Five+ Blessing from Isaiah

I don't know about you, but I like my coffee with a little Bible study stirred in. I just love how relevant and immediate God's word can be in our lives each day if we only take the time to read it. It's there we only have to look for it.

This January I started reading through the Bible, although I'll NEVER make it through in only one year. There's just too much good stuff I have to slow down and ponder. Currently I'm reading Isaiah and I've been so blessed by this prophet's words that I just "gottatell somebody," (nod to Twila here.)

It is my hope and my prayer that these thoughts bless you today.

By the way, verses may be somewhat paraphrased in the GPS* version.


1. Isa 25:1 LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.

2. Isa 26:3-4 He will keep in perfect peace ALL those who trust in him--whose thought turn often to the Lord. Trust in the Lord God always for the Lord Jehovah is your everlasting strength. (TLB)

3. Isa 26:13: Those who belong to God (insert YOUR name here) will live again--their bodies shall rise...for God's Light of Life will fall like dew on them.

4. Isa. 28:29 The Lord almighty is a wonderful teacher and He gives...wisdom.

5. 29:16 Yet the Lord still waits for you to come to Him so He can show you His love.
He will conquer you to bless you, just as He said. For the Lord is faithful to His promises. Blessed are those who wait for Him to help them.

And here is the "plus" a wonderful bit of Psalm 68:19 for dessert:

What a glorious Lord! He daily bears our burdens and also gives us salvation.

Can I get an "Amen?"


*Gail Poag Smith=GPS version

Five Things Friday

Ooops. I got so busy with my job working on the Quad-Cities Christian Writers Conference last week that I forgot all about Five Things Friday. The first time I remembered it was sitting in the morning session listen to the great Mike Brewer speak.

To make up for forgetting, this week I think we need at least two lists this week. And as I'm writing I'm also learning more about how the things we love are truly gifts from God given to reveal to each of us how very much He loves us. I'm just finishing up Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts, and going deeper and deeper into the idea of thanks for the gifts God so freely bestows.

What blessings come from counting our blessings!
I challenge you to join me and Ann and so many others. Open your eyes, begin counting the gifts that God is giving to you.

Five Gifts

• 26. Serving the QCCWC, amazingly talented, giving people, getting to spend time and serve God's Scribes, Apostles of Ink, and other servants of The Most High. I’m overwhelmed that God would use me to be a part of this wonderful blessing. ( I think I just had the spirit of my new friend, Gail, overtake me!)


• 27. A new sister and friend in Dr. Gail Hayes, Lioness for the Lord & Daughter of the King.


• 28. The delicious smell of Amaretto coffee wafting through the house—yum.


• 29. The tree budding outside my bedroom window. We moved it last fall and didn’t kill it! Hooray!


• 30. The power of written words to move the heart and change lives.

And Five More Gifts


31. Bright orange tulips in my yard 32. Papa Goose fasting while guarding Mama Goose noshing.

33. Mama Goose sitting on her nest.

34. Glowing green buds bring life to dead red sticks.

35. Promises of strawberry sweetness

Hooray, It's Autumn & Hooray for AIR!

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."
George Eliot

My sentiments exactly. And on the very first day of this incredible season I find myself thanking God for something I don't think I've ever thanked Him for before--AIR.

That's right just plain old air, that invisible stuff that surrounds us each moment, that makes life possible, that most of us never, ever think about.

Thank You Lord for air--

~for the life it gives us

~for sweet breezes blowing on arms in the mornings and across faces in the cool dark of night.

~for carrying wonderful fragrances to us stirring memories and longings in hearts and minds

~for lifting kites, balloons, birds, airplanes and our spirits soaring as we see them fly.

~for fluttering flags and rustling leaves and rasping cornstalks.

Thank you Lord for air.

1 Chronicles 16:34 (New King James Version)
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.

P.S. Just found a really pertinent Facebook page if you'd like to check it out
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thank-You-Lord-for-this-air-I-breathe-/119753944703018?v=wall

How cool is that?

Cardinal Cafe

I love watching the cardinals and other birds eating each day, right outside me office window. I recently bought some new bird seed called "Cardinal's Choice" and dining at the Cardinal Cafe in my backyard has been standing room only. I tell you the customers are really flocking in to try my little Michelin five star hot spot on these cold winter mornings. And the only squawking has been over the choice seating at the one table I have.

This morning I opened the door for "breakfast service" and there in the fresh snow were tiny little bird tracks leading right up to my back door as if to say "Hey, where's breakfast? I'm hungry." It was obvious the early bird had been there and not finding any unfrozen worms or fresh seed had hopped up see what the problem was.

As I looked at those tiny tracks and pictured such a frail creature approaching my ginormous door to get his needs met, into my head popped a picture of ME, approaching the throne of our almighty God.

Here I go, tiny, impotent, frail, but up I boldly hop on my skinny little bird legs and before the God of all Creation start twittering about my needs and when they're going to be met and what the problem is. How my loving Father must smile at my chirping and shake His head at my squawking, knowing all the time the good plans He has for me for a Hope and a Future.

