Anxiety.....really?

Did you know that anxiety is mentioned in the Bible? I sure didn't, not until I stumbled across it while studying the Bible. It's funny how God works things out for us to find exactly what we need to find - when we need to find it. I had no idea there was any mention of anxiety in the Bible - yet while I was just opening my Bible and looking around, it jumped out at me!

"Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,

but a good word makes it glad."

Proverbs 12:25 NKJV

 

In the KJV the word heaviness is used. But when I looked in my Bible commentary, when speaking of "heaviness" it says "Literally, "care," "anxiety." It continues "An anxious heart cannot be filled with the promised peace of Christ, and anxiety is a denial of the faithfulness of God."

 

 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.

Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Matthew 6:34

 

"Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

1 Peter 5:7

 

 

"Heaviness can be greatly lightened by a word of hope and encouragement, and an exhortation to faith in the promises of God."

 

 

"Strengthen the weak(sinking) hands

and make firm the feeble(tottering, stumbling) knees,

Say to those who are fearful hearted, "be strong, do not fear!"

Isaiah 35:3-4a

 

"Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and of good courage;

do not be afraid, nor be dismayed,

for the LORD your God is with you

wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

 

"Be strong and of a good courage,

fear not, nor be afraid of them:

for the LORD your God, he it is that does go with you;

 he will not fail you, nor forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6

God knew that we would experience fear and anxiety. And He lovingly placed many verses in the Bible to encourage us along our journey in life. And I am so very thankful that He did! Aren't You?
 

Beloved Names of God .....series

Vine

 

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

John 15:1

• Name of God the Son
•  
• Jesus refers to Himself as the "vine" twice in the KJV
•  
• Vines and vineyards would have been a common sight around Jerusalem in biblical times. In fact, some of the winepresses those vineyards supplied can still be visited.
•  
• The phrase "I am the true vine" comes as Jesus prepares for His death and seeks to prepare His disciples for what will come. He is declaring Himself the fulfillment of Israel's promise, while letting them know that His work will go on through them, the fruits of the Vine.

Grapes can be used to make wine, and wine can change how people see the world!

The grapes wouldn't exist if it wasn't for the vine. The vine would be useless without nutrition from the soil. Likewise, Jesus as the Vine is the direct link between the Father and the fruit of His work, the person of faith.

Drawing strength from the Creator and constantly supported by the Vine, we, too, can change how people see the world! 

A Blessing For You Today

Don't You Need More Cuteness in Your Life?

Well I have a lot of cuteness in my life. Last week I shared 3 of our new kittens to you here. I hadn't been able to get a good picture of the other two. Since then I have gotten some great photos of them and I wanted to share them with you all today.

Here is a good photo of Pepe 

And here is Spot - or as I like to call him - Spotty!  

They are getting close to 2 months old now.

 

They are so fun to watch. I love to watch them play. It is very entertaining!

 

Well I hope you have enjoyed more of the cuteness from our home! :O)

The Art of Sympathy

I may have shared this poem before - but it is well worth sharing again- if I have:

 

 

The Twenty-Third Psalm For Today...series...The Victorious Life

 

The Victorious Life

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies....

 

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:57

 

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:

 and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

1 John 5:4

 

Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear:

 though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

Psalm 27:3

 

And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

Psalms 27:6

 



Heart Gifts....series

The Way to God

 

If my days were untroubled

and my heart always light

Would I seek that fair land

where there is no night;

If I never grew weary

with the weight of my load

Would I search for God's Peace

at the end of the road

If I never knew sickness

and never felt pain

Would I reach for a hand

to help and sustain;

If I walked not with sorrow

and lived without loss

Would my soul seek sweet solace

at the foot of the cross;

IF all I desire was mine

day by day

Would I kneel before God

and earnestly pray;

If God sent no "Winter"

to freeze me with fear

Would I yearn for the warmth

of "Spring" every year;

I ask myself this

and the answer is plain-

If my life were all pleasure

and I never knew pain

I'd seek God less often

and need Him much less,

For God's sought more often

in times of distress,

And no one knows God

or sees Him as plain

As those who have met Him

on 'The Pathway of Pain."

~ Helen Steiner Rice

 



"Best Deal"

So it looks like it has just worked out for me to have a "Best Deal" post for the last several weeks. I can not promise that it will keep up though - but if we find great deals _ I will certainly share here.

This year while doing some spring cleaning on my yard- I noticed that my watering can had been damaged and would not be worth keeping. Well I hadn't used it a whole lot so I could not justify purchasing a new one. So when I was at a local Goodwill and saw this bright yellow one.....

