Following in His Footsteps

There have been times in my life, I know, when I have sought God and His presence in my life more than I have recently.

 Oh, there are lots of reasons (or excuses) I could put forth--

 *The grief of losing a close relative and the almost paralysis of the soul that can sometimes follow--

 *The challenges of a major surgery and all the ramifications involved--i.e. no energy, etc--

 *Getting caught up in the "busyness" of the holidays and all that entails--

 I could go on and on but I think you get the picture. Suffice it to say that I desire to be back in the mode of really seeking God each day of my life.

 Why is it that when we neglect the good spiritual disciplines in our lives that it is so hard to reverse the course--almost feeling like we no longer know how to do it.

 Today as I read the scripture below, I knew I had to do something about my lack of spiritual inertia, so this is very simple but is what I am focusing on today.

May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you.  from Psalm 40

 I asked God to show me how to truly seek Him again--what would that look like today in my life if I truly did that.

 As I became quiet before the Lord, this is the thought that came to my mind--the first step in seeking Him--

CONFESS SIN

So I spent some time confessing sin--that is all I am going to focus on today--I did do my daily Bible reading and a couple of psalms just for the enjoyment of it--but today will be about focusing on the Holy Spirit convicting me instantly when I sin--and immediate confession.

 I would love for you to add comments of what "seeking God" looks like to you. 

Hopefully, I will add something each day for a few days that God in His mercy and grace will show me.

I hope to be back soon to the full spiritual discipline of searching for and seeking Him as I would for gold if I knew there was a stash buried in my back yard.

He is THE treasure to seek for and I never want to forget or neglect that.

Looking out our master bedroom window towards the back yard--the bushes over against the fence on the left are almost as tall as the fence--we have yet to see how bad the damage is to them--they are spirea bushes--

Have a blessed day, sweet friends. I love you.

Looking out a bedroom window the morning after--no heat--brrrrrrrrrrr!
4 full days later for us--power was restored
6 full days later for my son's family
others still without

I have never seen so many huge downed trees--

Hard to believe something so beautiful could cause so many million dollars worth of damage and demand thousands of man hours to clean it up--

*above post was edited from past pages--This was one of my first posts from 2012.  And it is my prayer starting 2013--to know Him more, to do better at studying God's Word and to share what He teaches me--

© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

So Blessed!

I am so thankful for POWER! Yes, electricity--ours went out on Christmas Day as did 70% of the Little Rock area.

Officially, we had 9" of snow but there were layers of freezing rain and sleet before the snow came. And in our side yard it was about 12"--not a place where it would drift either.

It looks like a tornado has gone through in some areas with so many trees and power poles down.

Our power came on late Saturday evening and we came home this morning.

Thank you to all the electric companies who sent personnel from surrounding states.  We have needed all the help we could get.

We stayed here a couple of days after it first went out but the bone-chilling cold finally got the best of us.

 I called my brother's wife (they just live about 10 minutes away but were at their cabin in the woods with power) and she told us we could use their home.

We moved in--our kids came from Tulsa and moved in--we carried groceries for lots of people for several days over to her house--cooked all day Friday for our FINALLY Christmas celebration that evening.

One son and his family made it in safely on Christmas Day. It takes about 4 hours to get here from Tulsa and there was just about that time frame--They left about 9 in the morning and got to Little Rock right before the sleet and freezing rain started.

Our youngest son and his family (new baby three weeks old) decided not to brave the weather Christmas Day and we were so thankful that they didn't try to come because they would have had no place to stay with heat.

Anyway, they ended up coming on Thursday after the power was back on in my brother's house so we all got to see one another and everyone got to meet James, our new grandson.

Thank you so much to all of you who prayed for us.

It has been a fiasco to say the least, a very DIFFERENT Christmas for us but one we will LONG remember.

One daughter-in-law, Kim, did not get to celebrate with us. She is real sick with some kind of viral infection.

Our daughter-in-law, Traci, has been at the hospital with her mom who was taken Christmas Eve to the hospice floor.  She left for a few hours to come spend Christmas with us.

