Blessed Beyond Belief

     I'm feeling lost lately. Like I'm in the desert with sand in my eyes trying to find my way. God never leaves us, we distance ourselves sometimes without knowing. Then suddenly we keep turning around and around and we've lost site of Him. I call out for Him, but his voice is so far away I can barely hear Him calling my name.
I am so thankful, because I know:
     376) He is still there
     377) Knowing I'll be even closer to Him when I do get back
     378) This writing down of thankfulness will get me there even faster
     379)  I love Him deeply
     380) Finding joy in this foggy, wet day is grace
     381) This feeling of desert-ness is grace
     382) This depression is grace
     383) All of my life is grace
     384) ALL is grace

     May you truly be blessed today.  Love, Deborah

Starting...again

     Oh my. I must start numbering again. Somehow I've really messed up and I've gotten behind once more.  Not in my journal, but posting them here. Deep breath. Here I go.

     Feb. 3 - three gifts found in writing

     349 - How do I love thee? Let me count the ways!

     350 - Romans 8:31  What are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

     351 - With this ring, I thee wed.

     Feb. 4 - three gifts found when bent down

     352 -  a sparkly white rock

     353 -  a Blue jay's stripey feather

     354 -  a rusty skeleton key, surfacing from underground, lost long ago

     Feb. 5 - one gift stitched, one hammered, one woven

     355 - a quilt

     356 - a new fence

     357 - a back door rug that collects muddy dog prints

  

     Feb. 6 - 3 gifts found outside

     358 - The scent of rain

     359 - Rain washed trees

     360 - Thunder clouds

     Feb. 7 - 3 gifts red

     361 - an apple

     362 - a balloon

     363 - mittens

     Feb. 8 - a gift broken, a gift fixed, a gift thrifted

     364 - a promise

     365 - a mug

     366 - a set of dishes

     Feb. 9 - 3 gifts that were surprises - unexpected grace!

     367 - a new journal

     368 - a tote

     369 - a granddaughters photo

     Feb. 10 - three times you heard laughter today

     370 - During Bible Study

     371 - on the phone

     372 - Out of my husband

     Feb. 11 -  3 gifts found in working

     373 - A memory shared

     374 - Forgotten fabric

     375 - Peace in creating

     to be continued.....

     A life so blessed.

     Blessings, Deborah

Inspiration for Today

     A short note for today, wading through a migraine.

     http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-perseverance-20-defining-scriptures/#ixzz1mRuN1axG

    The link shares perseverance through scripture. Great stuff.

     Blessings, Deborah

    

Truly Thankful Thursday

     I am very blessed today and so thankful. I entered a contest hosted by "Faithful Bloggers" and "What Every Christian Wants to Know" and I won the second prize; a $50 gift card to Amazon!!  There are so many Christian books I want from there and now I can make some of my wishes come true! Thank you, Lord!!

     One of the mistakes I found on my blog is that I have numbered wrong. Geesh. I went from 309 to 400. I am working backwards to correct my mistakes. Lordy. That's what I get for posting at night, but I want to wait until then to count them through the day. I will hopefully complete this task through the weekend and be more careful in the future. I make no promises, though. :o)

     February 2 - three things overheard today, all gifts
   
     101/344  Someone saying they liked the pictures I took at our quilt class
     102/345  Someone saying it was a good meeting
     103/346  Someone saying they liked the block I chose for our challenge block

     104/347  The Amazon gift card I won
     105/348  Comments left

     Blessings, Deborah

Wednesday Walks

     Happy February! Not quite sure how it got here so fast. Wasn't Christmas just yesterday?

     January 31 -   a gift found on a paper, in a person, in a picture

     95/338  Godly news in an unexpected book
     96/339  Encouraging words from my hairdresser
     97/340  Big smiles of quilters holding up their completed blocks from the class I taught

     February 1 - a gift found at 11:30a.m., at 2:30p.m., at 6:30p.m.

     98/341  Brunch prepared by hubby
     99/342  A project turning out just right
   100/343 Clear skies for hubby's commute

     Ann, from the blog "a holy experience," asked us, "How do you love in difficult places, our husbands, our children? How do we live out the greatest of these commandments?"

