Saturday, February 26, 2022

February 26, 2022

Joy is in my heart today. Last night as Richard and I were leaving to go to dinner, we stopped for a few seconds and looked toward the setting sun and enjoyed that spectacular event. This evening was different than any other evening; we watched it through the pasture with the trees full of Spanish moss and a cow eating hay in the background. God has given us a portion of the earth to tame and use while he keeps us here, and I am thrilled with this beautiful gift. God brought us both back to our roots, this being Richard’s childhood home and, for me, a bit of country like where I grew up. As I watched the sunrise this morning, I realized that some old Sable palms were dotting the horizon; they remind me of where I came from, and I love it! As silly as it may sound, those palm trees are another heart's desire God fulfilled. 

We think we know what we want out of life, but we don’t; God likes to show us his provision and hear our appreciation. Make sure that today you offer God thanksgiving for what he has done for you, whether big or small; he deserves your praise.


Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! Psalms 100:3-4

Friday, February 25, 2022

February 25, 2022

We had some trees taken out because they were leaning towards the house, and it seemed a bit sketchy to stay in a home with the possibility of one of those huge trees falling and crushing us. I think one of them may have been full of ants because when I came home after a long day yesterday, the bathroom was full of them. However, a few days before we moved in, we had the entire house sprayed for bugs, and guess who found their end? There were dead ants everywhere! I wiped down the tub and vacuumed up the rest; then Richard sealed the tile where they were coming in. We had a part to play in our protection; God provided the wisdom, teaching us to be proactive. I hope that’s the end of the pestilence that stalks in the darkness; scurrying and crawling things give me the creeps. The lesson is that we cannot sit around waiting for God to deliver us in a miraculous event; he gave us wisdom and knowledge to solve our problems with his guidance. Yes, he is the God of miracles, but maybe that miracle is him leading you in the right direction and giving you the power to work out the details for yourself.

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. Psalms 91:3

February 24, 2022

The Lord is with you wherever you go, thankfully.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9


Richard and I finally spent our first night on the farm, even though the only thing farmed right now are some scrawny cows. This is it! I’m not moving again unless my kids put me in an old folk's home; at least that’s my plan. Hopefully, my goals are in line with God’s. Gone is the idea of downsizing, though I will still downsize my stuff. Sometimes God wrecks your plans, but that’s okay; his plans are always better anyway. It's an exciting and new adventure. I’ve learned a lot from the man that recently passed away, Richard’s dad; he never stopped, though his health had deteriorated, he kept going until the day he died. He lived a full life. Though this home is dated back to the ’70s, I love it, and I feel at peace here because Jesus came with me. So, whatever happens to your plans, do not despair; God will work it out on your behalf because he planned it from the beginning.

February 23, 2022

I like beautiful things, but God has taught me a valuable lesson about collecting items. I probably won’t stop wanting to be surrounded by beauty, but if I’ve stuck it in a closet and it’s not food, clothing, hygiene accessories, linens, or Christmas decorations, it needs to go! I’m sure I’ve forgotten other useful items, but you get the picture. Speaking of pictures, if it has sentimental value and it’s taking up space in your closet, take a picture of it and get rid of it. We have become burdened by so much stuff that we’ve become chained. The next time you go shopping, consider why it’s essential for you to have that item. Don’t buy anything so expensive that you would have a hard time throwing it away or selling it at a discount. Your kids don’t want your stuff. If you must leave them an earthly inheritance, like the country song says, buy dirt, but if you're going to give them something that lasts into eternity, make sure they know Jesus. He is the only inheritance that matters.

Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy. Isaiah 61:7

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

February 22, 2022

What will today bring? I’m expecting good things because I know who holds my fate in his hands. The world is crazy, but the Father is good, and he loves us. Take today minute by minute, and try not to project beyond the here and now; only God knows what lies ahead. There are a lot of twos in the date today; let’s look at it as a double portion of God’s blessings and leave it at that! Happy Tuesday!

Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double. Zechariah 9:12

Monday, February 21, 2022

February 21, 2022

After being awakened at 2 am, I found it hard to go back to sleep. For some reason, I began paying attention to my breathing, which made me think about a story I read about how the name Yahweh, a name of God, was like breathing. Yah - breathe in, weh - breathe out. Is the act of breathing a form of worship? Only a Father as extraordinary as ours would have thought about creating a way for every being to worship him and use their very breath to do it. I also found it a bit funny that even the Satan worshipers had to praise the Almighty God! I’ll bet that will tick them off when they find that out. ðŸ˜‚ If this is true, and it seems plausible, how amazing is our Father? Remember the story of Elijah hiding in the cave? God’s voice wasn’t in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire; it was in a low whisper, like breathing! After thinking about that, I went right to sleep. We have a genuinely incredible God, and I’ll bet there’s more to him than we will ever know. 

And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:12-13

Sunday, February 20, 2022

February 20, 2022

I spent nearly the whole day yesterday cleaning a home that had been sitting for a while. Something interesting happens when a home is left alone for a long time. You would think that you could leave and go about your business and come back, and it would look the same, but that’s not what happens. Dust accumulates, critters find it cozy, appliances break down, and with no one living there, it gets dirty! 

I can think of another thing that gets dirty when left unused; your Bible! If you don’t pick it up now and then, everything you’ve ever learned about its contents will begin to deteriorate and become useless. Your Bible is the living Word, but it needs you to be actively involved. It is God’s message to you and maybe your only source of communication with him. In this day and age, with the devil extremely active, it may be the only truth we can count on, but how will you know the truth if you are not actively participating?


I know that I harp on this too much, but how else is God’s true love going to hear him if we don’t know how he speaks? The Bible teaches this, so please actively engage.


For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4