My Wish For You

This is a repost from a few years ago--and of course it is not the first Sunday of Advent but I did enjoy going back and reading about the "decorating" and what happened--it really put my day in perspective--smile!

Today is the first Sunday of Advent--a time to look forward to the coming of the Messiah, to dwell upon His richness versus our poverty, his righteousness against the backdrop of our sin, his wholeness in comparison to our fractured hearts-- His peace surrounding our fretting.

My prayer for you and me during this holiday season is that we would remain stress free, that decorating, shopping, wrapping, baking, and buying would just be a casual by-product of an otherwise "meaningful, take time to stop and rest and enjoy your family more than ever" kind of holiday.

I have always been kinda "over the top" as far as wanting each room decorated--nothing fancy or expensive--just wanted to do it for the kids and grandkids--and that is okay--unless I get my focus on that more than spending time with the people I love, especially Jesus.

This year I am going to take it slow and easy.  If a room gets decorated--fine--if it doesn't fine--last year I worked for weeks getting the house ready for my family--Even painted a big canvas that said, "I'll be home for Christmas--you can plan on me"

Well, guess what--we had a huge snowstorm--our power was out for several days and our family never came "home" for Christmas--we celebrated at my brother's house and they never saw all the work I had done in those weeks before Christmas.

That has placed somewhat of a different light on all the time I spend decorating.  I will do what comes naturally and easy this year BUT with God's help, my goal is to spend more time with my Savior--more time anticipating the joyous celebration of His coming.

I wish you Peace--

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27

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Update on Jeff

In my last post I told you that Jeff, our son, would be having heart surgery on Tuesday of this week.

Surgery was a great success--5 bypasses--diabetes has presented some problems with his numbers not being as good as they should but those are leveling out and things are looking so much better.

The tests they ran after the heart attack a week ago Tuesday indicated a massive heart attack.

After going in for surgery, the heart surgeon said there was minimal damage to the heart-- We are thanking God for a miracle! 

Thank you so much to all of you who have held us in prayer and love.

We can never express our appreciation completely.

Even though I haven't done it justice the last few weeks, I am still praying for the peace of Jerusalem and pray that you will join me.

Once again, thank you ever so much and God richly bless you and yours.

© ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2015


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Praying for the Generations

These are our three sons, from left, Michael, Jeff and Chris--also one of our grandsons, Kendall --

Our latest grandson had not been born when this picture was taken--

I will feature him soon--

Jeff will be having heart surgery tomorrow morning--

It would mean so much to us if you kept him in your prayers.

Thank you so much!

Every Monday here on the blog we pray for the precious ones--

THE PRECIOUS ONES: The precious ones include my children, my grandchildren, all descendants who come after me, all my grandparents descendants now living or yet to be born, my husband, siblings, in laws.

 And you, dear reader and all those who are precious to you. God bless you as you pray here. 

W here can I go from your Spirit?

 Where can I flee from your presence?

 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

 if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day for darkness is as light to you. 

Psalm 139:7-12

Oh God, for the beloveds, the precious ones I pray today-- Lord, I pray that your Spirit will go with everyone of them for every day of their lives.

I pray that Your presence would stay close to them--that they would not want to flee from Your presence but will seek You out with all of their hearts for every day of their lives.

Oh Lord make this passage of scripture real to each one of them.

Show them Your likeness, Your light.

Lord, those ones who are especially hurting today, hold them a little tighter.

Cling a little longer, warm them with Your assurance that they can make it through anything if they will only place their hope, faith and trust in You.

Purify us, Lord--our thoughts, our actions, our motives, our meditations. Lord, would You be the Lord over all of us and we will praise You forever and ever.

In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Please keep us in your prayers this week, especially tomorrow.  

Our son, Jeff, will be having triple bypass heart surgery--we covet your prayers. Thank you so very much.  I will try to keep you posted.


I love hearing from you. Email address can be accessed at top left of this page. © ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2015

Need Your Prayers

God is so faithful!

Just wanted to apologize for missing a couple of Wednesdays with the prayer for Jerusalem.

