Jeremiah 29:11

Wednesday Wisdom!!!

2012-02-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

As I'm taking notes on my 2012 word, "TRUTH"....more often than not what I find is God speaking HIS truth to my heart and soul, not necessarily just the word "truth". Many of my blog posts are coming from just that very thing, as God shines HIS light into the darkness of my heart exposing truths. It's often painful....but oh, so needful. Just like we correct our children....or in my case, our GRANDchildren....for their own good and so that they don't grow up to be delinquents....LOL....God has to correct us, too. And, just like it breaks the heart of our GRANDson to be scolded....it does mine, too....but I know that it's what I need....so that I will grow in HIS likeness.

As I was led to James 3 during my devotions one morning this week....I was reminded of some advice that I had given to someone just the day before....

"be kind....a little kindness goes a long way"!!!

James 3:2

For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

James 3:5-6

In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.

But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.

And the tongue is a flame of fire.

It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body.

It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell (Satan) itself.

James 3:8-10

....but no one can tame the tongue (only God).

It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.

Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!!!

image credit

Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday, Sweet Reader

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

No Greater Love.....

2012-02-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

"Truth"ful Tuesday will resume next week!!!

John 15:12-13

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Happy Valentine's Day, Sweet Readers!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Cold Turkey!!!

2012-02-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Do you get a bit excited when you make a life-changing decision?!?!?

I know that sometimes stepping out on faith can be a bit nerve-wracking....

....'cause us a bit of anxiety.....but it can also be an exciting time if we know that what we're doing has been orchestrated by our precious Lord and Savior!!!

Lately, I've decided to make some changes in my life.

I've been on a medication that my doctor put me on close to 2 years ago....and thru a day of fasting and prayer with our SONday school class....actually on my birthday, January 21st....I knew that God wanted me to quit taking it....so....I did...."cold turkey"!!!

Prior to that decision, I also cut out ALL soft drinks.

Yes....my beloved Diet Mountain Dew is a thing of the past.

And....again....I quit drinking it....

...."cold turkey"!!!

(can you say....major headache for close to a week?!?!? :'(

Last year was a rough year for Pappy and me....to say the least!!!
I've gained some of my weight back that I lost in 2010.
So....I decided I had to get it under control before I gained it all back.
I'm cutting out sweets and lots of other carbs.
And, yes, I'm doing it....

...."cold turkey".

I find that's the only way I can do things.

I know we all approach things in our own way....but, cutting back....slowing down....tapering off....that's just not in my nature....I'm pretty much an "all, or nothing" kind of girl!!!

Already....my thinking is clearer....feeling better....getting stronger!!!

When decisions like this are made, I like to have scripture to cling to that helps get me thru.

Here's a verse that spoke to my heart several weeks ago....

Job 23:12

I have not departed from the commands of HIS lips;

I have treasured the words of HIS mouth more than my daily food!!!

Have I departed from the commands of HIS lips?

Yes....many times!

Have I longed for HIM more than my daily food?

I'm so sorry to have to say...."not always".

But, oh how grateful I am that HIS mercies are new each and every morning!!!

Lamentations 3:23

Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.

How 'bout you, Sweet Reader?!?!

Do you just taper off....or, are you a "cold turkey" kinda gal, too?!?!?

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

SONday Morning Song - I Look to You

2012-02-12T00:00:00.000-05:00

In memory of Ms. Whitney Houston.

What an amazing voice....what a loss....way too soon!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign!!!

2012-02-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

If you are on Facebook....or have an account on Pinterest....or browse thru the home section of any retail store....then, you're well aware of all the "signs" everywhere. I love 'em....but, as you know I'm a huge fan of WORDS!!! Today, I just want to share a few of my favorites....'cause I don't think there's room for them all!!!

This first one reminds me of a lady I was friends with for several years until time and distance sort of came between us....

...."but God" were two of her favorite words!!!

James 4:8 is one of my favorite verses of scripture.

Just like Ms. Rebecca....it's hard to narrow our faves down sometimes!!!

For me, it depends on what's going on in my life at the time!!!

Can you tell it was quite hard to narrow it down to just a few?!?

Like I said....I love words....I think it has to do with my "spiritual gift"!!!!

To me, this last one sums it all up....a quote by C. S. Lewis....

.....and I thank HIM for it!!!

Happy Saturday, Sweet Readers!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Ask....

2012-02-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

....and if it's God's will....you will receive!!!

I've posted on Facebook a couple of times about wanting a bicycle.
A few months ago I asked if anybody had one in their barn, or storage shed that they would be willing to get rid of. I didn't want a "mountain bike", or anything with gears, or hand brakes....just an old-fashioned granny bike. Our boys like to ride their bikes in the road in front of our house and I get out there with them and walk up and down the road....which I know is good for me....but I want to "ride like the wind" and be "Speedy Gonzales" like they do. If I had $170 dollars to spare....which I don't....this is the bike I would get....

Isn't she beautiful?

You know why I picked her?

Because this is a HUFFY Panama JACK bicycle!!!

In case you're wondering why that's important....

...well....Huffy is what I call Pappy because of our last name....

....and Pappy's "real" name is Jack!!!

So, don't you agree, this is the perfect bike for me?!?!

One day this week, this was my FB post....
"I want a purple bicycle!!! ;-)"

Well....Pappy has a friend whose nephew gets bicycles and fixes them up for sale. He sent a text picture of one to Pappy yesterday....ladies' bike....plain old cruiser....no frills. I told Pappy to ask him if the tires were good....and out of curiosity....what color is it?

You know what's coming next, don't you?!?!?
Yes....the bike is PURPLE!!!!
And....he only wants TWENTY DOLLARS for it....
....$150 less than the Panama Jack!!!
I don't know yet if it's a HUFFY!!!

Isn't this proof positive that God is in the details....
....even if it is a purple bicycle for Nannie!!!!

Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you your heart’s desires.

And, yes Ms. Becky....I'm already on the look-out for a bike basket!!!! ;-)

Hope you have a fantastic Friday, Sweet Reader!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Prayer and Fasting!!!

2012-02-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

Luke 2:37b

She never left the temple but worshiped night and day,

fasting and praying.

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Wednesday Wisdom!!!

2012-02-08T00:00:00.000-05:00

Certainly not Deb's wisdom....but God's and HIS alone!!!

We went to a friend's home to watch the movie, "Courageous" Monday evening. What an amazing movie. Just as Jess had forewarned me....we were laughing our heads off one minute, then immediately start crying the next. As we traveled home, Pappy and I were discussing the situation with his job loss. We were talking about how we just didn't know what to do....where to start....what direction to take. He shared that he had prayed for God to lead Him to the job He wants him to have....to not just take a job for the sake of having a job. As I sit down to do my devotions each morning, I ask God to speak to me thru His word....and here was His word yesterday morning....Tuesday morning....right after I had my plea of desperation around 10:30 Monday night. As I type this I have tears in my eyes because of how humbling it is for our God to get so personal with us....so intimate....knowing exactly what's on our minds and in our hearts!!!

Proverbs 3:5-7a

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.

Don't be impressed with your own wisdom.

So....we will continue to wait!!!

(don't forget to turn off my PlayList above before listening)

Thank you, Precious Lord, for these times of waiting. It's not easy...but I continue to cling to your word in Jeremiah that you are going to give us a HOPE and a future. You are AWESOME God....we've seen you provide in ways that is just beyond our understanding. I don't even want to understand....because you are GOD....and we trust You. Please continue to give us Your peace while we continue to wait...on You...to fulfill Your promises to us....Your children!!!
In Jesus' Most Blessed and Holy Name we pray....AMEN!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

"Truth"ful Tuesday!!!

