My New Journal With You, Note 10

On November 23, 2020 By gaillovesgodIn blogging, COVID-198 Comments

Verses are inserted exactly where God had them placed in my new journal at the bottom of each page. I love how personal He is!

Good morning, Lord. How are You? I pray You are smiling and happy. I know we give You plenty of reason not to, but my hope takes shelter in knowing You are the God of peace, the God of joy, and that You are able to rejoice, even when we are not. You are where we find our strength to experience joy so that we can rejoice in You! Praise Holy and Jubilant name. The God who loves His children, and loves to see them smile. You are the reason for joy. Therefore my mind recalls and states itself while proclaiming aloud to You… “This is the day the Lord hath made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” 🙂 ❤

You are my smile, Father! ❤ You are my joy. Therefore I know You are there, even when my mind betrays me. You know what it’s like to be betrayed, even by Your mind. Your suffering in the garden was that human flesh torturing You long before the cross itself did so cruelly. Your flesh tortured Your mind, just like our flesh tortures our mind. We too hit our knees

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. “
– Hebrews 12:1-2 KJV

and cry out to our God… our Father who lovingly and patiently waits with compassion, mercy, and grace as He sends His angels to minister. He is our Great Counsel, our Great Physician, our Father God who cares for us. He is grieved with all that we are grieved with because He cares that we grieve.

Just as He was with You, Jesus, and quickened Your Spirit, He will quicken our spirit with His presence. The healing power of the presence of God. His name alone can heal all things. I love You, Father God! I love You my sweet and precious Jesus! My Savior and Friend! ❤ I love You, Holy Spirit! Thank You for any insight to my Lord and Savior, and our Heavenly Father.

Blessed Be the Name of the LORD! ❤

“Delight thyself also in the Lord;
and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
– Psalm 37:4 KJV

PS… Lord, I LOVE how Your verses always address exactly what I am talking to You about, but from Your wisdom of what I need. You are so personal!

My New Journal With You, Note 9

On November 23, 2020 By gaillovesgodIn blogging, COVID-19Leave a comment

Verses are inserted exactly where God had them placed in my new journal at the bottom of each page. I love how personal He is!

Good morning, Lord! How are You? I pray You are blessed, pleased, and saving as many souls. I know You love Your children. I know You care about them. You created us all for Your pleasure. 🙂

Lord, I’m sitting here waiting in the car as my brother has his surgery. We aren’t allowed to wait inside (understandably so), but we are allowed to use the bathroom if needed. I’m trying not to. Nathan has been so worried about this surgery, and then he has one next week. How stressful to have to worry about 2 surgeries, and so close to one another. Be with him, Lord. Help his mind to focus on one thing at a time, unless You deemed it good, helpful, or necessary.

I pray for his doctors and nurses, and everyone who will be taking care of him, or coming in contact with him. Keep everyone in there safe from this virus. Put a hedge of protection around them. May this day and this surgery (and the other one) be filled with You all over to the point You are all that everyone sees, praises, talks about,

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
– Philippians 4:6 KJV

prays about, and just feels Your Holy presence. Thank You that You can be with each one individually and be so personal, yet be with them as a community…. and even be with me and Sandy here in the car, as well as be with Bobby at the house, with Anthoni, and Tim and Cliff out at Nathan’s.

I thank You, too, for being with my WordPress family. Nitin has begun such a terrifying task in treating COVID-19 positive patients. He is stressed and scared (because he is human), yet he is serving. I am grateful to know he has a relationship with You. His faith is encouraging. Omo has some tragic events happening in her country. I pray no one in her family or friends were among the victims. God, only You can stop such evil. Please keep a hedge around Nitin and his colleagues, and around Omo and her family and friends.

I pray for my Lifegroup too, Lord! So many burdens, losses, heartaches, and of course COVID. I am even more grateful for my small Lifegroup Blooming. Thank You for putting me in a Covid sensitive group of ladies. They have such a heart for the medical community, as well as anyone who has to work, or makes

“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV

deliveries, or has Covid in their family. They have had family and friends with Covid too.

And then of course, there is their own health. They are doing as You teach us in Your word, taking care of the vessels You have given them. We are a small group, but mighty in faith. We have You! ❤

Well Sandy is awake, the sun is up, and we’ll be on the move before long.

I just want You to know I love You. I pray all my friends, family, church, Lifegroup, community, city, county, state, country, and world into You care. With the Holy Spirit and Jesus making intercessory prayer on our behalf… it is enough.

❤ I love You, Father!
❤ I love You, Jesus!
❤ I love You, Holy Spirit!

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
– Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV

PS… Lord, I LOVE how Your verses always address exactly what I am talking to You about, but from Your wisdom of what I need. You are so personal!

Thank You All for Your Prayers and Patience!

On October 29, 2020 By gaillovesgodIn Awards & Tags, blogging, COVID-19, prayer, random, So Much Loss, So Much Gain29 Comments

Dear Lord, what a journey this has been lately…. this journey called life. Not just for me either. This one is affecting the world while at the same time affecting each individual life… in a very negative way. The only thing I can think of at the moment that has ever done that is… sin. Sin is ugly and sad. Covid-19 is ugly and sad. Death and illness is ugly and sad. There has been so much ugly and sad for so long now.

I want to take a moment to thank You for the prayer warriors! We need them! I want to take a moment to thank each one who has been praying with me and for me! And I want to thank You for answering prayer! Praise Your Holy Name, Father God! I love You, Jesus! Thank You, Holy Ghost!

Friends… Prayer Warriors! I want to thank you for praying so faithfully and fervently with me and for me, and for my family and friends. On September 8th I was finally able to have a much needed appointment with the specialist about this struggle I have had with choking, and constantly clearing and cleaning out my mouth all day long. This has been a 4 year battle, with some dysmotility that has happened along the way.

While I was terrified to go through with the procedures that I knew it would require and just knew I would have problems with, your prayers finally gave me a doctor who HEARD me, who LISTENED, who BELIEVED me, and made notes for possible problems and possible procedures. And though I wasn’t really keen on going near the hospitals because of Covid, I agreed to do them on October 12th. Within a couple of days the doctor’s office moved them to the 16th so that my doctor could do the procedures himself. (See how personal your prayers were!) It was a 4 year battle just trying to get my previous doctor to even believe me (and he never did)!

I am so grateful for those prayers and grateful for this doctor because I did end up having the very issues we had discussed. But the morning I arrived EVERY.SINGLE.PERSON. of that team listened to me, reassured me, and were very attentive. When I awoke coughing so hard, they knew it was from that choking issue but had such fear in their eyes. Yet they STILL took care of me!

When I had told my sister Sandra that I would need those procedures, she called her doctor to check on her situation, and came to let me know they went ahead and scheduled her for a needed surgery. She was extremely nervous, and so many things were uncertain. She had hers on September 30th. Thank you for praying for her!

Then I spent a week doing the things instructed to do for my procedures/surgery on the October 16th. It was a challenging and stressful week. After the procedure, I struggled with choking, swallowing, talking, even the challenge of getting my medicines down for a couple of days. Thank you for praying for me. There was a moment I thought for sure I would be on a liquid diet for the rest of my life. I see my doctor on Nov. 3rd to see if we have any answers, and what to do next.

The following Thursday (October 22nd) my brother Nathan had a surgery on his tongue that took them 3 hours. He struggled with the anesthesia so it took him hours to wake up. He also had a lot of pain from them having to put a tube through his nose and down his throat because he would stop breathing. Your prayers surely helped him get through a horrible time!
Thank you!

