Category: God’s Love

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Give Thanks

The sun hasn’t come up yet but I know it will so I will give thanks. The birds haven’t started singing but they will soon and I await their song with a grateful heart.

I haven’t spoken to my children yet but I know that their texts and calls will come today so I say “thank you Lord” for blessing me with their lives. My husband is still sleeping but when he wakes up he will give me a kiss and tell me he loves me and so I will give thanks.

I have strength and health this morning so I give thanks. There is electricity in my home and food in the cupboards so I give thanks.

There are so many things to be thankful for I just have to give thanks to the Lord for He is good!

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble. And He saved them from their suffering. 20 He sent His Word and healed them. And He saved them from the grave. 21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for His loving-kindness and His great works to the children of men! 22 Let them give Him gifts of thanks and tell of His works with songs of joy.” Psalm 107:19-22 NLV

We have much to be thankful for. Personally you may be in a difficult spot, things may not be as you would like them to be but God is in control and He can be trusted, so trust Him.

The Israelites left Egypt and immediately began to complain, they didn’t see God’s vision for the future but it is good, very good. The disciples complained to Jesus that they didn’t have enough food to feed the 5000 – all they had were five loaves of bread and two fish. But God had a plan and everyone ate their fill and then they collected the leftovers.

“Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need. 7 The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NLV

Pray about your needs, give thanks and let your heart be filled with peace.

Give thanks!

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Paid In Full

I don’t know if you have ever experienced the worry of having a large and looming debt but I have. The thought of that still brings a churning in the pit of my stomach.

Some dear, wonderful, loving friends learned of our situation and they paid what we owed! Oh my! The thankfulness we felt and still feel is beyond words.

This morning I am thankful to say that there is only one debt, make that two, that I owe.

“ Do not owe anyone anything, but love each other. Whoever loves his neighbor has done what the Law says to do.” Romans 13:8 NLV

“We love because God first loved us.” I John 4:19 ERV

The debt I owe now is a debt to love! Love God and love others – that is my indebtness.

There’s a song that means so much to me, a song of thanksgiving for who Jesus is and what He has done for me.

“Here I am to worship, Here I am to bow down, Here I am to say that you’re my God, You’re altogether lovely, Altogether worthy, Altogether wonderful to me. I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross. I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross. Here I am to worship…” By Chris Tomlin

“I’ll never know how much it cost”, stop and think about that!

How much did it cost Jesus to bear our sin? It cost Him relationship with His Father. It cost Him his home in heaven, His reputation. He was hated by men and hated by the realm of Satan and his demons. They spent all their time trying to destroy Him.

He was misunderstood by His friends and family. It cost Him His physical life, which He laid down willing, but only for three days and then He rose again. And when He did, our debt was paid.

“You were spiritually dead because of your sins and because you were not free from the power of your sinful self. But God gave you new life together with Christ. He forgave all our sins. 14 Because we broke God’s laws, we owed a debt—a debt that listed all the rules we failed to follow. But God forgave us of that debt. He took it away and nailed it to the cross. 15 He defeated the rulers and powers of the spiritual world. With the cross he won the victory over them and led them away, as defeated and powerless prisoners for the whole world to see.” Colossians 2:13-15 ERV

Debt forgiven. Jesus’ final words on the cross were “It is finished”. He could have said “paid in full” because His death removed our debt and brought us into a new relationship with the Father.

I love the Father because of His great love for me and I will love others because of His great love for them. “Here I am to worship” and to say thank you for paying my debt.

Thank you Jesus for giving up all you had to remove my debt! Thank you for marking it paid in full!

“He paid for our sins with His own blood. He did not pay for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world.” I John 2:2 NLV

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So Yummy!

The last few days we have been off on another adventure in our fifth wheel trailer. We are enjoying the change of scenery and weather. The mornings have been below freezing.

I’m very thankful for a good heater!

