unending love playlist

Good Morning

It is a bit cloudy and dreary here in Virginia Beach

But – the sun is shining somewhere

Just because we cannot see it does not mean it is not doing its job

There’s a spiritual tidbit tucked away in that comment

Valentine’s Day is now – five short days away

Yesterday I shared my 2021 Valentine Playlist and today is the Unending Love Playlist

 

Now – you might be asking, 'Why another list?'

Well – these songs are entirely focused on our relationship with the LORD

It is, after all, the GREATEST LOVE STORY of ALL TIME

I hope you enjoy the list and that you will take time to listen to a few;

                And develop a list of your own

I am praying that the LORD causes all goodness to abound your way

Have a Blessed Day!

2021: Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

It is here – 2021 has finally arrived here in Virginia Beach, VA

Happy New Year!

I pray you had a safe New Year’s Eve

I had a rather simple night at home with my sons,

            where I was quietly thanking the LORD for His goodness and faithfulness

Even in trying times, He is always with me

‘Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.’ Lamentations 3:22-23

He surrounds us with His unending and unfailing love

My prayer is very simple this morning:

I pray the LORD would bless you and your loved ones,

            Every day, in every way, throughout this entire new year

God Bless & Happy New Year!

THE WONDER

Good Morning!

I pray all is going well with you this morning –

Do you believe it is December 24^th ?

It is not the ‘night before Christmas’ as the famous old poem notes, 

But, it is the morning before Christmas –

The little ones are waking up with anticipation – one more day until Christmas!

The ‘big’ ones are waking up with trepidation – still a few more gifts to get & planning to do

The season continues to awaken the feelings of awe & wonder

CHRISTMAS EVE is here!

 

It truly is a WONDER-FILLED time of year

A time of year where we can and should focus on the overwhelming LOVE OF GOD

But this takes effort – especially in a year like 2020

There are so many distractions & things that try to steal the wonder of this season:

Perhaps you have some errands to run this morning –

Perhaps Christmas is not looking quite the way you would have imagined or desired

Perhaps you are feeling a bit underwhelmed due to challenges and loss

            I know it is difficult

This is my first Christmas without my mom, where I will not get to see her sweet face on Christmas day – the very first time in forty-nine years

But I know, she is having a glorious time in heaven this Christmas

My circumstances do not define His nature or character

 

‘Who is like You, O LORD …

majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?’

Exodus 15:11

Know this today –

The Wonderful Counselor is still very much in the business of working WONDERS

May the God of all peace guard your hearts and minds this Christmas Eve

I pray you will stay safe and that joy will abound!

 

Have a Blessed Day

     Wishing You Much Love!

‘Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is  right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things’ 

Philippians 4:8

REJOICE!

Good Morning!

I pray all is going well with you this morning –

It is the middle of the week

And, the message today is short and sweet: REJOICE!

Remember it is not about where you are or what you have –

Jesus was born in a manager yet was still abundantly blessed

There are a million reasons to REJOICE!

Have a Blessed Day!

‘Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: 

“The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things”’

Psalm 118:15

‘Rejoice in the LORD always; again I say, Rejoice!’  Philippians 4:4

THANKSGIVING ... YES, THANKSGIVING!

I pray all is going well for you this morning –

It is five days until Christmas

It is actually hard to believe we are almost there

I was talking to my youngest son a couple of days ago and he said,

‘This has been the longest and shortest year ever’

I would have to agree with him

However, whatever has transpired, there are so many reasons for THANKSGIVING

 

It is a bit odd to title a message ‘THANKSGIVING’ at this time of year

However, the giving of thanks is not dictated by a day on the calendar

It is not relegated to a specific time of year

No, true gratitude is constant …

It can and should be expressed as often as the feelings of thankfulness arise

 

There are so many reasons and opportunities to give thanks –

Do you have peace in your home? Give Thanks …

Do you have a home? Give Thanks …

Did God breathe into your lungs all through the night? Give Thanks …

Did He wake you up this morning? It is reason for Thanksgiving …

We possess many blessings – if we will but take the time to notice them

 

This year has been challenging for many –

And you may say that it has been a year of great loss individually

I understand – it has been a challenging year for me as well, one with great loss

Yet I choose to thank the LORD for His goodness and His faithfulness.

