Category Archives: Deb

Hope for 2014 – Celebrate and Rejoice

Hope Journal

“Hope – Smiles from the threshold of the year to come,
Whispering ‘it will be happier’…”
~ Alfred Tennyson

My word for the year at Counting My Blessings is – Celebrate. 

Turn on the news and you’ll be bombarded with more negativity than a brain should have to process.

I’m still not sure that 24/7 information is good for our mental health.
I’d consider giving it all up and going back to much simpler times if I didn’t love:

heat
air conditioning
indoor plumbing
electric lights
and
refrigeration.

But, I’m sure you get what I mean.

I’m craving fun!
I don’t want to pack away the smiles with the Christmas decorations.

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Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

Psalm 100

1 Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.[a]
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

May you and your families be
blessed with many reasons for
joy and thanksgiving.

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Thankful for Miracles

Oak Tree in an Acorn

Miracles happen around us everyday and unfortunately they often pass by unnoticed, but every once in a while the miracle is so huge you just have to shout, “Glory!”

Today, I’m thankful for miracles . . . and I’m shouting, “Glory!”

1. Thankful for Creation – That a giant oak tree lives inside of a tiny acorn. That animals come in all shapes and sizes. That rainbows give a promise of hope.

2. Thankful for Faith – Amazed that our awesome God wants a personal relationship with people.

3. Thankful for Order – That we can count on the sun, moon, and stars to shine each day and night.

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100+ Things for Which We’re Thankful

1-Give Thanks - 5MFF

November 1st – 30

5MFF writers are joining together to give thanks.

Six days a week – all month long we will:

Give Thanks for Everything!

We will share a favorite picture,
5 things for which we’re thankful,
and a favorite Scripture verse.

We want you to join us.

Comment on posts to tell us about your blessings.
Visit our Facebook Page to follow us,
share a photo, leave a comment, or share a verse.

Let’s raise our voices in praise and give thanks.

Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:20

Photo Credit

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The Giver Loves – Love the Giver

Heavens Declare
A wise lover values not so much the gift of the lover as the love of the giver. ~ Thomas á Kempis

You saved the hand-print ornament your son made in pre-school. It’s crazy colorful and doesn’t go with your other ornaments, but you proudly put it on the tree every year . . . and your son is 22.

You lingered this morning over the framed poem your daughter wrote for Mother’s Day in 2nd grade. It brings tears to your eyes every time. The letters are big and the words are misspelled but you cherish it . . .

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He Hears Our Cries

This is the first post I wrote for 5MFF. I thought it might be a good time to share it again. A reminder that He will never leave us to cry alone. If you’re hurting – physically or emotionally weak, tired, or worried. If you feel like you’re alone…. 

Hospital NurseryI remember the birth of our first child like it happened yesterday. She was born on her due date, following a mercifully manageable labor and delivery. Her first cry was strong and healthy, and her daddy and I praised God as we cried right along with her.

Over the next few days, she stayed in my room, and I learned more and more about caring for her, her unique needs, and how to best soothe her.

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Wait Right Here

Wait Right Here

Mom moments are full of teaching experiences and some of them even benefit our children.

One of my mom moment memories happened when our son was about 3 years old. I had taken him to the mall to burn off a little energy. We were having fun just walking around and looking at store windows when….

All of a sudden he looked up at me and said, “You wait here Mommy, I’ll be right back.”

He started to run off and for just a moment I was speechless. Thankfully, I regained my senses and yelled,  “I don’t think so! Come back here right now!”

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God’s Love in My Mess

By God's Grace

Somedays I don’t feel very lovable.

Truthfully, most days I don’t feel very lovable.

I look at my failures and weaknesses . . . my foolish emotions and misunderstandings, my lack of patience and persistent procrastination just to name a few.

I’m a mess. You too?

Then join me for a few moments and look at several quotes and Bible verses that will remind us that it’s not about us. It’s about Him. It’s always about Him. God’s grace and mercy in and through Jesus giving us new life and a hope that will last forever.

Grace is love that cares and stoops and rescues.

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