"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."~from ISAIAH 61 Bible verse for this Blog

APOLOGY to READERS who followed a SEARCH to HERE & didn't find it

On July 18, 2017, I drafted almost 3000 blog posts that I had published since 2008 when I began blogging, rather than edit each one. So if you clicked here from somewhere else and ended up with the post unavailable or error, I am sorry but this is why. It'd be too much work for me to go back and fix them. There's an explanation on 7/19/17 as I'm still learning.

Monday, August 10, 2015

"FERVENT ..."

FerVent
"... a Woman's Battle Plan for Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer"
by
Priscilla Shirer



Every Christian needs a strategic warfare plan of PRAYER against the enemy who has a personalized attack against each of us which is bent on destroying us and knows our weaknesses and vulnerabilities, so this battle plan written so tactically from the wisdom and best selling author, speaker and teacher, Priscilla Shirer is a guide that we all need. I highly recommend for everyone because we all need to get serious and busy on our knees in prayer and have a warfare plan with "serious, specific and strategic prayer" as outlined by one who really seems to know and applies what she preaches and teaches so well. I chose this book purposefully and waited for it to become available in a digital copy because I knew that I most definitely need the practical approach and clear information that Priscilla shares on prayer as I've been reading and listening to her present on the Armor of God at her blog with "Going Beyond Ministries" through her #WFA Summer Series (W=War Room, F=Fervent ... A=Armor of God). 

{It's been so helpful and quite refreshing each week. And I can't wait to see Priscilla and Beth Moore in the upcoming movie "War Room" (which will be released August 28th, 2015) which this book and others like it are related to this movie by the Kendrick Brothers.}

Blog_Banner - NS - Final - 3
{Of course, since I'm reviewing Priscilla's Fervent book, I consider this one my favorite and the best but they all look good and the journal too. Can't wait to see the movie.}


The Introduction to "FerVent" begins with "This Means War" followed by "Opening in Prayer" ... with a quote leading into this from "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" in a dialog between Theoden and Aragorn, who states:

"Open war is upon you whether you would risk it or not."

And so it is, "because this is war", "the fight of your life", a "very real enemy has been strategizing and scheming against you, assaulting you, coming after your emotions, your mind, ... your future" ... "but his reign of terror stops here", "stops now", ... "he won't have victory anymore" "because it all starts failing when we start praying" ... these are fighting words that we need in our daily battles and prayers with mindsets filled by the Holy Spirit to confront and out do our enemy with know how and tactics ... strategies. 



This is not just a book about "prayer", to merely talk about prayer or think about praying, it's a practical book to pray specifically and strategically in a plan we develop to our own personal needs and life ... as we go along learning that "praying with precision is key" and that's exactly what Priscilla does as she guides us chapter by chapter in Strategies as we practice implementing the incredible power tool of prayer ... as Priscilla so beautifully puts this ... "Prayer is the portal that brings the power of heaven down to earth" {WOW, love that!}

At the end of each chapter in this book, Priscilla leads us "to compose a strategy of prayer in regard to our own life in that particular area", which I found extremely valuable to do. So you develop your own personal prayer strategies as you continue through each chapter of 10 Prayer Strategies (explained well on pages 15-17 with a Scripture for each one from the compilation of a poll and these as the most common categories from the responses): against 1) your passion, 2) your focus, 3) your identity, 4) your family, 5) your confidence, 6) your calling, 7) your purity, 8) your rest and contentment, 9) your heart and 10) your relationships. I most certainly need a strategy in every one of these areas and I'm sure that you do also. But of course, there are more ... this is just to get us started designing our own prayer room with strategies, prayer plans, and PRAYERS. I can't get enough of Priscilla's solid Biblical & practical teaching.

Each chapter includes at the end "A Call to Prayer" which supplies Scriptures for that area. I love how each chapter begins with "If I were your enemy, ..." and then gives us a realistic viewpoint of how the enemy sees this area as a way to attack ... or how ... the descriptions are ever so clever and accurate. Priscilla is very good about interweaving Bible teaching throughout this book as she shows us God's Promises and examples in His Word. This definitely arms us with ways to fight back because "FerVent Prayer is fueled by passion" ... "FerVent Prayer relies on Focus" ... "because FerVent Prayer keeps your true identity in focus, reminding us of who we really are and taps into the power we really have in Christ" ... and on and on through each strategy, showing us and calling us to pray fervently for our families, our children, our spouses, our pasts, our fears, our pressures, our hurts, our purity, our relationships ... our future and our world, our very lives depend on us praying.

