Gratitude is Everything

Grateful in the bower on Church St.

 There are teeny, tiny snowflakes falling outside my window. They are coming down in a frenzy; like they can't quite decide which way to fall. Snowflakes in March. It's a good thing and I'm grateful. California needs more snow and rain or we will be facing another draught. That would not be good.

"To stay strong in crisis, you have to exercise your gratitude muscle. Flex your gratitude muscle to fight off fear."  Ann Voskamp

Ann Voskamp's blog today was full of gratitude and very inspiring.
https://annvoskamp.com/2020/03/the-secret-muscle-you-need-to-crush-fear-seize-joy-be-strong-in-a-crisis/

The thing I like the most about her article is being thankful for the little things and taking pictures of those things.
Here's the three things I'm grateful for today:

The teapot elephant from my son and girlfriend. It makes me think of them every morning when I see it on my kitchen counter.

The daffodils in my yard. They are my favorite flower and always make me smile.

My Willow Tree angels. This is one of several I own. I'm sure you'll see more of them in days to come. 

We will get through this crisis with God's help. Be assured He is here in the midst of things. All around us and in us. 

Blessings,

Deborah

God, I long to dance again.

My desire is to move my feet in heaven's rhythm.

I have been stuck for so long in this valley;

Feeling lost and alone.

Would you grant me heaven's song today and the ears to hear?

So that my feet might move and I once again

Begin to dance along with Your love song for me.  Amen

(Sue Johnson)

It's One of Those

Good morning and welcome to my little corner!

I read an article this morning by Ann Voskamp that gave me that little flick to the forehead and maybe even gobsmacked me at times. She is so darn good at that! It was one of those articles.

She talks about our thoughts and introduces a book written by Jennie Allen called "Get Out of Your Head," subtitled "Stop the spiral of toxic thoughts." Man, I have been there. I've worked very hard this past year to stop sinning through my toxic thoughts, so this article drew me right in.

https://annvoskamp.com/2020/01/you-have-a-choice/ 

One thing Ann didn't talk about, but maybe it is addressed in the book (which I have ordered) is that the thoughts are usually lies planted by you-know-who! At least I have realized that is true for me.

You can get the link for the book in Ann's article if it looks like something that might appeal to you. I'm not pushing the book. I haven't read it yet, but I loved the title. I'll let you know what I think.

This sweet cat, Dusty, is one of our 8 ferals we care for. They have all been spayed/neutered and live outside. Their choice not ours. We would gladly share our home with them, but they are too afraid to come in. Miss Dusty loves to grab one of the beds, drag it off the porch to the patio, turn it upside down and then lay in it. Yes, she is a strange cat indeed.
Here is her brother, Chen.  Gorgeous boy! He's weird, too. lol

Gratitude
1. Cats of all kinds
2. Dogs of all kinds
3. All animals we share this earth with

Enjoy your day!
Blessings,
Deborah

Psalm 73:25-26
...God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

How Do You Feel and What Do You Say?

How do you feel and what do you say after something like what happened in Florida happens again and again? How do we keep picking ourselves up and carrying on? How do we fight this unknown enemy?
Ann Voskamp, once again, gives us some insight.

http://annvoskamp.com/2018/02/when-cancer-gunfire-grief-lent-the-unfairness-of-god-wreck-us-free-lent-devotional-calendar/?utm_source=bloglovin.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+HolyExperience+(Holy+Experience)

Gratitude
1. A God who cares
2. A God who is always there first
3. A God who always loves us

Hebrews 13:5
I will in no way leave you,
neither will I in any way
forsake you.

Blessings,
Deborah

Every Day is Women's Day!

Welcome and blessings.

In my little corner of the world, every day is Women's Day.
Celebrate yourself today and go read Ann Voscamp's article.
http://annvoskamp.com/2017/03/how-god-really-feels-about-women-on-international-women-day/

Ann is one of my favorite Christian's writers of our time. If you don't know Ann yet, treat yourself and go to the above link and be amazed.
I believe she is a prophet in our time to light the way.
She also has a Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/AnnVoskamp/?hc_ref=ARQkpIOtjCbZiw7ypuUsdgWYGOMDNtoymHx2HiM--UT3vaFjis-rdTXC-gCx7BEcSTg&fref=nf

She has an article today on her FB page that touched my heart on this same subject.
So beautifully said.

Picture from Ann's blog.

Gratitude
1. Ann Voscamp
2. A new day for new hope
3. Women everywhere

Blessings,
Deborah

Fruit of the Spirit - Goodness

The goodness of God is immeasurable. From creating the whole world from nothing for us to the goodness and mercy He shows daily, He continues to prove His love for us.

