Giveaway - This Picture Needs A Caption

Just a fun little contest for you all :)

I spotted this picture in the Sunday Meijer ad, and I busted a gut. And every time I look at it, I STILL bust a gut!

So...I want YOU to bust a gut too! AND, just for fun, I'm gonna have a bit of a contest to go with it. All you need to do is come up with a caption for this picture. You have until Friday at midnight to comment here on my blog with what you think belongs under this picture. I'll pick my favorite (yes - this is SUBJECTIVE) and give an interesting prize (LOL not sure what - am going to Meijer today and will pick something out). AND I'll also pick a name randomly from all those who entered and give away another prize (probably a book with one of my stories in it - depends on what I can dig up). I'll announce the winners Saturday morning - AND you can enter from ANYWHERE.

And now, without further ado: the picture!



(and in case you're wondering - it is ACTUALLY for hunters)

Have fun!

Friday Fiction: "A Penny Short"

Welcome to my contribution to Fiction Friday, hosted by Sherri at A Candid Thought. Make sure that you head over to her blog and link up with your own fiction. Or, if you just want to read some great fiction (ALWAYS great in my opinion!), head over to Sherri's blog and check out the links there.

This is another old challenge entry - over two and a half years old, to be exact! The topic was "cooking and baking," and it's still one I look back on fondly. Hope you enjoy the read!

A Penny Short

Little Penelope Robinson dragged her well-worn khaki duffel bag behind her as she trudged down the poorly lit downtown street. Seeing a glimmer on the sidewalk, she stopped short; flipping her matted hair out of her eyes, she got down on her hands and knees to investigate. A dime – she smiled, picked up the coin, and shoved it in the front pocket of her shirt. She felt for what else might be there and pulled her fingers out to look at the contents. She did the figuring in her mind and replaced her coins. Another six cents and she could get one.

Penny continued her trek. Most of the stores along her path were closed, but she could see lights a few hundred feet down. The closer she got, the quicker her pace became, until she was trotting toward the window of The Blissful Baker, where she stopped. Lowering herself to the ground, she sat cross-legged on the sidewalk, inches from the window, and stared at the mostly empty display cases. All she could see was a few donuts and a dozen or so cookies, but Penny knew more were coming. With the sun just beginning to rise, the bakery would be opening soon, and Mr. Zarba would never open without his cases filled with delicious treats.

Penny closed her eyes and breathed in deeply through her nose. The aroma of baking goods and coffee filled her nostrils and brought a feeling of contentment over her that belied her unkempt appearance. As she continued breathing deeply, every muscle relaxed and the corners of her mouth crept upward into a relaxed smile.

A bang on the window interrupted her reverie. Mr. Zarba, attempting to place a tray full of bagels in the front case, had stumbled, causing the tray to slam into the window. Half a dozen of the treats flew off the tray and onto the floor. Looking ahead to investigate the damage, she noticed Mr. Zarba’s face level with hers, where he was on his hands and knees, picking up his dropped wares. She quickly averted her eyes, and spied a nickel beside her on the sidewalk, which she quickly pocketed.

Raising her eyes again, she saw Mr. Zarba, no longer looking her way, putting the remaining bagels in the case. Penny reached into her pocket, recounted her change, and sighed. She scanned the ground, spotting a collection of cigarette butts and an empty potato chip bag, but no coins. Depositing the garbage in a nearby receptacle, she returned to the shop window.

The bakery case was full now. Staring at all those donuts, bagels, and cookies made her mouth water, but the smells were enough to keep her glued to her spot on the sidewalk. They almost silenced the roar of her empty stomach.

Looking above the display case, she saw Mr. Zarba walking toward the front door, likely to open for business. Penny hastily stood up, grabbed her duffel bag and started traipsing further along the sidewalk. It was one thing to look at the tasty morsels – watching someone walk out of the shop with one in hand was more than she could bear.

“Little girl!”

Penny stopped and turned her head to find Mr. Zarba chasing after her. She waited, her eyes transfixed on a hole in her left shoe. Mr. Zarba tapped her on the shoulder.

“Little girl, are you all right? Would you like a little something?”

She shook her head. Regardless, the baker gently took Penny’s hand and led her back to the bakery. Allowing herself to be dragged along, she kept her eyes focused on the sidewalk ahead of her.

“What is your name, little girl?”

