All Things Bright and Beautiful

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
Cecil F. Alexander, 1848

Each little flow’r that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.

The purple-headed mountains,
The river running by,

The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

“All Things Bright and Beautiful All Things Bright and Beautiful,” sung by

– The Tabernacle Choir

May it bring you peace! 🌺

Rejoice in the Lord: Psalm 104:33-34

33 I will sing to the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to him,
as I rejoice in the Lord.
Psalm 104:33-34 (NIV)

Rejoice, praise, pray, and give thanks to God. Sing with praise for His wonderful works, His forgiveness, and grace. The beauty of His creation and the glory of His love surrounds us. Let our meditations be sweet, pleasing to the Lord. Let them highlight God’s majesty and rejoice in His love. Rejoice in the Lord always, praise Him forever! He is our provider, our protector, our hope, and our source of joy.

³³I will sing my song to the Lord as long as I live!
Every day I will sing my praises to God.
³⁴May you be pleased with every sweet thought I have about you,
for you are the source of my joy and gladness.
Psalm 104: 32-34 (TPT)

Will you take time today to rejoice in the Lord, giving Him thanks and praise?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we rejoice and sing praises to You. Let our meditations, songs, and thoughts be pleasing to You. We thank you for Your forgiveness, mercy, and unconditional love. Lord, you are the focus of our days, our source of joy and gladness. We rejoice in You, Lord! Like the bright center of the daisy has petals radiating from it, let our days be bright centered on You and radiating Your love. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen.

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I believe in the power of prayer. If you would like prayer, I would be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page. 🌺

The Power of Prayer

Prayer is communication with God. Prayer is conversing with The Lord with an open heart and mind. It’s letting the Holy Spirit guide content and flow; while taking time to be still and listen for God’s response. Prayer doesn’t need a set time, place, or form. It is a communication of our soul to Our Father. Prayer can be informal or formal, a joy-filled thank you, spontaneous or scheduled. Prayer may be intercessory, asking for help for someone else, or a request for healing. Or prayer may be a plea for help, or a petition asking God to intervene, or a confession asking the Lord for forgiveness. Prayer maybe a song or a poem or just sitting quietly in adoration. The power in prayer is not in the words that we say, but worship that praises God and draws us closer to Him.

Prayer shouldn’t be casual or sporadic, dictated only by the needs of the moment. Prayer should be as much a part of our lives as breathing. ― Billy Graham

Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts. ― Mother Teresa

“What wings are to a bird, and sails to a ship, so is prayer to the soul.”
― Corrie Ten Boom

No one can pray and worry at the same time. When we worry, we aren’t praying. When we pray, we aren’t worrying. ― Max Lucado

“Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?”
― Corrie Ten Boom

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I do believe in the power of prayer. Need prayer? I will be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page. 🦋🌺🌼

Grace to the Humble: James 4: 6-7

6 But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].” 7 So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.
James 4:6-7 (AMP)

God is asking us to trust Him and follow His way; to resist sin and turn away from self-righteousness and pride. God is asking us to be humble and faithful to repent of sin and receive His grace. For when we yield to worldly pursuits, we turn away from God. When we follow God’s way and stand firm in faith, rejecting temptation, pride, and envy, the devil will flee. God continually gives grace to the humble.

The humble who turn away from self-righteousness receive grace. What worldly pursuit or pride is keeping you from trusting God’s way?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for Your guidance, forgiveness, patience, and grace. Teach us to be humble, to trust You, and turn away from worldly pursuits. Lead us on the path of righteousness and give us the strength to resist evil. Like the white, open blossoms of the petunia turn toward the sun, let us be open to Your word and turn toward Your light. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

I believe in the power of prayer. If you would like prayer, I would be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page. 🌺

Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee

Written by, Henry Van Dyke,

Joyful, joyful we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee

Opening to the sun above
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
Drive the dark of doubt away,

Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day. All Thy works with joy surround Thee,

Earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,

Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,

Flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain,

Call us to rejoice in Thee.

“This joyful ode is one of the best-known hymns in the English language. Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933) was inspired in 1907 by the beauty of the Berkshire mountains where he was serving as a guest preacher at Williams College, Williamstown, Mass.
It has been said that Van Dyke handed the poem to the president of the college, saying: “Here is a hymn for you. Your mountains were my inspiration. It must be sung to the music of Beethoven’s ‘Hymn to Joy.’” The hymn appeared in the 3rd edition of Van Dyke’s Book of Poems (1911).”
www.umcdiscipleship.org history of hymns

A link to the song Joyful, Joyful We Adore You, performed by Casting Crowns.