Everyone has something to be thankful for

 

‘Rejoice in the LORD always. Again I say: Rejoice!’ Philippians 4:4

 

The reason for the season –

Over the years I have heard that phrase shared as a means to help people focus;

It is often spoken to remind others that Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season

But the truth is, Jesus is the reason for every season

‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’ John 3:16

 

The only thing that sustains us from season to season …

            Is the love, grace and mercy of the LORD God Almighty

            Made possible because of the life, death & resurrection of Jesus

His birth would have been meaningless without his life, death & resurrection,

            without Him conquering the power of death, hell and the grave

And He did that for us!

That is certainly a cause for THANKSGIVING!

 

So, ‘Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’ I Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

Today – my prayers are simple

I pray that your awareness would be heightened

I pray that you would recognize and appreciate all the ways the LORD is blessing you

I pray that you would take time to express your gratitude for His most precious blessing –

            JESUS CHRIST

 

‘For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given,

And the government will be on His shoulders and,

He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ Isaiah 9:6

 

Have a Blessed Day!

‘Thus far the LORD has helped us … ’ I Samuel 7:12

WSR REPORT: ENJOY THE JOURNEY

Good Morning Friends

It is very early Monday Morning – April 20^th

This is a day which is full of memorable events, many of them not pleasant:

The birth date of Hitler, the leader of Nazi Germany –

an individual responsible for the death of 6 million Jewish people

The anniversary of the United States Columbine High School shooting –

                where 13 students and faculty lost their lives and 24 were injured

April 20^th is also a noted ‘holiday’ and day of significance in cannibis culture.

Truthfully – it may not seem like there is a great deal to be thankful for on this date.

However – for me personally – it is a day of great remembrance

April 20^th is the day I was married back in 1990. And, although that marriage ended in divorce, the day on which it began is a reason for great joy in my life. You see, if that day had never occurred, I would not have three of the most important people in my life today – my three sons. This day, April 20^th, serves as a constant reminder to me that God is always present, always working things together for my good, always bringing beauty from the ashes.

This day, April 20^th 

It also serves as a springboard for today’s WSR REPORT: ENJOY THE JOURNEY

While many states are working on plans to reopen their states amidst the COVID-19 crisis,

My state of Virginia remains under a ‘shelter in place’ order.

Yet, all I could think about this weekend was,

‘If I have to shelter in place, I am so thankful it is with people I love and who love me back.’

It seems a simple and obvious thing – yet it is one that should not be taken for granted

Sadly, it is not everyone’s experience

WE MUST RECOGNIZE THE BLESSINGS IN LIFE & BE THANKFUL FOR THEM

EVEN IN THE MIDST OF TRIALS, WE MUST MAINTAIN A HEART OF GRATITUDE

Yesterday and this morning,

I spent some time re-watching a Korean drama series Netflix entitled, Chocolate

I wrote about it at the beginning of this year in a post entitled, 2020: CHERISH THE DAY

And in that post, I shared an observation and quote from a scene in that show:

“Standing on a beach, with the waves crashing in the background, one of the characters makes this poignant declaration:

“As if today is your last day,
and as if you know that this moment will never return,
cherish  every single moment that comes by ladies and gentlemen.
The day you wasted today – is the tomorrow that someone who died yesterday so badly wished for.”  – Tae-Hyun

This touched me intensely and immensely.

It touched me because it is all about the value of life.

It touched me because it is something that I am realizing is so vitally important;

It is something that I know I need –

this need to value the days which the LORD blesses me with

It is something where I am developing a keen awareness of the need for – intention.

You see, making the most of each day will not happen by accident.

I must make a choice to focus on the people and things that matter most.

I must make a choice to appreciate the people who the LORD has blessed me with.”

When I wrote that post back in January of this year,

I had no idea what 2020 would hold for us as a nation and for the world at large

That post ended with the following verse:

‘Teach us to realize the brevity of life so that we may grow in wisdom’ Psalm 90:2

Those words hold an entirely new significance for me as I reflect on them today

We must learn to appreciate and enjoy the journey.      

In my book, When Storms Rage, I note that  we should “never be so concerned with blessing and destination, that [we] miss opportunities to enjoy the journey and God’s Company today. He has already given us more than we could ever deserve in sending His Son Jesus to suffer and die for us. What can be so troubling and massive that the love of God cannot overshadow?

