ARE WE HAVING FUN YET?

The county fair.

I love going to the county fair!

A couple of weeks ago, my youngest son and his wife were planning to go, and since I was in town, they kindly asked me to accompany them!  I hadn't been in quite a long time, so I was quite excited about it!

For one thing, I knew I was going to able to do something about my recent fixation on corn dogs!

Did I indulge, you ask?

Oh yes, and instead of wasting my time eating two of them, I ordered a foot-long one, and it was delicious!

(Sidenote: I'm particular about my corn dog condiments – the ketchup and mustard must lie next to each other like a yin/yang symbol – therefore ensuring that I will have a bit of both in each bite!)

I also ate part of my son's dessert choice – a half brownie/half chocolate chip cookie concoction. 

It was not a night to count calories, my friends!


After eating, we wandered around, just looking at the sights, and taking in the smells!  

And then I finally bought some tickets for games.  

Yeah, we played a couple of games, even though I know how *rigged* they are.

(Does anyone know why you always see several people with those huge stuffed animals?  How do they do it?  I figure that those prizes probably cost someone a lot of $$$!)

And speaking of rigged, those carnival game people are smart.

The tickets were sold in blocks of 5 or 10 – but all games were played for either 6 or 7 or 12 tickets.  So, at some point, you'd either be left with unused tickets, or forced to pay for more.  (Clever, clever…)

I digress.


As we walked, I looked at the rides, and it didn't take much to know that I would not be going on any of them!

No one, and most certainly not me, was interested in seeing corn dog or brownie/cookie again – as my inner ear doesn't do well with any sort of challenging movement!

However, little did I know that my son and daughter-in-law had some plans.

There was one ride they wanted to go on – and they wanted me to go, too.

The Giant Slide!

They mentioned their plans as we approached…

Well, I looked at that towering monster of undulating lanes, as I tried to focus on the "ants" at the top (people?), and inhaled deeply.

"I don't know, it looks kinda scary," I said hesitantly.

They convinced me that that was half the fun.

So, I climbed that tower with them, laid down my (flimsy) little sliding mat, and pushed off.  There was absolutely nothing to hold on to!  I prayed that I'd be able to continue to sit upright the whole ride down!

I did, but it was super fast!  

I yelled laughed until I reached the bottom!  

In retrospect, I'm so glad that they urged (forced) me to do this ride with them.  I think they had more fun because I did it.

And you know what?

I was rather proud of myself for doing it!!  

Take that, 62 years old…


We finished the evening by looking at some exhibits, visiting the animals, and admiring the vegetable gardens.

But the highlight was the thrill of that slide ride.

You know the feeling – that curious mix of great fun and sheer terror – when you want to scream and laugh at the same time.

It's like…

Going to college.

Getting married.

Starting a new job.

Moving to a new location.

Having a baby.

Yeah, like that.


When the evening was done, and I got ready for bed, I pulled out the ticket that I had bought for the evening.  And as I looked at what was printed on it, I chuckled softly to myself:

THIS IS YOUR FUNCARD.

Yes, permission granted to have a great time!


I've thought about that.

Sometimes I think my serious, pondering nature makes it harder to have fun.  And sometimes, it's almost like I don't allow myself to let go of my problems.

Yes, life is tough.

It can be a great big slide – full of ups and downs and frightening speeds – and sometimes there's not much to hold on to.

Sometimes life itself is just sheer terror and unmitigated joy, all mixed together.

And sometimes that feeling happens in our faith journey, too.

Like when we are asked to take a leap of faith with the Lord!

When He calls us to something bigger than we can handle.

Or when He ends one thing even though we see no new thing on the horizon.

Or when He asks for greater patience, or greater endurance, or greater trust.


Frankly, I find the life of discipleship to be a little dizzying sometimes, and the way the Lord moves challenges me!

Yes, my greatest challenge is to not let fear keep me from His plans.

But when I get afraid, or dismayed, or unsure, or discouraged, I remember a certain day in time…

A day when an empty tomb was discovered.

For most people, it was a moment of sheer terror and unmitigated joy.

Especially for those who had followed Jesus most closely.

I wonder at their thoughts…


Can it be true?

What if it is true?

Will we see Him?

If we see Him, will He be angry with us?

What will He say?

What will we say to Him?

What's going to happen now?


Yes, a giant slide of emotions and thoughts must have swept through their ranks, stirring their hearts in a jumble of conflicting reactions.

And yet, we know how the story ends.

It was true.

They saw Him.

He wasn't angry.

He told them a lot, and gave them a job to do.

They responded in faith.

And the world changed.


I don't think it's much different for each one of us when we accept His gift of salvation.

Something fundamental changes about our lives in that moment.

Why?

