Throne Trip Tuesdays - The Age of Miracles

Some people say we are past the age of miracles. Others say we are in the age of miracles. I say, both groups are incorrect. We have a God of miracles today, This Day! In the past 20 days, I have watched a miracle unfold right before my eyes. A miracle of healing. A miracle of strength. A miracle of compassion. A miracle of love. Stop by and see the progress, the miracle, of God's mercy that has happened in the last 20 days for Joanne, this child of the King.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV) But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

Strength vs Courage

It takes strength to be firm
It takes courage to be gentle.
It takes strength to stand guard.
It takes courage to let down your guard
It takes strength to conquer.
It takes courage to surrender.
It takes strength to be certain.
It takes courage to have doubt.
It takes strength to fit in.
It takes courage to stand out.
It takes strength to feel a friend's pain.
It takes courage to feel your own pain.
It takes strength to hide your own pains.
It takes courage to show them.
It takes strength to endure abuse.
It takes courage to stop it.
It takes strength to stand alone.
It takes courage to lean on another.
It takes strength to love.
It takes courage to be loved.
It takes strength to survive.
It takes courage to live.
--Author Unknown

 

May you take strength in your courage today, This Day! Thanks for stopping by and visiting. 

 

Peace and Joy,

Susan 

Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)  ⁹And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,

An Anniversary Dedication

 My sweet hubby and I have been married for seven years today. I love him for a million reasons. I love the softness in his eyes when he looks at me. I love the way he listens. I love how he sees the good in everyone. I love his problem solving skills and how he helps me to solve problems. I love his presence in the house. I love reaching for his hand to find that he's already reaching for mine. I love that he is steadfast, strong, and honorable. I love how strong he is in his faith. I love the way he loves our children and the grand-boy. I love that after seven years, if I got a chance for a do-over, I'd do it all again....with him. I love him. I love us. Happy Anniversary my Love.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

Proverbs 31:23 (NIV) Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

My First Giveaway

This is something that I have been contemplating since I first began blogging. There are some milestones in blogging that others seem to celebrate with a giveaway. Whether it's a blogiversary or reaching a certain number of posts, bloggers have giveaways.

First, I had to decide what milestone to celebrate. The anniversary of blogging came and went. I haven't quite reached my 200th post. Yet, I have felt led to do a giveaway. So.....

We're going to celebrate L.O.V.E.! That's right. I'm honoring my wonderful husband and with Valentine's Day quickly approaching what better way to celebrate amore than giving away this:

 

Are you familiar with this book? I was introduced to this book by my now husband when we were dating. He purchased a copy for both of us. He insisted we read and discuss it together. I'm so thankful we did that. It has truly blessed us. This book taught me about my needs, but more importantly about his needs. The things that are most important to him. I'm also going to add some Valentine's Day goodies that will be a surprise. 

How to enter:

For one entry: Leave me a comment that you are or have become a follower of my blog.

For two entries: Leave me a separate comment that you blogged about this giveaway.

For three entries: Leave me another comment telling me your most memorable Valentine's Day.

That's it! How simple is that?! So hurry up and enter. The giveaway ends February 5. The winner will be announced next Sunday, February 7. That's right....Superbowl Sunday!!! Go Colts. 

Thanks to all of you loyal readers out there and all the support that you have been sending my way. You are more than a blessing and I’m so grateful. This is just a small token to show my appreciation toward you. You are all a source of encouragement for me. It’s been amazing getting to know so many of you. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck to all!

Peace and Joy,

Susan

Ephesians 4:2 (NIV) Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

My Hubby's Birthday

That's right. Mr. Wonderful Himself is having a birthday today! We celebrated last night and had dinner at one of his favorite places. His food of choice? A huge T-bone steak and for dessert creme brulee.

He is such a blessing in my life. I've tried to think of one word that best describes him but when I typed his name in the Thesaurus these are the words that come up: compassionate, kind, honest, integrity, honorable, sincere, humorous, weird, and a fruit cake. ahahaha  His greatest attribute is that he has a heart towards God and a desire to serve Him.  

Happy Birthday my dear husband. I love you with all my heart.


