November 30, 2011

Taken SONday, November 27th at Fantasy of Trees!!! 
We had such a good time....just us....by ourselves....a rare occasion!!!

The Voice of Experience!!!

Have you ever had somebody give you advice based on their own life experience?  Often, we don't listen, do we?  We think we already have it all figured out and know what's best for ourselves....or, we don't handle "constructive criticism" very well and instead of listening to the advice, we get offended.   Sometimes, others might see us headed down the wrong path and with our very best interest at heart....try to steer us in the right direction!!!

I really like the "Good News  Translation" of 

Proverbs 25:12

A warning given by an experienced person to someone willing to listen is more valuable than gold rings or jewelry made of the finest gold.

Dear Lord....may I be willing to listen to those You've placed in my path to help keep me on the "straight and narrow"!!!

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

Wise Old Owl Designs!!!

I've posted a new "creation" on my Wise Old Owl Designs page above.  It's a belated birthday gift for Jess!!!  I've opened that blog back up, too.

Also, my Etsy shop is set up.....nothing listed yet.....but, it's set up....

that's a start, right?!?!? 

HOPEfully, I can list a few things soon....

if I don't get them sold first!!!

Thanks so much to all of you who have supported this endeavor.   

Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatever your hand finds to do,

do it with all your might.

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

November 29, 2011

This picture was actually an oops!!!

 I moved the camera as I was taking a picture of a CHRISTmas tree.  

If I look closely, it seems the "mistake" spells JOY!!!

Linus explains CHRISTmas!!!

I kept hearing this on K-Love yesterday....

and thought it would be good to watch and listen!!!

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

HOPE you have a terrific Tuesday, Sweet Reader!!!

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

African Flowers!!!

I realize I haven't posted here in a while, but I really have been busy, busy.  Just wanted to take the time to share something I just finished up today!!!

Jess' birthday was September 29th, and I knew I wanted to do something special for her that had to do with Africa, since she and Brant are adopting from Uganda.  Thanks to the world wide web, I was able to find a pattern for "African Flowers".  I had all the hexagons crocheted by her birthday, but couldn't decide how I wanted to assemble them.  It took me FOREVER to find just the right handles.....requiring yet another search.  But....I finally found what I wanted....in the right size....and here is the finished product.  

Oh, how I HOPE she likes it!!!

Blessings,

Deb

November 28, 2011

Jess and I went to Fantasy of Trees yesterday.  

This was the display you saw as you walked into the convention center.  I was so happy to see that the true "Reason for the Season" was on display....

front and center!!!

S-T-R-E-N-G-T-H!!!

I find it very difficult to ask for prayer for myself. 

I usually wait until I'm sinking to break down and admit that I need my friends....that includes you all....to pray for me!!!   I realize....as much as I don't like admitting it....it has to do with "spiritual pride".   Recently at our small group meeting when it was my time to ask for prayer....of course, my request  was for my Mom.  When pressured to ask for a specific prayer for myself....it was for strength.  That's been my prayer for quite some time....that God would give me HIS strength to get thru some difficulties that we have encountered, especially this year.  Without going into specific details....some of the struggles included dealing with the insurance company, health scares, Mamaw's death, leaving our church family, finding out something that I know God wanted me to know....but it was difficult to learn and cope with (still is)....more health problems, family issues, my Mom's heart attack....and Pappy's job loss.  Most of them, just by themselves were things we could deal with....but as they seemed to pile on top of one another....well, I realized just how much I needed STRENGTH!!!

But....thru it all....I've found a peace that I told our group leader only comes from knowing God.  

He is my Strength!!!

S - Seeking

T - To

R - Rest

E - Entirely

N - Nestled in

G - God's

T - Tender

H - Hand

(my personal acrostic)

Psalm 18:1-2 (NLT)

I love you, Lord;

      You are my strength.

 The  Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;

      my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.

   He is my shield, the power that saves me,

      and my place of safety.

HOPE your Monday is full of blessings,

Sweet Reader!!!

SONday Morning - Mary Did You Know?

One of my favorite songs ever!


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

HOPE your SONday is full of sweet blessings!!! 

