Then Sings My Soul Saturday

I accidentally stumbled over this today while searching for song that I intended.
Watching this made my heart sing. There were no lyrics with this one and it is a bit of a departure from what I usually post but I hope you enjoy it and please watch all the way to the end.

I always want to share something that shares how God works and how much he loves you.

If the message doesn't speak to you through the video the end will.



Thanks for visiting me today. There are more inspirational videos at Amy's

Please come by tomorrow for a Simple Sunday post and please come by Monday to see what this video prompted me to share with you.

Blessings always
Sherry

Friday Date Night

Last Friday I introduced the idea of Friday Date Night.

And as I think about that I remember one of the resolutions (for lack of a better word) that I made at the beginning of the year.

This one was to honor God by being a better wife. To be more understanding. To be more patient. To be more sympathetic. To be....

Well I have blown all of the above.

But I know that my Cowboy is as patient with me as our heavenly Father. They are both patient with my whinning, complaining and all those other negative behavior traits I have.

Last week I invited you to help me be a better wife by coming up with ideas for Friday Date night.

So this week write a post about date night and then come over here and leave me a comment. Join me in being the wife God intends you to be.

Thankful Thursday

I am going on a journey with Truth 4 the Journey.
The aim is to list 5 things which you are thankful to God for!

Click here to see what Sonja is thankful for and a list of others who are on the Journey today.


Sharing the Five Things I am Thankful For today . . .

As I was thinking about this list the thing that came to my mind is that I am
Thankful that we were able to raise our kids in a somewhat structured,organized,playful autmosphere. And that I got to spend so much time with my kids especially when they were in Jr. High and High school

I am thankful too that God provided the resources way back for us to get horses. I think. No I know that it was the combination of Christian private school and thier love of horses and that environment that took them through the high school years and kept them in the right direction when it is so easy to end up going down the wrong path.

(I know this because I know I am not that great a parent. So I can't take the credit)

I am thankful that God knows what I need. I am thankful he is patient with my wish, want and dream list. And patient with my spirit of rebellion!

I am thankful that my Cowboy is a patient man and that he usually goes along with most of my wants. Even under duress sometimes as with our dog. He didn't want another dog. But we got one! She is the one in my photo's of yesterday.

BTW before I get to my last thankful item I have some photo's to illustrate each of these things but don't have time now to post them. If I don't get back to it the last item here is a photo and really it just is the best illustration anyway.

Lastly I am thankful for:



Because without Christ I probably would not be able to list the other items.

Dear Lord,
I pray today that my thankful list touches someones heart. And I pray that if there is anyone reading it today that does not know you. That you will reveal yourself.
Amen.

Word Filled Wednesday

....Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.. this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your

mind.

May we seek God's wisdom as we consider what we say and do. What and how we participate in the things of this world.

What's in a name....

I have been thinking about doing this for awhile. Maybe I am weird but have you ever thought about why you visit other blogs? Not when your going by following a meme or a suggestion of another blogger. But what attracts you to go to a new blog.

I have this deal about names. I am attracted to visit blogs because of the names. Sometimes when I am at a friends blog or have gone over following a meme I'll see a name in the comments and I am just drawn to check out the blog.



Here are the words that catch my eye and cause me to visit you . . .



cottage cabin romantic rabbit horse

quilt shabby heart home His

homespun porch



If you look over at my sidebar at the links to the places 'the homes' I visit you'll see many of the words in the names.



I am mostly drawn to blogs that center around the home and decorating and usually when I get there most of the time I am pleased to see that the profiles describe a woman that is interested in names too. Names like these

These are names that I lean on. These are names that I cry out to. These are names that give Hope.

If your blog doesn't speak of Hope or if your profile doesn't mention these names. It is my prayer that when you visit here or stop over and visit some of the blogs that I link to that you will be drawn to God. That you will see God's grace and mercy and that you will see, learn and feel this...

Mosaic Monday My Heart's Desire

Updated at 5:00 pm

For more really cool and pretty mosaic's stop over here and go over to my other blog too I posted there today also.

