I collect Bibles, some for different translations, but my favorites are those made into devotionals simultaneously. For instance, I am reading the NIV (New International Version) this year endorsed by the original five ‘Women of Faith’ speakers. I love their voices of knowledge explaining verses, pages of devotions, and the highlights of women throughout the Bible.

By my favorite reading chair is my T.D. Jakes~’Woman Thou Art Loosed-NKJV (New King James Version) and his ‘Pearls of Wisdom’ at the bottom of each page. Little snippets of encouragement, thoughts, and God’s special love for his girls.

This morning I discovered that my Thomas Kincade “Reflections from the Heart of God” (NKJV) is not only full of Thom’s beautiful art but personal devotions by his wife, Nanette. What a glorious surprise, so as I sat this morning acquainting myself with Nanette and thumbing through my art gallery, I came across this gem.

Proverbs 30:5 NKJV “Every word of God is pure; He us a shield to those who put their trust in him.”

Pure~To be pure is to be without contamination!!! 100%…nothing less than! God’s word is pure, the truth in its most straightforward form.

“He is a shield to those who put their trust in him.” A person or thing providing protection! In battle, it’s a broad piece of metal or suitable material used as protection against blows.

The world and life feel like a battle; lines have been drawn everywhere, sides have been taken, and stances made. Everyone has an opinion on everything and that is our right but then with so many voices screaming their own agendas, whom and what do we believe?

Proverbs 30:5…the pure word of God, that’s what and we rely on the shield of his protection in today’s battles.

Thank you for sharing your time with me and have a blessed day! 🥰

Today would have been my grandma’s birthday! She’s been in heaven for 38 years, and I still think of her and miss her every day. The intense, suffocating pain is gone, and I am blessed with a lifetime of memories to carry.

Proverbs 17:6 ESV “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”

I grew up knowing I was a special jewel in the crown my grandma wore proudly. I never knew anything but unconditional love from this woman. Grandparents play a very vital role in the lives of their grandchildren.

I remember being in the kitchen standing on a chair to reach the table as she kneaded bread for loaves of golden challahs. Walking behind her as fast as my legs could go as we maneuvered malls and department stores, shopping till we dropped, and the many adventures we went on each summer. The lessons were taught by simply watching her, spending time with her, listening to her!

Job 37:7 ESV “I said, ‘Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.”

Deuteronomy 32:7 ESV “Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you.”

Proverbs 16:31 ESV “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.”

I am now among the aged, bearing a crown of gray upon my head and jewels of blessings with my grandchildren. We cook and bake; we go on adventures and shop till we drop. We talk, share, and spend time together because that’s the one precious thing grandparents have…Time!

Dear Lord, thank you for the beautiful little Bubba (grandma) you blessed me with; if you see her today, give her a kiss for me. Let her know I will meet her at the cemetery as I adorn her grave with flowers. I thank you Lord for my grandchildren and the part I can play in their lives. Please, help me each day to be the love, wisdom and acceptance they always need. In your glorious name Lord Jesus I pray. Amen

Thank you for joining me today as I ponder, remember and honor a very special woman. Rose Isenstein, my grandma. ❤️

Good morning Papa,

I have to chuckle, my Father God, as I can only picture you with that slightly amused look on your face, shaking your head in dismay as another of your children in the middle of visiting with you allowed Satan to sidetrack.

One moment I am praying for the inspiration for Sunshine, then the next, I’m on my phone checking the weather because I need to know how to dress today because I’m helping Mychal in his “Just Pho” booth. Oh, the coffee gals had a chat last night I missed! The next thing I’m watching, a stupid Netflix commercial because Barbie and Barbie are hitting NY!!! Whatever Barbie and Barbie are, and when did she become plural? The bigger question is why was I even watching it in the first place?

It happens that fast, Lord, distractions leading away from you! Satan and his army of minions never, ever, ever cease. As soon as you tapped my shoulder and uh-hmmm’d me, I immediately saw what had just happened, sheepishly I set down my phone, and I began praising You and your Holy name. That gets rid of the minions real fast…

I want to be like you Lord, I just started reading Proverbs this morning and it’s always good for making one think. I want to talk like you, walk like you, see as you see. Right now, all I can hear is Baloo singing to Moglee in “The Jungle Book.”

The chorus sings like this, “I wanna be like you, I wanna talk like you, walk like you too. You’ll see it’s true, someone like me, can learn to be, like someone like you.” What a perfect song to sing to you, Lord!

