Before and After Tag 2.7.2020

How interesting You are, Lord. The Before and After Tag. You intrigue me with invitation by Efua of Grace Over Pain, who so kindly requested to take part in The Before And After Tag A.K.A. the Then And Now Tag. 

Thank you, Efua, for your kind invitation!
May God continue to bless you and your blog!
Me and God love you, sister! ❤

The Before And After Tag A.K.A. the Then And Now Tag was created by
Robert of WATCHING DAILY AT WISDOM’S GATES

Rules:
Use the image at the top of the post;
Answer the 10 questions;
And tag the people you’d like to answer the questions.

1. Who was family for you growing up?
My mom and dad, 2 brothers, sister, a foster brother, and maternal grandparents.

2. Who is family for you now?
son, 1 brother, sister, brother in law, stepdad, adopted sister, and church family

3. Where did you grow up?
the mountains of WNC (Western North Carolina)

4. Where do you live now?
the same

5. What did you want to be when you were older?
originally a cancer doctor, then a CEO of my own greeting card company that did more than birthdays and holidays (but then I heard about a company called Hallmark that beat me to it), then to work for the FCC to clean up the airwaves on radio and TV, but a writer all along

6. What do you do now?
live, write poetry, serve God, encourage others

7. What’s your earliest memory?
When I was 3 yrs old a man held a gun to my mother’s head and threatened to kill her if she did not leave with him. She refused, saying she would not leave her kids. He then told she could bring the kids but that she was leaving. She refused. Next thing I know he’s across the street at the neighbor’s with police surrounding him. He killed the neighbor and then threatened the police that they would never take him alive, but eventually they did. They put him in prison for several years.

8. What’s one of your most recent memories?
In the last couple of weeks one of my aunt’s died. She was my dad’s sister. She and my dad are both gone now. It brought back a memory of when my dad got a call that she was in the ICU of the hospital because she had been severely beaten by her ex-boyfriend. They were telling my dad the password to see her because they were afraid she would not make it and that the guy who beat her so violently continued to beat her and kick her in the head with officers still there trying to pull him off of her. If her roommate (who he also started beating on) had not run for help, the ex would have killed them both. He vowed to the officers that he would finish the job.
When we went to see my aunt, all the bones in her face were shattered. With her face completely swollen so tight that she was pale, along with blood and tears coming out of her eyes, my aunt tried to smile, and with a calm and loving voice apologized to me for not having her hair fixed. She had always been a woman who took care of herself, and was very hospitable, loved cooking for others, and loved sharing her southern hospitality. They told my dad they would be transporting her and that for several weeks she would not be allowed visitors while they did several surgeries.
Eventually my aunt would call my dad with new passwords. Then she and her roommate moved closer to our area to be out of that area. (She had been 3 hours away, now she was 45 minutes away.) She eventually got to where she lived a normal life again, despite how it changed her facial features. She wasn’t the confident and outgoing lady she was before, but she knew she was loved regardless of her looks. I was grateful the Lord allowed me to witness beautiful things from a beautiful lady… inside and out… before and after!

9. What do you consider your greatest achievement so far?
Giving my live to God. ❤ And Him giving His Son Jesus and my son Anthoni to me! ❤

10. What is your biggest hope in this life?
The love and promises of God! ❤

My Nominees:

Caz
Matt
Stu
Amy
Siphe
Charity
Temi

 

The Decade Tag 2.4.2020

Dear Lord, How many ways You give to challenge me, to testify of You, to encourage and share with others, to do things only You know why You send my way. It might seem trivial to some, but even in awards and tags Your purpose is still Yours. So when Charity of Confessions and Thoughts of a Reluctant Preacher’s Daughter nominated me for the The Decade Tag, I am somewhat bewildered to think over the last ten years, but know there have been so many blessings that far out weigh the loss and changes that You have used to make all things new… including the new creature in me, and Your renewing my mind in You! ❤Thank you, Charity, for thinking of me with the Decade Tag. May the Lord bless you and your blog ministry! An honest and bold voice… for the Lord and for yourself. Honesty is a rare trait. I am blessed with your sweet fellowship! Me and God love you! ❤

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To play along:

1- Please share a link to the creator of the tag- jesusluvsall.wordpress.com

2- Share some highlights for you over the past decade and if you want a few low points

3- Tag whoever you wish to.

4- Ask them some questions

5- Use any picture appropriate for such a tag.

As I have watched so many references and challenges going around on Facebook, WordPress, the doctor’s offices, physical therapy, on the news, and among family and friends, I have constantly found myself absolutely stumped to find a word to describe even 2019 as so many would question. When one individual asked waiting for an answer all I could think of after a long pause was… DONE. It wasn’t to be cynical. It was just simply being grateful for Your bringing me through so many things.
In trying to find a word or goal for the new year/new decade, YOU gave me the word when I became so ill in November that I was sick the whole month… CONVALESCE. You call a time out and tell me to come convalesce with You… to come away with You to nothing but rest, with my feet up, to heal and grow strong. And that is what You and I have been doing. You are setting the pace.

So when it came to looking back on the decade, I found I was always going back to 2000. It seems like it was just yesterday I was graduating with my second college degree when I finished my B.A. in English Literature, and was celebrating with my family. (You can see my son David looking on, a vision You have long used to remind me that I never know who is watching on what I do.). And I still feel like I have never gained the weight I have since then. My doctors can’t believe I was ever small, but I can’t believe I can be this big and live. I always struggle to breath past 135 (which is the lowest of my ideal eight for my height according to the doctors). I did not start to gain until I was 36 years old.

But then I began to lose the ability to be active , which I was very much. It was like my brain found it hard to comprehend that with all of the changes in our family, church, health, and so much more that only 10 years could sum it up. And yet it seemed like it was only yesterday. Especially the losses. But I know You have brought good! A lot of good! So with Your help in walking me through, I will find the praises You so rightly deserve!

Low points:
This picture of me and Irene was taken around the time of 2010. We were doing a late night run to the store, and was testing out my new cellphone camera. Irene is now with Jesus. She lost a battle to stomach cancer in 2016, just one year after we lost mom. The list goes on and on. Since 2000 we have lost Gran, mom and dad, my brother Charlie, the rest of my dad’s sisters, my mom’s side only has one of the nine siblings of my grandmother left, and 1 sibling of my mom, and my stepdad Bobby and his sister are the only ones left of 10 siblings. We have lost so many church family, as well as family friends.
My greatest loss (because my family is safely with Jesus in their new bodies) has been my health. I have lost the ability to do too much. It has greatly robbed me of my strength, my spirit, my joy, and some day my hope. Each day I lose more, but through You I have so much gain… even in the loss!
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” – Philippians 1:21

Highs:
You have blessed me with so many people who loved and cared for me, and an abundance of those who still do! I am blessed more than many. Even in the losses, I have their memory with me… laughs, tears, fears, excitements, celebrations, and so many wonderful hugs! Some people have never experienced love, kindness, family, friends, and more importantly YOUR love and hugs. I am blessed beyond measure with Your whispers, Your kindnesses, Your sweet fellowships, Your only begotten Son, Your faithful Holy Spirit, and much more.
As for my health, I still have plenty to be thankful for. I am walking! I am tolerating standing better. I have been able to attend many bible studies and dinners with Keitha, Sarah, and many loving sisters in Christ!