I just had to get it. The 2.49 price tag made it an easy decision! It is a good sturdy one. And I think it is cool how the nozzle screws on and off!

If you find great deals - be sure and share in the comments- I love hearing about good deals! :O)

Beloved Names of God .....series "Ancient of Days"

Today's post is from my book "Beloved Names of God"

Ancient of Days

 

"As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat.

His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool.

His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze."

Daniel 7:9 NIV

 

• Name of God the Father
• "Ancient of Days" appears three times in the KJV
• Ancient of Days is variously attributed to Adam and Jesus. The Western church associates the name with God the Father.
• Daniel had a vision of the end times in which great beast battled for control while the Ancient of Days looked on.

Daniel would have been very aware of the transience of earthly things. The land of his people had been devastated, and the faith of his fathers had all but been wiped from the earth. Almost nothing in his experience, was permanent- and he told his masters this. They should turn to God, who ruled when their empires were but a dream and would rule still when their empires turned to dust.

When Adam walked in the Garden, God smelled beside him. Those were ancient days for Moses, but God strode the desert with him as well. The days of Moses were ancient for Daniel, but God still shielded him from the flames. Daniel' days were ancient when Jesus became flesh, but God was an adoring Father to Him. Even now, God walks with you; Ancient of Days, and as young as a heart in love. 

What's Been Taking Up So Much Time Lately?

So what has been taking up so much of my time lately?

 

A TJ

A Callie  

And a Wally 

There are two more - Pepe (as in Pepe le pew) and Spot or Spotty as I like to call her(we think) I just haven't gotten good photos of them yet. They have been a bit harder to get used to us.

 

This is "a pile of kittens" as our sweet granddaughter calls it- usually there are all 5 together in the pile.  

So last Monday June the 13 Momma kitty - Bandy left and we have not seen her since. So we waited a couple of days just in case she came back - and then we moved them into our sun room. It is much cooler for them and for us. We are gradually trying to get our two cats - Stewie and LouLou used to them- it might take some time with LouLou for sure.

 

They are so sweet and it is so enjoyable to watch them play and to play with them.

 

That is just a little of what is keeping me busy lately.

Hope you all are doing well and staying cool. :O)

Yummy.....Banana Milk

Today I wanted to share a little recipe that I think made this cookbook worth the 50 cents that I paid for it.

 

Newfoundland

A Taste of Home

It says "Cookbook and Travel Guide - Featuring Selected Bed and Breakfasts, Hospitality Homes, Country Inns and Their Special Recipes - Rosalind Crocker"

And I actually got a copy of this book signed by the author!

This book has a copyright date - of 1993.

It has a map of Newfoundland and a list of Bed and Breakfasts, Hospitality Homes and Country Inns.

 

So it will have a page telling about what ever place - for example - the first one is Bonne Esperance House.- so it gives an address and phone number and the number to find it on the map. Then basic information. Then a list of some recipes that are used at that location.

Mostly breakfast and brunch type recipes.

I am not sure if I will use very many of them but I found one that I love and I think that it has some great health benefits so I wanted to share that recipe with you all here today.

 

The recipe that I like the most so far comes from Keneally Manor Bed and Breakfast

Banana Milk

1 ripe medium banana
3/4 cup milk
1 T. wheat germ
2 tsp. honey
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
Overnight freeze peeled banana in airtight plastic bag.
Puree ingredients in blender; pour in glasses. Serves 1 - 2

Ok - a few little pointers - I peel and cut my banana into smaller pieces- it helps it to blend up easier.
I use almond milk or coconut almond milk - what ever I have on hand at the time. For the honey I have used maple syrup when I was out of honey. And it has always been tasty.

Wheat germ is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Important daily vitamins like folate, Vitamin E, and B (Niacin, Thiamin, and B6) can also be found in high levels in wheat germ.

Wheat germ provides good amount of potassium and iron. It also is a good source of zinc, calcium, phosphorus and selenium.

So after learning more about the health benefits of wheat germ- I am even more excited about finding this recipe that I enjoy. What a great way to get some extra nutrition, a tasty way indeed! :O)

The Twenty-Third Psalm for Today....series

....for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

HIS PRESENCE

And the Lord,  he is it that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee; fear not, neither be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 31:8

....I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Hebrews 13:5,6

The Lord is neigh unto them that are of broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Psalm 34:18

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; ...

Isaiah 43:2

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort t hem which are in trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

II Corinthians 1:3,4

Heart Gifts... series... Father's Day edition

Fathers Are Wonderful People

Fathers are wonderful people

too little understood,

And we do not sing their praises

as often as we should...

For, somehow, Father seems to be

the man who pays the bills,

While Mother binds up little hurts

and nurses all our ills...