“Penny,” she mumbled, her eyes still lowered.

“Well, Penny, I would very much like to give you a donut and a bath, if you’ll let me.”

She looked up cautiously.

Mr. Zarba smiled. “Actually, it would be Mrs. Zarba who gives you the bath, but the donut would definitely be from me.”

Penny smiled despite herself as she walked into the shop with her new friend.

As they got to the counter, she emptied her pocket on the table. “Please let me buy the donut. I have almost enough.”

Mr. Zarba smiled at this proud girl. He counted the change.

“Well, my dear, you are the only extra Penny I’ll need.”

**

Thanks for reading! Be sure to stop by Sherri's blog for more great fiction.

The Days Of Awe

Right now, Jews are in the middle of the holiest days on their calendar. Rosh Hashannah, the Jewish New Year and Feast of Trumpets, began the High Holy Days last Friday evening. They will end this coming Tuesday evening with the conclusion of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

Join me over at Exemplify today, where I provide a bit more background on this time of the year, also called The Days of Awe. Since I've become a believer these Holy Days always give me much to ponder--and be thankful for. Hope to see you there!

One of my favorite parts of these days are the ritualistic blowing of the ram's horn, or shofar. It's quite a difficult thing to do (just ask anyone who's tried!), but the sound is SO worth listening to. If you scroll down one post, I have a youtube video of someone blowing one in my post from yesterday.

Thanks for stopping by!

Word-Filled Wednesday: Shofar

Welcome to my contribution to Word-Filled Wednesday, hosted this week by Susan at Forever His. Be sure to stop by her blog for more visual inspiration from scripture.

This is the time of the Jewish High Holy Days, and nothing brings back memories of this time like the sounding of the ram's horn, or shofar. It is a beautiful sight as well as sound. (If you're interested, I write a bit about this time in my post at Exemplify tomorrow)



Make music to the LORD with the harp,with the harp and the sound of singing,with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn— shout for joy before the LORD, the King. Psalm 98:5-6



Thanks for reading (and listening!). Be sure to stop by Susan's blog for more

The Fight - Monday Manna

Welcome to Monday Manna. The purpose of this meme is to get together and get to know Christ more through His Word. On the first and third Monday of each month, anyone who wishes can post their thoughts on a verse I introduced at my blog the Thursday before. It doesn't have to be a long post -- just a few thoughts, a picture you feel helps express it, a poem, a short story, a devotional.

Anyone is welcome to participate. Just put a link to your Monday Manna blog entry in the MckLinky gadget below, and check out others' thoughts.

I have been very busy the past several weeks. In times like this, verses like this one are just what I need to hear and meditate on.

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14

My thoughts are below. Looking forward to your contributions as well.

**

My shoulders are sagging, my arms aching, my knees buckling. So very, very tired.

The task before me is enormous. The result is far from sure. I have made but scant progress. The weight of this battle is heavy on my back; heavy on my mind; heavy on my heart.

But I must plod forward. It is the work I must do.

I lift my arm. It falls back to my side. I place my foot out. It falls to the ground once again. I crumble to the floor and weep.

I can't do it, Lord.

I know.

I wrinkle my brow. You KNOW, Father?

Yes, My child. I know you can't do it.

I lift my eyes and arm to the heavens. Then why have You put me in the middle of it?

Because, My child, while you cannot do it, I can. When you work on your own power, you work against me. You must stop striving and let Me do the work. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Tears well in my eyes. Yes, Lord. You do it. I will be still. I will rest in You and allow Your power to accomplish what I cannot.

Good, My child. For that is the only way you will win this fight.

Yes, Lord. How I wish I had known this sooner.

So do I, My child. So do I.

**

Thanks for reading! Be sure to link up below with your own thoughts, and/or read the other folks' contributions. Blessings to you!

Friday Fiction: "The Prayer Walk"

I have the incredible blessing and privilege of hosting Friday Fiction this week for my dear, dear friend (and brain sharer!) Patty from Patterings. If you want to participate, post some fiction on your blog and link up in the McKLinky gadget at the bottom of my post - and don't miss reading other folks' contributions. They're always wonderful.

Breaking the rules today and posting a poem (though it isn't a TRUE poem, so I guess that still counts as fiction! LOL). Wrote this over two years ago. It came out of nowhere (LOL aka God's inspiration), and it was one of my very early Editors' Choice winners for the FaithWriters' Writing Challenge. It was the dreaded genre quarter--which is about the ONLY reason I wrote a poem LOL. Hope you enjoy it.

