Monthly Archives: May 2012

Suggestions Welcome

Suggestion Box!

I’ve just finished writing a book, and now I’m going through the process of finding an editor, and other finishing touches necessary for publishing. I have a few ideas, I’ve made a few contacts, and have already spent a great deal of time researching information, but I could really use some suggestions, and recommendations from you, and  would very much appreciate your input. You may have experience in this area, or you may be able to refer me to someone who’s been a big help to you. Even if you’ve never written a book, I ‘d love to hear your comments. You’ve been such a blessing to me, and this blogging experience has given me the boost I needed to finally write this book. I’d love for you to be a part of it too, so go ahead and let me know what you think!

Thank you and God Bless!

Faith

( If you’d like, I can keep your comment private, and I’d be happy to respond to you by e-mail, if necessary.)

Showers of Blessing

“… I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.“

Ezekiel 34:26

Morning by Morning

Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided;
great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

 

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
as thou hast been thou forever will be.


Humility

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

“To Him be Glory and Dominion Forever and Ever. Amen.”

I Peter 5:6-11

Together Forever

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
 His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Awesome!!!

God is AWESOME!!!

Sisterhood of Bloggers Award!

This is such a cute award, and I’m so happy that it was passed on to me by a very special sister blogger, Francine, who like a sister would,  shared this honor with all of us girls who follow her blog! How cute is that! I love it! I really admire her blog and her example, and so I’ve decided to follow in her footsteps. I’ll share seven things about myself, and just pass this award on to any other lady who subscribes to this blog! Feel free to simply accept it, post it on your blog, and pass it on. It’s my way of saying thanks for being such an important part of my blogging experience!

Seven Things About Me:

S- Steelers Fan!

I- Into Gardening

S- Sometimes Silly Sense of Humor. :)

T- Trying really hard to think of 7 things!

E- Early. I like to be on time. :)

R- Really good listener

S- So glad to be a part of this blogging community!

Passing on the “Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award!”

All ladies who subscribe to this blog, this is your award too! If you should choose to accept it, feel free to post it on your blog, and let me know! If not, that’s perfectly OK., I totally understand, and I appreciate you all!  Thanks again to Francine, for the award, and the great  idea of sharing it. :)

Smiles and Blessings!

– Faith

A Living Hope

 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,…

  So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

  1 Peter 1:3 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Great Expectations

“…My expectation is from Him.”

Psalm 62:5

 “You might not always get what you want, but you always get what you expect.”

 Charles Spurgeon

Expect The Best!

My Light and My Salvation

lighthouse

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.  Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.  And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy;  I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.  When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.  When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.  Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain  path, because of mine enemies.  Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.  I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”  Psalm 27

Victorious

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”

Romans 8:35 and 37

Very Inspiring Blogger Award!

Wow! What a surprise and an honor. It warms my heart to receive the Very Inspiring Blogger Award! Thank you, Painted by the Sun   for  the nomination! I’m very happy that you consider my blog inspiring. This is truly a  blessing that means more than you know.

 Guidelines:
1. Thank the person who nominated you and include a link back to their blog
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Pass the award to 7 nominees

Seven Things About Me

1. I really enjoy  blogging , but I’m actually  more of a private person, and an introvert, so this has been good for me!  :)

2. At 5 ft 6, I’m the shortest person in my family.

3.  Chicago Mix is my favorite popcorn. Yum!

4.  I’m a real “girly” girl, but I love watching football.

5.  I enjoy playing Scrabble and Words with Friends.

6. I didn’t own a cell phone until our two older children were in high school, and then I got one just so they could reach me if they needed to….When they went off to college, I learned how to text!  Smh!  Lol! :)

7.  I enjoy taking nature walks with my youngest daughter

Here Are Seven Very Inspiring Blogs:

