Go To The Rock

 

Where do you go when you are afraid?  Where do you go when you are stressed?  Where do you go when you are overwhelmed?  

The world is moving so fast.  Things are happening in the world faster than the newscaster can report.  

The changes I am experiencing are not pleasant and I would opt for different circumstances if it were in my power.  BUT it is not in my power but in the hand of God.  For that I am thankful too! I know beyond a doubt that I can’t trust myself BUT I know who I can trust with all my heart.  

As I typed those first sentences a song came quickly to mind that I sang often when I was young.  It was very popular.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=76mdvsPI9mY&si=jEswoqfcdtgkCffb

Hugs and Blessings,

Mèmére

Home Sweet Home

Quarantine sounds like such a negative word to me.  I hear and read of so many people complaining that they have to stay home!

Not me! Not for one minute.  

"Home is where the heart is"  has always been a favorite quote of mine and now it is being put to the test.  I pass with flying colors cause there is no better place I would rather be than HOME, SWEET HOME!

Blessed to share my nest with my Precious Husband and now one of my adult children.  It is truly a blessing and honor to get up each day and do what it takes to create a home for my loved ones.

Quarantine, empty grocery shelves, no TOILET PAPER, oh my!  We are living our lives right now sheltering in place and wondering what the future holds.

This world as we know it seems to be turned upside down and topsy turvy but I know that my Lord has it all in His hands just like the song I sang as a little girl.  "He's got the whole world in His hands, the whole wide world in His Hands, He's got the whole world in His hands!"

I know no matter what happens I can trust the heart of my loving Heavenly Father to see His Children through whatever comes about.  That is a fact that brings peace and confidence to my heart as I shelter in my HOME, SWEET HOME!

Love and Hugs,

Mèmére

Encouragement in Pandemic Times

Stress. Worry. Fear. So much is being hurled at us on the TV, the radio, the neighbor across the way.  All I want to do on my blog today is share some words of encouragement.  Encouragement based on God's Word that brings calm, faith and peace.  I pray these two devotionals from BE STILL AND KNOW by Mildred Stamm will encourage you as you read them.  

Hugs and Blessings,

Mèmére

What I Am Wearing Today

 Don’t shine so others can see you.  Shine so that through you others can see Him.

—C.S. Lewis

I ran across this quote of C.S.Lewis on FaceBook recently.  

It was a new to me quote.  

A day or two later I was in my happy place, I mean Hobby Lobby and found these cute encouraging reminder bracelets.  I couldn't resist them, especially being 50% off too.

Each bracelet shares sentiment that I find so fitting and true.  

Encouragement I like to be reminded of daily.

So guess what?  Each day I am getting up and getting dressed

 and then choosing my cutesy bracelet to wear for the day.

In my next blog post I will share what else I think is important

 to put on when getting dressed in the morning.  Stay tuned.

Joy and Blessings,

Mèmére

I miss my blog!  I miss coming here to share my heart.  

I miss the encouragement the Lord gives me when I share my heart - my thoughts.

My photos say it all today so well.  Love never fails.  God never fails.  Love never fails!

When I opened my photos to blog this one above showed up first.  

It made me smile - it made me smile BIGTIME!

Anthony was out and about with his day program at Bass Pro and was surprised to run into his cousin Justin who works there.  Justin snapped this pic and sent it to me.

Anthony, you have always been known for your smile 

and it continues to be true.  

Your Momma loves you Sunshine!

Joy and Blessings,

Mèmére

Yesterday Precious Husband reminded me to go check our cactus because it was ready to bloom at any time now. The pictures below show you what the cactus looked like yesterday.

Today I got up and grabbed my cup of coffee along with my phone to capture the beauty of the fully bloomed cactus flowers.

Seeing these flowers and knowing that tomorrow the beautiful pink blooms will be limp and hanging down toward their pot and dirt.  Such a short lived beauty they are. 

Such is our life.  So quick and fleeting are our days.  So beautiful but so delicate and fragile in so many ways.

I am reminded by this beautiful fully bloomed cactus that life must be appreciated now, today.  We have no promise of tomorrow.  Truly I remember that I know not what the future holds but I know Who holds my future.  I am so glad I can trust in the love and goodness of God and I will strive to see the beauty of each day He gives me. 

