Happy Thanksgiving!

There is an air of love and peace in being thankful; giving thanks in the hardest of situations can turn the bleak and cold a little warmer. It can take the fear and turn it to hope. It can turn pain into a promise and perspective back into a proper view.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 NLT “Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

Be thankful in all circumstances; that sounds impossible. What if the circumstances are dire, painful, heart wrenching, fearful, lost, or losing, what then? How can I be thankful?

You can be thankful you have the Holy Spirit to guide you, to fill you with the peace that only comes from above. You can be grateful for the fresh air you breathe every moment. You can be thankful because God will take every situation we get ourselves into and work it out for our good.

You can be thankful for your freedom of speech and opinion—the privilege to serve our Lord and the prerogative to proclaim that we do. You can be thankful that he knows your needs better than you do and is already working on your behalf.

Each morning I begin my day by thanking him for safety as I slept, my fireplace that warms my toes, His word that starts my day, and the cup of coffee we share.

Being thankful doesn’t always feel comfortable when you are hurting but keep it simple. “Lord, I am thankful that I never walk alone. I am thankful that in any situation, I have you, which means I have Hope.”

Hope, that’s more than enough to be thankful for right there. I am thankful for you who take the time to share the words the Lord supplies daily. I pray you are warm and know wherever you are, you are loved and not alone. Be blessed today, and thank you for joining me. 🥰

Psalms 100:1-5 NCV “Shout to the Lord all the earth. Serve the Lord with joy; come before him with singing. Know that the Lord is God. He made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep he tends. Come into his city with songs of thanksgiving and into his courtyards with songs of praise. Thank him and praise his name. The Lord is good. His love is forever, and his loyalty goes on and on.”

I don’t know about you, but that’s more than enough to be thankful for. In a society of constant change, I find great comfort that our Lord never changes, neither does his word.

Hebrews 13:8 ESV “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Psalms 119:89 ESV “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.”

He made us. We belong to him. We are his people, the sheep he tends.

These are key phrases within this scripture to carry and to be thankful for. I can assure you that no matter what the weather or circumstances in your world, he is right beside you.

Jesus sunbathes on ocean beaches; he surfs the crashing waves upon a board. I know he enjoys a summer ride or two on the Harley. He fishes, reads, races along the dunes or picnics by giggling streams. He enjoys car rides meant for enjoying his scenic beauty; he skis icy mountainsides or glassy lakes of blue water. He rides horses, skydives, and bungee jumps. If you are doing it, he’s right beside you.

He’s beside you at the doctor’s appointment; he holds hands in surgeries both patients and the doctors. He’s with you when you are hiding. He’s with you when you cry. He knows you are lonely and hoping for someone special. He’s in the middle of your tangled emotions, and he heard your heart crack, oh but again. If you are going through it, he’s right beside you.

Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will never leave or forsake you.”

So, whether our lives are in a balmy phase, a stagnant pond stage, or a raging storm brews, if we stop, step out and look around, we can always find a new breath of thankfulness. It is the season, take advantage. Be blessed today and thank you for joining me. 🥰

One of my favorite parables is found in the New Testament, the book of Luke, chapters 1-18.

In this story, Jesus is telling us about a judge who neither feared God or man. There is also a persistent widow demanding justice from her adversaries.

The judge was neither interested nor had the time but had come to realize that unless he heard this woman out and gave her her day to speak her rights, she’d never leave him alone. And the judge saw that she got the justice she deserved.

Luke 18:1 NLT “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.”

Never giving up! Not only in praying and giving thanks continually but believing in what his word tells you. It’s one thing to present your prayers to the Lord but you have to believe everyday in every situation that one day your day of justice will arrive.

These can be prayers for healing, peace, joy, a broken relationship, a broken you, a job, financial help; you know your needs, you know your prayers. The key is to ask or present your cares to our Lord Jesus and then continue to thank him for your answered prayer. “That’s what we call Faith.” (Favorite line from The Preachers Daughter)

Luke 18:8 NLT “I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”

Hebrews 11:1 NIV “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Your prayers may not be answered in a day, week, month, or year but be persistent and keep your faith. God is always faithful; on this, you can believe. Stay faithful, have a blessed day and thank you for joining me. 🥰

Forgiving, this is, to me, one of the most challenging commands from our Lord Jesus Christ. To forgive those who have hurt you or someone you love.

The chapter in the book I was reading in my tub of bubbles last night was about the main character standing next to God and God asking him to forgive the man who murdered his daughter. You can imagine the character’s reaction. The same reaction you or I would have.

Here’s where it gets tricky! Our forgiveness of wrongs is for us, not necessarily the offender. To carry the hurt is a dark cloud over our spirit. To forgive isn’t meaning you forget or no longer feel the pain; it doesn’t mean you don’t need to evaluate a situation or relationship. It means letting go. It’s, in a sense handing it over to God, asking him to handle the situation and to help take the hurt away.

Does forgiveness happen instantaneously? No! Does it require repeated prayers of “Lord, I need your strength here because I can’t do it alone and frankly don’t want to.” Yes! That’s right, he’s your Father In heaven, he already knows you have no desire to forgive the hurts, but he also knows it’s the best for you, for us.

