"Soooo... there is this TAG: going around in Blogville, and I'm it! Yea, I love it!"

Thank you Deanna for thinking of me! (Please visit her blog by clicking on her name.)

Here's the rule.I tell you seven things about me that you wouldn't know.Then...I tag 7 fellow bloggers to share 7 things we wouldn't know about them.

From Laurie: If you want to pass it on, please do and if not, no pressure!!! (Some of you may have already received it.) I kept it simple and continued this from my last list, but there are so many other wonderful blogs I follow, too!!

1. I speak Spanish.

2. When I am really tired late at night, I am no use at all for anyone! (The mean monster tries to come out.)

3. I LOVE chocolate and peanut butter and HATE bugs of almost any kind.

4. My husband lived in Israel as a missionary for five years before we met.

5. I want to make movies one day:) (direct and/or write)

6. My back hurts when I stand up for along time- like now:) (I am at school at a podium.)

7. I can play the keyboard (some) and would love to lead worship one day on the keyboard. This stays on the very, very back burner.

So, again I am passing it on to the save eight (minus Deanna who gave this:), so please don't feel pressured to reciprocate this and His Light Shines award if it is too much.

Andrea at All Gods Creatures

Kelli at Faithful Life

Teresa at Her Whitewashed Heart

Denise at Teacups and Time

Marie at If Your Heart Could Write

Lisa at Speak On It With Lisa S

(Okay, so he alreadyknows me!!!) Russell at Friend of Israel

Thanks to Beth for this award. And sorry it took me so long to pass it on to others!

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to 8 bloggers who must choose 8 more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

Please visit the following ladies and one gentleman:) and their wonderful blogs!

Andrea at All Gods Creatures

Kelli at Faithful Life

Teresa at Her Whitewashed Heart

Deanna at Inside Deanna’s Diary

Denise at Teacups and Time

Marie at If Your Heart Could Write

Lisa at Speak On It With Lisa S

Russell at Friend of Israel

1. I am thankful for food. I am especially hungry this morning. I am thankful, VERY, that I have never had to worry about having something to eat.

2. I am thankful for a home to call my own. I am especially cold this morning. I am thankful that I have always known the comfort of living in a home/apartment.

3. I am thankful for clothing. I am wanting a new wardrobe lately, but can't afford one, he he:) STAND DOWN FLESH! I am thankful that I have never had to worry about being clothed.

4. I am thankful for birds. On this rainy day, hearing the birds sing reminded me of how we are all created to worship no matter the weather or circumstance.

5. I am thankful for tomorrow. I am not promised another day here (though I hope I am given many), but I am promised a tomorrow in Him FOREVER! AWESOME REALITY!
AWESOME HOPE!
AWESOME GOD!
I am thankful for having something to be thankful for today and everyday, even when the load I carry seems heavy!

A SECRET PLACE

Yesterday, we had a guest speaker at church, who spoke about keeping our secret place with the Lord. It convicted me of how busy I become and neglect "ministering" to the Lord.

We all have "a secret place". I have looked for a secret place in a lot of the wrong places through the years (like in a bad relationship, or in wild spending, or in self-indulgent binges), but I am thankful that I found the true secret place at age 19. There I learned that there is only One true secret place that renews, restores, and revives. Sometimes I still wander, but He gently calls me back... to the true secret place.

In this secret place I find who I am and where I belong. In this secret place I learn what I am to do, where I am to go, and find strength for the day. In this secret place, I am changed. I long for the secret place, where I can meet face to face with the One who loves you and me perfectly.

I pray today you would find a quiet moment alone with your Lord in the secret place and that from there His life would overflow into your needs, your wants, your foosteps, and your very surroundings.

Today, I am thankful for the many ways God communicates to me.

1. God often speaks to me through my daughter. Today, her little bike ran into a ditch. No big deal. She picked it up knowing that I would help if she needed it. Child-like faith! That is what God desires from us.