I am better aware of my health, and I have an incredible team fighting for me and educating me in therapies and treatments. My body is Yours to do as You wish. I love You no matter what. And I know You love me no matter what! ❤
“But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” 
– Philippians 1:22-24 KJV

And I am blessed with a wonderful gift in my son Anthoni. You have used him from day one to be a blessing and to teach me of Your love for me. He has had his own gains and losses this decade, and yet His love for You remains steadfast. I am grateful to witness the relationship between You two!

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Charity’s Questions For Me:

1. What is the most important lesson you have learned in the past ten years?
I have no idea what will happen day to day, but I know that you are with us and care about every heartache, Life is pointless with out You!

2. Can you share a moment where you were laughing so hard you had tears in your eyes?
Yes, though my joy seems completely gone most days, you do surprise me sometimes. I came across this comedienne Jeanne Robertson telling about her husband “Left Brain.”  They are both from the North Carolina area. I started binge watching her comedy and could not stop laughing when listening to her “Don’t Snap an Elephant to a Tree.” I laughed so hard it hurt. 🙂

3. How many jobs have you had in the past ten years?
I am ashamed to say none. Since my back got worse in 2005, I have struggled just to be walking each day.

4. Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
If I make it past the grave, I fear being in a nursing home, bedridden, in severe pain. I fear a lot of what I have witnessed in the many deaths I have seen… some long drawn out and horribly painful, some just too graphic, and some just let go because of the inconvenience it was to care for them. I honestly don’t know. God knows that my greatest desire is to be with Him, so I will be excited to be home soon! However… whatever He wants, is what I want! My life and my body are His!
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 
– 2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV

I choose to keep pressing forward, Lord! Whatever You want! 🙂

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 3:14 KJV

I choose to tag:

Caz of Invisibly Me

Carol Anne of Therapy Bits

Maxine of Heaven’s Reef

Wendi of Simply Chronically Ill

Please don’t feel obligated to participate.
Just wanted you to know you are thought of.

Thank you, Charity, for thinking of me!
Your kindness is much appreciated!
Me and God love you!! ❤

New Year’s Tag 1.1.20

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020, JESUS!

How like You my Lord and Savior, the Love of my life, to share good with me when every day is a gift from You! You deserve so much, yet it is YOU who insists we receive! Because I love You in everything You ask or share with me, I thank you for whispering to the heart of Beverley of Becoming the Oil and Wine to nominate me for the New Year’s Tag. Bless her, Lord, and Matt  of Jesus Luvs All for creating the tag. It’s an interesting way to start the new year… especially on WordPress. Thank You again, Jesus! 🙂

Thank you, Beverley, for thinking of me! 🙂 May the Lord continue to bless your blog, your year ahead, and every day He has for you be all that He wants for you! Me and God love you! ❤

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Here is how to participate:

1- Share a link back to the person who tagged you.
2- Share a link to the person who created the tag- jesusluvsall.wordpress.com
3- Share a favorite New Year’s Memory
4- Answer the questions of the person who tagged you.
5- Tag whoever you want.
6- Use any picture that you like for New Years’.

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My Favorite New Year’s Memory

Father God, I’ll always be grateful for 1994 when You allowed me to bring in the year on my knees praying to You. I was part of a large community organization hosting a large all night party at a large local hotel. The party was in the large ballroom downstairs, and we had hospitality rooms on each floor. Stacy and I were in charge of a hospitality room. We were to provide alcohol and snacks. I was grateful it wasn’t active so Stacy went downstairs to do the countdown with the crowd. I took the opportunity to kneel and pray. I forget how I knew to get up, but I knew that I had kept You first!
The next year You rewarded me with a delightful surprise! Bringing in 1995, a friend overheard me talk about what I had done the year before. She asked me to trust her and go with her to a dinner party. It was with a Christian Singles Ministry we were attending at a local church. I was glad to see it was familiar faces, but wasn’t sure of how things would go regarding drinking. It was awesome! They had a bought out a local restaurant to prevent any alcohol concerns. My friend had me tell person after person my testimony (though I didn’t know it was one). At 2 minutes till midnight, the leader had us stand, bow our heads and pray. He finished the prayer with, “And may You be the first person to whom we say, “Happy New Year, Lord.” And it was a new year! 🙂 I LOVED it!! You allowed me 2 or 3 more years before that leader left and the ministry fell apart, but I will always remember it started with 1994! And quite frankly, I LOVED bringing it in with just You and me! ❤

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Beverley’s Questions for Me

1- If you could celebrate the New Year anywhere, where would it be?
At home, but whether it at home or out with friends, I just want to bring in the coming year praying… and by God’s grace on my knees… and let Jesus be the first one I tell Happy New Year. I want Him to know He is first in every way! ❤

2- What is your favorite snack food for New Years?
I guess chips or crackers with fruit for snacking if at a party, but when we have our traditional family dinner it would be the cranberry sauce and the banana pudding.

3- Have you ever kept a New Year’s resolution? If so, what was it?
By the grace of God yes… reading my bible through in a year. It always helps to make it something reasonable, and make room for slips. Not so to make them happen or make excuses, but because it is what most often makes people quit. The key is to keep trying at whatever pace God allows.

4- What do you want to do with your blog next year?
Whatever God wants to do with it! ❤ It’s HIS blog, not mine.

5- Do you prefer a big party or a small gathering to celebrate?
A small gathering, but again whether a big party or a small gathering I hope with others who also want to celebrate God.

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Nominees

Caz of Invisibly Me

Temi of Christian Mommas

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!
MAY IT BE ALL GOD HOPES FOR EACH OF YOU
THIS NEW YEAR AND ALWAYS!!
GOD LOVES YOU!

 

 

December: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Tag 12.13.19

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
oh yes You certainly are, Jesus!!

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
– Isaiah 9:6 AKJV

❤ ❤ In December! AND ALL YEAR ROUND! ❤ ❤
How magnificent to celebrate to celebrate Your majestic arrival!
You are the King of Humility! The King of Glory!
The King who came! The King who WILL return!
During this joyful season, You have whispered to Vickie of Vickie’s Book Nook and Meditation Corner to nominate me for the December: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Tag. How wonderful You are in so many ways. Thank You for Vickie! Thank You for the encouragement You allow her to send me. Bless her as richly, Lord!

Thank you, Vickie!
May your every day be all that God hopes for you!
Me and God love you! ❤

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The Rules for This Tag:

1. Thank the person who tagged you and link their post to yours.

2. Link the original post so the creators (Purple Rose and Dollface) can read them.

3. Use the original featured image and include it in your post.

4. Copy and paste the meaning of the tag into your post.

5. Answer the questions.

6. Tag at least two people.

7. Have fun and enjoy the rest of your month! ❤️

The meaning of the tag:

“LOVE THE GIVER MORE THAN THE GIFT.”- BRIGHAM YOUNG

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Here are the Questions:

1. If you could be a character in a holiday movie, who would you be?
Playing Mary in a nativity scene so that I could witness as everyone marvels over baby Jesus… Son of God.

2. What kind of holiday shopper are you? Black Friday? Christmas Eve? Yearlong hoarder?
Neither really. Just a regular shopper when I need to go to the store, although I love it when it happens to be on sale.

