Goodmorning Mercy

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

The LORD is my portion," says my soul,

therefore I will hope in him". 

~ Lamentations 3:22-24

Yes, another year is setting, and a new one is dawning ...
another year to live with purpose in Him ...
another year to be a blessing, and to be blessed.

I pray in this new year, that you walk even more closely to Him ...
that your heart will be open to what you've not known before ...
that you come to know the blessing of simply being still in His presence ...
and in the stillness,
to find the most precious treasure hidden there.

I came across this poem from long ago ...
how fitting for today.

Another Year Is Dawning

Another year is dawning,
Dear Master, let it be,
In working, or in waiting,
Another year with Thee.

Another year of mercies,
Of faithfulness and grace;
Another year of gladness
In the shining of Thy face.

Another year of progress,
Another year of praise,
Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days.

Another year of service,
Of witness of Thy love,
Another year of training
For holier work above.

Another year is dawning,
Dear Master, let it be
On earth, or else in heaven
Another year for Thee.
- Francis Ridley Havergal - (1874) -

Hope you all have a joyful and blessed New Year!!

It's been awhile, but this week I'm happy to say
that I'm linking up with a Scripture & a Snapshot. 
To see more, or to share one, just click on the button below.
xoxo

music and a message ...

... please scroll down and pause the playlist to listen to this ... it is beautiful!

Your Light from James Grochowalski on Vimeo.

A Photo Challenge | 'Blooper'

Hope you've all had a blessed week!  It's been rainy and cold here for a couple of days, but so thankful for the warmth the sunshine brought today.  Can't believe the amount of snow in certain parts of the country already ... wonder what winter will be like here this year!  Hope you all have your stock of hot cocoa for those cold days ... you can be sure that I do!!

First, I want to thank those of you who stopped by and commented last week ... that was so encouraging for me!  Well, the days have flown by and I see it's time again for Faith Simplicity's Weekly Photo Challenge!  Although I know it's a bit late for this entry, still I couldn't resist sharing this one ... so many with little children, and I'm sure you can relate!  These adorable little girls are sisters, and I caught them sitting near a window looking so sweet in the natural light.  Of course I wanted to capture the moment, but just about the time I got ready to take their picture, she did THAT!! Lol!!  Well, as you can see, it's not particularly frame worthy, but I thought it would work well for this theme.  I also shared it here in black and white, as well.  If you'd like to see more 'Bloopers' for this week, or to enter one of your own, just click on the link below ... and thanks so much for stopping by!  Hope your week is blessed! 

A Photo Challenge | Natural Beauty

Hope you're all enjoying a beautiful and blessed fall.  We have, and it's a welcome season compared to the heat of this past summer.  We've had quite a few cooler days, and a crisp chill to the night air.  The colors have been quite intense this year, as well.  It's been a couple of years since I've seen the brilliancy that we've been seeing here lately. 

Well, I haven't been around as much as I'd like, and when I finally got back on, I saw a photo challenge that I wanted to enter.  You'll find it over on Faith's Simplicity blog, and it's all about natural beauty.  Now, you could go a few different ways with this particular challenge.  This is an image I recently took at a living history museum.  When I saw her leaning against the doorpost, with the sun shining on her shoulders, and that slight smile, I thought how naturally beautiful she was!  I edited it and added a texture giving it an old and weathered look. Thought this would be a good place to share it.  If you'd like to see more natural beauty, or share one of your own, just click on the button below.  Thanks so much for dropping by ... I hope you all have a blessed week!

Scripture and a Snapshot \ Week 50

Thank you, Lord, for paying so high a price to set us free!

Amazing Grace!!

What can I give You in return for such a sacrifice?!

The cry of my heart is to lose myself in You
and give you unending praise ...

