No Condemnation

Welcome and Blessings!

No Condemnation?!!

Now there is a wonderful thought to take us into the new year!

Through Jesus, there is no condemnation for us.
Blessings and grace abounding!!

Day 56/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude gives us some wonderful scriptures to back this up.

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Check out the scriptures:

Galatians 5:1

John 5:24

John 1:17

Romans 8:1-2

So many wonderful gifts the Lord has provided for us.

Gratitude

1. Grace

2. Peace

3. Love

4. Mercy

5. Rain

Galatians 5:1

Christ has liberated us to be free.

Stand firm then and don't submit to a yoke of slavery.

Blessings,

Deborah

Day 30/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude

Welcome and Good Morning!

Day 30 - "Bee" available to God at all times. Let Him work through you for His glory!!

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Psalm 100:2
Serve the Lord with gladness....

Blessings,
Deborah

Day 29/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude

Welcome to Day 29!!

God is love.
He doesn't know how to be anything else.
His mercies are new every morning!

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Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.

Blessings,
Deborah

Day 23, 26, 27, 28/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude

Welcome and blessings!

Well, I missed a few days didn't I?
Yes.
Life sometimes throws a curve ball when we least expect it.
Our family lost another dear member. *sigh*
R.I.P. Doran. You will be sorely missed.

Sharing Days 23, 26, 27 and 28.

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I am so thankful for the rain God has been sending to my California!! The fires are contained and or out!! YAY, God!!

Psalm 59:16

I will sing of Your strength and will joyfully proclaim 

Your faithful love in the morning.

For You have been a stronghold for me,

a refuge in my day of trouble.

Blessings,

Deborah

Day 22/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude & Happy Thanksgiving!

Welcome & Happy Thanksgiving!!

I can't believe I got my page done inbetween cooking!!

Day 22.

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Matthew 6:8

Your Father knows what you need 

before you ask Him.

He sure does!!

Blessings,

Deborah

                               

Day 21/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude

Welcome and blessings!

Day 21.

(click photo for larger view!

My cursor has gone crazy and won't go back to the side margin. Great.

I'm off to make the dressing and Greek stuffed grape leaves when I leave here. :) 

Psalm 104:10-11

He causes the springs to gush into the valleys;

they flow between the mountains.

They supply water for every wild beast.

Blessings,

Deborah

Day 20/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude

Welcome and blessings!

Day 20. Already. Where is this month going and where has the YEAR gone?!!

So thankful for my five senses and so much more.

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John 2:11

He displayed His glory.

Blessings,

Deborah

Day 19/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude

Welcome! I've been shopping and getting ready for Thanksgiving. I can almost smell that turkey roasting! Mmmmm.

Day 19 - God sees the heart, not the outside of us. Isn't that wonderful?!! Doesn't matter what we look like, He still loves us.

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1Samuel 16:7
The LORD said to Samuel,
"Do not look at his appearance
or at the height of his stature...
for God sees not as man sees,
for man looks at the outward appearance,
but the Lord looks at the heart."

Blessings,
Deborah

Day 18/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude

Good morning and welcome!

Day 18.

Fellowship with Jesus is the best!!

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1Corinthians 1:9

God is faithful;

you were created by Him

into fellowshop with His Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessings,

Deborah

Day 17/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude

Blessings and Welcome to my blog.

Be thankful?
No prob-llama!!

Day 17.

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1Thess. 5:16-18

Rejoice always, 

pray without ceasing,

give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus for you.

 
Blessings,
Deborah

Day 16/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude

Welcome!

Had to unexpectedly go out of town today. I haven't done anything to my background on my page, but I think for today, I'm going to call it good. I'm running out of time. :)

Day 16 - So thankful for everything I see!

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Psalm 26:3
For Your faithful love is before my eyes,
and I live by Your truth.

Blessings,
Deborah

Day 15/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude

Welcome! I'm so glad you are here.

Day 15 - Trust
Thank you, Lord for your protection!

