My Heart Jumps For Joy

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Where is Your JOY?

This world is filled with the beauty of God's creation.

It brings us much JOY.

(photo taken of lake across from hospital in Saranac Lake, NY)

What makes you truly happy?

Where does your heart lie?

What are your most treasured possessions?

You need to answer these questions for yourself.

Eternity is coming.

Are you getting ready?

Are you making the arrangements for your final destination?

Is your heart right with the Lord?

Do you know Him?

Do you love Him?

Have you reached the point that you are truly sorry
for everything you ever did that was wrong?

Reach out to Jesus.

He is waiting patiently, lovingly, longingly for you
to call to Him.

He will forgive all your sins when you ask.

He will help you on your way to eternity.

He will accept your failings if you only accept Him.

He will NEVER fail you.

He brings unimaginable JOY.

Actually your only other choice for eternity
is the infernal abyss.

Think, my friend.

Where is your JOY?

Are you busy with the business

of walking around in the woods of life?

Or are you walking to the sunset, to your home for eternity?

This life is temporary.

Eternity is forever.

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Hand in the Cookie Jar by J. Brooke-Harte

is a book written by a new friend I met at the Montrose Christian Writer's Conference. She uses humor and interesting stories to make points vital for this life and the next one. I especially liked the chapter titled "The Chair."

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YUMMY, YUMMY!

Knapps Station Community Church will have their annual Chicken Pie Dinner on

Thursday September 21, 2017.

Not to be missed!

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May our Loving Father bless you greatly my friend, with His Peace, Love, Grace and never-ending JOY.

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All photos taken by Debbie and Tim McEwen unless otherwise noted- used with permission.
All bible reference from the NIV
unless otherwise noted.

If you are interested,
you can click on the Blog Archive
dates on the top right side of this post
to connect to previous blog posts.

I would love to hear from you either

on the comment section of this blog post
or through my email.
debbieamcewen@gmail.com
I post every Wednesday and Saturday.
The next post will be August 12, 2017.

Where is your heart's desire?
Where is your JOY?

Saturday, August 5, 2017

Does Your Heart Ever Ache, Lord?

Sunrise at Black Lake, NY.
(Photo taken by Sandi Farina, used with permission.)
No matter how much pain we cause Our Father,
He loves us dearly.
The sun comes up every morning
along with His JOY that is fresh each morning.

Do You ever weep when Your children ignore You?

Are You ever down-heartened
when some even deny You exist?

Do You ever regret that You created all of us
when we let You down so completely at times?

-especially when we are so mean to each other?

Fortunately, You are Faithfulness
from forever to forever.

No matter what we do or don’t do
You forgive us when we tell You we are sorry.

You love us that much.

You desperately want to spend eternity with us
so You put aside all Your feelings to nudge
and coax us back to You.

All regrets and heartaches are gone.

All sins are forgotten forever.

There is only JOY when we turn back to You.

Please help me Lord, to do my part to bring You JOY.

Please help me, Your prodigal daughter,
to stop causing pain
to Your wonderful, loving heart.

Please help me to live Your way from now on.

I really want to spend eternity with You.

It’s a tall order, but with God, all things are possible.

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

(Photo by David Sanford - used with permission)

What will heaven look like?

Rainbow at Black Lake, NY. Photo by Sandi Farina. Used with permission.

Boat launch at Santa Clara, NY

I took this photo in PA on a side road on the way home from Montrose, PA.

A golf course in Montrose, PA

I'd like to think that when we see the beauty of nature,
that we catch glimpses of what we will see
when we get to our eternal home
- if we choose Jesus.

Blessing:
May you be blessed each day
knowing that you have a Loving Father
who is always on your side,
who does all things for your betterment.
May you always realize
that you can simply trust Him
and He will always come through for you.

Hope to see you all in heaven someday!!!
May God bless you greatly, my friend.

All photos taken by Debbie and Tim McEwen unless otherwise noted- used with permission.
All bible reference from the NIV
unless otherwise noted.

If you are interested,
you can click on the Blog Archive
dates on the top right side of this post
to connect to previous blog posts.

I would love to hear from you either

on the comment section of this blog post
or through my email.
debbieamcewen@gmail.com
I post every Wednesday and Saturday.
The next post will be August 9, 2017.

