Beauty,Blessings,Bliss

I was blessed in many ways this week.It all came as a surprise which made it that much nicer.Early in the week I received my copy of the newly republished Victoria magazine!If you are not familiar with this magazine I urge you to check it out(www.victoriamag.com) .If,like me you are a lover of beauty in it's many forms,you will love this magazine.They had ceased publication a few years back.I was saddened by this.I'd enjoyed many years of reading pleasure and beauty each month as my dear husband had bought me a subscription.I am glad they have returned.

Then I received a CD in the mail from Ruth Wood(and friends)over at Comfort Cafe(www.comfortcafe.net) simply by telling them what Comfort Cafe meant to me.That,for me,was a simple task.They are a ministry dedicated to encouraging women who are hurting in any way.I have been so very blessed by their ministry in the last few years.It has been a source of comfort as we have walked through some really tough times since 2002.And,as I am sure you are well aware,women and men handle stress very differently at times.The CD I received is incredible(Eyes On You).I urge you,my readers to check out the ministry and the CD both.

Lastly,I was blessed in a way that could have had quite a different outcome.We had gone to get groceries on Thursday.On the way home we had noticed the temperature gauge on our van was getting up into the hot zone.So we drove into Lyons from Mill City and stopped at the ponds we had fished at years back.We got out of the van to check the radiator and add water and anti-freeze.I was stunned by the beauty that surrounded me.Apparently we had never been to these ponds in the fall.The trees around the ponds were golden and rust.The sky above cloudless and cerulean(my new word...hee hee hee).The wind was brisk and out of the north/northeast.The sun was warm.And I,while husband filled the radiator,was in sheer bliss.I sat on a sun warmed,flat rock.Soaking up it's toasty,golden rays.I joyfylly turned my face to the wind and let it blow on me full force(I've loved the wind since I was small).I wondered why we did'nt just get out like this more often.Some leaves skittered across the gravel parking lot.Like children rushing to get home from school to begin afternoon play.Steve thought it was an animal running up behind him.Huge grin.The van was fine.We drove home.And I pondered the beauty,blessings and bliss I had received this week.All gifts from God.Thank You Lord.

I'm Grateful

I'm grateful today.Grateful for the rain that is falling outside.It is refreshing and replenishing the earth that God has so graciously given us.I'm grateful for the antibiotics I'm on right now.They are ridding my body of the staph infection I have somehow obtained.I'm grateful for our apartment.Though small it is warm and dry.It is a shelter from the storm.I'm grateful for friends and family that I have been given in abundance.They are gifts to me from our Creator.I'm grateful today.Grateful to God for His goodness that flows in abundance upon our lives.Grateful to Him for salvation.We can look forward to eternity spent with Him because of the grace gift of His Son.I'm grateful today.Grateful for our black,fur covered clown.Our cat,Shadow.He provides a much needed source of fun and amusement in our lives.I'm grateful for Autumn.Our town is alive with a riot of Autumn color.Who knew that the passing of summer,a death if you will,could be so beautiful?If we stop,and really look at our lives,we will find so much to be grateful for.Gratitude in itself is a gift.Something to thank God for,don't you think?What are you grateful for today?

Photo courtesy of www.freestockphotos.com

The Glory of God

I awoke this morning to an angry looking sky much like the one in this picture.Rainy season has started here in Oregon.Thankfully such a dreary sky did not dampen my enthusiasm for my devotional time spent with the Lord.And even more wonderful than that is the fact that it did not impair God's ability to bless me through the following devotional writing.Smile.I hope you are equally blessed:

When God's power is manifested in the world,in His creation or in His people,God is glorified.When we pray that our lives may glorify Him,we are asking that the self may be put down,for it is not possible to show the power of God and at the same time to glorify what George MacDonald called"the bastard self."

We must be prepared to lose ourselves,whatever that may entail,that God may be all in all.Losing an argument for His sake,losing something we held dear,losing face,reputation,a position of power or superiority,losing a claim on someone or on his affection or respect-can these be a part of the answer to our prayer to glorify God in our lives?

Assuredly they can,for assuredly the Son Himself laid aside all such assets when He came to do the will of the Father.

"I have glorified thee on the earth"(John 17:4,KJV),He said-and that glory was manifested through weakness,loss and suffering.What a priveleged position we are called to share.