5 Minute Bible/ 5minutebible.wordpress.com

Found in Light/ foundinlight.wordpress.com

Steven/washedfeet.wordpress.com

New Life/ pastorchrisjordan.wordpress.com

Everyone Has A Story/ birdmartin.wordpress.com

Growing in Jesus/ jenniferbuczynski.wordpress.com

Daily Living with a Christian Perspctive/lbtk.wordpress.com

” A Special Thank You”…I am especially inspired, and blessed by those of you who, read, “like,”or follow my blog. Thank you, and God Bless!  :)

“One Lovely Blog” Award

“… Whatsoever things are lovely…think on these things.”
Philippians 4:8

I love the  Audrey Hepburn song from “My Fair Lady”,  Oh Wouldn’t It Be Lovely!! And, yes, it is very lovely to be nominated for the “One Lovely Blog Award!” This is such an honor and my heartfelt thanks and appreciation goes out to forhisgloryandpraise, for her kind words, and her nomination.

Guidelines for this award are as follows…

Mention who gave it to you with a link back to their blog. 

Share seven things about yourself

Give this award to fifteen other bloggers

Let them know they’ve won.

Post the award on your blog.

About Me

1. The Bible is my favorite book, my guide, and source of direction.

2.  Audrey Hepburn movies are some of my favorites! She was so lovely.   :)

3. It’s really sweet to see older married couples, holding hands as they walk along. Cute and romantic!

4. Puppies and Killer Whales are my favorite animals. Puppies are adorable, and Orcas are simply gorgeous!

5. I try to stop and look up at the sky at least once each day. It’s so beautiful!

6. English gardens, the ocean, and the symphony… Lovely!

7. Oh, and also very lovely… Glazed Lemon Pound Cake!!!  :)

Here are Several Lovely Blogs

Painted By The Sun/ carolanns66.wordpress.com

A Winsome Journey/awinsomejourney.wordpress.com

Winds of Time/babydogogos.wordpress.com

Just My Echo/justmyecho.wordpress.com

My Little Bunny Cupcake/ ellieschouten.wordpress.com

And a very special thank you to those of you  who read, “like”, comment, or follow my blog! You’re the best. Have a “lovely” day! :)

Birdseed

Don’t worry about anything…

“Look at the birds.  They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them… you are far more valuable to him than they.”  Matthew 6:26

Beautiful Blogger Award

Oh, Bother!!

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

It’s such a beautiful day!! A very special thank you to Emi at fourleaves92.wordpress.com, for nominating me for the Beautiful Blogger Award! It’s truly a blessing, and I am deeply honored. The beauty of blogging is that I get the chance to interact, share, and communicate, with so many interesting people, and it’s all right here at my fingertips! It’s very rewarding for me, and I love it. The Beautiful Blogger Award is given for creativity, originality, and contribution to the blogging community. As guidelines suggest, I will list seven random things about myself, and I am happy to list seven blogs that I am nominating  for the Beautiful Blogger Award.

The Guidelines:

 

  • List seven random facts about yourself
  • Post a link to the blog of the person who nominated you
  • Link to seven other bloggers who are deserving of the award
  • Let those bloggers know that you’ve nominated them

Seven Random Facts About Me: (Very random)

I am an early bird.
I was born in the spring!
I have two sisters and a brother; and  two daughters and a son.
I could spend the entire day working in my gardens without a break, and even forget to eat!
I love being a wife and mom. :)
I enjoy watching nature, God’s creation; from the sky to everything beneath it.
I believe that beauty from within is the most important kind.

Here are Seven Beautiful Blogs:

Clover and Thyme;  cloverandthyme.com

Photography by Gisele Morgan; giselemorgan.wordpress.com

Francine in Retirement; francineinretirement.wordpress.com

Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures Plus; leesbird.com

Photobotos; photobotos.com

Home and the Range; homeandtherange.wordpress.com

Clayhearts; clayhearts.wordpress.com

A special thank you to those of you  who like, read, or follow my blog. Have a beautiful day!!

