"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.

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

WOW ~ "New Beginning" ~ again

"New Beginning"




"You can have a new beginning. It doesn't matter how many new beginnings you've had before. Don't believe the lie that you can't have any more. Jesus's work on the cross paved the way for another new beginning and another and another - as many as you need. Our Father's mercies are new every day. Seasons change. Believe that you can have a new beginning in any area of your life that has not aligned with Father's perfect will for you. Embrace this precious promise, get back up again, and walk toward the new beginning. Father has good plans for you. It's up to you to move into His grace." YV 


 
"...I believe I can have a new beginning because the Word of God tells me so. Help me walk in this promise as I transition from one season to another. Give me strength to hold fast to this great and precious promise when I can't see what door to walk through. Walk with me."
  
Revelation 21:5; Ephesians 4:22-24; Lamentations 3:22-23


WOW

Walk On Weds.

It was about a week ago, I heard this Whisper as I began a new YV reading plan; one for the morning and one in the evening; both books from the same author (yet as you can tell I'm staying away from linking anything or using images) of these 365 day devotionals or YV plans - Whispers from the Holy Spirit, both on my wish list to get {that way I think I can get free shipping-lol} however, I really need to share this Word as I begin again here, because tomorrow, someone very dear to me, is facing court once again and e.v.e.r.y thing is being taken away from her (more than what has already been lost) after she's fought since last Nov., doing all they have asked of her, and I can't understand why, how or any sound reasoning that this decision is being made (at the time I read this, they had just met and informed her) but now it will be decided in court - so once again I ask for your prayers and covering of God's protection, wisdom and strength to not fail now that the judge may have eyes and heart of the Father. {Yes, she has made some not so good choices that she holds on to since a year ago that has cost her ever so much and she just doesn't seem to see that she needs to let go} ... and still what part am I to have or stand on for her? with her?

So I walk today and listen for His Whisper!

I wait on God

as

I too must begin again

here with

His

aMazing GRACE

believing

in

New Beginnings

so

thankful for the many

second chances

He's given

me


This Word on Weds. is really meant for her, maybe you, maybe me ... but together with the Holy Spirit we can begin again, He can guide us, He can prompt us, He can speak boldly, He can awaken us, He can help us - align; yet we need to be willing to listen, to surrender, to trust, to obey, to change and yield to God's plan. I know with His Grace, we can overcome anything - "for nothing is impossible for God!" (Luke 1:37)





Tuesday, August 1, 2017

"DON'T LOOK BACK"


In lieu of recent events in my personal life and then on this blog (see note now below the posts or follow that link) - this could not be a better idea, place or date, to BEGIN again than with this phrase in red and a plan that came from You Version that I recently did: for such a day as this - so, ON THIS DAY, August 1st ... more than 40 years ago - a lifetime (41+ yrs. of knowing this person) most would be celebrating, but I have not for such a very long time (nor has or does the other half), so it remains just a day etched in my mind, that I can't erase, can't change, can't take back or even undo; can't redeem because it's so irreconcilable, yet I remain and I will just NOT LOOK BACK any longer or be reminded, but I will continue to look ahead, declare and pray that God still has something good to come out of such a bad choice and decision; some of what has taken place over these many years was meant for some Godly reason, and only God (knows) ... and I won't LOOK BACK any longer, nor will I be dragged back by the enemy or listen to the lies, without seeing and knowing and believing GOD'S WORD

Romans 8:28

New International Version
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, {that's me} who have been called according to His purpose."
New Living Translation
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." 


is meant for me

and

very clearly

it is meant for this blog

since thousands of blog posts have been drafted

none of which is the purpose of the You Version reading plan

yet I had just completed it when this blog was ready

to be shut down and served a notice

Well, today I serve a notice

to the enemy of my soul

YOU HAVE NO POWER OVER ME

and

WON'T SHUT ME DOWN

I BELIEVE

IN

GOD ALMIGHTY

I BELIEVE GOD and HIS WORD

WHO IS MORE

POWERFUL

than

any situation, storm, crisis, circumstance, problem

and

I will make it to the other side

won

by

Jesus Christ

my Victor, my Savior, my Lord

I ask for the strength

the continual protection and guidance

Godly wisdom and Spirit control

"to move the mountains"

as I wait as 

God moves

holds me, heals me

fills me with His Hope

with His

aMazing GRACE

that keeps me

going

Here is the description of the You Version plan written by Lisa Singh, although I did not see a book or website, as often is the case, I did read that she is a pastor ... (and in my opinion, she should write a book on this, because 5 days just wasn't enough)