Now yesterday (October 28th) he had his other surgery that the doctor told him would be worse. We were all concerned, especially with the anesthesia and breathing. So many of you prayed with me for my brother. God blessed him and his day so mightily! I thought of you and your praying for him each time God moved!. The surgery went well and timely! He did NOT struggle with the anesthesia! He did not stop breathing (so no tube down the throat either). They even took his stitches out of his tongue. He awoke and was alert much quicker and stronger this time! And the concern the doctor most had… was ruled out! Which also meant the biggest concern my brother had in losing function to his body… was no longer a scare!

I cannot begin to thank you enough, but I absolutely want to try a little. SO many of you have been so incredibly merciful and patient with me for quite awhile now with delayed messages, inactivity, falling asleep while talking to you, missing calls altogether (many while holding my phone… I’m still trying to get used to my first smartphone since February), and so many more things that sadly I cannot even remember. I have hated finding later I left someone waiting for a reply for a week or more! (Sorry, Tosin, Caz, Holly, Randee, Margaret, Maxine, Nitin, Doreen, Stu and so many more!) 😦 Or that I have lost awards and tags that someone nominated me for! I didn’t even get to thank them, and have forgot who and the award!

You guys are so faithful and loving, merciful and full of grace. You have your own health issues, family scares, and just as much loss, uncertainty, and unending numbers of family and friends contracting and dying from Covid too. Yet you are so loving to still pray, to still call me friend, to encourage me in the faith with your own, and to speak prayers over me right in the comments and messages in my inbox… some even sending me cards and notes to my mailbox! (I am still so touched by that one who sent the $200 in a birthday card for my birthday fundraiser! And each one who contributed to make the other $200. I can’t tell you just how much you let God work in me!)

Christ… and His wonderful, undying, unconditional, never ending love… this is what you have constantly blessed me with. You have shown me His mercy, extended His grace, accentuated His kindness, and bore burdens with me. Thank you especially to each one who has been praying for my friend Nitin and all of his colleagues as they fight on the front lines treating Covid patients. Many of my doctor friends read your comments and tell of their own gratitude and journeys which include losses.

Lastly, that is certainly the thing you have been most faithful to pray with me on. So much loss in this Covid war,the senseless and petty bickering over rights being more important than our concern for one another’s health, calling millions of deaths around the world a hoax, and so many people who live with asthma, COPD, and many other compromised bodies terrified to come out of their homes not just because of the virus that can take their life, but many fear more the careless friend, or that enraged stranger that may attack them for wearing a mask as they have seen on the news. So many loved ones dying alone, or having no funeral because of the danger taken serious a little too late.

I have not kept updates on the prayer requests I have had along the way because they are so lengthy it would depress you. It depresses me! And angers me for those whose loss was due to carelessness… some their own, some the carelessness of others. In just the last few weeks, 2 ladies from my lifegroup lost a father who began his horrible battle on the daughter’s birthday and lost it, and another who lost her husband, 2 local facilities warned of large numbers among their patients and staff (which house several family and friends of the ladies in the lifegroup, and a few were the staff members), another has a brother who survived Covid but now battles with Afib, and that same lady has another brother in hospice dying from cancer, a family friend who is 29 was on a ventilator for a week without anyone knowing until he came out of it, a 27 yr old girl with little children is fighting Covid so hard the doctors had to put her into a medically induced coma to stop her from having seizures, and another family friend in his 60s sounded pretty bad on the phone when letting us know he was headed to the doctor and we still haven’t heard back if he has Covid or not.

And I could not begin to count the constant postings of friends on their blogs, Facebook, and emails of surviving Covid. No one would have known if they had not survived to post! 😦 Many are now living with permanent health problems gained from Covid. And I mean of all ages.

On top of all of this loss, are the losses of many who are dying from the things that were already killing us…. cancer, suicide, failing organs, car accidents, heart attacks, strokes, murder… and the pneumonia and flu that get dismissed so easily to make Covid look so harmless. So many have lost husbands, wives, parents, children, sisters, brothers, friends, and many have lost more than one. And sadly so many pastors and others in ministry are among the suicide numbers.

And there are so many working in the medical community. The team that took care of me on October 16th knew my situation, knew to expect how I would wake up, knew I had been tested for Covid as all patients entering the hospital are required to do and cleared (Praise God!). Yet my heart sank to hear them before I could open my eyes, and then see the terror in their eyes when I could open mine. Some got away from me as quickly as possible. I wasn’t the least bit offended. I felt so bad for them. They’re living and working with this all day long! 😦

The Lord has made that burden to pray for them even heavier, as well as to thank you for praying! With me! For me! Thank you. And if you read this all the way through, I pray the Lord blessed you in a way that you know it is absolutely Him reminding you that Jesus is an intercessor for you when He prays to the Father on your behalf, and the Holy Spirit is praying for you with groanings that cannot be uttered.
God loves you! And He prays for you! And everyone you pray for!

A special thank you to my Lifegroup… Blooming Zooming!
Thank you for praying with me, and letting me pray with you! God knew exactly who to put me into a sisterhood with! I praise God for each of you being Covid sensitive! For being so burdened already on your own to pray for the Medical Community, and emphasizing to pray specifically for as many as possible by name, as often as possible! Thank you for having such a love for God, and a heart for pursuing obedience even now. Thank you for being wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Thank you for making room for me, and for being so welcoming.
Me and God love you each one! ❤

Thank You, Jesus, for encouraging me to get a thank you written down, and for helping me to stay awake and get it written and posted!!
Praise Your Mighty and Majestic name!
I love you… forever… no matter what!!

“Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”
– James 5:13-20 KJV

My New Journal With You, Note 6

On October 21, 2020December 28, 2020 By gaillovesgodIn blogging, COVID-19, random20 Comments

Verses are inserted exactly where God had them placed in my new journal at the bottom of each page. I love how personal He is!

Dear Lord, How are You? I pray Your day is blessed, and that many souls have given their lives to You today. I pray You have won many souls. I know You love them. I know it breaks Your heart to see them in pain. You are a good God, and a good Father. I know You and Jesus both long to have them home with You.

I know You also long to see us love one another, and I’m so sad to say we are NOT doing a good job of that. We are being so ugly and judgmental to one another. The violence and anger are so rampant. People calling for justice while justifying their own criminal behavior. I know You’re not surprised by this. This is what sin does… deceives us, and leads us astray, making us defiant to You in our behavior. I pray for us, Lord. We need You so desperately. There is absolutely no hope without You.

Only You can bring about peace, true justice, brotherly kindness, selflessness,

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
– Proverbs 3:5 KJV

thoughtfulness, and any Christ like love. Only You know what is best in a time when everything is so uncertain, and our world seems to be falling apart. We are at a loss for understanding anything right now, but You are always the omniscient, omnipotent, and very omnipresent God… wise in all Your ways. You are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. How blessed we are that You never change! Especially with Your love, mercy, grace, patience, long suffering, and all that makes You the good and loving God and Father that You are!

I love You, Father God! ❤

I pray all my fears, uncertainties, and all distractions that want to come between You and me into Your Holy and Sovereign hands. I know You love me, and only want Your best for me. I trust in Your perfect timing, and Your perfect will. Even in my unbelief, I still trust everything about You, because I know I truly believe. Thank You for believing in me. You make all things new and possible. I am Yours forever! ❤ I love You!

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
– Hebrews 4:12 KJV

PS… Lord, I LOVE how Your verses always address exactly what I am talking to You about, but from Your wisdom of what I need. You are so personal!

