Thank You! ~ Guest Post by Martha Orlando

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"These are the times that try men’s souls." 

Thomas Paine

How are you faring in these unprecedented times?  How are you feeling?  What are you thinking?  How are you coping?

My husband, Danny, and I, because of his preexisting heart troubles, and because of our age, decide it’s best for us to shelter in place until the all clear is given.  In our state of Georgia, that will be in mid-June.  Oh, how far away that seems!!!

Being an introvert and an optimist, I have weathered this confinement fairly well.  I pray for those who are ill and those on the front lines keeping us safe, as well as our leaders, those in essential jobs, and those who have, tragically, lost their jobs due to this pandemic.  I also follow the news as best I can; I want to keep up-to-date with all the developments both in our nation and around the world.

Yes, in spite of all the trials and uncertainties swirling around us, the Lord has seen fit to keep my hopes and my spirits high.

Until the other day . . .

It starts with an unwelcomed feeling of restlessness.  I am distracted, finding it difficult to focus on the tasks at hand.  And as the day drags on, a dark and ominous cloud of sadness descends upon me.  I am being swept into a vortex of self-pity, wishing things were different, missing my daughter and her family with a vengeance, resentful that we cannot go see them, sorrowful that I can’t even pay my elderly mother a visit, lest I were to put her in danger.  My very soul is being tried!

Desperate for relief, I retreat to our deck, my place to go when my heart and mind are troubled.  

“Oh, Lord!  Forgive me for this pity party I’m hosting,” I pray through my tears. 

“I’m miserable, Father.  Please, please release me from it.  Show me what to do!”

And in the immediate silence that follows, I hear these words:  

"Be grateful!"

Like that unexpected moment when a ray of sunshine peeks through a break in the gloomy clouds, offering hope, I literally feel the weight of the burden I am bearing, float up and away from me.  In its place, a quiet joy.  A peace that passes all understanding.

“Thank you,” I whisper to the One who sees and knows, who cares and heals, who loves beyond measure.

  “Thank you.”

Since that miraculous touch of God on my spirit, I have promised Him that I would go back to a practice I followed for many years, and don’t really know why I quit.  It’s keeping a daily gratitude journal.  Have you ever done this?  There are no blessings too small to appreciate and recount in writing them down.  And once you begin, it becomes impossible NOT to see God’s gracious hand at work in your life.

So however blue, or frustrated, or out-of-patience you may be feeling at this moment in time, look around you.  Find something in your life right now for which you can be grateful.

And be sure to tell the Father, “Thank you!”

Amen!

Bio:  Martha Jane Orlando is a retired teacher, who resides in Kennesaw, Georgia, with her husband, Danny.  They love that their home is nestled in a forest; difficult to find in urban communities, so it is appreciated as a special blessing.  Martha is a published author, and invites you to plunge into the life-changing adventures of ten-year-old Davy in The Glade Series and Adventures in The Glade.  Please check out her novels at her author’s website, and consider ordering them for you or a loved one.  We have to keep inspired and filled with hope, don’t we?  And these reads are sure to do just that.  Martha Jane hopes that you will also consider following her bi-weekly blog, Meditations of My Heart, where she meets the miraculous in the mundane, and hopes you will, too!

What a wonderful, encouraging reminder to keep grateful, even in the midst of these trying times!

I am ever so thankful for each one of these posts of encouragement during the coronavirus, and I hope they have been as big a blessing to you as they have been to me.

Keep the faith, dear friends, and stay healthy and safe!
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Living in His Word and Engaging in His Gifts ~ Guest Post by Jemma OIson

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

NOTE:  ALL of the lovely Scripture art in this post was created by Jemma!

Such a wonderful blessing and compliment to her beautiful writing!

Thank you, Cheryl, for this opportunity to share a part of my heart on "Living in His Word."

Cheryl and I are longtime blogging friends. Cheryl’s steadfast testimony and love of the Lord enriches the lives of so many of us. So, when Cheryl invited me to share my personal story on how I am coping with the season of the 2020 pandemic and what it is that is keeping me encouraged, I felt a calling to share my faith with you.

I have good news to share with each one of you today. If you are reading this then we are already brothers and sisters in Christ! So, hello and thank you for taking a moment to read how I fill up my cup through faith.

You see, I have what I call a "tool belt" of faith. It is loaded down with tools of inspiration and tried and true coping skills that I use daily. Today, I am going to share three of my tools with you and how it all began.

It was along the banks of the rushing Snake River where my Mother and Father began their farming journey. Mother and Father were hard working farmers in rural Idaho with tool belts of their own, both figuratively and literally. These two precious souls have always been the early foundation of my faith. They led their lives by example and hard work under the blue skies of the West. Mama and Dad instilled in me that God is present in every plant that grows and every pink sunrise and that the bounty of the harvest was because of Him.  It was this firm foundation, combined with Church service, Sunday School, Youth Group, and Mama’s general daily dose of living in the Word that has lived in my heart for 63 years. My heart overflows with love and gratitude for these two.

We all know that life is never easy, but God is always present. 

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

I have survived cancer, sent my Sister, Dad, and Mom to heaven and navigated through verbal and emotional abuse that ended in divorce.

