Someone sent this to me recently, and it came just when I needed it … God very often does things like that. 
I wanted to share it with you … read it slowly, and think on each one of these.

~ THE WILL OF GOD ~

The will of God will never take you,
Where the grace of God cannot keep you.
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omni presence of God cannot find you.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
- Philippians 4:13 - 

Well, it’s been a few days since I’ve posted, so I thought I’d better let you all know what’s been happening since Saturday.  Sunday started out as a very warm, but, beautiful day, and we went to church and had a wonderful morning.  A blessing to share with you … a while back, my vacuum sweeper finally bit the dust, so to speak … we tried fixing it, but to no avail, so I was using my sister’s.  Well, I had mentioned this to a group of friends from church, a week ago … and this past Sunday, one of those very thoughtful friends brought me one of her extras to keep, complete with vacuum bags … have you seen the price of those lately?!  I, for one, have never had an extra vacuum cleaner, at least not one that worked anyway, but I’m sure blessed that she did!  It’s a very nice one, too, heavy duty!  Look out now, you dustbunnies … here I come!!  I love the way God sends forth blessings along the way in our lives, like that!  He so longs to bless His children.  So, do tell, what blessings has He sent your way lately? 

*We’ve also had a major health concern for a very close family friend, who is very dear to our hearts, as is her family.  We went to visit her in the hospital Sunday afternoon.  I’m not at liberty to go into much detail here, but I’m asking for ‘corporate’ prayer for our precious Elizabeth.  She’s been in the hospital since last Wednesday, and we are all very concerned for her.  God knows every detail of this situation, and I know He will direct your prayers for her healing.  Your prayers are so very appreciated by all of us, right now.  She is also a childhood friend of Ian’s, and he may be coming home soon to see her … as soon as this weekend!

On a final note … I hope you’re all having a good week.  Things are much quieter, and cooler today.  We had an odd sort of storm come through a couple of nights ago, where the lightning was constantly flashing for quite a while, causing some house fires north of us … but again, the Lord protected us through it all!  It did blow in some cooler air the next day, which we gladly welcomed with open windows!!   It’s such a nice change from the 3-H’s … hazy, hot, and humid!  We may dodge those again the rest of the week!  We have an all church pitch-in this coming Sunday … and I’m trying to think of something yummy to take … any ideas?  I’ve missed you all, and I’m hoping to get around the next couple of days to catch up.  Have a blessed day in Him! 

Hugs,
   ~ Deborah <>< 

Trust is faith that has become absolute, approved, and accomplished. 
When all is said and done, there is a sort of risk in faith and its exercise. 
But trust is firm belief; it is faith in full bloom. 
Trust is a conscious act, a fact of which we are aware. 
~ E. M. Bounds

Your Word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
~ Psalm 119:11

The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.
~ Isaiah 40:8

“Is not My word like fire?” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?”
~ Jeremiah 23:29

THE WORD OF THE LORD:

At it’s inception

The Word was read and revered.

It was powerful to convict.

It was the standard for that person who chose to align himself with God.

It revealed a Holy God to an unholy world.

But it was an “it” — a treasured but an inanimate “thing.”

Then John Said -

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
John 1: 1-2

What is this that you are saying, John?

In the beginning. . . .

At the very onset.  When the earth was without form and void-empty-still-lonely, John is telling me; “This is how it all began.”

…was the Word.

Was the Word?  How did it come to be?  Where did it come from?  I don’t know.  But John says that the Word was there in the beginning.

…and the Word was with God . . .

This “Word” and God were together.  God!  The supreme Being!  The Source of all life!  The sovereign Ruler.  This “inanimate thing” was in the presence of God.  The Word and God.  But wait…

…and the Word WAS God.

This Word I’ve been reading about — seeing as an object — was not an object at all!  The Word was a Person.  The Word was with God!  No.  The Word WAS God.  This is all beyond my comprehension.  I am confused.

He . . .

the Word has a gender.  He!  He was in the beginning with God.  And the Word ceases to be an “outside influence.”  It ceases to be something I accept or reject as an object.  It ceases to be a teaching.  An inanimate object.  It becomes alive — a “He”-breathing, touching, seeing, hearing!  A person!  He lived with God.

