Wordless Wednesday

 

Tuesday Toss Up

Was He or Wasn't He

I’ve seen numerous posts and articles about how Jesus was a socialist. Close family members told me the same thing. Their facts bore it out, and yet, it didn’t feel quite right.

The most common example used is the wealthy young man who came to Jesus and told Him about all the good and right things he did. He then asked Jesus, “What more can I do?”

Jesus replied, “Go and sell all that you have and follow me.” Jesus follows up that the young man was an example of why the rich would have trouble getting into heaven.

Ha! Proof Jesus was socialist. 

Actually, no. Not even close.

It was never about the money. Ever. It was about pride. 

The young man already thought he was doing all he needed to do. I imagine he expected Jesus to offer the “well done thou good and faithful servant” accolades or maybe some small point he was missing. He wanted all the i dots and every crossed t. He wanted to be sure he was already doing everything right. He wanted validation. 

Jesus wanted more. Jesus wanted the young man’s soul. 

If the young man had been truly sincere, he would never have asked what more; he would have looked for what more he could do.

Jesus always says “Follow me.” He gives general directions and expects His followers to do whatever they are able. 

A good example is the woman who bathed Jesus’ feet with her tears and anointed Him with oil. Jesus did not ask it of her. She searched her soul for what more she could do. Judas wasn’t wrong about the cost of the oil being better used for feeding the poor. Judas was wrong for judging the woman’s desire to serve her Lord and Savior. Judas was wrong for condemning the woman’s best effort in giving all she could when he himself was withholding money from the ministry for himself. 

Jesus doesn’t lay down laws of giving that everyone must follow. Jesus says, “Follow me,” and then allows each of us to learn for ourselves what that means in our lives.

 

Easter is coming.

Celebrate with a story.

The Blessing Basket

The thirteenth novella in the series...

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Cici, Candy Crothers, lies to everyone, except her Holiday Diner boss, only because he informed her if she lied to him he'd fire her. She ran away from an ugly past and still worries it might catch up to her. Sharing her nightmares is nowhere on her list of things to do, ever.

Trace Brown left the Army honorably but not unscathed. Anger controls his life, holding him back from pretty much everything, including becoming a chef at Holiday Diner. The diner's head hostess intrigues him, but not enough to risk sharing his day-to-day battle with PTSD.

Nothing can drive God away. His hand is stretched out still. He is always there, waiting...

http://a.co/8o1meMa 

 

Monday Quote

Thanks to Donna Keevers Driver for creating this for me:

Sunday Scripture

Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Jesus Christ enters Jerusalem, cheered as a conquering hero. He is celebrated as the king and yet, do any of those celebrants really believe what they're saying? They wanted a hero to defeat the Romans. They wanted the miracles. Who among them wanted to repent of their sins? Who among them wanted to humble themselves before God and accept Jesus as the Savior and Redeemer of their souls though they would continue to suffer in life? Who among them would hold true to Jesus no matter how difficult life became? Who among them was willing to suffer for Jesus sake? Am I? 

Palm Sunday. A day of celebration and yet a shadow lurks. The King of Kings knew. Why should I fear when the One who knew of His impending death continued forward? I don't know what my future holds, but I know Who holds my future. He saw past the coming Friday to the coming Sunday. He entreats me to see past my Fridays to the Sundays He knows are waiting for me.

 

Saturday Links

Big Sky Buckeye shares poetry, scripture, quotes, trivia, and more. I especially appreciated the comparison of flowers to jazz. 

https://bigskybuckeye.com/2025/03/17/monday-memories-beyond-compare/

Tales from a Mid-Life Mama shared "My Invisible Iron Man Suit" reminding me to be more open:

https://family5power.com/2025/03/17/my-invisible-iron-man-suit/?jetpack_skip_subscription_popup 

God bless.

 

Favorite Book Friday

Dance with Me by Staci Stallings Christian Christian romance. Another great story that makes me look inward and see what I could improve to come closer to Christ. 

Wordless Wednesday

Monday Quote

If Jesus returns tomorrow, then tomorrow I'll rest from my labor. 

But today I have work to do. 

I must continue the struggle until it's finished. 

~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer 

Sunday Scripture

1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

 

Saturday Links

Hannah, over at Choosing Hope, shares courageous inspiration:

https://choosinghope.live/2025/03/09/collecting-scars/ 

JoyRoses13, over at Nuggets of Gold shares short stories, and this delightful addition to her collection is sweet and made me laugh out loud:

https://joyroses13.wordpress.com/2025/03/13/the-caterwauling-cacophony/ 

God bless.

