A Perfect Plan

 

The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.  (Psalm 28:7)

I don’t know about you, but without Jesus by my side upholding, defending and strengthening me, I would be totally lost! 

Isn’t it wonderful to know that Jesus is both our strength and shield in times of trouble?  He lovingly holds all the pieces of our lives together today, and has a great and perfect plan for our tomorrow.

As we conclude the Beth Moore study on The Book of Esther this week, my heart is overflowing with gratitude for all that I’ve learned during these past nine weeks.

As part of our homework, we drew a diagram with equal sides that helped us understand the balance of how God’s providence works in our lives.

God not only promised that He “works out everything” (Eph. 1:11) “according to His good purpose” (Phil. 2:13), but He also promised that “in all things God works for our good” (Rom. 8:28).

My heart greatly rejoices today as I reflect on how we like Esther, have  been chosen for such a time as this!

Please join us today over at Christy’s Critty Joy for more WFW!

 

What’s in your mouth?

 

David said, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

A thankful heart should be a way of life for us.

A thankful heart does two things:

• It builds your faith

The reason “we [can] walk by faith [and] not by sight (2Co 5:7), is because we know that regardless of the circumstances, God’s working on our behalf (See Ro 8:28).

• It restores life.

Before raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father…thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me” (Jn 11:41-42).

Something wonderful happens when you start thanking God for saving, protecting and providing for you!

So let’s remember to praise and bless God each and every day!  Is there something you can thank Jesus for now?

******************************************* 

I want to give a great big shout-out to Teresa who hosted a wonderful give-a-way that I recently won!   The prize was a $50.00 gift certificate for Lisa Leonard’s Designs!  You’ll have to go and check out the beautiful jewelry she makes!

Please join us today over at Penny Raine’s.

A Letter to my husband…

 

Today is Marriage Monday, hosted by our wonderful E-Mom over at Chrysalis.  If you have not visited this awesome blog, you really need to!

Our challenge is to write prose, a poem, or even a song that expresses our love and gratitude for the man God gave to us as our life partner. Celebrate your husband in words, and let us share in your excitement! I guarantee you'll have some fun in the process.

 

To my dearest husband and best friend,

On June 21st, 1977, I gave my life to Jesus.  A decision that I made all alone on my knees and at that moment I determined never to return to my old way life.  My very first prayer request was to ask Jesus to bring me a Christian friend to help me learn more about living my life totally for Him.

The next day God answered my prayer when He sent me to the Christian bookstore that you worked at.  It didn't take long before I knew you were the answer to that prayer, and now 32 years have passed and I'm still thanking God for the blessing he sent me.

Rick, I want to thank you for being such a faithful friend, lover and father to our five sons.  Your love language is “acts of service”, and it a special part of your love that I treasure and appreciate daily.

In the book of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 it says,

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:

If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken

I know it is that third strand in our cord that has given us the strength to stay strong in our marriage commitment over these many years.

There are just no words that adequately express my deepest appreciation for you, and the wild excitement joy that you have brought into my life! 

Thank you for being such a godly example of what Jesus has called you to be, and if I had the opportunity to say yes again, I would do it in a minute. 

I'm looking forward to growing old with you my friend, for the best is truly yet to come! 

With lots of love from a girl who's still madly in love with you,

Susan

 

Please join us over at E-mom's for more love letters!

Move That Mountain

Welcome to Word Filled Wednesday...I am delighted once again to be your hostess.

The purpose of Word filled Wednesday is to share God’s word (no famous quotes or other literature — only the beautiful Word of our God) through photo’s & a Bible verse!

Amy over at 160 Acre Woods started this wonderful meme.

MckLinky is below so you can join us.

I recently read this amazing verse in the book of Zechariah. Zerubbabel had just returned from exile and found the temple at Jerusalem in ruins.

After seeing this, he was broken and desired to rebuild the temple.

It was a slow process, and some of the obstacles he faced were that many mocked him and his resources were scarce. I can only imagine how discouraged Zerubbabel must have felt.

Yet he knew what God had commissioned him to do, and that God would somehow make a way.

Have you ever felt like you had a mountain to move? Maybe you are staring at one this morning!

Victory comes not only through our faith, but also by God’s mighty Spirit that works on our behalf. I loved the word that God spoke to Zerubbabel when He said;

“Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”

Look at your mountain today in the light of God’s awesome power and it won’t look so huge. Just like Zerubbabel, shout to your mountain, “Grace, grace to it”. This is calling for God’s enabling power to move your mountain.

“If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” Mark 9:23

When God tells you to do something, He will supply the grace you need to finish it. It’s all about your perspective in the light of God’s mighty power!

