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What does Jesus truly want from us?

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Welcome to another gathering of my thoughts for the week. Yesterday, my devotional chapter was Romans 15. Last evening, our Life Group worked through John 14:24 into John 15. Let’s see what the Spirit does with these passages.

Romans 15:1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”

Photo by Jonathan Andrew on Pexels.com

First, why did earlier revivals and outpouring of the Holy Spirit not last? I’ve heard that there wasn’t disciple making done after the Holy Fire hit people. I think maybe the pursuit of holiness that pierced hearts during the heavy outpouring eventually cooled, and worldly pursuits encroached.

If we’re the ones strong in faith, the weak ones new to faith need us to tone it down and be sensitive to their immature faith. Verse 2 tells us it will edify them if we please them and not ourselves.

The next section tells us that we learn from the things written before, prophecies fulfilled. These Scriptures,  when consumed, grow patience and comfort, giving us hope.

Romans 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit

Jesus wants us to come into agreement as His body. We should all grow in faith and glorify the Lord together. I think this also points to exercising comfort and patience among ourselves, forgiving as Christ has forgiven us. This is how we will abound in hope, the power of the Holy Spirit teaching, leading, and guiding us.

As we travel through the book of John, we notice Jesus repeats His teaching several times from different angles, He truly wants his disciples to understand what’s ahead.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.

Jesus wants us to keep His word. Love Jesus, love others. Jesus walked with the Holy Spirit from the day He was baptized by John the Baptist.  He showed what is possible in our lives if we appropriate the Holy Spirit. We can learn to listen and speak only what the Spirit prompts us, as Jesus did only what the Father showed Him.

25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Jesus explains what is to come when His followers receive the promise. We are to walk in the Spirit. Also, to not be troubled or afraid. He is our peace!

God’s people are called to come together as the Body of Christ. This unity is not the same as all religions meeting in one building. It’s nothing like a one world government. That’s the world’s wisdom, the devil’s ultimate plan

So, let us truly come into agreement on the majors and lay down our rights on the minors. In previous revivals; outpourings of the Spirit, the theme was holiness. In this current move of God, we are called to holiness, communion with the Lord and His church, His bride. Take to heart Philippians 4.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Live in the love and admonition of our Lord, preferring others over our own interests. Live to radiate peace and patience. Refuse to be brought under the spirit of fear and anxiety.  Serve others in humility, and spend yourself to meet their needs as the LORD meets yours.

The view from our yard this evening.
Yes, I enhanced the photo to show
God’s magnificence!

Have i told you I’ve joined a team going to Uganda on January 1-16, 2025? We will be ministering to children through kids’ camps and medical & dental clinics in 3 communities. I’m traveling with David’s Kidz and hope to meet the young woman I’ve been sponsoring for a few years. We would appreciate your prayers. Health, provision, the team quickly coming into alignment, and wisdom in packing. Oh, last i heard, about 5 more people are needed to fill the 20-soul team. If you have medical experience or work with children, even youth are encouraged to apply. Maybe the Spirit is calling?

http://www.davidskidz.org

Living A Very Long Life?

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What are your thoughts on the concept of living a very long life?

Deuteronomy 34:7 Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished.

Pastor Cheryl’s mother is turning ninety-nine years old soon. She still remembers when she was three, playing on the kitchen floor. She asked her mother how to be saved, and mom helped her accept Jesus into her heart. Through two husbands, twice widowed, a heart attack and stroke, the death of a son, and so much more, she has stedfasly trusted Jesus. She still lives in her own home, with some help, encourages others, and shines with a holy light.

My friend Joan just turned ninety two. She still lives on her own in a small apartment. She doesn’t go out often due to intestinal problems, but she still rejoices in the Lord. She has friends who visit regularly, and her daughter gets her groceries and rides to doctor appointments. I stopped a few months ago, just when she needed help getting her porch windows set for winter. She has come to realize her limitations and how much she can do at a time. She is experiencing Emmanuel, God is with her, and just started a new Bible reading plan. Her librarian friend supplies her with good Christian books.