THE PRAYER WALK

I needed a place
to look into God's face
and share all my troubles in prayer.

The people around
and distractions abound
made me long for a refuge from there;

A place I could know of His care.


In nature, it seemed
was the place where I'd dreamed
I'd commune with the Lord as I pray.

Yet I strolled through the park
and I heard a remark
from a stranger I passed on the way.

"Please help me!" the man seemed to say.


I looked in his eyes
and to my surprise
I found I could see in his soul.

His anger and pain
each loss and each gain
were there for my eyes to behold.

He was aching to be in control.


His hopes were all shattered
his dreams, torn and tattered.
How he longed for his heartache to cease.

So I reached out my hand
and hoped he'd understand
that I wanted to help him find peace.

My Lord Jesus could give him release.


So we sat and we shared
and our hearts God repaired
and the lesson we learned in the end:

that the most ideal way
to find God when you pray
is to come to the aid of a friend.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to link up below, and read other folks' fiction. Great stuff!

Still - Monday Manna for September 21

The purpose of Monday Manna is to get together and get to know Christ more through His Word.

On the first and third Mondays of each month, anyone who wants to participate can post their thoughts on a specific verse--posted here at my blog on the Thursday before, to allow you to chew on it over the weekend. It doesn't have to be long -- just a few thoughts, a picture you feel helps express it, a poem, a short story, a devotional. Just post it on your blog on Mondayish (early OR late is fine, by the way!), then come back here and link up in the MckLinky gadget that will be at the bottom of MY post at o'dark thirty that morning.

I've been moving. A lot. And I know I'm not the only one. This seemed like a good thing to meditate on.

So, here is Monday's verse:

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14

Hope this verse motivates you - and that you'll put something together and link up here on Monday . See you then!

Overflowing (Word-Filled Wednesday)

Welcome to my contribution to Word-Filled Wednesday, hosted this week by the lovely Christy at Critty Joy. Be sure to stop by her blog for more visual inspiration from Scripture.

I just love waterfalls. Love the sound of them, the look of them. They always remind me of the Lord's overflowing love and mercy - and everything else that overflows from Him.


May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Be sure to stop by Christy's blog for more visual inspiration from scripture.

From One Scarred Hand To The Other

I love contemporary Christian music, but I haven't been listening to it much in the past few years. I'm either listening to the kids' music, silence(which is SO nice!) or a CD. It seems that I only come across this type of music when someone at my church sings it.

Well, this morning was one of those mornings. One of the teens in our church sang this incredibly powerful song for special music. Listen to it - AND read the words. Such a message that too many of us forget.

East to West
By Casting Crowns

Here I am, Lord, and I'm drowning in your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don't want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind, keeps me awake tonight
I know You've cast my sin as far as the east is from the west
And I stand before You now as though I've never sinned
But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west
'cause I can't bear to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again Your truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in
Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

I know You've washed me white, turned my darkness into light
I need Your peace to get me through, to get me through this night
I can't live by what I feel, but by the truth Your word reveals
I'm not holding on to You, but You're holding on to me
You're holding on to me

Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west
I don't have to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other
(Just how far the east is from the west, just how far)
One scarred hand to the other
(Lord, Just how far the east is from the west, just how far)
From one scarred hand to the other.
© 2007 Reunion

Praying we can remember just how far away the Lord casts our sins.

Friday Fiction: "Small Craft Advisory"

Welcome to my contribution to Fiction Friday, hosted by Karlene at "Homespun Expressions. Make sure that you head over to her blog and link up with your own fiction. Or, if you just want to read some great fiction (ALWAYS great in my opinion!), head over to her blog and check out the links there.

I wrote this one 14.2 million years ago (LOL actually, two and a half years ago) for the Writing challenge - topic was craft. Was an experiment in POV. I think I did okay with that ;) And I'm SO tickled with the title I came up with (hehe - don't mind me).

Small Craft Advisory

Bess rolled over, her body facing the room’s small window. The sunlight slipping through the blinds and across her face was enough to make her crack open her eyes and scrunch her face into a perturbed look. She groped toward the right side of the queen-sized bed. Finding it empty, she sighed deeply, then looked at the nightstand clock. 9:32am

**
9:32am
“Ladies, ladies!” The chatter of the women decreased as all sat at a table and turned toward Gladys, a slight, middle-aged woman with sparkling eyes.

