LIVE READY!

Every day that we live, we are one day closer to meeting our Maker. Let us live in a way that brings glory to Your name Lord and above all let us live ready. I always feel like I need to get my house in order in more than one way, to be ready to go. Sometimes I wonder if that’s why I don’t work harder to do just that? Because although to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, if we’ve personally accepted Him, there’s always a part that wants to live to see Shiloh’s baby, to see Mathis grow, to see the great way the Lord is going to take the disasters and chaos of our lives and use it to HIS GREAT GLORY! When I wrote this on this date in 2019 Jude wasn’t even in Shiloh’s womb yet, but I did live to see Shiloh have a baby, so this is surely one of those speaking forth things that the Lord wants us to do.


Many times the way is troubling and wearisome and dreams that have died seem hard to revive. That’s when He gives the new dream. In pulling up this blog today, and seeing it is talking about dreams I’m amazed that Pastor Cathy’s sermon is on CHASING DREAMS. It seems like confirmation of this little talk. She stirred us up to follow our dreams.


Some new dreams are happening right now though with eyes of the earth we may not be able to truly see that He is at work, sending journeymates, sending angels to surround and hedge in our loved ones.


Oh to see with new eyes, eyes that look on with love.

The Word of the Lord that He brought to mind as I was writing:


Things never discovered or heard of before,

    things beyond our ability to imagine— these are the many things God has in store for all his lovers. 1 Corinthians 2 :9 The Passion Translation 


Yesterday I found a quote that I think is really going to help me press on in life: “Do not get discouraged; it may be the last key in the bunch that opens the door.” STANSIFER. I think this was the right time for this quote to stand out for me, as there are so many situations with prayers going up for healings and help for families and it seems like we may have tried every key in our pocket. None seem to be working! 


We are earnest in our prayers, our love and even our faith in the Lord, but we may come away discouraged. Discouraged about that meeting with that wayward child, discouraged about family members being sick and discouraged about perhaps even how we are living our lives. But the Lord is not discouraged. HE IS ENCOURAGED! 

 And the Lord says, “Keep trying, keep seeking, keep turning that next key. I have the answer. It is going to bless your socks off. Don’t give up. Look back to the memories of places I have brought you from, sicknesses’ that I’ve healed you of, and blessings that abounded in your family. And for that one who experienced loss beyond any pain you thought you could endure, I’ve got this. I’ve got your loved one and I’ve got YOU. The Lord, the great Father and comforter am I. I am and will always be with you, I will never, no never leave you comfortless. You are loved.


Bonus Scripture:


Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?  But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke ^[d]kindly to them. Genesis 50: 19-21

Do you need to cry? HE LOVES US DEARLY EVEN THOUGH WE MIGHT FEEL LIKE WE CAN’T DO IT ANYMORE.

"It's not what you go through that makes you strong: it is how you handle the situation that gives you strength." — Tanya R. Liverman
"My best testimonies are from the times I thought I couldn't survive." — Tanya R. Liverman

At times we all need a reminder that HE SEES us and uses us in ways we can't imagine. (Me)

HE LOVES US DEARLY EVEN THOUGH WE MIGHT FEEL LIKE WE CAN’T DO IT ANYMORE.

Sometimes you just need a good cry and when you have to be strong for so many other things, using a movie as an excuse works well. Many of you don’t know that our granddaughter, Aubrey, (27) went into the hospital on April 24^th. She has endocarditis and some other things that are very frightening. I always loved Advent Hospitals but the care Aubrey got at the one at Deland was not up to their normal level. They sent her to the one in Daytona saying she needed an operation on her heart valve, but then she was not well enough for it. Then they sent her back to Deland and said they were just going to continue with antibiotic treatments. With the COVID19  the visitation rules are changed. I finally got to see her for the first time this last Monday. While I was there, she got the chills then I felt her forehead and it seemed warm. All the time I was there no one came in to check on her unless I went out to get them or she called and waited. So, before I left, I mentioned they should probably take her temperature, but the nurse said she’d check on her later.