     I told an experience I had to a friend just a couple of weeks ago that deals with this very subject. It was a couple of years ago that God called to my heart in the middle of night for about two weeks telling me to love my neighbors.  I said to Him, "But Lord, You know my heart better than anyone and You know I love my neighbors." Every night, at 2:ooa.m. He would call to my heart and say the same thing, "Love your neighbors." And my answer would always be the same, "I do, Lord."  Finally, the last night I said, "Lord, please tell me what you want me to do? I do love my neighbors!!"  He then asked me, "How do you love the ones who are evil?" I said that was maybe bigger than I could handle. The Lord said, "Pray for them."  He did know my heart.  I usually prayed for the easy ones. The ones I loved. I wasn't praying for the ones who really needed my prayers. The evil rulers of this world. I just hated them, but to pray for them? For them to see God's light? Now there's a concept. So I try to do that now. Only God can truly change someone's heart.

There is a wonderful story of Samuel in the Bible. Please read 1 Samuel 3: 3-10, for inspiration. It has always been one of my favorite stories, as well as the song, "Here I am, Lord."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcxOkht8w7c

Blessings, Deborah

 

More on Monday

     I'm so far behind. I haven't been well this past week and I'm still struggling. I would appreciate your prayers. I have six days to catch up on. Hope you don't mind them all in one post.

     January 25 - one grace borrowed, one grace found, one grace inherited
    
     77/320  A quilting magazine
     78/321  A forgotten necklace in my jewelery box
     79/322  A ring from my mother

     January 26 -  a gift before nine a.m., a gift before noon, a gift after dark

     8o/323  Hubby home safely
     81/324  A light rain shower
     82/325  The stars in the sky

     January 27 - three gifts that might never have been

     83/326  My step children (4)
     84/327  My step grandchildren (8)
     85/328  My faith

     January 28 - three graces found in your friends
 
     86/329  Patience
     87/330  Acceptance
     88/331  Humor

     January 29 - a song heard, a soft word, where you saw light

     89/332  Here I am Lord
     90/333  I love you, whispered by my hubby
     91/334  In scripture

     January 30 - three old things seen new

     92/335  A top, buried in the closet
     93/336  A book, reread
     94/337  Snow covered mountains out my windows

     Blessings, Deborah

      

Tuesday's Love

     I'd like to share an article with you from, "What Christians Want to Know." Here is the link to 25 Bible Verses About Love, http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-love-25-awesome-scripture-quotes/.
     In Matthew 5:45-48, Jesus explains to us how to love our enemies. It's not always easy being a Christian.
     I also love the quote by Max Lucado. "God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus."  How awesome is that good news?!!
     It is so wonderful to know we are loved by the God who created us all. Look out your window and see all that He creates for us each new day. That is LOVE, my friends. Check out the link above and read more about His love.

     January 24 - three things blue

     74/317  The Heavenly Sky
     75/318  The old pitcher on my shelf
     76/319  My cat's eyes

     Wishing you a restful and peaceful sleep.
     Blessings, Deborah

Many on a Monday

     Hearing God's word builds faith in us.  This goes right along with the subject of faith and fear I talked about last Friday.  Today I would like to share Romans 10:17  So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.  God's word is there for comfort and faith is built by reading His message.

     January 21 - one thing in the sky, one thing from your memory, one thing that's ugly-beautiful
    
     64/307  Snowflakes!!
     65/308  A visiting dream with a friend lost to cancer
     66/309  My fears

     January 22 - one grace wrinkled, one grace smoothed, one grace unfolded

     67/310  Clothes from the dryer
     68/311  Hurt feelings
     69/312  A puzzle solved

     January 23 - three gifts found in Christ

     70/313  Life
     71/314  Grace
     72/315  Friendship

     73/316  Wishing birthday greetings to my wonderful SIL

     Wishing all of you Multitudes on this lovely Monday.
     Blessings, Deborah

Fearless Friday

     We talked about fear at Bible Study today.  Dee said, "Fear stamps the living daylights out of faith!" Pastor Marylee said it was a good thing there wasn't a tattoo parlor next door, cause she'd be over there getting that tattoo. That had us all giggling. Eleanor shared her favorite scripture verse that she learned years ago, 2Timothy 1:7  For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgement.  Dee was right. Fear takes our faith and trust in God away. You can't have faith and trust that God will take care of us and fear at the same time. They don't work together. I'm going to keep that 2Timothy verse close to my heart.

