Truths that Breathe Hope
❤️ GOD Values Us ❤️
“Look at the birds.
They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns,
for your heavenly Father feeds them.
And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are?”
~ Matthew 6:26 NLT ~
❤️ God Doesn’t Merely Tolerate Us; He Delights In Us ❤️
“For the Lord delights in His people.”
~ Psalm 149:4a NLT ~
❤️ Victory Is Already Ours Through Jesus ❤️
“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?
Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity,
or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger,
or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say,
“For Your sake we are killed every day;
we are being slaughtered like sheep.”)
No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory
is ours through Christ, who loved us.”
~ Romans 8:35-37 NLT ~
Sometimes God Says No
🦋 “What if God’s ‘NO,’ is really a gift? His way to protect us from what we cannot see, provide something better than we can imagine, or be part of the process of growing us closer to Him.” – Lysa TerKeurst
🦋 “The key is you have to trust that God only has the best in store for you. If God says no to something, He says yes to something even greater. It is when you fully surrender all of your desires to His will that His perfect will is done.” – Nick Vujicic
🦋 “I know now, Lord, why You utter no answer. You are Yourself the answer. Before Your face questions die away. What other answers would suffice?” – C.S. Lewis
Nature Retreat
“How countless are Your works, Lord!
In wisdom You have made them all;
the earth is full of Your creatures.“
~ Psalm 104:24 HCSB ~
Thank you to my brother John
for these spectacular photos.
🙂 Please respect copyright laws. 🙂
Freed to Fly 
Thank you for these wonderful God-breathed Scriptures today so full of hope! After all the news I have received today, this was a breath of fresh air. Our world is in such trouble – but our great and almighty GOD is still in control, praise His holy name! May He bless you today!
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We so need God-breathed Scripture to give us hope, don’t we, Cheryl? Yes, our world is in such trouble. 😦 It’s such a comfort to know our Almighty God is still in control! May He bless you, too! May we keep our eyes on our God who has already gained the victory for us!
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Such uplifting scripture, reflections and photos, Trudy. Oh, how we need more of this beauty in this troubled world!
God bless you, my friend!
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I’m so glad your heart was uplifted, Martha. I echo your desire – “Oh, how we need more of this beauty in this troubled world!” God bless you, too. May we intentionally seek out the moments of beauty God still graciously gives us!
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Amen!
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❤️🙏🏼
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those pictures of God’s critters makes me think spring and outdoors and sunshine are all maybe nearer than I thought, Trudy!
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It’s coming, Linda! Though these pics are from Arizona, there are signs here in the Midwest of spring getting nearer. It was nearly 60 degrees here today and it was so lovely to walk outdoors and enjoy the sunshine and hear the house finches in the trees. 🙂 There’s talk about freezing rain and snow on Saturday, but we’ll be grateful for all the warmer days we can get! The change in seasons reminds us how faithful God is, don’t they? May we lean in closely to our Lord whose mercies are new every morning!
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Encouraging words you have shared, Trudy! They remind me He delights in us always, so we have no reason to fret when we are feeling overwhelmed. Whenever you feel someone’s love, life’s troubles seem to fade. Of course I love the nature retreat you have shared! I am looking forward to spending time in the grasslands this spring/summer to see if I can see some of these birds you have shared. No gecko’s here…too cold for them. 🙂
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I’m so glad you were encouraged, Lynn. I am looking forward to seeing your grassland pics! They always refresh my spirit. So true that when we feel someone’s love, life’s troubles seem to fade. May we open our hearts to feel God’s unfailing, bottomless love for us in our innermost heart!
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Great uplifting scriptures Trudy. I especially loved your line: God Doesn’t Merely Tolerate Us; He Delights In Us. I often think tolerate is the word I’d choose for humans; but I’m so glad to find out He delights in us.
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Yes, it’s such an uplifting truth that God delights in us, Jerralea. To think that He finds great pleasure in loving us is so incomprehensible, isn’t it? May that truth sink deeply within our hearts and give us strength and courage!
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Beautiful post, Trudy! The scriptures breathed life into my world weary soul today. Your photos are always stunning and the quotes hit home for me too. Thank you!
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It’s so easy to have a “world weary soul” these days, isn’t it, Donna? I’m so grateful the Scriptures breathed life into your soul. May our weary, burdened hearts find rest and solace in our Savior’s arms!