That night they released her to just get out-patient infusion treatments. By Friday, they said she had a fever when she went for her infusion and also now Pulmonary aneurysms.  Last night they sent her to Shands and it seems the same. They say she needs an operation then say maybe not. It is very frustrating. The sad thing is they say she can only see one visitor for the duration of her stay; it must be the same visitor. I was ready to go today, even just to sit in the waiting room, but they are not allowing people in hospitals. Ashley and I helped by watching baby Mathis, she more than me, as since he’s a busy toddler and I’m old, it just works out that way. I try to tag team with her. I just pray for Aubrey and for baby Mathis who misses his mom and is confused.

So Bill and I watched a movie tonight, The Art of Racing in the Rain. You will smile, you will cry and if life seems hard, a good cry can be cleansing. I know I needed to.

If you haven’t seen the movie, watch it. Tame by today’s standards, but precious as a family movie. https://movieweb.com/the-art-of-racing-in-the-rain-trailer/

“Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother, for the fall and rising of many in Israel and for a sign which shall be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also) that the hearts of many may be revealed.” Luke 2:34-35

Do you feel broken, today?

Ann Voscamp says, “You can be too broken to be.” She also talks about grief here:

 “There is no fear in letting tears come. Sadness is a gift to avoid the nothingness of numbness, and all hard places need water. Grief is a gift, and after a rain of tears, there is always more of you than before. Rain always brings growth.”

It’s Saturday and the day we focus on those families who’ve lost loved ones, maybe recently, maybe it’s been a while but grief has its own timetable. We pray for strength for the journey, comfort from the Lord and His people and for love to surround you through the numbness of coping with what must be dealt with. Jesus, lover of my soul, bind our wounds and make us whole.

Show us how to live, one day at a time, giving You glory. Your love never fails, though sometime our faith does.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37wV6D49iEY

THIS AND THAT ABOUT FOOD, COVID19 AND THE NEW NORMAL

THIS AND THAT ABOUT FOOD, COVID19 AND THE NEW NORMAL


This morning, I had computer problems and just when it seemed I had lost this journal file, it opened. It actually was there in my files but whenever I would go to open, it said it didn’t exist. There’s nothing to make my day go bad like computer problems. On days like this it makes me wonder if I should even try to write ever again?


I was going to confess to how this COVID19 has changed my eating habits and not in a good way. On Easter we had all the traditional foods so of course there were leftovers. Plus, other leftovers. Actually, I love to eat so much there is always something I can find, my problem is making a choice. I WANT TO EAT EVERYTHING. So, one night this week I made something I’ll call the ULTIMATE COMFORT FOOD BLUE PLATE SPECIAL: Pulled pork, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and broccoli casserole. Topped off with Marie Callendar’s coconut cream pie. I could hear my Aunt Joyce’s voice in my head, “Y’all ate two starches together?” That’s what she’d say to me and would cringe when I’d tell her how Mama fed us at home when I was a little girl. Macaroni and cheese with mashed potatoes as well as beans and fried or mashed potatoes were  some of our favorite meals. Don’t forget the cornbread. And the onion. Real Southern comfort food!


Hats off to Bill, my husband,  who stuck to his Keto diet during quarantine and also Easter. I keep thinking I should join him as he cooks all the food for it. I actually ate one recipe he cooked the other  night, a taco casserole made with cottage cheese and lots of cheddar cheese. Since I wasn’t doing the whole Keto plan like him, I actually gained two pounds the next day. Well, that’s enough about food and staying home too much. I also was reduced to making birthday cards for my girls as I haven’t been out shopping as far as lingering to read cards. Can we say we are all at a new normal?

 Some good, some bad but thank God, we’re still here pressing on in Jesus. 



Try some verses with comfort in them instead of comfort food.

“Comfort, O comfort My people,” says your God.

2 “Speak kindly to Jerusalem;

And call out to her, that her warfare has ended,

That her iniquity has been removed,

That she has received of the Lord’s hand

Double for all her sins.” Isaiah 40:1-2


 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

 2 Corinthians 1:6-7 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.

HOPE FOR FRACTURED FAMILIES

 Do you have a fractured family? Is your family tree messed up? You are in good company then and Jesus is our hope. Sometimes it may not seem that way but we have to get our eyes off our circumstances, look up to the Lord, find a Word from Him and claim it. Then pray, pray, pray! Prayer is a true working tool to peace and acceptance. A lot of our turmoil in life is not accepting the things we can't change; We sometimes have to accept that things are the way they are for a reason. I'm sure Joseph, during his days in prison and slavery felt forgotten by God as well as his family but he went ahead being the best he could be in those circumstances. The Lord caused him to rise above them and to rise in favor. Don't look at things the way they are but look at them through eyes of hope.