Joy and Blessings! 🌺

Righteousness and Justice: Psalm 89:14-15

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face. Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance.
Psalm 89: 14-15 (NKJV)

God’s throne is built on a foundation of righteousness and justice. The ways of the Lord are of mercy, truth, and compassion. Children of God sing joyful praise with thanksgiving for His love, forgiveness, and protection. While they move forward, walking in the blessed light of His countenance, following His path, extolling His grace. They are wrapped in God’s love, secure in His promises.

When you feel overwhelmed by worldly problems, do you find peace knowing God’s righteousness and justice?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we are thankful for your righteousness and justice. Lord, we are blessed by Your mercy, compassion, and truth. We thank and praise You joyfully for Your love and forgiveness. Like the vibrant, radiating colors of the phlox flowers, let us be vibrant in our walk, radiating Your light. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

I believe in the power of prayer. Need prayer? I will be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page. 🌺

Wonders: Psalm 65: 8-12

⁸The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;

where morning dawns, where evening fades,
you call forth songs of joy.

⁹You care for the land and water it;
you enrich it abundantly.

The streams of God are filled with water
to provide the people with grain,
for so you have ordained it.

¹⁰You drench its furrows and level its ridges;
you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
¹¹You crown the year with your bounty,
and your carts overflow with abundance.

¹²The grasslands of the wilderness overflow;
the hills are clothed with gladness.

¹³The meadows are covered with flocks
and the valleys are mantled with grain;
they shout for joy and sing.

David’s psalm 65:8-12 (NIV), with visuals may you find peace, joy, and hope in God’s creation.

Take time to be still, relax, and enjoy. Blessings!

Live by Faith: 2 Corinthians 5:7-9

⁷Our life is lived by faith. We do not live by what we see in front of us. ⁸We are sure we will be glad to be free of these bodies. It will be good to be at home with the Lord. ⁹So if we stay here on earth or go home to Him, we always want to please Him.
2 Corinthians 5:7-9 (NLV)

When we live by faith, we trust and rely on God’s Word. We walk God’s path for us, listening to the Holy Spirit’s direction. Faith allows us to trust in the unseen, to rely upon with confidence, Jesus, and God’s Word. When we live by faith, we look forward with happiness to spending eternity at home with our Lord in Heaven. As children of God, living in faith, we want to please God by doing good works, with compassion and love.

When we live by faith, we trust in God. When you are uncertain, distracted, or confused, do you rely on Him?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your forgiveness, grace, and love. Help us to grow in faith and guide us along Your path. Let us trust with our hearts the unseen, and live by faith. Teach us to follow Your Word, to be good Christians, and to help others. Like the bright petals of the coneflower radiate from the center of the flower, let us shine bright in our faith, and radiate Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

I believe in the power of prayer. If you would like prayer, I would be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page. 🌺

Open My Eyes: Psalm 119:18

Open my eyes so I can truly see the marvelous things in your law!
Psalm 119:18 (NET)

In the bible, there are many hidden wonders and inspiring stories. To understand and comprehend them, we need God to open our spiritually blind eyes, allowing us to perceive the greatness and depth in His word. To open our eyes so we can truly see, gain insight, and glean wisdom from the bible. To be able to meditate on and view glimpses of truth, and gain a new perspective on the marvelous things that God is saying to us.

Are your eyes opened so you can discern God’s word and message to you today?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, help us to grow in faith, and open our eyes to Your biblical wisdom. Teach us to meditate on Your word, and grow in insight and wisdom. Help us to immerse ourselves in Your ways, and have clear sight to follow Your path. As the bold and bright echinacea blossoms, petals radiate from the center, let us be bold and bright in compassion, love, and radiate Your light. In Jesus’ loving and holy name. Amen

While writing this post, the song “Open My Eyes” kept returning to mind. Here Fountainview Academy sings the hymn “Open My Eyes.”

I want to thank Dawn, Drawing Closer to Christ, for nominating me for the Whosoever Tag. I highly recommend Dawn’s blog it is inspiring, full of God’s love, and spirit-driven.

I believe in the power of prayer. Need prayer? I will be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page. 🌺