There were many tears when she walked in because we thought she was not going to make it.

Our hearts were broken that Kim couldn't make it and that Traci came under heavy circumstances but our hearts are so grateful for so many things.

Michael's family will be staying here tonight.  They are still without power as are about 25,000 others here in Little Rock.

We give praise and glory to our Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave us great cause to celebrate.

I love each of you and I know a lot of you have had tremendous struggles and disappointments during this Christmas season. But we are blessed, aren't we?

So blessed!

Love,
Dianne


 © all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

Merry Christmas 2012

My wish for you--warm and loving times spent together, good food and good fellowship, peace with your families and with your fellow man, and the  Light of the World, Jesus--

From John in the New Testament  1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  2 He was with God in the beginning.  3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.  8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.  10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Thank you Lord for this unspeakable LIGHT!

Larry and I at the Immanuel Baptist Church candlelight service last night--

This is our son, Michael, his wife Traci and daughters Kennedy, Katelyn and Caroline--

Traci is the Children's Minister at Immanuel.


 © all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

The card is a picture of our tree this year.  We have a smaller one this year than we have had in years past but we are really liking it.

Please Read and Pray for Us

This is a note my daughter-in-law wrote on CaringBridge.  Her mom was sent home last Friday with Hospice.  Marty is young--in her sixties--a victim of cancer.  Please pray for Traci, my precious daughter-in-law and her family.  Although heartbreaking, I think this will really bless you.

 

"Mom had another good day today.  She got up and sat on the couch today when a family member came to visit.  She also seemed excited for the vegetable soup they brought for lunch, even though she didn't eat much of it.  We are pleased when she actually wants to eat. 

I was able to accomplish a lot today as well.  We got sheets changed, bills paid, drawers and closets cleaned, and the dining room ready for Christmas. 

 

I'm going home tomorrow and Terry will be here with her.  Chris and myself, along with our families, will be back on Christmas to celebrate the birth of our Lord, our Savior, our Prince of Peace.

Although I've heard this term as long as I can remember, I believe I understand the name "Prince of Peace" more than ever before.
 
You are standing in the gap and asking our Father for peace and strenght and it is working!

 
The Prince of Peace is obviously near through his Holy Spirit and through the love He has shown through all of His saints.  

I know there are times when I should be afraid and I'm fearless, when I should be sad and I'm joyful, when I should be anxious and I'm at peace."

 

The good news today..."For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."  --Isaiah 9:6   

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." --Philipians 4:6-7    

© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

Last Minute Decorating

I always do this--decorate up to the last minute--don't know why--just do--

But wanted to show you this because it is a real inexpensive but beautiful decoration.

I used an old, old sewing machine drawer that I had stashed away in a closet, some candles from the dollar store, and some holly leaves and berries from my yard--and voila--

Don't know if you can really tell but the carving on the side of the drawer is so pretty--acorns and leaves--and the pull is to die for.

I'm thinking that this piece will not go back in my closet.

Warm Christmas blessings to you and yours,
Dianne

© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

I'll Be Home For Christmas

I don't think I ever showed you our painted mantel from the remodeling we did last January.

I

painted a canvas with masquepen first writing out the words to an old song I like. Even though a web search has the words I used, I wish I would have used --"You can count on me."  It actually changes the meaning of the whole sentence to me and I like the "count" meaning better.

But anyway, it is done and I won't spend extra time changing it this year although I may for future use.

The way I would suggest doing it inexpensively is to paint a board with chalkboard paint and then just write whatever you choose with chalk.  You could keep it and use it for all different occasions.

We've had a busy day.  I taught at the Ranch at 1:30 so we remained in the Conway area for a special dinner the guys prepared for the volunteers, graduates.

Anyway, I'm about to fall asleep writing this so I will go for now but want you to know that you are always on my mind and I am praying for you.

Love,
Dianne


© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

Decorating With Old Christmas Albums

So I am finally back to show you another inexpensive way to decorate at Christmas.

I thought about doing this a couple of years ago but had never done it until this year.

