Refuge is something....

.... you choose-

something you enter into.

"On the whole,

God's love for us is a much safer subject

to think about

then our love for Him."

~C.S. Lewis~

notes....

loving these chilly mornings and warm afternoons

it reminds me of back home.

hubby led me to the back yard to show me the Moon & Jupiter

hanging out together

*sweet*

"occultation"

he said...."whatever that means?"

and we both shrugged and laughed

my neighbor delivered cake samples yesterday

with her daughter, and Ellie (goat)

American butter cream

Ermine

Italian meringue

and Swiss meringue

cake and coffee for breakfast

listening to the men cut up a tree on the next block

laughing and whooping as they work

good vibes in the hood 

~

refuge is the souls deepest need

refuge is not merely a state of mind

an assurance of the heart

it is reality

palpable

take a simple step of choosing 

this moment to return to

the shelter of God's presence

don't wait

He is as tender toward you

 as a Shepherd is to his sheep

be willing to follow Him wholeheartedly

wherever He leads

with glad anticipation

where there are gaps in your life

let God be God

leave the how and when in His hands

and acknowledge they are

His responsibility

it's what we trust in but don't see

that keeps us going

(2Corin. 5: 7 MSG)

He guards even the smallest details

of your life

depend on Him for everything you need

(Psalm 33:20 MSG)

be well...

xoxo

💖

Though you don't know what lies ahead

I know; and that's enough.

Some of my richest blessings are just right around

the bend: out of sight, but nonetheless

very real.

Anticipate blessings as we travel together.

I never fail to hear your prayers

& answer them wisely.

If My will differs from your request,

simply thank Me.

This will draw you closer to Me in the disappointment.

I assure you My ways are good.

I reserve My best for those who are willing to wait on Me

in faith-

even when they see nothing happening.

Stay close to Me and wait.

I am working things in your life

you could never do for yourself.

You won't be disappointed.

I'll Love you with all I got!

~Jesus~

(source: Message Bible, Charles Stanley Devo. Jesus Lives)

 

Learn to let go....

....into the wild of things,

learn to grow as things unfold.

sign: transformation, strength in adversity, personal growth
and evolution

The natural world's saturated with beauty,

and beauty nourishes the soul.

 

A fuzzy caterpillar with sixteen legs

goes into a chrysalis & emerges as a beautiful

winged butterfly that knows it's way to Mexico.

'The way you come alive in this world 

might not look like everyone else's,

and that's okay.'

~

notes....

Spirit will come to you in ways you will receive Him

learn to let yourself be guided in truth

allow yourself to have your own process

you will discover your truths at the right time

as you grow

your experiences will expand in new ways

lay down the skeptic

take a few deep breaths

you don't see the oxygen but it's keeping you alive

 love keeps you alive

you don't see it 

but it surrounds you 

you can't force things

remain open

don't close your mind

take steps necessary to develop

self-mastery

you have the capacity to shed your

old self and embrace new beginnings

emerging stronger, wiser and more beautiful

than before

use your time wisely

a thankful attitude is helpful

overcome life's challenges with grace

and fortitude

be well....

xoxo

💝

'Your pursuit of Me is actually a response

to my ardent pursuit of you.

You don't have to batter down doors between us.

Just open the door of your heart to Me.

I've already thrown open My door to you.

I want you to realize how utterly safe you are-

in My perfect persistent Love.

Bask in your life of praise.

Be more receptive to My blessings.

In faith, be on the lookout for good things

great and small.

At the end of the day 

take time to ponder what you have learned &

to savor the gifts you have found.

Love and be loved.'

~Jesus~

(sources: Message Bible, Jesus Today, Jesus Calling)

~

"The wind carries things away and brings other things closer.

It doesn't think about the destination;

it just blows where the current takes it.

As the wind travels, it picks things up

 only to set them down in a new location.

The wind doesn't hold on tight,

because it knows that nothing is permanent.

The spirit of wind is letting go.

Be like the wind, releasing and receiving as needed.

Be fluid, given that nothing in life is permanent."

~Sunrise Gratitude~

 

What is desirable...

...in a man is kindness.

notes...

are you a kind person?

friendly, generous, patient, easy going,

warm-hearted, thoughtful, and fun to be with?

be kind to one another

put on a heart of kindness

it's our responsibility

kindness is a fruit of the Spirit

kindness is a natural, normal trait of 

a believer

sensitive to someone who needs kindness

there is no reason not to be kind

kindness is strong

God is always kind

God rewards you for your kindness

an act of kindness is the strongest defense you

can have

you can't fight kindness

pardons, provides, protects

every answered prayer is an act of  pure kindness..

it may not fall under your category of kindness

He loves expressing kindness

kindness involves truthfulness

discipline, instruction, love, gentleness

kindness....

His presence with you

never leave you or forsake you

it's feel-able

don't let kindness and truth leave you

it's our responsibility to practice kindness

it doesn't always come easy

experience kindness

kindness is close to the top

kindness can change your family

your friendships

it only takes one person

it is a gift...

we are the channels

do the thing that is proper

kindness changes everything

express kindness

be well...

xoxo

💝

"You can disagree with someone and still be kind."

~unknown~

"Some of you are unaware of just how amazing you really are.

The way you make people laugh, lift others up,

or spread some extra love.

You do this even though you are struggling too,

and I think it makes you such a beautiful human being."

~unknown~

"Always help someone.

You might be the only one that does."

~unknown~

"Treat one another justly.

Love your neighbors.

Be compassionate with each other."

Zechariah 7:9

 

Become childlike....

.... a child simply receives the promise of adventure

they live with an open heart, a sense of wonder,

& experience the joy of a day full of anticipation.

Open your hearts up with expectation again.

best things....

mom's call to sing Happy Birthday first thing this morning

 chatting with my Dad 

seeing him next week

a phone call from brother

opening the gift he sent while connected

an inside joke &

a very warped best memory as kids...

laughing so hard my abs are toned

my stepdad  finds my birthday written on a slip of paper

while he's cleaning his desk

realizes it's today

calls to sing Happy Birthday 

first time he's sang to me

a hilarious operatic happy birthday sung by an old friend 

left in my voicemail

a perfect fall day...apple orchards and pumpkin patches

apple cider that made my mouth so happy

the rest of me followed

an orange bird trinket 

 the orchard girls named nugget

nugget's now in my living room

exploring someplace new

 my kiddo on speaker phone 

talking wedding plans

sending him pictures

of the clouds

horses, goats, pigs, cows, sheep....

children playing, laughing & exploring in awe

dinner at an old favorite...

Mexican restaurant 

pregnant with my kiddo last time I ate there

nostalgia

an old jute box on the wall

 digging a quarter out of my purse

so hubby could play a song

he picks

"Crazy" by Patsy Cline

fall ice-cream flavors

a double scoop 

one eggnog one pumpkin

on a waffle cone

eggnog on top

a beautiful sunset on the way home....

dark orange, purple, and blue

feeling loved

a perfect day

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Relax wild one. It's not your job to be everything

everyone needs, and you don't have to be impressive

to be loved. Stop trying so hard.

Just show up and be real with the world.

That is enough."

"It is said that nothing lasts forever, but there

are moments in our lives when we think something will,

and it is the memory of those moments that lasts forever."

"Finally I realized I was never asking too much.

I was just asking the wrong person."