Happy National Hot Chocolate Day, Friends! Instead of drinking coffee with our devo today, why not shake things up a bit and sip on some delicious hot chocolate?
Here is the scripture for this week's guided journaling:
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
Greet also the church that meets at their house.
Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.
Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.
Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test.
Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.
Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.
Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.
Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.
Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.
Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.
Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.
Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the churches of Christ send greetings.
~Romans 16:3-16
Paul is introducing lots of people!
I hope y'all have a great week. Do you have any prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Can you tell I'm getting excited about Valentine's Day?
Happy Friday, Friends! I have a praise: My best childhood friend flew in from Texas to see me, and we were able to go out to eat dinner at one of my favorite restaurants and eat in an area away from others. :D My heart is full getting to see Susan! Just getting to give her a big hug was just what I needed, and it reminds me of last week's guided journaling, LOL!
Here is this week's prompt:
How would you greet Jesus if he walked into the room right now? Do you greet others in the same way? Why or why not?
I hope that I would have the good sense to drop to my knees, but knowing me, I'd probably run up to him and hug him! I usually greet people with hugs, although there's enough British blood in me that I prefer hugging dogs and horses, LOL!
What about you???
Also, here is a list of things we need to pray for our families. I've heard from several of y'all this week, and this is sort of a general list, but I think if we pray this list over all the families who read this blog it couldn't hurt...
- Health
- Anxiety
- Family Needs
- Harmony and Understanding
- Leadership in Government on a National, State, and Local Level
If you have any additional prayer requests, please leave them in comments or email me.
Have a restful weekend!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
So happy the sun came back out this weekend. It's still cold, though.
Happy Monday, Friends! I can't believe it's week twenty-six, which means we're halfway through this guided journaling devo!
This week's focus is about sincerity, especially when greeting others or in social situations.
Also, I've received a few prayer requests, and it's evident that many of us are under spiritual attack. Let's pray for each other, that we will continue to put on the full armor of God everyday so we can stand firm! Do y'all have any specific prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Trying to find a little joy during these cold days. How are you finding joy?
Happy Friday, Sweet Friends! It seems like many of us are experiencing illnesses within our families and friends. I have been praying for y'all and your loved ones. We all need to up our Vitamin D since we can't stay outside long in this cold weather.
Here is this week's writing prompt:
How do you feel after visiting with a friend in person rather than over the phone, text, or email? Which interaction makes you happier and why?
I love visiting with my friends. Currently I have to be very careful being around others, but when it warms up, I look forward to getting coffee or maybe lunch outside with a friend or two.
Here is this weeks scripture:
I suppose I'm already looking forward to coffee with friends!
What about you? I know that many of you are nursing family members (with COVID and other flu-type viruses....seasonal flu is everywhere here in Birmingham), and I was wondering if any of you have any plans to meet-up with friends in the near future. Also, do y'all have any prayer requests for the weekend?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
I hope you make something warm and delicious to enjoy while completing your guided journaling this week!
Happy Monday, Friends! I looked at this week's topic for guided journaling, and I must say I have mixed emotions about it. Maybe it's bad science, LOL! Also, it's a bit poignant considering COVID. I can't wait to see what y'all think on Friday!
Have a great week! Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Sunday, My Friends! Today I'm sharing a couple of verses from a Bible study, and it reminded me a little bit of this past week's writing prompt. As Christ's ambassadors, we're expected to behave in a certain way.
"...that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God."2 Corinthians 5:19-20
Have a Blessed Sunday! Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! How's your week been? Mine has been nice so far: I actually took two naps!
Let's review this week's scripture:
Based on this scripture, our writing prompt for the week is:
First Peter 2:17 instructs us to respect everyone, love fellow Christians, fear God, and honor authority. Which of these instructions is most difficult for you, and why?
The instructions outlined in 1 Peter 2:17 aren't easy to maintain all the time, but for me the hardest is honoring authority. Sometimes often times I am guilty of thinking that people who run for office who believe they're capable of leading are grandiose narcissists. I need to work on this, and pray for godly men and women to govern.
We might get snow Sunday! Yikes!
What about you? Do you have any prayer requests? I will receive my second treatment Monday. These three weeks have flown by! I treasure y'all's prayers.
Have a blessed weekend!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Monday, Friends!
I almost posted over the weekend, and I was so busy taking down Christmas and playing around with Valentine's Day and winter vignettes that I forgot. The reason I wanted to post is because I've heard from several of y'all and several of my local friends who have COVID, the flu, and other viruses. Although Omicron doesn't seem to be as deadly as other variants, it's very contagious. I want my friends to feel better, so I've been praying Psalm 103 for everyone. God doesn't want us to be sick: he heals!
Praise the Lord, my soul;all my inmost being, praise his holy name.Praise the Lord, my soul,and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sinsand heals all your diseases...Psalm 103:1-3
Stay healthy, Friends, and either email me or leave a comment for any other prayer requests.
Have a great week! Enjoy your guided journaling this week: it's a tough one for me! Yikes!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! God has a sense of humor, doesn't he! Here we are, in the midst of Omicron, and we're talking about greeting each other with hugs and kisses! He knew that we'd be reading this guided journaling page this week, LOL! Shelley was quarantined because so many of her coworkers have it, and I know of several people who have it now.
So here is this week's writing prompt:
Do you typically greet someone with a handshake, hug, or high five? How does it feel to be greeted by others in this way?
I'm definitely a hugger, so I tend to hug people I know well when greeting them. At church, during the exchanging of the peace, I tend to shake hands unless I know someone well. Between the exchanging of the peace and holy communion, it will be months before I can go back to church in person, unfortunately! I watch it on YouTube.
What about you??? I bet you Midwesterners are big huggers.
Prayer requests? I am feeling pretty well, and I know it's because of prayer and God's goodness and mercy towards me. Thanks for praying, y'all!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
I loved the photo in the new section of the book...
I had to share it here on the blog!
Happy Monday Morning, Friends!
I thought the introduction about greeting fellow believers with a "holy kiss" fascinating. I can remember when I first visited my husband in his hometown of New Orleans, I was surprised how almost everyone who met me kissed me on the cheek!
I guess we aren't getting that up close and personal during the cold and flu season, but I'm still interested to read about how greetings lead to happiness.
Have a blessed week!
Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
I love you all!!!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
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