Into the Fire

     He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

     "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

      He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,

      to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Isaiah 61:1-2)

     Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he said to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

Luke 4:16-22 (NIV)

The Benghazi tragedy was more than a sad and terrible unfortunate "accident". There is enough evidence to convict the leaders of this country of negligent homicide in their failure to assist the ambassador and brave Americans who give their lives to defend embassy employees from certain death in the hell-hole of Benghazi, Libya, during a premeditated and well-executed terrorist attack. Prior to the attack, Ambassador Chris Stevens requested from then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton additional security many times, over and over again, fearing for his life and those around him. The men who went to the rescue once the attack was underway disobeyed orders that came down from the White House.

See this film before you vote.

God in heaven, wickedness pervades and permeates our beloved USA. Please issue justice, Lord, and forgive us for our many sins. We're desperate for you and long for the latter rain. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

I know some of you don't care for the "white" woodwork for several reasons, but I think it works here for the effect they're trying to accomplish. I like the upper cupboards and the framed hood over the range.

Father, your designs are perfect. We can only hope to come close to them. Thank you for providing inspiration. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

This picture rings so true! The picture itself reminds me of the silliness and joy of best friends. And reuniting with my two childhood besties was nothing short of incredible. I'm in awe of the Lord bringing us back together after the many years of life's unusual paths, traumas, careers, and families. Now in our "winter" years we meet again full of memories and recreating new ones. Laughter and tears, the staples of solid friendships. The love fell, soft and silky, the emotion spent in guffaws and sobs.

I'm honored to claim these two ladies as my friends. They were the bestest in my childhood. And nothing's changed. Still.

Lord of heaven and earth, what you did for me in giving me such devoted and loyal friends is beyond words. What you made happen in this reunion is supernatural when viewed from the bigness of all it entailed. I am . . . so thankful. Words don't cut it here. Jesus, you model true friendship. Thank you for making friends so important to me. I love them all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

     When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

     Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

Luke 4:13-15 (NIV)

"S" is a popular letter and an interesting sound. Whether sharp or hissed, s words bring many images to mind.

Sand

Surf

Society

Sassy

Silly

Sustain

Sissy

Sock

Sensuous

Sentinel

Stern

Size

Simplistic

Sensational

Just a few for you. Add your own if you like.

Lord, such amazing languages you've given us. Thank you for ours. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Friday I will have a reunion with two best friends from my childhood. We grew up together until after 7th grade (the worst year of my youth) when I moved way far north of our neighborhood. When you're too young to drive, it seems like another country. A different school, friends to be made, none to replace my two dear girlfriends. There was the telephone and occasional trips to one another's house, but we were truly separated by several miles. Over time everyone knows how life can take people away from each other and each of our lives became separate entities.

A few years ago I reconnected through Facebook with my BFF Debbie, and although we don't get a lot of time together, we do email. Debbie found our third friend during her inquiry about their high school reunion. Thanks to Debbie, the three of us will reunite at her house tomorrow. I haven't seen my other BFF since high school! Believe me, that was a long time ago.

It's a beautiful thing to realize old friendships and reunite after so much life and so many years. I can't wait.

Father, I know you ordained this time together. I'm so thankful. Please bless our time together and may you be glorified in it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Well done!. Love the fireplace in the kitchen (I'd give the "hearth" more room), the floor, cabinet wood tone, table backed up to the island. Yeah, works for me. I even like the "stucco" effect on the walls. Very pretty.

Lord, you're amazing. Trite but true. Words fail when describing your endless creativity. Thank you for it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

This one brings tears to my eyes every time. Who am I kidding? I cry out loud and have to leave the room. What a beautiful commercial. Every little girl's dream . . . at least it was mine.

God, you put that amazing love for horses in me. Then you fulfilled my dreams of owning and being around them. Then you allowed me to capture a story about racing them. I'm always in your debt for all you've done for me. I love you, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Simple, pretty, and efficient without feeling too small. Light and nice wood in flooring and cabinetry. I like it.

Father, everything beautiful comes from you. You are the source of grand design and the imagination. Thank you for it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.