Lord,lift up our eyes,away from ourselves and our small losses,up to the glory yet tobe revealed.Teach us that it is only out of weakness that we are made strong,only as we suffer that we may reign,only as we lose that we may gain.

~Taken from"A Lamp Unto My Feet"by Elisabeth Elliot~

Photo courtesy of www.freestockphotos.com

Prayer in Busy Days

Things have become increasingly busy here lately.We watch our almost 7 year old granddaughter every weekend now.We've had many appointments of various kinds lately.When things get busy it is often very easy to let the truly important things slide in favor of the more urgent things that press into our day.It is often difficult during such times to see God's face,to sense His abiding presence with us.I found the following selection in a book called"Beautiful Living."This book contains the writings of J.R. Miller,one of the most revered authors in both America and England at the turn of the 20th century.They were compiled by James Bell...

It is in prayer that God shows His face to His children,that they have visions of His beauty and glory,that the sweet promises of His love come down as gifts into their hearts,and that they are transformed into His likeness.If you wish to be blessed,allow many seasons of prayer into your busy,harassed,tempted and struggling life.It is in these quiet moments that you really grow.Somewhere in every stressful,frantic day get a little"silent time"for prayer.It will bring heaven down into your heart and make you strong for His service.

Blessings~Sharon

What a Difference

What a wonderful day we had yesterday!We took an oh-so-much-needed day trip over to the lovely Oregon Coast.We cannot do this very often due to our very modest income.But it was going to be hot both here and quite warm at the coast so off we went.Husband Steve figured a few degrees cooler would be a small respite.The drive over was incredibly lovely and we really enjoyed the newly paved road.Smooth sailing it was!We reached Lincoln City and were surprised to see FOG!And what we thought was going to be a small temperature difference was actually quite a large one.Probably a good 20-30 degree difference!It was so chilly we could se our breath and I loved it!It was soooo very nice.We had lunch at Mo's(famous for their clam chowder).I always order Fish n Chips as I LOVE it.It's a wonderful once or twice a year splurge meal.We sat on long wooden benches and enjoyed the coastal decor as we ate.The sun began to break through the fog in earnest.Bits of fog still clung to the coastline but the sun's warmth and brightness began to sparkle on the water and heat up the sand.Sheer bliss.We finished our meal at about noon and stepped outside.We could still see our breath!I relished the coolness and drank it all in.We drove back up towards the outlet stores mall and Steve dropped me off at the Tree of Life Bookstore.They have a great bargain rack in back.I found what I wanted and went outside to wait for Steve.He had gone to get some clip on sunglasses at a nearby shop.As I sat there I once again welcomed the cool ocean weather(can you tell I'm middle aged...?LOL).It was great fun people watching too as I sat there,bag of books clutched tightly in one hand and purse in the other.The friendliest folks I ran across were the ones who were going about emptying all of the many trash cans that overflowed along the shopping mall's many walkways.Steve suddenly appeared in our van and we went to find a place to look at the ocean.Not an easy task.It seemed no one works on Mondays in Oregon anymore.LOLWe finally found a place to park near the water and we watched it from inside our van.The water reflected the grey fog above but was still lovely!We had no coats or we may have braved the outside of the van for a short walk.After that we drove home and entered 96 degree weather.But it was good to be home.God had given us a wonderful day.Smile.

Blessings~Sharon

Seasonal Changes

Though recent temperatures say otherwise,summer is nearly over.The sun sets earlier now.It is colder in the mornings.I hear a symphony of crickets each night as I drift off to sleep.Their familiar chorus eases my mind and lulls me to sleep.I slumber peacefully.The season of harvest is upon us.The time of pumpkins and scarecrows.Of cornucopias spilling their abundance over a freshly mowed pile of hay or upon a glistening dining room table.It is the season of God's bounty and of our gratitude for His bounty.And we rejoice in His goodness to us!What are you rejoicing about today?

Blessings Abundant~Sharon

Books Books,Books

But beyond this my son,be warned:the writing of many books is endless and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.