 

Favorite Book Friday

More Than This by Staci Stallings Christian romance. I've read this before and enjoyed reading it again. Staci tackles tough topics, and this story was close to my heart. 

Thankful Thursday

After a taste of summer, a return to spring

Leaving the door open

Favorite books/series

Opportunities to serve 

Worshipping with fellow believers

Family

Friends

God's grace

Danny Gokey - Only For a Moment

https://youtu.be/0nfXhX4eY6c?si=si9b6llaz2rkcnoK 

 

Wordless Wednesday

Monday Quote

 Tomorrow is April Fool's Day. 

Believe nothing 

and trust no one. 

Just like any other day.

Sunday Scripture

2 Corinthians 13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

 

Saturday Links

Song Dog Journal generously shares her world of being a Ranch Wife:

https://songdogjournal.com/2025/01/29/ranch-wife-musings-the-best-life-we-can-give-them/ 

Gail Johnson shared Step 5 of her 5 Steps for Success in 2025:

https://gailjohnsonauthor.com/2025/03/04/step-5-seek/ 

God bless.

 

Favorite Book Friday

And the Greatest of These is Love by Staci Stallings Christian romance. A heartwarming story of repentance and redemption. 

Thankful Thursday

 Friends checking on me and watching out for me

Favorite books 

Church

Air conditioning for hot days

Gospel study with friends

Food, water, shelter

God's grace

Seph Schlueter - Turn It To Praise

 https://youtu.be/8EPGgJPB-Ls?si=CEfIYPEKDqBGmZhm

Wordless Wednesday

Monday Quote

A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. ~ Christopher Reeves

Sunday Scripture

2 Chronicles 20:15,17 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's...Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

Saturday Links

Tales from a Mid-Life Mama shared gorgeous Dallas Blooms!

https://family5power.com/2025/02/25/dallas-blooms/ 

Song Dog Journal shared Ranch Wife Musings: Look Higher, a good message anytime:

https://songdogjournal.com/2025/02/25/ranch-wife-musings-look-higher/ 

God bless. 

Favorite Book Friday

When Fashion Turns Deadly (Falcon Point series Book 3) by Traci Hunter Abramson and Sian Ann Bessey suspense romance. A fascinating dive into the world of modeling and fashion design with theft and murder thrown in for a little more tension. The newest addition in the Falcon Point series.  

Wordless Wednesday

Preparing for Easter

Easter is a time of renewal. Jesus changed everything. 

As an abuse survivor, including my mother's scapegoat for years, I've spent most of my life in survival mode. I'm not sure I really know how to live any other way. 

First, I have to believe that God never intended me to live in survival mode my whole life. My Heavenly Father provided His Beloved Son as a sacrificial price for my sins, pain, illnesses, weaknesses. 

In 2021, my father became ill and shared it, unintentionally, with me. Having read and heard about the nature of the disease, I didn't expect to survive. I was older, extremely overweight, struggled with kidney trouble my whole life as well as digestive problems that required hospitalization and a special diet. I wasn't afraid to die. I welcomed the promise of peace at last. God had other plans. 

It took months to recover with a few side effects still unresolved, years later. 

Reading a friend's post on social media, I realized the illness threw me back into full blown survival mode. The gradual improvement of my health hasn't reduced survival mode.

I'm acknowledging my inability to find peace and health on my own and surrendering everything to God.

Monday Quote

Honor to a man who escaped those who enslaved him and returned to preach the Gospel to save them.

Sunday Scripture

Jeremiah 29:12-13 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Saturday Links

I appreciate Vicki Hinze's encouraging outlook:

https://christians-read.com/2025/02/14/peace-in-turbulent-times-by-vicki-hinze/ 

Bridget A. Thomas shared a poignant post on Trusting God:

https://bridgetathomas.com/2025/02/16/winter-storm-enzo-brings-a-lesson-of-trust/ 

God bless.

 

Favorite Book Friday

St. Patrick's Day is Monday. Celebrate with a story. 

Tough Luck 

The fourth novella in the series.

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and maybe a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Holiday's playboy, Brent Kelly, returns home a changed man, if only everyone would believe him. The First Annual Tough Luck Run offers him the opportunity to prove he turned over a new leaf.

Cindy Garvey has worked hard her whole life, and now she is preparing to move from employee to business owner with her best friend. The last thing she needs is one more surprise in her life.

