I was up early today before the morning broke through. As the night began to fade and the morning came forth, I could see that it was a cloudy day. But as I sat praying from my rocking chair I was facing a small window in the hallway and just for a split second a burst of color caught my eye in that window. Bright orange and pink shown in just a little spot for me to catch the glimpse of the surprise God wanted me to see. I jumped up from my chair and ran to the front window that faces East. There in the sky the DAWN unfolded with beautiful color - but only in a small pocket - and then it was gone!
That was my birthday gift from the LORD today! As I celebrate another year on earth it makes me long for heaven - the home that I am being prepared for.
My friends who know me well - know that birthday's are special to me and always have been. To me, they are the day that God set out to say, "you are special to Me."
Not many people [that I know] share this birthday with me but I love having a unique day [April Fool's Day] as my special day! I wouldn't trade it for anything!
Yesterday I was feeling a bit discouraged about some things - so I prayed and asked God about it. And God's answer to me later in the day was YOU - my faith sisters.
[photo is courtesy of Debbie Kreugal - a missionary translator in Mexico]
My Blogland Faith Sisters
[those who pray and encourage me weekly]
Beth H. / Yolanda / Edie / Elaine / Barbara / Esthermay / Lisa / Barbi / Kim / Janis / Leigh Anne / Beth Moore
Looks like you are my 12 standing stones!!! May God bless you today as you encourage others by your faith walk!
Galatians 2:20 is my life verse
Psalm 126 is my Psalm of Joy and Promise
Exodus 33 is my favorite OT passage
15 Then Moses said to Him, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that You are pleased with me and with Your people unless You go with us? What else will distinguish me and Your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?"
17 And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name." 18 Then Moses said, "Now show me Your glory."
Romans is my favorite NT book
4:20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.
Isaiah 6:1-8 is my commissioned commitment
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Psalm 40:1-4a is God's redemtive work in my life
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust...
Isaiah 61:1-4 - a portrait of Christ for us to follow
3b They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor.
Psalm 1:2-3
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Looking UPward and Choosing JOY,
Stephanie [In Flight]
10 comments:
My Dearest Sister,
Wishing and praying you showers of blessings and "gifts" from God today (and always, of course) as you celebrate your birthday.
You are a precious gift to me!
Love,
Your Sister, Sister, Polly
HAPPY BIRTHDAY my sweet sister! It is a privelidge(sp?) to pray for you!
Thanks so much for the bouquet. You are a such blessing to me.
Well HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BLOGGING FRIEND! What a great day to celebrate the gift of your arrival to this world. I just back from our community's Lenten luncheon. I was asked to sing a song by my husband (what's a preacher's wife to do?), and I sang a song called "The Love of the Lord Endures." Indeed, it does endure, has endured, all the way from the beginning until now...over your life and mine.
It's a LOVE worth reaching for, knowing now in part what we will one day fully know...
Our God loves us. May you know his love in rich measure in the coming year like never before.
Wish I could be there to take you to dinner.
peace~elaine
I came to wish YOU a Blessed Birthday and you -- in turn -- bless me by including me is a special group of women! YES! I pray over my blogging sisters - what a privileged!
There will be a special reunion in Heaven for us! --I sometimes think the blogging fellowship is sweeter than some of the fellowship in my own church --- OH! Did I say that outloud?!
:)
God bless you friend and may His absolutely inerrant and sufficient WORD continue to bless and guide you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
~es.
Precious Sister, I of course did not know it was your special day so HAPPY BLESSED BIRTHAY!! I sent you an E-card just now.
I am blessed and privileged to be considered one of your standing stones. I stand in prayer with and for you and I send you hugs and love on your special day.
The flowers are beautiful!!
Enjoy your day and I love the Scripptures you shared.
Love ya.
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you Sweet Stephanie!
Happy Birthday to you!
I sing really well over the www. I hope you heard it that way! :)
Thanks for sharing your favorite passages. I love to know people's special verses and passages. It's your birthday and you sent us flowers. Thank you. I hope you had a good day. God does have a prayer team assembled for you. I thank Him that I have been chosen to pray for you. B
Oh my sweet sisters - all of you - have blessed me on this crazy April Fool's Day!! And I mean crazy!
*It started before dawn with the cat throwing up his crunchies on the newly carpeted stairway.
**Then God surprised me with the sunrise of pink and orange.
*Then I got locked in the bathroom stall [not kidding you] at the hospital BEFORE I was to get my lovely EMG testing for one hour of being stuck with needles in your nerves and muscles until you scream [then the doctor said "you didn't hold still enough - I need to do that again!] His conclusion was that my back really DOES have a pinched nerve - damaged. [Thank You Jesus - for someone finally believing my pain!]
** I was blessed to pick up the Esther DVD [after my test] at the Bible study I missed today where one dear friend Allison had left me B-day gifts!
*On the way home I stopped for gas in the car and my battery died right there. I began to cry and asked, "how much more, Lord?"
**When God sent two young attendents and their friend who happened to be getting gas next to me to assist me in jumping my car after pushing it to another spot.
[I don't think that God or the doctors would have wanted ME to push my car myself].
**Thankfully - the car started up right away and I must say it's running better than it has been in weeks [battery is even stronger now]. Could God have meant good from the evil that lurked in spiritual realms?? Hummm!
**I came home to find Celina had bought me a birthday pie and stayed to have lunch with me. I never told her today was my birthday. She figured it out after someone left a message on my phone wishing me a happy B-day.
**In fact I had multiple messages today on my machine and countless e-Mails from many of you - including e-cards and real cards via snail mail! Wow!
**I talked with my grandkids in FL when my sweet Tessa Hope [2] sang the birthday song to Mom-Mom [3X]. I opened countless handmade cards from my grandchildren - all ages 5 and under!
**My friends [Bill and Annette] came to bring me gifts and blessed me. Annette gave me something special she made and Bill played a special hymn called [He Cometh...] on his harmonica for me!
**Went to dinner at my son's house where the rest of my kids and grands were gathered. My daughter-in-law made the most delicious dinner and my middle daughter brought muffins [biscuits] and the B-day cake that she had made. I was lavished with cards and gifts that were so meaningful and specially chosen for me!
**I came home and watched to Esther DVD that I missed - and God spoke some more - answered some more - gave me a few spankings [which I needed].
**And now I have come here to say goodnight to all of you - all of my family - and all of my wonderful faithfilled friends!
I AM A BLESSED WOMAN! JESUS IS MY SAVIOR AND LORD and I walk in faith - side-by-side with the most wonderful people ever!
This April Fool Girl has had the best day ever! 54 - bring it on!!!
[I feel like I'm 90 - so 54 doesn't sound so bad!!]
Thank you so much for all your wishes and love. I felt every drop of it!!!
Looking Upward and Choosing JOY,
Stephanie
[In Flight]
Happy late Birthday Stephanie! What a beautiful day for a birthday! Purple, the color of faith, and I love your verses. God is good, and I, like you, long to go home. More and more. This earth is not our precious home, with our precious redeemer. Have a most glorious day! Love, pam
Bless you Stephanie!! Isn't it great how God even overcomes our difficult days to let His Glory shine through!! Praise God!
Aren't you just precious! Happy late birthday sweet sister! I am so glad that I have gotten to "meet" you. YOu have certainly enriched my life and give me inspiration to press on!
Love ya,
Beth
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