Actually, I thought about hanging the record itself on the wall but decided to use the album covers instead which really dates them and makes them look rather vintage, don't you think?

Once again, I spent a few dollars on the 3M Command velcro strips and attached them to the wall.

I will probably use some old records (my and my husband's favorites) to decorate for every day.  If and when I get that done, I will share it with you--another thing I have meant to do for ever so long.

You could do a collage or have them separated as I have done mine.

Tomorrow I will show you what is in between these two sets of records.  I am really liking it--mine wasn't so cheap but I have an idea for you to make one very cheaply.

See you then--
Love,
Dianne

P.S.  The album to the left of the Lawrence Welk one is Perry Como.

 © all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

Getting it all together?

Do you ever have times that you just can't get it all together?

Well, that is where I am right now-- I'm so excited about all of our family getting together with two new family members this year--sweet baby James, (I've decided that is my nickname for him right now) and Josh, Kailey's new husband. How do you express the joy in your heart with two new people to celebrate.

We did a little remodeling early this year and one of my "nooks" for displaying Christmas stuff was enclosed so that led to a domino effect.

One of my faults is: It is hard for me to concentrate on the important things when everything is out of place--don't know if anyone can identify with that but I am just being honest.

And then the enemy tries to heap guilt upon me because I realize how selfish and egotistical that thinking is--how many in Connecticut and just the people we meet in our regular life each day would give anything to have a particular one to celebrate Christmas with and would not sweat the small stuff.

But God is good and I devoted concentrated and extra time to my relationship with Him this morning and I will be okay--He will get hold of my heart and my thinking--He is always interceding for us.

My mother-in-law always displayed special touches at Christmas and it made me feel so cared for--that she was doing it just for me--I want to do the same for my children and grandchildren and then I realize that that is part of my love language--not theirs--

This post is a little disjointed I feel but mostly I just needed to check in with you--to let you know how much I love you and to thank all of you who commented about my last picture with sweet baby James and my hair length and style. I am enjoying it and I cannot believe how much easier it is than the way I was wearing it--also, I feel more natural and that is what I like--the natural look.

Special blessings to you today,
Dianne

This is Robin, step-mom to one of our guys who graduated from Renewal Ranch.  She came to me with a vision for this painting several months ago.  It became a reality--thought you might like to see it.  Photo by Josh Kear.

Update:  Robin had initially wanted me to paint the picture.  I heard her vision and thought it was wonderful but it was her vision and not mine.  I'm so glad I did not jump the gun and volunteer to paint it.  With all my heart I do not believe I could have done this as good--at least not in the rustic style that was her vision.

Way to go, Robin--you did an excellent job!

For my foreign readers who may not speak English, the sign reads "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to an all-knowing God."  Corrie Ten Boom

 © all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

Sweet Baby James

We have been busy with three of our grandchildren the last week--Ashton, Noelle and new baby brother, James.

God is so smart.  He knew just exactly what would make an old person's heart feel light and young, didn't he?

Not many things in life are as special as a new grandchild.  This was taken by my daughter-in-law, Andrea, last Sunday morning when James was almost 3 days old.  I was headed to church to see one of his sisters sing.  He did not go but will most likely go this next Sunday.

Hoping you are well and happy, snug and warm, peaceful and full of joy during this most beautiful and holy Christmas season.

Love you,
Dianne

© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

Merry Christmas to Us

James, our new grandson, was born yesterday afternoon and he is precious. He weighed in at 7lb and 14 oz and is 20 and one half inches long.

We are so grateful that all went well with his birth. His mom had some serious health issues during the pregnancy but everything went great.

 Thank you to those of you who prayed for us. I appreciate it more than you know.

 Hopefully, I will be able to post a few more pictures in a couple of days. 

I love you all. Hope you are having a wonderful, Christmas season.
Dianne

© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Saturday as I was sitting in chapel beside the son of one of our residents, I looked down and noticed what he had written.  "I 'heart' the Bible more than enething."

