Hopeful

Hopeful at the bower on Church St.

Trying and scary times. And now we've added a virus.
No reported cases in my county yet. I'm so thankful for that and praying for others.
Those with stock in toilet paper must doing well financially. :)
We'll tell our future generations that 2020 was the year of the toilet paper crisis. I don't mean to make light of the situation, but it seems so silly how people react to any given situation. Terror makes us do funny things.
I'm turning to scripture for strength and hope. One that comes to mind is:

Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, 
But the Lord delivers him out of all of them. 

Here are more Psalms of thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving: 30; 32; 34; 40; 65;67;75;92;107;124;92;116;118

Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Some situations are hard to be thankful for, but we can always thank God for being there with us. He never leaves us. Nothing, no thing, or person can separate us from the love of God. (Romans 8:31-39)

I'm continuing my Lenten studies, just not sharing them daily with you. Today's verse in the Lenten cards devo is Matthew 7:7-11. I also was given Matthew 7:7 to read in my "Jesus Calling," devo. Think God is trying to tell something?

Matthew 7:7-11 New International Version (NIV)

Ask, Seek, Knock

⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

⁹ “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

(copied from biblegateway.com)

The other Lenten study kit I haven't started yet is called "Bless His Name," by Beloved Society through Illustrated Faith. I meant to share this earlier and forgot, but it's not just for Lent. You can study the names of Jesus anytime. I love the tags!! The colors are just what I like. Here's a peek at the kit.

All kinds of great things to create with! My lighting isn't the greatest this morning, but I think you get the idea of what is included. If I have time later, I want to do a Bible journaling page. I haven't done one of those in over a year. Where has the time gone?

Gratitude:
1. A God who sticks to me like glue!
2. Crafts to keep me occupied in trying times and keep me focused on God.
3. Bible verses to comfort me.

I'm praying for you.
Blessings,
Deborah

Eleventh Day of Lent

Thankful in the bower on Church St.

Day 10's word was testify and today's is saved. They go together nicely, don't they? I will testify that I am saved. So grateful to my Lord for that.

A few of us have a Covenant Group at church where we hold each other accountable to pray and study scripture each day. It's a time to share how our journey was with the Lord the past week and testify to our faith. Some of us read the Bible, others share inspirational books they are reading, and sometimes life happens and studies don't get done. We hold each other up during those times. We've all been there where the good intentions get lost among day to day existence of trying to survive any given day. Life is hard, but the Lord is in each moment in every day and every breath we take.

I try to remember to use the name Yahweh as a breath prayer to calm me when I'm stressed.
       Yah - deep breath in
       Weh - breathe out slowly

Can you feel the calmness coming over you?

Gratitude:
1. I am saved
2. For a blessed life
3. My crazy, goofy cat, Harrison

Blessings,
Deborah

Psalm 65:8
The whole earth is filled with awe of Your wonders;
where morning dawns,
where evening fades,
You call forth songs of joy.

Catching Up Here

Welcome from the bower on Church St.

The only place I need to catch up is here. I've been keeping up with morning studies and my Lenten notebook, just been a little busy to post here.

Time keeps marching on and the hours in a day don't seem to be enough some days. The important thing is keeping up with my studies and coming here is just icing on the cake. Some days the cake doesn't get frosted. :)

I'm loving these crisp mornings and warm, almost spring days. Makes me long to dig in the dirt. Probably won't get that veggie garden in this year, but there are flower boxes to tend to and transplanting to do. That will satisfy me for this year.

Let's see, looks like I need to post days 7-9. Here is what I did.

Day 7 - Rethink Church WOTD was Enter.
Psalm 100:4
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

Day 8 - Rethink Church WOTD was Spirit.

Day 9 -  Rethink Church WOTD is Teacher.
Matthew 8:19
Then the scribe came and said, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go."

Gratitude:
1. My husband
2. My children
3. Lenten studies

Thanks for stopping by today.
Blessings,
Deborah

Matthew 5:16
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Day 5 & 6 of Lent and 65

Celebrating in the bower on Church St.

Now that I'm 65 I feel like I have to grow up. Can't deny I'm an adult any longer. lol
Today is the day. 65. Geesh. How the heck did that happen? In some ways it feels like I was just 25 yesterday and in other ways, maybe not so much. It's been a good journey all in all. I'm normal in that I have a few regrets, but I try not to dwell on them. Can't go back and change them and I have apologized to those I've hurt. I'm going to go forward from today and make it a happy life. That is what I choose. We always have a choice. It's just a matter of attitude and gratitude. So, Happy Birthday to me and anyone else who shares my day! Dr. Seuss does! I feel honored to share my day with him.

Days 5 & 6 of Lent.

Day 5 - Rethink Church Challenge - WOTD was Celebrate.

My thought for today is:
I celebrate, because my God is faithful!! Amen!

