ChristmasIsComing Simple Woman’s Daybook

(Jumping in with Cindy)

My own version of the Simple Woman's Daybook for today:

Outside my window...
Cool day…highs in 48-50* range…clouds rolling in and rain is supposed to start tonight.

I’m thinking...
these cooler temperatures are awesome for me in my ‘eternal’ hot-flash state.  Everyone else is complaining it’s cold.

I am thankful for...
My husband handling the food lineup for Christmas week with his sister…they’re splitting the cooking/food responsibilities.

From the kitchen...
turkey cutlets wrapped in bacon, seared in balsamic vinegar; broccoli, cauliflower, carrots in cheese sauce, French rolls, tomato slices

I am reading...
Disciple 1, Week 15…Hope

I am creating...
table decorations for our Christmas dinner table … pics later

Around the house...
There are signs of Christmas: An un-decorated tree, a wreath on the door and a stocking on the garage door entrance and a blooming Christmas cactus.

On my MP3 player this week...
nothing

One of my favorite things...
Arizona Peach Tea … instant packets with Splenda included.  I don’t have to make a gallon at a time.

One of my least favorite things...
Mommies continuing to shop, ignoring or being impatient with their ‘obviously-tired, screaming’ children riding in shopping carts

A Simple Grace Note...
Look Ma, NO cavities…yeah!

My Simple Devotion:  Day 46 Daily Affirmations (grieving a recent loss of a friend lost much too soon)  Today’s word: BLISS  The dictionary notes BLISS as:   state of extreme happiness, ecstasy, or spiritual joy

It can be hard for to imagine your loved one in a state of such happiness. But, why not try it for today?   After all, it’s a comforting thought, isn’t it?   Of all the things you could consider as their experience after death, this is a nice one. 

If “bliss” is too strong, try “quiet contentment.” Rest assured, it’s not likely they are suffering the sorrows of grief you are.  Wouldn’t they have joy in knowing you’ve found some measure of comfort for yourself in thinking they are blissful?

So, just for today, try that thought on for size. If it “fits,” wear it – from this day forward; like a warm jacket on a windy day.

Quotation for the Day
"I can assure you those who have already passed have not only made it to the Other Side, but are in a state of bliss." ~ Sylvia Browne, Journal of Love & Healing

I read the above quote; but I needed something from God’s Word to give me a better confirmation.

Revelation 14:13 “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.  Yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” (now THAT sounds like bliss)!

A Picture to Share:

Our prayer shawl ministry had a Christmas brunch this past Tuesday morning, so Zena and I had a chance to get a new picture

SEEKING 'I AM'

Searching in His Word...

My life verse, Jeremiah 33:3, "Call to Me and I will answer you; and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know", guides me to THE 'hands on' way to find His answers, Hear His Voice, Immersing into Scripture away from the evil one..'HeWhoMustNotBeNamed'...who rules over the world.

This is a time I DO NOT want the world's perspective.

I yearn for Heavenly perspective.  A perfection given from "I AM", who created the universe.

Life is throwing INOBVIOUS ANSWERS, and I continue asking WHY while trying to comfort also-hurting younger adults.

Today anger creeps from usually happy corners of my mind and shock splashes back and forth, crunching my stomach.   There is no place for normal hunger while these pangs are rolling back, forth and around inside the core of my being.

Heartbrokenness isn't a comfortable pondering and it has become a close companion while poking and grabbing me; yes, shock's boots intermittently stomp said heart each time memories flash in and out of mind's eye.

Overwhelming sorrow has overtaken. Too many questions...fewer answers...and LOTS of sorrow among all who loved and still love.

 

Dear Jesus, Our Risen and Living Lord,

We are but human, You are Creator

Please guide us to Your Word, Your eternally living Words...

Fill our empty spaces...in, during and after this shock. 

 

Continue emblazing Your Word of Truth into our numbness. 

