Category Archives: Photos

Window Shopping????

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While window shopping in Old Naples over the summer….

This was by-far my favorite window!!!

The Frog…

So dapper!

So welcoming!

“Come on in!”

He beckoned…

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Wind In The Willows – Beth Boutique, 793 5th Ave., Naples, FL 34102, (239) 643-0663

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I adored the bright, whimsical colors and patterns…

 I wanted to:

Try on the fashionable clothing,…

Read the Dare To Be Whacky book,…

Buy the beautiful hand-painted furniture …

Walk on the gorgeous carpet…

And, of course…

Cuddle with the perfectly groomed stuffed cat!

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Suddenly, I saw the cute little cat move!!

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I was mesmerized!

It’s alive!!

It’s breathing!

It’s not one of the mannequins, after all!

It’s not a prop…

It’s not just a display in the window!

It’s real!!

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I took so many photos of that beautiful cat…

From every angle…

While I watched it roaming around in that shop window…

No longer thinking about the other items…

The non-living items…

I focused only on the cat!!

I couldn’t get enough of it’s precious face…

It’s awesome lion-like tail…

It’s fluffy, white fur…

It’s four fuzzy feet!!

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And then the cat was gone!

The display was still nice…

But without the live cat in it …

It was now just an ordinary…

Empty-of-life…

Shop window!

Not all gods are alike!

Do you want to:

Try them on for size?

Read about them?

Buy into their theology?

Walk with them through life?

Cuddle with them in the time of need?

Find the God that’s Alive!

The One who Lives and Breathes!

I Have!

I can forget about non-essential items…

Non-living items…

And focus only on Jesus!!

I can’t get enough of His Precious Face…

The awesome strength of the Lion of Judah…

His Pure, White Robe of Righteousness…

His nail-scarred hands and feet!!

Not all religions are alike…

Is it alive?

Is it breathing?

Is it dead?

Is it just a display?

Is it real??

Not all churches are alike…

Some are so welcoming!

Putting on a “dapper” front…

“Come on in!”

They beckon…

But, has God left the building????

Remember, while window shopping…

Nothing’s the same without Him!!

Acts 17:28

“‘In Him we live

and move

and have our being;’

as even some of your own poets have said,

‘For we are indeed His offspring.’”

1 John 5:12

“Whoever has the Son has life;

whoever does not have the Son of God

does not have life.”

Revelation 1:18

“I am the Living One;

I was dead,

and now look,

I am alive for ever and ever!

And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

1 Peter 6:6

“For this is the reason the Gospel was preached

even to those who are now dead,

so that they might be judged according to human standards

in regard to the body,

but live according to God in regard to the spirit.”

Hebrews 4:12

“For the Word of God

is alive and active.

Sharper than any double-edged sword,

it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit,

joints and marrow;

it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Acts 1:11

“’Men of Galilee,’

they said,

‘why do you stand here looking into the sky?

This same Jesus,

who has been taken from you into Heaven,

will come back in the same way

you have seen Him go into Heaven.”

Amen!

Opposites Attract!

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I received this e-mail awhile ago:

 

“Ladies this e-mail will answer all your questions…

 

Men Are Different!

 

They think differently…

Talk differently…

Are interested…

Or not interested…

In different things!

The sooner we realize it the better off we’ll be…

And the easier it will be to get along…

 

Why Men Are Seldom Depressed!

Men are just happier people:

Their last name stays put…

The garage is all theirs…

Wedding plans take care of themselves…

Chocolate is just another snack…

They can be President…

Car mechanics tell them the truth…

Same work, more pay…

Wrinkles add character…

Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100…

New shoes don’t cut, blister, or mangle your feet…

One mood all the time…

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat…

A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase…

They can open all their own jars…

They get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness…

Three pairs of shoes are more than enough…

They are unable to see wrinkles in their clothes..

They don’t need to put on a new face every day…

The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades…

They only have to shave their face and neck…

They can play with toys all their life.