Because I think it is the moment when Jesus hands us the ticket to abundant life.

THIS IS YOUR FUNCARD.


So, how will we respond in the aftermath of our salvation?

Will we climb the heights, even though we're afraid?

Will we weather the ups and downs, even when there's not much to hold on to?

Will we follow even though the end is far off in the distance?

Will we laugh and cry and yell?

Most certainly.

Because the life of discipleship is crazy – crazy scary, and crazy good.


But I will take the challenge.


Punch my funcard, Lord.

I'm along for the ride…



What do you think about the life of discipleship?

Life is a roller coaster,
up and down,
Full of twists and turns,
and then, a crown. 

"'I am the LORD your God, who teaches you how to succeed, who leads you in the way you should go.'" (Isaiah 48:17, NET Bible)

"…whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it…they will be blessed in what they do." (James 1:25, NIV)

"For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart." (Ecclesiastes 5:20, NASB)

"Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever." (Psalm 23:6, NLT)

"For if, being enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved in His life!" (Romans 5:10, Berean Bible)

"Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him…" (Hebrews 7:25, ESV)

"In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men." (John 1:4, AMP)

"And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." (1 John 5:11, ESV)

"This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him.  And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life." 
(1 John 1:2, NLT)

"'I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.'" (John 10:10, ESV)

"'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6, NLT)

"'I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" (John 8:12, NIV)

"'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.'" 
(John 11:25-26, NASB)

"'I give them eternal life…'" (John 10:28, NLT)

Linked with:

SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS, THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY, MUSING MONDAYS, MODEST MONDAY, MOTIVATION MONDAY, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, LIVING PROVERBS, MOM-TO-MOM MONDAYS, MOMENTS OF HOPE, GLIMPSES LINKUP, WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, WISE WOMAN, TELL HIS STORY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, CHRISTIAN BLOGGER COMMUNITY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, FROM MESSES TO MESSAGES, THE LOFT LINKUP, GRACE MOMENTS, THANKFUL THURSDAYS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, SHINE BLOG HOP, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, GRACE AT HOME, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY, 100 HAPPY DAYS, FUNTASTIC FRIDAY, BLOGGERS SPOTLIGHT PARTY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH, FRIDAY FEATURE PARTY, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, TGI SATURDAYS, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, GIVE ME GRACE



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

A POEM FOR MOM

Mother's Day is this coming Sunday.

I am so glad that my mother is still alive, and this year I am more grateful for her presence in my life than ever before - still my mom, still my friend.

To honor her, and the blessed calling of motherhood, I am sharing a poem I wrote several years ago.

Hope you enjoy it!

A MOTHER

She carries you for nine months,

Then cares for you

Forever...

She watches out for you

when you are young,

Then watches over you

for a lifetime...

She holds you closely in her arms

for a while,

Then tightly in her heart

Always...

She is there through every change,

Then never changes 

herself...

She teaches you about life,

Then lets you leave home...

and live -

A mother is

every gift of God

wrapped up in one person -

Joy, Peace

Patience, Kindness, Goodness

Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control

And most of all...

Love.

Though I am no longer a child,

I will always be 

My mother's child

And that is comfort personified -

My mother is

A safe place to be

A soft place to fall

A refuge in every storm...

She calms the winds of life

And helps smooth

the paths

I have chosen to walk.

I have never questioned 

Her love

or her faithfulness,

My faith in her

has never faltered...

She is the sun

that rises every morning,

And the promise

of a new day.

She is

The keeper of secrets,

The spark

to my dreams,

The footsteps

that walk beside me -

She is the one

on the sidelines

who whispers quietly,

with hands

folded in prayer

and

tears in her eyes,

"Go...go...go,

I'm here."

She is 

The quiet heartbeat

that keeps time

with my own...

My mother is

My best friend,

The beacon

of my life...

My mother is home...

© Sharon Kirby

May 10, 2007

I LOVE YOU, MOM!!

What's a favorite memory or moment of yours with your mother?

Her children rise up
and call her
blessed. 

Thank you, Mom, for leading me to Jesus when I was young.

"Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone.  And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.  Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, NLT)


And thank you, Mom, for always showing me how to follow Him.

"Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it." (Proverbs 22:6, NLT)

**********

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of you wonderful moms out there!!

**********

Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS, THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY, MUSING MONDAYS, MODEST MONDAY, MOTIVATION MONDAY, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, LIVING PROVERBS, REFLECT LINKUP, US, COFFEE & JESUS, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, UNITE LINKUP, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, WISE WOMAN, THE HOMEMAKING PARTY, TELL HIS STORY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, WEDDED WEDNESDAY, ONE WORD COFFEE, WINSOME WEDNESDAY, GRACE MOMENTS, THANKFUL THURSDAYS, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, PARTY AT MY PLACE, SHINE BLOG HOP, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, GRACE AT HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY, 100 HAPPY DAYS, BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT PARTY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, TGI SATURDAYS, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH, FUNTASTIC FRIDAY, GROWING IN GRACE, WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY, WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY, LET US GROW, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY




BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

HAND ME THE KLEENEX

Achoo!