 Hopefully, I will get started back on that next Wednesday. In the meantime, we can still be praying for the Peace of Jerusalem, all of Israel and the world. Jesus is the only answer to our problems.

I also wanted to ask for your prayers.

Our oldest son, Jeff, endured a heart attack while coaching a basketball game on Tuesday night of this week.  He made it through the game and my husband took him to the emergency room right after the game ended.

He is scheduled to have triple bypass surgery tomorrow or maybe as late as Monday.  He was on blood thinners and they have to get this medicine out of his system before surgery so that his blood will clot normally.

God is lifting us up and giving us a peace and a calm that surpasses what our minds can understand.

Thank you for your prayers and I will update here in a day or so.

UPDATE:  I just got word that Jeff's surgery has been postponed until early next week because of the medicine situation.  Please pray for God's protection during these few days as we wait for surgery.

© ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2015


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Prayer for the Precious Ones

THE PRECIOUS ONES: The precious ones include my children, my grandchildren, all descendants who come after me, all my grandparents descendants now living or yet to be born, my husband, siblings, in laws.

 And you, dear reader and all those who are precious to you. God bless you as you pray here. 

 From Psalm 78

6 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children,

 6 so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.

 7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.


From Psalm 80

Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

Our Prayer:

Oh God, we love you and thank you so much for this beautiful Monday that You have given us.

We worship You and give You all praise. 

You see the precious ones--those our hearts are so burdened for.

Would you restore them, O God, and make Your face shone on them-- That they may be saved--saved from the ravages of sin, from a life of no meaning, from the trapper's snare, from a life of not walking in the Spirit-- saved from themselves--

May each one determine to follow You with all his/her soul, mind, body and spirit-- May they want to know You from the inside out and adhere to all Your commandments--

 We love You, Father and trust that You gave us the commandments that would lead us to abundant life-- Because Your commandments are perfect, O God--

 We pray that we would love You above everything else-- Make that our desire, O God, our Strength and Redeemer.

 In Jesus' Name I pray.

 Amen

© ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2015

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Pray for Peace

It is amazing to me how fast the weeks are passing. Our lives are made up of moments that turn in to minutes, hours and days.

It is my desire to have a life that counts in the prayer department.

 Every Wednesday here on the blog we take the opportunity to pray for Jerusalem and all of Israel.  I usually add one other country that I have a burden for.  So today we will also be praying for Germany.

Father, We come before you today to ask your blessings on Jerusalem and all of Israel. We pray that in the days ahead you will burden our hearts more and more for Israel and teach us how to pray. In your Word we are told to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and we know that you are peace--the only true peace comes from you-- We pray that you would protect Israel from those who would want to destroy her, who would want this country wiped from the face of the map. When her enemies stretch forth their bows, may their arrows fall short--Psalm 58:7b And not only that, Lord, but we pray that her enemies would have miraculous encounters with you--we pray that You would make Yourself real to them in visions and dreams, in encounters that we cannot even imagine. And Germany, Lord, please bless the people of Germany today. Let your blessings flow unbounded, may many come to know You, even today. Thank you so much for the readers of this blog from that part of the world. Be gracious and compassionate towards them, Lord, and enrich their lives abundantly with the knowledge of You. Thank you for the power of prayer. All things we ask in the name of Jesus, Amen

© ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2015


I love hearing from you. Email address can be accessed at top left of this page. The above image includes a photo of a canvas I finished yesterday.

Circle of Strength

The following is an entry from my journal of 2001. While praying for my family tonight, I went back to reread some of my old journal entries. I hope these excerpts bless you and gives you hope and strength for whatever your family may be facing at the present.

Oh God, what do you desire for my family today? That they may be one, that they glorify you--that they have peace? You said, "My peace I leave with you." Grant us Your Peace.

Father, I thank you that you have blessed our family with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus.

I pray that all of our homes will be built with skillful and godly wisdom--that by Your understanding each couple will establish their home on a sound and good foundation and that by Your knowledge all the chambers will be filled with rare and priceless treasure.

Our homes are securely built on the Rock--revelation knowledge of Your Word, Jesus is our cornerstone. Jesus is Lord of each household. Jesus is our Lord--spirit, soul, and body.

