In Honor of our Military ~ Day 4

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven...a time to love, a time to hate, A time of war, a time of peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1,8)

This is a chainsaw carving that is on the boardwalk in Coos Bay, Oregon in honor of our service men and women.

Every year Reedsport hold a chainsaw carving event and this was done by one of the carvers and donated to the boardwalk for a Memorial.

Go Visiting ~ Day 3

What one can discover when we go visiting...

Bea Kunz’s blog on cooking for taste and health is a good read. I love to be healthy and I love to cook. Bea is full of wisdom on them both. Thank you for sharing your delicious recipes and wealth of information Bea! The WeMagazine is a wonderful read also, another great wealth of information.
http://beasbeatitudes.blogspot.com/2009/11/cooking-for-taste-and-health.html

Debbie Hegeman’s blog, "the point article" got to the point…that we need to spend time with our God, our Lord Jesus and our family, including Him and our family in our business decisions and life decisions. Thank you Debbie for sharing what is so important. http://debbiellbriskincare.blogspot.com/2009/11/dont-miss-point.html

"...but God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, Isaac and to Jacob." Genesis 50:24

Concerning Faith ~ Day 2

"But without faith it is impossible to please God, for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

The subject of faith is very generally misunderstood; for, in reality, faith is the simplest and plainest thing in the world, and the most easy of exercise.

Your idea of faith, I suppose, has been something like this. You have looked upon it as in some way a sort of thing~either a religious exercise of soul, or an inward, gracious disposition of heart; "something tangible," in fact, which, when you have secured it, you can look at and rejoice over, and use as a passport to God's favor, or a coin with which to purchase His gifts. Now, faith, in fact, is not in the least like this. It is nothing at all tangible. It is simply believing God; and, like sight, it is nothing apart from it's object.

You might as well shut your eyes and look inside, and see whether you have faith. For as sight is only seeing, so faith is only believing. And as the only necessary thing about sight is that you see the thing as it is, so the only necessary thing about belief is that you believe the thing as it is. The virtue does not lie in your believing, but in the thing you believe. Your salvation comes, not because your faith saves you, but because it links you to the Savior who saves; and your believing is really nothing but the link.

The headlines offer little encouragement these days. Our troubled times are nothing new. God knows and understands EVERYTHING and people have continued to achieve great things despite the ups and downs.

The Lord understands exactly what we are facing and He understands the pressure of our situations. We are NEVER alone, our Father is committed to us. His personal knowledge of our lives goes far beyond the difficulty of the moment. He knows our frustrations and plans to use each one to strengthen and prepare us for His future blessings. Be encouraged! Have faith!

Paul endured many challenges by keeping his heart set on Jesus. When adversity came, he turned to God for wisdom and strength and refused to let doubt, fear or disappointment distract him. In his darkest hour, his faith was stretched beyond what many of us could bear. Despite continuous setbacks, Paul was convinced that God would see him through the turmoil to a greater end.

"Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:12).

Let go of fears and doubts.

Every moment, Every situation, Every issue, and Every concern has a positive side. Find it and bring it to life.

Believe it and Receive it.

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.