Let the first act on waking be to place yourself,
your heart, mind, faculties,
your whole being, in God’s hands.
Ask Him to take entire possession of you,
to be the Guide of your soul, your Life, your Wisdom, your Strength.
He wills that we seek him in all our needs, that we may both know Him truly,
and draw closer and closer to Him;
and in prayer we gain an invisible force which will triumph over seemingly hopeless difficulties.
~ Sidney Lear ~


Nothing can separate you from God’s love, absolutely nothing.
God is enough for time, God is enough for eternity. God is enough!
~ Hannah Whitall Smith ~


I think that one reason many of us do not really take into the marrow of our bones
this message of the unconditional love of God is this:
We dwell excessively on ourselves and on our mistakes.
And so we keep asking, ‘Who am I that the Lord should love me?’
Instead we ought to be asking,
‘Who are you, O my God, that you love me so much?’
The Lord knows and accepts that we humans are mistake-makers.
~ John Powell ~


Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
To these I commit my day.
If I succeed, I will give thanks.
If I fail, I will seek his grace.
And then when this day is done,
I will place my head on my pillow and rest.
~ Max Lucado ~

Well … did you get any??  We did, finally!! 
I drew this on our porch in the wee hours of the mornin’ just to show ya!
I’m so glad God made snow … it’s so beautiful,
the way it brightens everything up, especially at night!
We’ve gotten about 3 inches here so far, and we may get a bit more today!
I’m going to enjoy it because it won’t be here next week …
they say we’re going to be in the 50′s!
Spring’s a comin’!



Today we’re going north to my in-laws condominium to look through the things they can no longer use.
That is always sad to do … but we’ll be able to keep some of the things that have special
memories attached.  The other things we will take to the antique mall
to see if we can sell it for them in our booth. 
They are getting ready to sell the condo, and these things have to be done.
 
After we’ve finished there, we’ll head back south to the antique mall …
it’s ‘Customer Appreciation Weekend’,
 and it’s a good time to be there to answer questions, etc., and it’s fun meeting
people … besides, I desperately need to restock soap and candles!
I’ve all but sold out with the holidays!   I’m also hearing that there is as much
as 9 inches of snow down there … I’m taking the camera!

Tonight, we’re going to a ‘couples wedding shower’.  Some friends of ours have a son who grew
up with Ian … and he is getting married in May!  I’ve never heard of a ’couples shower’,
so this will be fun!  Aren’t you thankful for wedding registries?  They had a nice l-o-n-g
list to choose from, and we chose the Antique Blackwashed 12′ Wall Clock …
and one I would not have minded keeping for myself!

I do want to thank you all for your prayers for Ian and Tim! 
I haven’t heard from them since they got to LA,
but I know God is watching over them, and they are in good hands!
I do know they are very busy and are learning alot,
… I hope to talk with him sometime today.

Well, I didn’t get a chance to make that banana bread yesterday,
I’m hoping to work on it later today,
and I think I’ll make some Snow Ice Cream to go right along with it!
We have to do something with all of that snow, right?!

Have any of you ever made it before?
Well, for those of you who are clueless, as I was …
here is a video showing just us how it’s done! 
This gal’s a pro!
And, don’t ya just love the backdrop?!!
Have a blessed weekend, and enjoy!

Hugs, 
   ~ Deborah <><

P.S. The music will be back later …
I turned it off so you could hear the snow fall! )

 A late night prayer request … I know many of you won’t see this until the morning, but I received a call from my son late last evening.  He and Tim started out on about a 6 hour drive to Los Angeles last night … it was about 7:00PM, California time when they finally left.  They are going to a church, where there is a Christian Film Festival going on, to do some filming and editing.  They are pretty excited about this trip, and will be there for a couple of days.  They were going to leave around 3:00PM yesterday afternoon, their time, but they had to finish up some projects first … it was late when they started, and I’d so appreciate your prayers for their safe travels there, and back!   