2. God speaks to me through "divine encounters". Yesterday I ran into the brother of a college/high school friend. As a result I have reconnected with my friend from the past. Incidentally, I have often thought of ways to get back in touch with her through the years. Right time, right place, right encounter.

3. God speaks to me through my friends. I am thankful for how loving and kind my friends are. Their kindness and grace reminds me often of God's great forgiveness. (And, a hearty you are welcome to all of the ladies that I gave awards to!)

4. God speaks to me through song. Yesterday I was VERY overwhelmed with a lot of small stuff I had to do. I started singing songs to the Lord and immediately felt His realness and closeness.

5. God speaks to me through nature. Again, when I look at this beautiful day outside I am reminded of a God who is beautiful, perfect, and passionate about us. And, I am overwhelmed that He sees and knows me--- one person at one place at one specific time. Oh, we have so much to be thankful for!!!

Thank you Sitka (and Sitka's mom) for awarding me the above! Please visit All God's Creatures where Sitka shares his experiences as a therapy dog and family member.

Two rules accompany this award:
1. Confess 5 things you are addicted to
2. Pass the award on to 5 deserving bloggers

Five addictions:
1. Jesus (from the deepest part of me)
2. Time with my husband (from the wife in me)
3. Time with my children (from the mother in me)
4. Time away from my children Yes, alone and quiet time (from the introvert in me)
5. Clutter free living (I am not always there, but I desperately try to de-clutter my world.) (from the neat freak hiding in me)

Five deserving bloggers:

1. Visit Beth at An Instrument for His Glory. She is truly a woman after God’s own hearts. She wears many hats, so to speak, but wears them well. She is the real deal.

2. Visit Teresa at White Washed Heart. She, too, is a woman who shows forth passion for God in her blog. I love her invitation to sinners on her blog. Her transparency and purity shine through her blog.

3. Visit Denise at Teacups and Time. Her blog is quite creative. I love her poetic style of writing and how she uniquely expresses through pictures and writing who the Lord is.

4. Visit Bernice at My Journey. When I first went to her blog, I felt like I was surrounded by the Lord with the music and her writings. Her blog is full of depth and wisdom. She strikes me as a woman who knows the Lord, having surrendered all.

5. Visit Mary at Divinely Designed. I don’t know all of the rules of this award, but I know Mary has received it twice and I think deserves so. She is a generous and powerful lady in the hands of the Lord. She has helped so many women and you would benefit greatly from her blog.
P.S. Mary, I think you should be exempt at giving this award to 5 people on your DD site, since you did it on your other site. (I know it takes time to do so:)

Ladies, I tried my best to summarize my thoughts. If I misspelled or misstated anything, forgive me (and let me know:) If you have received the award already, then just accept it as confirmation of your blogs impact. Also, I am signing off this Tuesday, but will pick up Tuesday's truth again next week!

Welcome to Monday Manna. The purpose of this meme is to get together and get to know Christ more through His Word. The first and third Monday of each month, anyone who wishes can post their thoughts on a verse Joanne introduced at her blog the Thursday before. It doesn't have to be a long post -- just a few thoughts, a picture you feel helps express it, a poem, a short story, a devotional.

Today's verse is: Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Psalm 2:11

This verse reminds me of the greatness and goodness of God.

God is great and therefore, we fear the Lord. None of us stand righteous before God. So, we are thankful for Christ, the Way and our Righteousness.

God is good. He is not only Holy and All-Powerful, but He is love. He loves us and loves mercy.

We serve an AWESOME, AWESOME God.

1. I am thankful that my children are in bed (well, almost:)
2. I am thankful that my husband and I can have time tonight after they go down.
3. I am thankful for our country and the comfort we enjoy here in this nation.
4. I am thankful for righteous government leaders and the ability to pray for those who are not.
5. I am thankful for being born for such a time as this. I know these are somewhat scattered in thought, but today these are things on my heart!

Tuesday's Truth- You can bear it!

Number three from my top 10 list to help overcome temptation is YOU CAN BEAR IT! Patience is developed in the midst of our trials. To see number two from the list, click here.

