He took him outside

I love when God shows up!  Picking up the new Beth Moore study entitled The Quest a few weeks ago and slowly working through it.  I am taking my time, because I want to get the fullness of it all.  After all, a quest takes a little time and relationships take even more.  I want to fill up with Jesus and grow and grow and grow.

Anyway, this morning Beth took me to Genesis 15 to study.  Wow, God showed up with something I had not ever caught before when Abraham is talking with God inside a tent and in verse 4 God said these words ~ He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars...What caught my attention is that God took him outside.  Did God take him by the hand?  Did he lead him out?  I don't know how it took place, but they went outside at God's instruction.  Imagine, they were inside a tent so Abraham's view was not what it would be outside.  God widen Abraham's vision just like He widened my eyes and soothed my soul by providing hope in Him!

Colorado is this to me.  God lead me to Colorado kicking and screaming.  Seriously, I fought Kenny over purchasing this wonderful gift.  We didn't need it and it was a bone of contention with me.  I didn't even go with him to buy it.  I was so against it.  Well, you know how God works through the strangest things.  He opened up my vision and my faith through His Mighty Creation.  I feel just like Abraham must have felt when he was taken outside the walls of the tent.  I was taken outside my safe comforts of the world I knew and lead to this beautiful creation that God shows up and truly shows me every time HOW MIGHTY AND BIG HE IS...this place is a gift because of God.  He widens my believing ability through His Works in creation and people.  

I never cease to be amazed at God when He leads me outside of whatever comfort zone I might be inside of...God lead Abraham outside and we are told Abram believed the Lord.  Do we believe the Lord?  I believe more every time I allow God to take my hand and take me outside of whatever tent I have around myself.

I dream the little photo above and it is my attempt to show the many colors and stars that God paints in the sky.  It is also my stepping outside of my tent and allowing God to grow me.  He is taking down walls that I put up or I build everyday and I just want to shout I believe!  I believe! 

It is my prayer that you believe and go outside with Him too!

Sweet blessings,

P.S.  I love this new study by Beth Moore and Lifeway.  I bought it on my own and was not given anything to recommend it.  Just sharing my thoughts.

Keep trying!

Remember, the old saying "If at first you don't succeed try, try, try again?  I do.

Early in the summer I found out the zoo in Albuquerque had two polar bears.  I have always loved polar bears and it became my mission to see these polar bears.  I drug my mom and my aunt to the zoo in 90 degree weather to see polar bears.  Yes, I did and well they were in a refrigerator ( so to speak) they didn't come out in hot weather!  Seriously, polar bears in that heat?  What was I thinking?  I wasn't...all I could see was polar bear pictures.  I love polar bears.

I don't know why they have always fascinated me.  The size of their paws.  The far away place they take up residence.  The uniqueness of them.  All of it intrigued me.

Well, I wasn't giving up and it became a goal.  Well, last week it became a reality.  Linda and Valine even googled other zoo that housed polar bears.  They were ready with necessary information of where we could make a trip to, if we were not successful.  They really wanted to help me see these beautiful animals.  These women were filled with information if disappointment came my way to provide hope!

We saw them.  Yes, we did!  

Seriously, beautiful critters.  The bear posed for photos!  I am not kidding. The bear came right in front of me and laid across that rock.  Giving me a perfectly beautiful view of the paws on this creature.  Absolutely stunning.  Words really fall short and I was just like all the other little kids around that wall....excited that I was living part of my dream.  The dream to see a polar bear.

Well, I was just fascinated and filled with God's wonder.  Yes, God showed up.  He showed up in His creativity with creating each and every one of the amazing animals that we were gifted with sharing a moment with at the zoo.

Absolutely I will show you my beauty!

Even a baby giraffe came out.  Born in June and we got the opportunity to take photos.

Yes, blonde headed lady I will show you my teeth.  I think it is best you move along!

Come on lady.  Not another photo!

So many unique, special animals that we got to take photos of, but most of all celebrate the joy of creation.  God shows up big time all day, everyday, but do we notice?  Share your moments that God shows up in your journey.  God showing up provides hope and wonder that are more than any words that you or I are able to offer.  God showing up in special ways touches our souls!  So share your moments with others.

God showed up in the zoo and through my friends that were willing to figure out where our next road trip was to provide me the chance to see a polar bear and the animals themselves!

