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

Deeper Still, VM & Faith Journal

Sorry I was away for a while.
I had to cover for the boss' vacation and worked six days a week for two weeks. Didn't leave any time for study, art or anything really.
I have recovered and am trying to get caught up with everything.

Yesterday I did the Deeper Still Challenge, Lesson #2, by Rebekah R. Jones.
Joy is the theme of:

Psalm 16:11 (NIV)
You make known to me the path of life;
You fill me with joy in Your presence,
with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

Nelson's Bible Commentary
Indicates the eternal life given by the resurrected Savior to all who trust in Him.

I also did a short Verse Mapping in my Faith Journal.

I covered the letters of JOY in washi tape and cut them out. I used a pink washable marker to color the page behind the letters. Almost wish I had chosen a lighter pink. On the second page I added some flower stickers and found synonyms for the two words that stood out for me. Like I said, this is a short verse mapping as I am still a little tired.

I am going away for the weekend and will be shopping for a Bible Journal. I have finally decided that I want one. I am leaning towards the Inspire version, but we shall see. I love the headings for each book in that one.

Gratitude
1. Catching up
2. You
3. Bible Journals

Ephesians 1:16
I have not stopped giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers.

I always say a prayer of thanks for each of you that have stopped by. If you have a specific need for prayer, please leave a comment below and I will pray for you.

Blessings.,
Deborah

8 Ways to Pray When You Can't

After my shakedown in faith, (see July 7, & 26, posts), I still struggle with praying.  I'm good with short prayers, like asking for a safe trip to my destination and home again, or praying for a friend/stranger in need of prayers for something. Where I am still having trouble is with the in-depth and meditative prayers.

Here are a few things I am trying to help me get back on track.

1. Use a book of prayers.
I have two, "The Book of Common Prayer" and "365 Pocket Prayers." Both are full of prayers for all occasions and topics. Any you may have will work.

2. Read the Psalms. This needs no explanation.

3. Ask Jesus to pray for you.
I simply say, "Lord I can't pray today. Please pray for me."
I feel He does.

4. Read a verse or book in the Bible and offer it up as a prayer to God.

5. Sing your favorite hymn or pop Christian song. Do it loudly.

6. Read other Christian Blogs on prayer.
There are many out there with lots of inspiration.

7. Count your blessings.

8. Go to a place like Bible Gateway, (link on my right sidebar), and do a search on pray or prayer.

I hope these will help you if you struggle, at times, like I do.


1Thessalonians 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually,

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Gratitude
3 gifts in prayer
1. Confession
2. Forgiveness
3. Joy

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

Blessings,
Deborah

Modern Day Psalms

My sister-in-law played a song for me the other day that almost put me in a meditative state. I could feel it and went to a place of solitude and beauty with God. Psalms can do that to me, also. Their beauty is breathtaking. I was thinking of two songs this morning that remind me of God. One is "The Long and Winding Road" by the Beatles and the other is "Like a Bridge over Troubled Waters," by Simon & Garfunkle. Two very beautiful songs whose meaning could be about God.

The first one is the plea, "The Long and Winding Road."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIHEuYfDypg

The second is the answer, "Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjNgn4r6SOA

Both made me cry while I listened.
Both speak of the journey to Him for me.

Genesis 24:48 ...and I bowed down and worshiped the Lord. I praised the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who leads me on the right road...

Gratitude
3 Gifts in water
1. Baptism
2. Hydration
3. Life

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

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

Thirty seven - Forty three

     It is (37) raining. I imagine the the earth's face turned upward and smiling, like mine.  I love the rain. When it rains, I don't have to water the gardens or the grass, not that I really mind. But the rain is pure, not chlorinated and such. (38)Pure water. From the purest source. From the (39) One True God.
     An end came to a tragic story that began two months ago. Unfortunately, the story ended tragically, also.  A young man in my hometown killed two men, about a month apart and it ended in his death yesterday. I knew one of the men he killed, the second one named Jere Melo. He was a good man, one of the best and he didn't deserve to die, nor did the other man.  But I feel no joy in Aaron's death, the young man who killed them. Aaron was plagued with a mental illness. Terrible demons shared his life.  I am sad for everyone involved and over the weekend all I could think about was Aaron's family and the nightmare they have lived with for years, especially the past two months. I've prayed a lot for everyone, all of the families this tragedy touched and all of those in my hometown.  I hope Aaron can find peace in death he could not find in life.
     My sister-in-law leaves for home tomorrow. We have enjoyed a (40) wonderful visit.  She (41) feels refreshed and ready to conquer the city life once again.  We even managed to share a little (42) craft time this morning making cards. I will miss her.
     Life brings good times and bad times.  I don't know how I would get through either without God (43) to lean on  and share it with. 
     Psalm 9: 1-2  I will thank the Lord with all my heart; I will declare all Your wonderful works.  I will rejoice and boast about You; I will sing about Your name, Most High.
     May you feel His peace and love today, Deborah

    

The Beginning...

     I was given the gift of a blog to read by a friend over this past weekend and it touched my soul so deeply that I decided to join the ranks of these wonderful believers and add my list of gifts to the Master's list. This blog will evolve and grow as I do. Today is the first day, so please allow me time to fine tune and make it my own. I feel so blessed to be a part of this. Thank you especially to Ann Koskamp at http://www.aholyexperience.com/.
    
Monday's 7 Good and Perfect Gifts 

1. knowing God
2. knowing Jesus
3. knowing the Holy Spirit
4. my husband
5. our 6 children
6. our 8 grandchilren
7. family and friends

     Each day I will share the 7 most good and perfect gifts I am thankful for that day.
     What a reason to get up and know "This is the day that the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Psalm 118:24.
     May you know His peace, Deborah