2012-02-07T00:00:00.001-05:00

My "truth" for this week is quite simple.

God stepped on my toes about something in my life during SONday school....
....and then He went and did it again during the worship service.

I knew what I had to do....take it to the Lord and leave it there!!!
So....when the invitation was given....that's what I did!!!

I went back and read Psalm 37, because it spoke so strongly to my heart almost a year ago....and it did again this time....but with a whole new perspective!!!

Psalm 37

Psalm 37:4

Put your hope in the Lord.
Travel steadily along His path.

Thanks so much, Sweet Reader, for stopping by to catch a glimpse of the "truth" God revealed to me this past week!!!

Hope you have a great Tuesday!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Just Do It!!!

2012-02-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

Philippians 4:13

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Hope your Monday is full of lots of sweet blessings!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

SONday Morning Song - The Promise

2012-02-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

My sweet new friend, Ms. Cindy, came up to me at the fundraiser yesterday and told me that she'll be singing tonight at church. Several of the members of our choir do solos on SONday night. One of the songs she sings is "Wonderful, Merciful Savior", and we thought she was going to sing that for Pappy the next time it was her turn....but....she informed me that she was going to sing "The Promise" and dedicate it to me!
She is so precious....
....and I love her bunches!!!

(don't forget to turn off my PlayList above before listening)

Happy SONday, Sweet Reader!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

I can't wait....

2012-02-04T16:30:00.000-05:00

....to share what happened today!!!

I told y'all that I would share the events of today with you next week.

Well, I just cannot wait 'cause God showed up in a mighty way and I've gotta brag on Him!!!

SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!

Yes, you read that right!!!

SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS was raised just today....

....with more donations yet to come in!!!

I'm totally blown away at what an AWESOME GOD we serve!!!

And....Wise Old Owl Designs got several orders!!!

We can never thank you enough, precious Lord.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Praise Your Holy Name!!!

Thank you, Sweet Readers, for your sweet comments....

....and your precious prayers!

Keep 'em comin'!!!

Love you all....Deb!!!

Today's the BIG Day!!!

2012-02-04T09:51:00.004-05:00

We are all sooooo excited to see what God has in store today. I really believe in my heart of hearts that He is going to show up and bless this fundraiser in a might way....that ONLY HE can do....and please know that HE will be given all the glory....not one itty-bitty bit on any of our parts....just obedience to HIS call by our son-in-law and daughter!!!

Last night I sliced brownies 'till I don't even think I could eat one...

....and if you know me and my chocolate addiction, that's saying A LOT!!!

But, a lady graciously donated 6 huge pans of brownies....homemade!!!

EVERYTHING has been donated....the meat, beans, rolls, hot dogs, buns, chips, drinks....gift cards to WalMart and Food City....it's AMAZING how our GOD has shown up already. Nobody can say that HE isn't in this adoption journey.

Jess is keeping a journal to share with the GRANDchildren when they are older!!!

Here are a few pics taken last night....

Cake donated for auction by Giving Him Glory Cakes

This is a replica of the little boy on the adoption tee-shirts.

They are awesome....the wife makes the cakes and the hubby decorates them!

Hmmm....an idea for a business for me and Pappy!!!

;-)

Wise Old Owl Designs crocheted items....

....31 Products donated by Ms. Beth Underwood....

....necklaces made by the Ugandan women for sale....

....and of course tee-shirts!!!

And, of course....the bounce houses.

There are only two showing....the one in the top of the photo stretches almost the entire width of the gym....it's AWESOME. There are two others that aren't shown!

(hi, See-Saw!!!)

If you're local....I would absolutely love to see your sweet face show up!

As you know....if you know me....I'm a hugger!!!

;-)

Happy, happy Saturday, Sweet Reader!!!

Gotta run....duty calls!!!

I'll give an update next week!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Busy days ahead!!!

2012-02-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday, Sweet Readers!!!

Have y'all got a big weekend ahead!!!

We sure do!!!

This is the weekend for the big fundraiser for our daughter and son-in-law to benefit their adoption of our new GRANDbabies from Uganda!!!

When we first found out about it and plans got underway last November....well, February seemed soooo far away!! But, it kinda sneaked up on us....and tomorrow is the big day!!!! I've got quite a few crochet items to get finished up and priced....yes, there will be a table of "Wise Old Owl Designs" to purchase....with all proceeds going to the adoption fund!!!
There will also be tables of donated items, including several 31 Products....adoption tee-shirts available for purchase....and also necklaces made by the women of Uganda.
If you haven't seen those.....well, let me just say they are GORGEOUS!!!
I get compliments every time I wear mine!!!

Plus we're gonna be keeping these little fellows today!!!

Ahhh....be still my ♥

I cannot wait....there have been so many people RSVP that they will be attending the fundraiser....some I haven't seen in F-O-R-E-V-E-R!!!! There's nothing like meeting up with old....and new....friends!!!

If you happen to live in the area and would like to get a great meal of bbq, chips, brownies, rolls and drink (all for donation only)....plus let your kids....grandkids....nieces....nephews....neighbor's kids....

....burn off some energy....head on over.
It's for the young....and the young at heart!!!
And...you don't have to have children to attend....just come to eat!!!
I would absolutely ♥ to see you there!!!

Please keep this fundraiser in your prayers that God will send His blessings down on it and we'll see Him provide in a mighty way!!!

Hope you have a blessed weekend!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Thank you for your prayers!!!

2012-02-02T14:43:00.000-05:00

James 5:16b
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

Sweet Readers....just want to thank all of you who have continued to keep my Mom in your thoughts and prayers since her heart attack last October. She is still having some issues, but we went to the doctor today and I think both of us left there feeling better than we have in quite some time. Of course, the weather being almost 60 degrees and the SONshine didn't hurt, either!!!

Again, thanks to each of you who have asked about her and prayed for her and our family. She is improving each time we go. She has an appointment in two weeks with her cardiologist, so we're praying that he sees a major improvement since he last saw her in November!!!

We serve such an AWESOME God!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Real Friends!!!

2012-02-02T00:00:00.001-05:00

WARNING:

LONG WINDED POST!!!

I've came across so many things lately that have to do with friendship. When Jess was little, she used to call everybody her friend. It was very difficult to make her understand what the true meaning of friend is. I'm not so sure that I understood it myself until I got much older. My Momma used to tell me that we were to love everybody, but that didn't mean we had to like them. I remember telling her that made no sense....but I know now that the love we have is a CHRISTian love....and not liking them is disapproving of how they live/act/talk!!!

It's so very difficult when we have to break off relationships.
Sometimes neither party is actually at "fault"....they just drift apart . Then, there are those friendships that just seem to pick up where they left off, no matter how many years go in between seeing one another. And, there are some that I truly feel were destined to fail from the beginning. The older I get the more I find it important to keep people at arm's length....at least until we get to know them better and discover whether we can actually put our trust in them. That realization came from being "burned" by people I thought were my friends. It's so very sad to be used. I remember when I was in high school, I had a major crush on a fellow who was in the same homeroom as a friend of mine. She told me to come to their homeroom class to visit her so I could be near him. I remember telling her that I couldn't do that because I felt it would be using her and she told me how much she appreciated that.

