What a great way to bring great works together in one book. Congrats to all and Thank you Susi for your hard work.
Both the paperback and eBook are now available on Amazon.
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What a fun, never though of, challenge hosted by Salted Caramel, our 5 favorite canned goods. Some things we know we have to have brand specific but I have found that now that I am in the Midwest, some brands are not available so I do the best I can.
Top of the list is Le Sueur (must be brand specific) Very Young Small Sweet Peas. If I cant have fresh peas from my garden, then this is the only brand where they don’t taste like hard tasteless mush.
The next must have brand is Hunts Tomatoes. I prefer the petite diced but that isn’t a game changer.
I am a big legume eater so my favorite brand is Bush’s. Mostly stick with Black eyes or baked. Loving growing other varieties in my garden.
Coming originally from the south, I am big on the leafy greens but refuse to clean fresh one, so I get canned. Turnip greens are hard to find here but I can get Spinach pretty easily. Popeye’s is the only brand I have found up here and it will do.
And to sweeten the list lets add my favorite fruit. Libby’s Bartlett Pears. Served on a slice of lettuce, topped with HELMANN’S mayonnaise and shredded cheese.
Its been fun to think about can goods that have become a staple for our kitchen.
And as always I close with my usual reminder that in all you do, remember to be kind. You may be at that specific moment, the only kind act someone has seen that day. Enjoy and think about this profound statement.
Always be kind.
I love Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge. Now that things are blooming, I have an excused to stay outside.
I love the delicateness of the blooms on flowering trees. They help awaken you to beauty of spring. As you venture out into this beauty, remember it’s delicate nature and how it teaches you of the renewal of life. And remember this renewal is for all living things in their own delicate natures of life. And treat them all kindly.
The advertisers across the globe will argue with you and confuse you as to the difference between want and need. That brand new sparkly shinny thing you just have to have is a want and it is their job to explain to you why you NEED it.
According to some reports I have read, there are five basic needs for all living creatures – air, water, food, shelter & safety. Every living thing including plants need these things. But I find it interesting that even with these things met, a basic need not mentioned, that if never met, will result in death. So what is the most valued basic need? Love.
Galatians reminds us of the fruits of the spirit and at the top of the list is Love, because without love, the rest won’t work. You can’t have Joy without love, you cant have peace without love, you cant have patience without love…and so on and so on…
I remember a horrible song we sang as kids that we laughed about but as an adult, I wonder how many kids felt like this song : Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, I’m gonna go eat worms. Gross. But it is true. All living creatures need love and affection. We see pictures on Facebook all the time about animals cuddling up to another animal of a different specie just to get some love. They get it.
Biblical scriptures remind us over and over about the importance of love…then Jesus demonstrated a love we could not fully comprehend but are so thankful for. The 15th chapter of John has so many wonderful ways of telling us about this profound love that is available to all living being.
And by abiding in him does not mean Him being over us but beside us…as friends. He wants the type of close relationship with us that you would have with a best friend. One where we feel comfortable to go to him when life is fun, when life is sad, or when life is scary.
And look again at all the attributes of that Love : Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faith, Gentleness and Self Control.
Kindness is an attribute. I push for in all I do and I add it to every post to remind us all of its value. Sharing a little kindness is sharing a little love.
So, Always be kind!
Cee challenges us to find inspiring flowers each day. Now that things are starting to bloom, I can again play with this challenge.
They had the ranunculus flowers out this weekend but I knew this weeks weather would not be good for them to be put so they are currently adorning my coffee table. Possible snow tonight! Go away winter, you have had your turn. Oh, I see one of Mimi’s dog hairs across the petals. Fur gets everywhere!
Remember the power of being kind in all that you do. It’s a value that has not boundaries. All of creation understand it’s potential.
Spring is finally showing it beauty in the midwest, although we may get a light snow tonight. BUT, I am open to the possibility to a marvelous spring. I took this photo on Sunday and they were just beginning to open to share their marvelous fragrance.
I have no idea what the name of this is but you could smell it long before you got to it. Maybe be some type of honeysuckle as it was sweet like honeysuckle. Nancy Merrill’s challenge this week is open. Come join in.
As you open up you heart for spring, remember to open up to kindness. We have all had a very hard year and need to feel the kindness from each other.
Debbie Smyth of Travel Intent has a One word Challenge for Sunday and today’s word is Outdoor. It was a perfect challenge for me today as I have a new camera and I played outside.