Ecclesiastes 12:12(NASB)

I completely understand excessive devotion to books.I am a confirmed and life long bibliophile!I have loved books since childhood.Reading came so easily to me that I do not even recall learning how to read.It is as if I came from my mothers womb knowing how.Now I know that is impossible.It's just that I did'nt struggle to learn it.I am grateful for that.It is a gift from God.A world of adventure awaited me in books.Places I have never seen.Things I have never done.It also developed within me a love for God's word(once I was saved).And that is such a good thing.In addition to God's word I also enjoy reading a variety of other things.Fiction,non-fiction,poetry.The list is endless.I am just so thrilled that the Christian market has just exploded with every genre of book you can think of.It is so beneficial and such a blessing to read something that is honoring to God.There is much stuff written that is not.I am currently reading a book on journaling by Ronald Klug"How To Keep A Spiritual Journal."It's from our local library.I hope to get my own copy some day.It's full of helpful tips on how to keep a journal of your walk with God as well as other types of journals.I highly recommend it.How about you?What are you currently reading?

Blessings~Sharon

Bountiful Harvests

You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;

even the hard pathways overflow

with abundance.

Psalm 65:11(NLT)

Image courtesy of Designs by Tyra 2005

An Answer

I saw my PCP yesterday afternoon.I was incredibly glad I did.Turns out I have Strep.I don't think I've ever had Strep.I don't think I ever want it again.It explains all the odd symptoms including the rash on my abdomen.Apparently this thing can migrate to other parts of one's body and cause rash,fever,etc.I am not sure where I got it from.It may have been my granddaughter who has had it fairly often for some reason.She is always full of hugs and kisses for me when she sees me.But I do not know.I am on Amoxicillin for it.I pray it is over soon.My body may feel like crud but my spirit is soaring today.I thank God for that.I had anawesome time with Him this morning.Amazing how time spent with Him can help us through so much on a physical level.Pray for me if you think to.I have much to do here but need to rest instead.Thank you.

Blessings~Sharon

Please Pray For Me

It's been raining here lately.Alot.The leaden skies have poured down their precious moisture and I have rejoiced.It's felt good.Refreshing.It's also been raining in my life personally.I see my local PCP today at 12:50 PT.I have something odd going on physically.Low grade fever,mild sore throat,sniffles and headache.And a red,warm to the touch and swollen abdomen(left hand side mostly).So I once again covet your prayers on our behalf.I am believing God for good things on this.I want to once again be free like this butterfly pictured above.Free to soar.To fly high above.Warmed by His sunshine.And blessed even when it rains.

Blessings~Sharon

photo courtesy of www.freestockphotos.com

Petitioning the Father

It's been rough here the last few days.We've had many errands to run and some were doctor's appointments of various kinds.In addition to that we babysit for a full 8 hours yesterday.Don't get me wrong,we love our granddaughter.But we're not in our 20's any more.And our bodies remind us often.But what has been harder than this was the emotional drain I felt the last few days.I received word from a friend here in town this week that her husband has prostate cancer.She also mentioned that a mutual friend of ours who now lives in Colorado has stage 3 breast cancer.A dear e-mail friend of mine just passed away a month ago from colon cancer.I know she is with Jesus now but I miss her presence in my life.Much like the man pictured above(at the Wailing Wall),I have had many reasons to petition the Father this week.To pour out my heart to Him on behalf of my dear friends who are feeling a range of emotions right now.I've even asked the Father why He is allowing so many of my friends to be affected by this awful disease.I don't have any answers yet.I may not have them this side of heaven.But I must continue on,petitioning the Father to grant my friends peace in the midst of the storm and strength for what lies ahead.And healing.Healing on every level that God may be glorified in it!In closing,please lift up Dave and Mary and their family and friends as well as Steve and Patti and their family and friends in prayer.I know they will appreciate it.I sure do.

Image courtesy of www.freestockphotos.com

Rejoicing While Waiting

It's another lovely summer day here in Oregon.It's not going to be too terribly hot and the skies are clear and so very blue!Though it is still August on the calendar I think we may have an early Autumn.It's been down into the 40's in the morning.Some trees are already beginning to subtlely shed their verdant green coats for their fiery red and gold ones.I am happy as the season to come is my all time favorite.It has always blessed me to go from Summer to Autumn.Summer's heat always wears me down.Makes me sluggish,weary.I eagerly wait through the heat knowing it will soon cool down.Sometimes it's the same with unanswered prayers.We pray,laying our requests before God.If the delay is too long,we may begin to grumble,just like we may do when summer's heat lasts too long for us.But just like the arrival of Autumn's chill and fiery color,God's answers will arrive.Always on time.Right when they're supposed to.And,while we wait,we need to rejoice(I need that reminder alot).Rejoicing when the heat is on is imperative,I think.It makes the waiting time more bearable.It brings honor and glory to God.It can even bless those around us.My devotional this morning said something similar.In closing I want to share it with you here:

...and again I say,Rejoice.~Philippians 4:4

Rejoice,My child,rejoice.