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

God's Hands!!!

Today is in God's hands and so are you.

His hands are strong and will uphold you;

His hands are great and will enfold you;

His hands are gentle and will embrace you;

His hands are protective and will cover you;

His hands are reassuring and will quiet you;

His hands are powerful and will defend you;

His hands are parental and will train you;

His hands are masterful and will conform you;

His hands are compassionate and will care for you;

His hands are healing and will renew you;

His hands are calming and will comfort you;

His hands are giving and will bless you.

The hands that hold you will never let you down.

~~~Roy Lessin~~~

Isaiah 49:16

I have written your name on the palms of my hands.

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

  

November 24, 2011

Happy THANKSgiving!!!

Happy THANKSgiving!!!

One of the things that I am so THANKful for is those of you who stop by and read what I feel inspired to write.  Since I was led to "blog for God", I've received so many blessings.  I've been so humbled by your comments and also the very personal e-mails that I sometimes receive from a heart that is aching.....needing to share.....or just full of thankfulness. I've met so many thru the blog world that I wish I could meet face to face....the first thing I would do is give you a huge hug....'cause I'm a hugger.....then, I would want to sit down and just talk and laugh and share....especially, our love of Jesus!!!  I know what busy lives each of us lead....especially this time of year.....so I want to take the time now to let you know that you're appreciated.   My HOPE and prayer is that each of you have a THANKSgiving that is full of happiness....peace....and, of course lots of sweet blessings!!!

Numbers 6:24-26

"May the Lord bless you and protect you. 

May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. 

May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace."

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

 

Anticipation!!!

Do you ever have the feeling come over you that something good is about to happen?  I've had that emotion for several days now.  I don't think it has anything at all to do with THANKSgiving....or, the excitement of CHRISTmas being right around the corner.  I believe that God is preparing our hearts for something....

....don't know what it is....

....but I do know it's gonna be AMAZING!!!

Hebrews 11:1
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

HOPE you have a wonderful Wednesday, 

Sweet Reader!!!

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

November 22, 2011

Pappy and I went to a craft fair a couple of weekends ago and as soon as Pappy saw this he took it down and bought it!!! That's the only thing we came home with....unless you count the caramel popcorn....and 2 World's Finest Chocolate Almond candy bars!!!

;-)

Thankful Tuesday!!!

Great "food for thought".....

Ephesians 5:20 (NLT)

And give thanks for everything to God the Father 

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

HOPE you have a Tuesday full of THANKSgiving!!!

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

Home Sweet Home!!!

I don't share a whole lot of our home....

but I thought since it's THANKSgiving week, I would show y'all few of our decorations!!!

I bought the pitcher many years ago from some kind of party....then, found the platter to match at a yard sale!!!

The little "Give Thanks" came from the Dollar General!!!

Pappy gave me "HOPE"....in more ways than one!!!

;-)
He also made me this shelf.  Since we don't have a fireplace mantle....this has to suffice!!!

My precious friend, Ms. Dawn, got me the owlie....and Give Thanks.  The man and woman are actually made out of newspaper.  We got them at a craft fair many years ago.

Every time I walk by this table, it just makes me happy!!!  It's all my favorite colors. Plus....our "faith in God, our family, and our friends" is what THANKSgiving is all about!!!

The container on the bottom is just turned upside down with the decorations on it.  It held plants that were sent when my Mamaw passed away!!!

This sort of cracks me up....when you have little boys around, you're liable to find their toys just anywhere.  I happened to notice one of their cowboys with these Indian statues....very unintentional....I think!!!

 Psalm 100:4-5

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
      go into his courts with praise.
      Give thanks to him and praise his name.
  For the Lord is good.
      His unfailing love continues forever,
      and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

HOPE each of us finds THANKSgiving in our hearts....every single day!!! 

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

SONday Morning - The Power of the Cross

Another beautiful song that our choir sings.  
It brings a lot of those "Holy Spirit chills"!!!

(don't forget....turn off my PlayList first)

HOPE you have a blessed SONday, Sweet Reader!!!

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

November 19, 2011

Taken from our front yard. 

