I'll Be Back All Too Soon

I'm on a little vacation...but I haven't gone anywhere. I am here at home...surrounded by those who are dearest to me...my precious family.  My son and his family have come home for a visit, and we are all gathering together to celebrate.  There is much I want to say about this...but it will have to wait for now. I am still in the middle of the celebration. Every moment counts and I don't want to miss one second of laughter, joy, and just being together.  So pardon me while I cherish the treasure of my family. I'll be back all too soon.

Be Back All Too Soon.

RJD: Milestones and Prayers

Well, here it is again friends: Random Journal Day!  The day when several of us bloggers and journalists "bare all" and let you peek into our innermost thoughts and ramblings from the past...hopefully for your edification and/or laugh or cry for the day.  Our hostess with the mostest is "my friend Dawn over at "Enthusiastically Dawn".  When you are finished here, pop on over to her site and check out what all our friends have to say today.

So, here I am, with open journal and staring at Dawn's blog site for inspiration (and instructions, since she just moved her blog to this new address a very short time ago, and this is our first Random Journal Day linkup at the new site).   

As I was perusing through my old journals, looking for something appropriate to share with you, I came across this clipping, which I believe my mother sent to me since we had a 14-year-old boy at the time. (1991).  I find this intriguing today, because I now have a 14-year-old grandson, who will be coming for a visit in just about a week!  I read through this, looking for pearls of wisdom to share with him when he comes, and although this is all good stuff, I'm not sure how he will relate to it.  But I found something that I thought was pertinent and interesting enough to share here today.  I don't know who Bruce Barton was, and I notice that the copyright of this particular column is 1954, so I doubt that he is still around, judging by the looks of his picture, but I like what he said in the last column, last paragraph:

After he stated in the previous paragraph that he tends "to be a little old-fashioned in respect to education,"  he went on to say:  "And especially I favor concentration on the effective use of English.  For it, as my gifted friend has emphasized, is the tool by which we make our friends, conduct our business and influence the minds of others.  Good talkers and good writers have, through the ages, sat in the seats of the mighty."

Well, I certainly would love to share that with my very astute grandson when he comes. He is already a gifted talker...started talking around age one and hasn't stopped yet...and very eloquently, I might add. And if he could master the art of the "effective use of English", both in the spoken and written word, I do expect he would have opportunities to sit "in the seats of the mighty."

Now, back to my journal from March 23, 1991, at 10:26 p.m., where I found this clipping enclosed.  I was apparently very concerned about our own 14 year old son at the time.  He was having difficulties in school both academically and emotionally.  After listing some of the difficulties that I won't share here I went on to say,

"Well, Lord, we commit ____ into your hands.  He desires to be baptized next Sunday on Easter.  We pray this step will be a milestone in his life that will bring confidence and encouragement to him."  

I had previously written that our whole family seemed to be struggling "under a load of stress and anxiety that can't really be described." I said, "I keep trying to understand it myself, but it's more of an invisible thing that keeps us down.  Tiredness, depression, illness, anxiety, all keep batting away at our family.  We pray the Lord will rebuke Satan and place a tall hedge around us that will protect us from these onslaughts."  I wrote,

"GOD IS ABLE TO DELIVER THEE"!

Yes, our 14 yr. old son DID get baptized that Easter Sunday, which was a time of rejoicing for us. And then

my next entries about a month later told the story of our 18-yr-old son being diagnosed with a brain tumor, and having to have major surgery. Our family was definitely going through a lot of testing at that time. But I am here to say today that God was there with us every day... He did guide us and protect us, even in the midst of the sorrows, trials, and difficulties. It was a time of growing and strengthening, and learning to trust in God completely.  There were amazing miracles that happened through all of that...which I will share with you at another time.

By the way, our 14 year old grandson, who is coming to visit next week (with his parents),  is the son of our son who had the brain tumor...and even though that son is going through another physical trial at this present time (cancer), God is still with us...and He is still able to deliver us!

