“Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy,
fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives,
filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit,
will brim over with hope!”
Romans 15:13 The Message
ABCs of Jesus’ Love
Visit this page anytime and let me know if you’d like to add to the words describing Jesus’ love along with a verse supporting it. Remember, there is also a print-out of the original list.
This month I have added another “R” Word:
❤︎ Restoring Love ❤︎
“For I will restore health to you
And I will heal your wounds, says the Lord,
Because they have called you an outcast, saying:
This is Zion; no one seeks her and no one cares for her.”
Jeremiah 30:17 AMP
Books
I am not always able to keep up with the abundance of books that promote hope, healing, and freedom, so I haven’t always read every one I post here and on the Books Page. Though many are on my long wish list. 🙂 Many will be from recommendations of online friends. If you ever know of a book that is not listed and that supports this website’s mission, please let me know. 🙂
Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss
by Schwiebert and DeKlyen (Authors), Bills (Illustrator)
Linda Stoll describes it as:
“A rarity … a grief storybook for all ages that is calming yet impactful, simple yet profound. You can cuddle up and read this to your grandkids {I have}. Give to your mother and your daughter {I did}. Recommend to your friends and clients {I am}.
Soothing in its affirmation of grief’s roller coaster of emotions, this little story book is subtly educational. The most gorgeous illustrations are intricately delightful. And, thank heavens, no pat answers or easy 1-2-3’s line its pages. Absolutely must reading for anyone who’s traveling the pathway of grief … or walks alongside someone who is.”
Hope Harbor
♥ Links That Inspire Hope and Healing ♥
♥ Broken Vessel by Paula Wallace – In a 5-minute video, Paula Wallace shares her story of how God showed her hope, life, and beauty in place of the damage abuse caused her.
♥ How To Help Your Wife Overcome Sexual Abuse – “Dawn Scott Jones, author of When a Woman You Love Was Abused, explains how she found emotional healing from childhood sexual abuse and how a husband can come alongside his wife who’s experienced similar trauma to offer her love and support.”
♥ How To Forgive When It Seems Impossible – “Another hurdle to overcome is the idea that forgiveness always occurs in a single moment and that our pain will instantly disappear. The truth is forgiveness is often a process of letting go. It’s okay to forgive someone to the degree that you’re able by God’s grace at that time. Then, as you move forward, your healing will allow you to forgive more, and your forgiveness will, in turn, lead to more healing.”
Nature Retreat
“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is
to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone
with the heavens, nature and God.
Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and
that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple
beauty of nature. I firmly believe that nature
brings solace in all troubles.”
~ Anne Frank
My brother and his wife live in Arizona during the winter season. Here are some of my brother’s photos. I hope no one freaks out with the lizard, but I find all God’s creatures fascinating. 🙂 It amazes me how God so uniquely equips each one.
Arizona Spring
Cactus Wren
Gilded Flicker Woodpecker (Male)
Desert Spiny Lizard
➺ Abba’s Creations Photography – God’s Creation Captured in Fine Art Photography – awesome landscape photos you can view either singly or in a slide show
➺ Amazed by You Photography: God’s Creation – Stunning nature photos
➺ 21+ Animals That Want To Be Photographers – Ok, so this is a bit out of the norm, but it will bring you smiles. It’s so delightful to see how curious and smart even wild animals can be.
Quotes
❤︎ “Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
❤︎ “When we view ourselves through the lens of God’s Word, we better understand God’s love for us and the worth we have in His eyes.” ~ Elizabeth George
❤︎ “There is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still.” ~ Betsie ten Boom
Freed to Fly 
Wow, Trudy! What a cool surprise to find TEAR SOUP here!
Thanks for sharing this super resource with your tribe, friend!
;-}
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You’re welcome, Linda. And thank YOU for recommending it. I was especially impressed that it has no “pat answers.” I haven’t yet purchased it, but it’s at the top of my Amazon wish list. I just found a 3-minute clip of it on YouTube and have added it to this post. I know this is a book that definitely would help young and old. Thank you for being part of my “tribe.” 🙂 May God give us wisdom, love, and compassion to help those who grieve! Hugs!
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Trudy, I love, love, love the quote by Betsie ten Boom! And the photos your brother took … beautiful. I’m also still trying to wrap my head around another month gone by … spring hugs to you, my friend!
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I LOVE that quote, too, Lois. It gives such hope, doesn’t it? And Betsie surely knew what deep pain is, and she still could see God’s loving hand in it all. Thank you for complimenting my brother’s photos. I love it when he shares them with me, and he wants others to enjoy them, too. Yes, isn’t it unreal how quickly time flies by? May we cling to the truth that there is no place too deep for Jesus’ love to reach! Spring hugs to you, too!
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Hi Trudy! I love that quote that there is no pit so deep that God is not deeper than. Amen! No matter how sad or at the end of my rope I become, he is there, and beyond it too.
I used to live in Arizona, so the lizard didn’t freak me out at all. Those critters are EVERYWHERE there! The desert has it’s own quiet beauty, I really fell in love with the color palette and the architechture there.
“How to forgive when it seems impossible”. Who wouldn’t need that? Truly being forgiving from the bottom of my heart can be difficult, even though I know that ‘s what I am called to do.
These monthly posts are so rich! Thank you 🙂
Ceil
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Thank you, Ceil. I’m so glad these monthly updates encourage you. I LOVE Betsie’s quote, too. Yes, no matter how sad or at the end of our rope we become, He is “there, and beyond it, too.” I love how you bring that out that He is even “beyond” it.
That’s cool that you used to live in Arizona. My brother and his wife really love it in there.