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Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.
Therefore my heart rejoices,
and I praise Him with song.

Blessings,
Deborah

Day 14/100 Days fo Grace & Gratitude

Welcome and blessings!!

Today's art is one of those times that it didn't turn out as I anticipated, but the important thing is the time spent with God in His word. That is always an A+. I know what I would have done differently now. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, eh? lol

Sorry for the bad lighting, too.

Day 14.

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Psalm 16:7

I will praise the Lord who counsels me -

even at night my conscience instructs me.

Blessings,

Deborah

Day 13/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude

Welcome and Praise His Holy Name!

Praise Him all day long!
It is what we were created to do.

Day 13.

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Psalm 150:1-2, 6
Hallelujah!
Praise God in His sanctuary!
Praise Him in His mighty heavens!
Praise Him for His powerful acts;
praise Him for His abundant greatness...
Let everything that breaths praise the Lord!

(I love that last line! And they do!)

Blessings,
Deborah

Day 12/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude

Welcome and Happy Veteran's Day!

I want to thank everyone who has served in our armed forces and is now serving. I want to add first responders to this thankfulness, also. Although we are not in a war, sometimes it feels like it with all that is going on. The news is horrendous on any given day. So, thank you to everyone who puts their life on the line to save mine.

Like I said the other day, there is so much to be thankful for and this is just a partial list on my pages. I am truly thankful for everything I have been blessed with in my life.

Day 12.

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Psalm 145:2-3

Every day I will thank You;

I will praise You forever and ever.

The Lord is great and is to be highly praised;

His greatness is beyond understanding.

Blessings,

Deborah

Day 11/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude

Welcome to my blog!!

Before I share my pages today I just wanted to make sure that you know
YOU Are Loved by God.
You know that, right?
YOU are the one who puts the twinkle in His eyes.
YOU are the one He wants to know and spend time with.
YOU are the apple of His eye.
Please remember that always.
God laid that on my heart to tell you.

Okay. Day 11.
Do you get grumpy or are you grateful?
I have to admit, sometimes I get grumpy and grumble.
I'm working on trying to turn that around to gratefulness.
We can always find many, many things to be grateful for in our lives.
I'm grateful for YOU!!

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I made my background grumpy by scribbling my watercolor crayons around.

But then I made a list of some things I'm grateful for. 

I could write an endless list.

Exodus 16:8

You are not grumbling against us,

but against the Lord.

Blessings,

Deborah

Day 10/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude

Hello and Welcome!!

Day 10 - We are all saved by GRACE!!
Grace upon grace upon grace....
Hallelujah!

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Ephesians 2:8
For you are saved by grace through faith,
and this is not from yourselves;
it is God's gift - not from works,
so that no one can boast.

Sweet!

Blessings,
Deborah

Day 9/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude

Good morning and welcome!
Glad you are here.

Day 9.

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Yes, being forgiven and forgiving does make me feel like the girl in the pile of leaves!!

Matthew 6:12

Forgive us the wrongs we have done,

as we forgive the wrongs

that others have done to us.

Blessings,

Deborah

Day 8/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude

Welcome!
It is a crispy 20 degrees in my mountain world this morning!
Brrrrrr…

Day 8 tells about "Humility Before Grace."
Humble yourselves before God always.

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1 Peter 5:5
All of you clothe yourselves with humility
toward one another,
because God resists the proud
but gives grace to the humble.

Blessings,
Deborah

Day 7/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude

Welcome and thanks for stopping in.

Day 7. His grace. No explanation needed.

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Romans 5:20
Where sin multiplied,
grace multiplied even more.

(What a comforting thought!!)

Blessings,
Deborah

Day 6//100 Day of Grace & Gratitude

Welcome!
I almost forgot to post today!

Day 6.

Colossians 3:16
Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you,
teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom,
and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,
with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Blessings,
Deborah

Day 5/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude

Good morning and welcome to Day 5!

Is anyone here taking this journey with me? If you are, I would love to see your photos in the comments.