I promise you, no matter what your storm is today, you can rest assured that the LORD cares for that which concerns you. None of your storms have caught Him by surprise. He is still the same all-powerful God He has been since the beginning of time. Therefore, if the storm is present, He must be allowing it. And if He is allowing it, He has a plan and a purpose in mind – plans to prosper and not to harm.”

‘I delight greatly in the LORD: my soul rejoices in my God.” Isaiah 61:10

Despite all which has occurred, and all which is occurring –

I still choose to hope in the One in whom I have believed;

to remain steadfast and confident in the One in whom I have placed my trust.

And I choose to enjoy the journey – today and every day.

I pray you too will find something in your journey to enjoy today.

Have a Blessed Day!

2020: CHERISH THE DAY

Hi There!

I pray your weekend has gone well

And hope you are enjoying a relaxing evening –

My weekend has been one of rest and relaxation.

I watched the conclusion of one of the most interesting series I have watched in a while.

It is a Korean drama, simply entitled, Chocolate

Now – I am not generally a crier [not for movies anyway]

However – this show has brought me to tears more times than I can count

But – I love it!

And – it was this show which inspired me to write today

Although – I am trying to work on writing on a more regularly scheduled basis

I still struggle with writing when I do not have something absolutely pressing on my heart

What can I say? That process – and myself in general – are still a work in progress

In any event, and without giving out the end of the show,

I would like to share a quote from the show which grabbed my attention.

The context of the quote is not completely relevant –

                Because the quote has the ability to stand on its own merit

Standing on a beach, with the waves crashing in the background, one of the characters makes this poignant declaration:

“As if today is your last day,
and as if you know that this moment will never return,
cherish  every single moment that comes by ladies and gentlemen.
The day you wasted today –
is the tomorrow that someone who died yesterday so badly wished for.”
~Tae-Hyun

This touched me intensely and immensely.

It touched me because it is all about the value of life.

It touched me because it is something that I am realizing is so vitally important;

It is something that I know I need –

this need to value the days which the LORD blesses me with

It is something where I am developing a keen awareness of the need for – intention.

You see, making the most of each day will not happen by accident.

I must make a choice to focus on the people and things that matter most.

I must make a choice to appreciate the people who the LORD has blessed me with. 

Psalm 90:12 says,

‘Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom’

I know, from scripture, that our life is but a vapor and then we are gone. [James 4:14]

Therefore, each day is a special and precious gift – one which must be protected.

I am learning how to better establish & maintain healthy boundaries –

And, I am finding there a few things I value as much as peace in my life.

Even so – it is all a process – one which I noted earlier is a work in progress.

And, I hope to get in some meaningful practice over the next few days.

I am off work this entire week.

I am taking some time – just for me.

And, I intend to make the most of every day and the opportunities they present.

Spending time with the LORD, spending time with my sons, spending time with my Mom;

Spending time with me and for me –

Writing in my journal, counting my blessings, reflecting on the things that make me smile

I pray that you will make some time as well –

                Time to focus on the people and things which truly matter to you

Tomorrow is not promised to any of us

Therefore, we must live, laugh and love – every opportunity we have

                Counting as blessings the things which make us smile,

                Being a blessing by helping others to find a reason to smile.

I pray you have a blessed evening and an amazing week!

God Bless & Much Love

THANKS GIVING 2019: Happy Thanksgiving!

Good Morning Friends!

Gobble, gobble, gobble – 

These words resonate in my ears every Thanksgiving

It is what my Auntie Barb always says every Thanksgiving Day

And she always sounds SO CUTE & joy bubbling out of her ... like it always does

ME –

I am up early and have not slept most of the evening;

Cooking, cooking, cooking!

But, I absolutely LOVE to cook so it is a pleasure

I am also up praying that your day is off to a great start –

That this Thanksgiving Day 2019 will be a joy-filled one;

And that if you are traveling this Thanksgiving Holiday – that you will be safe

THANKSGIVING is such a special day

HOWEVER – 

This is not where our giving of thanks begins … or where it should end

I hope during this series, that we have discovered –

WE HAVE SO MANY REASONS TO BE THANKFUL

EVERY DAY – there is something which should cause us to GIVE THANKS;

EVERY SEASON – should be a time for THANKSGIVING

COUNTLESS REASONS – abound, reminding us WE ARE BLESSED & SHOULD BE GRATEFUL

Let us not allow our heart of gratitude be relegated to a season or a day

Let us GIVE THANKS every day!

