So Glad

I am so glad my husband Steve and I are not superstitious people.For,had we been, we would have missed out on one of the greatest sources of joy in our lives.We"adopted" our cat Shadow from a cat and kitten rescue in a town just NE of here.Shadow came to live with us in March of 2007 and has been a blessing ever since then.He was 6 months old when we got him and black as coal.The photo above looks just like him but is not a photo of him.In fact I chose this one from http://www.morguefile.com/ because our cat Shadow just loves to ham it up like this.Big smile.Many think black cats are bad luck or whatever.I do not adhere to that belief whatsoever.He is simply a cat.A black ball of fur and purrs who adores us.The feeling is mutual.When we feed him he turns those gorgeous green eyes towards us as if to say"thank you."I really think I see cat-love in those huge green orbs.When we went to look at all the available cats it was as if he had chosen us.He turned on all the kitten charm he could muster and it paid off.For all of us.He just purred and purred and rubbed along the cage and stuck his silky soft paws through as if to say"I have chosen you now you choose me."We were smitten.And still are.He is a ham-extraordinaire.He loves to slap my husband's legs as Steve walks away to another room.We call him the Black Flash too for he loves to slap and run.Huge grin.Cat owners will know what I am speaking of unless this quality is unique to our little guy.He loves to jump up on me in the middle of the night for some petting and then take posession of my arm and hand with his paws and head for a short snooze.He is of course purring like a diesel truck the whole time.What a soothing sound to sleep by.He is right now asleep on our bed as I type this.No doubt resting up for a long night of cat antics.I believe he was a gift from our Lord to us.Our little guy was ill for about 36 hours this week.He has never been ill.We prayed over him and he is now better.I am glad God cares about animals just as much as we do.His word says In Proverbs 12:10 that"a righteous man cares for the needs of his animals...."So we pray for him when he's ill.We feed and water and bathe him.We brush him and stroke his soft fur and silky ears.We talk to him.We care for him.I think God is pleased.

Blessings~Sharon

Spring Cleaning

It's that time of year again.The time of birds singing their joyous songs of praise each morning as dawn creeps silently into town as if on little cat's paws.Of flowers waking from a long wintery slumber under dark,rich earth.The season of sunshine yellow daffodils.Regal looking purple crocus.And cotton candy pink cherry trees.It's also the time that we as humans often begin the annual ritual of spring cleaning.We clear out flower beds so each delicate beauty can shine in all it's God-graced glory.We remove the last bits of the previous Autumn's dead and decayed leaves.Or maybe we attack that closet that sits awaiting our attention.We open it's door and shine light on things long hidden inside.We rifle through piles of old magazines,outgrown clothes and photos desperately needing to be in an album.And we give away or throw away or organize these things long past their usefulness.Things we don't need.Things that are no longer serviceable to us.I did just that very thing this week.And it felt good.Though our calendar shouted that spring had officially arrived recently the weather outside was singing a much different tune.Skies were leaden and pored rain,then hail,then snow.Then the sun would shine.And it was cold.It was as if winter did not want to release it's icy grip on our little part of Oregon.It's chilling fingers wanted to continue to shroud us in darkness and clouds.It wanted to pummel us with it's ice pellets as if to shout"I'm here and I will not let you go."And so I stayed indoors and cleaned and organized.And as I worked I thought.Alot.I do that.I imagine you do to.I thought about life and trials and God's goodness.And yet somehow winter still wanted to keep my heart,my soul,wrapped in it's frozen grasp.Feelings and emotions churned.Discouragement tried to creep in.Big time.It seemed it was going to crowd out recent memories of God's goodness and provision.And it almost won.And I realized that I needed a spring cleaning in my soul.In my heart.That much as our physical lives often need a fresh cleaning and organizing,so do our hearts and souls and spirits.Clutter in our outer lives can often cause clutter in our inner lives I think.And it can weigh us down.Keep us mired in places we should not be;at least not permanently.And for me it often feels like a loss of flow.Loss of the flow of His Holy Spirit at work in my life.Loss of vision.A sense of almost hopelessness.It is then we need a good cleaning.A time of refreshing.Of opening the shutters on our windows and our hearts wide.Of cleaning up those dark and dank places that have slumbered too long in winter's bed.It is then that He can once again move and flow in our lives.And it is then that we once again feel renewed and full of hope and optimism.And we once again feel clean.Spring clean.

