The Outline Of Love

One of my hobbies in my spare down-time is coloring. I saved the word, Love, for last and decided to only outline it. The outline reminds me that God surrounds or outlines me with His never-ending love and protection. 
     He loves Israel, as well. In Isaiah 49, He tells His people, "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands, your walls are ever before me."  

     I am outlined, engraved, surrounded, encircled, protected, and eclipsed in His love!

Milk and Honey

     God described the land he was leading the people of Israel into as a land flowing with "milk and honey", one with hills and valleys that He personally kept His eyes on day after day throughout the year.  He also told the people through Moses that if they would obey His commandments and always love Him and keep Him in their hearts, He would continue to bless their crops.  That is good advise today - to always love and keep God in our hearts.
     I consider myself blessed to live in a nation flowing with "milk and honey".  I consider myself blessed to live in a state and a community flowing with "milk and honey."  I consider myself blessed in my daily walk because my heart overflows with "milk and honey" because I have chosen to accept the Lord my God as my Savior.  He blesses me everyday.  Thou I may often stray in my stubbornness and fleshly desires, He draws me back because His eyes on me daily.  He loves me and wants my life to filled with His blessings, "Milk and Honey."  He protects me through the hills and valley.

     I am getting off track today as a follow-up to ask all my readers to pray this week for our leaders. Please pray for our President, Vice President and their staff.  Pray for members of our Congress and Senate that right prevail.  Pray that God still keeps His eyes upon our land and continues to bless us as a land overflowing with "milk and honey." 

#2018 vs. 2019

     As 2019 rolls in, I have to ask, "What did I do in 2018?"
1.  I vacationed with my church group in Israel.  This was a once in a lifetime experience.  I can't believe I was actually able to walk where Jesus walked.  However, I did not have to journey to Israel to walk with Jesus.  He walks  with me everywhere I am - every day.
2.  I lost weight, but then I gained it back.  It seems my weight likes to walk with me too.
3.  I completed a Bible Study class and actually did not miss an assignment.  This took determination.
4.  I continued reading through the Bible.  This was and is rewarding.  I can never stop learning and getting to know my God.  To be able to study God's Word is a true blessing.
5.  I refinished my grandmother's dresser/washstand which is about 100 years old.  I rate this with pride as an accomplishment. 
6.  I enjoyed a trip to Branson with my brother and his wife.  This was a quality few days with family.
7.  I kept in touch and met for visits with my sisters.  I just can't get enough of family.
8.  I watched a lot of Hallmark movies; some new and some repeats.  This took care of a few boring moments, but then it also created boredom.
9.  I ended the year with two sets of family.  Although busy, I will cherish the moments.
     So what do I propose to accomplish in 2019?  I hope to, daily, whip up my own 3-cup recipe as follows: 
                1 cup of kindness
                1 cup of forgiveness
                1 cup of love
        Mix these together until well-blended and share with all whom I come in contact. 
     I end this with Paul's closing letter in 2 Corinthians, "...Be joyful.  Grow to maturity.  Encourage each other.  Live in harmony and peace.  Then the God of love and peace will be with you."  Happy New Year!

In My Heart!

     I have never been a big traveler and never, in my wildest dreams, thought I would have the glorious opportunity to see Israel, the Holy Land where Jesus walked.  This was, for me, the trip of a lifetime, but even if I had never been able to go, I would have always been blessed by the experiences I have-- just where I am. 
     Looking back over the trip, my most memorable sites were the Sea of Galilee, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the Garden Tomb.  

     It was raining when we first stepped onto the boat to take us for a ride on the Galilee.  The ride was amazing and the boat captain, a converted Christian Jew, sang some inspiring Christian songs.  As I began the ride, and after returning home, I was able to connect more fully with this freshwater sea.  This was where Jesus first began His ministry as he walked along the shore and invited fishermen to "follow Him."  This was the area where Jesus healed the blind and the lame.  This was the area where Jesus fed the 5000 with only 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread.  However, if I had never been blessed with this wonderful Israel trip, I have the opportunity every day to hear Jesus say to me, "Follow me!"  The question every day is will I choose to take His hand and "follow Him?"   





         At the Garden of Gethsemane, I was impressed by the way it had been maintained.  I couldn't help but be reminded of how the disciples were unable to remain awake while Jesus knelt in agonizing prayer, so much so that "His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."  I was honored to be able to sit beneath an oil tree and offer up my own heart-felt prayer to the Jesus who may have just knelt in this very spot.   Yet, even if I had not been here in this garden, I am so very blessed to know that Jesus hears my daily prayer just where I am every day.  I am further blessed to know that just as He loved His disciples who could not remain awake and pray with Him, He also loves me when, in my human weakened state,  I, myself, fall asleep at night while in prayer time with Him.  In Matthew 26, I hear Him say, "Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand..."          

                                

     Finally, at the Garden Tomb, I knew what to expect.  Jesus was not there!  The Tomb was empty.  However, I was expecting a simple hole in a mountain.  This was actually a small room carved out of a huge stone or cave.  The room may have been used as a weeping area, but I have no knowledge of that.  To the right was a short step down with a separate area carved out for the body.  The one thing I do know was that Jesus was risen, and He was not there.  Many still disbelieve and may even wonder what happened to Him.  Yet, I know.  He is here.  He is Alive!  He is with His Father.  He is everywhere.  He is here in my heart, and He intercedes for me everyday, just where I am. 

10 MORE DAYS TO THANKSGIVING

    As we were reading Jeremiah 31:32 today in Sunday School, one part in it claimed my attention.  "Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:"     It can't be overlooked!  The Lord "took them by the hand."   He was their true faithful guide and deliverer until He was rejected by them.  Is that what we do in our daily walk?  We don't trust enough to let God lead us by His hand.
     So what am I thankful for today?  It is the fact that God's mighty powerful hand is extended to me 24/7 if I will just trust Him more, place my hand in His, and let Him lead the way.
     On top of that, verse 33 goes on to tell us, "But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people."   Isn't this telling me also that not only is His hand extended to help me, but His covenant promises me the  Holy Spirit living in my heart, and I am truly one of God's people because I have accepted Him as my Savior.