the kitchen. Gideon dashes down the stairs charging toward his other kitty pal, Elijah so he can be sure to greet him and give him licks, and morning playtime then begins. Full of energy and enthusiasm they race through the house, tackling one another and playing tug of war with their toys. They're so happy and just seem to be rejoicing in the day and in each other. It's as if they were saying, "Life is great"! They look for and expect good things each day and they find them.

Lord, I pray You would help me to awake each day excited to be alive, full of energy and enthusiasm in You, ready to embrace the day and to be glad in it and all it may have to offer. May I be expectant that I would find good things and may I share them with others, rejoicing always in You that all may know Your love. And like my happy Gideon, may I always have a smile on my face. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

"Twists & Turns"

Life's full of many twists and turns

I pray through each the lesson learned.

Continually to grow by God's great grace

Humbled and strengthened to run the race.

The course He has set both narrow and straight

With eyes fixed on Jesus, filled with His faith.

The Author, the Finisher, the love of my life

He lifts me up to scale new heights.

Unafraid of the darkness for He shines His light

His arms wrapped around me holding me tight.

He reminds me of His promises both faithful and true

He draws me closer, all the more to pursue

The heart of the Father, the gift of His Son

The power of the Spirit, within me, One.

The Kingdom of God, today let it come

Fulfilling Your purpose, let Your will be done.

Content to know that You are near

I give You all my doubts and fears.

Complete surrender, I know Your peace

As willingly, my life, I leave at Your feet.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Matthew 7:13-14 - "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

Hebrews 12:1-2 - Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 Peter 5:6-7 - Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Psalm 18:1-6 - I will love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. The pangs of death surrounded me, and the floods of ungodliness made me afraid. The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears.

Psalm 18:28-33 - For You will light my lamp; the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

"Be a Buddy"

Did you know your pets can teach you things? They're so lighthearted and easygoing. Sometimes I can be so uptight and usually have a zillion things on my mind all at the same time. Then my Gideon presses his cold, wet nose into my leg with a toy hanging out of his mouth and makes me stop.

He's asking me, his favorite companion to participate in his playtime. You see, it's more fun when you have a buddy and everyone needs a cheerleader. When we play I'm his cheerleader and that encourages him to have the best time he can and succeed at his game. I get to hootin' and hollerin' and clapping my hands as he chases his toy and I praise him when he brings it back. He just has a blast and so do I.

He always makes me laugh and helps to make me a bit more lighthearted and easygoing myself. I've noticed when I'm down in the dumps and less than enthusiastic in our playtime he's sensitive to that and takes on that same heaviness and almost immediately loses interest in play and takes to his bed; it's just no fun anymore.

So take a break, loosen up, laugh, put self aside, be a buddy to someone who needs encouragement and help put some spring back into their step that they might want to chase their "toys" or pursue their dreams that all alone they might not do. Maybe those "toys" will come back to you.

P.S. Thank you Cathy for being my sister and my buddy and giving me the encouragement I need to continue to stand and chase my "toys". I love you Sis. My eyes are forever fixed on Him. I'm so grateful we can look to the Lord together and share His love through life's adventures and all the daily challenges we face.

Elijah, Such a Handsome Boy!

The Threesome just hanging out.

My Love

Here's my Elijah with his pal, Gideon. I don't know how
they manage to squeeze into bed together so snuggly.

Gotta be touching.


Gideon's a great ear cleaner!

I brought you a little something.

Bath Time for my Boy, Gideon
(He's so good!)


Gettin' all warmed up

Gideon with his girlfriend, Molly
(One of my regular petsitting clients)

Gideon still loves his baby bed. And though he has
beds that fit him much better, oftentimes this
is the one he curls up in with his toys.

My Craft Room 
Jeff got me this craft table, chair and lamp set
a fewyears ago for my birthday. All my cutting
guides, scissors, adhesives, markers,
pens and whatnots are right at hand.
(Notice the "Gid Kid" pictures on the wall to the right -
my Baby!)

Jeff recently hung the shelf for me above the craft table that I purchased @ 40% off - a great deal! I get all my stuff slowly andon sale. It stores my rubber stamps, and most of my large collection of craft punches, which are so much fun.

The ribbon you see on the shelf only reflects perhaps 1/4 of the supply I have. It turns out ribbon is great in scrapbooking too.  It really adds such beauty when framing out a picture or positioning it somewhere on the page. It's also fantastic in card making. Boxes and drawers hold stickers galore and other crafty stuff.

I've gotten rid of so many of my stuffed animals.
This very inexpensive purple bear on top of my paper
rack I had to keep. He's so cute! And he's purple after all.
See the picture behind him? The little girl in bed is praying
over her meal with a kitten on one side and a dog on the other.  So me! But seriously, it helps to keep things in perspective. Looking over at that picture, as I often do when I'm in that room, reminds me Who I always need to keep my heart and mind focused on, and even my act of crafting is to be worshipful toward the King of kings and Lord of lords Who is so worthy of all my praise.