One wallet and one pair of shoes!  One color for all seasons…

They can ‘do’ their nails with a pocket knife…

They have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache…

They can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24th in 25 minutes…

 

No wonder men are happier!!  Ha!

 

Nicknames: 

If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and Sarah…

If Mike, Dave, and John go out for lunch, they will affectionately call each other Fat Boy, Bubba and Wildman…

 

Eating Out: 

When the bill arrives, Mike, Dave and John will each throw in $20, even though it’s only for $32.50.  None of them will have anything smaller, and none will actually admit they want change back…

When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket calculators…

 

Money

A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs…

A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn’t need, but it’s on sale…

 

Bathrooms

A man has six items in his bathroom: toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel…

The average number of items in the typical woman’s bathroom is 337…A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these items…

 

Arguments:  A woman has the last word in any argument…

Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument…

 

Future:

A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband…

A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife…

 

Marriage:

A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn’t…

A man marries a woman expecting that she won’t change, but she does…

 

Dressing Up:

A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the trash,

answer the phone, or go get the mail…

A man will dress up for weddings and funerals…

 

Natural:

Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed…

Women somehow deteriorate during the night…

 

Offspring:

Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments, romances, best friends, favorite foods, secret fears, hopes, and dreams…

A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house…

 

Though For The Day:

A married man should forget his mistakes. There’s no use in two people remembering the same thing!

 

P.S.  Read about relationships:

 

Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus by John Gray, Ph.D.

http://www.marsvenus.com/

 

Laughing Your Way To A Happy Marriage by Pastor Mark Gungor

http://markgungor.com/

 

Men and Women

Most can’t agree:

On what a “lazy” Sunday afternoon looks like…

What “straighten up the house” entails…

How long “working on the car” takes…

Or what, “I’ll be ready in five minutes!” really means…

Just the other day…

I was listening as my husband spoke on the phone to his good friend, Dave…

“Oh, No!!!  What did you do, Davie???

Your new puppy?  Big mess?  While you were out playing golf?  And she was at church? 

And the volume in your house is on ‘MUTE!!!?!’

Oh, No! Georgie can’t help you with this one, Buddy!!!

Why???  Because no matter what you say or do…you’re wrong!!!

So, just say you’re sorry and be done with it!!

I’m telling you, Friend…

It’s a grey area!!  With women!”

So, by now I’m laughing, because I can’t hear Davie’s end of the conversation…

But I have an answer, nonetheless!

“Swallow you’re pride…

Say you’re sorry…

Put your ‘puppy tail’ between your legs…

And beg for forgiveness!!”

My husband conveys my message and says…

“Doesn’t matter if she said you could go…

Clean up the mess!!”

See???

Opposites!!!

Thank God they attract!

But both men and women can agree on our love for Jesus!!

And how we need His love for us!

Don’t you find that amazing???

In our household…

I’m not a morning person…He is!

I do the paperwork…He can’t!

He’s super observant…I’m not!

I’m a clean-up-as-you-go cook…He’s messy and doesn’t care!

He’s trained to handle a crisis…I melt down!

But…

It’s okay, because…

Jesus and I are opposites, too!

And Opposites Attract!!!

Yipee!!

I’m weak…He’s strong!

I’m human…He’s divine!

I’m selfish…He’s selfless!

He’s sinless!

He’s love!!

He’s Holy!

God’s the Creator!

God’s perfect!

God never changes!

God never fails!

Lord, I Can’t Get Over You!

Men and women are opposites…

And they disagree on many things…

But somehow in Jesus…

We all find what we need!

We all seem to agree!!

Men and women from all walks of life…

 Every country…

 People who can’t agree on politics…

Or the economy…

 Or even on which of our major world problems to try solve first…

Can agree that we adore the love of our Savior for us!

It’s amazing!

We can meet someone totally different from us…

  And still just know that they possess the love of Jesus…

That They Have His Heart!

Psalm 8:4

“What is mankind that You are mindful of them,
    human beings that You care for them?