I've read and respect Stormie Omartian and her many books on "Praying..." but this one from Priscilla is a definite go-to-book, a "Must Read" and Apply these practical strategies to be effective in striking back with a God given weapon that works! This is a hands-on warfare manual teaching us God's plan and promises to have victory in our prayers that I know I will return to often as a tool to enhance my PRAYER as a winning weapon! After all, James 5:16 confirms that "the effective, fervent prayer avails much ..." so we all need to become more effective and praying fervently will avail and prevail God results in our lives. We all need this book as a unified body of Christ saying "Amen" ... and let it be so! 


Disclosure of material connection: I received this book free from the publisher through Net Galley. 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



* I really have so much more that I want to express about Priscilla's Fervent book but don't want to reveal more of this excellent tool to aid us. However, I'd like to make further note of following along with Priscilla at her #WFA Summer Series (maybe you'll win a copy of her book or other giveaways) or checking out more of the resources at the War Room site and also a Book Club I found that is doing this book really well each week finishing before the movie releases with Darlene on her blog

Fervent

I have so much PASSION when it comes to
FERVENT PRAYER
and 
this book gives me better strategies
to be an effective warrior


Here are added video blessings with Priscilla on our ARMOR ... 
*another great Bible study by her! {the "A" in her WFA Summer Series}

"Begin the Battle on Your Knees"
{great 7 minute clip to fuel your passion}

Promo
{57 seconds of a powerful invitation to join}

Armor of God
Session 2 
Session 4 
Session 6

{fantastic 7 session study}

"All day, every day, an invisible war rages around you — unseen, unheard, yet felt throughout every aspect of your life. A devoted, devilish enemy seeks to wreak havoc on everything that matters to you: your heart, your mind, your marriage, your children, your relationships, your resilience, your dreams, your destiny."

Learn How the Enemy Always Fails When He Meets a Woman Dressed for the Occasion" ~ Priscilla Shirer

OK, so let's suit up and fight!

Let's
BE
FERVENT
in our
prayers




Wednesday, July 15, 2015

WALK On WEDS.

[changed from what I had from faith gateway to my own 
so I could publish this post]

I'm taking a quiet, reflective walk today to a place I don't want to really go to ... but I have been there far too often and I must today because it is the birthday of someone that was part of my life for quite some time, of good and bad times, but no longer this side of eternity to celebrate 45 years ... by choice. I'm a bit torn on this day ... not quite sure which path to take or where to find a place of quiet or rest. 

"I'll try not to linger too long in the negative choice you made and its impact, you probably never thought about. How very sad. I still struggle with some of this with your precious family who did not deserve this like your beloved mom and her heartache. I can only imagine because I won't go there, although I have a few times only, it's much too much painful and sorrowful. I lack what I'd hope to tell her/them ... any reason ... anything. Just skeptical ramblings or untruths. Only God knows ... and only God understands this." 

I recently came across a book (that believe it or not I don't have, nor have I read it, even though I truly like the title, I'm not so sure the contents will help me). However the author went through a similar situation to mine compiled with many other tragic events ... from what I understand reading about her and the book. But even so, I don't think we can compare our pain, our losses, our grief. Each soul grieves differently. 

I was sure since I walked in the Valley last week, I had something special for today (but I lost track of what it was) and when I saw what day this was ... well, I almost did not post ... however, I knew I'd be taking this "walk" anyway alone. OK, not totally alone, alone with God, with Jesus, with the Holy Spirit ... you see I need all 3 for company this day. I'd love to "dance with Jesus" (that's why I love opening to this book's website just so I can see and imagine myself in that place). Round and round I twirl ... yes, that's how to get from "grief to grace".

Somehow, recently, perhaps in anticipation of this heaviness beckoning me once more to revisit "valleys" ... I stumbled upon another place, a faith art community with a course - a Bible-based course on "Good Grief" using art journaling. Such a wonderful idea ... for His Kingdom Come ... as I explored and learned about their site.