"Walking with Joy," is today's title for our devotion. You find so much joy when you walk beside the Lord. Always find the joy no matter what the situation. Praise Him constantly. There you find your joy.

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John 15:10-11
If you obey My commandments,
you will remain in My love,
just as I have obeyed My Father's commandments
and remain in His love.
I have told you these things so that My joy
may be in you,
and your joy may be complete.

Blessings,
Deborah                                        

Day 4/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude

Welcome! Did you remember to set your clock back? :)

Day 4 has me being thankful for trees of all kinds. I love trees!!

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Philippians 4:8
Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable - if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise -  dwell on these things.

Blessings,
Deborah

Day 3/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude

Welcome and blessings!

Day 3 in my "100 Days of Grace and Gratitude" devotional.

I've been trying out how to make different backgrounds trying to use all the supplies I have collected over the past several years. I made this one using ink stamp pads and daubers, then a background stamp and black ink. I like how it turned out.

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I am also including at least five things I am thankful for each day. At the end of the book I will have 500 things I have thanked the Lord for giving me.

Isaiah 26:3
He will keep in perfect peace those who trust in Him,
whose thoughts turn often to the Lord!

Blessings,
Deborah

Day 2/100 Days of Grace & Gratitude

Welcome and thanks for stopping by!

Day 2.

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James 1:17
Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God,
the Creator of all light.

Blessings,
Deborah

Day1/100 Days Grace & Gratitude

Welcome and happy November 1st!!

Day 1 in Grace and Gratitude

If you have any questions on how I created this page you can ask in the comments below.

Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the Lord has made,
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Blessings,
Deborah

Communal Grief - How Do We Heal?

Welcome and Good Morning.

I want to share an article by Joanne Fink about Saturday's shooting. It is a great article about healing when senseless acts of violence hits a community and our world.

The link to her blog:
https://zenspirations.com/blog/communal-grief-how-do-we-heal/#comment-14807

by Joanne Fink

Be the Light.
Blessings,
Deborah

Grace & Gratitufe

Welcome! Thanks for popping in.

I always like to do something for the month of November in the way of gratitude to our Lord.
This year I will be working in the new "100 Days of Grace & Gratitude" by Shanna Noel for Dayspring.

This is one place where you can buy the book.
https://www.dayspring.com/shanna-noel-100-days-of-grace-gratitude-devotional-journal

I believe you may also find the book on Amazon.
There is a Facebook page with the same name if you want to join and share your pages with the group.

We begin November 1, 2018.
I will share my pages here and on the Facebook group.

Hope you will join us!!

I am not receiving anything for promoting this book.

Blessings,
Deborah

Knowing that We Don't Know

 

 

Good morning! Sharing Richard Rohr again today. May you be blessed by his meditation. 

Knowing that We Don't Know
Monday, October 8, 2018

 

I encourage you, then, to make experience, not knowledge, your aim. Knowledge often leads to arrogance, but this humble feeling never lies to you. —Anonymous, The Cloud of Unknowing [1]

In meditation, we move beyond doctrines and dogmas to inner experience. When we move to the level of experience, we see that this self, which is primarily a “radio receiver,” is not to be taken too seriously, for it is always changing stations and is filled with static and interference. When I am faithful to meditation, I quickly overcome the illusion that my correct thinking, or thinking more about something, can ever get me there. If that were so, every good PhD would be a saint!

You see, information is not the same as transformation. Even good and correct thinking is trapped inside my little mind, my particular culture, my form of education, my parental conditioning—all of which are good and all of which are bad. Great mysteries are naturally experienced and known within our small and limited contexts, so we should be much more humble about our own opinions and thoughts. How could the Infinite ever be fully or rightly received by the mere finite?

