Abba, Father

  Song by Hillsong - Abba Father

Play and read below....

 

If you are blessed to have a godly, loving relationship with your earthly father, you will understand the kind of relationship you can have with your heavenly Father. If you weren't so fortunate, you can still learn how wonderful this kind of relationship is!

"Have you not just called to me: 'My Father, my friend from my youth...." (Jeremiah 3:4) 

Most people would say that I look and act a lot like my dad. We definitely got along well, as I grew up in a household of 6. The four of us kids (2 boys and 2 girls) all have unique and different personalities. Growing up, my two older brothers were pretty close, as were my younger sister and I. But as we grew and became more independent, we realized we really weren't that much alike at all. It was somewhere during my middle school years, that I started to enjoy doing things with my dad. We discovered that we both enjoyed playing tennis and would go out to the courts, just the two of us, to hit the ball around. My dad also taught me the art of sailing. My parents owned a lake cottage and every summer we all went out and enjoyed swimming, fishing, and boating. My dad liked taking each kid on a ride in his sailboat, but because I took a special interest, he taught me how to steer the boat on the lake by myself. Pretty soon, it became "our" thing to do together. 

 Me and dad setting on the side of his sailboat.(about 1980)

I loved my dad dearly. When I went off to college, I missed him the most. And when I got married, I was so glad that I had him to walk me down the isle.

It was about 12 years ago when my dad started showing signs of dementia. He would forget important things, like turning off the water and not putting things in the right place. A few years later he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. I started to slowly lose the dad I knew, but never stopped loving him. He passed away in 2004. I miss him so much, but cherish the memories of all the good times we had together. I know I will see him again someday, along with my heavenly Father!

I also realize that the close, loving relationship I had with my dad is what I cherish the most in my relationship with Jesus. He is my "Abba" Father, my Comforter, my Helper, and my biggest Supporter. I know I can come to Him in times of sorrow, loss, and anger, as well as in times of joy, peace, and happiness. I walk with Him, talk with Him, and listen to Him. He sits with me, watches over me as I sleep, walks beside me, and when I need it the most, He carries me. Just like my earthly father, I also have grown up with and learned the love of my Heavenly Father.  I also carry the name, "child of God" and "joint-heir of Christ". Oh, how wonderful!! I am His and He is mine!!

If you have never come to have such a relationship with Jesus, ask Him today to show you how to come to know Him as your "Abba Father." He is always here, waiting with open arms!!

"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of son-ship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.'" (Romans 8:15)

"Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.'" (Galatians 4:6)

"You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance. Selah." Psalm 32:7

 

 Linking over at:

JamWithMe Thursday (Faith Barista)

No Ordinary Blog Hop: Family

Grace Cafe' (Reflections of His Grace)

Heartprint Hallelujahs (Heartprints of God)

Foggy Days

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Well, it’s been several days since I’ve posted something. I’ll have to admit, I’ve been in a bit of a mental fog lately. I think I’ve been on overload, thinking about a lot of issues in my life and trying to push myself too hard. I haven’t felt well the past few days, either. So I took a little break from writing, in hopes that I can clear my thoughts a little and take a little breather. I did want to post my weekly gratitude list, even though I'm a day late getting this posted, too!  I never want to take a break from being thankful!! It’s a daily part of my walk with God and it’s what guides my attitude for the rest of the day. Won’t you follow me as I continue to take the Joy Dare?

 

3 gifts found behind a door today

462. Walking in the restaurant and seeing my best friend, after many months apart. 

463. Shopping with my friend and walking into a new clothing store and liking everything they have on display.
464. Opening the door and finding a snow covered yard!

 3 ways you feel the love of God
465. Knowing that no matter how I’m feeling, that I am the focus of God’s attention.

 (Luke 12:7 - “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.”)

466. Each day I receive literally millions of love gifts from God. – Having daily food, shelter; When I snuggle into bed, hear a bird chirp, see a fluffy cloud.
467.  When I’ve let God down, I know He’s still here to lift me back up. He is still proud of me!