Daniel 3:17 says:  "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from your Majesty's hand."

It is good to look back at our journals from the past and remember where we were and what we were going through at the time...and then to review those days through the eyes of present knowledge and KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that the GOD WE SERVE NOT ONLY IS ABLE TO DELIVER US, BUT HE HAS ALREADY DELIVERED US FROM MANY "FIERY FURNACES" IN THIS LIFE...AND HE DOES NOT CHANGE. HE IS STILL ABLE TO DELIVER YOU FROM WHATEVER TRIAL COMES YOUR WAY AS WELL.  SO DON'T EVER LOSE HEART!

Beware of the Little Foxes

"Catch us the foxes, 

The little foxes that spoil the vines,

For our vines have tender grapes."

Song of Solomon 2:15

 Just what ARE the "little foxes that spoil the vines"?

 Little words that cut deep...sarcastic remarks that aren't really  funny and tend to undermine and cause feelings of inferiority, insecurity, and lack of confidence...

Little fears that create instability, jealousy, wariness...

 Little seeds of doubt planted by the enemy of our souls that take root and drive us away from the truth...

Little disruptions to our peace, quiet, calmness of heart... 

Little thoughts that seep into our minds and take up residence in our hearts...

Yes, Beware of the Little Foxes that creep up on us when we least expect them

and take up residence...

and steal away our joy.

Most of all...be careful not to become a "little fox" in someone else's life...

Let us watch what we say and what we do

Lest we spoil another's vine

and steal away their joy.

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; 

and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God."

I John 4:7

These "little foxes" were "captured" on my night cam in my front yard. They look 

pretty harmless...but we must never forget just how sly and devious a "little fox" can be, and be careful not to let them take up residence in our homes. (hearts).

Why Wait for Dreams to Come True?

Click on this link to a previous story about my "dream cabin"    and then please come back here to finish this story.  No, I don't have the 'dream cabin' yet.  But the dream is still there in my heart, perhaps even more so than before.

And possibly in some ways we are actually getting closer to the reality of what this "dream cabin" was intended to do even without the cabin. It just may be that the cabin isn't really the important instrument necessary to practice the kind of hospitality we long to provide for those in need of some encouragement, fellowship, friendship, or comfort.  Maybe it isn't even the "country porch" that I desire that is required      "to have the kind of place where people love to sit a spell and visit...you know what I mean...a rocking chair and a swing on the porch...just sit back, relax, watch the birds, bears, and lizards...and ENJOY being together...like the good old days."  

Signs created by Ben's Country Woodshop

 I think what I am coming to realize is that it doesn't take a special building, porch, or even the perfect location to create a place where people can feel loved, cherished, nourished, comforted, encouraged, and appreciated.  What it takes is opening our doors and welcoming people in, regardless of what our house looks like, or whether or not we live in the woods, or by a lake, or in the city or in an apartment building. What it takes is to have open hearts and open homes...and the desire to put aside our own problems and inadequacies and be present in the lives of others who may be searching, lonely, or broken-hearted.  To open our doors when someone knocks who may be hungry, thirsty, or a stranger in need of someone to care. (See Matthew 25:35-46)  

To remember what it says in Hebrews 13:1-2 ~ 

"Let brotherly love continue.  Do not forget to entertain strangers,

for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels."

And in Romans 12:10-13: 

"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer,

distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality."

I guess what I am trying to say is "Why Wait for Dreams to Come True" to practice hospitality, encouragement, and brotherly love? Isn't that something we should be doing all the time anyway? After all, why should I expect God to make all my dreams come true when I'm not even doing the things I say I will do once my dreams do come true? I need to live in the present...and practice those things that I know are right and good and acceptable to God now, "which is your reasonable service..."  (Romans 12:1)   I have not been promised tomorrow anyway...so I'd best be proving what is "that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" today.  (Romans 12:2)

No, I haven't given up on the dream to one day have the kind of place I have described before, but I'm not going to wait for my dream to come true to be doing what I know I ought to be doing anyway.  All I ask is that the Lord give me discernment to know when He is sending people my way, and that He will help me to be available in mind, spirit, and heart...and to be present to the need that is presented. Sometimes I'm a bit blind and preoccupied with my own problems and I may miss the blessing of being there for someone else. I don't want to miss God's blessing because I am waiting for everything to be in order and perfect before I will open my heart to help someone else. I don't want to wait for dreams to come true...I want to be a part of the living dream that is already happening if I'd just open my eyes.

