Welcome to "Our Neck of the Woods"...And Time for Praise and Prayers

 Remember this sign from our previous house? It used to welcome guests to our home...and I just found it in a box here in our new house and decided it needed to come back out and welcome our guests to "our neck of the woods" again. However, we really don't live in the woods like we used to, and we don't have any bears walking through our yard, and haven't seen a deer yet either, although we know they are around...just not here yet.  But we still believe that we live "where life is good", and there is still "Fresh Air, Star Gazing, and Quiet Spaces"...it's just a little different than before...

I also found my favorite "moose pillow", which was a gift created by our dear friend Sharon, who went to be with the Lord this past August after a hard fought battle with lung cancer (and she never ever smoked).  Sharon created this wonderful, soft leather pillow for me to hold close after the passing of our son to cancer over five years ago. Little did she even think that I would now hold it close in memory of her as well...


I also found my little pictures from the windowsill at the other house...favorite photos and things that make me smile.  This tiny little picture that says: "Remember, When God closes a door He opens a window"...I found this in a store while looking for Christmas gifts for others...and this just popped out at me and I knew it was God's special little Christmas gift to me that year...since that goes along with my blog title...

The family photos are each very special to me...no need to explain...I was missing having them out where I could see them, so decided it was time to put them up on my new "windowsill"...which is actually the breakfast bar, but it is above the kitchen sink, so I spend a lot of time here...

One of my favorite things: "Just as God gives the birds an abundance of seeds, He send us His blessings and cares for our needs."  Also note the little Chinese fortune cookie proverb that I've taped to the bottom:  "Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings while the dawn is still dark."

Here's one of those little birds now:  This Wren jumped up on the chair on the deck after the rain the other morning...

 He's definitely one of birds that sings the loudest as he goes about gathering food and building nests for his family. I love how they like to come close to the window where we can see them now and then...

And here is a new bird seen on the pond last evening...a "Cormorant".  We were enjoying watching him until something spooked him (or he saw a fish) and he dove down into the water and we never saw him come back up. I'm sure he did somewhere, but just not in our view...

If you are a Facebook friend, you've already seen these photos, but this was me relaxing on Sunday afternoon in my little den.

Hubby snuck up behind me and took these pictures while I was reading a magazine...

I said thanks that at least he didn't take a picture of me taking my Sunday afternoon nap...

I do want to give thanks to the Lord for some answered prayer this week. Yesterday I went with one of my dear church friends to visit her doctor in the city.  She was very concerned about a test that she was going to have to do, because there was concern that she could possibly have cancer.  She had already had some other tests, and this test could confirm that possible diagnosis. We prayed prior to her going in for the test...(as had many friends/loved ones been praying ever since we'd heard of it).  Praise the Lord, this test showed that there was NO sign of cancer. What a great relief and answer to prayer. How we rejoiced and then we celebrated by doing some shopping at Hobby Lobby (my first visit there!) and then out to lunch at Red Lobster!

God is so good...and we give Him praise for the good things He is doing in so many ways. This was just one example (but a great one!)

However, as I close this tonight, I want to request prayer for one of our blogging friends, Annie at "Cottage by the Sea".  She requested prayer for her granddaughter, a.k.a. "our famous anonymous kid", who apparently has a kind of aneurysm in her brain.  I don't know any other details, but please keep Ann and her granddaughter and the family in your prayers.  

There are many examples of Jesus' healing in the Bible. I do not believe that was just for then and not for now. I do believe that God is still working in the lives of His children today. I was just reading in Luke 8:41-56, which gives several stories of Jesus healing...the woman who had the issue of blood for 12 years and came from behind him and merely touched the hem of His garment, and even though there was a huge crowd pressing against Him, Jesus felt her, and even knew that power went out from Him...and He said to the trembling woman, "Daughter, be of good cheer, your faith has made you well. Go in peace." (verse 48)  And then as he continued on His journey to Jairus house, whose daughter was dying, and when the people came to Him and said she had already died, Jesus said "Do not be afraid; only  believe, and she will be made well."  

(Verse 50)...and Jesus healed her...

I pray tonight that God will indeed hear our prayers on this dear young woman's behalf. Thank you for praying with us if you feel led to do so. Amen.

Moments of Grace: Evening Reflections

These are my evening reflections...

"Be strong and of good courage, 

do not fear nor be afraid of them;

For the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you.

He will not leave you nor forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6

"And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you.

He will be with you.

He will not leave you nor forsake you;

Do not fear nor be dismayed."

Deuteronomy 31:8

Perhaps someone out there needs to hear these words of hope and strength and courage today. Perhaps that someone is me...or you...

And then I turned the pages in my Bible and landed on these encouraging words of healing in 

Luke 8:48 ~

"Daughter, be of good cheer;

Your faith has made you well.

Go in peace."

Dear friends, I know there are many out there in need of healing; whether it be physical, emotional, spiritual, or even material healing; i.e; financial, home, employment, too much or not enough...whatever the case may be...Jesus wants to bring healing to you.  

In this particular situation found in Luke 8:43-48, there was a woman who had suffered for many, many years.  She had spent all her livelihood on doctors who could not heal her. And as Jesus was passing through her region, many multitudes of people thronged about Him...reaching out and calling to Him, begging Him to heal them. Envision a current day rock star or popular politician or leader trying to work His way through the crowds with so many clamoring to be recognized...and imagine this person suddenly stopping in the midst of the crowd and asking, "Who touched Me?" I am sure we would respond much like Peter did, "Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'"   But Jesus knew that power had gone out from Him, and that someone was reaching out to Him in faith.  When the woman realized that Jesus was aware of her, she fell down before Him and "declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately."  And then Jesus said to Her the words highlighted above from verse 48.  

Do you have any burdens today that have become too hard to bear? My Bible tells me that if I just reach out in faith, believing, God will take care of me.  It also tells me not to fear...and that He will never forsake me.

Reflect on these words...

Such amazing grace! "Daughter, be of good cheer!"

Such beautiful words..."Your faith has made you well...go in peace!"

Such words of hope and comfort..."Do not fear nor be dismayed!"

Thank you, Lord, for these promises and words of hope tonight.

As we reflect on these words, 

may they encourage, comfort and heal those who might be afraid or in need of a touch from You.

Amen.