Category Archives: Eternity

Aug27

My 1st book, Beach Blessings, has been published!

Posted on August 27, 2017 by sagescenery

Hey, everyone! Letting you know what I’m up to!

In my 1st book, Beach Blessings, I share my thoughts about God while enjoying and photographing His beautiful scenery at the beach. The beach gives me time to relax and savor the moving of His Holy Spirit, while listening to the contemporary Christian music on my phone.

I’m praying my book will bring Holy Spirit peace and calm to your heart as you drink in God’s beautiful scenery and learn of His faithful promises to you.

Please feel free to comment, ask questions, share prayer requests, or declare praise reports, when you’re directed by the QR code to my YouTube Channel at the end of my book, or simply share your thoughts while on this blog.

Please take a moment today to listen to the beautiful music and lyrics to: “Beloved” by Jordan Felice and “Testify” by needtobreathe.

Psalm 150:6, “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.”

To get an autographed copy, or copies, of Beach Blessings, simply click on the PayPal button. Each book is $15.00 (+ shipping and handling).

Here’s a great idea, purchase two, keep one and give one as a gift!

Beach Blessings has 6 chapters, contains beach photos taken by me, along with Scriptures, contemporary Christian song suggestions to listen to, and devotional questions at the end of each chapter. Great for Bible studies.

My 2nd book, Let God Build It, and my 3rd book, a Christian fiction illustrated children’s book, called The Little Star That Couldn’t Shine, will both be published soon, also.

All God’s Blessings! Pastor Renée Joyce Debrowski

Oct25

Sermon-In-A-Song! “Come As You Are!!!”

Posted on October 25, 2014 by sagescenery

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Ok…

If this isn’t a…

“Sermon-In-A-Song…

I don’t know what is!!!

I could play this over & over!!

Crowder told The Christian Post

that the track brings listeners closer to God.

“What I love about

‘Come As You Are’

is that it makes room for all of us,”

the singer revealed.

“It feels like it throws the doors wide open…

“When you talk about invitations,

an invite much bigger and grander

than what you know and experience,

‘Come As You Are’

feels like one that throws the door open really wide…”

So Come!!

AMEN!!

Come out of sadness
From wherever you’ve been
Come broken hearted
Let rescue begin
Come find your mercy
Oh, sinner come kneel
Earth has no sorrow
That Heaven can’t heal
Earth has no sorrow
That Heaven can’t heal

There’s hope for the hopeless
And all those who’ve strayed
Come sit at the table
Come taste the grace
There’s rest for the weary
Rest that endures
Earth has no sorrow
That Heaven can’t cure

So lay down your burdens
Lay down your shame
All who are broken
Lift up your face
Oh, wanderer come home
You’re not too far
So lay down your hurt
Lay down your heart
Come as you are
Come as you are
Fall in His arms
Come as you are
There’s joy for the morning
Oh, sinner be still
Earth has no sorrow
That Heaven can’t heal
Earth has no sorrow
That Heaven can’t heal

Oh, yes!!

I come, Lord Jesus, I come!

Revelation 22:17

“The Spirit and the bride say,

“Come!”

And let the one who hears say,

“Come!”

Let the one who is thirsty come;

and let the one

who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”

Oct6

Something In The Water???

Posted on October 6, 2014 by sagescenery

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Our symbol of faith in Jesus…

And obedience to Christ our Lord!!!

He said, “I’ve been where you’ve been before.
Down every hallway’s a slamming door.”
No way out, no one to come and save me
Wasting a life that the Good Lord gave me

Then somebody said what I’m saying to you
Opened my eyes and told me the truth.”
They said, “Just a little faith, it’ll all get better.”
So I followed that preacher man down to the river and now I’m changed
And now I’m stronger

There must’ve been something in the water
Oh, there must’ve been something in the water

Well, I heard what he said and I went on my way
Didn’t think about it for a couple of days
Then it hit me like a lightning late one night
I was all out of hope and all out of fight

Couldn’t fight back the tears so I fell on my knees
Saying, “God, if you’re there come and rescue me.”
Felt love pouring down from above
Got washed in the water, washed in the blood and now I’m changed

And now I’m stronger

There must be something in the water
Oh, there must be something in the water

And now I’m singing along to amazing grace
Can’t nobody wipe this smile off my face
Got joy in my heart, angels on my side
Thank God almighty, I saw the light
Gonna look ahead, no turning back
Live everyday, give it all that I have
Trust in someone bigger than me
Ever since the day that I believed I am changed
And now I’m stronger

There must be something in the water
Oh, there must be something in the water
Oh, there must be something in the water
Oh, there must be something in the water
Oh, yeah

I am changed
Stronger

I’m free.

