Sharing Some "Sunshine...." and Scripture

Just sharing some bright and cheery arrangements from the past few years...... Hope they make you smile!  

Psalm 27:1 "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" 

And these are Words of beauty, strength and Comfort from God's Word the Bible..... Enjoy, and be encouraged!

"Sleepy Lily" says: Happy Monday!

These are some photos I took the other night of Miss Lily, AKA: Lilybit, Lulu, Lilybug, Miss Stinker, Baby, Cupcake, Mija, Liebchen, and darling girl...........Ummm.... does anyone else call their dog by nicknames, or is it just us??????  I'm guessing you do! I used to take tons of photos of our Black Lab Jazz.... and he was the most obliging of Pups..... you could pose him all kinds of cute ways, with all sorts of props, such as flowers, scarves, toys, gifts, treats, glasses, etc..... and he would just give you a sleepy look, as it to say "are you finished yet?"  I am still trying things out with Lily..... that is why there is a bunch of flowers next to her..... she will tolerate some things.....but has a tendancy to move, sniff the "props" I place beside her, and even nibble at them.....  she was a tired girl from lots of playing, in these pics, though, so I did get a few before she got disgusted with me and moved...... I am getting more and more attached to this dog!!!!!!  I am a total "dog -person", and she is so sweet!  She is getting more and more used to us and our crazy ways, and now gives LOTS of kisses and if you quit petting her, or she wants attention, she will worm that cold black nose under your hand or arm, and nudge you pretty strongly!!!!!  (and we love every minute of it)

I am sooooo thankful God sent this sweet little lady our way!!  As I have said before, He gives his children the best gifts!!!!

Anyway, Lily says "Happy Monday, dear hearts!"  And we hope you have a wonderful week.......and if it just happens to be a rather trying week, we hope you remember to lean on HIS strength, because 2 Corinthians 12:9 says:  "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness...."

Some "Spring - y" thoughts... and Sowing and Reaping

What is it about fresh flowers that can lift our spirits? I love to buy a big bouquet from Kroger's..... they just make me smile!! The colors in this bouquet reminded me of Spring, so I got out one of my pink bunnies... and set her beside the vase... can you tell  I'm longing for Spring??  **Smile** I had bought a medium sized galvanized tub last year to plant flowers in, but never got around to it, so I have also been trying to imagine what I'll plant in it this year.... because even thinking about flowers in bloom makes me happy!

 And I am trying to think too, about what else I can "plant"... I want to sow some seeds of kindness this year... and I want to lay up some treasures in Heaven, too...like Mathew 6 : 20 says:

"But lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:"

And I need to plant many, many seeds in my "Garden of Prayer".... those kinds of seeds bear the most beautiful "flowers".... and what they bring forth has eternal results!!  I am hungry, dear friends..... but it's not a physical hunger.... it's a Spiritual hunger.... a deep down hunger of the soul.... a longing to draw nearer to my Precious Lord.... a desire to see backsliders come home to the Lord...... and to witness new converts - those who may not know anything about God --- filled with God's Holy Spirit.... and baptized in Jesus' Precious name......

I am reminded of Psalms 126:6: "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." 

Oh God, let this be a "fruitful" year....... and help me to remember that "sowing" requires effort.... and that the return, and the joy of the harvest will make every moment spent laboring So well - worth that effort!!!!  

Hmm.... trying a different way to upload some pix!!!!!

WOOHOO!!!!!! YAY! I am sitting here like a monkey doing a math problem.... but I finally figured out how to add some photos to the blog even though the browse button isn't working the regular old way!!!!! And aren't these photos hilarious????? I was bored and playing with the camera... had unearthed some old "prop" goofy glasses.... and just tried them on for size!!! Yep, I think I am definitely on the mend from this Flu thing.... thank God!!! Now, let's see if this works..... Jenni

Happy Dance!!!!!!!  It did!!!!  It really did work!!! Don't laugh!  If you knew how little I actually know about the computer you'd totally understand......

Something Good out of the bad

Good morning dear ones.... well I am wide awake... haven't slept a wink!!  Those steroid shots do that to me for a day or so.....

Y'all may remember how God healed me of the high fever.... and I said I didn't know why it wasn't a "complete healing" but I said I wanted God's Will to be done.....

So I went to the Doctor's office yesterday, and, wouldn't you know it, my Mom and I got to witness to a man and his wife....got to share scriptures with them, and invited them to church....

So my Awesome God  brought something good from this sickness..... and I praise Him for it!

He is so Wise and Good, All the Time!

I've tried to make good use of some of this sick time, too... while in bed, yesterday.... have made some cards.... and worked on music flashcards for the kids I teach piano....

I surely missed going to church last night, though.... but I talked to the Lord from my sickbed and He heard my heart's cry and strengthened me.... there's nothing in the world like talking to the Savior!