Vincent Ehindero Blogger Award 6.24.2020

On October 13, 2020 By gaillovesgodIn Awards & Tags, blogging, COVID-1935 Comments

Oh Dear Lord! Yay! Praise Your Holy name for allowing me to find one of my lost Tags and Awards. It has been so depressing losing awards, tags, posts, comments, and more. It makes me feel so rude, negligent, and careless, and most importantly makes me afraid the one who thought of me will think I did not care about their kindness. How incredibly wrong they would be.
Thank You for the heart of Jevannel of Jevannel Academy, who nominated me for the Vincent Ehindero Blogger Award. She was so sweet and merciful to not be upset with me, but instead was excited with me in finding the post! 🙂

Thank you, Jevannel, for your thoughtfulness in the nomination of the Vincent Ehindero Blogger Award back in in June, and thank you for your extended kindness in being happy with me in finding the nomination! Your mercy is added joy, as it allows me to reflect on the loving mercy of God. He too celebrates with us when we finally meet Him on the same page in different moments of our lives. May the Lord continue to bless you and your blog!
Me and God love you! 🙂

The Rules:

Thank the person who nominated you with a link to their blog.
Make a post of the award (with a photo of the logo).
Post the rules.
Ask 5-10 questions of your choice.
Nominate 10-30 other bloggers (or more) and notify them.
Follow Vincent Ehindero @vincentehindero.wordpress.com
(to qualify for a free blog promotion and shout out and more blogging opportunities)

Jevannel’s Questions for Me:

1) What is your writing style?
Keeping it all about my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! ❤

2) Do you plan your blogs or is it more freestyle?
They are more freestyle and poetry, and anything the Lord gives me to share.

3) What is it that you enjoy most about being a blogger?
Being able to share the love of God with others. Everyone needs to know how much God loves them! ❤

4) What is the best piece of advice you have ever received from someone?
To give my heart and life to my Jesus! ❤

5) Do you see yourself blogging in 5 years?
If that’s what the Lord wants… see ya then. 🙂

6) What has been the highlight of this year?
Witnessing God confirming His word to me every single day. He made it clear in November when I was so sick to convalesce with Him….
: to recover health and strength gradually after sickness or weakness
not just in that month, but He made it clear He wanted it for the whole year, and to share with others to do the same. I would have never dreamed something like COVID would happen to make it hard to do anything else. I have felt His confirmation all day and night… and His sweet whispers… and His smile to know I am listening. He is my health and strength! ❤

7) What do you miss about last year?
Being able to go to church and the ladies bible studies.

8) If you could change one thing what would it be?
That everyone would come to know just how much You love them, Jesus! ❤

9) Would you encourage your kids to become bloggers?
My son is already a blogger at Inner Man Theatre! 🙂
He was a blogger before I was, and has helped me quite often! He encourages me! 🙂 I absolutely try to encourage him as much as the Lord allows.

10) If you could snap your fingers right now and change one thing about the world what would that one thing be?
That Jesus would have won every heart and have us all home with Him, the Father, and the Holy Ghost! ❤

Nominees:

Omowunmi of Grace Fifteen Ten
Anjali of Positive Side of the Coin
Ara of Recuperation
Maja of Lampelina
Sunshine of Eunoia
Dr. Namrata of Pen of Hearts
Alicia of For His Purpose
Raghavasree of Desert Flower
Charity of Confessions and Thoughts of a Reluctant Preacher’s Daughter
Dariush of HHH: You Are Awesome
Hephzibah of Being Found in the Vine
Matt of Jesus Luvs All
Stu of Something to Stu Over
Vickie of Vickie’s Book Nook and Meditation Corner
Janet of Planted with Faith
Mindy of A Word with Mindy
Saania of Fun with Philosophy
Tangie of Mrs. T’s Corner
Jacquie of Joy Cottage
Mercy of Herry Chic Counsels
Dawn of Drawing Closer to Christ
Farm Girl of Faith on the Farm
Tammy of God Inspired Arts & Quotes
Sharon of Beat Depression & Anxiety
Alana of Glimpses of Grace
Renee of Hands Full of Blessings
Janet of My Father’s Symphony
Brenda of Becoming His Tapestry
Siphe of God’s Anointed Princesses
Grace of Following Him Beside Still Waters

Questions for the Nominees:

How are you doing during this COVID-19 Pandemic?
What is a good indoor activity?
Do you have a favorite Bible verse?
What has been your quarantine go to food?
Do you know how much God loves you?

Hope the nominees have fun! It took me forever to get this tag done, even after I finally found it last week! (Thank You, God!) By the grace of God I managed to get through a great deal of the blogs I follow. So many have disappeared, changed names/blog locations, or simply have not been active for years. I hope to continue going through them. So many wonderful familiar faces and blogs!
May you all be safe and well! Praying for you!
God loves you! 🙂 ❤

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you”
– Philippians 1:3 KJV

The Thirteenth Disciple Tag 7.27.2020 and 8.16.2020

On September 25, 2020September 25, 2020 By gaillovesgodIn Awards & Tags, blogging, COVID-19, random, Uncategorized28 Comments

Dear Lord, how interesting and exciting. This tag (The Thirteenth Disciple Tag) that Charity (aka Purple Rose) of Confessions And Thoughts Of A Reluctant Preacher’s Daughter created and nominated me for The Thirteenth Disciple Tag on 7.27.2020, a tag that she created. Thank you for having my dear sister think of me. Please forgive me for taking so long to get this done, and please let Charity know how grateful and excited I really was regardless of what they dates say. When I first read Charity’s tag, it made me smile and think of my mom. Whenever people would try to say the number 13 was bad luck, taboo, or evil, my mom would remind them that the 12 disciples plus Jesus made 13. ❤

Then you had my dear brother Stu of Something to Stu Over also nominate me for The Thirteenth Disciple Tag on 8.15.2020. Again I have taken so long. Please let Stu know how grateful I am for him as well. Bless them both and encourage them, Lord. Normally I would do the tags separate, but because I have taken so long I will do them together.

Thank you, Charity, for thinking of me. You created such an awesome tag! I loved the idea of hanging with Jesus!

Here Are The Rules:

Thank the person who tagged you and include a link to their post.
Link the original post (The Thirteenth Disciple Tag) and give credit to the creator of this tag (Purple Rose) https://reluctantpreachersdaughter.wordpress.com
Answer the 13 questions asked by Purple Rose
Tag as many people as you like
Use the original tag image as the FEATURED image on your post:

Here are the 13 questions:

1. Which disciple is your favorite?
John… the one who was noted for loving Jesus so, and who wrote the book of John that is absolutely Love, Love, Love. It even has the REAL Lord’s prayer where Jesus is praying to the Father on our behalf in chapter 17! ❤

2. How often do you pray The Lord’s Prayer?
Funny that this is the question just after I was thinking on it. 🙂 I pray as often as the Lord allows. There was a time I prayed it every day before I started my day, and every night before I went to bed as I felt the Lord asking me with compelling compassion, “Do you not think the words my Son gave you would be enough for everything?”
I had been praying for “the right” thing to pray. So I committed to using it to pray for ALL my needs in those only 2 prayers of the day, allowing anytime I felt I should be praying more to God’s trust. It is amazing how He opened my eyes and my mind to those words covering every single thing we need prayer for. And why wouldn’t they? Would Jesus leave us unprepared or ill equipped??
NO! OF COURSE NOT!

3. How often do you take communion?
It depends. If I attend my stepdad’s church, they do it every Sunday at the end of service. If I am at my church, I believe it’s quarterly (every 3 months). But since COVID arrived, I have not been back to church physically, and won’t be for sometime. They did one for Easter online, and that was the last time I did.

4. Do you listen to sermons during the week?
Absolutely! As much as God will allow! I would rather listen to sermons than watch TV or movies.

