“I’m a Baking Enthusiast” Award!

Have you been the the mydearbakes blog?  NO?  Oh, you simply must pop right over there and plan to stay a while.  The cakes you’ll see?  The inspiration you’ll feel?  Oh, I could go on and on, but I shall not spoil your fun.  Click the link and visit them soon and often!

I am excited and honored to announce that I have been chosen by mydearbakes to receive their “I’m A Baking Enthusiast” Award!

I thank them so much for honoring me with this award!

Top 10 Award!

I am blessed to share with you that Betty Bolden and

Jesus Is My Joy

Ministries/Devotions

has presented me with a new blog award!  I woke this morning to find that she’d nominated me for the Top 10 Award!  Thank you so much Betty!  I encourage you to visit her blog and am sure you will be blessed by her writing and her heart for Jesus!

Love and Forgiveness – A Poem and Prayer

 

Forgive me Lord . . .

For the many times I’ve been so caught up

in the new problems of the day

that I never even thanked you,

nor even at first noticed

the answered prayers of yesterday.

I am truly thankful for your love,

Your patience,

Your provision,

And your constant presence.

Teach me to reflect your love in my suffering

Just as you did when you suffered

So much more than I can ever comprehend

Out of your immeasurable love for me.  Amen

By Martha L Shaw – © 2-28-2013

Wow, the Lord has blessed me all day and this is one of the biggest yet.

Revelations In Writing

John just beheaded,

the loss of great friend.

Men seeking comfort

and rest at days end.

As they gathered round,

reported to Him,

people kept coming;

energy grew dim.

Jesus said, “Let’s go.”

So, off they all went.

Seeking solitude,

refreshing time spent.

The crowd, however,

did not get the news,

and ran on ahead,

as the eager do.

When Jesus landed

and saw the large crowd,

He said, “feed my sheep,

let go of your doubt.”

We have not the funds

to feed so many,

five loaves and two fish –

few would get any.

He had them sit down

in groups on the ground.

He raised what they had,

abundance abounds.

All who were present,

ate ’til satisfied.

With much left over,

God’s grace did provide.

(Responding to Mark 6:30-44)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that nothing is impossible for You.  Thank You that though we look and…

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I so badly needed this today. Must reblog for I am not alone . . .

Deb's Blog

“I lie awake,
And am like a sparrow alone on the
housetop.”  Psalm 102:7

God knows about each sparrow.

Lord, please help me not to be discouraged when I must wait to hear from You.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

Yearning

Laying  awake at night
wanting to hear
Your voice
to feel Your presence

and if I don’t it doesn’t mean
that Your not near
just that I need to trust
and in faith persevere.

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Quote of the Day – Dance!

One of my favorite people quoted this to me and I’d forgotten who said it.  Love it.  This is life in Christ!

You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching,
Love like you’ll never be hurt,
Sing like there’s nobody listening,
And live like it’s heaven on earth.

– William W. Purkey –

 

Eyes of the Heart Quote!

Wow, this is so true.  We have all read this sort of message in the Bible, sang of it in praise songs, etc., but I wonder as I think of some of the decisions and false judgments I have made whether “hearing it” requires a bit more thought.

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.

– Antoine de Saint-Exupery –

Italian Tortilla Chips From YOUR Oven!

Who says tortilla chips need to come out of a plastic bag, made to outlive ALL of us, be filled with chemicals and tons of salt?  NOT ME!

So, I started with my own corn tortillas, cut them in quarters, sprayed cooking spray on a baking sheet, placed my wedges on the sheet and gave them a quick spray on top.  I then sprinkled an Italian seasoning blend on them (use your fav) and baked them at 350 for 10 minutes.  I let the wee bit of grease drain off on paper toweling, then back in the oven for a quick second trip – this time with a sprinkling of REAL Parmesan cheese on them.

Yum.  No salt shaker was touched in the making of this snack and no cheese from a plastic brightly colored canister!

Rejoice on a Rainy Day – A Tanka Poem

 

Droplets of water

Falling, falling, from the sky

You nourish dry ground

and provide restoration!

New life, new hope – praise, rejoice!

*

By Martha L Shaw – © 2-23-2013

Quote of the Day – Money

Money often costs too much.

– Ralph Waldo Emerson –

I can remember, in another life as they say, working hard and being so hungry for the VP title.  Those who had it said “it means nothing.”  It wasn’t until I had it that I realized how right they were.

As I write this and contemplate Emerson’s words, I do so having, in the past, had not so much to worry about and having now the constant awareness of my financial concerns.  As with the fancy title, money really doesn’t matter all that much.  True, knowing I could pay my bills felt good and now the monthly “I wonder how” is showing me a different viewpoint, but honestly?  I was more stressed back then even than now.

One way or another, the Lord provides in ways most important and I am a flawed human who needs constant reminder of His love.  His mercy is UNCEASING though and while I learn more and more about our relationship, His and mine, and grow deeper and deeper with Him – learning anew what the word trust means, He understands, loves, forgives, and provides.

Emerson’s right.  Money truly does cost too much.  It’s all about trusting the Lord and reflecting His love.  I can’t afford to deal with the rest of it.  He’s handling it.