Oh my Lord, that you would consume me from the inside out!

~~~~~~~~~

A thousand times I've failed
Still Your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
I'm caught in Your grace
Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame

Your will above all else
My purpose remains
The art of losing myself
In bringing You praise
Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame

In my heart and my soul
Lord I give You control
Consume me from the inside out
Lord let justice and praise
Become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Your will above all else
My purpose remains
The art of losing myself
In bringing You praise
Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame

In my heart and my soul
Lord I give You control
Consume me from the inside out
Lord let justice and praise
Become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart
Is to bring
You praise
From the inside out
Lord my soul cries out

In my heart and my soul
Lord I give You control
Consume me from the inside out
Lord let justice and praise
Become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart
Is to bring
You praise
From the inside out
Lord my soul cries out!

{Everlasting} 
From the Inside Out 
Hillsong United

To participate, and to see some beautiful images,
but, mostly to get encouraged by His Word,
just click on over to Katie's site ....

Praying you all have a blessed week in Him!
~ Deborah

Scripture and a Snapshot Challenge // God's Abundance

"I am come that they might have life,
and that they might have it more abundantly."
John 10:10 {KJV}

God does not promise abundance.  He promises that we "might have life" and that we
"might have it more abundantly" if we accept His grace, His blessings, and His Son. 
When we commit our hearts and our days to the One who created us,
we experience spiritual abundance through the grace and sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. 
But when we focus our thoughts and energies not upon God's perfect will for our lives
but instead upon our own unending assortments of earthly needs and desires,
we inevitably forfeit the spiritual abundance that might otherwise be ours. 

Today and every day, seek God's will for your life and follow hard after it. 
Today, turn your worries and your concerns over to your Heavenly Father. 
Today, seek God's wisdom, follow His commandments, trust His judgment, and honor His Son. 
When you do, spiritual abundance will be yours, not just for this day but for all eternity.

If we were given all we wanted here,
our hearts would settle for this world rather than the next.  
~  Elizabeth Elliot 

Get ready for God to show you not only His pleasure, but His approval.  
~  Joni Earreckson Tada


"And God is able to make all grace abound to you,
so that always having all sufficiency in everything,
you may have an abundance for every good deed."
II Corinthians 9:8

Dear Lord,
I praise You for the abundant life that is mine through Christ Jesus.
Guide me according to Your will, and help me to be a worthy servant in all that I say and do. 
Give me courage, Lord, to claim the rewards You have promised,
and when I do, let the glory be Yours.
~ Amen




I'm linking up to this week's challenge over on
a 'Scripture and a Snapshot'.
This is my second entry, but I was so encouraged
reading through all of the others the first time I entered!

Click below to get some of that encouragement,
or to share some of your own!

P.S. Please bear with me....
this site is under construction....
hmmm ... aren't we all!
Have a beautiful day!

Blessings,
 Deborah <><

A Fri-Daybook ... and Spring

I have good reason for not being able to post my Fri-Daybook since the last time ... can anyone spell c-o-m-p-u-t-e-r p-r-o-b-l-e-m-s?!  Yes, I have had numerous trouble with my almost 5 year old PC, so, after much prayer and oodles of research, we decided on the purchase of an iMac.  Definitely a new learning curve but a welcome one, nonetheless!  It's a bit time consuming as I am daily working at getting all my photos, documents, etc., transferred, as well as adjusting all the new settings so I have some familiarity, compared to my PC.  It's going to take me a little while to get use to it!  I would love to hear from anyone who might have gone through a similar situation, and made the switch from PC to a Mac.  This is a desktop version, and not a laptop, like so many have these days.  Any tips you would have to pass along would be so appreciated!  Also things around here on the blog may look a bit 'messy' for awhile, as some changes are on the way ... I'm going for a fresh and brighter new feel ... it's time now that spring has finally sprung!


Now, onto this weeks edition of the Fri-Daybook!

Outside my window .....

a cool day, yet it seems spring is in full swing ... deep blue skies, bird's song, and sunshine ... finally! 
Bright yellow dandelions and purple violets growing on a bed of green ...
God knows how to paint those colors ...
that is no doubt a sign of warmer days ahead!

I am thinking .....

how this week has left me feeling physically drained, and mentally exhausted,
but how, that through abiding in the joy of the Lord, I am strengthened.

No matter what our trial, or circumstance ....

1 Chronicles 16:11
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

I am thankful for .....

the friend who loaned us an industrial size de-humidifier, for free, to dry out our flooded basement! 
Two days ago those terrible storms blew through and left us without power for 7 hours. 
The sump pump stopped working, so we did the best we could to keep the basement from flooding ...
unfortunately, we fell asleep during the wee hours of the morning form weariness,
and we got more water in the basement than we had wanted to! 
So grateful for that de-humidifier humming away in the basement drying it all out right now! 
I'm also very thankful that we did not get the devastation that the southern states got ...
my thoughts and prayers are with them all! 

What I am learning .....
I'm going to an all day photography workshop that a friend of mine is offering, tomorrow. 