Matthew 3:11

“I baptize you with water for repentance,

but He who is coming after me is mightier than I,

whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Acts 22:16

“And now why do you wait?

Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins,

calling on His Name.”

Matthew 28:19

“Go therefore

and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

Amen!!

I’m changed…

I’m stronger…

I’m free!

Thank you, Jesus!!

Aug17

The Rock Won’t Move!!

Posted on August 17, 2014 by sagescenery

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Jesus, You’re The Rock Of Our Salvation!!

God never moves, He never lets go, and His love never fails.

Even in the tempest, I can sing.

-Tyler Miller-

Vertical Church Band

http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/article.php?article_id=1209

“The simple idea for the chorus of this song, funny enough,

came from when I was on a jog,

and a lot of times I’ll write songs when I run.

I was running on a path where there are some big rocks.

Every time I run down that path, those rocks are there.

There was the weird contrast in my mind and heart

that my mind and my heart are ever-changing and ever-moving,

and there’s this place I come back to where things are always the same.

These rocks are always there.

It popped into my mind that the Rock won’t move.

At that point, I thought of our ultimate Rock,

and that’s Christ.

In the ever changing nature on planet earth,

to know that there’s a firm foundation underneath us,

a God that never changes

and a story of redemption and a salvation that never changes.

I knew right then that I had to put that into a song.”

When the ground beneath my feet gives way
And I hear the sound of crashing waves
All my world is washing out to sea
I’m hidden safe in the
God Who never moves
Holding fast to the promise of the Truth
That You are holding tighter still to me

The Rock won’t move and His word is strong
The Rock won’t move and His love can’t be undone
The Rock won’t move and His word is strong
The Rock won’t move and His love can’t be undone
The Rock of our Salvation

My hope is in the promise of Your blood
My support within the raging flood
Even in the tempest, I can sing
I’m hidden safe in the God Who never moves
Holding fast to the promise of Your Truth
That You are holding tighter still to me

Woah, woah, woah…
The Rock of our Salvation

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
The Rock won’t move, the Rock won’t move
When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest in His unchanging Grace
The Rock won’t move, the Rock won’t move

1 Corinthians 10:4

“For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them,

and that Rock was Christ.”

Matthew 7:24-27

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine,

and does them,

I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

and the rain descended,

the floods came,

and the winds blew

and beat on that house;

and it did not fall,

for it was founded on the rock.

But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine,

and does not do them,

will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:

and the rain descended, the floods came,

and the winds blew and beat on that house;

and it fell.

And great was its fall.”

Tyler Miller, continues, “Our salvation rests upon His eternally unchanging substitution in our place,

which is the Rock of our Salvation.

It’s the Cross,

and the nature of God that can’t change.

There’s a line in the song that says,

‘I’m holding fast to the promise of the Truth

that You are holding tighter still to me.’

If my hope resides in me,

I’m hopeless,

but my hope resides in God

who doesn’t change.

He’s a covenant keeping God

and He’s chosen to give His love to me,

and that’s a Rock that I can go to always.

No matter what emotional state I’m in,

and no matter the type of day I’m having,

the Rock doesn’t change.

Ultimately, it is a song of hope for the Church.

Everything we do and everything we have

needs to come from the place of who we are in Jesus.”

Proverbs 18:10

“The Name of the Lord is a strong tower;

the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Tyler says,

“There’s safety and security in the knowledge of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus.

There’s only one Name under Heaven by which we can be saved:

Jesus.

Trusting completely in the Lord’s Grace for liberty from sin and self-reliance.

