Time for a change

Good morning!

Updates and news from me. 

I started a new blog at Debbie's Dots, Doodles, and Dreams I posted link on facebook. https://myencouragement.blog/ And maybe this will lead you there too.

I will still post here for my musings and followers, but offer new thoughts and creative things on the new blog.  Yes, still dreaming and doing.

God is good and keeps giving me new thoughts and ideas to help spread His Words.  I believe I am suppose to do whatever I am able to share the things He is doing. In Acts 4:20, we are told these words and I believe them with my whole heart.

For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.

Share today and check out both blogs.

Have a super day! 

Sweet blessings,

Debbie 

Star of the show!

Stars.  

Today, we are going to think about the 3 wise men.  Now we know the 3 men didn't arrive right away to see Jesus, but perhaps a couple of years later.  These men followed a star!  A star for many miles and much time to find this special child.

Imagine in your mind that you notice a special star you realize it's importance.  Do you take off across the desert to find this newborn King to worship and bring gifts?

God definitely works in mysterious ways!

We are told that the star went ahead of them and that it stopped over the place where the child was that they were overjoyed.  Imagine the magnitude of the wonder of God leading them all the way with a star and it stops.  Wow, God is so amazing.

I just want you take this story in ~ deep in your soul.  These men were important men and they stopped their daily activities mounted a camel and took off.  We are not any more important and yet do we stop to worship Our King, Our Savior, Our God?

Check the story out in Matthew 2 and let the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts today.

I will close with this wonderful quote to also give you pause.

"The grace of God means something like:  Here is your life.  You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have been complete without you.  Here is the world.  Beautiful and terrible things will happen.  Don't be afraid.  I am with you.  Nothing can ever separate us."  Frederick Buechner

Follow and worship the One True King!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Rock and ponder

I rock and ponder.  What do you do when you ponder?  Do you walk?  Run? Cook? Eat? Well, if I have a rocking chair available I rock.  Many hours by different family members have rocked and pondered on the porch at our family farm.  We solved many world problems pondering here.  Seriously, we have pondered in these chairs.  I treasure the memories and the times shared!

Today, in Luke we get to the words about Mary.  

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

What do we treasure?  What do we meditate on in our hearts?  Mary is an example that we should all try to learn from.  She didn't know what was ahead for her Son, Her Savior and Ours.  She knew things wouldn't be easy.  She knew that the journey to get Him born wasn't easy, so she knew the road ahead was bumpy, but she also realized to treasure the special moments.  She knew she could always cling to them in her heart.  

In the next few days and the upcoming new year, treasure your times, your memories, so that you will always have them to ponder in your heart!  God gives us these times to always have them in our hearts.  

Sweet memories rocking and pondering,

Debbie

Amazed

Are you still amazed and awed with the story of Jesus?  We should be every day and every moment in each day.  Jesus came into this world in a way that we are unable to grasp in our human minds, but throughout Jesus story that is still true.  We are amazed and awed with Jesus.  

We are told that when the shepherds hurried off and found Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this baby.  Listen to these words from Luke 2:

and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Do you ever share your story and you watch someone's face as amazement of what Jesus has done sweeps across their face and spirit?  He still brings amazement when people listen to the stories about Jesus.

During this busy time of preparation for Christmas day with family and friends, we sometimes forget what the season is truly about and that is Jesus.  Sit and just be with Jesus.  Treasure quiet time during this special time that is suppose to be all about Him to begin with and remember that indeed this season is HIS SEASON just like everyday is suppose to be.  Allow yourself to be amazed with who Jesus is and what He did for each of us.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Praise and Glory

Today, read Luke 2 beginning in verse 8 about the shepherds.  I absolutely love verse 13 ~

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Imagine the wonder and awe that the shepherds felt.  

God uses everybody!  Today allow God to work through you.  

I picture the shepherds exploding with excitement to share their story of God's amazing Glory!  I picture them running through the fields, shouting what they witnessed to heaven!  Continuing to praise and worship God on their journey to the manager.

God is so amazing.  Reading from Jesus Calling these words spoke to my heart and I hope to yours as well.

"Let your life become a praise song to Me by proclaiming My glorious Presence in the world."

Today, let your life be a praise song!

I love it!

I can't sing, but my life can be a praise song!  Yes, Lord you are truly beyond words!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

No room

I often wonder what was going through Mary's mind, when she was told there were no rooms.  She had been walking or riding a donkey, she was 9 months pregnant ready to lay down and rest, yet there were no rooms.  Do you think she was shouting seriously?  Seriously, I am having the Savior of the world and you tell me there are no rooms?  Did I hear you right?  Probably not that's probably what I would do.  No, Mary  perhaps responded just like she did to the angel.  "May it be as you have said."