 

In Your crying over Lazarus, Your compassion for Your people was shared; 

so I believe You are crying with us

Continue interceding to Our Holy, Loving Father on our behalf.

 

Amen & Amen

Let It Be So & Let It Be So

John 8:31

"If you continue in my word, then you are truly Disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
Blessings,

SIMPLE WOMAN’S DAYBOOK…one more week of June

My own version of the Simple Woman's Daybook for today…

Outside my window...lots of cumulus clouds floating by, gradually joining together to become some scattered thunderstorms later in the evening I imagine.

I am thinking…Laziness overtook me late in the day… should have gotten myself out of this chair and gone to camp meeting at our church’s campgrounds…it’s beginning tonight.  (Different preachers for the next four nights, giving us their input on Matthew 25 and our ‘going’)

I am thankful for...having lunch at Red Robin’s with friends and CollegeGirl today, then spending the afternoon ‘talking’ about ‘stuff’ as she’s in between semesters…she’s working on a few  ‘TV show’ and ‘film extra’ sets…some pretty good part-time work; and, she’s met a couple of ‘stars’.  Or, I should say they’ve met ‘my star’…yea, that’s better!

From the kitchen...the hand-cranked ice cream bucket is waiting for its bath before going back to the basement…maybe I’ll keep it upstairs for a while and make another batch.  The peach/vanilla was AWESOME!…and there are leftovers

I am reading...FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS (WWII Iwo Jima flag ‘raisers’)

I am creating...a crocheted baby outfit for a little girl that will be arriving in July. 

Around the house...my guest room continues to call out to me to ‘empty me, please!’.  It’s my ‘put it here in the interim room’ and the interim has run out, I believe.

On my MP3 player this week...talk radio…

One of my favorite things:  finding a really good recipe that is easy to remember.

One of my least favorite things...watching the squirrels eat the bird food after the raccoon destroyed the ‘squirrel stopper’ bird feeder.

 A Simple Grace Note: Our new pastor preached his first sermon today; it’s a bittersweet time (our last pastor was here 12 years).  Will begin ‘praying our new pastor up as he and his wife transition.

My simple devotion:  Freedom is ours in Christ…no need to hide ourselves behind a veil.  Christ as our intercessor, sits next to His Father (physically) while showing His ‘whiter than snow’ face speaks loving Words to cover our ugliness…this IS grace.

2 Cor. 3:15-18   ^“Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers “Israel's” hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

A Picture to Share:

1/2 can condensed milk

4 peeled/chopped peaches

tsp. vanilla

4 c. soy milk

1/2 c. sugar

1/4 c. Splenda

Thirty minutes of churning …MMMMMMMMM, good! 

TOUCH STONE REMINDER

What is the WORD or the VERSE God'S 
giving your heart for this New Year?

Following Elaine at PEACE FOR THE JOURNEY where she said

because I need a touch stone of remembrance for the daily practicing of my faith… 

I am one who certainly needs to follow through as she is...it is also recommended in Touchstone Magazine's blog, "Mere Christianity"...

"...live consciously under the Name of Jesus should be the devout desire of every Christian, moment by moment; it is the Name by which we live.“

So, my touch stone will be "...continue in My word..." 


In its entirety...

John 8:31 "So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; ³² and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

believing on Him, The eternal Word of God

continuing study on His Word for life guidance

choosing His knowing my narrow-er path...the 'world's path' too wide

pointing the way, calming tongues, storms in times of need...

going forward ... His Light on dark paths  

HE, the Word

my comfort, support, promise

Is HE your "everything"?

James 5:11 "What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You've heard, of course, of Job's staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That's because God cares, cares right down to the last detail."

Blessings,

YOUR HANDS...HIS GLORY :)

I'm so glad I visited her today.

Her post made me smile and say, "awwwwwww".

She did something so sweet.

She gets my VOTE today for the BEST blog of the day...

soooo, this calls for a 'blog award', I think!

even for one of His 'lesser' creations, like a precious little doggie.

