Category: scripture

Posted in barrier, book, boundary, change, feelings, God, heart, Holy Spirit, hurt, listen, memoir, path, prayer, quote, rejection, scripture, season, spirit, Spiritual, time, write

A Turned-Up Hand

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

“There is a time and place for everything“ an old saying goes probably based on the holy scripture in Ecclesiastes. I know it is not what you or I want to hear after a turned-up hand shows up in the face. I have had plenty of turned-up hands, rejections, and boundaries set lately. But a boundary set gives me permission to thrive and live within the boundaries God has given me.

“There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens …” Ecclesiastes 3:1

For the time being I have laid aside teaching culinary classes. The continuing education courses at the local community college have made too many changes I am comfortable with. Hence, the boundary set, and I take heed to. I will and have taken opportunities to teach culinary and writing-related workshops to young adults and adults. I am open to more venues to share my love of cooking and writing. In the meantime, God has prepared a time space whereas I can be more available at the senior center. Besides being a culinary professional, I have taken on more training and duties with regards to inventory and ordering at this season.

“I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say.” ~ Flannery O’Connor 

I have completed the first draft of my memoir. I have two readers combing through proofreading and making edit suggestions. The next steps are a professional editor, then the publisher. I have folks in mind for each of those roles for my first full-length book. There may be a hand turned-up in the process, but those brakes are a barrier that leads me to something better. In the meantime, I completed a 49 haiku challenge, seven haikus written for seven days. It was very therapeutic, and I was able to see my thought and feeling process after a difficult week. Writing does that for me. A green light means “go for it”! I have taken the opportunity to have my haikus printed into a mini book entitled Balancing The Seesaw.

Prayer was a very significant part of my difficult week, too. Relationships hurt sometimes. I was able to give my feelings of rejection to our God, who “knows when I sit and stand … understands my thoughts from afar” as Psalms 139:2 tells me. Are you listening to your own comfort zone? What stop sign have you encountered? What has God laid on your heart? What new path is the Spirit directing you to? There is a season for everything.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time for hate,
a time for war, and a time for peace.
~Ecclesiastes 3: 1 – 8

Posted in bible, comfort, faith, God, provision, scripture, Spiritual, trust, victory

Where Is My Trust?

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

Trust is a big word, because it induces big faith with big action. While I read the Word of God, Psalms says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord, our God.” Chariots and horses are not what most of us deal with in our everyday lives. But what or who do you put trust in for protection, comfort, and provision as you battle everyday life? Our talents, intellect, job, bank account, personality, heritage, health, and people we associate with can all change at any moment’s notice. Another version of this Bible verse says it like this: “Some take pride in chariots, and others in horses, but we take pride in the name of the Lord our God.” What or who do you take pride in?

“Some people trust the power of chariots or horses, but we trust you, Lord God.”
~ Psalm 20:7 CEV

Here is a Pray The Word podcast where pastor and author David Platt goes into depth about this scripture. Platt summarizes this Bible verse, “our God is the only one who is worthy of all of our trust, all of our hopes, all of our plans, all of our dreams can be trusted with God. All of our lives, our family, our work, everything we have, everything we are, we can trust God with them.” Trust in our God, who is worthy of trust.

“A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the Lord.”
~ Proverbs 21:31

Posted in boundary, discernment, eyes, faith, God, Holy Spirit, Lysa Terkeurst, Physical, prayer, refuge, scripture, Spiritual, trust, water

Still The Waters, God!

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

Do you ever feel the ocean’s tide, the rough sea, or the stormy lake waters? For me that is my life right now. While reading Good Boundaries and Goodbyes by Lysa Terkeurst I am reminded that God spoke about this already in the Holy Scriptures.

"The waves may toss and roar,
    but they can never pass the boundaries I set."
~ Jeremiah 5:22 NLT

There are natural boundaries, spiritual boundaries, and emotional boundaries. Boundaries for every realm and situation we are placed in. I want to scream “stop” to the rough waters. Paddle my way to a quiet cove. As always it is God’s perfect timing and purposes that prevail. This morning the Holy Spirit spoke to me again when I read in my devotional.

"Hold your eyes on God and leave the doing to Him.  
That is all the doing you have to worry about."  
~ St. Jane Frances de Chantal

As God has commanded, onto the shoreline I am, eyes on God. The boundary God has put in place is before me. “Watch how you are safe behind this line I have drawn. Pray for the others you concern yourself with.”

"Be still and know that I am God."  
~ Psalms 46:10 NLT
Posted in day, friends, hope, scripture, Spiritual

Create A Better Day

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

“But you, Lord, protect me.
    You bring me honor;
    you give me hope.”