I know how tired I am when we travel without reservations and can't find a room.  I'm so tired and so ready to be there that I am not really a very nice person.  Just speaking truth here folks.  My ugly shows at times and this is sometimes one of my ugly moments.

Yet, Mary does find a place to have her precious baby, Our Savior in a manger.  Jesus is born in a manger.  Mary with Joseph had Our Savior.  Imagine, the beauty of the special moment that the two special people that God picked shared this moment with just Jesus, God and the animals.  (perhaps Joseph had a lady helping)  Still so special this quiet moment with the sounds of animals and their not so special smells surrounding them.  Only God could provide the special place that this couple needed at that very moment and He did.  God provides what we need and when we need it.  Mary and Joseph didn't need a room and He gave them what they needed.  The memory that they had for the years to come of that moment and perhaps a few laughs about the smells that were provided as well!

Today, God will provide what you need and what I need.  Give thanks in the moments that He provides exactly what we need.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Hope

Two of my favorites!  Butterflies and orchids and I was so blessed to capture several photos like this one.  God indeed created many beautiful things!  Butterflies are special to me, because I've had many God moments filled with hope and promise.

Today, I feel lead to write about hope.  I don't want to upset anyone and I am going to be brutally honest about myself in this writing as well.  I hope that it might touch someone to realize that hope is not found in one person here.  God is hope!

I listened with great sadness as I heard our First Lady, Michelle Obama say that she no longer feels hope.  I thought did I hear that right?  I am amazed that people that think because of the election no hope is found in the U.S. anymore ~ well I strongly disagree.  I have always told you that I would be honest when I share with you on here, so today I am going to be really honest.

I was not for Barack Obama for President.  I did not pull the lever for him, but I did have hope that he would do great things for our country.  I remember watching the first time he was elected and thinking I was happy for him, his family and that this might be a really good thing for our country.  People would realize that we are all able to succeed and that it was going to be okay.  I know he was good for some people and I know a lot of people are truly upset that some of his policies will change, but we have survived this in the elections in the past and we will survive this election too.  It's not about one man, one party, or one woman, it's about all of us.  It's bigger than me.  It's bigger than you.  It's about a whole country that needs to hit our knees in prayer that God doesn't leave us and that He is the answer to all of our needs.

I will also tell you that I wasn't for President-elect Donald Trump at the beginning of this process.  In fact, I had three people that were my picks before Donald Trump even came up on my list to vote for, but I did vote for him. Do I know if he's the right man?  No, but I don't hold my hope for our country in any one person's hands.  It's in God's hands and that is where hope is found.  I pray that Michelle Obama is wrong and that we indeed still have hope...because I don't want to believe God is not right here in the United States with each one of us.  Whether we are republican or democrat, white or black, man or woman, the list goes on and on about what each one of us might look like.  It is my prayer that each of us realize that we all as a country need to pull together.  I told you I was going to be brutally honest about myself...it's been a really tough 8 years on some people and our family is one of them.  Did I give up?  No.  Did I still want our President to succeed?  Yes.  Did I loose my hope?  No.  My hope isn't found in a person ~ remember?

Some of the policies put into law by President Obama make it very difficult for small business to make it.  The laws and such are putting a lot of people out of business, which in turn means a lot of people will be out of work.  I have watched people I love toss and turn, worry and even cry trying to figure out how to make all of this will work out, but yet we are told that we don't care.(watch the news)  Really?  Really?  We don't want to lay off one person much less all of them.  We don't want anyone to be without a job or all that it means.  When we turn on the television sets, we are told that we are stupid, we are deplorable, we are less than because we might think differently.  We are just trying to put one foot in front of the other, go to work and keep on going.  Hoping that indeed we figure out a way to keep our eyes on Jesus and that He keeps us covered in His arms, whether we survive or not.  We will see how things go and either way we will be okay!

Truth is, I realized a long time ago stuff doesn't make a person happy and whole.  Only God is able to do that and that is why I share that I cling to Him to get through each day.

It is my prayer that President elect Donald Trump does succeed for all of us, not just a certain few.  I want each of you to ponder why anyone would want him to fail.  Do you want him to fail, so that you will be ruled that you were right?  Well, you might want to soul search that...I did not ever want President Obama to fail and I still don't.  I don't know why it seems we have become people that are happy to watch others fail.  What is wrong with us?  Why do we want to be right, even if it means we fail?

Today cling to Him and keep your hope!  Along with hope, trust and love and remember this scripture from 1 Corinthians 13:13 (The Message)

But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation:  Trust, steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly.  And the best of the three is love.

