In ‘Other’ Words: Watering, Weeding & Nourishing ~ Join us Tuesday!

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or the month of October, Karen is hosting In Other Words on her blog, In Love W.I.T.H. Jesus.  

This Tuesday, the topic is Watering, Weeding & Nourishing and she is writing thoughts from the following quote:

“We need to process our life to find the thorns. We have to give God permission to step in and step in hard to do what needs to be done to get rid of the thorns and prepare our field. The secret of growing fruit is the pruning, the cutting out what doesn’t need to be in order for the fruit to grow. We need to write things down we need to do and then check ourselves frequently.”

by Wayne Corderio 

Think about the above quote and how it relates to Watering, Weeding & Nourishing.  Write about it on your blog on Tuesday, and link up with Karen.

Want to learn more about “In Other Words”  . . .
what it’s all about,
how it works,
how it originated?
Click here!

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In ‘Other’ Words: Planting Seeds ~ Join Us on Tuesday!

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or the moth of October, Karen is hosting In Other Words on her blog, In Love W.I.T.H. Jesus.  

This Tuesday, the topic is Planting Seeds and she is writing thoughts from Galatians 6:7: 

  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked;
for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Galatians 6:7

In ‘Other’ Words,
in the end we may not like what we reaped
but it’s what we sowed.
We need to start out right,
picking the correct seeds.

 

Think about the above quote and how it relates to Planting Seeds.  Write about it on your blog on Tuesday, and link up with Karen.

Want to learn more about “In Other Words”  . . .
what it’s all about,
how it works,
how it originated?
Click here!

In ‘Other’ Words: Preparing the Soil ~ Tuesday’s Quote ~ Join Us!

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or the rest of October, Karen will be hosting In Other Words on her blog, In Love W.I.T.H. Jesus.  This Tuesday, the topic is Preparing the Soil.

The quote she has chosen is: 

The condition of our soil makes a difference in the outcome of what we produce.
We need to prepare well and then we will have abundant fruit.
To prepare sometimes you have plow the ground under,
burn last year’s stubbles left over.
God will not sow seeds on a field that is not prepared,
it’s a waste of seed.
If we do our part God will do His part.

by Wayne Corderio   

Think about the above quote and how it relates to Preparing the Soil.  Write about it on your blog on Tuesday, and link up with Karen.

Want to learn more about “In Other Words”  . . .
what it’s all about,
how it works,
how it originated?
Click here!

In ‘Other’ Words: Tuesday’s New Quote

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oin us on TUESDAY for our weekly In Other Words.  Just write about the quote below on your blog and then link up with our hostess on Tuesday.  This week’s hostess is Urailak on her blog, LivingforGod.

The quote she has chosen is: 

 “Blessed are the husband and wife
who humbly dedicate their lives
and their home to Christ
and practice the teachings of Christ in their home
by being
unselfish,
loyal,
and loving.”

author unknown

Want to learn more about “In Other Words”  . . .
what it’s all about,
how it works,
how it originated?
Click here!

In ‘Other’ Words: Final Adoption

“‎Our children can learn that . . . .
the concept of “family” does not rest solely on biology.
They can learn that love transcends many artificial boundaries
frequently put into place by humans.
They can learn that closing one door
can open another door
and another and another . . . . ”

Caroline Harding, adoptive parent

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he other day I saw on our coffee table a library book called,  Adoption Is for Always.  I don’t know what made one of our children take that particular book out, but it kind of sucked the breath out of me.  I’ve not always had a good picture of adoption.  I was adopted when I was just a baby.  I did not bond with my parents or my sister.  We all went through a pretty rough time.  And to be honest, I do think many adopted kids have a rough time with identity and wrapping their minds around why their birth mother gave them up.  Even as a mom now, I cannot ever imagine giving up one of my children.  My husband has many adopted cousins, and some have gone through some major struggles.  I have a dear close friend who has one child, an adopted son, and she’s gone through so much with him.  

And yet, I’ve seen the beauty of adoption, from both sides.  I’ve witnessed the miracle of adoption, praying for a young couple and just weeks later are blessed with one son and then a short time later, another.   They are so much “their” children and the grandparents love those boys as much as they love their blood-related grandchildren.  It’s pure joy to see.  And recently, I’ve learned some of a story of a mom giving up a daughter for adoption and now she is going across the world to see her.  She was adopted by a missionary family.  Sunday yet another family was at church with three foster children, in hopes to adopt them.  It was precious hearing the young ones call them mommy and daddy.  The love from the older children was so heart-warming.  