Well, the pumpkin pie is gone, our ice and snow have since melted, and we are again under a Winter Storm Warning for Friday, and Saturday!  Yay!  I’m still holding out for that snow I’ve been hoping for!  I’ve seen weather and news reports with all of the snow some of you are getting … it’s just not fair … send some my way, please!!  I know some of you are probably getting pretty tired of it, but hold on a little while longer  … Spring IS on the way!   I did see about 6 robins in our backyard just after the snow and ice melted Wednesday, although I did notice the squirrels eating the corn we have out for them as if winter is just beginning!  Who knows, with the strange weather we’ve been having … good thing we have ample supply of the corn for them, just in case!  I’ll let you all know just how much snow we may be getting … they are saying anywhere from 3 to 9 inches.  I’d prefer the latter!  So tell me, how’s the weather in your neck of the woods?  Well, today I think I’ll dig out my banana bread recipe and work on a couple of loaves.  I have a recipe that calls for sour cream, and I’m needing to use up some ripe bananas.  Not sure what I’ll do for dinner yet … maybe a big pot of hearty bean soup and cornbread. That sounds good on a snowy day, don’t ya think?!  I hope you all have a blessed and faith-filled Friday!

  Hugs,
       ~ Deborah <><

  HE DRESSES ME ~
          - From CF Devotionals

Every single one of us needs God’s covering of linen.  When He looks at us, through eyes of love, He sees what we really are.  He sees our sins, our hurts, our bitterness, our anger, our jealousies, our thoughts, our unkindness, our pettiness, our wrong motives, our self-centeredness, us.

He longs to cover us.  Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow.  Again, and again, as I read the Scriptures, I see God crying out, “Don’t you know, haven’t you heard?  I love you!  I made you!  You are broken, I can make you whole!  You are naked, I can clothe you!  You are lying there, I can pick you up!  You are low, I want to raise you up!  If only you will let Me.”

The Proverbs 31 Woman knows this.  She understands that the truly fine linen really comes from God.  She is clothed in the best because God dresses her, and she makes sure that only the best is given out.  When she sees someone on the streets, she sells the linen, saying “Let me tell you about Jesus.”  When she looks at her children, she sees through His eyes.

His beauty adorns her, and His grace shines through.  Everything she does reflects His will in her life.  She is a living, breathing testimony of our God and Father.

  Father God, I thank You that You clothed me with Your righteousness.  Your righteousness is fine linen.  Father, that is so opposite of Isaiah 64:6 ~ “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags: and we all do fade as a leaf: and our iniquities, like the wind have taken us away.”  Lord, my righteousness is like a filthy rag.  My sins remove me from Your presence.  Thank You that You love me so much that You are willing to cover me.  All I have to say is, “Forgive me, Lord, I have sinned.” And I say it, from the rooftops, “Forgive me, I have sinned.”  And You clothe me. Thank You, Lord for Your love, Your mercy, and Your grace.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE
~ Gail Rodgers

She got the wheat straight from the farmer.  She didn’t care for all the additives in the store bought flour.  So she ground her own.  She knew just how much to grind it so it was not too fine nor too course. We loved the fresh bread she made!

Sometimes in life we face struggles and challenges that we feel will never end. We sometimes feel bruised and crushed much like grains of wheat.

In those times it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that God will use these things in our lives to refine us.  He knows just how much we can take.  He will use what we learn in these difficult times to feed others.  What we learn will become tools to teach others.

This is what His Word says…

“Grain must be ground to make bread; so one does not go on threshing it forever …
All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom” 
                                                                                                                ~ Isaiah 28: 28 & 29

God will be there in the midst of it all to bring us His counsel and wisdom.

If you are having a rough day, or feeling that you just cannot go on,
be reassured that God stands ready to give you counsel and wisdom to help you.

Lean hard on Him.  Don’t shrink back from Him for His seeming un-interest in your struggles.  Ask Him today for His wisdom to show you your next step.  Ask Him to bring you counsel and wisdom as to what to do.

He will not leave you alone. 
God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” ~ Hebrews 13:5

Allow God to use the hard places of your life to make “fresh bread”.  He will nourish and strengthen you, giving you wisdom and counsel through the process as you lean on Him.  Then you, in turn, can nourish others.

“Grain for bread is crushed…” ~ Isaiah 28:28a

For the child of God seriously wanting to be made whole and usable, the Father quite literally puts her “through the mill.” He knows that there is only one way for the raw natural product to be transformed into bread for the world. The rod of the thresher and hooves of his horses often leave bruises and the painful memories linger, but oh, the delicious aroma of the freshly baked loaf!

