Finally Fall Book Tag 9.25.19

Lord, reading through posts while I actually had a chance and enough energy and focus to manage comprehension I saw that Michelle of The Mimosa Blossom did the Finally Fall Book Tag, not too long after I had read Kathy of Katie’s Cottage Books had done her Finally Fall Book Tag (which was also Day 25 of Kathy’s 30 Day Writing Challenge she was doing). I saw they were both open nominations.

Thank you, Michelle and Kathy! May God bless you and your blogs!
Thanks for making it possible to share with others!
God loves you both!

Normally, I try not to do those as much as possible because I feel greedy when you have blessed me through many beautiful and generous souls. However on these two, you had me thinking differently.

You have whispered to me do them to keep “spreading the appreciation and tag somebody, and have fun,” and particularly because this one was regarding books! So many of my friends are into reading and/or reviewing them. And last but not least, to encourage others who want to do tags or awards that have open nominations to do them! Keep’em going! 🙂

So to thank both Michelle and Kathy, I will do the post together but with a book of Your bible to answer 1st, and then another book written by someone in the world that You have gifted! Then I will gift the friends You bring to mind who read/review books, and in case I forget someone I will leave the nominations open! 🙂


~ In the fall, the air is crisp and clear: Name a book with a vivid setting.

  1. Revelation! How could I not think of Your Revelation to John… the last book in Your Holy Bible. The white horse, the lady and the dragon, the angels, the seals, so much!
  2. The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. Wow! Did I feel so present reading that one! It opened my eyes to the real enemy and his tactics!

~ Nature is Beautiful . . . but also dying: Name a book that is beautifully written, but also deals with a heavy topic like loss or grief.

  1. Genesis was the first thing You brought to mind. There was no greater loss than when death entered into the world, and we were separated from You. A very heavy loss we still grieve every day until we get home.
  2. I wish I knew the name of the book and author You allowed someone from church to share with me in 2007 when my brother was killed at 37. It was written on Jesus resurrecting Lazarus, but told by a Christian who lost her brother, speaking on the pain and the importance of not bringing them back here. She said, “My Lazarus didn’t come back.” Yet reverently too.
    But since I can’t remember that title I will mention End Of The Spear by Steve Saint. His father Nate Saint along with 4 other missionary men were killed in 1956 in Ecuador by the Waodani Indians. Through God’s working Steve would become family to the Waodani. He later wrote God Doesn’t Waste Hurts, which shared the loss of his daughter and his 2012 accident that left him partially paralyzed.

~ Fall is back to school season: Share a non-fiction book that taught you something new.

  1. The Holy Bible as a book itself! Endless teaching that still continues.
  2. Two books here You have me thinking on are:
    How To Study The Bible And Enjoy It by Skip Heitzig taught me a great reading plan with study tips that are so easy to remember, keeps the whole bible fresh, and makes more sense of the chronological pattern and its difficulty.
    and The Endless Steppe by Esther Hautzig You used to teach me and my son that while American medicine teaches against dairy when sick, Siberians who are poor and struggle to have clothes and shoes during harsh winters conditions value most eggs and milk to prevent and treat pneumonia and bronchitis. My son and I learned these while he was struggling with a back to back round of bronchitis, as he did since a baby. It was true! It LOOSENS phlegm to get rid of it.

~ In order to keep warm, it’s good to spend some time with the people we love: Name a fictional family/household/friend group that you’d like to be a part of.

  1. The book of John has Jesus telling us about You as His Father God, and that we’re in the family too! I don’t have to wish it. I AM a child of God!
  2. I like being part of bible studies groups. They start off as fictional by the author and end up genuine. I’m currently a part of Redeemed by Angela Thomas-Pharr.

~ The colorful leaves are piling up on the ground: Show us a pile of fall-coloured spines.

  1. sorry, no pictures today. If there were I would show the stack of bibles that also has 4 composition books that are my copying Your bible.
    (God allowed me to get a picture up of my bibles and the 4 composition books of copying His Bible word for word. With His help I am up to 1 Chronicles.)
  2. All my other books are stored away to where getting them out would be too physically challenging right now. I tend to read and pass them on any way.

~ Fall is the perfect time for story telling by the fireside: Share a book wherein somebody is telling a story.

  1. The book of Matthew is just one of the gospels told by a disciple. The Sermon on the Mount is in this book, where You also placed the Beatitudes.
  2. Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic is Nick telling of his being born without arms and legs. His journey of struggling… to a faith in God birthed a ministry that is embracing so many hurting souls. God does a mighty work in the reader to see those hurting souls need to return that embrace to Nick who they know cannot hug them back. They cling so tight and so long. God gives what we need by our giving of ourselves to others, through first giving ourselves to God.

~ The nights are getting darker: Share a dark, creepy read.