Through all of these heartbreaks and life lessons, I have never ever gone through life alone. I may have felt lonely, but I was never abandoned. I receive great comfort in knowing that I have my Heavenly Father to walk with.

So as God walks right beside me and teaches me (and I am not an easy gal to teach…I am stubborn!)  I am sharing with you three handy dandy life skills that I tuck in what I call my "tool belt" for life.

1. Living in His Word daily and staying out of the world.

I am going to share one of my Mama’s favorite scriptures today.

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15

This is the first tool in my Christian tool belt; stay in the Word daily and out of the world. I was too gullible in my early years and I pretty much believed what everyone told me, I just couldn’t fathom why folks would have an agenda that wasn’t for the betterment of mankind. In our tiny farming family, it was all for one and one for all. We were a small but collective group of farmers who loved Jesus and tended to business. I have since learned that not everyone we meet, not everything we read, not everything we see is for our good. We have one true playbook for life and that is the Bible. By staying in the Word and out of the world, I guard my heart and mind from the evil that lurks around us.

I believe the Bible is as relevant today as at any time throughout history. I believe it was written by divine inspiration and that Jesus is the Messiah. 

When I focus on what I know to be true, humanity cannot permeate the love of Jesus and His perfect plan for each one of us. He really does have us covered!

2. Remain Steadfast in Daily Routines and Prayer

    

"Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life." Psalm 143:8  

Daily routines and spending time with the Lord are essential for me. My mind remains clear and my heart remains open to receive goodness and the truth. Of course, it can vary some each day, depending upon family needs. The good news is that God knows my heart and intentions; He will cut me some slack and values quality over quantity!

So, when the pandemic first began to get really noticed, two of my children and their families and myself had just met for a family ski trip in Vail, Colorado. Needless to say, all routines had gone out the door and my quiet reflective devotionals had, too. We were scrambling to gather everyone up, checking into the resort… then as fast as we arrived, the trip was cut short because the ski resort shut down due to the pandemic scare.  We hurriedly put one family on a plane, loaded up SUV’s, and sent another family back to Texas. I headed back down from the mountains to Colorado Springs.

 Once I arrived home, my husband helped to unload the SUV, and I headed straight for the grocery store…that had been wiped out of nearly everything. I felt I was spinning out of control, and I felt sick at heart.  I reined myself in, purchased what I could, went home, prayed, and began resuming my daily routines. God was waiting for me with His unfailing love!

3. Engaging in His Gifts.

"I Come to The Garden Alone," my favorite hymn and my sweet Mama’s, too.

“I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses, 

And the voice I hear falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses.

 And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own; 

And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.” 

C. Austin Miles 

It is no accident that I not only love to garden, but I also enjoy spending time in the garden. This is one of the gifts that the Lord has placed on my heart and in my soul.

As a nature lover and avid gardener, I see the beauty, power, strength, and love of the Lord in everything He created. 

I see His perfect plan in the mountains, pines, flowers, and birds, and I know in my heart that He truly has the whole world in His hands. This is the gift that our sweet Lord gave to my parents as they worked their wheat fields of gold. Figuratively speaking, this was their garden, and now I have mine. 

There in the garden of Gethsemane Jesus sought much-need comfort and solace with His Father in a time of pain and sadness. Today our world hurts, our fellow citizens are afraid—some lonely, some sick. My prayer today is for full healing for our world and for all of Christ’s people.

Bio:  I'm Jemma, a homemaker and a long time home-style crafter, gardener, cook, wife and Mom.

I blog at At Home with Jemma where you will find a collection of crafts, decorating ideas, recipes, gardening tips, and articles on living with Faith, mindfulness and creativity. 

I share valuable methods for creating the home that you will love. My focus is on incorporating a positive mindset into daily living, combined with a dash of organization and a pinch of humor and of course crafty goodness!

Such beautiful, sweet encouragement for our souls from dear Jemma!  Please visit her beautiful blog and subscribe!  You can also connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.  I was so blessed and encouraged today and by all of the other wonderful posts of encouragment that have been shared.  I want to say another public thank you to ALL of the faithful ones who have encouraged us during this trying time.  God has surely used each and every post to minister healing and solace to our hearts.

How are YOU coping with the pandemic, dear reader?  How is your faith in God sustaining you through it all?  Will you prayerfully consider writing an article of encouragement to share?  We are continuing to open up our platform here to spread more good news and messages of hope and peace!  Please let us hear from you!  Just send your article to homespundevotions@gmail.com.  We hope to hear from you soon!

And, now for Jemma's and her Mama's favorite hymn.


In the Garden ~ Alan Jackson

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Bringing Back Family Time ~ Guest Post by Ang Specht

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"

Micah 6:8

When the country shut down over this virus, I can't say that I was surprised. I've spent my whole life preparing for a moment like this. I won't go into the why's, because that's a whole other issue, but I am grateful that we were able to be prepared.

I live on a dirt road, out in the middle of nowhere. My town is so small that there isn't even a traffic light. From what I'm reading on the internet, we weren't affected like most other places. I've heard stories from friends where they ran out of food in the stores, had to wait in long lines just to get IN to a store, and basically had their whole lives shut down. We are a self-employed, homeschooling family in a very remote area, so honestly, life has gone on as usual. The only change we have seen is that we had a couple appointments rescheduled. We are still schooling, still working from home, and never really went anywhere, anyways. However, it IS a serious matter, to see the rest of the country shut down, because that does affect us, eventually.