You love like no other…
Not anything that I do…
You forgive me…
I choose to stay here with You!

Hold me…
Closer…
Can’t lose this moment…
You’re love has covered me!

And now I can’t get over You!

I just can’t get over You

Arms of my Father…
Grace can be found…
Lay my fears down…
Not the same anymore…
Changed from the inside out..
Heart is beating…

Can’t get over the way…
Your love stays the same…

All the time…
You stay the same…
My song remains…

Oh, Lord…

Nothing I can’t do…
Except get over You!

I’ll never get over You!!

Amen!

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Jesus, You’re My BFF! My Best Friend…Forever!!

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James 2:23

“And the scripture was fulfilled that says,

‘Abraham believed God,

and it was credited to him as righteousness,

and he was called God’s friend.”

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John 15:14

“You are my friends

if you do what I command.”

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John 15:15

“I no longer call you servants,

because a servant does not know his master’s business.

Instead, I have called you friends,

for everything that I learned from My Father

I have made known to you.”

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This song is a Kids Church favorite!!!!!

Have you heard of the one called Savior?

Have you heard of His perfect love?

Have you heard of the One in Heaven?

Have you heard how He gave His Son?

‘Cause I found this Love!

I believe in the Son!

Show me Your way!

I believe in the One called Savior!

I believe He’s the Risen One!

I believe I’ll live forever!

I believe that my King will come!

‘Cause I found this Love!

I believe in the Son!

Show me Your way!

Jesus!

You are my best friend!

And you will always be!

And nothing will ever change that!

Nothing will ever change that!!

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Proverbs 18:24

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,   

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

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John 15:13

“Greater love has no one than this:

to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

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Hebrews 13:5

“…God has said,

‘Never will I leave you;   

never will I forsake you.’”

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Have you heard???

Have you found???

Do you believe???

Have you met my best friend???

Jesus!

Forever!

Nothing will ever change that!

Amen!

Life’s Not A Snapshot…Hang In There!!

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                          (Photos taken by my husband)

Galatians 6:9

“Let us not become weary in doing good,

for at the proper time

we will reap a harvest

if we do not give up.”

Got a story of rejection???

Defeat???

Trials??

Pain???

Hurts???

Mistakes???

Uncertainty???

Regrets???

Hardship???

Indecision???

Doubts???

Walking in darkness???

Are you scared???

Need some faith???

Some direction???

Is life a bumpy roller coaster ride???

Need some Light in your life???

RIGHT NOW???

To find your way???

Be Brave!

Have Courage!

You’re Not Alone!!

He’s Holding You!

Step Out!

Dare To Believe!

Press On! 

Hang On For The Long Ride!

Fight The Good Fight!

Wait For The Light!

The Dawn Does Come!

This Is Just The Dark Before The Morning!!

Life Is Not A Snapshot!

It May Take Awhile!

Take Some Processing Time!

Processing Time For Your Miracle!

For Your Circumstances To Be Changed!

Through God’s Perfect Plan For You!

For Your Life!!

Hang On!

“Til He Shows You The Bigger Picture!

His Panoramic View!

Of Your Life!

Believe!!

It’s His Best Plan For you!

In The Meantime…

Wait Patiently!

With Great Expectation!

And Use Your Experiences!

To Help Others Along The Way!

Just Wait A Little Longer!

Don’t Feel Compelled To Try To “HELP” God!!

He Doesn’t Need Your Help!

Trust Him Completely!

Amen!!

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Lyrics:

Do you wonder why you have to,
Feel the things that hurt you,
If there’s a God who loves you,
Where is He now?

Maybe, there are things you can’t see
And all those things are happening
To bring a better ending
Some day, some how, you’ll see, you’ll see

Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
That you still have a reason to sing,
’cause the pain you’ve been feeling,
Can’t compare to the joy that’s coming

So hold on, you got to wait for the light
Press on, just fight the good fight
Because the pain you’ve been feeling,
It’s just the dark before the morning

My friend, you know how this all ends
And you know where you’re going,
You just don’t know how you get there
So just say a prayer.

