Tag: God

Posted in book, God, home, memoir, provision, quote, scripture, season, walk, warm, weather, write

My Hiding Place

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

These days into mid-autumn have been slow. We all went through the painful federal furlough. It was like walking in the dark bumping into the furniture. And for many not without injury to their budgets and daily necessities. Dean and I buckled down on our spending the past 6 weeks. We cooked from scratch, had the crock out a few times to make that whole chicken stretch for 3 or 4 meals, cheap entertainment like reading books, writing, and a free visit to the art museum with friends. The cooler weather made it easy to stay indoors, but we did manage to get a few walks in the neighborhood and on historic Main Street in our hometown of St. Charles on those warmer days.

“You are my hiding place. You will protect me from trouble, and surround me with songs of deliverance.” ~ Psalm 32:7

Buckling down also made me more aware of those provisions God gives daily, hourly, and every minute of my day. Another morning to wake up to, a warm bed to sleep in, running water, a heating pad for my arthritic joints, hands that still chop and stir for the seniors in our community as well as Dean and I, and other simple pleasures of home. The Almighty’s power and that soft power of home that provides daily. I am surrounded. I am in His hiding place.

Posted in body, God, pain, Physical, provision, scripture, song, spirit, Spiritual, strength, thankful

My Strength and My Song

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

Living with pain is not easy. I am distracted with this sciatic pain, encompassing my lower back, right hip, and down my right leg into my foot. Quite a challenge to keep at tasks as well as during down times. “In everything give thanks” the holy scriptures reminds me, even during throbbing, trailing pain.

The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.” ~ Psalm 118:14

This Monday morning after a weekend drive to Chicagoland and back, my sciatic nerve is in full flare-up. My body is not enjoying car rides even with stops and stretching every two hours. And this October requires weekend travel.

I talk to my body while in the hot shower saying, “You are doing this. You are going to get dressed for work, go to work, and complete your tasks.” Then out of my mouth comes the worship song “You are my strength and my song …” My spirit speaks above my body. If I am in pain, I am not aware while my spirit sings to my mighty God. “You are my strength and my song …” God truly is my strength and the reason for my song. I got through another productive day at work, helped provide delicious meals for 100 people today. Praise to our saving Lord! He provides again for this day!

Posted in compassion, Emotional, eyes, faith, God, heart, heaven, hope, Mental, mercy, Physical, prayer, scripture, Spiritual, temporal

A Heart Knowing

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

Do you ever talk until your blue in the face, like talking to a wall or deaf ears? Maybe the trouble is that the person you are trying to reach has a stoppage somewhere. Either the head doesn’t know, or it is that the heart doesn’t know, or both.

Uh, prayer! Prayer for me for more patience. And prayer for him to open up his doors to God’s heart of compassion and mercy. Look beyond what can be seen with the physical eyes. Big eyes of faith, I call to our Father for this because I lack right now.

To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. ~ Hebrews 11:1 GNT

And for him, that he realize what is more important. The physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being of our loved ones or stuff, stuff that is temporal. Give each of us a heart knowing and then, living out God’s heart in these matters. Two hearts melting together for a heavenly purpose.

 For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:18 GNT

Posted in faith, God, goodness, Holy Spirit, humble, Jesus, kind, love, patient, peace, power, prayer, rest, scripture, self-control, Spiritual

Our Higher Power

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

The Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. ~ John 14:26 NLT

I don’t claim to know everything. I am learning along the way. One fact I know is Jesus is alive today in you and me. The Holy Spirit resides in us. Have you made yourself aware, are you available to hear our God’s promptings? Are you listening? I know there is a higher power watching over the comings and goings of you and me. And that higher power is the Holy Spirit. That same Spirit that raised up Jesus Christ from the dead lives in you and me as Romans 8:11 reminds us. Over 2000 years ago Pentecost Sunday brought the promise that we, too can live with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, comfort, and power.

And if the Spirit of God, who raised up Jesus from the dead, lives in you, he will make your dying bodies live again after you die, by means of this same Holy Spirit living within you. ~ Romans 8:11 TLB

The Spirit also comes to help us, weak as we are. For we do not know how we ought to pray; the Spirit himself pleads with God for us in groans that words cannot express. ~ Romans 20:26 GNT

Some days I feel weak, I feel my hands are tied, my brain fried trying to figure it out, running at full speed, then brake just before hitting a brick wall. When I stop my motions long enough, pray, and listen to our Father God, and do what Jesus would do, then the fruits of the Spirit are evident.

“The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control …” ~ Galatians 5:22 – 23.

Posted in care, comfort, faith, God, Jesus, need, People, Physical, prayer, scripture, Spiritual

The Sheep of His Pasture

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

I need Your tender, loving care. The Good Sheperd, guide me the way I should go, provide for my every need. You know me better than I know me. We each are the sheep of Your pasture. Not one of us go astray.