After you've left her a nice comment, jump back over here and note what jumped out to you the most, please. You KNOW how I LOVE COMMENTS :)

FLUTTERBYE...CHRONICLES

1 John 5:7 And the Spirit is the witness, because the Spirit is the truth.

"Blessings,

THRONE TRIP TUESDAY...

How are you greeting Christ today? Susan's post always helps me center into His wants for my day...His love of my life...His love of me...and you.

"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26

His promises; pondering them
His continually 'caring for me', His disciple
"Communion-ing" with Him, in me
His Spirit thriving in my heart
His Spirit interacting with my life
Choosing obedience; fighting off my will
Obeying having been pressed in by the law? no
Gracing me, through His sacrifice
Interceding on my behalf, every day, every hour, every minute, every second
Spiritual tokens twinkling in my pocket...Christ's love & constant presence
Following in gratitude
He's taking pleasure in loving me at His feet
He's resting in loving me, each day as I'm opening my heart door where He's knocking
His home; IN me
Privileged, inherited, eternally grateful
Confining during guidance
Sharing His guidance, so permeating
Faith working by His love
Holy Spirit's new-creating grace; forgiving my unworthy humanness
Being His...opening heart-doors for His entering
Eventual, eternal... Christ-likeness

Amen & Amen

Jer. 33:3

"Call to me and I will answer you

and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."Blessings,

BEE 1 SHARE 1 FRIDAY...come join in

HAVE YOU GROWN WEARY OF THE NEWS?

 

I have...

Whether TV, radio or printed medium

Bad news, really bad news, resounds.

Digital visions saying we're not a Christian nation

Printed press implying we've adopted socialism

Even leaders throughout the government upholding "white lies" and "deceit"

How about we re-energize our blogging community?

Let's look for the "blessings" in the world.

Big or little happenings...

Young or old participants

being a blessing as His hands, feet or voice

 or sharing a blessing you've seen or heard throughout your week

Prose is always nice

and pictures are favored as well

Come on, bloggers...

you've got "blessings to tell!"

Will you join me each Friday?

I'll respond as you render

Mr. Linky's help along the way

To His Glory blessings been/shared we'll surrender!

He's already foretold we will be a blessing...

and the poets say it will be our crown...

His blessings as He walked this Earth taught us how...

get one, give one!!

Join me on Fridays to lift up God's hands and feet...

continuing on through you...

continuing on through others you meet.

Genesis 12:2  "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing." 

Proverbs 10:6

"Blessings crown the head of the righteous."

Genesis 12:2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will b  less you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

Yiddish Proverb “Prayers go up and blessings come down”

REAL HELP....REAL HOPE

Today's post involves two blog sites--
one of "giving"

one of "hope"

Grace Arbor ...our faith-based congregational respite program for older adults with memory impairment...meeting social and emotional needs of the participants and their caregivers.

Various groups in the church volunteer and help with the social activities.

They enjoy morning devotions/hymn singing, armchair exercises, games, gardening, art, pet therapy, sing-alongs, inter-generational activities with the preschool, and community entertainment.


I absolutely love it when our youth share themselves, their time, and their love with everyone at Grace Arbor...they ALL have fun!





Each year close to Easter they celebrate a seder meal...their director usually borrows my seder plate---I love having them use it. But recently, I was pondering everything the director does...she is always giving.


Then, I knew what I needed to GIVE.

I found a special seder plate for them to KEEP...my gift to her, her commitment to the ministry, to the sweet people and to being Christ's hands and feet to our hurting world.

Hope for our future...these kids understand the changes that take place in some peoples' lives as they grow older and their compassion has increased, their giving has increased, my hope has increased!


To see more ONE DAY TO GIVE entries, go here:http://www.wearethatfamily.com/2008/10/one-day-to-give-celebration.html

To see more HOPEFUL FRIDAY, go to Cielo's http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/2008/10/hopeful-friday_16.html