Mark 11:25 NLT “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father In heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

Matthew 6:14 NLT “If you forgive those who sin against you, your Heavenly Father will forgive you.”

Proverbs 17:9 “Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.”

In short, we need to ask for his power and strength to forgive, even if forgiveness wasn’t asked for. We won’t feel it right away. Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting, just not dwelling. It does not mean that we are just to take and keep taking offenses; discernment at some point needs to enter in, also pray about any continued relationships where hurting is a primary factor.

I struggle with this every day as I tend to be a grudge holder. Have I got it mastered, not in an ounce , but I try, pray about it, ask for my forgiveness, and trust one day I will reach the other side. If that’s the best you can do, it’s a start, remember that. Be blessed, and as always, Thank you for joining me. 🥰

One of my devotions this morning was on just this; remembering and sharing. I have a Mary Poppins carpet bag stuffed full of memories of a lifetime of God’s love, and this morning, I wish to share one of my favorites.

This particular event took place around 25 years ago, give or take. I was a single mom; my three were ages 8-12 again, give or take. We lived in an single wide trailer up in the mountains of eastern Oregon. The winters can be very harsh, cold, with lots of snow and biting winds.

My recount is just one of those winter nights. I woke up, and the house was cold; the wind had blown out the pilot lite due to the winter storm raging outside.

So I got up, found a book of matches, ugh it contained only four. By this time, my kids were up and gathered, supplying moral support. The furnace is older, remind you, so I opened the hatch door, match lit and clamped onto the end of the extension rod, press the red gas button, put the lit match into the dark cavern, and poof, the match was instantly blown out as wind is howling down the chimney.

I am one match down, three more to go; repeated steps one through four only for the same results. Poof, out goes the match! At this point, I am nervous because of the gas I keep pushing to light the pilot. Tell the kids to go as far from me as they can in case this thing blows. I was unanimously informed that if it blows and I go, they wish to go with me.

Last match! Gathered in our hall in the late hours of the night could be wee hours of the morning, my children and I join hands and say a prayer. Words of, you know this is our last match, you know the storm outside and heat needed inside, giving thanks that he protect us and our last match from the wind…repeat steps! Woof, on bursts, the pilot lite flame, beautiful colors of blue and purple erupt, and in moments the heat starts to flow from the vents. Thank you Jesus!

Psalms 77:11 NCV “I remember what the Lord did; I remember the miracles you did long ago.”

He knows our needs, our cares and concerns, our fears, hopes, and our dreams. Remember the times he’s been there as that builds faith for times in the future. Share a story or two; you’ll be blessed again by sharing it and helping to build someone elses faith. Be blessed. It’s Sunday, our Lord’s day. Thank you for joining me. 🥰

From the beginning of time, the big have loomed over the small, the mighty have picked on the weak, and the rich have controlled the poor.

In the book of 1st Samuel (old testament) we meet a godly humble woman who is barren. In this time period, it was a disgrace not to bear children for your husband and primarily to give him sons. Not only could this woman not give her husband a child, she and to share him with a second wife who could. The second wife daily reminded Hannah that she just was not enough; she didn’t measure up!

Hannah did as we all should do; she turned it over to God, prayed, and believed. This book and a second one bear the name of her firstborn son, Samuel. I am sharing Hannah’s prayer. I hope you will read and absorb because God says and shows us. We are enough; We do measure up!

1 Samuel 2:1-10 NCV “Hannah prayed: The Lord has filled my heart with joy; I feel very strong in the Lord. I can laugh at my enemies; I am glad because you have helped me!

There is no one Holy like the Lord. There is no God but you; there is no rock like our God.

Don’t continue bragging, don’t speak proud words. The Lord is a God who knows everything, and he judges what people do.

The bows of the warriors break, but weak people become strong. Those who once had plenty of food now must work for food, but people who were hungry are hungry no more. The woman who could not have children now has seven but the woman who had many children now is sad.

The Lord sends death, and he brings life. He sends people to the grave, and he rises them to life again. The Lord makes some people poor, and others he makes rich. He makes some people humble and some people great. The Lord raises the poor up from the dust, and he lifts the needy from the ashes. He lets the poor set with princes and receive a throne of honor.

The foundations of the earth belong to the Lord, and the Lord set the world upon them. He protects those who are loyal to him, but evil people will be silenced in darkness. Power is not the key to success.

The Lord destroys his enemies; he will thunder in heaven against them. The Lord will judge all the earth. He will give power to his king and make his appointed king strong.”

I hope you will read and reread this prayer. Carry in your heart and mind what God has to say about you not man! Once again, you are enough, and you do measure up! Be blessed today, and thank you for joining me. 🥰

Here are the lyrics to the song; “You Say” by Lauren Daigle. The words and the music are powerful. I hope you will look her up and listen to not only this song; she has a unique voice and style. I hope you will take her words and carry them in your heart. Enjoy!!!

