Welcome to My Little Town

Indiana weather, like the weather throughout much of the United States, has been very unpredictable this spring. In the past few weeks, we have fluctuated from 85 degrees, back down to 45 degrees. The warm days forced many of our trees to flower and flowers bloom.

 I wanted to share photos I took around my hometown. I live in a small, but growing town, where "downtown" is a mere 5 blocks long and wide. We have some things we are known for, but not by most people. So take a little stroll with me through my little town.

Rows of Flowering Pear trees in full bloom line the sidewalks!

Flowering Redbud in front of a historical building. (Old Jail Museum)

Daffodils in bloom on a street corner.

Our county courthouse...built in 1884.

In one of the downtown alleys are several paintings. This one is of John Dillinger,who in the 1930s robbed the police station in Warsaw, Indiana, stealing guns and bulletproof vests.

The alley where there are a number of wall paintings.

 Greeks Pizza makes the best hand-tossed pizza in town!

After a couple slices of Greeks, we can walk just a few stores down to Kelaney's Ice Cream Shop!!

"Courthouse Coffee" {The store with the balcony} offers lots of flavored coffees and smoothies, as well as soup, sandwiches, and pastries. . I often go and use their free wifi and sip on my favorite Vanilla Chai. It is a favorite meeting place for people of all ages. Facebook Link

These are just a few things that make this a fun place to walk around. 

Hope you enjoyed this mini-tour of my little town.

I continue to share my blessings through the Joy Dare!

 3 gifts redeemed 
572. My coupons, as I shop for groceries at my favorite grocery store.

573. An adorable line of gift and personal items introduced from DaySpring(Called "Redeemed").

574. Ephesians 1:7-8 "We are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb."

 3 gifts entwined

575. The crown of thorns that sat on Christs head...reminding me of His suffering, yet He truly is the King of kings!

576. A grapevine growing in my back yard...knowing it will soon produce grapes.

577. Hearts entwined (defined-  For one person to twine together with or to twine around  another person....a symbol of eternal love between man and woman.) This kind of love is a true gift from God!

3 gifts of His promises

1.     578. In Him, we are a new creation!!

579. If we acknowledge Him, He will make our paths straight. (Proverbs 3:6)

580. "God is patiently transfiguring all the notes of my life into the song of His Son.  I can say it certain now: All is grace."   Ann Voskamp

 3 gifts uncovered
581. Garden pond, uncovered from it's winter plastic.
582. Pot of fresh vegetables, on the stove.
583. My dogs, sleeping down by my feet, under my bed covers.

A gift heard, a gift held, a gift hoped for
584. Heard - Favorite Easter songs
585. Held -my husband's hand
586. Hoped for -  Finding the right house for our family to live in.

 3 Gifts Round
587. An Easter Cupcake
588. My favorite music cd's
589. My 25th anniversary ring

 3 Gifts White

590. Easter lilies

591. An undecorated Easter egg

592. New crew socks 

Linking over at these Bloghops:

Jumping Tantem Sunday 

Multitude on Monday(A Holy Experience)

On Your Heart Tuesdays (A Pause in The Path)

Sharing His Beauty (Beauty In His Grip)

Preparing for Palm Sunday

                                                                                     Source: catholicsupply.com via Ann on Pinterest

In ancient times, palm branches symbolized goodness and victory. They were often depicted on coins and important buildings. Solomon had palm branches carved into the walls and doors of the temple (1 Kings 6:29). Again at the end of the Bible, people from every nation raise palm branches to honor Jesus (Revelation 7:9).  
The Bible tells us that a week before his death, people cut branches from palm trees, laid them across Jesus' path and waved them in the air. They greeted Jesus not as the spiritual Messiah who would take away the sins of the world, but as a potential political leader who would overthrow the Romans.

 Listen to this touching video clip, comparing what they were looking for to what He came for.

(Sources: The New Compact Bible Dictionary, edited by T. Alton Bryant; New Bible Commentary, edited by G.J. Wenham, J.A. Motyer, D.A. Carson, and R.T. France; and the ESV Study Bible, Crossway Bibles.) 
The crowds refused to see Jesus as He truly was, placing their personal desires on him instead. We all have to decide who Jesus is for us. Is he someone whom we want to satisfy our selfish wants and goals, or is he Lord and Master who gave up his life to save us from your sins? I prefer the latter!

The people's cries of 'Hosanna' came from Psalm 118:25-26. Hosanna means "save now." Despite what Jesus had foretold about his mission, the people were looking for a military Messiah who would overthrow the Romans and restore Israel's independence.
Today, we sing "Hosanna" to praise and thank the Lord, who saved us from our sins!
 Listen the song and raise up your praises to HIM!
Hillsong Uniited - Hosanna

They waved palm branches as He passed
And hailed Him as their King;
Yet, they knew not of the sorrow
The coming week would bring.

The glad acclaim would soon give way
To jeers and mockery;
In Pilate's court He'd be condemned
To a cross on Calvary.

But Jesus knew He was the price
In God's redemptive plan,
The Sacrificial Lamb come down
To die for sins of man.

The centuries have passed and still
He seeks those lost in sin,
Pleading with unyielding hearts
To repent and follow Him.

On this day we shout our praise,
O, let us not delay;
The palm-strewn path of long ago
Still leads to Him today.

(poem written by Kay Hoffman)
  

May you celebrate and remember Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem,

and His TRUE place as KING OF GLORY!!

And King of our lives!!

 Linking over to these beautiful blog hops:

 Winsome Wednesday(My Daily Walk)

Walk With Him Wednesday(A Holy Experience) 

Heartprint Hallelujahs(Heartprints of God)

Faith Filled FridayFriday(Beholding Glory)

 Fresh Brewed Sundays(My Freshly Brewed Life)

Birds, butterflies, and Hearts

 Hello, friends! This is going to be a short post and is a little late. I'm feeling under the weather today. Have a cold and sore throat. Just sharing a few things around my house today.