Photo's of a few of the things that are my hearts desire.
Upper left: My mare which we had to sell. She now lives at the Bob Loomis Reining Horse ranch and has some famous babies
Middles Top: Mission Makeover this is a photo of some of the quilts we made. They are being hung for a fundraiser sale
Middle Right: Chickens I want chickens
Upper Right: greenhouse
Bottom Left: it is my hearts desire to have date nights with my cowboy
Middle: Chicken coop
Left: To be able to decore the house for Christmas

I posted this earlier and didn't have time to explain my reasons for this post. Below is the rest of the story.

I pulled these things together because I have been thinking about this verse.

Psalms 27:4 Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

I am praying that all these things that I desire are pleasing to him. These are just a few of my dreams.

And as I think about this verse I begin to pray that the things that I wish for and the things that I want are actually things that God has placed on my heart and on my mind. So that all my desires please and glorify him.

Father I open my heart and my mind to you. Please don't allow any unwholesome thought. And please give me the desires of my heart that they are they things you want for me. That my hopes and dreams come from you. Amen

Spritual Sunday

Once upon a time there were three trees.

Each of them had grand plans and wanted to do great things.

Tree #1 wanted to do something mighty to be a treasure maybe a treasure chest.

Tree #2 wanted to be a mighty sailing ship.

Tree #3 wanted to be a mighty structure maybe a famous building.



Each tree became disappointed when they were chopped down and turned into different things.



Tree #1 was sad... he became a manger to feed animals.

Tree #2 was sad he was only merely a small fishing boat.

Tree #3 was the saddest of all he was only a pile of scrap wood.



All three tree's had grand plans for thier future but they were sad because they didn't realize thier own importance.



You see

tree #1 was the most famous manger in history after all because Jesus slept there.

tree#2 wasn't merely a fishing boat he was the boat that Jesus sailed in.

tree #3 became a symbol of Hope and Salvation




Please visit Spirtual Sunday for more Blessings.

Then Sings My Soul

I stumbled onto this song the other day the thing that amazed me was I was looking for worship video's to show at our boys chapel service. This one works.
I hope it speaks to you.



For more illustrations of God's promises in song visit Amy.

test post

This post will be labeled in my infamous bloggins for dummies category. I am determined to make this work.

Soon there will be a button on the sidebar to grab for date night.

Thinking about....

I just love this photo. I can imagine jumping in the truck and going off and having a romantic picnic. Although this looks like these folks just finished an apple harvest.

My thoughts fall along the lines of the romantic mostly because having fun (now don't get more wrong; not talking about 'that kind of fun' ) LOL just any kind of fun.

You know stuff like:
shopping going to a movie
dinner out vacationing ....

You see it has been so long that I/we have done anything like that I can't even think of fun stuff to put on the list. Oh wait one more
Antiquing...
I should have changed this list to things we used to do
We used to do stuff like that. I used to love to go to antique malls or little shops with Cowboy.
I actually used to love to do all those things with friends or with my daughter.

But, life has changed. Circumstances have changed. For me. For us. Because of our financial situation all of those things are out of the ? now. Except maybe for the window shopping part but it takes gas to do that.

I wonder. As I sit and ponder and dream of havin' fun. Are you reading this and having the same thoughts go through your mind?

Or did your thoughts click in on ...we used to do that. We used to go on 'date night' before.

What is your before? What caused you to stop having fun? Are you in the same boat I am thinkin' about and dreamin'.

Well girl stop thinkin' about it...come up with something fun to do and drag that man off the couch....

That is exactly what I did this morning. Well actually he wasn't on the couch we were already going to deliver backpacks for our ministry and the the dog was in the truck with us so I twisted his arm and suggested we take the dog to the park.

It was fun. And almost romantic.

And so it got me to thinking. I need your help. I need your ideas. How do you have fun.
Will you join me in havin' fun. Will you share your ideas with those of us that have gotten in a rut or have allowed circumstances to kill the fun?

Since I am an old fashioned girl that remembers Date night please focus your ideas around how to have a date night with your one and only.

So between now and next Friday will you guys post your ideas and then come back and link your post here next friday. Now I know most of you guys don't post on Friday so I'll put the link up on Thursday night. It only takes a couple of minutes to link. So please come on over and do it. It will be Fun.