And hold on, cause there’s good for those who love God,
Life is not a snapshot, it might take a little time,
But you’ll see the bigger picture

Once you feel the way of glory,
All your pain will fade to memory

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Lamentations 3:22-24

“Because of the Lord’s great love

we are not consumed,   

for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;   

great is Your faithfulness.

I say to myself,

‘The Lord is my portion;   

therefore I will wait for Him.'”

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Yes…

Say this to yourself ever day!!

To walk the walk of Faith in our Mighty God!

Amen!

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Psalm 30:5

“His anger lasts only a moment,   

His goodness for a lifetime.

Tears may flow in the night,   

but joy comes in the morning.”

“Oh, By The Way…Do We Have Any Gauze?!?”

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That’s how our son greeted us on Tuesday evening…

After walking through the door…

Dropping down his bag…

And saying to our “Crazy Siberian…”

“Oh, please don’t jump on me!!”

Hey!

What’s going on???

He knows our “Precious Little Girl”

Jumps up on everybody who walks through our door…

Especially up on him…

Since he’s been away for five days!!

Also…

What’s with the “gauze” question???

Well…

Crazy story here…

Seems that he and his three friends…

While at the Dragon Conference in Atlanta, Georgia…

–Comic Book/Gaming, etc.–

Saw William Shatner (Captain Kirk) from Star Trek,

Billy Dee Williams (Lando) from Star Wars,

And John Glover from Smallville…

And purchased several fine prop swords…

For a great discount (I learned later…)

Two remarkable swords for only $50.00!

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The third young man went ahead…

And purchased his own REAL fighting sword…

So now three young men…

Out of the four…

Have beautiful, long, shiny swords…

Two quite sharp and real-looking…

And the third sword the real thing!

In one hotel room!

To what???

Play with???

To swing and pretend..

You’re a Ninja Warrior!!

Well, let’s just say…

Because I’m sure we don’t know all the details…

Ha!

The sword of the Friendly Ninja Warrior…

With the prop sword…

Punctured the buttocks of our equally friendly Warrior-Son!!

As I hear it…

And again, I’m sure that in the telling…

We don’t know…

And will never know…

All the gory details…

But…

(Pun intended!  Ha!)

Blood was gushing…

Pain was felt…

Apologies were accepted…

Bandages and Neosporin were purchased…

And friends rallied to…

Help take care of their wounded Warrior friend!

Bleeding stopped…

Pain subsided…

No reason to stop a perfectly good trip…

Or tell the parents…

Who would have insisted…

On a trip to the ER…

For the gaping hole…

Where the sword went in!!

No!

The wound was kept clean…

Bandages were changed…

And the fun continued…

At the Conference…

And the next day at Six Flags!

Mom and Dad called…

To wish their 23 year-old Boy

Man

Now Warrior!

A Happy, Happy Birthday!!

And by then the Warriors had conquered this slight glitch…

And reported that all was well!!

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It brought back memories of my parents never knowing EVERYTHING either!

PLUS: 

Did I tell you in any other posts…

That this kid is blessed???

I was at home praying:

“Dear Lord,

Please put a hedge of protection

Around him…

Wherever he is…

Whoever he’s with…

Whatever he’s doing!”

God’s good, huh?!?!

The kid could have been punctured by the other sword…

The real one…

Or, he could have punctured something other than the backside, fleshy area!!

So I took him to the ER…

On Tuesday night…

So he could get those…

Sterile tape things…

To hold the edges of the wound together…

An antibiotic…

A tetanus shot…

And have a nice conversation with him…

About how blessed he is…

Ha!

To have a God-trusting Mom like me!!

About how MY mother would have freaked out about this…

Since she was shocked at everything…

And how my grandma would have been screaming in Italian…

“O, Mio Dio!”

So he’s getting off easy! 

Ha!

Since, I thought of it as a good blog post!

He thought of it as a good story to tell his kids someday!

