Heart Choices: 2010-03-14 -->

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TSMSS ~ In the Garden


It's Then Sings My Soul Saturday when I link up with Amy of Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

This morning the song that kept popping into my head was "In the Garden". It's an old hymn that was written by Austin Miles in 1912. Although he was a pharmacist, his hobby was photography. While he developed photos in his dark room, he spent time quietly with the Lord reading Scripture. One day as he was reading John 20, this scene came into his mind and he wrote the words and music to "In the Garden".

I learned this information from a book called "Then Sings My Soul" by Robert J. Morgan. It was a gift from my realtor's assistant Judy.

Talk about the names of God. This was another example of God as El Roi and also as El Shadday. In the midst of a very difficult time and circumstances, God blessed me with another believer who came alongside of me. Thank you Judy!

I love the sound of Alan Jackson's voice.

Happy TSMSS!

Blessings and love,

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Friday Photo Flashback ~ Destiny Dance


Friday Photo Flashback

I'm linking up with Alicia of More Than Words for another Friday Photo Flashback.

I always had fond memories of dance class as a kid. So just for the fun of it, I signed up for an adult dance class at Destiny Dance. It was from 2005-2006 and Sheryl Cooper was our teacher.

Sheryl is the wife of Alice Cooper, the rock star. You remember the song "School's Out", don't you? BTW, they are both Christians. Their Solid Rock Foundation has done much for the youth in the Phoenix area. They will be opening up The Rock Teen Center in the near future. It will be a place for teens to go for mentoring, music and dance lessons, sports and much more.

Sheryl kept encouraging our dance class to participate in the year end recital. I really had no interest since I only took the class for fun and exercise. Go on a stage and perform; no way! But Sheryl can be quite persuasive, so most of our adult class ended up performing in the recital after all.


We performed a beautiful number to the song Resurrection. I'd missed the dress rehearsals since I was in New York City the week prior to the recital. But I still joined in and ...had a ball.
Here's Sheryl Cooper, our teacher. She's a lovely person and a great dancer and teacher.

Blessings,


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Thankful Thursday ~ El Shadday



It's Thankful Thursday and Laurie of Women Taking a Stand is our host.

I'm so thankful for the blessings of God. In the midst of difficult circumstances ...He blesses me.

As I continue to study Ann Spangler's "Praying the Names of God" with Jill of Forever N Ever N Always, I'm learning about El Shadday.

For Thursday's reading, the example is the life of Joseph. Joseph endured many hardships in his life.

  • Being sold into slavery by jealous brothers
  • Separated from his beloved father
  • Accused of a crime he didn't commit
  • Being thrown into prison for years

I'd have to say that's a lot of hardship.

Ann Spangler writes;

Joseph's resilience in the face of so many obstacles is compelling evidence of the Almighty's power to bless our lives, regardless of who or what stands in the way.

That was something for me to remember. Nothing can stand in God's way. My part is to ...trust and obey.

God blesses me in so many ways.

Yesterday I was blessed with the opportunity of meeting a fellow blogger for lunch. With our recent move, I live fairly close to Sassy Granny.

See, good things happen when I submit and go where I'm supposed to go ...no matter how I feel about it.

Kathleen AKA Sassy Granny is a delight. She's the real deal; authentic, transparent and did I mention ...encouraging? Although she's Irish, she wore bright pink so I wouldn't miss her. How could I miss her smiling face waving at me as I walked up to the Olive Garden? There was no mistaking that it was Kathleen.

We sat over lunch for two hours that seemed to go by so quickly. If you've ever met a fellow blogger that you've grown to love you will understand what a blessing it is. I can say that I hope to repeat this blessing many times in the future. Kathleen is such a source of love and hope and encouragement. She prayed the most beautiful heartwarming prayer for me before we left our lunch. I only wish Sonja of bits and pieces could have been with us. But I knew she was faithful in praying for us.

I want to thank Lisa Shaw of Sharing Life with Lisa. I first came to know of Sassy Granny when she wrote a guest post on Lisa's blog. Anyone who is a friend of Lisa's ...is a friend of mine.

So on this Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for El Shadday's blessing on my life. I know I can look forward with hope to the future even when I don't know what He will bring. After all, nothing is impossible with God.

I pray that you remember and know that, especially if you're going through hardships and challenges.

Blessings,

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Word Filled Wednesday ~ El Shadday


I'm glad it's Word-Filled Wednesday today and I'm linking up with Christy of Critty Joy.

It's been a crazy week for me. I wasn't even online yesterday which is very unusual for me. I live in the desert of Arizona and right now I feel like I'm in the need of some refreshment. Where do I turn?

I've been studying Ann Spangler's "Praying the Names of God" with Jill of Forever N Ever N Always. It's interesting that our focus for this week is God as El Shadday.

I snapped this photo on one of my long walks in the desert. Since we've had more rain than usual for Phoenix, the desert is beautiful.

When I'm weary and in need of refreshment I need to remember that I can rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

El Shadday is my refuge and my fortress in times of trouble and uncertainty. When I don't know where He will lead me next, I need to ...trust and obey.

I'm thankful for El Shadday on this Word-Filled Wednesday.

Blessings,



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Monday Morning Reflections ~ El Shadday




I'm linking up with Jill of Forever N Ever N Always to continue our study of Ann Spangler's book "Praying the Names of God". The focus this week is on praying the name of El Shadday.

God revealed Himself as El Shadday to Abram in Genesis 17:1-2:

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.

Did you catch that? Abram was 99 years old!

And yet God Almighty (El Shadday) made a covenant (promise) with Abram. In verses 3-8 God told Abram that he would be the father of many nations and how He would bless his descendents. And yet ...Abram was 99 years old!

Abram's wife Sarai was 90 years old when this Covenant was given. Verse 17 tells us that Abraham fell face down. But he laughed and said to himself how could a man and woman of such an old age possibly bear a child.

I have to admit ...that would be me.

I hear with my ears and know that God is God Almighty (El Shadday) so nothing is impossible with God. And yet, in my humanity I question.

When God?

How God?

How about now God? After all, I've been praying for so long.

It takes faith to follow God. And that involves trust. Uh oh, I keep bumping into 'trust and obey' which is my theme for 2010.

I believe God was revealing Himself as El Shadday to Abram because this covenant would be impossibe from a human perspective. But with God Almighty nothing is impossible.

God even changed Abram's name to Abraham and Sarai became Sarah. You see, God knew what the future held for this couple. And God Almighty knew what they would become. They needed to believe by faith and ...obey.

(Photo credit: The Christian Post)

I love this image of God Almighty holding a frightened child (like me) in the midst of the raging storm. It reminds me that with El Shadday ...nothing is impossible.

While the storms are raging and I don't know what tomorrow will bring, I can trust El Shadday with:

  • My loved ones
  • My finances
  • My home
  • Difficult relationships
  • Uncertainties
  • Family who don't live close by

Yesterday, I was able to return to my church and Bible study group. What a blessing after missing out for several weeks with this move. I live further away from my church but El Shadday provided me with a special gift. I am less than a mile away from my friends Jack and Anna May. Yay God!

This week Jack was sick so Anna May picked me up and we rode together. We had time to chat on the way to church and back. How fun was that?

I'm so thankful that my God is El Shadday. When I become discouraged or doubt, I call on El Shadday. I remember that ...nothing is impossible with God Almighty.

It's not too late to join in on this wonderful study. If not, I'd love to read your comments.

Happy Monday!

Blessings,

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