"The past holds a river of memories for each of us, some good and bad. The sad thing is many of us continue to live in the past, which in turn prevents us from walking into the future that God has designed and prepared for us before time began. As you read through this plan, my prayer is that you will release the hold on your past and embrace the future God has for you. "

... I do believe this is the day that I must determine to walk into the future God has designed for me, without living in the past ...

... so many of us need this and affirm this and be released and freed from the hold the past (present or earthly future) has on us and embrace the future God has, which I have done and so grateful that God has been with me throughout all these years to see me through and beyond, yet I know He has great plans for me still, whether it's here on my blog, in my real life, in my community, back on the mission field, in a church, wherever ... He goes with me (and has) - I just need to listen, hear and obey; trusting Him completely even when I can't see, know or understand about this earthly journey ... He has a greater journey in mind, a plan for my future - a new start (which was day 1), another new beginning for me here on this blog and in my real life (even though I still wonder how, I trust Him)

"Holy Spirit, help me from today to live my life with a view of what is ahead; help me to stop looking back!"

I know He holds me and He holds the key to my heart and life! He is my purpose and that has not changed in 60+ years, God has not changed nor does HE! 

"Looking back is a heart condition" (day 2) {and I certainly don't want to be turned into a 'pillar of salt'} I so want my heart to be following His and no other (not a person or any other idol).

Holy Spirit, help me today to leave the past behind and lead me to an abundant life ahead!

"Looking back feeds the desire of the flesh - a false sense of security" (day 3) - a longing for supplies (day 4) ... this I especially find to be true and creates an insecurity in my present and future as well (as I look with my earthly eyes)

Holy Spirit, help me today to let go of the familiar and the false sense of security of the past. Please help me to trust You with this process.

"Looking back limits the future" (day 5) - and I am so done with this! Jesus Christ has given me an abundant life and that is how I choose to live even when I face obstacles, I will remind myself constantly of these truths ...

Holy Spirit, I thank You for the revelation I received during this time (also from the sermon I heard from Pastor Steve Furtick) and I truly want to make it into the future God has for me. I am sorry I wasted so much time on things that I cannot change, I am sorry for taking for granted what You so freely provide for me every day. I am sorry for robbing the people in my life presently because of the "look back mentality". Holy Spirit, help me to forget the pain associated with the past and as I visit my past from now on let it be for only moments of remembering how You brought me out of bondage. Thank You Abba for a new start!

I find this to be very appropriate for this date! No more looking back or faking fine! I'm His and He is mine! Nothing, could be more divine - and with this I am so inclined ... to look ahead "at the joys before me". In case you couldn't tell, this plan totally changed my outlook and is a source of healing for me at this time in God's Word and through so really great books!

Lord, help me remember this as I am being bombarded with lies and tactics from the pit! They are not from You nor the pawn the enemy is using ... I'm tired and done so I won't LOOK BACK but LOOK FORWARD to a glorious future that You have planned. Give me the strength I need to face and do what You alone tell me to do ... in Jesus' precious name 



I'm wondering:

how is God speaking to you

about not looking back

or maybe at

not seeing things the way you do

or yourself?

How is God moving mountains for you?

I pray He is and if not, let's go

to Him for one another

asking Him to

MOVE





Saturday, July 22, 2017

"NO MORE FAKING FINE"

by

Esther Fleece

9780310344759
{pretend you see an image of the book cover here if it's gone}

Since I heard about "No More Faking Fine ... " being released January 2017, I wanted to have it and review it. I came across Esther Fleece, through another author, book and checked out her website. I instantly knew that this book on 'lamenting' was meant for me so I signed up to get the guide from Esther Fleece before I even had a copy of her book. After reading some of the top positive reviews and a couple of the low ones, the sample copy, and this lament guide, I was convinced that this was the book God would use to bring healing in my life in 2017. 