And it reminded me that my younger brother…

Was a hazard to my health, too…

As we were growing up!

Once when we were playing with a pretty good-sized wire spring…

It somehow landed in my eyelid…

Grandma was watching us that day…

Hence, the “O Mio Dio” screams!

And once when we had about 6′ of  snow fall in NJ…

With snow drifts up to the windows!

Or, so it seemed to me…

And everything was at a stand-still!

Schools were closed…

No vehicles could get through…

We all went out to shovel snow…

And that same little brother took that shovel to pick up some snow…

And it landed right in the left side of my lip!!!

Emergency police in a jeep had to come get me…

To bring me to the hospital for stitches!

With four kids…

These are only two reasons why my Mom just stayed shocked…

All the time…

While we were growing up!

Thank God…

We all made it to adulthood!!

Who says, it’s dull around here?!?!

Sometimes…

Our prayers are needed just to protect ourselves…

from ourselves!!

Don’t ever apologize…

for being highly blessed by God!

Since that means that…

We Believe…

  Jesus is watching over us at all times!!

He is!!

Thank you, Jesus!!!

Mark 9:22

“Everything is possible

for one who believes.”

(photo of Casey’s sword)

I have to believe

He sees my darkness

He knows my pain

I have to lift up

My hands to worship

Worship His Name

I have to declare

He is my refuge

I have to deny… 

I am alone

I have to lift up…

My eyes to the mountains

Where my help comes from

He said…

He’s forever faithful

He’s forever true

He can move mountains

If He can move mountains

He can move my mountain

He can move your mountain, too

Oh, I have to stand tall

When the wind blows me over

I have to stand strong

When I’m weak and afraid

I have to grab hold

Of the garments of praise

I know, that I know, that I know

Because He said…

He’s forever faithful

He’s forever true

He can move mountains

If He can move mountains…

He can move my mountain

He can move your mountain, too

I have to sing praise

When the hour is midnight

He unlocks these chains

That bind up my soul

My sin and my shame

He has forgiven and made me whole

Because He said…

He’s forever faithful

He’s forever true

He can move mountains

If He can move mountains

He can move my mountain

He can move your mountain, too

I have to believe

He’s got everything under control

I have to believe

Lord, I believe

Help my unbelief

I have to believe in You

I have to believe!

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Mark 11:23-24

“Truly I tell you,

if anyone says to this mountain,

‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’

and does not doubt in their heart

but believes that what they say will happen,

it will be done for them.

Therefore I tell you,

whatever you ask for in prayer,

believe that you have received it,

and it will be yours.”

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John 11:40

“Then Jesus said,

Did I not tell you that if you believe,

you will see the glory of God?’”

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Mark 9:24

 “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed,

‘I do believe;

help me overcome my unbelief!'” 

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Mark 5:36

“…Jesus told him,

Don’t be afraid;

just believe.’”

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Yes, Lord…

I do believe You’re in control of our lives!

Amen!!

You’re Beautiful, My Sweet, Sweet Song!!

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You Are My Jesus Who Loves Me!

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Ephesians 2:4-5

“But because of His great love for us,

God, who is rich in mercy,

made us alive with Christ

even when we were dead in transgressions—

it is by grace you have been saved.”

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Proverbs 8:17

“I love those who love Me,   

and those who seek Me

find Me.”

You are beautiful my sweet, sweet song!

And I will sing again…

You are so good to me..

You heal my broken heart…

You are my Father in Heaven!

You are beautiful my sweet, sweet song!

You ride upon the clouds…

You lead me to the Truth…

You are the Spirit inside me!

You are my strong melody…

You are my dancing rhythm…

You are my perfect rhyme…

I will sing of You forever!

You poured out all Your Blood…

You died upon the Cross!

You are my Jesus who loves me!!

Oh, You’re beautiful my sweet, sweet, Lord!!

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1 John 4:9-11

This is how God showed His love among us:

He sent His One and Only Son

into the world that we might live through Him.