3. What colors are your favorite holiday decorations?
gold and purple… or gold, red, and green

4. Would you rather build a snowman, go sledding, have a snowball fight, or stay inside drinking hot cocoa?
stay inside drinking hot cocoa

5. If you were Santa Claus, what type of cookie would you want to be left out for you on Christmas Eve?
Danish Wedding Cookies 🙂

6. If someone offered you a gift card to any store you wanted, which one would you choose?
Ingle’s or Wal-mart. We go to both for groceries, but sometimes you need more than just grocery items… affordably. 😉

7. Name three words that best describe Christmas for you.
Father, Son, Holy Ghost! ❤

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I’m Tagging…

Caz of Invisibly Me
Wendi of Simply Chronically Ill
Maxine of Heaven’s Reef

Merry Christmas! Happy Birthday Jesus! May this time of year truly be FOR YOU the most wonderful time of the year… because YOU are for me! ❤

❤ ❤ I LOVE YOU, WONDERFUL! ❤ ❤

The Sunshine Blogger Award 11.2.19

Look at You, Lord! Shining Your love again this way! You are so delightful to prepare another way to keep sharing a little of Your love. I pray I continue to please You, as You keep sending encouragement by whispering to Stu of Something to Stu Over to nominate me for The Sunshine Blogger Award. Bless him, his family, his ministry, and his blog, Lord. Let Him feel Your strong embrace and powerful presence.

Thank you, Stu, for the kind nomination! God has used you to shine a little of His light and love my way! Always a welcomed blessing! May the Lord continue to shower you with crowns to lay at His feet! Me and God love you, Brother!

Here are the guidelines:

• Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link back to their blog so others can find them.

• List the rules and display an award logo on your blog post.

• Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.

• Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and notify them by commenting on any of their posts.

• Ask the nominees 11 new questions.

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Stu’s Questions for Me:

1. When, what seems like the weight of the world is upon your shoulders, what keeps you motivated to take that next step?
God! Without His help I could no nothing… literally. He helps me to take the next step when I can’t even feel my legs.
“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”
– Isaiah 40:29 AKJV

2. What is something that you used to collect as a child that you wish you still had?
As a child I did not collect anything. I don’t know if I ever gave thought to it. But as a unwed teenage mom, I collected tapes and pictures of my gift from the Lord… my son. I still have pictures, but the voice recordings are gone. I think of them often and wish for them. Especially one where my 3 yr old son was telling my 20 something yr old brother, “Uncle Charlie! Uncle Charlie! Wake up! Wake up and hit the world before the world hits you!” It was precious and profound. I don’t know where he heard it, but I have carried that with me through life. I miss those recordings, and I miss my dear brother who has been in heaven now for 12 years.

3. What exactly gives you a sense of accomplishment?
It is hard to feel I have accomplished anything. But when God lets me know I have done His will, I have the blessing of feeling accomplished. He is sweet to allow me the same feeling in puzzle books… especially when they are hard or challenging!

4. What was your hardest challenge to overcome?
Myself! God has worked long and hard to help me see the junk I carried for so long from being misinformed and intentionally misled. And He continues to make me more and more of His every day!
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
– Galatians 2:20 AKJV

5. Why do you feel the church is silent on dealing with real life issues like addiction and sex?
Fear of influence on those vulnerable and impressionable,
and fear of unknown, differences, what seems threatening to one’s faith

6. What is your personal opinion as to why it seems more and more little ones are being shot, beaten, kidnapped or worse?
It is a wicked and evil world we live in. We have devalued life for quite awhile now, while making life all about looking out for ourselves. It validates God’s warning of having tribulation.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
– John 16:33 AKJV

7. Why would any parent, no matter what the hell is going on in their lives, want to take the lives of their kids?
These are hard questions because it is unbelievable what is happening to our children, and breaks my heart. Yet I assure you it hurts God too. Whether someone has mental illness or is simply filled with a evil spirit, they’re God’s children. He will have His justice.
“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
– Matthew 18:6 AKJV

8. What is your favorite post/posts you have written? Share links please 😊
** Me and God This was my first attempt at a testimony. It was the 3rd post when I first opened my blog settings to public instead of just me and God. It was while I was taking the 30 Truth Posts Challenge about myself.
** Love of My Life – I Am His Song (my dear friend Lene invited me to write my testimony on her blog that honors purity… Song of Virginity. It is one of my favorites because I struggled for years to get my testimony down. Poetry I could flourish with (Thank You, Lord) but narrowing down everything Christ has done for me??? God used Lene to help me get it done.

9. I don’t know if this one is possible but what is the most liked post on your blog?
Thanking God For Failed Relationships is the top blog post among 20 or so awards that are most liked.

10. Which post is the one most commented on?
The Barnabas Award 10.21.19 and My Very Present Help

11. And finally, who is your top supporter as far as comments? Give them a shout out 😊
Wendi of Simply Chronically Ill ❤ God uses her so often to bless me!
Me and God treasure you, Wendi!

Nominees:

The Bipolar Writer Collaborative Mental Health Blog

Athena Johnson

Mws R Writings

elleguyence

Poems for Warriors

Educated Unemployed Indian

The Go To Girls Blog

THE ESSENCE OF LIFE

WATCHING DAILY AT WISDOM’S GATES

Congratulations to the nominees!
Please do not feel obligated to participate.
Just sharing a little of God’s love with you!
Praying you will be blessed! God loves you!

11 Questions for the Nominees:

1. Do you know how much God loves you?
2. Is there a blog award or tag you have not done yet that you would like to do?
3. Do you have a favorite bible verse?
4. What’s your favorite blog post on your blog?
5. Do you have a favorite hymn?
6. Do you like your pizza with or without cheese?
7. Do you have a testimony that you can link here for me to read. I LOVE testimonies!
8. Do you and your family have Thanksgiving traditions?
9. Do you have a favorite bible character?
10. Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, or Pecan Pie?
11. Do you know how much God loves you?

October|“What Kind of Pumpkin Are You?” Tag 10.23.19

What kind of pumpkin am I?? Lord, You have an interesting sense of humor to allow Dawn of Drawing Closer to Christ to nominate me for the October|“What Kind of Pumpkin Are You?” Tag. I love the little story told in the picture. How cute.  I confess those seeds of doubt still need some cleaning out. Not because I distrust you, but because I am still growing, and I know You are still washing the dirt off, and scooping out all the yucky stuff. Just when I think it’s all cleaned out, You find a seed I didn’t even know was there. You keep carving to get that smile to stay, and place a light inside that may not be visible to the human eye (nor my mind’s eye at times), but is absolutely You as my ever present help. My favorite part is when You pick me up! ❤

Thank you, Dawn, for a precious tag that causes me to take a moment to think on my relationship with Christ. I love considering the different ways God is working in my life. May you always see the light burning in your pumpkin! 🙂
God loves you, Dawn!Here are the rules:

1. Thank the person who tagged you and link their post to yours.
2. Link the original post so the creators can read them 😊
3. Use the original featured image and include it in your post.
4. Copy and paste the meaning of the tag into your post.
5. Answer the questions.
6. Tag at least one person.
7. Have fun and enjoy the rest of your month! ❤ I love the meaning behind this tag…

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Here are the questions:

1. Do you celebrate Halloween? Why or why not?
   No, I do not celebrate Halloween. Not only is against my faith, but I grew up around too much violence and death at least since 3 years old (earliest I can remember).
2. Cookie Monsters!Do you like to watch scary movies? Why or why not?
   No! Watching death or someone’s pain is not entertaining for me. Fake or not!
   