Gesundheit.

Yes, it is allergy season.  

And when you live up in the mountains, in the middle of a forest, surrounded by dirt, you're gonna do some sneezing!


Some trivia tidbits:

Did you know that "gesundheit" in German means "health"?

And why do we sometimes say, "God bless you," after a person sneezes?

The practice of blessing someone who sneezes dates as far back as AD 77, although it is far older than most specific explanations can account for.  Some have offered an explanation suggesting that people once held the belief that a person's soul could be thrown from their body when they sneezed, and sneezing would open the body to invasion by the devil or evil spirits.

Other folklore suggests that sneezing was the body's effort to force out an invading evil presence.  In these cases, "God bless you" or "bless you" is used as a sort of shield against evil.  In the past, some people may have thought that the heart stops beating during a sneeze, and that the phrase "God bless you" encourages the heart to continue beating.  (From Wikipedia)

So hey, does your heart actually stop beating?

No, but it changes.

When you sneeze, because your chest contracts, the pressure inside your body momentarily increases.  This will decrease the blood flow back to the heart. The heart compensates for this by changing its regular heartbeat momentarily to adjust.  However, the electrical activity of the heart does not stop during the sneeze.

Phew!!

Some more fun information?!

Sneezes travel about 100 mph!  And a single sneeze can send around 100,000 germs into the air!  (Let's cover our mouths, people…)

Plucking your eyebrows may make you sneeze because it stimulates a nerve that supplies your nasal passages.

You don't sneeze in your sleep, as sneezing nerves also go to sleep. (Evidently, coughing nerves are not quite so polite…)

Bright sunlight makes 1 out of 3 people sneeze, and it's actually an inherited trait.

Iguanas sneeze more often and more productively than any other animal.  (So, though you might give a mouse a cookie, please hand an iguana a Kleenex).

And speaking of Kleenex, that word is actually called a genericized trademark (or proprietary eponym) – which is a trademark or brand name that has become the generic name for, or synonymous with, a general class of product or service (usually against the intentions of the trademark's holder!)

Some other examples: Xerox, Thermos, Legos, Dry Ice, Flip Phone, Linoleum. (Can you think of any others?)


But I digress.

Sneezing.

Yes, I've been doing that a lot lately.

And the ill effects of allergies don't stop there.

I've got itchy, irritated eyes.  My nose is stuffy and my throat is scratchy.  I have sinus pressure and headache pain.  I'm coughing, and exertion makes me breathe harder than normal.

Yup, I'm a hot mess.

But why on earth am I in this physical state?

Sure, I might blame the dirt, or the trees, or the pollen – but in truth, most allergens are harmless.

What really causes allergic reactions is one's own immune system, a result of what the body does when it feels threatened or invaded.  Mistaking innocuous allergens for a serious threat, the body attacks them in a misguided assault. 

Yes, allergy season is a difficult time.

And my body does indeed react!


But how about other *irritants* in life?

Pesky people, frustrating situations, aggravating problems, broken-down appliances and cars, snarled traffic jams, incessant bills…this list could go on and on, and I'm sure you could easily add your own *irritants*.

I don't know about you, but I'm chagrined to say that my feelings, my thoughts, my words, my spirit also react to these.

How quick I am to have an immediate response to innocuous irritants.

And all too often I react in overblown fashion to the smallest things.

Are you like me?

Why are we so touchy sometimes?

I think it's because we get ourselves all tangled up in our own selves.

We view the world through our own glasses, and we take things too personally.

We all have that human tendency to be vulnerable in areas that touch on how we define ourselves.  And if we perceive an "invasion" on our own personal turf, we quickly react.

More often than not, in poor fashion – snap judgments, ill-conceived words, flashes of anger, acts of revenge.


This is not how we are called to act as followers of Christ.

In fact, Jesus was rather scandalous in what He had to say:

"'You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.'  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.'" (Matthew 5:21-22, NIV)

"'You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'  But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.  If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.'" (Matthew 5:38-39, NIV)

"'You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.'" (Matthew 5:43-45, NIV)


Jesus said all of these things in the Sermon on the Mount.

Can you picture yourself there, sitting among the throngs of people?

Can you imagine hearing these words?

What would you have thought?

Truth be told, my reaction then would probably be much the same as it is now.  

"Lord, of course I would never murder anyone.  But how can You possibly say that being angry is the same thing?"

