Good Morning, Friends! I apologize for posting so late in the morning (currently 8:36 CDT), but I think you'll forgive me because it is the most beautiful and cool morning ever! I've been enjoying the backyard activity of the birds and other creatures while my Westies glare at me because they want to go for walkies. They will have to wait a wee bit longer this morning.
So what did you think about this week's devotion? How did you do with slowing down and meeting God in the moment? I'll admit it was a struggle for me because I had a busy week. If anything it made me realize that I shouldn't overbook myself, and I should use the same rule I used when the girls were little: if one thing is added to the family calendar, another most be removed.
I'd really like to read about your week, so please leave a comment about it!
Below is this week's scripture:
Prayer Requests
First of all I'd like to thank y'all for praying for Shanley Belle and Christopher: They had a fantastic trip! The trip was planned for Shanley Belle to present her research at a college at Oxford University. Just days before the conference, the college was shut down due to an environmental hazard, and the organizers couldn't find a replacement venue. Shanley Belle was VERY disappointed, but they were able to go on the trip in spite of the cancellation, and tour Oxford, the Cotswolds, and Scotland.
- Pray for Kris's daughter Kim as she only has about two more weeks until she gives birth to her first child. Let's pray for an easy labor and delivery, and a healthy, happy mom and baby!
- Pray that the division in our country ends, and that we can truly be one nation under God, and indivisible.
- Let's continue to pray for our gold star families and our active military. This past weekend was gold star family weekend.
- Please pray for Kitty's DIL, Julie, that her heart will change; for SIL, Eric, that he will see some relief for his cervical dystonia; and for her son, Mike, that he will get a job.
- Carla reminds us that it's not too early to pray for an honest election for all sides running, and that everyone that wants to run can have a fair go at it.
I hope I didn't forget any, but if I did, please add your prayer requests in comments and I will update the list.
Now off to make myself a pumpkin spice latte!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy fall!
I saw a few American Beauty Berry plants on our walk yesterday. I love the purple color!
Happy First Week of Fall, Y'all!!!
Do you have any plans this week? Our devotion for this week reminds us to try to live more in the moment, where God is. I enjoyed it, and I hope I can focus more on the here and now rather than obsessing over the past and fretting over the future. Both are wastes of time!
My goal this week other than Bible study is to be in this season, and maybe update our planter for autumn.
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This lovely fall container was sent to my inbox via Collier's Nursery.
I hope all of you can live in the moment this week. I can't wait to read about your experiences!
Here is the scripture for this week's devotion, silk grace:
In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,and the heavens are the work of your hands.They will perish, but you remain;they will all wear out like a garment.Like clothing you will change themand they will be discarded.But you remain the same,and your years will never end.The children of your servants will live in your presence;their descendants will be established before you.~Psalm 102:25-28
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for Kris's daughter Kim as she only has about two more weeks until she gives birth to her first child. Let's pray for an easy labor and delivery, and a healthy, happy mom and baby!
- Pray that the division in our country ends, and that we can truly be one nation under God, and indivisible.
- Let's continue to pray for our gold star families and our active military. This past weekend was gold star family weekend.
- Please pray for Kitty's DIL, Julie, that her heart will change; for SIL, Eric, that he will see some relief for his cervical dystonia; and for her son, Mike, that he will get a job.
- Carla reminds us that it's not too early to pray for an honest election for all sides running, and that everyone that wants to run can have a fair go at it.
- Please pray for travel mercies for our daughter Shanley Belle and our son-in-law Christopher as they are traveling in Scotland and will be returning home on Wednesday.
- Please pray for my best friend's husband. His cancer has recurred.
- Carla and her family are traveling. They are returning home today. Please pray for safe travels and travel mercies in all situations.
- Pray for Kris's husband Terry's mom. She has been taking her to doctors and she has not been doing well health wise. Prayers she can find strength to know God is not ready for her yet and he still has some things for her to do here on earth. Please pray she can find ways to cope with her loneliness.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! Wow, what a week! I think that our Constitution Week programs went well, and I attended a Memorial Service for a dear friend. Plus, one of my closest childhood friends is visiting this weekend: What an unexpected blessing! :D
This week's devotion is entitled "urgent grace." If you were unclear about Ann Voskamp's writing ability up to this point, then you should acknowledge that the woman can write: This is a very beautifully written devotion!