3. Name 3 of your greatest fears.
   I have struggled with fears for as long as I can remember. Sometimes you may read on my blog the Lord leading me to talk about them with Him or to testify. If He is not leading me to do either, I do not talk about them. Don’t help Delilah! 😉
4. When was the last time you scared someone?
   I don’t know. 
5. Do you believe in ghosts, angels, and/or demons?
   Yes. The bible speaks of all 3, but tells us to have nothing to do with them.
   a) We all have a ghost (biblically known as a familiar spirit) within us. King Saul tricked the witch of Endor (who knew better than Saul that it was a sin to deal with familiar spirits) to summon Samuel up from the grave. When Samuel arose, he rebuked Saul, and warned Saul that he and his sons would die too that day… and they did.
   b) There are bad angels. 1/3 of heavens angels fell with Satan.
   c) Legion is just one of the parables Jesus told of a young man possessed with a demon… actually several demons, hence the name Legion. They knew who Jesus was, and they feared him enough that at Jesus’ command they left the young man and went into a herd of swine, which they then drove into the waters and drowned.
6. Do you ever get déjà vu? What do you think it means?
   I have experienced the feeling. I think it just means we either have done something we just don’t remember doing before but sense we have, or that there are too many similarities in life that get our attention more than others, just depending on where our minds are.
7. What are two of your favorite candies?
   Reese Cups, gummies

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Nominees: 

My Thoughts Exactly

The Go To Girls Blog

Fun Freedom Fables

Dancing After Jesus

Radically Saved

Shllyn

The Dopamine Queen

Faith on the Farm

Crazartt

Hope you’re able to enjoy the tag!
God loves you!

 

Share Your Passion Tag 9.27.19

What a mighty generous and thoughtful God You are, dear Lord! It is just like You to be Sharing… in our joys, in our troubles, just because You delight to do so! Just days ago, You encouraged Jesusluvsall’s Blog to nominate me for the  Share Your Passion Tag at a time You knew I was nervous about the Epidural I had to have yesterday. Thank You for his kindness, Lord!

Thank you, Jesusluvsall’s Blog, for your thoughtfulness!
May God continue to bless you and your blog!
I am smiling when I think of how passionate you are with thinking of others.
Your blog shares His joy! 🙂 God loves you! ❤

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Rules of the #ShareYourPassion Tag:

• Repost the #ShareYourPassion logo (above) on your acceptance post.
• Tag the blogger’s site that nominated you.
• Share a bit about your passion(s): Hobbies outside of blogging that keep you busy in your free time. What would you like to accomplish with these things? How could you use your passion(s) to be a blessing to others and show them the love of God?
• Nominate ten other bloggers and spread the joy!

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My Hobbies outside of blogging are writing, journals, puzzle books, reading bible studies, attending ladies bible studies (usually led by our dear Keitha! 🙂 ), church events, hanging at the house with family, binge watching tv, movies, videos, or comedies (lately The Waltons), and of course encouraging others
Whatever God wants to accomplish of these things, He is welcome to sovereign. May God use these passions be a blessing to others and show them God’s love! They need to know! May the Lord find me trusting and quickly obedient, faithful to the end. Whether this is your first time visiting or your 1,000 time stopping by…. God loves you! ❤

My Nominees, if they choose to participate, are:

Carol Anne of Therapy Bits
Sandra of Into The Light Adventures
Savannah of Rejoicing In Hope
Phoebe of Phoebe, MD: Medicine & Poetry
Jen of Jen’s Life
Siphe of God’s Anointed Princesses
Jill of Food, Feelings, Freedom
Stu of Something To Stu Over
Amy of A New Life
KJ of A Couple of Stars And A Happy Face
Tasha of Pain Warrior Code
Isabella of Redressed
Robert of Watching Daily At Wisdom

Congratulations to all nominees… including those who would like to keep the sharing going. Yes that is YOU! And yes you can write you were officially tagged!

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue:
and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
– Proverbs 18:21 KJV

It’s hard to know who is still excited about sharing… whether it is about their blog, their passion, simply sharing with others… which is what an award or tag does… gives you the blessing to share with someone else who is eagerly waiting to participate.

“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due,
when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.”
– Proverbs 3:27 KJV

With that said, if I failed to miss anyone being tag or award free, just know I wanted to share with you how much God loves you!

God loves you each one!

Answering 30 Interesting Questions 3.4.19

God, You are so interesting in how You get me involved socially when I am trying to hide BEHIND the screen as much as possible. You take me out of my selfish mood, and remind how much others are trying to share with us, and how many would love to welcome the fellowship from anyone! We all need a little smile! We all need You! And You remind us that we all need each other! ❤

I love You, Father God! ❤

Thank you so much Priya aka Zealous Homo sapiens of When An Introvert Speaks for the open nomination to Answering 30 Interesting Questions. I rarely do open nominations because it feels so greedy when the Lord has blessed me so much, but then He reminds me the reason He encourages me to do any of the awards and tags… to share!! A little of His love! And a little of His light. So thank you for the opportunity to bless others! 🙂 God bless you and your blog!  God loves you, Priya! 🙂

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The 30 Questions:

1. What are your nicknames? What do you prefer to be called?
My family calls me Brenda Gail. My brother Charlie got everyone in high school calling me Sweets (They signed it all over my yearbooks). Some friends call me Stormy because it’s a nickname for Gail. I am blessed to have souls who call me mom, momma, momma Gail. And there are lots of other nicknames… a Child of the King… His! ❤
However, as you see in my blog all the time, I go by Gail aka gaillovesgod. 🙂

2. How often do you doodle? What do your doodles look like?
Anywhere from several times a day to several times a week. Most of it either comes out as just scribble or actual poetry. God is so generous to whisper!

3. What do you do if you can’t sleep at night? Do you count sheep? Toss and Turn? Try to get up and do something productive?
I talk with God, read my bible, recite verse, write poetry, or even sing hymns to Him (sometimes singing myself to sleep 😉 )

4. Do people consider you as talkative or quiet?
Depends on who and when you ask. I am mostly quiet, but I can be very talkative.  Jesus wants me to tell others how much He loves them. Sometime I could endlessly talk about the sweetest love I have ever known. Sometimes I have to pray for Him to give me courage. Sadly sometimes I have to ask for His forgiveness and pray for those I failed to share with!

5. What makes you cry?
Disappointing my Jesus. 😦 Seeing Him mistreated. 😦 Seeing things that break His heart. 😦

6. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Seeing people intentionally hurt one another

7. How many times a day do you look at yourself in the mirror?
Just enough to make sure my teeth are clean, and to make sure it looks like I at least tried to comb my hair (and put it out of my eyes )

8. What is the strangest thing you believed as a child?
My dad used to call my soda… cold coffee. I literally thought that coke and coffee were the same thing… just coffee when hot and coke when cold. I use to tell my dad, “Yuck! Who would ruin their coke like that??” LOL

9. What is one guilty pleasure you enjoy too much to give up?
A “guilty” pleasure implies a wrong or sinful, or at least harmful pleasure. I have a hard time resisting watching Law & Order… especially the earlier ones and the SVU series. I am NOT a crime buff, a forensics junky, and hate gory scenes! While watching can actually help me some days, it can also pull me away from everything on other days.

10. Who performs the most random acts of kindness out of everyone you know?

❤ ❤ My Jesus!!!!! ❤ ❤

11. How often do you read the newspaper? Which sections?
Every few months or so, unless looking for something particular… like obituaries.

12. Which animal scares you the most?
Snakes are right up there.

13. Are you more likely to avoid conflict or engage it head-on?
Again it depends on when and the situation. I DETEST letting something get the best of me, so I prefer head on. I usually say, “Bring it on.” If it’s gonna kill me to do it… then let’s get it over with. However when it comes to confronting for or on behalf of others, to pray and follow God’s lead is the best thing to do. I try to pray and follow either way!