"Lord, of course I would never take someone's eye or tooth.  But how can You possibly ask me to roll over and take it when someone has done me wrong?"

"Lord, of course I make every effort to love those around me.  But how can You possibly ask me to love those who put me down, or attack me, or actively persecute me?"

"Lord, how can I possibly do these things, especially when I don't want to?"


And what might Jesus say to me about that?

"'Humanly speaking, it is impossible.  But with God everything is possible.'" (Matthew 19:26, NLT)

Sigh.

I thought He might say something like that.

But truly, if you really ponder it, at the base of everything that Jesus calls us to do, is His entreaty to lay down our desires, our wills, our lives, at His feet.

He asks us to untangle ourselves from our own selves.

To yield, surrender, to give up our own rights – to die to self – and to take up His cross instead.

Oh, discipleship is hard…and costly.

But even in this, we don't do it alone.  

"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him." (Philippians 2:13, NLT)

We can't WANT to without Him.

We can't ACCOMPLISH it without Him.


Irritants will always be there.  

Bothering us, aggravating us, exasperating us, distressing us, annoying us – constantly poking at our selves.

How we react is up to us…

And as followers of Jesus, we are called to do as He would do.

Achoo.

God bless us.



How are you reacting to frustrating situations and/or pesky people in your life?

Nature's beauty surrounds me.
Achoo.

Let His beauty surround you.
God bless.

"'If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.  But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.'" (Matthew 6:14-15, NLT)

"'Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.'" (Matthew 7:1-2, NIV)

"'Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.  Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you.  Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.'" (Luke 6:37, NLT)

"'Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.'" (Matthew 11:25, NASB)

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." 
(Ephesians 4:31-32, NASB)

"Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.  Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." 
(Colossians 3:13, NLT)

"'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.'" (Matthew 5:7, ESV)

"A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense." (Proverbs 19:11, NIV)

"Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly." (Proverbs 14:29, NIV)

"Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools." (Ecclesiastes 7:9, NIV)

"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.  Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires." (James 1:19-20, NLT)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance…And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh…" (Galatians 5:22-23, KJV)

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25, KJV)



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS, THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY, MUSING MONDAYS, MODEST MONDAY, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, UNITE LINKUP, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, RA RA LINKUP, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, TUESDAY'S RUBIES, TELL HIS STORY, THE HOMEMAKING PARTY, WORSHIPFUL WEDNESDAY, WISE WOMAN, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, WEDDED WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, PARTY AT MY PLACE, SHINE BLOG HOP, GRACE AT HOME, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY, BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, GRACE & TRUTH, TGI SATURDAYS, DANCE WITH JESUS, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP, & FAITH, WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY, WEEKEND WHISPERS, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY 


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

MY WORD FOR 2016 - THE BIG REVEAL!

The time has come!

A new year, a new word…

Wordsmith that I am, I like the idea of having a *word* for the year.

I think it's a unique way for God to speak into your heart – a way to focus on what He wants to teach you in the coming year.

And so, I was on the alert the last two months of last year, listening and waiting for Him to reveal His thoughts on the matter.

Well, this year He did indeed speak.

And the word He gave me is…

GRATEFUL.

Hmmm.

I wasn't quite sure I wanted to hear this word.

And, if you think I was protesting, you should have heard the heckling from Nervous Nellie and Negative Nora!

Nellie: "Oh dear.  You know that God's going to teach you gratitude by giving you a bunch of stuff you're not thankful for, right?  What terrible things are you going to have to be grateful for that you don't want?  I'm scared to be grateful, it might jinx things."

Nora: "Oh no.  That's a terrible word.  I don't feel like being grateful.  I like complaining and grumbling and moaning.  Count your blessings, shmessings. Life is hard, and there are so many unhappy things in life.  Who could be grateful in a world like this?  Harumph."

Boy oh boy, do those girls like to yak!

They are insistent and persistent and shrill.

Unfortunately, I listen to them.

(Please tell me that you caught the irony of my immediate reaction to the idea of being grateful – fear and negativity...)


Hence, I began a rather lengthy inner dialogue with God over the next few weeks.  I suppose He listened, but He did NOT change His mind.  He confirmed this word over and over again.  

Including the time I showed up to church and the pastor announced a new sermon series on thankfulness…ahem.

But here's something interesting – at first I thought my word was going to be gratitude.

And yet, just a couple of weeks ago, it changed to grateful.

I pondered that…

Was it just a change of semantics?

What I began to understand was this – gratitude is a noun, a some thing.

I have gratitude.

Almost like a possession.

But grateful is an adjective, and it describes some one.

I am grateful.

A character trait instead.

Maybe it's a small difference, but it has begun to make a big difference in how I view this word.

