Category: Uncategorized

Arise and Shine: Beloved, You are Mine, Intro

For the past 4 years now, I have been writing and creating a book with my dear friend, Anna Smit. This week we are beginning the process of releasing these words, as the Lord guides us, step by step on Anna’s site: Shalom Aleh. I would be so honored if you would join me there today, for the opening intro. As the chapters are released, I hope to re-blog them here, to share God’s precious ways that He has moved upon our hearts

I am linking with #RememberMeMonday

Arise & Shine

Life is hard, so very hard. Oh yes, we know the truths of God’s beautiful Word, don’t we? But there are days the darkness presses in. Days our hearts, our minds, our souls struggle to breathe, to believe.

Where do we go on those days? When waves of crashing grief pull us under? When triggers of our past rip open deep wounds and leave us gasping for air? When it feels as if someone has strapped us into a frightening rollercoaster and our screams cannot escape?

Is there a place for us, for us wounded and broken, for us who have been told if we’d “just trust God at His Word” our storms would subside? For us, who run to hide behind closed doors, ashamed, weeping and fearful?

These are questions Bettie Gilbert, Anna Smit and their friends have wrestled through, lashed by the winds and waves of physical…

View original post 911 more words

Arise and Shine: Beloved, You are Mine

What a blessing to join my dear friend, Anna today,
in releasing a prayer along with the beautiful poem
God gave her. Her invitation to pen this prayer caused
Me to pause and rest with Jesus. Please come along with
Me over to her site:

Arise & Shine



This is 
My Word 
Flowing
Through you 
In truth 
Kissing grace
I'm declaring
My children
Mine.

Each word 
You pen
My song 
Is singing
In Spirit
And truth 
My children 
A hope 
And a future
In every Promise 
I AM
Declaring.

Sealed 
In My blood
And raised 
From the tomb
Feast now
In broken bread
And new wine
Flowing into
New wineskins:
Mine.

For, My goodness  
And My mercy 
Has been 
Chasing you
Beautifully opening you 
More and more
To love
From the hands 
And feet of 
Your servant King
Who loved you 
First.

For, I've 
Anointed you
Not to boast 
In your pride
But in your 
Weakness 
That My 
Perfecting work
May now rise 
To sing.

For, in 
Christ alone 
Your offering 
A free-will 
Offering
Has Become
For I build
My Temple
In truth 
And grace.

Sing of how:

My Body's tears 
I gather
Into joy 
Transforming.

My Body's…




View original post 462 more words





	


	



			
				


			

			
Our Story: Chapter 4
		
	
	

		
Isaiah 35:1 Rescued Blooms in Wisconsin The tulips shone brightly in the morning sun as I opened the window blinds, and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Tulip bulbs are notorious for slowly fading and eventually dying out. But this one bulb that I had rescued from alongside the road many years ago had … Continue reading Our Story: Chapter 4 →
	


	



			
				


			

			
Sharing: Finding God’s Upholding Strength
		
	
	

		
God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.Psalm 46:1 The silence echoed throughout the house as I felt the aloneness that I knew would be coming. My husband was in post-surgery recovery at our oldest son’s home, and our daughter had finally agreed with my urging that I would be fine … Continue reading Sharing: Finding God’s Upholding Strength →
	


	



			
				


			

			
Our Story, Chapter 3
		
	
	

		
Miniature Iris captured by Barry, Haiku by Bettie, springtime 2021 Of Miracles and Mysteries On the day, just a few weeks ago, when we thought my husband might be released from the hospital, I awoke with a start from two very strange dreams. Both dreams were about blood. And I thought of several dear friends … Continue reading Our Story, Chapter 3 →
	


	



			
				


			

			
Sharing: A Place of Quiet Prayer
		
	
	

		
AN INVITATION FROM JESUS – COME PRAY IN SIMPLE SILENCE Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31 THE WORLD IS NOISY The headlines shouted … Continue reading Sharing: A Place of Quiet Prayer →
	


	



			
				


			

			
Sharing: Letters to Family And Friends
		
	
	

		
I began the morning jolted awake by one of those Emergency Warnings that your phone blares loudly. Squinting my eyes, I read the note and offered a quick prayer over those involved in that crime scene, and I tried to go back to sleep. But 5am or not, I was now awake for the day, … Continue reading Sharing: Letters to Family And Friends →
	


	



			
				


			
				


			

			
Our Story, Chapter 2
		
	
	

		
As the snowstorm raged across most of this entire country, I was at home alone, wondering and praying for my husband. He was moving through heavy medical tests in snowy Chicago and meeting with specialists to discuss the results of those tests. What would they tell him? Would our lives be turned upside down yet … Continue reading Our Story, Chapter 2 →
	


	



			
				


			

			
Sharing: A Lenten Prayer Prompt
		
	
	

		
He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.” Colossians 2:14-15 NLT During this Lenten season, I paused again, with so many others … Continue reading Sharing: A Lenten Prayer Prompt →