My Father God,
I would prefer a life of ease yet, I know there is little growth there. Help me to lean hard on You for counsel and wisdom as I journey through the hard places. Thank you for Your constant presence and help in my difficult times. Use this process in my life to make “fresh bread” that will nourish others along my pathway. Thank You for loving me so much that You are persistently, consistently forming me into the perfect shape and product.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

 This devotion spoke to my heart today, and I hope it did yours, as well!  I trust you’ve all had a great week so far … it’s now Wednesday, and time just seems to be flying … do any of you feel that way, too?!  It was cold here yesterday, with the rain turning to ice … you could hear the pinging of the ice hitting the windows, and it’s everywhere!  We’re losing limbs from our trees all over the yard … you can hear them snapping as they fall … we’re going to have lots of work to do once it drys out a bit!  Thankfully we haven’t lost our electricity from it … I know of some areas here that have.  It was a cold night to be without heat!  We also have about an inch, or so, of snow … with the ice under the snow, it’s treacherous, but it is so pretty!  I took these photos just before the snow fell …

Drops of ice began forming on the bushes …



Then the trees were getting covered … it got worse than this …
… a bit blurry, but you can see how it’s pulling the branches down.
We lost a huge limb off of this tree in our front yard after I took this photo.
Did any of you get the ice?





Do you ever get in the mood for something sweet …
well, I was in the mood for something sweet,
but not too sweet, so, I baked a pumpkin pie Monday night … 
it wasn’t picture perfect, like a Martha Stewart pie …
you see, my ‘fluting’ abilities are sorely lacking …

but regardless of the way it looked, my husband really liked it!
    
We didn’t have any whip cream though …
so we sprinkled plain cinnamon on it while it was still hot on our plates,
and it just added a special touch of sweetness! 
It was wonderful with a nice hot cup of peppermint tea! 
I never tire of pumpkin … 
I fix something made with pumpkin all through the year.
Speaking of which, I need to bake some pumpkin bread and send it to my son!
He’s been asking! 
Well, I’m sure you’re all curious now, right …  
so here are some photos of the pumpkin pie …
it’s over half gone now, though! 
I’m going to work on ’fluting’ the edge of the crust …
… wonder if they have ‘fluting’ lessons online somewhere!
If anyone has any pie ‘falootin’ tips, or ideas … do share! 
I think I’ll do an apple pie next time! 
Double crust!! 
Have a blessed Wednesday!

  Hugs,
               ~ Deborah <><

 

FEEDING YOUR SPIRIT
~ Gail Rodgers

Do you notice how your spirit is affected by the things you feed into it? 
We feed our spirit by the things we dwell on in our minds. 
When doubt, discouragement, depression or fear drag our spirits to the depths,
we need to look at what paths our thoughts have been running down.

God knows us so well. 
He knows the tendency we will have to sometimes settle into the depths of despair. 
He gives us five verses in Psalm 103:1-5 to address this very thing. 
Turn your thoughts to God’s Word and choose to lift your eyes off yourself and raise them to Heaven.


“Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.”
Sometimes it takes everything in us to turn our eyes to Heaven
and to offer the sacrifice of praise from a heavy heart.


“Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”
When our eyes move from our own state of affairs we can look at all God offers us. 
Listen to the refreshing, life-giving things God asks us not to forget:

*Who FORGIVES all your sins …
Thank you, Lord, that I am forgiven.  Fill me with the wonder of a clean heart. 
Help me to declare my forgiveness when I am tempted to wallow in the pit of despair over my past,
my failures and my weaknesses.  I am forgiven!

*And HEALS all your diseases …
Lord, I bring my aching body to You and ask You to touch me with Your hand of healing. 
Give me wisdom and understanding of what to do physically.  
I also bring the diseases of my heart to you. Lord,
remove all bitterness and pride and show me the things that erode my spirit.

*Who REDEEMS your life from the pit …
Lord, I am amazed at the fact that You reach into the pit that I even sometimes dig myself… and You lift me up. 
You bring beauty out of ashes as I trust in You.  You buy back all the broken pieces and give me new life!  Thank you!

*And CROWNS you with love and compassion,
Lord, Your care and tenderness to me is a constant surprise even though I know You love me. 
Thank you for the attention You give to the details of my life as I offer it to You.

*Who SATISFIES your desires with good things …
Thank you that Your plans for me are to find my fulfillment in You as I offer myself to You. 
You made me and You know how to grow me into all I ever wanted to be.

