Christ in the Clouds

Easter will soon be here, once again! For so many reasons, this is my favorite holiday. But it's also one of the most emotionally draining times of the whole year for me. Let me explain: Every year, the Easter story is(or should be) re-read and re-lived for all believers. It is not only a reminder of the great sacrifice Jesus made for us, but also the great promise of one day being re-united in eternity with Him.  When I think of the pain, ridicule, and suffering he endured, my heart aches. What human being wouldn't feel empathy for any person who would have to endure such persecution!?! Then, I'm reminded that He did it in place of what should have been my suffering and punishment! I deserve it, but He took it for me! Talk about feeling some guilt!! Then, I realize how much He really loves me, to do that! And my mind cannot even fathom that kind of love! (the closest I could compare it to is the love I have for my own child). And I am overwhelmed by it!! As ...

I  haven't posted for awhile, as I have spent a lot of time in contemplation, reading, and daily prayer. Believe it or not, my paths into these activities have not been easy. In fact, on some days they have seemed like pure hell. I guess I felt that posting these experiences each week would be more of a downer for you all to read, so I have put off writing. Tonight, though, I have felt a tug to write about SOME of my experiences and how God has been faithful, in spite of the struggle that I have definitely felt. What feels like an eternity, the past few months have been anything but joyful for me. In spite of this, I have really, really tried to stay upbeat and positive – reading Scipture and praying the promises of God. But, just when I think I have pulled out of the doldrums, something happens that pulls me back down again. At first, it would only be for a few hours or maybe as long as a day. Then I would pull out of it. Lately, the struggle is occurring more often, thou...

Don't know what the deal is lately, friends, but I just haven't had anything new to share here on my blog. So, I'm sharing a verse and will continue to add to my gratitude list for now. Often wisdom invites us to ponder great questions. The question, “Can anyone make straight what God has made crooked?” echoes the words of  1:15 —“Something crooked cannot be made straight.” Only God can determine what is and what is not. God makes our paths crooked or straight. And we often do not understand why one person’s way is straight and another’s is crooked. The message of the teacher is simple: reverence God regardless of  t he path you have been given to walk.( source ) "When times are good,   enjoy them and be happy.   When times are bad,    think about this:      God makes both good and bad times,         so that no one really knows what is coming next."(Ecclesiastes 7:14, The Voice...

Hello, bloggy friends! How was your week? I experienced a few pleasant events, with some very difficult days in between. I think I'm finding this to be my perpetual answer to that question for several weeks, now. Even when there are a few positive times, these weeks can seem long and arduous. I'm guessing that is why the Bible has so many verses about being patient and persevering. (I was reminded of a post I wrote back in September of last year called " Prayer, Patience, and Perseverance"   ) So, I apologize if it seems like I start to repeat myself in my posts. I think God has a reason for re-hashing the same subject into my heart and I feel led to post about it. My week began with having some major dental work done (I spent 2 1/2 hours at the dentist on Monday). Of course, my mouth had been sore and quite sensitive all week. On Tuesday and Wedneday, we had major snowstorms that left roads icy and drifting snow across them. So, I was homebound for 2 days. ...

Hello, friends!  I definitely have felt like the past week just flew by! How about you? Between having to get over an illness and going through more emotional upheavals with family issues, I'm almost glad for a new start of a new week!!(Except, I'd love to skip tomorrow, as I have an appointment to have crown work done on my teeth!  ) I definitely needed God's strength to get me through this past week. Because of this, though, I have found myself digging into the Word and spending lots of time reading -- I've been currently working on getting through 2 different books. The book I've been posting on at different times is called "Happiness" - I've been reading it to help me learn more about this subject, as it is my word for 2016. I'm learning so much about the true meaning of happiness. As I read chapters 5 (What's the Difference Between Joy and Happiness?) and 6 (Modern Studies that Confirm Biblical Happiness), there are two things tha...

Today, January 31, 2016, the hubby and I celebrate 29 years of marriage!! It seems so surreal!! It definitely doesn’t seem like we have been together that long! We’ve lived and enjoyed so many blessings, as well as experienced many difficult and challenging years together. But through it all, God has been with us, guiding us, giving us His wisdom and love. I am so thankful for this man in my life!! He is my best friend, my prayer partner, the one I love and who has loved me through thick and thin.  Through the years of blogging, I’ve shared posts on our anniversaries. Each year, I found many reasons to celebrate and shared pictures, stories, and videos. Blog post for our 28th anniversary - 2015 Blog post for our 27th anniversary - 2014 Blog post for our 26th anniversary - 2013 Here is a video of us renewing our vows at for our 25th anniversary - a bit belated, but what an awesome day!!! Blog post for our 25th anniversary - 2012 Other posts about our...