Well, it's only 7:40 a.m.!!!! hmmmm... think I'll go and try to close my eyes and see if it works this time.... tee hee!

Some thoughts............

I am doing better with this flu thingie.... thank God!  No more fever....  And thanks for all the prayers and kind thoughts... you, dear friends, are truly nice and caring people!

On a different note, I don't think I've ever had a sore throat that hurts as badly as this one does.... and I am not kidding... my jaws are tired because every time I swallow... I automatically clench my teeth... it hurts that bad!

my throat is bright bright scarlet red, too????  This is wierd, huh??? Needless to say, I am going to the doctor's office today at 4:oo......

Goodness!  I really want to post some new pics to the blog, but I have been affected by whatever Blogger says they are trying to correct.... you know, where the browse feature thing is not available to retrieve photos from my computer??

I surely wish they would fix it, 'cuz I have such a sweet pic of Miss Lily with a pink scarf around her neck....

I hope all is well for you and your families... and that you are healthy!

I am thinking of Psalm 46 today... verse 1 says: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  I'm going to go and read this entire beautiful strengthening chapter..... my heart is heavy, because you see, my Brother - in - Law lost his mother yesterday...... and she was a Pastor's wife, and a dear and Consecrated Lady...... and I feel priviledged to have known her..... but I am sad for him and his family..... I am not sad for her now.... she is in a place of total peace and rest in Jesus........but I am sorrowful for those that remain here without her!

I am thankful we can lean on the Lord always.... any time of day or night...... He IS a "very present help in trouble"!!!!!!! 

Hugs,
Jenni 

Flu update

Praise the Lord!  I called my pastor this morning, and told him how sick I was feeling, and he said he would pray.... and I went back to bed and took my temp and it was still pretty high..... well, I fell asleep and woke up in a sweat!  yep..... the fever was gone, thank the Lord!  I figured out the time it happened and it was about the time the church prays together......

I am so thankful!  still have an ear ache and sore throat.... but haven't had the fever and body aches any more!!!!

I am believing God to bring me through this! Yes, He could have taken away all of it..... I don't know know why He didn't, but He knows best..... and I trust Him completely! I feel lots better without that terrible aching, though.....

thanks for all the prayers and good wishes!

Hugs,
Jenni

Touching Jesus is all that really matters

Hello dear ones.... this song is on my heart this morning.  It's nearly 3:00 A.M.  and I feel terrible!  I'm running a pretty high fever even though I've been taking extra - strength Tylenol every four hours.....And I know I can only have 6 within a 24 hour period.... Oh My!  It feels like the Flu..... you know how even your skin aches and every joint hurts?

Well, I know where my help comes from....... and I am waiting for the morning so that I can call my dear Pastor...... I believe in prayer...... I know it works!  I have seen so many miraculous healings in my life time..... even experieced them myself......

So just bear with me for a moment, because I am going to do what David did in the Bible...... I'm gonna "encourage myself in the Lord"!!!!!

Several years ago....... I think it was in the Fall...... I became so sick with the flu..... was running a high fever....... well, I looked up at the ceiling in my bedroom and said "Lord, I am tired of being sick and I am ready for You to touch me and heal me!"  

I had just taken my temp. and it was over 102 I believe.....  I know it was pretty high...... so I got up and went and got the phone..... My Pastor was out - of - town at the time..... so I called the minister he had left in charge...... it was an elderly preacher that had great faith, just as my Pastor does....... I called him and told him "Bro. Derese, I am sick and feeling terrible with fever and I know God can Heal me...... will you please pray?"   and he said "Of course, Sister, we'll pray right now!!!"

And he began to call on the Holy Name of Jesus!!!!  And let me tell you!!!  I began to feel God's Spirit go all over me!!!!  Bro Derese began to feel it too!  He began to speak in a Heavenly language as he prayed....... tears ran down my face as I felt God's touch!!!!!  Oh friends!!!! there is NOTHING in this world like the touch of Allmighty God......

We finished praying, and I hung up the phone.....and took my temp again...... and it was 99. 1  (now remember, I had just taken it before he prayed for me and it was high)  a few minutes later, I took it again, and it was GONE!!!!!  and I felt strong and so much better.........

Praise the name of Jesus!  He is our Healer!  And I know without doubt He can heal me..... I want His perfect will to be done.......I love Him so.... Where would I be without His tender mercies that fail not???  His Compassion and Love and Grace are unfathomable......

Sharing this testimony has certainly encouraged me...... I hope it encouraged you too, that there is power, power, wonder - working power, in the precious blood of the Lamb!

This was just one instance where I have experienced Divine Healing....... It has happened many, many other times, and to my family and friends as well....... if you are in a similiar situation, please know that Jesus cares about you!!!!!!!  seek Him and Call on His Holy Name.......

I am going to...... and I'm gonna read His Word, as well........