How about you? What dreams are you waiting on to come true? Could it be that the dream is already a reality, but perhaps not exactly the way you thought it should be?  Ask God to open your eyes to see what He wants you to see right now. You may be surprised to see that your dreams are not that far from reality too! 

Have a blessed night my friend, and "sweet dreams."

A Link To What I've Been Doing Lately

Hi Friends!  While many of you are stuck in snow, ice, and winter gridlock, here's what I've been doing in my spare time down here in Florida.  Don't worry...there are no pictures of sunny beaches, palm trees or me in my bikini (never had one...and you should be thankful!)... Just some "quality" time spent working on a project with my carpenter son Benton from "Ben's Country Woodshop".  This time the project was something for me to enjoy, even if I did have to work for it!  Click on this link to Ben's Country Woodshop and check it out!  Then fix yourself a hot cup of tea or coffee or cocoa and wrap up in an extra blanket or sweater and make the best of your day!  Blessings to all...Love, Pam


http://benscountrywoodshop.blogspot.com/2014/01/kitchen-cabinet-redo-or-making-mom-happy.html

From My Kitchen to Yours, With Love

"The Battle Is The LORD'S"

Do you remember when you used to read Bible stories to your children...or when you first heard them read to you?  I wonder what stories stick out in your mind as the most significant or memorable?  For me, the one that stirs up the most powerful imagery has to be  "David and Goliath".  Therefore, I was thrilled when that happened to be the story referred to in my morning devotions today, from the book of I Samuel, chapter 17, verses 31-51.

Our normal practice each morning is that I read the daily devotional selected for the day from a devotional booklet, and then I read the accompanying scripture verses that go along with the story.  Did I mention that I read this out loud to my husband and anyone else who happens to be within earshot? Yep, that is what we do, weekdays and weekends.  Normally, I just read without much expression, trying not to be too loud in case someone is still sleeping in the house.  But today, I could not resist reading this whole passage rather loudly, using my best Deep, Gravelly, Ferocious giant voice for Goliath, and my equally STRONG, CONFIDENT and BRAVE voice for David.


Please read along with me:

The first scene is the young shepherd boy David convincing King Saul that he is able to go and fight this Philistine...see verses 31-39  I particularly like verses 36-37, where David says to King Saul:

"Your servant (David) has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God."

Moreover, David said, 

"The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear,

HE WILL DELIVER ME FROM THE HAND OF THIS PHILISTINE!"

The scene changes, and David approaches the giant with nothing but a sling and five smooth stones from the brook. (Verses 40-42)  Then the real excitement begins in verses 43-51:

So the Philistine (Goliath) said to David,

"Am I a DOG, that you come to me with sticks?"

And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

And the Philistine said to David, 

"Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!"

Then David said to the Philistine,

"You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin.  But I come to you in the NAME of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

THIS DAY the LORD will deliver you into my hand,

and I will strike you and take your head from you. 

And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know 

David meets Goliath (picture from internet)

THAT THERE IS A GOD IN ISRAEL!

THEN ALL THIS ASSEMBLY SHALL KNOW THAT THE LORD DOES NOT SAVE WITH SWORD AND SPEAR;

FOR THE BATTLE IS THE LORD'S, AND HE WILL GIVE YOU INTO OUR HANDS!"

David hurried and ran toward the army to meet
the Philistine
(photo from internet)

"So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.  

Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth.

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone,

and struck the Philistine and killed him.  But there was no sword in the hand of David.

Therefore, David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it.  And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled."