Whatever may be our task today, let us work at it heartily as something done for You, Lord, and not for men. Let us love each other with Your kind of love, and we will dwell in peace. We deposit our homes into Your charge, we entrust our loved ones to Your protection and care.

Father, as for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord in Jesus Name.

November 2, 2001--Oh God, that my family would come to you today and eat the richest of fare--Let them eat so that their souls may live--This is my prayer for them today. -- From Isaiah 55

I pray that they will seek you while You maybe be found, that they would call on you while you are near--I pray that each one would turn from sin in their lives and that you would have mercy on them Father God.

In the Name of Jesus I pray and confess Your Word over my children and grandchildren, my nieces and nephews. Lord, I surround them all with my faith--faith in YOUR WORD that you watch over it to perform it--I confess that they are disciples of Christ taught of the Lord and obedient to Your Will. Great is the peace of my children, because You, God, contend with that which contends with my children, and You give them safety and ease.

November 7, 2001

Dear Family, I pray that all of you would be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. I urge you and pray that you put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. I pray that you realize that your struggle is not against flesh and blood but against forces of evil in the heavenly realms--

I pray that you put on this full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything--to STAND.

I pray for our whole family that whenever we open our mouths words may be given so that we will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.

From Acts 20:32--Now I commit you to God and to the Word of His Grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Now you see why we need so much prayer--smile!

(most of these prayers were taken directly from scripture)

A repost from 2010



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Praying for the Generations

Every Monday here on the blog we pray for our descendants, those who have come and will come after us. What a privilege, what a responsibility.

Heavenly Father,  It is our desire to be faithful to pray for our children and grandchildren and all those to come after us in our lineage.  It is also our desire to be diligent to talk to them about you--to talk of your unfailing love and promises, to let them see the ways you work in our own lives--to make known the fact that you have never and will never let us down.  That you will always be there for us and never leave us-- Father, in so doing, it is our hope and prayer that their hearts will be prepared for the day when they are confronted with You and making the eternal choice of a personal relationship with the God of the Universe through our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ.  Lord, we pray that each generation of our lineage would be faithful to tell of your great love, to make living for you a priority in their families.  We pray that not one of our lineage will be lost to the enemy of our soul--that ALL would come to a saving knowledge of You.  In Jesus' Name,            Amen

© ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2019

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

Every Wednesday here on the blog we pray for the Peace of Jerusalem.

I capitalized Peace because Jesus is Peace.  He is the answer to all the problems in the middle east and elsewhere.

I pray that people in Israel will turn to Him in growing numbers as well as people all over the world.

I especially have one other country on my heart today and that is Japan.  Every time the readership in a certain country goes higher than normal, it touches my heart and gives rise to the responsibility and privilege I have to pray for the precious people of that country.

Heavenly Father, 

Our hearts are filled with thoughts and prayers for our brothers and sisters in Israel and Japan--also for those who do not know you and are not members of this great family of God by trusting in your only Son, Jesus Christ. 

Lord, I pray today that You will make Yourself known to them--show Yourself mighty and strong and the answer to every one of their needs. May Your Holy Spirit move upon those nations and nations all around the world so that people in great numbers will turn to you. 

You are the Only Peace any of us will ever truly know.  We pray now for Your Peace.
In Jesus' Name--Amen

I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Genesis 12:3

© ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2015


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Praying for the Generations

Praying for our descendants is such a wonderful privilege.  So today I am praying for all of them and for all of my parents' descendants.  Through the day today I will name each of them by name--the ones who have been born--God knows the names of the others yet to come.

I will pray that each one comes to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.  A very intimate relationship with the Creator of the Universe is what I desire for them and what I know God desires for them.  There is a whole chapter about this in John 17.

When I was going through my fall pictures for a photograph to use today, the one above reminded me of our three sons--Jeffrey, Michael, and Christopher.

Since our three have already grown to 15 including our daughters-in-law and our grandson-in-law, it won't be too many more years before our heritage will look like the picture above and our lineage won't fit on one sheet of paper.

Wow!  Praying for a host, a multitude in one prayer is quite an awesome concept.
And yet, Jesus did that also in John 17.
He prayed for everyone of us.
All believers everywhere--I think that includes us!

