a blessed day.

Every day is blessed.

But some days,

the really special ones,

it’s as if you can taste the sweetness that pours forth,

like a bright cherry popsicle on a hot summer day!

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When we contemplate the blessings of faith even now, as if gazing at a reflection in a mirror, it is, as if we already possessed the wonderful things which our faith assures us we shall one day enjoy.”  (CCC163)

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The word of the Lord came to me, saying:  Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.” 

Jeremiah 1:4-5

The Gift of Love

“Brothers & sisters:  Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.  But I shall show you a still more excellent way.

If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant  or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;  it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part;  but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways.  For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.  And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 12:31- 13:13

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“In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame.  In your justice rescue me, and deliver me: incline your ear to me, and save me.  Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety, for you are my rock and my fortress.” Psalm 71: 1-2, 3

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“For you are my hope, O Lord; my trust, O God, from my youth.  On you I depend from birth; from my mothre’s womb you are my strength.” Psalm 71: 5-6

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“My mouth shall declare your justice, day by day your salvation.  O God, you have taught me from my youth, and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeeds.” Psalm 71: 15, 17

What were the blessings you received today?

3hugs n’ blessings to all the popsicle eaters, no matter which flavor you enjoyed!

pumpkin patch

it’s the monday giggles…

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and autumnn is falling quickly upon us!

I love, love, love, love, love Fall! 

I love the cooler temperatures that force us into jean-jackets and warm sweaters. I love plaid ponchoes and crochete-shawls draped over the shoulders.  I love the colors of the changing leaves and the sounds of “swish” & “crunch” walking through them beneath my feet. Not to mention the glee at jumping into a huge pile raked all together and the giggles from friends as they pick out the remnants left behind in my leaf-tossed hair!

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And of course it won’t be too very long until we sip on fresh-pressed local cider from Fuhrman’s before heading off to discover a resplendent pumpkin patch!

(A most magical place to be reminded of a forum by the great Philospher, Linus.)

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Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch that he thinks is the most sincere. He’s gotta pick this one. He’s got to. I don’t see how a pumpkin patch can be more sincere than this one. You can look around and there’s not a sign of hypocrisy. Nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see.” Linus

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And I can’t help but to think, “Isn’t it so too with our God?”

Most Christians agree that sitting with God

is excellent therapy

for a troubled mind.

Indeed!”

Dawn Marie

God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all of the dirt off. Then, He cuts the top off and scoops out all of the yucky stuff. He removes seeds of doubt, hate, greed, unforgiveness, etc. Then, He carves a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see!

Are you letting your light shine?

I do so verily hope you will join me in making THIS autumn one you will endeavor to

Shine for Jesus!

What will you be carving this year?

Here’s a few suggestions from me!

(Except let’s turn those Minion frowns upside-down!)

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( Giggles!)

A Pumpkin-Carving Prayer

(To be used while carving your pumpkin!)

{cut off top of pumpkin}
Lord, open my mind so I can learn new things about you.
{remove innards}
Remove the things in my life that don’t please you.
Forgive the wrong things I do and help me to forgive others.
{cut open eyes}
Open my eyes to see the beauty you’ve made in the world around me.
{cut out nose}
I’m sorry for the times I’ve turned my nose at the goodness you provide.
{cut out mouth}
Let everything I say please You.
{light the candle}
Lord, help me show your light to others through the things I do!

Amen.

hugs n’ blessings for all the light you bring to me and countless others!

it’s a brand new day!

dancing through my head…

(Music by: Joshua Radin)

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Some kind of magic
Happens late at night
When the moon smiles down at me
And bathes me in it’s light

I fell asleep beneath you
In the tall blades of grass
When I woke the world was new
I never had to ask

It’s a brand new day
The sun is shinning
It’s a brand new day
For the first time
In such a long long time
I know
I’ll be OK

Most kind of stories
Save the best part for last
Most stories have a hero who finds
You make your past your past
Ya you make your past your past

It’s a brand new day
The sun is shinning
It’s a brand new day
For the first time
In such a long long time
I know
I’ll be OK

This cycle never ends
You gotta fall
In order to mend

And it’s a brand new day
It’s a brand new day
For the first time
In such a long long time
I know
I’ll be OK

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hugs n’ blessings to all the heroes at the end of the story…

“Remember that you are in the world and not of the world. The Holy Spirit within you can stir up hope if you will believe in the sovereignty of God in spite of the wickedness of the world.”

Psalm 42:5

Your best start to any brand new day is in the Word of God!