My favorite times of day are dusk....and dawn!!!

Red sky at night....sailor's delight!!

Matthew 16:2-3a

  He replied,

“You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow; red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’

Now I know....

.....why I was feeling so "zonked". 

Maybe the last year finally caught up with me....and culminated into one gigantic bug....called the stomach flu.  I started feeling bad Thursday afternoon, but didn't really think it was anything more than just being  tired.  I woke up around midnight and just didn't feel "right".  I was feeling little "jerks" over my entire body.  By 12:30....even with a gown, housecoat and the electric blanket on "9"....I was freezing and shaking all over.  I woke Pappy up, and love his heart, he prayed over me (I wonder how bad it would have gotten if he hadn't prayed!!!) Then, the nausea hit....then, that other little problem that goes along with it.  Needless to say, I've been down for the count.  I spent the entire day yesterday either on the couch, or in bed.  Today, I'm as weak as a newborn kitten!!  But....I'm seeing light at the end of this tunnel....and I did get a lot of much needed rest....just not quite what I had in mind, though!!!

;-)

I do have a prayer request.  Please pray that neither Pappy, nor my Mom, get this virus.  We went to see Mom Thursday evening to pick up her trash....and I hugged her bye.  There is no way, with her other health problems, that she can afford to get the tummy flu!!!

Jeremiah 17:14

Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed;
   save me and I will be saved,
   for you are the one I praise. 

Thanks, Sweet Readers, for your prayers!!!

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

Short and Sweet!!

I told Pappy I was gonna keep today's post 

"short and sweet"....simply because I'm totally zonked!!!  I think the past month....months....year....is catching up with this old gal!!!

So....in keeping with my promise...may I offer for your consideration to ponder over....this verse of scripture....

Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Ahhhh....sweet rest offered by our Jesus!!

 HOPE you have a relaxing....restful weekend,

Sweet Reader!!!

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

Good Sense!!!

During my morning devotions recently, I asked God to do my thinking for me.  That might sound like a crazy request....but with so much going on....and kinda feeling like I'm being pulled in several different directions....I just haven't been thinking straight.  Several times since then, I've had the "good sense" to make some decisions that I know were only brought on by His prompting.  Then, last night, as I was researching some scripture for an entirely different subject, I came across this verse in Psalms.....

Psalm 119:37 (NLT)

You made me; you created me.
      Now give me the sense to follow your commands.

Needless to say....a big smile came across my face!!!

Ain't God good?

Oh, yes....He most certainly is!!!

  HOPE you have a "thoughtful" Thursday, 

Sweet Reader!!!

;-)

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

This little light of mine.....

.....I'm gonna let it shine!!!

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

 HOPE you have a wonderful Wednesday, 

Sweet Reader!!!

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

November 15, 2011

A bit more of autumn in Rocky Valley!!!

Stepping out.....

.....of our comfort zone.

Pappy and I have joined a "small group".  

We were approached by a gentlemen we go to church with and were asked if we would be interested in joining.  We asked him to let us pray about it and we both felt led to "take him up on his offer".  Being totally clueless as to what being in a "small group" even entailed....we went to the first meeting several weeks ago.  The only person we really knew was the leader....the man who asked us to join.  This has been one of the greatest blessings for us.  Both Pappy and I are getting involved....speaking up....sharing what Jesus has done in our lives....praying for and with the others in our group....singing....and, of course, eating....
....better known as....fellowship!!! 

 ;-)

If you ever get the opportunity to get involved in "Small Group Ministry".....

.....please know that it's so worth it!!!

Romans 12:10

Love each other with genuine affection,  

and take delight in honoring each other.

 HOPE you have a terrific Tuesday, Sweet Reader!!!

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

He prays for us!!!

What could be more precious than knowing that

Jesus and the Holy Spirit prays for us?

 

 Romans 8:26

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. 

For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 

Luke 22:32

But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.

Thank you, precious Lord....that you know what's on my heart even before I express my thoughts to you....and for understanding during those times that I don't even know what to ask for!!!

 HOPE  you have a great Monday, Sweet Reader!!!

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

November 13, 2011