Thank you Lord for lessons and reminders in small things, for patiently reassuring us in Your word of Your constant care and love. Thank You for the wonders of creation and for speaking to my heart from it's simply awesome/awesomely simple beauty.

Luke 12:24 (NLT) Look at the birds. They don’t need to plan or harvest or put food in barns because God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to Him than any birds.

God sees the little sparrow fall,
It meets His tender view;
If God so loves the little birds,
I know He loves me, too.

He loves me, too, He loves me, too,
I know He loves me, too;
Because He loves the little things,
I know He loves me, too.

He paints the lily of the field,
Perfumes each lily bell;
If He so loves the little flow’rs,
I know He loves me well.

God made the little birds and flow’rs,
And all things large and small;
He’ll not forget his little ones,
I know He loves them all.

Ma­ria Straub, 1874

I watched a family cross the street today...

I watched a little family cross the street on the way to school today.

Little brother is small, arms reaching up to hold tightly to

Big sister older and wiser walks alertly, so proud and careful. She holds onto her the little boys hand in love, looking both ways as they cross the busy street.

Holding tight to brother's other hand is Dad, straight and tall, wearing his son's small backpack. Upon his shoulders rests the safety of his children. They are trusting in him to get them safely to the school.

How like a Dad to let his daughter help lead the youngest along the way. Yet how obvious it is watching them that Dad is the true protector and shield against the dangers of this walk in the world.

And how this little scene reminds me of us. We are God's daughters and sons, so proud to give ourselves to help guide others on their way to Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life. So thrilled to think we can help someone on their journey to the Lord.

But all the while, on the other side, holding fast to their hand, is our loving Father, leading, guiding, protecting, taking care of both of us. Our heaviest burdens resting lightly on His strong shoulders, He leads us home in safety and love.

Thank You Jesus for reminding me what an awesome blessing it is that You choose to use unworthy, but willing hearts to use, blessing us amazingly for Your work here on earth.

God Answers Prayer! -- Try connecting with Him.

I've recently been reading a book that has had a major impact on my life and I wanted to share it with as many people as I could, in the hope that they will be blessed as I have been by this book. Peter Lundell's new book, Prayer Power--30 days to a Stronger Connection with God is one of the most helpful books about prayer I've ever encountered, and I've been a believer since 1958.

What I love most about this book is the simplicity and directness in teaching about prayer. The short chapters and 30 day format are perfect for a new believer, for anyone seeking God and a great "refresher" course for us "seasoned saints". Peter writes with great insight sharing stories from the lives of many believers as well as his own experiences in learning how to connect with our loving heavenly Father. It would also make an ideal study for a small group. An appendix in the back, containing "Growth gages and suggested activities" allows the reader a practical method of evaluating their prayer life, where they are and how to move towards for a closer connection with God. (End of commercial-ha-ha)

Personally, I am so thankful God brought this book into my life at this point in my life. Because of some pretty chronic pain due to arthritis, (resulting in a total hip replacement in Sept. 2007) I felt impressed to grab on to one of Peter Lundell's suggestions about praying scripture for myself.
The scripture was Mark 11:23 where Jesus says "If anyone says to this mountain, `Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him". As Peter suggested, I replaced the word "mountain" in the verse with the word "body" and said "Be strengthened" instead of "thrown into the sea".
In faith, I began to pray, " Body, be strengthened!" and (hopefully) "not doubting in (my) heart but believing" that what He says will happen--specifically "it will be done for him".
God has answered that prayer in an amazing way. Shortly after I had begun to pray, I "just happened" to see an online auction for a membership to a local gym. Hmmm, could this be the beginning of an answer from God? With only 4 hours left in the auction, I prayerfully placed my bid and got the membership for one half of the usual price.
That happened about a month ago and since then I've been able to exercise several times a week and regain more strength and mobility than I would have thought possible. (Did I mention I also had a hip replaced in 2007?) I'm now almost off the Ibuprofen I had been taking, up to about four or more a day, usually. And yesterday for the first time in at least 5+ years, I was able to do something I haven't been able to do for years--put a sock on my right foot almost normally! (OK, I get excited about the little things but just imagine if you always needed help to put on your socks--not fun).

Joining a gym was not something I was even considering. I had no idea how God would "strengthen" my body. But what an awesome Shepherd we have who knows how to lead each sheep to exactly the right pasture--or gym in my case. And God even took into account how I much I LOVE a bargain, arranging the ½ price membership to the gym! All this has just happened in the last thirty days. I am so grateful to God for the way He keeps His word!

As I continue reading the book, Prayer Power, I am looking forward to seeing what other surprises God has in store for me. If you are longing to know God better, to see His Hand at work in your life, to have a stronger connection with God, please join me and give Prayer Power a try.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to see thousands of answered prayers all over the blog-o-sphere!?!
Feel free to post yours here!

(for more information go to http://www.peterlundell.com/)