Just nice. Would prefer stainless steel fridge to go with range. Airy with a beautiful view. Probably a lot more cabinets/drawers out of view. Like it.
Lord, it's always a pleasure to see creative designs. Your beauty expressed in so many ways. Again, thank you for it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Wow. Dual ranges. Dual ovens – one convection. Two sinks. Love the tile floor and granite (?) countertops for the island and counters. Wish the island didn't have that "dividing" feature. Looks like the fridge and microwave are in the other part of this "divided" kitchen with an easy chair? And I need backs to my stools – not much leg clearance for these. Like the wood tone/stain and tile.
Lord, you provide ideas for all kinds of designs. Amazing creativity and beauty. Thank you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Okay. It's Monday. And here's another kitchen. This one would work in a house, but it looks to be an urban apartment. Love the brick, wood beams, and floor. Large. Open. Must be one big pricey apartment.
Thank you, Lord, for sharing your beauty on earth. May we always appreciate it. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people.
a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
Luke 2:25-36 (NIV)
Jesus is the Reason for the Season. Celebrate the arrival of the Savior of the World. Joy to the World: the Lord is come.
Thank you, God. Our rescue is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus, we rejoice because of you. Holy Spirit, we know Him because of you. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
I'm not into diamonds or much jewelry, but I do appreciate creative commercials about love. Romance without all the sexual innuendo. Nice commercial. Kudos to Zales.
Father, we don't know love until we know you. You are Love. Thank you for loving like you do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Merry Christmas indeed at this wonderfully warm setting.
Love Christ-mas, Lord Jesus. Love you. Thank you is never enough. Amen.
In Book Three of the prequels to the Raleigh Harmon Mystery Series (which features the adult FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon) we see Raleigh at almost 16 years old headed out with her weird Aunt Charlotte in her aunt's ancient Volvo to participate in a billionaire's science contest with four other contestants on Ocracoke Island. And although these are labeled YA, they're clearly up to the reading standards of adults who love the writing and stories of Sibella Giorello.
The last one to arrive at the contest gathering due to the breakdown of the old Volvo and rescue from the ferry by the billionaire himself (Bill Brogan), Raleigh's vulnerability and insecurity amp up, her belief that her best friend Drew should be the one present here, but since Drew's experience depicted in Stone and Spark, the first prequel, Drew has become even more of a genius recluse.
To disrupt the contest one of the female contestants (Cady) is found unconscious buried in the sand. She's taken to the hospital. Brogan decides the remaining four must work as two teams, two guys and two gals, to determine the scientific answer to his proposed question about the island dune grasses offering to double the prize to $100K.
Nothing fires up Raleigh's inquisitive nature like an unsolved puzzle involving geology, her specialty. So many questions arise about how and why the girl Cady came to be buried in the sand that her discovery about the sand used in the burial takes her away from answering the question about the dune grasses. Her partner Lanette, another quirky genius, seems to be onto an answer concerning the dune grasses, but Raleigh pursues her questions about the two kinds of sand which in no way should be mixed together according to an old flame of her brilliant, paralyzed science teacher back home.
Complicating all of it is one of the other contestants' blue eyes and easy drawl. "Tex" (aka Marcus) is smooth and charming but also kind and troubled, and Raleigh is drawn to him in spite of herself, even after seeing him where he doesn't figure to be.
Sibella's writing is compelling, her characterizations superb, the dialogue fully engaging, and the story fascinating. If you have no interest in geology and can't muster any, this might not be the novel for you because there is plenty of technical information about minerals. I found it informative and necessary to the story, but some might not think so.
Stone and Sand offers the usual Giorello intrigue mixed with insightful revelations from a young Raleigh who's growing up with a mentally ill mother, an agoraphobic OCD best friend, a new-age aunt, and the emotional experience of meeting a young man who hides his sorrows in his blue, blue eyes. There are profound moments in this story of young brilliance, conniving greed, supernatural poppycock, and serious science. The end brought real tears.
Raleigh's faith stays inherent in her character but is understated throughout the story.
Highly recommend this series from prequels and beyond.
Father, my prayer is that you would continue to give Sibella many stories just for her to write, that her gifted writing would be rewarded. I pray you would minister to her for what she needs, keep her safe from all harm, and may everything she does to honor you be richly blessed. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:1-20 (NIV)
Really don't care for the dark accented wood (again contrasting with the cabinetry), but this is an interesting combination of designs. I love the ceiling, the floor, the size, the chandelier, and the glass doors on some of the cabinets – but not my favorite. Feels "off" to me. Too much contrast and "busy-ness".
God, you create something for everyone and inspire all good things. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
