Earth a footstool?

Yes, my picture today is of the mountains right off the porch I love...but it's a winter time photo.  I love the mountains during every season, so I just decided to use this one with the snow...

I fell in love with the mountains because I feel God everywhere.  Yes, I know He is everywhere even in the mundane moments of everyday...but something about realizing just how Mighty He is brings me such amazing peace.

I ride along up here and He forever surprises me with His creation with the creation of the land, animals, or the people.  A wonderful reminder of who He truly is...Our Father, Our Creator, Our Savior, Our Great Physician, The Almighty, The Alpha and the Omega and so much more...

One verse that truly captures who He truly is to me is found in Isaiah 66: 1 ~

"Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool."

Take comfort today realizing just how Mighty and Powerful Our Lord is...also these words from Job remind you exactly who He truly is...

Job 38: 2 - 11(read the whole chapter)

The Lord is speaking to Job...where I begin in verse 2

""Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. 

"Where were you when I laid the foundation? Tell me, if you understand.  Who marked off it's dimension?  Surely you know!  Who stretched the measuring line across it?

On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone-while the morning stars sang together and 

all the angels shouted for joy?

Who shut up the sea behind the doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place, when I sad, "This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt"?

Truly give thanks today for ALL THAT GOD TRULY IS AND HOW MUCH HE LOVES EACH OF US!  REST IN THE PEACE OF KNOWING HE LOVES YOU!

Sweet Blessings,

Which direction are you running?

I've had something on my heart that I feel compelled to write about...not really something that I want to, but something I feel I must.

Do you remember the story of Jonah?  Not the whale part, but the part about the Lord telling Jonah to go to Ninevah and preach against it, because of its wickedness.  Now Jonah knowing who God truly is and was  - ran just as quickly as he could the opposite direction.  Why?  Well, he didn't want the people to change.  He didn't like the people and he wanted them to fail.  But he knew God and in turn realized God's power knowing He would change the people.  Not Jonah, but God would change their hearts.

Is that what we might be doing today in our world perhaps?  I don't want to think that way, but...

Are you running away from something that God is calling you to do?  Is it because you don't want something to happen?  Is it because of your own fears?  Why?  

Recently, I had a friend ask me a question that went something like this...Deb, is there anything that they can say that will change your opinion?  I said immediately.  No, because I believe God's Word.  I know God is mightier, more powerful and exactly who He tells us He is through His amazing Word!  I believe it.  Does that make it any easier to face the situations in the world today?  No...we are like Jonah and at times we want to run the opposite direction, just like Jonah.

I share honestly the world is in turmoil. (in case you are living in a hole or something)  When innocent people are shot down from the air, when bombs are going off, people are shooting at each other because, they don't want them in their block; we don't live in a peaceful world.  I haven't even brought up issues that cause even more division between us than some of these.  I ask you today take a good long look at the story of Jonah.  I don't care if you believe the part about the whale... but I do!  After all, we aren't talking about you or me making anything happen...We are talking about A God that brought His Son into this world to save us and die on the cross for us and come back to walk among us again. 

 If you believe that Jesus came back from death, how is it that you can't believe a simple whale swallowing a man story?  Doesn't sound to difficult to me and honestly it gives me peace to know just how big God truly is!  Are you willing to make a difference in the world by running into a situation to share God's amazing love?  

Next time you want to be like Jonah and run the opposite direction - go ahead...See what God puts in your path along that path going the opposite direction!  In the long run, I believe to have peace you will turn in obedience and run where you are called.  So, run today to your Ninevah!  God will persist just like He did with Jonah!

Sweet blessings,

Excitement building

Getting ready for a new Bible study beginning in September!  Working on different women from God's Word and how do they relate to us today.  Wow, do they!

Are you curious as to how?  Well, join us beginning the first Tuesday after Labor Day at Noel at 5:30 in the Upper Room.  NO Cost involved!  Just bring a notebook or journal and your Bible.  I will have everything else.  We will go from 5:30 until no later than 7:00.

If you want to join us, let me know and I will get you on the list.  Seriously, good stuff that will encourage each of us and give us a heaping dose of hope!

Blessings,
Debbie

Peace...beyond my understanding

Entering the pool this morning for my exercise time and one of my special times talking to the Lord.  Yes, during my exercise time I talk to God.  I share with Him my heart...my whole heart and I know He hears!

I lifted up the situations around the world that so desperately need Him; In the midst and the little things that again, He is needed in the middle of it all!  The bombs in Israel, the borders of the US, the hungry in Africa and here at home and this is just the beginning.  Overwhelmed is the only word to describe everything that surrounds each of us daily.  We seek to know the news on the television, the computer, and then hash and rehash it with friends and family.  Most of the time it seems divisions only build, but not when you talk to the Lord about the situations.  He heals.

He brings peace to your heart and soul that only He provides!  Yes, I left the pool ready to go.  Ready to face whatever the day might bring knowing He goes before me and He is already there...absolutely NOTHING SURPRISES HIM!  That alone brings peace to me...

During my time in the pool, I am surrounded by His creation, the beautiful red bird, the small hummingbird, and the beautiful butterfly and that was just the beginning.  Yes, a peace that only He provides.  I don't know the answers, but I know that He does!  I trust Him in all situations, big and small.

He reminded me of the a familiar scripture this morning from Jeremiah that most of us all know ...

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

A scripture that Jeremiah included in a letter that he sent to the elders during a very difficult time.  A time that God's people had been exiled to Babylon.  Even in our most difficult times when we feel shut off from God - we aren't!  He hears, He knows, He is doing something and we must trust and believe His promises.

Trust and Believe today and everyday,

Debbie

I love to read!

I love to read!  I saw this photo and if I could fit in a book...well it would probably be me!

I love to share good books with those of you that stop by this blog.

Today, I am sharing two books that are really good and should be on your reading list for the summer.

First, is "Love Skip Jump" by Shelene Bryan and second is "In The Field of Grace" by Tessa Afshar.

Absolutely wonderful books that will stir your heart and make you think.

"Love Skip Jump" is about saying Yes to God and beginning an amazing adventure.  Shelene did just that and she is truly on an amazing adventure.  Read this book and allow God to speak to your soul about your adventure!  Humor is woven throughout the book along with God showing up in amazing ways.

"In the Field of Grace" is wonderful.  It is a Christian fiction book about Ruth and indeed she responded Yes to the adventure that God had for her!  I've always loved the story of Ruth, but Tessa wrote the people with such care that they truly come to life for you.  Boaz was indeed a wonderful man that you will love from the very beginning of the book.  I truly fell in love with him and his caring heart for all around him.  Tessa developed him to be a man that all people loved not only Ruth!  

Both of these women are shouting YES Lord and writing books that will spur others to shout YES too!  Don't miss out on either of these wonderful books this summer.  You may purchase them from Amazon.com and begin an adventure!

I purchased Love Skip Jump and was sent "In the Field of Grace" from a contest.  I wasn't ask to encourage anybody to buy them, but just wanted to share them both with any readers looking for a good read!  Need something for the beach?  the mountains? the swing in the backyard?  Either of these would be great for any of setting.

I hope you find yourself in the middle of an awesome book shouting yes,

Debbie