Have I always handled every friendship that well?

I'm pretty certain I haven't!!!

A lady told me once that she is friends with everybody.

I don't believe that is possible....we can be friendly....and love others....but not true friends with everyone!

When it's time to end a friendship....I feel the Holy Spirit will let us know. That happened to me. I kept feeling in my spirit that something just wasn't right. As I shared my feelings, I was made to feel like I was paranoid....but I knew in my heart of hearts that something was wrong. Later on....God led me to find out that those feelings I had were definitely from HIM. That experience taught me to trust my instincts more....others' opinion less....and realize that His Holy Spirit will truly lead, guide, and direct!!!

Recently, I've thought a lot about the people in my life who really matter....

....my true friends and family members who are supportive!!! I learned so much about true friends when my Mamaw died and since Pappy lost his job.

Misfortune shows those who are not truly friends.

~~~Aristotle~~~

Why the change in attitude, you might be wondering.

I'm not sure myself....other than perspective!!!

Trying to see things from God's perspective....other than a self-centered one!!!
I've always thought that if I tried hard enough, I could "fix" most everything!
But....sometimes God doesn't want me to try that hard....
....He wants me to let go and let Him handle the situation....
....and just continue to pray for all involved!!!

I sincerely HOPE....that for my remaining years....I'll concentrate on those people in my life who really matter....instead of the regrets of things that didn't work out like I thought they would....or should....and realize how very blessed I am!!!

Romans 8:28

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Hope you have a great Thursday, Sweet Reader!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Held Captive!!!

2012-02-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

image credit

Hope your Wednesday is filled with sweet blessings!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

"Truth"ful Tuesday!!!

2012-01-31T00:00:00.000-05:00

I have two "truth"s I want to share this week.

The first one I heard on a radio broadcast by Dr. David Jeremiah.

Confrontation brings change.

We get changed by being confronted with the truth of what God says.

If you do what He says, He will take care of you.

How many of you, this year, have seen God take care of you?

I'm not just talking about in usual ways.

God takes care of His own.

He provides for you.

He protects you.

He cares for you.

If you trust Him for eternity, why not trust Him for next week?

As we're reading the Bible thru in chronological order, our pastor is bringing a message each week about something we've read. This past week was about Job and SONday morning's message was AWESOME!

I could barely keep up taking notes.

This was part of Pastor Bruce's message....

....and oh, how it spoke directly to my heart of hearts!!!

Some people go into the furnace of affliction and it burns them.

Others go into it and it purifies them.

What makes the difference?

Attitude toward the word of God and the will of God.

If we are nourished by the Word and submit to His Will, the furnace experience, painful as it may be, will refine and make us better. But....if we resist God's will and fail to feed on His truth, the furnace experience will only burn us and make us bitter!!!

Will I ever be able to speak the words of Job with complete "truth"?!?

Job 23:11-12
For I have stayed on God’s paths;
      I have followed his ways and not turned aside.
   I have not departed from his commands,
      but have treasured his words more than daily food.

'Till next Tuesday, Sweet Reader!!!

Hope your word is popping up and you are keeping it close to your heart as we journey thru 2012!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Liar, Liar.....

2012-01-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

.....pants on fire!!!

Remember that little ditty from when we were kids?
I didn't like it then....and still don't like it now....and almost didn't even want to use it as a post title....but feel it totally gets the point across!!!

I recently came across this little "sign" on Facebook.
My sweet blogging friend, Ms. Mary, had this as her status....
(you can visit her @ Visits with Mary)

Don't you just love it?!?!?

It's a wonderful example of my 2012 word...."TRUTH"!!!

Numbers 23:12

God is not a man, so he does not lie.

He is not human, so he does not change his mind.

Has he ever spoken and failed to act?

Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

And....since God cannot lie....
....here's another "truth" in HIS Word about being a liar and a deceit.....

Proverbs 26:24-26

People may cover their hatred with pleasant words,
      but they’re deceiving you.
  They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them.
      Their hearts are full of many evils.
While their hatred may be concealed by trickery,
      their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.

Now....you can't get much more blunt that that!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

SONday Morning Song - Follow You

2012-01-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

(don't forget to turn off my PlayList above before viewing/listening)

Hope your SONday is full of sweet blessings!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Quick Question?!?!?

2012-01-28T19:15:00.000-05:00

Hey, Sweet Readers!!!

I have a quick question?!?!?

Please leave me a comment telling me your favorite Bible verse....

....or verses!!!

Also....let me know why!!!

image credit

I've got a little something up my sleeve!!!

Hope you're having a great weekend!!!

These boys are wearing us out...

....with hugs and kisses!!!

;-)

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Please stand by....

2012-01-28T04:56:00.001-05:00

image credit

Due to the fact that two precious little munchkins....

....ages 5 1/2 and 4....

....are spending time with Pappy and Nannie this weekend....

....our regularly scheduled blog posting will resume with SONday morning song....HOPEfully!!!

;-)

Proverbs 17:6a
Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged....

Hope you have a great weekend, Sweet Reader!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Bible Gateway!!!

2012-01-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

I've mentioned to y'all before how much I absolutely ♥

Bible Gateway.

I receive a daily e-mail from them and in yesterday's they included this little video. It has some amazing info about their web-site, and I wanted to share it with y'all. Pay special attention to the most frequently searched verse of scripture....
....and one of the most searched for words!!!
;-)

Hope you have a great weekend,
Sweet Reader!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Ain't God good? Oh, yes HE is!!!

2012-01-26T00:00:00.000-05:00

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Are you sometimes just overwhelmed with God's goodness?

Yeah....me, too!

Remember I told y'all that last Saturday was my birthday?!?!

Well....did I tell you how we celebrated?!?!?!

Pappy and I participated with our SONday school class in a day of prayer....
....and fasting!!!

It was the most AWESOME day I think I've ever spent.

At four in the afternoon, we met at the home of our teacher and had another two hours of praying and sharing and singing and just plain ole' worshiping HIM!!! During our prayer time and reading the Bible, I knew in my heart that God was speaking to me about a certain situation. I had felt that little "tug" earlier in the week and shared with a couple of people....who disagreed with a decision I was about to make. On Saturday morning, I sent a text message to my best friend and told her I needed prayer....explaining what I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to do. She didn't try to "talk me out of it"....
....she was very supportive....
....told me she would pray for me....

....and her advice was.....

..... "follow your heart which is the Holy Spirit speaking".

Lesson learned....

....trust HIM and don't go seeking advise from others about "what would you do"....or "what do you think". There's nothing wrong with that....but realize that HE does give me discernment and wisdom....'cause, after all....I prayed for those things!!!

;-)

Thanks be to our precious Lord and Savior for that "still small voice"....

....and for confirmations from best friends!!!

And....for the prayers of fellow believers to help us face challenges!!!

I ♥ this verse of scripture....

Joshua 1:9

This is my command—be strong and courageous!

Do not be afraid or discouraged.

For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Hope your Thursday is full of sweet blessings!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Special Prayer Request!

2012-01-25T19:10:00.002-05:00

I'm calling on all my precious Prayer Warriors to offer up prayer
for our nephew, Rob. He has heart problems and I just learned that he is in the hospital.
I don't have any other details.

Please pray for him and his daughter and grand-daughter....
....and also for our sister.

Thanks so much, Sweet Readers!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Take a deep breath!!!

2012-01-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

I have a new little thing I do whenever I'm feeling stressed, or a bit panicky....

....or, just when I want to feel a bit closer to our Lord!!!

Take a deep breath....and as you breathe in....think to yourself,

"Breathe in Jesus"....

....and as you exhale....

...."breathe out Deb"!!

Okay, you need to insert your own name here, instead of Deb....

....unless we share the same name!!!

;-)

As I woke up one morning, I took a deep breath and couldn't help but smile, as I pictured Jesus filling up every fiber of my being....

....from the top of my head down to my toes....out to my fingertips!!!

If HE is in me....then, He's gonna direct my thoughts (mind)...what I look at (eyes)....what I listen to (ears)....and, what I say (mouth). He will be there to help my hands to help others....to direct my steps!!!

I shared this with our daughter who used it on SONday morning before she and our son-in-law spoke to their church....a congregation of close to 500 people!!! Then, on SONday night, a friend of hers used it again as she stood before a group of people to speak.

So....see....it works!!!

Try it yourself....see if you can't tell a difference!!!

And....let me know!!!

(please turn off my PlayList above before listening)

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

"Truth"ful Tuesday!!!

2012-01-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

I am loving coming across things with my word "truth"....

....or, discovering a nugget of "truth"!!!

Here are a few I came across this past week....

Ask God for His transforming renewal.

It may not be without some upheaval in your life, but the renewal that comes from the Lord is truly life changing. Being transformed is a process, but with God's help, we can become more like Jesus.

Jeremiah 18:6

Just like clay in the potter's hands,

so are you in My hand!!!

God sees the future with the same fixed certainty that we see the past.

Every evil you experience is achieving an eternal glory for you that will be more valuable than the pain you're experiencing. Whatever pain you had to walk thru on this side of heaven will be worth it. Even though you can't see that....trust His heart!!!

There's advantage in our weakness.

There is blessing in our pain;

It is when we're feeling helpless

That God's grace and strength sustain.