And as we have added new children to our family through marriage, I am getting a little picture of “adoption” and loving more children . . . even worrying about more children!   There are sad stories of adoptions not working.  There are sad stories of prodigal children and prodigal parents . . .  not working – even blood-related.

Yet, the purest adoption picture is still so hard to completely wrap ones mind around, is that of Jesus.  I just read this from Ann at A Holy Experience:

“. . . a Jew died for us. We who were once sentenced to death have been offered the shocking gift of salvation, of being flat out rescued, of being saved. If we believe  we’re the lost who are saved — how can we lose our First Love? How can our bones not burn with thanks, with love, with the message of Who saved us? How can anything after His rescuing — be anything but appalling gift?”

I’ve been adopted by this Jewish Man to be my Father forever.  One of my favorite Bible verses comes from the short book of Jude:

. . . To those who are called,
beloved in God the Father
and KEPT for Jesus Christ . . . 
Jude 1:1b (emphasis mine)

Jesus broke all the barriers of adoption.  It does not matter race, childhood, sins, the tattoos on your arms, etc.  He has written our names forever etched into His hands, never to be deleted, forgotten, rejected.  We only need to say yes to Him . . . thank Him for His eternal gift of Salvation and believe He is our Father and died for us each personally.  He wants us to accept Him.   He’s already accepted us.   It’s an adoption made in heaven!

This week’s hostess is Nina on her blog, Mama’s Little Treasures.  Please join in with us sharing on the quote on the top of this post and link up with Nina.

In ‘Other’ Words: Tuesday’s Quote ~ JOIN US!

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oin us on TUESDAY for our weekly In Other Words.  Just share about the quote, and in this case for this week, a Scripture verse on your blog and then link up with our hostess.  This week’s hostess is Karen who blogs at In Love W.I.T.H. Jesus.  

The Scripture verse she has chosen is: 

“As for me, I look to the Lord for His help,
I wait confidently for God to save me,
and my God will certainly hear me.
Do not gloat over me, my enemies!
For though I fall I will rise again.
Though I sit in darkness,
the Lord Himself will be my light.”
Micah 7:7,8

Isn’t this verse filled with wonderful hope and encouragement?!?! JOIN us on Tuesday and share your thoughts!

Want to learn more about “In Other Words” ~ what it’s all about, how it works, how it originated? Click here!

In ‘Other’ Words: He IS With Us!

“He also promises to be with us when we are in trouble.
Notice how He didn’t say
that He would take troubles away.
That’s because we will encounter trouble.
We will have trials and disappointments”.
Psalm 91-He Who Dwells by Lara Velez

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he above quote, the author is writing about Psalm 91:15 ~

He shall call upon Me,
and I will answer him:
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him,
and honour him.

What do you lack in this verse?  I know what I do.  So often, it’s easy to not call upon Him, not cry out to Him, not ask Him.  Sometimes things just seem hopeless, like there really is no answer or no way out.

Are there times when parenting becomes overwhelming?  The kids keep complaining and tattling?  One child calls another a name. They have one question after the next (why? why mom?  why?) and at times, it’s easy to block out all the bickering or one more question that seems so redundant.  God is not that way.  He is always listening, never turning His ear to us.  He does not get overwhelmed with our crying out to Him or asking Him to forgive us again.

And there are times we feel so lonely, when no one seems to understand.  And God says, He will be with us in trouble.  We just have to ask.  He will deliver us.

I think of “delivering” my babies in several different ways.  I’ve had hospital births – some natural; some with a spinal block and including a twin birth, one being born breach.  I’ve had a home birth with a midwife.  And, I’ve had five c-sections.  The main objective with each baby, was that they arrived safely.  Of course, I was disappointed that I had c-sections and never had VBAC’s, yet, after losing a child because of a placenta abruption, having a living baby born, no matter how, is the importance.  Not how she or he was born.

Sometimes we wonder how we are going to get out of a situation, deep despair and the pit that seems bottomless, yet God promises to be with us, and He WILL deliver us.  It does not matter how He will deliver us, but He will.

And then He will honour me?  I cannot wrap my mind around that!  I look forward to honouring Him, to praising Him and being with Him forever.  Yet, He will reward us.  WOW!  

Today’s In ‘Other’ Words is hosted by Twinkle Mom on her blog, SunflowerFaith. A special thank you to her for hosting this past month, featuring Psalm 91. 

In ‘Other’ Words: Psalm 91 ~ JOIN US on TUESDAY!