Jesus is the answer to all our problems and our strong help and that will always be the case. His ear is open to our prayers for help and hope. He is such a creative God that He brings forth beauty and grace and gifts within us that we never thought were there. He can bring the dormant seed to life. We praise His name and ask that He cover our families today. We thank You, Lord Jesus ahead of time for Your great blessing and favor towards our loved ones.

A song and a prayer about the Family Tree: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlqH5-T9WtI

Stars of Alabama is Awesome; my book review

I loved Stars of Alabama: A Novel by Sean of the South.


During this time apart I discovered an author new to me and a book I fell in love with. Stars of Alabama: A Novel by Sean of the South. Reading it made me do something I rarely do which is BUY a book. Other than my Word Weaver friends or a few books here or there, I normally utilize the library for my reading habit. They only had one book by Sean so I had no choice but to buy some. I prefer books that I can turn the pages, a real book, but I bought a couple Kindle by Sean to get me through till the real thing comes.


Amazon says about this book: “Sean Dietrich—also known as Sean of the South—weaves together a humorous and heartfelt tale about the dignity of humanity and the value of enduring hope.


One child preacher traveling across the plains.

One young woman with a mysterious touch.

Two old friends, their baby, and their bloodhound.

And all the stars that shine above them.”


It may help if you’re Southern to really understand the characters and the depth of the story, but really, I think anyone would love it. I’m actually thinking of rereading it while the library has extended the time you can keep books because of the pandemic.


If you’ve ever felt like you can’t catch a break in your life, you’ll identify with these characters. If you’ve ever felt that your heart is going to break because of loss, you’ll keep turning pages. If you’ve ever needed a father-figure and found one in the most unlikely place, you’ll love the ones found here.

Thought not a “Christian genre” it is deeply spiritual in places.


I’m probably a fan for life, Sean of the South! Thanks for bringing beauty from another era of time to my heart.


Take a fiction vacation from the chaos of the world. READ THIS BOOK!

This song is balm for the soul.

 Lord as I think of many, many prayer requests especially concerning the coronavirus, and the needs within our families I call out to You that You help us, save us and make our paths clear. Lead us all on a path that You can bless and help us to see clearly Your will for our lives. Letting go and letting God is hard sometimes but we will try today to surrender. 

Praying especially for the unspoken heart requests that only You and we know about. Asking You, Jesus, to go before the throne of God and intercede as only You can. Although today we normally focus  on recovery issues, we’re praying for recovery from all diseases for our loved ones.

A good word to start the day: "Yet, the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!" (Isaiah 30:18). Don't give up when you are waiting:)

Try not to let fear rule.

F alse

E vidence

A ppearing

R eal

Listen to music, look at family pictures of times when people were together, start trying to think about how to make Easter wonderful, even if different.

Count your blessings.

Show some love to someone.

Sing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV3DEtJtho8

SHOW US HOW TO LIVE IN THESE DAYS OF COMPLICATION

I think the word for today is complications; families are complicated. Life as we’re living it today is complicated, many are hurting, sad, or broken yet our Lord is Lord over the complications! This we will believe in our darkest night of the soul, in the most complicated issues, in the wildest storm, You Jesus Christ our God and Father are Lord over the complications. 


You know the beginning from the end, the Alpha and Omega, the beautiful pattern of tapestry. Why would we think we can go through life pain-free when You suffered ultimately? Though it doesn't make us feel good to go through things, we know we have fellowship with Your suffering. We will believe the report of the Lord today that this is the day that He has made and in that we can find some small thing to rejoice in. 


Everyone reading this has the gift of life, everyone reading this is able to find someone to bless in some small way, if not a large way, everyone reading this can be thankful for something today. If we have lost family members thank the Lord for those we have left, if we are in pain in one part of our body, thank the Lord for the parts that don't hurt, if we don't have an abundance of provision thank the Lord for what we do have. It is a "give thanks" day and we don't have to wait until a designated Thanksgiving Day of the year to be grateful. I’m so grateful for the gift of my newest grandson, Jude. What joy he brings to my heart. Shiloh will be an awesome mom!