❤  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: 

BUT the word of our God shall stand for ever. ❤ 

 Isaiah 40:8 

Hugs & Blessings,

Mèmére

My African Violet

never ceases to amaze me.

I purchased this plant about 2 years ago and it originally traveled in the motor home with us.  It has been faithful to produce this kind of beauty even when I had my doubts.  You see my plant can at times look quite pitiful in my opinion.  It seems to be so fragile and so shallow in its roots.  But then I begin to see its sprouts of new buds, giving me hope and that hope does not disappoint.

I think life for the Christian is similar in nature to my plant.  Personally I can feel on some days pretty pitiful, fragile and without much depth of roots.  But God the master gardener is always at work and in the right time and season there will be new growth and new beauty and this fact this hope does not disappoint.

Psalm 138:8

The Lord will [a]perfect that which concerns me;

Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever;

Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Hugs and Blessings,

Mèmére

Annie Johnson Flint

Please take a few minutes today to meet Annie Johnson Flint and I believe you will come away with fresh encouragement and blessing.

You may not recognize the name at first but I believe you will recognize her writing.

Annie Johnson Flint was born in 1866 and died in 1932.  

Here are a couple of reference links:

http://www.homecomingmagazine.com/article/he-giveth-more-grace/

http://www.homemakerscorner.com/annie.htm

But God 

by Annie Johnson Flint

I know not, but God knows; 

Oh, blessed rest from fear!

All my unfolding days

To Him are plain and clear.

Each anxious, puzzled “Why?”

From doubt or dread that grows,

Finds answer in this thought;

I know not, but He knows.

I cannot, but God can;

Oh, balm for all my care!

The burden that I drop

His hand will lift and bear,

Though eagle pinions tire —

I walk where once I ran —

This is my strength, to know

I cannot, but God can.

I see not, but God sees;

Oh, all-sufficient light!

My dark and hidden way

To Him is always bright.

My strained and peering eyes

May close in restful ease,

And I in peace may sleep;

I see not, but He sees.

Blessings & Hugs,

🦋❤️🦋Mèmére🦋❤️🦋

How about some good advice as we head into a new week.

“When I focus not on performance or perfection

 but on joy, gratitude, and service, 

everything seems to fall into place.”

— Sally Clarkson

http://sallyclarkson.com/blog/

Blessings & Hugs,

🦋❤️🦋Mèmére🦋❤️🦋

Rise and shine and give God the glory!

Maricopa, Arizona

From my reading this morning I want to share

 a line that ministered to my heart.  

Mildred Stamm writes in Be Still and Know, 

"My joy is not in the day but in the Lord, who made the day!"

Today I choose to praise the Lord and to trust the Lord for what He has in store.  He is the creator of heaven and earth and nothing will take place today that is too difficult for Him.  Through His loving hands will be sifted everything that touches my life today.  Such encouragement!  TYJ

This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 1211-2

Love and Blessings,

💕Mèmére💕

BUT BUT BUT

Thus says the Lord to you: 

"Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, 

for the battle is not yours, but God's.

2 Chronicles 20:15

Love and Blessings,

💕Mèmére💕

Good biblical advice I am taking today

and thought I would pass on to others

Hugs and Blessings,

💕Mèmére💕

Trust

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding.  

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

This verse has ministered to my heart many times through the years.  It is a verse given me when I adopted my first son over 46 years ago as a single woman.  Everyone thought I was crazy BUT God had a better thought.

Now 2018 and the verse is being put to the test again.  Fresh reasons to trust God and fresh faith to know He will prove Himself faithful again.

What do you need to trust God for today?

Hugs and Blessings,

💕Mèmére💕

Smile!

Give me a S

Give me a M

Give me a I

Give me a L

Give me a E

What does it spell?

SMILE!

I always remind Precious Husband that it doesn't take much to make me smile.  Personally I think this is a good thing.  Precious Husband smiles when he sees me get excited picking out inexpensive little yellow dancing flowers that will make us both smile (hopefully a long time) as we travel down the highway.