To get us through the negative times, we have been praying Psalms during our devotion times, as a protection over our home. We have told the children to pray for our country, and used this as a time to teach them how to be prepared for such an occasion; and how to handle it. Being homeschooled, they have learned all the history about previous times like this, so it wasn't a complete shock to them that it could happen. We show them it's how you handle it that matters. First, begin with prayer. Then, reach out to others to see who needs what. Those are the two best things we can do, in my opinion. You don't have to look very far to see that there are people who are suffering because they can't buy diapers or groceries. This is such a perfect time to give what you can. Rather than feeding into the political spatting going on, we look for people we can help, regardless of their political beliefs. This teaches the kids that there are no restrictions when loving your neighbor. You help where you can. You show them the love of Jesus through that help.

As I stated, we never really go anywhere, but my husband and I would go on "dates" to the store for whatever we needed. Of course we still have to go to the store, but our dates, for now, have morphed into a cup of coffee and an audio book. Or a game of Scrabble. Or a walk. We have always been a tight-knit family, doing things together, so this isn't a new idea for us, but I have tried to pass that idea on to others, to spend this time at home doing things as a family. Just last night we had 2 banjos, 2 guitars, and a harmonica going in our living room. :) Most families don't have that extra time for things like that, so now is the perfect time to enjoy an activity like that. Board games, reading out loud, sharing stories, gardening, going for walks... the Lord is very pleased when we spend our "leisure" time doing wholesome things like this, and what better time to do it than when you're locked down at home? These moments at home should be looked at as gifts from God that you may not have otherwise had. Spend them doing something meaningful with your family! :)

One thing we like to do is watch all the different birds that flock to our home. If we see a new one, we get out our bird book and try to identify it. We always have a new project going on--building a new chicken coop, starting plants indoors to later transfer to the garden, learning a new song on an instrument, I have one son building a forge and another who just made maple syrup all on his own. They all go for bike rides or play in the creek. It's a great time to try a new recipe as a family or learn a new craft.

I think that's what I am trying to spread to others is the idea of family. You can prepare for times like these as a family by raising your own food and canning it, or maybe clipping coupons and teaching them how to budget and store up a small supply of necessities. And then when that moment hits and your world is changed; first pray; then act as a family. Don't panic. Just trust God and teach your children the proper things to do. Remain a steadfast family together. The family structure in America is quickly disappearing; but when your world crashes down, the one thing you should have is family. If you haven't been blessed to be raised up in a godly family structure, then be the beginning of it and start NOW. There's nothing that God won't use for His good, and I'd say Americans coming together as a family unit again is a HUGE blessing. Imagine the changes for the good if that continued. He knows what He's doing. Embrace your family in this time that the Lord has entrusted you with. :)

God's sign of hope in a grocery store window near Ang's home.

Bio:  Ang is a stay-at-home-mom who homeschools three boys and one little girl. She has her CDL, but currently stays home and make things like soap, lip balm, etc. and keeps pretty low-key. She loves summer, sitting on her front porch, laughing, happiness, etc. She is a Christian and truly enjoys the very little things in life.  She blogs at Just A Country Girl.  You can also find her at her Etsy Shop, where you will find her handmade, rustic, shabby, holistic, natural items for sale.

Please stop by and subscribe to Ang's Blog and check out her handmade treasures in her Etsy Shop!  She is a sweet personal friend of mine ~ we met through blogging several years ago, and she is a real blessing in my life.  I love Ang's strong sense of motherhood and family and so enjoy reading her blog and hearing all about her homesteading and family times.  I am so grateful for Ang and all of the other guests and friends who have shared such precious encouragement here during this crazy time in our world.  

Speaking of family and dirt roads, here are a couple of my favorite songs about home.

Almost Home ~ Craig Morgan


Home ~ Joe Diffie

(I can't believe Joe Diffie is gone.  
He died way too soon from the dreadful Covid- 19 on March 29th.  
May he rest in peace.)

One of the blessings mixed in with all the current pain is that everyone has been staying home more.  I pray our appreciation of our families and our homes will grow ever more dear to us in these troubled times.

God is with us still.

Finding Peace in the Middle of the Coronavirus Storm ~ Guest Post by Ana Maria Blevins

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Psalm 46:1

Photo by Martha Dominguez de Gouveia

We ended up in the ICU with one of our children during the Coronavirus lock down. The week before, I had been having rapid heartbeat and chest pain as the spread of corona virus disease and failing economies were becoming a daily reality.  

I knew God was in control and hard times would come, and that even at the end of the world, Jesus Christ said there would be calamities. But facing a worldwide pandemic and the response that has isolated everyone in their home and brought nations’ economies down to their knees was overwhelming and felt kind of like a sucker punch. If I, a believer in the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the Bible, and the God who has all power and authority have been shaken, I can only imagine how those who have no connection to eternity are feeling.

In the midst of this wave of ominous fear and uncertainty, we went into the epicenter—the center of healing—the hospital. We were assumed positive of the Covid-19 virus until negative test results could be obtained, and we were quarantined in an ICU unit that had negative pressure. The air we used was removed from the building as if we had something very dangerous and very contagious. 