To me, this is perfect (although "no, I did not sign up") ... I was reminded by God how I love the Arts ... to me that is art of painting, drawing, photography, etc. but also "arts" includes music and dance for me. I recall that when I was grieving the loss of my youngest brother, who was artistic like my mom, that it was through "art" I found my peace and joy once again. What I liked best about the person whose birthday is today was that artistic ability. Yes, I am drawn to the "art" nature of people and to "those that are artistic" ... a part of me that I never developed but began to explore more and more since the loss of 3 dearly loved, artistic people. I always pushed the academic side of my education, but oh, how I wish I had developed and taken courses in more of the "arts" especially art techniques. I do believe that this would be great therapy. In fact, I'm sure it's used as therapy. 

I remember when I first came here vacationing...more than pursuing my calling, I purchased an art sketch pad and some chalk (cray-pas) and began sitting along the walls at the beach and therapeutically sketching scenes. Many of my most enjoyable teaching times were when I taught Kindergarten and drew characters on the blackboards as I told stories ... I loved craft and art projects, and decorating my classroom for opening day. Yes, art definitely is something I should have pursued more, so I'm sure that this is a good way to work through ones' grief and mourning. I love music and dance too yet for some reason this ole body is not flowing as it once did (or so I thought and loved whether I looked as graceful to others as I felt and imagined or not; I was for me and my audience of One)


So now I am off for the day to do just that ... 

not the
dance part

the
ART
part and the
HEART
{did you see that "heart" has "art" in it? plus He}

that means with
"HE"
Jesus 
as part of
the
ART
from the
HEART
 will bloom
much more 
GRACE in my Garden
today as
"I will bloom where I am planted"
in
God's Word
and
Kingdom


There definitely was a reason that God chose and gave me 
Isaiah 61
and
GRACE
for this blog and me

GOD is so AMAZING!


{Happy Birthday Pajaro!}
well, you got a Tropical Storm out in the Pacific named after you this week - how appropriate (lol)

It does not help that on
July 13, 2015
one of our favorite Mexican singers
known as
Joan Sebastian
"Jose Manuel Figueroa"
departed from this world
preceded by his faithful white horse
5 days ago
REST IN PEACE


I am back home in Minnesota on this SONday 7/15/18 and once again remembering EMT "Pajaro", who would be 48 yrs.old today and I still can't believe, such a young life thrown away, for what? Que lastima! 


Wednesday, June 24, 2015

WALK On WEDS. (WOW) ~ PROJECT ANYTHING

As I kinda mentioned in last FRIDAY FOCUS that I should change my PROJECT H.O.P.E. to my 'new' Project "ANYTHING" {since HOPE was My One Word in 2014, not 2015, I named it that last Lent} but it certainly is "ANYTHING" and ties up so well all my "anythings" here in Mexico. since coming here in 1996 to step out in faith and my calling since 6th grade {I waited} ... this one "Project" among so many others of a different nature ... is one that more or less puts all of my HOPE and all of my ANYTHINGS together ... so let's take a different kind of WALK On {thisWEDS. looking at the partial completion (which means - so far, but not yet finished) of my PROJECT ANYTHING


Unlisted Video

{PREFACE: I can't believe that I came back and am adding to this already "way too long" blog post but I just had to preface all of what is written here with I am not sharing this to say what I've done because it's not what I have done at all or alone, it takes many ... and this is just one of ever so many in need of much: HOPE or an ANYTHING project in this vast needy world in which we live ... this is what God laid on my heart, but it took more than me to accomplish this, to God be the Glory. I am not submitting this story to the ANYTHING PROJECT although this is exactly what it is. And it can be duplicated many times over and over to reach others and make a difference in His Story for His Glory and theirs in the Kingdom of God. I submit this here humbly as ...

"My Long "ANYTHING" Story: Testimony to God for His Glory"