“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” Jesus in John 17

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Jesus' Prayer for People Everywhere & Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

'Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.
 My prayer is not for them alone.

I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.
May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me.
May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." Portions of Jesus' prayer from John 17

 When I first started this blog, I remember being overcome by the awesome knowledge that people all over the world could access this website and could hear from a lowly, unworthy servant of God this great good news of salvation for the world.

 When I noticed this week that visitors from Australia, Austria, Hong Kong, Romania, Mexico, Ecuador, United Kingdom, Mongolia, Maylasia, Netherlands, India, Canada, the Republic of Korea, Ukraine, Philippines, and most states in America had accessed this blog in the last month, my heart leapt with the knowledge that I have the awesome privilege and responsibility to introduce you to this Jesus, the One who is praying for you at this very moment.

 I am praying for you that Jesus will meet every need that you have.

But what is really powerful and the most important thing is--Jesus is praying for YOU.

 In the prayer above Jesus is praying for believers but then He also prays for those "who will believe."

And dear friend, if you have never met this Jesus, it is YOU He is praying for.

He loves you and wants you to be One with Him, the Father and the body of Christ.

Pray a simple prayer such as this one--


Father God,

I know I am a sinner but I believe that you sent Jesus to die on the cross for my sins.  I turn from my sin in repentance and ask You to cleanse me and make me brand new.  Give me a new heart and wash me with Your blood.  Come into my heart and live inside of me.  Please help me grow in Your love and knowledge day by day and send sincere Christians to come along side of me to help me grow in this walk with You.  Help me lead other to You.

I praise you and thank you in Jesus' Name.  Amen

He wrote no book and yet His words and prayer are intimate on myriad tongues, are counsel everywhere. Therese Lindsey

Don't forget to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem today!

© ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2015

Portions of this post are from a previous post--


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Praying for the Generations

Praying for kids, grandkids and kiddos to come to God is such a great privilege and responsibility.

I do remind God frequently of my desire for all of my descendants to come to know Him in a very personal way, but I am really starting to look forward to Mondays when I know I will be praying with others and we will be joining together in corporate prayer (I was very redundant in that sentence but I'm not gonna change it because.......) and corporate prayer is so very wonderful and effective.  Where two or three are gathered together in His Name..........

I painted three angels recently that this our lovely granddaughter, Katelyn,  took to college with her to decorate her apartment with.  She has twinkle lights hanging over them and it looks so sweet.

And this is Kately and me when she was just a few months old--

Heavenly Father,  It is our desire to be faithful to pray for our children and grandchildren and all those to come after us in our lineage.  It is also our desire to be diligent to talk to them about you--to talk of your unfailing love and promises, to let them see the ways you work in our own lives--to make known the fact that you have never and will never let us down.  That you will always be there for us and never leave us-- Father, in so doing, it is our hope and prayer that their hearts will be prepared for the day when they are confronted with You and making the eternal choice of a personal relationship with the God of the Universe through our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ.  Lord, we pray that each generation of our lineage would be faithful to tell of your great love, to make living for you a priority in their families.  We pray that not one of our lineage will be lost to the enemy of our soul--that ALL would come to a saving knowledge of You.  In Jesus' Name,            Amen

© ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2015


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Political Science 101 and What's Happening In Our Yard Today

Iam not an expert in politics--in fact, very far from it.  However, I don't think it takes an elite intellectual to know that our country is veering further and further from what we were founded on--namely the principles of God.

God has blessed us so tremendously and now we are leaving Him out--

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.  2 Chronicles 7:14

This verse seems to tell us that the state of our land depends upon the condition of the heart of the people of God.

What we need to do

humble oursleves
pray
seek His face
turn from our wicked ways


What God says He will do

hear from heaven
forgive our sin
and heal our land


This has to begin at the grass roots level--right in our own backyard, or front yard, our very own turf wherever that may be.

We must earnestly pray.

We must seek His face.  What do you think it means to seek God's face.