Romans 15:3-5 (New King James Version)

3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus…

God often saves the best for last!

It is worth the wait, because we receive God’s best and because we are changed for the better!

My husband came last! (I met my husband after a bunch of bad relationships. God would always speak to my heart to WAIT! He told me again and again that He had saved the best for last. GOD WAS RIGHT.)

Other lasts…

Jesus came last! (He is the best of the Prophets! He is the Alpha and Omega!)

Heaven is last! (It is the best place we will ever live! It is our true home.)

When we wait on God, we don’t settle for less than His best. During the waiting, we grow in character, which ultimately helps us serve Him and live more fully! When we don’t wait and put matters into our own hands, we get an Ishmael and are ultimately disappointed.

Whatever you are waiting on, fill your hearts and minds with God’s Word, God’s love, and God’s peace. It isn’t easy to wait, but it is always, always worth it!

A prayer for you: Lord, bless my sister with grace to wait on You in prayer. May she wait also for what You desire to bring her. Help her to not settle for anything less than your Word and your best! Surprise her today with just how GREAT You are! In Jesus precious name. Amen

(BTW- My dad took the beautiful picture above at the beach with my mom recently. It reminds me of the peace God brings in the midst of waiting!)

I am thankful for all the help I receive daily. I NEED LOTS OF HELP!

1. I am thankful for the help of THE HOLY SPIRIT! (Thank You Lord for the Holy Spirit!!!!!!!! He is ALWAYS WITH ME, HALLELUJAH!)

2. I am thankful for help from MY SUPPORTIVE AND LOVING HUSBAND! (He is my greatest resource and best friend.)

3. I am thankful for help from MY WRITING SISTERS AND BROTHERS!
(I have thoroughly enjoyed “blogging”, connecting with new friends, and being taught so much. Yep, I am thankful for the Internet, too.)

4. I am thankful for help from MY CHILDREN! (They help me laugh daily, and they help me cast all my cares upon the Lord, and they help broaden my perspective on life! My young daughter helps her mama a lot!)

5. I am thankful for help from MY PARENTS! (They are two of the best gifts I have ever received from God. They have been married 40 years and are the most giving people I have ever known.)

Tuesday's Truth- God's Faithfulness

Number two from my top 10 list to help overcome temptation is God's faithfulness.
To see number one, click here

GOD IS FAITHFUL!

I wrote the following many years ago.

“I was just marveling in God’s faithfulness. I hope and pray this week, as challenges and victories await us, that our souls find strength and refuge in God’s faithfulness.

Could I compare His faithfulness to…

The sun that sets each morning,
The falling of the autumn leaves,
The sound of the waves upon the shores,
The soft touch of a rose pedal,
The sun that rises each morning,
The blooming of spring flowers,
The sight of a blue sky,
The smell of the salt ocean,
The sun’s bright rays upon the morning dew,
The full bloom of a daffodil,
The taste of a sour apple,
The laughter that cheers the heart,
The tears that cry from the soul,
The love that both breaks and mends?

Can His faithfulness compare…
To those things which we depend upon,
That neither change, nor fail us?

No, great is Your faithfulness!
I know Lord that the world with all
Of its splendor and all of your marvelous creations
Shall fade way, but you
Oh, Lord will remain faithful.

Help me to find my abode here…
In your faithfulness.”

Whatever you face sister, may these Scriptures lift you up… where you belong, in His faithfulness.

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. Deuteronomy 7:9

O LORD God Almighty, who is like you?
You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you. Psalm 89:8

Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures. Psalm 119:90

It was not by their sword that they won the land,
nor did their arm bring them victory;
it was your right hand, your arm,
and the light of your face, for you loved them.
You are my King and my God,
who decrees victories for Jacob.
Through you we push back our enemies;
through your name we trample our foes.
I do not trust in my bow,
my sword does not bring me victory;
but you give us victory over our enemies,
you put our adversaries to shame.
In God we make our boast all day long,
and we will praise your name forever. Psalm 44:3-8