Category Archives: Devotion & Inspiration

The Bible Comes Alive – Scripture Memory #4

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I can’t tell you what blessing and power has come through scripture memory this year. It’s probably because I’ve been more focused and spent more time with it than ever before. My love for the word of God grows with each word that is tucked deeply in my head and heart. Etching those precious verses into the portals of the brain seems to light a fire within the heart.  I stand (I mean sit! – haha) in complete agreement with with Proverbs that says:

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23

Even though commitment to scripture memory means some hard work, it reaps a great and delightful harvest!  Try it with me if you have not yet taken the challenge!  My wise husband is partial to a wisdom packed Proverb any day!  And me…I’m still hanging out with James, but will be on to somewhere else in the next month or so!

Oh, talk about a harvest, the book of James has downright gotten into my business, opening my eyes at one turn after another in so many areas like
– taming my tongue
– caring for the poor, widows, orphans
– not showing favoritism
and so much more.  That James doesn’t pull any punches!

So my scripture is:

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18

Come on my friends, let the word of God get in your business like never before!  You won’t be sorry!

 

Happy Valentine’s Day from Tahoe

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‘Happy Valentine’s Day! I’m sporting my red scarf for valentines!’

‘Dad and Mom always get cards for each other that have pups on them…because they love ME!’

Last year from Dad:

Last year from Mom:

This year from Dad:

This year from Mom:
Notice the tear at the top…Mom dropped it and I picked it up and signed it on the way to her lap!

‘The cards are on the fridge. Boy, I look a lot like that puppy.’

‘Let me look from a different direction. Yes, I believe that’s what I used to look like’.

‘Yep, that’s me!’

‘I think I want that card…’.

‘OK everyone, let’s go eat gluten-free cupcakes…or dog biscuits!’

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!

Scripture Memory Time Again…

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Wow, can you believe it’s February?  It sure doesn’t feel like it outside and that is a wonderful thing for me!

Several posts have been written and abandoned recently – I’ll get some of them out soon, but today I have to check in with another memory verse.  I am still memorizing in the book of James so I’ll share from it first:  

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  James 2:8 NIV

Also, here’s an old favorite from last year’s verses you might like:

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  Eph 4:29 NIV

I’ve been posting my scriptures in various places around the house as well as singing them out loud when I am by myself!  Yes, it’s scary on the ears! Believe me, it is a joyful noise, and it helps me remember. Memorizing scripture is powerful and I’d love more ‘pawtners‘ to join me!  Come on, friend, what’s your scripture?

Pardon Us While We PACK

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Travel is my friend and we enjoy a new place and new people! But I have to admit that I’m not a fan of packing! Somehow it seems to be a time when my disability frustrates me.. It’s comical as we pack almost as much when we travel for a weekend as we do for two weeks! It’s not the clothes (but we do take too much clothes) that make our packing a bit overwhelming, but the disability related paraphernalia and issues. Ok, I confess, choosing clothes to take can challenge me and that’s frustrating because it seems to signal that I have too much in my closet. But back to gathering necessary wheeling related luggage…

There is the shower chair, the tools to put the shower chair together – as well as any additional emergency items that we take – just in case. On top of that, we can’t forget the charger so that my power wheelchair continues to run. And if we are going somewhere that might not be fully accessible, we take a six foot ramp that folds neatly in the back of the van (for a drive) and we often check it as baggage when we fly. Let’s not forget Tahoe and his leash, identification, food, treats, toys, brush, bowls and baggies, etc.

I have a spreadsheet to track all the things we don’t want to forget! When we pack we check things off the list to make sure that we are not an hour away and say ‘Oh my, we forgot the —–‘, and it isn’t like it’s easy to buy ‘—-‘ on the road!

Every year we take a trip to Florida in the January-February time frame to attend a conference where Brent is a featured speaker. It is the perfect time for a break from the cold weather, but warmth is hit or miss. Sometimes we experience the coldest snap of the year or decade! In fact, for the last several years we have experienced weather that has kept us inside the hotel(s) for most of our visit. We seem to arrive when it’s either raining incessantly or the temperatures are dropping into the low 30s with winds. Last year we had a day or two where we actually spent ‘time’ outside and we found a dog park where Tahoe could run and enjoy the outdoors in the afternoons or evenings once Brent was finished with his sessions. This year looks promising!

Speaking of Brent, remember he is a techie genius. He presents and teaches workshops on geeky topics when we are on the road…this packs an additional punch into our already heavy load! Thankfully, a trip to Florida is drivable! For those times when we fly for business, we usually send Tahoe’s food as well as Brent’s teaching materials ahead of time. Did I mention Brent is a ‘snacking maniac’? He loves his morning, afternoon and bedtime snacks that keep his tall (and handsome) body on the go. We pack snacks and also buy snacks on the road. Yes, the popcorn is packed!

People with small children no doubt face a similar dilemma, but it’s all worth it when you are finally on the road or in the air and it always seems easier to UNpack! Hopefully your babies are as cooperative as Tahoe on your journeys. He curls up in the van and on the plane for a trip. You have to laugh at his ‘Please don’t pet me, I’m working’ patch! He looks to be working hard in seat 10B!

This year I prepared for the packing process with an added punch of prayer and my kind helpers put everything but the kitchen sink in our bag(s)! Really, just kidding about the sink, it is in there somewhere. And why not throw in the chargeable toothbrush this time? I love clean teeth!

  • I’m thankful we don’t have to travel with oxygen tanks.
  • I’m thankful Brent can lift me and we don’t travel with a big lift like one of my friends who has an injury like mine. Although, we do pack a lifting belt like the Home Depot employees wear!
  • I’m thankful Brent enjoys having me and Tahoe even though we represent a good bit of work for him.
  • I’m thankful for the cyber world that helps us continue our communication and activities and work remotely.
  • I’m thankful that processing through my perceived packing pains sparked prayers for our next trips! The time with family in the spring is destined for packing perfection.

I’m sure there are others with pack-aphobic tendencies. Please share your tips, struggles and stories with me. Today I need you!