~~~Fitzhugh~~~

I love this about learning to trust my instincts....

....listening to that "still small voice".....

By spending time with the Lord on a daily basis, you will begin to think like Him,

behave like Him, and react like Him!!!

We have in our generation people who question if the Bible is the word of God.

From beginning to end, the Bible is God's word, inspired by the Holy Spirit.

When I turn to the Bible, I know that I am reading TRUTH....

....and I turn to it every day!!!

~~~Billy Graham~~~

We read the Bible to know the TRUTH.

We want to think clearly about what God says is TRUE and valuable.

I'm so glad that I started taking notes about "truth".

I can't help but wonder....what word will God lead me to in 2013?!?!?

Hope each of you are keeping your word in mind

as you go thru your day!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

P.S...do you like my new header?
It reminds me so much of how diverse our little group of GRANDbabies are gonna be!!!
You can find all kinds of neat layouts and headers at Leelou Blogs!!!

With flying colors!!!

2012-01-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

I recently came across this little "sign".....

You know how I love "acrostics"....well, I've decided that I like anything that has to do with words....especially words of "TRUTH"!!! I have a board on that is simply titled "Words". It's a group of little quotes....signs....that speak to my heart!!!

I recently did a post over at A Year in Pictures of signs at Hobby Lobby!!!

Anyway....back to the little sign above!!!

I commented to a lady that the last year has been one big test....

....and I HOPEd I had passed....but I knew I didn't "pass with flying colors"!!!

But, then that got me to thinking (uh-oh...this could be dangerous!!! ;-)

Isn't our entire life one big test?

Don't you agree that all the things we go thru serve to build our faith and make us stronger? Often things that have happened to me....even years ago....even as a teenager....come into play when I'm trying to help somebody else with a situation they are in!!! Those things do help make us stronger....but not in our own abilities....not at all....but making us realize that we are absolutely NOTHING....without HIM!!!

He is AWESOME....even when I'm going thru the tests and trials....my HOPE is still in HIM.

He knows best....and He is allowing whatever is happening to me....for my benefit....
but ultimately....to bring HIM the glory!!!

If you get a chance....read the entire chapter of James 1.

James 1:2 and 12

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Happy Monday, Sweet Reader

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

SONday Morning Song - No More Night

2012-01-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

David Phelps is one of my all time favorite singers....if you don't have time to watch it all....be sure and go to the end.
I promise you'll have Holy Spirit chills!!!

(don't forget to turn off my PlayList above before listening/viewing)

Hope your SONday is full of sweet blessings!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Happy Birthday......

2012-01-21T00:00:00.000-05:00

.....to me!!!!

image credit

Psalm 138:8

The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever.
Don’t abandon me, for you made me.

Psalm 139:13-16
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Y
our eyes saw my unformed body;
all the ways ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

Luke 15:23

Bring the fattened calf and kill it.

Let’s have a feast and celebrate.

;-)

Hope you have a day full of blessings, Sweet Reader!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

End of the weak!!!

2012-01-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

It's FRIDAY!!!

For those of you who hold down full time jobs....
....I know you're so glad that Friday is finally here....
....if you don't have to work tomorrow!!!

I came across this little sign recently and it gives a whole new meaning to "end of the week"....

Isaiah 40:29-31

He gives power to the weak
      and strength to the powerless.
  Even youths will become weak and tired,
      and young men will fall in exhaustion.
   But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.
      They will soar high on wings like eagles.
   They will run and not grow weary.
      They will walk and not faint.

Happy "End of the Weak", Sweet Reader!!!

Hope you have a great weekend!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

T-H-I-N-K!!!

2012-01-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

compliments of Pinterest

Proverbs 12:18

The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Inquiring minds.....

2012-01-18T00:00:00.000-05:00

.....want to know!!!

Okay, Sweet Readers....it's time for an opinion poll.

Tattoos....pro, or con?!?!?

I personally have mixed feelings.

I definitely do not like seeing dark and wicked ones all over people....but a friend of mine recently got her "life verse" placed on her forearm and she showed it to me at church.

I've gotta admit....it looked really nice!!!
It was simply the book, chapter and verse in script with little curly q's on the side!!!

And.....she's absolutely one of the sweetest ladies I've ever met!!!

I know the verse of scripture....Leviticus 19:28....says we will not put any mark upon our body....but the verses prior to that and after need to be read, too....we can't just take that one verse "out of context"!!!

Also....what about pierced ears?!?!?!

Is that considered marking our bodies?
(I personally have 2 holes in each ear!!!)

I guess I'm a bit confused about this subject!!!

So, Sweet Readers....enlighten me....give me your thoughts!!!

(this is not me....just one I found on Google Images!)

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

"Truth"ful Tuesday!!

2012-01-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

Are you all keeping track of your "word for 2012"?

Are you seeing how often God speaks to you thru your word?

My journal is getting pretty full of lots of "truth" God is bringing to light.

Here are a few more truths He revealed to me this past week.

If any of you can gain something from my notes....then, I think that's wonderful....God is speaking to us both!!!

Psalm 146:6

He keeps every promise forever.

Psalm 146:9

The Lord protects the foreigners among us.

He cares for the orphans and widows, but He frustrates the plans of the wicked!

When you really care for someone, you speak the truth,
even when it's difficult.

It is a perfect time to share Christ's unconditional love and apply the truth of the gospel to a hurting heart.

John 14:6

Jesus said, "I am the way, the TRUTH and the life.

John 14:17

He is the Holy Spirit who leads into all TRUTH.

Loved this "truth".....

It doesn't strengthen our faith muscle to pray and then devise a plan just in case God doesn't come thru!!!

"The providence of God will not place you where His grace cannot keep you."