And to thank you for joining me and helping me have fun. I am having a drawing. I'll draw a name every Friday. Each week the winner will receive a lovely gift that will get you all ready for your Friday date night with your one and only.

Thanks for helping me have Fun along the Journey to getting back to Date Night.

Thankful Thursday 2nd post

Adding to the earlier post thankful for the toddler I see everyday....btw a list of things to do with a popcorn tin.
1. toddler toy box
2. toddler drum
and
3. toddler chair

My Thankful list today in photo's.....



Two of my grandchildren....

My first little granddaughter Libby that I have not even met yet. They grow so fast she is already 10 months old.

Her brother Charlie who is the image of his dad. A quote from this character..."I was raised in the woods by wolves"

This is a weird photo I know but I am thankful for food. I am thankful that somehow I have food, the internet and electricity, gas in the vehicles. God provides. (and that they counter was so clean for this photo)

I love my house. We have been here a year and a half. And I love it. Unfortunately the outside doesn't look like this now. It looks lived in! LOL.

And lastly in this case the best for last....


Daughters of Kings are Princesses and I am a Princess and I get to wear a crown. Most of the times it is a bit busted and tarnished but my daddy the King doesn't notice.

Thank you daddy for all these things and thank you for letting me be your child even though I don't deserve it.

More thankful posts at Sonya's

Word Filled Wednesday

"For I know the plans I have for you." declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found in you." declares the Lord, "and I will bring you back from captivity..."

May these young men and the children that receive the backpacks filled with food feel God's precense and seek him with all thier hearts.

Please join Amy Deane and her hostess Christy for more wonderful illustrations of God's word.

The Journey to Chapel

For a few days I have been going back and sharing a few of my posts and thoughts from the beginnining of The Journey here.
I began My Journey Back because I was at a time in my life that I felt like I had lost myself.

My Cowboy and I have been so absorbed in ministry that it consumes us. Take my word for it. That is not a good thing.
I remember something like if you allow anything to take away from your personal relationship with God that it is not good. Maybe there is actually a verse somewhere but at the moment I can't remember one. I just know that awhile back that is how I felt.

And, I hate to admit it I am there now. I don't know that I actually ever really got back to myself. Got back to the close right relationship with God.

And I wonder I question does he Bless when we are out of sync. Out of sync with him and ourselves and each other?

But I do know that he is moving mountains and opening doors that I had given up on.
One of those timing things. A prayer that I prayed over 6 ago. It was then that I felt God was leading us to start a youth church.

It is now that we are starting a youth church. Not where I expected. Not for the youth I expected to serve, teach and disciple.

But for youth that are incarcerated. Youth that many people have given up on.
It is for the young man in the photo below serving a sentence for felony offences related to drug and alcohol dependency.


Where we serve is a treatment facility. But it is still prison. There is no fence or razor wire around this facility but it is still prison. Each of the youth residents here are serving a sentence for a crime.

And each of the youth here need to hear that God loves them and that he hasn't given up on them.

I stumbled on a song this morning while I was looking for music for our services. This song touched me and so I want to share it here. In case you are like some of these kids. Maybe you haven't committed a crime. Maybe your addiction is something other than drugs or alcohol. Maybe your addiction is like mine serving and getting absorbed. Maybe you have strayed away from your relationship with Jesus.

Here's a reminder for you that he waits.



May we all fall.

Thankful Thursday

Welcome to Sonya's Thankful Thursday...here's my list of thankfulness.

1. I am thankful that God has opened the door for us to do chapel services at the youth prison facility where we volunteer. Here's photo's.

2. I am thankful that in my weakness He is strong. And that He is ever patient with me when I worry and whine.

3. I am thankful for the chance to go to great women's events at my daughters church. Flavour on Tuesday night was amazing. We learned we are Warrior Women.

4. I am thankful that the much needed rain stopped yesterday and we had some sunshine and warm weather. My tomato's loved it!

5. And I am thankful for my wonderful family and that I get to keep my grandbaby.

And lastly one more thing this really goes along with #1 so! I am thankful amazing videos on youtube like this one we will use in an upcoming chapel service.

Wordfilled Wednesday

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven;
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot....

