Heart Choices: 2010-09-26 -->

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Giveaway Winner ~ God's Word From A to Z


Abe and Liza Philip of Philip Music created a CD to help their children memorize Scripture. 
One reader of Heart Choices will receive a copy of their CD entitled God's Word From A to Z.



And the winner is ...Jill of Forever N Ever N Always.

Yay Jill!  I'll notify Liza and send her your address.

Blessings and love,


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Friday Photo Flashback ~ 1966


Friday Photo Flashback

It's Friday Photo Flashback and I'm linking up with Alicia at More Than Words.

My sister Christine gave me this pre-digital photo dating back to February 1966.  Lisa Shaw was visiting me at my sister's house a few weeks ago and when she saw this photo, she told me I needed to post it. So, here goes...

Christine and I were in a local dance recital. Can you believe those costumes?  It looks like we even had makeup on.  I'm on the left and Chris is on the right in the can-can outfit. 

A walk down memory lane, that's for sure!

Blessings and love,

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Thankful Thursday ~ God's Love



It's Thankful Thursday and I realized I've not participated in the last few weeks.  Iris of Grace Alone is hosting and I wanted to join up with her.  Btw, did you know that Iris celebrated her birthday this past Tuesday?  Don't forget to wish her a happy birthday if you stop by.

Happy Birthday Iris!  I'm so thankful for you.  Did I mention that Iris lives in Arizona and I've met her in person? :)

I'm so thankful for God's love.  He knows exactly what I need and when I need it.

I'm participating in an online Bible study called "A Heart Makeover".  Tracy Berta has written it and is teaching through videos over At the Well.  This study has been so timely for me.  The Lord has been doing a major work in my heart as I honestly answer the questions each week.  This past week concerned a healed heart and it was very revealing for me. 

I'm not an openly emotional person.  I love people and I'm a hugger.  But I've had layers of self-protection over my heart for years.  As I've been spending time with the Lord each morning, He has been dealing with major heart issues in my life. I've found that tears come so much more quickly lately. 

Tracy wrote such a sweet note to me and mentioned a song by Natalie Grant called "Held".  I found it on YouTube and was so touched by it.  I sent a link to a friend who lost her young son.  I think the words to this song deal with major life issues such as divorce, death of loved ones, financial crisis and more.

I'm so thankful for our blogging community. I believe the Lord is doing something good as we get to encourage one another.  I pray you will enjoy this song:



Don't forget to be on the lookout for all you can be thankful for today.

Blessings and love,

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Word Filled Wednesday ~ God of All Comfort


It's Word Filled Wednesday and I'm linking up on the Internet Cafe.

God is my comforter but how blessed I am that He has provided me with friends who continue to walk alongside me as I go through a difficult season in my life.  I'm also blessed that He has brought many new blogging friends into my life who encourage me, teach me and ...love me.

I also learn from the 2 Corinthians 2 verses that I am to reach out to comfort others.  After all, I know what that feels like.  I find that my heart has become more sensitive toward people going through difficult seasons in their lives.

Blessings and love,


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Makeover of the Heart ~ Week 3


I'm joining Tracy Berta as she continues the Bible study "Makeover of the Heart".  You can join us At the Well where you can view a videotape and download a worksheet with questions to answer.

The focus for this week is:

A Healed Heart

The term 'a healed heart' brings several thoughts to my mind. 

I was born with a heart defect. 

My mom explained it to me when I was very young.  She said that I had been born with a hole in my heart the size of a fifty cent piece.  I didn't fully understand it at the time but I knew that I couldn't run around with other kids my age.  I'd become short of breath and my lips turned blue. I adapted by spending much of my time reading, coloring and drawing.  

By the time I was seven years old, my symptoms became worse.  It was now 1960 and the surgical techniques had improved.  They had no choice but to proceed with open heart surgery.  I wanted a healed heart so I could run and play and be like the other children.  I hated being different.

Yes, that's me!
I became a cardiovascular nurse specialist. 

I wanted to help others who had hearts that needed healing.  I worked in Intensive Care, Cardiac Rehab, Telemetry and with a cardiologist for many years.  Teaching people about their hearts and how to care for their bodies to prevent further problems. 

Healing of the heart requires trust.

