Spring is Starting to Pop Up!

A Tray of Leeks

I am so excited that I am starting to finally see signs of spring here. I have to admit to those who don't know this about me but I am not a natural lover of gardening. My hubby the gardener and he has slowly lured me into helping him. I do enjoy certain parts of the garden more than others. For example after planting and waiting and then the plants just... break forth out of the ground is such a simple pleasure of mine. It to me is a sign of hope and new life. New life coming forth is such a pure joy, if it be a new born baby, or animal, or plant. I loved the verse in the creation account in Genesis that mentions that God planted a garden. He didn't speak it to be but it said He planted it. That just shows the loving and caring side in our creator that I think is missed ohhh too often. I didn't catch that till I was in my 30's and I went to a woman's breakfast at church and a sweet lady who was the speaker drew our attention to that. Isn't our Lord so amazing. I hope that you take a moment sometime this spring and stand and be amazed at our Lord's creation and know that it didn't just evolve but was a gift from our creator who thought out every detail as a gift for us.

.....Simple Pleasures is to remind me to stop, to look, to listen, to slow down and pay closer attention to the simple things in life. And when ever I do, I am never disappointed.

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A Time of Prayer and Fasting

I want to share where God is humbling and growing me right now. Please know this post is not to glorify me but to glorify HIM. Please do not take this as "a look at me moment" but it is a I want to share what the Lord is doing post. Please know this post is given from a very humbled spirit and I hope it will inspire someone if the Lord wants it to.

I have heard about fasting over the years and I had only tried once and totally failed before the day was out. I had tried to not have coffee for a period of time and the flesh was very weak but the spirit was willing. ( this was before I had given up coffee for good) Now some years later I have been needing a time of deep renewal in my relationship with the Lord. Because I know He is working things out in me so I felt a deep pulling inside to try fasting again. I thought very seriously about what I would fast from and because of my blood sugar issues I was very leery of fasting from food. Then I had heard about the Daniel Fast but for me to give up meat was not much of a sacrifice but I may still try this in the future. But in the sermon I heard on fasting recently the pastor mentioned that even a fast from the internet could be a fast. That struck a chord in my spirit and knew that was what I needed at this time.

Christian Fasting - Focus Deeper on God
Christian fasting isn't some kind of a "work" that's commanded by Christ or required by Scripture. However, that doesn't mean that fasting isn't recommended as a part of our spiritual growth. The Book of Acts records believers fasting before they made important decisions (Acts 13:4; 14:23). Fasting and prayer are often linked together (Luke 2:37; 5:33). Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food. However, the purpose of fasting is to take our eyes off the things of this world and instead focus on God. Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God and to ourselves that we are serious about our relationship with Him. Although fasting in Scripture is almost always a fasting from food, there are other ways to fast. Anything you can temporarily give up in order to better focus on God can be considered a fast (1 Corinthians 7:1-5). Fasting should be limited to a set time, especially when the fasting is from food. Extended periods of time without eating are harmful to the body. Fasting is not intended to punish our flesh, but to focus on God.

"Yes, it's a good idea for believers to fast from time to time. Fasting is not required in Scripture, but it's highly recommended. The primary Biblical reason to fast is to develop a closer walk with God. By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can focus better on Christ. "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:16-18)."

That Sunday I asked my hubby to check emails for me and I would not go on the computer on Sunday's and Monday's. I am not sure how long I will keep doing this but the Lord is blessing these times with Him like I truly had hoped. He is leading me in my prayer and quiet times where He is peeling off layers that have needed facing for a long while. I am very excited and humbled at the same time.

"Christian fasting is more than denying ourselves food or something else of the flesh - it's a sacrificial lifestyle before God. In Isaiah 58, we learn what a "true fast" is. It's not just a one-time act of humility and denial before God, it's a lifestyle of servant ministry to others. As Isaiah tells us, fasting encourages humility, loosens the chains of injustice, unties the chords of the yoke, frees the oppressed, feeds the hungry, provides for the poor, and clothes the naked. This concept of fasting isn't a one day thing - it's a lifestyle of servant living for God and others.

"Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am' (Isaiah 58:8-9)."

If the Lord strikes a chord in your heart to try this I pray that you will be as blessed as I have been in prayer and fasting.

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He Hath Heard My Voice

Our family was not able to make it to church on Sunday because our road (which is on a steep hill) was a sheet of ice. After we attempted and thankfully parked our car and we went home. I prayed for what our family would study together that morning. And the Lord gave me a verse...