Alongside all our knowing must be the equal and remaining “knowing that I do not know.” That’s why the classic schools of prayer spoke of both kataphatic knowing—through images and words—and apophatic knowing—through silence, symbols, and beyond words. Apophatic knowing is the empty space around the words, allowing God to fill in all the gaps in an “unspeakable” way. The apophatic way of knowing was largely lost to the West by the time of the Reformation in the 16th century, and Western Christianity has suffered because of it. We wanted to match the new rationalism with what felt like solid knowing, and we mimicked the secular mind instead of what Paul calls “knowing spiritual things in a spiritual way” (1 Corinthians 2:13). We lost the unique access point of the mystics, the poets, artists, and saints (who usually did not even know they were using this alternative consciousness).

Strangely enough, this unknowing is a new kind of understanding. We do have a word for it: the old word faith. Faith is a kind of knowing that doesn’t need to know for certain and yet doesn’t dismiss knowledge either. With faith, we don’t need to obtain or hold all knowledge because we know that we are being held inside a Much Larger Frame and Perspective. As Paul puts it, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then we shall see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known myself” (1 Corinthians 13:12). It is a knowing by participation with—instead of an observation of from a position of separation. It is knowing subject to subject instead of subject to object.

It took me years to understand this, even though this is straight from the Franciscan school of philosophy. Love must always precede knowledge. The mind alone cannot get us there (which is the great arrogance of most Western religion). Prayer in my later years has become letting myself be nakedly known, exactly as I am, in all my ordinariness and shadow, face to face, without any masks or religious makeup. Such nakedness is a falling into the unified field underneath reality, what Thomas Merton called “a hidden wholeness,” [2] where we know in a different way and from a different source. This is the contemplative’s unique access point: knowing by union with a thing, where we can enjoy an intuitive grasp of wholeness, a truth beyond words, beyond any need or capacity to prove anything right or wrong. This is the contemplative mind which religion should have directly taught, but which it largely lost.

 

Gateway to Presence:
If you want to go deeper with today’s meditation, take note of what word or phrase stands out to you. Come back to that word or phrase throughout the day, being present to its impact and invitation.

 

 

[1] The Cloud of Unknowing and the Book of Privy Counsel, trans. Carmen Acevedo Butcher (Shambhala: 2009), 224-225.

[2] Thomas Merton, “Hagia Sophia: Dawn,” In the Dark Before Dawn: New Selected Poems of Thomas Merton, ed. Lynn R. Szabo (New Directions: 2005), 65.

Adapted from Richard Rohr, Dancing Standing Still: Healing the World from a Place of Prayer (Paulist Press: 2014), 15-16.

Image credit: Stars and Clouds at Nighttime (detail), Arnie Chau.

66/100Days of Bible Promises

Welcome and good morning!

Can't really explain why I haven't been around much; just being a slacker I guess. :)

I'm still working in my devotional and started another one yesterday. Those challenges still keep calling to me. lol

Day 66

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I have so many reasons to praise the lord on any given day, but I love how I have learned to let Him lighten my burdens. I am training myself to give my difficulties over to God for help. It has truly been amazing how much lighter I feel. God will fight your battles for you and He is so much better and more equipped to do so. Our part is to just pray for that help and sit back, listen and watch. Praise Him in every situation, even when you don't feel like praising Him. Especially when you don't! Our job, the reason we were created, is to praise Him all day long.
Give Him thanks and praise!!
Try it.
It just might change your life.
It has changed mine.

Gratitude
1. Praising God
2. Pets
3. Family

Psalm 66:8
Praise our God, you peoples;
let the sound of His praise be heard!!

Blessings,
Deborah

Straighten That Crown!

Welcome and blessings.

I'm having one of those "feeling really blessed" days.
You know the kind.
We always feel blessed, but once in a while a day comes along and you just feel it deep within your soul.
It rocks your world.
Yes, that feeling!
Yesterday, I wrote in my journal for the first time in two months and wrote three poems.
The healing has begun.
Praise God.

I'm working on day 47 in my "100 Days of Bible Promises," and the title today is,
"Enduring Through Trials."