Our guide on this journey into the epicenter was a most considerate, diplomatic, and professional nurse, named Phillip. He guided us into using the very stringent protocols, understanding our roles in health safety and recognizing our rights, as well. He was seasoned and extremely knowledgeable, and yet, very gentle. So, did God put an angel named Philip there for our child and for me? Surely He did! 

We could not leave the room, except once to get my medicine from my car in the parking garage. We had to observe the strictest measures. I had to stay donned, with the gown, mask, and eventually a face shield and gloves. If I pulled a curtain around my child and I was outside of the curtain, then I could take off my personal protective equipment, (PPE). 

We tried to visualize that my child was disseminating viruses, or more helpfully, “glitter.” The glitter was all over her, and we had to not allow the glitter to get on me or the staff. I could only take off my mask to eat and drink. If I wanted to talk to the staff, I would signal to them through the glass wall, and they would slide the door open. I had to stand on a certain square to assure that I was six feet away from the opening. Someone had to observe me when I left the room as I followed explicit guidelines on doffing or removing my PPE. The bathroom held the room’s cleaning supplies, which weren’t allowed to leave that ICU room. The last day we were there the guidelines had become even stricter, and we tried to keep up with the changes.

So, Phillip guided us as we experienced what it was like to be considered dangerously contagious. We got to see firsthand how somebody feels who has a microbe that can imperil the people around them. We also got to see how well-staffed the hospital personnel were, how caring, and how responsive. We were thrilled to learn that our hospital had developed its own Covid-19 test, and our child was a grateful recipient. 

Many hospitals are developing their own tests, so our Arts and Technology nonprofit rejoices in this initiative and success! Our test results came back negative right before surgery, so we were allowed to step down from the world of high alert pandemic protocols to the everyday protocols with our garden-variety microbes. What a relief. Our doctors and nurses were amazingly reassuring and comforting. God took us into the center of the storm, and we were so blessed to feel His presence and to see Him moving through other caring and dedicated professionals who have studied and trained to care for people. 

Coming home after the hospitalization of our child, I no longer had chest pain nor a rapid heartbeat. I can empathize with so many people who have been completely rattled and are having to face our mortality, from which our modern world has been removed in many ways. In spite of the invisible ban or spirit of the age that has directed people not to take faith seriously and not to consider eternity, the spiritual climate has really changed. 

Uncertainty rules, and this storm is revealing how strong of a foundation our individual houses, our lives, are built on. Praying that we will build our house on the rock, the rock of Christ and faith in God, the God of the Bible. And if we have built our house on a shifting foundation, that we will get up and move and relocate very quickly and build a new house on the solid rock, Jesus Christ! He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is Love, and He never changes. 

Ask Him to come live in your heart today!

Bio:  Ana Maria Salinas Blevins is the wife and teammate of Lyle Blevins. They have six other teammates whom they birthed and who make up their FamDream Team.
Lyle and Ana Maria enjoy faith, the Arts and Technology, and love to see hearts touched and transformed by God’s love. They have home-educated for 30 years, teaching Spanish, Robotics, and Music. They like to encourage parents who are in the middle of the journey with the vision of "Empowering tomorrow's professionals in a faith-based arts and technology community."  Families can do amazing things!

I am so thankful my dear, sweet friend, Ana Maria, shared her heart with us here.  She and I have been friends for years and served together as prayer action leaders for Concerned Women for America.  Her heart for God is precious, and she will forever be dear to my heart.

Holding Nothing Back ~ Ryan Stevenson

Ana Maria's testimony gave us a glimpse into what it is like for those who are hospitalized during this fearful time.  Let's keep praying for all who are being affected by the pandemic.  I must say, I am not so sure it is a good idea to open things up quite yet, but who am I to say?  GOD is ultimately in control of all of our lives, and the best thing we can do is put our lives totally in His hands and trust Him with all our hearts.  Keep looking up!

Calmly Trusting Our Shepherd ~ Guest Post by Laura Lane

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

John 14:27

Photo by Rod Long

Dear friends,

 They are all looking at you—looking at me. They're watching to see what we do, what we say, whether we are stressed, or whether we are peaceful. Many people are watching to see if this Jesus thing is real to us. Family, friends, strangers, co-workers are all watching. So, is this Jesus thing real to you?

 When you face a crisis of any kind, first words matter. Are your words of hope? Of fear? Of thankfulness and praise to God? Of despair? Only you can control what comes out first and what comes out most often. Others will use your reaction to judge Christianity and God. Make sure that your first words and all words are life, hope, peace, and joy.  When we are pressed, we are not crushed. We have a father God who loves us and provides what we need and heals us. Do we believe that?  I do. 

  I am an older woman. I've had years of experience with hard times both financial and health challenges. That's an advantage I have over many who are facing their first big challenges with this Covid-19 threat. 

 I've seen God provide when my husband's income was cut in half, because the company no longer wished to pay his salary. He was forced to quit. I've seen God supply when we had a long period of unemployment when my children were little. I've seen God supply when we closed a business and didn't have income for four months while my husband was looking for a position. God always supplies our needs. I've learned to pray and trust him. The trick is to do it without worrying. There's a lot of scripture about that. ~smile~

 God has brought me through pneumonia three times, two of which I was hospitalized. He's brought me through more surgeries than most families have had in total. Lately, he's brought me through breast cancer. I have evidence that Holy Spirit will never leave me nor forsake me. I just have to keep paying attention and praying and praising and worshiping. My faith has been deepened by the numerous trials in my life. I have been refined. 

