Free Stuff!

Don't miss the give away for the book You're Chronically Ill...So Now What? by Shelly Benoit Hendricks (of RenewedDaily) over on my chronic illness blog (you must comment THERE to be entered) - http://givenmeathorn.blogspot.com/2015/12/book-give-away.html

Latest Book Update

Harvesting Hope is a tediously slow manuscript that feels like will end, but baby steps of progress continue to inch forward. Thank you for your ongoing prayers!

More update posted on my StrokeOfGrace blog, if you are interested. :)

Pruning

I just spent 2 hours out working in my garden yesterday evening. Had a good talk with  our 9-year-old about the meaning of the word "prune". He was so cute, talking about when he got baptized earlier this year his feet got all "pruney" from being in the water. grin emoticon But we did get down to the fact that Jesus must clean/prune us continually to bring us into the shape of His will, just like we were doing to our roses.

I was pretty hard on my plants, leaving only about 6 healthy blooms and a bunch of buds behind (on a total of about 18 rose bushes!) so it looks pretty stark right now. But each cut was made with care and purpose, knowing that by my birthday at the end of the month, I will have a glorious garden full of healthy blossoms, all on nicely trimmed and shaped plants!

I take comfort from my parent's story as newly weds. They had several rose bushes under the kitchen window. Mom was having horrid allergies, so Dad went out and brutally shopped them all nearly down to the roots to try to kill them. They came back healthier and prettier than before! So when the devil sets out to destroy me, God can intend the same season of harsh pruning for my benefit.

I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more.

John 15:1-2 (The Message)

He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch to make it bear more AND richer AND more excellent fruit!

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so 

that you may go and bear fruit-fruit that will last-and so that

whatever you ask for in My name the Father will give you.

This is My command: Love each other." 

John 15:16-17

Need Your Input Please!

I've been pondering something and really want your ideas. Of the 9 disciples listed as the  Fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self control), what attribute or "category" would you say THANKFULNESS, practicing an attitude of gratitude, best reflects? Why? Thanks. Just doing so thinking on my current book and looking for your thoughts. :)

Did you Know?

 As a stroke survivor, I want to make sure you know:

FAST stands for: 

Facial droop, 

Arm inability to hold both out front without one drifting down, 

Speech slurred or garbled, 

Time to call 911 and report a suspected stroke if any of those three quick stroke assessments aren't passed!