Author Archives: Deb

Deb is a wife, mom, "gram," and busy blogger. Visit Counting My Blessings, where she "gazes with gratitude at God's amazing grace." You can also find her at HomeGoods Design Happy Blog and pick up tips and ideas for decorating on a budget. In 2010, she shared her personal happiness project in Woman's Day Magazine and WD Happiness Blog. Deb loves serving in ministry beside her husband, Blake, and invites you to visit their internet prayer ministry - Pray for You.

Forgive Us Our Trashbaskets

A few years ago, I received an email from a friend which contained a list of funny statements made by little ones. Don’t you just love the funny things they say!

I was especially tickled by one of the statements and remind myself of it often. It read, “And forgive us our trash-baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.”

Isn’t that great?! What a perfect visual image!

It is often much harder to forgive the trash that is tossed into my life than it is to deal with the trash I make myself. You know what I’m talking about, a little:

  • Unkind Word
  • Bit of gossip
  • Lie
  • Snub
  • Mess
  • ___________

Somehow it’s easier to overlook my own trash, and to think that mine doesn’t stink quite as bad as the other guy’s garbage.

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The Center of His Word

This is a post I wrote for Counting My Blessings about a year and a half ago. I thought it might be worth sharing with you here at 5Min.

I began my morning by reading Psalm 117 and 119 as God had led me to set my thoughts on the center of His Word.

Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible, and Psalm 119 the longest.

Look with me for a moment at the words of Psalm 117:

Praise the Lord, all you nations;
extol Him, all you peoples.
For great is His love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.

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Take Off Your Mask

These two dear friends were such good sports! At our Women’s Retreat several years ago, they were recruited to allow their makeup to be put on from behind. The girls applying their makeup could only use touch to decide where to place eye shadow, blush, and lipstick. A little crowd reaction may have guided them as well, but as you can see we weren’t much help!

I’ve been wondering, do we put on our “face” to cover up what’s going on inside? We think if we make the outside look perfect no one will notice the junk on the inside. We are afraid that others will judge us, criticize us, or reject us so we try our best to hide our hearts.

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Ticker Tape Thoughts

 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

I awakened this morning with the title of this post running through my mind. What if the first time you had a thought, it was just that . . . a thought? The second time you thought it, you were granted a mulligan by God’s grace. But if you continued spinning it around in your head, it appeared across your forehead in ticker tape format. Right there for everyone to see!

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Those Who Are With Us

Photo by Cobra 15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.

 16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

 17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17 (NIV)

My husband and I were just talking about this portion of Scripture.

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5 Ways to Avoid Wintertime Blues

Do you ever find yourself in a bit of a funk during the months of January and February? I never seem to mind the cold and snow in December, but now I’m ready for warm weather to return. It doesn’t take long for me to find my mood plummeting right along with the temperature.

Thankfully, I’ve learned that a cranky attitude doesn’t help anyone, especially me! So, I’ve developed a list of five things I use to help myself overcome the wintertime blues. 

1. Movie Night – Having something to anticipate with enthusiasm always helps my mood. Watching a movie at home with a fire in the fireplace, cuddled up under a cozy throw, munching a little buttered popcorn.

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Watch Out for Deer

We live about 20 miles outside of a major city and we love the beautiful drive we have along forested highway to get to and from church, work, etc. Each time I prepare to make the drive, my dh (dear husband) says, “Watch out for deer and trucks!”

So, when I saw the Associated Press article titled, Wisconsin Runner Collides with Deer During Race, I had to know more. It seems that a high school sophmore was running a cross country race when a deer ran into her path. Thankfully, no injuries more serious than a bruised leg were sustained, and they each continued on their way.

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Rise and Shine

When our children were at home I would often awaken them by singing, “Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory!” We even had actions that went with it, although it was often hard to get them to join in first thing in the morning. LOL

Isaiah 60:1 reads:  “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.

How has “rising and shining” been going for you? It’s hard to arise shining in the middle of January. It’s dark and cold, and here in our part of the world most days are covered with clouds.

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