On My Side
by Kim Walker Smith
“In the front lines, You fight for me
Oh, Your kindness is my shield
When the armies rise and I am scared
My heart You will defend
You are on my side
You go before me
You stand behind
You tell my fear to run
Always and forever
I am loved
You are on my side…”
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 “N” word for Jesus’ Love.
❤ No Greater Love ❤
“There is no greater love than to
lay down one’s life for one’s friends.“
John 15:13 NLT
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. 🙂
It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered by Lysa TerKeurst
(Lysa’s book will release on November 13, 2018.)
“What do you do when God’s timing seems questionable, His lack of intervention hurtful, and His promises doubtful
Life often looks so very different than we hoped or expected. Some events may simply catch us off guard for a moment, but others shatter us completely. We feel disappointed and disillusioned, and we quietly start to wonder about the reality of God’s goodness.
Lysa TerKeurst understands this deeply. But she’s also discovered that our disappointments can be the divine appointments our souls need to radically encounter God.” (Amazon Review)
Hope Harbor
💞 Articles/Blog Posts That Inspire Hope and Healing 💞
💞 You’ll Never Know It From Looking At Her by Alia Joy – “So many stay silent, like the woman with her Xanax prescription in the bottom of her purse. She doesn’t say a word about how a body can betray you, how a mind can be so hard to control when the chemistry goes haywire and no amount of joy or praise or prayer works to take it away.”
💞 Shattered Beyond Repair by Lisa TerKeurst – “But what about those times when things aren’t just broken but shattered beyond repair? Shattered to the point of dust. At least when things are broken there’s some hope you can glue the pieces back together.”
💞 Ten Reasons to Hope When You Are Hurting by Stephen Arterburn – Are you hurting? Here are ten reasons based on Bible verses to hang onto hope.
Nature Retreat
“Sometimes you need to unplug
and enjoy nature’s company.”
Unknown
These awesome photos are again from my brother in Arizona. Thank you, John! 🙂 (My brother kindly gives me permission to share his photos out of his desire to share the joy of nature with others, but as with all photos, I ask that you please do remember copyright laws.)
🐾 Barnstorming: Seeking Sanctuary in the Seasons of Rural Life – Emily chronicles the seasons of life at their farm in Washington. She shares beautiful photos of nature and poems/prose that relate, including her own.
🐾 Cindy Tiehen Photography – Cindy’s hope is to inspire with a glimpse of nature’s grace. She certainly does that with her breath-taking photos.
🐾 Jarred Warren Photography – Jarred’s landscape photos and time-lapse videos are awesome and inspiring.
Quotes
New quotes this month are about Truth.
❤ “The truth is like a lion; you don’t have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself.” – Augustine
❤ “A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” – Charles Spurgeon
❤ “Honesty is more than not lying. It is truth telling, truth speaking, truth living, and truth loving.” – James E. Faust
Thank You
to anyone and everyone who recommend
links, books, quotes, etc.
Freed to Fly 
Alia Joy is one of my favorite writers, Trudy. She puts words to what many of us hide away somewhere deep, powerfully yet gently. I’m heading right over there now, thanks to your important link.
Bless you …
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I recently discovered her, Linda. This article touched me “somewhere deep, powerfully yet gently.” Such a meaningful description you give. I now know she writes devotions and articles in different books, and she is coming out with a book of her own next April – Glorious Weakness: Discovering God in All We Lack. In the description, it says she calls on readers to “embrace true vulnerability and authenticity with God and with one another, showing how weakness does not disqualify us from inclusion in the kingdom of God–instead, it is our very invitation to enter in.” I put it on my wishlist! Bless you, too, dear Linda! May we continue to reach for God’s hand to guide us!
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Once again, Trudy, your brother’s photos blow me away – just stunning! Thanks, too, for the reading recommendations and the quotes. I’m especially drawn to the one by St. Augustine. Truth will win out in the end – always!
Blessings to you, my friend!
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Thank you, Martha. His photos really inspire me, too. 🙂 I find the uniqueness of God’s creatures so fascinating. Yes, even spiders and lizards. 🙂 I love Augustine’s quote, too. It is so comforting that Truth will always win out in the end! Blessings to you, too, dear friend! May we learn ever deeper that Truth Himself will always bring truth to light in the end, however dark it seems!
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Beautiful!
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Thank you, Urzre. 🙂 May we experience the no-greater-love of Jesus!