5. If Jesus asked you to have your own small group of 4, which 3 disciples or Bible Characters would you choose to be in your weekly prayer group?
John the Baptist, Samuel, amd Enoch

6. Why did you choose those 3?
They were all three devoted and obedient from the beginning to the end. I want to be with people who love Jesus and His Father no matter the cost, and whose every thought is dying to self. Enoch was even spared of dying. One minute he was here, and then “he was not.” 😉

“and Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.”
– Genesis 5:23 KJV

7. What Bible characters do you relate to or understand the most?
I don’t know that I would claim to fully understand any of the Bible characters, but I relate to characters like Hannah, Hagar, Tamar (both David’s daughter and Judah’s daughter-in-law), Leah, and Mary. Hannah and Mary are the two I relate to most often.
I, too, prayed for a child to give back to the Lord, like Hannah did for so long. I didn’t know my Bible yet then or my son Anthoni would have been named Samuel. When I did have him, I was a single mom like Mary (yes I know their engagement was the same as being married, but technically she was on her own until the angel told Joseph to marry her).

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost… the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”

When I think of the responsibility I felt from the beginning to raise a child given from God, especially when Anthoni began to be a little preacher, it was a very important concern for me every day…. and still is with him grown. How much heavier must that concern have been to be raising the Son of the Living God! ❤

8. Which disciple would you argue with the most?
Judas or Peter for always wanting to argue with Jesus!

9. Which disciple would you get along with the best?
I would love to hang with John or Nathanael. John loved Jesus so, and Nathanael believed Jesus was the Son of God and the King of Israel from the beginning just because Jesus knew who he was. Jesus said there was no guile in him.

10. If you were in the painting of the Last Supper, where would you be sitting?
Definitely John because he was leaning on Jesus! He loved Jesus! ❤

11. Peter carried a sword and cut off a soldier’s ear in an attempt to protect Jesus. If you were there that night, what would your reaction have been to the soldiers coming to arrest Jesus?
When I first read the Bible for myself, I was so angry and ready to fight before I came upon it. I remember being so glad when Peter used his sword. So yes I probably would have, but I would have had the same astonishing rebuke that Peter got.

12. We all need a Simon Peter in our life, someone who carries a “sword” and will fight for you. Who is/was your Simon Peter?
My son Anthoni has been a Simon Peter sent from God Himself to rescue me from my world, and keep my focus on God not only in my own relationship, but also in the determination to teach Him about God’s love and teachings. God has taught me so much about His love for me through my love for my son, and in allowing me to have in common with Him being a single parent of an only Son.

13. Similar to Jesus, we all have a Judas in our lives who helps us fulfill our destiny or find our purpose. Can you look back and appreciate their role in your life despite the harm they did or the hurt they caused?
Whatever God has given me, He has given. Regardless of who, what, where, when, why, and how… it is done. He has forgiven me, so I am to forgive. I pray the Holy Spirit helps me to appreciate all things that God has allowed or designed. I thank God for seeing me through all He has walked me through.

Nominees:
(In honor of Jesus and the 12 disciples making 13, I will tag 13 nominees. 🙂

Hope the nominees have as much as I did!
What a joy to think of being Jesus!
We will very soon! 🙂 ❤

Made to Love My Community

On July 26, 2020July 26, 2020 By gaillovesgodIn blogging, COVID-19, Uncategorized, WGWM Study Notes20 Comments

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
– Colossians 3:23 KJV

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
– Ephesians 2:10 KJV

Good early morning, Lord. Today’s study notes hit right where we all are… dealing with community… and TRYING to love one another. How could I not think on this whole COVID-19 Pandemic? There are so many suffering, so many who have lost their lives, and many of them died fighting on the front lines to save those stricken with COVID. It makes me think on my dear friend Nitin of Daily Bible Bytes for You who is a doctor in India, and had his long time doctor friend and mentor come down with the virus. Then had another friend who lost his mother one day and then his father a few days later. Both parents in the same week! I read that the same day I saw a local news report of 2 teenage boys losing both of their parents. Just yesterday Nitin was sharing about another doctor from the front lines passing away from the virus. 😦

There are so many in my own community in my county, the city, and the state. If I were to try to name all of the friends and family who have lost someone or come down with it, this would be a very long post. And that would not even represent the ones who have passed, yet the families will not tell the public it was COVID. There is actually a stigma for some people, as if this disease was something to be ashamed of contracting. Hundreds of thousands around the world have died from this disease. Millions have contracted it. How does one attach shame to such a ruthless and invisible killer? We had a cousin in our family who died from it, but we did not know for a month because the family not only wanted to keep people from gathering for a funeral (understandably so), but they were actually ashamed to let anyone know it was COVID.

And then there is this whole mask debate, the unbelievable accusations of this being a hoax, the argument of a constitutional right, and quite frankly just a pent up world looking for an excuse to blame someone for the fact that they can’t do everything they want, when they want it, and the way they want it. A world who is upset that their world changed over night and will more than likely never be the same. A world where they could not even escape with sports, Hollywood, immorality, favorite snacks and comfort foods, no dining out, nor getaways for quite some time. So many special once in a lifetime events were postponed or cancelled altogether. This is what comes to mind when I think of community right now. But praise Your Holy name that is not all I think of.

WordPress Community! I thank You for allowing me to know, have, and be a part of this community You have blessed with encouraging one another. That includes being honest about our own experiences with COVID, along with the raw emotions everyone is feeling. I am especially grateful for those who are still trying to keep it all about You, even in their experiences, and bringing those raw emotions to You openly in their blogs, and being sure to look for those sought out and needed answers in Your scriptures.

Even the ones who wrote this little devotional book (Woman of God, Wonderfully Made) way back in 2012 (that I am noting from now in 2020) wrote on being made to love our community regardless of our disagreements or circumstances from a very beautiful Godly heart.

“You may not always love your neighbors, but God does. You may consider some people in your community to be unworthy of your time and effort, but God doesn’t. God loves each person in your community no matter his or her faults, weaknesses, or sins. The question isn’t ‘Who deserves my acts of service?’ but rather ‘Who needs my acts of service?’
In Christ Jesus, you can serve your community without considering its worthiness. In Christ Jesus, you can love your inconsiderate neighbor. In Christ Jesus, you can display God’s love to the hurting world. When you serve others, you serve God. When you love others, you live our your love for God. It all comes from Him, because of Him, for Him!”

Thank you for Christian Community… fellow believers who are determined to keep it all about You, to keep their faith in You, and to still be absolutely convinced even now that YOU ARE GOOD! We may not understand everything going on. We may be lost in a very dense fog. We may be angry, hurt, and devastated with loss and circumstances that no one could have imagined happening. In ALL things, You are STILL A GOOD AND LOVING FATHER AND GOD! Thank You for Community, God! We need You, and we need each other! ❤

Inspiration: WGWM Study Notes, Week 2 Day 4

Made To Love My Family

On July 23, 2020July 23, 2020 By gaillovesgodIn Awards & Tags, blogging, COVID-19, Uncategorized, WGWM Study Notes21 Comments

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
– Colossians 3:12-13 KJV

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
– Romans 5:8 KJV

Lord, boy did I mess up on this bible study. Even back when I was doing it and making notes, and did it know it. Or if I did, I completely forgot and messed up again. I think You finally let me see how. The titles in the book for each day were messed up. I mean I am sure the person prayed for guidance and You led her to write it just the way it was. I did see the playfulness in the wording and how it related, but I do believe it is what messed me up so much that I accidentally started doing the same thing in getting it on the blog.

This one came from a day called Remade To Love In My Family, but there was never a MADE to Love In My Family. So when the titles that did a RE-whatever the title was before HAD a title before, I guess I assumed this one did too. As I look the next several days had a RE to a title that was NOT before. So if You don’t mind I’ll just keep going with personally made titles as You had me doing to try to prevent the confusion.