Psalm 116

¹I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

²Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

I was very encouraged that day as our family started a bible study together. We are using Understanding The Bible~ A Biblical Survey. It covers from Genesis to Revelations. I love how the verse the Lord gave and saw how he lead our family that day. It also spoke to my heart that my Lord has not forgotten me and knows what I need. I love how the Lord never turns His back on us even when we might feel that He is distant. He isn't but what it means I need to put all that doesn't matter aside and to gather at His feet and and pray all the more fervently and gather close to Him.

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Simple Pleasures~ Knitting in the Round

This week I took some yarn that I had hand dyed and then made a sweet gift ( a cowl) for a sweet friend. There is something so fun about knitting in the round. I added a bit of lace knitting to it but not too much because it would be lost in the texture of the yarn. I am very pleased how it turned out. I find when I have a lot on my mind and heart I tend to knit more. It is a very therapeutic way to sooth the nerves and mind. And a wonderful time to pray.

.....Simple Pleasures is to remind me to stop, to look, to listen, to slow down and pay closer attention to the simple things in life. And when ever I do, I am never disappointed.

To join click on the Simple Pleasures graphic and see what it is all about.

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What A Friend We Have in Jesus

The Lord woke me up this week with this song singing in my heart. I have had some sweet blogging sister's in Christ impacting me in being simple and drawing near our Lord. I have been laying down what is not important, my fears, praying more and just laying everything at His feet. I have been feeling so blessed and I can finally hear the whispers of the Lord again. It has been too long. It feels so good to lay all my doubts down at his feet and to ask Him to meet me at my unbelief. Yes, our Lord can take it and will come along side us and pick us up in His arms and love and minister to our souls in these times. Thank you Lord for who you are and for all your love despite our sinful nature.

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
   All our sins and griefs to bear!
   What a privilege to carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
   Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
   Oh, what needless pain we bear,
   All because we do not carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a friend so faithful,
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our every weakness;
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
   Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Savior, still our refuge—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
   Take it to the Lord in prayer!
   In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
   Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
   Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
   May we ever, Lord, be bringing
   All to Thee in earnest prayer.
   Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
   There will be no need for prayer—
   Rapture, praise, and endless worship
   Will be our sweet portion there.

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Count It JOY

In the last 1o years the Lord occasionally will give me a message through a wonderful man at church. I really do feel like I am hearing a direct audio-able message from the Lord. I am usually in tears because it pierces my heart as I hear what is being said. This dear sweet man of God has taken such physical wounds and have allowed to learn from them and praise the Lord and constantly minister to others. He shares his story and shares how God is in control and knows every last detail of what is happening in our lives. He shares how he was spared two times from near death accidents and lives to still spread the good news. He says that God must not be done with him yet here on earth or the Lord can't stand him and is not ready for him to come home yet. [0= He shared how nothing in our lives is happening outside of Gods protection. He knows everything what we need and is very involved in our lives. Nothing is too hard for God. He shared with me that after suffering for 20 years then a second near death accident that happened year ago is causing his body to heal things that he has suffered from the first accident. PTL!

For 20 years he would have to leave right after church to avoid all the noise because it would cause such pain and suffering but now he can stay and visit. He also couldn't sing because it would cause such suffering but over the last month or so he has been able to sing through a whole service. What doctors thought would never improve IS. PTL !

As my dear friend was sharing all this with my this last Sunday I felt God was speaking strait to me. I felt through my dear friends words that the Lord was saying to me that He (God) knows every last detail in my life. That He (God) is in control of it all and knows what I need. I felt the Lord was telling me through my friend that He has not forgotten me. ( sometimes lately in my frustration I felt this) I have never given up but I have felt tired and dry and I am very ready for the Lord to breath new life into me again. I prayed that this morning in my quiet time with the Lord. I am ready to trust even when times get tough.

I am going to share that things have been very tight lately. With friends who have followed my blogging over the last 4 and half years know that I am very frugal but the Lord is teaching me even more in this department. I have said over the last couple of years...." I have cut so many corners that I am down to a circle". *grin* Well every time I seem to say that.... the Lord says that there are a few more corners you can cut. I rejoice that I am learning this because I am thankful as I learn to cut another corner that I get to share with others how to save money and put it where it is more needed.

"I count JOY my brethren when I meet various trials for the testing of my faith produces steadfastness and let steadfastness take full effect so that I may be perfect and complete."

James 1:2-5

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