(Romans 8:35, 37-39 –“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”)

A gift in losing something, in finding something, in making something.

468. losing my internet connection for the afternoon.

469. Great finds at the local Goodwill store.

470. Dad's famous giant egg and cheese omelet!(Yum)

3 gifts in shadows

471. Trees casting shadows on the snow

472. The way the sun casts cloudy shadows before a storm.

473. Love to see this sign at the end of our city walkway - it's like a shadow of people running, walking, biking, and getting out any way they can.

3 gifts found in giving/serving

474. Getting letters and pictures from my sponsored Compassion child from Uganda. 

475. Just knowing that someone is encouraged, when I send a note/letter to them each month                       

476. Seeing how happy my family is when I serve as wife and mother.

3 gifts on paper

477. A note on the table to remind my son of a doctor’s appointment. (Being able to go get treated for medical issues)

478. My Bible that is almost always near me…being able to read a verse and find encouragement and learn what God desires for my life.

479. My journal; being able to read past things I’ve written and remember how God worked in difficult situations.

Hopefully, I will be feeling better and the fog will clear soon. Until then, I am praying that all who read this find that even when we aren't feeling the most productive, God is still with us, guiding our paths.

 

Linking over to these blogs:

Multitude on Monday(A Holy Experience)

Sharing His Beauty(The Beauty in His Grip)

On Your Heart Tuesday (A Pause in the Path)

My Daily Walk in His Grace (Winsome Wednedsday)

Tis Better...

'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

                                                                 Alfred Lord Tennyson, In Memoriam

Is this quote true, or not?

My son is at that age where over the past 3-4 years he’s been learning through different dating experiences, about relationships. In several of these relationships, he would get hurt emotionally, when either the girl treated him disrespectfully or would see other guys behind his back. Every time they broke up he would say, “I’m never dating again.” His heart had been so broken and abused, that he just wanted to give up on really falling in love. It just hurt too much to make himself vulnerable to someone, who would in return then stomp on his heart.

My husband liked to tell my son after every break-up that until he met the right one, there would be lots of pain and disappointments. But, if he never opened up his heart again and was willing to show his vulnerability, he would never find love, which is so worth the struggle and heartache it takes, once it is found. Recently, my son started dating again.  It’s still a little early in the game to be sure, but this time, I think he may have found a keeper. Thank goodness, his heart has learned to heal and not let past experiences affect his current decision to give it another try.

So in my opinion, I think the answer to my question depends on who you ask and when in one’s life you ask it. We all hate being hurt, humiliated, broken down, and abused. It sucks!! Most everyone experiences being in a situation sometime in their life when someone has hurt them immensely, whether it be in a love relationship, a friendship, or with a family member.  Our vulnerability is exposed and we lay our hearts on the line. It can be scary, threatening, and often risky. After a few bad experiences, we may find ourselves being a little more cautious about opening up too quickly. Unfortunately, some people never open up their heart to another again. How sad. It can be very lonely when a person reaches this place in life. 

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Not only do bad experiences affect us in our future relationships with other people. Our relationship with God is deeply influenced by our past. Children who grow up with an abusive or unloving father find a relationship with their heavenly Father to be difficult and scary. Learning to trust and be vulnerable to God’s ways is a challenge because this was not learned in the home.  Relationships that involved full trust and exposure of the heart, only to be used and abused by the one that was trusted causes one to not trust God’s love and goodness, either. But the one thing we can be sure of is that God is not like other people. He is trustworthy and He will not turn against us, when we open our hearts up to Him. Sure, there’s always going to be people who hurt us in life. But, praise our Lord and Savior, we have Him, who can teach us to be open again, become vulnerable, and experience God’s true love through others. And for those who have, I'm sure they would say it was worth it!

Proverbs 3:5,6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
 It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.

