Good evening everyone! I hope you’ve had a nice Saturday! Mine was actually its best! This morning…after visiting with you, I had to make a phone call…and then I headed out of my office, to work on my final Christmas wreath. For those who don’t know…I’m just a country girl at heart. I love the natural way of things, rather than the material way of things…and I just love doing crafts, which I barely get a chance to do.
One thing my husband and I do at Christmas; is to make Jesus number one…for this time of the year symbolizes His birthday…and no other. There was a time, when we used to buy gifts; but we don’t do that anymore…and now, I’m just winterizing the outside of the house, with natural things; that can brighten up the place throughout the winter months. Before leaving my office this morning…I was talking with God…and thanking Him for a good morning; then I said… “Lord, even though I’m leaving this office…I still need you in my day…would you come and help me with the wreath?” I’ll tell you…He was there; because every thought that entered my mind…led me to the most beautiful wreath. I started out, by taking some chicken wire…and I wanted a large wreath; so I cut a piece that was 72” x 12”…then I rolled up the wire, until all 12” were nicely rolled up. Then from there, I cut a few pieces of wire down the roll and connected everything; so it would remain rolled up…and not come apart. From there, I brought the 72” tube of wire around and into a circle and then I wired those ends together, with some of the chicken wire. Once that was finished…I put large pieces of evergreen into the holes of the wire and then I added artificial berries and pine cones that I had put away. Then I took fishing line and wrapped gently…about every 6 inches around the wreath…and that was it. Now I have one large wreath on the front of the house…that reminds me of something you might see hanging on a log cabin. One thing I know about today…is that wreath would have never turned out the way it did…if first, I wouldn’t have invited God into those moments…especially since I had never made this before. I have truly come to enjoy all these precious moments that I spend with God…whether it’s with the ministry…or something simple; like making a wreath. Another thing I’d like to thank God for tonight; is that He helped me off the floor. Right about now, you might be wondering what I’m talking about. Well…ever since I had my right leg fused with a rod, I can no longer get down on the floor as easily because that knee does not bend; so I have my own technique…and let’s put it this way…it’s a good thing that you are not here to see me…lol. Anyways…since I’ve been having problems now with my foot, I was a little nervous, as to how I was going to get off the living room floor, after sitting there on a sheet with my wreath; so I said… “Ok Lord…I could use a helping hand…and before I knew it, I was up and on two feet again…praise Him! No matter what you face in life…may I encourage you to invite God into these moments? I guarantee one thing…He will come and be there, for as long as you need Him. As we close our time together…I want to thank God, for a beautiful day off…and for sharing this great day with me. I am learning more and more within my life; that nothing can be done or accomplished, without His powerful hand at work within my life. My prayer for you tonight; is that you will come to also see God as a good friend…One, who will also be there for you; that you may truly come to see how much easier life can be, when God’s in it all! Well…one more phone call and then dinner…and from there…an evening of relaxation. I hope that you will have a great night of rest…and that even more…you will experience God in your tomorrow! See ya soon! Goodnight & God bless! It’s Always & Only Because of Him… Diane Good morning everyone! I hope you had a good rest…and that your Saturday is off to a great start! Last night was an early one for me. I guess I got more of that fresh air and sunshine in the yard yesterday; then what I first thought. Now I’ve awaken to the early morning, of a brand new day. The shades haven’t been fully pulled up by God, as darkness still surrounds me; but I am anticipating His presence and all He longs to offer me today.
You know…there’s something about experiencing the very early moments of a new day, as birds are just awakening…to sing praise to One, who provides for them each morning. Just think on what joy we could also experience, if we could let go of the thoughts and feelings of yesterday…to truly anticipate something new. Even though the birds of the air have no idea, as to how they will eat and be cared for; they continue to sing praises each day to their maker, which truly becomes a faith like no other. As I sit here this morning…I have no idea, as to what I may face in this day; but rather than living in fear and dread, I choose to rise above those unknown feelings…to anticipate another day…one that God has planned just for me. You know…I truly believe that when we can begin a new day in this way; then we also connect deeper with God…as our relationship continues to become even strong than the day before. Well…I’m off to begin this new day! Have a great Saturday everyone…and remember to anticipate the day that God has designed just for you…for this is the day that the Lord hath made…we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24) See ya soon…and God bless! It’s Always & Only Because of Him… Diane Good evening everyone and how was your Friday? I’ve had the best day…and guess what…it never went the way I planned it. Does that make any sense to you?