Let praise fill your heart and overflow from your life.

Believe in the efficacy of prayer-even your own feeble ones.

My ear is open to the sighs of My children.

While you wait to see the changes prayer can bring about,rejoice in faith

and drive away the scavengers of doubt that would take away your

sacrifice of praise.Praise and faith stengthen and nourish

one another.That is why Paul says,"with thanksgiving let your requests be

made known to God.

Taken from"Volume 1 Echoes of Eternity:Listening to the Father"

by Hal Helms

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Love

"Love is kindled in a flame, and ardency is its life. Flame is the air which true Christian experience breathes. It feeds on fire; it can withstand anything rather than a feeble flame; but when the surrounding atmosphere is frigid or lukewarm, it dies, chilled and starved to its vitals. True prayer must be aflame.

~E.M Bounds~

Rest For The Weary

It's been another good day here.I've had energy.Joy.All the things needed to have a good day.It was not so just a few months back.Undiagnosed sleep apnea left me dragging through the day.Exhausted.Not rested.Lacking in joy.Weary.Through the grace of God I was tested for and received a diagnosis of OSA(obstructive sleep apnea).I now sleep at night with a bi-pap mask on my face and extra oxygen too.It's not as scary or horrifying as it sounds.It has given me a new lease on life.I saw my sleep doctor today.I have good news.I am now down to only one sleep event per hour.A sleep event is where someone actually stops breathing briefly.At it's high I was up to 69 events per hour.No wonder I was sleepy all day.My body was weary.I was not getting quality rest.But I am now.Thank you Jesus.My daily life and the bi-pap's computer smart card are showing the results.My body was not the only thing to suffer during this time.My spirit was suffering too.I was too tired to get up early and spend time in God's word.Not so now(what a gift).I have recently been using some online bible studies at Anne Graham Lotz's website(www.annegrahamlotz.com) .She is Billy Graham's daughter and these studies are great.Very conducive to journaling if,like me,you love to write.I am currently doing her study entitled"An Open Letter to the Weary."It is excellent and I highly recommend all of these studies.If you're weary today,weary in spirit,take heart,and be encouraged by the following scripture.They are from the study I mentioned earlier.

For I have satiated the weary soul,and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.

~Jeremiah 31:25 NKJV

And let us not grow weary while doing good,for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

~Galatians 6:9 NKJV

Blessings~Sharon

A Gift?Yes!

It's another beautiful summer day here.We awoke to crystalline,blue skies,sunshine and a wonderful north wind.We ran some errands early.As Steve and I chatted we both discovered we had desired to clean our carpets this week with the steam cleaner.For whatever reason we had only just now shared our mutual desire.Smile.We drove back home slowly through town,savoring the sun's warmth and the cool wind.Simply delicious.Definitely divine!The wonderful smells emanating from local Mexican restaurants tickled our noses with their tantalizing scents.We arrived home and began the task of vacuuming our rugs in preparation for the real task of steam cleaning them.As I helped with the vacuuming I was amazingly pain free in my right knee.I had recently been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in it.I was actually loving the vacuuming.I know that sounds strange.Who,in their right mind,loves housework?Big grin.As I vacuumed I realized that,this too,was a gift from God.Though many would not see it this way,I do.And here's why.My husband and I have endured many afflictions in our bodies over the last 5 years.Things that God allowed.Things that laid us low on every level.Physically.Financially.Emotionally and spiritually.There were days that we just muddled through.Sometimes we did not even feel well enough or pain-free enough to do the simplest of tasks.Then there is the emotional and mental aspect of chronic pain or illness that wears you down.Depression is common when faced with life altering illnesses and pain(s).All of this combined can definitely affect one's spiritual life.Where is God?Why did He allow this?Does He still love me?Will I ever be pain free?My husband and I have faced all of this.Whether shared or unexpressed,we've both felt it.And the end result has been immense gratitude for the little things.Like a sunny day.A cooling north wind in the summer.Or even feeling good enough to clean one's carpets!All gifts from God,however simple.What simple gifts has He bestowed upon you today?