~~~Mark Buntain~~~

So, Sweet Readers.....how 'bout you?

How/when/where is your word showing up?!?

Hope each of you has a great Tuesday!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Martin Luther King, Jr.

2012-01-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

For several years, I worked for a government agency and we were privileged to get a day off work in January in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. I have heard several jokes made about this holiday....and it hurt my heart so badly. I even heard some people I went to church with say something that I should have had the guts to stand up to and take a stand against....but I'm sad to say, I kept my mouth shut.

I think the older I get....and especially in light of our kids adopting from Uganda....
I'm experiencing first hand just how prejudiced....
....and ignorant....
....people can be.

In honor....and in memory of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.....

I want to share some of his quotes with y'all!!!

This one totally spoke to me....ouch...

:'(

He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.

A lie cannot live.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor;

it must be demanded by the oppressed.

History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.

This one I dedicate to my GRANDchildren.....

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

SONday Morning Song - Through Smoke

2012-01-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

Love, love, love the lyrics to this song by Need To Breathe!!!

No matter how "smoky" our lives get....God sees thru all the haze and reaches down for us!

By the same token....we can't hide our sins behind a smoke screen!!!!

(don't forget to turn off my PlayList above before listening)

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Welcome to Flight #2012!!!

2012-01-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

I saw this recently on a Facebook status.....

Welcome to Flight #2012.

We are prepared to take off into the New Year.

Please make sure your Attitude and Blessings are secured and locked in....

in the upright position.

All self-destructive devices should be turned off at this time.

All negativity, hurt, and discouragement should be put away.

Should we lose altitude under pressure, during the flight, reach up and pull down a Prayer!

Prayers will automatically be activated by Faith.

Once your Faith is activated you can assist other passengers.

There will be NO BAGGAGE allowed on this flight.

The Captain has cleared us for takeoff

--Destination - GREATNESS!!

Don'tcha just ♥ it, too?!?!?

Hebrews 12:1

Have a great Saturday, Sweet Reader!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

These are a few of my.....

2012-01-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

.....favorite things (in no particular order of importance)......

our GRANDsons telling me they love me and asking their Momma "do we get to see Nannie today?"
our precious daughter who will never, ever know how proud I am of her...and her hubby
Pappy paying me a compliment (usually on SONday morning when I'm dressed up for church)
crawling into bed on clean sheets
crawling into bed and Pappy has already turned my electric blanket on and my side is toasty warm
somebody telling me how much I mean to them
getting a call out of the blue from a friend asking me to pray for them....simply because they trust me....what an honor and privilege
somebody leaving such a precious comment on my blog
when a little chickadee lands in the grapevine wreath hanging in the computer window
filling up the bird feeder and watching the cardinals and chickadees and the doves
the first snowfall of winter
thinking about the happiness our new GRANDchildren are going to bring to our lives
getting a text from my brother thanking me for something he noticed I had done
logging onto my blogs and seeing the little snowflakes falling
turning on the radio and one of my very favorite songs playing
finding just the right crochet pattern for just the right person
hearing from an old friend unexpectedly
realizing that some friendships weren't meant to work out....but learning from the experience
friends who continue to love me even when I admit to wearing a shoe of a kind for an entire day without noticing....;-)
Pappy always having something "chocolate" hidden for those times when a craving hits me
coming across a note my Mamaw wrote me over 20 years ago and feeling all the love I have for her come flooding back
spending time with my Momma since her heart attack and thanking God that He spared her life
Pappy's sister....who I claim as my own....because she's so precious to me
getting a phone call from somebody checking on us because they know Pappy lost his job and they care
those who have supported Wise Old Owl Designs by purchasing a few of my handmade things along the way
meeting my sweet friend for lunch every couple of months (it's already been too long since CHRISTmas!!!)
knowing in my heart of hearts that my precious Jesus....died for my sins....and loves me. I've laid claim to Jeremiah 29:11-13....and hold onto His promise of a future and a HOPE!!!

Psalm 21:6

Surely you have granted Deb unending blessings
and made her glad with the joy of your presence.

Hope each of you have a great weekend!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

A "shoe" of a different color!!!

2012-01-12T00:00:00.000-05:00

Do you see anything wrong with this picture?!?!

(please no comments on the fact my shoes need washing....

.....or that I don't untie my shoes before I take them off!!!)

I kicked my shoes off before bed Monday night....and when I got up yesterday morning....this "pair" of shoes was sitting on the bathroom floor!!

And....another exact pair was in the bedroom!!!

I talked to a couple of people who saw me on Monday....

....including Pappy....

....and they hadn't noticed that my shoes didn't match!!!

I can't believe I didn't notice when I put them on....

....or that my feet didn't feel the same since the shoes fit differently!!!

Then....I got to thinking....it reminds me so much of some of the things going on with the adoption of our GRANDchildren from Uganda. There are some who are so against it....simply because the children will be black. Do they actually think that God looks down and sees the color of our skin? Do they....as CHRISTians....not know by now that He looks on the heart....on what's on the inside, not the outside??!!??

Do they think that because their skin is white....

....that they are somehow "privileged" in God's eyes?!?!

If that's the case....then, I don't believe they're serving the same God that I know!!!

Why can't we, too, be oblivious to the color of skin...

....or the clothes....

....or the car....or the house....

and, even the shoes being worn?!?!

Unless....it's to lend a helping hand!!!

I Samuel 16:7

The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them.

People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Please don't squeeze the Charmin!!!

2012-01-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

No....I haven't completely lost my mind, considering the title of this post....just read on....
....I promise it's gonna make at least a little sense!!!
;-)

Have you ever had your feelings hurt?

My Daddy used to tell me that I carried my feelings around on my shoulder just waiting on somebody to knock 'em off!!! Of course....my Daddy was a man. Not that I think that men don't have feelings....I just truly think that God wired men and women totally differently.
And, I know He had a reason for that...but we just don't always see things in the same light....men and women, I mean....not me and God!!!

But....this has nothing to do with that topic....the difference between male and female....no, it has to do with being hurt. I got my feelings hurt so badly yesterday (by a woman, not a man, just for the record). I sent a text to our daughter telling her what had happened and she immediately called me back....so if anybody saw me standing in the middle of Food Lion crying, then maybe they thought it had to do with the phone conversation....

.....when actually I was crying on Jess' shoulder!!!

(thank the good Lord for daughters, right?!?!)

I feel like that roll of tissue was like a "little fox"....

....spoiling my normally peaceful vineyard!!!

Song of Solomon 2:15

Catch all the foxes,
those little foxes,
before they ruin the vineyard of love,
for the grapevines are blossoming!

How 'bout you?

Have you ever felt like you were holding it all together.....

....and all it took was one little "straw" to "break the camel's back"....

....or, in my case....

....a roll of toilet paper?!?!

;-)

Please tell me that I'm not the only one!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

"Truth"ful Tuesday!!!

2012-01-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

A few more examples of "truth" I've discovered this past week.....

Luke 7:40

.....and we think we can keep our sins a secret - the Lord knows the truth!!!

Do you realize how many scriptures contain Jesus saying,

"I tell you the truth"?!?!

Truth.....

The best way to zip their lips (those who gossip about us) is to simply turn away from the noise and focus our eyes and ears on the ONE whose opinion really matters!!!