I am so thankful for you this morning!

Praying you have a tremendously blessed day –

Happy Thanksgiving & Much Love in Christ!

‘Rejoice always, pray continually,

                Give thanks in all circumstances –

for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.’ I Thessalonians 5:16-18

THANKS GIVING 2019: THE TRUTH

Good Afternoon Friends!

I pray your day is well –

That you are making time to celebrate all the things which make you THANKFUL

I am definitely benefiting from focusing on THANKS GIVING

AND TODAY?

TODAY – I am exceptionally thankful for THE TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD

You see, there are time when I am uncertain of everyone and everything around me 

But I know His nature and I know His Word to be true

Therefore, if ever there is a time when I find myself doubting –

which happens more than I care to admit

If ever there is a time when I start think He just does not care or –

that I must have made Him angry

His Holy Spirit assures me there is something amiss in my reasoning.

He reminds me - that is not the God I serve.

He gently [and sometimes forcefully] prods me to GAIN A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING,

to EMBRACE A BROADER PERSPECTIVE.

It is in those moments, often mixed with tears (like it was last night) –

that I am reminded how very blessed I am,

how much I truly have to be thankful for.

I talked a couple of days ago about how THANKS NEEDS TO BE INTENTIONAL at times 

I mean, life is not always sunshine and roses 

Indeed in the Word we are forewarned:

‘In the world you will have trouble ...’ John 16:33

It does not say you could, not that you might, not even a maybe ... it is a certainty 

But we also admonished to ...

     'take courage [be of good cheer] for I have overcome the world.’

Even the most painful experiences can provide value –

     They can usher in understanding and hope,

     if we will submit to the idea of them being our teachers and not our adversaries

GOD is still in control –

He does still sit enthroned 

And He cares for every single matter which matters to us

That is indeed something to be thankful for! 

No matter what kind of day you have had –

Irrespective of the type of week, the manner of month

I pray the truth of His Word will meet you where you are

AND

If you are filled with joy – that His truth would embolden you further

If you are filled with sadness – that His truth would be the spark of joy & light of hope you need

If you are filled with uncertainty – that His Word would be the peace, direction, comfort and assurance which you long for

I thank God for you in my prayers ....

Praying You Have a Blessed Evening!

THANKS GIVING 2019: GOD MOMENTS

Good Evening Friends

I pray your day was a great one

It is still QUITE COLD here!!!!

Today was an interesting day for me –

I got to experience what I affectionately refer to as a GOD MOMENT

These are times – THESE GOD MOMENTS – when the LORD shows up in such a personal way

They are not regular occurrences.

HOWEVER –

Each time it has happened, it leave me feeling pretty amazing … it lets me know

• I AM LOVED
• I AM REMEMBERED
• I AM PROTECTED & DEFENDED
• I AM CHERISHED

AND – most of all, it leaves me feeling INCREDIBLY THANKFUL

NOW – if you have spent any time here on this page, you are well aware of MY LOVE OF MUSIC

WELL – today was pretty great

I was listening to music at work – like I always do

However, my music frequently times out when I am listening on YouTube

Here is the screen shot of what it looked like today

Now, when this happens, my music stops abruptly until I tap the ‘Yes' to continue listening

TODAY THE MUSIC KEPT PLAYING

AND THE SONG THAT PLAYED WAS ONE I HAD NOT HEARD BEFORE

CECIE’S LULLABY by Steffany Gretzinger

Now, that might not be much of  God Moment to most people – but it was to me

Because of the lyrics, I knew something special was happening;

Something so special that it brought a tear to my eye

THE LYRICS?

Call My name
And I will answer
All you need
It's here inside My arms
Just breathe
And you'll be safe and sound with Me

No one knows you better than Me
No one's been a better Friend

So rock-a-bye baby
Come and rest
You've been tired lately
Lay your head down
Don't you think, baby
I know best
I've been a Father
For a long time

That is not the complete song –

But it is the part of the song that GRABBED MY ATTENTION

It is the part of the song that GRABBED HOLD OF MY HEART

It is the part of the song that let me know, 

IN THAT PRECISE MOMENT – THAT GOD MOMENT,

THAT GOD WAS THINKING OF ME – 

EVERY BIT AS MUCH AS I’VE BEEN THINKING OF HIM … AND MORE!

