Romans 12:9-13 NLT “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When Gods people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to offer hospitality.”

As we study the ways of the Lord, these verses spell it out pretty simple. Today’s devotion continues in Romans chapter 12 as Paul continues to teach in Rome 60 A.D.

We are to love!!! We are to care, have compassion, look beyond our yards and noses. We are to walk our talk. We are to hate wrong! All we need to do is open our spiritual eyes and ears…look around. There are so many who need love, so many who could use a helping hand, use our spiritual vocal cords to speak up against the wrong and oppression. The agendas and false teachings that are invading our society and schools. We need to show up and make a stand!

Never be lazy and work hard!!! I’m afraid this is a phrase under used these days. Never be lazy doesn’t mean to work yourself into the ground because the Lord speaks of our minds, bodies and spirits needing rest! He’s talking about when you work, work hard and do a good job, if your work spoke for you, what would it say?

Serve the Lord enthusiastically!!! And why wouldn’t you want to? He serves us everyday! He watches over us, protects us, provides for us, sends his angels to care for our needs, is always there to listen, and loves us in a way we can’t even fathom.

Rejoice in our confident hope! Be patient in trouble and keep on praying…these three are tightly entwined. Rejoice in our confident hope, confident that the Lord has been there in the past and he will be there in the future. Within our confident hope comes the patience in times of trouble…again, He showed up last time and the time before that and on and on…why wouldn’t he show up this time! Keep on praying! Prayer keeps us connected to God! Keep praying for confidence, hope, strength, peace, and giving thanks for his answers and deliverance!

As the Lord blesses us, we are asked to bless others. We are to walk in the footsteps of Jesus! He loved, he cared, he touched, he healed, he had compassion and he shared. He asks nothing more from us!

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

I have been talking a lot lately of walking in the Lords ways. I am reading in the book of Romans right now, and I felt the lead to share some of Paul’s words of guidance and instruction on how to do just that! Today I will begin with the body of Christ, who is you and me!!!

Romans 12:4-8 NLT “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with such faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”

I would say these represent the foundations of our basic personalities. I do want to mention other translations include teaching as one of the gifts and I like that! I do suppose tho as we act upon any of the mentioned gifts that teaching is always involved if even by our examples.

Let’s start by figuring out your gift!

Prophecy ~ Has God given you sight or insight? Do you sense things? Does he speak to you in ways to gain perspective, show perspective are you in a position of leadership where you need to forewarn or advise?

Serving ~ Has God given you the spirit of helper? Are you the first one to raise your hand to start a care package group? Do you send cards and notes to those layed up? Are you on the meal committee and kitchen clean-up at church? Are you that blessed volunteer?

Encourager ~ Are you the cheerleader of the group? Are your Pom ~poms always in your purse and ready to bring out at a moments notice? Are you the one who sits and listens, doesn’t always know what to say but has the best hugs? Are you the one who hears terrible news and finds the gold lining of hope, and stands firmly?

Giving ~ Are you that secret donor? Are you the pillar of your church or community? Are you that person who leaves groceries on doorsteps so as not to embarrass? Has God blessed you greatly so you may in turn bless others around you?

Leadership abilities ~ Possibly God has layed a ministry on your heart! Are you the first to speak up against wrong or the one to suggest a problem-solving idea and then start the action? Do you find people are drawn to you and seek your advice and wisdom? Has God blessed you with wisdom to share?

Showing kindness ~ You know who you are and so do the rest of us!!! You are the sweet essence, that tender welcome and smile, that wonderful hug! You are the one who removes the sting, blesses the soul and warms the spirit! You are who and what we should all strive to be!

So, now that maybe you’ve found your foundation and see that a little bit of all of them blend to make us one…go out and start blessing others with the gifts God blessed you with!

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

Dear Lord,

My heart is heavy this morning. As I was driving home last night from a lovely meal with my oldest son, I notice a young man, who appeared to be in his middle twenties or so, standing on the sidewalk kicking a small object such as a hacky sack or such! It was late enough my heart surmised he had nowhere to go!