To say that my heart was touched may be the understatement of the century. I can't quote it exactly but when I told his father about it, he told me what his son had said at Thanksgiving that he was thankful for.

Loosely paraphrased it included a father who studied the Bible so much and tried to do what Jesus says. Out of the mouths of babes..............

Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.  Luke 2:47

As I sat in a rocking chair on the front porch of the bunkhouse after chapel and potluck and watched this resident run and play with his wife and two sons for an extended period of time, I was overwhelmed at the healing that has taken place in his life.  Oh, if you could only hear his story your heart would rejoice like mine.

Jesus is no respecter of persons--He longs to do for you and me what He has done for this young man and his family--won't you open your heart to Him?  He stands ready, willing and able to comfort you and heal your life.

Christmas blessing to you,
Dianne

© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

Old Things New Again

I started collecting Christmas books many years ago.

I love to read one a day through December building the Spirit of Christmas in my heart as the month rolls along.

A few years ago I decided to display them as Christmas decorations and love how they look.

Most of them have to do with the spiritual side of Christmas and are meaningful as well as pretty to display.

There are many ways you can display them if you happen to have a collection--or you could go to your local library and check out a bunch to decorate with during the holidays.  I don't think there is a law against that!

You can stack them up on your coffee table or spread them around your house on several different tables standing them on their sides as I have done in this bookcase.

You could also use the 3M velcro stickers and use them as decoration on your walls. 

And if you have a huge Bible--we have several that we have inherited--a beautiful ribbon placed in it at the point of the Christmas story makes a lovely decoration I think.  Add a sprig of holly or pine and it smells good too.

And while you're at it, stop for a few moments and read the story all over again.  It is the most beautiful of old, old stories that will become new in our hearts once again.

You can also find the story here.

Christmas blessings to you,

Dianne

 © all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

It's A Puzzle To Me

These are not very good pictures--the lighting was all wrong--BUT we loved the effect that the puzzle boxes made when placed together in a collage.

 I used 3M Command velcro stickers and several old boxes of Christmas puzzles we had worked through the years and stuck them to the wall.

 I had a picture there that was not wintery or Christmasy at all--so this served the purpose to fill up a great big hole on the wall and also to bring back many fun memories--

Someone always hides the very last piece and drags it out so they can get to place "the last piece of the puzzle."

It came down easily after Christmas with no damage whatsoever to the walls--I absolutely love the 3M Command stickers.  They cost a few dollars but that was the extent of the money I spent for a big decoration.

Hope this gets your mind going to give you ideas for inexpensive decorations.

Aren't you glad that nothing puzzles our Father--He knows all, has all the answers and is always working to bring them to pass in our lives. Isaiah 55:8-11 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  NIV (bolding mine)

© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

'Tis the Season

My husband came home from the store a couple of days ago with two huge pots of beautiful, red poinsettias--a good way to start the Christmas season.

I pray that wherever you are and in whatever position you find yourself, that you will find a way to celebrate the birth of our dear Savior.

It doesn't take lots of money to make Christmas really special.  Sometimes we get caught up in all the hustle, bustle, shopping, and decorating and miss the precious moments just being together and taking time to celebrate not only our love for Christ but our love for each other.

I'm going to try to take the next few weeks to give you some ideas of things to do that don't cost much but makes this season truly meaningful.

So I will start with this one--fill a mason jar or any appropriate container with tailored love knots for someone you love--a coupon for a back rub, a ticket that exempts a child from a certain chore for the day--you get the drift--just tailor it to suit each individual person.  I bet you come up with some really good ones.

When our sons were growing up there was a certain chore that I did for them every day for the month of December--I can still remember how good it made me feel each day as I sacrificed my time to invest a mother's heart and love in them.

I would love to hear your ideas also.

Start the season off right--no stress!  Choose to cast all your care on Him for He cares for you.

Christmas blessings,
Dianne

© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

All Came Home

All of our precious guys returned safely "home" to Renewal Ranch last night.  God truly is with us.