Giving Praise today for the Blessings God has given me. Small Blessings like this little flower sprouting so late and giving me
beauty in the midst of a rainy cool fall.

For more Wordfilled Wednesday posts visit Christy this weeks hostess.

Summer flowers in Fall

I have a few flowers that I planted really late this summer. And they are blooming. I spent a lot of time in August watering them and hoping that they would get a chance to bloom.
It kind of reminds me of how it is sometimes when you God gives you the opprotunity to do something or when something happens that really isn't in the timing that you expect.
I cannot count the times that this has happened. When we pray most of the time we are asking God for specific things. Kind of asking him to give us what what we want. What we think we really need.
I spend a lot of time these days asking God what it is he wants me to do. What it is he wants us to do as a couple. And as founders of a ministry. We spend alot of time waiting on God's timing.
Just like I waited so long for these to bloom I wait just about as patiently most of the time for Gods plans for our ministry to unfold.

I really had a hard time writing this post today. Partly because my mind is jumbled. I hope that even though my thoughts are jumbled that you are Blessed and encouraged today. I pray that God shares himself with you today and that you find Joy in our Savior Jesus Christ.

And like these flowers that took in so much water, I pray that we all take in the Living Water and that; whatever it is, however it is that God plans to use us that we Bloom Where We Are Planted.

May your day be Blessed. Thank you for visiting me.

How the Journey Began...

The Journey began with the resolution to do these three things.
The Journey continues.
How am I doing?

I pray you are encouraged today. Have a Blessed Day. And remember there is nothing between you and Jesus. Just look at the word JOY see Jesus nothing zero zip YOU.

Praise Jesus today ...check

I wrote a post here today today it's short actually just a photo collage run over and see it then follow the link for some amazing Monday Mosaics. Here's mine.

When the Journey began. . .

Today I am thinking about how the The Journey of this blog began.

I remember most of the thoughts, feelings and emotions that brought it about.
I remember the desires and longings.

Some of these emotions are documented. Some of them are still just buried within in me.

I know the reasons. And there is someone else who knows those reasons. And the reasons why I am in this nostalgic mood.

The one that knows those reasons is the one that hopefully leads me and directs me.

I pray that the words that leave my head, and my heart and that appear here are words that are uplifting and encouraging; disciplined and loving,kind,respecful and gentle. That they are shared in a spirit of compassion.

Through the months since I began sharing The Journey that I am on I have found some wonderful friends. And in the last few months some followers that hang on even when there are times that I am without words.

I love you all. I love all the kind comments. I try my hardest to let you all know when I visit.

Because for me some days it is the visits I receive here and the kind written words that get me through the day.

My Journey continues I hope with each one of you. With those of you that have encouraged me without even knowing it. Those that give words of wisdom. Those that just share thier family time and just make me smile.

A few months ago I began slowy making some changes to the things I write about here. I made changes to topics and began writing here more about homemaking. My Home Sanctuary shares the heart of a homemaker. A mother, a wife and sometimes a daughter.

While My Journey should be and remain focused on my Spiritual Journey.
Occasionally and probably more often than not The Journey will also focus on our ministry.

It is because of the ministry that I began this blog. I hope that you will join me. Over the next few days I will be writing more about The Journey and where I am now and why.

As I looked back over my first post I began to remember some of the thoughts and feelings I had. The hearts desire that I had.

Today I look at God. And today I ask God to give me my hearts desire. Not in the that I ask him to give me what I want. But that he puts in my heart what he wants.

Today I invite you on The Journey

Thankful Thursday

Welcome to my Thankful day hosted by Sonya I love this Thursday meme because we just focus on 5 special things to be thankful for today. I think it's fun because just doing 5 makes me think. Oh I could make a long list. We could all make a reaaaallly looooong list but think about shortening it to just 5. So do I prioritize my list today? Do I just randomly write? Do I spend 5 minutes or 5 hours praying about things I am thankful for? hmmm..... Here's my list of 5.

#1 I am thankful that my God loves me. I am thankful that my God is patient with me. I am reaallly thankful that he is reaallly patient when I whine. He knows what I am talking about.