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his is our last week writing from Psalm 91 for our weekly In Other Words.  This month we have been sharing either a verse from Psalm 91 or a quote from the e-book, Psalm 91 – He Who Dwells… (only .99 cents!), which is an in-depth Bible study into Psalm 91, and the Promise of Protection.

Our hostess for this mini-series is Twinkle Mom who will be sharing on her blog, SunflowerFaith. This week she has chosen a quote from the book: 

“He also promises to be with us when we are in trouble.
Notice how He didn’t say
that He would take troubles away.
That’s because we will encounter trouble.
We will have trials and disappointments”.
-Psalm 91-He Who Dwells by Lara Velez

We’d love for you to join us, even if you do not have the e-book!  Read through Psalm 91. Possibly share another verse in this chapter really touches your heart.  Then join in on  Tuesday on your blog, linking up with us at SunflowerFaith.  

Please join in!

Want to learn more about “In Other Words” ~ what it’s all about, how it works, how it originated? Click here!

In ‘Other’ Words: I will say . . . .

His word is a book of instructions,
guidelines, and boundaries.
If we study the Word,
learn His ways,
and submit to His Word,
we are protected.
–Lara Velez,
Psalm 91 – He Who Dwells…

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re you protected?  Do we believe we are protected by God?  Do we ask to be protected?

I’ve been encouraged reading through this short e-book, Psalm 91 – He Who Dwells… (only .99 cents!) and understanding more of God’s protection.  

Just look at the first two verses of Psalm 91:

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

Lara Velez, author of Psalm 91 – He Who Dwells…, pointed out three little words that really jumped out to me, three words inviting us to pray this to God:

I will say . . . 

What are we going to say?  The Psalmist invites us:

I will say . . . “He is my refuge and my fortress.”

I will say . . . “He is my God.”

I will say  . . .“In Him I will trust.”

What happens when we say this and believe this?  We are protected in secret places we cannot even fathom or understand.  It makes me think of all the times we may have come close to accidents, death, serious injuries, and God had us in His secret, protective place.

Throughout God’s word He gives us so many resources for His protection, His care, His love.  He has us protected under His wings . . .  or as I’ve shared with my children, it’s like an umbrella, and when we disobey and don’t trust, we remove ourselves from under His umbrella of protection.

How protected are you?  Are you barely under the umbrella . . . outside it . . .  or fully assured completely underneath?  

Today’s In ‘Other Words and the next three weeks will be hosted at  SunflowerFaith going through  Psalm 91.  We invite you to join us, share on the above quote and how God spoke to you in Psalm 91.

In ‘Other’ Words: Faith Shall be Sight & Forever Jubilant!

“The eternal perspective is the ability to see all of life

from God’s point of view and
have what you see affect how you live in the present.
Simply stated,
the eternal perspective is the ability to walk by faith
in God’s Word.”

by Catherine Martin
A Heart To See Forever:
Embrace the promise of the eternal perspective

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ast week at a 17 year old’s funeral service,   we sang the well known song,  “It Is Well With My Soul“.  It seems like the right funeral song to sing . . . ingrained with such hope.  I have memories of singing it at several funerals. But what always comes to mind now is when a friend shared with me about a funeral she attended, also of a young boy and they sang this song, when they got to the verse below, the family jumped up from their seats, praising God, and so thankful for this hope:

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

This part sure is not one of sorrow but a jubilant one!   It needs an encore!  I wanted to jump up last week . . . but, I probably would have been the only one!  To have such hope . . . to know without a doubt that someday, what we do have faith in, what we cannot see, will become reality.  We will see Jesus face to face.  Tears will be wiped away.  There will be endless joys and awe with no more sorrows, pains . . . no more death.   And we do want this day hastened!  To be reunited with our loved ones . . .  to sit at Jesus’ feet.  

But for now, as the author writes above, we do walk in faith – so much of it unseen.   We cannot understand why His ways are not our ways . . . but someday, the puzzle pieces will fit together, and we will see from eternities perspective, how through our perseverance and glorifying God through our lives, it was worth it all.

Someday it will be forever jubilant!  
Someday my faith shall be sight!  
What hope!

Joining our hostess, Debbie, on her blog, Heart Choices for this week’s “In ‘Other’ Words, writing on the above quote AND writing on the word “JUBILANT” for  One Word at a Time Blog Carnival.

In ‘Other’ Words: Tuesday’s New Quote ~ JOIN US!

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uesday,  will you please join us in sharing on the quote below for our weekly, In Other Words. Each week a new quote is given here, onWriting Canvas, along with who will be hosting that week’s In ‘Other’ Words.