I visited my friend Avril. She’s in her upper 80s. She has a beautiful home on the lake. She has a cat that keeps her company and crafts she makes for charity. Avril had just used her riding mower/snowblower to clean her driveway and shoveled from there to the house. She’s recently gotten a Kindle and has 100 books downloaded. She knows when to ask for help and recently found a new church family. She drives 20 minutes to this church. She’s slowed down, but not much.

Fred and Jean are 86 & 87. They drove down to Florida mid- September, and they say it’s for their last time. A large family, I think 4 generations worth, take good care of them. They prepare the house here for Fred & Jean to occupy in the spring, then weatherize it when they leave in the fall. The family visits often and helps with what they need. We go out to dinner with them, he still goes out fishing, we play cards together, and have long chats. They know their limitations.

My brother-in-law Wes recently turned 87. Two years ago, he bought a classic car he enjoys working on. He and his wife Barb travel to lots of car shows during the season. Their house is full of trophies! He never thought he’d live this long. He is affected by his younger foolishness, but he still enjoys a good game of cards and seeing family. I believe the Lord is being patient because Wes hasn’t surrendered to Jesus yet.

After Noah’s flood, the LORD decided one hundred and twenty years is enough time for man to live with the evil flesh.

Genesis 6:3 And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”

NOTE: Science is pushing the boundaries to extend human lives. I do not want things injected into me to change my DNA. I don’t want the enemy’s way of longevity, I want it straight from my Father’s hands.

I believe that if we find favor and strength in the LORD, 120 years is possible. That’s why I want to work with the Lord to live as healthy as possible for as long as possible. I want to fulfill my purpose on this earth and see signs, wonders, and miracles. I want my inheritance to be a multitude of lost souls translated into the kingdom. As of January 2024, these are my thoughts on living a very long life.

Joy and JOY?

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I just watched the Elijah Clips episode of Amanda Grace that I posted below. On January 2nd, she said joy will be poured out on several places. She also said the Lord distinguished Joy from JOY! JOY stands for Justice Of Yahweh. God will be glorified, and his people will experience an outpouring of joy when Justice comes, and evil is vanquished. She said January has already been marked by a cat 7 quake in Japan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZfeexqEHl4

How is the January fasting going? I’m glad you asked! We have at least one night a week set aside for a prayer meeting. Last night, I’m glad Pastor Josh reminded us at the prayer meeting that we may be getting a headache or light-headed the 4th day. I had forgotten and thought I might faint that morning at another meeting. I have decided not to eat dairy, wheat, or sugar. I am having a bowl of rice cereal with a serving of nuts, 1/2 cup of berries, and a cup of almond milk in the mornings so I can take my normal supplements. I do liquids, mostly water, until after 4 p.m. I’m honoring my husband by sharing dinner with him at that time.

In my devotions this week, I read the first chapters of Genesis, Matthew, Ezra, and Acts. This covered the creation of the earth out of a dark void, the genealogy of Jesus & announcement of His birth, a pagan king facilitated the end of 70 year’s captivity in Babylon and rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. Acts detailed Jesus’s resurrection, 40 days on earth, his rising into the clouds, and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

All four of these beginnings show the faithfulness of God, His grace, and mercy for the creation He made. So many prophecies were fulfilled in each one of these eras. We are in a new Kingdom erea. We must trust that the LORD has our backs, and it’s a time to bring honor and glory to our Lord.

Here’s an excerpt from Rick Renner’s monthly teaching letter. He said this year will be a time of turbulance where everything that can be shaken will be shaken. He sresses that those who are staying in faith will thrive. Rick says:

The Holy Spirit specifically said that those who:
Stay in faith…
Stay in peace…
Stay in love…
Stay in fellowship…
Keep sowing seed for the sake of eternity…
Will experience a supernatural power that will cause them to be:
Unmoved…
Unshaken…
Well provided for…
And they will have a much-needed:
Divine assurance…
Divine peace…
Divine power…
Divine and supernatural victory

I’m reminded that during Covid, I was prospering with extra jobs and finances. I contributed to our church and several other ministries, and our family was well provided for. Our church finances burgeoned, and a lot of ministry happened, despite all the craziness of that time.