Today, I had planned on doing all of my wreaths, for the front of our house…for Christmas this year; but instead, I did a little work online this morning…and then I did do the front porch; but then I ended up raking the backyard. I haven’t been doing much of that kind of work lately because of my foot; but for some reason, I thought it might help to move around and get some fresh air and sunshine. From there, I made leftover turkey sandwiches for my husband and I, while he cut some evergreen for me. I guess it was a give and take day, as I did the backyard…and he prepped the evergreen for a big wreath that I will be making tomorrow. Anyways…everything went in a different direction today; but the day went perfect…and you know why…because I believe 100 percent that God was directing it all. To make a long story short…everything got done, except for one big wreath; that I plan on sitting inside and doing tomorrow; so I am a happy camper tonight…and believe it or not…the pain is minimal…another blessing from God! There’s a Bible verse in Proverbs 16:9 that says… “A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” I wonder how many detour roads we get lost on in life…simply because we are not allowing God to direct our steps throughout the day. I’ll tell you…after the good day I’ve experienced…I’m longing even more, to walk in God’s footsteps. Many times in the past, I have thought of beginning the day with God, as if we are stepping into slippers…only with God, we are stepping into the footprints that He has laid out for us to walk in. I have come to see numerous times; that when I let Him lead the way…even though my mind may be filled with all kinds of ideas for the day; then the day does go a lot smoother. As you rest tonight…prepare your heart for another new day with God…and when you wake up in the morning…look for the footprints He has laid out…just for you. One thing I know for sure…when we choose to follow His way, rather than our own; then everything falls perfectly into place…and you just can’t help but think that God was the One who led the way. Tonight, I pray that your night will be filled with the peaceful and loving presence of God! Have a good sleep…and may God bless your tomorrow with His very best! See ya soon! God bless & goodnight! It’s Always & Only Because of Him… Diane Hello everyone…and welcome back today, to the Risen Hope Ministries Social Blog...“Writing thru Affliction!” I hope that you had a great Thanksgiving…and I pray that your Friday is off to a great start too!
After a very nice Thanksgiving; I have been sitting here…in the early morning hours of my Friday…thinking on how faithful God truly is; because there was a time…several weeks ago, when honestly, I didn’t know if I would be able to do all that needed to be done for Thanksgiving this year, due to the condition of my legs. As I’ve continued to spend some very special moments this morning with God; my mind has been on a Bible verse in Philippians 4:13, which says that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us; but the thing I wonder; is do we really believe the words that we read in this verse…or has this verse only become some memorized words; that we have tucked away within our thoughts? One thing I can say without a doubt today; is that God saw my weakness…and also the desire and deep need of my heart…and from there…He personally came to me and became the strength I needed at the time…to accomplish all that needed to be done. To some, this may seem like a poor example, of how God works; but through the health issues I daily face; I have come to see how God can truly be everything, for everything I need. In other words…He has become a God who can be a helping hand to me, when I just can’t make it on my own. How many times have we felt tempted to give into something…all because we see a struggle, as something impossible to accomplish on our own? Don’t we realize that God is always longing to be there for us…to pick up the slack, so we can easily carry on? Through the moments of struggle; that stems from some very trying times in my life, I have come to see that it’s Satan’s desire to bring us to a dead end of no hope…a place, where he can use these discouraging moments against us, as a means of tempting us to give up; but this is not the time to allow the affliction to have its way with us; but rather, it’s time to reach up to a God, who can reach down to us and carve a new way for us to walk down…one that will display a strength that can take us beyond these moments of weakness; that are attempting to spell out defeat within our hearts and minds. As we close…remember one thing; God will be the same strength for you today, as He was for you yesterday…for it is only through His strength; that you have made it to where you are right now…Amen!! Well…time for me to go; but I truly hope and pray that your day will be a very special one…truly blessed with the strength of a strong God! See ya soon! Have a nice Friday…and God bless! It’s Always & Only Because of Him… Diane |
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