  1. 1 Samuel tells of Saul’s creepy behavior toward David, and Saul “dark” enough to have priests killed. They started off as King and favored subject. Creepy thing to me, Lord, was David killing 1,000 Philistines to give their foreskins to Saul as a present and marry his daughter. When the people cheered, Saul got jealous over David’s popularity. David could be at dinner and suddenly find his father-in-law trying to spear him. Saul was obsessed with killing David. Saul and his sons died for getting a witch to bring Samuel’s spirit up from the grave.
  2. Foxe’s Book of Martyrs tells of different people really persecuted and killed because of professing faith in Christ. While we honor them and understand their courage, or at least following through no matter the cost, we also read what they suffered. Burned alive. Limbs falling off while still alive, and able to still sing or profess while burning. If it weren’t for what the book is about I wouldn’t normally read this kind of book.

~ The days are getting colder: Name a short, heart-warming read that could warm up somebody’s cold, rainy day.

  1. Philippians is a wonderful short book! So much faith, peace that passes all understanding, strength through Jesus Christ, and many lovely things full of virtue to think on. ❤
  2. Bloom by Caralyn of Beauty Beyond Bones (YES! A WordPress Blogger) uses her journey in an intake facility to battle anorexia to create a daily journal. One can either read it straight through as she tells bible passages that helped her, prayer for each day, and sharing wisdom and insight learned from finding Jesus in her journey, or one can read and note each day as the daily journal is designed, leaving room for one’s own notes. I was blessed to read as a bible journal.
    Thank You for the blessing, Lord!

~ Fall returns every year: Name an old favorite that you’d like to return to soon.

  1. By Your grace and discipline, I once memorized the book of James. It has 5 chapters and such wisdom. I was blessed to learn from the memorization, and it helped me to make a testimony I didn’t even expect among believers and nonbelievers alike. I would like to try to keep that memorization… any word You will allow! ❤
  2. When God’s People Let You Down by Jeff VanVonderen was a book You led me to years ago when I witnessed severe hurts in the church, including several leader friends being fired from their church . I seriously contemplated quitting church because while I did not grow up in church, I saw enough the hurtful hypocrisy. This was different because now I was a mom who had a responsibility for a little boy who even had a heart to be a preacher as early as 3 yrs old. A friend gave me this book and after a few chapters I was cheering for us all! It’s Satan who is the enemy! We have to keep fighting the cause for Christ, not against each other!

~ Fall is the perfect time for cozy reading nights: Share your favorite cozy reading “accessories!”

warm, comfy fitting clothes (socks included), a blanket, maybe some hot chocolate or hot tea, in a comfy fitty chair or bed (or back and forth 😉 ) always a pen a note pad nearby, and healthy lighting for my eyes.

Nominees:

Jessy of FAB: Faith and Books

T.R. of Inside Cup

Vickie of Vickie’s Book Nook and Meditation Center

Regina of Help From Heaven

Caz of Invisibly Me

Savannah of Rejoicing In Hope

Tammy of God Inspired Art & Quotes

Susan of Rhythm In Life

Spread the autumn appreciation and tag somebody!

Have fun!

If you’re reading this,
YOU ARE TAGGED! 

 

His Will Be Done

“He has chosen not to heal me,
but to hold me.
The more intense the pain,
the closer His embrace.”
– Joni Eareckson Tada

“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God
commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing,
as unto a faithful Creator.”
– 1 Peter 4:19 KJV

“For whether we live, we live unto the Lord;
and whether we die, we die unto the Lord:
whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.”
– Romans 14:8 KJV

Soar

Oh how I long to soar with You, Holy Spirit! one day I will… SOON! ❤

Alethea's Mind

Pray

Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Romans 8:26-27

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Face to Face

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:
now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
– 1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV

Face to Face with Christ, My Savior
– hymn lyrics by Car­rie Breck

Face to face with Christ, my Savior,
Face to face—what will it be,
When with rapture I behold Him,
Jesus Christ who died for me?

Refrain:
Face to face I shall behold Him,
Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all His glory,
I shall see Him by and by!

Only faintly now I see Him,
With the darkened veil between,
But a blessed day is coming,
When His glory shall be seen.

What rejoicing in His presence,
When are banished grief and pain;
Death is swallowed up in vict’ry,
And the dark things shall be plain.

Face to face—oh, blissful moment!
Face to face—to see and know;
Face to face with my Redeemer,
Jesus Christ who loves me so.

Oh, Lord, how I long for that day when I shall see You face to face! To hug you! To Thank You! How loving and sovereign You are to banish grief and pain! To swallow up death with the victory of Your resurrection! The same resurrection that reconciles us! Never to be separated again! No other love has ever been so powerful! Thank You for going to prepare a place for me! Thank You for the promise I know You will keep in coming back for me! To take me home with You forever! Whenever You’re ready! ❤

Thank You for hymns! Such comfort for our souls! Peace that can only come from You! You are such a calm to my soul! Thank You for THIS hymn! For now I see through a dark glass, but soon I will see You face to face! And I will know You as You know me! To be known… like You know me! You will free me of myself! I will fully be who You made me to be! And I will be able see me the way You do! How I long for that blissful moment far beyond the starry sky! ❤

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

Blogger Recognition Award 6.17.19

Praise Your Holy name, Father! How continuously sweet You are! Sweeter than honey! ❤
You have whispered my name to a brother in Christ, and given honor to YOUR blog. Stu of Something to Stu Over has nominated me for the Blogger Recognition Award! You deserve every bit of recognition, Lord…. on the site You have given me to declare to the world Gail Loves God… and on Something to Stu Over as Stu ministers to those who are fighting porn addiction. Everyone needs to know and hear God Loves You!

