ABCs of Jesus’ Love
(Visit this page for more verses!)
❤ Holy Love ❤
“The angel replied,
‘The Holy Spirit shall come upon you,
and the power of God shall overshadow you;
so the baby born to you will be
utterly holy—the Son of God.’“
Luke 1:35 TLB
Hope Harbor
💞 Articles/Blog Posts That Inspire Hope and Healing 💞
💞 Hard Times? How to Hear God’s Song Louder Than Any Hard Times – Ann Voskamp’s guest post by Aubrey Sampson – “In a world full of hate, abuse, and game change, God doesn’t avoid or ignore pain. He sings a louder song over it. And He invites His hurting people to sing with Him.”
💞 It’s Okay to Process Your Loss – Dolly Lee shares about learning self-compassion toward our hurts. To God, suffering is suffering, and He doesn’t compare one to another. – “When we don’t deal with what is inside us, it tends to result in other harmful attitudes and actions.”
💞 You’d Never Know It From Looking At Her – Alia Joy shares honest truths about the hidden pain of mental illness. – “Sometimes it’s hard to be the one in line for your antidepressant, or anti-anxiety meds, or in my case all of the above with an added antipsychotic to control my bipolar disorder. Sometimes we don’t want a consult, we just want a connection. We just want to know it’s ok. We just want to know we’re not alone.“
Nature Retreat
“The more often we see the things around us –
even the beautiful and wonderful things –
the more they become invisible to us.
That is why we often take for granted
the beauty of this world:
the flowers, the trees, the birds, the clouds –
even those we love.
Because we see things so often,
we see them less and less.”
Joseph B.
Again, some awesome pics from my brother. 🙂 Thank you, John!
Quotes
❤ “How radically must we rework our own self-image if we accept ourselves as loveable – as deeply, passionately, and unconditionally loved by God?” – Antony Campbell
❤ “Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.” – Brennan Manning
❤ “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” – Albert Einstein
Freed to Fly 
Dear Trudy,
What precious memories you haves stirred in my heart here today. Truly God is in the moments of nature surrounding our days if we would only open our eyes to see what we have been overlooking. The Great Horned Owl is so special to me. One of the last times that I saw my brother at his house (who passed away from cancer,) was on a day we visited him and he showed me the sketch he was working on of a Great Horned Owl. Later that night after we had driven the 8 hours to get home, I was unpacking with the patio doors open to let in fresh air. In the tall pine trees outside the window, I heard such beautiful sounds. Suddenly I realized it was just what my brother had sketched: a Great Horned Owl calling back & forth with it’s mate. I cried over the nearness of God’s touch that day, and remembered it months later when He went home to be with Jesus. His Lord had called him to come be with Him in HIs true home. Thank you for the gifts that you share here, Trudy. You are such a blessing to me. xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
It amazes me how God watches out for us, Bettie. I’m so grateful the Great Horned Owl photos have stirred up precious memories. God is so good to give you the comfort of His touch that day and other days since then. Maybe you told me this already, but does someone in the family still have your brother’s sketch? You are a blessing to me, too! xoxo May God help us to open our eyes to see what we’re overlooking!
LikeLike
Dear Trudy,
Thank you for remembering about my brother’s artwork! Yes, his daughter has all of his sketches and paintings, and has framed many of them. I have a lot of his art supplies, and one of his sketches that he had made specifically for us. Such a treasure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I’m so glad, Bettie. Such treasures for each of you. xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Big Bertha is sprouting flowers! I’ve never seen that before! And my dream is to see an owl in the wild. Hopefully sometime this summer. So am envious of your brother’s owl pictures, but also adore them. I love that Nature Retreat quote. Yes, to look at things everyday with fresh eyes is to truly be in the presence of God’s wonders.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve never seen a Big Bertha with flowers either before this photo, Lynn. Aren’t they beautiful? That would be awesome if you saw an owl in the wild. I hope you do! And I hope I will get to see the photo! 🙂 That nature quote really touched me, too. We can so easily take God’s beauty in this world for granted, can’t we? May we daily open our hearts to the wonder of God’s creation!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can never have enough HOPE resources!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me either, Susan! May we cling to our only hope in Jesus!
