THE WORD OF THE LORD FOR TODAY

I was going to put some of my favorite scriptures from Psalm 119,

The Passion Translation, in my Christmas note but there were so many that were beautiful, even when I cut many out, it would be too long. So here are a lot of good scriptures to encourage you. An early Christmas gift.

35 Guide me into the paths that please you,

for I take delight in all that you say.

40 See how I long with cravings for more of your ways?

Let your righteousness revive my spirit!

Trust in the Lord

41 May your tender love overwhelm me, O Lord,

for you are my Savior and you keep your promises.

47 My passion and delight is in your word,

for I love what you say to me!

48 I long for more revelation of your truth,

for I love the light of your word as I meditate on your decrees.

My Comfort

49 Lord, never forget the promises you’ve made to me,

for they are my hope and confidence.

50 In all of my affliction I find great comfort in your promises,

for they have kept me alive!

52 Your revelation-light is eternal;

I’m encouraged every time I think about your truth

54 As I journey through life, I put all your statutes to music;

they become the theme of my joyous songs. (This one rang true with the song that Steve Scheffler produced with the words to my poem, RESTORE THEM TO YOU)

55 Throughout the night I think of you, dear God;

I treasure your every word to me.

My Heart Is Devoted to You

57 You are my satisfaction, Lord, and all that I need,

so I’m determined to do everything you say.

58 With all my heart I seek your favor;

pour out your grace on me as you promised!

62 In the middle of the night I awake to give thanks to you

because of all your revelation-light; so right and true!

64 Give me more revelation of your ways,

for I see your love and tender care everywhere.

My True Treasure

65 Your extravagant kindness to me

makes me want to follow your words even more!

66 Teach me how to make good decisions,

and give me revelation-light, for I believe in your commands.

68 Everything you do is beautiful, flowing from your goodness;

teach me the power of your wonderful words!

72 The words you speak to me are worth more

than all the riches and wealth in the whole world!

I Will Follow Your Ways

123 As a lovesick lover, I yearn for more of your salvation

and for your virtuous promises.

124 Let me feel your tender love, for I am yours.

Give me more understanding of your wonderful ways.

125 I need more revelation from your word

to know more about you, for I’m in love with you!

127 Truly, your message of truth means more to me

than a vault filled with the purest gold.

128 Every word you speak, every truth revealed, is always right

and beautiful to me, for I hate what is phony or false.

I Long to Obey You

129 Your marvelous words are living miracles;

no wonder I long to obey everything you say.

130 Break open your word within me until revelation-light shines out!

Those with open hearts are given insight into your plans.

131 I open my mouth and inhale the word of God

because I crave the revelation of your commands.

132 Turn your heart to me, Lord, and show me your grace

like you do to every one of your godly lovers.

133 Prepare before me a path filled with your promises,

and don’t allow even one sin to have dominion over me.

135 Smile on me, your loving servant.[a]

Instruct me on what is right in your eyes.

His Word Is True

140 All your promises glow with fire;[b]

that’s why I’m a lover of your word.

141 Even though I’m considered insignificant and despised

by the world, I’ll never abandon your ways.

142 Your righteousness has no end; it is everlasting,

and your rules are perfectly fair.

143 Even though my troubles overwhelm me with anguish,

I still delight and cherish every message you speak to me.

144 Give me more revelation so that I can live for you,

for nothing is more pure and eternal than your truth.

Save Me, God

145 Answer my passionate prayer, O Lord,

and I’ll obey everything you say.

146 Save me, God, and I’ll follow your every instruction.

147 Before the day dawns, I’ll be crying out for help

and wrapping your words into my life.

148 I lie awake every night pondering your promises to me.

149 Lord, listen to my heart’s cry, for I know your love is real for me;

breathe life into me again by the revelation of your justice.

but they are all so far away from your laws.

151 God, you are near me always, so close to me;

every one of your commands reveals truth.

152 I’ve known all along how true and unchanging

is every word you speak, established forever!