Day 6 - Rethink Church Challenge - WOTD is Signs.

I created a page in my Lenten notebook.

Click on the photo for a larger view.
You will never be lost if you go God's way.

Gratitude:
1. Having another birthday
2. Peace in my soul
3. Family and friends to celebrate with!

Blessings,
Deborah

Jeremiah 29:11-13
"For I know the plans I have for you,"
declares the Lord,
"plans to prosper you and not harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future,
you will seek me and find me
when you seek me with all your heart."

Day 4 of the Lenten Challenge

Blessings from the bower on Church St.

Happy February 29th!!

Yesterday normally would have been the last day of February, but we have an extra day in this Leap Year. Do you have something special planned? A party? Out to dinner, maybe? How will you spend your extra day?  I meant to mention it in my post yesterday and forgot. Welcome to being almost 65. Yeah. The brain function ain't what it used to be. lol.

I have a meeting early this morning in the next town. I think when I am done I will take the long way home and look for pictures for this challenge. There are lots of old barns and ranches along that way. Lots of open spaces, too. Could be a great place for gathering some unique photos.

Day 4 - Rethink Church Photo/Poetry Challenge WOTD is Serve.

The first thing that came to my mind was
Psalm 100:2
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful singing!

Besides a photo or poetry, you also have the choice of a simple thought. I think I'll keep this Psalm close to my heart today.

Maybe I'll just share a photo, too.

My Pastor serving the day I recently became a member of our church.

Gratitude:
1 An extra day for rejoicing
2. An extra day for giving thanks
3. Gathering with friends

Blessings,
Deborah

2Corinthians 3:5
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves,
but our competence comes from God.

Day 3 of Lent 2020

Good morning from the bower on Church St.

Day 3 of Rethink Church's Lenten Photo/Poetry Challenge.

The word for today is command.  I immediately thought of the two great commandments Jesus gave us in Matthew to love the Lord your God with all you heart, mind, strength and soul and the second to love each other. This photo of my grandsons summed up "love one another" perfectly for me.

I'm also keeping track of this challenge in my little Lenten book I'm making with the cards I talked about on Day 1.

I'm really enjoying this journey as I write out the scripture for each day and add things that are meaningful to me, like the lyrics to the song, "The Summons" I shared yesterday.

You can click on each photo for a closer view.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I havent been gardening in a couple of years and I'm really feeling the dirt calling to me this year. I'd like to have a vegetable/flower garden. I want to grow things again. The force is strong in me to be one with the earth. I've always felt close to God when I work in the garden. Life began in a garden way back when. There really is nothing like eating something you grew with your own two hands. Vine ripe tomatoes. I can almost taste their sweetness. Now, if I can just talk hubby into helping me....

Gratitude:
1. Dirt
2. Flowers
3. Fruit and veggies

Blessings,
Deborah

Genesis 1:29
Then God said, "I give you every seed- bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.

Lenten Challenge

Blessings from the bower on Church St.

I didn't get a chance to come on here yesterday, so I will share Day 1 & 2 of Rethink Church's challenge. The challenge is to post a picture, poem or simple thought from the word they give you for the day.

Day 1 - Led - I wrote a poem

Led

An infant led to God by Mom.
A teenager confirmed.
A grownup led to Christ by Christ,
And finally feels at home.

(copywrite 2/2020 by Deborah Panos Meyer)

Day 2 - Wilderness

Family of ducks on a lake we camped by a few years ago.

Last Sunday we sang the song, "The Summons," at church and yesterday my Pastor said the words at our Ash Wednesday service. The song moves me very deeply. It is Jesus speaking to us. I hope it moves you as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o469PRLdbHU

Gratitude:
1. Wilderness
2. Inspiring music
3. Being led to Jesus

Blessings,
Deborah

Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer,
being watchful and thankful.

Lent Equals Waiting

Welcome from the bower on Church St.

My favorite quote for today:
   " Thanksgiving is the evidence that we are staying in love with God."
                                                             (by Steve Harper)

Lent is coming tomorrow! I'm getting ready. I have a few things planned and one of them is to study The Lord's Prayer using a kit I got from Illustrated Faith. I love this company! The kit is called, "Thy Kingdom Come," and includes over 40 little cards, a free printable and printables you can buy to go with the set. You can use these in many different ways and this how I chose to use them.

They've broken the prayer into ten stanzas and spend four days on each stanza studying companion scriptures and being creative with the cards. There are blank cards for journaling decorated with pretty florals and some with sayings.
I chose to add them to a small spiral bound notebook. I'll add the cards as I go along, using pages in between for journaling and art.
I'm also planning on doing the challenge I shared the other day and I also purchased another kit I'll share tomorrow.
I haven't been creative with art in this way for over a year and it feels wonderful to be inspired to take this up again.
Stay tuned. :)

Gratitude:
1. Creative inspiration
2. Time with the Lord
3. Bible classes today!