We are all traveling on the road of life
headed toward our final destination.
Our choices along the way
determine where we end up for all of eternity.
Where do you want to spend your forever and forever?
Choose wisely.
I'd love to spend eternity with you in paradise.
(photo taken on the way home from Saranac Lake, NY)

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Just for Today, Lord

As I gaze at this beautiful sunset,
I am in awe of Your might and majesty.

Just for today, Lord, let me live Your way.

Please, Lord, open my eyes to see You
and Your love in the beauty of Your creation.

Let me know that I cannot live in tomorrow.

I cannot relive yesterday.

Let me know that this moment is the one You give me now.

Let me make the most of it.

Your creativity and love, Lord
are mirrored in the beauty You provide for our enjoyment.

Let me hear You knocking at my door this morning and invite You in.

Let me open my heart and soul to You.

Please fill me with Your love and Your JOY.

Just for today, please take hold of the strongholds of my flesh
and open my will to do Your will.

These lilies are beautiful
because they are true to the plan that the Creator made for them. We too are made beautiful
when we do our best to follow the Word.
We cannot do this on our own
but only through the grace of our Loving Father.

I’m not strong enough to handle all the things
that will take place in my tomorrows
or to redo all my mistake and sin filled yesterdays
but please give me the grace to live today
to the best of my ability as that ability is guided by You.

I am weak and You are strong.

I am a speck. You are the creator.

I am sinful but You love me so much
You want to spend eternity with me.

(Cross on steeple at St.Gabriels Church near Paul Smiths, NY)
Lord, may I never forget what You paid for my sins.
Please help me to live as You taught
so I can enjoy paradise with You forever.

Please forgive me my sins and help me Lord not to sin for today.

Please take my hand.

Please help me to make this my best day ever.

Please come back tomorrow and repeat.

Amen

Because we are made in the image and likeness of God,
we too can reflect Him in all we say and do.
Please Lord, let me be a loving, Godly reflection of Your love and JOY.
Let Your light shine in and through me to everyone I meet.

Just for This Moment, Lord

Just for this moment, Lord,
may I enjoy my time with You.
May I praise You
and thank You for the multitude of blessings that I enjoy.
Quiet my thoughts.
Slow my breathing.
Close my eyes.
Just for this moment, Lord,
may I enjoy my time with You.
Amen

St. Gabriels Church near Paul Smith's, NY.
May we always make time to worship and fellowship
at the house of our choice,
giving all glory and honor to the Creator
who gives so much to us daily.

All photos taken by Debbie and Tim McEwen unless otherwise noted- used with permission

All bible reference from the NIV
unless otherwise noted

If you are interested,
you can click on the Blog Archive
dates on the top right side of this post
to connect to previous blog posts

I would love to hear from you either on the
comment section of this blog post
or through my email
debbieamcewen@gmail.com

I post every Wednesday and Saturday
The next post will be August 5, 2017

Take time to reflect and REJOICE!

Saturday, July 29, 2017

With God All Things are Possible

I could not create this kind of beauty on my own. God created it.
I photographed it
and my husband edited the photograph taking out power lines
and enhancing the colors.
It is amazing what we can do when we work with our Father.

I have taken on a new challenge
to produce a blog 2 times per week.
I feel stressed.

How will I manage all that?
How will I get all the pictures?
How will I accomplish all I need to do?

I looked at a serene picture
and the Holy Spirit put the words in my mind
and on my heart
“What will the Lord give me?”

This blog has never been about what I can accomplish.
It has only been what the Lord gives and does.

These are His words and if He wants me to do it,
“He will provide.”
And He always does.

Remember that when life gets stressful.
We can do little or nothing on our own

but “With God all things are possible.”

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

This the same sunset a little earlier and at a different location.
God gives us so much regardless of our location or point of view.
We only have to check out what He provides.
We are enriched when we share God's bounty.
He makes it possible to have enough for ourselves
and to share with those who are needy.

The cloud formations and colors changes as the sunset progresses.
I love to take lots of pictures and see what I can get.
I have "chased sunsets" to accomplish that end.
God provides so much when we open our eyes and hearts to His love.