Breathe Life into Me Again

153 Look upon all my misery and come be my hero to rescue me,

for I will never forget what you’ve revealed to me.

154 Take my side and defend me in these sufferings;

redeem me and revive me, just like you promised you would.

155 The wicked are so far from salvation,

for they could not care less about your message of truth.

156 Your tender mercies are what I need, O God;

give me back my life again

159 Lord, see how much I truly love your instructions.

So in your tender kindness, breathe life into me again.

160 The sum total of all your words adds up to absolute truth,

and every one of your righteous decrees is everlasting.

Devoted to God’s Word

162 Your promises are the source of my bubbling joy;

the revelation of your word thrills me

like one who has discovered hidden treasure.

163 I despise every lie and hate every falsehood,

for I am passionate about keeping your precepts.

164 I stop to praise you seven times a day,

all because your ways are perfect!

165 There is such a great peace and well-being that comes

to the lovers of your word, and they will never be offended.

166 Lord, I’m longing for more of your salvation,

for I want to do what pleases you.

167 My love for your ways is indescribable;

in my innermost being I want to follow them perfectly!

168 I will keep your instructions and follow your counsel;

all my ways are an open book before you.

I Want to Follow You

169 Lord, listen to my prayer. It’s like a sacrifice I bring to you;

I must have more revelation of your word!

170 Take my words to heart when I ask you, Lord;

rescue me, just like you promised!

171 I offer you my joyous praise for all that you’ve taught me.

172 Your wonderful words will become my song of worship,

for everything you’ve commanded is perfect and true.

175 Invigorate my life so that I can praise you even more,

and may your truth be my strength!

Thanksgiving thoughts

Happy Thanksgiving to all, even if it may be “different” than any you’ve experienced before. If there’s an empty seat, fill it with happy memories, thoughts and prayers.

“What would be an adequate thanksgiving to offer God for all the joy we experience before him because of you? We do what we can, praying away, night and day, asking for the bonus of seeing your faces again and doing what we can to help when your faith falters.

May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.” From 1 Thessalonians 3 The Message

A song and a strong prayer that you will encounter a spirit-filled day today and every day as we put our burdens aside to concentrate on the One who is all to us:

(15) All Sons & Daughters - Brokenness Aside - YouTube

"And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!" Isaiah 30:18 (AMP)

Double dipping: With an Al-anon slant: I heard this said recently and thought a lot of Al-Anon people could relate: We were a happy family; until we weren’t.

With the theme being gratefulness, the gift you give yourself, think on this; if your gratefulness doesn’t include yourself, it will not be complete.

They say a heart of gratitude leaves no room for complaining. As I began writing this, I was grieving with a mom, someone who lost a daughter too soon.

We had something in common, both praying for one daughter in particular. Both were the same age, 32, mine is still alive; hers is not, but she is grieving well, just as she loved well. My tears mingle with hers and I find gratitude for another day of hope. Another day to pray, try to work my program, and try to pay forward the hope of the program, also. As I was finishing this devotion this week, my 64-year-old brother died. His diagnosis and death came within twelve hours of entering the hospital. I was not prepared. How can we learn to live ready for loss?

 

David Stein-Rast said, “Grateful eyes look at whatever it be as if they had never seen it before and caress it as if they would never see it again.

Someone else said, “Beginning today treat everyone as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the love, care and kindness you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.” (anon)

If we have lost family members, thank God for those we have left, if we are in pain in one part of our body, thank God for the parts that don't hurt, if we don't have an abundance of provision thank God for what we do have.

God, I thank You, for placing me in my family of origin, such as it is, and my Al-Anon family. I am grateful for Al-Anon is truly the gift I give myself as I look forward to the meetings, the people and what they share. God has given many of us much favor, pain, dysfunction, yet great love and even laughter, to get us through our days.

