Summer Thoughts From A to Z and My Gratitude Journal

“Summer Thoughts” is brought to you by Katharine.  Just click on the button and you can read all about it.  We are blogging through the Alphabet during the first 26 days of July.

I am attempting to line up twenty-six Bible verses (A ~ Z) and also write about one thing I love about summer, that also starts with the same letter of the alphabet.  I admit it’s a little strange, but a great challenge!  (Besides, I take a little poetic leeway.)

~ D ~

“Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”

Psalm 34:14

 

Dreams

Edgar Allan Poe once penned,

“Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.”

The “lazy, hazy days of summer” provide an excellent time to dream!

By choice, we stopped watching TV a number of years ago……whoa, hold it! ~

Yes, we have a satellite dish (one time fee).  It receives international news stations, alternative talk radio and a few Christian networks.  We can listen to the news, in several languages ~ none of which I understand, but this is where I connect with GLC,

God’s Learning Channel.  

 Which I love!

(you can watch online)

The boys use the main TV to watch movies (we have a lot) and play video games.

So, we are not TV’less!  We just choose to spend our time differently ~ reading, visiting with one another, writing, doing craft projects, visiting with neighbors….and dreaming!

Summertime, with its longer hours of daylight, offers us the luxury of extra hours during the evening to sit in the garden and dream, sometimes together, sometimes alone ~ and sometimes our dreams are unique.

I had an aunt, who was fond of saying,

“Where would poor people be without their dreams?”

It’s true isn’t it?  It doesn’t cost us anything to dream!  But, now that I am older, I believe what does cost, is when we fail to move forward once a dream has been given.

Benjamin Mays once said,

“It isn't a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream.”

Our dreams are apart of us and they are a part of the person we should aspire to be.

I once had a day dream that has stayed with me over the years.  I’ve never shared it with anyone.  Why?  Because it seemed so out of reach.  And this is what I really want to address.  Because I am older (and made more than my share of mistakes), I want to share one thing with those of you who are younger.

Phrases like ~

……..  “one day, when I have enough,” “when the house is,” “when I loose the weight,” “when the baby is in school”….etc. are dream and time stealers!  They are lies the enemy uses to convince us we can’t achieve the dreams God gives us.

Again,

I am older and you who are younger need to realize the value of time….one day, when I have enough, when the house is, when I loose the weight, when the baby is in school….etc. are dream and time stealers!  They are lies the enemy uses to prevent us from reaching for and achieving the dreams God has given us. 

It comes down to a matter of trust.   

If God gives you a dream, embrace the dream and trust God to help you fulfill that dream.

I could tell  you some of my unfulfilled dreams, 

but what matters today are your dreams that have ye to be fulfilled.

Remember, with God’s help you can do anything!  Any dream you have had, is waiting on YOU!

My Gratitude Journal ~

One thousand gifts, for which I am thankful ~ #76 through #100 (moving toward 1000)

dreams and dairy goats

time to dream

a soul mate to dream with

freedom

liberty

the fact I don’t take the above lightly

fresh peaches

kids with purple stained hands from eating blackberries

the squirrels that entertain me outside my kitchen window

life

the first cup of coffee in the morning

fried potatoes cooked on a campfire

grown children

children not so grown

healing

waking up to the sound of rain

firework displays

strawberry shortcake

the smell of fresh mowed hay

a husband who doesn’t give up easily

seeds and how the tiniest of seeds can grow into a beautiful plant

*sunflowers

love

bare feet on warm sand

shade trees

*I have a friend whose son is on his third tour of duty in the Middle East.  His name is Brian and Brian planted and now has a sunflower blooming in Afghanistan.  To me, that says something about who Brian is, in away that is deeper than even I understand.  Please pray for his safety.

May your Fourth of July be a time of fun and safety!

Blessings!

Cheryl

Gratitude Journal for Monday, June 27th

My Gratitude Journal

Some of the many blessings, for which I am thankful ~

#51 to #75  (working toward 1000)

that there is a difference between condemnation and conviction and to be able to discern that difference.

for a Father who loves me, in spite of my actions that sometimes leave much to be desired.

to know that there is a vast difference between clean and unclean and HE was willing to cross that great distance.

for the sound of the whippoorwill

for music and silence

for time to reflect

for food to cook and days I don’t have too.

that the ground at the foot of the cross is level

for chickens that lay fresh eggs

for people who’s laughter spreads to their eyes

for tiny footprints and age-weathered hands

for sunshine and air conditioning

for daffodils

for the smell of honeysuckle

for people who always encourage

that Yeshua/Jesus loves me, this I know

for the color RED

for birds that sing

for ice!

for happy tears

for dandelions

for long relaxing baths

for time to just be

for friends who show up with unexpected surprises

for those who are willing to pray

Be sure and checkout A Holy Experience for more gratitude list.  Hey, why not start one of your own?