The Lord Our Shepherd

23 The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have everything I need.
2 He lets me rest in fields of green grass
    and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.
3 He gives me new strength.
He guides me in the right paths,
    as he has promised.
4 Even if I go through the deepest darkness,
    I will not be afraid, Lord,
    for you are with me.
Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me.

5 You prepare a banquet for me,
    where all my enemies can see me;
you welcome me as an honored guest
    and fill my cup to the brim.
6 I know that your goodness and love will be with me all my life;
    and your house will be my home as long as I live.

Posted in care, comfort, darkness, day, envy, feelings, give, God, grace, hate, jealousy, kind, light, love, People, scripture, Spiritual, strong

Love Will Find A Way

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

Love is seen and felt in so many places and ways. Unless you are giving it or looking for it through God’s lens, most days it seems love doesn’t come knocking on your door. It seems selfishness, jealousy, envy, hatred, rejection, uncaring, and lust are the common themes that this world hands out in droves. I am so relieved that God’s Word tells us that we can love because God loved us first. His Word also reminds us that we are chosen, enough, strong, brave, victorious, unique, capable, and beautiful.

“We love each other because He loved us first.”

~ 1 John 4:19 NLT

Last week my husband and I took a mid-southwest vacation to Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Our vacations are half planned with time and space left for whimsical stops and visits. One of my Dean’s wishes was a visit to the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. The federal building bombing happened 30 years ago this April. This incident was so impressionable back then and still is. What was an unspeakable act of hatred that killed 168 people and injured hundreds more became a beckon of hope in God’s love in His people. This community and our nation rallied around determined to beat hatred with love. God’s justice prevailed.

As a souvenir and reminder of the love gathered at the memorial service almost 30 years ago, I bought a teddy bear at the gift shop. The bear is similar to the ones gifted by Illinois’ first lady to Oklahoma’s first lady in 1995, then handed out to the family and friends of the bombing victims attending the memorial service. Just one example of God’s love and grace. So many other provisions of comfort, kindness, and grace continue to be extended. Love wins!

“A Day of Darkness. Years of Light.” ~ Oklahoma City

Posted in Christian, eyes, faith, God, goodness, peace, People, quiet, quote, season, wisdom

Hold Your Peace

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

“The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” ~ Exodus 14:14

Do you ever feel like you are fighting against a mighty current? Not getting anywhere fast? You might see some progress, but if you don’t hold your jaw right, all goes to ruin. Much depends on another person’s faithfulness, or it seems anyway. Do you speak the truth in love with this other person?

The issues that bother me, the unfairness and unfaithfulness of others, most I have spoken to the persons involved. Now at this season, God requires me to be quiet, be calm, be still, hold my peace. This is difficult when I get my eyes focused on the offense. When I keep my eyes focused on God, being quiet is much easier.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 7 tells us “there is a time for everything … time to be silent, and a time to speak.” Wisdom is knowing which is best at this present moment. In the online article Zachary Groff states “There is power in holding your peace. For the Christian, ‘holding your peace’ means more than just being quiet. It means to combine restraint with expressions of awe at God’s majesty, and to replace outrage with joy at God’s goodness.”

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!

~ Psalm 27:13

Posted in faith, Family, flower, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, life, love, Martha, Mary, prayer, season, Spiritual, thankful, works

A Season For Martha And For Mary

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

I am coming out of a very busy few weeks with St. Jude fundraiser and Asheville outreach projects. I finally am able to sit down and breathe deep breathes even though Thanksgiving brunch preparations started. Cooking for nine or ten family members seems easy compared to cooking for the hundred or double that many meal-on-wheels and seniors on any given day last week. I have a four-day weekend ahead of me. Nice.

As Christians, we cannot have Martha without Mary, and vice versa, Mary without Martha. This is the pull for each of us. “Faith without works is dead.” Then there is the contrasting scripture. “She has chosen the better,” Jesus tells Martha after her complaint about Mary sitting at our Savior’s feet. I sit in the quiet before sunrise, before steps are heard from any other eleven family members (including the furry creatures) in the cottage and meditate. So much to be thankful for. God, You give me life. You give me Jesus. You give me the Holy Spirit. You give me love.

My Novena Rose Prayer
O Little Therese of the Child Jesus,
please pick for me a rose
from the heavenly gardens and
send it to me as a message of love.
O Little Flower of Jesus, ask God to grant the favors
I now place with confidence in your hands…
St. Therese, help me to always believe, as you did,
In God’s great love for me,
so that I might imitate your “Little Way” each day.
Amen.