This is love:

not that we loved God,

but that He loved us

and sent His Son

as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Dear friends,

since God so loved us,

we also ought to love one another.”

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Zephaniah 3:17

“The Lord your God is with you,   

the Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in you;   

in His love He will no longer rebuke you,   

but will rejoice over you with singing.”

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Job 34:18

“…who shows no partiality to princes   

and does not favor the rich over the poor,   

for they are all the work of His hands?” 

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“God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.  – Augustine

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However, as it is written:

‘What no eye has seen,   

what no ear has heard,

and what no human mind has conceived—   

the things God has prepared for those who love Him—'”

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I love You, Lord!

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I will sing of You forever!!

Amen!

Lord, Whenever Needed: Undo What I’ve Become!!

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You have my permission!!

Whatever it takes!

If it doesn’t line up with Your Word…

Or Your plan for my life…

I’ll need an…

Undo!”

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1 John 1:9

“If we confess our sins,

He is faithful and just

and will forgive us our sins

and purify us

from all unrighteousness.”

Been here before, and again…

At the door, please let me back in…

I’m known to be a prodigal…

Please, Lord…

Turn me around…

Pick me up

Undo what I’ve become!

Back to the place…

Of forgiveness and grace!

Need You…

Need Your help…

Can’t do this myself

I know…

You’re the Only One who can undo…

What I’ve become!

Focused on the score…

Could never win…

Tried to ignore…

Hiding my sin

Hypocrite…

Lead me back…

To You!

Through forgiveness and grace!!

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2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,

the new creation has come:

The old has gone,

the new is here!”

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Hebrews 10:17

“Then He adds:

‘Their sins and lawless acts   

I will remember no more.’”

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Psalm 103:11

“…as far as the east is from the west,   

so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

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Hebrews 4:16

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence,

so that we may receive mercy

and find grace

to help us in our time of need.”

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Oh, Lord…

This is where I belong…

With You!!

Amen!

Savior Of The World!

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My Savior!

Your Savior!

The Savior of The World!

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John 1:28-29

This all happened at Bethany

on the other side of the Jordan,

where John was baptizing.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him

and said,

‘Look, the Lamb of God,

who takes away the sin of the world!'”

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John 3:16-17

“For God so loved the world

that He gave His One and Only Son,

that whoever believes in Him

shall not perish

but have eternal life.

For God did not send His Son into the world

to condemn the world,

but to save the world through Him.”

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2 Corinthians 5:15

“And He died for all,

that those who live

should no longer live for themselves

but for Him who died for them

and was raised again.”

Walked dirty streets…

Not famous…

“Come”

They came…

Ordinary face…

But different…

Leads

All say…

There He goes…

Hero…

Savior to the world!

Scars in His hands…

Gave His life… 

We’re free!

The Savior of the world!

Authority…

Walked on water…

Spoke and calmed the storm…

Touch heals…

Called hypocrite…

Dead behind the stone…

Left curtain torn…

There He goes…,

Hero…

Savior to the world!

Chose the cross…

For the lost, broken, and needy

Forgiving all!

Angel said, “Have no fear…

He’s not here!”

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Isaiah 53

“Who has believed our message   

and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

He grew up before Him like a tender shoot,   

and like a root out of dry ground.

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him,   

nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.

He was despised and rejected by mankind,   

a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.

Like one from whom people hide their faces   

He was despised, and we held Him in low esteem.

Surely He took up our pain   

and bore our suffering,

yet we considered Him punished by God,   

stricken by Him, and afflicted.

But He was pierced for our transgressions,   

He was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on Him,   

and by His wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,   

each of us has turned to our own way;

and the Lord has laid on Him   

the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and afflicted,   

yet He did not open His mouth;

He was led like a lamb to the slaughter,   

and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,  

so He did not open His mouth.

By oppression and judgment He was taken away.   

Yet who of His generation protested?

For He was cut off from the land of the living;   

for the transgression of my people He was punished.

He was assigned a grave with the wicked,   

and with the rich in His death,

though He had done no violence,   

nor was any deceit in His mouth.

