safe at home

  "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him." Psalm 34:8

I'm not sure what's in store for us this weekend or in the days ahead, but as long as it includes God, we can be confident it will be good! He knows what we need.

Be filled with the One who warms the heart and soul with His love and peace in all seasons.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,
veneal

a day of mourning...

"Jesus replied:

 “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself..." Matthew 22:37-39

I don't typically post 2 devotions a day, but today is not a typical day.  It all started this morning when we allowed our sweet Bella to go "home".  With heavy hearts, we let her go.  But not without a flood of emotions and gratitude of all she unselfishly gave us... unconditional love, pure loyalty, laughter, encouragement, faithfulness, protection and peace to name some.  She was not just a dog, she was our beloved fur girl. There are times we didn't always agree or like her ways, but i would take all her good and bad habits a million times over to experience the greatness of a friend she was to all our family. The saying is so true, the greater the love from a fur friend, the greater the loss and pain.

After releasing Bella to the heavenlies, we returned home to find President Carter's funeral in progress. We walked in during his grandson, Jake's, eulogy which caused me to stop, listen, laugh and cry, as well as Rev. Andrew Young and the other eulogies that followed.  I miss leaders like Carter.  President  Carter was not just a President, he was more importantly a great man and humanitarian.  A man of respect, integrity, truthfulness, humbleness and faithfulness just to site a few of his honorable traits.  As President (as with all Presidents),  there were times people didn't agree or support his decisions.  Some might say he was not a great President because of decisions or issues that personally affected their wallets.  I'm not sure if I agree with this thinking anymore, especially when it deters efforts to improve the well being and care of others.  Even so, i would take all his good and bad decisions one million times over to experience the greatness of a person he was to ALL mankind.  

I'll say it again... the greater the love from a person, the greater the loss and pain.

I'm feeling a tremendous, painful loss today for my family and my country.  

God bless you, President Carter, and rest in peace.  And if you see Bella, give her a pat for us.

"He has shown you, friend, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

can't breathe?

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything. Rather, He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else." Acts 17:24-25

Feeling trapped, scared, confused, lost? Don't panic.

When we can't breathe, remember God is our oxygen mask and as close as our fingertips. Breathe Him in, and be filled with peace. ALL we need comes from God. He will not fail us.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

this year, i will..

"Live in peace with each other...

warn those who are idle...
encourage the timid...
help the weak...
be patient with everyone...
always try to be kind to each other...
be joyful always...
pray continually...
give thanks in all circumstances...
test everything...
hold on to the good...
avoid every kind of evil..." 1 Thessalonians 5:13-22 

My goal for 2025... not just believing in God, but believing God.  That's the goal of my heart, greater faith, living my life to please Him... one day at a time, one circumstance at a time, one step at a time.

 

Cheers, my Friend! Here's to a new year with you.  With God we got this. We just need to believe it and Him.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

What’s new?

  The Lord says...

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!"  Isaiah 43:18-19

A New Year, a new day, a new way, a new routine, a new beginning, a new thing... God is good all the time.  All the time God is good.

Praying a year of smiles and blessings to you.  God has a plan, and it is good. Trust Him.

Are you smiling yet?

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

a sweet depression

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

Have you ever heard of a depression cake?  I hadn't until last week while thumbing through recipes. 

“What’s this?” my head said.   Are there magical ingredients in it to keep depression away? Or, does it cause depression due to its luscious taste and MEGA calories?  It turns out neither is true.  This cake was created during the depression and made without key ingredients found scarce during the time… milk, eggs and butter. Trust me when i say this cake is fabulous and truly satisfies the taste for sweetness any day! 

 

I'm having a sweet little depression today, and it's not just cake.  It's my first official day of not returning to school. It’s comes with mixed emotions of quiet peace and sadness. I will miss the hugs and cheery chats and the company of my "family". Yet, like with the depression cake, i am learning when crucial ingredients are missing, changes and substitutes can successfully bring fulfillment and sweetness to our days. 

So, today i am focusing on the new sweetness of what is ahead… flexibility.  While missing my former daily routine in the Media Center and cherished friends, the added flexibility to my life will provide the needed opportunity to spend more time with my personal family. And i have no doubt my revised routine will also allow me to maintain precious relationships through subbing, volunteering, writing or just doing a “check-in” to grab a hug or two.  😉

Do you feel a little depressed?  Have some cake and enjoy the sweetness of it with Him. God still has a plan for us in this new season, and it is good.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

read before proceeding

 "I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free.” Psalm 119:32

Today is the first day of a new year. No matter the past, it’s an opportunity for changes and new beginnings. 

Now is a good time to reflect, redirect and refresh. A healthy and godly preparation for our mind, body and soul on how to BE, will benefit and sustain us through whatever the year will hold.  May 2025 be filled with blessings, JOY and peace for you. 

HANDBOOK 2025

Health:

1.       Drink plenty of water.

2.       Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

3.       Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is

          manufactured in plants.

4.       Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.

5.       Make time to pray.

6.       Play more games.

7.       Read more books than you did in 2024. 

8.       Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

9.       Sleep for 7 hours.

10.    Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11.    Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all

         about.

12.    Don't have negative thoughts on things you cannot control. Instead invest

        your energy in the positive present moment.

13.    Don't overdo. Keep your limits.

14.    Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

15.    Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

16.    Dream more while you are awake.

17.    Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

18.    Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes

         of the past.  That will ruin your present happiness.

19.    Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

20.    Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

21.    No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

22.    Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.  Problems are simply

         part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but

         the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

23.    Smile and laugh more.

24.    You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:

25.    Call your family often.

26.    Each day give something good to others.

27.    Forgive everyone for everything.

28.    Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of  6.

29.    Try to make at least three people smile each day.

30.    What other people think of you is none of your business.

31.    Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in

         touch.

Life:

32.    Do the right thing!

33.    Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

34.    GOD heals everything.

35.    However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

36.    No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

37.    The best is yet to come.

38.    When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.

39.    Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

And when anxieties, fears, doubts or questions arise, consult the original Handbook on living life to the fullest… the Bible.  It is a proven and true Source for everything under the “Son”... for any hour, day or year.

you are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal