Posted on social media, on my page by me, last Wednesday:
All my life I repeatedly complained to God that He spent my life teaching me to be alone. I never wanted to be alone. Recently, I stopped complaining and asked, "If not teaching me to be alone, what were You really teaching me?" To my mind came the gentle reprimand, "You are never alone. I am always with you. Always."
Psalms 91:9-12 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Tales from a Mid-Lifer shared inspiration in finding joy:
https://family5power.com/2025/10/27/handstands-in-the-rain/
Sandra J's Photography, beautiful photos and poetry:
https://intothelightadventures.com/beneath-the-heavens-light/
God bless.
Hunted (Shadows of Trust series Book 1) by Traci Hunter Abramson suspense romance. This and the next story are found in earlier books.
Secrets of St. Augustine (Shadows of Trust series Book 1) by Traci Hunter Abramson suspense romance.
Shadows of Trust (Shadows of Trust series Book 1) by Traci Hunter Abramson suspense romance. This is a new story with these characters. An unexpected and welcome addition and satisfying.
Sister visit
Leaving the door open
Fellowship at church
Gospel study with friends
Yummy waffles with family
Gorgeous weather
God's grace
The Piano Guys - Golden
https://youtu.be/y6_UGs1YqYc?si=8tbxeGZxVlVSviW4
Several years ago, on FB, Battle Buddy posted: Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
Psalms 91:5-8 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Big Sky Buckeye shares poetry, quotes, trivia, and fun facts; this time he shared my home state:
https://bigskybuckeye.com/2025/10/11/trivias-facts-and-more-10-11/
https://bigskybuckeye.com/2025/10/25/buckeye-snapshots-issue-15/
Into the Light Adventures shared Lake Superior Northern Lights; how cool is that?
https://intothelightadventures.com/lake-superior-northern-lights/
God bless.
A Ghost of a Chance by Donna Hatch "a haunting All Hallow's Eve regency romance. Paranormal is not usually my choice of reading. This story is an exception. I bought the eformat, in case I didn't like it, but loved it so much I bought the paperback. I'm adding it to my annual October holiday reading list. Sweet, insightful, hopeful.
Gospel study with friends
Worship with fellow believers
Open front door
Learning to let go
Favorite movies
Pumpkin spice English muffins, toasted and buttered
God's grace
Visual Melodies shared Epic Bagpipe and Uilleann Pipe Music
https://youtu.be/L7U8HNVZHcA?si=kSYurPKdjN3zeuRK
"The cause of freedom is not the cause of a race or a sect, a party or a class—it is the cause of humankind." ~ Anna Julia Cooper
Psalms 91 : The Soldier's Prayer
Psalms 91:1-4 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Tales from a Mid-Lifer shared Farewell October:
https://family5power.com/2025/10/31/farewell-october/
Inspiration from Bridget A. Thomas:
https://bridgetathomas.com/2025/10/09/what-we-feed/
God bless.
Why I celebrate Halloween: It's the one holiday we encourage ourselves to look into the darkness and drag our fears into the light and hopefully see them for what they are: An opportunity to be brave and reclaim our power over them.
Shelley's "Frankenstein" explores the folly of men pretending to be God. Stoker's "Dracula" reveals the horror of those who live by taking from others. I can't imagine a world without Poe, and his willingness to expose the monsters within. We prevail when we choose good over evil.
The early history of Samhain, what would later become Halloween, was a celebration of the end of the harvest and the end of the year as well as the beginning of a new year. Leave in the past what no longer brings life and love. Welcome the opportunity to start fresh with the old and withered swept away, making room for the new. A time to seek God's protection in the coming winter.
For the record, I don't do scary. Growing up in it means it isn't entertainment for me. Dress up is fun. I've always had a fondness for jack-o-lanterns, the cheerful flame flickering inside. Not to mention my love of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. The promise of cooler weather, a definite bonus in the desert. The changing color of the leaves, which people generously share through pictures. The prelude to the coming triad holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year (gratitude, giving, and starting anew). Enjoy the day. Indulge in a treat. Laugh.
Some of my favorites to fit a Halloween mood:
Most people will recognize this piece of music but may not know the name. From Carmina Burana ~ O Fortuna by Carl Orff performed by André Rieu:
https://youtu.be/EJC-_j3SnXk
Ride of the Valkyries by Richard Wagner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRU1AJsXN1g
Gustav Holst's Mars from The Planets
https://youtu.be/Jmk5frp6-3Q
Hall of the Mountain King (Peer Gynt) by Edvard Grieg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLp_Hh6DKWc
Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by J. S. Bach needs to be heard as an organ piece.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho9rZjlsyYY
Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCEDfZgDPS8
Service/help opportunities
Church
Cool enough to leave the door open
New book
Gospel study with friends
God's grace
Gentri "The Impossible Dream"
https://youtu.be/h5kd_XnuzjE?si=ni652hAYsmH22mYH
1 Corinthians 15:57-58 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
I love beautiful pictures and Tales from a Mid-Lifer shared this sunset:
https://family5power.com/2025/10/01/last-nights-sunset/
Suzanne Askham makes an inspiring observation:
https://suzanneaskham.com/2025/10/01/wellbeing-notes-leave-peace-and-kindness-in-your-wake/
God bless.
