Author Archives: Marie

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About Marie

Happily married to the same awesome guy for many years. Love God, reading, cats, and travel. Avid crafter especially counted cross stitch and crochet.

Ruminate

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Do your thoughts race and roll in your mind sometimes? Do you find yourself following other paths when you really need to stay focused on an issue? Mine do. In fact, all of us do that. It’s called rumination and God has some words about it.

 

 

Whenever my busy thoughts are out of control the soothing comfort of Your Presence calms me and overwhelms me with delight. Psalm 94:19

If you read the next verse you’ll find one of the reasons this condition is rampant in our culture right now. However, that’s not where I want to go with this post. My thoughts went somewhere else, again.

Racing thoughts often happen in conditions of anxiety and stress, especially in times like we’re living now. The pandemic, the political/governmental crisis, the uncertainty, and the business of life contribute to thoughts that run helter-skelter.

Paul gave some much-needed guidance on this issue in Phillippians 4:6-7:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

And so how do we get our thoughts back into some kind of order? Paul tells us to pray, to ask (supplication), to give thanks. For me, the moment I go to God and talk to Him my thoughts begin to calm and I’m usually able to gain some perspective.

The next thing I do is start thinking of Bible verses I have memorized. My favorite is Phillippians 4:8.

I highly recommend having many verses memorized. Not only will they help when your mind wants to ruminate, but they will also be always there for any situation you find yourself in. In Psalm 119:11 David says, “Thy word will I hide in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

 

 

 

Number Our Days

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How is it possible to number our days, to know how many days we have? Only God knows that answer but He does want us to use our days wisely. (See Psalm 139:13-16 MSG)

First, we must always keep in mind that God gave us our days and He wants us to use them wisely. Remember that verse we learned in VBS, Matthew 6:33? Seek first the Kingdom of God. We are to always put Him and His plan first. Like, reading His Word and praying first thing in the morning, putting the needs of others first, living the first and greatest commandment –

Then, comes the plan. God is a planner. Look at Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not harm you plans to give you hope and a future. God has planned out every moment of our day every step of the way. And so should we. Keep in mind this is not a way to add more busywork to our lives it’s more about mindfully organizing our days around what is most important.

There is an acronym that fits well here. J O Y 

Jesus first! Spend quality, scheduled time in His presence. Read His Word! Pray! Worship! Study!

Others next! Call the sister or brother that has a birthday, anniversary, or just because. Take time to talk to your neighbor. Have coffee with a friend.

You last! That does not mean we are to leave ourselves and our responsibilities out. Determine what you need to do to keep yourself healthy spiritually, physically, mentally, and socially. Include diet, exercise, sleep, learning, chores, and recreation. Unless we keep ourselves in good shape we can’t meet the needs we see around us.

Wisdom is learning, knowing, and applying God’s Word at the right time, in the right place, and with the right purpose. It makes sense that once we have ‘our days numbered’ wisdom will follow.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

All links to scripture are connected to Bible Gateway.

 

Where Butterflies Go – – Book Review

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When I began reading this book I saw a bit of the Rachael and Leah story of the Old Testament. You know the one. The father wanted the oldest daughter to marry first but the young man was in love with the youngest. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Lies and gossip are never a good idea and when used to make a wrong right can cascade into a series of events that change lives forever

This story is a microcosm of what it must have been like in the Warsaw Ghetto during WWII. The author uses very interesting characters to portray the terror of the time. Hiding in stairwells… Always hungry and scared… Physical and mental harm and stress… Work camps… Death camps… Survival was hardly worth it. Reality comes in bits and pieces but it does come. The Jewish people were treated horribly by not only the Nazis but essentially by the whole world.

Finally, our protagonist is able to ‘escape’ from it all. The war is over and she is moved to America. The challenges of this move bring some relief from the deep fear. But, there is more to the story. New challenges, new relationships, and many decisions.

This quote from the book really says it all. It is referring to the people in the concentration camps is incredibly descriptive of the people interred there. “…all of them were taken away over time, like rocks carried off the beach by a relentless tide.”

To discover what the title, Where Butterflies Go, has to do with it you’ll have to read this excellent book.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

52-Week Devotional Journal for Women – Book Review

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I have been blessed and honored to review Deb Wolf’s first book, 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women. I could hardly wait to receive it and when I opened it it was all I expected and more!

This book offers 52 short studies on subjects that affect women’s lives. These include: comparing ourselves to those around us, thankfulness, God’s protection, finding joy, prayer, unity, humbleness, the El Roi, worry, and so much more.

Deb’s writing is real, reflective, and so ‘down to earth’. It’s like having a personal mentor walking you through some of life’s challenges. The journaling/writing she offers in each devotion draws one close to the One and Only. The great blessing of this kind of journaling is there is no right or wrong answer.

Thank you, Deb! This is a great personal resource! I can hardly wait for a new one each year! Hint! Hint!

The book 52-Week Devotional Journal For Women is now available on Amazon.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Callisto Media/Rockridge Press Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This post may contain affiliate links.  When you use them I may receive a small commission that helps support the costs of maintaining this blog.

Conclude

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I will conclude this difficult year by:

Finishing well! I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

Ending with a new beginning in mind!  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Stop! Then the angel told them, “Stop being afraid! Listen! I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people. Luke 2:10 

Cease any grumbling or complaining! Do everything without complaining (grumbling) and arguing… Philippians 2:14

And so, I will end this year on a happy note… Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Today’s post is in response to 5 Minute Friday’s word of the week.

All scripture links are from BibleGateway.com