Psalm 25:10

All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies!!

Pappy and I watched "The Grace Card".....a wonderful movie from the makers of "Fireproof" and "Courageous". When the pastor got up to bring one of his messages, he stated,

"The Father lays it on our hearts to speak the truth - a bucket full of truths have been laid on my heart."

Truth....

When God has something to teach me, He usually brings me the teacher!

(sometimes I don't like it much, either!!! ;-)

Truth....

God has never accepted age as an excuse to refuse to change or take on new assignments!!!

I wrote my blog post for yesterday on Saturday afternoon....and had not looked forward in the Journey devotional to yesterday's devotion about "rehashing old sins" that went along with what I had written....because it was what HE laid upon my heart!!!

Love, love, love, God's confirmations!!!

Psalm 103:1-2

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name.

Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me!!!

AMEN....and AMEN!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Keep your eye on the PRIZE!!!

2012-01-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

I've shared with y'all before how much I love the Journey devotional magazine. It is amazing how devotionals can speak to our heart about something going on in our life right now....when it was probably written months in advance of when we read it. That's so how our precious God works, isn't it?!?! I used to laugh with a friend of mine about how so many of the devotionals seemed to have our name in big, bold, neon lights above them....begging us to read something God had just for us!!!

As I read the scripture that went along with Saturday's devotional....I kept getting more and more excited as I read thru the passage in Ephesians. Doesn't it excite you, too, when you read about Paul and how far God brought him....from persecuting the CHRISTian believers....to becoming such an amazing CHRISTian himself?

WOW!!!

Just another reminder of how God can use any and all of us!!!

I imagine how Paul must have felt when he thought back on what his life was like before God struck him blind on the road to Damascus....you know, when he was "Saul"....before God changed his name to "Paul"!!!

But, Paul kept his eye on the prize ahead....

....not on his past mistakes and failures!!!

I want to be like Paul in that respect.....to keep my eyes focused ahead....and not on the past. Oh, I know that I can learn from the things I did wrong and grow from them in my faith in the Lord....because I'm a firm believer that EVERYTHING in our lives happen for a reason. But....I cannot continually dwell on those things and allow Satan to use them against me....because he will certainly do that if we allow it!!

My prayer for us, Sweet Reader....is that we keep our focus on Jesus....and not allow Satan to throw our past in our faces. If we're still doing something that we know isn't right in the sight of God....then, we need to repent and ask for forgiveness and turn from that and move forward....but we do need to keep our past....in our past....and not let it be a hindrance to our growth in the Lord!!!

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Hope you have a Marvelous Monday,

Sweet Reader!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

SONday Morning - The End of the Beginning

2012-01-08T00:00:00.000-05:00

My friend, Ms. Ina, posted this on Facebook one night last week.

WOW....oh, WOW!!!

Amazing.....powerful.....AWESOME!!!

(don't forget to turn off my PlayList above before viewing/listening)

Hope your SONday is full of sweet blessings!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Just a reminder.....

2012-01-07T18:50:00.002-05:00

.....about the give-a-way at Wise Old Owl Designs.

If you're interested in winning this little fellow.....

.....then, head on over and find out how he/she can be yours!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Start Over!!!

2012-01-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

My friend, Ms. Rhonda, at The Joy of Denim and Lace gave me an award....

Thank you so much, sweet friend....I appreciate it so much!!

If you get a chance, please visit Ms. Rhonda....she always has wonderful insight to share!!!

I want each and every one of you who take the time to stop by and leave comments to feel free to take the award for yourself....it's just for you!!!

Ms. Rhonda also posted this poem....and I knew when I read it I wanted to share it with y'all.

START OVER

When you've trusted God and walked his way
When you've felt his hand lead you day by day
But your steps now take you another way ...
Start over.

When you've made your plans and they've gone awry
When you've tried your best and there's no more try
When you've failed yourself and you don't know why ...
Start over.

When you've told your friends what you plan to do
When you've trusted them and they didn't come through
And you're all alone and it's up to you ...
Start over.

When you've failed your kids and they're grown and gone
When you've done your best but it's turned out wrong
And now your grandchildren come along ...
Start over.

When you've prayed to God so you'll know His will
When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still ...
When you want to stop cause you've had your fill ...
Start over.

When you think you're finished and want to quit
When you've bottomed out in life's deepest pit
When you've tried and tried to get out of it ...
Start over.

When the year has been long and successes few
When December comes and you're feeling blue
God gives a January just for you ...
Start over.

Starting over means "Victories Won"
Starting over means "A Race Well Run"
Starting over means "God's Will Be Done"
Don't just sit there ..............

START OVER

by Woodrow Kroll of "Back to the Bible"

Hope you have a great Saturday, Sweet Reader!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Confidence!!!

2012-01-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

Proverbs 3:6

Seek his will in all you do,

and he will show you which path to take.

Job 8:14

Their confidence hangs by a thread.

They are leaning on a spider’s web.

In the past I've allowed others to intimidate me....with their education....their appearance.....how they dress....their occupation....even how they've treated me. Often I felt as though my own confidence was hanging by a thread. I've allowed people to make fun of me and question my intentions. I've had words that I've spoken twisted and turned around and used against me. This past year has taught me so much. A LOT happened....not all what others would see as good....but God meant it for my benefit....to teach me lessons He knew I needed to learn.

Genesis 50:20a

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.

One of those lessons....was to help my confidence....

....especially to trust my instincts.

I think what's called instinct....or "trust your gut"....or, even "woman's intuition"....is simply the Holy Spirit trying to prompt us!!! When I pray for His guidance about a certain situation....I need to trust that feeling I have in my heart is His answer....whether it be an "uh-oh" feeling, something I need to get away from, or don't go near....or a green "go ahead" light!!!

Job 4:6

Doesn’t your reverence for God give you confidence?

Doesn’t your life of integrity give you hope?

If we pray expecting God to answer....shouldn't we have respect for Him that He is going to know what's best for us....even if at the time His answer seems somewhat radical....to us, and especially to others? Have you done something that others just can't understand....they question you, and even turn away from you because they disagree? God did not call me to be timid in my faith....but to step out boldly in what He asks of me.

Hebrews 4:16

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.

There we will receive his mercy,

and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Please forgive me of my sins.

Thank you, precious Lord, for your mercy.

Thank you for having ALL the answers.
I pray, dear Lord, that You will give me wisdom....and discernment....to know when You are speaking to me....to make the right choices and decisions.
I thank You, Lord, for the confirmations that You send when I step out in faith and trust and obey You.

Please be with me and my family, dear Lord. You know the things we are facing....but I know without a doubt that You have a plan....and it's a good one! Thank You for the prayers You've already answered.....

the miracles You've allowed us to witness!!!

In Jesus Most Precious and Holy Name....AMEN!!!

A Give-A-Way!!!

2012-01-05T21:57:00.001-05:00

I'm having a give-a-way at Wise Old Owl Designs.

If you're interested in winning this little fellow.....

.....then, head on over and find out how he/she can be yours!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Baby Steps!!!

2012-01-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

Trying to get back on track from some very bad eating habits....well, let's just say it isn't easy. But...I've decided to just take baby steps. A blogging friend, Ms. Donna, at Comin' Home, and also at Gettin' Thin Together posted a list of "diet rules" several months ago and they had kind of been stuck somewhere in my head. Recently, I looked them up...printed them off....and hung the list on the fridge.