When I came to Mexico in 1996 finally, I wanted to work with the kids (after all I'm a double major in Elementary  Ed. (K-6) and Spanish, so that only makes sense, right?) and have been waiting and preparing for this mission adventure since 6th grade with all my educational goals headed south of the border in this direction. So, of course, I was meant to seek out the "orphans" and ministries of this nature with kids because this is exactly what moves my heart. And that's exactly what I did do when I first came. After God spoke to me on the beach the year before I first came through Susana (my 108 year old inspiration), God altered my heart just a little to include "women" with the "children" --- those that may not have as many opportunities for education and learning about Jesus. Soon I readjusted once again to include teaching "English" through God's Word and Christian songs and began putting together lessons in English to go with this, which soon became just teaching English. (sigh) Little did I know that God had something totally different in mind for me. Something that I knew very little about but He spoke with an almost audible voice in one of my trips back to Mexico from Minnesota in 2007. I was certain I had heard Him wrong, after all, I knew absolutely nothing about "trafficked victims" of tourism or worldwide exploitation, but He was sure to confirm and show me. For many reasons, I will not go into the details of this course, but God began to open my eyes to so much more as I began to learn about this, the ministries and all that is involved; calling this my "Project A" ... {who knows, some day I may be able to share more on this "A" of Anything and who would have known when I labeled it Project "A" that the Anything Project would come along, starting with 'A'}.

God began putting together pieces of my own life, pieces of my life here since 1996-2007 and then 'outta the blue' something new showed up with the construction project on the house that I was renting ... or actually someone new. The workers that came to do the construction for the "Architect" were from an "albergue" {sorry, I realize that this a Spanish word and the closest that comes to that is a "Shelter for the Homeless"- the forgotten}. God had yet another plan that He would reveal through these workers, many of whom were new Christians, because their "shelter" was administered through one of the first churches I knew from here, "Espiritu y Verdad" which I had lost touch with because they had moved and moved and finally acquired land and began building a church in the "colonia" known as Villa Verde. {colonia/ colony is another word for just a specific section of the city; it is broken into many}. 

All of this previous explanation, is in part to show you when you step out in obedience, thinking you are ready for God's ANYTHING, He may have something entirely different from what you thought or had planned as meeting His will and following His way - your way, He will definitely pull out all stops to show you HIS way and then go about putting the pieces altogether, or running a silver thread from the beginning to the finale, for you to see how HE really was in this from the beginning and kept trying to get you to see it from His perspective. In the meanwhile, He allows you to "mess" up but He'll keep bringing you back to the ANYTHING He had planned. 

Introduce one of the workers that stands out from the others and faithfully stays with the construction project from the beginning to the end. The short of this individual's complicated life story up to the age of almost 50 ... is he is one of those "forgotten" (abandoned child, left in the care of his grandma until she dies; parents never took care of him as they parted ways and moved on with others starting over with new families, which become his "step" family, half brothers and sisters; yet (until recently by some) he is never acknowledged as family ... in fact, his life went clearly off the deep end in the wrong direction and he was thought dead, so all that was his from his "abuelita" was sold by his mother and sister. He had nothing and no one and really no reason to live, until Christ came into his life on Dec. 20th, 2011 changing everything) ... he was one of those sent to work on this construction project. 

The significance in all this, is I was ready to go home to MN, call it quits (for now) when God showed me that this precious new Christian needed a 'Shelter' of his own that indeed God is Our Shelter and Our Refuge but He does have a plan for each one of His children. This individual needed to get away from other individuals in the "albergue"- the influence that could have pulled him back to his former old self (like me or you) and given a chance to grow in Jesus Christ with his own place to live. God tugged on my heart last year to begin in Lent, a Project to give him this H.O.P.E. thus began Project H.O.P.E. ... land was finally acquired, construction of his own house began in 2015. And the above video (a documentation of God's work) is where and what he has accomplished with God on his own (mostly) through the blessings of a few donations and months of saving and looking [for another version of this story, you can go to the original blog when I got this in my spirit HERE]

He and another Christian friend (brother in Christ) found this land and divided it to have their own place to live ... so already the HOPE was spread to more. His home is built in the colony of "San Antonio"  here ... {"San Antonio"/St. Anthony is the Catholic patron saint of "lost things" ... or lost causes, or patron of the poor} ... I don't believe it was just a coincidence that they found their land here, it was most definitely a GOD-incidence, and God put all of what I had hoped together in this one person, this one soul, who needed His Heavenly Father to provide and care for him, and I pray that God still will, because he will and has many needs yet to come. He is one child among many that somehow in society (whether it's in Mexico or right in our own community) slips through the crack ... never finishes their education, lives on the street, never is able to find acceptance in a family, never draws near to God or a church, for fear and lack of knowing that there is one God, who cares and is willing to go that extra mile to WALK with us to show us His Love ... His ANYTHING -  to make us SOMETHING outta NOTHING. After all, He's God of the Miracles and this one is just getting started. 
We have excellent programs to sponsor many children throughout the world, by supporting them each month, which I totally recommend and am all for ... it's easy to love a "child"; however, on the other spectrum of life, those of us that have reached beyond mid-life ... have been forgotten and quite often need support also. Many, even if they wanted to continue working to go on living, can no longer find employment and in third world countries, economics just don't take care of the aging ones without families to care for them. More and more, families cannot take care of their own, much less their aging parents and sadly too many have forgotten them. Much of what I admired in the Mexican culture of extended families, caring for sometimes 3 generations under one roof is fading and not much of a reality any longer, at least not for the poorest among them. {well, this is another dilemma and topic for another time and journey but meanwhile there are many that are being left "forgotten"  living on the streets, homeless} God forgive us. So many needs ... so much to do ... so many left by the road side