As I sat here this morning I began making a mental list of the baking that needs to be done. The change in weather prompts a desire to bake and to make warm dishes. There’s just something about the smell of cookies, banana bread and cinnamon rolls that make a home seem cozier.

Warm soup simmering on the stove and fresh bread in the oven are some of the best parts of autumn and winter. My most favorite part is sharing what I’ve made with family and friends. Feeding those I love brings me great joy.

I think I get that from my Father. He enjoys feeding people.

In the Garden of Eden He made sure Adam and Eve had every kind of fruit and vegetable their hearts desired. When there was a famine He sent Jacob and his family to Egypt where there was plenty to eat. When the Israelites complained that they didn’t have enough to eat in the desert He sent bread from heaven every morning and supplied them with an over abundance of quail.

Jesus fed over five thousand men and their families with a boy’s lunch and had leftovers. After his resurrection He had a morning meal of grilled fish waiting for his disciples on the seashore when they returned from a night’s work.

The Bible even tells us about a banquet that will be served at the end of the age called the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. It will be a feast like none other.

The Father provides for those He loves!

“For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. 8 Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! 9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.” Psalm 34:7-9 NLV

King David said that God’s word is sweeter than honeycomb. I agree. My life with the Lord is so good. Nothing can compare with the joy, the peace, the unconditional love that the Father shares with me.

For those who are hungering for more in life I encourage you to come. Taste and see that the Lord is good! A life centered on Him is delicious!

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Intentionally Planted

Some of you have read my previous blogs where I talk about the tree in my backyard. It was just a twig, no bigger round than my little finger when we first discovered it. And it was only inches high. That was six and a half years ago. Today its close to fifteen feet high and shades half the yard. We didn’t plant it but once we saw it was there we decided to nurture it, hoping it would do exactly what it is doing now and provide good shade on warm afternoons. We haven’t been disappointed.

I’ve learned many lessons from that tree and the other day when I was out working with my flowers that tree brought another lesson to mind. The Bible talks about the natural law of sowing (planting) and reaping (harvesting). In fact, a number of times Jesus used farmers and their work with seeds in His stories that He told about spiritual principles.

“While the earth lasts, planting time and gathering time, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not end.” Genesis 8:22 NLV

These words were spoken by God to Noah after the flood. He was reassuring Noah that never again would He destroy the earth with a flood and that the earth would be fruitful and produce with regular occurence. God knows how long it takes crops to go from seed to harvest and the time of seasons were set accordingly.

But now, let’s go back to the tree. God also knew/knows how long it takes trees to grow to the point of maturity so that they can be used for timber. And in one particular case, He knew where to plant and when to plant the seed that would grow to be used for the cross.

Before Jesus was born on this earth, the tree had been planted. It grew, unhindered, until the day a woodsman saw it and felled it. The bark had to skinned and the tree split into planks that could be used for building. It had to be left to dry so it wouldn’t warp or twist.

God had intentionally planted the tree that would be used for a Roman cross. My tree was nutured for comfort, for shade. His tree was nutured for salvation.

“But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’ 14 Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:13-14 NLV

Each time I look at the tree in our yard I think of how much its grown. I wonder if each time the Father looked at earth if He thought of that tree and what it represented for His Son and for us. I’m sure He did, it was part of His plan.

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8 NLV

I’m so thankful that God is intentional in all His doings. He intentionally set seasons, He set the boundaries for the oceans and the rotation of the planets. He put the earth on its axis and set us at the right distance from the sun. From the very beginning, when man sinned God intentionally put a plan in place for us to be restored to relationship with Him.

Intentionally planted and salvation was complete!

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Comfort & Joy

No, this isn’t going to be a blog with a Christmas theme. We’re still about five weeks from that. This has been a very rough year for many, I think we all thought we would be on the road to normal by now. Yet, we’re still being distanced from family and friends.

There is a real sense of loss. Some losses are small – gatherings, celebrations, luncheons, one-on-one times and others have faced life-changing, life-ending circumstances on their own. Those who so deparately need to be comforted have been without support.

