Heart~felt Gratitude ~ Day 1

First and foremost, I am so grateful I know Jesus Christ! I thank Him for loving me so much that He died for me, forgiving all my sins. I thank Him for everyone and everything in my life. It is in Him that I live and move and have my being.

It would take more space than I am allowed here on Blogger to list all of my gratitude's. There are so many that I am blessed to know and have learned so much from. Thank you all!

As I sit here having a delicious cup of hot tea, I am so grateful for Bea Kunz of Sage Hill Farms. Love ya sweet Bea!

I first met Bea on the Ryze ~ WINning Sisters Network when I first joined. I had not been on a computer much, other than E-mail, let alone be on a "Network." Bea made me feel real comfortable and right at home. She was very knowledgable and very patient with me while teaching me the ropes of networking. She always listened and responded, allowing me to share my heart with her.

Bea has introduced me to many wonderful people on Ryze, she has helped me with some health issues, with some do's and don't's about sharing on Networking sites. She has been a BIG help in promoting me and our businesses.

She has also introduced me to her wonderful world of herbs, I am also so grateful for that!

Bea is a very warm hearted, loving and caring lady full of wisdom and knowledge, always willing to share it. She is the owner of Sage Hill Farms. Do stop by her site for a visit. You will be glad you did! http://www.safehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

Thank you Bea for being the beautiful lady and friend that you are!!

Debbie Dreyer
Simple Luxury Living

Don't Assume

We should never take for granted the special time we have with those closest to us. The memories that we create during the holiday season as well as on the normal days that we are together stay with us much longer than we could ever imagine in that moment. It is important that we show our love and care when we spend time together so that in our absence only good will be remembered and thought upon. We should be thankful that they are in our lives and do all we can to let them know how special they are to us. Don't assume they already know that you love them, but rather say the words so that there will never be any doubt in their minds. Be encouraged to remember how fragile life really is and do not pass an opportunity to sit with those younger than you as well as those older than you to reminisce, laugh, encourage, teach and simply share your love one with another.
(James 4:13-14) (Romans 12:10) (1 Peter 3:8-11)

I pray that your heart is encourages to spend time with your loved ones no matter how busy life may get. The memories that will be created will be well worth any time that was sacrificed.

Mom had arose early in the morning and had already started cooking the turkey and the wonderful smell went throughout the house. This smell reminded me that I was in charge of helping mom make the delicious stuffing.

She and I chopped up the nice green celery and the perfect onions. We then threw them into a hot pan with about two (maybe more!) sticks of melted butter. I could toss in some sage, parsley, salt, pepper and poultry seasoning.

Mother had to pull the turkey out of the oven, as she had to add some hot turkey juice to our stuffing. I stirred the vegetables with a wooden spoon, until they were lightly brown. Then, she poured it all into a huge bowl that was filled to the top with flavored croutons. We guessed on how many eggs to add. She mixed and stirred and mixed and stirred until the favorite time of the day arrived.
It was time to taste.

Mom gave me a spoon and took one for herself and we both dipped our spoons in. She always asked me, What do you think it needs? I would say it needs just a bit more sage, a tad more butter and a lot more turkey juice.
Then, we would taste it again. A little more pepper. It went on and on until it tasted just perfect!

Mom would stuff the moist dressing into the gigantic bird. She would put what was leftover, into a real dainty casserole dish. Back into the oven went our turkey with of course, the dressing. An hour before dinner was to be served she would place the stuffing casserole into the oven.

I couldn't wait to eat everything ~ turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry relish ~ and especially, the remarkable dressing. The dressing was the most delicious and
luscious, probably because I helped! I can still taste it today as my mouth waters.

Every year at Thanksgiving that was my job ~ to help make the stuffing taste great!

It was a special time. Not only for Thanksgiving but a special time for my mom and me. I am thankful to her for allowing me to help make the stuffing and prepare the Thanksgiving dinner.

Mom is no longer with us, but the times spent with her and helping her will be times I'll always remember! Times I will always hold very dear and near to my heart!

Matthew 25:37-40 Jesus declares, Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, and fed Thee? or thirsty, and gave Thee drink? When saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? or naked,and clothed Thee? Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me.

Galatians 6:1-4 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

Ever Wonder What Happens To Our Sins

We are all sinners. "For there is no difference; for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

No one can live up to what God created us to be, we all fall short of His glory. We cannot save ourselves because as sinners we can never meet God's requirements. Our only hope is faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus sent His Only Begotten Son to die for our sins, the sins of the world...past, present and future.