 We're all dealing with the virus in one way or another. I encourage you to speak life, speak truth, speak hope, speak faith, speak the Word of God. Now is a time to draw closer to Him, and He will draw closer to you.

 Keep calm and pray on!

 Laura Lane

Bio:  Laura married her high school sweetheart thirty-three years ago. You might say they're going steady permanently.  She makes her home in Carthage, Missouri and has four adult children. Two of her daughters live at home and attend college in the next town over. She met Jesus when she was fifteen, and her life has never been the same. She enjoys writing, knitting, sewing, quilting, crocheting, baking, cooking, making jam, and making soup. Her recipes have been included in Gooseberry Patch's Hometown Christmas, Grilling and Campfire Cooking, and Secrets from Grandma's Kitchen.  

Laura is the author of Harvest Lane Cottage where she writes about encouraging others in their faith in Jesus, homemaking, books, and thrifty living. She is a breast cancer survivor since 2017.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Laura's Blog has been a source of comfort and encouragement to so many for so long.  She is truly an inspiration to us all!  I hope you will stop by and visit her!

Leeland ~ Waymaker

May the Lord draw each one of us closer to His side.  May we turn to our Shepherd in every moment of fear, anxiety, and worry.  Truly He is our only hope.  As Laura's testimony proves, He is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother, and He never fails.

Keep your eyes on Him.

What Are You Doing, God? ~ Guest Post by Gentle Joy

 "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee."

Psalm 56:3

    We are living in a time of uncertainty and confusion that goes way beyond anything most of us have ever seen before. The news is grim, the attitudes of many people are hateful and frantic, businesses are closed, jobs lost, and the threat of sickness hovers. Then there are the words of those wondering what is really going on in our world.  Is someone at fault? Will our freedoms be lost forever? And more….   So many reasons to fear and panic as we wonder what the truth is, will things ever get back to normal, and will we lose someone we love?

    Years ago, our 2nd son was born with medical problems. It was a time of great fear as his life hung in the balance.  There was much uncertainty as we learned to trust God in a new way, and those lessons have continued. With six kids, four of them boys, there were many times of fear as someone did something daring and got hurt in some little or big accident that happened. Though I tried to control things so that no one ever got hurt, that just didn’t work because sometimes kids fall off bikes or do things that don’t turn out as they expected. God was teaching me more ways to trust Him even as I was teaching my kids to be wiser.

   In the last couple of years, life has presented further challenges that severely tested us, and I thought at times there was no way through it. Much of that is still a day to day walk in unknown territory and again, God is teaching us to trust. More recently, we had a big unpleasant surprise bill after my husband’s retirement said they overpaid him and that we would also lose many thousands in all future checks. After we figured out it was for real, the panic set in, as we live our frugal lives and don’t have lots extra. 

We quickly started selling what we could to pay the mortgage payment and cut costs where possible.  We were still waiting for word on that when the coronavirus stuff happened. I sell things in two shops in antique malls and was able to help make the house payment with help from our kids and others, also.  Then my husband was laid off from his current job because of the coronavirus crisis. My shops also had to close. 

Hmmm… what to do? Fear?  Panic?  Yes, those certainly visited, but God is again teaching us to trust Him, and we are.   Over the years, God has shown Himself utterly faithful in every situation, and my faith has grown more and more, sometimes quite painfully.

Many years ago, I was a college student working to finish my degree in Elementary Education.  I also worked several hours a week to help pay college expenses. Knowing I would have six weeks of student teaching at a school quite a ways away, I saved as much money as I could from the little I made, to pay for gas, food, and other expenses for those six weeks. I was thankful I had been able to save $200 and figured that would be plenty if I was careful with it. Saving that much was a big relief to me, and I felt all ready to do the time of teaching, though I was still nervous to face the new responsibility.

   Just before the six weeks started, the brakes on my little blue Chevette gave out and had to be fixed. The bill came to $200! Not $199.95 or $210, but EXACTLY $200, which was what I had saved and was counting on. It felt like God was saying to me, I want you to trust ME not your own plans, and it was a lesson that has stuck with me.  It was also a lesson I have been reminded of many times in life, though it wasn’t a lesson I only had to learn once. Sigh….  God has reinforced it many times.  I did get through the student teaching just fine and don’t remember the details of how, making me wish I had recorded the ways God provided at that time.  I do better at doing that now. 

 So, here we are in this current frightening time, and all of those lessons over the years are bearing fruit. We are trusting God and reminding each other to do so, though we have to adjust our thoughts sometimes, also. God is always faithful, and He has our future all mapped out, with reasons for what He allows. 

   In this current time of owing the retirement company money, having many thousands less a year of retirement payments, losing my husband’s salary, losing my ability to sell in the shops or on Craigslist, and yet still having bills coming in, we came up with a plan. We decided to reduce our living expenses even more and get a big garden planted which we have started.  We are keeping lights minimal, plan to dry some laundry outside, do canning this summer, and lots more. We are counting on our peach trees, apple tree, blueberry bushes, eggs from our ducks, herbs, and more. Then today,  after many days of beautiful spring weather, we are getting an ice storm, everything is coated in ice, and it is below freezing.  Another blow…. and we wonder, What are you doing, God? You know we love You and are trusting You. Why is life so hard?