Wow! You may be thinking this is a rather grisly story to begin my day.  I can only tell you that when you find yourself up against the giants of this life, whether they be the giants of illness, death, loss of home, mate, child, job...or the perceived enemies of insecurity, hopelessness, emptiness...whatever your huge giants may be, and no matter how small and insignificant you may feel...you can stand strong in the face of these giants because the little shepherd boy David showed us that:

"THE BATTLE IS THE LORD'S...AND HE WILL DELIVER YOU FROM THE HAND OF THIS PHILISTINE!"  

"And all the world will know that there IS A GOD IN YOUR ISRAEL"...

The place you call home, wherever that may be.

And as King Saul said to David in verse 37:

"Go, and the Lord be with you!"

"Be Of Good Courage!" / The Shaving Lesson

"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord."  

Psalm 31:24

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning!"  

Psalm 30:5b

This was one of those kind of weeks.  It started out difficult, then got harder, and then, well...God showed up.  Don't get me wrong.  He was there all the time. He promised us...

"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 again He tells us:

"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

I knew when I selected my "One Word for 2014", "STRENGTHEN", that I could expect to endure some tests of strength.  After all, how can one become stronger without exercise? Whether it be physical strength, mental strength, or spiritual strength; the only way to become stronger is to work at it.  We don't gain strength lying in a hammock and sipping lemonade all day.  

But I didn't expect the tests to start out so difficult. I thought I could build up to them gradually. Apparently that's not the way God chose to teach me at this point. 

Sadly the week started out with a dear friend suddenly passing on to be with the Lord. She was a young woman, the age of my own sons, and I've known her since she was a teenager. It was quite a shock, and I've spent a good part of the week working through the emotions of this sad event.  However, I comfort myself with the knowledge that she is with the Lord, and that Heaven's choir just got more powerful with the addition of her beautiful singing voice.

Then my own dear son, who is battling cancer, has had an extremely painful week.  The pain medications just were not helping, and he was really suffering. Plus he is waiting to hear whether or not the insurance company will approve further chemotherapy for him.  Even though my son is 40 years old and lives 1500 miles away, is married to a wonderful wife and has a 14 year old son, as any mother knows, when your child is hurting, you hurt as well. You want to go to battle for him...and kiss away his pain if only you could.  At least that's how I felt. 

Knowing that another mother lost her dear child this week, which for that particular friend, it was the second one to die and the only child she had left...making it a double sorrow for her...and then feeling so helpless about my own son's situation...well, it was a difficult thing to deal with, to put it mildly.

But then, last night something really precious happened.  My sweet daughter in law posted some pictures on Facebook of a milestone event in the life of my grandson.  As I said above, my grandson is fourteen years old.  The last time we saw him a few months ago he was already proud that he was taller than his mother and his grandma (me).  Since then, I've heard that he has grown another couple of inches, and his shoe size is a men's 14!  

Well, last night he had his first shaving lesson! His dad, (my son) showed him step by step how to shave...and it was all captured in pictures!

What a keepsake for my grandson to treasure in years to come...to be able to look back at a very special time when his daddy and he shared in this rite of passage into manhood together.  And what a tremendous experience for my son to treasure in his heart...being there for his son as he enters puberty.

You see, my son realizes that, unless there is a miracle out there for him, he may not be able to share in very many milestone experiences in his son's life. This is not an easy thing for me to write, or to accept. I am still praying for a miracle.

He did it!!

I know that the Lord is with us. He is with our son. He will never leave us nor forsake us. "He is the One who goes before you."  I know that God is preparing the way.  However, like my friend, I may have to give up my child someday. Until then, I won't give up hope.

"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord."

Psalm 31:24

Job well done!!!

Oh, and by the way, my son's oncologist was able to prescribe a better pain medication for our son that has helped to alleviate the constant pain he has been dealing with all week. As you can see by the smile on his face above, by last evening he was able to enjoy the special time with his family and end the week on a more positive note.  This was a great comfort to me as well...just to see that smiling face gave me great hope.