Lord, you know the mother in me wanted to stop my car, bundle him up, take him home and feed him! Sadly in today’s world, we aren’t safe doing that any longer! So, I did the best thing I could do, and I started praying for him! Lord, I see signs in every window begging for help wanted and needed! Lord, are there places people can go to get a bath and a clean set of clothes to apply for a job? Lord, are there people willing to give the forgotten a chance?

Lord, how many choose to live this way? Could you show me those who choose this lifestyle versus those caught in a vicious cycle of doom? Show me, Lord, where I can serve you and those who need help putting one foot in the right direction, so the next step is forward.

Help me Lord to not feel guilty at the abundant life you have blessed me with, help me to remember I worked hard every day, I made the best choices I could; they weren’t always good or right, but good and right were in my heart.

I need to remember I opened the door of my heart when you knocked and that if I am blessed because of you, that is nothing to feel guilty about but to share your message and love with the lost, scared, and hurting world. I need your help, discernment, direction, and strength to do whatever job you have for me. To help those in need!

I pray every one of us who read this prayer makes it their own so we, your children, are beacons in the dark. In your beautiful name Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen 😌

It’s easy to become callous as poverty, drugs, despair live on every street corner but not every one of these people who have become scenery is living in the way of their choosing. Downward spirals gain momentum until they become out of control; much of the damage today is out of our control. It’s easy to judge. However, we will never know the whole story; remember, a book isn’t the cover only!

I pray you are blessed today, and thank you as always for joining me! 🥰

Romans 2:11 NIV & NLT “For God does not show favoritism.”

Romans 2:11 NKJV “For there is no partiality with God.”

Partiality~Unfair bias in favor of one thing or person compared with another; favoritism. (New Oxford American Dictionary)

I begin in a direction that has valuable merit but it not the key to today’s message. However, I am relieved that I am not pitted against the Billy Grahams of our world. I am not pitted against anyone but myself and my follies. Again, not the point today! Tho still good to grasp and carry!

Scripture tells us that God shows no favoritism. However, we serve such a personal God that I feel favored all the time…yes, I know we walk in grace and favor! Hallelujah!!! But I mean a God so personal that you know his gentle touches, silent leadings, little surprise blessings here and there, that you know he set there just for your delight. The prayer he answered in such mighty magnitude that you know he must have an extra special twinkle just for you!

He does, God has a special twinkle that is just our own, but that’s because of our sparkle within him, but he doesn’t love me more than the drug addict or dealer, he doesn’t forgive my sins quicker than the murderer; he doesn’t bless me more than my brother because I sit in church and he doesn’t. God loves us all the same and wants all of us to know him.

Now, with that said, the Lord does greatly bless those who serve, tithe, honor, fear, devote, promote and love. He reveres those who revere him and shows his mighty love, protection, provision, and blessings abound!

I make a conscious decision every day to try and be the best I can be, somedays I miss the mark entirely, but tomorrow is a new day and a fresh start.

Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

It’s up to us, do we walk on the right side of the street, keeping our garbage picked up, avoiding the potholes we’ve already stumbled in, learning, growing, and striving to be better each day!

Are you reading the Lord’s word, applying his tried and true ways into your life? If you are here, you are reading the Lord’s word; you will be learning his ways and the right side of the street, so you too can walk feeling deep down God loves you just a little bit more. ☺️

Thank you for joining me and I pray blessings upon your life and joy and peace in your heart. Have a great day!!! 🥰

I am so excited this morning as it was one year ago today. The Lord gave me Sunshine On My Shoulder!

It just sort of happened, and isn’t that how our Lord works? One day, you are waiting or wondering, and the next thing you know, he is moving you down a white water rapid. I never in a million years ever thought about writing a blog, let along feeling qualified enough to write one…besides who would read what I’ve got to say!