Blessing:
My friend, may you allow our Heavenly Father
to enter and inhabit your heart and soul
May you find your rest,
and the incredible JOY that only He can provide.

All photos taken by Debbie and Tim McEwen unless otherwise noted- used with permission

All bible reference from the NIV
unless otherwise noted

When you give Him a chance,
He will lead you beside the still waters
amid the storms of life
and He WILL give peace to your soul.
(photo taken at a campground near Eel Weir, near Black Lake, NY)

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

The Fragrance of the Lord

Lilies at Knapps Station Church

Please change me Lord from the sinful person I am
Help me to learn and live Your way

Lord, please make me fragrant with You

and Your love
Let me spread Your fragrance with everyone I meet
Let those I meet know that sweet scent is You
Let me spread You, Your love, grace and JOY by my actions and life

Please make my life one of spreading Your fragrance to all I meet

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2

The following lilies were all photographed at Montrose Christian Conference Center. I was told that a caretaker had planted over 100 varieties of lilies.

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
1 Corinthians 13:4

Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it keeps no records of wrongs.
1 Corinthians 13:5

Learning to Love in Simple Ways is a blog post by my friend Jane Ault discussing ways to love and spread the Fragrance of the Lord.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
1 Corinthians 13:6

Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes,
always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:7

How do we spread the fragrance of the Lord? Through love.

Through simple acts of kindness.

By forgiving even when it isn't deserved - just as God forgives us.

By lending a helping hand and a willing ear

By using the gifts God gave you, like your sense of humor.

By being the unique person that God made
and giving others the freedom to do the same.

Through respect

Through friendship and true concern for others

May you be blessed greatly, my friend

by the Lord's incredible lovingkindness

that absolutely never fails!

Please note: New format: I will publish my blog every Wednesday and Saturday.

I plan to post shorter posts than those previous to this one.

This was suggested at the Montrose Christian Writer's Conference.

Please let me know what you think.

I would like to write the best blog I can

to benefit you, my readers

and give glory to the Father.

All photos taken by Debbie and Tim McEwen unless otherwise noted- used with permission

All bible reference from the NIV
unless otherwise noted

Two bee or not to be. That is the question.
Will we choose to be His child and drink His lovingkindness
or will we go without?

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Pray as if Your Life Depended on It.

The glory of God surrounds us.

Stop, stand still and know that He is God!

Adore Him as you admire His handiwork.

Pray as if Your Life Depended on It.

It just might.

Did you ever hear about King Hezekiah? In the Bible, in the Book of Isaiah chapter 38, Isaiah’s son Amos predicted that King Hezekiah would die in 3 days. The king prayed to God. God listened and gave him 15 more years to live. At that time Assyria was trying to conquer Israel God also defeated the King of Assyria.

Prayer brought down the Berlin wall, the Iron Curtain and prevented a total bloodbath in South Africa when the oppression of the blacks was ended.

Just as this fog blocks our vision of part of this scene,

Satan and the world try to keep us from seeing the glory and grace of God.

God knows everything we think and everything we are going to ask for so why pray?

This baby egret (near Black Lake, NY) knows that his mother will feed and protect him. However, his cries let her know what he wants and needs. She responds accordingly. How much more will your Heavenly Father respond to your prayers.

Because God wants a relationship with us. He wants us to ask. He wants us to pour out our hearts to Him.

In the Old Testament, people yelled, begged, haggled with God and He listened. He often gave what they asked.

He wants to hear from the “real you.”

No wishy-washy prayers.

What is your heart’s desire?

Tell Him, ask Him, beg Him, yell at Him. He’s listening. He really cares. Ask without stopping.

Jesus told the parable of the woman who went to the judge to ask for justice. He kept ignoring her and she kept going to his court and asking until he gave in because she was wearing him out with her petitions.

Since Jesus told this parable, it must be important information for us.

If there is illness, financial woes, kids who live terrible lives, a spouse who is causing all kinds of problems, a broken-down car or a broken-down life, call out to Jesus without ceasing. He will listen and He absolutely cares.

The sun shining through this sky broken by many irregular clouds makes for a beautiful sunset. Our turning to God in our brokenness causes His light to shine through all our turmoil and makes us beautiful IN SPITE OF all our problems.