As I'm reading through the verses, I remembered this meme I saw and saved a year or so ago and found it in my files. Sorry, I don't know who originally posted it or made it, but it hit me hard and I started to cry with joy. I AM A DAUGHTER OF THE KING! And so are you! We are sons and daughters of the King and on those dark days we need to straighten our crowns and remember that. How easily we can forget.
We also know how the book ends. *smiles*

Sending love and hugs to you, my dear readers. Times are tough and we need all the help we can get these days.

Gratitude
1. A loving God
2. A leap of faith
3. Trials that strengthen

1Corinthians 10:13
God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.

Blessings,
Deborah

38/100 Days of Bible Promises and Bible Journaling Resources

Welcome and Good Morning!

Today I want to share with you where I get some of my Bible journaling supplies and day 38 of "100 Days of Bible Promises."

And maybe even Day 37. :)

(Click on pictures for larger view.)

The graphics on these two pages are found in the digital section at
"Sweet 'n' Sassy Stamps."
http://www.sweetnsassystamps.com/new/

and
Praise and Pray Etsy Shop
https://www.etsy.com/shop/PraiseandPray

Another Etsy shop I use is Bible Journal Love
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BibleJournalLove?ref=l2-shopheader-name

I receive no compensation for sharing these shops.

Gratitude
1. Faith like a mustard seed
2. Striving for faith that can move mountains
3. Camping trip tomorrow!

1Peter 3:15
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

Blessings,
Deborah

36/100 Days of Bible Promises

Welcome and blessings.

A very good message.

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I struggle with waiting and patience. This was a good lesson for me to read. I am learning to wait on the Lord. 

I pray.

I believe.

I wait.

But, sometimes, not without tapping my foot. *smiles*

Gratitude

1. Learning patience

2. Learning to wait

3. Rejoicing in answered prayer

Psalm 27:14

Wait on the Lord;

be strong,

and let your heart take courage;

wait for the Lord!

Blessings,

Deborah

Grief & 100 Days of Bible Promises

Welcome and blessings!

I've been working in my devotional, "100 Days of Bible Promises," almost daily and it has really been helping me with my grieving. The upbeat daily devotionals and scripture reminders have helped me remember that God is near in every aspect of my life, especially when I'm in the valleys of darkness. Reading and finally feeling like being creative has given my spirit a huge lift. I'm beginning to see a light at the end of tunnel. That is not to say I don't still miss the people I love and have lost. It just doesn't feel so raw now. I can make it through a day without crying when I think of them. Not everyday yet, but I'm getting there. It all takes time and everyone has their own way to deal and their own pace to get there. Rushing and denying only makes it last longer. The people I lost were all worth grieving over. They were kind, loving people who should be missed and grieved for. There will be an empty spot inside me for the rest of my life, but I know I will see them again and that helps a little. Not a lot right now, to be honest, since I don't know when that will be. But it is something to look forward to.

Here are a few of my pages.

Click on the photos for a larger image.

Gratitude
1. The Creator
2. Ways to create
3. The Holy Spirit

Isaiah 40:31
Those who trust in the Lord
will find new strength.
They will soar high
on wings like eagles.
They will run and
not grow weary.
The will walk
and not faint.

Blessings,
Deborah

24/100 Days of Bible Promises

Welcome and Good Afternoon!

I'm sharing another page in the devotional, "100 Days of Bible Promises."

Today's title is "Put on the Armor of God."

I feel like I've been in a spiritual battle most of my life. This past year especially. It comes and goes, but one thing I have noticed; that after a dark spell or battle, I feel closer to God. Lessons are learned in the battle that I don't think I would have learned otherwise. They are like a wake up call and I find myself stronger in my beliefs and I have added another layer of armor. I feel like I can fly and my soul feels refreshed!

I found the armor graphics on Pinterest a long time ago. I went back and tried to find them again, but could not. I'm sorry I can't give the person credit who made them. Thank you, whoever you are.
(click on photo for a larger view)

Gratitude
1. God's word to fight the battles
2. Supportive friends and family
3. Shanna Noel for writing this book

Ephesians 6:11-12
Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil.
For our battle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the spiritual forces of evil.