     January 20 -  three gifts you saw only when you got close-up
   
     61/304  The big, beautiful oak tree reflected in the puddle in my driveway
     62/305  God's words, there to help and all I have to do is read them
     63/306  A new friend, right there next to me

     Sweet dreams, Blessings, Deborah

Thirsty for Him Thursday

     Psalm 32:7  You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
     God's word is such a comfort to me in these troubled times. To know all I have to do is ask and he is there, protecting me and holding me. Thank you, my Lord and my protector.

     January 19 - a grace in the kitchen, a grace in the weather, a grace that might never have been

     58/301  A well stocked pantry
     59/302  More glorious rain
     60/303  My relationship with Jesus

     Wishing you peaceful dreams.
     Blessings, Deborah

Wet Wednesday

     Glorious rain! Filling up the creeks, filling in the cracks, filling up the thirsty earth and nourishing each leaf and soul.  I feel refreshed.
    
     January 18 - three gifts from God's word

     55/298  Phil 4:11  Not that I speak in need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.

     56/299  1Peter 4:7  Now the end of all times is near; therefore, be clear-headed and disciplined for prayer.

     57/300  Psalm 113:9  He gives the childless woman a household, making her the joyful mother of children.  Hallelujah!

     Walk with Him always.
     Blessings, Deborah

Of a Tuesday

     A couple of quilters brought finished quilt tops from last Tuesday's class I taught. Joyful, joyful. Each so different, yet the same pattern. Each unique. Like us. So many varieties. So different, so much the same in His likeness. Mmmmm. The blessings alone keep me warm.

     January 17 - one gift that you made laugh, one gift that made you pray, one gift that made you quiet

     52/295  A quilt friend retelling a meeting she attended
     53/296  Hubby's 1 1/2 hour commute to work
     54/297  Thinking how to use the fabric I received 

     You are a good and joyful person. 
     Thanks for stopping by.
     Blessings, Deborah

New Week

     This is turning out to be another busy week. Quilting, lunch with a Pastor/friend and Bible study. Sounds like lots of blessings and ways to bless to me.
     January 15 - one thing you wore, one thing you gave away, one thing you shared
    
     46/289  Warm jammies
     47/290  Love
     48/291  A book

     January 16 - three ways you witnessed happiness today
  
     49/292  An old friend of hubby's stopping by
     50/293  Getting a quilt back done
     51/294  Checking off lists

     May you have peaceful dreams, Deborah   

Saturday's Graces

     The Graces I find today are breathtaking, as they are each day I look for them.
     January 14 - Three ways you glimpsed the startling grace of God.
    
     43/268  In my husband's eyes, as he looked at our cat's swollen paw with such love and concern
     44/269  I see Christ in you, I think of our group at Bible study
     45/270  Being here, writing this blog and realizing all the love He shows me daily

     Isaiah 41:10 will be in my heart forever.
     Blessings on your weekend, Deborah

Friday's Epiphanies

     Our Bible Study started back up again today. We are studying Romans. We have added a couple of new ladies and it was wonderful to get to know them.
     As we read the first chapter there was so much love in the room while we all talked about  what was said there.  No judgement, just talking it all through with love and compassion.  Very joyful to have a group of women to study God's word. I am very blessed to be a part of this group.

     January 13 - Three sounds you hear (it is night now)

     40/265  The hum of my computer
     41/266  One of my dogs snoring
     42/267  My book calling me to come read  :o)

     Enjoy your weekend.  Blessings, Deborah
    

Counting Them Up

     I was out of town yesterday seeing my eye surgeon. For the second time in a row I didn't need any treatments! I prayed for this. Others prayed, too. God answered. Our God is an awesome God!!

