In Trouble - God is So Good

Welcome to my Wednesday feature God is So Good.  Here I will share stories - true and fiction, mine and others' - of the  Lord's presence in the midst of trials, struggles, and difficulties.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33b

  I thought I would share a verse and picture this time - just for a change. I used to be a very regular contributor to Word-Filled Wednesday, but it's been a while. It often amazes me how much a well-chosen scripture and a background can touch you. I hope this one does.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Psalm 46:1-2 NIV

There is NOTHING to fear, for God is there. He is SO good!

Do you have a story you'd like to share about God's goodness in your struggles? Drop me an email and we can talk!

Traveling Rough Roads With God's Strength

Help - God is So Good (on Word-Filled Wednesday!)

Welcome to my Wednesday feature God is So Good. Here I will share stories - true and fiction, mine and others' - of the Lord's presence in the midst of trials, struggles, and difficulties.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33b

For a few years, I often participated in Word-Filled Wednesday, which is currently hosted at the Internet Cafe, where I'm a devotional writer and editor. If you don't read the devotionals there, I recommend you start. WFW is a picture with scripture. For today, I'm sharing one of my old graphics that I think exemplifies the theme of my Wednesday posts of the past several months. I hope it is encouraging to you.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 NIV

Heavenly Father, no matter how grey, desolate, and hopeless our lives may feel, no matter how out of control things may seem, help us to remember that YOU are always there, helping us in our troubles. When we can't feel You, Lord, help us to trust anyway. Thank You for being our refuge and strength, Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen

In trouble, He is there. He is SO good! (and stop by the cafe for more Word-Filled Wednesday!)

Do you have a story you'd like to share about God's goodness in your struggles? Drop me an email and we can talk! 

Traveling Rough Roads With God's Strength

To Ponder - Word-Filled Wednesday

Haven't participated in Word-Filled Wednesday in a while - but this verse BEGGED to be illustrated :) A favorite verse of mine - especially for this time of year (for more reasons than one!)

But Mary treasured up all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

Don't forget to treasure and ponder in this season of busyness!

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to stop by The Internet Cafe for more Word-Filled Wednesday!
 
Traveling Rough Roads With God's Strength

Monday Manna for September 5 - new verse

The purpose of Monday Manna to get together and get to know Christ more through His Word. Each Thursday, a Bible verse to ponder will be posted, either here or at my dear friend Vonnie's blog, My Back Door. The following Monday, those participating will post their thoughts on the verse at their own blogs and link up at the bottom of the post in the Mr. Linky  gadget. The main purpose is to chew on the same Scripture and learn from one another.

I'm hosting this week. And here's the verse!

Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Ephesians 5:1 The Message

See you back here on Monday. Looking forward to your thoughts!

Riding God's Grace Over Rough Roads

Everything: Word-Filled Wednesday

Welcome to Word-Filled Wednesday, hosted at The Internet Cafe. Be sure to click above for more visual inspiration from scripture.

I'm so glad spring is here - on the calendar, anyhow. We're supposed to get snow today here in West Michigan. But spring WILL come - and it will even feel like it.

But no matter the weather, and how long it might take for the flowers to bloom or the butterflies to come out, He is worthy to be praised. Don't you forget it.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to stop by the Cafe for more Word-Filled Wednesday.


Paving Rough Roads With God's Presence

With Joy: Word-Filled Wednesday

Welcome to Word-Filled Wednesday, hosted at The Internet Cafe. Be sure to click above for more visual inspiration from scripture.

A couple weeks ago, I had some potentially bad news hovering over me, and I was, in a word, grumpy. And in another word, depressed. I was getting ready to help my 4th grade son's class edit their "snowman stories." This is something I love to do (click here if you wanna know how much i love it!), but I was still in a lousy mood.

And then I saw this unique red pen I could use to make my corrections. How can you NOT smile when holding that pen? (Thanks, Mrs. Maxted) Doesn't God give us fabulous little gifts when we need them?

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

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Paving Rough Roads With God's Presence

Open Mouths: Word-Filled Wednesday

Welcome to Word-Filled Wednesday, hosted at The Internet Cafe. Be sure to click above for more visual inspiration from scripture.

Our pastor preached on this verse from this psalm of Asaph this past Sunday. He reminded us that we must have great expectations for what the Lord will give us. We must be ready to be filled, with our mouths opened wide, as a newborn bird for its first meal. So how could I resist NOT making it a post for Word-Filled Wednesday?

I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. Psalm 81:10

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check out Internet Cafe Devotions for more Word-Filled Wednesday.

Paving Rough Roads With God's Presence

It's Not Just Turkey Day: Word-Filled Wednesday

Welcome to Word-Filled Wednesday, hosted at The Internet Cafe. Be sure to click above for more visual inspiration from scripture.

