Yea! Stephanie's etsy Shoppe has Re-Opened

Hello my dear friends!

This is the day which the Lord has made,

let us rejoice and be glad in it!

*~*~*~*

"She seeketh wool, and flax,

and worketh willingly with her hands."

(Proverbs 31:13)

It is a joy as well as a privilege to share with you

that my daughter, Stephanie, who Blogs over at

The Enchanting Rose  

has re-opened her etsy shoppe 
Stephanie began this lovely shoppe
in honor of her dear Grandma Betty,
who was also graceful in creating beautiful crafts with her hands.

*~*~*~*

Of course being Stephanie's mother
has allowed me the privilege of 
sitting in her peaceful craft/sewing room
and watching the work of her graceful and beautiful hands.
I often think of this verse from Proverbs
when I see her finished product.
"Give her the fruit of her hands;
and let her own hands praise her in the gates"

She adds love to every item she makes

and then she beautifully graces her packages with extra love.
When you receive the item you purchased,
there inside the box she will have tucked  away
a special thank you gift, and it's NO small item.
Stephanie has a heart of gratitude
and therefore, her heart is generous.
I would love to share a few treasures with you
 that grace my home from her sweet little shoppe.

*~*~*~*

*~*~*~*

*~*~*~*

*~*~*~*

Why find yourself window shopping
when you can peek inside and shop :)
Rose Petal Blessings
 
*~*~*~*

Coming up soon will be Stephanie's tea cup and mug exchange
and I would like to give her a "shout out"
letting you all know so you will not miss out on the fun.
I have participated in every exchange
and have not been disappointed.
Through her exchanges I have met and made
some of the loveliest ladies where sweet friendships have started.
Come, join the fun! 
Tea Cup & Mug Exchange 
 

*~*~*~*

I have a new look here on my blog and would like for you all
to know that it's beauty was created by my lovely
daughter, Stephanie.
She works behind the scenes for me
and I couldn't be more grateful! 

Joy!
~ Debbie ~

Light of the eyes

Hello precious ladies!

"I will speak of the glorious honor 

of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works."

I want to speak of the majesty and 
wondrous works of my God.
He always has something wonderful for us
if our eyes, ears and hearts are tuned in to Him.
 Yesterday morning during my quiet time

alone with the Lord,

I fell upon Proverbs chapter 15 verse 30

and was intrigued wanting to know more. 

What caught my eye was the word "light"

because of the way the verse read.

""The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart:

and a good report maketh the bones fat."

(Proverbs 15:30)

Isn't that a beautiful verse for us ladies to think on?

"The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart"

These words made me think of joy,

and so I began to study it more 

to see if I was on the right track, and I was.
As I was reading this verse, I began to think of
those who have a glow about them
with eyes that are bright and cheery
because of the joy in their heart.
Then, when I looked in the concordance
this particular verse using the word "light"
referred to just that.
It means "happiness ~ cheerfulness."
WOW!

When we have the joy of the Lord,
our countenance will be radiant,
we will be happy and cheerful.
 A positive outlook (light of the eyes) creates a ripple effect:
it spreads joy to others and produces encouraging words,
all of which create a healthier, happier environment.
"Maketh" "good news fills one's bones with
marrow or imparts strength."
That is so beautiful.

** ~~~ **

Our countenance should be as a light;
a brightness of "light" filled with happiness
and cheerfulness so as to be passed on to others.
To "maketh" is to be "fat ~ well fed" ~ "good news"
spreads  to others and fills ones bones with marrow
imparting strength. 

Are you filled with happiness and cheerfulness
creating a ripple effect of joy 
that will spread into the lives of others?
Are you spreading the "good news"
imparting strength to others?
May we all hide this wonderful verse in our hearts
and apply it to our lives
bringing honor and glory to our God.

** ~~~ **

"A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance."
Heavenly father, fill us with Your Spirit,
causing us to have the joy of the Lord.
May our lives lived for You,
ripple down and touch the hearts of others
bringing with it joy and strength.
In Your honor and Name we pray.
Amen.

Be Cheerful
~ Debbie ~ 

I'm joining Stephanie's party at
http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.com 

Examine Me, O Lord

Hello faithful followers!

Let us rejoice in this beautiful day which the Lord has made!

~ ~

I was talking with my daughter one afternoon

and she was sharing with me an incident

that had taken place where it involved

the lives of two different people.

Why is it some people can be so wrong

and yet never see themselves for what they are saying

or even doing for that matter?

And so...she and I asked one another

the question; Do people ever do as Psalm 26:2 says,

"Examine me, O Lord, and prove me,

try my reins and my heart."