Other prophets I have listened to said believers will be kept in a place of safety, as Psalm 91 describes. Don’t forget the Lord’s promises in Psalm 23 as well. Stick with the encouragement from Rick Renner’s prophecy. You can watch Rick teaching on this and also find the full teaching letter at:

Staying in a Place of Faith
Shalom to you all as we walk in faith and victory. May the love of God enfold you and the Spirit reassure you that all is well. Keep walking in step with the Spirit and loving God and those He puts in your life.

2024 Fasting, Hope, and a few Book Reviews

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The Brownville, NY church Charles G. Finney spent a winter snowed -in at, preaching
and praying in the1800’s revival at its infancy.

New Year’s Eve, I spent about 6 hours at this old church, experiencing a taste of heaven on earth and the burgeoning revival in our area. I rejoiced in seeing people from my former church involvements and many from my current congregation, as well as many I met for the first time. Just thinking about how in eternity, we can fellowship with Everyone who follows Jesus!

What excellent fellowship we enjoyed as we packed the church sanctuary. The worship team was excellent, the Spirit heavy, and prayers effective. Baptisms were performed, and many children and young people were there, all behaving well for such a late evening! Oh, did I mention older saints and people from several different churches attended as well?

Our church has begun our annual January fast. Our concentration this year is Immanuel; Our God is with us, and we are with our God. You can check out http://www.myacf.org for Pastor’s sermon about this fast. I decided to begin fasting at sundown New Year’s evening, only drinking water. The Spirit and fellowship made it easy to pass up the snacks that were there at the church. This year, I decided to concentrate on no wheat, no dairy, and no sugars. I eat enough to take my supplements in the morning, then liquids until after 4 p.m. Liquids continue after sharing a curtailed dinner with my husband, John. The main idea is to take 21 days to make room in my life to grow closer to the Lord, feeding my spirit more than my flesh. Our church does not mandate that members fast or dictate how to observe it, but it helps knowing others are abstaining from food at the same time.

Now for the book reviews. I remind you that there’s a discount for my Musings Along Life’s Journey Kindle version starting January 17th, only 99cents!

The Lost Arts of Christianity by Mike Bartholomew is my current read. I met Pastor Mike at a joint prayer evening last week at our church. He pastors at a sister church in our area. This book was published in 2009 but still holds good advice for coming back to the truths of Christian Living many of us have left off from. Mike covers:

Beginning Correctly, Salty Living, The Spirit Filled Life, Self-control, Patient Faith, Serving, Hospitality, Disciple Making, Praying, Forgiving, Giving, Recognizing the Times, Loyalty, Contentment, Hard Work, Loving the Truth, Joyful Living, Discretion, Unity, Parenting, Submission to Authority, Finishing Correctly.

You will find I covered a few of these topics in my memoir, but Pastor Mike Bartholomew fleshes them out a bit more, since he’s been a Pastor as long as I’ve been a believer, which gives him more examples to share. If you want to find out how to help others find God’s way of living this Christian life or confirm/challenge the life you’re living, I recommend this book, which can be purchased on Amazon or Walmart.com.

The second book I want to share is the new devotional I started today. It’s Our Faithful God Devotional by Katie Davis Majors, 52 Weeks of Leaning on His Unchanging Character.

Katie says,”… we aren’t going to cover the whole Bible in a year. But we are going to read different parts of the Old and New Testaments, soaking our hearts and minds in God’s Word as we look for evidence of His unchanging character throughout the ages.” (From the introduction). Each week, you read one Scripture each day for four days. On day five, you read all four Scriptures. Two days a week, you can meditate/re-read the Scriptures, or use them as catch-up days. Katy starts each day by setting the stage for the chapter you will read, then offers questions to help you apply it to your life.

This seems to be a good place for me to start this new year. I have christened a new journal and look forward to what the Spirit will do with Katie’s prompts. My first assignment is to read Genesis 1 and start a habit of noticing God’s goodness all around, trusting Him to make the dark areas of my life light and good. This means seeing God as Creator of all, still speaking light and life, still declaring His creation is good. My second day, I read the first chapter of Matthew.