He knows what is best and may not answer when or the way you want. However, He will answer when and how it is in your best interest.

Pray like your life depends on it because it just might.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

This woodpecker is enjoying a snack someone provided so she could enjoy his company. Our Father provides for us and wants our company too. That is a major reason why we need to pray.

What is the Best Way to Pray?

Should you use formula prayers?

There are some great ones.

Should you make up your own prayers?

Both are wonderful ideas.

Which way works better for you?

Which one lets you tell God what is on your mind and in your heart?

What is your heart’s desire?

What are your deepest concerns?

These birds pray and worship by being who and what they are. They squawk to make their needs and wants known. We pray by asking and seeking as best we are able. Our Father always hears. He understands and answers. All creation came into being just from the love of God! Imagine how He loves us who are made in His image and likeness!

Addressing the Lord of Lords and the Great I AM can seem overwhelming.

He is also the one who loved you so much that He deliberately chose you.

That mean He really loves you.

He is your Heavenly Father, your very best friend, the one who is anxiously waiting for you to speak to Him.

This lily tells our Father what is wants by its behavior and He provides.
We only need pray as best we can. God will hear and answer.

You might say He’s dying to hear from you. He actually did die just for you and me so He could have our company for all of eternity.

When you think about all that love and caring, what do you think is the best way to speak with Him?

Whatever is the best, most helpful for you is the way for you to use.

Just remember that He really wants to hear what is in your heart and on your mind. He wants the real you.

The secret is that He wants a close relationship with you.

We can be in a very dark place and God's light will shine through the darkness if we only look up and walk to the light. Remember: Jesus told us "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Start praying, talking to God and don’t forget to listen for His answers. He actually will answer. It may be through another person, through something your read, something to see on TV or any number of ways but He will answer what you ask.

When that happens, something in your mind will click and say “That’s it, that’s what I asked.”

What’s important is to start somewhere, some way talking to God.

And don’t forget to thank Him for all the things He does for you, just as you would thank your best friend because that is what He is.

Jesus gave us this prayer:
‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’

Matthew 6:9-13

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Commentary:
My friend Jean Oathout and I leave on Sunday July 16 to once again attend the Montrose Christian Writer's Conference in Montrose, PA. This is my third year attending. We will return on Friday July 21. Please pray for us that we have a safe, healthy trip and that we return better equipped to do God's work. We are both hoping that some publisher likes our writing well enough to publish.
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Knapps Station Community Church

Pictures of Operation Arctic Vacation Bible School
as it was being set up.
I will include more in the next blog post showing
the action and the fun.

This is me, Debbie and Bashful Little Bear. ****************************

Voice of the Martyrs

Please pray for our brothers and sisters who do not have the freedom to worship as they choose.
Many suffer and die for their faith.
We are so blessed to worship as we choose.
Many died to give us this freedom
May we never lose this freedom.
And may we never take it for granted.

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The Power of Your Story is a recent post by my friend Jean Oathout about the power we have when we tell our own stories about how Jesus has impacted our lives.

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Sometimes I Walk in the Light is Jane Aults's post about being open to all aspects of our existence and seeing the positive qualities that so many people can bring into our lives.

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Blessing:

May you find your best path to converse daily with your Father God.

On your path, may you find the peace that surpasses all understanding.

And may you be blessed forevermore with His loving JOY each and every morning!

May God bless you greatly, my friend!

All photos taken by Debbie and Tim McEwen unless otherwise noted- used with permission

All bible reference from the NIV
unless otherwise noted

This beauty is growing next to the barrier between our lawn and the road work. I think God planted it there as a surprise.

We had another surprise this past Tuesday evening. A mother skunk and 5 babies came to visit us. Fortunately they did not leave their "calling card" even though they went under our porch. Unfortunately they did not stand still long enough to get clear pictures.

Search This Blog

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Where is Your JOY?

Saturday, August 5, 2017

Does Your Heart Ever Ache, Lord?

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Just for Today, Lord

Saturday, July 29, 2017

With God All Things are Possible

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

The Fragrance of the Lord

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Pray as if Your Life Depended on It.