Esther Fleece does not disappoint with "No More Faking Fine..." - I found that this deep book is one of my 2017 favorites and still working through the many ways that God is using this to walk me through healing in my life, although I have not shared experience as severe as Esther Fleece's childhood and her life journey of getting "gut-level honest with God through the life-giving language of lament" ... I have been processing through this book since I received it months ago and delayed in writing my review until I truly had a sense of this book, like no other, from beginning to end - it shatters, inspires, encourages, guides and leads the reader on a pathway to true intimacy with God, giving us permission and "voice to the hurt, frustration, and disappointment' that maybe you, like I, have "kept inside and silenced far too long." I could have put together a review of high praise when I first began this long journey of healing through this book as I shared here and there that "No More Faking Fine ..." is a MUST READ.

When I read the title, "No More Faking Fine: Ending the Pretending", my reaction was not like other reviewers that chose the book because the title captured their interest, I was sure that I certainly do not 'fake fine', in fact, I was convinced I am the complete opposite, that I tell it like it is: good, bad and ugly. However, within the last year, I noticed that perhaps I was stuffing and have not been sharing much with anyone, except God, so I wasn't "faking fine", I wasn't fine and I recalled going through periods in my life where I had done this. I found that Scripture reveals a God, as I have seen in my life, who has met me right where I am time and time again and as Esther states "not where we pretend to be". Esther Fleece walks us through her life experiences, her life story with a "suck it up" mentality, where she stuffed and stuffed her emotions. I'm quite the opposite. Esther writes with such openness and vulnerability, most of us can easily relate, even without having the same experiences, most of us have had to deal with other people when facing difficulties, hurt, grief and struggles. Esther helps us learn how to lament and biblically shows us how it's OK to express ourselves honestly when it hurts. 

There are 3 parts to Esther's book: "Faking Fine", "A New Way to Pray" and "To Sing Again" with 11 chapters. Each chapter begins with a Scripture, is filled with scriptures, and ends with a wonderful prayer!{you know how much I love prayers in books}

This is a much needed book, as Esther exposes her personal pain in a powerful way to enlighten us in the need and manner to LAMENT, to walk through our own story of difficulties honestly, authentically and just as courageously as she has and learned to do so that we may heal. I know I need this book and will continue to go through it. I highly recommend "No More Faking: Ending the Pretending" with 224 pages of truth and redemption for you and others you know that need a friend like Esther, the real deal, who understands and seemingly links arms with you as the reader through a journey of healing and lament.


Disclosure: I received this book free from BookLook Bloggers in return for an honest review. 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 FTCommission’s  16 CFR, Part 255



Wednesday, July 19, 2017

NO MORE WOWS or ... BLOGS?


WOW! - I started out to share a Walk On Weds. (even in the rain) with some Whispers from God, but when I opened up to my "blog posts", I had a legal type notice for a blog post back in 2015, so that changed my pace and even slowed my walk, wondering about ever so many of my blog posts (all the ones before I even understood blogging and what is considered infringement on copyright, etc.) and without knowing or wanting to learn all about legalities, going back through over 3000 published blogs since 2008, I have decided to temporarily make my blog private (still a possibility), rather than take time to sift through all of this ... which in effect shuts me out of doing alot or sharing all I love to share. I could start a new blog, but maybe this is God, so I'll take this to Him first. How appropriate that my last WOW was "CHANGE"(drafted, sorry) and the title of my upcoming review of a great book.

*INSERT my UPDATE from the end moved here, so perhaps you can skip all of my deliberation to see, what I spent my Weds. doing instead of a Walk, Whisper, Word or Worship


UPDATE: As I'm working on drafting previous posts, starting with the series in question, I may be able to draft previous posts in groups of 50... so we'll see what I accomplish this way before August 1st, 2017. I am currently "drafting" all of my previous blog posts by groups of 50 and maybe at a later time, I will edit or republish those that seem to be OK. 

