Abiding in Him: A Life Together in Ministry ~ New Book by Barry and Bettie Gilbert & GIVEAWAY!

 On March 22, 2018, I published an "Inner Views" interview on this blog with the following words, 

"In this amazing and wonderful world of blogging, I often forget exactly how I came across another blogger and how God orchestrated the details to weave their presence into my life. I usually only remember how dear they have become to my heart over the past several years, and I praise God for allowing our paths to cross and for the encouragement they are to me. Such is the case with the precious woman of God I am interviewing today. Her beautiful blog is chock full of Godly wisdom, profound Biblical teaching, and deep spiritual insight. Her physical suffering continually produces the fruit of Godliness in her life, and the sweet-smelling fragrance of its effects pours out to bless every other life she touches. I am so honored and blessed to call her friend and to share her inner views with you here."

"Dear Old Days"

 "Thus saith the LORD, 'Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.'" Jeremiah 6:16

Does anyone else miss the good old days—back when life was simpler and people were kinder and more God-fearing? I think the older we get, the more we think about those carefree days of childhood when we were home under the umbrella of our parents' love. Nostalgia becomes more a part of us as conditions in our current world become more and more upside down, and we miss the normalcy and decency of days gone by.

"Coal Miner's Daughter" ~ My Tribute to Loretta Lynn

" Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Jesus
Matthew 5:4

My earliest memory of Loretta Lynn was when I was somewhere around four years old. My Daddy was working as a "jack-of-all-trades" maintenance man for a place called Huber Management, and somehow, one of the perks of his job was for us to get to live in an old, white two-story farmhouse at the end of a long lane in Englewood, Ohio. I can still see the outbuilding out back where I would play church with my dolls and stuffed animals, and the barn where my nephew, Brian, who was just 14 months younger than me, got paint in his eye. Lots and lots of memories in that place, but one that came to mind today stands out above the rest.

Congratulations to the Two Giveaway Winners!

"As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country."
Proverbs 25:25

Tonight, I had Zach use the Wheel Spinner to determine who won the t-shirt giveaway!

T-Shirt #1

T-shirt #2

The first winner chosen by the Wheel Spinner was Commenter #3 - Ashley, and the second winner chosen was commenter #8 - also named Ashley!

💜💜💜CONGRATULATIONS to both winners!!💜💜💜

Please contact me as soon as possible at homespundevotions@gmail.com, so I can clarify which of you may be willing to take the #1 t-shirt (you both chose #2!) and also to give me your mailing information. We will get your t-shirts in the mail to you right away!

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway!

Many blessings to all.

"My Tennessee Mountain Home"

 "Live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you." 2 Corinthians 13:11

Both the lyrics and the music to the song "My Tennessee Mountain Home" were written by Dolly Parton and released on April 2, 1973, when I was six years old. I don't remember the first time I heard it, but I imagine I was probably riding in the car with Mom listening to David G. McFarland's radio show on WONE as she drove me to school. Come to think of it, David was likely the one who introduced me to so many of the country songs that remain special to my heart to this day, and though I never met him, his work as a DJ helped to foster a dream in me to sing those songs. It did my heart good to find out recently that he was inducted into the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame. No one ever deserved it more.

Hearing just one chord of the intro of one of those songs from my childhood can instantly propel me back to bouncing along with Mom in our old Plymouth Duster that was in dire need of new shock absorbers. Those are some precious memories and the "Good Old Days When Times Were Bad" (another favorite Dolly Parton song).

I grew up hearing "My Tennessee Mountain Home" often, and my love for it deepened over the years as it reminded me of my Daddy's upbringing in Athens, Tennessee, just about 100 miles southwest of where Dolly was born and raised. 

To say Dad was raised poor is surely an understatement.

A Fun GIVEAWAY!

 "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:10

I love supporting small businesses, and I especially love supporting small businesses that are owned by fellow Christians. Today, I am sharing a giveaway of two products that come from such a business, owned by Mennonite wife and mother, Megan Fox. You can find Megan's YouTube channel here and her product line here.

"By the Mark"

"And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”
Luke 24:38-39

Years ago, Kevin and I came across the music of Gillian Welch, and I quickly became a fan of a song she co-wrote with David Rawlings called "By the Mark." The song is about the scars on Jesus' hands and feet, and it drew me in the first time I heard it. Fast forward to 2020 when two dear friends, Pat and Chuck, and I started a band called "Mountain Hope." I soon found out that they, too, are fans of Gillian's music and also love the song, "By the Mark." We added it to our repertoire right away, and Chuck and I have been singing it together ever since.