Linking on over to these blogs:
Winsome Wednesdays (My Daily Walk in His Grace)
Faith Barista (JamWithMe Thursdays)
 Grace Cafe' (Reflections of His Grace)
 Heartprint Halellujah (Heatprints of God)
Bless a Blogger (Bible Love Notes)

Valentines Day: Angels and Tea

There are two holidays that make me think of angels. One is Christmas and the other Valentine’s Day. Angels symbolize love, protection, and God’s presence. Over the years, I have collected and received angels as gifts. So I decided for this Valentine’s Day, I would share some of my angels, as we drink tea together. 

 This angel is just waiting for you to stop on over and visit with us for awhile.

 The angels are starting to gather at the table. These two shy angels are standing next to a heart plate...the top right of the plate says "Home is where our hearts feel welcome."

 Here are couple of loving angels from my "Dreamcicles" collection.

This angel sits by a sign that says, "LOVE ALWAYS: Let all that you do be done in love."

 This angel holds a special gift from my valentine...a diamond anniversary ring. ❤

 A bird is singing sweet nothings to this angel... card behind him says, "The Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other." (1 Thes. 3:22)

 This ceramic angel jar holds lots of hearts...with sweet messages...

More conversation hearts in an antique cut glass candy serving bowl.

 This playful angel is having fun among hearts and rose pedals. Plate is an antique family heirloom.

 Well, since we are having tea, I had better share a teacup of mine. This floral rose design goes perfectly well with all the angels!!!'

 Wishing you all a

Happy Valentine’s Day!!   ღ

 

Linking on over to:

Tea Cup Tuesday(Martha's Favorites)

Tea Time Tuesday(Rose Chintz Cottage)

A Return to Loveliness(A Delightsome Life)

Tuesday Cuppa Tea(Anitques and Teacups)

God’s Perfect Love Casts out Fear

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Our pastor finished off a series Sunday that has covered different things in our lives that seem to cage us in and keep us from doing all that God has for us. He spoke about fear and how it immobilizes us from doing God’s work. Fear of what others will think, fear of failure, fear of looking like a fool, fear of having to be uncomfortable.  But what overcomes all this fear is love. . . God’s perfect love. This kind of love is exemplified in the Bible through the comparison to the bride and bridegroom. 

I was listening to a song by Casting Crowns about God's perfect love, called "Wedding Day". Not only does it express God's amazing love for us, but also what we have to look forward to when one day we meet Him face to face!!!

Sharing the many graces God has shown me as I continue to take part in the Joy Dare.

3 gifts found outside: 

447.   Frozen pond

448. Sunset and spiked trees.

449.   Fog-covered hills

3 gifts red 

450. Delicious Strawberry Passion Fruit Tea

451. My elegant, red tablecloth

452. My little red tea kettle.

A gift broken, a gift fixed, a gift thrifted: 

453. A glass angel that I was rearranging on a shelf.  
454. An old camera

455. Some of my favorite outfits

3 times you heard laughter today
456.  When my friend met me at the coffee house and we laughed about the silly things our kids do.
457. Watching and enjoying a funny show on T.V.
458. Myself, laughing at a story that hubby told.

3 hard eucharisteos

359. When some people seem to intentionally get under my skin.

360.When I lack motivation and small tasks are difficult

361.When I am worshiping at church and find myself fighting to stay focused on God.

Linking up at:

Hear It on Sunday/Use It on Monday

Multitude on Monday

Sharing His Beauty (Beauty in His Grip)

On Your Heart Tuesdays( Pause on the Path)

We Were Made for More

Here are word/verse pictures that describe the topic covered in the book, Made to Crave (chapter 5), I accidentally read chapter 6 first, so if you regularly read my blog, I did write a post on chapter 6 in my February 9 post. If you want to read more on this book blog party, go to A Journey of Love and My Freshly Brewed Life.

 Ephesians 1;17-19
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength

• Keep Asking...

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• Embrace our true identity...

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• Find the deeper reason for our identity...

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•  Have hope and power that's like no other...

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