As I conclude these thoughts, I speak Shalom to you, my readers. 2024 is a year of expectation. God is on the move, and we are blessed to move with Him! Remember to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, as Psalm 122 says, for the good of our brothers and friends. Also, they that touch Israel touch the apple of the Father’s eye. He will not let the enemy go much farther. His judgement is written in the Scriptures!

Beginning a Whole Lot of Musings!

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Much to muse about these days, my friends. Testing and transitions and testimonies all wrapped together! I’ll share over several posts to not take too much of our time at once. Hold on and follow me as I learn to follow Jesus.

The morning that I needed to pick up my husband, John from Syracuse airport, was a challenge. My annual physical was at 8:30. I jumped out of bed earlier than usual, rushed around, and found something quick to grab for breakfast on the run. My routine exercise went by the wayside as I rushed out to get to the doctor on time.

In my head, I can hear John saying, “Don’t be late!” I can get tense just relating this tale. Lo and behold, my blood pressure was in the 170s, higher than it had ever been. This set off alarms through the staff. Doc had her staff schedule me a kidney ultrasound ASAP. Come back in 2 weeks, take blood pressure twice a day, and report back. That was the end of my routine physical, and I still needed to “fly” to Syracuse to catch John’s return flight from Los Angeles.

My blood pressure log shows low pressures with only one in the 130s. My return appointment, Doc said my log was good, but my kidneys show damage from high BP. She completed the exam and said the oil I’ve been putting in my ears is working. Now I need earwax removal drops. Yes, I’m due for tetanus booster, and the nurse gave me one. I walked out of that office with a full report on the visit, a prescription for Lisinopril, a mammogram order, a blood test order, and instructions for using Debrox drops.

Let’s take a breath! Stop, drop, and find where Jesus is! I am seeing the effects of the burden of fears I have spent years under. I am well on my way to fully trusting Jesus, living in the peace that comes when I surrender. This evidence of 6 decades on this earth is not inevitable. I believe in a Savior that is more than enough, not just “You’ve got to expect these things as your body ages.” I will follow my doctor’s orders and see what happens in the near future. Whatever develops, I trust my Father in heaven, who holds me in His hands, and will use it all for His glory.

My bouquet from our Women’s Gathering Saturday morning at my friend’s cutting garden.

Giving and Receiving

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Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

I was just listening to an Eljah Clips episode on YouTube. Mike Thompson and his wife were telling Steve Schultz about the supernatural finances God is providing. As we sow into ministries that are spreading the gospel, He provides more funds for us to sow.

Kim Robinson shares part of her heaven experiences in her book, Heaven Is Real and It’s Fun! Jesus showed her a room in heaven that has piles of money. There is money in heaven waiting for you to reach up and take it, bringing it down to earth. This is what happened for me in February of 2022. I was listening to someone who said to ask God how much and then reach up and pull it down. $3,000.00 came to mind, and in faith, not knowing what it was for or how it would come, I reached up and pulled.

Well, I got more work from housekeeping at the neighbor’s motel due to it being short staffed. I also was paid $14.00/hour when the year before I had gotten $11-12.00. John started paying for most of my gas since we were using my vehicle more often to run errands. God also supplied a second house cleaning job, and my pastors hooked me up with a local man needing help editing and publishing his memoir.

About May, I hooked up with Sabrina Adams on LinkedIn, and she asked me to send her my manuscript. I had just paid the fees to take two of my granddaughters to grandparent camp at Beaver Camp, but God arranged things so when Sabrina told me publishing would cost $3,000.00, I had a couple hundred dollars over that in my savings.

I forgot that in February I also began sponsoring a student with David’s Kidz, $90.00 every 3 months. Remember, at the end of October, I agreed to go on the mission trip to Tanzania in February 2023. I had continued to put money into savings, and they added up. The funds seemed to increase miraculously. I was able to pay the two payments for the trip by the end of December. Out of the blue, people would hand money to me to supply funds for the sundries of the trip.

God continued to supply faithfully. In April of 2023, I asked Sabrina to have another 80 books published. That cost $500.00, which just happened to be in my savings! I leave you with the Elijah Clip so you can listen yourself. I pray you experience the prosperity God wants you to have to bring His kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. Amen!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK8fCRwuQyM&t=328s

Ah, Summer!