I know for my self ~ should I be confronted with my wrong actions

I want to stop and "examine" myself

before the Lord, asking Him to show me

the errors of my way.
"Who can understand his errors,
cleanse thou me from secret faults."
(Psalm 19:12)
Without God's Word, it is difficult
for us to know if or when we violate God's will.
The Word of God will bring hidden faults to light
and offers strong warnings about what
displeases God so that the believer's actions
words and thoughts may receive His favor.
Here is a beautiful verse we can hide in our hearts;
"Teach me, O Lord, the way of Thy statutes,
and I shall keep it unto the end."
(Psalm 119:33) 

For myself ~ I want to ask the Lord if there are areas in my life

that are not pleasing to Him?

Are there changes that I need to allow Him 

to work on in my life,

so that the name of my Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified?
"Thou hast set our iniquities before thee,
our secret sins in the light of thy countenance."
(Psalm 90:8)  

The conversation my daughter and I shared

caused me to ponder on something that I thought was important

for us women who desire to walk worthy of the calling

of the Lord. 

"Examine me, O Lord, and prove me,

try my reins and my heart."

( Psalm 26:2 )

~ ~

Prove...Try...Test

are essential for testing, refining, and purifying our hearts.

God proves us as gold is proved whether

it be standard.
Just as refining of gold removes impurities,
the things in our life that are
unacceptable shall be removed.
Refining gold separates the pure from the
less precious metals.
It is God who removes the dross from our lives
and it is an on going process in our walk of faith.
Webster dictionary defines dross as;
"the scum that forms on the surface of molten metal."
YUCK!
God wants to remove the "scum" in our lives.

God knows every mans true character,

for He knows the thoughts and intents of the heart.

"The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately wicked; who can know it?

I the Lord search the heart,

I try the reins, even to give every man

according to his ways,

and according to the fruit of his deeds." 

( Jeremiah 17:9-10 )

~ ~

Whatever wickedness there is in our hearts

God sees it, knows it

and is perfectly acquainted with it.

The Lord searches our hearts that are so

carelessly overlooked by ourselves and disguised

or concealed from others.

He not only searches the heart with a piercing eye

but He tries the reins to pass a judgment

upon what He discovers, to give everything

it's true character and due weight.

God judges the overt act by the heart.

Oh that we would not flatter ourselves,

but always stand in awe of the judgement of God.

But then we must remember that our actions are "weighed."

"Talk no more so exceeding proudly;

let not arrogancy come out of your mouth:

for the Lord is a God of knowledge,

and by him actions are weighed." 

( 1Samuel 2:3 )

YIKES!

* ~ ~ ~ *

Nothing is secret from God, He knows everything.

This verse is quite clear,

"our actions will be weighed"

another words, God will judge according 

to our actions, thoughts and that which has come off our lips.

* ~ ~ ~ *

"So teach us to number our days
that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
Our Precious Heavenly Father,
we know that the battle we face daily
is over our heart. Help us to measure our days,
to seek out Your statutes, so as to let nothing in
that would contaminate our lives for You.
We praise Your holy Name!
Amen.

Be Gracious
~ Debbie ~ 

Come with me and enjoy the party over at
Roses of Inspiration 

Tea with Love

Hello treasured friends!

~

If you are cold, tea will warm you;

if you are too heated, it will cool you;

if you are depressed, it will cheer you;

if you are exhausted, it will calm you.

~  William Gladstone ~

~

 Let us love one another in ways

 that would bring comfort to the heart and soul.

This past weekend I was blessed

to share a cup of tea and fellowship

with my Dear mother.

Since the day dad went home to be with the Lord,

I have wanted to graciously and tenderly

look after the needs of my mother more than ever.

It has to be quite difficult

continuing on with out your soul-mate of 58 years.

 It wasn't really in the cup of tea,

but in the spirit of the sweet little tea party

that I wanted to grace my dear mother with

that brought such joy to the both of our hearts.

It was a beautiful, actually perfect day for our tea party,

as the sun was shining brightly causing the dainty little pansies

in the flower boxes surrounding us

to smile upon our time together.

It was lovely!

The daintiness and yet elegance of a china teacup

focuses one to be gentle,

to think warmly

and to feel close.

 ~ Carol & Malcolm Cohen ~

~

This is what I had hoped for my mother,

as we sat around the table in sweet love and conversation

 knowing her heart must be sad...

and her life lonesome... 

 ** ~ ~ ~ **

"Whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,

think on these things."

( Philippians 4:8 )

These things made up our beautiful conversation

as mom and I shared around a cup of tea.

It was sweet memories of  good, pure and lovely

days gone by,

 yet looking ahead to what new roads the Lord had for us

as a wife who lost her husband,

and a daughter who lost her dad. 

 

One of mom's favorite desserts is bread pudding,

and so along with a delicious quiche

I baked Robyn's Blueberry Maple Bread Pudding
Robyn is a dear sweet lady, whom shares the most
wonderful and good for you recipes over at
Simply Fresh Dinners.
You will definitely want to go over and meet her.
I followed Robyn's recipe exactly as she made it,
except I added a 1/2 cup of fresh chopped peaches. 
Cream was enjoyed by one of us :)
and I'm not telling who.