“We should get started. Cheryl needs to leave at 10 – that only gives us half an hour.”

Cheryl, a young blonde, nodded

“Okay, then. Let’s pray.”

The group nodded as Gladys bowed her head.

“Heavenly Father, You are gracious and loving. Thank You for being here among us, and guiding the decisions we make today. Lord, be with us as we plan this Christmas dinner. Help us to include activities that will please You, and to create a program that will put the focus on Your Son. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

Gladys motioned toward Cheryl, who smiled.

“I’ll start so I can sneak out early if needed,” Cheryl said. “The tables are mostly taken care of. We can use the church’s tablecloths, and the Vines are lending us tableware from their catering business. I have a call in to Frieda’s Flowers for centerpieces. The only thing left is the small craft item we put with each table setting.”

“Have you called Bess?” a wiry, matronly woman asked.

Cheryl sighed. “I wanted to ask you all about it first.”

**

Bess poured hot water over the teabag she had placed in her mug. Glancing at the calendar, then the oven clock, she sighed again.

They were meeting right now. They might be calling her shortly, and she didn’t know what she would say. She wasn’t sure she had the heart for it. Bess hadn’t used her hands in that way in several weeks - since the day before Abe died.

**

“I know she’s been making them for years…,” Cheryl began.

“Twenty years – three times a year,” the wiry woman added. “Every Christmas, Easter, and Mother’s Day since 1986, when she and Abe joined.”

“I know, Margaret, but don’t you think it’s early to ask her to do this? She’s still dealing with grief.”

“Can’t hurt to ask,” Margaret blurted. “She can always say no.”

Gladys shook her head. “Bess has trouble refusing ministry opportunities. I think we need to seek God in this.”

**

Bess settled into her rocking chair, placed her cup on the table beside it, and bowed her head.

“Lord, You know how much I love making things with my hands. Knitting, crocheting, and beading are talents You gave me to glorify You. But my heart and hands just haven’t been into crafts since Abe passed. You know me, Lord – better than I know myself. Help me know if this is Your will. Make it clear to me, Father!”

**

“Ladies, let’s bow our heads.”

A hush fell over the room. After a minute, Melody spoke.

“Heavenly Father, You have promised that You are there where two or more are gathered in Your name. Be here with us now and make it clear what You want us to do. Guide us in deciding whether Your dear child, Bess, is the person for this job. We know she has the gift, Lord. Let us know if we should invite her to bless us in this way. In Your Son’s holy name I pray.”

After another pause and a glance around the room, Gladys took a deep breath.

“Lord, You know we are trying to glorify You through this special event. Help us help our dear sister, Bess. Let us know if making these crafts would be a blessing to her, or just a burden. In Your precious Son’s name I pray.”

Amens echoed throughout.

“Ladies,” Gladys murmured. “This should be Bess’ decision. She might be upset if we don’t ask, you know. We just need to be sure she knows it’s OK to refuse.”

Margaret tapped the table. “I can call her. I think she’s comfortable enough with me to say no. And, despite popular opinion, I can be tactful.”

Laughter filled the room.

**

Bess reached for her cup and instead found a knitting needle in her hand. She smiled.

“Lord, is this Your answer?”

The telephone’s ring interrupted her thoughts.

“Hello?”



Thanks for reading! Be sure to stop by Homespun Expressions for more great fiction!

Surrendering My Never - At Exemplify

We're all supposed to trust God in everything. There's no reason to worry about where He leads us, because He is always there.

But we're all human. We fight our own selfishness every day, and sometimes we get so caught up in our own desires that we decide that we will NEVER do something. I'd venture to say that everyone has had (or even has)something they have decided they will never do.

I had one of these--up until last week, when God asked me a very scary question: “What if this is what I want you to do?”

Stop by Exemplify today, where I talk about this spiritual battle, and how God led me to "Surrender My Never." I pray it will inspire you to do the same--whatever your "never" may be.

Fixed on Him: Word-Filled Wednesday

Welcome to my contribution to Word-Filled Wednesday, hosted this week by Lori at All You Have To Give. Be sure to check out her blog, and the links below it, for more visual inspiration from Scripture.