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Yes, Jesus, the Beloved! ;]
May we! Thanks! =*>
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👍🏼 ❤️ 🙏🏼
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Dear Trudy,
You always find such beautiful and inspiring links to share. I love Alia Joy’s writing also, so I am going to put her new book (that you shared with Linda above) on my wishlist too. Her heart of openness before the Lord always touches me deeply. And your brother is such an amazing photographer! That jackrabbit must be listening to something quite astounding. 🙂 Thank you for the ways that you are such an encouragement here, my friend! Blessings, love, and hugs to you!
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I was happy to find Alia through (In)courage, Bettie. I don’t always have time to read every post there, but the title drew me in. I noticed her blog posts at her site aren’t recent. I love her heart of openness, too. I agree my brother is an amazing photographer. 🙂 I love how you perceived the jackrabbit. 🙂 I’m so grateful you are encouraged! Blessings, love, and hugs to you, too! By the way, I read John 17 this morning. 🙂 May we be taken ever deeper into who God is, and may we trust Him more and more!
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Jared’s time lapse photography is stunning!! Thank you for introducing it to me. Currently waiting for some ladies to come over to do week 4 of Lysa’s The Best Yes study. I really like her style of writing and teaching and look forward to her upcoming publication. Thanks for letting us know about it Trudy. And that cougar(?) shot…wow! Just wow….!!
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I love those time lapse videos, too, Lynn. I can see the creative photographer in you planning… 🙂 I haven’t read Lysa’s Best Yes, but I really love her Uninvited. That must be an interesting Bible Study. I’m glad you were wowed by that shot. It’s actually a bobcat, but yes it is spectacular. Bobcats sometimes roam right into my brother’s backyard. 🙂 May God’s unique creation continue to wow us and keep us in awe of His power!
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☺️❤️❤️
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Back to you, Lynn! I hope your painting is going well and you are feeling less overwhelmed. I so admire how creative you are. Your paintings are so refreshing to my spirit. May we keep reaching for God’s hand to guide us!
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Thank you for this glimpse into your October. You chose some powerful articles to share. I saw by reading the comments that others like Alia Joy as I do. Linda described it so well when she wrote that she puts words to what many of us want to hide. I can’t wait for Alia’s book to come out.
Blessings as you begin November. Love and hugs!
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Yes, I admire that in Alia. It’s not easy to write so vulnerably, is it? I’m looking forward to her book, too. November blessings, love, and hugs to you, too, Mary! In the midst of grieving our losses, may we daily cling to Jesus who cares so much and cries with us!
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Lots of great content here. Happy to have visited you today from Mary Geisen’s link up. laurensparks.net
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Thank you for visiting, Lauren. 🙂 I checked out your blog and I’m so sorry you’re dealing with breast cancer. May God grant healing, emotionally as well!
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That’s a beautiful song, Trudy. Lysa TerKeurst’s new book looks really good too … and those photos! I’m not a fan of spiders but that last picture is pretty impressive! I always love your monthly roundups … hugs, friend!
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Thank you, Lois. I love that song, too. I just found it and it’s so encouraging. Lysa has learned a lot through deep experiences, so I’m sure her book will be good. I remember how Uninvited touched my heart. It is amazing how God uses our pain for His own purposes of comfort to others who are hurting. I can see that in you, too! I’m glad you enjoy my brother’s photos. Even the spider! 😁 Yes, he is impressive. Even infinitely more so is his Creator. 🙂 Hugs to you, too! In all our struggles in this life, may we remember God is on our side!
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Alia Joy is one of my favourite faith bloggers. I love her transparency and beautiful writing style. Though I don’t always get round to reading all her posts. Which made the one you shared more precious. And the news that her book is due out in April warmed my heart. It’s been duly pre-ordered! 🙂 I also appreciate the encouraging song you shared, the lovely nature photography, links to books and posts and illuminating quotes. The one about honesty reveals how deeply our way of life expresses spiritual truth to others via lived out beliefs. Once again, a marvellously rich and varied selection to offer hope and encouragement. Well done, Trudy! xox ❤
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Alia Joy’s writing and transparency is a favorite among several of you here, Joy. I don’t get around to reading all the posts either, but the title of this one drew me in and I felt nudged to look further if she wrote any books. Thank you for your kind words. I’m glad you find hope and encouragement in these roundups. 🙂 May God give us grace to be “truth telling, truth speaking, truth living, and truth loving” lights for Him!
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I love the quotes and photos, Trudy! And Lysa Terkeurst’s new book sounds good too. I always enjoy your monthly round-ups. Love and hugs to you!
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Thank you, Lesley. I’m so glad you enjoy these roundups. 🙂 Love and hugs back to you! I hope things are going well for you, and you are feeling more refreshed. May we daily find our nourishment in Jesus!
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