"O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him." Psalm 34:8

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Everything we receive we must give. The Lord requires us to act justly, to love mercy and walk humbly with Him. (Micah 6:8) We can glorify the Father by letting our light shine, ( Matt. 5:16) and we are instructed, when we have the opportunity, to be good to all people. (Galatians 6:30)

I remember reading that St. Francis said to his followers, "Go out and preach the Gospel; if necessary, use words."
I still love that.

"If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is a sin for them." James 4:17

Being good and kind and just is the right thing to do in any situation. Being Christ-like is required for the journey to be heaven bound.

We've also been taught The Golden Rule - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Old advice that still rings true today.

Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to rest and approve
what God's will is - His good, pleasing and
perfect will.

Gratitude (Prompts from aholyexperience.com)
3 Gifts you gave today
1. Love
2. Thankfulness
3. Servitude

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

Looking Out From God Instead of at God

I am currently reading a book called "Immortal Diamond" by Richard Rohr. The book is deepening my faith and making me look at some things differently. Both are good. He says many eye opening thoughts that have left me gobsmacked. Be prepared for future posts on this book. :)

One of things he said was, "We must return to practice based spirituality where the vantage point switches from looking at God to looking out from God." I figuratively smacked my forehead! How simple and yet how profound. How would the world change if we practiced this? If we started looking at people, places, events, all things "from God's vantage point?" I'm thinking the world would change in ways we can't even imagine.

He also says, "Spirituality tends to be more about unlearning than learning." I believe this with all my heart. I've had it happen over and over. We learn, we grow, we learn some more that enhances or changes our previous way of thinking.  Every time I read the Bible I learn something new, something I didn't understand the first time through or didn't apply yet.

God continues to lead me in new directions to help me grow closer to Him. It's an exciting journey. I'll follow Him anywhere He leads.

Psalm 118:1
Give thanks to the Lord,
for He is good;
His love endures forever.

Gratitude List (prompts from aholyexperience.com)
3 Gifts Moving
1. My car
2. My journey
3. The clouds

Phil 1:4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.

Blessings, Deborah

Faith in the Midst of Fears

     My brain MRI is tomorrow. I'm not afraid of the MRI or what the test might reveal.  I was, until I remembered I will not be alone in the machine and however the test turns out I will still be okay. Good or bad news. Positive or negative results. I will be okay, because God is in charge of my life.  As Ann reminds us in her book, One Thousand Gifts, All is Grace.
     Fear takes on a whole new meaning when you believe that about grace. At least, it has for me.  Thank you, Lord for All of Your gifts of grace. 

     122)  Machines that see inside us
     123)  Doctors who are specialists
     124)  All my doctors
     125)  His words He left to guide and comfort
     126)  Family and friends who care
     127)  His Grace
     128)  Being His and able to praise Him freely

     Wishing you blessings, Deborah

    

Gobsmacked

     Ann Voskamp's book, "One Thousand Gifts," came in the mail on Friday and I began reading. Somewhere between chapter 2 and 3, I was  gobsmacked right in the forehead. Seriously, it was like God smacked me upside the head saying, "Ah, now you get it." Talk about a major Epiphany!! Thank you for your guidance through Ann to my brain. ANN!! I got it, too. Give thanks in everything, everyday, ALL day long! I learned it in Sunday School, taught it in Sunday School and heard it a million times, but didn't really get it. Now I do. God likes it when we do. Thanking God daily for all His gifts balances out the bad in this world. I understand now! I'm not saying it the right way to inspire you. All I can say is read her book, start your list. I'm not getting paid to say this to you. She puts it so beautifully through her story, I just know you'll be gobsmacked, too.
     Now, my Monday gift list. 

      72)  Cats curled asleep on my bed
      73)  Choir voices singing with praises on a CD
      74)  Feathery clouds on an Autumn day
      75)  Thunderheads
      76)  A tiny moth on my bathroom mirror
      77)  Quilts to finish
      78)  Tomatoes to can
      79)  Warm Pear Crisp with oatmeal walnut topping
      80)  The glow of candle lit rooms
      81)  Bushy tailed Grey Squirrels
      82)  Knowing I have a best friend right next door
      83)  Puddles in the driveway
      84)  Birdbaths filled with rain water
      85)  Daffodil and Tulip bulbs to plant
      86)  Realizing I need a Church community
      87)  The scent of grass as I mow
      88)  Wind whipped Autumn leaves
      89)  Butter Popped Corn Rice Cakes with creamy Peanut Butter
      90)  Today's 4 1/2 hour power outage helping me see the "light" thru study
      91)  Chocolate anything

      Wishing you a very blessed day,  Deborah