· Rule 1: Don’t eat after 7:30 p.m.

· Rule2: Exercise 30 minutes a day

· Rule3: Drink lots of water

· Rule 4: Switch to Low-fat Dairy

· Rule 5: No EMOTIONAL EATING

· Rule 6: Ask Am I REALLY HUNGRY?

· Rule 7: No Soda

· Rule8: No Alcohol

· Rule 9: No fried foods

· Rule 10: No trans fats

I like these rules....because they are simple and easy to follow!!! I can already tick off several of them....but plan to incorporate the others into my daily life....taking baby steps!!! I know me....and if I try an "all or nothing" approach....then, it just ain't a gonna work!!! Since I can already mark off Rule #4, #8, and #9 (for the most part) ....this week my goal will be no eating after 7:30 in the evening....and to drink lots of water

(weight divided by 2=ounces per day).

Now....that Rule #7 is gonna be the killer....

....how in the world will I go without a Diet Mountain Dew?!?!?

Can you say....withdrawals!!!

;-)

How about you?

Do you have a game plan to get back on track?

I would love to hear some of your "tricks"....

....and also any "treats" you might want to share!!!

Hope you have a wonderful Thursday!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

A couple of "G" words!!!

2012-01-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure if any of you will notice....but I feel God leading me to blog more personal thoughts....somewhat of a journal. If any of you can draw something from my personal notes....then, that's great, too....

....God will be speaking to both of us!!!

Gentle gossip....or, gossip gently!!!
Somehow those two words just don't jive, do they?!?!?

I got the word GOSSIP on my mind so I researched words to go with each letter....'cause you know me and my acrostics!!!

You can click here for one I did on this topic last year.

Here's what I came up with this time.....

G - Gentleness

O - Of

S - Spirit

S - Smothered

I - In

P - Prayer

I love how God lets me see things depending on what's going on in my life at the time. The more research I did....the more I was lead to the word "gentle", which obviously didn't happen the last time!!! If I have a gentle spirit....and if my life is "smothered in prayer"....then the desire to have anything to do with gossip should not be there....or at least I'll be convicted and HOPEfully stopped in my tracks if I should open my mouth and participate in the ugly of the two "g" words!! Maybe God is preparing my heart and mind for something that is about to happen. I do know that it's a "truth" that He led me to read about!!!

Ephesians 4:2

Always be humble and gentle.

Be patient with each other making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace!!!

Hope your Wednesday is blessed,

Sweet Reader!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

"Truth"ful Tuesday!!!

2012-01-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

For as long as the Lord leads, I'm going to devote my Tuesday post to "my" word for 2012....TRUTH. I got a new, clean notebook from my stash and as I do my daily devotional and Bible reading, I'm jotting down things that apply to TRUTH. I want to be able to look back over the year and see how God spoke about the word He chose for me to meditate on!!!

January 1, 2012
Ephesians 4:14-15.....we will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.
(this happened to me until God led me to discover the "truth" )
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way, more and more like Christ.
(shouldn't that be the HOPE of each of us....
to become more and more like HIM?)

January 2, 2012
Matthew 6:5.....I tell you the truth.
Matthew 6:16......I tell you the truth.

I also discovered a "truth" that I had felt so strongly in my heart already, and God confirmed. I picked up what I thought was a current "The Upper Room", and it was actually an older copy. I found an article about prayer entitled "In Times Like These" and it talked about how often "optimism that is too excessive can become completely illogical. Such a positive attitude sometimes leads us to believe that we can control our destiny and shape our circumstances entirely by force of our own will."

Here's a statement that I came across that spoke right to my heart of hearts....
CHRISTian HOPE is based in the truth of resurrection as we see it in the life of Jesus!!!

And....last but, not least....as I finished up Chapter 1 to the commentary that goes along with our reading the Bible thru in 2012....it asked that you read Psalm 25 in 3 different translations and list all the requests that the psalmist asks of the Lord. Do you remember what Psalm 25 means to me....yep....that's where my go-to verses for 2012 are from....
....verses 4 and 5!!!

There HE goes again!!!
;-)

I'm so looking forward to discovering more TRUTH....about myself....and others....and especially about our precious Lord and Savior and how I can apply HIS TRUTH to my daily living!!!

How about you?
Are you finding your "word for 2012" showing up a lot in your reading?!?!

Ain't God AWESOME?
Oh, yes HE most certainly is!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

A clean slate.....

2012-01-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

....turning over a new leaf!!!

No matter what you happen to call it, we've been given a brand new year to "start over" (of course, scripture tells us that HIS mercies are "new" every morning....Lamentations 3:23). I know there are lots of resolutions and plans and goals being made for 2012. Pappy and I are joining our church in reading the Bible thru in chronological order this year. I've not been this excited about anything in quite a long time. At last count, there were close to 70 people participating in this venture. We will be going to a 9 week study conducted by our pastor that explains so much about reading the Bible and it's benefits....and even how to read and understand scripture!!!

When we read the Bible thru in 2010, it became somewhat of a "chore" for me because I took page after page of notes so that I could do my "weekly recap of scripture" on my blog. Do I regret doing it? Absolutely not!!! I want to someday compile my notes into a book to give to our GRANDsons (and future GRANDbabies). But this time....well, again, I'm sooooo excited to see what God has in store for Pappy....and me....and our church!!!

Yesterday, we started the New Year off in church. In our SONday school class, our teacher got off on the topic of "truth".....Pappy and I just smiled at each other because that's my signature word for 2012. Then, at the beginning of the worship service, there were 3 baptisms. It was our first time to be a part of the "baptismal committee". A young lady, who spent quite some time as a missionary in Guatemala, was re-baptized. She had gone thru the waters at age 8, but wanted to recommit her life to Jesus and you should have heard her testimony....what a blessing to listen to this young lady talk about her walk with the Lord thru her tears of joy.
Isn't it wonderful how others' joy can spread to us?

That's the power of the Holy Spirit!!!!

Nobody can take that away from us....nobody can steal it from us!!!

Praise His Name!!!

The message our pastor brought was from Deuteronomy 17:19-20. As I took my notes, I made it personal to me....verse 19 - "I must always keep the Bible with me and read it daily as long as I live. That way I will learn to fear the Lord, my God, by obeying all the terms of His instructions and decrees."

So...what about you all?

How did you start the first day of 2o12?

Have you made any goals for this year?

I'm so looking forward to seeing where God leads me here at Jeremiah 29:11 this year.....as I continue to try my best to blog for HIM!!!

Isaiah 43:18

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

SONday Morning - Take Me Into the Beautiful!!!

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Cloverton, the group singing this song, performed at our church a few months ago. Because it was right after my Mom's heart attack, Pappy and I weren't able to attend. As I washed dishes one morning this week, I heard it on K-Love and thought what great lyrics to start off a brand new year!!!

(don't forget to turn off my PlayList above before listening)

Happy 2012, Sweet Readers!!!

May God take each of you "into the beautiful"

this year and may you and your loved ones experience lots of

sweet blessings from above!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Speaking...and seeking....TRUTH!!!

2011-12-30T10:26:00.004-05:00

First of all....thanks to all of you for your sweet comments, thoughts and prayers. I'm not 100%, but am getting there. Still having some tummy issues, but decided to self-medicate and talked to the druggist about probiotics...so my plan is to take them for a month to get straightened out!!!