In my thoughts I hear those words from long ago, “I want you to trust ME, not your own plans.”  As my husband and I walked to view the damage so far, we hugged and were reminded that God has a plan, and we need to trust Him. His plans are perfect. He is my hope, my strength, my strong tower, and though I am weak and can panic or worry, He lovingly draws my attention back to His promises. It is amazing that when I affirm my love for Him in thankfulness, when I focus on the blessings He gives, and trust Him, those doubts and fears are not nearly so big.  I continue to grow and am so thankful for His lessons for me, although I would not want to go through them a second time!   

“Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”  Job 13:15

   So, in the midst of more trouble, I am reminded that we are to put on the whole armour of God. The attacks of the enemy will come, but we can walk in belief and trust in the goodness of our God, knowing that He has a plan for our life. If bad things come, He will walk through them with us and give us strength.  God is good, and His ways are perfect. 

I am also reminded that this world is not my home, and I have a home waiting in heaven. Many do not know Him and don’t have that home waiting.  I am truly blessed, and my heart aches for them.  

It is good to give thanks to the Lord. 

Gentle Joy's Bio:  

I am a Christian wife and recently "retired" homeschooling mom after homeschooling all six of our kids k-12. (Does a homeschooling teacher ever REALLY retire?)  I write two blogs about herbs, gardening, recipes, health and nutrition, saving money, projects, topics to inspire and make us think, photography, and more. I love the Lord and He is continuing to teach me and help me to grow in my walk with Him.

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You can find Gentle Joy's homemaking blog at Gentle Joy Homemaker, and you can visit her photography blog at Gentle Joy Photography where you will find beautiful photos like the ones included in this post.  I hope you can take the time to stop by and visit her and subscribe to her posts! Each one is packed with Godly wisdom.

Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer ~ Keith & Kristyn Getty

I love hearing these stories and testimonies of how God delivered and provided and brought His children through.  Revelation 12:11 says, "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony."  There is great power in telling what God has done for us, and it brings much-needed encouragement to others, especially in these trying times.  

We would love to hear your testimony of God's goodness, too!  If you would like to share in this series of posts of encouragement, please email your submission to homespundevotions@gmail.com.  

Someone needs to hear your story.  We hope to hear from you!

Keep looking up!

A Biblical Prescription for Troubled Times ~ Guest Post by Annie Dahlin

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.  The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Philippians 4:4-8

Photo by Aaron Burden

I have always been a bit of a worrier.  If there were a queen of worry, I’d probably be it.  Even before COVID-19 completely turned our world upside down there was plenty I was tempted to worry about.  All of us have been affected by COVID-19 in one way or another.  If you have been feeling anxious and worried during this crazy time, you are not alone, sweet friend. 

During my morning quiet times I had been praying for the Lord to help me conquer my worry and anxiety.  I know He tells us not to worry and be anxious, but I was really struggling with how to put that into practice.  I started reading verses in scripture about worry and anxiety and there are quite a few.  Even in the Psalms we are told not to fret.  In 2 Corinthians 10:5 we are told to take every thought captive.  But HOW do we control our anxious thoughts when they are are running around in our head like a pack of wild hyenas that can’t be tamed?! Philippians 4:4-8 tells us! 

First, we are told to rejoice. And not only are we to rejoice, we are to rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS.  It doesn’t say rejoice in the Lord only when times are good.  We are to rejoice when things are hard.  I know for me, when I choose to rejoice and focus on all the Lord has done for me, even when times are hard, it helps my heart to not be so anxious.  

Second, we are told to pray and pray with thanksgiving.   God wants us to bring our worries and troubles to Him.  He wants us to come to Him with our needs.  But we are to come to Him with grateful hearts for all He has already done for us.  I know for me, when I am focusing on all the things the Lord has done for me and given me, my anxious heart starts to calm down.  When we bring our worried hearts to the Lord in prayer and thanksgiving, He calms our fears and gives us peace.  He doesn’t promise to take away what is troubling us, but He does promise to give us peace and it really is peace that passes all understanding.

Third, we are told to think on what is true.  A sweet friend of mine calls Philippians 4:8 the Bible’s prescription for good mental health, and I couldn’t agree more.  So, what is true?  The Word of God is truth.  We need to be filling our minds with the truth of God’s Word.  If we neglect reading the Bible, then we are leaving our hearts and minds wide open for anything and everything to get inside that might not be true.  

Also, thinking on what is true means we aren’t worrying and fretting about tomorrow.  In Matthew 6:34 Jesus tells us to not be anxious about tomorrow.  Our “what ifs” about tomorrow aren’t true because tomorrow hasn’t come yet.  Today is what is true.  Today is what the Lord gives us grace for, and when tomorrow arrives, He will give us grace for tomorrow.  

Focus on what is true about today.  Today all the bills are paid, today we have a roof over our heads, today we have plenty of food in the fridge and pantry, today there is gas in the gas tank, today we have our health, etc., etc., etc.,… and tomorrow, if any of those things change, we will bring our need to Him with thanksgiving. 