Sometimes I just have to giggle at God's timing. This devotion is just what I needed to give myself permission to take some things out of my schedule for the week and focus on the unexpected blessings God had planned for me without my knowledge. :D
Do you have any thoughts about the lesson?
Here's the scripture for this week:
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We have a lengthy prayer list, and I hope that you will grab a large cup of coffee (or tea) and pray this morning with us. Our needs are great, but God is faithful and good!
Prayer Requests
- Pray for the people suffering in Maui. Let God shed light on the truth of what happened there.
- Pray for Kris's daughter Kim as she only has about three more weeks until she gives birth to her first child. Let's pray for an easy labor and delivery, and a healthy, happy mom and baby!
- Please, God, send us strong leaders who will put you first and then the citizens of our country. Pray that the division in our country ends, and that we can truly be one nation under God, and indivisible.
- Let's continue to pray for our gold star families and our active military.
- Please pray for Kitty's DIL, Julie, that her heart will change; for SIL, Eric, that he will see some relief for his cervical dystonia; and for her son, Mike, that he will get a job.
- As a group, let's commit to the constant adoration of Christ and praise of God!
- Carla reminds us that it's not too early to pray for an honest election for all sides running, and that everyone that wants to run can have a fair go at it.
- Please pray for travel mercies for our daughter Shanley Belle and our son-in-law Christopher as they are taking the red eye to London tonight. They will be traveling in Great Britain for several days and will be returning home on September 27th.
- Please pray for my best friend's husband. His cancer has recurred.
- Carla and her family are traveling. They left yesterday and will return Monday. Please pray for safe travels and travel mercies in all situations.
- Travel mercies for my friend Susan and her boyfriend as they travel here to Alabama and back home to Texas.
- Pray for Kris's husband Terry's mom. She has been taking her to doctors and she has not been doing well health wise. Prayers she can find strength to know God is not ready for her yet and he still has some things for her to do here on earth. Please pray she can find ways to cope with her loneliness.
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Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Constitution Week, Patriots!
Yesterday was Constitution Day, and the beginning of Constitution Week. We have been busy sharing the Constitution, it's meaning, and what it means to be an American in libraries and elementary schools across our area. Last week was a busy week indeed!
This morning, it was SO NICE weather-wise while we did the morning walkies with the Westies: It was 58 degrees! Life is so, so good! It's also nice seeing people flying Old Glory outside their homes, too.
Here's the Preamble to the United States Constitution:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
I have not read this week's devotional, but here is the theme:
And here is the scriptural reference:
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Prayer Requests
- Pray for the people suffering in Maui. Let God shed light on the truth of what happened there.
- Pray for Kris's daughter Kim as she only has about three more weeks until she gives birth to her first child. Let's pray for an easy labor and delivery, and a healthy, happy mom and baby!
- Please, God, send us strong leaders who will put you first and then the citizens of our country. Pray that the division in our country ends, and that we can truly be one nation under God, and indivisible.
- Let's continue to pray for our gold star families and our active military.
- Please pray for Kitty's DIL, Julie, that her heart will change; for SIL, Eric, that he will see some relief for his cervical dystonia; and for her son, Mike, that he will get a job.
- As a group, let's commit to the constant adoration of Christ and praise of God!
- Carla reminds us that it's not too early to pray for an honest election for all sides running, and that everyone that wants to run can have a fair go at it.
- Please pray for travel mercies for our daughter Shanley Belle and our son-in-law Christopher as they are taking the red eye to London tonight. They will be traveling in Great Britain for several days and will be returning home on September 27th.
- Please pray for my best friend's husband. His cancer has recurred.
- Pray that our nation's school children will learn about the Constitution this week in school.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! How are you? Have you had a productive week??? I cleaned every inch of my kitchen and purged items we no longer use nor need. Whatever our daughter or niece doesn't want we will donate.