Who can they turn to? How do we help?

I hesitate when answering these questions because some will find my answer trite or cliche`. However, it is the most profound and impacting action I know. We pray!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Father who is full of mercy, the God of all comfort. 4 He comforts us every time we have trouble so that when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us.” II Corinthians 1:3-4 ERV

Reaching out in prayer to the Father, who is the God of all comfort, on behalf of those who are hurting is powerful. Before Jesus died, leaving his disciples in a desparate emotional state, he told them that when He went away the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, would come.

“But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate[a] won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.” John 16:7 NLT Footnote a for verse 16:7 Or Comforter, or Encourager, or Counselor. Greek reads Paraclete.

The Holy Spirit is able to comfort me in Arizona at the same time He is bringing comfort to you in Nebraska. His presence can be felt the world over. He isn’t limited. When I can’t be with someone that I love and I know they are going through a very difficult time, my prayer goes something like this: “Father God, you said that you are the God of comfort and I believe that. Right now my friend is going through a very, very difficult time and they need Your comfort. I ask for the Holy Spirit to bring comfort to their heart. Wrap Your loving arms around them and let them sense Your peace. Please send someone to extend Your comfort in a personal way. I thank you. In Jesus name.”

And if we can be there in person, we don’t need to know the right words to say because there really are no words. A genuine hug, a hand to hold and tears shed will speak to their heart.

God will never abandon us in our time of need but He won’t force us to accept His comfort either. He’s right there the moment we cry out to Him. He knows our heartache and He is able and willing to bring healing and comfort in our grief.

“God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort!” Matthew 5:4 CEV

My prayer is for all who need to be comforted. “Lord Jesus, shower them with Your love and wrap them in Your comfort this very hour.”

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Thankful for Innocence

Yesterday we had the priviledge of being at our youngest granddaughter’s first birthday. Sweet!

At one point she was very content to be with the adults – the center of attention – and rightfully so. However, in the other room her brother, sister and cousin were playing with toys they had retrieved from the toy box. Three children, between the age of three and five, playing with a limited amount of items was definitely an opportunity to practice sharing.

I enjoyed watching the dynamic.

The little pots, pans and fake food were definitely the favorites and they were also the ones of most limited supply. Sharing was a huge factor! But eventually, with a little guidance, they figured it out and were even trading items with no fussing or contention.

“How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” Psalm 133:1 NLT

Oh, the innocence of a child. They can play together, fuss with one another and then all sit down at a table and have cupcakes together within a few minutes. No harbored grudges, no unforgiveness, no animosity or division.

Christ used little children as examples of how we should be in our relationship with Him. They are trusting and innocent, untainted by the world. Jesus lived a life of forgiveness; a life untouched by resentment. Truly living a life of loving the Father and loving his fellow man.

The Apostle Paul wrote that “love is patient, love is kind – love thinks the best of others, it isn’t selfish or self seeking, love never gives up or holds a grudge, love never fails”. That, I believe, is the innocence that Jesus saw in children and its what He wanted us as adults to emulate.

“Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together. 15 Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful.” Colossains 3:14-15 CEV

Thank you Lord for the example of innocence and peace. Let us learn from our children!

“My children, our love should not be only words and talk. No, our love must be real. We must show our love by the things we do.” I John 3:18 ERV

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Staying Focused

Some mornings I get up and have to put drops in my eyes. They have gotten dry during the night and it becomes hard to focus. The drops do the trick and after a few blinks I begin to see things clearly.

What helps you focus at the beginning of each day?

For me it’s rising to the quiet of the house, brewing coffee and taking time to listen to the Holy Spirit. It hasn’t always been that way but now it has become my strength and the purpose for my life.

I remember those time when my world was selfishly all about me, doing what I wanted without any guidance from the Father. “I could handle this. I didn’t need any outside help.” I never really thought to ask for His help or His direction. I just got up and ran things my way. Oh, I was so wrong, so very wrong.