I pray a double blessing upon all who are here today. If you are hurting, I pray that God binds Your wounds and sorrows, if you think your dreams won't come true, I pray you get a new dream, if you are missing a loved one either through death or estrangement, I pray you go back in your memories and find a good one to dwell on and thank God for that precious moment. It may be that moment you held that sweet child in your arms for the first time and thought your heart would explode with love and that the world had stood still, you were so blessed.  We never thought they might grow up to be an addict.

When I think on gratitude, I acknowledge God’s sovereignty, and I can accept with serenity that even though things in my world are out of my control, they are fully in God’s control. Today, I’m grateful to have a family, a home, and Al-anon. This program and the friends I have made through it have enhanced my life and for that I will be forever grateful.

My book review of Softly Blows the Bugle (The Amish of Weaver's Creek) Paperback

 

My book review of Softly Blows the Bugle (The Amish of Weaver's Creek) Paperback

This book by Jan Drexler will take you to another world; the world of the Amish in 1865.

Jan Drexler is a new author to me. I’d felt like I’d already read the best of Amish authors, but I was wrong. I was really drawn in to the story line, almost immediately. I liked some of the subjects it explored proving as the Bible says, there really is nothing new under the sun.

At first, I was alarmed that she seemed so gullible concerning the handsome and suave, Solomon Mast. His deceptiveness was described early in his introduction and it was hard to wait for Elizabeth to see his true character. But I was very glad the way the story continued and the way it ended. I’m definitely going to check out some of Jan’s previous books and if she does any follow-up books about the Weaver Creek Amish community.

Although I received this book free of charge from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review; I’m so very glad to have read it.

 

When you have that dry spell.

 Last night at Word Weavers Volusia, one of our sweet members, Katelan, brought a blog titled: Dry Spell.

She talked about how hard it is to focus on the Lord when we can't "feel" Him at work within us. As far as my writing and reaching out, I feel the same right now. When that happens, I sometimes have to re-prime the pump, by reading good books and even going back and reading my own blogs. When I can't post something new, I can always repost a blog. 

You may relate to how some people in your life, some groups, such as this one, literally hold you up before the Lord. May the Lord always send a journeymate to encourage you along life's way.

The Lord has always had someone there to hold my arms up as with Moses throughout all the years of pain.
From an old blog: Words and Scriptures to hold on to today! 

Joshua obeyed Moses and went to fight the Amalekites, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held his hands up, the Israelites would win the fight, but when Moses put his hands down, the Amalekites would win. Later, when Moses' arms became tired, the men put a large rock under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held up Moses' hands—Aaron on one side and Hur on the other. They kept his hands steady until the sun went down. So Joshua defeated the Amalekites in this battle. Exodus 17:10-13 New Century Version (NCV)

I have been thinking about this scripture for days and wanted to share a bit about what it means to me and my hopes for the Somebody's Mother Online Prayer Support Group. It can also pertain to She Writes for Him group, I believe.

Before Somebody’s Mother prayer group for over 20 years Anita Smith, Ginny Long, Nancy Cox and the women from the Winning Women Bible study group held my hands up as they prayed with me and for my family. Many have been the trials and hard times along the way but I always knew they were praying and it was what kept me going. As we pray for one another each day, know we are helping a sister or brother win battles that they could not win alone. The battle is the Lord's my friend, and they will be won by him in His time. Never give up!

I'm inserting a paraphrase here: So, Somebody's Mother Online Prayer Support Group defeated the enemy in this battle on earth called life.

Deuteronomy 1:29-31
Then I said to you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.
The Lord your God Who goes before you, He will fight for you just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes,
And in the wilderness, where you have seen how the Lord your God bore you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.

And you shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. (of the Spirit, I'm inserting here)
Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall before you by the sword (of the Spirit and Word of faith through prayer). Leviticus 26:7-8,
These are words and Scriptures to hold on to today!

The Lord is good, even when it hurts, even when we weep. He is keeping those prayers and tears in His bowls in heaven.

Keep praying and write on!

