Through the Fire

Life is tough
Sometimes I don’t know how to go on
However, with God by my side, I am never alone

I trust in Him
I put my hand in His and He guides me “along the right path”
I am learning to stop worrying

He has everything under His control
Everything is proceeding according to His plan

I do have control of how I choose to respond to my circumstances

When I trust in Him,
it always comes out the right way in the long run
It won’t necessarily be what I planned
     or what I wanted and asked for

But His way is the “right” way

Only God has the big picture

Whatever fire life gives me to walk through
God is right there walking with me
He never leaves me alone
He never leaves any of us alone    

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it and He will deliver us from your majesty's hand.  Daniel 3:17

He Loves Us to Death

I took my cats to the vet today for shots.  As they rode over in their cat carriers, they cried mournfully the whole way.  They cried when we got there.  

I tried to reassure them but they did not understand.  There was no way for me to make them understand what was happening and that it was definitely for their own good.  

How many times is it the same way for us in our dealings with God?   

Everything that He does to us and for us is always for our own good.  He tries to reassure us that He will help us through whatever we have to endure but we often don’t understand.  

We must learn to listen carefully for His still small voice and to always trust.  No matter what happens, He will always be with us and never forsake us.  

For God is love and He loves us to death
          – Jesus’ death on the cross.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

Please Help Me

My Lord and My God, please forgive me
I am so weak and so proud
I need so much help

Only You can help me

Satan knows the buttons to push to get me
When I least expect it, he strikes

I need You, Your help, Your grace,
      Your mercy, Your forgiveness, Your love

Please help me, a sinner.

In 2 Chronicles 6 36-39 Solomon was praying to God at dedication of the temple

  "When they sin against You - for there is not one who does not sin."  
Solomon gives us 
    The Four Conditions of Forgiveness (paraphrased)
     1) Humble yourself by admitting your sin

     2) Pray to God asking forgiveness
     3) Seek God continually
     4) Turn from sinful behavior

Exuberance

Today is truly a glorious day. The luminous sun sparkles on the still open waters of a little brook.  Clear blue sky sports wispy white clouds.  

A snowy blanket decorates all it touches with its brilliance lending a sense of newness.  The air is chilly but I can smell the clean scent of new snow.  

My spirit rejoices in the sunshine and beauty of the day.  Exuberance shouts from every pore of my being.

This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

                                                Psalms 118:24

The Blessing

May the Blessed Lord of Heaven
   bless us in all our ways
May He love and protect us
   helping us in all our days
He never will forsake us
   We would die without His love
He is our Loving Father
   Our Lord from up above


Blessings on you my friend and may your week be peaceful.

                                                                    Debbie

Bible quotes from the NIV
Pictures taken by Debbie McEwen

Changes for the Better

Since I began my walk with Jesus, my life has changed.  I have a different outlook.  A better one.  

It hit home when my husband first told me that I had changed.  I realized that I have different priorities.  I behave differently than I did before. My focus now is definitely on Jesus.  

I remember meeting a friend in the grocery store and answering “great” when he asked how I was.  He asked why I was great and it took 2 days for me to realize that 

I’m great because Jesus has filled my heart and soul with His love.

The problems and heartaches still come.  The illnesses never stop.  Stuff still breaks down.  Money never seems to go far enough.  

However, when I have Jesus at my side, that’s ok.  He gets me through.  He makes sure I have what I really need.  

He has softened my heart and conscience.  I care more about others.  I know really fast if I’m doing something I’m not supposed to be doing.  

Most importantly, He always lets me know every day how much He loves me in spite of my many imperfections.  

I am so happy with my life.  I am at peace.

"Don't be afraid."  The prophet answered.  "Those that are with us are more than those who are with them."   

       2 Kings 6:16   (Spoken by Elisha when the King of Arams's army surrounded Elisha's city but God's mightier army surrounded them all!)

The Final Destination

The train races by at breakneck speed
My life is speeding to its end
I jump aboard and squeeze in so many activities

The days are packed
So many happy memories
So many melancholy ones

Previously, responsibilities of work and family limited possibilities
Now my time is my own

I stop intermittently
to enjoy friends and family
to make those precious memories
those wonderful times

Each day the train races on bringing the end one stop closer

Then I remember that the final stop for this train is actually the time to change trains to go on into eternity, to the final destination with my Maker.

Sharing a Joy

So much happens in our lives.  I think it is important to stop and realize how much God is working behind the scenes.  He often helps when we don't even realize it, when we didn't even think to ask and pray.  