** ~ ~ ~ **

Here is the quiche recipe should you want to give it a try.
~
~ Best Quiche ~
Lightly butter quiche pan then grate a sweet potato (2 if small) 
and press potato into quiche pan to make a crust on bottom & sides.
~ You may use white potatoes or pastry as well ~
Melt 2 tablespoons butter, a dash of salt, chives and place in butter.
Use a pastry brush and brush butter over the potatoes.
Bake at 400 deg. for 15-20 min. or until crispy.
Use vegetables of your choice 
I like to saute' my vegetables first as it adds more flavor.
~ You can use any meat of your choice as well ~
Lay the vegetables on top of the crispy potatoes until they are covered.
Sprinkle grated cheese (your choice) over the vegetables.
~ Goat cheese does well in this recipe ~
Beat 6 eggs 1/4 cup milk, 1teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper
1teaspoon powdered garlic, 1teaspoon snipped chives
and pour this over the cheese.
Bake at 375deg. for 35 to 45 min. or until light brown on top
and firm when the pan is moved.
Enjoy!

~


Our Gracious Heavenly Father. 
We know that You will grant us peace
and serenity as we look to You
during those times in our lives
when it seems hard to endure.
You are the One and Only who can carry
us through every moment
of every day.
Thank you for surrounding us
with the warm fragrance of Your unfailing love.
Amen. 

Be Gracious
~ Debbie ~

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

Every morning as I make the bed

I love to sing the beautiful Hymn 

"I have decided to follow Jesus."

I have made this a practice for many years now,

and since I make the bed first thing in the morning

singing the words to this hymn saturates 

my heart and mind for the remainder of the day.

I find the words of this hymn challenging 

in my walk with the Lord,

for the desire of my heart is to

"take up my cross and follow Jesus." (Matthew 10:38)

 ~~~**~~~

If we so desire to "follow" Jesus we must 

forsake (deny) our own agendas in order

to completely comply with God's agenda.

We must not only give up our own agenda but die to it.

We deny self when we surrender ourselves

to Christ and determine to obey His will.

When we live for Christ,

"daily dying to self" we become more like Him.

This is a practiced life, a choice to decide to follow.

~~~**~~~

"I have decided to follow Jesus.

No turning back, no turning back."

Peter says to Jesus in Mark 10:29-31

"See we have left all and followed you."

And Jesus answered and said,

"Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left

house or brothers or sisters or father or mother

or wife or children or lands, for my sake

and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold

now in this time - houses and brothers and sisters

and mothers and children and lands, 

with persecutions - and in the age to come, eternal life.

But many who are first will be last,

and the last first." 

~~~**~~~

"Tho no one join me, still I will follow.

No turning back, no turning back."

Peter and his fellow apostles left all and followed Jesus.
They obeyed the Masters voice.

Jesus answered Peter in verses 28-31

that God would reward them beyond all

proportion to their supposed sacrifice.

No one who gives up anything to follow

Jesus misses out on anything in the end.
God will reward each one.

~~~**~~~

But... We must be sure our motives are right.

"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it,

but whoever loses his life 

for My sake and the gospel's will save it. (Mark 8:35)

Being great in God's kingdom means:

self denial and sacrificial service.

To lose ourselves is an act of devotion

that should lead us to share the gospel with a lost and hurting world.
God sees things from eternity's perspective.
"But many who are first, will be last,
and the last first."
Those who are first in their own eye's
will be last in God's eye's,
but those who are last in their own eye's
will be rewarded as first. 

May our service be to God and His glory only.

~~~**~~~

"The world behind me, the cross before me.
No turning back, no turning back." 

Jesus also promised that persecutions would come. Mark 10:30

Jesus Himself was persecuted

and as followers, we too will go through persecutions
should we choose to devote ourselves to
Christ and His work for the Kingdom.

But God balances the blessings with the battles,

developing us into mature and gracious daughters of the King.

May we not miss the opportunities God affords us

to make our life count for the Kingdom.

God promises us persecutions (suffering),

but in the end that suffering is transformed into glory.

If we acknowledge Christ and live for Him,

He will one day acknowledge us 

and share His glory with us.

Praise God!

~~~**~~~

~ Questions we can ask ourselves ~

*Are we surrendering ourselves completely to Jesus?

* Are we identifying with Jesus in His suffering and death?

* Are we following Jesus obediently wherever He leads?  
*
I will go where You lead dear Lord,
no turning back ~ no turning back.

~~~**~~~

"I will love Thee O Lord, my strength."
O Precious Heavenly Father,
cause us to fall upon our knees before You,
in total surrender to the work You have called us to do
for Your Kingdom at hand.
May we keep our eye's upon You,
while walking this life of faith in You,
 no looking back, no looking back.
Amen.

Be Blessed
~ Debbie ~