‘The Rock won’t move and His Word is strong / The Rock won’t move and His love can’t be undone / The Rock won’t move and His Word is strong, / The Rock won’t move and His love can’t be undone…’

The Rock of our Salvation.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,

all other ground is sinking sand.

‘The Rock won’t move, no, the Rock won’t move!’

That’s a wonderful Truth that all followers of Jesus can adopt as their anthem of faith.

There are over 120 passages that reference the rock throughout Scripture.

Our Firm Foundation, Christ the Solid Rock,

is the only ground where we can stand that won’t move

or, let us down.

That’s something worth singing about.”

Amen!!!

Jul22

Lord, Give Me One More Hour With My Loved One…

Posted on July 22, 2014 by sagescenery

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My friend, Amy…

Lost her 10 year-old son, Kaleb recently…

See my post at:

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2014/05/25/grief-are-you-in-the-club/

She posted this question on Facebook…

I responded…

“Tell me what you would say to Kaleb in that hour…”

Her heartfelt answer…

“I’d mostly hold him…

Tell him how much I love him…

Make sure he knows I always have and will…

I would just listen to all the things he would tell me…

I miss listening to him…

We talked so much more than I realized…

And just listening to the joy that came out of his constant laugh…

I miss him so very much!”

I found a great blog about “Thoughts On Grief And Loss”

“Keep the positive memories alive…”

http://elliesway.org/thoughtsongrief/

The God Of All Comfort…

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“Praise be to the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion

and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our troubles,

so that we can comfort those in any trouble

with the comfort

we ourselves

have received from God.“

Amen!

When you receive comfort from God…

Give it to others!!

Jul10

You’re Brand New Now…Ya Gotta Let Go Of Your Past!!

Posted on July 10, 2014 by sagescenery

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Isaiah 43:18-19

“Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up;

do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the dessert

and streams in the wasteland.”

Brand new!!

Is that person in the mirror looking back at you?

It’s true!

But, you can’t see it…

‘Cause you’re stuck on what you’ve been through…

You got that white knuckle, red faced…

Kung fu grip on all your chains..

But, that’s not who are…

I’m here to let you know…

You gotta let it go…

You were made for something more…

So, come on…

And let it go!!

Tell me why…

You’d think that you deserve a life of just getting by…

You are alive!!!

Stop taking flowers to the grave of the old you that died…

If God can take your sin and free ya…

Forget, just like amnesia…

Why are you holding on?

I’m here to let you know…

You gotta let it go…

You were made for something more…

So, come on…

And let it go!!

Let it go!

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore,

if anyone is in Christ,

the new creation has come:

The old has gone,

the new is here!”

“Brand New looks so good on you!!”

Amen!

Jul7

Come On, Lord, Write Your Story On My Heart!

Posted on July 7, 2014 by sagescenery

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The world asks…

Is your story still unwritten???

Yes…

But, it’s not my story…

It’s Your story, Lord…

I want written on my heart!

Don’t write your own story…

Let Him write His story on your heart…

His story is better!!

Photo by Kenneth Swett

“Write Your Story”

is a song about being a blank slate

and letting your life be open to whatever story God wants to write.

I think for so many of us

it’s easy to feel like we have to come up with this great plan

for how we’re going to use the gifts God gives us for Him,

but I really feel like He just wants our willingness to be used however He sees fit.

I’ve always tried to live my life with an open hand,

trusting God to take me where He wants to go.

Hopefully this song encourages others to hand God the pen of their lives.”

-Francesca Battistelli-

http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/lyrics/new/track.asp?track_id=17302

Photo by Kenneth Swett

They say You’re the King of everything The One who taught the wind to sing The Source of the rhythm my heart keeps beating

They say You can give the blind their sight And You can bring the dead to life You can be the hope my soul’s been seekin’

I wanna tell You now that I believe it I wanna tell You now that I believe it I do, that You can make me new, oh

I’m an empty page I’m an open book Write Your story on my heart Come on and make Your mark

Author of my hope Maker of the stars Let me be Your work of art Won’t You write Your story on my heart

Write Your story, write Your story Come on and write Your story, write Your story Won’t You write Your story on my heart

My Life I know it’s never really been mine So do with it whatever You like I don’t know what Your plan is But I know it’s good, yeah

I want my history To be Your legacy Go ahead and show this world What You’ve done in me And when the music fades I want my life to say

I let You write your story, write Your story Write Your story, write Your story

Amen!