“At noon the whole country became dark. The darkness continued for three hours. 46 About three o’clock Jesus cried out loudly, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” This means “My God, my God, why have you left me alone?” Matthew 27:45-46 ERV

Jesus spent his entire earthly stay focusing on the Father, doing the Father’s will and bringing glory to Him. Now in the darkness Jesus knew that He had been forsaken or left alone! This broke Jesus’ heart.

God the Father had to turn His focus away from Jesus, his beloved Son, to us so that Jesus could pay the penalty for our sin on the cross. At that time the Father put us and our relationship ahead of His love for Jesus. We became His primary focus.

“But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.” Romans 5:8 ERV

“Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could be right with God.” II Corinthians 5:20 ERV

The experience of that separation from the Father was almost unbearable to Jesus. He paid the supreme sacrifice. Not only was the Father’s focus on us and the relationship we can have with Him but it was also what Jesus was focusing on.

“Let us keep looking to Jesus. Our faith comes from Him and He is the One Who makes it perfect. He did not give up when He had to suffer shame and die on a cross. He knew of the joy that would be His later. Now He is sitting at the right side of God. 3 Sinful men spoke words of hate against Christ. He was willing to take such shame from sinners. Think of this so you will not get tired and give up.” Hebrews 12:2-3 NLV

Whether your quiet time is first thing in the morning or another time during the day stop and think what it cost for you to have this wonderful privledge of coming into the Father’s presence. Make it your focus! Don’t take it for granted.

“May you have loving-favor and peace from Jesus Christ Who is faithful in telling the truth. Jesus Christ is the first to be raised from the dead. He is the head over all the kings of the earth. He is the One Who loves us and has set us free from our sins by His blood. 6 Christ has made us a holy nation of religious leaders who can go to His God and Father. He is the One to receive honor and power forever! Let it be so.” Revelation 1:5-6 NLV

This amazing relationship is available to all, to whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. He is worthy of our focused attention – He is worthy of it all!

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Struggling for Victory?

For years the words “victorious living” were not a part of my vocabulary. Life was a daily struggle – Dave going off to work each day, raising two small children, tightening the budget, stressful days and sleepless nights.

There wasn’t much joy or peace in our lives. We loved the Lord and felt it was our lot in life to just struggle through down here and when we got to heaven it would all be worth it.

Then one day we heard a preacher on television talking about Victorious Christian Living. We listened as he preached, writing down every verse he used and asking ourselves if this was really true. After the program was over we looked up the verses to make sure they weren’t taken out of context. We knew Scriptures could be twisted to say just about anything so we wanted to make sure that the intent of these verses matched the message being preached. They did.

“But we have power over all these things through Jesus Who loves us so much. 38 For I know that nothing can keep us from the love of God. Death cannot! Life cannot! Angels cannot! Leaders cannot! Any other power cannot! Hard things now or in the future cannot! 39 The world above or the world below cannot! Any other living thing cannot keep us away from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39 NLV

That message gave us a hunger to know more of God’s word. We began to apply the Scripture to specific areas of our lives. We found that we could trust God’s word in every situation. It didn’t happen over night, it was a process.

I knew so many Christians like me. Living with a motto of “hope for the best, expect the worst and you’ll never be disappointed”. I wanted to share with them the victory I had found in God’s word.

I wanted everyone to know that God is a good and loving Father. His plan is for us to be victorious. We don’t have to earn His love, He gives it unconditionally and His word explains all of this. Since then I have taken every opportunity I am given to help others understand the powerful life God has provided for us.

“And they shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, in that day when I publicly recognize and openly declare them to be My jewels (My special possession, My peculiar treasure). And I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Malachi 3:17 AMPC

That’s why I write this blog. That’s why I have written “Like A Diamond”. Our lives in Christ are multifaceted. Each facet causes us to sparkle with the brilliance of God’s love, grace, compassion and forgiveness. We have great value to our heavenly Father. He sees us as precious treasures “Like A Diamond”.