Hope you have a wonderful Friday!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

A new adventure

I am always ready for an adventure!  I truly feel that right now I am suppose to travel and share God's beautiful creation with others.  He shows up and shows me new and exciting things at the same time opening my eyes to who He truly is...our life is truly about Him!  Did you see that?  Our life is about Him and where we are in relationship with Him, where we place Him in our life, and/or if we have Him in our life, and are we following His instructions with others.

God is taking me on the grandest adventure and I love it!  Is it always fun? Some of the time and quite honestly a little truth here it is tiring at times.  I get tired driving and searching, but at the same time all I can say is Wow what a trip!

I got back home on Friday last week to get ready for a ball game that night.  Saturday I was up to go to the cotton fields to take pictures and I wanted to stay in bed...Yet, I truly am not exaggerating when I say that I feel lead to go to discover and to listen.  God shows up, but do I?  Ask yourself the question.  Are you feeling God calling you to go?  Don't miss it.  Go and see what He is going to share with you.  Truly it is an adventure.

I want to show you some photos from a little town in New Mexico called Tucumcari.  It was an amazing little town.  We were riding along looking for something else to see when Linda Perkins read about this little town and discovered some art painted on various buildings throughout the town.  So we got off the interstate to explore.  Valine, Linda, and myself with cameras in hand ready to discover whatever we found and these are just a few of the wonderful sights.


We discovered that the old television show Rawhide was filmed here and that meant Clint Eastwood had been to Tucumcari!

Sometimes, it pays to get off the Interstates and follow the old routes.  I mean who hasn't heard of Route 66?  Well this is one of the old towns along this famous route.

Beautiful flowers were found near where Clint stayed!

The art of the walls was fabulous.  True talent just found along the old buildings in this little town or inside of old hotels.  Joy found exploring for the next one.

   We even found James Dean along the way.  Also, Elvis, but I liked this one of James Dean better.

Truly, it was an adventure!  Shared with friends while we laughed, while we missed turns, while we searched.  Don't miss out on fun and discovery.

All of this to share my new found joy of discovering the unexpected along the adventure.  Also, to encourage you whether it is a mile or two down the road or thousands of miles don't miss this journey.  Don't miss what God wants you to find!  He wants you to take His hand and discover joy along the way.

Remember in Genesis 12 when God called Abram?  He told Abram to leave everything he knew and to go.  These are the words found in Genesis 12 ~

"Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you...."

Imagine it.  God told Abram to leave all that he knew, all that he understood, and all that he had and to go.  Talk about faith that each of us need to grasp and understand.  Abram was blessed beyond measure because he believed God and His promises.  Are we missing out on an adventure, because we just don't have enough faith?  Don't miss out!  Believe, take God's hand and go where He calls you.  It may be just a few steps or it may be around the world, but God provides always!

All of these photos are photos that I took along Route 66.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Ask, Seek, Knock

Okay,you don't need to notice that I am beginning to have more age spots!  Yes, it happens to all of us and we need to wear them well.  We earn each and every one, so forget about it.  No worries about age spots or other aging fun facts.

Seriously, the verse that I have really been pondering this week is from Matthew 7:7 and this is it:

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

So, let me ask you what do you think?  Is it easy to knock on that door?  

When we were children we had this down pretty well.  We played a lot of hide and seek, we asked tons of questions and then we got older and we didn't do either of these as much.  We aren't aging gracefully or playfully.  Children have it right.  Remember the scripture about we must become like little children?  Why are we afraid to knock and ask God?  Is it fear that He knows more what we need and He may answer it a whole different way than we expect?

I think I have hit another age thing...where asking is more.  More relationship!  More to this journey than I ever dreamed!  More of Him! and even a little bit better me...and I think that is because it is less of me and more of Him.  When we are brave enough to go deeper with Him, it adds more to every aspect of our journey.

So today's challenge is Ask, Seek, and Knock!  

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

More Light

Don't you love this unusual flower that I spotted in Jefferson?  I did and I also loved the light that was hitting the flower.  Spotlighted by the Sun to shine.

God is so good!  He provided the Light that each of us need through His Son, but also daily with the Sun here in this world.  Surround yourself with Light and make the most of each and every day by allowing His light to shine through you.

It is my prayer that you each have a wonderful day shining!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

A donkey for Jesus - Book Review on An Asian Harvest by Paul Hattaway

God uses willing people to serve.  Paul Hattaway shares his amazing story in this wonderful book ~ "An Asian Harvest".  I started reading this book one afternoon and could not put it down until the following evening.  It inspired and provided hope through Paul's journey of being a donkey for Jesus.  I have so many turned down pages, so that I remember some of the stories about God showing up and providing.  Providing things that only God could or would provide.