Luke 12:48b

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Matthew 7:24-27

Matthew 9:35-38; Luke 10:2

"We instinctively tend to limit for whom we exert ourselves. We do it for people like us, and for people whom we like. Jesus will have none of that. By depicting a Samaritan helping a Jew, Jesus could not have found a more forceful way to say that anyone at all in need - regardless of race, politics, class, and religion - is your neighbor. Not everyone is your brother or sister in faith, but everyone is your neighbor, and you must love your neighbor."― Timothy KellerGenerous Justice: How God's Grace Makes Us Just "


Some more quotes to think about


"I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love. ~Mother Teresa

If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one. ~Mother Teresa

Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you. ~Mother Teresa


How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. ~Anne Frank

GOD

will use

ANYONE

to do

ANYTHING

if we are open and begin

our

ANYTHING

by handing God our

EVERYTHING

and

making

SOMETHING

from

NOTHING

for

SOMEONE

who has

NO ONE

but

YOU

as their first

BIBLE

to show

JESUS

to them


TO BE JESUS 

ALIVE

THROUGH HIS SPIRIT

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

REACHING ONE MORE FOR

JESUS CHRIST

in Jesus' Name


Thank you for giving your ANYTHING!

In His Grace

Peggy


*additional part to "This is My Story" 7 part series +
giving testimony to the many tests of my mission
a message from my messes; a triumph from my trials



"God Cares About Every Detail" should be the title of this WALK on WEDS. and was my intent until God moved me to "detail" this part or this much of my "ANYTHING". As you can see, I had much bottled up to share and pour out as I put together this video of our progress update to God's Glory that I just had to show how very much God cares, I care and we should care for others - one by one, WON by One ... please take the time to pop over to "Meet Me in the Meadow" to read the "Someone Cares" #4 for this week ... I'm sure it will bless you as it motivated me! 

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

"ANYTHING..."

"...The Prayer that Unlocked My God and My Soul"
by
Jennie Allen

(2015) 254 pages 
{which now includes a Bible Study} 

the updated version of
(2012) 208 pages

{and truthfully my first time through this book was in 2013 with this}

Audible Edition

Today, June 9th, is the re-release date of 

"Anything ... The Prayer that Unlocked My God and My Soul"
by Jennie Allen

with a new, beautiful, teal blue cover,
new chapter updates of what has transpired since the 1st edition,
and the best part for me, an accompanying 8-week Bible Study Guide
with a main Scripture passage to study along with the books chapters, 
power-packed questions, 
two projects for personal reflection and application
and 
six conversation cards for small group discussions

A REALLY WONDERFUL ALL ENCOMPASSING NEW ADDITION
to draw you even deeper into your journey with God and 
being prepared for what might happen if you pray
"Anything"

"... And in that one little word we turned in everything for God’s anything."

Every dream for our lives.
Every dollar and possession.
Every safety and comfort.
Every person’s approval.
Every ambition.
Everything.

And we opened our entire lives up to anything God had for us.

Any risk.
Any country.
Any act of obedience.
Any dream God had for us.
Anything.


