Nisi Dominus Frusta=Latin for: Without the Lord, Frustration.My Bible doesn’t promise a pain-free, problem-free, pressure-free life.But Jesus does give peace that passes understanding, a pouring out of hearts in prayer and protection walking through the valley..He offers faith to face the fear.Forgiveness for our folly.Friendship when forsaken.Contented fulfillment to combat creeping frustrations.Soothing frayed nerves in […]
June Musings
Seek Beauty Everyday.Savor. Hold Hope’s Hand.Hard. Every Day Grateful.Deeply. Listen and Learn.Pause. Carry kindness closely.Scatter. Whisper prayers steadfastly.Receiving. Smile. Laugh. Dream.Repeat. Some of the days, I remember to live out my ideals, live out the difference-makers, live out the power and peace of positivity. Other days, WELL, not so much. EVERY GOOD DAY, despite the […]
May Musings
Let’s chat about beauty and gratitude and all the places and books where we’re finding hope and encouragement and anticipation these days of May! I’ll go first. 🙂 1. ANTICIPATE At this very moment, as write these words, I’m anticipating my parents coming to visit and a graduation celebration for Tucker. We’re in the throes […]
Jesus Alone Is Life
The morning has whispered around the house in quiet, peaceful, gray tones with a dash of hush and spring fog. Birds chirp enthusiasm about this new day and the notes drift in the open windows. Inside, my daughter and I warble a few lines of Boz’s song.“Open your eyes to God’s surprise,Wake up! Get up!It’s […]
April Musings
Weatherwise, April has been warm and chilly, windy and still, lovely and not-so-charming. Spring teases. I pull out sandals and expect to wear them from now forward to autumn. But spring has a fickle side and chuckles fiendishly with a forecast of blustery with a chance of rain/snow. I am not so favorably inclined. But […]
Joyful, Patient, Faithful Devotional for Mamas
Such a delight! I’m absolutely fantabulously pleased to bring you this devotional today, from my friend Jenifer Metzger. Joyful, Patient, Faithful: A 90-Day Devotional for Mom For several years, I’ve collaborated with Jenifer for the Christmas Blessing Giveaway and Summer Blessing Giveaways, if you’ve entered those. Jenifer shares book and Bible giveaways on her blog […]
March Musings
The wind has been surging all around the eaves today. Gray paints the sky in the afternoon. It looks and sounds very March-like. I watch the tops of the trees swaying from my upstairs window. Baby wheat is beginning to think spring and waking up to green and grow. Where are you finding beauty these […]
ESV Ruth Chou Simons Artist Series Journaling Bible From Crossway
UPDATE: Giveaway closed, but come browse and take a peek at this lovely Bible. Look what we have today! It’s a Bible giveaway.I’ve been privileged to offer several Bible giveaways over the last four years and I’m always delighted for the opportunity. I so enjoy photographing each Bible. This Bible is new at Crossway in […]
Wherein We Play The Rank Game
Hello to my comrades in Internetland. Bringing delight to my blog for us today is a BRAND NEW game! THE RANK GAME Storyastic sent me one to play and review AND they are kindly offering a giveaway to mail the game to one of YOU as well. Hurrah! There’s a coupon code at the bottom […]
Twas The Morning Of Easter Picture Book
Have you had winter and cold temperatures in your part of the country? We certainly have! Today it’s in the forties and sounds like we’re supposed to see sixties this week. I won’t turn that down. After below zero lows and gray, icy days, I’m doubly grateful for sunshine. Friday’s sunshine gave me pangs for […]
Tested and Approved
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” ~ Proverbs 19:20-21 These two verses are on the inside front cover flap in the book I bring us today.We […]
Twelve of My Favorite Books I Read in 2020
As the last few days of 2020 countdown, I’m sharing twelve of my favorite books I read this year. Reading is growing. I’ve seen these three words in some posts and I liked the truth, thought, and reminder of them. I want to be a life-long-learner and reading is part of it.I appreciate books because […]
His Name Is Holy
Luke 1:46-50 ~ “And Mary said:My soul praises the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, because He has looked with favor on the humble condition of His servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and […]
Twelve Things Which Brought Me Delight in 2020
Grabbing a pen, I jot a list.Lists are a great tool for processing, for gratitude, for soulful introspection, for recalling the good, for memories, for hopes and dreams.The list of good lists is, well, quite a list! 🙂 No denying this year’s been different. But no denying there’s still been a whole heap of good […]
Hope Infused Music
Three of my favorite musicians/groups: Andrew PetersonCasting CrownsMercy Me Here’s the commonality they share ~ They sing real. They speak authentic words. They talk about worry and struggles and fears. They tell of doubt, even despair. They acknowledge life, and how it hurts and happens and hurls hard things at our heads. Then they press […]
Of Children and Cookies and Such
As I walked through our snow-powdered woods the other day, I began to muse about a few of my favorites and create a mental list in my head. I’d baked cookies and was thinking of books. Children’s books, in particular. I had to chuckle as I noticed a connecting thread running through it all. Here’s […]