God made each of us different for a reason.  Let's trust Him and believe His Words knowing He loves us because He sent His Son for a bunch of people that truly mess up all the time!  Each and everyone of us mess up constantly, so let's quit pointing fingers and try to be more like Jesus.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Faith

Over the past several months, I knew God was leading me to step back and spend time with Him.  It's been pretty awesome and at the same time overwhelming to me.  I am always trying to figure out what God is up to and what He's doing and I know that is part of the journey, but this time I think He just wanted me to be with Him.  To stop thinking and just be with Him.  Slow down and just be.

He has lead me on journeys of taking photos all alone in places that I drive past everyday, but didn't pay attention to.  He lead me back to my hobbies of years ago.  I have finished projects for folks near and dear to my heart for Christmas and birthdays, just so that I hope they realize they are so very special to me.  A little piece of my heart and me from photos to cross-stitch.  He slowed me down to realize what really matters in this journey.  He reminded me of friends from long ago and friends that I've just met.  He's reminded me of very special times in my faith walk and strengthened my walk at the same time.  He has reminded me that He is with me always and to take His hand and go!  (if you haven't gotten one yet it's because I haven't seen you or it's just not time...doesn't mean you aren't dear)

He lead me back to His story of coming into this world and about the faith of Mary and Joseph.  He reminded me that He is in control and WE must have faith and hope and He is where we find both of these.  He lead me back to Isaiah this morning chapter 7 where Isaiah is talking to Ahaz and we find these words:

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:  The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.  Long before Jesus came into the world these words were shared of his upcoming birth.

In Matthew 1 these words are found:

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel - which means "God with us."

God is with us!  He was with Isaiah long before He came into this world and He is still with us today!  I know many people feel discouraged, alone, and distraught about things in this world, but it's not about this world...We find our hope in Him.  I know some of you may think this is corny, but spend time in His Word and allow Him the gift of sharing with you.  He will.  I know this, because He does!

Read this quote and then read it aloud.  It's pretty great.

"You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going.  What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith, and hope."  Thomas Merton

Open yourself up to this wonderful gift time with Your Savior and Mine!  A gift that we are all given, if we choose to open it.

Opening the gift,

Debbie

Woke up

Don't you feel like this some mornings?  You wake up yawning and it feels so good.

Seriously, reading from Matthew 1 this morning about Joseph I grasp the words found in verse 24.

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded him and took Mary as his wife.

Immediately upon waking up, Joseph took action as instructed, found Mary, and took her for his wife.  All the doubts, all the concerns, all the heartaches, everything still there, but Joseph followed God's instructions from the dream.  How long does it take us to follow God's instructions?  All our life?  Years?  Months?  

I think I was struck thinking about how quickly I might respond to a friend's instructions, but how long it takes me sometimes to follow God's plans.  Is this perhaps true of you at times?

Joseph was obedient.  Obedient is a word that makes a lot of us struggle just upon the mention of it, much less with following through with it.  After all, that word in today's world might be politically incorrect.  Me, me, and me is what we all focus on today.  Joseph was definitely not a me person.  He was obedient, compassionate, a believer and an example we should all learn from and about.

Imagine, the ridicule that Joseph faced and yet we are told in chapter 1 that Joseph was righteous man and he did not want her exposed to public disgrace.  He was considering Mary.  He loved Mary and wanted to take care of her even in the most difficult of situations.  He could have had her stoned in public, yet he had compassion and love.  He prayed.  He listened.  He trusted.  He knew that God would provide, so he was obedient in following the instructions the angel gave him.

Lord, I pray for ears to hear your words and your desires for my steps on this journey.  I pray to have compassion and love for my fellow brothers and sisters and grace to forgive when I should forgive.  I love you Lord and ask that we all behave more like Joseph and Mary believing Your Truth and not the worlds.  Amen

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Fears

Life throws things at us!  Sometimes we feel like we are balancing on rocks waiting to fall off, or is it just me?

I don't think so.

During this Christmas season studying the story of Jesus birth and the preceding things that happened, I've been taught a lot about trust and faith.  God desires our complete trust!  He places us in situations that we must trust Him...it is totally out of our control.

Joseph and Mary had to have felt the fears of the unknowns and yet they believed.

God showed our family this week about putting our trust in Him.  Things were out of our control.  We got a good report on my mom, but it doesn't mean we didn't have to face our fears.  Doctors were worried and told us we might be facing difficult situations.

We were waiting in the holding room for mom to have a heart cath  and a camera sent down her.  She struggles with swallowing at times, so she was facing a great fear by swallowing this camera.  She chokes a lot, but the nurse told her this quote from Stonewall Jackson and it was really good.  "Never take counsel of your fears."  Good one, isn't it?  God tells us the same thing!