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Memorial Day weekend and the parade are a memory now. The spring flowers have faded, but what glorious irises my garden grows! That’s the  Allium flower in the midst of the royal purple ones. I have survived my first two evenings working at the Trolly ice cream shop. If i continue on the evening shift, it fits well around working at the Aspinwall and my other activities, thank the Lord. John is busy restructuring the garden area, working towards a no mow area within the fence. He’s taken time to help a couple of friends with their garden fences as well. He’s preparing to spend time in Los Angeles with Eliza’s family this month and organizing his time well. God bless him for John’s kind, giving heart!

I want to take this moment and pause to meditate on another Scripture that talks about being stedfast, part of my concentration for 2023. The book of Lamentations can be a difficult book to read, but there are gems of hope in God’s goodness woven amidst the verses.

Lamentations 3:25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.
26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to his name. This active, faithful waiting, resting in Him, is what our Lord requires from his people. I am hearing good things happening around us, even as messengers of financial collapse abound. Hearts are being moved to reach out in love, and God’s faithful are giving liberally to promote kingdom work.

Lamentations 3:22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”

This brings me to one avenue for giving: the on-line portion of the Beaver Camp auction began yesterday. Check out my last post for auction details. Here are pictures of the themed baskets I built around my book.

Along with my book, each basket contains a lapghan, drink bottle, book light, a notebook & pen. This is the first crocheting I’ve done since I began my book, and it was fun getting into my yarn stash again. The drink bottle is to keep the reader hydrated, the pen and notebook to jot your own musings down, a book light so you can read where you want, and – I forgot – I included a small candle in a fancy metal tin to set the mood.

I conclude with a picture of the solar humming bird chimes my granddauters sent me. They alternately change colors and are delightful to watch in the evening. Shalom to you, my readers, until next time.

Iran’s Great Awakening

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Have you heard? God is moving in Iran! Being faithful to His word, the oppressive life in Iran is pushing people into the arms of Jesus. Dr. Hormoz Shariat and his wife are founders of Iran Alive Ministries. In the March 2023 issue of Today’s Christian Living magazine, I read an interview with Dr. Shariat. I was moved to donate to the ministry, which is broadcasting the gospel 24/7 into Iran, and revival is happening! Faithful to this organization’s promise, that after I donated, they gifted me Dr. Shariat’s book, Iran’s Great Awakening How God is Using a Muslim Convert to Spark Revival. Joel Rosenberg, who wrote the foreword to the book, begins with: “I consider Hormoz Shariat to be the Billy Graham of Iran.” In this book, you will read about the Doctor’s salvation experience and he walks you through the promises the Lord has given Iran, also known as Elam.

Check out https://iranalive.org/

Did you know God gave a similar promise to Iran as He gave to Israel? He promised Abraham that both Isaac and Ishmael would be blessed and prosper. In Genesis chapter 17, at the point where God had changed Abram’s name to Abraham, and Sari to Sarah, he laughed that they would have a child at such an advanced age, so Abraham asked the Lord to bless Ishmael. This is what He replied:

Genesis 17:19 Then God said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him. 

20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. 21 But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.” 

Jeremiah 49:34 The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying, 35 “Thus says the Lord of hosts:

‘Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, (Iran)
The foremost of their might.
36 Against Elam I will bring the four winds
From the four quarters of heaven,
And scatter them toward all those winds;
There shall be no nations where the outcasts of Elam will not go.

39 ‘But it shall come to pass in the latter days:
I will bring back the captives of Elam,’ says the Lord.”

And what did God say about Israel, about the Jewish people?

“Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
And declare it in the isles afar off, and say,
‘He who scattered Israel will gather him,
And keep him as a shepherd does his flock.’
11 For the Lord has redeemed Jacob,
And ransomed him from the hand of one stronger than he.
12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion,
Streaming to the goodness of the Lord—

So, the children of Isaac and the children of Ishmael are both part of God’s plan. He has scattered them among all the nations, as they have gravely sinned and turned their backs on the Lord. He has a plan to bring them back into the Land God provided for them, after they’ve been used to bless all nations that they’ve taken up residence in. Both clans are coming to the Lord in numbers these days!