I don't think God is going to be satisfied with me simply possessing gratitude - somehow that seems like it stops at an intellectual level.

I have gratitude for this and that...

No, I think God wants more – He wants to transform something fundamental about me.  He wants to move beyond my mind into my heart.

He wants to make me a grateful person.

This does not come naturally.

And this is why I begin this year with a struggle.


I know that many of you have read Ann Voskamp's book, "One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are."  

And I know that many of you would say that it's been life-changing.

But I have never been an innately optimistic person.

Sure, I express gratitude for things, I show appreciation for people, I can be thankful when it comes right down to it.

But an Ebenezer Scrooge lurks deep within my soul.

And when he heard my word, he muttered…

BAH.

(I think Ebenezer is the grandfather of Nellie and Nora…)


OK, so this is the word.

GRATEFUL.

Why is this word so important?

Because gratitude is a really big deal to God.

Part of the reason God judges the human race is because they do not give Him thanks – 

"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened." (Romans 1:21, ESV)

And if gratefulness is important to God, you can be assured that the enemy will fight against it. 

After all, isn't that exactly what he did in the Garden of Eden?  He tried to convince Adam and Eve that God was withholding something from them, that He wasn't the Great Giver of Good Gifts.

(Commentary from Matthew Henry: "It is the craft of Satan to speak of the Divine law as uncertain or unreasonable, and so to draw people to sin…Satan teaches men first to doubt, and then to deny.  He promises advantage from their eating this fruit.  He aims to make them discontented with their present state, as if it were not so good as it might be, and should be.")

Yes, the enemy is the father of discontent.  

And when the seeds of discontent are allowed to germinate, they sprout into the weeds of grumbling, complaining, thoughtlessness, faultfinding, cynicism, anger, and bitterness.

Just exactly the opposite of being grateful.


Yes, Lord, You have made no mistake in choosing this word for me.

However, I'm not gonna lie, so far being grateful feels like wearing a coat that's too big, or too small – it just doesn't fit right.  

And the journey of making it fit is going to require me getting bigger – moving past my narrow, nervous, negative way of looking at life – and smaller – learning how to be humble enough to show gratitude for the many gifts I've been given, none of which I deserve.


GRATEFUL.

So how am I going to live it out?

At first, I'm going to start by thinking of one thing that I'm grateful for each day.

JUST. ONE. THING.

(C'mon, guys – I'm like a kid learning how to walk.  It's going to take some crawling at first, lots of tripping and falling and bumping my head...)

This process feels uncomfortable to me, rather arbitrary – kinda forced and stilted – perhaps even a bit insincere (especially on those horrible, no good, very bad days)?

But a journey begins with small steps, and this is the way I'm starting…


The Lord has been so clear that this is *THE WORD* for the coming year.

And though I am squirming a bit, I am excited to see what changes God is going to bring in me.

It feels a lot like a continuation of the last two years – the years of joy and healing.

For what can bring more joy than seeing God’s gracious providence and goodness in each day?!

And what can bring more healing than learning to be grateful every day?!

Lord, I thank You for this word, and for the journey it begins.

May it permeate my thoughts, capture my feelings, and transform my spirit.


G ratitude is
R emembering
A ll
T hings
E manate
F rom
U ndeserved
L ove


HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun
come shining through
for you...

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be
ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is
still worthwhile...

If you just smile.


(A Song by Charlie Chaplin)

You can find today's Scripture verses on my new page, 2016 VERSES ON BEING GRATEFUL.

Except for this (which I have personalized), from Psalm 145 (Amplified Bible):

"I will exalt You, my God, O King,
and [with gratitude and submissive wonder] 
I will bless Your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless You and lovingly praise You;
yes, [with awe-inspired reverence] 
I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised,
and His greatness is [so vast and profound as to be] 
unsearchable [incomprehensible to man]. 
One generation shall praise Your works to another,
and I shall declare Your mighty and remarkable acts.
On the glorious splendor of Your majesty
and on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.
I will speak of the power of Your awesome acts,
and [with gratitude and submissive wonder] 
I will tell of Your greatness.
I will overflow [like a fountain] 
when I speak of Your great and abundant goodness
and I will sing joyfully of Your righteousness.
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion,
slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. 
The Lord is good to me,
and His tender mercies are over all His works 
[the entirety of things created].
All Your works shall give thanks to You and praise You, O Lord,
and Your godly ones will bless You.
I shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom
and talk of Your power,
to make known...Your mighty acts
and the glorious majesty of Your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and Your dominion endures throughout all generations. 
The Lord upholds me when I fall
and raises me up when I am bowed down.
My eyes look to You [in hopeful expectation],
and You give me food in due time.
You open Your hand
and satisfy my desires.
The Lord is [unwaveringly] righteous in all His ways
and gracious and kind in all His works. 
The Lord is near to me when I call on Him,
when I call on Him in truth (without guile).
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear and worship Him 
[with awe-inspired reverence and obedience];
He also will hear my cry and will save me.
The Lord keeps all who love Him,
but all the wicked He will destroy.
My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
And my flesh will bless and gratefully praise 
His holy name forever and ever."