But then, Something even More Wonderful Happens . . .

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.  -John 1: 14

That “He” Word invaded the world of men.  He became one of us.  He followed our rules for entering earth and lived among us.  Right here with us!  What was difficult for me to comprehend in abstract vernacular was simplified to childlike simplicity.  He isn’t abstract any longer.  Here is a man who walks and talks, touches and is loving, gentle, kind and strong.

And then He began doing supernatural “Godlike” things.  He began saying radical things that caused people to revere Him or reject Him.  But they were glorious acts of power.  Of love.  Of mercy.  We beheld His glory and He was full of grace and truth.  Full of grace and all that grace gives.  Full of truth and all that truth stands for.

We looked at Him.  We watched Him.  We listened to Him.  His compassion amazed us.  His love was beyond our understanding.  He gave and He gave and He gave.  He gave freely, unselfishly of Himself.  He gave Himself.

I’m no longer confused, reading history or observing a set of rules or standards.  I’m having an interchange of thoughts. It’s as if I had a “never-before-seen-pen-pal.”  He has shared His innermost thoughts, His philosophy of life, His hopes, and His dreams — what He longs to accomplish.  I had heard about Him from other people, and from all reports He was a very unusual, wonderful, loving, charismatic person.  And after years of corresponding, we actually meet!

That’s it!  I have “met” the Word.

No.  The Word isn’t a thing any longer.  It is a Person who loves me.  A Person who fills my life with purpose, with joy, with peace, with Himself.  He loves me and I love Him.  We talk to each other.  Yes. I have met ” the Word.” 

His name is Jesus.

Thank You dear Holy Word, for coming to earth that I might know You.

Will I know You any better in Heaven?  I don’t think so.
We’re so very close to one another now ….

~ Anabel Gillham
 

God the Father is a deep root, the Son is the shoot that breaks forth into the world,
and the Spirit is that which spreads beauty and fragrance.

Today is a very special day for me, and my husband.  It is our one and only son’s birthday!  I know it’s near the end of the day … we’ve had such a long, and tiring Saturday with the wedding, but here, as late as it is, I still wanted to share a few pictures, along with some sweet memories from the day he was born 24 years ago … Ian’s Birth Day!  Unfortunately, back then, we didn’t have a camera, until about the day I was due, so the first picture you’ll see is the only one of me as ‘woman with child’!  Lewis always told me I was the most beautiful when I was carrying Ian.  He was, and is so sweet … but I did tell him love must be blind!  At that time, I’m glad it was!  But he did make me feel beautiful then, and still does today!

Well, due to some forseen complications, my doctor thought it best that we deliver by cesarean.  I had such peace before the surgery … all of the doctors and nurses prayed with us … we felt God’s presence in a strong way, and everything went very well.  We didn’t know ahead of time if it would be a boy, or a girl … we didn’t want to know … I’ve always liked surprises … and surprised we were!  When they delivered him, I was behind the little curtain so I couldn’t see when he first appeared … and there was that moment of silence, then I heard, for the first time, my baby’s precious cry … well, when I was crying, everyone began to laugh … they said HE had just ‘baptized’ the doctor … Lewis said to them, “that’s my boy”!  I spent 3 semi-painful days in a very warm hospital, during the hottest part of July, but I had the total peace of the Lord, and my 2 best guys with me … yes, Lewis spent every warm night right there in a lounge-type chair with me, and our son!  He never let Ian out of his site, even when they took him for all those necessary tests!  He even changed all of the diapers … and brought us a fan!  What a wonderful man I married … I am truly blessed! 

Ian is the only child that I have been able to carry to full term, so you can see why I speak of him often … he is dear to our hearts, and so special to both his father, and me.  We spoke to him earlier in the day, and he said he was going to just rest at home since he’s been so busy this week.  I told him I wished he was here, he said “I do too, Mom”.  It was hard being without him, especially today.  The picture of the cake above was from his Grandma and Grandpa last year, when he was home for a visit.  We hope we’ll be able to see him soon.  Well, I hope you don’t mind my sharing a trip down our memory lane.
 