14. What was the most recent compliment you’ve received?
That I send sweet and encouraging messages. God is so loving and kind to me! ❤

15. What question are you tired of hearing?
Where is God when you need Him? (Usually said while “celebrating???” being able to kill babies in and out of the womb, while welcoming guns but not God in school, while fighting for one’s right to speak their opinion in school but suing anyone who wants to exercise their right to pray in school (even just silently sometimes), or while secretly paying a sex trafficker to find a “piece of fresh meat to rape” (the younger they are, the more they’ll pay) 😦

16. What is the strangest thing you have eaten?
Sardines!! My dad tricked me into trying one! YUCK! It tasted like I had stuck my tongue in a can of oil, and I couldn’t get it off! 

17. Do you have a whole lot of acquaintances or just a few very close friends?
God is so kind and generous to bless me with an abundance of friends, but I am ashamed to say I isolate myself a lot. (Said for any of my friends who have not seen or heard from me so that you do not think I don’t consider you a friend! Me and God love you!)

18. Do you have a catchphrase?

God loves you! ❤

19. What’s your all-time favourite town or city? Why?
Heaven! That’s my home! ❤ I am so homesick!!!

20. If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to?
Gail 😉 Because it is not my first name, it would simplify things…lol.

21. When was the last time you lied?
Honestly… That’s between the Lord and me. I try to be as honest as possible. Discretion is lying to some people, however “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” – James 5:19-20 KJV

22. What’s something that amazes you?

❤ ❤ The love of God!!!!! ❤ ❤

23. Would you rather be the first person to explore a planet or be the inventor of a drug that cures a deadly disease?
Absolutely invent a cure for deadly disease!  (but on a day off I would explore whatever God wants to show us! His artwork is so amazing!!)

24. What is your favourite amateur activity?
Blogging or writing poetry I guess is amateur… but if it’s for, from, and about God that is all that matters! People need the Lord! And they need to know how much He loves them! ❤

25. What was your first thought when you woke up this morning?
I need to hurry and change out my pajamas to make it to my appointment with Dr. Buzz’s office. I am soooooo tempted to just wear them, but I don’t want everyone to think I’m crazy. I save that for my family and friends. 😉 (Thank You, God for my new comfy pjs I got for Christmas! I finally got to wear them! 🙂 )

26. What is your favourite song (at least at the moment)?
Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee hymn

27. List someone you know, and describe them in 5 words.
< 3 Jesus… loving, merciful, obedient, Holy, longsuffering! ❤

28. You can select one person from history and have them truthfully answer one question. Who would you select and what would the question be?
God… why would You even make it an option for Your precious and only Begotten Son to leave You for even a moment to come and suffer such agony, pain, cruelty, torture, mockery, when You knew it was my vile and filthy rags that put Him there? I know You say it was because You love me, but how can You love me after all that You have seen me say and do… with my life… my body… my words… and my sick selfish nature? Why…WHY would You allow me to have anything to do with something as precious and Holy as the blood of Your Son! Jesus is so innocent and pure! He is Holy! Thank you for loving me enough to send Him! To even allow it. Help me to have the courage, the strength, the boldness that You say we need to have to come to Your throne! I want to be as clean as YOU make a life!!!!!!!! NO ONE CAN SAVE AND CLEANSE LIKE YOU! NO OTHER LOVE! THANK YOU< JESUS! ❤

29. Which celebrity or artist do you resemble the most?
Nowadays I have no clue, but when I was in my 20s I use to constantly be confused with a local reporter we once had in our area that set her boyfriend’s house on fire.

30. What do you want me to know?

❤ God loves you! ❤

It was a blessing answering these questions! I hope they bless you!

I nominate

Caz of Invisibly Me
Stu of Something to Stu Over
Shae of Teen Meet God
Meredith of My Way Home
Wendi of Simply Chronically Ill
Maxine of Heaven’s Reef
Efua of Grace Over Pain
Tosin of Aletha’s Mind
Dawn of Drawing Closer to Christ
Carol Anne of Therapy Bits

and everyone reading this
to write your own answers to these questions.

Yes YOU!! 🙂

You won’t be making it up. God did allow me to nominate you!
Share! Enjoy! Have a great time answering! God loves you! ❤

Christmas 31 Day Scripture Writing Plan

Lord, thank You for reminding me of this Christmas 31 Day Scripture Writing Plan. You introduced me to it a few years back when I first did it, with other ladies from my church and friends online as well. I came into it a couple of days late, but You were the one who encouraged me to just focus on what You allowed me to do. You used Facebook memories to remind me at a time we are between reading plans, I am behind on my copying behind the bible (I’m just going into Joshua), and am really struggling with energy each day. This way I have a better hope of keeping You first each morning. Even if I don’t get a chance to write one morning, I can read until I can get a chance to catch up. The important thing is to spend what time You allow. I look forward to You! ❤

Open thou mine eyes,
that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
– Psalm 119:18 KJV

 

3-2-1 Quote Me Challenge: PRAISE 11.21.18

“How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!
how great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand:
when I awake, I am still with thee.”
– Psalm 139:17-18 KJV

Lord, Psalm 139:17 comes to me when thinking on 3-2-1. How delightful that You bring my mind to any passage from Psalm 139! I love that Chapter! ❤
And of course I absolutely think of You, Your Son, and Holy Ghost. ❤
Thank You for whispering my name to Vickie of Vickie’s Book Nook and Meditation Corner to nominate me for the 3-2-1 Quote Me Challenge: PRAISE. Bless her, Lord!

Thank you, Vickie, for your kind thoughtfulness.
It was fun. God loves you!

The Rules of this challenge are as follows:  

• Thank the Selector.
• Post 2 quotes for the dedicated topic of the day.
• Select 3 bloggers to take part in 3-2-1 Quote Me.
• Give them a topic/word.

A picture of the Solar Eclipse 2017“Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.”
– Psalm 148:3 KJV

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”
– Psalm 42:11 and Psalm 43:5 KJV –

Nominees:

Carol Anne of Therapy Bits
Richa of iscriblr
Karen of A Couple of Stars and a Happy Face

Your word for the day is… FAITH.
It is the same word, even if you have to do it another day.
Hope you have fun! 🙂 Me and God have faith in you! 😉

God loves you!

Thanksgiving Tag 11.12.18

**A very long read, but not nearly the Thanks I owe Him.**

Thanksgiving Tag! Lord, that is so incredibly like You! Here I owe You every breath I have to give You thanks for the endless supplies of blessings You give me (including You and Your Son), yet You have our dearest Tosin  of Alethea’s Mind nominate me for the Thanksgiving Tag! How delightfully surprising You both are! Thank You, Father, for again being who You always are! May the Holy Spirit help me to bring You the glory You deserve! And please bless Tosin and her blog, Lord. She has such a heart for You.
I love reading You in every line!

Thank You, Tosin!
I love my African-Scottish Sister in Christ! ❤
(Hope I remembered that correctly! 😉 )

Rules:

List your thankful ABC’s.
Add one theme clip art to your post.
Tag 3 people who you would like to participate.

