Give Him a Chance...

February is fleeting fast, but here in northern Michigan it is looking more like January today.  We have had such a mild winter... not enough snow for my taste, but today the white stuff is coming down pretty good!

I came across a quote today from the book, Redeeming Love... “Mara, that's the life I want to give you. That's what I'm offering you. I want to fill your life with color and warmth. I want to fill it with light. Give me a chance.”  If you have not read this book then you are missing out!  It is a beautiful love story based on the book of Hosea.  You know, that is the life God wants to give each one of us.  If I try to think of what my life would be like without God in it... I cannot even imagine.  My life would be so empty... it would always be gray and cold... it would be a very dark place.  Thinking about a life without a relationship with Jesus Christ almost sucks the breath right out of me... no, it would actually suck the living breath right out of me... I know that for sure!  He is my everything... whether things are going great or things are going not so great.  I choose to praise Him in the good and praise Him in the not so good... I will just praise Him!

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your loving-kindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night" Psalms 92:1-2

If you seem to be lacking peace and contentment right now... try praising your Heavenly Father.  My truth is... praising brings peace!

I do have a little project to share today.  My sweet hubby got me a Cinch 2 binding tool and so I made him this journal. (BTW... I luv a bargain and he got it at Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coupon!!!)

Thanks so much for stopping in today! Sorry for my lack in blogging lately!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Slow Going...

I have been tinkering around the house pretty much all week.  Doing those tedious things that have needed to be done for awhile but I just kept putting them off... well, this was the week I decided enough was enough.  I do luv the snow but sometimes the lack of sun in the winter in northern Michigan makes me move a little slow.

I was looking at old pictures and I came across this turtle boat I carved out of a watermelon for my niece's graduation party.  I thought the turtle was a good representative of slow going, but also all that fruit makes me think of Summer, which we should see in another 6 months or so! *Ü*

Also, I just wanted to share a verse with you too...

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
They say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”  Psalms 91:1-2

Resting in His shadow can be a warm and comfy place... seek rest in Him today!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Happy Birthday...

Today is a great day in our home!  My dear, sweet hubby turns 50 today! We don't have anything really big planned for today, but we did just get back from 4 days at Boyne Mountain.  Time to relax, change the scenery and just be together.  It is always good to step back and reevaluate things and be refreshed. We are so grateFUL we had that time.

So this morning I got up and made Pannekaken (Norwegian pancake) and Canadian bacon for breakfast.  No cake, but I did serve Luke a fried cake for his birthday celebration.

"For You, Lord, have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence." Psalm 21:6

Praying birthday blessings all over my hubby today and in the years to come! Choosing to live today... with a grateFUL HEART! *carin*

Peace in 2012...

I am so sorry I have not posted in almost a month! Our Christmas was great! We kept everything very low key this year, which was nice and relaxing! Peaceful was what we were striving for.

Which brings me to the card I want to share... it was one of my Christmas card designs and it fits with this post:

I can feel there may be big changes in 2012! There are things that God is working on in me.  I have this overflowing burst in my heart from all He is showing me... it is exciting and a little scary at the same time.  I know if I take my focus off God I could easily be overwhelmed.  I was reading in James 4 today, where it talks about just getting through today... that was just what I needed.  I know I only need to get through the next moment and then the next moment after that.  God gives me the strength I need to take that next breath... if I expect more than that then I am doing it on my own.  And if I can do it on my own then I will "boast" in my own strength and what glory does that bring to God? I will share more when I am able, but for now I just need to take that next breath! *Ü*

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Bliss...

Hubby and I so enjoyed a couple of days up to Boyne Mountain… it was just what we needed... I didn’t see how much until I was there.  Thank You Lord for this time!  I could not believe how relaxed I was… just being and not doing… how precious that was!  My life really is not super stressful, but it is just very busy and being able to take a step back for a couple days was a breath of fresh air!

In honor of the beautiful sunshine and my relaxing couple days I am sharing a card... no it is not a Christmas card... I really need to get going on some Christmas projects!

Now to change gears a little... Seventy years ago today the bombing at Pearl Harbor happened.  I am taking time to remember the sacrifice that was made on that day, but I also need to remember the sacrifice God made through His Son everyday.

The dictionary says: Remember - keep something in memory; keep somebody in mind; give somebody a gift; commemorate somebody or something. 

With reverence and thanksgiving I honor past action to give purpose to my present service to You, Lord.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

November... flying by!

I cannot believe November is half over already!!! It has been an interesting few weeks... I finally got my car back after Luke hit the deer... it only took 5 weeks, but I survived!  Yesterday was opening day for firearm deer hunting in Michigan, so my hubby was out before the crack of dawn... he shot a buck, but it ran and he tracked it for hours until the blood-trail disappeared.  I felt bad for him, but he takes it all in stride.  I had prayed that he would get a deer the first morning so he could be done for the season... I guess I should have added that he would also bring it home for us to eat!!! *Ü*

We have had a beautiful fall and only a bit of snow last Friday, but it was gone pretty quickly.  In northern Michigan we know the snow will soon be hip high before long, so it is a little nice for me this year, not to have to deal with it quite yet.

For a few weeks now I have been feeling like something is going on with me... like Papa is preparing my heart for something BIG... it is exciting, but a lil' scary too!  I just keep moving ahead, searching His Word, praying for clarity, believing His promises, and trusting Him every step of the way... none of which comes easy for me!!! Just being honest!

I did have a breath-taking moment last night with the sunset Papa painted for me, so I thought today I would share it with you.  Just when you think you are at your wits end... He gives you a reason to look up and know He is in control... to know He loves you so much and He only wants good for you... to believe He has great things in store for you and He will be with you every step of the way!

Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalms 27:14

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Reflect the Light...

I was thinking this morning about the warmth of the sun and the warmth of the Son.  We had a very frosty morning at our house this morning, but what was so cool was as the sun was rising and warming things up… the frost started to disappear.  Although where the bushes were still casting shade on the ground, the frost was still remaining.  It looked really neat. It made me think of how when things are left in the shadows and the light cannot shine on it… life stays cold and hard.  As the light from the sun got warmer and higher in the sky, the light covered and warmed up everything.

I was reminded that even when circumstances leave me feeling in the shadows… the Son is still shining on me from within.  I cannot let my light be hid under the shadow of circumstances.  “No one lights a lamp and hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand so that those who come in will see its light.” Luke 11:33

The same way the sun reflects off the crystal-like frost… I pray I let the Son of God reflect His glorious light off me and through me.  I am so grateFUL for Papa's love and comfort, no matter the circumstances.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin