Deborah

Praise God!!!!

Sirianta-- Happy birthday a little early then! I picked these in my yard this morning--I'd give them to you if you lived closer-- "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these...Therefore do not worry about tomorrow." (Matthew 6:28,29,34)

I was just minding my own business the other day, and I felt led to read a passage of scripture I have often read and enjoyed, Habakkuk 3:17-19: 17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The LORD God [a] is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. What stood out to me the other day was that last line: And He will make me walk on my high hills. Do you see that? It's not THE high hills, but MY high hills. YOUR obstacles--that's what you'll walk on when you're rejoicing in the Lord despite your circumstances. When I was growing up, I lived in a remote rural area that had a lot of white-tailed and mule deer. I lived at the bottom of a deep valley and I'd often see the deer running up the steep hills. Their agile feet had no trouble maneuvering over bushes, between trees, through snow. They were beautiful to behold. So whatever YOUR high hills are--depression, lack of finances, divorce--whatever--remember, God will make you walk on your high hills.

God bless you too, Josephine!

Okay, well in that case, have some of my calorie-free-yet- very delicious cake!

Hey! I'll share the limelight! Let's combine our parties and have double the fun!

Thanks, Sis in Christ!Jasmine--this punch tastes like my favorite tea! How did you know?

Thanks, everybody! D--looks like Lola and Jasmine brought some cake and you may have some!

Sirianta-- I only have a few minutes here, but let me say you've been on my heart a lot lately! This morning when I was praying for you after I read this post, I kept hearing "Father Wound." I'm not sure what this means, but I think this older man who tried to take advantage of you parallels a deeper issue from your past. I've missed you on this site and I'm glad you're on again. --Debbie

Sister in Christ, Thank you, thank you very much.

Boy, the world was really blessed this week, huh?

It's still the 13th for another 24 minutes where I live, so (Your birthday is pretty close to mine!)

Destine, I'm so sorry something has hurt you so deeply. I don't know exactly what you're going through although I've had my share of sorrow, but Jesus does. He sees all, he understands you better than you do and not one hair on your head, not one tear you cry goes unnoticed by Him. Hold on, Destiny! Draw near to Jesus and He will draw near to you. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

Amen!

A few nights ago as I was about to go to sleep I saw in my spirit doors flinging open and women (including me) rushing into a mansion. We were all like little girls so happy to explore a really wonderful place. We had had long flowing gowns on, we were all beautiful in our own way. At first it seemed like there were only a few of us, but then I realized there was a huge crowd of us, but I didn't feel claustrophobic at all. I heard music, very beautiful joyous music and I heard "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and enter His courts with praise."

I lived in a tiny townhouse for 12 years with my family and saw house after house we were interested in sell to someone else. When the right house finally came along, God made everything go smoothly. Now when I look at the other houses, I realize God shut the doors to them because they weren't as nice as what He had picked out for us and I'm so glad I didn't settle. I am also very happy for you for finding a good church.

I was preparing a meal for my father and father-in-law yesterday to honor them for Father's Day. Frankly, I was struggling because like all of us, these two men have their flaws and family gatherings aren't always so pleasant for me. Anyway, I was writing out "Happy Father's Day" and I noticed the "t" is between 7 letters on both sides. Happy Fa (7 letters) her's Day (7 more letters) This really brought home to me my real Father loves me perfectly. Some friends are with us in the beginning of a crisis or at the end of a crisis, but our heavenly Father is with us in the middle too when we are least lovable. When we offer what can sometimes be a sacrifice of honor to our fathers, it is God we are honoring.

I agree with you, Abigail! May healing and salvation come to your dad!

See how the babies are growing up? I took this yesterday. One of the babies seems less mature than the other, so its mommy (or is it Dad?) has it pretty well covered still but you can see its beak.

Last night my 20-year-old son was driving home with some friends. He was about 30 miles from home and he stepped on his brakes at an intersection only to find he had no brakes. I called my son about this time on his cell phone and he told me the situation. He had greatly reduced his speed, his emergency brakes still worked. I offered to come pick him up, but my son thought he could make it home okay. My concern was for a long steep hill he'd have to go down. Anyway, the end of the story is he made it home unscathed. I can only praise the Lord for sparing my son and his friends.