NOTE: In order to incorporate a grateful attitude into my daily life, and to keep at it, I'm adding some NEW FEATURES.

Accountability is a good thing!

First of all, you'll find a section called "Daily Grateful Word" on my sidebar – in which I list the one thing I chose to be thankful for each day of the past week.  Then, I'm adding a new page called "Daily Grateful Thoughts" – in which I expand on my feelings about my grateful word. 


I'm adding some other features, too.

Here's the new stuff!!

Sidebar Features:

My Word for 2016
My Verse for 2016
Daily Grateful Word
A Word from the Word – (weekly Bible verse)
A "Message" from God – (weekly Bible verse from The Message)
Food For Thought – (picking one of my grateful words, and a question to prompt your thoughts)

New pages:

Daily Grateful Thoughts 
2016 Verses on Being Grateful 
2016 Quotes on Being Grateful 
2016 Essays on Being Grateful 
2016 Grateful Songs 

What's your new word for 2016?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, UNITE LINKUP, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, THE (NOT JUST) HOMEMAKING PARTY, TELL HIS STORY, WISE WOMAN, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, GRACE AT HOME, SHINE BLOG HOP, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, GRACE & TRUTH, ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS, NO RULES BLOG PARTY, COFFEE SHOP CONVERSATIONS, DANCE WITH JESUS, WEEKEND WHISPERS, TGI SATURDAYS, SUNDAY STILLNESS, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY




BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING

Black Friday.

Shopping.

I know that a lot of people just love venturing out on the day after Thanksgiving to trek through countless stores, scoping out the bargains, and buying bags and bags of *stuff.*

In fact, in 2014, $50.9 billion was spent during the 4-day Black Friday weekend – (yes folks, that's billion with a "B").  And, did you know, that figure is actually down 11% from the previous year?!

And have you noticed, the shopping extravaganza is starting earlier and earlier?

Now you can even go out on Thanksgiving Day!

Can you imagine that conversation around the pumpkin pie?? 

"Hey everyone, it's been a lot of fun.  Don't mean to eat and run, but I've got places to go and twenties to spend…"

I don't know about you, but even if I considered going out shopping on Black Friday, I'm not sure I'd be physically capable of it.

I usually wake up in a tryptophan-induced fog of turkey stupor.

And somehow I don't think pajamas and slippers are acceptable shopping attire.  (Though, if you're brave enough to go out in the middle of the night, they should be…)

Besides, leftovers, football, and naps all conspire to plant me firmly on the couch the entire next day.  (Wanna know my secret leftover vice?  Bowls of cold stuffing!)


So, though I probably won't be joining the Black Friday shopping mob, I am curious about how it all came about.

This is from Wikipedia:

"The day's name originated in Philadelphia, where it originally was used to describe the heavy and disruptive pedestrian and vehicle traffic that would occur on the day after Thanksgiving.  Use of the term started before 1961 and began to see broader use outside Philadelphia around 1975.  Later an alternative explanation was made: that retailers traditionally operated at a financial loss ("in the red") from January through November, and "Black Friday" indicates the point at which retailers begin to turn a profit, or are "in the black.")

Fascinating, huh?!


So, to all you intrepid adventurers out there, you brave souls who dare to courageously joust for parking spaces, who fearlessly fight the crunch of crowds, and thrive on hustle and bustle…

I say, "Huzzah!"

I wish you good shopping, good bargains, and good luck.

But, whether you sit home stuffing your face (like me), or spend your day stuffing your car with packages, might I encourage all of us to remember something?

Long, long ago, there was another Black Friday.

And on that day the Greatest Transaction of all took place.

A momentous deal – in which one Life was traded for our sins.

The Gift is there for the taking, already paid for, bought and purchased, free.

All we need to do is accept the gift, and take it home.


Yes, fellowship, family, food, and fun are highlights of this special holiday.

And yes, if you enjoy shopping, this is a great time for that, too.

But, better than anything, is The Gift.

The Greatest Bargain of all!


The first Thanksgiving Day was all about our Almighty God, the Creator of everything, and the Giver of good blessings.

The focus of thanksgiving was correctly aimed at the One who is responsible for everything we have – including our very lives.

The correct view of things is that this is a day to give thanks to God.

God to whom we owe our hearts.  God who gave His Son as a sacrifice for us.  God who loves us beyond measure.  God who gives us abundance in this life, and a hope for life everlasting!