Posted in blankets, clothing, comfort, community, donate, Emotional, faith, Financial, God, health, heart, People, Physical, provision, share, soul, Spiritual, thankful, warm, warm, weather

Warmth For Wear And Your Soul

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

Yesterday my 5-minute drive to my morning occupation was met with a cold fog.  I craved a hot cocoa and anticipated fixing a mug of frothy warmth and comfort when I got into work. No hot cocoa mix in stock at work and its now placed on the order list for next week. All day I was craving that chocolatey comfort which only hot cocoa can provide. After a long, busy week, Friday evening I finally sat down on my living room couch and indulged in a cup of warm cocoa. My daughter’s two dogs, Beatrice and Grimmy joined me for some cuddle time while I cradled the hot mug in my cold hands and my favorite blankie hugged my legs. This is comfort at its best. I am thankful to be given this comfort I craved. Let me not take this privilege for granted. 

October’s brisk mornings have led to November’s colder air arrival and the promise to get even colder, prepared or not. By the grace of God, Dean and I have several layers of clothes and warm bedding to prepare for the impeding winter season. Jeans, leggings, long underwear, long sleeve t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, wraps, ponchos, capes, coats, gloves, hats, scarves, socks, boots, slippers, blankets, throws; plenty to layer up in. Most of us go into the cold-weather season equipped to stay warm while about outdoors or living snug in our homes. But some folks have less for one reason or another, so why not share? How many people do not have these garments and blankets, wrought with poverty, calamity, crises, poor health, and a devastating hurricane?

“Know that all things of the heart root for you on this new day…Your heart knows what to do. Trust it.” 

~ SC Lourie, Butterflies and Pebbles 

My heart has been preparing for the people of Asheville, North Carolina. No way could these people have known what would happen with a tropical storm that started hundreds of miles away from them late in September. Preparations were none. Dean and I are traveling to Asheville in less than 2 weeks. We hope to bring the SUV filled with winter wear for the folks who are recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. This will be a very long recovery for so many. Their first full winter in the mountains will be a trying one. We have gathered some clothing items and a couple of throws but could use more gloves and hats of all sizes as well as blankets and throws. These provisions are a dent in the great need.

If your warm soul would like to donate, you are in the St. Louis area, and we are FB friends, please send me a personal message. Together we will figure out the best way to get your donation to us before we leave. Also, if you care to directly donate funds to the Asheville folks, I have this donation link to an established non-profit organization called BeLoved Asheville. This faith-based group has provided clothing, housing, food, job training, etc. to the community of Asheville for years. Here is a link to a news article about this wonderful organization. Pray, and let the Holy Spirit guide you.

“For it is in giving that we receive.”

~ Saint Francis of Assisi

Posted in children, connection, death, devastation, Family, food, give, God, grace, grandchild, health, help, Holy Spirit, live, love, mountains, need, People, prayer, provision, spirit, Spiritual, water

Need

Posted on by deannagreensandgardenart

I had an odd feeling this week; it was kind of like a deja’ vu feeling. But instead of the feeling that I have been somewhere already, it is the feeling that I need to be someplace I have been before. And that need to be somewhere is now, or as soon as I am able. It is a place Dean and I had vacationed at for a 3-day stay while Airbnbing for a 9-day vacation through Tennessee and the Appalachians over 7 years ago. Asheville, North Carolina. We fell in love with the mountains and streams there. I felt a spiritual connection to its people. For my health, it is a locale we considered moving to for milder winters than the St. Louis area. God hasn’t moved us yet. We are needed here in St. Charles, Missouri as a help to our children and grandchildren.

"We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them." 
~ 1 John 4:16 NLT

Asheville and surrounding counties are one of the hardest hit areas by Hurricane/Tropical Storm Helene over a week ago. Death and devastation for so many. Out of this disastrous storm follows stories of great loss, but also great humanity, sacrifice, love, God’s love seen through His people. The Appalachian people will have months and even years of recovery from this one. The need is calling us.

"Your Father knows what you need even before you ask." 
~ Matthew 6: 8 CEV

This week Dean and I looked over our calendar of commitments, and mid-November is the best time to get to Asheville for a weekend of hurricane relief service. We already booked a place to stay nearby where we stayed 7 years ago. We will keep our eyes peeled and ears open to hear God’s voice on the best organization to be involved with to provide assistance. I hope to be cooking meals. Dean wants to be loading and unloading supplies. We will see what the needs are of the people in Asheville when we get there. Meantime, we will gather bottles of water and toiletry items to take for one of the charitable organizations to distribute.

"In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don't know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words." 
~ Romans 8:26 CEV

Our God’s Holy Spirit is at work in us. It is with confidence that we can pray because God, Our Father knows what we and those we love need even before we do. The Holy Spirit prays for us. God loves us, so we can come to Him by the grace that He has given just when we need it.

"Let us have confidence, then, and approach God's throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it." 
~ Hebrews 4:16 GNT