We are to never take ownership of anything, but God's Words.  We are to believe with our whole heart and yet at times we falter.  So the ones surrounding us must remind us that God goes before us.  In the Bible (ESV) fear is mentioned 437 times, afraid is 165 times.  So God knows we struggle, but He gives us words to claim during these times and believe.  Here is my favorite and I've shared it with you many times.

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

We will face difficult times, but we are never alone!

Claim this instead of the fear.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Not everybody will be home for Christmas

Saturday in another town, Kenny and I entered a stairwell to head to our car.  Well, we entered someone's home.  Yes, it was similar to the photo.  It wasn't near this neat and it was spread out all over the landing.  I quickly turned to leave.  I didn't want to upset the person and I didn't want to intrude uninvited into someone's home.

I remember working with people that had faced this situation that they are filled with fear when someone enters their space.  Yet, I was happy they had a little warmer space than out in the elements.  It was cold and it was already mid morning.  It upset me to think of the fear and the cold that this person faced.  How do we help?  How do we do our part?  How do we answer the needs?  How do I look more like Jesus?

Honestly, my own fears took over in this situation.  I didn't want our fears colliding with all the news you hear about and I truly didn't know the right thing to do other than retreat and let there be space.  But over and over in my mind, Christmas and you just left them.

So many reminders of the to do's and don'ts and the words you are only one person flowed into my mind.  Yet, it left my spirit so down.  I went to Simple Church yesterday and was reminded of some of the things that we are able to do.  Here is a link to Simple Church ~ http://thesimplechurch.tv/home 

Check out the message! 

Justin gives some great ideas to serve and it might even give you additional ideas!  Bono, U2 you might be thinking well its pretty powerful stuff and you will even find Bill Hybels from Willow Point interviewing Bono about Jesus!  Yes, you read that right and it's great!

Also, you might want to check this church out!  If you don't think you fit in anywhere, this might be the spot for you.  If you don't think something is working, you might check out Simple Church.  Justin shares God's Word, encouragement, and lots of ideas of how to help our brothers and sisters in Christ!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Stayed

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.  Luke 1:56

She stayed and then she left.  How much time would be enough to face the unknown that was ahead of her?

When I typed in the site I use, (if I don't have one of my own pictures) the word "stayed" this photo popped up.  I thought well isn't this perfect.  Here was my immediate thoughts of how this photo goes perfectly with this verse.

The photo is a wonderful reminder that this momma bear teaches her baby what she needs for a certain time period and then she/he is on their own to face the world.  Do you notice that we humans need a lot longer than the animals in the world?  Most of us stay with our parents until we are 18 and we still might need to longer...oh wait that's another topic.  

God with Elizabeth's and Zechariah's help had prepared Mary for the next part of the journey.  Three months of encouragement, three months of love, three months of worship, three months of sharing, three months of building her faith, three months full of what God knew Mary needed!  I think that is what we all need to hold on to from this verse.  God provides what we need in the time He thinks we need to prepare.  Sometimes he may prepare us for years, some days, some weeks, some months, but He knows and we trust!

Mary teaches us about trust and faith in God.  I am a woman of 56 almost 57 and I admit that I am awed by Mary's faith at such a young age.  I ponder in amazement at her grace to follow and believe.  She teaches each of us that this journey of life is about trusting and believing God and His Word.  When I ponder this it saddens me how few of us actually know what His Word teaches us or how He speaks to us through His Words and how if we aren't reading His Word how do we believe and have hope?  Perhaps, that is why our world doesn't have the hope it needs?  I don't know just a thought.  

Encourage the people around you to get into God's Word, so that hope and love will spread throughout this world.  We are desperate to hear from God and the way to hear is by being in His Word.  So share His Words, not ours...His Words with friends.  Another thought is not by shouting it, but by living it.  Not by pounding it, but by hugging it.  Even another thought might be by actually giving the Bible to someone this Christmas and sharing in a note inside of how it made a huge difference in your life when you actually read it.  No actual conversation.  Just truth in a letter that allows God to speak through your gift.

How do you want to encourage and provide hope?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

More from Luke 1 ~ humble state

Luke 1:48

for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant

Today, is another day for sharing  honestly about me.  Have you ever felt really good about yourself?  Or perhaps you suffer from too little self worth.  I fall into both categories!  Oops, not a good thing.  I could list some, but it's not about me.  A lesson that is humbling, but so worth finally getting.

 Today, we are encouraged to think constantly about ourselves.  What do you want?  What do you need?  It is a MEEEEEEE WORLD, but it's not. It is hard to be humble because being humble is taking the eyes off of MEEEEEEE and realizing who it really is all about...GOD. A lesson so worth being taught, because the peace we hear about that we don't understand comes with this lesson in life!