Perhaps you never read the 1st edition or don't know "Jennie Allen" or are familiar with her story, perhaps you are/were afraid to pray "Anything" ... perhaps you have and "things" have not gone at all like Jennie's, or perhaps God has used Jennie Allen and her story to inspire you and challenge you to GO BEYOND ... maybe you have found many excuses (valid or not) and it's time for you to step out ... the best place to start is letting this book by Jennie Allen move you step by step forward ... working through, guiding and processing this {of course, it's clearly better to get someone or a small group to do this with you, more about this later}

The book is wisely divided into 3 parts with 6 or 7 chapters in each: the first (pages 16-72) "Everything Keeping Us from Anything"; the 2nd part (pages 73-114) "Praying Anything" and the 3rd part (pages 115-163) "Living Anything Jesus' Anything" ... life changing ... followed by some finishing touches: "What is Your Anything" and "Since Anything" which updates much of what has happened to the Allen family since praying "Anything" and still happening (pages 167-174). Then Jennie finally is able to complete this book (pages 175-223) with her wonderful style of an 8-Week Bible Study, which definitely is not only her passion but her forte. {perhaps you are curious as to why I share the pages for these parts ... simply put, it's because I want to compare the 1st edition to the new one so that you can decide whether to reinvest in this one if you read the previous

Many have asked if the Study guide is available separate and as of now, it is not, but it is a good suggestion to the publisher and author as a supplement to the ones who have the 1st edition. However, you will miss out on the updates without this new version. I agree with others and Jennie, herself, that the book was is incomplete without this study ... and my review also is a bit incomplete without going through the Study first {more about that at the end}; reading the journey or pages is only half of the total impact without making the application to our own life, it's just like it is with God's Word. Jennie Allen's "Anything ..." is a call to action! "Anything" is a life changer and praying or working through this will deeply affect you and those around you.

Now for the added BONUS {the reason I hurried to get this review out and the MORE about this LATER parts above} beginning with a LIVE Online kick-off event on June 15th, you can join in this free access to an 8-Week Online Bible Study with study videos and more resources by signing up for the ANYTHING PROJECT with Jennie Allen and Faith Gateway.



Jennie's Invitation

I truly enjoy Jennie Allen and her heart! I would recommend highly any of her books to change and challenge you and your spiritual journey with God and one another. Beware --- this book will change you and your attitude (I pray) to truly take the risk of being a disciple of Jesus Christ in your daily EVERYTHING and ANYTHING. Allow God and Jennie Allen's "ANYTHING..." Prayer to stir you and your life to be responsive and passionate about God and bringing glory to His Kingdom in this world for the next. Jennie has the gift to guide us to do this ... ANYTHING ... 

What I found to be significant and my favorite part ... kept changing as I read on and on, highlighting and wondering how Jennie's story would influence or impact my story of faith and that of others. Knowing that this can have a lasting affect on eternity in ways that we are yet to see ... just maybe your surrender or mine will open our eyes to God's ... and that will lead to His Glory and GRACE if we are willing to act and dream BIG about ANYTHING!

Here's an excellent example for us all from "stories" (as the "Anything Project" is collecting and sharing) from someone we all know, respect and love: our dear Ann Voskamp




I'm thinking I should do a follow-up review after completing this 8-week study! 

Other key links for Jennie Allen:
her blog
her Facebook
{you can get all the rest of the social media sites at the bottom of her blog}

IF:Gathering
IF:Equip
{reading the Bible together with other women worldwide}

Disclosure of material connection:I received this book free from the publisher Thomas P. Nelson through the BookLookBloggers.com, a book review blogger's program. 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


I apologize if this publishes all wacko but as I was pulling together and writing all of this, Blogger was really messing it up, and it was going askew so I only pray that it turns out somewhat in a sequential order and blocks as I hope. It was moving all around and lining and realigning itself as I typed or added images, links, paragraphs ... 


Wednesday, May 20, 2015

"FINDING PEACE and REST ... " ...

in the
"DEVOTIONS from the GARDEN"


[credit image: faith gateway]

actually the title is

"Devotions from the Garden"
Finding Peace and Rest in Your Busy Life

By Miriam Drennan 


... who doesn't want to "find peace and rest" whether your life is busy or not; however the reason I found this to be the key part of this title that drew me into choosing this book IS because as you read the devotions, you can actually find this peace and rest. 

Miriam Drennan starts each 2 page devotion with a passage from Scripture, then a daily reading drawn from "gardening" with a spiritual application to our life, really wonderful analogies in so many of the devotions, ending with a simple personal prayer, filled with breath-taking, full color gorgeous photographs of garden scenes and nature. Just the cover itself invites one to "come to the garden alone and fill your soul with His Presence" as you sit awhile on this welcoming garden swing. Such a delight as you take in the imagery of the words and photographs as you read each beautifully written devotion of the 90 included, that can be read in a brief amount of time, or you can linger over them on a wonderful walk in the garden. It is there you encounter Him, and the peace and rest.