And as always remember the value of kindness and spread it around like sunshine.
Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter. Maundy is derived from the Latin word for “command,” and refers to Jesus’ commandment to the disciples to “Love one another as I have loved you.” He showed his disciples his servant love by washing their feet and having one last meal together known as the last supper. This is the time that Jesus told the disciples of his death, and that one of them would betray him. They still at this point did not see the big picture or the purpose of Jesus’ mission. I have always wondered if the angels understood what was happening. They are messengers and do the tasks needed as directed by God. But do they see the big picture. We know they were joyous at his birth but did they understand the purpose of his death? I have written a fictional short story to give ideas of what I think may have gone on. Please do not be offended by my imagination, it is not meant to prove any point of truth but only to spark a question of wonder what they were going through.
A Celestial Perspective
Over in the corners you could hear all of their hushed and frantic whispers. “Did you hear what they said He was going to do?”
“Yes. This makes no sense. Why is He doing this? He knows that all He has to do is call us and we would be there in an instant,” one angel said. “Legions of us.”
“I am going to disrupt this nonsense right now,” said a large, impressive angel with brilliant white wings and flowing robes.
“No. Stay your thoughts,” said the Father quietly as he raised a loving hand. “While your motives may be admirable, they do not serve my purpose.”
“How can His dying serve a purpose?” the angel tried to lovingly argue as some other angels crumbled weakly on the floor. “These creatures are killing Him because of their ridiculous lies.”
“And you and He are…well, Father and Son. Don’t they understand who He is?” said another angel as he wrestled with the unfathomable actions they were all witnessing.
“You…He…are Elohim,” a different angel pleaded, “majestic ruler of all creation.”
“He is their Lord and Master as well. He is Yahweh. Don’t they see that?” pleaded yet another angel as he ran back and forth between watching and pleading at the throne.
“He is Adonai, creator of everything, the heavens, the earth, us…even them. He is in charge of all of creation. Don’t they get that? How dare they do this horrendous deed!” anguished another angel in tears.
“Are you seeing what they are doing?” they asked the Father as they huddled together, fearfully watching the events unfold.
“I cannot,” said the Father as he slowly and sadly turned His back.
“Then why?” they pleaded in total disbelief of what they were witnessing trying desperately to understand how this could ever serve a good purpose.
“It’s all part of the plan. It’s how it has to be,” the Father said quietly. “It’s the only way…for I love them. I must save them from themselves.”
The panicked murmurs stopped as they stood helplessly staring first at each other, then turning their attention down at the horror below. They moaned quietly, for over three hours, as they paced back and forth. Mentally they were not able to watch the entire event. With each passing minute of agony on the cross, they watched with fear and trembling as their beloved suffered, with an unattainable ability to understanding why.
Finally, just before Jesus took His last breath, they watched in anguish as he looked up to heaven and spoke one last time. “It is finished.” As His last words left his mouth, the air with them flew to the heavens and rushed past them. They could feel His love and warmth as the air flew by them and then circle around the throne.
“What was that?” an angel asked quietly as he looked toward the throne.
“His spirit,” said the Father with a deep sense of loss.
Shocked gasps went through the crowd of angels that were standing watching the earth below. Then in amazement, they watched as total chaos broke out with the earth splitting apar. Some of the buildings were crumbling and falling. And deep in the temple, the curtain that separated the sanctuary from Holy of Holies was ripped in two. This was a place of ultimate honor only used for the presence of God, and now it was destroyed.
The angels were scared, shocked and lost in knowing what to do as they slowly gather near the throne. “Now what?” one angel dared to quietly mutter.
“We wait,” was all the Father said as he quietly stood and left the throne room.
The angels looked at each other as the Father left the room. “Wait for what?” they bewilderedly asked each other.
So, the vigil of watching and waiting began of a cold tomb sealed with a large boulder. Each hour a different set of angels came to watch and wonder what was to happen. As day 1 slipped by in time, the angels quietly looked down in wonder of what possibly could happen. His spirit had returned. They felt it as it flew by them on its way to the throne. What were they waiting for? Their hearts were broken and sad at this tragic loss. And what did this mean for the Father. They thought they understood the Trinity. But now a part of it was no more. What did all of this mean?
Day two was more of the same as that of day 1. Quiet groups of angels changed places as they were watching and waiting. The quietness of heaven could be felt, as a coldness seemed to engulf them. And nothing was being heard, no sound at all. Total quiet stretched all through the mass existence of the heaven. The beauty and brightness were now dull and lifeless.