I hope you are experiencing the new era of revival and renewal, the current move of the Lord that is drawing people into the fold. In our area, churches, including ours, are dealing with buildings bursting at the seams. Some of the influxes of people are moving from other churches, but we also have many coming to salvation and prodigals returning to the fold. I am tithing on the books I’m selling, donating it to Airport Christian Fellowship Church’s Building Fund. Thank you to all who are buying my new book, Musings Along Life’s Journey. So far, I have sold 34, and given/gifted 32 books. Two of them were given to faithful waitresses at Cracker Barrel this morning during our breakfast!

I am donating two gift baskets with a crocheted lap robe, a clip-on book reading light… and whatever else the Lord prompts me to put in with a signed copy of my book, to the Beaver Camp Auction. The hybrid auction begins on-line June 1-8, with the on-site auction June 10th (viewing on Friday evening) at the Lewis County Fairgrounds, Lowville, NY. You can find full info at:

https://beavercamp.org/get-involved/annual-benefit-auction

Save the dates: Friday June 9th, and Saturday June 10th.

I will be at the auction, and you may buy a book from me if you see me!

Also, Saturday, August 12th, Henderson Heritage Day, I will be at a table on the Heritage Society lawn. https://hendersonnyhistoricalsociety.com/

I am at ACF Church in Dexter before/after church service, 6 PM Saturdays and 10 AM Sundays. https://www.airportchristianfellowship.org/

I celebrated my 60th birthday in Ottawa with 11 women from Henderson Garden Club. We enjoyed the beautiful tulips, the Byway Market, and toured the Senate that’s temporarily housed in the old train station on the Rideau River. The capital buildings and the statues are lovely. Mamma Teresa’s Italian restaurant and Roast & Curries Indian restaurant were two of our delicious dinner destinations in the Capital area. If you get the chance, I hope you get to experience the Ottawa Capital area yourself soon!

A Peek at My Book & an Invitation

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Welcome Readers! My book publishing is moving right along. I’m leaving for Tanzania next Tuesday, so I won’t get the proof copy to prevue before I get back on the 22nd. BUT! We have a date for the debut, Saturday, March 18th at the Henderson Free Library. My publisher, Sabrina Adams of Zoe Life Publications, will be here and her daughter may also come with her. It looks like an informal time to share my book, sign your copy, and Sabrina and I will talk about what it takes to publish a book these days. So, you’re invited to come see the debut of my first published memoir, Musings Along Life’s Journey. Stay tuned for more details and other times you can meet me in person. Plans to be at The Little Bookstore in Clayton, NY and at the Henderson Heritage Day in July are shaping up.

Here is a small excerpt from the book. Note: this is from my manuscript and not the formatted book. Sorry, the photos of my granddaughters will not be in the book.

Becoming as a Child

I have been contemplating what it means to become as a little child. What did Jesus mean when He said that?

Matthew 18:2-4

2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Now I’d like to talk about becoming as a child. What does this really mean? Jesus doesn’t say to become ‘childish’, but to become like a child. A child is trusting, believes that their Daddy has what they need and what’s best and will give them what they ask for. I’ve heard and can see: the biggest sin in the church today is unbelief. If we pray and don’t believe God is willing and able to answer those prayers, we are in unbelief. We serve a prayer hearing, prayer answering God. Let’s take Him at His word.

 I want to share this quote from K.P. Yohannan’s book Never Give Up; The Story of a Broken Man Impacting a Generation.

“All that is needed to be said [in defending God’s existence] is God is the Creator and we are His creation, and we as believers don’t ask God to prove Himself to us. We are like little kids. We don’t ask our mother and father if they are our parents-we are their children, and they are our parents, and that’s it-period!”

I found the two-way journal with the Lord that I wrote in from October 2019-July 2020. This is part of what the Lord told me on April 7th that goes with what I shared above.

Emmanuel-God is with you-I made you and love you for eternity! Yes, dance with Me and sing and laugh, it’s true you need to let go and trust Me as a child. Joy in the little things, trust in the big things. Behold, I do a new thing, it is marvelous in all eyes!