So, sweet friend, when your heart is anxious, and you feel like your world is caving in I encourage you:

• REJOICE

• PRAY and bring your worries and needs to Him WITH THANKSGIVING. 

• FILL YOUR MIND WITH THE TRUTH of God’s Word and choose to not fret over tomorrow            but focus on and be thankful for today.     

Let the peace of God which passes all understanding guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. 

Love,

Annie 

Verses to meditate on when your heart is anxious:

• Matthew 6:25-34

• Psalm 94:19

• Isaiah 41:10

• 1 Peter 5:6-7

• 2 Timothy 1:7

Bio:  I live in beautiful North Idaho with my husband and 10-year-old son.  I love Jesus and am thankful everyday for his grace in my life.  I love the mountains, hiking, camping, gardening and just being outside in general.  When I’m inside I love cooking, baking, sewing, crocheting, blogging and basically anything crafty.  

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Such wonderful, comforting wisdom for us all to apply to our anxious hearts in these distressing times.
Please visit Annie's blog at Growing in Grace where you will find sweet encouragement, recipes, and beautiful stories about Annie's everyday life.  You can also connect with Annie on Instagram.


He Will Hold Me Fast ~ Keith & Kristyn Getty

May the Lord bless each one of you dear readers.

The Lord is Almighty ~ Guest Post by Andy Castro

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1  (KJV)

Just a note from Cheryl before you read Andy's article —

"For years, I have loved and found great comfort in the 91st Psalm.  Especially during this current COVID- 19 pandemic, I have been speaking it over my family and me on a daily basis.  I wrote about it HERE.  Lately, I have been thinking how wonderful it would be to delve into this chapter and write a series on it, breaking it down, verse by verse.  Imagine my surprise when I received an email from a brother in Lord who is a fellow writer on the Free Chapel Writing Team telling me he would like to submit something for this series, and the subject matter is a study he is beginning on Psalm 91!  I was so thrilled and amazed at how God works and orchestrates every detail.  I am so thankful Andy chose to share this with us, and I know it will be a blessing and comfort to you!"

Photo by Sarah Noltner

Strong's Definition of Almighty

Comes from the root word "shâdad"

A primitive root; properly to be burly, that is, (figuratively) powerful (passively impregnable); by implication to ravage: - dead, destroy (-er), oppress, robber, spoil (-er), X utterly, (lay) waste.

I love the definition of the word "Almighty."

It doesn't give way to making our God sound weak.

I need God to be "Almighty" in my daily life.

I am comforted with the reality of God's ability to be powerful and cause severe and extensive damage to our enemies.

One thing about the Father is He repeats Himself in the Bible. He doesn't slack, reminding us of His absolute dominance.
For instance, Psalm 27:1-2. (AMP)
"The Lord is my light and my salvation— Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the refuge and fortress of my life— Whom shall I dread? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell."

This scripture tells me our enemies don't have a chance against our God.

Jesus had something to say about God's power in John 15:5 (AMP).
"I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing."

"Apart from Me, you can do nothing." Let that sink in a little bit. 

Of course, this also means the enemy can do nothing apart from God.

Where does this information put us in the grand scheme of our life here on earth?

Romans 14:7-8 (AMP) states,
"None of us lives for himself [for his own benefit, but for the Lord], and none of us dies for himself [but for the Lord]. If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. So then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's."

1 Corinthians 7:23 (AMP)backs this up stating;
"You were bought with a price [a precious price paid by Christ]; do not become slaves to men [but to Christ]."

We, as followers of Christ, are to live for Him and Him alone. If we cave in to fear, worry, and dread, we have turned ourselves into the hand of the enemy and walked away from all Jesus has done for us in His death and resurrection. 

Scripture tells us in Romans 8:6 (AMP),
"Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever].

This statement, "But the mind of the Spirit is life and peace" is the kind of experience the Father intended for us to live all along.  If we purposely walk in the Spirit, we can dwell in the secret place of the Most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. If we focus our life on Him, He protects us from those who hate us.

If we can grasp a portion of how mighty God is, we can be secure and rest in Him. We can live a fearless life of peace and walk in the ways of the Lord.

Any time you are facing fear, you have the right to run to the Father and be comforted with the reality of God's ability to be powerful and cause severe and extensive damage to your enemies.

Fear not, for the Lord is "Almighty."

I'm going to sit under Him.

Will you join me?

Andy

Bio: Since recommitting his life to Christ in 2000, God has changed Andy in such a way, he hardly recognizes himself. Andy is a story of God's grace and mercy.

He now writes and speaks as a voice of inspiration to encourage people to "find the call" for their life and to fulfill their God-given purpose. He writes to help you in your pursuit.

You can connect with Andy and reading his writing at Live As If.

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I hope you have a chance to stop by and visit Andy's website!  It is packed with encouragement and spiritual edification.


The God of Angel Armies ~ Chris Tomlin

Continue to dwell in that "secret place" of the Most High, dear friends.

There is no safer place than to abide under the shadow of the Almighty!

What the Pandemic Can Teach Us ~ Guest Post by Deborah Montgomery

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

Psalm 90:12

Source

I wanted to share why I am feeling optimistic during this time of great uncertainty and fear and why I think many good things can come out of this if we pay attention to what the Lord is trying to say to us.