Since I did the post the other day about being a sinner saved by grace....I've had the word "truth" on my mind. Then today, I read a post by my sweet blogging friend, Ms. Hillary @ Hilbob's Attic. She mentioned something that she had heard on the K-Love radio station....

".....they were mentioning about taking one word and letting that be your thinking on, planning on, reminder word for the upcoming year. Instead of a resolution, do that- pick a word that will focus your attention or draw you."

As y'all know, if you've followed me here for very long...."HOPE" is my favorite word in the world....and will continue to be. But my word for 2012 that I will meditate on and think about and plan on....my "reminder word", as Ms. Hillary described it....will be "TRUTH". I don't make resolutions....haven't in a very long time because they're usually broken in no time flat!

So....I'm asking all of you to join me.....what will your "signature word" be for 2012? Leave me a comment and let me know....and why you chose that word. What scripture are you claiming to go along with your word? I can see future posts about sharing our "word" and the impact it's had on our daily walk with HIM....how it's come up in scripture time and time again....how we're able to share our "word" and HIS Word...with others!!! I think this is a wonderful idea, and since I didn't hear it on the radio station....I thank Ms. Hillary for sharing it with us!!! If you get a chance, go visit her, and share your word with her, too!!!

Here are my verses that I'm going to cling to in 2012....and yes, they just happen to contain the word "HOPE", too!!!

;-)

Psalm 25:4-5

Show me the right path, O Lord;
point out the road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.

Happy New Year, Sweet Readers!!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Sickness....

2011-12-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

....is running rampant in our family!!!

Our boys have the tummy virus....and so does Nannie. This is the 3rd time I've been sick in the last 5 weeks....first a virus (or food poisoning)....then, a bad cold/sinus infection....and now, the tummy virus again....and throw in between all of that a couple of migraines.

It's beginning to take a toll on this old body!!

I'm gonna take a short blogging break since it's difficult to sit upright for very long.

Psalms 103:1-4

Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.

Hope

each of you has a great day!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Just a sinner.....

2011-12-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

.....saved by His marvelous grace!!!

God's

Riches

Christ's

Expense

Someone recently commented about me being so open and frank. My precious reader meant that I share my heart....even those things that are there that don't own up to being how a "Jesus girl" should act!!! I've said before that's the only way I know how to be. I certainly can't relate to those people who claim to have it altogether (notice I said "claim"....'cause I don't think they do).

I used to envy those people who bragged about their positive attitude and their spotless home and perfect marriage and how they cooked a nutritional meal almost every night with the perfect dessert to go along with it!! Then, one day it dawned on me....yes, I'm a slow learner....just because somebody says something....doesn't mean it's the truth. Speaking truth....even when it doesn't paint a very pretty picture....isn't that what God asks of us?

I'm so far from "perfect" that it's sometimes very scary.

I get depressed....I am not very trusting of others....I get paranoid wondering what others think of me. But...you know what....Satan is the one planting those thoughts....and I do have a "perfect" part in me....it's Jesus living in my heart!!

Thank you, dear Lord....for saving me and continuing to save me....from me!!

I want to thank you today for your GRACE....and your MERCY....and your LOVE!!! I ask you, dear heavenly Father, to help me to continue to be truthful and to share with others, even those parts of me that I'm not at all proud of....because I know that You can use us....faults and all!!!

In JESUS Most Precious and Holy Name....AMEN!!!

Thank you so much, Sweet Readers....for your encouragement and your love and your support. I'm looking forward to seeing what our Lord has in store for each of us in the New Year!!!

In HIS Most Precious NAME....and with mine!!!

I can relate to Martha!!!

2011-12-26T00:00:00.000-05:00

Early CHRISTmas Eve, I woke up and really felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to get up and spend a little time alone with Jesus!!! I got up....in obedience....but then got "busy". I had a lot to do to get ready to go for CHRISTmas Eve lunch with Pappy's family. I boiled and "deviled" eggs and fixed green beans and made a dessert. When I finally got around to sitting down and reading my devotional and opening up my Bible....it hit me...I hadn't been at all obedient to what He asked me to do. As I sat and prayed and spent what little time I had left with Him....I had to ask for His forgiveness. I thought of something that I had just talked to a friend about the day before....about what blessings we so often miss out on....what gifts He has for us that we refuse....and I wondered what I had missed by not first spending time with Him, like Mary did....instead of being so busy like her sister, Martha!!!

Luke 10:38-42

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

As usual....I was sitting in what I've come to call my

"devotional chair"....

and this was in my line of vision....

Hope....that's exactly what His birth brought to each of us!!

Dear Lord....please forgive me for putting so much importance on things of this life that keep me busy, instead of focusing on what's important....spending as much time as possible with you....especially when You ask that of me. Precious Father, please help me to focus on you more and more. This is my prayer for 2012....that I listen to your prompting....but more importantly that I obey!!!

In Jesus Most Precious and Holy Name....AMEN!!!

Hope you have a Marvelous Monday,

Sweet Reader!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Merry CHRISTmas!!!

2011-12-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

This little video speaks to my heart about the true meaning of being a Christian...
....and serving Him!
Thank you, precious Lord, for sending your Son, Jesus....as a little baby born in a manger....to grow into a man who died for my sins!!!

Matthew 25:35-40

For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
“And the King will say,

‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

(don't forget to turn off my PlayList above before viewing)

Merry Christmas,

Sweet Readers!!!

Hope your Christmas is full of lots of happy blessings!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Have you got Jesus?

2011-12-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

I spent Wednesday with my precious friend, Ms. Dawn. As we strolled thru Hobby Lobby looking at the nativities....this note was taped to a couple of the boxes....
...."missing Jesus".
And, on this particular one....
....it seemed they weren't even sure how to spell HIS Name!!!

I wonder how many people are "missing Jesus" this Christmas season?
Are they leaving Him out of their celebrations?
Are they only thinking of what gifts they will give and receive?
Are they more interested in all the parties they will attend....
....what they will wear....
....what food will be served?
Are they stressed to the max because they've gone way over their spending budget and placed too much on their charge cards?

Are their hearts empty....because they haven't invited Him to enter in?
Are they missing out on the real "Reason for the season"?

Romans 15:13
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Hope your heart is filled to the brim with Jesus!!!
Merry Christmas to you, Sweet Reader!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

CHRISTmas Spirit (The Right Way)!!!

2011-12-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

The theme of this little video is exactly how I've felt about our own
Christmas celebration this year....

....keeping Christ in Christmas!!!

Hope you enjoy!!!

(don't forget to turn off my PlayList above before viewing)

Hope you have a terrific Thursday,

Sweet Reader!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

A Nativity Story

2011-12-21T00:00:00.000-05:00

This little video was shown at church SONday night during our CHRISTmas program....it's just too cute!!!

Isaiah 11:6
....and a little child shall lead them!

(dont' forget to turn off my PlayList above before viewing)
HOPE your Tuesday is full of sweet blessings!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Happy Birthday to.....

2011-12-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

.....our baby GRANDson, Sawyer Jackson....

....or See-Saw, as he's affectionately called!!!

This precious boy is four years told today!!!

He told his Momma the other day that before he was born....while he was still in heaven....that Jesus pulled back the curtain and let him look down and see his Daddy and Momma and brother.

Who's to say that didn't really happen?!?!?

Both of our boys are truly blessings from the Lord....

....and we are so proud to be called Pappy and Nannie!!!

photo courtesy of Jessica Leigh Photography

HOPE you have a great birthday, sweet boy!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!