I have carried a dream of writing one day, but that’s about as far as it ever really got! Sure, I have taken some online classes, bookshelves full of writing books, and notebooks galore with ideas and starts. They sit amongst the shelves in the one-day corner of my pink room!

I have prayed and discussed my desire and passion with God over the years, and that was that! Until last year, a sweet birthday note from a childhood girlfriend, I, relaying the heartfelt joy her message brought me to my sons over dinner, and ever so casually, my youngest suggests a blog! I laugh, right!

The following day I am reading my devotions and talking to God, and I keep hearing my son’s words; the next thing I know, I have a name, a header, picture, bio…in short, I had a blog!

Oh, Dear Lord, Now What??? WRITE!!!

This experience is one of the most extraordinary things in my life as I share the Lord’s word and love. It reaffirms my life walk and direction. By sharing my growth, challenges and victories, on the pages of Sunshine, I continue to grow with you!

This is an exciting time for me and my life; Sunshine has become a part of my spirit and, you readers, a part of my world. Thank you for your support, daily likes, and thumbs up! I do this for God, and he sends me those he wishes to share these words with, but it makes my heart happy to know what I do might count in a small way for all of you!

Be blessed today and as always, thank you for joining me! I think I shall go have some cake after all it’s a birthday! ❤️🥰🎂

Dear Lord,

It’s another beautiful Sunday, your day!

It’s strange how each day of the week have their own identities. While Saturday is a play day, Sunday arrives with a regal feel, a feeling of reverence.

I thank you, Lord, for peace today. Peace in the heart and souls of those you call yours, peace in our surroundings, peace of mind, peacefulness.

I thank you, Lord, for you are the author and supplier of peace beyond understanding! Whether we are in the midst of turmoil, strife, illness’s, waiting and enduring or heartache and break. You are with us! Be our mighty comforter today, Lord. Wrap your love around us like a giant fluffy quilt, one that we may burrow in and seek your rest, if even for today.

I thank you for the peace that comes with your hope. Because of you Lord Jesus, we have hope of life after death, of being reunited with those who have gone before us and hope in our everyday walk. We walk with the confidence of you!

You are the air I breathe, the wings upon which I fly, and the strength to endure life’s path. I love you every day, and I give thanks for the glorious love that I receive back, but not only back but beyond all of my wildest dreams.

I thank you, Lord, for my path and direction, lead us in the ways you would have us go so that all goes well in our lives. Thank you for your protection on the days that don’t. In your glorious name Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen 🙏

I hope you have a blessed and peaceful day!!! Thank you for sharing your time with me. 🥰

I love to laugh! It’s absolutely hands down one of my favorite things to do! As Christians, we are instructed to laugh and be filled with joy. In my quest to do just this, I find laughter and joy not only a day and game-changer but a choice!

I am also finding that many of the old wives’ tales we grew up hearing were indeed scripture.

Proverbs 17:22 ESV “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Job 8:21 ESV “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.”

Proverbs 15:13 ESV “A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but a sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.”

Proverbs 31:25 ESV “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at times to come.”

I love the proverbs woman! (Proverbs Chapter 31) She is quite an example to TRY and follow! I am especially fond of this verse! Clothed in strength and dignity! Sure, times are hard, you are wore out, sad, not enough of you to go around! I get it; I too am a woman; however, do you walk around looking and feeling like a worn-out old dishrag? Or, are you dressed in strength and dignity in the Lord to accomplish the tasks in front of you?

She laughs at times to come! Because she trusts in God and is secure in her relationship with him, she remembers and counts on her past experiences with God to know that whatever is next, she doesn’t face it alone, nor will she be anything but victorious.

BECAUSE~ “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 ESV

Psalm 118:24 ESV “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

And with this perfect scripture as an ending, I bid Adieu ! I pray for you a blessed day with lots of fun and laughter, even if you have to work, do some laundry and grocery shop, mow the lawn, wash the car, or watching your kids play in the pool, whatever it is, try and find some joy and laughter, it’s in there. You might have to find it and wrestle with it a bit, but it’s there. Trust me 😉

Be blessed and as always, thank you for joining me. 🥰

16 ~ 61 it’s an easy mistake??? I’ve been wool-gathering a little bit as many of my close friends were also summer babies, and we got to agonizingly wait and watch the summer of 1976 for our turn to feel freedom behind the wheel.