Now, I do not think the Lord caused this pandemic. We live in a broken world and bad things happen when things are broken. We have a very real enemy who loves to kill and to destroy. But the Lord can use what was meant for evil for our good.

Of course, I don’t want in any way to minimize the very real struggles that are going on out there. I don’t want what I’m going to say to sound insensitive to those burdened with sickness, financial insecurity, stress, and isolation.

But I still feel that there is great reason for hope. Here are some of the good things I think can come out of this and we can do.

Trust in the One Who is in control of all things.

Even though we know better, we usually act as if we were in control of our lives and circumstances. We plan and schedule and make lists, and then we go out and try and make things happen. This pandemic is another reminder that there is very little in this life that we can actually control. 

But how comforting to know that the One Who created us has all things in His Hands. We can trust Him. It is a relief to let go of the reins and trust the One Who cares for us and knows the big picture.

Yes, we wash our hands and practice social distancing and act prudently. We don’t shirk our responsibilities and the things that we can do. But we let go of our planning and worrying. We rest.

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."

 Psalm 20:7

Spend more time in prayer and in God’s Word.

Nothing drives us to our knees faster than hard circumstances. After we realize, yet again, that we are not in control, we pray to the One Who is.

Focused, intentional prayer can be hard work. I found that during the first week of isolating at home I was too distracted to pray much. Not really anxious, but scattered. Everything was happening so fast it was hard to settle down. It was easier to sit and distract myself with Instagram, for example. 

But prayer takes us out of ourselves. It grounds us. It causes us to focus on the Lord and His great mercies that are new every morning. It keeps us focused on our neighbors’ needs as we bring each one before our Heavenly Father. It reminds us of our blessings. It is powerful and changes things. It changes us.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:6,7

Reading Scripture is calming. Encouraging. Life-giving. I have to remind myself to open my Bible and not my news feed. One is life-giving, the other can be fear-inducing.

Love our neighbors better.

People are finding new ways to love their neighbors during this pandemic. Calling and checking on each other. Dropping off groceries. Collecting food to donate to those less fortunate. Sewing face masks. Singing out of balconies to cheer each other up. Allowing seniors to shop before everyone else is allowed in the stores.

Even though we have to keep apart, there are so many ways we can love and encourage each other. We’re all in this together, and it’s heartwarming to see stories of neighbors caring for neighbors.

Let’s not forget each other when we’re on the other side of this.

Love our family better.

I know from talking with moms of young children in my church that home life is chaotic at the moment as everyone struggles to find new routines and new ways of living at home together 24/7. Family life can get potentially worse if we spend our time fighting with each other out of frustration. I pray that a spirit of peace and forgiveness and tolerance will descend on families who find themselves in this situation.

I pray we would all feel a real appreciation and deep love for those with whom we live. How when everything else is stripped away we realize that our loved ones at home are more important than anything else. Petty arguments and disagreements fall away as we realize that all we have is each other. An appreciation of sitting down and eating together. The family dinner has almost disappeared in many American homes. What a blessing to everyone if we will all realize the gift of slowing down, looking into each others’ eyes, and listening! Of sharing a simple meal together. We’ve missed so much!

Create a simpler life.

This winter I have been experimenting with putting on false eyelashes. It’s been both fun and frustrating and I’ve probably spent way too much time fussing over this. There’s nothing wrong with this, or with many of the little “fun” things we do day by day. But all of a sudden, false eyelashes are the last thing on my mind, and seem rather silly at this point.

Even though I have lots of time to practice with them now, it seems much more important to call a loved one or to make a batch of homemade soup. Extraneous things become just that.  Life becomes simpler; the important becomes clear.

I feel like I’m thinking like a homesteader. What can I use up in my pantry? How can I make food stretch further? What can I substitute for ingredients I don’t have on hand? I’m finding myself being much more creative and less wasteful and it feels good. We are finding out that we can improvise, cut back, and live much more simply than we have.

Our Western culture is awash in materialism. And I am, myself, much more than I’m willing to admit. Too many material things become a burden and a distraction.

Most people’s lives are so busy. No one has time to stop and smell the proverbial rose. To take a deep breath and think about what really matters. To have margin in their lives. Being forced to slow down, to have our calendars cleared, strips away the unimportant and lets the best things shine forth.

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I don’t think all these good things will automatically happen because of this pandemic. We need to purpose to look for the good. To not give way to fear. To not go back to business as usual when this is all over. To learn the lessons that we can. To not waste the suffering.

Will we learn? Will we grow? We will come through this changed for the better? I’m preaching to myself here. Lord, teach us what you have for us in this. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear. And thank You that You never leave nor forsake us. Amen.

Bio:  Deborah Montgomery is a full-time homemaker. She has been married for 39 years to Scott and is mom to three children, whom she homeschooled, and grandma to one darling grandson. She has written a book entitled Help for Depression and mentors young moms in her church. She writes at The Beautiful Matters.

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I hope you can take some time to visit Deborah's blog where you will find so much that is beautiful, uplifting, and comforting.  I so enjoyed the thoughts she shared with us today, along with all of the other wonderful, inspired posts that have been coming in.  I trust each post is a blessing to you, too, and helping to keep your spirits up!

Amazing God ~ Triumphant Quartet

Stand firm in your faith, and keep praying!