When we began to travel to Colorado and I spent a lot more time in the mountain surroundings.  God taught me so much and still does.  One lesson is about just how big I am and how big HE truly is...let's just say I am humbled!  It is so awesome to sit and look around and realize that you are but a speck and God is just huge!  Yet, when we realize that God loves us so much that He searches for each speck and desires relationship with each one of us...we are once again humbled!  It is all about God and what He is doing.

God  is so much more than any of us are able to imagine and He teaches us in some pretty wow moments!  I realize I do matter, but that is because God is able to use the least of us!  Nothing about me; it is all about the Mighty God we serve!

Mary was humble and He saw her.  He picked her to be His son's mother.  She was worthy.

Today, look around realize just how big God truly is and that He loves you too!!!

Thank you LORD for teaching me about who You are!  I love you and I need you to hold my hand in this world that tells me to focus on me and yet you turn my eyes back to what matters and where I need to be.  Lessons that honestly sometimes I don't want to receive at the time, but are so worth the homework.  Lord, thank you for being so Big and Awesome and allowing me the eyes to see just a little bit of who You truly are...I love you!  Amen

Share a today about how God truly is more than we are able to comprehend...

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Luke 1 ~ My Soul Glorifies the Lord

As I continue to ponder Luke 1 this verse really hit home with me.

And Mary said: My soul glorifies the LORD and my spirit rejoices in my Savior...

Mary has just been encouraged by the Holy Spirit through Elizabeth and immediately she sings glory to God!  In this moment of time she felt the need to worship and believe who God truly is and it is beautiful.

I was pondering this all day Monday and it continued yesterday.  I have to share that on Monday night I tuned in to the Voice and God shined through a young man.  Christian Crevas sang the worship song "To Worship You I Live and does he indeed!  It was amazing.  This young man raised his hands in worship before millions of people and God shined through him.  It was amazing.  Christian was moved and so was everybody watching.  The comments the judges made, the comments I have read online about this moment show that indeed God moved through this young man choosing to sing this song and allow God to move.  

Another moment is Tim Tebow in the Harry show recently.  I happen to see the clip this morning.  Again, order his book SHAKEN and be blessed. (the story is shared in the book too)  He shares about John 3:16 and the WHOLE STORY about God using 3:16 in his journey. Yes, it is a wow moment! Please google it and be awed by God.  Tim continues to allow God to receive the glory  by Tim sharing the things God is doing in his journey!

Google both moments for yourself and allow God to shine!  Truly God is working and the questions is are we going to let God use us to let His glory shine through us?

Please share your story and allow God to work...

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Dear Santa

I arrived at Simple Church this morning to the greeting from a friend from high school.  After hugs Connie ask me, if I wanted to write a letter to Santa.  I went blank.  Simple Church is having everybody right a letter to Santa and they are going to do something special with them at their Christmas Eve service.  A beautiful idea and I know lots of hearts will be filled.

Back to my letter...it had been years since I have even been asked what do you want for Christmas.  Kenny and I don't buy each other gifts a choice we made years ago.  So my mind began to swirl and everything I came up with wasn't anything that Santa could give me.  All the things I wanted to write sounded a lot more like a prayer to God than a letter to Santa.  Things I desire only God is able to provide and I think that is part of the getting older process.  Yet, it filled me with joy to simply go through this process.

Why?  I realized that it's not so bad to be getting older and realizing that love, peace, forgiveness, grace, and joy truly are the things I desire! The realization that I only want the lost to know the Lord and to feel His amazing love.  Thank you Lord for the gift of your Son to save a wretch like me!  I love you and it is my prayer that the little ones that write their letters to Santa will indeed be filled with joy and happiness for their answered letters, but for the unanswered letters that these little ones will still know they are loved and that love is so much better than stuff!  I pray for their little hearts to be filled with love and understanding.  I pray that someone will cross that path and meet a need.  Amen

Again, thanks for the Santa letter thought process Simple Church!  Great getting a hug Connie and the reconnecting with a friend.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

More from Luke 1

A Choice we all have to make for ourselves.  Do we believe or not?

Mary sets such an amazing example.  I continue to be fascinated with this amazing young woman and her choice to believe knowing what she might be facing.  Yet rather than focus on the bad things that might happen she made a choice to believe God would work it all out.

She had to have made this choice.  After all, if she didn't how could she have taken one step forward from the moment that Gabriel left her?  She knew she could die.  She knew that Joseph could have her stoned.  Yet, she continued to take each step and believe that God indeed went before her.

I love the story of Elizabeth and Mary.  The strength she gained from words of encouragement that Elizabeth gave her and the love that she needed to face the unknown.  Elizabeth gave her these beautiful words in Luke that will

just fill any of us with hope, if we listen to them.

Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.

It's is a choice we each must make.  Do we choose to believe the words that God gives us through His Word?  Do we want to believe?