If you struggle with victory in your Christian walk or know of someone that does then I believe this book will be a help to you. It is eleven chapters filled with Scripture and teaching on who God has designed us to be.

My prayer is that we all shine “Like A Diamond” for God’s glory!

 

Book Titles



Books ordered here will be autographed.

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A Box of Donuts

This weekend we headed up to the Phoenix area to celebrate our youngest grandson’s fifth birthday. Saturday’s birthday party included his other grandparents, an uncle, an aunt, a nephew, his parents and sisters. We all had a good time celebrating Sam’s special day and playing with the new toys he received.

When we arrived at their house we told Sam and his little sister, Kristine, that we would be spending the night. The first words out of Sam’s mouth were “And we’ll get donuts in the morning”. Immediately Kristine added “Chocolate with sprinkles”, to which Sam added “and a maple bar”. We all had a good laugh.

Our grandkids associate our visits with donuts. It’s what we do! And yesterday morning before they got up we were off to the donut shop to purchase the morning’s treat. There’s something so special about sitting around the table talking and laughing; what a way to start the day.

I didn’t grow up in close proximity to my grandparents and so they didn’t come to visit very often. I don’t have the same memories that Dave has. To Dave, a grandparents love meant root beer floats on a Saturday night. I’m sure each of you have a different memory but what is the same is the love that was shared.

Isn’t that the way it is with the Lord? Our specific memories of special moments will vary but one thing is constant, always the same. The love of God is freely given and it’s unconditional.

I think if Jesus were here, in person, He would probably show up with a box of donuts. He’s a giver of joy.

King David, a man who had experienced the best that life had to offer, made this statement.

“I ask only one thing from the Lord. This is what I want most: Let me live in the Lord’s house all my life, enjoying the Lord’s beauty and spending time in his palace.” Psalm 27:4 ERV

“A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.
11 For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” Psalm 84:10-11 NLT

Spend time with the Father. I can assure you it’s much better than a donut with chocolate sprinkles.

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Time to Clean Up

There’s an interesting phenomenon, that occurs where we live, each Labor Day weekend. Most years I forget about it. This year was no different.

I went out yesterday to fill the hummingbird feeders in our backyard and I heard it…the whirl of weed eaters. Neighbors all around – east and west were in their yards, cleaning up weeds that had been growing, unhindered for months.

Very few people who live on our mesa have grass lawns. Most of us have desert landscaping with cacti and flowering shrubs that flourish in the warm, arid, desert climate. However, there is that contingent that allow the weeds to grow, unhindered, for months. And on Labor Day weekend the clean up, which takes several weekends to complete, starts.

Why? I have no idea but it is a process embraced by more than a few.

I guess that “fall clean-up” is a bit like “spring cleaning”. I find it much easier to do neither. Instead I have found that a little time each week working in the yard and cleaning the house are tasks that let me enjoy the beauty of my yard and home all year long. I’m glad Dave feels the same.

Isn’t that just like life?

We’ve all seen those movies where people are on their death beds and someone sends for the preacher or the priest. Death bed confessions they call them. Those who have lived their lives, letting them fill up with weeds, but before they die that want to make sure that they have asked forgiveness for the wild seeds they have sown.

I am so grateful that our Father hears those confessions, answers their cries and forgives. Just like the thief who hung next to Jesus on a cross. He recognized his guilt and his need for the Savior. His death bed confession was heard by a compassionate, merciful Savior.

“Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”

40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:39-42 NKJV

Unconditional love, total forgiveness. How amazing! It’s never too late while we are here on earth to be reconciled to God. How much sweeter it is to walk in relationship with Him each day and experience the abundant life He has promised us.

“All whom My Father has given to Me will come to Me. I will never turn away anyone who comes to Me.” John 6:37 NLV

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10 AMPC

It is so wonderful to live each day wrapped in the Father’s love! We don’t have to wait for “Fall Clean-Up”, we can be enjoying the fullness and beauty of life in Christ each and every day.

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