Gifts

 The gifts are wrapped.

 They are waiting to be placed beneath the tree.

 

The cookies are baked.

The decorating is complete.

Of all these tasks, the most challenging is finding the perfect gifts to give.

This year as I pondered my Christmas list a thought came.  Why not give what I would like to receive.

Monetarily they have no value but spiritually they are priceless .

So sweet friends I am sending you what I want to unwrap Christmas Day. 

 I hope you will find them waiting under your tree. 

 Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a blessed coming New Year!  See you in 2022!

Hugs

Debbie

"On coming to the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.  Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, and of incense, and of myrrh."  Matthew 2:11 (NIV)    

  

Quiet

 ..."He will quiet you with his love"...Zeph. 3:17 (NIV)

..."In quietness and trust is your strength"... Isaiah 30:15 (NIV)

"The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools."  Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life"...1 Thessalonians 4:11a (NIV)

Praying each of you finds some quiet time this coming week.

Hugs

Debbie

..."He leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul."  Psalm 23:2 (NIV)

Cheer

There are certain moments that bring us cheer.

When I spotted this visitor yesterday I had to smile.

Is it any wonder the bird feeders are empty so quickly?

He knew he was caught but that didn't seem to phase him.  Breakfast was over and it was time for lunch.

For sure he will be back for dinner.

Hope he brought you a little cheer.  Have a happy week.

Hugs!

Debbie

"An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up."  Prov. 12:25 (NIV)

Spring Arrived

 This week spring arrived.  Abundant sunshine, warmer days and glorious blooms testify this lovely season has come for her annual visit.

  In the midst of life's happenings she appeared.

It was as if I went to sleep one night and awoke to find the daffodils in full flower shaking their heads and tossing off winter's chill.

How appropriate was her timing as we begin Holy Week.

I will leave you with one final picture that I captured one early morning as I was "looking up".   It gave me hope and may it do likewise for all of you.

 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16 (NIV)

Have a blessed week and all who are celebrating- a wonderful Easter.  Will be back in two weeks - God willing!

Hugs

Debbie

Renewal

Spring to me signals renewal.

After a long winter I am more than ready to be renewed.

Even though the trees have not yet dawned their green garb...it will not be long until they will be showing off their leafy finery.

The pussy willows are not shy.  They are coming out in full swing to greet the season of spring. 

Yes renewal is on its way.

Have a great week.

Hugs

Debbie

"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

Stillness

 In the stillness I hear Him whisper,

"I am near...

do not fear...

I love you and I care."

Hope you hear Him in the stillness too.

Have a blessed week.

Hugs!

Debbie

"After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.  And after the fire came a gentle whisper."  1 Kings 19:12 (NIV)

First Frost

 

This weekend brought us our first frost of the season.

The calendar may not show that fall has arrived but the white ground says autumn is here.

This brave sunflower is holding on hoping for a few more summer days.  Likewise the tomatoes in the background need a bit more heat to ripen.  

A frosty morning may be lovely but am hoping that warmer days will return and grant us a bit of reprieve.

To my way of thinking summertime is never long enough.  So I am off to enjoy the last moments of the season.  

See you all in the fall!

Have a blessed week.

Hugs

Debbie

"And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years."  Gen. 1:14 (NIV)

    

Dusk

In September dusk begins to arrive early.  

The crickets start to sing .  They make one want to stop and linger - to savor this peaceful time...  

To gather a few veggies for tomorrow's meal...

and enjoy the view before dark claims the end of the day.

Yes mornings are wonderful but just before nightfall is lovely too.  Hope all of you have a blessed week.  

Hugs

Debbie

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  John 14:28 (NIV)

  

July's Finish

Well sweet friends this week marks July's finish.

This month has brought us breathtaking sunsets...











delightful daylilies

fragrant phlox...

abundant squash and zucchini... 

plenty of green beans to snap...

and delicious Lodi apples for sauce and baking.

As July winds down and makes its final finish this week - hoping that all of you are enjoying a lovely end of the month.

See you in August - God willing.


Hugs
Debbie

"I have fought the good fight.  I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  2 Tim. 4:7 (NIV)

Do You ever wonder...

why the sky is blue...

certain flowers flourish in the heat...

others not so much.

Why a butterfly selects the common clover for its nectar...

or one type of tree bears apples...

and another peaches.

Finally what makes this a cat

and this a dog?

Silly questions for sure.  Yet if we had the answers to these - then perhaps we just might have wisdom to solve the bigger concerns that this life holds.

Thank you for letting me share my wondering with you.

Have a blessed week.



Hugs
Debbie

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."  Isaiah 55:8-9

Moms

To all the Moms today - wishing you a blessed Mother's Day.


Hugs

Debbie

"When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother."  From that time on, this disciple took her into his home."  John 19:26-27 (NIV)

The Lord's Prayer

Perhaps those of you reading this post today will join me in "The Lord's Prayer".   I am sure He hears us when we pray.

"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."   Matt:6:9-13

May God be with each of you and keep you safe in His Love this week.

Hugs

Debbie

Encouraging Words

Today I would like to share some encouraging words.

There are many of us who have at some time or another hit a rough patch in life.   Most likely all who are reading these lines have encountered a challenge or two along the way. 

It is hard when we are looking closely at our circumstances and trials to think of "looking up". 

I am  reminded of Peter in the Bible...He sees the Lord walking on the water and at first he is frightened.  When he realizes it is Jesus - he becomes courageous and steps out of the boat - begins to walk on the water toward Him.  As Peter becomes aware of the wind and the waves he looks down and all he can see is deep water and darkness.  At that point he begins to sink and fear for his life.  He calls out "Lord save me".  Immediately the blessed hand of the Lord reaches out and lifts Peter up.

We too may have been bravely "walking on water" when suddenly the storm billows of life cause us to look down and lose our faith.  I believe if one chooses to "look up" there is a loving hand reaching out to lift us up to safety.  "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  2 Corinthians: 4:18 

Thank you for letting me share some encouraging words today.

Have a wonderful week.

Hugs

Debbie