Lord Jesus, thank you for putting this song in my head and heart because it’s true, through you we grow and become more like you! I speak these words and will remember to sing them as I walk my daily walk.

Holy Spirit, fill me to overflowing with your fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Could you help me? Lord, to see others as you see them, not as the world has taught us to see. I want to be a better version of myself, and I thank you each day for the changes we are making. I want to make a change Lord, show me where you would have me go, what you would have me to do, and whom you want me to notice.

Could you help me remember each morning? to dress in your armor so that I am geared and prepared for any battle. I carry the shield of faith and wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of you God! Keep me strong and protected, for I am one of your warriors! In your glorious name Lord Jesus, I pray, Amen!

My hope for you today is a spring in your step and a song in your spirit…even if it’s a wonderful song sung by a tremendous big blue bear! Be blessed today, and thank you for joining me. 🥰

One of my devotions this morning was speaking of sheep, how they need a shepherd to lead them safely. The devotion was regarding straying, but it took my mind in a different direction and study.

Herd~A number of domestic animals assembled under the watch and or ownership of a keeper. “Owned”

Flock~A large number of animals, usually sheep or goats, kept together. “Kept”

Herd~Any collection of animals gathered or traveling in a community.

Flock~A large number of birds, especially those gathered together for migration.

Herd~A crowd. To unite or associate, to run together, more in the company of—a large mass of people.

Flock~Those served by a particular pastor or shepherd. A large number of people. A community of.

The Carnivors~Another well-known and feared group is “the pack.” In nature, a herd is classically subject to predation from the pack hunters!!! Satan resides within this pack!

The Shepherd~Tend as a shepherd. To guide or direct in a particular direction. Jesus Christ is our Shepherd!

I can’t help but put the correlation between the animal kingdom and humanity in today’s society. The herd is screaming at the flock for not following! The flock is worried about the herd for following. Our government resembles the pack! Massive confusion and fear define our world!!!

Dear Lord, Our perfect Shepherd lead us this day in the way you would have us go. We as a society have so many voices screaming in our heads that we don’t know which way to turn, which way to go, what to believe, or what to ignore. Please Lord, give us your discernment, lead us to your peaceful valleys and still waters. Thank you, Lord, for keeping the wolves at bay and our abodes strong from the forces of darkness. Lord, many are asking what we should do, what is the right thing to do, what would you have us do? You are our glorious shepherd, and in you we trust; thank you, Lord, for leading us your flock as we maneuver life. In your beautiful name I pray. Amen

Be blessed today and try and be a blessing…and as always, Thank you for joining me. 🥰

Good Morning God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and to the Holy Spirit that resides over us, I bow before you this morning heavy in heart.

Lord, it’s the beginning of a new week, and with all the death surrounding us today, our world is in mourning.

We mourn the deaths of our fallen soldiers and the many they’ve spent years helping and protecting from the devastation they once again find themselves in. The lives being lost due to a virus that help the compromised exit early and have left us feeling scared and vulnerable. The deadly force of the oceans seems to be testing their boundaries more and more with each storm. Lord, we mourn the freedom of just being able to be.

Holy Spirit, we need you! We need to feel your presence, we need your strength and peace. We need your wisdom and boldness. We need the sense of security that comes with knowing that we belong to Jesus and not this world.

Darkness is becoming increasingly vivid, and I am praying for a stirring within your church, we your children, are your church! It’s not a building bearing a cross, it is your believers who daily and proudly bear and wear your cross. We all have voices; Lord, give us the courage to use them because the world needs your light more than ever!

I pray for the lost, the scared, the lied to, and the deceived. I pray for clarity in which steps to take and the security to take them. Lead me, Lord, in the ways you would have me to go so that your plans for my life unfold before me.

In your mighty name, I pray comfort for all who have to attend to funeral arrangements today. I pray for those who have just had to say goodbye to a loved one, and I pray for those who are in the devastating stage of knowing a goodbye is imminent.

I pray for those who don’t know you, those who have wandered away, and those who are mad at you. I pray that whatever caused their intense pain in which you are getting the blame to be revealed and healed.

Holy Spirit, I ask you to fill us so full of your love and light that we leave a sparkling trail behind us and a light so bright it pierces the darkness and illuminates the world. In your name Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen

My heart is troubled, and I am so sad for the families of our fallen soldiers how they must feel their country let them and their children down. Would you please send an extra prayer for these families and the families in Afghanistan?