God speaks clearly…

He’s always speaking to us…

Through everything we see, hear, and touch…

Everywhere we go…

He’s given us His book…

The Bible…

The story of who we are…

And the enormous lengths He’s been willing to go through…

To bring us back home!

Slow down and look around you…

God is calling your name!

He’s ready to write your story!!

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,”

declares the Lord,

“plans to prosper you

and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope

and a future.”

Jul6

Safe Passage….

Posted on July 6, 2014 by sagescenery

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Photos by Cheryl Madasz Butler

“The message relates to many and never gets old.

It speaks out to those that are hurting, those that are going through tough things.

It’s a reminder that the God who brought sight to the blind and brought the lame to their feet

is the same God who holds you in His arms today.

It’s my sincere prayer that the simple message of this song

would resonate in people’s hearts.

I wrote it after a moving conversation I had with a man who told me his story.

It was a story of God’s faithfulness during a struggling time.

How God can turn things that seem so grim into things that give Him glory.

Think of all those that Jesus healed and saved

while He was on earth

from great tragedy and sickness and even death.

It gave people all the more reason to praise Him!”

—Phil Wickham

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safe_(Phil_Wickham_song)

Kevin Davis, from Christian Music Review writes,

Safe

“serves to encourage, strengthen and remind listeners

that they are not alone,

‘You will be safe in His arms,

You will be safe in His arms,

The hands that hold the world

Are holding your heart,

This is the promise He made

He will be with you always,

When everything is falling apart

You will be safe in His arms.'”

Your dreams have fallen all apart?

Left you with a tired and broken heart?

You think you’re on your own?

No, you’re not alone!

Heard of the One who can calm the raging sea?

Gives sight to the blind, pulls the lame up to their feet?

Love so strong, He never lets you go?

No, you’re not alone!

His Voice brings the dead back to life…

The very same Voice that calls you now to rise…

Hear Him now, He’s calling you home…

You’ll never be alone!

You will be safe in His arms…

These are the hands that built the mountains…

The hands that calmed the sea…

These are the arms that hold the heavens…

They are holding you & me…

These are the hands that healed the leper…

Pulled the lame up to their feet…

These are the arms that were nailed to a cross…

To break our chains and set us free!

You will be safe in His arms…

Proverbs 18:10

The Name of the Lord is a strong tower;

The righteous run to it and are safe.”

Amen!

May5

Is 65 The New 45??? Gee, I Hope So!!

Posted on May 5, 2014 by sagescenery

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Happy Birthday To Me!!

I recently celebrated a BIG Birthday!

(Me with Sandy and Elle!)

And I now get to show my golden Medicare “ticket” everywhere..

But, now that I’m “mature,” I forget to do it!!

Hubby’s already on it, so I know it’s fine…

I’ll get used to it!

We already had good insurance…

Thanks to the NJ Public Schools…

My plan after college was to get married,

Teach for two years,

Have 4 kids…

Done!

But, since my son took 14 years to arrive!

I just kept on teaching…

And, as my sister-in-law advised,

“Stay in teaching long enough to get all the benefits you deserve!!”

So, I stayed!

After 26 years, I retired…

One kid, a pension, and my health insurance…

God is good!

Because of so many years…

Of being blessed with God’s wisdom…

My years of experience…

And my mistakes…

(Thank you for “redos,” Lord!)

I’m such a wealth of information!

Ha!

So, what do you want to know about???

Growing up in a constantly fast-talking Italian family…

With lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins???

So much fun going to church together…

Everyone talking at the same time…

Very loudly!!

With lots and lots of food!!!

Growing up Pentecostal???

Lots of “You can’t do that!”

But, lots of faith, love, and strong trust in God, too!!

I learned to teach my son about all the things we can do in Christ!

And the joy we experience!

Growing up with an older brother???

“Stitches” in my side as he walked too fast on our way to school…

Joe always said my younger brother, John, and I had “piercing voices!”