 If you joined us in prayer for them as they celebrated Thanksgiving with their families and friends, I want to personally thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Our hearts were made glad as we welcomed all of them back and had a wonderful night of reunion and decorating the bunkhouse.

We also have added two new guys--David and Shawn--I ask for your prayers for them.

Watching God work at RR is an almost daily breathtaking adventure--we get to see miracle after miracle as God is saving these men from a life of despair, desperation and destruction.

If your life today is in the throes of despair and desperation, I pray that you will turn simply to Jesus with a sincere heart and ask Him to help you.  It amazes me just how much God is anxiously waiting for us to turn to Him so that He can help us.

Come to Him simply but sincerely--fix your eyes on Jesus and commit to serving Him with your whole heart and life--God does not play games--He knows our deepest motives and He will not "be used."  Your life will never be the same again when you daily commit it to Him.

Follow your commitment with daily prayer and Bible study--find some other believers who will support you in your endeavor to walk daily with God--I understand that this can be quite challenging for my foreign readers who live in countries where you cannot openly worship Jesus Christ.

But God is faithful--ask Him to lead you to other TRUE believers in the ONE, TRUE God and He will help you.  He is faithful!

Sharing God's love,
Dianne

Thanksgiving at Petit Jean

Larry and I spent a beautiful Thanksgiving Day at Mather Lodge on Petit Jean mountain--It is one of Arkansas' state parks and it is lovely.

 The weather was absolutely perfect as long as you were in the sun--Just a tad bit chilly in the shade. We went with our good friends, Bob and Joyce--our kids and theirs were celebrating with "the other side of the family" this year so we celebrated together with no shopping, no cooking, no cleaning up--it was really wonderful--the food was awesome-- I ate too much cornbread dressing--that is one of my favorite foods in the whole world.

Hope your day was blessed--I love you all.
Dianne

© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

Make His Faithfulness Known!

You see a lot of this at the Ranch. One generation visiting with another--something you don't see much of out in "regular" society. I see this verse lived out every Saturday at the Ranch and it makes my heart sing.

With my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. from the Psalms

On this holiday of Thanksgiving when several generations are usually together, I encourage you to tell of His faithfulness, talk of all His wondrous provision, give thanks to the God of all gods.

photograph by Josh Kear--thank you, Josh--hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving--
© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

A Thanksgiving Prayer

 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
       throughout all generations.

 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world,from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. 

You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you.

 The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth;
       you founded the world and all that is in it.

I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

 I will declare that your love stands firm forever, 

       that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself--

.

 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
       establish the work of our hands for us—
       yes, establish the work of our hands.

© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

a repost from past pages
portions of Psalm 86, 89, 90 NIV

God's Positioning System

Global Positioning System--The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based satellite navigation system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. It is maintained by the United States government and is freely accessible to anyone with a GPS receiver.  (borrowed from Wikipedia)

I heard a speaker recently who made a statement similar to the following:

"Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had directions from God that would tell us exactly which turn to make next sorta like a GPS system?"

While I think I understand the point he was trying to make, my thinking is that God's Positioning System really leaves nothing to the imagination, clearly and concisely gives us every direction we need to make it safely to our destination with no detours.

We do need an unobstructed line of sight to the Godhead three in One--God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit--  His positioning system is maintained by a government shouldered by Jesus Christ and is freely accessible to anyone with a Holy Spirit receiver--open ears, open heart and a willingness to obey. Proverbs 3:5-6 says:  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 4:27:  Do not turn to the right nor to the left;  Turn your foot from evil. I pray today that all of us choose His way, not turning to the right nor to the left, keeping our feet and our hearts from evil, desiring to follow His path and His alone.  Then and only then will the blood-bought artery be clear to us.  The way of the cross leads home.