Before the light of dawn broke for the third day, they were all quickly and quietly summoned to the throne. They stood with bated breath as the Father began to speak. There was light back in His eyes. There seemed to be joy back in His voice. He spoke of renewal, of new life, a new beginning. The Son was not gone but was very much still alive. He would come out from the tomb before the dawn broke. The warmth of heaven began to be felt again and joyous melodies were again being heard throughout all of heaven. The Father spoke of important tasks for his angels, as key messengers would be needed. He would need two to three angels to roll away the stone for the Son to emerge out from the tomb. Then He would need one or two angels to remain behind to meet the women that at that moment were on their way to the tomb. The proper burial rights were not made per their customs and the women knew it was a must to perform this duty. And they were chosen to be the first to know the great news. They were the first to witness and to inform the others that a new way of life had begun.
The brightness and love of heaven was again making its presence known as some of it reflected its way down to earth in the brightness of a new day. But earth itself had no clue what was about to happen. The people had no clue of the beauty that was about to be witnessed on earth. They had no clue of the tasks that were now ahead of these men and women, these followers of Jesus. They had no clue of how God’s love would now always be there for them. They had no clue of their importance of spreading the good news of a joyous way of life. They all had no clue of the love and joy that was about to surround the earth, and always be available to anyone just for the asking. They just had no clue.
Each angel had hoped that they would be one of those chosen for these magnificent tasks. Their joys and duties of heaven were now fully back in place. Light was flashing all through heaven and the sounds of rejoicing echoed everywhere. But the angels still wondered…who would be that extra special angel that would get to announce… “He is not here. He has risen.” Matthew 28:6
Today the earth is still unsure of the beauty and majesty that happened on that third day when the announcement was made, and the time of newness had begun. All of mankind would now be able to feel the love of God when they allow Him to dwell within their hearts. From that day onward they would also be able to share in the beauty and rejoicing of heaven.
People, even back then, did not understand that this new beginning is also the beginning of the end. The beginning of the end when Jesus again would, one day, come back to earth to start His reign. People today, still do not understand this phenomenon of love that one day will come. This day will be a time of separation of hearts, a time when astounding love will fill the earth as it does in heaven for all of those willing to accept it. This love was God’s initial plan.
Remember the importance of today as it starts a chain of heart breaking events that ends in a glory we could never fully comprehend. Have a safe and blessed Easter and remember as always to show the kindness as Christ did in giving us salvation when we did not deserve it.
Good evening friends. This week is Holy Week and all of us are all looking forward to Easter. Since we have been locked down since Easter last year, we are looking all the more readily at Easter this year as a renewal; a new start. But we must make sure our new start is safe. Carelessness got us as a world in a mess so we must remain focused on safety precautions. Today’s devotion in Quiet Times with God, asks the question – “Where is our focus?”
I have been watching the series on The Chosen on Up TV and every time someone portrays Peter, we see Peter’s impetuousness, not in a violent way but a passionate way. Peter flys by the seat of his heart. I think that is what Jesus knew about Peter. Jesus knew if He could ever get Peter to understand and follow through by focusing on His mission, there would be no stopping him. And that pretty much was how it was, even though he lost his focus multiple times. The impetuous act that helps me the most with my focus is Peter trying to walk to Jesus on the water. Matthew 14:28-30.
He believed! He knew….but he could not maintain his focus on Christ. I think we identify well with Peter because we see ourselves in him. We have a big advantage that Peter didn’t have, we have the Bible. But if we don’t stay focused on its teachings, we too will be easily distracted. Tonight’s words of encouragement in Jesus Calling Evening addition reminds us that circumstances of life can be scary, hard and seem dark beyond our capabilities to withstand. But regardless of how it all may seem, God assures us it will be glorious and to be patient, have faith and trust God to do the driving.
Relax in His wonderful love and have a safe and peaceful evening. As you breathe in his love and feel His peace come around you, remember to show kindness as God has shown us kindness.
And remember…God’s got this.
Raindrops of the heart can be a sad place to start
As life of those loved around us do inevitably depart
But Raindrops of the heart can also come from joy
As we remember the funs things we both did enjoy
Raindrops of the heart do not always come from grief
As laughter of the heart can show raindrops of relief
Raindrops of the heart are moments to be shared
As raindrops from the heart show moments that we cared.
For the Love of 