Celebrate with a story.
Secondhand Samhain
The seventh
novella in the series.
http://www.amazon.com/Secondhand-Samhain-Holiday-USA-Book-ebook/dp/B01A0IBBQI/ref=sr_1_1
Serving others
Church with family
Surprises from friends
Gospel study with friends
New books by favorite authors
Weather cool enough to leave the door open
God's grace
Gentri - "All I Ask of You" featuring Laura Osnes
https://youtu.be/NF7Y_E9Nz7k?si=i1WMVE9FEhw8pNcT
1 Corinthians 15:55-56 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
Dreams by Starlight (The Dream series Book 1) by Staci Stallings Christian romance. Loved it, again.
Reunion (The Dream series Book 2) by Staci Stallings Christian romance. The two books are really one book, with a 10-year break in the middle. Loved it!
Sharing dinner with friends
Lunch with my sister
Blessed rain
Visiting with a friend
Worship with fellow believers
New books by favorite authors
God's grace
Visual Melodies shared an hour of Discipline Over Comfort
Epic Motivational Music for Power and Focus
https://youtu.be/Q0H6X3opNuY?si=1NgpfnVGWh3oIChw
1 Corinthians 15:53-54 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
Author Patricia Johns shared Chex Marshmallow Squares recipe:
https://patriciajohns.com/2025/09/10/delicious-chocolate-chex-marshmallow-squares/
If you need prayer ideas, Joyful Moments in Christ shares a list every month; this is October's:
https://joyfulmomentsinchrist.com/2025/09/30/31-prayer-ideas-for-the-month-of-october/
God bless.
Coming Undone by Staci Stallings Christian romance. The hero is facing his father's passing. The heroine works in the hospice center. I read this book, the first time, around the time of my father's passing.
The best revenge is none.
Heal,
move on
and don't become like those who hurt you.
~ Pamela Short
1 Corinthians 15:50-52 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Rainer, The Devotional Guy, proved mistakes don't have to ruin your day if you keep your eye on what matters most - the human soul:
https://thedevotionalguy.blog/2025/09/01/my-monday-cup-but-god-only-god/
Writers in the Storm shared How to: Make Your Poems a Book, for those who are curious:
https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/09/how-to-make-your-poems-a-book/
God bless.
Cowboy (The Harmony series Book 1) by Staci Stallings Christian romance. Imperfect characters helping each other find and hold to God and love. Yes, I've read this series before and will read it again.
Lucky (The Harmony series Book 2) by Staci Stallings Christian romance. Love watching characters grow into their faith journey. Love even more when I find inspiration that helps me on my own faith journey.
Much needed blessed rain
Worshiping with fellow believers
Remember, reflect, repent, resolve, renew, repeat
Cool mornings, enough to leave the door open
Air conditioning for too warm afternoons
God's grace
Mat and Savanna Shaw - Hello My Name Is:
https://youtu.be/ijHK6B3-wcg?si=AbcVBC3DcACm2UzU
Isaiah 44:24 Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself...
Into the Light Adventures/Sandra J's Photography taught me something new:
https://intothelightadventures.com/highly-compressed-photos/
Joyroses13, over at Nuggets of Gold, shared some delightful and fascinating Tuesday's Thoughts:
https://joyroses13.wordpress.com/2025/08/26/tuesdays-thoughts-509/
God bless.
The Long Way Home by Staci Stallings Christian romance. Love, love, love this story. Staci's stories always draw me closer in my walk with God. So grateful. God bless her.
Beautiful church music "Amazing Grace" "Master, the Tempest is Raging"
Fall arrived with cool breezes
Faith, after 3 funerals in 17 days
Friends
Favorite books
Finding something special on sale
God's grace
The Piano Guys - As It Was
https://youtu.be/xLwqC8fwhOI?si=W42wdtOdO9gEhQW1
"I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going, because they were holding on to something. That there is some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for." ~ J.R.R. Tolkien The Two Towers
Isaiah 44:23 Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.
Tales from a Mid-Life Mama shared Some Words On Wednesday:
https://family5power.com/2025/08/13/some-words-on-wednesday/
Bible-Science Guy shares fascinating information like Junk DNA?:
https://biblescienceguy.wordpress.com/2025/08/13/junk-dna/
God bless.