These photos were taken at the ‘clean-up’ station! 
Vicky was the best, most gentle and caring nurse with both me,
and our precious little package! 
Did I say ‘little’?!  )



In keeping with the ‘Family Friendly Site’ rules here, and in order not to offend anyone …
you can see that I added a few touches to this one in Photoshop :o)
So beautiful and healthy!  Yes, he was ‘beautiful’ to me!

 

Due to the surgery, and tubes protruding from both my arms,
I was unable to hold Ian until later, after my time in recovery.
So this is the very first time I got to feel his soft, warm, baby skin on my cheek!
Vicky held him close to me for quite awhile … she was wonderful!
I wanted to hold him … to touch him with my own hands so very much …
and she was very sensitive to my ‘mommy’ heart!







My two best guys … this so warms my heart everytime I look at it! 
My dear sweet husband took all of the pictures … except this one …
I got the honors!



And this is our ‘little boy’ now!  Not so little anymore! 
He has been such a blessing to us all of these years,
and it touches our hearts to see him loving and following the Lord!

~ 3 John 4 ~
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 

 

I’ve certainly missed being here and checking in with everyone.  
I’ll be back very soon to catch up and let you know what else is going on,
but, in the meantime, I hope you all have a very blessed and joyous Sunday!

 Hugs,
~ Deborah <><  

FRIENDS
~ Anabel Gillham

It was a very impressive gathering with people I greatly admired.  I didn’t know any of them especially and that was all right; I could admire from a distance.  There was one person, however, that I had longed to meet, thinking that I would really love to have the privilege of just sitting and talking to him.  That wouldn’t be an option, obviously.  He was surrounded by admirers all evening.  I was disappointed, but hadn’t really expected anything else.  I was a nobody circulating among the somebodies, awed and insignificant in their presence.

The next day I went to my favorite park. I just needed to collect my thoughts and let the wind blow the cobwebs out of my brain.  I needed to be alone.  It was a beautiful day and I was thankful for the quietness, the peace, the surrounding beauty and the solitude.  I was sitting on a bench in the sunshine with my eyes closed and was surprised when a voice interrupted the silence: “Mind if I join you?”  There he was.  The man I admired so much and had wanted to talk to last night . . . standing there alone . . . all by himself!

We sat on that bench and talked through the afternoon — just the two of us.  What did we talk about?  Trifles and troubles.  We laughed a lot.  He seemed to enjoy being with me and I was loving every second being with him.  I never dreamed it could be possible — that there would come a time when I could be alone with him.  He surpassed all of my expectations!  Understanding.  Wise.  Loving.  And such a good listener!

Well, he isn’t an admired stranger any longer.  That afternoon in the park was the beginning of a beautiful relationship.  Oh, he’s still surrounded by people a lot of the time, but we have this understanding about being together.  He’s available any time I want to talk with him.  Can you imagine?  He gives his time to me!  He gives himself to me!  You see, we’re very close friends.

Is such a close relationship with the man, Jesus Christ, really available to me?  Oh, yes, yes, yes!  I must not let what men say determine my relationship with Him.  He isn’t “way up there” or unapproachable or to be feared!  He loves me!  He understands me!  He wants to “sit on the bench” and talk to me as much as I want that.  All I can do is shake my head in amazement.  Incredulous!

Oh, dear, dear blessed Jesus.  Your friendship is so precious to me.  I have you all to myself!  Just you and me together: to talk, to walk, to run, to have fun, to laugh, to cry, to learn, to sort out thoughts that confuse me, to just enjoy You.  How can I ever thank You, my dear Friend, for loving me and longing to be with me as I long to be with You?