And Father struggles daily

to live up to "his image"

As protector and provider

and "hero of the scrimmage"...

And perhaps that is the reason

we somethings get the notion

That Fathers are not subject

to the thing we call emotion,

But if you look inside Dad's heart,

where no one else can see,

You'll find he's sentimental

and as "soft" as he can be...

But he's so busy every day

in the grueling race of life,

He leaves the sentimental stuff

to his partner and his wife...

But Fathers are just wonderful

in a million different ways,

And they merit loving compliments

and accolades of praise.

For the only reason Dad aspires

to fortune and success

IS to make the family proud of him

and to bring them happiness...

And like our Heavenly Father,

He's a guardian and a guide,

Someone that we can count on

to be always on our side.

~ Helen Steiner Rice

 

My Best Deal

My poor husband has been sick and coughing and we didn't have any cold medicine- so a trip to the store was in order. And since I was in town - I just had to go by favorite thrift store of mine. It turned out to be my lucky day! Look what I found:

Now I already had the helicopter and man at home, so when I saw this cute Fisher Price Air Port, even though it was not the one from my childhood, I just had to have it. Especially once I realized that my helicopter would work on it!! This Air Port was $4.00.  

Then as I continued to look - I noticed this great piece as well. It has several interactive activities. And it is a great addition to our collection. And for only $2.50 - I was a super happy girl!

Our SweetPea will be visiting this coming week end. And I can't wait for her to get to see these additions to our collection!!

That that is it for our addition for Best Deal for this week! I can't guarantee a great deal each week - but when I find great deals- I will share with you all. :O)

Beloved Names of God...series

The Rose of Sharon

 

I am the rose of Sharon.

Song of Solomon 2:1

 

• Name of God the Son
•  
• The description "the rose of Sharon" appears once in the KJV.
•  
• In biblical times, the Plain of Sharon(to which the name refers) was known for its beauty and majesty. A popular garden variety of hibiscus borrows its name from this passage.
•  
• Though the context of Song of Solomon 2:1 doesn't imply a literal connection to Jesus, many biblical scholars agree that it is a symbolic reference to Jesus' undying and perfect devotion to His children. The loving relationship He desires to establish with us all is revealed through the exchange between Solomon and the Shulamite woman.

Child of God, there is no mood of your life where Jesus fails to fit your need, to brighten as a brilliant rose your life. In joy or sorrow, sunshine or shadow, day or night, HE blooms for you. Behold Him, then, today, not only on the cross for you, not only on the throne, but near you, close beside your path, the rose of Sharon.

 

*Taken from "The Wonderful Names of Our Wonderful Lord"



The Twenty-Third Psalm For Today... Assurance

 

 

 

Yea, though I walk

 through the valley

 of the shadow of

 death, I will fear

 no evil...

 

Assurance

...our Saviour, Jesus Christ,

 who hath abolished death, and

 hath brought life and

 immortality to light through

the gospel:...

2 Timothy 1:10

 

But now is Christ risen from the

dead, and become the firstfruits

of them that slept.

1 Corinthians 15:20

 

Wherefore he is able also to

 save them to the  uttermost that

come unto God by Him, seeing

he ever liveth to make

intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:25

 

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
I Corinthians 15:26

 

And God shall wipe away all

tears from their eyes; and there

shall be no more death, neither

sorrow, nor crying, neither shall

 there be any more pain: for the

former things are passed away.

Revelations 21:4

Heart Gifts....series

Prayers Can't Be Answered
Unless They Are Prayed

Life without purpose
is barren indeed
There can't be a harvest
unless you plant seed,

There can't be attainment
unless there's a goal,
And man's but a robot
unless there's a soul... If we send no ships out,
no ships will come in,
And unless there's a contest,
nobody can win... For games can't be won
unless they are played,
and prayers can't be answered
unless they are prayed... So whatever is wrong
with your life today,
You'll find a solution
if you kneel down and pray Not just for pleasure,
enjoyment and health,
Not just for honours
and prestige and wealth... But pray for a purpose
to make life worth living,
And pray for the joy
of unselfish giving For great is your gladness
and rich your reward
When you make your life's purpose
the choice of the Lord.


Helen Steiner Rice  

Our Best Deal!

This past week end my husband and I went to a local thrift shop and today I wanted to share with you - Our Best Deal!

 

An Easel!

One side of it is a dry erase board:

The other side is a chalk board:

This can easily be set on a table and easily used! 

 

Another awesome feature of this easel is the fact that it folds down for easy storage!

SweetPea has already tried it out and loves it!!!

 

Oh and it was only $2.00!!