It is my prayer that each day you will be filled with hope, joy, and strength to believe God's words.  Don't believe the words shouted at us daily in this world of doom and gloom.  Believe the words of God that fill you with hope, joy, love, compassion, and strength!

Listen to the same verse above from the Message bible ~

Blessed woman, who believed what God said, believed every word would come true!

Believe the words will indeed come true!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

More Musings on Luke 1

Encouragement is something everyone is able to do!  Not everyone can draw, not everyone can play a sport, not everyone is able to dance. Do you get the picture?  YET everyone is able to offer a kind word that helps more than anyone might realize.

Reading further today in Luke, Mary arrives at Elizabeth's home and immediately upon Mary saying hello.  Elizabeth in a very loud voice filled with the Holy Spirit offered wonderful encouraging words to Mary.  Imagine, the weight on Mary's shoulders when she arrived at the home of a cousin that she doesn't see very often.  She just traveled a pretty good distance with people, perhaps she didn't know very well and an angel of God just delivered news that was beyond anything she could have ever imagined.  Mary also didn't know what would happen next in her young life.

Yet, she walks through the door and is offered these amazing words from Luke 1:

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!  But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

Imagine for a moment the weight that immediately was lifted off this young woman's shoulders and heart.  All because this woman followed the leading of the Holy Spirit.

How often do we feel the Holy Spirit guiding us to offer words to someone and we resist?  Or perhaps we follow through and we see the hope immediately sweep over the face of the one that received the words they needed?  Follow the nudges!

Last Saturday I followed a nudge and drove to Hope, Arkansas.  Our family farm was the destination and God surprised me with the eagle above!  I always love God moments and how amazing He truly is and how He provides what we need and when we need it.  He did that for me and He did it for Mary and He will do it for you!

Share encouragement today!  

God gave me this scripture to share with you today from Isaiah.  I loved the way it is written in the Message, so that is the one I am sharing with you today.  I pray that He reminds you through this passage of who He is and how much He loves you!

Isaiah 40:31 The Message (MSG)

^27-31 Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
    or, whine, Israel, saying,
“God has lost track of me.
    He doesn’t care what happens to me”?
Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening?
God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.
    He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.
    And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
    gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
    young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
    They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
    they walk and don’t lag behind.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

More thoughts on Mary ~ God is in the details!

Okay, how many of your girlfriends make lists?  A grocery list?  A packing list? A to do list?  A list just to have a list?  A list so you are able to say you have a list?

I know without a doubt that at some point or all the time you ladies have a list.

The very next point  in the story found in Luke 1 after the angel left Mary we find these words ~

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea...

I could not go any further.  I have shared the last few days about my issues with questions and these words throw up a whole new list.  Yes, I have to make a list about these words right here.  

1.  How did Mary convince her parents to let her suddenly leave to travel many miles to visit a cousin?  

2.  Did her parents not think it is strange that suddenly a 14 to 15 year old girl is suddenly consumed with thoughts about her much older cousin?

3.  What did Joseph think of this sudden upcoming trip?

4. How did she travel to this new place?

5.  Who did she travel with?

6.  What story did she give to go?

I could continue this list to be a top 10 or even more, but the only possible solution is that God is in the details.  God worked it out for Mary and He works it out for us!  We must proceed through our journey like Mary did.  She got ready and hurried to the new town.  She trusted.  She believed and God took care of all the questions with the answers needed.

How often do we miss out on God being in the details?  Mary believed with all of her heart.  How one might ask?  Well, I believe it is because she knew God and she knew His Words.  She would have heard these words from Deuteronomy 31:8 ~

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."  

Mary had probably heard the story many times from her father sharing the story of Moses talking to Joshua.  The encouragement that Joshua received to take on the leadership of the people of God.  Mary knew that God had chosen her and perhaps she claimed these words and found strength to pack up and head on out.  After all, it had to have struck a chord with her that Gabriel chose to share with her these words during the same time he was giving her details about Jesus upcoming birth.  I mean think about it.  Suddenly these words in my words are shared; Oh, by the way even Elizabeth your relative that is old is having a child...check it out in Luke 1:36.  She was listening in detail and took the words to heart!

Today, listen for the details!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

And then the angel left her...

Ponderings on Luke 1...

And then the angel left her.

Okay, I don't know about you, but I would have been pleading wait just one more question. I mean seriously what was going on in Mary's mind.  After all, she was a young woman. (very young) and I am a woman, some of you are a women and let's be honest so much would be swirling through our heads.

Are any of you like me?  I mean I am having conversations in my head all the time.  I even think my hubby, Kenny is participating in them and I will start asking him questions from the midway conversation going on in my head.  Also, they aren't even about something huge like what just happened to Mary and I'm asking questions about how, when, why, what?????