Deut. 4:29

Psalm 14:2

Psalm 63:1

and my favorite

Jeremiah 29:13

We, the people of God, must ask God to show us what our wicked ways are--

Then we must be willing to turn from them

And then to actually turn from them--

Collectively if we all did this, can you even begin to imagine what an incredible revival we would experience.

In fact, it would be more than a revival, it would be another great awakening I think.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have a lot on my heart concerning all of this so I'm thinking this will be all for today and we will take this subject up again next week.  I am still not through being "too preachy!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My husband and his friend since childhood, David, are building a decorative fence outside our office window.  I am on the inside taking this picture and had a pretty good photo going until my husband raised the hammer.

Aw, this is better!

The first tinges of fall on our Pixie ____________.  My mind just went blank--can't remember the name of these.  I remind myself of Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail when she is sitting in front of the computer typing to her NY152 friend--she explains that every time she needs a good retort her mind just goes _____________.     B     L     A     N     K

Russian Sage

and the beautiful little button mums--

In the flag picture, you can see some of my hand-lettering on this address sign--

It's amazing how acrylic paints hold up to the weather--this has been up there

about 8 years I think--

Hope your weekend is blessed!

© ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2015


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Too Preachy? and Late Random Acts of Poetry Day

It's a beautiful sunshiny day here in Arkansas but a wee bit hot--we are supposed to get to almost 90 today and I am wishing for a nip in the air.

In a couple of weeks we should be having some cooler days--will look forward to those.

I hope your day and your weather are wonderful wherever you are.  When we are in the presence of God all of that is really just superficial however.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yesterday I mentioned "too preachy"--and I wanted to explain my position on this.

Some years ago when I first started my blog and was wanting to help disciple those who would read it, I started doing research about writing magazine articles for Christian mags.

You must remember I am old and from the "old school" so to speak but I was somewhat disappointed when I kept coming upon information that stated we shouldn't be "too preachy" in our writings.

I kept going back in my mind to those early days of marriage when I had just changed denominations. I had a wonderful upbringing in church even though it did place its thrust many times on "dos and don'ts."

Because of its emphasis on

don't smoke, don't chew

don't go with boys that do

(get my drift?)

somehow I could justify my behavior that I was a "pretty good Christian."

When I started the new denomination, its emphasis was more on the inner workings of Christianity--thought life, bitterness, anger, envy, impatience, lack of love, resentment, and the list goes on.

We had a wonderful preacher who was like steel velvet.  He could be so very hard and so very gentle and loving.

In my old denomination, we did not have "altar calls" every service--only when "the Spirit was moving."

In my new denomination, we had an altar call every service and because I had so much gunk in my heart (that I really hadn't realized before), it seemed I made a steady stream to the altar almost every service.

Month after month and year after year for several years, I was like an onion being peeled back--one layer at a time.  There were probably some who wondered, "What's wrong with that woman that she feels she must walk the aisle every service?"

Ever since then I have cherished "those hard sermons preached with such passion."  They led me to a freedom in Christ I had never experienced before.

TIME OUT for the record:  Yes, I still struggle at times with those same sins BUT I know God's way and want to follow it and I know the steps to take to get my life back in line with following in His footsteps.

So I am thankful for the "too preachy" sermons.

I am concerned that we are becoming a body of Christians who too often wants only to hear things that make us feel good about ourselves.  

Actually, the Bible has this to say about that--

2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

2 Timothy 4:1-4 

Let this be clear--I am talking about teaching and preaching the truth in love.

One day we will all be judged by God but none of us wants to be judged by our fellow man.  However, I believe the Bible teaches that leading someone (in love) to a hard truth that will enhance their walk with Christ is a an act of obedience.

SERMON OVER!

HALLELUJAH!

Love all of you!

© ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2015

And here is my Random Acts of Poetry Day poem that I penned about 20 years ago as I was jogging around a park close to my house--Now let's hope I can remember it--

At the Park

When meeting those walking on a dark and dreary day--

It's easy to tell the pessimistic from the optimistic fella--

One has his sunglasses--

The other--his umbrella!

This actually happened to me one day and it got downright amusing--almost no one had both--

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Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

While driving through a neighborhood the other day, I did a double take when I saw these gorgeous flowers spilling over a mailbox and out into the street.