~ Psalms 3:3 ERV

“BETTER DAYS” by Niko Moon

When the stars are burning out
And the waves are crashing in
Running circles in my mind
Got me searchin’ for a light
That can guide me home again
When I’m in a hurricane
And the waters start to rise
While the lonely and the thunder
Wanna try and take me under
But I swim against the tide

I been caught in stormy weather
But nothing lasts forever
That morning sunrise gon’ remind me

I still got
Good friends that I’ve never met
And some, big dreams that I’m tryin’ to catch
And some, memories that I wanna get
But I still ain’t got to make
And it’s a, simple life that I wanna live
And a, lot of love that I gotta give
And a, couple checks off the bucket list
That I still ain’t got to make
So when I think my bend is gonna break
I hold on to the hope of better days

So when I’m drifting in the deep
And I’m looking for someone
Oh you’re always there to find me
Just in time to remind me
The best is yet to come

Cause I’ve got
Good friends that I’ve never met
And some, big dreams that I’m tryin’ to catch
And some, memories that I wanna get
But I still ain’t got to make
And it’s a, simple life that I wanna live
And a, lot of love that I gotta give
And a, couple checks off the bucket list
That I still ain’t got to make
So when I think my bend is gonna break
I hold on to the hope

Of living in the moment
‘Stead of drownin’ in the past
Cause time it keeps on rollin’
Gotta learn to make it last

I still got
Good friends that I’ve never met
And some, big dreams that I’m tryin’ to catch
And some, memories that I wanna get
And I know I’m bout to make
And it’s a simple life that I wanna live
A whole lot of love that I got to give
A couple checks off the bucket list
I just can’t wait to make
So when I think my bend is gonna break
I hold on to the hope of better days

Better days
Oh, better days
Better days

Posted in age, body, comfort, death, eyes, Family, God, grandparent, health, heaven, Jesus, life, Physical, scripture, spirit, Spiritual, words

Our Bodies Wither

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

As I age I am more aware of the limitations of my own body. I was never an accomplished athlete, although I played a mean game of tetherball as a kid as well as softball in my youth into my middle adult years. I have been fortunate with fairly good health. So many do not have this. These past few years I also have been made aware of death. Another family member has passed away, not to return to this earthly life but pass onto his heavenly body. Thank God for the eternal salvation he and we have in Christ Jesus!

Aging

Aging came with hard work and active play.

Hands in the dirt, body stooped downward

to grow the trees and flowers to beauty full array.

Age spots, stretch marks, and belly rolls came

with each sunburn, baby, and those homemade recipes.

Hopefully aging with grace into this older woman I became.

These wrinkles do not melt away with the sun.

Unlike the layers of ice on the window

that drip, drip with the warmth of the sun.

Somehow those suntans subtract, then add age.

Camouflaged with lotions and makeup,

those wrinkles became more defined with age.

A gray here and there in my already multi-colored hair.

My first streak of silver looked intentional,

But one streak turned into more streaks to wear.

Bald patches, seasons of stress replaced with fun.

Hair loss eventually replaced with more white,

now volumes pulled up into a messy grandma’s bun.

Waking up in the morning it is harder to move.

House cleaning and plant tending chores

challenge this aging body to keep a groove.

That arthritis causes the joints to painfully inflame.

The irony is to keep moving those joints,

alternatively, idleness will be the ultimate blame.

The eyes grow dimmer, reading glasses to aid.

Fashion aware by the style and color of the lens’ frame

with these circling back around with a 40-year cycle made.

“Grandma glasses”, “grandma jeans”, “grandma bun”, they say.

What does it matter, I learn to comfort dress,

live how I want, with what I want, and with whom I may.

Memories come and go with each passing day.

Past photos capture and poems reflect,

some words said and not said are regrets today.

Other words remembered bringing warmth to the heart.

Like “I love you”, “I do”, “forgive me”, “I forgive you”,

and the wordless, kind gestures play a lasting part.

With you by my side come what may.

We will weather the threatening storms together

even to your last breath and my last day.

No matter who passes on first, the aging body will have its last word.

That word, the hardest will be saying “goodbye”,

Although our ageless spirits live on as promised by God’s word.

Anna Gall ~ January 21, 2024

"O death, where then your victory? Where then your sting? For sin—the sting that causes death—will all be gone; and the law, which reveals our sins, will no longer be our judge. How we thank God for all of this! It is He who makes us victorious through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
~ 1 Corinthians 15:55 - 57
Posted in candle, God, hope, Jesus, light, scripture, season, Spiritual, victory, wick

The Flickering Candle and Hope

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

The evenings come quickly in the winter season. To lengthen the light of the day, if I am home, I will light the wick of a candle on a dreary day or late in afternoon. The fragrance is lovely, the ambiance divine. The lighted candle helps ease the tiresome day to a relaxing evening. A bit drafty today, the flickering candle reminds me of God’s Word, His promises, the hope I have in Jesus, and the hope for all nations … 

"He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged." ~ Isaiah 42:3, NLT

This Old Testament scripture was worth enough to repeat in the New Testament with the second half of the verse putting an emphasis on “victory”.

"He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally He will cause justice to be victorious." ~ Matthew 12:20, NLT

To understand this verse, here are the verses before and after. “But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them all, warning them not to make Him known. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory. In His name the nations will put their hope,” referencing Matthew 12:14 – 21. That word “hope”.