I'm so excited to learn more from the sweet Evangeline Renee! 
She's been blessed with an amazing talent that she is now sharing with others ...
oh, and she's also married to my son's best friend! :)

From the kitchen .....
remnants from lunch are needing to be cleaned up to make way for dinner preparations .....
a cookout sounds nice on a day like today!

I am wearing .....
some cozy sweats ... the sweatshirt says 'Gone to the Beach' .... nope, but the nearby creek sounds nice!

I am creating .....
a new design for this web site ... a fresh look for spring would be a nice change, don't you think? :) 
I'm also getting familiar with how the design section works here on Blogger.

I am going ..... 
to bed early tonight ... I'm normally a nite owl,
but I have to be fresh for that workshop tomorrow!

I am reading .....
an amazing book by Sandra Teplinsky, Why Care About Israel.  
They have a wonderful ministry .... Light of Zion.

I am hoping ......
for more sunshine and less rain for awhile ...
we've had more than our soggy ground can handle! 

I am hearing ......

quiet piano worship music ... be still and know that He is G-d!

Around the house .......

needing to tackle and organize our bedroom closet ...
get rid of all the old clothes we don't wear anymore, give them to those who do. 

Where, oh where, is the Fly Lady when you need her!

I am noticing that ......

my energy supplements don't seem to pack the punch they once did! =\

One of my favorite things ......

lavender .... and more lavender

Plans for the weekend ......

a photo workshop on Saturday, and if it doesn't rain on Sunday, I'll be planting that lavender! 

A picture, or two, to share .....
in honor of Spring, and purple, and green!

Do enjoy the flowers, even if they're dandelions,
and have a blessed weekend, everyone!

"This is the day the LORD has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it."
- Psalms 118:24 -

Photo Challenge - week 31 | A Scripture & a Snapshot

Being a photographer, I so enjoy the photo challenges that I come across here online.  I found one that I'm especially excited about ... this is where you choose one of your images, then add a scripture to best match it's theme, or visa-versa!  It's a great way to dig into, search, and share the Word of God with others! 

This is my first time participating here, and after picking a photo, and doing some digging,  I came up with a theme for this week's entry ... 'HEALING'.  Here's a quick word study on one of the names of God. :)

Jehovah-Rophe: "The Lord Who Heals"
Exodus 15:22-26.
From "rophe" ("to heal"); implies spiritual,
emotional as well as, physical healing.

The name "Jehovah-Rophe" means "Jehovah heals."  It is the second of the compound names of Jehovah. We learn of this name of God from one of Israel's earliest experiences in the wilderness as told in Exodus 15:22-26. After crossing the Red Sea, they sang (along with Moses) a great song of triumph. In this same chapter, however, we read of the people's murmuring and discontent because of a lack of water (vs. 22). They could not drink of the waters of Marah because they were "bitter" (vs. 23). God then showed Moses a certain tree which, when cast into the waters, turned the waters "sweet" (vs. 25). The people drank and were refreshed, strengthened, and uplifted for the journey ahead. Their murmuring was turned to praise as their confidence in Jehovah and Moses was renewed.

It was, however, not God who was there on trial. It was the people! God was "proving" (testing) them, and saying to them that if they would "hearken" to the voice of God and be obedient to His will, He would put "none of these diseases" upon them that He brought upon the Egyptians "for I am Jehovah that healeth thee" - that is, "Jehovah-rophecha" (vs. 26).
 

The word "rophe" appears some sixty or seventy times in the Old Testament, always meaning "to restore," "to heal," "to cure," as a physician, not only in the physical sense but in the moral and spiritual sense also. Jehovah here pledges to His people (conditional upon their obedience) to always be their "Healer." Our Lord (the Great Physician) still "heals" His people today of their spiritual illnesses (the disease of sin) through obedience to His inspired Word (Matt. 9:12-13; Lk. 4:18; Lk. 5:31-32; Rom. 6:16-18; 1 Tim. 1:15). - The Names of God - Mike Riley

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases.Psalm 103:2,3

Now, if you'd like to see more of these scripture snapshots, or enter one of your own, just click on the link below, and you'll be there in a blink of an eye! ;)

Hope to meet some new friends on this challenge!  Let's get encouraged in His Word together!  Have a blessed week!  ~ Deborah

A Short Term Delay ... and Hope

I'm hoping to be back here very soon!  Unfortunately, and like many others, I've had some computer woes the past couple of months.  Over the past couple of weeks, I've been getting acquainted with my new 'friend'.  I've always had a PC but lately, I've had numerous problems, {aka: headaches} with it, so my dear husband decided that I needed to try out a Mac computer to see if we could 'get along'!  So now, here I sit, with a totally new way of doing things.  I suppose change is good ... just wish it could be a little bit simpler ... my brain isn't as young as it once was!  If anyone out there has a Mac, and like me made the switch, I'd sure love to hear from you!  I need some encouragement here!  I'm still trying to figure out how to move everything {documents/pictures} from my PC and external hard drive, over to this totally new format!  I really do like it though, but I can tell it will take some getting used to ... but I do like a challenge. 

It would seem that spring has taken a break!  It was cold and rainy here today, and I was so hoping to plant my lavender.  Suppose it will have to wait for a dryer day.  I do hope you're enjoying some beautiful days where you are.  If not, well, here is a photo that reminds me of the hope and promise of spring, and those warmer days, to come!  These were the most beautiful blooming trees ... I'd love one of these in my yard ... along with the lavender!  Have a blessed Sunday!