Blessings,
Deborah

Book Review - If You Believed in Love

Welcome and Good Morning!

I finished a book this morning that I had to share.

"If You Believed in Love," by Staci Stallings

https://www.amazon.com/You-Believed-Love-Contemporary-Christian-ebook/dp/B0060NEEVM/ref=cm_sw_em_r_dp_dz_v_U_BFNkBb9SW7Z83_tt

"If You Believed in Love," is a contemporary Christian romance about finding love after tragedy. 

Elizabeth is an English literature professor and Jonathan is a widower who joins her class as an editor instead of a student. Most of the novel is set in this class, where I learned more about Browning and Austen than anywhere else. It took my breath away. I laughed out loud, cried and experienced every emotion in between. I could not put the book down. 

I've read thousands of books in my lifetime and this one is going in my top 10 list of books I've read and loved. 

I will read it again. 

I checked Amazon and she has written many books, several as a series which I dearly love.

I highly recommend this book.

I am not receiving anything to review this book. 

I simply loved it and wanted to share.

Gratitude

1. Hope

2. Christian writers

3. Warm summer days

2 Corinthians 3:5

Not that we are competent in ourselves

to claim anything for ourselves,

but our competence comes from God.

Blessings,

Deborah

13/100 Days of Bible Promises

Welcome and Good Afternoon!

I'm sharing a technique I tried on this page of my devotional. The title today is, "Courage Instead of Fear." A line from Kristene Dimarco's song "It is Well," came to mind.

"And this mountain that's in front of me
will be thrown into the midst of the sea."

I first heard this song a few years back when I was going through a troubling time in my life. The message struck a chord within me that if we just ask the Lord to take a burden from us, He will answer that prayer. He will throw that mountain right down into the sea and lighten our heart. The problem may not be totally gone, but His strength and mercy will see us through and take the fear away that goes with the problem.

The technique I tried used craft daubers and ink stamp pads to make the mountains. I need a little more practice with this, but it didn't turn out too bad. I can see using this to fill in white spaces in future projects.

Here is the link to the song, "It is Well," if you would like to hear this inspirational song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uGXeJMB9Go

Gratitude:
1. Mountains
2. Music
3. Inspiration

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be afraid,
For I am your God.
I will strengthen you;
I will help you;
I will hold on to you with
My righteous right hand.

Blessings,
Deborah

12/100 Day of Bible Promises

Welcome and blessings!

The devotional for today is "Wisdom for Those Who Ask."
Sometimes, I'm not very good at seeking answers in the Bible to problems I am having or things I'm worrying about. Sometimes, I'm even bad about praying for answers. Most times I do, but not always. I always keep family and friends in my prayers and ask for help for them, but not always for myself. I really need to work on that and be better at asking the One who knows the answers before I even ask.

I wrote in my devotional today to:
Ask.
Pray.
Listen.
Repeat.

I think I should also make a card to keep on my desk so it is in my face daily. My memory isn't what it used to be, but that really is no excuse. It is making it a habit that will help. Calling on God daily to help with problems and worries. They say it only takes 21 days to create a habit. If I start today, in no time I could be in a better place with my heavenly Father. As soon as I'm finished here I will make that card! I will share it with you tomorrow.

Day 12 in my devotional.
(click on the picture for a larger view)

Gratitude
1. Finding wisdom in the Bible
2. A heavenly Father who answers prayers
3. Art

Isaiah 28:29
This also comes from the Lord of hosts;
he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.

Blessings,
Deborah

100 Days of Bible Promises - Day 11

Welcome and Good Morning!

Hope you are doing well on this glorious Spring Day.

Day 11 in the "100 Days of Bible Promises" book is about sin and confession.
We are a sinning bunch, eh? But isn't it wonderful we have a merciful Father who forgives us if we ask.