"This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary." ~ Hebrews 6:19 NLT

Posted in Christmas, church, courage, God, hate, heart, Holy Spirit, Jesus, love, peace, prayer, purpose, scripture, strength, strife

Willingness and Readiness

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart 
“Prepare for God’s arrival!
Make the road straight and smooth,
    a highway fit for our God."
 ~ Isaiah 40:3 The Message version

Christmas Day is two weeks away. Are you prepared in your heart? Am I prepared in my heart? All the commercialism can get me off track. Even going to church this past Sunday white twinkle lights at the altar are blinking to catch attention. Has the commercialism invaded the church sanctuary, too? Preparing for Jesus is a heart matter.

This craziness this world is in can have our heads spinning and our hearts aching. The hatred, wars, and unrest are disturbing, distracting from what matters. The love of God is there for each of us to embrace. Hatred has to stop! We think we arrive with our religious views, rituals, and teachings. But what is in each heart of man, woman, and child?

"As John preached he said, 'The real action comes next: The star in this drama, to whom I’m a mere stagehand, will change your life. I’m baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. His baptism—a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit—will change you from the inside out.'"
~ Mark 1:8 The Message version

God, change me from the inside out. Help me to be an instrument of Your peace, Your love, and Your purposes. Give me courage and strength to carry out Your will today, tomorrow, and always.

Posted in death, differences, gift, God, Jesus, language, love, neighbor, People, Physical, prayer, scripture, sick, time, words

Above All

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

The word “love” is interwoven in God’s Holy Scriptures approximately 310 times, depending on which version you read. It would be remised to ignore the importance God places on love. Of course, the most referenced is 1 Corinthians 13, “Love is patient, love is kind … love endures all things”. Jesus’ love is the most perfect.

Why do we have a difficult time feeling love towards others or showing acts of love? Or in the reverse, accepting others’ love towards oneself? Some of it is just recognizing the differences between people. A person’s love language can be words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, and/or physical touch. Yours might be different than your neighbor’s, spouse’s, sibling’s, parent’s, co-worker’s. Sometimes we don’t give love because we are wrapped up in our own life, being selfish with our time, and don’t want to be inconvenienced. It may be envy or arrogance that stands in the way. Or is it you have been hurt by someone on multiple occasions? You do not want to be set-up again for offense or disappointment another time. Is that person incapable of receiving love? Pray for God to reach them.

Some things are meant to be left undone, so that others God has appointed can carry the torch to the finish line. But does it take sickness and death to know that some things like love are meant to be for now, forever, and always?

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ~ 1 Peter 4:8

Posted in bored, care, change, choice, creative, day, journal, life, live, meditation, prayer, quote, sacred, scripture, senses, Spiritual, write

Every Day

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

Is your everyday ordinary, ho hum? Bored with your daily routine? Your day doesn’t have to be this way. Choose to change every day into a special day. Liven it up today with a favorite tune played while on your route to work or drive a different route to work. Place a sugar-water filled hummingbird feeder just outside a window you frequently walk by and watch the little birds flit about at the feeder even if only for 3 or 4 minutes out of your day. Read a book on a subject new to you, so you can broaden your perspective and increase that grey brain matter. Tantalize your senses with a new perfume/cologne, a bouquet of freshly picked roadside blooms, comfy slippers, sweetened your tea with lavender or vanilla honey, read an inspirational short story or God’s holy scripture, create with crafts, or write a Haiku about something you see today.

“Life gives you plenty of time to do whatever you want to do if you stay in the present moment.” ~ Deepak Chopra

Simply be present moment for a few minutes each day. Journaling is the best way I know to capture the present moment. Make this your regular routine. I promise your life will be more enjoyable and even sacred when you take this care each day. “Everyday sacredness” poses as an oxymoron. Take a few moments today. Meditate, pray, create, journal.

Posted in art, art, author, bible, book, book, community, Family, gift, God, life, quote, sacred, scripture, truth, wisdom, words, write, writer

Words

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

Words are everywhere, even “in the land of elsewhere”. While attending a writer’s conference in Clarksville, TN I went inside a quaint gift boutique and ran across the cutest tags and cards from artisans at In The Land of Elsewhere. Online I read about the artisans, a family in Texas who have the quintessential family business using the gift of words and their artistic talents to design one-of-a-kind paper goods. Back to the writer’s conference, the theme for the two days was “the gift of writing in community”. I felt like I was “in the land of elsewhere”, and discovered I need others to continue this gift of writing. Many presenting authors shared their tidbits of wisdom. I went away with a list of books to read. I learned much being with a group of fellow writers.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God …”

~ James 1:5 NIV

Other word obsessions are found in those web-based games Words with Friends and Wordle and in blogs, magazines, and with the multi-media. Centuries of rhetoric scholars such as Aristotle have shared their words of persuasion. Books, books, and more books. I cannot be everywhere, but with a book I can be somewhere. There is one book, the Holy Bible with its many versions is my #1 source I take heed to, God’s inspired words for you and me. Sacred words. I bought a new bible a few months ago and hope to study it and meditate on these words every day until I die. The Word brings me closer to my Creator and Savior, and a guide for this life.

“Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and light for my path.” ~ Psalms 119:105 NLT