LikeLike
This is another great collection, Trudy! I especially love the Brennan Manning quote and the owl pictures. Thanks for sharing these encouragements. Love and blessings to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you were encouraged, Lesley. Those owls are truly impressive, aren’t they? I love the Brennan Manning, too. It so connects with the need in my heart. May we radically define ourselves as beloved of God, not in all those identities Satan pummels at us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alia Joy’s book is on my to-read pile. Library books keep piling up with short due dates that call to be read first. But I know that her story will be worth the wait. She’s one incredible woman … and a superb writer.
And that owl, oh my!!!
And Brennan Manning, yes, please …
Thanks for sharing all your goodies over at my place. I appreciate it so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hear you about library books piling up, Linda. I usually reserve books online, and it often seems that several become available at once. And newer books or those in more demand do have shorter due dates here, too. I started Alia’s book, and she certainly is a superb writer. And so authentic. Yes, isn’t that owl incredible? May we always open our hearts to the wonder of God’s unique creation!
LikeLike
You provided such great links to read. Anything by Alia Joy is worth the time. Her book is on my to-read list but I haven’t reserved it yet at the library. I love your brother’s photos. They are stunning. I love the first two quotes. I struggle to always claim my identity as to how God sees me. Reading those quotes about identity reminds me again I am God’s beloved.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“I struggle to always claim my identity as to how God sees me.” I have that same struggle, Mary. It’s hard, isn’t it? I’m glad the photos, quotes, and links speak to you. I have Alia’s book, and yes, it is worth the read. She writes so honestly and vulnerably. May we keep reminding each other of who we are in Christ Jesus!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a marvellous cactus Big Bertha is! Her blooms are magnificent. My daughter-in-law collects an eclectic family of cacti and nurses them into blooming life like a mother would a reluctant child. The owl photos are terrific too and remind me of the time when I first encountered barn owls close at hand as we visited my aunt in Wales when I was small. Alia Joy’s brave book is on my wish list and I hope to get a copy soon. But most of all I love (and am challenged by) the quotes you’ve shared. They might sound easy to do but in practice can be tricky for most of us. I appreciate the reminder to try to see myself as God’s beloved. Thank you, Trudy, for providing yet another fabulous feast for the soul! Blessings and love. xo ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was awed by Big Bertha’s blooms, too, Joy. This is in my brother’s back yard. Thank you for sharing your daughter-in-law’s gift. I’ve had an inside cactus for years. When I first got it, it was small and would bloom beautiful little pink blossoms. But now, even though I fertilize it, the blooms just about come out but don’t. 😦 It does grow though. Maybe she has some tips for me? 🙂 It’s so true how those quotes sound easy but are hard to put into practice. I long that the truth of our identity would get past my head and enter deep into my heart. Thank you for your kind words. Blessings and love to you, too! May we keep reminding ourselves and each other that we truly are God’s beloved!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll have to find out if she has any tips on getting them to bloom. Most of them sit in their conservatory but I’m not sure if that’s the secret of her success. Your longing to have your state of belovedness before God move from your head to your heart is one I share. May it be so, Lord! A fresh reminder is always useful! xo 😊❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Joy. Yes! “May it be so, Lord!” xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this collection Trudy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Anita! It’s good to “see” you here again. 🙂 How are you doing? May God keep giving us His strength and grace to get us through whatever happens in this life!
LikeLike
I’ve been enjoying reading Alia Joy’s book each morning. She’s been through a lot (I’m only 1/3 into the book so I know there’s more to come).
I love the cactus! I had an aunt named Bertha – Aunt Bert. She was quite the character. 🙂 These photos are amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you liked the photos, Lisa. My brother’s photography truly brightens our days. 🙂 You’re about as far as I am with Alia’s book. Yes, she’s been through a lot. I really admire her open honesty, even with the hard things. I may have to set it aside for a bit since a couple of books I ordered at the library are ready, and they both have holds on them, so I’ll have to read them more quickly. May God help us to always be authentic!
LikeLike
I relate to those library holds! Those books have to come first. 🙂 I’ve got a couple on my Kindle that are about to expire from the library so I have to keep reading those before others.
LikeLiked by 1 person
For new books or ones in demand, there are often quite a few holds on them. It seems to never fail that two or more are ready for me at the same time! Happy Reading, Lisa! I’m not as avid a reader as you are, but I do love it. 🙂
LikeLike