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Dear Trudy, thank you again for your oh-so-encouraging gathering of photos, thoughts, and Scriptures. This one especially struck home with me today:
God Doesn’t Merely Tolerate Us; He Delights In Us ❤️
“For the Lord delights in His people.”
~ Psalm 149:4a NLT ~
I can be so guilty of just tolerating my days. Oh, may I look for HIS delight in the midst of my moments! Blessing. Love, and hugs to you dear friend! Xoxo
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“I can be so guilty of just tolerating my days.” I so identify with you, Bettie. Thank you for sharing that. May we truly cling to His delight in us so we can better tolerate our days! That no matter what, we can truly say from our hearts – “This is the day the Lord has made: I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Blessing, love, and hugs to you, too! I know life isn’t easy for you and your husband and it must get so wearying. May Jesus hold you both so closely to His heart that you will constantly hear the rhythm of His love beating for you!
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Oh Trudy, that was my Mom’s favorite verse! In fact she quoted that on the morning of my Dad’s funeral, when I know her heart was breaking. This is HIS day. Thank you so much for your precious reminder and comfort today. Xoxo
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Oh wow! As I was replying to your comment, that verse popped up in my heart. So it was a God-thing! 🙂 What strengthening grace God must have given your mom to say that even while her heart was breaking, Bettie. Do you have an Aldi’s store in your area? Did you know that verse is written under the cover of their Goldhen eggs? I wasn’t aware of it until another blogging friend pointed it out. Love and blessings to you!
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Yes! I remember seeing that verse when we used to get eggs from Aldi! Thank you for such a sweet reminder!
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❤️🙏🏻
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As always, there’s so much encouragement here, Trudy! I have been thinking and writing a bit recently about dealing with unanswered prayer (or at least prayers that are not answered as we hope) so I appreciated the quotes about God saying no. I love C.S. Lewis’s statement that “You are Yourself the answer.”
The photos are amazing too. I loved the blackbird doing the splits and learning about the gecko’s tail.
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I’m so glad you were encouraged, Lesley. My brother’s photos always amaze me, and I love it when he adds those unique characteristics like that of that gecko. 🙂 That quote really touches my heart, too. May we in the midst of all our questions remember our Lord Himself is the answer! Someday we will see the full beauty of His plan!
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Trudy, such a beautiful post. the Bible verses, the quotes, and the photos. though I confess, I don’t think I’ll ever willingly take photos of a black widow. 😉 Your brother is truly gifted, though! I have heard the C.S. Lewis quote before. It sure puts things in perspective!
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Yes, my brother is truly gifted, Jeanne. He really enjoys nature and photography. Even if it is a black widow! I’m grateful that he so graciously allows me to share with readers. 🙂 Yes, C.S. Lewis’ quote truly does put things into perspective. May we cling to Jesus, the Ultimate Answer in life and in death!
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I remember a “no” I got YEARS ago when I wanted to marry a particular guy, but it didn’t work out. It didn’t take long for me to say THANK YOU GOD when I realized what a disaster it could have been if I had married that person! 🙂 God brought me a real treasure instead by giving me Jeff.
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Thank you for sharing this, Lisa. I rejoice with you. I’m so glad God protected you from a disastrous marriage and gave you a real treasure in Jeff, Lisa! God was watching out for you then and He is still watching out for you now, even though you’re going through heartbreaking events in your life. May we cling to and trust our faithful God who loves us so deeply and always knows what is best for us!
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Wonderful scriptures, quotes, and beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing!
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I’m glad they spoke to you, Lisa. May our hearts cling to God who is still in control no matter what!
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Trudy, the picture of the blackbird doing the splits made me smile. 🙂 The quotes and verses you shared are so good … the Romans passage, especially, is one I always think of during times of war or national calamity. I can think of many situations in my life when God said no and I am so thankful now. Love and hugs to you!
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Romans 8 is one of my favorite chapters, Lois. There’s such comfort in knowing that no matter what happens, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ Jesus, right? I’m so glad you have Lilly and Molly because of one of those times when God said no. You had to go through a lot, but now you are so blessed with your two precious daughters. 🙂 Love and hugs to you, too! In the midst of all the chaos in the world, may God send forth His light and His truth to lead us!
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Strong truth (from scripture & wise writers) and astounding beauty (from your brother’s marvelous photography)! Nourishment for mind, soul, and spirit. Thank you, Trudy!
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“Nourishment for mind, soul, and spirit.” We truly need that, don’t we, Nancy? May we continually drink from Jesus’ bottomless well of love, grace, and compassion!
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