New Orleans has barely gotten back on its feet from Katrina, and Ida has wreaked havoc; we need to be praying for our southern coastal states and all the loss and devastation.

We need to be aware of what is going on and be on our knees! We are the best defense our world has right now!!! Thank you for joining me in this battle and sharing Sunshine with me. 🥰

Good morning my dear Lord,

I have missed being in my land of sunshine, but the time spent with one of my favorite little blessings is so worth it; she still slumbers upstairs snuggled in the pink room with pillows, and stuffed animals abound.

I am so thankful, Lord, for my family and the people in my life. I ask a special blessing to sweep over all of them. I ask you, Lord, for a breath of you to sweep over our nation and the countries in dire circumstances, turmoil, and trouble.

I know, Lord, you see everything going on; I also know you allow humanity their freedom of choice however much is going on around us that we seem to have no choice or say in. We have been watching our fellow man slowly usher you out of our country and the foundation of our Constitution. Our government’s motto “In God, We Trust” was the basis of America and yet, you are no longer allowed in schools, in conversations, and masses are trying to remove you from Christmas, the celebration of your birth!!! What’s up with that??? We are living in a world of fear! Where are you? Gone? Why wouldn’t you be? You’ve been rejected, refused and violated. The news and media force has turned into a focal point of mental manipulation that has caused mass confusion and uncertainty.

I ask you this morning to give your children strength, wisdom, and boldness to walk the talk we talk. I ask you Lord for spiritual and earthly clarity of mind that we walk in the direction you have for each of us. I ask Lord that each would hear your voice within their own ears. You speak to us each individually in manners that we understand! Lord, help us to understand, allow us to follow you and exhibit your ways.

I ask you, Lord, for freedom from judgments, whether coming from the place of spirituality or the choices each of us must personally make for ourselves. We don’t know someone’s health issues or fears; if they vaccinate, that doesn’t mean they don’t trust you; if they don’t vaccinate, it doesn’t mean they won’t care about fellow man. I ask for your direction on this matter! Your protection in this matter.

Lord, I have been so crazy busy this past week that I miss you; I know you have been with me because you always are; forgive me that I have been visiting with you on the fly. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that rests within, knowing I just needed to touch you and Sunshine this morning. I thank you Lord each day for your protection, provision, guidance and love. In your glorious name Lord Jesus I pray. Amen

My timing was perfect, as my little one just got up, and it’s time to start my grammie day! Be blessed today, our Lords day! 🥰

Good Morning! I have my six year old granddaughter with me for a few days ☺️ I will be taking a couple days off to visit with her…❤️

John 14:1-6 NCV “Jesus said, ‘Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house; I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. After I go prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you with me so that you may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to Jesus, ‘Lord we don’t know where you are going. So how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, and the truth and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.”

When Christianity first began it was referred to as The Way…

A new teaching, a new philosophy…this too shall pass! So some thought!!!

But it didn’t…and over two thousand year’s later, the Lord’s words still stand firm, steadfast, proven, and has withstood the passing of the ages of time. I think we must truly ask ourselves if the word of God was not breathed from God to man how could it still pertain and ring true today? These men of old lived in an age we can only picture through reading and imagination.

Women baked bread in open stone ovens! There weren’t machines to limb and debark trees; men’s hands did it, ox and hand plowed fields, planting, and harvest by their backs, they didn’t sit in a combine with the air conditioning on and the radio playing. I can’t even imagine traveling, yet Paul and the groups of the Lord’s merry men walked and sailed thousands upon thousands of miles, teaching and showing the way!

Generation after generation ways get handed down, recipes, stories, traditions. These ways have withstood time and trials, they are so common to us now we take them for granted, they are part of our everyday lives, they just are. I wonder if we can get that way with the everyday blessings from Jesus?

We are forgiven! We have a direct relationship with God the Father! We have the mighty comfort of the Holy Spirit. We have the power to walk in health, protection, provision, direction, guidance and love! He sends his angels to fight our spiritual battles and comfort us in our times of trial and pain.

When we give ourselves to Jesus, he sends heavens hosts to surround! You belong to him, and he takes that very personally. We need to take his love and sacrifice very personally because it was! He died so that you might live.

Dear Lord, forgive me for all the times I take you for granted, the times I forget to offer thanksgiving for your blessings and love. Help me to see you everywhere in everything I do. I give you my heart Lord Jesus and I ask you to come and live within it and make my home yours. I long for the day I see your glorious being appear and join you in heaven, but until that day, I ask for your strength to do your works, to share your message of love and acceptance. I thank you for your sacrifice on the cross for me; thank you for daily showing me too, The Way!!! In your name I pray. Amen 🙏

Thank you as always for joining me, and have a blessed day! 🥰

I was reading a devotion by Max Lucado from his book, ‘Grace.’ He spoke of God’s forgiveness and the fact that God doesn’t keep a running score of our sins! Phewww!!!

I began thinking about how simple it is for us to humanize God and lower him to our level of actions, behavior and thinking.

We, as humans, keep score! We count everything from our body weight to offenses we’ve received. We know how many times we’ve read this, said that, and wished for; the had to do, did do, and didn’t do. Then, he said, she said the lists go on and do!

You’ve been there, an argument with your spouse, offenses from ten years ago still pop up; geez, I’m still in trouble for that!!! Your parents can’t seem to forget that time you or your boss still holds that mistake against you, and it’s become your new definition and title.

We have had it done to us; we have done it to others, the lists and measurements. Thankfully, God has a different measuring stick, one we need to remember so we can unload our baggage of guilt and walk in his glorious freedom, making it also an example we need to adopt.

Matthew 6:15 NCV “But if you don’t forgive others, your Father In Heaven will not forgive your sins.”

Psalm 103:12 NCV “He has taken our sins away from us as far as the east is from the west.”

Hebrews 10:17 ESV “Then he adds, ‘I will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more.” (Cross-reference this scripture with scripture from the Old Testament; Jeremiah 31:34)

Jeremiah 31:34 NCV “People will no longer have to teach their neighbors and relatives to know the Lord, because all people will know me, from the least to the most important, says the Lord. I will forgive them for the wicked things they did, and I will not remember their sins anymore.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come.”

I can’t begin to tell you how important it is to work on grasping the fact that our sins have been forgiven and forgotten, and now it’s up to us to forgive ourselves and forget our past sins; God has! Don’t give Satan a foothold on your life and emotions, don’t carry the past, don’t continue to beat yourself up, let go and move on.

The only thing we need to carry forward from our sins and mistakes is the learned knowledge, the wisdom imparted, and the fear (respect) of our Lord to not continue.

Yesterday and it’s mistakes are yesterday and today is a new day, go out and enjoy your freedom! Be blessed, be a blessing and thank you for joining me. 🥰

As I sat this morning waiting for today’s inspiration from the Lord to seep into my spirit, I found myself reflecting on the blessings of friends. Guess what was seeping in, a message of gratitude for my friends. 😉

I wrote about and missed all day yesterday a childhood/lifetime friend who has passed. The blessings of the friends I still keep in touch with from high school; we’re talking 43 years here!!! I speak to friends daily, others, not as often, but we pick up right where we left off. The friends I enjoyed sharing time and a meal with last night and the girlfriend I will eat cheeseburgers with tonight at our favorite drive-in, the huckleberry shakes are back!!!

As we age, these friends from the younger versions of ourselves become so important as they are memories of carefree days, laughter, summertime, and freedom we didn’t appreciate. These friends always bring a bit of our youth back.

As we age and travel through life, acquaintances come with the seasons; every so often, an acquaintance becomes another jewel in our life circle and remains. A friend!

Proverbs 18:24 ESV “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Proverbs 17:17 ESV “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

James 2:23 ESV “And scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness’-and he was called a friend of God.”

I love that last line…and he was called a friend of God! I have been blessed with many friends and loves in my life, but the very, very best friend I have is Jesus! He’s the best friend any of us can have!

Lord Jesus, I thank you this morning for the friends you have given me to share this earthly life with; I ask you to come into my heart and be my Lord, my Savior, my Friend. I believe you came to earth to save us, you died on the cross in my place and I can never offer enough praise or thanksgiving. Help me to learn about you every day, be with me everyday as my Lord and friend. In your name, I pray these words that my name will be entered in your book of life, and I, in turn, will spend now and eternity walking with you. Amen 🙏

I hope when you read that prayer, you then reread it, speaking the words and not just reading them, but declaring your desire to be friends with our Lord, the Creator of All!!!

Thank you, my reading friends, for always sharing some of your time here with me; you and your support, comments, and likes mean so much!!! I know you are out there and I am not alone. Be blessed and be a blessing! Have a fantastic day!