This week I went exploring in a new neighborhood.

The area is rural and wooded.

And overflowing with poison ivy.

 

Dwelling Place :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

I had a bad case of poison ivy two summers ago, and now I know to stay clear of leaves of three. [wink]

Here it mingles with wildflowers and joins the multitude of leaves to make a magical tapestry of greens.

As I walk the roadside I’m continually noticing the beauty and stopping to take snapshots of the lovely wildflowers.

It’s a beautiful place.

How lovely is your dwelling place,  Lord Almighty!
Psalm 84:1

 

The Lord is my dwelling place :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

 

When I need to clear my head and get refreshed or gain a new perspective a nature walk is the best prescription.

I experience God by reading his word and by reveling in his creation.

God’s word is alive.

In his letter to the Hebrews (4:12) Paul says…

God’s Word is living and powerful.

 

It helps me know more about God, gives me wisdom, and guides me in living a life pleasing to God.

 

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord  :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

When I go for a nature walk….which is pretty much any outdoor walk that isn’t in the heart of a concrete city…my spirit gets fed by God’s beauty reflected in nature, and his creativity.

It’s like a salve for a wound.

And maybe because I am wounded, it’s the place where my wounds are minimized.

They don’t cease being real.  But, they hurt much less.

A long time ago I chose to follow Jesus/God and I know his spirit resides in me.

Yet, when I go for a walk and I get outside the man-made walls, I feel like I enter God’s place.

His dwelling place.  

The place that makes me come alive.

The place that reflects his beauty and creativity.

 

How lovely is your dwelling place - Psalm 84:1  ::  AnExtraordinaryDay.net

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!
Psalm 84:1


 

Dwell ::  Joy Day! :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Today is Joy Day!

 

I love Joy Day!  It’s the time in the week that we get to look back over our week and count gifts, blessings, and give thanks for both the good and the not-so-good.  And we get to do it together.

There’s a side benefit to counting, too.  We get joy!  🙂

Please join me in looking back over the past week and counting ‘seven.’

I’ll start…

Thank you God for…

  1. quiet and peace on a beautiful lake.
  2. knowing you have plans for us, plans to prosper us and not harm us, plans to give us a hope and a future.
  3. a beautiful day, spending time with my friend, and a country drive to Costco.
  4. a white dove flying down the road in front of us, and your protection from the person that blew the stop sign.
  5. the email and the realization that the battle has intensified.
  6. photos of Poppy, Lily, and Taylor and our last time together.
  7. a phone that doesn’t work. 


Now it’s YOUR turn!!

Join me in counting ‘seven.’
Scroll down to the comment section…Share Your Extraordinary Thoughts….and list your ‘seven.’
I dare you!

Want even more joy?  Take the Joy Dare here.


Thank you for stopping by today.
I appreciate you and your sweet comments make my day.

Joyfully!
Diane

p.s. Photos are prickly pear cactus I discovered on the hillside of the nearby county park….totally unexpected.

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Comments

  1. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/95983035783133418/

    Thank you God for:
    1. gentle reminders.
    2. caring friends.
    3. non-strained communication with siblings.
    4. the three blessings over which I have stewardship in this life.
    5. juicy strawberries
    6. tomatoes – even when they are a LOT smaller than the picture shows :O)
    7. An Extraordinary Day – where I get a gentle weekly reminder to express my gratitude and joy!

    • Diane says

      My sweet friend…thank you for sharing your seven with your joyful heart.
      This time of year…juicy strawberries would make my heart sing too.

      Wondering if you’ve enjoy “tea” with your little one?

      Blessings!

  2. Debbi Saunders says

    Thank You God for:
    1. The Beautiful, slower paced days of Summer!
    2. For Charles Stanley’s wisdom and teachings!!
    3. For Summer employment and the beautiful piney woods and lake setting that it sits on!
    4. The “nature walks’ my little Summer Campers and I take each morning through the pines and by the Lake searching for turtles, toads, snakes, birds, hopes of catching a glimpse of our resident otters and the Tadpoles”Polywogs” that we discovered in the fountain of the courtyard!!
    5. For the Pelican we saw on our little lake! Inland lake sitings are rare! but Pelican’s have a special significance for me.
    6. Cold , sweet juicy watermelon!
    7. The promise of Jeremiah 29:11…..

    • Diane says

      Debbi, I love how God gifts us with special ‘nature’ sightings.
      Your summer job sounds perfectly wonderful…though I really don’t know how you do the ‘heat.’ It must be the watermelon. 😉
      Thanks for sharing your ‘seven.’ Rejoicing with you at God’s goodness in your life.
      [hugs]

  3. Kim says

    Thank you, Diane, for sharing your Joy. I know how hard it is to share Joy when things are difficult. Seemingly impossible, even. It looks like keeping our eyes on God rather than looking at our circumstances is helping us. God is faithful! I thank the Lord for:
    1. His continued healing of my heart.
    2. The friend who shared a similar experience I’d not known of until recently.
    3. Prayer with dear friends.
    4. His revelation of powerful prayers against evil.
    5. Patience of others, friends and family.
    6. The refreshed relationship with an extended family member.
    7. Several examples of others who follow Him faithfully and pray for us often.
    I continue to pray that God will soon lead you and Tim to the perfect employment he has for your family. He is our Perfect Provider!

    • Diane says

      We might not have chosen our paths…but through it we have both learn He IS enough. Yes?
      Thanks, Kim, for taking time to share your ‘seven.’ God is faithful and I trust him to redeem and restore for both of us. [hugs]

  4. Rhonda says

    Thank you God for:
    1) soft quiet time watering my garden this morning and its beauty
    2) summer
    3) my husband who has been so loving, giving and understanding during my mom’s illness
    4) my son’s victories
    5) a good night’s sleep
    6) that Mom was able to eat most of her breakfast today
    7) always being with me!

    • Diane says

      Rhonda…thank you for stopping by and taking time to share your “seven.” I rejoice with you at God’s goodness, beauty, and blessing in your life!
      May your week be filled with extraordinary JOY moments! [hugs]

  5. Mel says

    Funny….being outside where the wild things grow brings me peace. It’s like having His arm around my shoulder. I’m sad for your loss. I’m sure it’s difficult….G-d’s in the difficulties, too
    His vision is broader than ours. Still made me sad to read of your loss. *hugs*
    And joys…
    –coming here….even if I’m a late participant.
    –pausing and buying time when angry, lonely or tired. Grateful I was taught to do that.
    –a phone call from a gal I worked with…who celebrated 24 years of being clean and sober last week.
    –rain that spoiled me adventure….well, not just rain….one angry storm front with60mph winds.
    –the new flat screen that doesn’t fit in the armoire….and the armoire that now resides in my coffee nook.
    –sparklers!!
    –lightening bugs!!
    –cool, summer nights….

    • Diane says

      I like that analogy, Mel, “It’s like having His arm around my shoulder.”
      Thanks for your condolences…and yes…His vision is much broader. If we could see that clearly…it might be down right scary. 😉
      Thanks too, for sharing your joys….I love your heart of gratitude.
      I love sparklers, too! And I love being in a state where they are sold in every store…as opposed to NY where they are illegal. What a joy-stealing state. 😉
      Blessings sent your way. [hugs]

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