Today is my Word Weavers International prayer day. Lord, I so praise you for this group and the help, love and support that they give to all of us. Strengthen those who labor in love in this group that writers writing Your words will emerge. Help us all to be strong in Your power and might and words of grace and healing. Personally, Word Weavers has so enhanced my life and given me opportunities I would’ve never had. I can’t give You Jesus, enough praise. I am grateful and pray a double blessing on my fellow Word Weavers and those to come.



Thinking about Step work today.

 Step 1

 I admit I am powerless that my life has become unmanageable.

 Step 2 “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves

 could restore us to sanity.”

Step 3: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

 Lord, many years ago turned my will and life over to You to do what You will, when You will it. I love You, Lord, and I give my whole being and life to You. You are so awesome and my help in the time of trouble. You are my source, my resource, my Father, my Abba, my love. I can’t do this stuff down here on earth without a touch from Your hand and I need to be cleansed and renewed and a fire set within me to do Your will in this life. I ask that You make me a light and a blessing and give me direction. Help me to live this life as You have provided it for me, not as I wanted at times, but still good in so many ways.  Show me how to live, show me how to live, show me how to live I pray.

 Thinking on Step 2, I don't know how anyone can believe that there is any other way to sanity than through our God, strong, mighty and powerful.

 I believe I truly did the 3rd step when I was 21 and rededicated myself to the Lord. But whenever I am stressed or have extra problems, the advise from a dear friend and sponsor was to go over steps 1-3 again every time needed, until peace comes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoAqymNcBTk

OUT OF THE EMBERS has made me a fan of Amanda Cabot (my book review)

I was so happy to find that Out of the Embers is the first in a series, as the book was a real page turner for me. I’ve never read any of Amanda Cabot’s books and this will surely not be the only one of hers I will read. I’m totally a fan, now.


There was a lot of mystery, story plots and very good characters in this book. I loved that it kept the Revell tradition of a book with Christian values and even the most questionable character was able to find redemption.


The setting in Texas Hill Country in the 1850’s was beautiful. Evelyn was definitely a hero as she fervently protected young Polly.


The family she found and the man she fell in love with was wonderful to behold. There was a lot of suspense and intrigue. The love she showed for little Polly who was not timid in announcing her need for a daddy when she met Wyatt was charming. With all the potential suitors for the lovely Evelyn, it had me holding my breath.


In some ways with the acquiring of the restaurant in town and the good food served, it reminded me of a LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE segment. Romance amongst suspense adds up to a book that you’ll definitely want to read. I’m hoping I get to review the next one, too.




 Out of the Embers was a book that I received free of charge from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review.

Praying for peace for our families and health and safety also.

Do you ever feel like you are on the “Same Merry-go-Round but a Different Horse!”

Do you ever get tired of the stress in your life? Do you ever feel that the prayer reservation you made with the Lord has been canceled and the hopes and dreams you have had for years will never happen? Sometime I think I’m on the same merry-go-round but a different horse. Have you ever felt that way?
But who am I to think that God should be on my timetable?

If it costs you nothing, it's worth nothing! Endurance is the
price tag of achievement. Listen, "We pray that you'll have the strength...not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the strength God gives...that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy" (Col 1:11 The Message)

The Lord, the Lord God almighty will be our comfort, strength and hope when all of those things seem far away. When the hurt seems unbearable, when the days seem endless and fruitless, He and He alone will be our strong Help. Oh the pain in a mother’s heart when she sees the turmoil of addiction overtake that precious child. Oh, the love she feels, but also knows she is helpless, powerless and cannot wave the magic wand and make it all okay.

Surround all who read this today with Your peace, love and Hope. We see the picture from below, the flawed strings; the messed-up threads, but You see the beautiful tapestry from heaven that is the complete, full and beautiful work of art. We yield to You dear Lord and still we pray. Help, us Lord this day and please be with that one who is hurting the most; you know who it is. This prayer was inspired by the many sisters among us, who are mighty blessings and forces to be contended with in the fight against addictions. May their burdens be lifted. We are praying over at Somebody's Mother; please feel free to join us:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/119408188089314/387361614627302/

A good word to start the day: "Yet, the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!" (Isaiah 30:18). Don't give up when you are waiting:)