The Giver.

The Gift.

The *deal of a lifetime* – a forever gift of grace – purchased with blood and freely given.

All wrapped up in Love.



HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Again,
the kingdom of heaven
is like a merchant
in search of fine pearls.
And upon
finding
a single pearl
of great value,
he went and sold
all that he had
and bought it.

Salvation is priceless.

***(This next part is optional – just for fun!!)***

Here's some added trivia in case you need something to read while digesting the 10 pounds of food you just "stuffed" into your belly!  (Or if you want to impress all those relatives with your scintillating knowledge of random and inconsequential facts.  I've added a little commentary here and there to keep you awake):


1.  Though many competing claims exist, the most familiar story of the first Thanksgiving took place in Plymouth Colony, in present-day Massachusetts, in 1621.  (The Pilgrims wore their best black and white.  The Indians wore…well, next to nothing).

2.  The Wampanoag Indians were the people who taught the Pilgrims how to cultivate the land.  The Pilgrim leader, Governor William Bradford, had organized the first Thanksgiving feast in 1621.  He invited the neighboring Wampanoag Indians to the feast.  (Perhaps he really took to heart the words of Jesus – "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:39, ESV)

3.  The first Thanksgiving celebration lasted three days.  (Which is the average amount of time most people sleep after the Thanksgiving feast…)

4.  Lobster, rabbit, chicken, fish, squashes, beans, chestnuts, hickory nuts, onions, leeks, dried fruits, maple syrup and honey, radishes, cabbage, carrots, eggs, and goat cheese are thought to have made up the first Thanksgiving feast.  (Actually, that sounds pretty good!  Guess I better start putting out my lobster traps…)

5.  The pilgrims didn't use forks; they ate with spoons, knives, and their fingers.  (In my family, this tradition often continues…)

6.  Congress finally made Thanksgiving Day an official national holiday by passing a law on December 26, 1941, ensuring that all Americans would celebrate a unified Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November every year.  (Was that the last time we were unified on anything in this country??)

7.  Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird of the United States.  (A bald turkey just isn't quite as majestic to me as a bald eagle… just sayin')

8.  The average weight of a turkey purchased at Thanksgiving is 15 pounds. (Which feels like the amount I ate...let's not talk about the scale...)

9.  The heaviest turkey ever raised was 86 pounds, about the size of a large dog.  (Good grief.  Can you even imagine?!  Great Dane?  Nothing compared to a Great Turkey…)

10.  A 15 pound turkey usually has about 70 percent white meat and 30 percent dark meat.  (Personally, I'm a dark meat fan – how about you?)

11.  The five most popular ways to serve leftover turkey is as a sandwich, in stew, chili or soup, casseroles and as a burger.  (I prefer not to serve any "leftover turkey" at my house.  I usually just tell them to leave – "Uncle Joe, you turkey, you need to GO HOME NOW!")

12.  Turkey has more protein than chicken or beef.  (Didn't know that one…)

13.  In the US, about 280 million turkeys are sold for the Thanksgiving celebrations.  (Why do I always feel so sorry for the turkeys?  Poor things. Delicious – but still...)

14.  Each year, the average American eats somewhere between 16-18 pounds of turkey.  (Do any of you eat turkey on other occasions?  Or do you inhale that 16-18 pounds in one sitting??)

15.  Californians are the largest consumers of turkey in the United States. (Doesn't surprise me – I've always thought my state was full of the most "turkeys" in the nation…)

16.  Although Thanksgiving is widely considered an American holiday, it is also celebrated on the second Monday in October in Canada.  (Hmmm…didn't know that one.  Guess Canada has a lot to be thankful for, too!)

17.  Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States, where it is the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season.  (And, incidentally, the beginning of the traditional nervous breakdown season, outrageous debt season, and road rage mania season that sweeps this country. *This isn't true – I made it up…*)

18.  The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimated that 46.6 million Americans traveled 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in 2014.  (Maybe this has something to do with the beginning of the aforementioned road rage phenomenon…)

19.  Cranberry production in the U.S. is expected to reach 8.72 million barrels in 2014.  Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington are the top cranberry growing states.  (Gotta love cranberries – they're tart and tangy – just like me...)