I’m sorry, Lord, for not doing a better job of paying attention. I try. I really do, and I know You know that. When I did this study, I was telling a friend of mine who knew I was doing it that I had no notes to share because I had not been really noting enough to share any with them or on the blog. As I would later look in my little notebook, You pointed out that I had what You were giving me and that was enough. When I started to pick back up where I left off I did not notice 6 days worth of noting missing. Again when typing them up, I did not notice either. It was being done with a 5 week study in 2 weeks that was throwing the huge red flag. Maybe that is why it felt so short when doing them?? Anyway, I deleted the last 2 I had up, along with the 4 You allowed me to get scheduled, and just took the big TIME OUT You were blowing the whistle on.

It took me the whole week to get a chance to look over just what was going on. Now I see, I DID do the study, but got very confused over the titles, stopped noting, then thought I wasn’t really getting anything to share, and was just enjoying it between You and me. However, later on I realized I had more notes than I thought, it was the book that was confusing. It still is, but with Your help I can still try to get it back on track. That means this one and the 5 to follow will actually be blogged as I am reading them. Being as so many messages You have sent me this week have been clearly dealing with being lost, it seems quite appropriate. Even Sue Mulhare of New Hope Church in Toowoomba, Australia had a message this week…

What To Do When You’re A Little Lost

that fit right in, and actually gave me a little bit of an answer to that nagging question You and I know I deal with. Wouldn’t You know it (and of course You would 😉 ) it’s the same answer You’ve always given me. I loved the song Sue mentioned she stumbled across.

Defender
was another perfectly related piece to the puzzle.

Those favorite lyrics of Sue’s were powerful.

When I thought I lost me
You knew where I left me
You reintroduced me to Your love
You picked up all my pieces
Put me back together
You are the defender of my heart

And how did all of this tie into today’s study and title of being Made to Love My Family? Because that is exactly what I did with my week. You led and I followed. The majority of the week was about Bobby (my 86 yr old stepdad) and his home health care team. All of our family worked together to get through this week when we also had a family crisis happen that we knew nothing about with my brother in law Tim cracking 4 ribs and having an infection. We ran the needed medical errands for Tim because Nathan (my brother who is Tim’s nurse) could not leave him because Tim was a fall risk. It’s what led to the ribs. Tim is a hospice patient dealing with a lot. My sister Sandra was doing these errands with me while wearing her bedroom slippers inside oversized shoes from the Goodwill in a search for shoes that she could get into. Her old shoes came apart. So many stores! For several days! Thank You for allowing the temporary ones You led her to. I pray the ones coming will be the shoes we have both been saying You have waiting for her! My son Anthoni stayed with Bobby one day so the home health care team could talk to him. He does a great job helping us look out for Bobby.

Bobby’s home health care team have been diligently looking out for him. They were sent by his doctor who has not seen him in several months and understands we’re trying to keep him home away from others, especially with both of his lungs already damaged, living with COPD, using a CPAP machine, and a nebulizer machine several times a day, and still struggles with his breathing. Bobby has to do needed bloodwork for the medicine he takes since he had his stroke in 2015, and to see how he is doing over all. Just day before yesterday, we were all in a circle (with masks and gloves) praying with his nurse because she had spent the whole day traveling around to different patients, was now seeing Bobby, all while her own husband and father both had been sick enough during the week that they were believed to have COVID. Praise the Lord they tested negative! But Stephanie had still came to work to look out for others!

So that is how family relates to this week. That time out was needed to focus. You still had me to post… by sending me awards! Anabel of Lebana’s Journey nominated me for The Ideal Inspiration Award, and Stu of Something to Stu Over nominated me for The Outstanding Blogger Award. My WordPress Family sent me so many encouraging messages. That’s how You work! You tell us to be still and know You are God… and You did just that. I took that break and You showered me with encouragement. And along the way allowed me to share that encouragement with the nominees! What do You do when voices of doubt whisper in my ear? You send Sue that message to encourage her! Sue shares it and encourages me! The song is a tender hug that assures You know my heart’s cry and are fighting for me where I don’t even know I have a war going on… a spiritual warfare. Your leading becomes my victory! Because YOU are my victory every single day!

Thank You for leading me through my wilderness. Thank You for leading our family! Thank You for protecting Stephanie’s family! Thank You for being the chain of encouragement for my WordPress family! Thank You for leading Sue all the way over in Australia, and then sharing a glimpse of that precious time You had with her. Thank You for the powerful message in that tender song. Thank You for helping me get this Bible study thing worked out. And thank You most of all for still being the God of Psalm 46:10.

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

I love You, Father God!
Thank You for making me a part of Your family! ❤

Inspiration: WGWM Study Notes, Week 2 Day 3

The Outstanding Blogger Award 7.16.2020

On July 20, 2020July 20, 2020 By gaillovesgodIn "NEW" Series, Awards & Tags, COVID-19, Uncategorized30 Comments

“Let all the earth fear the Lord:
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.”
– Psalm 33:8 KJV

How outstanding YOU ARE, dear Lord! How continuously thoughtful You are of me! You pursue me, You encourage me, You build me up, and You love me with a never ending love. You leave me standing in awe of You, and I am enamored to be in Your presence! ❤

Thank You for pouring a little more of Your favor on YOUR blog! It has always been Yours! Thank You or sharing a little more love so that I may keep sharing it with others! Bless the one whom You used to pour out that favor! Stu of Something to Stu Over nominated me for The Outstanding Blogger Award! Bless him, his family, and his ministry, Lord! Shower him with a little more favor that glorifies the skies with Your love! Shower his family! And shower his ministry! Hug him tight, Lord! Let know You’re there with him! ❤

Thank you, Stu! May God richly bless you for your thoughtfulness. Thank you for allowing Him to pour a little reminder of His favor, and a little reminder of His great love all over this blog, and the WordPress Community! Please know I am praying for your ministry, and praise God that you are willing to keep reaching out and ministering to those who are trapped in the addictions of pornography! So many souls and families are being torn apart. Thank you for following God’s calling in your life.
Thank you again for the kind nomination! 🙂
Me and God love you, Brother! ❤

Here are the rules/guidelines:

1. Provide the link to the creator’s original award post.
(very important: see why in step 5)
2. Answer the questions provided.
3. Create 7 unique questions.
4. Nominate 10 bloggers. Ensure that they are aware of their nomination.
Neither the award’s creator, nor the blogger that nominated you, can be nominated.
5. At the end of 2020, every blog that ping-backs the creator’s original post will be entered to win the 2020 Outstanding Blogger Award!
This award was created by Colton Beckwith.

Stu’s Questions For Me:

1. What is your favorite clothing to wear that unfortunately does not look good on you? (Color wise, etc)
God, there are a lot of things that do not look good on me, but I will say jeans because they only look strange now being as big as I am, and are way too uncomfortable which defeats the purpose of jeans. 🙂

2. Why do you blog? Is it so you can minister in the lives of others, you just enjoy writing, a calling from God, or another reason?
Lord, first and foremost I write to talk to You. When I am not writing, I feel like I am suffocating. I cannot breathe! When I am writing, I am talking heart to heart with You, and sometimes through Your whispers and clear commands I write to encourage or share with others! Everyone needs to know how much You love them! ❤

3. Mask or no mask? Don’t worry about what others think or say, please give your honest opinion and why…
Lord, I wear a mask for several reasons which all fall up under obeying you by…
being a law abiding citizen, taking care of the vessel You have given me, using the wisdom YOU have given me, following the doctor’s advice (while also loving him and his family as I do myself because they are my neighbor), to be thoughtful of others as we love one another, for the accountability in my responsibility to look after my 86 yr old stepdad and the rest of my family to the best of my ability, and to do as You command in keeping a vow once it is said as we vowed to stay home and stay safe on behalf of the medical community that is sacrificing their time, lives, and families to fight for ours.