I was struggling with the art for this page and a friend said that when I am in doubt, always go back to the beginning...Genesis. What great advice! The third chapter in the first book of the Bible is where the first sin happened. Didn't take us long, did it? The first of many. We are so blessed to have such a loving and forgiving God.
(click on the picture for a larger view)

Gratitude
1. A forgiving Father
2. Friends who mentor
3. A Savior

Isaiah 59:2
Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

Blessings,
Deborah

New Project - "100 Days of Bible Promises"

Welcome and blessings!

I'm starting a new project. I was hoping it would help me climb up out of the pit of my grief and it seems to be doing the trick. I am finding great comfort and inspiration here. Nothing like spending time in His word and crafting to lift one's spirits.
The devotional book is called "100 Days of Bible Promises." It is published by Dayspring, (dayspring.com) You can get the book on their website or on Amazon where I got mine.
I also joined the Facebook group by the same name. They started eleven day ago, so I started where they were yesterday.

My page after I decorated. The hymn is copied from my mother's hymnal that I got from my sister. I was happy to be able to include something from her on my page. The song title fits right in with the title of today's devotional. (click on the picture for a closer look)

Here is what the page looks like when you get the book, minus my Rejoice stamp by the title.

They leave you lots of room to journal and/or add art. I like to define the main word of the day's theme.

This is the cover of the book.

I highly recommend the book. It is a soft cover and lays pretty flat when opened. I am not receiving any gratuities to promote it.

Gratitude
1. Devotionals
2. A sunny spring day
3. My support people

II Corinthians 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is the Father who is full of mercy and all comfort.

Blessings,
Deborah

More Thoughts on Grief

Welcome and blessings.

I've been absent lately.
And absent minded.
I'm having trouble focusing for long.
I'm still crying at any given moment.
Hiding in my room so no one knows.
Trying to smile and be social when all I really want to be is alone.

I have a jury summons this week. I'm one of the few people who actually don't mind serving. I find it all very interesting, but I don't think I would be very good at it right now. The focusing and tracking thing could be a problem. I may ask to be excused. I feel bad about that, but hey, my mom died. And two other people I loved and my beloved cat. Can I please be excused? Give me 6 months and I'll gladly come back and serve. Of course, what would really be nice is if I call the night before and it has been cancelled. That would be the best thing to happen. I'm praying for that outcome.

We've had company this past week It has been wonderful to have a full house to cook for. People to talk to and share stories with. It has been a nice diversion. That doesn't mean I haven't gone off and cried a couple of times, but they have been so understanding. They are leaving tomorrow and I will miss them. A lot. Safe travels home, dear family.

This week I promised myself to get back on track in the losing weight department. More on that subject later.

I would like to say thank you on this Memorial Day to all who have served, are now serving and especially to those soldiers who laid down their lives for my freedom. There really are no words to express my deep gratitude to all of you. God Bless you all.

(Photo found on Google images. No credit given to photographer.)

Gratitude
1. Soldiers and Veterans
2. Family and friends
3. Holidays

Blessings,
Deborah

The Book of Ephesians

Welcome and Good Morning!

God has been nudging me for quite some time to read the Book of Ephesians and this morning I finally got around to reading it. I've read the book before, but today it answered so many questions I have been chewing on for so long.
Why didn't I read it with the first nudge, you might be asking?
I'm asking that myself, but maybe I wasn't ready yet to hear what it had to say.
Maybe I needed to chew and stew for awhile to accept all I needed to hear with an open heart.
I heard it today. I'm rejoicing in the answers!
I can't remember where I read a story about a man who read Ephesians every day for a month. He said it gave him new insight in the book and made him able to really embrace the truth of the words and make them his own to live by. If I remember where I will share it with you. It was a great story.
I'm taking the challenge.
I'm going to read the Book of Ephesians every day for a month.
Anyone want to join me?

Another beautiful picture I took when I was home.

Gratitude

1. His word

2. Answered questions

3. You, my dear reader

Ephesians 3:17-18

And I pray that you,

being rooted and established in love,

may have power,

together with all the Lord's holy people,

to grasp how wide and long 

and high and deep

is the love of Christ.

Blessings,

Deborah