Here is a sketch of an image of stained glass with brilliant bright blues and yellows and images. I am looking for this image in religious stained glass art work sites, museums, old churches, and/or paintings. Has anyone seen this work? If so, please help me find it.
This week I am so blessed to have family, friends, neighbors and amazingly supportive people near me as our summer winds down and the fall approaches. Life is good. I hope you enjoy each day and give gratitude.
#gratitudeultra
It is hard to feel happy and grateful when you are afraid and stressed with life events. Last night I was in the “valley” in my life as my cancer has returned after more than five years being cancer free. Apparently, my tumors are like “sands” and they cannot perform surgery as they would have to “take up the entire beach”. I lost hope when learning that I would have to take chemo again. I hoped/believed that during the five years some new treatment might have been discovered, yet I was reminded that my ovarian/peritoneal cells were rare and my prognosis for life was short. What ever might I post today to lift our spirits?
Then, I remembered the verse from Psalms 23:4:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.
KJV
What does this verse mean for us?
I am grateful to find comfort within this verse, and as I typically do, I searched for a deeper meaning to understand the new calm I felt when reflecting on these words:
Thus, through this post today I wish to emphasize the importance of “spiritual medicine”.
Just as I plan my chemical infusions, I realize I am also reminded regarding and recognizing the presence of ongoing Divine intervention. Divine intervention which never changes over the years.
God inspired sweet and deep passages to continually protect, love, instruct, and remind us.
Today, I find deep gratitude as the words in Psalms echo in my heart: no more shadows, no more fears, no more evil as God is with me, now, in this valley of decisions.
#gratitudeultra
My mother and father were minsters and comforted many people during their lives. I am so grateful for my parents and their giving spirits. I found an old poem my mother gave to her church one Christmas, and I offer it to you this year. Marian wrote this poem for the church congregation and sent it out as a holiday gift with Bob.
The Christmas gift I would give to you
Are costly and precious, ancient but new.
They’re wrapped not with paper, tinsel or string,
But they glitter and sparkle and great happiness bring.
They’re sealed and they’re signed by God in the sky,
Sent special delivery by angels on high.
These gifts are surprises to most of mankind,
Multitudes seek them, but never to find.
God showed me His storehouse of gifts one day,
And said unto me, “Just give them away.”
But most folks won’t take them, they cannot believe
They’re free for the taking and will not receive.
JOY IS GOD’S GIFT, a state of the soul
More precious than diamonds, silver or gold.
PEACE IS GOD’S GIFT, sought since time began,
But it has eluded the wisest of men.
LOVE, GOD’S MOST MARVELOUS GIFT, I believe,
For the more that you give it, the more you receive.
There is health, and wealth, and gifts galore
I’ve named a few, there’s many more.
He alone knows just what we are needing,
And always in all ways, God’s guiding and leading.
If we accept the gifts of His love,
We’ll be showered with blessings from God up above.
God’s gifts are free, if we believe
With eyes of faith we must receive.
But do not put undying trust
In what you see with your eyes of dust.
For the best gifts in life are truly free,
Just reach out and take them and you will see.
© Marian E. Blake
For our holiday gift to all, my son and I are putting my mother’s poetry online for all to read and enjoy in her own words with audio and videos we collected. Simply go to the website, AHouseInsideofMe.com
Her paperback book and Kindle versions are available on Amazon.com as well as an iBook from Apple Books. The title is, A House Inside of Me: Poetry by Marian Elsie Blake (2013) by Mary Blake Huer.
With gratitude I share my mother’s wisdom and love with you. Blessings!
#gratitudeultra
I am so grateful for my “Gratitude Stream”, my “moral virtues”, my parents instilled in me that I would like to share a bit with you. I believe that many people have a spiritual side and through such seek relief during times of illness and death, or when fearful, or worried. I also believe that we have “sacred portals” at specific moments throughout our life during which time we seek deeper explanations for particular events in our personal lives.
Personally, as a young child growing up, I observed my parents assisting many people because my parents were pastors. For my mother and father’s teachings I am deeply appreciative. In fact, as I grow older and watch tragedies emerge, I would like to share my parents’ wisdom with you, because I believe their words will give you peace and understanding too, during the stillness of the night.
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Today my Facebook reminded me that 10 years ago today was my father’s last day of life! Tomorrow will be his 10 year death anniversary. I miss him so.
Rather than be buried in the usual stress of my own life, I devoted this day to those memories of my father. He was a minister 100%. He always was in a suit, tie, jacket. I remember one year on vacation he even rowed a boat in a suit and tie. We sometimes had to cancel our own vacation plans because someone in the church was in the hospital, or was dying, or needed him.
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Gratitude Squared 