4. What is your favorite book of all time?
That one’s easy, Lord. Your Holy Bible! Preferably the King James Version. ❤

5. What childhood memory bring an immediate smile to your face?
Fighting with my little brother. Charlie was just 10 months younger than me, and we used to fight all the time. We would start off play fighting and one would hit too hard, so the other would get so mad and hit harder. The other would laugh until hit too hard. We would both laugh about it later. 🙂 Lord, I know You don’t like fighting, and praise Your name we grew out of it. 🙂 I miss him, Father. I know He is with You and has been the last 13 years, but I miss him. Hug him for me! ❤

6. Do you see God’s Handiwork everywhere? In people, nature and objects…
Absolutely! I think hymns like
This Is My Father’s World,
I Sing The Mighty Power of God,
Come Thou Fount,
How Great Thou Art,
and so many more sing it so incredibly well! ❤

7. Which band, not singer, has influenced you the most?
Oh wow. This is a doozy, Lord. I have personally known and met so many bands… local bands, popular bands, famous bands, amateur bands… working with them, entertaining them, even dating a few. While music had too much negative influence over my life when I was younger, I actually had no one particular band influence me. The same is with bands now. I may love their music, but the bands themselves have no fluence on my life whatsoever. Even if it someone’s music I really like, You know Yourself I just don’t do concerts or anything personal, other than the friendships I have with different people who just happen to be in bands.

Nominees:

Anabael of Lebana’s Journey
Caz of Invisibly Me
Anjali of Positive Side of the Coin
Karen of A Couple of Stars and a Happy Face
God’s Child of 30 Minutes In The Life Of A Teenager
Mike of Through The Scriptures
Nitin of Daily Bible Bytes For You
Cindy of Real Christian Women
Jacquie of Joy Cottage
Mindy of A Word With Mindy
Alicia of For His Purpose

Questions For The Nominees:

Do you know how much God loves you?
Has your blog changed in any way since COVID-19 arrived?
Do you have a bible verse for today?
Have you lost anyone to COVID?
Have you been sick with COVID?
Do you have a favorite hymn?
What do you find outstanding about God?
(I stand in awe of His ability to pursue every single one of us… at the same time! 🙂 )

Congratulations to all of the nominees. Please do not feel obligated to participate. If you do, no rush. Do as God leads you! And send me a link please! I would loved to read your post! God loves you! 🙂

My New Journal With You, Note 2

On June 24, 2020June 24, 2020 By gaillovesgodIn "NEW" Series, blogging, COVID-19, Uncategorized, WritingLeave a comment

**Verses are inserted exactly where God had them placed in my new journal at the bottom of each page. I love how personal He is! ❤ **

Good early morning, Lord. How are you doing, Father? How sad You must be to see us fighting so much. If we just loved one another, how much easier life would be, and we would glorify Your name so much the greater… maybe even make You smile.
I pray that I make You smile sometimes. Just to hear Your name makes me smile. Just to think on You. You are THE reason to smile! Thank You for when You let Your Light shine through me. It feels so good inside, and feels good to see it ignite others. If they knew You and Your heart, they would smile. If they know how much You loved them, they would smile so deeply inside that they would have no room for anger, hatred, vengeance, and selfishness. They would want to spend day and night telling You how much they love You.

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
– Ephesians 4:32 KJV

If they knew Your love, they would want to spend every breath telling the world how much they are loved by the Greatest Love of all. They would want to see You smile, and be so glad to share Your smile with others.
Thank You for the hope in Your name, the hope in knowing You, the hope in knowing Your love, and the hope in knowing You love me! ❤ 🙂

I love You, Father God! ❤

I love You, Sweet Jesus! ❤

I love You, Holy Spirit! ❤

” For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”
– Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV

The Love of God
– hymn lyrics by Frederick Martin Lehman

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell.
It goes beyond the highest star
And reaches to the lowest hell.
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled
And pardoned from his sin.

Chorus
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

When hoary time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall;
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call;
God’s love, so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

Beginning a New Journal With You

On June 10, 2020June 12, 2020 By gaillovesgodIn "NEW" Series, blogging, COVID-19, Uncategorized, Writing12 Comments

**Verses are inserted exactly where God had them placed in my new journal at the bottom of each page. I love how personal He is! ❤ **

Lord, finally. A moment to sit and catch my breath with You. Thank You for a moment of putting everything aside… the phone, the TV, the news, the many distractions to come between You and me.
Talking with You though is not work. It’s like breathing to move my pen in conversation with You. It reminds me I have not been writing any poetry for you lately. It’s already June and I’m ashamed to say I’m not sure if I have written anything to You, or for You this year. Have I? I think I at least wrote one or two. I will have to look. (After checking gaillovesgodspoetry, I see I have written at least 8 so far this year! 🙂 PTL!) And I certainly need to write You some. I want to! I love telling the world how wonderful and faithful Your love is, and how much I am absolutely smitten with You because of it. You deserve every word of praise and testimony! ❤
So much has me distracted lately…

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
– Philippians 4:6 KJV

because of so much going on in our world. It’s nothing You are unaware of. You have forewarned us all of this in Your Holy Word, and those of us who read it know this is not even the beginning of worse things yet to come. These are the tribulations You tell us we will have in this world, but to be of good cheer because You have overcome the world.
Help me to be of good cheer. Help me to praise You even amid the chaos. Help my pen to declare Your omnipotence that will let nothing happen without Your knowing about it… in knowing You are the Judge of mercy and justice. Your omnipresence assures us that You are with us, looking out for us, and caring about those things that we care about. Your omniscience is very aware of every injustice, of every hurting soul, of every plea to love one another, and of every soul troubled with fear and anger. You haven’t forgotten one soul still suffering…

” Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV

from this Coronavirus, nor those who have lost loved ones to it, nor the many souls fighting to save these lives. You are more than aware of every position of authority that is overwhelmed with so much responsibility to govern and guide us through this virus, these protests, the rioting, the broken economy, the broken chains of supply, and so much more all while trying to take care of their own families.
It amazes me, God, just how selfish and self-centered we still are despite just weeks ago we were so horrified and lost to be rendered helpless to a virus that was taking life all over the world and in our own backyards, a virus that doctors did not even know how to fight. They were losing their own battles. We vowed to do our part to stay home and not overwhelm the hospitals. And just weeks later we care more about…

proving we have a right to gamble with our lives only to serve the almighty dollar. We are choosing to serve mammon, and casting aside the safety and lives of our loved ones, our friends, our neighbors, and those trying so hard to save us from ourselves. And to make it worse, we are using You for an excuse to do it. But Your word clearly states we cannot serve God and mammon because we will love one and hate the other. We can’t even see the altar we are keeping lit with incense for a golden calf. What a foul odor we are putting into Your nostrils. Have mercy on us, God. Help us to put that fire out, to brake down that altar, and to kneel at Your altar, trusting You in that if we do that which is right You will provide. Help us not to be bound by thinking we are right in our own eyes. Help us to Turn Our Eyes Upon Jesus in this wilderness, on the mountains, in the valleys, and wherever You lead us. Help us to see YOU ARE there.

Help us to know You are fighting FOR US, and that You are always faithful to provide. Help us to be taking from each of these days what You have for us. Help us not to be led by those who use Your name to invoke evil among Your children. Let Your light shine through the darkness trying to snuff out our light, and help us to shine so bright for You that we cannot cause our flame to even flicker, so that it does not go out. Let the warmth of Your light be our comfort. And may the world feel it so personally that it becomes their strength as well.
We love You, Father God! Thank You for this moment! I pray for my boys

(L-R) Anthoni and David at David’s High School Graduation

and all of my family and friends, my blogging community, the missionaries, and the world community. ❤
In Jesus mighty and powerful name I pray. Amen.

“Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
– Psalm 37:4 KJV

Seeing Your Goodness Even Now

On May 20, 2020May 20, 2020 By gaillovesgodIn blogging, COVID-19, prayer6 Comments

**I reposted this because when I originally posted it for some strange reason WordPress published it as thought it was a few posts back and days earlier than it actually was.**

God, You are amazing. You have allowed me to see Your goodness in all things, including this virus and pandemic. It’s a harsh reality, but a pruning is painful, a purging, pressing under foot the grapes to get the new wine, the chiseling to create and protect the artwork, Your masterpiece. We will miss the time we had with others, and even want to linger in times we “perceived” as good, but just could no longer see the separation it was causing between You and us. Our eyes were on our false delights. Our first love was left in our own shadows. Our flawed wisdom made us right in our own eyes. Our every thought was wickedness continually. Yet we were convinced we were following You.
It is hard to follow what is not in front of you, to hear what you do not give ear to, to see what is not before you, and hard to trust someone that you do not take at His word.
Thank You, Jesus, for loving us enough to pursue us. ❤
For loving me enough to pursue me.

Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award 5.3.2020

On May 18, 2020May 19, 2020 By gaillovesgodIn Awards & Tags, blogging, COVID-1926 Comments

“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
– 1 John 1:6-7 KJV

How sweet You are, dear Lord, to allow such kindness to continue to flow my way, and to allow that kindness to overflow towards others. How Fatherly You are to allow such sweet fellowship among sisters. You’re a good Father. A wonderful Father. A heavenly Father. Though the paths have not always been going the same way, You allow the same Light to shine our way, and at times design our paths to cross yet again. How delightful it will be when all our paths reach the same destination, and the circle will be unbroken!

To my dear sisters that I have nominated as Tangie of MRS. T’S CORNER nominated me for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award, the Lord has allowed me a long time prayer in being able to look back through names that I just don’t seem to see any more so that I can say hello, how are you, and pray for you. I pray you are doing well during this COVID-19 Pandemic. I’m not sure how WordPress decides whose posts we do or do not see, but I thank God for allowing Tangie to give me this opportunity to seek you out. God has given Tangie a spirit of generosity. You would really enjoy her blog… MRS. T’S CORNER.Thank you, Tangie , for allowing God to use a little whisper in your ear to allow me an opportunity to share with sisters who have been a treasured part of my journey with God in this blogging community. I am thankful God has made you, each of these ladies, those who have not been blogging for awhile, those who left altogether, and those reading one large community, and that one day we will finally be free of all that keeps us burdened, sickened, wearied, and separated. What a day that will be! How beautiful haven must be! ❤

RULES:

Thank the person who nominated you with a link to their blog.
Nominate up to 30 bloggers and give them 10 questions to answer.
Answer the 10 questions from person who nominated you.

Tangie’s Questions for Me:

Ladies, how were you inspired to blog?
During a difficult living situation God gave me a place to talk with Him one on one, and in private. He then led me to encourage a friend by doing a challenge on her blog. At the same time He led me to trust Him with changing my private settings to public. So far so good.
Ladies, how long have you been blogging?
4 years
Ladies, is blogging your full-time job?
No
Ladies, how does blogging inspire you?
It amazes me that God can take what we think is ranting and or doodling with words, and allow others to write and comment how it inspired them, comforted them, encouraged them, or as they often write…. was just what they needed. And then to add the cherry on top, He creates a Blogging family also known as a Blogging Community! ❤ God is so generous! ❤
Ladies, are you encouraged by fellow bloggers?
Absolutely! I thank God for each one! ❤
Ladies, do you actively blog (more than three times a week)?
Depends. I blog as the Lord allows. It’s HIS blog.
Ladies, have you ever considered closing your blog site?
I once did when we began to have the fake email onslaught a couple of years ago, and then when I started continuously receiving hundreds of spam mail (mostly porn ads). WordPress has not been able to do anything about these issues. It was absolutely only the blogging community (more precisely MY blogging friends) that led me to stay on. I would have deleted every single post and poem, but God reminded me of why I blog….. It’s for Him! It’s to encourage others. It’s to pour my heart out to Him with the same struggles others have. So I make sure to make settings strict, pay to keep ungodly ads off the blog, and just trust Him. If He says leave, I will leave just as obediently as I have stayed for now.
Ladies, are you excited when blogging?
Sometimes…. especially when able to share awards with others!
It allows me to share a little of God’s love! ❤
Ladies, when is the best time for you to blog?
When the Lord is leading and allowing. When He speaks, I try to listen and obey.
Ladies, do you sometimes feel addicted to blogging?
I have experienced the stress of feeling like I needed to keep up, but then again the Lord reminds me I am not here to impress anyone, to deceive anyone, to pressure anyone, or to do anything that would take away sharing God’s love with others, or turn what is supposed to be a blessing into stress. I don’t focus on numbers, or tricks to get someone to the blog or to make them click. I write it, and leave it to God…. literally… I just leave on the page. And I leave it to deliver or post in its full format.
It’s like when someone comes to church. You don’t want to play trivia games or try to “lure” them to come back. You are to welcome, encourage, and teach in your own obedience to the Lord, and leave the rest to the Holy Spirit. It is about Jesus. Not me. Not the people. Not a denomination. Not the church. Not a religion. So make everyone opportunity God gives to just be and do what He gives YOU! 🙂

Nominees:

Joni of Grief to Life

Liz of Despite Pain

Alana of Glimpses of Grace

Becka of The Reclaimed Life

Liz of Montana Bear Paw

Celestial of Surrendered Soul

Johnnatta of My Father’s Symphony

Grace of Following Him Beside Still Waters

Leigh of All You Need is Jesus

Susie of Nana’s Love Notes

Renee of Hands Full of Blessings

Adrianna of She Is Adrianana

Melissa of Truthful Grace

Cindy of Real Christian Women

Savannah of Rejoicing in Hope

Jenna Marie of Marked by Love

Faye of Create In Me

Brooke of Noes to Knows

Mama Duck of Tales from the Mama Duck

Robin of Just the Right Size

Kay of His Perfect Timing

Faith of Faith on the Farm

Annette of Annette Rochelle Aben

Beauty From Ashes

Kourtney of Defining Yellow

Crazy Green Thumbs

Shelly of Rashellbud

Holly of Wholeness Haven

Heather of Every Small Voice

Hannah of Grace to Be Imperfect

Danielle of Girly Christian

Eunice of I Was Wretched

Questions for the Nominees:

Do you know how much God loves you?
What did you last blog about? (Link it)
How long have you been blogging?
Do you have any sisters?
What are you reading in God’s word?
How have you been affected by COVID-19?
Are you and your family doing well?
How may I pray for you?
As long as it’s been since we’ve said hello, do you even remember me?
(It’s okay if you don’t. I’m not offended. 🙂 )
What characteristic of God amazes you today?

Congratulations to the Nominees! May you and your blogs be blessed with all that God hopes for you! Please do not feel obligated to participate. If you do, please let me know. I would love to read your post. God loves you! ❤

Thank you again, Tangie!
God loves you!

Awesome Blogger Award 4.30.2020

On May 15, 2020May 17, 2020 By gaillovesgodIn Awards & Tags, blogging, COVID-1926 Comments

How delightfully awesome You are, Lord, to allow others to show me kindness! Your kindness always amazes me. Not because You are not kind, but there is just no other kindness like Yours. And that You would share that kindness with someone who has walked all over You at times. How guilty I have been, and yet You choose love, mercy, forgiveness, long suffering. And then You whisper my name to Tish of Ritisha’s Blog to nominate me for the Awesome Blogger Award. You are a generous and loving Father! ❤
Bless Tish and her blog, Lord. May she feel your embrace every day!