A rose from my Mom's yard!!

It still has lots more buds on it, even in November!!!

SONday Morning - God You Are God!!

I first heard this song several weeks ago.  It was part of our choir special "Night of Worship".  A precious young lady sang it after she gave her very touching testimony. HOPE it touches your heart, too!!

(please turn off my PlayList above before viewing/listening)

Have a blessed SONday, Sweet Reader!!!

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

Finding good....

....in the bad!!!

This was my post on Facebook yesterday.....

I've seen so many of you saying what you're thankful for each day. What a blessing to read your comments. Today I'm feeling overwhelmed with gratitude for God's goodness. Even in the things that we deem as bad in our finite minds....good comes from them.....because we serve a God who ALWAYS has our best interests in mind!!! 

Thank you, God for loving me....even during those times when I'm anything but lovable!!!

 Just one of the things I had in mind when I wrote this....was my Mom's heart attack.  As bad as it hurts to see her not as strong as she was....and still struggling with some health issues....what a blessing to get to spend so much time with her.  Maybe someday I can explain to y'all just why this means so much to me!!!

 Ain't our God good?

Oh, yes....He most certainly is!!!

HOPE your Saturday is full of sweet blessings!!!

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

Friday Food for Thought!!!

This is a follow-up to yesterday's post.  

I promise this is not going to turn into a 
"weight loss" blog....but this is something that I feel strongly about and know that God wants me to share with y'all!!!

For those of you who follow my "picture blog",  you'll recognize this pic as one I posted over there recently.  It hangs on the wall of the community center where our GRANDsons take swimming lessons.  It has really given me "food for thought", as I'm once again struggling with my food addiction.  Yesterday, I asked for y'all to share any hints, or suggestions, that you might have concerning your own struggles.  One of the comments really struck home with me. It had to do with taking better care of herself and how taking care of herself made her feel better spiritually, too.


WOW!!!
Does that ring any bells with you girls, too?!?!


When we aren't taking care of our bodies, it not only affects us physically....but it can take a toll on our emotional and spiritual health, also!!!

Here is a portion of a verse that jumped out at me as I was reading one morning this week....

 

Matthew 6:25b

Isn’t life more than food?

 

Yes....it most certainly is!!!

 

I'll try to keep y'all updated occasionally on my "Weight Loss Journey" page....and would love for you to share your accomplishments with me, too, as we struggle thru this journey together!!!

 

HOPE everybody has a great weekend!!!

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

 

November 10, 2011

A little plaque from my precious friend, 

Ms. Dawn  She knows me so well....and she's definitely my prayer warrior!!!

My Temple!

image credit

Have you ever thought much about the fact that the very first sin committed in the Bible was by a woman....and it involved food?

Is it any wonder that so many of us girls still....

to this day....have such a love/hate relationship with food....and our bodies?!?!

I've been under conviction lately....'cause since my Mom's heart attack....I've just not been taking care of my "temple" as I know I should be.  I chalk it up to being stressed....which spelled backwards is desserts....and that's what I've been partaking of way too much!!!   I've gained back 10 lbs of the 65 I lost last year and know if I don't get it under control, I'll gain even more.  Mom's heart attack had yet another impact on me....it made me come to the realization that heart disease runs in my family....both maternally and paternally....so I think it's high time I took that into serious consideration and start taking better care of the body God gave me!!

Anybody else having these same thoughts....same feelings of guilt....same convictions?

PLEASE tell me I'm not in this boat alone?!?!

Romans 12:1

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

 

I Corinthians 6:19-20

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,  for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

 

I Corinthians 10:31

So whether you eat or drink, 

or whatever you do, 

do it all for the glory of God. 

 

Psalm 100:3

Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
      He made us, and we are His.
      We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

 

Philippians 1:20

For I fully expect and HOPE that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.

 

Yes....HE is most definitely speaking to me....about my temple....which HE made....and it belongs to HIM....not me.  So....that means I MUST take care of it!!!

 

What are your thoughts?

Do you have any helpful hints, or suggestions?

 

HOPE you have a healthy Thursday, Sweet Reader!!!

 

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