This week’s IOW will be hosted by  Debbie, on her blog, Heart Choices. Below is her chosen quote.  Think about it ~ write about it ~ and then visit Debbie’s blog on Tuesday and join with the others on writing on this quote.

“The eternal perspective is the ability to see all of life
from God’s point of view
and have what you see affect how you live in the present.
Simply stated,
the eternal perspective is the ability to walk by faith in God’s Word.”

by Catherine Martin
A Heart To See Forever:
Embrace the promise of the eternal perspective

Please join in!

Want to learn more about “In Other Words” ~ what it’s all about, how it works, how it originated? Click here!

In ‘Other’ Words: Tuesday’s New Quote ~ JOIN US!

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uesday,  will you please join us in sharing on the quote below for our weekly, In Other Words. Each week a new quote is given here, onWriting Canvas, along with who will be hosting that week’s In ‘Other’ Words.

This week’s IOW will be hosted by  Nina, on her blog, Mama’s Little Treasures. Below is her chosen quote.  Think about it ~ write about it ~ and then visit Nina’s blog on Tuesday and join with the others on writing on this quote.

““People go abroad to wonder at the height of mountains,
at the huge waves of the sea,
at the long courses of the rivers,
at the vast compasses of the ocean . . . .
and they pass by themselves without even imagining.”
St. Augustine of Hippo

Please join in!

Want to learn more about “In Other Words” ~ what it’s all about, how it works, how it originated? Click here!

In ‘Other’ Words ~ We will be like HIM!

“Farewell, vain world; my soul bids you adieu.
My Savior taught me to abandon you.
Your charms may gratify a sensual mind,
but cannot please a soul for God designed.”
~David Brainerd

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hhh, I wish it was this easy as just saying “adieu” to the things of the world, the daily temptations, the things that are “temporarily” fun or the things that pop into our minds and roll off our tongues that make us squirm later that we allowed to happen or say.   Our pastor just said Sunday how we all have idols we have to fight off daily, (including him, the pastor!!!) – the things that become more important than God in our lives.  

One of my friends recently wrote on Facebook: “UGH…..so thankful that in heaven there is no baggage or DISFUNCTION…probably enough said!!!”

In heaven we will be released from the things of this world, the things that cannot please God.  Yes, the baggage will be gone.  But it’s a process too, a daily work in us, a refining, to make us more like Him.  It won’t get perfected until  will are presented before God, holy.  I can only imagine!  No more “trying” to be good.  No more “starting over”.  Then, we will bid farewell to this world and the things of it.

We will be like Him!

In ‘Other’ Words ~ What’s Your Favorite Quote?

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he hostess for tomorrow is not able to participate because of illness,  and since my daughter is marrying at the end of this week (YIKES!) instead of filling in or finding someone to do so, I thought a change would be good!  

So, for In Other Words this week, join in by sharing either your favorite quote . . . maybe why it’s your favorite (can be a Bible verse or something that has had special meaning through the years) OR . . . repost a past In ‘Other’ Words that was special to you.  Keep it simple!  🙂

And I am going to try to do a repost, hopefully,  and you can link up with me tomorrow!

Please join in!

Want to learn more about “In Other Words” ~ what it’s all about, how it works, how it originated? Click here!

In ‘Other’ Words: HOPE

“ Once you were alienated from God
and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.
But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body
through death to present you holy in His sight,
without blemish and free from accusation—
if you continue in your faith,
established and firm,
and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. ”

Colossians 1:21-23a (NIV)

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here’s so many precious words that spill over to me today in these verses.  

“Once” – past tense, no longer alienated.  It means despite my failures, He won’t disown me.  I am still His.  Isn’t that a lot of hope, just in those first few words of this verse?  

“Holy” – without blemish – in Jesus’ sight.  That is hard to wrap my mind around.  Even with the struggles, stresses, and sins that still catch me, I will be brought before God, without blemish and free from accusation.  This is big for me, because I can struggle so much to “be right” and feel so misunderstood, and yet, for eternities perspective, if I could learn to let go of things more . . . it does not really matter so often . . .God knows and HE is enough!  And because of this, I am I am firmly established with Him.  I cannot be yanked away from Him.  The ties won’t be broken!

And when I question, wonder where I am . . . where He is . . . I am reminded by that still small voice, to not move from the hope held out in the gospel.  There’s always hope.

Today IOW is hosted at Miriam Pauline’sMonologue. Above is her chosen quote.  Think about it ~ write about it ~ and then visit Miriam’s blog and join with the others on writing on this quote.

ALSO . . . please don’t miss the personalized birthstone glass locket giveaway for Mother’s Day.  It’s beautiful keepsake!