Prayers for Prodigals: 90 Days of Prayer for Your Child by James Banks (Author)

 

Prayers for Prodigals: 90 Days of Prayer for Your Child by James Banks (Author)

 

When I finished reading Hope Lies Ahead: Encouragement for Parents of Prodigals from a Family That's Been There by James and Geoffrey Banks, I knew the next book I would be reading is the one I’m reviewing right now. In fact, I’ve read it once and am reading it again, and will probably keep it as part of my daily devotional books; it’s that beautiful. I couldn’t wait and do it a day at a time for 90 days, I consumed and savored the beauty of the words and the prayers. I could feel the pain, the sincerity and the love of these poignant scripture-filled prayers.

I do believe prayer is one of the best and most concrete things we can do for our loved ones. I loved that there were both prayers for sons and daughters, although I hated that their family, like many others have had more than one prodigal. I believe prayer is a working tool towards family recovery and this family knows it well.

I’ve taken this book with me to small group meetings where people have been blessed by the prayers within as well as to the radio station PRAYERLINE (WAPN FM, 91.5 HOLLY HILL, FL) after being given gracious permission to read as needed on the air.

This book is a Christian classic! I have to agree with Franklin Graham, his mother would’ve loved this book, just as so many of us have loved her “prodigal” book.

Donna Collins Tinsley

My book review of OUR TOWN ATHEIST by Victoria Buck

 

OUR TOWN ATHEIST by Victoria Buck

Victoria Buck, who always writes a page-turning novel, has changed genres it seems. She does an excellent job of drawing us into the story of a small, Southern town banker, who turns into a hero, but his “secret” of being an atheist is outed. He is one of the most likeable, moral people around and there are wonderful sub-plots, (even one in Iraq concerning terrorists) that will keep your interest in this book.

Adam Bender, a man brought up by a Jewish father and a Christian mother left faith of any kind behind when he became an adult. He said it was a conclusion, not a choice. Yet, he seems drawn to religious people. He was happy with his life until he thinks he sees an angel, a ghost wearing a pork pie hat, a phantom dog and perhaps hell-fire? His permission for a writer to interview him ended with a column called, “What the Atheist Saw,” that should’ve satisfied even the most inquiring citizens of the small town.

There is a lot of mystery, drama and even a budding love story to look forward to as you read this book.

One quote that is interesting from the book by the town preacher is “People are going to believe what they want, even if they have to deny the evidence.”

The other paragraph that was beautifully crafted included these words, “They laughed and held each other. He left her side only long enough to bring her a cup of hot chocolate. After a few too many yawns, she knew it was time to say good night to the man she loved. She wasn’t ready to slide out of her moral comfort zone, and he was too much a gentleman to ask her to. But she couldn’t help but dream.”

I think you will find Our Town Atheist will have you wanting more of this genre from Victoria Buck.

Donna Collins Tinsley

Praying for those who grieve on Saturdays

 

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.

  

Augustine said it stunningly: "In my deepest wound, I see Your glory and it dazzles me."

 

Sudden death may be harder to understand than when there has been a long illness, especially when we feel our loved one has turned the corner and is on a good path. We had hope that this was the time of recovery but then have to lean not to our own understanding. At the point of thinking only that our Lord knew the future and perhaps spared them from something worse. Lord, comfort the family left behind as only You can. Thinking of a special sister/mom today.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDZMgFax5vA

 

Reviewing The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox, a real page turner

 

What is the secret about baby Ivy Rose? What trauma followed her to her adulthood and makes it hard for her to make good relationship choices? Does DNA really matter?

These are some of the questions that arose while reading The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox.

It was the kind of book that made me wish I had a whole, empty day to myself to read to my heart’s content. Please trust me when I say the content of this novel is excellent and it will warm your heart.

The dual-time storyline was not hard to follow. I think I wanted to stay in the past most of the time, as who wouldn’t want to know what happens to an abandoned infant? It is one of the best dual-time books I’ve read recently. The characters were compelling and believable.

