Filled with Joy.... Psalm 126 A song of ascents. 1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. 2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. 4 Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev. 5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with … [Read more...]
Spring has sprung and my little corner of the world is a fireworks of white, pink, green, and yellow! Today is the official day for everyone to be... celebrating Earth Day! Yup. I'm sure it's the talk of the day at every school and on the television. Can I let you in on a little secret? I'm not celebrating Earth Day. Nope! But...I am celebrating! I am celebrating the Creator of this amazing orb we call Earth. My mind cannot comprehend the amazingly detailed perfection that was required and is still required to keep us … [Read more...]
Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I’ve got— Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation. God’s works are so great, worth A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment! Splendor and beauty mark his craft; His generosity never gives out. His miracles are his memorial— This God of Grace, this God of Love. He gave food to those who fear him, He remembered to keep his ancient promise. He proved to his people that he could do what he said: Hand them the nations on a platter—a gift! He manufactures truth and justice; All his products are guaranteed to last— Never out-of-date, never … [Read more...]
After being bombarded all week with tragic photos everywhere, I want to give you.... a picture of hope. To give you words of truth. Words of hope. Beauty. A friend told me about this video. I don't usually watch videos...I prefer to read. If you're like me, humor me, please watch the video just because I ask you to. It's eye-opening. http://youtu.be/litXW91UauE Did tear up as you watched the video? If you're like me, maybe you've been running a recording in your head that really isn't true. Let's change that, my extraordinary … [Read more...]
My heart and my spirit sing songs of joy... Each day I take my camera in hand and make an attempt at capturing the glorious beauty unfolding around me. This spring. This world re-awakening. This bursting forth of bud and blossom and new life emerging from the depths. This hope renewed. My spirit sings JOY! I mediate on Your wonders, sing songs of Your worth, O God. Your majesty and glorious splendor have captivated me; I will meditate on Your wonders, sing songs of Your worth. We confess—there is nothing greater than You, God, nothing mightier than Your awesome … [Read more...]
O taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8 NLV What a crazy journey we are on. I would never have thought that when the movers came and loaded up all our worldly possessions into that 18 wheeler nearly 18 months ago that I would be sitting here today, writing this blog, nor would I have ever expected that we would be among the throngs of the unemployed. Who would guess that we would make such a big move only to find ourselves in this tenuous position? Not me. Our world which seemed to have been righted was flipped upside down in an … [Read more...]
He is risen! He is risen indeed! This greeting is exchanged by Christians all over the world on Easter Sunday. And with good reason. Jesus had predicted his torturous death and resurrection to his disciples. Read about it here. Certainly it was unbelievable to them at that time. And then, what a turn of events. In one week, Jesus went from being heralded as a king, the Messiah who would save the people from their unfair rulers and bring about a just kingdom on earth....to an innocent man, tried, convicted, and crucified. Oh the grief. The disciples could not comprehend how … [Read more...]
Jesus' last words from the cross.... After Jesus had taken the vinegar, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and died. John 19:30 If you would like to read a true account of Jesus' last day on earth, click here. I am humbled that Jesus would endure such torture for me. The love that he and the Father have for you and me is beyond imagination. You might pause with me now, remember, and give thanks for the ultimate sacrifice. It's Friday..... but Sunday's coming!! Diane To receive bits of inspiration like this in your inbox or reader, subscribe now. … [Read more...]
In preparation for the joyous celebration of Easter, I decided to do something I've wanted to do for a long time.... Create a piece of colorful subway art. An Easter printable. For me, thinking through and meditating on the words as I created this piece has been a time of worship. You might find it helpful in a similar way too. It's a nice way to remember and celebrate the resurrection of Christ and the sacrifice made. How do you observe Holy Week? Where the words 'third day' appear, I originally had 'Easter Sunday.' My husband suggested to me that this piece would … [Read more...]
Cry out with joy, O daughter of Zion! Shout jubilantly, O daughter of Jerusalem! Look—your King is coming; He is righteous and able to save. He comes seated humbly on a donkey, on a colt, a foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 The Voice (VOICE) Palm Sunday.... a day when we wave palm branches and sing for JOY! What significance does Palm Sunday hold for you? It's Joy Day! Today is the day when we take time to look back over our week and count gifts/blessings. The good, and yes, the not so good things that happened in our lives. And we give thanks to God for … [Read more...]
Just Me and My Shadow Just Me and My Shadow Sometimes it's just my shadow and I Running around under this big ole sky... He's just like me from head to toe Where he comes from, I don't know... I love to race this friend of mine But he seems to stay one step behind... It's good to have this friend to share Because I know he'll always be there! ~unknown ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Catch up on all that's Extraordinary... this week at An Extraordinary Day: Here … [Read more...]
An Irish Blessing May you and peace surround you, Contentment latch your door, and happiness be with you now, And bless you evermore. Peace & Joy to YOU! Diane To receive bits of inspiration like this in your inbox or reader, subscribe now. Please take a moment to “Like” An Extraordinary Day ~ A Place of Joy & Inspiration on Facebook! … [Read more...]
“The Bible teaches that true joy is formed in the midst of the difficult seasons of life.” Francis Chan, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God Honestly, I am in a difficult season of life. When the future is completely unknown and no one in the house has a paying job (not yet anyway), it's...well...difficult. Here's the remarkable thing. I told my husband the other day that I have tremendous peace. Doesn't that seem almost impossible in the light of my situation? I'm learning not to worry. That, is huge. I'm "putting feet" to trusting God. Believing that all … [Read more...]
Spring... You've been teasing us with warm days and buds bursting from the soil with new life. And then you turn around and shower us with sleet, and snow for days on end, and through clouds of steel give us only glimpses of sunshine. Some days I think you are positively mean. And then I realize...it is not Spring...it is still winter...for a few more days. Winter officially departs and lovely dear Spring rides in March 20, at precisely 7:02 AM EDT. It fascinates me that on this first day of Spring...day and night are each approximately 12 hours long. Did you know that the … [Read more...]
"With all my heart I praise the Lord." These words were penned by David in the Book of Psalms. Can I say them and mean it? What does it mean to praise God with all my heart? I'm not exactly sure. But I think it begins with emptying myself of all the stuff in my life. In order to do that, I must stop my body and quiet my mind....put my agenda and cares aside. All that so I there's only me and HIM. And only then can I fully be in the moment to praise HIM. Read David's words... With all my heart I praise the Lord, and with all that I am I … [Read more...]
Welcome to the weekend! Is the weekend a pause in your week? A time to get oodles of work done? A time to play? Or just like any other day? My weekend began in the quiet. Peering out the window I noticed a sliver of pink over the mountain and an eyelash of a moon in the sky. Later, my husband prepared blueberry-banana pancakes which we smothered in butter and maple syrup. Amazingly delicious. And then I noticed this pile of silver I had put together yesterday for polishing. I'm attempting to see my world with new eyes. The incredible all around me. … [Read more...]
To live an Extraordinary Life is to see the Miraculous in everyday things. Emerson says it just a little bit differently. I like his thoughts too. “The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson Hmmm.... I'm thinking that if we're wise we will train our eyes so that we can indeed see the miraculous in the common. This beautiful plant is a Croton which I photographed on a recent trip to the Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh. You will be seeing more photos in upcoming weeks from my little jaunt there. Certainly it was a … [Read more...]