Growing up with a younger brother???

Who, as I mentioned in another post…

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/09/07/oh-by-the-way-…have-any-gauze/ ‎

Slashed my lip with a snow shovel…

While we were shoveling snow in NJ…

When I was in 6th grade!

But, we never wanted to be apart!

Praying for a sister???

My Mom was 38…

I had to have a sister…

Having two brothers was just too much…

I was eleven when Tina was born!

She went everywhere with me!

So special to me to this day!!

Amen!

God answers prayers!

Wanting to be a teacher since the first grade???

My cousin, Phyllis, who was three years older…

Lived next door…

And was always the teacher…

I was the best student there ever was!

Dating????

Long term dating…

Too early, too intense…

I would not recommend it today!!

College and Master’s Education???

Let me just say…

The tassel is definitely worth the hassle…

Do your homework…

Get an education!!!

Then, ask God to give you a job you’re passionate about!

First Marriage???

Moved to Texas to live with my older brother and his wife…

Married two and a half years…

Divorced…

Came home to NJ!

Divorce???

Low, low point…

Feels like someone took a photo of the two of you…

Tore it in two…

And ripped your heart out…

You’re deeply changed…

I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone!

Second Marriage

To my high school sweetheart…

Thirty-seven years…

Through the best of the best…

And the worst of the worst…

The key is to go through it…

TOGETHER…

That’s what marriage is all about…

Even when “LOVE” is strong…

But, “LIKE” is not!!

Amen!

Oh,Yes…

I am difficult to live with…

More than just sometimes!!

Good quote on Facebook:

“In every marriage more than a week old,

there are grounds for divorce…

the trick is to find, and continue to find,

the grounds for marriage!!”

Thank you, Jesus!

Amen!!

Ten years of Infertility???

Why me?

All my cousins and friends had kids…

But, God turned my attitude to…

“Why not me?”

And I received a miracle gift from God!

It was totally worth the huge cost and effort…

Of in-vitro…

To have our son!!!

Thank God for insurance!

Coming back to God???

Spent twenty years doing “my own thing!”

But could not fathom…

Raising my son without faith…

He loved Jesus…

Going to church…

Lively worship music…

And Veggie Tales…

And he led me back to Jesus!

Raising a great kid???

What a ministry…

To pour Jesus into your child!!!

Life???

Yes, they’ll be trials…

But, always accept the Lord’s…

Joy!

Death???

So sad to lose loved ones…

But, we can celebrate their life…

Because of our Hope of Heaven…

And say, “See you soon!”

Parents???

We do our best…

So remember…

Your parents did their best, too!!

Forgive…

Don’t hold onto grudges…

Love!

Friends and family???

While you can’t pick your family…

You can love, encourage, and minister to the family that God gave you!

Friends…

Chose wisely and love deeply!

Siberian Huskies???

Only God could make such a beautiful face…

My Crazy, Precious Little Girl…

Is lots of work…

And brings, oh, so much joy!!

See her Birthday post!

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2014/01/03/guess-whos-turning-seven/

Seeing through God’s eyes???

Is beautiful…

And difficult…

Be prepared to listen…

Be prepared to obey!

Religion???

Faith is better than no faith…

Our relationship with Jesus is everything!

Being retired???

Not HAVING to work is soooo good…

Retirement with a pension is the best!

Ministering to others???

Accountability…

Teaching others keeps you on your toes!

Keep on going for God!!

Eternal Life???

1 Timothy 4:8

“For physical training is of some value,

but godliness has value for all things,

holding promise for both the present life

and the life to come.”

Amen!

May3

Grace Was Made For People Like Me!!

Posted on May 3, 2014 by sagescenery

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John 1:14

“The Word

became flesh and made His dwelling among us.

We have seen His Glory,

the Glory of the One and Only Son,

who came from the Father,

full of Grace and Truth.”

And you!!

Be honest with God…

He’ll never let you go…

Jesus, we need You…

Lord, help us to believe…

Show us Your arms are open…

Your blood redeems…

Show me You can love…

Even me…

Show me Grace was made for…

People like me…

Amen!

1 Corinthians 1:3

“Grace and Peace to you from

God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ.”