It's amazing what a family can accumulate living in a home for twenty-two years!
I must admit that this is my favorite devotion so far.
I know I certainly underlined more in this lesson than the previous ones!
Below are my favorite quotes from the devotion involving trust:
Trust [is the] antithesis of stress.What is saving belief it it isn't the radical dare to wholly trust?~From one thousand gifts, pp. 32-33
It is really very simple about how God has most certainly earned our trust. Now it's up to us to actively believe and trust!
What are your thoughts about this week's devotion?
The scriptural reference is below:
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for the people suffering in Maui. Let God shed light on the truth of what happened there.
- Pray for Kris's daughter Kim as she only has about three more weeks until she gives birth to her first child. Let's pray for an easy labor and delivery, and a healthy, happy mom and baby!
- Please, God, send us strong leaders who will put you first and then the citizens of our country. Pray that the division in our country ends, and that we can truly be one nation under God, and indivisible.
- Let's continue to pray for our gold star families and our active military.
- Please pray for Kitty's DIL, Julie, that her heart will change; for SIL, Eric, that he will see some relief for his cervical dystonia; and for her son, Mike, that he will get a job.
- As a group, let's commit to the constant adoration of Christ and praise of God!
- Carla reminds us that it's not too early to pray for an honest election for all sides running, and that everyone that wants to run can have a fair go at it.
- Please pray for travel mercies for our daughter Shanley Belle and our son-in-law Christopher as they are taking the red eye to London tonight. They will be traveling in Great Britain for several days and will be returning home on September 27th.
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Now go have some coffee and have a great weekend!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Monday, Friends! I'm sorry for posting a little later this morning...I've been distracted by the 9/11 tributes, especially Real America's Voice's coverage. They are doing an amazing job, and may we always hold the victims and their families in our hearts. We need to continually pray for our country, and pray that we'll have bold leaders to repeal the Patriot Act.
Our devotional this week is entitled "trusting grace," and the scriptural reference is Philippians 4:6. I have a graphic for it plus verse seven from The Message:
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for the people suffering in Maui. Let God shed light on the truth of what happened there.
- Pray for Kris's daughter Kim as she only has about four more weeks until she gives birth to her first child. Let's pray for an easy labor and delivery, and a healthy, happy mom and baby!
- Please, God, send us strong leaders who will put you first and then the citizens of our country.
- Pray that the division in our country ends, and that we can truly be one nation under God, and indivisible.
- Let's continue to pray for our gold star families and our active military.
- Please pray for Kitty's DIL, Julie, that her heart will change; for SIL, Eric, that he will see some relief for his cervical dystonia; and for her son, Mike, that he will get a job.
- Pray for my friend's husband Phinizy as he's having minor surgery Tuesday morning. Pray for fast healing and a negative biopsy.
- As a group, let's commit to the constant adoration of Christ and praise of God!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! How was your Labor Day? I love these short business weeks, especially when Mr. Bookish and I get to sleep in a little on a Friday morning!
This week's lesson is entitled "anti-anxiety grace." I was taken aback by John Calvin's quote that "the stability of the world depends on rejoicing in [God's] works." I found this quote both comforting and frightening for obvious reasons.
What Ann has learned from scripture and Calvin is this:
The answer to anxiety is the adoration of Christ."One Thousand Gifts," page 30.
Now that's an easy solution that can quickly become a habit!
Thoughts about the devotion?
Here's a reminder of the Psalm from our lesson, and the highlighted portion is in the graphic below it.
My heart is not proud, Lord,my eyes are not haughty;I do not concern myself with great mattersor things too wonderful for me.But I have calmed and quieted myself,I am like a weaned child with its mother;like a weaned child I am content.Israel, put your hope in the Lordboth now and forevermore.~Psalm 131
Prayer Requests
- Pray for the people suffering in Maui. Let God shed light on the truth of what happened there.
- Pray for Kris's daughter Kim as she only has about four more weeks until she gives birth to her first child. Let's pray for an easy labor and delivery, and a healthy, happy mom and baby!