Blessings~Sharon

~Image courtesy of www.freestockphotos.com ~

Happy Resurrection Day !

May God grant each of you a most blessed Resurrection Day filled with joy and fun times with your family and friends as we celebrate our Savior's triumph over death itself!

Blessings~Sharon

~Image from SOJ Graphics~

Great Things Part 2 !

I received another unexpected gift from God this week.I was not expecting it.It was in the form of a phone call.A call telling me that due to changes in the federal poverty level my insurance was being reinstated!I had not expected things to go this way.I was shocked.And happy.Well,kind of happy.It is a bittersweet victory in a sense.In order for it to stay reinstated I must give up getting paid for the day care I do watching Hope,our granddaughter.Some have thought it odd that I would get paid to watch my own granddaughter.If we were in a better place financially I would agree with them.But not all Grammas are rich.God has allowed us to be in a very humbling place since my husband had to quit working due to heart issues.Though I do not believe it will always be like this for us for right now we are still in this place of humble circumstances.But even so I still consider this life a gift.And though this most recent gift came with a price I will still rejoice in His provision and goodness.And His grace.God's word says he reisists the proud but gives grace to the humble.So,if you too find yourself going through humbling times,rejoice for you may well see His grace in amazing and abundant ways.

Blessings~Sharon

Great Things!

God is so good and I just have to praise Him publicly here for what He's done for me!About a year ago I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea.This diagnosis required that I begin to sleep with a bi-pap machine at night along with some extra oxygen via an oxygen concentrator.This was not a problem as I had Oregon Health Plan insurance to cover the over $200.00 a month expense.This January I lost my medical insurance due to being $3.00 over income.This was likely due to my husband's yearly cost of living raise on his disability checks.I now had no way to cover the expense of my life saving machines.But God came through.After much prayer and some phone calls I had a used bi-pap in good working order donated to me by the company that makes them!I also just got word yesterday that the oxygen machine I have been using is now mine,free of charge!The company that rents them out said that basically the insurance company already had paid the cost for the machine and so they have donated it to me.They are losing out on the$194.00 a month rental fees but I am getting to live and have asked God to bless their business for the kindness to me!I also found out this week that some of the meds I take will be covered by Med Assist,a free meds program.Though I would not wish our present circumstances on anyone else I have seen miracles of God's provision.He has made a way where there seemed to be no way!He has done great things and we are indeed very glad!He has provided what was needed for us and He will indeed provide for you as well dear readers.

Blessings~Sharon

~Image courtesy of SOJ Graphics~

He Bids Us Sing

The world does not bid you sing,but God does.

Song is the sign of an unburdened heart;

then sing your songs of love unbidden,

ever rising higher and higher into a fuller

concept of the greatest,grandest fact

on the stage of time-

God is love.

~Oswald Chambers~

"The Love of God"

~Image courtesy of SOJ Graphics~

He Leads

The words of this hymn have been meandering through my mind the last 2 days.Consequently they have found their way to my vocal chords.Smile.It's a great song to sing while in the shower first thing in the morning.So,no matter where you are or whatever you're facing be assured that God is indeed leading you and is there for you,His child.It is my hope that you take comfort in this fact.

Verse 1
He leadeth me! O blessed tho't! O words with heav'nly comfort fraught! What-e'er I do, wher-e'er I be, Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me!

Chorus
He leadeth me, He leadeth me, By His own hand He leadeth me: His faithful foll'wer I would be, For by His hand He leadeth me.

Verse 2
Lord, I would clasp Thy hand in mind, Nor ever murmur nor repine, Content, whatever lot I see, Since 'tis Thy hand that leadeth me!

Verse 3
And when my task on earth is done, When by Thy grace the vict'ry's won, E'en death's cold wave I will not flee, Since God thro' Jordan leadeth me.

Blessings~Sharon

~Image courtesy of SOJ Graphics~

Love

It's Valentine's Day!A day to celebrate love.Let us remember the greatest love of all.The love of God for His creation.That includes you and me.Just want to let you,my readers,know how much each of you means to me this day and always.I love each of you like family.But then we are family,are'nt we?Smile.The family of God...

Blessings&Love~Sharon

~Image courtesy of SOJ graphics~

Pleasantly Surprised

I've received some pleasant surprises lately.And I'm just thrilled.The first was a"blog of excellence" award from Debbie Whitlock over at"Just My Thoughts"(www.debbiewhitlock.wordpress.com ).What a blessing and an honor.I'm truly grateful and humbled all at the same time.Thank you Debbie for your kindness.