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12)

He removes our sins completely. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. He will cast our sins into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:19)

We are to have a reverential fear of God, not a tormenting fear.

We do not have to fear the past, present or future, for we are experiencing His love, and this love is being perfected (matured, completed) in us day by day.

Our sins have been judged already at the Cross, and they will never be brought against us again! "We are as He is in this world." (1 John 4:17) "We know that we shall be like Him when he returns." (1 John 3:1-2)

We are identified with Christ as members of His body and the Father deals with us as He deals with His own beloved Son.

How then, can we ever be afraid?

We don't have to be afraid of the future because our sins were judged in Christ when He died on the Cross.

We don't have to be afraid of the past because "He first loved us." It wasn't that we loved Him, but that He loved us. (1 John 4:10)

For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, MUCH MORE having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (Romans 5:10)

If God loved us when we were outside the family, disobeying Him, how MUCH MORE does He love us now that we are His children?

What amazing love!!

We don't have to fear the present because "perfect love casts out fear" there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. (1 John 4:18)

As we grow in His love, we cease to be fearful of what He will do. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) And, we have received a spirit of adoption as sons, by which we cry out, Abba Father! (Romans 8:15)

God wants us to live in an atmosphere of love and confidence, not fear and torment.

He helps us grow not only in grace and knowledge, but also in our love for Him.

Our lives are suppose to be a "daily" experience of growing in His love, which involves coming to know Him, our Heavenly Father in a MUCH deeper way as we grow in love.

Our love is being perfected daily, and that should give us confidence toward Him.

Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, distress, or persecution or famine, or nakedness, peril, or sword? In all these things we are overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. I'm convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principilities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, not height, nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:33-39)

July~The Month For Beauty

He has made everything beautiful in His time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)


July, summer is upon the land, and everywhere we look are signs of God's handiwork. Wildflowers bloomining in abundance all around showing hardy blossoms. They are visible emblems of the Lord's continued concern for us...bits of beauty to make us more aware of His guardianship.

July is the month of patriotism and fireworks and parades. All across the land, people celebrate Independence Day with gusto and enthusiasm. When fireworks explode on the forth of July, their beauty in the sky is dazzling. It looks as though God is tracing colorful patterns across the sky with His fingers. Red, white and blue bunting, flags flying and speeches, give us a feeling of pride in our country, and hope for its future. We must pray that God will protect our land, give our leaders wisdom to lead us safely through the turmoil and confusion of world affairs.

Independence Day is a time to be thankful for the freedoms we enjoy in America.

In 1776, men and women fought a bitter revolution to preserve their independence and to proclaim to the world that democracy had triumphed over oppression in the thirteen original British Colonies which became the United States of America!

Stars are bright in the summer sky and the constellation of Hercules is overhead. Look for shooting stars on these warm evenings. If you look steadily overhead for several minutes you are almost sure to see one. Children like to make wishes on them.

July is firefly time also. If you turn out all the lights and look into the dark, you will usually see them winking on and off like little flashlights. This is the month to look around you and observe the beauty that the Lord has filled the world with. It is a time to forget disappointments of the past, and look ahead to new pleasures.

The Lord gave us eyes to see with, and lovliness to look at. he gave us ears to listen with, and the joy of laughter and music to hear. He gave us hearts to appreciate His goodness, and tongues to say "Thank You!"

Remember to look around you at the beauty of God's world.

Choices We Make

Yes, life is a series of choices. It is very difficult to make wise decisions when you are angry, hurting, confused, bitter or unforgiving. You can do it though. How you respond to lifes disappointments can destroy your faith or it can strengthen you spiritually.

So many people leave God out of their tragedies. Maybe they don't believe in Him or they don't understand His ways. But instead of turning to Him in their need, they look for human solutions.

Some may ask, Why would God allow or do such a thing? Is He really in control?

There is nothing wrong with these questions, yet if your answer is that He has turned away and left you to fend for yourself, then you are looking in the wrong direction. Thinking like this will lead only to anger and guilt. some people even search for a way to blame God or someone else for their misfortune. This never brings healing.

What is the right choice you should make in tragedy? You can choose to believe God is sovereign over all. Job is an example of righteousness, through whom the Lord displayed His faithfulness. (Job 1:6-22) He has the right to do the same in your life too, doesn't He?