As I anxiously began reading the book, I thought I would sample just one a day to get the feel of using this as my daily devotional, but I found myself continuing from one to the next, and I could not put this easy reading book down. I was totally inspired and in awe of how close I really felt to God with an amazing sense of peace and desire to want to connect with more and more of the awesome insights that Miriam Drennan illustrates from the Master Gardener and our growth. I could certainly see that Miriam Drennan was more than just an author writing daily devotions, she actually knew her topic of the garden very well along with spiritual and biblical inspiration. Even though I am far from being any kind of a gardener with a green or otherwise thumb, she was able to help me understand and learn not just about a wide variety of gardening themes but also deepening my spiritual growth and understanding. This book would be a great gift for the avid gardener or anyone that appreciates the beauty of God's nature like me. The author's own garden knowledge and her explanations are extremely helpful, informative and her analogies from the garden to our own lives are inspirational, insightful and indicative of Miriam's expertise and my own need for growth.

Each devotion covers so many different gardening topics and spiritual themes that I would love to list them but there are 90 so ... let's just begin with some of my favorite ones which fit in so perfectly with my "Gardens of Grace":

 "God's Transforming Grace" 
"Grace in the Garden"
"The Riches of Remnants"
"Blooms but No Fruit"
"The Forgotten Crop"
"Neglected Beds"
"Grafted to Him"


Other gardening themes include: Perennials; Crop Rotation; Soils; Roots; Drought; Weeding; Pruning; Seasons; Fruit; Harvesting; Companion Planting; Seed Cleaning; Mustard Seed; Mulch; various kinds of Gardens - Butterfly, Herb, Rain, Straw bale; and Gardening - Pallet, Rock; and of course, the insects like Ladybugs, the Mantis, Honeybees, Earthworms; and so many more that enrich our lives and our gardens. Beautiful photos make her words spring to life. Miriam has such a way with words and connecting garden themes to our lives as she plants, nurtures and tends to our spiritual gardens. I have so many highlights throughout this devotional which seems to point out that my garden was in such a need for attention and that I have such thirst for so much more by the Master Gardener and Miriam Drennan's capacity to tend to our gardens, the areas in our lives that need tender gardening skills and care: from our soil and our roots to the blooming parts and harvest. I knew that there are many spiritual themes from or in a garden, I just didn't have the touch or knowledge of expertise only the love for the Master Gardener and His daily care. 

This is absolutely one of the most beautiful, inspirational and timely devotionals that I have had the pleasure to read, for whatever season you may find your personal life to be. It is one that I will go back to read often to soak in the beauty of God's design in the garden and us in His Grace! Miriam Drennan refreshes our souls, encourages our hearts and cleverly communicates God's peace as we find rest in the garden. Our relationship with God through these daily feedings breathes afresh in us as we deepen our quiet time with walks in the garden with Him.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers  book review bloggers program. 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.

Book Description~ from Book Look Bloggers


"Come to the garden alone, and fill your soul with His presence.
There's nothing on earth like the peace and loveliness of a magnificent garden. It's the place where Adam and Eve first fellow-shipped with God, and where you, too, can escape from this chaotic world into His loving arms of beauty and serenity. Devotions from the Garden takes you to that place where senses are restored as dewdrops settle and butterflies gather to witness the miracles of God's creation bloom and grow. These ninety devotions explore the parallels of life with the elements of the garden to help you see God, to sense His presence, to soothe your soul, and to rest in knowing He is with you throughout each day. Included are striking photographs with a fresh, contemporary design for timeless appeal.
About the Author
Miriam Drennan is the author of Devotions for the Beach and the Days You Wish You Were There and Soar Above the Madness: Surviving Office Politics Without Losing Your Mind, Your Job, or Your Lunch. She currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where she enjoys gardening and playing with words. 
Drop her a line at www.that-writer.com. " Published by Thomas Nelson


To my faithful visitors;
all of you who spend your valuable time here with me
I do appreciate you so much!

Thank you for taking your time to visit!

Love, Sweet blessings & Hugs!

DIOS TE BENDIGA
GOD BLESS YOU

always

Peggy