I actually found this picture for a post I wrote up for Exemplify (it, and the story, will be over there tomorrow. Check it out.) and figured it would be a great choice for Word-Filled Wednesday as well. If you focus on Him, you have no need for concern.

But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death. Psalm 141:8
Thanks for checking out my post! Don't forget to stop by for more

Monday Manna - Promises

Welcome to Monday Manna. The purpose of this meme is to get together and get to know Christ more through His Word. On the first and third Monday of each month, anyone who wishes can post their thoughts on a verse I introduced at my blog the Thursday before. It doesn't have to be a long post -- just a few thoughts, a picture you feel helps express it, a poem, a short story, a devotional.

Anyone is welcome to participate. Just put a link to your Monday Manna blog entry in the MckLinky gadget below, and check out others' thoughts. OH - and with the holiday - PLEASE to not be shy about posting late - Tuesday DEFINITELY works for me!

This week's verse is quite a comfort to me, and a wonderful reminder during times of uncertainly such as this.

God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19

Looking forward to seeing YOUR thoughts on this verse - just link up below if you have something to share. My reflections are below.

**

There are some pretty distraught and frustrated parents and new college students in the state of Michigan right now. You see, the state made each of them a promise, and chances are good that promise is going to be broken.

The program, not surprisingly called "The Michigan Promise," awarded college scholarships of up to $4000 for students who did well on the state's standardized test (MEAP) in middle and high school.

Except that money may not be forthcoming after all.

I don't know about the rest of you, but those of us in the great state of Michigan are still in the midst of an economic downturn. And our state government is currently staring at a $2.7 billion budget deficit. So the congress and governor are seriously considering either reducing or eliminating the payouts for this school year.

It's understandable to some--unforgivable to others. But no matter what you may feel about this, one thing is clear. This very well may be a promise broken.

Of course, it's not just the state of Michigan that doesn't keep its promises. We all have to (or choose to) go back on our word in one circumstance or another. Sometimes our circumstances change. On occasion, it's our priorities. And sometimes, we take the promises we make too lightly and just blow them off. And it almost always leads to disappointment and disillusionment.

That's one reason I love God's promises. When life is up in the air and vows are being rescinded left and right, it is wonderful to know that there is One who will always keep His Word.

God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19

There is no one you can depend on like our Savior. And that's a promise you can take to the bank!
**

Thanks for reading! Be sure to link up below with your own thoughts, and/or read the other folks' contributions. Blessings to you!

Friday Fiction: "Rest"

Welcome to my contribution to Fiction Friday, hosted by Yvonne "Vonnie" Blake at My Back Door. Make sure that you head over to her blog and link up with your own fiction. Or, if you just want to read some great fiction (ALWAYS great in my opinion!), head over to her blog and check out the links there.

I wrote this one almost two years ago now for...you guessed it...the writing challenge. It was one of my entries that had slipped my mind, but when I read it again, it blessed me. The topic was "Encouragement among believers." Pray it blesses you too!

REST

Sandra fumbled with the mailbox handle. Leaning against a post for support, she worked the door open. She reached into the pocket of her housecoat, removing an envelope. She slid it into the box and closed the door tightly.

She glanced to her left. Her walker was a few steps away, on the driveway where she'd left it. She approached it, then steadied herself and moved toward her house, fifty feet up the driveway.

After a few steps, she scrunched her face and looked back, tittering silently. She slowly turned her walker around and lumbered back toward the mailbox. Stretching out her arm, she pushed the mailbox's flag into the upright position. Her smile wide, she restarted her journey toward home.

**

Karen sat in a chair on her front porch, her eyes flitting from her wristwatch to the street. Not a car had driven by in the past five minutes.

She sighed. She hated depending on others, but she had no choice. The oncologist had said she needed a ride home from chemo. Praise God, Anna had offered.

Karen checked her watch again: 9:45. Her appointment, a ten-minute drive, was at 10. Karen drummed her fingers on the arm of the chair. She knew that Anna often arrived at appointments with seconds to spare, if not a couple minutes late. Karen, known for her promptness, gritted her teeth and looked down.

Another change to get used to. Lord, can you just slow down with these adjustments already?

Raising her head, she saw Anna's minivan pulling into the driveway. Karen rose, glancing at her watch again: 9:48.