I love it when I guess what the price will be and it is less than half price of what I thought she would charge for it!! That is awesome!!

Beloved Names of God ...series

I found a new book - it's called " Life- Changing Thoughts on 99 Classic Names~ Beloved Names of God" And I would like to share one here with you each week. So every Wednesday I will be posting this series- Beloved Names of God

******************************************

I Am

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM:

and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel,

I AM hat sent me unto you.

Exodus 3:14 KJV

• Name of God the Father
• "I AM THAT I AM" appears once in the KJV. God also calls Himself "I Am" once.
• In Hebrew, Ehyeh asher ehyeh or Hayah means "I am that I am" or
  "I will be that I will be."
• Speaking through the burning bush, God instructed to call Him by the name I am when he announced himself as the chosen leader of the Israelites.

 

Traveling to ancient cultures is a mind-blowing experience. How amazing it is to walk on roads trod by Roman soldiers; to stand in the same room where Christopher Columbus received his commission to sail to the New World from Isabella and Ferdinand; or to climb up the Areopagus, or Mars  Hill, in Athens, where Paul preached to the Greeks. Yet before all cultures existed, before the earth was formed, God was and Jesus was.

 

When God said that His name was "I Am," He was stating unequivocally that He was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and that HE would be their God 'from generation to generation" (Exodus 3:15 NIV). God was stating that He never changes. Likewise, Jesus also never changes. The writer of the book of Hebrews declared, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8 NIV). And Father and Son are still here, and will be forever. "I AM THAT I AM" has no beginning and no end.

Taken from the Top 100 Names of God

Ellyn Sanna 

Some Great Therapy

So this past Sabbath I experienced a lot of anxiety. The most I had been having for quite some time. So I decided it would be a great time for some therapy.

So I began making my Block of the Month block.

 

Fabrics:  

 

 Fabric after I cut out my pieces:

And 2 hours later I had this:

 

Quilting is great therapy not only does it take your mind off of what ever is bothering you, but you end up with something pretty in the end! :O)

 

This or That...?

It seems that I have noticed myself having panic attacks- my heart racing - stomach in knots more and more lately. I have been stressed. After a day that it was the worst that it has been - I spent some time in prayer about it. Why was I feeling so stressed? I began to think of the things bothering me and I soon realized that out of all the things bothering me - there was only 1 of the things that I could do anything about. So there it is - the reason why I have been stressing more lately

 

The Serenity Prayer tells us to accept the things that I can not change and to ask for courage to change the things I can. Well the thing I could change - I really didn't need courage - I just needed the ground to dry up enough so that I could get our yard mowed and under control. Thankfully Sunday afternoon - my husband helped me and together we got the whole yard mowed and I got a good chunk of my weed eating done. I will continue to work on that this week -along with weeding the garden.

So accepting the things I can not change- this is something that I needed to pray and ask God to help me with. This is a process- not an instant fix. I am continuing to experience the stress but am trying to change my focus, pray and even sing praises when I start feeling my heart racing.

So when reading about menopausal symptoms - you will see anxiety is one of the party favors that comes along with the gift of a hysterectomy...lol. So that could be the cause.

Or as dear friend said that sometimes the anxiety attacks come alongside of depression. And she has an extra copy of a book that she thinks will really help me. And she will be mailing it to me soon. I look forward to reading it. It's Called "Depression: The Way Out"  You can click on that link and find out more about it.

Some more help and understanding about the Serenity Prayer:

The Full Copy of the 1932 Serenity Prayer.
by Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)

God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

When I looked up the Serenity Prayer - I also found this at this site.

One way or another I am going to make some progress and hopefully figure out the cause or at least something that can help with these attacks so that I don't have to experience them as much.

An I Love You...Eight Years Later

In 2010 I posted A Tale of Two Black Trucks.  

 

So about a week or two ago I was looking through some photos - I totally forgot what I was looking for at the time - but I came across these photos of a wreck that my boys were in. I already knew that God had been watching out for them. My youngest son - who was in the passenger seat - miraculously had the seatbelt released before he was squashed by the seatbelt. And neither of them got hurt that seriously - especially when you see the damage done to the vehicle.

 

As I was looking at the photos I noticed something I had never noticed before.
Do you see it?  

Here is a close up:

It's a heart where one of the fog lights used to be.

Isn't it amazing?

 

I thought this is an "I Love You!" for sure.

Anyway I just wanted to share with you all today.

 

I think that one day we will be so surprised at what all we have been saved from. And I think that if we pay attention we will see God's hand at work in our lives.

 

And something that one of our old pastors used to say:

"Your eternity is God's priority"

 

Remember that! :O)