Yet this angel knew Mary's heart!  Oh Lord that my heart would be like Mary's that even with the questions that might be swirling in my brain my heart is still full of You!  Please Lord, let my heart be filled with strong faith, strong love, and full on believing who You are and knowing nothing is a surprise to You!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

P.S. Don't you love this angel?  I found her in Greenwood cemetery off of Stoner.  My hobby of photography is taking me to interesting places and wonderful surprises!

Thoughts pondered during this Christmas season

Amazing how things change with time, isn't it?  Christmas brings on different thoughts the older we get or at least I hope it does for all of us.  Each stage is so important to the journey the realizations that are recognized with each passing of Christmas.  The wonder and awe when we are children is so spectacular to the realization as adults of the true wonder and awe learned with aging.  I realize I still have lots to learn(or I hope I do) and hopefully forget some of the bad things I've learned along the way as well!

I thought I might share some of my thoughts through the season with you, my friends and family.  Saturday I traveled to our family hometown and the place where many memories were made and hopefully lots more to be made!  I drove up and immediately my eyes went to these chairs.  The chairs that many important conversations happened between generations.  Some of my fondest memories of laughter and leg slapping happened right here on this porch witnessing the love of my father and his father who were enjoying life together.  Now the chairs are empty most of the time.  Daddy doesn't make the trip to the farm as much anymore and I think partly because he still misses papaw so very much and this was their spot.  

So I sat and I rocked...remembering with the tears rolling down my cheeks at just how fast time goes by. As I did I remembered being told by my cousin Abe these very words.  "Don't wish your time away dreaming of when you are older.  It gets it soon enough."  Now I realize just what he meant!  The tears rolled, but laughter still came through the tears.  The memories of papaw sitting in his car with the motor running listening to the St. Louis Cardinals on the radio, because they weren't on the tv.  He wasn't going to let that stop him.  Or watching Pam help Ken(her California man)  learn about taking fish off the hooks and him slowly learning his way around all of us southern folks.  Or Kenny and I taking a 4 wheeler trip around the country roads and the fish frys.  Oh, the fish frys.  Daddy made himself a special room just to cook his fish, so the rest of the house wouldn't be messed up.  I could taste the fish sitting there rocking back and forth. The lunches with mom and daddy in Washington and the rest of all our crew in Washington.  Such special times with people I love so very dearly!  God gifts us with these memories to realize just how special the gift of time truly is...

Another thing I pondered and have been for several days is the story of Mary and her response to the angel.  Mary was so willing.  I have been pondering the question - am I willing to do what God ask of me?  Are  you?  I want us to look at this story for a moment in closing.  When Gabriel told Mary what was about to happen she responded with "How will this be since I am a virgin" and he answered with how the Holy Spirit would come on her and it would happen and Mary simply responded with "I am the Lord's servant."  "May it be to me as you have said."  Well the first thought I had and continue to have is she only ask one question.  One question and she was satisfied with the answer.  How many women do you know that only ask one question?  I have had so many questions just pondering this story when I put myself in Mary's shoes.  I would have ask, but Lord how will Joseph handle this?  How will my parents respond?  What will the community do to me?  How will I take care of Jesus?  How?  How? How? Why me?

Yet this young lady of about 14 simply responds with faith and trust in God!  When was the last time I responded to my difficult situations in the same way?  When was the last time that you did?

It is my prayer this Christmas that I respond with Mary's response Lord.  "May it be to me has you have said Lord."

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Page turning and wonderful book by Connilyn Cossette

I love this book series!  Many months ago I finished the first one which was Counted with the Stars and absolutely was moved to think about things from a very different perspective of the Egyptians and the slaves when Moses returned to Egypt to bring the people to freedom.  It opened my eyes to think deeper than I ever had before on all the people that faced the horrible things that happened.  Yet Connilyn wove the story into such a beautiful tapestry that love flowed throughout her story just like God does with the Bible. 

Truly I felt the love of God with the book and the writing of Connilyn.  I was deeply moved so that I emailed her and thanked her for allowing God to use her and requested to be on her team when she wrote another book.  I am on her launch team for the second book in the series and it is just as fabulous!

I love Shira the main character in this story!  I love reading the words as she finds her true calling, her true love, and God at the foot of Mount Sinai.  Chaos swirled around yet Shira discovered all about hope and love through real life difficulties.   Along the way, I found the same. I will not share further details of the book because I don't want to ruin it for anyone.  God will use it in a mighty way, if you will allow Him to.  So order it now!  

Five stars!  Start this series for yourself and you will not regret it.  I was given this book for my honest review and honestly I LOVED IT!  I am counting the days until book 3!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Stirred!

I love this book!