I love Thanksgiving. It's one of the few holidays that hasn't been commercialized (well, other than that day after, of course :::roll:::). It's a wonderful time to get together and eat turkey and stuffing and pumpkin pie, and watch football games (hehe - tricked ya, eh???).

No - the reason I REALLY love Thanksgiving is because it is the perfect opportunity to sit around a table with family and friends and publicly thank God for the many blessings He has given us. And sometimes, I need the reminder, cuz I get caught up in the food and stuff as well. So I thought maybe if the dude below reminded me (and us?), it would be at the forefront of my mind.

Give thanks to the God of Heaven. His love endures forever. Psalm 136.26

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Paving Rough Roads With God's Presence

My Heavenly Hubby (Word-Filled Wednesday)

Welcome to Word-Filled Wednesday, hosted at The Internet Cafe. Be sure to click above for more visual inspiration from scripture.

My "Bible in a year" schedule has me in the book of Isaiah right now. I LOVE that book - not only was I saved in it, but there is SO much wonderful imagery of our Savior. This one, in particular, has been in my mind for the past few months.

For your Maker is your husband—the LORD Almighty is his name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. Isaiah 54:5

What a thought, eh?

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Paving Rough Roads With God's Presence

Shout for Joy: Word-Filled Wednesday

Welcome to Word-Filled Wednesday, hosted at The Internet Cafe. Be sure to click above for more visual inspiration from scripture.

Was glancing through the pics saved on my computer, and this particular one made me smile. This was taken over a year ago, at DisneyWorld. The big guy is my baby brother (not a baby to very many people, but ALWAYS to me), and he's loving on my sweet son.  There's no doubt that these guys are enjoying themselves, is there?

And THAT, my friends, is the kind of relationship the Lord wants us to have with Him.

Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully and shout for joy. Psalm 33:3

If that isn't a shout of joy coming from my boy's mouth, I dunno what is :)

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Paving Rough Roads With God's Presence

Hands: Word-Filled Wednesday

Welcome to Word-Filled Wednesday, hosted at The Internet Cafe. Be sure to click above for more visual inspiration from scripture.

I love to walk with my daughter (or son), especially when she reaches out her hand and we walk hand in hand. It's such a special thing to feel her hand in mine and to have that special connection.

It got me thinking how much more special it must be to walk hand in hand with our Heavenly Father. I picture His hands as huge. But what comfort there must be to be enveloped in His palm!

Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. Psalm 73:23


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Paving Rough Roads With God's Presence

Quenching The Fire: Word-Filled Wednesday

Welcome to Word-Filled Wednesday, hosted at The Internet Cafe. Be sure to click above for more visual inspiration from scripture.

Got to thinking about fire recently. When there's a huge one, like the fireball in San Bruno, getting it under control is a huge issue. Quenching it is actually the goal - and just keeping it contained is good news.

But other fires are different. To stop the fire of a candle, all you need is two fingers. Or for a contained campfire, a bucket of water and maybe some sand.

The Holy Spirit's fire can be any of those. Perhaps the best way to keep ourselves from quenching it is to keep it burning hot. It's much easier to put out a small fire than a large one, isn't it?

Do not put out the Spirit's fire. 1 Thessalonians 5:19

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Paving Rough Roads With God's Presence

Unlocked to God: Word-Filled Wednesday

Welcome to Word-Filled Wednesday, hosted at The Internet Cafe. Be sure to click above for more visual inspiration from scripture.

I'm not one that keeps a lot of secrets about myself. But even I have places that I am loathe to share with anyone - even those closest to me. I think we all have places in our hearts we have locked tight and shared with few or no people--even ourselves sometimes. But even we can't lock those secrets from the Lord.

You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. Psalm 90:8

He knows all - even the most secret of secrets - and died for, and loves, us anyway.

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Paving Rough Roads With God's Presence

Thirst: Word-Filled Wednesday

Only FOUR DAYS until my birthday giveaway ends. Have you entered? You'll get a chance to have a signed (by as many as six of the 25 authors!) copy of the group novel Delivered. Click here to enter, and here for more information about Delivered itself.

Welcome to Word-Filled Wednesday, hosted at The Internet Cafe. Be sure to click above for more visual inspiration from scripture.

It's been hot here, and I've been drinking more liquids than usual. If only I would remember to do the same with His living water... :)

 

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:8-9

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Paving Rough Roads With God's Presence

Wondrous: Word-Filled Wednesday

Welcome to Word-Filled Wednesday, hosted at The Internet Cafe. Be sure to click above for more visual inspiration from scripture.

Came across this verse in my Bible reading and it really spoke to me. Even the tough stuff is wondrous.

Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things! Psalm 72:18 NKJ

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Paving Rough Roads With God's Presence