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I like the Amplified translation of this verse.
Happy Monday, Friends! I think it's so appropriate that this week we're reading and writing about God's love after the SCOTUS Roe v. Wade decision. Christians have prayed for its repeal for fifty years, and make no mistake that this is God's victory.
I hope y'all have a blessed week!
Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
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This week's scripture
Happy Friday, Friends! I hope your week has been a good one. Mine has been filled with tons of appointments, and it looks like my surgery will be on Tuesday, July 5th. The funerals for the three victims at St. Stephen's were held on Wednesday and Thursday. I appreciate your prayers for their families and our church community.
This week's guided journaling prompt is:
How would you describe the love of God? Write down any word, phrase, or image that comes to mind when you think about God's love.
The first image that comes to mind is Jesus and his love for children. Today's society doesn't value children, and it breaks my heart how they're being treated, groomed, and abused. It breaks Jesus's tender heart, too.
What about you?
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Prayer requests?
Supposedly the Supreme Court will be handing down a ruling on Roe v. Wade today, and I'd like to ask y'all to pray for peace and for peaceful demonstrations.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
First Rose of Sharon blossoms of the season
Thank-you, Friends, for your prayers and support of my church family. I have not been cleared to be in crowds, and I won't be able to go back to church until after my surgery. I do watch on YouTube, and today's Holy Eucharist service was heart-breaking. Our Rector did such a fantastic job, and so did our other priest. Their words were so comforting, and today's reading from the gospels was my favorite passage in the Bible, John Chapter 1.
Please continue to pray. There were therapists at church today, and the children had an emotional support dog for children's chapel.
I am numb. I'm trying hard not to be, but right now, honestly, I am.
We are starting on the last unit in our book, and its focus is God's love. If y'all want to continue a weekly devotion or guided journaling, please start looking around your local bookshops and let me know. I can email y'all what you find, and we can vote on it.
Do you have any prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! It has been so hot here this week, and our air conditioner went out last might. We slept surprisingly well considering, and our neighbor and friend had it fixed by 8:00 AM this morning. What a blessing! We're under another heat advisory today.
Here is the scripture for this week's guided journaling:
And here is our writing prompt:
Spend some time reflecting on God's forgiveness toward you. Let his love wash over you. Let his forgiveness fully cover you. Write down a prayer in response.
I won't share my entire prayer here, but I've read a lot of scripture lately about God's lovingkindness and patience towards us. I am thankful that God is quick to forgive and slow to anger.
Prayer requests? Carla had several this week, and if you missed them, her requests are in Monday's comments. Do you have any updates, Carla? I would also like to pray for fellow blogger Jackie @ the Purple Chocolat Home Blog. She is recovering from hip and gallbladder surgery.
UPDATE: I wrote this post yesterday before the shootings at my church. Please see yesterday's post if you haven't read it yet. I have heard from all of my close friends from church except for one. Please pray for St. Stephen's as we go through this difficult time.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
There was a mass shooting at my church tonight, St. Stephen's Episcopal in Birmingham. I am devastated! We were having a potluck dinner, but I did not go because I have not been cleared yet to be in a crowd. I haven't heard any specifics.
Please pray! My heart is broken!
Happy Monday, Friends! How was your weekend? It was pretty chill around here.
This week's focus is all about God's grace. :D
I hope y'all will extend me a little grace for posting so late: We had outdoor plumbing issues that needed addressing, and it was important to get our irrigation system working because we are having high temperatures and heat warnings for the next two weeks.
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Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! I want to thank you first and foremost for all your prayers over the last several months. I am honored and privileged to know so many caring Prayer Warriors! I am truly blessed!
This week's guided journaling prompt asks us to revisit Week 41, and I'd rather not, LOL!
Here's the prompt:
Imagine you are washing the feet of your offender, perhaps the one you wrote about during Week 41. What do you need to tell this person? How could feeling secure in the forgiveness of Christ help you wash this person's feet?
My answer is that I keep going back to the Lord's Prayer: "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." I would probably simply tell that person: I forgive you. That's it!
What about you?
Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Monday, Friends! Today is going to be a GREAT day! :D
Here's a hint:
I hope it will be a great day for us all!!! This week's writing prompt is challenging, and we have to look back to Week Forty-One to complete it. :/
Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
French peonies that change color
Happy Friday, Friends! I hope you've had a great week. I've been confused the entire week because I had chemo on Tuesday rather than Monday due to Memorial Day!
This week's writing prompt is very personal and compelling:
Have you experienced the forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ? If so, write about when you first felt forgiven by him and how that changed you. If not, write about why you might be hesitant to accept God's forgiveness. Be as honest as you can be.
I have experienced the forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ, but the first time I felt forgiven was a very long time ago. However, I do remember that when I first studied the following verse: It truly shed new light on what it actually means to be completely forgiven and able to live free from fear:
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18
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Do y'all have any prayer requests? I want to thank all of you for your prayers. My doctors can't get over how I've recovered from my concussion and all the scratches and bruises I received from my fall. I will be able to have more screen time this weekend, and I'm happy about that! Also, my LAST CHEMO SESSION is MONDAY!!! I'll get to ring the bell! 😌
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
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