- Please, God, send us strong leaders who will put you first and then the citizens of our country.
- Pray that the division in our country ends, and that we can truly be one nation under God, and indivisible.
- Let's continue to pray for our gold star families and our active military.
- Please pray for Kitty's DIL, Julie, that her heart will change; for SIL, Eric, that he will see some relief for his cervical dystonia; and for her son, Mike, that he will get a job.
- Pray for my friend's husband Phinizy as he's having minor surgery Tuesday morning. Pray for fast healing and a negative biopsy.
- As a group, let's commit to the constant adoration of Christ and praise of God!
Amen!
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Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Labor Day, Friends! Do you have special plans today? We're planning to grill later, watch baseball, and maybe take a boat ride.
This week's devotion focuses on Psalm 131.
My heart is not proud, Lord,my eyes are not haughty;I do not concern myself with great mattersor things too wonderful for me.But I have calmed and quieted myself,I am like a weaned child with its mother;like a weaned child I am content.Israel, put your hope in the Lordboth now and forevermore.~Psalm 131
Psalm 131 was written by David. It's a song of ascent, which means it was written to sing while walking uphill. I should note that in order to reach Jerusalem one had to walk uphill.
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Prayer Requests:
- Pray for the people suffering in Maui. Let God shed light on the truth of what happened there.
- Pray for Kris's daughter Kim as she only has about five more weeks until she gives birth to her first child. Let's pray for an easy labor and delivery, and a healthy, happy mom and baby!
- Please, God, send us strong leaders who will put you first and then the citizens of our country.
- Pray that the division in our country ends, and that we can truly be one nation under God, and indivisible.
- Let's continue to pray for our gold star families and our active military.
- Please pray for Kitty's DIL, Julie, that her heart will change; for SIL, Eric, that he will see some relief for his cervical dystonia; and for her son, Mike, that he will get a job.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Another photo from my bestie, from the mountains of North Carolina
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Happy Friday, My Lovelies! It's September! It's also Labor Day Weekend! Do you have any fun activities planned for the long weekend?
I've already received a couple of emails from y'all, and the consensus is that y'all really enjoyed this week's devotion. I think that many of us learned something new about the etymology of the Greek word eucharisteo (from whence the word Eucharist comes) which means "he gave thanks." I love that the root word is "charis," which means grace, and that its derivative "chara" means joy. Our Christ did just that: He gave thanks knowing what he was about to face on the cross. It is fitting that grace and joy are embedded in the word eucharisteo, because His grace gives us our greatest joy. All of this information can be found on Page 27 in our One Thousand Gifts devotional, and Anne does an amazing job relating how our joy is tied to thanksgiving.
Here is our scripture:
Also, this week I keep seeing the following scripture, and I wanted to share it with you:
After the death of Moses, God spoke to Joshua to encourage him before leading His people into the promised land.
(Whenever I see a Bible verse several times from random sources, I pay attention, and I will always share it with y'all.)
I have sad news: Sarah Young, the author of the popular Jesus Calling devotional books, has passed away. From the email I received from Harper Collins Publishing:
Sarah believed that praying daily for the readers of Jesus Calling was an amazing privilege and a God-given responsibility. She committed time every morning to these prayers, often in the sunroom of her Tennessee home. Even as she struggled with her own physical health, and battled cancer, she continued the ministry of these daily prayers.
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for the people suffering in Maui. Let God shed light on the truth of what happened there.
- Pray for Kris's daughter Kim as she only has about six more weeks until she gives birth to her first child. Let's pray for an easy labor and delivery, and a healthy, happy mom and baby!
- Please, God, send us strong leaders who will put you first and then the citizens of our country.
- Pray that the division in our country ends, and that we can truly be one nation under God, and indivisible.
- Let's continue to pray for our gold star families and our active military.
- Please pray for Kitty's DIL, Julie, that her heart will change; for SIL, Eric, that he will see some relief for his cervical dystonia; and for her son, Mike, that he will get a job.
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Blessings!
Ricki Jill
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