“I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I’m not enough
Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up
Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low?
Remind me once again just who I am, because I need to know,

You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
And You say I am held when I am falling short
And when I don’t belong, oh, You say I am Yours
And I believe oh, I believe
What You say of me
I believe the only thing that matters now is everything You think of me
In You I find my worth, in You I find my identity.

Oh, I believe taking all I have and now I’m layin’ it at Your feet
You’ll have every failure God, You’ll have every victory, You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
You say I am held when I am falling short
When I don’t belong, oh, You say I am Yours
And I believe, oh, I believe
What You say of me
I believe, I believe, yes, I believe
What You say of me”

Please, absorb these words of love so right and true, be blessed today, and as always, thank you for joining me. 🥰

I believe (oh)Source: LyricFindSongwriters: Jason Ingram / Lauren Daigle / Paul Brendon MaburyYou Say lyrics © Essential Music Publishing

Did you know that the Bible is a library within a book! There are 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament.

In Genesis, you read of a new world being created along with its inhabitants. From there, you read of generations of families and all the messy stuff that comes with relatives. You could meet Noah a gentle man of God who became a laughing stock when he built a giant ship (ark) in the middle of the desert. Who laughed last?

There is magic, witchcraft, and sorcerers shrewd and cunning. There are kings, knights, armor, swords, and fierce battles. There is a giant of a man brought down by a mere boy with a slingshot, good vs. evil.

In the book of Judges you meet Samson and Delilah. Love, lies, trickery, deceit, and destruction. We have the age-old battles between brothers; birthrights, jealousy, revenge and hatred.

Check out the book of Jonah, where a man of God not only goes out on a whale-watching excursion; he gets to travel V.I.P style inside the whale. You can run, but you can’t hide.

We have strong, powerful examples of women within the Bible. Read about how Esther saved her people from a power-hungry mad man. The love of a young widowed bride towards her mother-in-law and the sacrifices she made; to one day become King David’s great-grandmother. God never overlooks our good deeds of love and kindness.

There are shipwrecks, miracles, angels, philosophies, prophecy, stargazers, and mischief-makers. It’s full of how to’s, what to do’s and why you do’s. There are books about the past and books in the future.

These are just a few of the over a hundred stories recalled within those leather-bound pages. Pick it up, dust it off and crack it open; I think you will be pleasantly surprised. If you need a Bible, please message me. Thank you for joining me this morning, and have a blessed day. 🥰

I will share with you that I tend to hold a grudge, stay mad longer than I should, and can turn the air around me to ice. As a young person, I learned how to pull in, shut down, and freeze up. It was a defense mechanism one I sadly still use today.

The problem with this frozen status is nothing comes in, and nothing goes out. I can’t say nothing goes out because a lot of prayers go out. I know sitting in my freezer glaring out at the world gets me nowhere, but I often can’t move; slowly, God starts to move me. One step, a little thawing, talk to the grandbabies because they always make me feel good and laugh.

This Sunday, my pastor taught on isolation and the dangers of; the fact that God made us to be part of a community, to belong, to share, to lean on and hold each other up. I say this because I know how easy it is to shut the community out in times of sorrow, and that’s when we need them the most.

Galatians 6:10 ESV “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Romans 1:11-12 ESV “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you-that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”

If you happen to notice some frost forming, ice gathering, cold emanating from you or someone you know, reach out with a warm touch or let that warm touch reach into you. You will appreciate the love, and so will they. Be blessed today, and thank you for joining me. 🥰

I genuinely believe we are living and viewing Biblical prophecy taking place. The End Times, we’ve been hearing about it our whole lives. I am not here to discuss the book of Revelation. I couldn’t! But the signs are becoming more significant every day.

I do, however, believe we need to be using our spiritual eye drops though, end-time prophecy is happening everywhere. We need to be aware and educated regarding these signs; the groans and changes of our planet, the ferocious storms, fires, and earthquakes, the workings of billionaires who want more, the science behind things we know nothing about, the battle for ultimate control. The truth!!!

Here is a drop or two of biblical Visine; we need to be awake and on our toes. We need to read, listen, and watch. We are people, not sheep.

Acts 26:16 ESV “To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified.”

Proverbs 20:12 ESV “The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both.” We are expected to use them.

2 Timothy 3:1-3 ESV “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, Without self-control, brutal, not loving good.” Sound familiar?

Mark 13:21-23 NIV “Then if anyone tells you, “look here is the Messiah, or there he is, don’t believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible God’s chosen ones. Watch out! I have warned you of this ahead of time.”

It’s happening! The isolation, the threat of more shutdowns, if you are alone, whose report are you reading or listening to? God’s or Satan’s? Is this the beginning of the loss of freedom? The powerful telling the lessor how to live, where to get medical treatment, relying on the government for subsidiary means? Chains disguised as lifeline ropes!!! We need to be aware.

1 Peter 5:8 NLV “Stay alert! Watch out for the great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

The best advice I can offer is when we start to here predictions, warnings, main stream media filling our heads with their agendas. Take the time to cross reference their words against the Lords word. If it aligns with scripture, you align with the truth.

If you are in need of a bible, please leave your name and mailing address in the comments and we will be sure to get you one. Be blessed, Be Aware and Thank you for being here and joining me. 🥰