I have a new *Praise Report* I can't wait to share with you!  Abba has been busy. ;)  I am going to 'double check' tomorrow.....just to be sure.  Then I will share!  Promise!

Also, I have a question (or 2) I want to ask....I need opinions!  Got one?  LOL 

 

~ My Gratitude List ~

~ My Gratitude List ~ 

 (I'm just starting on my 1000 or so things I am thankful for.  You are welcome to join me!

 This is my second set of 25 ~ but the #'s wouldn't allow me to start from 26.)

Be sure and visit A Holy Experience.

You'll be blessed!

1. hibiscus….any color, but especially RED ;)
2.  the smell of fresh baked bread
3.  having little hands to help make that bread
4.  sitting under the stars with my honey
5.  knowing Abraham and Sarah would have looked at these same stars…Amazing!
6.  fun on a tire swing
7.  visiting with a neighbor
8.  wildflower bouquets
9.  G.R.A.C.E.!
10.  home, be it ever so humble
11.  laughter
12.  fresh eggs from the chicken pen
13.  books…and more books!
14.  F.A.M.I.L.Y. ….mine, yours
15.  My Heavenly Father, who I can cry ABBA to and know HE hears
16.  My fellow Prayer Warriors
17.  Blogging buddies
18.  My Sister, who is always generous and gracious (and makes lovely quilts)
19.  Sunsets
20.  Clear nights…a full moon
21.  Holding hands
22.  Being able to see the “potential” in the midst of the problem…A gift, to be sure!
23.  Father, I am so thankful for answered prayer
24. the opportunity to serve
25. fresh squeezed lemonade....ice cold

Monday’s Gratitude and Updates!

(Hello new followers!  I am so glad you are here.)

First, I have to report, the first meeting of the Shi-anne Social Club went well.  We fed eight extras….ate our homemade ice cream after supper in the garden, watched the lightning bugs…

I had posted, we were going to take this slow….nothing heavy, just gradually open the doors of ministry, praying the Holy Spirit would guide our efforts.

Oddly enough, God’s Creation turned the conversation to the more serious.  Have you noticed how far south the moon is sitting in the night sky?  Even if an earthquake moved us three or so degrees off our axis…..the world is really sitting at an odd angle…REALLY.

So while sitting in the garden, eating ice cream, the moon’s appearance caused the conversation to get a little more serious.  People are curious.  Their imaginations have been pricked by the  

HOLY GHOST….

we were able to talk about end times…. Not a lot, but a little….baby steps.   

(We don’t want to scare anyone away.) ;)

God is moving…

(And yes, I thought about the fact we started this new venture on Shavuot/Pentecost SONday....it wasn't planned, at least not by us.)

BTW, here is a question for you….

What comes at the end of time

And at the beginning of eternity?

Before you get the idea this is a spiritually heavy question, remember I spent last week with two of the granddaughters visiting…..the 11 y/o is full of riddles. ;)  Answer is at the bottom of the post…the way bottom, by my signature.

Linda over at Prairie Flower Farm is hosting a new giveaway…starting TODAY.  I don’t know what she is up to, but if her new header picture is any indication….it’s something RED and lovely!

Also, if you want information about Purses with Promises…click on P w/ P.  The more the merrier!

I am trying to keep last Friday’s Fasting and Fearless Friday post updated …..God is doing great and mighty things!  Come and be a part!

Now….

~ My Gratitude List ~

 (I'm just starting on my 1000 or so things I am thankful for.  You are welcome to join me!)

1. dirt, the smell, the feel…the new growth it brings!
2. watching lightning bugs with the five y/o grandchickie
3. making jelly with the eleven y/o grandchick.
4. sharing quiet time with HIM
5. sitting in the garden at the end of the day with my other half
6. friends who bring blessings, neighbors who can use a part of those same blessings
7. a warm relaxing bath
8. waking up to the smell of coffee, knowing someone who loves me is going to bring me that first cup
9. walking barefoot in freshly plowed dirt
10. the smell of green onions from the garden
11. finding not one but two pints of green tomato relish in the cabinet, when you thought you were out.
12. watermelon, ice cold….a little sea salt….heaven!
13. friends who want to make a difference in the lives of hurting people
14. rainbows
15. a good Bible study
16. watching a four y/o and a five y/o study the way a baby frog hops
17. strawberries
18. wild roses blooming along the country roads
19. the nine month old grandchild attempting that first step
20. surprise mail from a friend
21. rain
22. a good report
23. music and the memories it can bring to mind
24. homemade ice cream shared with friends
25. the smell of sandalwood 

 Blessings,

Cheryl

the answer is "E"