Thank you Lord...for small miracles while we wait.

Sometimes We Overlook What's Right In Front of Us!

When we first moved to our current home, I needed a floor mat to go in front of my kitchen sink.  I picked out the above at the local Walmart. (I say local, but it's about 25 miles away). I decided I liked it so much, I actually bought two of them exactly the same to use in my kitchen.   I walk on them every day...stand on one or the other to wash the dishes, make the coffee or tea in the morning, or just stand in place to look out the window and watch the birds.  I've had these cushiony floor mats for about two years, and I just realized something tonight.

What do you see in this picture?  Yes, there is a bicycle decked out with geraniums. There's an old wooden barrel topped with pots of summer flowers, a cobblestone walkway...and the most obvious, but until tonight I was oblivious...there is a "Closed Door", and an "Open Window"...Okay, maybe the window isn't really open, but you can see through it...and it has a lovely view looking out onto the world. That qualifies it as "open" to me.

This floor mat that I comfort my feet upon every day is a representation of this very blog..."Closed Doors, Open Windows"...and I never realized it until today!

Perhaps that is the subliminal reason I purchased this particular mat in the first place...and then even went back for the second one not long after!  I was so thrilled that they still had another just like it!

This got me to  thinking...how often do we overlook, walk over, stand upon, and possibly even ignore things of beauty and value that are right before our eyes? I wonder if we even miss obvious messages...or answers to our prayers...because we are too busy to notice...or too preoccupied to pay attention to the things/ones that really matter?

Think it over...look around you...look under your feet...look out your "open window" on the world.  You may be surprised at what (or who!?) as been there all along, just waiting for you to notice.

That's all for tonight...just this little lesson from my floor mat.

"Remember, when God closes a door, He always opens a window! You never know what might be out there waiting for you!"

(It seems like I've seen that somewhere before! I wonder where it was????)  Have a blessed day, my friends...and don't forget to take a look around you...and give thanks for what you see!

"What do you want Me to do for you?"

Last week I posted a story about a young man that I passed on my way to work each day  (click on link for story) and told you about how I was burdened for him and began praying for him every day.  I have to tell you this news today!

The last couple of mornings have been rather cold here in Florida...and I hadn't seen any of the kids mentioned above at their bus stops since the Christmas break.  I was getting a little concerned that perhaps this particular young man may have moved or something may have changed in his schedule or possibly he was sick.   Well, today was an amazing morning!

When I approached the area where this young man usually stands waiting for his school bus I began to pray, "Lord, let him be there today."  As I got closer, I could see him standing there in his usual spot...but something was very different.  Instead of the slouching, pathetic looking teen with the "stringy, greasy, unkempt longish hair" covering his pimply face, there stood a young man tall and straight, with the nicest, cleanest haircut, and a look on his face of self-confidence and interest that had never been there before! I didn't even notice if he still had the pimples on his face...he looked like a totally different person!  I actually did a double-take to be sure it really was him!  I'm sure it was...a transformed individual...ready to meet the world with confidence.

I can only say to you that I burst into tears and laughter (joy) at the same time! I could not believe my eyes! (It was all I could do to not stop my car and run up to him and tell him about this)  And yet, as I began to cry out words of praise and thanksgiving to God, I had to ask myself, "Well, what did you think?"  I mean, why shouldn't I have expected God to answer my prayers for this young man? Did I doubt that God would hear my prayers, or that He really didn't care about this boy?

This past Sunday my husband preached a sermon from Luke chapter 18, verses 35-43, about the blind man who sat beside the road begging.  And when he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he cried out, 
"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (vs. 39).  Then in verse 41 Jesus responded to him asking, "What do you want Me to do for you?" and the blind man answered, "Lord, that I may receive my sight."  

What do you think Jesus said to this man after that bold request?  Do you think He told him, "No, I'm sorry, that's too hard for me"?   Or did He tell him that He needed to clean up his act and quit begging and go get a real job...or that he needed to go see a doctor? Did Jesus tell the man that He was too busy to deal with the likes of someone like him?  No, none of the above.  Instead, in verse 42 Jesus said to the blind man:

"Receive your sight; your faith has made you well."