Just as I needed to trust the cardiovascular surgeon to repair my physical heart, I need to trust God to heal my spiritual heart.  I must be honest and share that I've allowed layers of self-protection to form around my  heart.  Trust can be broken by people and often we resort to closing off our hearts in our attempt to control.  But these same barriers can prevent you and me from truly loving God and loving others. 

Listen to what Tracy wrote:

"Transforming our hearts includes putting our trust in the Lord. We easily trust ourselves, our friends, the media, and the “world.” We need to transfer this trust to God."


People may disappoint us but God is trustworthy. 
Photo Credit: Allposters.com
I've been going through a season of trials for several years now.  I've prayed and asked for the Lord to intervene.  I don't doubt that He sees and knows all that goes on in my  life.  After all, I am a child of His, chosen in Christ Jesus and loved by Him.  But I must admit there were times when I longed to know how He would intervene in my situation.  But 2 Corinthians 5:7 reminds me that I ...walk by faith and not by sight.

Looking back on the past few years, I can see God's hand at work in my life.  He's been pruning me for His purposes.  I've had to let go of so many material things that I loved and enjoyed.  I've prayed that I would not harbor bitterness and anger in my heart.  The only way that is possible is to make a daily 'heart choice' to trust God in the midst of the storms in my life.

The more I learn to trust God, the quicker I will obey Him. 

I'm discovering that only He can truly heal my heart. 

God is beginning to reveal things to my heart.  If I hadn't gone through these seasons of pain and trials, I wouldn't be at this point in my spiritual walk.  I can't believe I'm actually writing this but I might even be thankful for these storms because I have learned such important lessons:
  • God is my refuge. 
  • He is the only solid Rock on which I can stand. 
  • He is trustworthy. 
  • He created me and loves me. 
I choose to trust Him with my heart.  Only He can truly heal my heart.

How about you?  Are you trusting God with your heart?  Have you ever covered your heart with layers of self-protection?

Blessings and love,
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Giveaway ~ God's Word From A to Z


Memorizing Scripture is so much easier as a child. 

To this day, I can recite most of Romans 12 because I memorized it as a child.  I also remember learning a song that included all of the books of the Bible.  If I have to search for a book like Obadiah, I find myself singing the song in my head and then I can go right to the place in my Bible.  I vividly remember as a 6 or 7 year old child singing this song in front of the Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle with a boy named Richard.

I received an email from Liza Philip asking if I'd be willing to do a giveaway for a CD she and her husband Abe created for their children to help them memorize Scripture.  After receiving a free copy myself and listening to it, I said YES!

Although I don't have little children, I continue to learn best as a child.  (Just ask my friend Jill.) 

This CD contains 26 songs that were written and arranged by Abe and Liza Philip.  The Scripture verses are read by their 4 year old son and 2 year old daughter.  The music style varies from classical, jazz, bluegrass, pop, rock and Celtic. 

You can find more information, including samples, on their website Philip Music.

This is Abe and Liza. Aren't they the cutest?

So, if you'd like to be in the running for this CD giveaway, be sure to leave a comment.  If you share this on Facebook or Twitter, leave another comment letting me know.  You will have more entries to possibly win.  Come on moms.  I think this is a great way to teach your children about God's Word.

A winner will be chosen on Friday.


Blessings and love,

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I Love Weddings


I attended another wedding this weekend.  Jessica (my friend Julie's daughter) got married to Andrew on Saturday at the Scottsdale Bible Church Chapel.  The reception followed at the Paradise Valley Country Club. 
Jessica and Andrew

Saying their vows to each other

Presented as husband and wife
Jessica's sister Natalie was the matron of honor
Hope is the younger sister of the bride.  I taught Hope when she was just a child in the BSF children's program.
Proud Mom and Dad
Sharing a laugh after the wedding ceremony
It was such a happy occasion.  I had the chance to spend time with friends.  Let me tell you; we know how to have fun!  Can't you tell from this latest photo?

The table settings were gorgeous.  Red roses were the centerpiece for each table.

Is this setting the perfect backdrop for wedding photos?  That's Camelback Mountain in the background.  A lovely Arizona day of sunshine.

A few friends ...



 The wedding reception was a blast!

The DJ got the crowd going. We even had a scavenger hunt.  I'm holding a ladies' shoe.  It was one of the items we had to find.  LOL.



Lots of dancing and celebrating!

It looks beautiful but it tasted even better!

I think I've come to the conclusion that ...

I heart weddings!

Blessings and love,



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