GOD HEARS
by Newsong
“But there is hope, my friend
You will sing again
‘Cause God hears when there are no words to speak
God hears when your sorrow runs deep
And it feels like all your faith has disappeared
God hears, God hears…”
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 an “A” Word:
❤︎ Abiding Love ❤︎
“We have come to know
[by personal observation and experience],
and have believed [with deep, consistent faith]
the love which God has for us. God is love,
and the one who abides in love abides in God,
and God abides continually in him.“
1 John 4:16 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. 🙂
Whispers of Rest by Bonnie Gray
“A unique 40-day devotional detox that will guide you to a place of intimate rest. Be the beloved.”
If you have not yet read my review, you can find it here.
Hope Harbor
💞 Links That Inspire Hope and Healing 💞
“We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up His permanent post as High Priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:18-20 The Message
💞 Unshakable Hope – Read Bill’s amazing testimony of the grace of God and how God is using him to minister hope to others in the midst of the heavy trial of Lou Gehrig’s disease. Bill says, “This trial has taught us that the only way to experience genuine and consistent hope, peace and joy in the midst of a trial is to view our life and situation through God’s eyes.” I am linking to a particular blog post as it has a link to the interview he and his wife, Mary, had with Moody Radio.
💞 31 Days of Hope for Moms – “In 31 Days of Hope for Moms, we will be taking a look at some of the common challenges of mothering younger children (disorganization, frustration, depression, behavioral issues, the marriage relationship and more). We will be seeing what the Bible says about these situations as well as talking about many practical helps for pressing on with joy during this beautiful season of life!”
💞 How to Find Hope in the Midst of Suffering – “We often will not know what our hurt is accomplishing, but Christ’s death is our guarantee that God won’t waste a tear. Our tenacious belief in a relational God who is good is our only hope through and in our hurt. But this tenacity doesn’t come from us, for we are extremely weak. Tenacity is achieved by very real nails driven through very real wrists on a very real cross. And today Jesus prays for us without ceasing before his Father and we are filled with the Holy Spirit to suffer as well.”
Nature Retreat
“Nature is not a place to visit.
It is home.”
~ Gary Snyder
The top four are recent photos from my brother, John, in Arizona. The bottom three are photos taken when one of my sons, Glen, and his wife went to Cancun, Mexico.
American Coots
An American Kestrel with a Zebra-Tailed Lizard
Tarantula Hawk Wasp
You certainly don’t want to get stung by one of these! They have the worst insect sting in North America and the 2nd worst in the world. They also paralyze tarantulas and lay an egg on them for the larva to eat and grow.
Quatu
My son said these quatus ran around looking for food. They would line up at a garbage can and would take turns climbing in, one at a time, to find something to feast on.
A Sunrise in Cancun
🐾 10,000 Birds – “Welcome to 10,000 birds, just the place for people who love birds, pictures of birds, and people who write about birds, birding, conservation, and much more.”
🐾 Animal Expressions – I love this! Not all the photos are wild animals, but I’m certain they will bring some smiles into your day! “A look at the interesting faces of all kinds of creatures and different forms of communication among the species.”
🐾 8 Animals You Won’t Believe Actually Exist – Very interesting! This is a 6-minute video of rare animals many don’t know exist.
Quotes
❤︎ “Courage is like love; it must have hope for nourishment.“ ~ Napolean Bonaparte
❤︎ “I place no hope in my strength, nor in my works: but all my confidence is in God my protector, who never abandons those who have put all their hope and thought in Him.“ ~ Francois Rabelais
❤︎ “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
Freed to Fly 
Oh those photos! Incredible beauty captured by his lens.
What a great kick off to the day, friend …
Be blessed!
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Yes, incredible beauty. 🙂 Thank you, Linda. I’m so glad they kicked off your day! May the beauty of God we see in His creation soothe our souls with His peace!
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Loved the beautiful photos, Trudy, and will certainly check out some of those animal links you gave us today. I’m especially intrigued by the video about animals many don’t know exist. Wonder if I know them already? 🙂
Blessings!
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Thank you, Martha. God’s creation is so inspiring, isn’t it? I did not know even one of those animals many don’t know exist. It’s always so interesting to find yet another unique creature. Sometimes the countless creatures God has created so uniquely baffle me. Only GOD can do that! May we be awed by His wonders and may our hearts sing with praise!
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I enjoyed listening to the song, and the animal pictures are great as always (not sure I’d like to meet a tarantula hawk wasp in real life though!) I love the animal expressions page you linked to as well. You’ve put together another great selection of links and resources. Love and hugs to you!
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Don’t those animal expressions bring smiles? I surely wouldn’t want to meet up with that wasp either! I’m glad you enjoyed the song, too. It’s such a comfort to know He always hears us, isn’t it? Love and hugs to you, too, Lesley! May we always find our hope in God!
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Dear Trudy,
Wow! You have once again, blessed me so much with your compilation of amazing words, photos, and music. They are all beautiful. But the post and interview with Bill Sweeney is bringing tears to my eyes. I have a good friend who is in the throes of ALS right now. I am going to send her this link, as an encouragement to her. Thank you so much for sharing this today! Many hugs and love to you, my friend! xoxo
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Thank you, Bettie. I’m so grateful you were blessed. I’m so glad you took the time to listen to that interview with Bill. Recently Bill “liked” a post at my site, or I probably would not have found his site. God is good! I was so blessed by reading of and hearing his testimony. It’s so amazing how God gave him many years beyond what the doctor predicted and how He is using him to spread hope to others even in the midst of such disability. I’m so sorry for your friend. It must be such a heavy cross to bear. I pray Bill’s story will give her much hope and encouragement! Many hugs and love to you, too! May we cling to hope and trust God can use us no matter how difficult our situation may be!
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Wow, wow, wow! You have a true gift- the pictures and your writing are amazing.
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Thank you for your kind words, Erin. Though I do sometimes share my own pics, I can’t take credit for the ones in this post. My brother and my son graciously let me share theirs. 🙂 May we open our hearts to God’s beauty in His creation!
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Hi Trudy! Those photos are just lovely, as always. I loved the little quantus. It reminds me of an airline? There used to be one named Quantas I think.
I really need to get that journal book, I’ve seen it so many times, it must be just great.
Have a wonderful summer, and I’ll see you in the fall 🙂
Ceil
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Thank you, Ceil. My son said those quatus were all over in Cancun. They acted a lot like sea gulls, trying to get hand-outs. I hope you have a wonderful summer as well. I will certainly miss you online, but I sincerely hope you have a refreshing time with lots of soul rest! Feel free to email me and let me know how you’re doing. 🙂 No matter where we are or what situation we are in, may we hang onto our only hope in Jesus!
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Absolutely love those hope quotes you have today, Trudy! They have inspired hope in me! And wonderful pictures. Looking forward to exploring the photo sites you shared as well, especially the animals we may not know even exist! Have a wonderful week!
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It makes my heart so happy that those quotes inspired hope in you, Lynn! Hope in Jesus is such a lifeline, isn’t it? It’s amazing how many variations of animals there are! It puts me in awe of the greatest Creator and Artist of all! I hope you have a wonderful week, too! May we cling tightly to the Lifeline of Hope!
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That wasp looks terrifying, Trudy! As always, I love your links and photos … and especially that quote by Gary Snyder. 🙂 Hugs, friend!
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Thank you, Lois. Hugs back to you! I certainly wouldn’t want to get stung by that wasp! I’m glad you love that quote. I love it, too. Nature truly is home! A home where we can snuggle up with our Maker and His love. May we always find our home within the heart of our Heavenly Father!
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