A Heart from a quilt I made several years ago.

My blue tea for one pot and cup, a heart and butterfly piece that my hubby got me, and a "forever blooming" flower made out of material.

A miniature butterfly teapot, a birdhouse hotplate, my pink flower fairy, and another spring flower.

Close-up of my hotplate.

Decorating my front door for the Easter season. I made this display all from stuff I bought at the Dollar General Store.

I have a little flag holder in the front landscaping. My Easter flag is flying today!

This year, my decorating has a mingling of many themes....birds, birdhouse, butterflies, flowers, hearts, and most importantly, the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Linking up over at these sweet blog hops:

Tea Time Tuesday (Rose Chintz Cottage)

Tea Cup Tuesday(Artful Affirmations)

A Return to Loveliness (A Delightsome Life)

Tea Party Tuesday (Sweetology)
 Friends Sharing Tea (Bernideen's Tea time)

Relationships Take Work Series (Emotional Intimacy)

This is the fourth in the series of several posts I am writing on relationships, in particular, marriage relationships.
To read the other posts go here

Source

What is Intimacy?

• Although the word ‘intimacy’ is not used in the Bible, the concept is found there. Husband and wife are to function as one rather than two.

"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."Genisis 2:24

They need a way to relate to one another that does not cause conflict but encourages harmony.

• The meaning of ‘oneness’ can be further understood by the words used to describe physical intimacy or the sexual union.(This is often what people first think of when they hear the word intimacy). We will be discussing this topic in a different post.

• True (or emotional) intimacy has a lot to do with how much we share our hearts with our spouse.

o    It takes a commitment of time and effort on both sides. Conversations and experiences must bring the couple together in such a way that they understand one another’s beliefs, thoughts, and dreams.

Today, I want to talk about how "true intimacy" can grow in a marriage.

Three ways to grow in intimacy: 
Personal sharing- Conversation between spouses must be honest, other-focused and true.

o    We need to share about our true selves. This is where and when growth begins to take place.

o    Growing in intimacy means learning, on a much deeper level, more about your spouse every day.

o    Sometimes we don’t want to offend the other. It is good to think about the other; timing is important. But because of the closeness of relationship, we need a better approach, a more open, relaxed, and accepting approach.

   Mutual understanding- learning as a couple to become vulnerable to each other without destabilizing the relationship.

o    Has one great side benefit that we are often oblivious to. It cripples the evil one’s tactic of using misunderstanding and assumption to stir up trouble.

o    increase our trust in one another

o    It means the each must be able to trust the other to be loving, kind, uncritical, and patient with them.

     
   Deepening commitment- engaging in special conversations and shared experiences for mutual trust to grow.

o    a firmer commitment evolves

o    Are one-hearted: We are committed to each other and no other.

o    Our faithfulness to bettering the other spouse is more important than our own self.

o    The spouse's life becomes most important to you.

o    Is a life-long process.

o    Love is the expression of unconditional, genuine concern for the other.

This is often where couples miss the target of keeping a marriage close. It is so important to stay open and honest with each other, with kindness, of course. It is also important to make every effort to let the other feel loved, appreciated, and cared for, so that they can also feel safe and understood when they open up their heart..

Remember, it is a life-long process. Once, or twice, or three times won't take care of this area in a marriage. The need for it is immense. And it needs to happen often.  So, if there is an issue of staying close emotionally, sharing one's deepest thoughts, and spending time together, look to God for wisdom. Seek professional help, if the problem is too overwhelming or doesn't seem to get resolved. God intends for our marriages to be strong and happy.

Information Source: http://www.foundationsforfreedom.net/Topics/Marriage/Great_Marriage/GM08_Intimacy.html

Wishing you His blessings on your life 

and in your relationships today and always!

I continue to share my blessings through the Joy Dare!

3 gifts that made you laugh 
554. Friends at Bible Study, joking and being silly.
555. When I hear my son's girlfriend laugh...her laugh is very contagious. I love hearing it and she laughs often because she is a happy person!

556. Reading "Zits" comic strip...it's like the writer follows my teenage son around and writes about him and our relationship with him.

A gift salty, a gift sweet, a gift just right 
557.  Salty- fresh, warm tortilla chips, dipped in salsa
558.  Sweet- sweet tea 
 559.Just right- warm homemade apple crisp, topped with vanilla ice cream.

                       

3 gifts found in His Word
(I love Scripture or quoted signs!)   
560.  Deuteronomy 6:4-9

 

561.Micah 6:8

562.Psalm 46:10

 

                                                                                    Source: scribd.com via Ann on Pinterest

3 gifts found in women today 
563. Time spent with a friend (lunch). 
564.  Helpful information about a house shared by a friend.
565. Time spent in prayer together with other believing women.

A gift sung, written, painted 
566.  Sung- Being able so sing at church (in spite of losing most of my voice from a cold

     567. A new book("Selections From 1000 Gifts")by Ann Voskamp (I just got it)

568. {Soon to be painted} Some beautiful wood signs I am making myself.(I'll post them when I get them finished!)

3 gifts almost gone 
569. My voice is nearly gone today (It looks like I may have strep throat)
570.  Energy – I am tired today, resting to gain my strength back.

571. Our neighbors. Watched as they loaded the moving semi today. They will officially be gone in 2 days. We will miss them.

linking over at these blog hops:

Hear It on Sunday/Use It on Monday (Graceful)

 Multitude on Mondays (A Holy Experience)

 Sharing His Beauty (Beauty in His Grip)  
A Pause in the Path (On Your Heart Tuesday)