I love to read and those of you that know me, know this about me.  I love this book!  I love it because it shares what God is doing yes it is Paul's story, but Paul points to Jesus the whole time.  Paul smuggled Bibles into China and other parts of the world.  He ate "green flies" on an Indonesian island because he remembered the Lord's clear instructions found in Luke 10: "Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you".  He shares about realizing their host prepared their best food and they were the first people perhaps sharing about Jesus, so they thanked God for the food and tried to be happy eating flies!  Imagine it! Or a python that decides to share your home...what? Yes, it happened.

I think even more than these were the stories of going through security with their Bibles.    How God would distract the checkers was amazing.  Even a time when the man realized through the screen he had Bibles in his bag, but when he checked the bag he found clothes.  Paul hastily grabbed clothes that day that weren't his by mistake.  So the man opened it to find a bunch of women's items.  Yes, bras, high heels and such.  He was disgusted with Paul and just motioned him through.  God definitely has a sense of humor.  Imagine Paul and all his friends laughing at how God provided for them to get through without any problem.

I don't want to spoil this book for any of you, but it is my prayer and hope that you will order it today!  You will not regret reading Paul's story and how he allowed God to use him sharing the Bible with those that are unable to get it.  Here is America we perhaps take our Bible for granted.  We are allowed to have however many we want in our homes.  Paul realizes the importance of God's Word and how we must read it all and share all of it with every one.  He shared a story about Thomas Jefferson I had never heard before about a Bible that is displayed at the Smithsonian that Jefferson took a pair of scissors and cut out all the parts he didn't like.  He even removed parts about miracles.  Jefferson didn't believe in miracles.  Where did he find hope one wonders?  Anyway, Paul shares that we all try at times (perhaps) to choose verses that make us feel good, while ignoring the rest and that we can't do this.  

Paul and his ministry have provided millions of Bibles to the people of China.  Paul was 16 when he heard a man share his story and he felt called to be a Bible carrier.  I thank Paul for sharing his amazing story and you will too!

Order this book today from your favorite bookstore.  Amazon. com or wherever you like to buy your books.  I was given this book by Kregel Publications to give my honest feelings on this in the form of a book review and quite honestly it was some of the best use of my time ever reading a book!  God used this book to touch my heart to help send more Bibles to those around the world that aren't blessed to have 10 or more laying around their home.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie Covington

Light

Doesn't sunshine or lights just make you feel better?  I know that I am one of those people that feel so much better with sunshine.  Winter is difficult for me I crave sunshine.  

I think the reason is that I crave Jesus.  I want more and more of Jesus and these words that Jesus spoke in John 8 just speak to who He is...

"I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of live."

Jesus is light!  

Keep you eyes on Jesus.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

P.S. Check out the blog tomorrow because I am going to share about an amazing book that I could not put down.  I read this book constantly until I finished it.  It is about a man that truly served Jesus in the most amazing, dangerous way.  You don't want to miss me sharing this book with all of you readers.

Waters, Fires, Sickness, Loss...Never Alone

Once again we are arriving to a weekend where a storm is approaching our country.  Our family, our friends, and strangers are awaiting a storm they know is coming.  I don't have any words of wisdom only words that brought me comfort when I lost my home to fire.  Words that provided hope and God did during this time that I experienced loss. 

Isaiah 43: 2-3

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  For I

am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

I don't know about a flood, but I do a fire.  God showed up big time in my life when fire came to my home on that Tuesday morning years back.  He held my hand, when I looked through lost stuff and He brought the memory back to my mind fresh and new.  He held me up, when I longed for home.  He provided the rainbow, when I needed reminding He was with me.  He provided a friend, when I needed a hug.  He provided all.

I will never quit sharing how He gave me just what I needed at the exact moment, before I even knew I needed it.  He showed up and He loved me and provided only what He is able to give. 

My heartaches for the people that know the storm is coming, but it also aches for those that don't realize a storm is coming. Many don't get advance notice before a loved one passes, the phone call with an unexpected diagnosis, the loss of a job, whatever storm shows up, but God is with all of us in the expected and in the unexpected.  It is my prayer that each of us know where to look to provide the peace that only He is able to offer.

He doesn't take away the pain, but He helps to comfort.  He provides the hope for the future and He never ever leaves us! 

So, it is my prayer that when you face the storm these words will provide the comfort that you so desire.

Hebrews 13: 5-6

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can human beings do to me?"