I so understand what you mean how difficult “truly being forgiving from the bottom of our hearts” can be. May God lead us ever deeper into His forgiving love so we can more deeply forgive those who have hurt us! Hugs!
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Oh, thank you for the precious reminder with the beginning Scripture: “so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!” I love hearing that passage in this paraphrase: it truly brings a vibrancy to those hope-thoughts! And, the wildlife photographers are too cute! They gave me just the smile that I needed tonight! –Hugs and blessings to you this new month!
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I’m so glad you were given hope and smiles, Bettie. In that verse, I love how this version speaks of the “life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit.” As you say, it brings “vibrancy to those hope-thoughts.” We certainly need that, don’t we? May God fill us with that vibrancy to hope in Him!
The wildlife playing as photographers really added smiles to my day, too. So adorable. Blessings and hugs to you, too!
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Thank you for another great selection of links and resources, Trudy. I love the nature photos and I think the Anne Frank quote is so true- being out in God’s creation definitely restores me, however I am feeling. The photos of the animal photographers are amazing too.
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You’re welcome, Carly. I’m glad you enjoyed it. That Anne Frank quote is so true for me as well. Being out in God’s creation truly is restoring. May we more and more open our hearts and pay attention to God’s beauty in His creation! Hugs!
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Such a powerful video clip, Trudy. And the photos are beautiful. I do get grounded in nature, and know when I am feeling particularly off, it is due to being too much in my head, and not in the heart of His creation.
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Thank you, Lynn. Yes, that video clip is powerful. I love that the book helps a person go through the grief process instead of giving pat answers that don’t allow a person to feel.
Nature grounds me, too. It reminds me that God is still in control and He is faithful. How true though that we need to get into the “heart of His creation.” May God fill our hearts with the wonders of creation and its Creator! Hugs!
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The photos are just gorgeous, Trudy. Always love when you share His creation with us!
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Thank you, Tiffany. My brother takes such awesome photos, and I love it when he shares them with me. I’m so glad you may also have the pleasure of them. 🙂 May God’s creation continually remind us of His faithful love and care! Hugs!
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I always love your new this month posts, my friend. So much good stuff! That quote at the end by Elizabeth George is perfect for a self esteem lacking woman like me ;). And those photos from your brother are awesome! I absolutely adore Arizona. I’ve only been there once but I’ll never forget that beautiful state.
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Thank you, Candace. I’m so glad you enjoy them. I do love getting these posts together. 🙂 Thank you for the compliments to my brother, too. Yes, his photos are awesome. He and his wife are loving to winter in Arizona. I get to see photos of animals I’ve never seen before. 🙂
I’m with you on that Elizabeth George quote. I’m a self esteem lacking woman, too. We will have to keep reminding each other to view ourselves through God’s lens. May we believe in our hearts how much love He has for us and how much worth we have in His eyes! Hugs!
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I love when you share some goodness for all of us here. There is nothing like being in nature to supply healing, quiet time and peace. Your brothers photos are beautiful. Thank you for taking the time to fill us with good books, quotes and photos. Blessings and hugs!
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Thank you and you’re welcome, Mary. I feel the same way – nature supplies “healing, quiet time, and peace.” It has often lifted me out of the pit of discouragement. Yes, my brother’s photos truly are beautiful. They have added many smiles to my days. 🙂 May we always remember that the same God who gives such beauty in nature can fill our hearts and lives with the beauty of His love and grace! Hugs!
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I so enjoy the richness on offer here with your monthly round-up, Trudy! Gorgeous nature photography, intriguing video clips, books and quotes, blessings and reflections, hope for hurting souls – you provide it all. Much to warm the heart, bring a smile, lift the spirit and make us think. I feel one visit doesn’t do justice to all you have shared. I’ll try and find time to return! Hope you get to step outside and let creation soothe your soul this weekend. Bless you, friend. Xx ❤
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Thank you, Joy. I’m so grateful this brought you warmth and smiles and lifted your spirits. Gathering these hope tidbits together energize my spirit. I pray they will reach the hearts of the hurting.
It has been cold and rainy here, so I haven’t been outside this week, but I am blessed to have creation right outside my window. I love seeing robins take a bath. And there some pairs of house finches that hang out here at the feeders. One pair has babies in a wreath my husband put up. I can just see their little heads peeking out. 🙂 Mourning doves come around to eat the seed that falls. Birds so remind me of God’s faithful love and care. Do you have a nice view from your windows? I think I read in a post that you love looking out at nature and taking photos? May God keep helping us to keep our hearts open to His whispers! I hope you have a restful weekend that refreshes both your body and spirit! Hugs!
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Trudy, the main sight out my window is of seagulls and pigeons with an occasional magpie or sparrow thrown in. Mostly I look out on concrete, but I can see sky, clouds, trees and gardens close by and catch a sunset or sunrise. We live in an urban area where cats form a large part of the population. My view is rather limited at home, although I can zoom in to see flowers and plants and I enjoy a spot of people-watching! When I’m able to be in the car for a short journey then I can also see heathland, whereas a longer one takes me to countryside and coast. Hope you can also rest and be refreshed this weekend. 🙂 Xx
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That’s awesome, Joy. There’s beauty to be found everywhere when we look for it, right? ❤️💐
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Wonderful collection of inspiring links, Trudy! Thank you so much for sharing your brother’s photos! I lived in AZ for 17 years – these brought back fond memories of a beautiful place. Happy Saturday, friend!
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Thank you, June. I’m glad you were inspired and warmed by memories. 🙂 If I remember right, you now live in Texas? May you have a relaxing, reviving Sunday! Hugs!
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