There are other times however, when it is so obvious that a positive outcome could only have happened by His grace and with His love.

My husband, Tim had bariatric surgery last Wednesday.  

So many people were praying.  I could feel their love and caring.  I am absolutely certain that their prayers made a great difference in causing the positive outcome that Tim is experiencing.  

We are so grateful for their love and prayers.  

However, God is the ultimate healer and it is only through His great love and grace that Tim did so well.  

Praise you, Praise You, Praise You my Loving Father 

for all You have done.  

Thank You my Abba for Your love. Thank You for Your caring and for guiding the hands and minds of all the people who took care of Tim.

Thank You for bringing Tim back to me safe and sound.  

Blessed be Your most holy name. 

"....and give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever."

           1 Chron. 17:41

The Blessing

May our Loving Father bless you.  

May you feel His loving presence in the smiles of your loved ones, 

    in the loving touch of someone special.
May you see His might and glory 

    in the beauty of His creation.

And may your days be blessed beyond measure by His love.

My friend, God is the author of all that is good. 

Thank you for sharing your time with me.      

                                                               Debbie

We have "walking trees" in St. Lawrence County!!!


All bible quote from NIV
All photos taken by Tim McEwen and used with his permission.

New Beginnings

We have begun a new year.  It’s the time for new beginnings.  We want to start over and do better.  We may resolve to eat healthy, to exercise more, to manage our time and money better or to have better relationships with our friends and family.  It’s the time to do whatever will make our lives and our souls better.

There is no time like the present to develop a better relationship with God.

 

If you don’t do it already, read the bible, even a little, every day.  It’s the owner’s manual that God gave you for your life. It may have been written thousands of years ago but people don’t change.  People then were doing the same things that they are today. 

In the bible, God is telling you what you need to do to live the way you were made to live.  Just like your computer or car, you need to read the owner’s manual to avoid problems and to resolve the problems that come up.  If you check out your bible regularly, think of the problems you might be able to avoid in your life. 

Spend a little time every day just sitting and talking to God about your life.  Let Him know what your hopes and dreams are.  Let Him know your concerns.  Ask Him to help.  

And listen for His answers.  Listen for that still small voice that may come from the least likely source. 

God is listening for you.  He really cares and He desperately wants to hear from you. He already knows everything about you but He really wants to hear it from you.  

Your time with Him is so precious.  

Just call out to Him in your heart or your voice and know that He is listening.  

Like any good father, He will answer, and know it will be what is best and when it is best.

. 

Let’s make this the best year yet for our healthy bodies and wallets most importantly for our healthy souls.

For the word if the Lord is alive and active.  Hebrews 4:12
...your father knows what you need before you ask.  Matthew 6:8
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care.  And even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don't be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.  Matthew 10:29-31

Snowy Delight

The snowflakes caress my face as they fall
They flutter about as if dancing a ball
They cover the ground with gems sparkling bright
They change the dull world into magical night

The lights from the cars change white flakes to gems
With colors entrancing all living men
The water being frozen in this magical way
With hues of the rainbow flying astray

The night has a veil like a whispery dream
The image implied but not easily seen
It teases our senses, defies our dull sight
The new fallen snow turns our dark world to bright

I open the door and go into the house
Glancing out of the window, the lights I do douse
The fluttering snow creates a mystical sight
Adieu ordinary, welcome snowy delight

They speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty and I will meditate on Your wonderful works.  Psalms 145:5

The Snow

            By Debbie (LaBaff) McEwen written in 1968 at age 18

It falls softy
It falls gently
It falls suddenly
Yet it dominates the world it enters
It changes the dull, complacent earth to a land of enchantment
It changes the brown earth to a white-blanketed wonderland of delight
It’s filled with snowmen and icicles and snowballs
It’s a playground for children of all ages
It’s a font of youth
It brings out the inner self in everyone
The first snowfall creates a kind of madness, the nice type
that makes everyone quite happy
It reflects a special beauty that only snow can bring
It’s a happy, quiet time, a time of thought
It’s Mother Nature’s sleeping time
It’s one of my favorite times
The joy of walking through unbroken snow is great
It can be violent
It can bring sorrow
It can be inconvenient
But for the most part, I love it
It’s one of God’s wonders

May our Loving Father sprinkle His blessings on you
as He sprinkles snowflakes on the earth awaiting His touch
May He fill your life with His bounty, love and grace

And may you bloom with His joy

May you have a blessed week.          Debbie

All bible quotations are from the New International Version
All photos taken by Debbie McEwen