I don't care, if you like sports or not you will be encouraged by reading this book.  I am a sports person and I am also a book person.  I still wondered would this book be worth my time and it truly was and is.  

I gauge a book by do I remember it once I finish it.  Did it move me to want to share it with others?  Does it change my way of thinking about something?  Does it give me hope?  And a really big one is this question.  Is is worth my time?  

Yes to all of the above.  I have always like Tim Tebow.  I admired his courage for standing up for his beliefs whether it was popular or not.  Yet, I still wasn't sure if this would move me and well it did.  

Tim was real and opened up about hurt, pain, doubt, fear, and all of these he faced in the public eye.  We face our fears in private not for the world to offer its opinion with each situation you face.  Tim is honest with his hurt and his questions that he was asking deep inside his soul.  

I think what touched me most is the way he shared the people that God brought into his life to touch and help him deal with his own journey.  People that faced cancer, a loss of their dream, or those that offered hope when others might not see hope.  

The book is a quick read that will stir your soul.  Tim shared a story that touched me so deeply and is a wonderful reminder that each of us matter so very much.  It is a story about an American missionary, Sam Wodgemuth that spoke to hundreds of young people in New Delhi, India.  After pouring his heart out, pouring his soul into these young people, he invited the people to trust in Jesus and to come forward to the front.

Only one person came forward.  Sam shared his disappointment and he couldn't believe that no one else came forward.  But the one man was Dr. Ravi Zacharias.  Check out who this is, if you don't know.  Google him.  One person matters!  He went for one person and the one person was Dr. Ravi Zacharias.  Tim sharing this story is a wonderful reminder that everyone matters even one!

Tim continued sharing from this story into the Bible story of Jesus feeding the crowds.  He made me think about questions from this story that made me think deeper.  The little boy that offered his basket of fish and loaves of bread.  Was he afraid to speak up to the disciples?  Did he wrestle with the decision?  Did he worry about people making fun of him?  After all, how could his little basket make a difference?  

Powerful thought-provoking and so much more, but I don't like to give away too much.  I want you to order the book and read it for yourself.  I want you to give it to someone that needs encouragement and hope!  I want you to read it with open eyes and heart and forget any opinion you may have one way or the other on the person Tim Tebow.  Allow God to use Tim to speak into your soul.

I happen to believe Tim is a fine young man that is allowing God to shine through him anyway possible, but honestly it doesn't matter what I think....it only matters what God thinks and Tim is willing to let each person  think what we want while he serves God openly and very authentically!

I was given this book to give my honest review of it, but I've already ordered my first one for a gift!  Order your copy today!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie Covington

God's way isn't necessarily ours, but His way is so much better!

1 Thessalonians 5:18

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

I do give thanks to you Lord!  Your way is so much better than our little minds are able to comprehend or understand.  Thank you!  Thank you!

I am going to admit to something right off this morning.  One day several years ago, Kenny came in with a bright idea to purchase a home in Colorado.  I was dead set against this idea.  I argued we don't need a home anywhere else.  We don't and I won't enjoy this at all.  No.  Well, he went against my pleas without me even setting eyes on it and bought it.  Needless to say, I was very upset and angry!  How could he?  Well, I was wrong and he was right!  Okay Kenny I admit it in public!  I am so glad he went against my stubborn streak and bought this house.  But it's not the house that he purchased that God uses with me it's God's creation. Words simply can't express the gift of God that I've received from this place and the people that He brought into my life from this out of the box idea!  Thank you Lord for being so much bigger than I can ever comprehend!

I am so much closer to God through this out of the box place, against my grain purchase.  I notice things I never took time to notice in Louisiana such as birds, sounds, and nature of all types.  I was given the gift of time to explore and take an adventure like no other.  I set out days in this place not  sure where I'm going or what I will experience other than one thing is certain God shows up in every turn of the head or blink of the eye and it is spiritual.  Now even when I am in my home in Louisiana He is bigger here too.  I see Him even more  with the turn of my head or blink of the eye everywhere, because of creation.

I was suppose to experience this little slice of heaven this week again.  Yet, I couldn't take the uneasiness in my spirit away that I wasn't suppose to go.  I tried oh how I tried, but I couldn't do it.  So I cancelled the trip.  Well, Kenny has been sick all week and needed a little help.  He is fine, yet he needed me to be here this week and not in Colorado.  So I am glad that I listened to the Holy Spirit nudges to stay here with Kenny in Louisiana and to give thanks in all circumstances!  

Thank you Lord for being so much more than I will ever understand and for loving me beyond words.  I treasure the moments that without a doubt You show up and share with me a little piece of You.  I love you more and more with each turn of my head or blink of my eyes.  Amen

Sweet blessings,

Debbie