Throwback Thursday- Crazy Faith

It’s Throwback Thursday and “Crazy Faith” is all about having faith, and believing God for what seems impossible, regardless of your circumstances. Read more and be encouraged!

Faithrises

There was a time when, my family, friends, and neighbors would have thought that “Crazy Faith” would be a perfect title for my autobiography! :)

I know that this is true, because once, when I was in the final months of my pregnancy, (you know, the pregnancy that I prayed 10 years for), I overheard someone talking to a neighbor, saying; “We all thought that Faith was losing her mind!… While she was struggling with her health and praying for another baby, her mother and sister would call and say, “We’re really concerned about Faith..”  They thought that I was going crazy!!!I never knew  this before, so when I heard it, I laughed, and said, “That’s OK… They thought that Noah was crazy too, but it sure did rain didn’t it? So, I’m in good company!”

It all began 15 years earlier, when I read Luke 8:48,  “Daughter, your faith has made you whole…”,

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Tomorrow

 “…Don’t be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow shall be anxious for itself” Matthew 6:34

“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.”

Charles Spurgeon

Happy Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day to you all, and a very special Mother’s day to my own dear Mom!

I’m so thankful for the mother that God has blessed me with. She is my friend, and has been a tower of strength for me, as she constantly gives of herself, and encourages me in the word of God. I am thankful for the example she has given me in mothering my own three children, and I am thankful for her own mother, my sweet grandma, who although she has gone on to be with Jesus, has left a loving legacy of motherhood for me as well, and my children still benefit from her example of love, courage, and faith.

Just as the Apostle Paul said of Timothy, in 2 Timothy 1:51; ” When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that  in thee also.”  My grandmother, who introduced me to Christ, and my mother, who continually encourages me in Him, have blessed me, and instilled in me, the treasure of possessing an unfeigned faith in God, loving Jesus, and trusting in His Word, for which I am eternally grateful.

God Bless You all, and have a Happy Mother’s Day!

Peaceful Heart

“A heart at peace gives life to the body.” Proverbs 14:30

“… My peace I give unto you:… Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

Throwback Thursday- Sunrise

Good Morning! This week has really flown by and again it’s Thursday, here’s a reblog to help you get the most out of your day. Hope  your day is tops! :)

Faithrises

My oldest daughter has recently reminded me of how amazing it can be to just watch the sun come up in the morning. So often, the beautiful, breath-taking colors, go unnoticed each morning, (and I’m ashamed to say it) but, mostly by me.  My daughter has actually been getting up earlier just to see the sun rise and this has prompted me to stop and think… Am I so caught up with what’s coming up in the day ahead to appreciate whats right in front of me? Nowadays though, it’s not that I’m so busy because I am currently 18 months into a two-year recovery from surgery, but in many ways I miss being busy, while at the same time I’m disappointed and frustrated with the physical limitations that I am experiencing. I’m so glad that she brought this to my attention, because it has given me the opportunity to reflect and regroup.

I reflect on how each sunrise…

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I’ve Still Got It!

One day last week, my daughter told me that right in the middle of class, her teacher, middle-aged, mother of two, did a cartwheel right in the middle of a lesson, and cartwheeled right back to her original position and said, with a great big smile on her face, ” I’ve still got it!“ and the whole class just roared with laughter! I thought to myself, “Wow! How great it must feel to be so free at heart, even in the midst of a busy workday, right in front of a  class full of fifth-graders, turning cartwheels!”

For me, this teacher’s exclamation of  “I’ve still got it!” implies so much more… It not only speaks of her impressive physical capabilities, but also of her ability to seize the day, enjoy the moment, and keep the “kid” inside alive!

Refreshing. :)

Higher

“When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

 Psalm 61:2

Beauty of Worship

“Worship The Lord in the Beauty of His Holiness”

O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.

Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.

For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

Honor and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.

O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

Say among the heathen that the LORD reigns: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.

Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice

Before the LORD: for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

Psalm 96

Smokin’ Hot

They say, “Where there’s smoke there’s fire”, so is it also true that where there’s fire there’s smoke?” Not according to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. It says in Daniel 3:20-24  that when they were thrown into the fiery furnace, the king saw four men walking in the fire, and the fourth looked  like the Son of God, and when he called them out of the fire, they were completely untouched by the flames, and then, to top it all off,  their clothes didn’t even smell like smoke. Now, that’s amazing!! You can’t even start coals for a barbecue, without smelling like smoke!  Verse 24 says that” the fire had no power over them!”Our God Is AWESOME!! This story is a  fire-bright, blatant example, of how God is with us “in the fire“, these fiery trials have no power over us, and when it’s over, we won’t even smell like smoke! Now that’s Hot! 

Sparkle

A Reflection of Him…

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16

Quietness

“In quietness and trust is your strength.”  Isaiah 30:15

Throwback Thursday- Baby Blue Pinto

It’s “Throwback Thursday” and here’s an exciting read!   This is  a true story of a tragedy, and how the Lord protects us, and keeps us safe, even in the most dangerous circumstances. Take a look!

Faithrises

 

baby blue pinto 2

What comes to mind when you hear the word pinto? I guess it depends on how old you are, “It’s a bean! It’s a horse! No! It’s an automobile!!!!!” That’s right, a Pinto is an automobile produced by Ford in the 70’s. It was a squatty, compact car with a huge triangular window in the back. But to me, a sixteen year-old looking at her first car, it was the cutest thing that I had ever seen! One cool morning in October, when I was seventeen, I was just leaving  for school when my mother called out from the back of the house, “Hey, drive carefully and remember what they said on the news about those Pintoes blowing up!! Be careful.”  This was true. Upon impact, (near the gas tank), Pintoes were sometimes prone to explode. “Ok, I’ll be careful.” I answered, and I was on my way. I…

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The Reader Appreciation Award

 I would like to express my appreciation, and a very special thank you, to beatrix mana at babydogogos.wordpress.com, for nominating me for this award! This came as a complete surprise, and I am both humbled and honored to have been nominated.In accepting this award, I’ll share a little of what I’ve been up to lately, along with a list of bloggers that I am nominating for the Reader Appreciation Award

“What’s Going On?”

Well its spring, and gardening is one of my great loves, so of course, I’m thrilled, and I’ve been spending a lot of time working outside in our yard. I’ve been unable to garden for the past couple of springs due to a two-year recovery from a surgery where I almost lost my leg and nearly died. Praise God, neither occurred, and, while I am still experiencing the pain and limitations which are the result of this tragedy, I am so thankful that the Lord has blessed me to be able to get out and enjoy my gardens.  I love the logo for this award. Sunflowers are one of my favorites. They’re very happy and bright, and that’s just how I feel about receiving this award!

Here are some blogs that I’m sure you’ll  enjoy and appreciate reading. I know I do!

Ellen Grace Olinger –ellenolinger.wordpress.com

Mike– emmock.wordpress.com

Lynn– lynnlovesediting.wordpress.com

Florence Kuek–harpoftenstrings.wordpress.com

Brian’s Blog– brianwilliamsen,wordpress.com

Reflections in the Word– reflectionsintheword.wordpress.com

Shout for Joy!

“He will once again fill your mouth with laughter

and your lips with shouts of joy!”  

Iron Sharpens Iron

It’s so encouraging to see the little faces and gravatar images  at the end of a post from fellow bloggers who  “like” it. It really makes me feel good inside, and for those of you who have done so on any of my posts, I just wanted to send out a special thank you!

I love the verse in Proverbs 27:17 that says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend,”  That’s how it is in life, between those who are closely connected, through family, and friendship, and I’m thankful for the connection that I’ve found working and sharing along with those of you who either visit, “like”, or follow this blog.

As iron sharpens iron, I have been strengthened and encouraged through this blogging experience, and it is my hope that others will be strengthened and encouraged as they visit here as well.

God bless you today, and always.

Faith :)