Even though I love this photo, it doesn't begin to do the flowers justice.

What is it they say about Autumn?--the year's last most beautiful smile--something like that--anyway these made me smile and made me drive in a loop to come back so I could stop and take a picture.

Speaking of seasons--I am in a season of transition in my life and I wish I was dealing with it better.  For those of you who don't know--I am 71--albeit in many ways a very young 71 as far as thinking etc.-- and have just come through my second total knee replacement.

That part of my body is healing pretty nicely although total recovery can take up to a year and I am never unaware that I have a big piece of metal and plastic in my leg.

My other adjustments include a bad back and joints trying to deal with advancing arthritis.  To put it mildly, I am just not moving like I used to--life as I've always known it is no more--so now comes the transition and the adjustments and I pray that I grow in God's grace during this time and learn how to deal with "a new normal."

One thing I love and can still do is write although I have let that slide as the motivation and inspiration have taken a back seat to everything else going on.  I am working on that and trying very hard to discipline myself in that area.

Another thing I can do is pray--I can be more faithful than I have ever been to pray for the generations, the nations, the neighbors, my family, my blog readers.  I am also working on disciplining myself in that area also.

The enemy does not like prayer and will do most anything to disrupt our days and our minds to keep us from "our greatest resource."

A couple of weeks ago I made the statement to my sister-in-law that prayer is our greatest resource and she immediately responded with-- "Prayer is our only resource." And yes, she is so right. That may initiate some thought on your part but when it's all said and done,  we have only prayer to rely upon.  Think about it.  When death's dew is on your brow, or the brow of a loved one, what else do you have? When unwelcome change comes to your life, oh yes, there are friends and loved ones whose words can soothe BUT what do you have that will really make a difference? And when I speak of prayer I am speaking about praying to God through Jesus Christ.  The Bible teaches that that is the only way we can approach God. This may not sound inclusive to some but it really is because Jesus says, "Whosoever will may come."

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through me.  John 14:6

Do I sound "too preachy" today?

God willing, I will have some thoughts on that tomorrow.  

In the meantime---

Please join me in praying for Jerusalem and all of Israel as well as my blog readers in Bangladesh.  One of the sweetest students I ever taught was from Bangladesh and I am thinking especially of him and his family today--

Heavenly Father, 

Our hearts are filled with thoughts and prayers for our brothers and sisters in Israel and Bangladesh--also for those who do not know you and are not members of this great family of God by trusting in your only Son, Jesus Christ. 

Lord, I pray today that You will make Yourself known to them--show Yourself mighty and strong and the answer to every one of their needs. May Your Holy Spirit move upon those nations and cause people in great numbers to turn to you. 

You are the Only Peace any of us will ever truly know.  We pray now for Your Peace.
In Jesus' Name--Amen

© ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2015

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Praying for the Generations

Wow! It has been almost two months since my surgery. I never dreamed it would take me this long to get back to posting regularly but I hope that is what will happen very, very soon.

 I am especially thinking about the victims' families of the college shooting in Oregon this past week. My heart bleeds for those who lost family members and those who were severely injured whose lives will never be the same.

None of us have the promise of tomorrow.  And so it is with heavy heart that I am drawn back to "praying for the generations."

We know only that we have today to pray for them.

For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you,   and in the day of salvation I helped you."  I tell you, now is the time of God's favor,  now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

And so it is Father, that we come to you today, while we still have the opportunity, while the generations behind us still have the opportunity to choose YOU and we ask that you would start even TODAY, even this moment, to woo them to You through Your precious Holy Spirit. 

We pray that each one will KNOW that it is your will that ALL come to repentance.  There is room for all at the foot of Your cross. 

And for the ones who have already chosen You, we pray a special blessing.  We pray that they will always stand strong, that their faith in You will be the guiding force of their lives, that they will be ready if they are called upon to be a martyr for you as so many were last week. 

Oh God, may we NEVER be ashamed of the Cross of Jesus Christ.  We know that we cannot do this without You, Father.   We know that our strength comes from You.

We always ask in Jesus' Name--Amen 

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© ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2015

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The picture above is our granddaughter, Caroline. Caroline is in her first year of college on basketball scholarship. She is 6 feet tall--!