Thank you, Stu, for your thoughtfulness!
May the Lord bless you! He loves you so much!img_2145Award rules:

• Thank the nominator, and publish a post on your blog about receiving the Blogger Recognition Award. Make sure to provide a link to the nominator’s blog in your post.

• Give a brief story of how your blog started.

• Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers.

• Nominate 10-15 other bloggers for this award, and inform them of their nomination.

How My Blog Got Started:
I began years privately talking with God. At one point the Lord led me to do a challenge a friend was doing, and to open my settings from private to public. To my delightful surprise I met and became a part of a wonderfully encouraging community that would let me know that my conversations with God were encouraging, and allowed the Lord to touch or bless them. Some even let me know they had or were going through similar situations. Whatever God wants to do with the blog He gave me, is all up to Him! 🙂

Two Pieces of Advice for New Bloggers:
1. Write what you want, when you want, or not! It’s YOUR blog!
2. God loves you and wants to preserve you through His word!

Recently a friend asked me how I knew I could trust God. Why did I believe Him? This friend knew my background… foster care, molestation, violence and death, and being a single mom. At first I told them I had been asked that before and thought on it. All I could say was because of God! He has made HImself present all throughout my life. He has proven Himself true and faithful many times over.

Later at home, while I was praying on the question what makes me believe in Him and makes Him trustworthy,  I was doing my devotion. God made it clear He was answering the question as He had me open to

Mem: Psalm 119:97-104.

O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

I’ve never really wanted to come across as arrogant in saying such things as… wiser than mine enemies, more than my teacher, or more than my ancients, but the Lord Himself was pointing out to me this particular moment that He WAS being specific in that while my enemies were and are ever with me, that His word gave me the wisdom to be wise in how I conducted myself to survive them and to live despite them. He gave me understanding to help me see while some teachers meant well, that HE was my teacher in appropriate living, and the discretion to simply grow quietly with Him. And He protected me from the misconceptions and family cycles of the ancients of my growing up (aka ancestors or elders), and through His precepts gave me understanding that preserved my soul, my thinking, and my life. Because I sought to know Him, His word, and His commandments… to know His will in my life… He has used wisdom, understanding, discernment, knowledge, His testimony, His judgment, and everything about HIM to personally be my teacher, my guide, my God. And I love everything about Him and His word! That is how I came to firmly believe in Him, and wholeheartedly trust Him and His Holy word. And I still do. 🙂

And you know, after I sent that message to my friend, the Lord allowed me to see the 98th verse anew.

Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies:
for they are ever with me.”

He allowed me to see His commandments as ever being with me, instead of my enemies. 🙂 What a loving teacher He is!

Nominees:
Caz of Invisibly Me
Caralyn of Beauty Beyond Bones
Wendi of Simply Chronically Ill
Roxy of RTW Roxy
Liz of Despite Pain
Efua of Grace Over Pain
Brenda of Becoming His Tapestry
Maxine of Heaven’s Reef
Margaret of The Word
Tosin of Alethea’s Mind
Carlos of 100% Jesus
LaBranda of My Thoughts Exactly
T.R. of Inside Cup
Hazel of Pure Glory
Andrea of Thriving Under Pressure

Congratulations to the nominees! Please don’t feel obligated to participate. I know some of you do not accept awards on the professional level of your blogs, but I wanted to recognize your blog,

Heard From The First Day!

“Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel:
for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand,
and to chasten thyself before thy God,
thy words were heard,
and I am come for thy words.”
– Daniel 10:12 KJV

My God loves me! ❤
He has known my heart from the 1st day!! 😍
And has heard EVERY WORD! 🥰
He knows how to melt my heart… like no one else! 😭

We Learn The Hard Way

O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments!
then had thy peace been as a river,
and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.
– Isaiah 48:18 KJV

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

It Is Well hymn lyrics by Horatio G. Spafford 1873

Sometimes it takes the hard way to get through to us, but I thank You, Lord God, for being a loving, patient, merciful Father who is also an ever present help in time of need! Your silent presence speaks volumes! ❤ Peace like a river! ❤ I love You!

Though He Were A Son

“And he taketh with him Peter and James and John,
and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
And saith unto them,
My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death:
tarry ye here, and watch.”
– Mark 14:33-34 KJV

“Who in the days of his flesh,
when he had offered up prayers and supplications
with strong crying and tears
unto him that was able to save him from death,

and was heard in that he feared;
Though he were a Son,
yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
And being made perfect,
he became the author of eternal salvation
unto all them that obey him;
Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.”
– Hebrews 5:7-10 KJV