Yet it was the Lord’s Will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer,   

and though the Lord makes His life an offering for sin,

He will see His offspring and prolong His days,   

and the Will of the Lord will prosper in His hand.

After He has suffered,   

He will see the light of life and be satisfied;

by His knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,   

and He will bear their iniquities.

Therefore I will give Him a portion among the great,   

and He will divide the spoils with the strong,

because He poured out His life unto death,   

and was numbered with the transgressors.

For He bore the sin of many,   

and made intercession for the transgressors.”

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Matthew 1:21

“She will give birth to a son,

and you are to give Him the Name Jesus,

because He will save His people from their sins.”

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Acts 4:12

“Salvation is found in no one else,

for there is no other Name under Heaven

given to mankind

by which we must be saved.”

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What a Savior!!

There He goes..

Grab hold!

He’s your Savior, too!!

Amen!!

God, Can You Hear Our Cries to YOU???

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‘Cause We Need You NOW!!!

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Psalm 57:2

“I cry out to God Most High,   

to God

who will fulfill His purpose for me.”

Psalm 84:2

“My soul yearns, even faints,   

for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out   

for the Living God.”

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Psalm 88:1

“O Lord, God of my salvation;   

I cry out day and night before You.”

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What’s your story?

Wounded?

Need to be healed?

Yes!

Believe there’s beauty here…

Even when you’re tired of holding on…

Don’t let go…

Move on…

There’s meaning here!

God, how many times have You heard us cry out…

“God please take this?”

How many times have You given us strength…

To just keep breathing?

Oh, Lord, we need You…

God, we need You now!

On a road we didn’t plan

How did we get here?

Help us…

Hear Your still small voice…

Above all the noise…

In the shadows…

We’re so afraid

Please…

Stay right beside us…

With us…

Every single step we take!

We need You!

We need You NOW!!!

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Even Jesus cried out to YOU!

Hebrews 5:7

“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth,

He offered up prayers

and petitions

with fervent cries and tears

to the One who could save Him from death,

and He was heard because of His reverent submission.”

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Lord, hear our cries, also!

We can’t make it on our own!!

Lord, never tire of our cries to You!!!

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Psalm 50:15

“…and call on Me in the day of trouble;   

I will deliver you,

and you will honor Me.”

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Psalm 34:17

“The righteous cry out,

and the Lord hears them;   

He delivers them from all their troubles.”

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Ahhhh…

God’s Peace…

Amen!

There’s A 23 Year-Old Man Living In Our House!!

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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.”

1 Timothy 4:12

“Don’t let anyone look down on you

because you are young,

but set an example for the believers in speech,

in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

My son will be 23 years-old on Labor Day!

We celebrated his Birthday today…

Because he’ll be away for his Birthday weekend…

That’s what happens when they grow up…

They do things independently of their parents!!

Happy Birthday, Casey!

We love you!

All God’s Blessings!

How did those years go by soooo fast?!?!

You’re an amazing gift from God to us!!

Here’s my prayer for you!!

That you will build your life…

And future home of your own…

On the strong foundation of Jesus Christ!

So you can lead!

Isaiah 54:13

“All your children will be taught by the Lord,   

and great will be their peace.” 

2 Timothy 3:14-15

“But as for you,

continue in what you have learned

and have become convinced of,

because you know those from whom you learned it, 

and how from infancy

you have known the Holy Scriptures,

which are able to make you wise for salvation

through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Here’s a link to Holley Gerth’s blog post today:

http://holleygerth.com/when-god-changes-your-plans-an-infertility-update/

Please read it…

Be prepared to cry and rejoice!!

Here’s my comment to her:

Holley, I read this post this morning…

As we were getting ready to celebrate my son’s 23rd Birthday…

We did the 10-year “infertility roller-coaster” years ago to have him…

I had him when I was 41…

He’s the light of our lives…

And our gift from God!