Hope your Thanksgiving week is wonderfully blessed,
Dianne

© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

An Evening Sacrifice

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling- 1 Timothy 2:8 ESV  So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:4 ESV  Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! Psalm 141:2 ESV  Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord! Psalm 141:2 ESV  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  I had a knee replacement last year and I cannot get down on my knees to pray any more.  If you can, I pray that you will bow down and worship before Him today.  If you can't, I pray that you will lift your hands to God.  If you can't lift your hands, then consider lifting your voice-- If you can't lift your voice, I pray that you will lift your heart--  that is what God really desires from us--our hearts.  Oh God, show me how today to lift my heart totally to you--to hold no reservations, no places that I am not willing to expose fully to you.  I love you, Lord.  Thank you for this small space here on the world wide web and I pray that this simple devotional will bless people all over this great planet.  Give health, healing, hope and salvation to all my readers, I pray in Jesus' Name.  Amen

© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

Photography by Josh Kear-
Cooper praising God

The Shadow of Your Smile!

A smile is a passport into another's heart-- Here ya go--you have full access--always loving and thinking and praying for my precious readers and friends--I am on my way to the Ranch--please pray for our class--we are studying today about the importance of obedience and holiness in relation to prayer.  Hope the shadow of your smile brings a little radiance into someone's heart today.

Would you like to share your thoughts or your heart with me? My contact information is listed in the upper right of the sidebar. Please feel free to email me. I love hearing from you and cherish the friendships I have made through blogging. © all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

Come Away With Him

This picture just makes me want to take a day out of my life--put the coffee pot on and study, study, study.  I read my Bible every day and I try to really meditate and absorb what I read but like I say, this picture just makes me want to spend quality and quantity time in God's Word.

One thing I love about studying in these high tech days, is how fast it is to search a certain passage and find out things that used to take hours to research.

The picture is of Steven, one of our Renewal Ranch guys--the guys are immersed in Bible study all day Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

They do service projects on Thursday and Friday and go to church on Saturday and Sunday with Bible Study Fellowship on Monday nights--sometimes they also have Wednesday night services.

I tell them how blessed they are to have this time set apart to study God's Word--

I hope this encourages you to "Come away with Him" at some point in your day--
There is no better use of your time!

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show yourself approved, a workman who needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

This photo was taken by Josh Kear--thank you, Josh, for your generosity--

 © all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

Train Up A Child

Proverbs 22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not leave it.

This beautiful lady's name is Montine.  She is the mother of one of our residents at Renewal Ranch.  I love this picture of her as she sits in chapel on Saturday morning and rests in the promises of God that she has depended upon for years.

You see, her son has just had his life restored after twenty five years of addiction.  In class last Wednesday I wish you could have heard his humble testimony as he gave all the credit to the prayers of his faithful, loving mother.

My friend, if you have a wayward child, a prodigal son or daughter, do not be discouraged, but be encouraged knowing the God of the ages will hear your prayer just as he heard Montine's.

Have a wonderful week.  I love you.
Dianne

Photography by Josh Kear--thank you, dear Josh--
 © all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

Majesty-Worship His Majesty

Here is a new canvas I have started--have NO clue where it will end up--but thought you might want to see the progression of it--I am liking it so far--I think I will probably throw some black paint on it and then place some more formal calligraphy in places here and there.  Oh, how I love to experiment!

I was using a Masquepen for the first time and this is a tall canvas--you can tell that my handwriting changed in the middle of it SO I will have to do something to detract from that feature.

Unto Jesus be all honor, glory and praise!

It will be a few days before I have a chance to work on it again but I will try to remember to keep you posted on its progression.

In the meantime, have an awesome weekend and may His Kingdom Come!

Loving You,
Dianne

© all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted

For the Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth!

I was at the First United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, AR recently and saw this incredibly large (at least 5x10') painting of the cross.

 I LOVE everything about this--all the variations of colors, the sense of movement indicating (to me) its far-reaching effects, the geometric shapes symbolizing (to me) its jewel like facets--the body of water and horizon to the left lets one catch a glimpse of eternity.

Seeing this girl in the picture gives a sense of just how large it really is--

And it reminds me just how large our God really is.

Depending on Him and worshiping at His feet today.

Hope your day is extremely blessed.

I love you all,
Dianne


 © all photographs and text property of Dianne Hogue unless otherwise noted