Never Stop Growing

(my precious grandson Cole Dillon)

Paul writes: “I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But…I press on toward the goal” (vs.13-14). It’s inspiring when a leader shares with us his successes. But sometimes we’re helped more when he shares with us his struggles.

The truth is, young or old, we must never stop growing.  We are all faced with challenges each day.  Let’s continue to be real as we are learning  what God has called us to be.

I sure have a long way to go, but I know the direction in which I’m headed!

Join us today over at Christy’s Critty Joy  for more WFW posts!

Did you Know?

 

 

I found this interesting meme today at Dancing  Barefoot On Weathered Ground  and thought I’d jump in and join the fun. I’m looking forward to meeting some new bloggers.  Please join me!  I’d love to get to know more about YOU!!

1. What is your favorite thing to snack on while you're blogging?

As you can see I’m a health fanatic!! (He He…)

2. What is one thing you wouldn't want to live without?

My bible…which will always be with me/in me! (family and friends) Then…My Computer!

3. Beach, Mountains or Farm? Where would you live if you had a choice?

I visited Virginia once and loved it.  (Now this would mean moving with my family and grands with me of course!)

4. What's your least favorite chore/household duty?

Cleaning baseboards, blinds, and the SHOWER!

5. Who do people say you remind them of?

Hmmm, my mom said I was a tad dramatic, Lucille Ball?

People also say my sister and I are a lot alike.  What do you think?

 

6. Prefer parties and socializing or staying at home with the fam?

I enjoy staying home, but I love to socialize as well!

7. What's your all time favorite movie?

Gosh, this is hard.  I guess I’ll go with a classic, Gone With The Wind!  I also love Father Of the Bride.  I watched those endless times and still enjoy them each time. OK, I’ll have to add two more, The Sound of Music, and The Wizard of Oz.  (sorry!)

8. Do you sleep in your make up or remove it like a good girl every night?

Remove it, always!

9. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn something that you've never had a chance to learn? What is it?

I’d love to take a photography class!  (and own a NICE camera!)  And then learn Photoshop~

10. What's one strange thing you're really good at?

I can move my ears!

11. What first attracted you to your spouse?

His smile, kind personality,  and his love for Jesus! I still do now after 31 years! (l ♥ you Ricky)

12. What is something you love to smell?

Gosh, I love so many odors.  They truly affect the way I feel.   One of my favorites is the scent of fresh pine.  I also love candles.  Tyler and Orleans candles are really good!

13. Tell something about you that you know irritates people.

I’m sure I do many things that irritate people.  If you asked my husband, he could list many!  I am a bit neurotic about cleaning my house. 

14. When you have extra money (HA!) what's the first thing you think to do with it?

Go shopping!!

15. Are you a silent laugher or a loud laugher? What makes you laugh the hardest?

LOUD!  Funny jokes, movies.  One of the funniest movies I’ve enjoyed was Mrs.. Doubtfire.  (now I realize this dates me!)

16. Where is your favorite place to shop?

Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Tuesday Morning.

17. What's one thing you'd do more often if you had more time?

Travel, and read! ( scrapbook and read more blogs)

18. Are you a big spender or frugal?

Well, let’s see.  I do love spending,  but I sure LOVE a good deal!! (I always remind my husband how much I saved him on my shopping trip)

19. Who is your favorite character of all time (from a movie or book)? (Can't be real)

Aslan (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe), and “Much Afraid” from the story Hind’s Feet On High Places.  (I identify with her so much)

20. Would you want to be famous?

Absolutely not.  (too much required…)

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this.  I’ll look forward to getting to know YOU better!

PS  My dear friend Tonya over at Safe In His Arms is having an AMAZING giveaway in honor of her sweet son Brent.  Please go enter for a blog make-over or a audio bible.  

A Wild God Chase!

 

This past weekend I had the privilege of attending Beth Moore's Living Proof Live  in Memphis, Tn.  

The title and theme of the conference was "Wild God Chase".  From the opening video, to the anointed praise and worship, and finally the Word that Beth Moore brought forth each session, we discovered the awe-inspiring attributes of God that are found in Exodus 34.

Seated next to me were my sweet friend Tonya, my daughter-in-love Kristin, and Tonya’s precious 15-year-old niece Ashley, who was just as eager to learn as we were.

 

We studied so many powerful truths and learned  how the Word of God will accomplish what it was sent out to do.  We left knowing how mighty, loving, and forgiving our God truly is.

I believe that we will never be the same again! 

With notebooks full and hearts deeply touched and challenged, we left Memphis ready to live dangerously for the kingdom of God. I am so grateful for the tremendous impartation, which the Holy Spirit poured out upon our lives this past weekend!

 

This week Lori over at All You Have To Give is our sweet hostess.  Join us as we proclaim the God’s awesome word each week.