My Hiding Place

Surely He is our only Hiding Place. In these days of uncertainty, global unrest, and crimes against God and humanity that some seem to be turning a deaf ear to--God is our only Hope.

You are my hiding place  You protect me from trouble  and surround me with songs of deliverance Psalm 32:7

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Search Me

Search me, God, and know my heart;
 test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
 and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23, 24

© ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2015

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I Wore A Garland Yesterday

Yesterday was my birthday and it was such a gift. I had the best day I've had in many weeks--physically, emotionally, spiritually and every other way.

I know as Christians that we are supposed to walk by faith and not by sight but it seems I had not been walking in my faith as I should have.  The rigors of all the aspects of rehab plus the pain had begun to take a toll PLUS I went long weeks without sleeping and sleep deprivation is a killer.

However, yesterday could not have been more beautiful.  I wore a garland--a garland of love, best wishes, cards, texts (especially from grandchildren), phone calls, Facebook greetings and I shared it with my aunt, my daughter-in-law, my sister, my sister-in-law,  a first cousin, my niece and her two beautiful children (Lilly and Dax) and two out of three of my sons--I talked by phone with the other one and his precious family.

Here is one of the flowers I wore yesterday--my beautiful great niece, Lilly Jane!

I am loaded down with garlands--my sister-in-law brought these gorgeous sunflowers!

God sure knew what would lift my spirits and my heart on my birthday.

I painted the watercolor girl last week and had named it then--The Last Garland of Summer.

But yesterday I felt just like this girl looks--like I couldn't have carried any more blessings--I was so so loaded down with beautiful gifts from God--this girl will be one of those that I can't part with--simply because she will always bring back so many memories.

Thank you to all of my online friends for your birthday wishes and prayers.  I am on my way out of this slump and with God I can scale a wall!

© ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2015


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Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem IV and Afghanistan

It has been several weeks since I posted about praying for the peace of Jerusalem but today is the day we start back on our quest to pray for Israel and one other nation each Wednesday.

Today as I thought about the readers of this blog from other countries, my heart stopped at Afghanistan.

Heavenly Father, Our hearts are filled with thoughts and prayers for our brothers and sisters in Israel and Afghanistan--also for those who do not know you and are not members of this great family of God by trusting in your only Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, I pray today that You will make Yourself known to them--show Yourself mighty and strong and the answer to every one of their needs.  May Your Holy Spirit move upon those nations and cause people in great numbers to turn to you. Oh God, our hearts go out to the refugees all across Europe and we pray Your love, peace, protection and provision for them.  May many come to You during this time of extreme hardship. We always pray in Jesus' Name for that is what You taught us. Amen

© ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2015





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Recovery and Blessings to be Counted

Ihave missed you and missed being in this spot where we raise our voices in prayer together.

As most of you know, I had total knee replacement surgery on August 11.  I have had good days and bad days--highs and lows--ups and downs--victories and defeats.

One of the good things is--the range of motion in my knee is better than my last knee surgery.

I painted for the first time since surgery three or four days ago--the sunflower picture above is the first one.

I have really disappointed myself during this recovery in many ways--being jealous and envious of those who are able to do all the things that I am not able to do--the enemy comes in and tries to make me feel sorry for myself--

of almost every person and activity I notice------------the knees are working-------and mine aren't!

Do I notice that the eyes are working and mine are also?

Do I notice that the ears are working and mine are too?

Do I notice a thousand different parts of the human body that are functioning properly and mine as well?

No, when we give in to the enemy we only notice where we are lacking.

God forgive me.  Please forgive me.

I have so very much to be thankful for and well I know that.  Even though I don't think of it as my best, I know that some of you would love to be able to paint a sunflower picture--I don't take that for granted.

I don't take for granted that I am NOT one of the refugees struggling through Europe right now or one of so many persecuted Christians throughout the world.

Yes, my struggles are so small compared to so many and that is why it is good to count our blessings.

Praying for you today--that you will not be defeated by the schemes of the enemy.

And praising God for the miraculous things He has done.

Psalm 8:1
O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

© ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2015

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