A – Almighty God, my Abba Father, You make ALL things possible.
You are due Your thanks for who You Are,
and for blessing me with good gifts that only You can give…
like my son Anthoni! ❤
“And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.” – Mark 7:28 KJV

B – Beloved, You Bless us with Bibles, Bible studies, Blogs, Bloggers,
Babies, Brothers, and so many Beautiful things!
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” – Psalm 68:19 KJV

C – Christ, You have made us Christians, Christ like,
from Your Cause on the Cross.
You Cleansed us from or sins, and sent us the Comforter! ❤
Computers help us to share that message.
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” – Galatians 3:13 KJV

D – Divine intervention has saved my life more than once,
but saved my soul forever! ❤
You have allowed Doctors to improve my health!
Depression tries to steal me, but You use it to keep me humble,
and to Draw me nigh.
Day By Day is one of my favorite hymns that  You strenghten me with.
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” – James 4:8 KJV

E – Emmanuel, You came for us!
Love came in a manger to give me Eternal life!
You use the story of Elisha and the chariots of fire
to greatly embolden my hope.
Thank You for opening my Eyes and allowing me to see them at times!
I love it when You do!  Encouragement is Your specialty!
❤ Eternal peace is on the way!
“And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. ” – 2 Kings 6:17 KJV

F – Faithful are You who gives us Friends, Family, Followers, Faith,
and who will one day allow me to Fly! 🙂
“Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”- 1 Thessalonians 5:24 KJV

G – God, You created me and everyone and everything in this world!
I am thankful, my Great Physician,
for the promise of permanent healing when I get home!
I am grateful to be able to tell the world…
Gail Loves God and God loves you! ❤
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16 KJV

H – Holy Spirit, where would I be without Your leading?
Holy, Holy, Holy is one of my favorite hymns!
And oh how I love HYMNS!
Helping others is possible because of You.
Humility teaches us about Jesus! ❤
“He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:8 KJV

I – I AM THAT I AM is Your great name, our Invisible God.
Your Inspiration makes us feel invincible.
Your Immortality is our hope.
Ice- cream is a special pleasure You allow.
“I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” Exodus 20:2 KJV

J – Jesus, You are the Love of my Life.
You are the great Judge who will deliver Justice and mercy
according to Your perfect Judgment, not mine.
Joy is something You give and seek.
John is one of my favorite books of the bible. How could it not be!
John 14:1-6 and John 14:27 have seen me through many fearful times,
and You of all people know how often I struggle with fear.
Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Is All the World to Me,
Jesus Loves the Little Children, Just a Closer Walk With Thee,
are just a few of the many hymns I cherish…
especially Jesus Got a Hold of My Life.
You introduced it to me in foster care!
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” – John 14:1-6 KJV
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27 KJV

K – King of Kings, King of my heart, King of my life, King of my soul,
and King of my mind… just so the world can hear it…
and all the people and things who think they have won
my body, my heart, my spirit, or my mind that is so easily failing me.
There is only one King of anything to do with me.
The fact that He will out last all of His enemies speaks for itself. 🙂
The King James Version of Your Word is the one You have me use.
Thank You for having King James put it into my language
so I could have my own copy to open the pages and lay in Your arms!
Weeping when I cannot even read!

Being able to Kneel in reverent prayer to You, my Lord!
(That’s me in the center. 😉 )Thank You for allowing me to do that for the first time in years!
Thank You for allowing Anthoni to help me with the picture!
(Thank you, Anthoni! Your mom loves you! ❤ )
And thank You, Lord, for Keitha Bible Studies!
(You know there’s a difference, Father! ❤ )

“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.”
– Psalm 95:6 KJV

L – LORD OF LORDS, You are the Lion of Juda,
the Lamb that was slain for the sins of the world!
You have used lymphedema specialists and lymphedema therapists
to vastly strengthen my legs, improving my health immensely.
Lipedema Specialist and lipedema therapists as well.
There is a huge difference, and grossly dismissed and overlooked
even in the medical community.
Love is possible because You are Love,
and You teach us to love one another!
“Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” 
– Romans 13:10 KJV

M – Marvelous and Mighty are You,
sending Missionaries and Men of God to serve You,
to meet lost and hurting souls who need  Your love and Mercy.
Medicines help keep Your people functional sometimes
(I know You use them to help me).
Majestic sunsets. Moonlit skies. I love You, Master!
“Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” – Matthew 26:25 KJV

N – Name Above All Names, the Nazarene I love…
No One Ever Cared for me like You have and do!
Nativity scenes remind me how precious, tender,
and vulnerable You allowed Yourself to be!
You gave up so much for me!
Thank You for Neo-natal units and nurses!
Thank You for reconciling me to our Father…
allowing me to draw Near to the Heart of God.
Thank You for New Life.
No Not One! ❤
“Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.” – Genesis 50:21 KJV

O – Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent,
You are Omni-omni! 😉
The One and Only.
I love Your hymn One Day at a Time.
You are Our God. Omega!
“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” 
– Matthew 6:9-13 KJV

P – Prince of Peace, my Prophet and Priest,
I am thankful for Your Preachers, Pastors,
and am thankful for their Preaching from Your Passages.
I love Pilgrim’s Progress, Psalms, and Proverbs.
Thank You for Your Patience, Peacekeeper, Promise keeper.
Praise Him, Praise Him is a favorite hymn.
“Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord.” – Psalm 150:1-6 KJV

Q – Quickener of my Spirit, Quieter of my soul,
I love Quiet time with You.
You are a God who allows/welcomes Questions.
Quick to forgive.
I love Quizzes (especially Bible ones) and Q-tips (genuinely! 😉 )
Quiet My Soul is a beautiful hymn.
“Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.”
– Psalm 119:88 KJV

R – Redeemer, You are the Righteous Ruler of my heart.
Thank You for Redemption, for Your Resurrection,
For Your Revelation to John, knowing You are Risen,
and for sweet Rest!
I Am Resolved to come to Thee.
“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.”
– Psalm 37:7 KJV

S – Savior, Spirit, You are my Strength.
I love Your Saints, Sacred Secrets, Secret Strengths,
Samuel and his momma Hannah,
Songs, Sisters in Christ, Sweet fellowship,
and the hymns Sweet By and By, and Sanctuary. Lord prepare me!
“And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.” – 1 Samuel 3:19 KJV

T – Thank You, Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Ghost)
for Timothy’s family influence to mine
(Timothy, Lois, and Eunice).
I love to hear Testimonies…
Salvation Testimonies, Life Testimonies, Ministry Testimonies….
everything that just tells of Your love!
Thank You for all of the Teachers and Therapists,
for the TENS, Tags…
Tosin’s Thanksgiving Tag ;).
Thank You, Lord, for Saving My Soul. Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.
Trust and Obey. Tell It To Jesus. These are all favorite hymns!
“Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.” – Psalm 18:49 KJV
“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” – 2 Corinthians 9:15 KJV

U – Unfailing Love, You are Understanding.
I love what is Unseen unto those who do not believe,
but is ever bit Seen by those who believe! ❤
You love Unity in us, and to see us Uplifting one another.
“Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.” – Proverbs 16:22 KJV

V – My Victor, You are My Victory. You are Valiant.
Your Vesture is priceless.
I am thankful for voting rights, having a voice,
a little bit of Vocabulary (though mine is nothing like Joseph’s 😉 ).
I love the hymn Victory in Jesus. It is the theme song at Temple. 🙂
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” – John 5:24 KJV

W – Word, Wonderful, Wise, just a few of Your names Lord.
You not only were the Word at the beginning,
and gave us Your Word to read and learn,
but You precious Lord, allowed me the gift of words,
their power to hide behind, to persuade,
relay a message, deflect from pain,
explain and encourage Your word and its power on me.
Words have been a part of saving my sanity,
and a safe place to escape since I was 9 years old in foster care.
And my favorite part of Your words flowing
through my life and my pen
is so often allowing me to look back and see…
I DO praise my God! I DO love Him and openly profess so,
and I DO take EVERYTHING to Him in prayer.
It might feel like whining to me at the time,
but He surely uses those words to allow me
to be the first to read and be blessed by them,
and to fight all that comes at me… inside and out.
And then! God! My Hero…
allows those very same words to encourage others!
Where I am ashamed to speak it even just on paper…
God magnifies Himself!
How do I know?
Words from others who tell me
how they are experiencing the exact same thing,
or have battled themselves,
or love You just as much in those words!
They see my love for You… THEY SEE YOU!
One of my favorite hymns is…

Wonderful Words of Life! ❤
lyrics by P. P. Bliss

“Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life;
let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;
words of life and beauty, teach me faith and duty:

Refrain:
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life.