The second surprise is we've had about 4 days of spring like weather here in the Willamette Valley.Partial sun and temperatures in the mid 50's.A real surprise and blessing for those of us who live here.Winter is usually dark,damp, and dreary.This winter has been like this.My husband is even more thrilled than I am as he absolutely hates winters here.He lived 20 years in Southern California before moving up here in 1991 and meeting and marrying me in 1992.So,these winters wear on him.We've also been noticing it's staying light past 5 in the evenings.Another sign of spring's nearness.I know,I know it's more than a month away on the calendar but try telling our temperatures and clearing skies that.Smile.

Blessings~Sharon

Winter's Beauty

But Winter has yet brighter scenes—he boasts;Splendors beyond what gorgeous Summer knows;Or Autumn with his many fruits, and woods;All flushed with many hues. ~ William Cullen Bryant

Image courtesy of www.freestockphotos.com

One of Those Days

It's been one of those days here.The kind I seldom have thankfully.It was stressful and emotional.The tears poured from my eyes freely.Unabashed and unashamedly.Life trials weighed heavy.Misunderstandings and miscommunication happened.Please pray for us if you think to.If you've had one of those days too I hope that you too will take comfort from the following words found in Revelation 21:4(NIV)...

He will wipe every tear from their eyes.There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away.

Image courtesy of SOJ graphics

How Great

How great is our God.

Sing with me,how great is our God.

And all will see,how great,how great is our God.

This wonderful worship song by Chris Tomlin was what greeted me as I turned on the stereo prior to cleaning our small kitchen this morning.I never cease to be amazed at how a sense of God's presence can make the most mundane of tasks a simple joy.God's presence changes everything,does'nt it?

Blessings~Sharon

Image from SOJ graphics.

Lyrics to chorus above by Chris Tomlin

Blessed is the Man

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,which yields it's fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.Whatever he does prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3 NIV

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

His Promise of Joy

You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.I will lie down and sleep in peace for you alone,O Lord,make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:7-8 NIV

...Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.

Psalm 30:5 NKJV

Rest easy and be at peace,O weary one;Dare to live joyfully you who are in the dark night of the soul;For your Heavenly Father is faithfully watching over you.He who never sleeps or slumbers is ever aware of where you are and what you are facing.He is faithful and He will see you through.You can count on this as surely as the sun rises and sets each day.Joy,His joy will come again.

Blessings~Sharon

Image from SOJ graphics

Our Majestic Lord

"O Lord,our Lord,how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens."

"When I consider your heavens,the work of your fingers,the moon and the stars which you have set in place,what is man that you are mindful of him,and the son of man that you care for him?"

Psalm 8:1&3 NIV

Oh Lord,my Lord,how truly and wonderfully majestic is Your name in all the earth and in my heart.That You would care for one such as I is beyond comprehension...a flawed and oh so human woman...I am humbled...

Love~Sharon

Image from www.freestockphotos.com

Books,Wonderful Books

I've been tagged by Jo(http://www.followtheroadlesstraveled.blogspot.com/ ) for a book meme.Before I answer the questions let me say that if you want to read some beautiful writing please visit her blog.You won't be sorry.
And now onto the book meme questions:

1.)One book that changed your life?
Definitely the hands down winner is my Bible!

2.)One book you have read more than once?
Too numerous to list but I will say"Windows Of The Soul"by Ken Gire.

3.)One book you would want on a desert island?
Definitely my Bible.

4.)Two books that made you laugh?
Anything by Patsy Clairmont or Luci Swindoll.

5.)One book that made you cry?
I cannot think of one for I tend to read happy,optimistic books.

6.)One book you'd wished you'd written?
Anything by Jane Austen.

7.)One book you wish had never been written?
Anything that is occultic in nature or is just pure smut.

8.)Two books that you're reading?
I tend to try and read one at a time.I am currently reading"A Time of Departing:How Ancient Mystical Practices are Uniting Christians with the World's Religions"by Ray Yungen.He exposes the dangerous practices that have crept into the modern day church under the guise of things such as"Christian Yoga"etc. .Very good book.

9.)One book that you're going to read?
I am hoping to purchase and read LuAnn Budd's"Journal Keeping."I am an avid journaler and am always looking for good writing prompts or anything pertaining to keeping a journal or writing poetry,etc.