Claim His promise.  He will never ever leave you!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Walkways

I loved this fun walkway.  The colors, fun, green ivy, and the iron all things that I love and it made you want to enter.  It was intriguing.

Walkways in life don't always represent fun, intriguing choices, but we are called to walk through the walkway.  We are called to serve, to be helping hands, to be a neighbor and sometimes it is a little bit out of our comfort zones.

Today, help someone you meet walk through perhaps a difficult zone for them.  Be a friend, be a helper, serve someone. 

Remember the words that Jesus shared in John 15 ~

My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you.

Let's be the hands and feet of Jesus.  Be brave step outside your comfort zone.  Take the fun walkway or the walkway that is a little scary.  In the end, you will be blessed.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Shade

I love the song "I Can Only Imagine" and I think of it often during good days and bad.  Recently, the storms of this world have been difficult on everyone.  In some shape or form they touch everyone of us.  The tears flow.  The heartaches are real.  Our world is hurting, so it helps when you put your mind towards heaven and Jesus!  Yes, looking up even in the hard times makes our perspective change.

Another storm is bearing down on our country and already hitting others as I type these words.  Fear is surrounding the unknown of yet another storm for those that we love.  God brought these beautiful words to my mind this morning and I pray and hope they help you face whatever storm might be in your path today.

Isaiah 25:4

You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I lift all that are facing a storm whether it is Irma, a illness, a loss of job or home, a relationship or something else Lord, please let the hurting seek refuge with You.  Please let their eyes be turned to you and your loving arms of comfort and peace.  I pray for strength to face the storms of this life and know in their hearts that You provide refuge for each of us.  We love You Lord and know that indeed You are Lord of all.  Amen

Friends, seek the shade with the Lord!  

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Hope found in the old stuff!

Yesterday, I read the devotion from Ann Spangler's new book and I left for my adventure.  I drove the roads over to Jefferson looking for critters and neat sights.  Arriving, I wanted to find my perfect parking spot, so that walking around Jefferson would be central to bringing any must have finds back to my car.  I found one right in the middle of everything!

I began the stroll through this quaint little town.  Snapping pictures here and there, stopping to visit with fellow explorers and of course, shopping for must have items.  

I didn't find many must have's.  I wondered the aisles looking at things that someone once treasured.  I wondered about the people that came before me and how their things ended up in a little store in Jefferson to hopefully become someone else's treasure.  Times change.  Things change.  Lamps don't look the same as they use to!  Neither do shoes, hats, doors...the list goes on and on, but these were treasured by someone at some point.  I thought a lot about how they ended up on the store shelf.  Life and stuff changes constantly.

I was reminded throughout the day about Jesus is with us always!  He is still the same as when these folks were enjoying the light provided by the lamps and Him and He is right now!  I had a perk in my step thinking and pondering on He is never changing just like the words found in Malachi 3:6 ~ "I am the LORD, and I do not change."

Jesus is with us and God never changes!  Now that is where you find encouragement and hope!  Trust it and believe it!

Blessings,

God is with us!

I took this photo late one evening in Oklahoma when the sun was setting!  It reminds me that God is with me.  I always see God in nature and I am trying to spend as much time as possible in nature sharing with The Lord.  The older you get the more time you have to spend special moments with The Lord, but oh how I regret not doing this earlier in my life.  Yet, I know that God's timing is perfect.  

I went to Lifeway the other day and picked up a new devotional and I started it this morning.  I already love it.  It is praying the names of Jesus by Ann Spangler and it already touched my heart.  Today, she started with a wonderful reminder and then ask the most encouragement that one could offer.  Ann Spangler thank you for this wonderful reminder that I intend to practice from this day forward.

Ann begins with the name Immanuel.  It means that "God is with us."  Ann shared that Matthew begins with this teaching in chapter 1 and it ends with these words in Matthew 28:20 

and these are Jesus words written in red.  

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Matthew begins and ends with reminding us that Jesus is always with us.  Ann took it further with a question of how would our life be different if we began and ended each day with the firm belief that God is with you?  Wow, powerful.  Encouragement, Affirmation, Trusting, Believing, and Claiming powerful words and we need to claim them.

On this Monday, I want to encourage all of you that indeed Jesus is with us!  Always and forever and let's provide hope with reminding each other of this wonderful TRUTH!

Well, I am off to my next adventure a day in Jefferson, Texas.  Exploring and discovering God's creation and a few creations from humans.  Imagine it!

Have a wonderful day!  Sweet blessings,.