Thank you, Tish, for your kind nomination! You are a very encouraging soul.
May the Lord continue to bless you and your ministry! God loves you! ❤Rules:

Thank the person who nominated you.
Tag the post with #awesomebloggeraward.
Answer the questions you were asked.
Nominate at least five bloggers and inform them of their nomination.
Give them ten new questions to answer.

Ratisha’s Questions for Me:

Are you religious?
I am not bound to religion of rules that cannot save me, but I am absolutely in love with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who gave His life to save me for Himself! With Him I have the best relationship I have ever had in my life! ❤
“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” – James 1:26 KJV
What was/is your favourite subject at school?
Spelling (even if it doesn’t show 😉 )
Who is your role model?
I didn’t really look to anyone as a hero or role model growing up, but God in retrospect God has allowed me to see an abundance of wisdom and love among different people He put in my life.
What was the last thing you ate?
Some of my son’s leftover ice cream cake. 🙂
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
When I was pregnant years ago everyone thought I was weird for eating Nacho Cheese Doritos with French Onion Dip all the time.
What is your number one pet peeve?
Holding a sweaty drink, especially if driving.
Do you play any instruments?
Not really
Which superpower would you want the most?
To never sin against God again!
He will give me that super “blessing” when I get to heaven! ❤
What’s your favourite movie?
I have a lot of favorites. My newest one is the new Pilgrim’s Progress movie recently done in animation! Wow is it amazing! And I love that they used hymns as the soundtrack! ❤
Would you rather meet an alien or a superhero?
I have met the Superhero of ALL superheros!
“I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold
I’d rather be His than have riches untold
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land
I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hands
Than to be the king of a best domain and beheld in sins dread sway
I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today
– I’d Rather Have Jesus, hymn lyrics by Rhea F. Miller

Nominees:

Questions for the Nominees:

Do you know how much God loves you?
What are you blogging about currently?
What’s the weather like where you are?
What do you find awesome about God?
Do you have a favorite hymn?
Is there something I can pray about for you?
How have you been affected by COVID-19?
Have you been quarantined? Shut in? If so, for how long?
(the longest I know of is Caralyn who has been quarantined 63 days thus far)
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Do you have a favorite bible character?

Congratulations to each nominee! May the kindness of God fill your heart, and overflow to all those around you! God loves you! ❤

Craft Lover Award 4.26.2020

On May 14, 2020May 14, 2020 By gaillovesgodIn Awards & Tags, blogging, COVID-19, Inner Man Theatre17 Comments

“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain,
by which he obtained witness that he was righteous,
God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.”
– Hebrews 11:4 KJV

Lord, What a gift You are and continue to be as You whisper my name to Tangie of MRS. T’S CORNER in nominating me for the Craft Lover Award. Bless her and her blog. Giving leaves a powerful testimony, and she is so generous with encouragement. She has such a passion for lifting others up. Thank You for allowing her sweet friendship.

Thank you again, Tangie! I am grateful for your patient and giving spirit.
May all your days be as God hopes for you! Me and God love you! ❤Rules

-Put the Craft Lover Award logo on the top of your post.
-Thank the person that nominated you.
-Answer their 10 questions.
-Nominate up to 10 more people.
-Ask them 10 more questions.
-Comment on their posts to let them know they got nominated for the CRAFT LOVER -AWARD!!

Tangie’s Questions For Me:

What’s your favorite animal, and why?
Today I will choose birds. They sing so pretty and can be so friendly.
Which post of mine is your favorite?
Yes, I Died to Live was a beautiful post, and the pictures were so pretty.
What’s your favorite book?
The Holy Bible, preferably the King James Version (KJV)
Who is your favorite blogger? (apart from yourself) and why?
The Lord blesses our WordPress Community with an abundance of wonderful bloggers, including my son Anthoni (Inner Man Theater) who will had a birthday today. He is so gifted. I love his Lightspeed Lab Bible Challenge quizzes. ❤
Who do you look up to? And why?
Surely it is my Father in heaven. ❤
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads;
for your redemption draweth nigh.” – Luke 21:28 KJV
When did you start blogging?
WordPress says April 28th, 2016.
Why did you start blogging?
Originally to have a place just to talk with God one one one. Then He led me to encourage a friend who was a blogger by doing her challenge, and while doing so trusting Him by opening my Private settings to Public.
Do you like blogging? If so, why?
I do enjoy talking with and about God’s love as much as He will allow. ❤
How are you feeling today?
I am blessed.
Did you help your family today?
Lord willing. We were celebrating my son’s birthday between the few hours he had available to even grab a bite to eat. He works 5pm to 5am.

Nominees:

Anjali of Positive Side of the Coin
Destiny of Dollfaced Writer
Alicia of For His Purpose
Caz of Invisibly Me
Meredith of My Way Home
Shae of Shae’s Days
Jessy of FAB: Faith and Books
LaBranda of My Thoughts Exactly
Robbye Faye of Captive Dreams Window
Efua of Grace Over Pain

Questions for the Nominees:

How long have you been quarantined, sheltered in place, stuck where you are during COVID-19?
What do you miss most?
What are glad to be taking a break from?
Do you think God has a particular message in this for you?
What kind of crafts do you like do? (whether you’re good at them or not 😉 )
What kind of crafts do you enjoy watching others do?
What was your last post about?
Do you like to use bible verses in your crafts?
Do you like to do crafts with children?
I hope I never fail to ask… Do you know how much God loves you!?

I hope you each have a blessed day! May you know how much God loves and looks forward to spending each day with you! He cherishes those long private chats with you… whether He listens while you pour your heart out to Him, or you lean your head on His shoulder while you listen to the love in every word He is sharing with you, or He simply leans His head over on top of yours leaning on His shoulder in silence with you! He loves you! ❤

And one last nomination to someone the Lord has given such a craft to in Christian Art Ministry! As I said above, today is your birthday! I want you to know how incredibly amazed I am every day in all that God does in you and for you! Your talent with using cartoons, animation, and other formats of putting God’s word out there for the world, and to teach and encourage fellow believers adds more and more praises to the God who has given you that ministry! I thank Him for making me your mom! ❤
Happy Birthday! I pray your day and all the days ahead are all God hope for you!
Me and God love you, Anthoni (aka Inner Man Theatre)! We believe in you! ❤

Oh.. and one final note (I promise 😉 ), as I am editing God is reminding me to encourage you each one nominated and reading with what He encouraged my heart with in the verse He gave me for the verse at the beginning of this post.
“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” – Hebrews 11:4 KJV”
Did you realize what that last part said.?? That even though Abel was dead… like since the beginning of creation… that though he were DEAD… yet he speaketh! How?? The testimony… that the Lord gave Him! Even though Abraham never knew him, nor Jacob (aka Israel), nor King David, nor Solomon, not even Jesus (here on earth in His human flesh), nor the disciples, or ANY of the writers use to pen and preserve the Bible, the testimony that allows you and me to be talking about him right now! NEVER underestimate the power of your testimony! All Abel did was bring the best of what he had from serving out in a hot, sweaty, and dirty desert to God. God took care of the rest.
Trust God to do the same with your craft! Even if you feel like you don’t have one, like all you do is trudge off to work, or school, or doing what God has given you at home… Do your best! Give Him your best. And trust God to do the rest! ❤ You never know… He might put what you don’t even know is your story right in the front of the most well known, most owned, and most read book of all time! You are HIS story! 🙂