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” – Proverbs 4:7 KJV

X – King Xerxes is a nickname in Your Bible for Artaxerxes.
The kids in my son’s bible quiz team use to love knowing this.
Thank You for the updated X-rays on my cervical and thoracic
to help my doctors with the combo nerve block,
and the recent occipital nerve block.
They helped so much. Bless their Thanksgiving, Lord!
My son has a cousin named Xavier.
Who would think X could be a nickname… lol.
My stepdad has to sign an X even in this modern time
because of his remedial reading skills and poor eyesight. He’s 85.
“Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.” – Ezra 7:12 KJV

Y – YAHWEH is technically not in Your King James Version of the Bible,
but “YOUR” people know it to be Your name.
We do know You are a Yoke lightener. 😉
Yellow roses are so pretty.
I am too am guilty of using the phrase, “Follow the yellow brick road”
when telling others to follow simple signs of directions…
most often in the hospital… lol. It puts a smile on their face. 🙂
“Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.”
– Psalm 138:5 KJV

Z – Zion reminds me of the gospel song “Is That the Old Ship of Zion?”
Love it!
Zeal reminds of having a Zeal for You…
and Judas and Barabbas being Zealots…
which meant to be well intended,
but was taking away Your Authority to say when and how.
Zacharias was a poor fellow who did what the rest of us do sometimes…
doubt even the idea of what You speak. May we take You at Your Word.
” And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.” – Luke 1:18-20 KJV

Whew! Do You think anyone will still be reading this far, Dear Lord?
I am long overdue in giving You thanks.
You know I’ve been hiding behind copy & paste from FB memories.
It’s been so hard to talk lately,
but I did not want to go without praising and thanking You.
You did allow me to do a couple of genuine posts,
but You deserve praise.
And that’s the point in trusting You in opening the site to Public.
Please forgive me for not doing the tag sooner
so the nominees could have kept passing on
the opportunity to thank You even more.
I will nominate 3 as in the rules who I pray will keep it going,
but I have no idea who has done it already,
and it is already Thanksgiving.
Most will be celebrating with their families.
or wisely taking time away from the computer.
So I leave it to You. It is NEVER too late to Thank You!!
We should all year long.

Nominees:

Efua of Grace Over Pain
Tamie of Tamie’s Alcove
Meredith of My Way Home

And whoever wants to keep giving Thanks to God! 🙂

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!
GOD LOVES YOU!!

Random Acts of Kindness Award 8.15.18

For his merciful kindness is great toward us:
and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.
Praise ye the Lord.
– Psalm 117:2 KJV

Random Acts of Kindness… This describes Your love towards us all day long, Father. And here You share another one with me through Stu of Something to Stu Over as he has nominated me for the Random Acts of Kindness Award.This is a completely new award for me, and it seems like a very nice gesture among a community that is one huge random act of kindness… and many times very intentional kindness. Stu is a brother in Christ who not only displays the kindness of Romans 12:10...

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;
in honour preferring one another”
– Romans 12:10 KJV

but shares the kindness of Colossians 3:12 with those who struggle with addictions.

Put on therefore, as the elect of God,
holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness,
humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering”
– Colossians 3:12 KJV

Thank you, Stu, for your thoughtful random act of kindness in the nomination. May the Lord continue to bless you and your ministries. God loves you!

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The award was created by Mws R Writings
Random Acts of Kindness Award/KA

 Random Acts Of Kindness Award, RAKA

This award is given to anyone you think shows kindness to another blogger or writer or to the community here on WordPress.
If you know someone who has shown you or anyone else an act of kindness please nominate them for this award.
I believe that any act of kindness no matter how small can significantly impact another’s life. So I feel it is great to acknowledge those who practice kindness.

The rules are simple.

1- Tell who you nominate and why.

2- Copy and share the picture that shows the award, posted above.

3- Share a paragraph of something that impacted your own life in the way of receiving kindness or how you extended kindness to someone else.

For instance, ” I once was waiting in a drive thru line for 20 minutes. I was in a hurry but the line did not move much, it felt like. My day was getting worse by the moment. When I got up to the drive thru window, the cashier said someone had paid for my meal already. That really made my day a lot better.”

4- Nominate anyone or share to your own page. If you so choose to Participate. Tag or pingback to the original person who nominated you, or the original post. https://mwsrwritings.com/2018/07/30/random-acts-of-kindness-award-ka/

 Don’t forget to COPY THE RULES ON YOUR POST!

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An act of kindness that was shown to me that comes to mind was when I was 13 years old. I was attending a school for troubled kids and one of my teachers took interest in me, asking me to clean her house each week. While she taught me a strong work ethic, doing a job right the first time, and paid me for my work… she would have me take several breaks just to talk with me. She would ask me questions and become so broken for me, literally crying. I would have no idea why she was crying. She would try to explain to me why, and then cry even more because of inability to see why she was crying… because I saw things she was broken for as normal. She would either fix me something for lunch or take us out, but refused to let me use my money.
Her compassion was what would cause me to pause and think about what she was saying because it felt odd for someone to cry for me. It was her many acts of kindnesses in that one act of kindness that would help me to open my eyes a little at a time to life… even if it took awhile. To this day, when I’m having a hard day or wish I had someone in my corner the Lord allows me to think on Mrs. C. She constantly included me in her life and her family until her dying day, and had set me and her daughter to continue to be good friends. And we were good friends until the day she died as well.

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My Nominees:

Lovely A of Discovering Your Happiness
Lovely A was the first person You had me speaking with in the Word Press Community. You used her 21 Day Self Care Challenge to help me while I was tying to help/work with my doctors and specialists. She was so encouraging, motivating, kind… definitely kind! She became my Croatian-Australian Sister in Christ! She helps so many others in the same way. It’s just who You have made her to be! 🙂 Thank You, Lord. Bless her!

Fatima of Splendor in Embers
My dearest Fatima was how You led me to open my settings to Public, as You had me already doing her 30 Truth Aspects Challenge to encourage her. I have known that dear heart since she was in preschool with my little dear heart. She has always been random acts of kindness… the sweetest heart. Here You had led me to encourage her, but she was encouraging me every step of the way. That’s so You God! Bless her, Lord!

Hayley of Red Letters
Along came my Brummie Sister, and You made my day with her friendship! I love her singing voice… not only is it tender and beautiful, but she has such a heart for Your! You use her music to draw me into close fellowship with You! My favorite one of hers is still Know You. ❤ Thank You for blessing me with my Brummie family in Christ!

Lene of Song of Virgnity
For years I struggled to get down my testimony as You have been urging me to do. I had been told my testimony was “too inappropriate.” Lene invited me to write my testimony Love of My Life – I Am His Song on her blog. I prayed about it hard, especially because her blog celebrates and encourages choosing Christ first through abstinence, and she does it with a loving and nonjudgmental heart.

There are soooo many more, but I went with the first few You gave me on Word Press when You had me go from private to public settings. I pray that You would encourage anyone else who wants to do this challenge, to considered themselves tagged. They’re it!