Thought I’d share a bit of humor with you on this Wednesday … we all need a smile every now and then … but first … I hope you’re all having a great week … it’s been a quiet one for me thus far.  I’ve still been having trouble with our Internet server taking me off and online every hour!  Hopefully, they’ll get it fixed soon!  We had a great time at church on Sunday, watching all the children in the play … it had a Patriotic theme with different stories about the history of our country … the costumes were great, and they all did a wonderful job.  I’m hoping what pictures I took turn out … the lighting was low, and I’ve still got to learn how to adjust it on the camera.  There’s so much to learn!  I had better get busy … some friends of ours have a daughter who is getting married on July 12th, and we’ll be going … I’ll be taking some  pictures for them.  It’s going to be downtown in the State House … a beautiful historical building, and I hear the lighting is great there!  I wonder what the colors will be … hmmm, red, white, and blue?!  No one knows … and I’m excited!  I love weddings, whatever color they are! 

So, what are your plans for Independence Day? 

We’ve been invited over to some friend’s house for food, fun, and fellowship … there’s also a possibility that we may go to the lake, and get on their pontoon boat to watch the town fireworks over the lake.  They have a festival every year on the 4th, and we’ve never been to that one, and it might be nice to go out on a  boat … it’s been a long time!  My brothers both had them when I was in my early 20′s, and we always had fun during the summer together.  But, they say there is a chance of   rain on Friday … and, if that’s the case, it’ll be an indoor event at their house.  So far this week, the weather has been beautiful here …  sunny,  breezy, mid 70′s.  We’re hoping it’ll stay this way for a few days!  

We’ll miss Ian this weekend.  This was always his favorite time of year … being as it’s also his birthday month!   The wedding we’re going to, also falls on his birthday!   I’ll miss baking that red, white & blue cake that he always loved, but we’ll be sending him some goodies, and celebrating long distance.  It just won’t be the same, though.  Well, I hope you all have some fun things planned for the holiday weekend.  Do share!  Now … back to that bit of humor I mentioned earlier! 

  Hugs,
            Deborah <><


  A newly converted hippie was very, interestedly, reading the Bible while waiting for transportation, and every now and then he would loudly exclaim, “Alleluia … Praise the Lord … Amen”, and on and on, as he read. 

A skeptic, standing nearby, heard him, and being a bit annoyed, he came to ask him what he was reading that had him so excited.   

The hippie answered, ”I am reading here in the Bible, how God parted the Red Sea to let the Israelites go through on dry land – that is a miracle!”

The skeptic, being the skeptic that he was, proceeded to explain, “Do not believe everything the Bible tells you.  The truth of the matter is, that that body of water was really only 6 inches deep – so, it was NOT a miracle.”  

The hippie nodded in disappointment, but turned back to his Bible and kept on reading as the skeptic was walking away feeling quite proud that he had set the hippie straight. 

All of a sudden the skeptic heard the hippie let out a very loud, “Woo-hoo! Alleluia, Praise The Lord!!”.

At this the skeptic turned, went back to him, and asked, “What is it THIS time?” 

The hippie said excitedly in one breath …. 

“This one IS a real miracle … God drowned the whole Egyptian army in only 6 inches of water!!!”  

Have a great day, resting in His Peace!

“You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant
PEACE whose mind [both its inclination and its character]
is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You,
leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.”
Isaiah 26:3 {Amplified}

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty; he will save,
he will rejoice over thee with joy;
he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
- Zephaniah 3:17 -

I can only imagine …… my Father God rejoicing over me — with joy! 

How incredible to know the Lord so delights in His children!
How wonderful to know that we, the people of His hand, are a pleasure to Him!
Rejoice in the Lord’s rejoicing in you!   Delight in the Lord’s delighting in you!
Exalt your God all you people and know that He is well-pleased to have you as His own!

WOW!
We are a pleasure to Him!  He delights in us!
He is well pleased to have us as His own!!
A Most Amazing Love!





Come, Lord Jesus, and abide in my heart.
How grateful I am to realize that the answer to my prayer does not depend on me at all.
As I quietly abide in You and let Your life flow into me,
what freedom it is to know that the Father does not see my threadbare patience or insufficient trust,
rather only Your patience, Lord, and Your confidence that the Father has everything in hand.
In Your faith I thank You right now for a more glorious answer to my prayer than I can imagine.
Amen.
Catherine Marshall