I’m having a hard time believing this was a first novel. Looking forward to reading more from Amanda.

Although I received this book free of charge from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review; I’m so very glad to have read it.

Backstory of how the song RESTORE THEM TO YOU came about

 

I can’t believe I forgot to post our song on my own blog! RESTORE THEM TO YOU.

Praise the Lord for His lyrics and much thanks to Steven Scheffler for his voice, melody and servant's heart to Bill and me, throughout our life.

Dedicated to the praying moms at Somebody's Mother Online Prayer Support Group and to WAPN 91.5 PRAYERLINE. Steve Scheffler produced, sang and did background to the video.

Here are Steve’s words as a bit of backstory: "So, a good, good friend that I've known for many years asked me if I would put a poem of hers to music.  I read the poem and gave her the thumbs up at giving this a try. 

The song is about mother's who have children that are lost and living lives that are dangerous and problematic filled!  Donna Tinsley has really been through some tough stuff with her own children, but also with her children's children.  She continues to fight the good fight of faith in believing that God is more than capable of bringing all those children into the Lord.

As Christian parents we will sometimes have to walk with prodigal children, those who deny the faith and live lives contrary to what God planned for us in Christ Jesus.  What to do?  Prayer continually and believe God to do a work that only He can do.  My daughter Corrie is a testament to that happening.  She has really become a bright and beautiful saint of God.  Her faith is contagious!!  More than Covid 19 ever will be! She is a product of God's calling, drawing and transforming. 

The video is a tough one to watch.  It is Donna Tinsley's desire that this song and video will encourage you to continue to pray for your lost children.  To believe that God still has a plan for their lives even though they seem to rebel against the idea.  God is still able to draw all to Himself through the work and love of Christ Jesus. 

Perhaps this song will ignite a greater zeal in those who see and hear it to pray all the more and believe God to restore not only our children to us, but also the many saints who have left the faith in the years I've been a Christian.  Bill Tinsley felt that the song was very much geared towards the many children of God who have left the faith.  I concur it could easily be translated into that thinking as well.

In any case, I pray that this song of Donna Tinsley's will stir the hearts and minds of many to believe that God can indeed still save our wayward children.  Remember that "Salvation belongs to the LORD!"  We can't save them, but He can!! 

We believe for a miracle Lord, bring your children home to You!  Love and peace to all."Steve Scheffler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEzbIrTF5KE&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3WUTgzBA3ix5Nl4VzAmoxs7wzhGUBPAGmTwMnxuN4siLzzxsQXTeKFI6w

Things I love, things I hate

 

"Every morning, I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar, and watch for fire to descend."

Things I Love, in no particular order:
I love my family and many others who “feel” like family.
I love seeing a husband and wife laugh and have fun together.
I love the innocence of children.
I love justice.
I love seeing someone care for the elderly with love.
I love when righteousness reigns in a nation.
I love seeing the smile of a homeless person, who is grateful.
I love looking at someone content with their life.
I love old memories.
I love dreams of hope.
I love kind doctors who put children first.
I love to dance!
I love all kinds of music.
I love support groups, one in particular.
I love people who pray.
I love to read.
I love my Bible.
I love books.
I love a good movie, one that is not profane.
I love going to movies, rare as that is.
I love listening to awesome, passionate speeches from the past. I have a dream, too.
I love the creativity of my Lord.
I love the LORD JESUS CHRIST and the thrill of being His child.

Things I hate:
I hate Injustice!
I hate child abuse in any form.
I hate when someone steals the innocence of a child.
I hate mean talking and profanity.
I hate that families are torn apart by unforgiveness.
I hate “hate-groups.”
I hate that it is politically correct to talk against Christians or “Christian-bash.”
I hate adultery and so does God.
I hate that people don’t really talk anymore.
I hate seeing people together but using their smartphones to communicate.
Rather than continue thinking of negative things, I’ll leave you with these thoughts:
“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” Philippians 4:8-9 The Message (MSG)
May you be blessed today, my friend.