Moments like the one that happened today are so precious

And I am so thankful every time they occur

It reminds me of my Father’s promises:

• ‘You are chosen…’ I Peter 2:9
• ‘I have inscribed you on the palm of My hands’ Isaiah 49:16
• ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love’ Jeremiah 31:3

AND THAT IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR!

Have a Blessed Evening!

THANKS GIVING 2019: IN EVERY SEASON

Good Evening Friends!

I pray all is well with you

I must say I am thoroughly enjoying this series of focusing on GIVING THANKS

I keep thinking about the instruction given in I Thessalonians 5:18

It is not a suggestion, not a recommendation but an actual directive:

‘Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’

HOW POWERFUL IS THAT!

I know so many who spend their whole lives trying to find out God’s will for their lives

I know I have done it

YET – It could not be any clearer

‘GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES’

In every situation, in every instance, IN EVERY SEASON – GIVE THANKS

NOW – this time of year, thoughts go toward autumn leaves and gatherings with family and friends

HOWEVER – tonight, here in Virginia Beach, it is feeling more like a wintry mix – SO COLD!

YET – THERE ARE STILL REASONS TO BE THANKFUL

Thankful for shelter

    There is no place like home

Thankful for eyes to see and a body to feel –

    Even if it is seeing the rain and feeling the cold

Thankful for friends and family

     I know I am thankful for my sons and my good friends

Thankful for employment

     Even when it is challenging

Thankful for peace-filled moment

   SO THANKFUL FOR PEACE!!!

The list could continue and continue ...

BUT – enough about what I am thankful for

Why don’t you take some time to count all things you are thankful for?

SO MANY REASONS TO GIVE THANKS

                IN EVERY SEASON GIVE THANKS

I am thankful for you & praying you have blessed, restful and WARM evening

God Bless!

THANKS GIVING 2019: OUR VETERANS

Happy Monday!

I pray your week is off to a great start;

And there is no better way to start the week –

   than to acknowledge our service men and women for all they do

Today is Veteran’s Day

HOWEVER –  I hold a special place in my heart for our military at all times

I love my country and I love and appreciate those who serve [and have served] selflessly

Being a former military spouse, I know that service comes at a cost

In my post on Memorial Day earlier this year, I noted some of those cost – which often go unseen:

§  There are also those, who live among us, who have also sacrificed their lives
 §  There are those who may not have experienced a loss of physical life;
§  Yet, they are the ones who have suffered the loss of a way of life which they held dear,
§  A life which was compromised while they selflessly served [and still serve] this country.
 §  There are those who have experienced the death of relationships –§  Those who have suffered the painful demise of a marriage … while they served.
§  There are those who have endured the loss of a loved one –§  Where they could not be present because they were off serving this country on foreign soil.
§  There are those who have experienced the loss of a life which they knew –§  Those who have lost health and wealth while serving or upon returning from service to this country
§  There are those who have cried tears that only they and God know about –§  Those who deal with the ongoing emotional trauma of having served.

I am so thankful for those give their all every day –

So that we may enjoy the freedoms we experience on a daily basis.

Today, I honor and celebrate all service members [and their loved ones and families]

I humbly and gratefully say …

Happy Veteran's Day and God Bless!

THANKS GIVING 2019: The Art in Giving Thanks

Good Evening Friends

I pray you have had a good week and that your November is off to a stellar start

Hard to believe that Thanksgiving is fast approaching –

Here in Virginia Beach, a chill arrived and has it feeling unseasonably frigid

It is not usually quite this cold in November

Nevertheless, and irrespective of the temperature –

‘Tis the Season for THANKFULNESS

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

There is an ART IN GIVING THANKS

There is never a bad time to BE THANKFUL

There is never a bad reason to BE THANKFUL

There is never a way to measure all the benefits when we GIVE THANKS 

With heart of gratitude and an intention to give thanks in all things,

We are able to paint a fresh perspective on the canvas of our lives

GIVING THANKS – it is one of the best, non-medicinal method of improving one’s mood

So, over the next few weeks, we will be taking a look at subject of THANKSGIVING

Not the meal, not the season,

But the ACT OF GIVING THANKS – THE ART IN GIVING THANKS

And I will also be sharing some of the things I am thankful for

I am thankful you stopped by…

I am Praying You Have a Blessed Evening!