All summer long, a different face would appear driving one of our parent’s vehicles, a farm vehicle, or the boys who had been saving forever, and we’re finally driving their cars.

Windows we’re down and blaring from an 8-track could be heard: Boston, Elton John, Ronnie Milsap, Dr. Hook, Peter Frampton, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings. The Boys Are Back In Town by Thin Lizzy, The Bellamy Brothers, Chicago, Captain and Tenille, Mickey Gilley, and The Steve Miller Band. But, the one song I remember most was S*A*T*U*R*D*A*Y Nights by The Bay City Rollers…memories!

My childhood school friends all turned 61 this year, and like 45 years ago, I stood, watched, and waited for my turn. There are a couple still waiting and one very dear friend who left me way too early.

As I reflect on these friends, our memories, our years past, and those yet to travel, throughout all the good and the bad, the happy and the sad one thing always stands out and that is no matter where I was in my life or walk with the Lord…the good or the bad! He never left me and was always by my side!

As I age and my blonde hair has turned gray! My oldest grandchildren are on the doorstep of the freedom of driving I am thankful. I am grateful for my family, my health, my many friends and loved ones. But most of all, I am thankful for my relationship with our God in Heaven and that I know one day I will join him and those who have gone before me.

Dear Lord, I bow before you humble. I am blessed beyond what I deserve and I am most grateful. You have put good in my life, you are my life. I offer a prayer this morning for those who may not know you Jesus. It’s simple really, Lord Jesus, I come before you a sinner. I ask that you come into my heart and become my Lord and Savior! I wish to walk in the knowledge that when I one day pass from this earth, I will pass directly to you. I believe you came to earth, died on the cross for my sins, and by accepting you, I receive eternal life. I accept! In your name Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen 🙏

I hope you have a blessed day! I get to go to my favorite fish house for dinner this evening! Thank you for sharing your time with me today! 🎂🥰

I hate to ruin anyone’s picnic or wedding day, but many areas of our land badly need rain. I live in the Portland, Or vicinity and how bizarre for someone from the valley to be praying for rain!

Leviticus 26:4 ESV “Then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.”

Isaiah 55:10 ESV “For as the rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater.”

Job 5:10 ESV “He gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields.”

Psalm 147:8 ESV “He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills.”

James 5:17-18 ESV “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.”

Lord, I am not a meteorologist , and I don’t wish to pray for anything that would bring calamity by wrongful prayers but I know there are fires destroying our forests, killing woodland creatures, leveling peoples homes and this mornings news of devastation as a small California town is now reduced to smoldering ash. Lord, so many people are homeless, out in these distressing elements, hot and past thirsty. Global warming, our world seems to be cracking in so many places that if you weren’t holding it together in your hands, we’d be sitting amongst pieces of debris floating out in the atmosphere. In short, we are falling apart down here. Lord Jesus, I ask for rain to fall across our land, helping the firefighters with their formidable task, bring a cooling breeze to revive and refresh. I ask for a stirring of the Holy Spirit within your children that we are bold and share you and your life quenching waters with the lost, the tired, the hungry, and the thirsty. I thank you for all that is good in this world as it is from you! I thank you for cooling in temperature and some rain to fall. In your glorious name Lord Jesus, I pray.

Be blessed today, stay hydrated and thank you for joining me. 🥰

Good morning! I sit here a bit shocked! I slept 10 hours last night! I haven’t been sleeping well these last few days, and I guess my weary caught up with me.

I have an appointment this morning that I need to get ready for and not enough time to devote to prayer, writing or to you!

Be blessed today, try and be a blessing and I will see you tomorrow ❤️