The blog has been pretty quiet this past week. The week began with a Joy Day! post. We welcomed 2013 with a prayer by The Reverend Billy Graham. I then hinted at my quietness when I invited you to join me in Ann Voskamp's Joy Dare, the following day. So many times I wanted to write here, but just didn't have the right words. Today, I still don't know that I have the right words. But, my mind is camped on this scripture verse... God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 And then it is interesting to me that if we continue to read the … [Read more...]
Do you have any regrets from 2012? I know that is a silly question. I'm guessing that most of us have a regret or two. One of mine is that I started Ann Voskamp's "Joy Dare" last February and was mostly faithful to it, most of the time. (Please click the link to learn more.) Maybe you have been well-intentioned like that too. And then when my computer crashed...well that was the end of my little online journaling of gifts. I must say, that it has been one of the best things I have ever done, along with reading Ann's book, One Thousand Gifts. This is a New Year...and … [Read more...]
As we begin our fresh New Year there is much that can be said. But before all the talking, it seems that the best place we can begin is... on our knees. A Prayer for the New Year Our Father and our God, as we stand at the beginning of this new year we confess our need of Your presence and Your guidance as we face the future. We each have our hopes and expectations for the year that is ahead of us—but You alone know what it holds for us, and only You can give us the strength and the wisdom we will need to meet its challenges. So help us to humbly put our … [Read more...]
Snow has blanketed our neighborhood. So white. And clean. And quiet. And beautiful. In the quietness this morning I heard the carillon of a nearby church. Though I was not familiar with the tune, I got caught up in listening to the beauty of the music...calling us to pull away from ourselves....calling us to communion with God...to rest....in Him. The snow seems to do the same. Inviting us to slow down, to pause, and to reflect the solitude of that shimmering white blanket. Do you do that? Do you cozy in with family, with a good book, or maybe - in … [Read more...]
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining. Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine, the night when Christ was born; O night, O Holy Night , O night divine! O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!* Let us kneel down and worship our King! Christmas Joy to you! Love, Diane *The words and lyrics of the old carol 'O Holy Night' … [Read more...]
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory … [Read more...]
I've been thinking about this amazing thing God did.... sending his own son into the world in human form. And what did humanity do? Reject the God of the universe. I'm glad this true story didn't end there. You. Me. God's invited us into his family. We just need to believe in Jesus. God must love us more than we can ever imagine! This Christmas.... Believe! ...In Jesus ...God who became a babe, and then died and paid the price for every wrong thing we have done, and lives again so we can be in his children, … [Read more...]
When I can't make sense of the world, or my little world comes crashing in, I find refuge in God's word and in His magnificent creation. Today I offer you a photo of a nearby pasture taken an hour before sunset when the light was pure gold. For me, as I gaze again with both the eye of the moment and my mind's eye, I sense peace. "The peace that passes understanding." I know that peace. It can be found in God and His everlasting Word. Today I really only have a few words of my own. Instead the words I share with you are His Words....Words that will bring each of us … [Read more...]
Many people began the new year with a resolution and a word for the year. Choosing a word seemed like a good thing and so I selected 'intentional' as my word. What's been interesting, is that as the year wore on, another word came to the forefront of my thinking. If you're a regular reader, I'm guessing that you will guess what that word is. Yes, it's 'joy.' As I began decorating my home for Christmas I started adding the word 'joy' to my wreaths and packages. For some time I've been smitten with banners and decided to make one for Christmas. Rejoice seemed to be the perfect word for my banner … [Read more...]
Today we light the candle of Hope. Advent candles, wreaths, and readings might or might not be part of your Christmas celebration. I didn't grow up with the tradition in my home, but observed it in my church. Some of us love the rituals of the seasons. Others simply embrace the season. For quite a few years I was involved in leading children in worship, and in the liturgy and lighting of the advent candles. I live in a different place now and I serve behind the scenes. But, those memories are tender in my heart. Another memory that is tender in my heart is singing the … [Read more...]
It's just a few days after Thanksgiving. Are you still in the moments of gratitude? Or have you jumped on the busy bus? I'm not sure why, but I am in a bit of a reflective mood today...savoring the moment....steering clear of busyness. Sometime ago I walked around a small lake. I was enthralled with the lighting and snapped this photo. It has not been altered in any way. I love the ethereal clouds and the way they reflect on the water along with the bursts of the sun. And, I remember the peace and tranquility I felt, as I wandered the path along the water's edge with a … [Read more...]
Day 7 May you be extraordinarily filled with gratitude this Thanksgiving! Thankful for YOU! Diane To receive bits of inspiration like this in your inbox or reader, subscribe now. Sharing at Dear Little Red House * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Thanks so much for reading! Please stop by Longaberger Lifestyle for lovely gifts to be given in gratitude!! … [Read more...]
Day 6 As we prepare a feast, or prepare to attend one, here are some words to ponder.... "For, after all, put it as we may to ourselves, we are all of us from birth to death guests at a table which we did not spread. The sun, the earth, love, friends, our very breath are parts of the banquet.... Shall we think of the day as a chance to come nearer to our Host, and to find out something of Him who has fed us so long?" ~Rebecca Harding Davis If you'd like to share your thoughts....please do below....I read every one. Gratefully, Diane To receive bits of … [Read more...]
Day 5 About now, many of use are ready to push the button and go into hyper drive. Yes? About now, you see that I have a video link below and if you are like me, you'll click away, telling yourself you don't have time to watch a 4 minute video. Might you reconsider? About now, you're wondering what I have planned for you. My prayer is that the next four minutes will touch you deep inside and set all this busyness into perspective. How Often Do You Sit In The Thanksgiving Chair? If you like to share your thoughts....please do … [Read more...]
Day 3 You know people with thankful hearts. We might not actually think when an individual interacts with us, "Oh, Janie surely has a thankful heart!" But it is that very thing that gives a pleasant countenance and so many other pleasing traits to our friends. These, usually, are the people with whom we enjoy, whatever we're doing. I want a thankful heart. If I want the heart inside my chest to get strong, I need to exercise it. The same is true for a thankful heart. We absolutely must exercise our gratitude muscle, in order to have a thankful … [Read more...]
Day 2 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Psalm … [Read more...]
Day 1 I decided. I'm living in the moment. I'm not thinking about Christmas and all the goodness of the Christmas season. Nope. I'm camped out in Thanksgiving. With that in mind, I decided to narrow my focus as we approach Thanksgiving. Each of these {7 Days of Thanksgiving} posts will have something for your inspiration with that focus. I hope it's just what you need, too. Today I'm loving these words of President Theodore Roosevelt..... A good question to ask ourselves.... What are we doing as an expression of gratefulness for all our … [Read more...]