Peace and Joy,
Susan

Luke 1:68-70 (NKJV) ⁶⁸ “ Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,       For He has visited and redeemed His people, ⁶⁹ And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David,   ⁷⁰ As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began,

Once in a Lifetime?

That's what dates like today are......once in a lifetime. Of course there was 080808, last year which is similar, but not the same. Yet, this is the last of the single digits for quite a while. 1001 years to be precise. It seems like a good day to celebrate and look forward to.

Numerologists like to use dates to tell the future or proclaim eminent danger. Some soothsayers are declaring the end of the world. These same numerologists predicted doomsday would fall on June 6 2006 say they weren't wrong, they just got their numbers upside down. 999 is far worse than 666 and we're all going to die, it appears. Yeah right....whatever.

Then there are those who make lists or goals in "9s" for the entire year. Smile at nine people every day, lose nine pounds, make nine homemade meals every month (really? only nine every month? to me that isn't enough), and my personal favorite.....memorize the Twelve Days of Christmas and when you get to Nine Ladies Dancing....break out in to a dance. hahahah Really?

Of course, there are personal goals such as quitting smoking, walking nine miles, or sending cards or notes to nine people. I like that last one. Letter writing is a lost art to the internet and cell phones. When is the last time you received a hand written note that was not in response to a gift. A "just because I'm thinking of you" note or card? I love getting them. Hand written notes say, "I love you", "you're special to me", "you're worthy."

That will be my goal. I'm going to write a brief note to at least one person today, This Day and tell them how special they are to me....and to Jesus. Won't you join me?

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Psalm 143:10 (NIV) Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

Wordless Wednesday - 8/19/09

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV) Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Thankful Thursday - 4/16/09

I'm thankful for selling my house. Yes, even tho it is sad to leave it is exciting to see where God will lead us now. The closing on the house was yesterday.

The time my husband and I are apart......at our jobs. During a time when so many are out of work, I'm so thankful we have good jobs.

An expense paid trip to Chicago. It is work related, but I still get to go to the Windy City for three days. I'm sure to get some shopping time in.

I'm thankful changing seasons. Spring is such a beautiful time of year, but each season is a parallel to changes in our own lives and how God sustains us.

My blogging friends. Yep, I'm thankful for each one of you. You have touched my life in many ways, encouraging, challenging, teaching. You have reached out through cyberspace and shared yourself with me. Thank you!

That's my five for the week. What are you thankful for today, This Day? When you stop by, be sure to leave me a note and let me know how God has blessed you.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Romans 13:8 (NIV) Love, for the Day is Near ⁸Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

O the Sacrifice, O the Glory, O the Love

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NKJV) For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV) But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Romans 10:9 (NKJV) that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Happy Valentine's Day

Do you remember these cut-out Valentines? I sure do. We decorated old shoe boxes to hold all the wonderful Valentines we would get from our classmates. Everyone got Valentines...and you gave a Valentine to everyone! No exclusions. Even if you didn't like those boys, you still gave them one.

Funny how that really is a lesson for us today. No one is excluded from God's love. Everyone is offered the gift of salvation. No exclusions. I love that.

Today, This Day, of sharing love, share the love of Christ.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

John 3:16 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

A Treasured Moment

I was asked to describe my favorite date with my husband before we got married and decided to share it with you.

This is still one of my favorite things to do with my hubby. We all need to find time for more moments like these:

I remember this particular date like it was yesterday. It was mid-August. The heat and humidity were smothering. We had finished our dinner date at a favorite restaurant and decided to drive through a state park near our town. He drove until he found the perfect spot, an open grassy area. He stopped the car and took out two folding chairs. You know the kind. They collapse and fit into a bag that is slung over the shoulder for ease in carrying. These particular chairs also have a foot rest. Nice touch. While he was getting the chairs from the trunk of the car, I was spraying on my prized summer fragrance, OFF! Mosquitoes find my natural aroma irresistible.

We then strolled hand-in-hand out to the middle of the open grassy patch and set up the chairs. We positioned them side-by-side but facing each other, similar to a love seat. We talked of hopes and dreams as we gazed at the night sky and gazed at each other. It was truly a precious moment. The climate dictated the duration of our star gazing but it is a moment that will always be treasured.

Recall the treasured moments spent with your family and friends today, This Day.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Matthew 6:21 (NIV) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.