**

Sandra poured water from the whistling teakettle into a flowered mug. Her teabag floated to the top. Mug in hand, she hobbled to the kitchen table and sat at its only chair. Before her was an open bible, a pink notebook, and a pen. She placed her tea on its saucer, picked up the pen, and opened the notebook to the first blank page, about halfway through.

Well, Lord, I sent it. Thank you for giving me the energy to make it to the mailbox, and the perfect verse to include. Now it's all in Your hands. May my note bless and encourage her tomorrow. Help her to know peace: the peace You've given me. Thank you for allowing me to serve You in this way.

Sandra signed her name with a flourish. She closed the notebook and removed the teabag from her mug, placing it on the saucer beneath it. She took a sip and smiled.

Sandra turned toward her bible and mouthed a verse underlined there. Her eyes sparkled with tears.

**

Karen had no desire to rise. Her stomach was queasy and she had never been this tired. Yesterday had been, in a word, awful. She barely remembered arriving home. Yet, it was noon the next day somehow, and someone was knocking on her bedroom door.

Must be Anna checking on me. "Come in," Karen moaned.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Anna bounced in. "I didn't mean to wake you, but this came and I figured you'd want to see it. I thought I heard you stirring."

"It's okay. What do you have?" Karen sat up in bed, inspecting the envelope Anna handed to her.

After a look at the return address, Karen grinned. It was from Sandra Marshall, one of the senior saints at church and a real encourager. Sandra had lost her voice from thyroid cancer a few years previous, but always found ways to share the hope within her.

"You were right, Anna. Thanks."

Anna smiled. "So, are you going to open it? And read it to me?"

Karen nodded as she tore open the envelope.

"Dear Karen,
I have been where you are right now. God was with me, though I didn't believe it then. I pray that you would believe it, and that you would feel His wonderful touch. God will bring you closer to Him through this, and He will strengthen you." Karen breathed deeply, wiping tears away. "He did it for me. Come to Him.
In Christ's love,
Sandra"

Anna put her arm around Karen. "She's so precious, isn't she?"

Karen nodded. "And look what else she wrote."

Anna leaned in and smiled, reading Matthew 11:28.

"Perfect." Anna hugged Karen. "And speaking of rest...,"

Karen smiled. "Yeah; I think I'll get both kinds for a bit. Thanks, Anna."

Karen slid back into the warmth of her covers, and her Savior, and rested.

**

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28


Thanks for reading! Be sure to stop by Vonnie's blog for more great fiction!

Change: Monday Manna for Monday, September 7

(yeah, I KNOW this is Labor Day weekend, but I still wanna stay on schedule. Don't feel pressured to play along if you've got "family stuff" going on.)


The purpose of Monday Manna is to get together and get to know Christ more through His Word.

On the first and third Mondays of each month, anyone who wants to participate can post their thoughts on a specific verse--posted here at my blog on the Thursday before, to allow you to chew on it over the weekend. It doesn't have to be long -- just a few thoughts, a picture you feel helps express it, a poem, a short story, a devotional. Just post it on your blog on Mondayish (early OR late is fine, by the way!), then come back here and link up in the MckLinky gadget that will be at the bottom of MY post at o'dark thirty that morning.

I've got a lot of change going on in my life right now. School starting for the kids. Getting a new car (after totalling my old one!). Looking into moving to a smaller house. And those are just the big ones. So I think it would behoove me (and perhaps you) to contemplate that which does NOT change.

So, here is Monday's verse:

God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19

Hope this verse motivates you - and that you'll put something together and link up here on Monday or Tuesday. See you then!

Friends (cuz I miss her!) - WFW

Welcome to Word-Filled Wednesday, hosted this week by Penny at Pennyraine. Be sure to stop by her blog for more visual inspiration from scripture.

Friends (both local and virtual) are such a HUGE part of my life. As many of you know, I met several of my virtual ones at the FaithWriters conference last month. This is a picture of me and my incredible, wonderful, amazing soul sister/twin separated at birth/brain-sharer Patty "Peejers" Wysong (she's the Patterings gal) at the conference. She is absolutely, positively THE best - and she's been working at her local fair the past week or so, and we haven't chatted in years (LOL a slight exaggeration)! Miss ya, sweets!

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel. Proverbs 27:9 NIV


Be sure to stop by Pennyraine for more .