Choose to believe that because God is in control, he will comfort and assure you. (Job 42:2) Trust Him in your hard times, though you may not understand it (Isaiah 55:8-9), and believe He will bring something valuable out of the heartache.

God can produce good from eveen the worst situations. Don't dwell on what you have lost, but on the blessings for which you are grateful. Don't waste your pain and sorrows. Learn something to better yourself and help others. Meditate on the Scriptures instead of feeding on the pity others have for you. The best person to turn to in tragedy is not your neighbor or a close friend ~ it is the Lord.

God does not deny our pain, He wants us to turn to Him for healing. (Romans 8:31-38)

When we trust Him and walk in the center of His will, we will be blessed. (Job 42:10-17)

When we make right choices in the midst of painful situations, our heavenly Father will see us through.

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)

Be Rooted In Love

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge...that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17-19)


There's nothing more fun in life than looking for the attention and personal love of the Father. He is waiting to show off His love and character to us in totally fresh and unique ways. He is such a genius, our God is! It would most likely bore Him to be anything but incredible and mysterious in all His ways.

I have been absolutely delighted in exploring the boundries of His love. I have not reached the edge of the width or the length, nor have I experienced the height or depth. Have faith and start looking for His love. If you have already found it, then there are still many more surprises ahead for you.

Just as love between a man and a woman will result in the conception and birth of a life, this love of God to you will spring forth life in you.

Experience His love today and forever.

Laughter

A merry heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. (Proverbs 17:22)

Most of the time we live in the calm stage, but the times of extreme hilarity have value too.
Laughter is like internal jogging...it improves emotional and mental health.

We need to learn how to laugh. Laughter and smiling are outward evidence of inward joy and they definitely make you feel better.

Joy is defined: to rejoice, a very glad feeling, happiness, great pleasure, delight. The expression or showing of such feeling.

SMILE ~ Many Christians are so sour~faced that they look like they were baptized in vinegar or lemon juice.
You are the light of the world, your smile is the switch to turn it on.
There is not much chance of laughter if you don't start with a smile.

We can be all by ourselves and smile and we don't even need a particular reason.

When we have a frown on our face, the corners of our mouth turned down, it begins to drag us down emotionally. But, when we smile, we sense a lifting of our countenance.

How long has it been since you laughed ~ really laughed? You will find that you feel better all over after a hearty healthy laugh. It's like your pipes are being cleaned out after a good laugh.

When tired and weary from dealing with daily life issues, a good hearty laugh seems to clean out the dusty, stale closets.
When God provides an opportunity to have a real good laugh, it seems to refresh you and lift the load off of your tired mind.

Rejoice in the Lord. Again I say, Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4) Here we are told twice to rejoice.

James 1:2 tells us ~ My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials...he tells us the final outcome will be good.

Despite your problems, your trials, and temptations, you can be assured you will benefit in the end. Look ahead to the end and rejoice now! We need to laugh every day as much as possible. Laughter makes life more enjoyable and also keeps us HEALTHY.

God wants laughter interwoven into the rest of life. We need both, the serious and humorous sides.

We sanction crying in church as a holy and godly response, but laughter in church often is offensive to many people. We need more insight into the nature of God. Jesus laughed a lot more than most of us do.

According to Ecclesiastes 4, there is a time to laugh, so don't be afraid to laugh ~ even in church.

It is contagious!! When we are around someone who is depressed and negative, if we don't resist it, that person's depression and negativity starts to effect us. The same with happy, positive people. they make us feel better, help us forget our troubles for a while and their joy is contagious.

Are you too busy being serious and intense? When opportunity comes your way, enter in and get the most out of it. You may as well laugh when you have the opportunity, because you don't know how long it will be before you get another opportunity.

Jesus talked about joy and the fullness of joy.

Enter into the joy of the Lord. (Matthew 25:21)
Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:24)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing...(Romans 15:13)
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace...(Galatians 5:22)
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials...(James 1:2)
...you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1Peter 1:8)
And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (1John 1:4)
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. (Jude 24)

It takes a conscious effort to keep your heart merry. The enemy is always willing to steal or block our joy, and he will if we allow it.

The world cannot see our heart, they need expression. Our attitude should be pleasant, abundant with smiles, and we should laugh whenever possible

WARNING: Extreme hilarity has been known to cause smiles, decrease stress, and promote a good~ole time.

Try it...right now, frown and see how you feel...now smile and see how you feel.