Blessings~Sharon

In Memoriam

A couple of months back,on May 10,I posted about my friend Sharon in New Jersey.She had been diagnosed with colon cancer.I requested prayer for her.I received word yesterday from her husband Terry that Sharon went to be with Jesus on July 17th.Interestingly enough I had sensed she had passed on before I even got word from her husband.I never met Sharon in person.We were internet friends.We originally met through an infertility support group.We began to discover we had more in common than simply our names and childless status.We both had MIL's named Evelyn.We loved cooking and flowers.We both loved old movies.And Jesus.I cried some when I received word of her passing.Though I know she passed quickly,quietly and without pain,into the loving arms of our savior,I will still miss her presence.We used to e-mail almost daily at times.And if I,who never met her in person,can feel this so deeply,what must those who really knew her be feeling?So please keep her husband and family and friends in prayer as they deal with this passing of such a treasured wife,sister,and friend.Thank you.

Photo courtesy of www.freestockphotos.com

Got Jesus?

Steve and I drove to our local library yesterday to check out some movies.As we drove we passed by several yard sales.We love them but often will simply drive by if we don't see anything we need out on the front lawn.We passed by one as we did'nt see anything we needed.Nothing had piqued our interest.As we drove away Steve said"Got Jesus?"I said"What?"He said"Got Jesus? was on the man's shirt at the yard sale we just passed."Immediately the thought came to me that it is not always whether we have Jesus.Often the question should be"does Jesus have us?"Have a blessed Saturday.

Photo courtesy of www.freestockphotos.com

Is It Really Summer?

Last week,we who live in this part of Oregon,were baking under cloudless skies and triple digit temperatures.This week,angry looking clouds,much like the ones pictured above,have blessed us with their cooling rains.And breezes,normally reserved for our coastline,have graced us with their presence as well.It has been interesting to me how these same clouds and rain,that are often grumbled about in winter,after weeks and weeks of their presence,can now be such a welcomed thing.

Summer's rain,gently,softly falling to earth from pale,leaden skies.

Soaking into parched,sun-baked,hardened ground.Barren ground.Void of life.Void of growth.

A welcomed respite from the searing,blazing sun and heat.

Our hearts and minds,Jesus,like that hardened earth,needing a gentle rain from You.

A gentle grace-rain.To soften us,refresh us,prepare us for new life and new growth.

Thank You Jesus for the rain that waters the earth and Your grace rain that waters our lives.

Written by Sharon L Goemaere

Photo courtesy of www.freestockphotos.com

Summer Ambivalence

Summer is so very fleeting;

Hearts rejoicing;Quickly beating.

Ocean's spray;Sea-salt air.

Blissful days without a care.

Sun filled days.Star filled nights.

Thanking Jesus,our hearts take flight.

Cool mountain streams,

over rocks so gleaming.

Warm sun's rays,

on earth are beaming.

So very hot,but have no fear.

Autumn's chill will soon be here.

Written by Sharon L. Goemaere

Photo courtesy of http://www.freestockphotos.com/

His Amazing Love

The following worship song by Chris Tomlin(www.christomlin.com) has been in my head for days now and I just had to share it with you all.If you know this song then I'm sure it's notes are already playing in your head.Smile.If you don't know it I encourage you to find it and take a listen.It's beautiful and it will bless you.

There is an endless song,Echoes in my soul,I hear the music ring.And though storms may come,I am holding on,To the rock I cling.

How can I keep from singing Your praise?How can I ever say enough?How amazing is Your love?How can I keep from shouting Your name?I know I am loved by the King,And it makes my heart want to sing.

I will lift my eyes,In the darkest night,For I know my Savior lives.And I will walk with You,Knowing You see me through,And sing the songs You give.

How can I keep from singing Your praise?How can I ever say enough?How amazing is Your love?How can I keep from shouting Your name?I know I am loved by the King,And it makes my heart want to sing.

I can sing in the troubled times.Sing when I win.I can sing when I lose my step.And I fall down again.

I can sing 'cause You pick me up.Sing 'cause You're there.I can sing 'cause You hear me, Lord,When I call to You in prayer.

.I can sing with my last breath.Sing for I knowThat I'll sing with the angelsAnd the saints around the throne.

How can I keep from singing Your praise?How can I ever say enough?How amazing is Your love?

How can I keep from shouting Your name?I know I am loved by the KingAnd it makes my heart I am loved by the King,And it makes my heart, I am loved by the King,And it makes my heart want to sing,I can sing.