Well,there you have it.A little bit more about me.:-)I think I am supposed to tag some friends but I think Jo and I share many of the same blog buddies.So I will decline to do that and wish you,my small band of readers,a wonderful Sunday!

Blessings~Sharon

Image courtesy of Source of Joy Graphics

Whew!

Whew!!What a month it's been here.Busy as can be.In addition to celebrating Christmas and New Year's we made a move.On December 31st.In the middle of a small ice storm.We now live in the same complex as our daughter and granddaughter.Being closer to family is a really good thing.We're still unpacking but settling in quite nicely I think.Though we will always love small town life we are adjusting to big city life very well.Smile.It's nice having our loved ones much closer.

Speaking of family I got an amazing gift for Christmas.More newly found cousins.Since finding my half sister on my dad's side in 2003 I have also discovered a massive amount of cousins.And a couple of aunts as well.Turns out my paternal grandmother had a whopping 19 children!Whew.That's alot of kids.No wonder I have cousins across the entire US and probably Canada as well.It's been an interesting trip.One I am enjoying immensely.Though not all the info I have learned about my dad and his family has been good I am thankful to have a Heavenly Father who never disappoints me.Big grin.

So,it's 2008.A new year has begun.A year of blank pages in life's journal gazes up at me.Beckons me to enter in.Stop and stay awhile.Leave a mark,my own unique mark on it's many pages.I pray that the marks I leave behind will bless many.Both near and far.But most importantly I pray God Himself will be blessed.It's all about Him anyhow,is'nt it?Have a blessed day everyone.

Love~Sharon

Image courtesy of http://www.u-haul.com/

What Can We Give Him?

It's a timeless question.What do you give the man who has everything?And when that man is the Lord Himself it becomes an even deeper conundrum.What do you give the ONE who has everything,owns everything.?What do you give Him who holds all of time and eternity in His very capable hands?The answer is found in the following words penned by Christina Rossetti:

In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain; heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign. In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there, cherubim and seraphim thronged the air; but his mother only, in her maiden bliss, worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; yet what I can I give him: give my heart.

We celebrate God's greatest gift at this time of year.Christmas.The birthday of our Saviour Jesus Christ.We gather with family and friends around a table laden with food or a tree laden with packages.Yet,the reason we gather is often lost in the commercialism of the season.We give gifts to each other and that is good.But what about the Guest of honor?The Lord Jesus Himself.Enjoy,even relish time with your loved ones.But don't let the One who loves us with an everlasting love go away empty handed this year.

Blessings~Sharon

Merry Christmas

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.~Isaiah 9:6

Light in the midst of darkness.Love, pure and holy love was born that night in Bethlehem.Hope was born.We celebrate hope,the Light of the world,at this Christmas season.We celebrate Jesus.He is the only reason for the season.May His light,His hope,His love fill each of your hearts this season.And may you rejoice just as they did so long ago in Bethlehem.Merry Christmas to all of you.

~Image courtesy of Source of Joy Graphics~

Anger Management

Once again our Granddaughter Hope has provided fodder for a blog entry.Smile.We were watching her today as we do every weekend.I was in the kitchen cleaning up lunch dishes.We'd had sloppy joe's made with ground turkey on whole wheat buns and pears.I was enjoying the rare winter sun streaming in my kitchen window as well as the simple act of washing dishes by hand(my dishwasher was full).Hope was out in the living room playing a Sony driving game(some game where you race ATV's over various tracks both pro and amateur).As I finished up the dishes Hope came walking into the kitchen and gave me a hug."Is your game over?"I asked.""No"she replied.""I just find that it helps me to get rid of my anger if I hug someone."Hope was living out a biblical principle without even realizing it!I knew I had a blog entry with her statement.Big grin.I probed further.The source of her anger?Running out of time on her racing game.As she left the room I pondered what had just transpired.And I reached some conclusions.Would'nt it be nice if the worst thing we had to be angry over was running out of time on a game?And ,even better than that,would'nt it be wonderful if all the anger issues and results of that anger could be solved by simply hugging another human being?It's quite possible that all the world's ugliness,sin and sadness,caused by anger,could be eradicated in it's entirety.That's something to think about the next time we as humans are tempted to get angry over something.

~In your anger,do not sin.Do net let the sun go down on your wrath.~

Ephesians 4:26 NIV

Blessings~Sharon