20.  Illinois, California, Pennsylvania and New York are the major pumpkin growing states.  Total U.S. production was 1.3 billion pounds in 2014 – 17% above 2013.  Illinois remains the leading producer of pumpkins, with a majority processed into pie filling and other uses.  (Ever heard of the GNP? You thought it meant Gross National Product.  Nope.  Gourd National Product…)

21.  U.S. sweet potato production reached a record high 29 million hundredweight (cwt) in 2014.  Since 1971, North Carolina has been the top sweet potato producer in the United States, producing 53 percent of all sweet potatoes grown in the country last year.  Other leading sweet potato producers included California and Mississippi.  The top producing states together generated over 2.4 billion pounds of these tasty tubers.  (I say po-tay-to.  Do you say po-tah-to??  And is anyone old enough to remember the song that started that pronunciation battle?  Oh, let's call the whole thing off.
The song, "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" was written by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 film "Shall We Dance" and was performed by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers as part of a celebrated dance duet on roller skates...)

22.  According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 2,020 pounds and measured just over 12 feet long.  It was baked on October 8, 2005 by the New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers in Ohio, and included 900 pounds of pumpkin, 62 gallons of evaporated milk, 155 dozen eggs, 300 pounds of sugar, 3.5 pounds of salt, 7 pounds of cinnamon, 2 pounds of pumpkin spice and 250 pounds of crust.  (I don't care how big that thing was – I'm just not a fan of pumpkin pie.  I think it's the texture or something.  And don't even get me started on mincemeat pie.  No, I'll take apple pie or some kind of berry pie instead, any day – in fact, why don't you slice me up a piece right now...)

23.  So, why are you sleepy after a big turkey dinner?  It's a combination of the type of food (carbs, fats, L-tryptophan), amount of food, and celebratory atmosphere.  (Zzzzzzzz…)



Some verses to help you sing praises to our Almighty God, our Gracious Savior, and our Comforting Holy Spirit:


"Yours, O Lord,
is the greatness, the power,
the glory, the victory,
and the majesty.
Everything in the heavens
and on earth is Yours,
O Lord,
and this is Your kingdom.
We adore You
as the One who is over all things.
Wealth and honor come from You alone,
for You rule over everything.
Power and might are in Your hand,
and at Your discretion
people are made great and given strength.
O our God,
we thank You
and praise Your glorious name!"
(1 Chronicles 29:11-13, NLT)


"You have turned my mourning into dancing for me;
You have put off my sackcloth
and girded me with gladness,
To the end that my tongue
and my heart
and everything glorious within me
may sing praise to You
and not be silent.
O Lord my God,
I will give thanks to You forever."
(Psalm 30:11-12, AMP)


"He who offers
a sacrifice of thanksgiving
honors Me;
And to him who orders his way aright
I shall show the salvation of God."
(Psalm 50:23, NASB)


"It is good to praise the Lord
and make music to your name,
O Most High,
to proclaim Your love in the morning
and Your faithfulness at night...
For You make me glad by your deeds, O Lord;
I sing for joy at the works of Your hands.
How great are Your works, O Lord,
how profound Your thoughts!"
(Psalm 92:1-5, NIV)


"O come, let us sing unto the LORD:
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving,
and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
For the LORD is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the deep places of the earth:
the strength of the hills is his also.
The sea is his, and he made it:
and his hands formed the dry land.
O come, let us worship and bow down:
let us kneel before the LORD our maker."
(Psalm 95:1-6, KJV)


"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord,
all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness:
come before His presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord
He is God:
it is He that hath made us,
and not we ourselves;
we are His people,
and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courts with praise:
be thankful unto Him,
and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting;
and His truth endureth to all generations."
(Psalm 100, KJV)


"Because of the Lord's great love
we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.
I say to myself,
'The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for Him.'
The Lord is good
to those whose hope is in Him,
to the one who seeks Him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord."
(Lamentations 3:22-26, NIV)


"Each one of you is part of the body of Christ,
and you were chosen to live together in peace.
So let the peace that comes from Christ
control your thoughts.
And be grateful.
Let the message about Christ
completely fill your lives,
while you use all your wisdom
to teach and instruct each other.
With thankful hearts,
sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
Whatever you say or do
should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus,
as you give thanks to God the Father
because of Him."
(Colossians 3:15-17, CEV)


"Give thanks no matter what happens.
God wants you to thank Him
because you believe in Christ Jesus."
(1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV)


"Everything God created is good,
and to be received with thanks.
Nothing is to be sneered at and thrown out.
God's Word and our prayers
make every item in creation holy."
(1 Timothy 4:4-5, MSG)



So, what are you doing to celebrate Thanksgiving, and where will you be when you sit down to dinner?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, REFLECT LINKUP, WORDS WITH WINTER, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, UNITE LINKUP, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, TELL HIS STORY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, WISE WOMAN, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, JOYHOPELIVE LINKUP, THE (NOT JUST) HOMEMAKING PARTY, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, EVERYDAY JESUS, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, GRACE & TRUTH, TGI SATURDAYS, DANCE WITH JESUS, ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS, WEEKEND WHISPERS, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, GIVE ME GRACE




BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"