     January 11 - 3 yellow things that strike you as fresh mercy

     34/259  The yellow dye they put in my veins to see all the layers in my eyes
     35/260  The sun bursting out of the fog to warm a very chilly day
     36/261   The cross I found in my drawer covered in yellow flowers from a friend

     January 12 - something above you, something below you, something beside you

     37/262  Heaven
     38/263  Warm carpeting
     39/264  A comfy wing chair I've always wanted

     My heart swells with gratitude and love for my God who gives it all and more.
     Blessings, Deborah

    

    

A Wonderful Day!

     Today was a wonderful day! A large group of friends to share with, lunch with and laugh and talk with.  A very blessed day.

     January 10 - a gift that's sour, a gift that's sweet, a gift that's Just. Right.

     31/256  A jar of lemon drops from a friend
     32/257  A chocolate cupcake with lunch
     33/258  A nice turn out for my class

     Joy all around, so many to count.
     Thank you for being one of my blessings, Deborah

Joy Dare

     It is a joy to thank the Lord for all he has given me.  Thank you, sweet Lord!
     January 8 - Light that caught you, a reflection that surprised you, a shadow that fell lovely

     22/247  A rainbow out my window
     23/248  The mountain in a puddle
     24/249  Tree branches across my quilt hanging on the fence

     January 9 - a gift in your hand, a gift you walked by, a gift you sat with

     25/250  My phone, when someone called to give me sweet news
     26/251  The library in my town
     27/252  Jan, the secretary of our Quilt Guild who helped me through my first meeting as President

     28/253  Knowing I can teach my first class tomorrow, because He will be there with me
     29/254  Feeling and sharing the Joy in unexpected places
     30/255  Living the joy of giving thanks everyday!!

     You are a blessing to me, Deborah

    

Joy Dare

     Three graces from people you love:

     19/244  A hug from my hubby
     20/245  A call from a fellow quilter
     21/246  A kiss from my dog

     Blessings, Deborah

    

Happy Ephiphany and Taking the Dare

     Happy Epiphany! This is the day we celebrate the Wise Men's visit to baby Jesus.  Wise men and women still seek Him.
     I have taken the dare from Ann at her blog, A Holy Experience, to begin counting to 1,000 again, even though I haven't finished the first 1,000.  This time she has given specific things to focus on each day of the month. Just three things a day to make it from 1 - 1,000 this year. The link for the list is:  http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/01/the-1-habit-your-new-year-cant-do-without-giveaway/
     
     January 1: 3 things about yourself you are grateful for:
     
      1/226  I'm a survivor
      2/227  Being a good friend
      3/228  I'm a quilter

     January 2: a gift outside, inside, on a plate
 
     4/229  My garden
     5/230  Heater
     6/231  Homemade bread

     January 3: 3 lines you overheard that were graces

     7/232  I did a good job
     8/233  I'm smart
     9/234  I spoke eloquently

     January 4:  one gift old, new and blue

    10/235  A quilt
    11/236  Being the Quilt Guild Pres.
    12/237  New blue fabric line

     January 5: something you're reading, you're making, you're seeing
   
    13/238  People of the Mist
    14/239  A quilt for my cousin
    15/240  My cat

     January 6: one thing in your bag, your fridge, your heart
 
    16/241  Driver's license
    17/242  Ravioli
    18/243  My children/grandchildren

     Blessings, Deborah

A New Year

     A new year. I look forward to new beginnings, new chances, new faces, new friends, new epiphanies. It is time to get down and turn over every rock and see what lies beneath. To look up and count every star. To know He gives it all and thank Him for these gifts and blessings.

2012/214)  A new hot water heater
2012/215)  A 60 degree day in January
2012/216)  Feeling more centered
2012/217)  Seeking the "fear nots"
2012/218)  Reading aloud with my husband
2012/219)  Taking time to listen to Him
2012/22o)    Listening when a daughter needs to talk
2012/221)    Enjoying a three day weekend with my husband
2012/222)  Planning a better way to walk through this year
2012/223)  Singing His praises at the top of my lungs
2012/224)  Anticipating tomorrow's quilt group
2012/225)  Books to read

     Blessings on your day and night, Deborah