Blessings,
Deborah

Psalm 18:36
You enlarge my steps under me,
And my feet have not slipped.

Speaking of Holy Week

Welcome!

I've been doing two wonderful studies this week and I just want to share them with you. I must admit that I didn't do anything for the rest of Lent, unheard of for me. So when Holy Week came, I thought I better do something, because Easter is almost here!!

I am getting so much out this study by Rev. Drew Downs. I belong to his Facebook page and when I saw this post on Palm Study it just inspired me to follow him this whole week. He is right when he says we usually just rush to Thursday after Palm Sunday, but what about Monday - Wednesday?  I'm sorry I didn't share this sooner, but it won't take long to catch up, or you can just start with today.
https://drewdowns.net/2018/03/25/arrive-palm-sunday/

The other study I am doing came to me in an email from YouVersion. Have you been to their website? Lots of wonderful free Bible studies to take there. I'm doing the one for Holy Week based on the book, "My Utmost for His Highest," by Oswald Chambers.  I've owned this book for several years and just started reading it with this study. Now I wonder why I waited so long to open this book. It is a devotional gem!

I decided to use one of my Traveler's Notebook inserts to keep all my notes in. Here is what I did to it today.

I covered it with some paper from a pack I picked up today at Walmart. The pack was so cute I couldn't pass it up. I'm going to use some of the cutouts for Bible journaling. Here are some of the pages you get in the pack.

The pack of papers.

Some of the die cuts. 

More die cuts. I love the rain boots and sun! 

Cute alphabet letters, too!! Aren't they all adorable. The papers you get are cute, too and I love the colors. (How many times can I say cute in this post?) lol

I also picked up this pink traveler's notebook. I have fondled this 5 different trips to Walmart and each time said, No." I couldn't think of a reason to buy it and I don't impulse buy anymore, even if it was only $8.84. Today I had a reason; this study. It feels like moleskin. I'm a sucker for moleskin. My Bible is moleskin. Need I say more? *smiles*

Gratitude

1. Moleskin

2. Studies that inspire

3. Rev. Drew Downs

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this,

that one lay down his life for his friends.

Blessings,

Deborah

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

Bible Journaling For Lent

Happy 3rd Day of Spring Everyone!!

I'm a slacker.
No big news there, eh?
I am so far behind in my Lenten study it is not funny.
Not at all.
I did the first lesson and stopped. Not for any one reason, but many and not because I don't like the study. I do. Very much.
Instead of going in order I decided to just start with this week's lesson #7. If you remember the study is on the Fruit of the Spirit. Today's lesson is kindness and the lesson focuses on:

Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
Be kind and compassionate to one another,
forgiving each other just as in Christ
God forgave you.

It is so important to be kind to one another. We are all on the same journey and for some people the roads are bumpier than others. When I get a cranky person in the store I just love on them. I smile more, say a silent little prayer and try to be as helpful as I can. They usually leave smiling and treating me better than when they came in. My little trick and it seems to work.

When looking up "Fruit of the Spirit" art ideas, there is no consistency on which fruit stands for which attribute. Sometimes kindness is a pineapple, sometimes it is lemon and another it is a cherry. I chose to go with the lemon since I love them so much. I am snacking on lemon drop cookies as I type. How appropriate. (smiles)

This is my second entry in my new Bible journal. I decided not to do my own art this time and used magazine cut-outs instead. Works for me. Much less stressful. You've seen my art so you know what I'm talking about. (smiles)

Gratitude

1. Fruit

2. Cookies

3. Lemons

Ephesians 1:16

I have not stopped giving thanks for you,

remembering you in my prayers.

Blessings,

Deborah

Ash Wednesday, We Begin

"Lent is a time of reflection as we prepare ourselves for the Good News of Easter Sunday.
We must always remember the glimmer of hope as we remember what is to come: love and redemption."
Sarah Laughed

I am beginning a Lenten Study by Sarah Laughed, same lady I followed for Advent.
If you would like to join us, here is the link. It begins today.

http://seasonsillustrated.com/announcing-lent-illustrated-2017/

I hope you'll take this walk with me.

Today's reading is Genesis 3:19 (NIV)
...for dust you are and to dust you will return.

My first entry as a Bible Journalist. Like I've said before, I am not an artist. My plate of ashes looks more like a hat. lol

But time spent in His Word is precious. Don't be afraid to try this form of spending time with God. If you don't want to try the art, then just do the lettering and take some notes. BE with the Lord daily.

In this Lenten study, there are two verses per week until Holy Week, then there is a lesson everyday. Time well spent. Be blessed.

Gratitude

1. Lenten Studies

2. Clear, sunny skies

3. Bible Journaling Groups

Ephesians 1:16

I have not stopped giving thanks for you,

remembering you in my prayers.

Blessings,

Deborah