*So that your youth is RENEWED like the eagle’s.”
Lord, when I see how You forgive me, heal me, redeem my life, crown me with Your love and satisfy me,
I am truly renewed in my Spirit.

Thank you for this wonderful view of Your desires for me.

I WILL praise you with everything that is within me.

“Praise the Lord O my soul, all my inmost being, praise His holy name.”

We had a wonderful time with my in-laws yesterday!  I’ve decided to get her some tea cups for a housewarming gift … she wants to have the ‘Red Hat Society’ ladies over for tea!  They seem very happy … Mom is talking about planting flowers in a class they have there in the ‘greenhouse’, and I’m trying to talk her into trying her hand in the art/painting class!  We’re going to take the full tour next time to see all that they have to offer … we can join in some of the classes with them, as well.  Maybe my DH and his dad will take up the woodworking class together!  I’m hoping there are scrapbooking classes as well!  We would have fun doing that together!  We also had beautiful weather as well … it was about 63* here today, the sun was shining, and the birds were singing a chorus!  We may be getting snow later this week though … uh huh!!  I’m thinking like ‘Thomas’ here … I have to see it to believe it!  Not much else to share right now, so … what did you do for the weekend? 

Have a blessed Monday … and remember,  
“Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord!  Praise Ye the Lord.” 
~ Psalm 150:6

  Hugs,
           ~ Deborah <><

  

UPDATE:  Yes, I’m seeing my graphics again, as well, and it seems everything is back to normal!  
                   Thank you all for you comments on this!  Have an awesome Son-day!  Hugs ~ 

This is all very strange … I hope I can find an answer out there!  I noticed when I logged onto my site today, those blue and white boxes appeared randomly saying, ‘Image Not Found’ … I went to my Photo Manager and the same pictures, and graphics, are missing from there as well … the little bear with the state of Indiana that was in the left module … the photo of my husband and me, and the friendship tree that were both in the right module … and a few others are also missing–along with other photos that I’ve taken  … would anyone know why this would happen?  The February blinkie calendar also was missing … but since February is over, that doesn’t really matter … it is very puzzling to me because I do have all my photos set on private … and it’s as if someone picked certain ones!  They are in my files on my computer, and I tried uploading them again to Xanga, but instead of the pictures or graphics showing up, the blue and white box appears!!?? I’m concerned that someone has gotten in somehow to copy, and or, delete them … is that possible with a private setting?  I’ve checked my footprints and there was only one person, one I’d never met, who came by way of fwren’s site today.  Has anyone else ever had a problem like this?  I’ve not deleted these at all from the photo manager, in fact I didn’t even work in the photo part of it yesterday, and before I logged off last night, everything looked just fine!  I’ve never had this happen before … any help or suggestions are most welcome on this!

I pray you’re all having a good weekend so far.  I felt good enough to chase some ‘nesting’ dust bunnies out of here yesterday.  Today, I’ve worked on a meatloaf for dinner (thank you Sandy for the recipe)!  I’m also trying to decide on what to take to our church pitch-in tomorrow … any healthy suggestions?  Many are watching what they eat these days, and they ask for healthy dishes.  My husband was working today, and now, he’s going up to Mom and Dad’s condo to caulk the bathtub.  They are selling it, and the open house is tomorrow.  It’s a beautiful place, but needed some work done before they showed it.  They are settling in quite well in their new home … they were up, showered and dressed early to great the day, and all their new friends!  After church tomorrow, the pitch-in, and our Dave Ramsey class, we’re headed down to spend the rest of the day with them, and other members of the family!  I am excited to see them!  I want to bring them a ‘housewarming’ gift … any suggestions out there?  

Well, that is the update to my day … I pray you all have a blessed Sunday.  It’s going to be near 60* here tomorrow, but that will be short lived … early in the week we’re supposed to be getting more cold air and snow.  Maybe that ‘foot’ I’ve been hoping for is on the way?!  I’ll be around to catch up with you soon! Be blessed everyone!

Hugs,
           ~ Deborah <><


It is a glorious thing to get to know God in a new way in the inner chamber. It is something still greater and more glorious to know God as the all-sufficient One and to wait on His Spirit to open our hearts and minds wide to receive the great things, the new things which He really longs to bestow on those who wait for Him.   ~ Andrew Murray