Wait and hope for and expect the Lord;
be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring.
Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.
Psalm 27: 14

So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering
the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it,
for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word.
Hebrews 10: 23

A Fri-DayBook

I've noticed some bloggers doing a day book here on line ... a daily/weekly journal of sorts, so I thought I would give it a go.  This will not only allow you to get to know me a bit better ... but, I just may get to know myself better! Most of the day books that I've seen are posted on Monday ... I think I'll start mine on Friday, since that is the day, today.  I'll call this one my Fri-DayBook.  If you'd like to join me, leave a comment! 

Outside my window ...

the day has ended ...
the moon is full and beautiful ...
hanging in a star filled sky on this cool, clear night

I am thinking ...
that I'd love to take a walk right now

I am thankful for ...

the Word of God ...
how it brings light to my life, and guards my heart

What I am learning ...

that God is in total control and that He can be trusted

From the kitchen ...

dinner was healthy & simple ...

lemon herb baked fish, brown rice with herbs,
steamed broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and sweet onion

I am wearing ...

sweat pants, and a sweatshirt that says 'Friends Make Life a Little Sweeter',
and they really do, don't they!

I am creating ...

a CD of images from my niece's wedding to give to her next weekend ...
I hope I can get it finished in time

I am going ...

to our monthly flea market tomorrow ...
I love antiques ...
maybe I'll find some small hidden treasure

I am reading ...
Her Mother's Hope
by Francine Rivers

I am hoping ...

and praying, that my son and his wife will be able to find a car this weekend.
They just moved back into town, newlyweds, and are in need of a vehicle.

I am hearing ...
the persistent cough from my husband ...
and I pray

I am noticing that ...

I am getting older, and still have so much to learn

Around the house ...
a deep spring cleaning is desperately needed

One of my favorite things ...
very old and well worn Bibles ...
I so enjoy reading what scriptures might have spoken to the heart of another
and then see it written in the margins of those ancient pages

Plans for the weekend ...

a few stolen hours at the local flea market, but more importantly,
doing what I can to help my husband feel better,
then on Sunday, gathering with others at church,

and spending time with my son, his new bride, and my sister's family

A picture ...

bringing with it the hope of Spring

"Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring?"

-Neltje Blanchan-

"Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways.

The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again."

-Sarah Ban Breathnach-

See you next Fri-Day!
Have a blessed weekend!

Abundant Rain

Abundant Rain
- Randy Chambers -

Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew,
like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.
Deuteronomy 32:2, NIV:

There are a great many things we hope to grow into, or hope to grow up to be, or hope to keep growing toward. We are like the plants that seek the dew and showers.  Blessed are those who seek to remain in Christ as a branch connected to the Vine.  

We will certainly be filled and we will grow and will prosper. As we grow, a wonderful thing happens.  We become less concerned about looking inward. We become less occupied with our own personal spiritual development and we begin to concern ourselves with the needs of others.

Our hearts turn toward being ministers of God’s grace, stewards of His word, ready in season and out of season to give an account of the hope we have in Him. We look around at those who need and we pray that through us, a little rain might fall—the kind of rain that nurtures spiritual growth in others. 

Consider for a moment, the prosperity of life when your heart becomes like Christ’s, being outward focused, and ready to be poured out into the lives of others. That is the measure of true prosperity.

It's been awhile since I've posted ... many things have happened here at home, and I've walked through some difficult seasons in the past few months ... but, still I stand .... and it's only in Him!  Without His strength, His peace, His grace, I couldn't imagine getting through as I have.  We all walk through those seasons of life ... seasons where we wonder if we'll ever come out of the darkness, that overwhelming depression that threatens to drown us ... but I can tell you, there is HOPE, but only as long as you're connected to the Vine!  You've got to stay connected to Him in order to survive ... we cannot do it alone, for He alone sustains us!  It's during those dark times that we can so easily focus on ourselves, and all we see is the hopelessness of our situation ... but, in that darkness, if we begin to look up to Him, and then outward to the needs of others, we'll begin to see less of ourselves, and His light will chase that fearful darkness and depression away.  I was hanging on, literally, but He never left me!  All I can say now, is if you're going through such a time as this ... look up for I know, without a doubt, that He truly cares for you! 

Weeping may endure for a night,
but joy cometh in the morning.

Psalm 30:5

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD,
thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jeremiah 29:11

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you,
that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:
that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
John 15:16

I Believe ...

In Psalm 19: 1 it is written, 

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament sheweth his handiwork."

Psalm 14: 1 states that
"the fool hath said in his heart there is no God."


As for me and my house ... we believe in all the goodness of God!





This is beautifully done!
{scroll down and pause the music before watching}