This blind beggar's FAITH is what made him well.  That's all...nothing else required...just pure, simple faith.
And in verse 43 is says, "And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God.  And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God."

I can tell you that when I saw this young man alongside the road this morning, looking like a new person, with hope in his eyes, I had to give glory to God.  There is no doubt in my mind that God did this. I don't know what is happening inside the heart and mind of this young man, but I do believe that God is at work on the inside as well as on the outside. There has to be a reason for this transformation that only God can explain.

This gave me such encouragement and hope today, on a day that I truly needed it.  If God can hear my prayers for a stranger alongside the road and show me that He has indeed heard my prayers and that He is already at work in this person's life as a result of those prayers (yes, I do believe that), then what else might He be doing in the lives of others for whom I have been so burdened even more so than this young man? People much closer to me than this unidentified teenager?  My own son in fact, in need of serious intervention from the Lord to save his life from the spread of the horrid disease that is rapidly overtaking his body and causing so much pain and destruction.  Is Jesus asking me today, "What do you want Me to do for you?"
If so, then my answer is, "Lord, that my son would be healed and restored to us healthy and whole again."  Is this too much to ask? Can my faith make him well?

"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on my son!  Jesus, My Savior and Lord, have mercy on us.

In the Name of Jesus, Jehovah-Rophe, My Healer, (Exodus 15:26), I pray today. Amen.

Strengthening Exercises Continue

Me, pondering my next "Strengthening Exercise"...maybe a "rockathon"?  

Since I started this new "One Word" campaign for 2014 with the word, "Strengthen",  I am amazed at all the places this word pops up in my daily reading, thoughts, and conversation.  Sort of like when you get a new car, dress or shoes that you think no one else has, you suddenly see it everywhere you go! And you wonder, "Why didn't I notice that before?"  Well, probably because it didn't matter to you before...and now it does.  

Just this morning in my daily devotional reading from Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young, I read the following:

"I want you to learn a new habit.  Try saying, 'I trust You, Jesus,' in response to whatever happens to you...."  "Adverse circumstances become growth opportunities when you affirm your trust in Me no matter what. You receive blessings gratefully, realizing they flow directly from My hand of grace.  Your continual assertion of trusting Me will strengthen our relationship and keep you close to Me."   

Yes, learning to say, "I trust You, Jesus," no matter what, can be a difficult strengthening exercise.  I have found throughout my years of walking with the Lord that the more I commit myself to trust Him, the more difficult the "exercises" become.  Building trust in God is like climbing up a very steep mountain when you are already tired and weak from a long journey.  Every step seems to be painful and looks impossible, but you know you want to reach the top and see what is there.  You don't want to give up before you reach your goal, but you are so weary you are ready to sit down and quit each time you stumble on the loose rocks and roots along the way. And then Jesus says, 

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." (2Corinthians 12:9)

 And so we keep climbing. We say, "I trust You, Jesus," and He comes alongside and gives us an extra boost of energy so that we can keep going until we reach the top of the mountain. The more we exercise this trust, the stronger we become.  We gain confidence, knowing that Jesus will be there for us when the next "strengthening exercise" presents itself unexpectedly.  We find ourselves claiming with the Apostle Paul,

"I can do all things through Christ, Who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

So, here we go...becoming stronger as we learn to trust!  What kind of "strengthening exercises" are you in the midst of today? Ask Jesus to come alongside and give you a boost.  That's better than any energy drink out there!

Well, hubby just came in and said, "Let's go for a walk!"  I guess that's my strengthening exercise for today!

Whew! I'm glad that's over!  But I do feel stronger already..pant pant...

Thank you, Lord, for this "strengthening exercise" from Your Word, and from Your Divine Inspiration.

I have a feeling I'm gonna get a lot stronger this year, one way or the other!