There was a point where we came to the same moment you and your husband came to…

We were only going to be able to afford one more round of in-vitro…

and my very blunt Mom said to me,

“Maybe it’s not God’s will for you to have a child!”

That shocked me…

I stopped in my tracks thinking about it!!

Then, I knew I believed that it WAS God’s will for me to have a child!

We had a miscarriage before my son,

Lost the other two embryos that were transferred with him,

And had a miscarriage after him!!

Though I wanted all those babies we lost,

I know I’ll see them in Heaven!

Now I direct a Drama Team at church,

And I’m “Drama Mama” to so many kids, teens, and young adults!!

God is so good!!

We each need to ask God the hard questions as you did…

And His answers are the BEST for our lives!

May God richly bless you always!!”

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The Birthday Boy  Man!!!

That face always makes me smile!!!!

Proverbs 1:8

“Listen, my son,

to your father’s instruction   

and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

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Father and Son!

Proverbs 29:17

“Correct thy son,

and he shall give thee rest;

yea,

he shall give delight unto thy soul.”

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My son makes “Mothering” so easy and lots of fun!!

Psalm 127:3

“Children are a heritage from the Lord,   

offspring a reward from Him.

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Yeah!!

Birthday money to buy stuff!!!

John 16:21

“A woman giving birth to a child

has pain because her time has come;

but when her baby is born

she forgets the anguish

because of her joy

that a child is born into the world.”

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We brought our Precious Little Girl…

  A chewy treat from Petco on our way home from Outback…

Obviously, she cares more about that treat…

Than taking a Birthday photo with Casey!!

Proverbs 3:1-6

“My son, do not forget My teaching,
    but keep My commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
    and bring you peace and prosperity.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to Him,
    and He will make your paths straight.”

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It’s so hard to get a good photo of our Crazy Siberian…

‘Cause she’s constantly moving…

That’s why I love landscape photography…

Most things stand still!!

Romans 12:2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test

and approve what God’s will is—

His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

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My two “Babies!”

He always smiles…

She’s smiling…

But she still has the chewy  treat in her mouth!

She always thinks we’re going to take it from her!!

What would we want with that yucky chewy???

James 1:17

“Every good and perfect gift

is from above,

coming down from the Father of the Heavenly Lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Psalm 115:14

“May the Lord cause you to flourish,   

both you and your children.”

Deuteronomy 4:9

“Only be careful,

and watch yourselves closely

so that you do not forget

the things your eyes have seen

or let them fade from your heart

as long as you live.

Teach them to your children

and to their children after them.”

Jesus I pray…

-Your Word will prevail over our children…

-Your Peace will embrace them… 

-They seek Your Wisdom and Understanding …

-They’re quick to obey You…

-They’re Holy in all conduct…

-They hunger and thirst for more of You each day…

-They’re content with what they have… 

-They grow in the grace and knowledge of You, Lord…

-They’re clothed with humility…

-They cast their cares upon You, Father, for You care for them…

-They’re doers of the Word, and not hearers only…

-They learn to effectively share their faith…   

-They don’t have a spirit of fear…

-But of power, love, and a sound mind…

-You save them…

-You call them with a Holy Calling…

-You provide safety for them, day and night…

  -They walk in the Light as You are in the Light…

-You purify their hearts…

-They follow after righteousness, faith, love, and peace.

-They have favor and high esteem with God and man.

Amen!

2 Timothy 2:22-25

“Run from temptations that capture young people.

Always do the right thing.

Be faithful, loving, and easy to get along with.

Worship with people whose hearts are pure. 

Stay away from stupid and senseless arguments.

These only lead to trouble, 

and God’s servants must not be troublemakers.

They must be kind to everyone,

and they must be good teachers and very patient.

Be humble when you correct people who oppose you.

Maybe God will lead them to turn to Him and learn the truth.”

Casey, you are all these things…

Praise the Lord!

God did a great job raising you!!

Thank you everyone who prayed with us…

All those long years of waiting…

For God to give us the desire of our hearts!

Happy Birthday, You are Loved!