God provides the way to Happily Ever After, no matter how far astray His children wander...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KYXDFQ4/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d9_i4 

 

Holiday, USA Anthology 2014

All four novellas published in 2014 are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-USA-Anthology-2014-1/dp/150773459X/ref=sr_1_6

 

Thankful Thursday

Blessed rain

Worshiping with fellow Christians 

Gospel study

Strength to accomplish bush trimming

Food

Water

Friends

God's grace

Seph Schlueter - Never Known

https://youtu.be/T3Ors-XZDjQ?si=5r48F0DL6TzYHoKY 

Wordless Wednesday

St. Patrick's Day is next Monday.

 Thanks Donna Keevers Driver for creating this for me:

Sunday Scripture

Jeremiah 29:10-11  For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Saturday Links

Gail Johnson takes us to Step 2 of her 5 Steps for Success in 2025:

https://gailjohnsonauthor.com/2025/02/11/step-2-track/

Meeting Jesus with Donna Stearns shared A Writer's Heart: The Journey:

https://believe4147.wordpress.com/2025/02/11/a-writers-heart-the-journey/

God bless.

 

Favorite Book Friday

From an Unknown Sender (Falcon Point series Book 2) by Traci Hunter Abramson and Sian Ann Bessey suspense romance. Yes, I lost sleep because I couldn't put it down. 

Thankful Thursday

Beautiful weather

Church

Inspiring books 

Electric Fireplace during a cold snap

Dear Friends

God's grace

Country Roads - Lifein3D (John Denver cover) 

https://youtu.be/UehbU7xHU58?si=_AUPMqa01AuQBAt8

Wordless Wednesday

 

Monday Quote

"Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having."

~A Year with C. S. Lewis

 

Sunday Scripture

Colossians 2:6-8 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 

Saturday Links

The first starts the story and the second finishes, from Meeting Jesus With Donna Sterns:

https://believe4147.wordpress.com/2025/02/06/when-our-faith-is-small/ 

https://believe4147.wordpress.com/2025/02/07/wheres-your-faith/ 

God bless.

Leap Day

 Alas, none this year, but celebrate with a story anyway.

Leap of Faith Day

The ninth novella in the series.

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Her life a mess, EMT Belle Carlisle wants a fresh start. She's lived in Holiday a few years and likes it well enough. She's happy, mostly. 'Be Bold' is her personal aphorism, but it was never intended to include asking a man on a date.

Born and raised in Holiday, Vince Timmons is certain the prettiest EMT on the planet could never be interested in a younger man. Besides, his life is a mess. Not to mention the woman he pursued for over a year humiliated him in public. The last thing he needs is to fall for another woman who doesn't want him.

Man looks on the outward appearance and judges accordingly. God looks on the heart...

http://www.amazon.com/Leap-Faith-Day-Holiday-Book-ebook/dp/B01EX4Y2IO

If you prefer paperback, Holiday, USA Anthology 2016-17

All four novellas, 9-12, are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

http://a.co/5ETTtmt 

 

Thankful Thursday

Church with family

Inspirational messages

Visiting with family

Lovely weather

Leaving the door open 

Dinner with friends

Fresh bread

God's grace

I WALK THE LINE | Low Bass Singer Version | Geoff Castellucci | JOHNNY CASH

https://youtu.be/MrPdBICrpcE?si=ImXTYGUO8zTO93C2 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Monday Quote

 Thank you, Donna Keevers Driver, for creating this for me.

Sunday Scripture

Psalm 31:14-16 But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.

Saturday Links

Gail Johnson shares the value of Singing:

https://gailjohnsonauthor.com/2025/02/04/step-1-sing/ 

Simply beautiful, from Riverside Peace:

https://riversidepeace.com/2025/02/04/im-in-the-garden-2/ 

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

The Danger with Diamonds (Falcon Point series Book 1) by Traci Hunter Abramson and Sian Ann Bessey suspense romance. A tie-in to Abramson's Guardian series. Page-turner! Tough to put down, even when desperate for sleep. 

Thankful Thursday

Blessed rain

Electric Fireplace - Cozy and warm

 Gospel study with friends

Warm enough to leave the door open in the afternoons

God's grace

How fun! Donny now in a duet with 14-year-old Donny:

https://youtu.be/tFTWBM4FbFg?si=OrHZPWyTB3wnrcMF 

Wordless Wednesday