#2. I am really thankful for sisters like Sonya that come up with these amazing ideas to encourage us to think about Thankfulness. Thank you Sonya.

#3. I am thankful that families can homeschool. I am an advocate for homeschooling. I did not have the opportunity to homeschool my children. I pray for the families that get this opportunity. I am Blessed to see the dedication of families.

#4 I am thankful that God is opening the doors for our boys ministry. I am surprised that is where he is placing me. And after last night I am in awe. Two different boys actually sought me out to talk to. And the boys are beginning to ask to be in our communnity service project. Thank you God.

#5 And last and not least (this is not the list in order of priority_ I am thankful that God provides for us and the ministry. This goes back to the whinning on number 1. Our rent is paid and the lights are on. I am thankful. I am thankful that God provides.

Today I am blessed to read the other posts located over at Sonya's blog and today I am enjoying a day off from specific activities so I can clean house, work on a new project and just rest in that chair on the beach that is in my banner. Boy I wish I could really do that!

I love fall and I hope it stays around a loooong time! Happy Fall and Happy Thursday!

Wordfilled Wednesday

 

...as it is written "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold your King is coming seated on a donkey's colt."
John 12:14-15

Visit Pennyraine.com/blog for more wonderful WFW posts

Cleansing rain the window view...

The view from my window today...

Cleansing rain, renewing, refreshing.

Re-vive our hearts oh Lord as we head into your autumn. Give me a glimpse of yourself and the work you want to do in me and through me. And may the works of my hands be for you, O Lord not for me, but to your name be the glory because of your
love and faithfulmess. Psalms 115:1 paraphrased

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father."

I saw this lovely image this morning at Renae's. And this verse immediately popped into my head. Thanks Renee for sharing your lovely vintage photo's.

I have written posts here and here today. Please visit my other blogs.

Simple Sunday

Simply praising the King and in awe I am the daughter of a King!

Sigh....

I love the new look. Thanks to Denise at Shorty Bear's Place. I loved her new fall look and mentioned it and she shared her new wonderful new place for templates.
I know this isn't a fall look like everyone else has. In fact there was a really pretty fall look that I like.
But; I saw this and it spoke to me. Because right now I need to rest. I need to rest in my fathers arms.

I have been silent for awhile. No posts in a few weeks. And, I hope all my friends and followers have not given up on me.

There are many things going on here with me. And our ministry; because it is our life. There many things going on and not going on.

Most days I struggle between happy,grateful,thankful,fearful,frustrated.

As a believer or a follower of Christ we are not promised that everything would be perfect. We are not promised that everything, everyday will go the way we want.

I am resolving to trust and obey.

I am resolving to get back to blogging and writing something everyday. Even when there are no words. Even on those days when all I can do is lean on the Holy Spirit. On those days when these words get me through.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. And we know that in all things God works together for the good of those who love Him. Romans 8:26-28

I love him. I rest. I trust. I obey. I ask. I seek. I wait.

I pray that today if you are lost or confused; if you are just not sure which way to go; or turn, or if you just need someone to care about you that you will turn to God.

That if you have questions or if you still just can't fathom that he is real. That he is alive and that he can live in you through the Holy Spirit that you will search him out.

Maybe you have read His word the Bible. Maybe you have watched t.v. and listened to His Word. Or even heard Christian radio. If you still have questions if you still are confused or hurt or yearning for something. If you need more encouragement or more proof then visit some of my friends. Visit some of my followers and some of the other amazing blogs that are my favorites. Because many of them devote thier blogs to Christ.

Reach out and trust in Him. Trust in God and His son Jesus Christ. It is through Christ that I make it. It is through knowing the truth and having faith and trusting.

And while I am on this Journey trying to live the way God wants me to. Trying to be the woman he wants me to be and trying to be faithful it is my hope that I will write something here. Or share something here that both pleases God and is a Blessing to someone who reads it.

Thank you for stopping in today. I hope that my new peaceful look brings a smile to your face and a peacefullness to your day.

Wordfilled Wednesday on Thursday

 

A day late but hopefully you'll enjoy this Thursday version of Wordfilled Wednesday

 

 

 

 

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practise
is like a wiseman who built his house on rock." Matthew 7:24