"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...]
Faith in tough times... Several years ago a co-worker gave me a copy of Streams in the Desert, a devotional with 365 daily readings. Over time I would pick it up and include it in my daily routine. And then it would set on my shelf, waiting as I enjoyed another more current devotional. The other devotionals might have been more contemporary, but not more current. At this time in my life, it seems that it was written just for me, right now. I am in the desert, again. Thirsty for God. It's as if I am walking through vast stretches of nothingness and yet, … [Read more...]
Happy Valentine's Day! On this day of hearts... red and white and words inspiration to live a life of Love. Images ~ White Keyhole :: Sweater Heart :: Heart Knocker Images ~ Red Door :: Tin Heart Images ~ Barn & Banner :: Heart Cookies :: Gift :: Ticking Hearts :: White Twigs Images ~ Red Mug :: Red Door :: Patterned Heart And now I leave you with this.... "Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." Mother Teresa OO & XX Diane P.S. This photo gallery is an … [Read more...]
[An Extraordinary Day now has its own Facebook page! Please take a second now to click the icon on the right and "Like" our page!] Many of us are going through something right now. If we aren't, then most likely someone we are close to needs our support. That something might be a job loss like what we are experiencing at our house. It could be physical or emotional illness, a challenging relationship or a break in a relationship, finances, even death. The journey is difficult. And my words sometimes seem empty. One thing I know for sure..... This is true. … [Read more...]
We face all types of obstacles in life. But, this I know is true: ...nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Romans 8:38 NLT There are so many things running through my mind these days. So many things I want to do. Yet, when life gets turned upside down it takes time to sort it out. [sigh] I have tutorials and posts underway which I'd like to complete and post for you. I want to create vignettes and show you a few things before I get it all packed up for wherever God moves us. I really do. But, if I don't...if I write posts like this one or this one...for a little while....will … [Read more...]
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 - NLT What is the feeling that comes over you when you read this verse? Me? I feel empowered. Picture someone in your mind who is wonderfully wise, strong, and loving. He knows you well. He truly cares about every. single. thing. in your life. He always wants the best for you. He has all the time in the world for you...to listen and to talk. And he has every resource available to make things … [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...]
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...]
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 14 Some days, it is so easy to get stuck on ourselves and our agendas. To get caught up in the doing....not the being. Do you ever have days like that? We may or may not have started our day with prayer and scripture. And before anyone knows it...we've replaced HIM with US. When we have days like that, it is good to get ourselves realigned. To read verses like this one... It is good to praise the Lord.. to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. Psalm 92:1-2 That's what we want to do here at An Extraordinary … [Read more...]
I had the most amazing week, Thursday afternoon. My week was so busy, it went by in a blur. But one moment of time stood out. Have you ever had a week like that? What was that ONE moment? For me... I had an important phone call to make....and I was dreading it. It was one of those times when I felt totally helpless, inadequate, and lost. The matter of concern had also been a matter of prayer...for some time. This day I needed to press the numbers on the keypad and connect with the unknown. I needed help. Just before making my phone call I asked my husband if he would … [Read more...]
Always be joyful and never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 CEV the Bible Have you had one of those weeks that if you had read that verse, "Whatever happens, keep thanking God..." you would have said, "Are you kidding me?!" I did have one of those weeks. I'm really trying to "keep thanking God." But, seriously, it's not easy. Since beginning this blog and faithfully publishing a Joy Day! post each … [Read more...]