My prayer in life is that I always will be satisfied and content with the small little daily blessings that come our way.  God does give us daily blessings if we just keep our eyes and heart open.

I will sing to the Lord all my life; 

I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Psalm 104:33

Praise the Lord. 

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; 

his love endures forever.

Psalm 106:1

I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.

Psalm 13:6

I like this quote from A.W. Tower:

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. 

My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Psalm 28:7

Praise be to the Lord forever! Amen and Amen.

Psalm 89:52

Love and Hugs,

Mèmére

Blessed!

I try very hard to never take my life for granted.  I am blessed beyond measure by a wonderful husband, amazing children and even more amazing grandchildren.  Some days the normal and routine comes and goes and yes I fail to let my blessings encourage my heart as they should.  That is when I am glad for gentle reminders.  

Yesterday I met a gentleman and after a short visit he turned to me and said, "You are married to a very good man.  He loves you a lot."

Yes, truly I am married a a good man that loves me a lot.  I am thankful to a stranger for being so bold in reminding me of those facts.

Counting my blessings and reminding myself to never take my blessings and life for granted.

Blessings and Hugs,
Mèmére

Food For Thought Today

Oak Creek Canyon 

October 2013

Normally I post a recipe for Tempt My Tummy Tuesday but today I am sharing some food for thought instead.  This will definitely give me lots to think about as I go about my day today.

Oak Creek Canyon 

October 2013

Edith Schaeffer writes:

"Love will grow as reasons for love are discovered, thought about, dwelt upon in the mind, expressed verbally, and remembered.  As time goes on, the memory will become rich with increasing vividness and warmth in storing up facts and reasons behind the increase of love."

Oak Creek Canyon 

October 2013

Love will grow as: 

1. reasons for love are discovered 
2. thought about 
3. dwelt upon in the mind 
4. expressed verbally 
5. remembered

Something to think about for sure and more importantly to challenge me today.

Fruit of Friendship

Alyssum, it hangs over the side of the pot of mums that is promising flowers probably by Thanksgiving. This little branch of alyssum has been faithfully producing its' little white flowers for months.  It came up voluntarily from seed blown into the mum pot from another plant in the yard somewhere.

As I walked through the yard this morning and noticed the flowers I was reminded of the friend who gave me the original plants.  Barbara's front yard was a carpet of the tiny white flowers and she uprooted several plants and brought them to me when we lived in Mesa years ago.  Barbara's yard reminded me of my grandmother who also had alyssum in her yard.

When we moved to Maricopa I uprooted several plants and brought them with me and they have faithfully come up from the wind blown seed every year.

Just like this seed has produced its' little white flowers my friendship with Barbara has produced fruit too.  Although we don't talk often and she now lives hundreds of miles away we still have a faithful friendship producing fruit for both of us.  My friendships through the years have been few and yet the important thing to me is the durability and faithfulness of them.

So this Monday afternoon I am grateful for the little white flowers that surprise me by faithfully coming up year after year and for friends that can be found faithful and true.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, 

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

Peace and Contentment

I just finished reading, With Love From A Mother’s Heart by Glenda Revell and I was very blessed by it.

Let me share a few lines from chapter 8 which is entitled, Peace and Contentment.  Mrs. Revell writes:

LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. Psalm 16:5

“Every aspect of our lives -- the things we possess, the people with whom we live and interact, the work we must do, the abilities we own, our health, our intelligence, our looks, even the weather -- is given to us by our gracious, all-knowing Father.  Our peace and contentment are not determined by what He chooses to give, but by the attitude with which we choose to receive what He gives.  What is given today may be far different from that which was given yesterday.  Tomorrow, it may be different still.  Yet our peace can and should remain constant.”

Our peace and contentment are not determined by what He chooses to give, but by the attitude with which we choose to receive what He gives.

 Oh yes, Dorothy!  Take note!

Psalm 16

1Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.2I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing."3As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.4The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.5LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.6The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.7I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.8I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.9Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,10because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.11You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

The Face in the Mirror

No matter how long or how closely we walk with the Lord I believe there are times we need to hear this message.  I ran across this on Face Book and it encouraged me.  Hope it encourages you too.