my word for the year
This photo was inspired by my friend, Melissa, who writes scripture on paper and tears it off to a size she can easily stick in her pocket and pull out to meditate on while she walks her dog in the morning. Little scraps of paper become sacred when embellished with a Word from God.
As written on January 1, 2006—my sentiments remain the same:
This first day of this new year I am not so much resolving as I am remembering…recounting my Lord’s faithfulness to me as I have entrusted my life unto His keeping …and that is why I have placed this picture here.
Edwin Blair-Leighton’s bride pictured in Signing the Register has been a dear companion to me for many years.
She reminds me that He pursued me. She reminds me that I willingly said, “Yes.”
She reminds me that I am no longer my own; that I have chosen to identify myself with Him.
She reminds me that He stands as my protector to guard me physically, materially, emotionally, spiritually…and woe to him who would ever try to harm me in any way.
She reminds me that submitting to His perfect plan for my life is always a sure and safe choice.
She reminds me that His banner over me is love…and that He will never ever leave or forsake me.
She reminds me that He has taken the responsibility of making me all glorious within in order to present me to His Father.
She reminds me that He will be ever faithful to keep all that He has promised to be and to do.
This New Year’s day I am remembering the day I chose to “sign the register” and begin the walk down the Covenant aisle toward Christ, my trustworthy Bridegroom, who has, amazingly, chosen me to be His bride.
As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you.
–Isaiah 62:5–
Post is here today Soul Notes!
I haven’t posted anything here in weeks, because I’ve been working feverishly on building and designing a website that is due to go live on Monday! As you can see, I did manage to make a trip to the pumpkin patch, where I got a little carried away and ended up bringing home 10 [yes, I said TEN] pumpkins of various shapes and sizes! As you may know, I like simplicity, and that applies to my choice of seasonal decor as well. So my pumpkins are simply set in various pieces of white stoneware. I have always been enamored with the use of white space, so I am, especially, enjoying the two little pumpkins that are sitting in a bowl on my dining room table, pictured above.
Leah organized a bake-off on Sunday evening, so Jenna, armed with a spring form pan, showed up at the door ready to bake with us. We made several fall recipes, including Aunt Cindy’s FABULOUS sugar cookies and cut them out with the beautiful copper leaf cookie cutters that my sister, Becky, gifted me with years ago. Those cookie cutters coupled with that recipe are one of the delights of fall in our home! If you read my old blog, you have seen cookies made with this recipe decorated here and here …it is a timeless classic. And in case you didn’t read my old blog, I’ll share the recipe with you:
A wonderful sugar cookie recipe that you don't have to chill! This family-favorite recipe that originated with my sister makes a tasty little cookie that can be eaten just as they are right out of the oven or topped with your favorite icing or sanded with sugar in seasonal colors. Bite into a cookie and say yum!
Ingredients
Instructions
We also made a yummy Paula Deen Pumpkin Cheesecake, that would be great to take to a Thanksgiving dinner, because if you keep it at home you might be tempted to eat the whole thing all by yourself 
That’s why on Monday night Jenna’s whole family came over to cut the cake.
Can you tell that Autumn is one of two of my favorite seasons? You might think that strange coming from a Florida gal, who never gets to see leaves change or feel the chill in the air like you northerners do. I notice little subtleties like the slant of the light and slight drop in humidity and the wind picking up.
I was reminded of the spiritual type that fall represents in creation as I spent time this morning quietly reading the Word asking the Author to speak His truth to me in a way I could understand. This is what He showed me today. Principles I’ve known that he reminded me of again today. I sat and sketched a diagram of these truths and then made one on the computer to share with you.
Jesus learned obedience through the things He suffered [Hebrews 5:8]
He became a great leader through suffering [Hebrews 5: 9]
We, too, learn obedience through suffering
For obedience to be tested and manifested there must always be a cross…His will crossing my own
The cross always implies suffering and death….either death to self leading to true LIFE or natural life leading to spiritual death
Mature Christians are those who have trained themselves to recognize the difference between what is right and wrong and then do what is right. [Hebrews 5:14]
click on to print
I like to think of myself as “dying to live”….how about you?
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