My apologies, if you come here and it shows that post not available and I waste your click over here, if you'd like you can list that post in the comments, if you'd like it.

So after working all day until almost 9 p.m., I am considering beginning again, right here as I have now drafted over 3000 blog posts (left some) August 1st may be the date I begin again (now that you've read all of this). If you find any post in those I have left that you think I should consider drafting, please let me know. I guess after almost 10 years, I am still learning about blogging or never really learned all I needed to know regarding legal matters. I am thankful to Blogger for their notification because I guess it's a way to save me from my own demise and ignorance is no excuse when it comes to legalities. Thanks to each one of you for your understanding and time with me here at aMazing Grace ~ Mazes, Messes, Miracles

This certainly is one of those "messes"!

I have to at least post a book review
that is long overdue

 (coming Sat.)

end of update back to my previous thoughts
or
skip to the question in bold blue underlined


<><><>

Some of you receive my blog posts through emails that I know and maybe some I don't know (so "Thank you all") but without knowing who you are, I cannot send or add your name to a private list unless you let me know, of course. I already have a private blog and have not posted there for a long time.

I started "drafting" all the series for the blog post that was pointed out to me back in 2015 because it was part of a 31 Day Journey, so I want to prevent further notices, not knowing. I tried guessing and removing images that I usually give credit to them with their link, but the notice does not specify what part of the blog post was "certain content", according to what I understand from what I read. Here is how the notice starts off: (oh, and by the way, it was buried in my "updates" not in my primary ... I may have missed it altogether there)

"...Blogger has been notified, according to the terms of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), that certain content in your blog is alleged to infringe upon the copyrights of others. As a result, we have reset the post(s) to "draft" status. (If we did not do so, we would be subject to a claim of copyright infringement, regardless of its merits. The URL(s) of the allegedly infringing post(s) may be found at the end of this message.) This means your post - and any images, links or other content - is not gone. You may edit the post to remove the offending content and republish, at which point the post in question will be visible to your readers again." ...

"...You may republish the post with the offending content and/or link(s) removed."...
part of the message at my blog posts

... for me, this just makes blogging too complicated
and I don't have time to re-do or un-do ...

In my mind, if you give the source, or link to who wrote it,
I thought I was not in violation
so
with this in mind
many studies, books, 31-or 40 day journeys
and
God's Whispers
all may be
in violation that I
never intend(ed)
which also means I can't review books
on a private blog, they need to be read and mine
have been shared at Amazon

and
a blog without images
just reading
my ramblings
makes
for a boring read
in my opinion

<><><>

So what is God whispering now to me this week?

(sigh)

I really wanted to share a
"Whisper of Rest"
since I missed sharing in
SOS
this past
SONday

on our final
PART 6

"SHINING as the Beloved"


where Bonnie Gray writes

beautiful

WHISPERS

Day 34 "Light"
Day 35 "First Love"
Day 36 "Gift"
Day 37 "Poetry"
Day 38 "Story"
Day 39 "Song"
Day 40 "Treasure"

[I don't think I finished sharing the One Word Whispers from Part 5: Daring as the Beloved, which were: Play, Known, Change, Listen, Inspired, Hope and Blossom.]

So instead of stepping up to "Dream as the Beloved", I will now be stepping back and instead of "Shining ..." I am putting my light on dimmer and dimmer ...


Looking back in light of all this, sharing all of the Whispers from LOOP and TPT and other sources, also probably are in question or could be, and far too much of my content, so it's time for me to step aside from publishing anything or linking or sharing but not due to lack of inspiration or writer's block. 

I never would have dreamed that in the month of the year that I struggle with the most for so much of my past, I'd be facing shutting down one of my key interests (hobbies) that seems to be therapeutic for me, really needed for me more than you all and to now return to private like notebooks and journals (if at all)(sigh). I'm finding in my old age (lol) that sometimes my fingers hurt as I write (arthritic stiffness) ... so even though I don't type correctly, it's easier to hit a key - maybe, back to One Note Notebook or who knows? 