I hope you are encouraged and look forward to meeting many in person over the next year! Be blessed and be a blessing. May you prosper and have abundance to give away to those who need that God brings into your life. Yes, it may be as simple as a smile or a kind word! Shalom, dear readers, until next time. Oh, I leave for Tanzania on February 7th so I’m not sure what access I’ll have to write while I’m gone, we’ll see!

Prepare The Way!

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Prepare the way! Prepare the way of the Lord! Maybe you remember the musical Jesus Christ Super Star? It’s from my younger years with a sister almost a decade older than me and that’s where this song came from. I was just listening to Celtic Worship by Eden’s Gate from my iTunes library, which I’ve not heard for a while. Why am I listening to this? Because I’m working to wrap my mind around packing for Tanzanian 2023 and needed the company. I was supposed to do this two weeks before we travel, which would have been Tuesday, January 24th, and now it’s the 27th. Yesterday we were able to go into the city and get the last things I need to pack… hopefully! My checked bag weighs in at just over 41 lbs., and I have seven more pounds leeway. Lord, as I prepare, help me not forget what will be needed. Oh, the photo above is what our house looks like after a two- going on three- day snow event. I took the pics today when I went out to check the mail.

The constant questions I have been asked about this trip, “Are you anxious?” “Are you excited?” “Are you worried?”… No, No, and I don’t think so. I know I am right where I need to be today, and the Lord has proven He has gone before me to prepare the way. One example so far: the Public Health nurse rattled off the name of the malaria meds she was prescribing, one I hadn’t heard of. She said it’s really expensive, I should get Good RX or something to help pay for it. This brought me some anxious thoughts. When I called the drug store to ask what it was and how much, the pharmacist said it’s Malarone, a well-tolerated medicine combination, and it costs $15.00. Wow!

The Lord knows just how much money I need for things for the trip and for things that will come out of my account while I am gone. At each turn, the money has been there. John has been extremely generous, making sure I have what I need above and beyond my income I bring in. He just got his first Social Security check with the “raise” yesterday, the day I needed to take cash out of our joint account to pay the Visa when we get to Tanzania.

I’m looking forward to meeting the team I’ll be working with, especially a young woman named Hannah who will turn 18 while we are there, whom I am partnered with. Her father is also going, well versed in construction skills, and she told me she went to Mexico with her family on a mission trip when she was 10. We are part of the first team, the only women, the second team comes just before we leave Moshi, Tanzania and that team has no women on it. Our leader said there’s been a word already given that women are being called forth into ministry and Hannah and I are part of this calling forth.

We all need to be extremely sensitive to the Spirit of God, He’s already giving us words to speak forth to those around us. This encouragement is for my readers as well as for our team! We must be in tune with what He’s wanting to say, His spirit in tune with ours.

I am preparing my body to be used as needed on this trip. I was able to help shovel yesterday when the belt broke on the snowblower. I am designated Mason’s Helper on this team, so that mostly means carrying buckets of mud for the masons. It’s an adventure accumulating the clothing needed for this trip. The temps will be above 80 F. and lower 60s at night. We need to cover as much skin as possible since the malaria meds make you sun sensitive. Makes me think Amish dresses might be easier? The Lord led me to the medical scrubs in the thrift store. I found light weight pants with comfortable waists and pockets. I got light weight long sleeved men’s shirts that will keep me covered in the back, and I bought a safari hat with neck coverage and a good brim on the front. I also have some long skirts and summer blouses for church or dinner. Thank you for those who buy new clothes to donate to thrift stores!

I am preparing my spirit. Since I haven’t found a devotional to use before I go, I have spent many hours between 10 PM and 8 AM communing/dreaming with the Lord. I bless the Spirit to seal my dreams and reveal what I need when the time comes, since I’m not remembering much once I wake up. I am keeping a journal as I prepare for this trip and will keep it with me as I travel. I’ve also been playing a lot of Lauren Daigle and other worship songs. I spent my younger years of my walk with Jesus gleaning Scripture from songs, and I return to that in these days. reawakening what’s been planted. The Lord knows we are but flesh, I pray my spirit feasts on Him.

I leave you with the glory I captured this afternoon. Yes, my Musings book is on its way; I should have a proof copy before I travel or just after I come home.