Thank you to everyone of you have ever blessed me through random acts of kindness, and continue to do so time and time again! Thank you for letting God shine through you!

God loves you!

My Weekend Be Like This Tag 6.25.18

Lord, I give up. I am ashamed to say it, but I must wave the white flag.
Lovely A of Discovering Your Happiness nominated me
for the My Weekend Be Like This Tag several days ago. I have been trying to get the pictures for that weekend that had just fallen and the one that came after. But between an unfaithful camera, a very exhausting WordPress issue with Spammers, so many little things that are far from being small, and this issue with sleeping all the time…. it is all too much for me. SO I am afraid I must disqualify myself. My Weekend(s) be like Sketchy!

I remember originally I was excited about Joseph’s new book being out…
Table 41: A Novel by Joseph Suglia! 🙂

I was so excited to finally get his book in a physical form because the computer puts me to sleep no matter how much I am interested in something. Thank You, God, for his insisting on sending me a copy from him even though I had already purchased one from Amazon because somehow they lost my order altogether! Now I will be able to share it with my son!
Lord, please help my neurologist, my sleep specialist, and other specialists figure out what’s going on with this falling asleep out of nowhere and sleeping sound… for hours… and still waking like I could sleep my life away. I’m missing out on my friends! 

I also remember excited to share that You gave me a new ladies Bible study to attend with Keitha and Sarah! I even got some Keitha hugs, Sarah hugs, and a Kristy hug! We met on June 21st, and will meet again next week. I need to get that blog up for them!! Thank You for knowing exactly what I need through these Godly sisters in Christ!!

I remember being excited to do this tag for Lovely A (aka Miss Lovely), for all the loving birthday wishes, I still have 2 other awards as well, and have been working away on getting the poetry up. Thank You, God, for scheduled posting. That’s really been a matter of copy, paste, and schedule.

I remember that their were several things as I tried to make a post work with a weekend, but My Weekends Be Like… sleep… sleep… sleep… church… music videos… struggling with fear and depression… car issues… house issues… family issues… LIFE! Getting pictures to chronologically tell what’s happening… is just not happening. 😉

Thank you, Miss Lovely for thinking  of me. May the nominees have a better chance of making you look good!

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RULES
1 Tell me about your day in pictures (preferably own snaps). Use the pictures snapped/taken during 3 last days.
2 It should reflect – who you are, what do you like or doing on a daily basis.
3 Name for the post – any or “My day in pictures”.
4 Humor is welcome; no rush with post (take as much time as you need) and it’s not obligatory (Please don’t forget to create a “pingback!” I would hate to miss on your posts.)
5 Nominate 3 to 5 or as many as you like!

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Nominees:

Alethea’s Mind
Invisibly Me
Grace Over Pain
Stubaby
Happy Sky 
The Word
Realistic Beginner
The Graced Citizen
Unbreakable Queen
Simply Chronically Ill
Lebana’s Journal
God’s Anointed Prnicesses

 

 

3 Day Quote Challenge 5.7.18, Day 3

 ^{My Dear Loving Father, It has come to the last day (Day 3) of the challenge:
The 3 Day Quote Challenge that Alethea of Alethea’s Mind nominated me for.
Because of what You have laid on my heart to share today, I am ever so grateful for Your whispering my name into her ear. This is a month that recognizes Mental Health Awareness. For every word You lead and allow in this post to express the love You and Your Son carried for us on that cross even after experiencing the anxiety that sucks the life out of our weak flesh, please bless our dear Alethea just as profoundly. Because of this opportunity, You will be allowing me to share Your love and truth with so many others who suffer with anxiety, and are shamed by it so harshly either by their own condemning mind or the cruelty and ignorance of others who call it sin, and insulting to You. It makes the world of difference to know Your Son suffered His own moments of anxiety and agony... three times in one night… even after praying. His example shows He understands, and allows His words to help us to know that anxiety is real, human, and heavy. And His example also tells us what’s best to do.}

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The Rules for the 3 Day Quote Challenge:

1. Thank the person who nominated you.
2. Post a quote each day, and why you like it.
3. Nominate 3 different bloggers each day.

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Quote for Day 3…

is a quote said three different times in three different ways in God’s word. It is that Jesus agonized! Suffered! Had sweat as great drops of  blood! Was sore amazed! Heavy! Exceeding sorrowful unto death! Fell on the ground! Kneeled down! He even asked God (His Father) if it were possible to change His circumstances, to remove His challenge, to find another way to do what He was being expected to do. Just like you and I do sometimes when we wish God would rescue us, or at least just change what we are currently going through. Even after He was ministered to BY AN ANGEL who strengthened Him, He was still in agony and prayed more earnestly! His human flesh was waging war. The flesh that He took on for you and me. He felt the need to pray like this 3 different times. And He warned us to pray because while our spirit is ready and willing, our flesh is weak and vulnerable to temptation.
But Jesus also loved us! He knew our Father loved us! And He thought we were worth it. Jesus prayed for God’s will to be done, not His own. And just for the record, Jesus was simply obedient! There is something to be said for someone when they can follow through on something that is so hard to do that they agonize with heavy sorrow over just the thought of it! THAT IS ANXIETY! Obedience (aka follow through) is a commendable trait! It speaks for the soul that was faced with fear, but chose to turn over there fears, dread, sorrow, and all that they worry about to the one who can see us through. Placing our trust and faith in God! No matter what the outcome… as I am sure you remembered Jesus did not have His cup removed, His hour passed, and did not have His circumstances changed. He was still put on the cross! For you! For me! ❤

❤ THAT IS THE JESUS I LOVE! ❤
❤ I’m so glad you didn’t give up, Jesus! ❤

Below are the passages!

“And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.”
– Mark 14:33-38 KJV

“And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
– Matthew 26:37-41 KJV

 ^“And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.”
– Luke 22:41-46 KJV

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Nominees:
Sophie Harris
Life of a Coffee Addict
Essential Life

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3 Day Challenge 5.7.18, Day 1 can be read here.
3 Day Challenge 5.7.18, Day 2 can be read here.

Congratulations to the nominees! I pray the challenge is fun for you as well!
Thank you, Alethea, for letting God use you!
So many people need to know anxiety is not the end of the world,
however… He completely understand what it feels like to have the weight of the world on their shoulders! Literally! May you be encouraged and blessed! ❤

❤ THANK YOU, JESUS! ❤

 

3 Day Quote Challenge 5.7.18, Day 1

How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!
Song of Solomon 7:6 KJV

Lord, I am so excited about the love You keep spreading around in this WordPress Community, and the family of fellowship that You keeping growing among Your children that I had to start this challenge with the quote above for Day 1 because that is how I feel about You!! You love to give Your children Your delights!
YOU are the greatest delight of ALL delights! ❤

Thank you Alethea of Alethea’s Mind for nominating me
for the 3 Day Quote Challenge! ❤
God bless you!

Your Quote for your Day 3 was God taking me aside to have a much needed one on one! It was so tender, yet so empowering. How loving our Father is! I’m definitely staying in His river! ❤ I would highly recommend anyone reading this to click here to pop over and visit that river so that they can feel His love flowing over them too! ❤

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The Rules for the 3 Day Quote Challenge:

1. Thank the person who nominated you.
2. Post a quote each day, and why you like it.
3. Nominate 3 different bloggers each day.

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Nominees:
BUniq
Single and Redeemed
Heart of the Journey

I pray you each have fun with your quotes!
❤ God uses you each to share His love
in such ways as He has given you! ❤
I look forward to reading them.