I can't believe
after
I read the most beautiful
WHISPER
from
Brian Simmons
in my email
on
Monday
that
I
don't know what
God is whispering today

quit?
{I don't think so}

continue?
{I 'm not sure}

write my own ramblings???
(maybe)(sigh)

so many dear blogging friends have let blogging go

it's been my social outlet
I have not joined
all the other social media
(nor will I)
I don't need or want any 
legal problems either

I have enough stuff in my
real life
<>
sharing
GOD
and
how He's speaking
to me with
others
has
been my purpose

<><><>

GOD
will keep
WHISPERING
and
shouting at us even
whether
we share or not
whether
we listen or not
whether
we act or not

In
WHISPERS OF REST
in this part
I was
to celebrate my calling
and
"be God's radiant light"

this reminds me of this part of a children's song, "hide it under a bushel, no ... I'm gonna let it shine" ... oh wait, maybe that's a violation to share the lyrics ... oh, and I have done that also so it's time to step away from blogging, lean into God's whisper and word ...

Show me, Lord

You are my Greatest Treasure

but

You shine

on Your own

in the darkness without

my help

You will shine on!

{oops, another song - is it a violation?}

[this blog will remain until public until August 1st, 2017]

I really had hopes to make it to 2018
(ten years)

let me know in the comments,
if I go private that you'd like to receive
my blog posts still




Saturday, July 8, 2017

"BACK TO LIFE"

{I haven't been on 'vacation' but MIA here, and I wanted to post this on Saturday, then didn't get to it, so although I'm doing it today (Mon.) I'm publishing it on Sat. because it's so where I am, and I so needed the YouVersion devotional by Mandisa and this song is a fantastic finish}

"BACK TO LIFE"

Image result for back to life mandisa


If Mandisa did not write this, I should have, and it's a perfect theme for me for where I am at ... even though, it's for different reasons and circumstances, some of the lyrics still fit. This is my HOPE ... this is how I wish I felt after completing a week ago the HEALING part in "Whispers of Rest", I am far from rested or healed ... seeking more of the Master's touch, our Healer!



Mandisa
(see lyrics in video)

Although
I'm not coming back 
to Jesus

I'm already back 
'cuz
He's had my back all along
And I pray He continues

I'm so thankful!

He's never left
I've never left Him nor could I
He truly is all I have

I'm so thankful


Coming back to life for me, is not returning to Jesus Christ, but in need of so much more of Him and Him in me, all that the Holy Spirit has ...  but we have not been separated, He's the beginning and ending of my every day; and so many of the moments in between, He rescues me, giving me the strength and hope to carry on.

In my real earthly life, my day to day existence, becomes more unbearable after returning from 20 yrs. in Mexico (although I had been back and forth almost every year for at least a month during those years when I really needed to be here and wanted to come home, I was told to stay there) then finally I was not going to wait any longer and moved the move 'back to life' {so I thought} yet life back here has literally been sucking the life out of me ...

There were many times in my life that I needed to come 'back to life' in Christ from 'prodigal' living, but as I have been living and serving Christ, I am now struggling to hold on to this earthly life as I yearn for our heavenly life. I'm so fed up with all the enemy has been dumping on me and some very close to me

I'm so tiring of fighting selfishness and sin of others and find myself reacting in the flesh far too often, which brings great sorrow to me and my spirit. My heart wants to remain tender and compassionate, however I am sensing that it may be hardening and even am fatiguing in praying for salvation to come to those who are causing me so much spiritual strife, tension, exhaustion and unnecessary problems when there are already so many to deal or cope with. This world is rapidly deteriorating and values are on decline, evil is rampant in the world in general but also in so many lives and homes ... my, how we need JESUS!!!

JESUS COME, JESUS COME
{although this is not the one I was singing in my head}

JESUS I COME
Elevation Worship


[On Tues. I shared a new song to me "Shoulders" but I have drafted that post, however you can hear it by visiting a new site that I love with Michelle Nezat]


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