Home

"Don't force me to leave you; don't make me go home. Where you go, I go; and where you live, I'll live. Your people are my people, your God is my god; where you die, I'll die, and that is where I will be buried." Ruth 1:16-17 The Message

Lately, I have been thinking about family and home. Home is wherever my husband Doug and I are together. Whether a large home or a humble tent, I am content to be with him. The things of this world will pass away, but our love will last forever. I praise GOD for bringing him into my life.

Thanking HIM,

Andrea

*Tomorrow (Thursday), I will spending time with my eye doctor. I pray each of you have a wonderfully blessed day! See you when my eyes recover from my doctor visit!

Help's Coming

"That clinches it--helps coming, an answer is on the way, everything's going to work out." Psalm 20:6 The Message

I pray the darkened days of winter will be over shadowed by the light of our Lord!

Depending on the Lord,

Andrea

Lifted From The Garbage Heap

"He picks up the poor from out of the dirt, rescues the wretched who've been thrown out with the trash, Seats them among the honored guests, a place of honor among the brightest and best. He gives childless couples a family, gives them joy as the parents of children. Hallelujah!" Psalm 113:7-9 The Message

Most of us have felt battered, bruised and a bit like garbage, at times. For many years now, these verses have served as a beautiful reminder of the love of GOD. He "lifts me from the garbage heap" and "sits me among the brightest and best." Indeed, GOD redeems and pours HIS love into our lives, filling the emptiest places!

Be encouraged! You too can find freedom and hope in HIS word! Do not listen to the comments of those who tell you "you are no good....you are worthless." Know: Your value is beyond measure. Each of you have a special place in this world. Allow your Heavenly Father to "pull you from the heap" of despair and heal your heart!

Lifted from the heap,

Andrea

Merry Christmas

"I'm sure now I'll see God's goodness in the exuberant earth. Stay with GOD! Take heart. Don't quit. I'll say it again: Stay with GOD." Psalm 27:13-14 The Message

Merry Christmas,

Andrea

Bowser's Forever Home

A week ago, I was asked to pray for this handsome black lab, named Bowser. He desperately needed a new home. As our family joined in prayer, Sitka was led to post an article on his blog about him. As a result, Bowser found a new home.

I was initially a little nervous, because I did not personally know the family who wanted to adopt him and was not sure how he would fit. However, GOD had a perfect plan. He truly outdid HIMSELF on this one.

Doug and I drove from Richmond, Virginia to Spartanburg, South Carolina with Bowser and introduced him to his new parents. I am thankful for GOD's lead and also for a husband who so graciously joined in my efforts to place this dog.

I hope you will jump over to Sitka's blog: All God's Creatures and read about Bowser's new home.

Amazed by HIS grace,

Andrea

A Testimony of Praise and Healing

PRAISE AND ANSWERED PRAYER!

Today, I share a praise. Many of you are struggling with some form of cancer. I introduce, Frances. She lives in my home town, Landrum, South Carolina. I and many others have prayed for her for many months. She is now in "remission." She wrote this poem and read it to her Sunday School Class. Her daughter shared it with me and I asked permission to share it with all of you. It is so easy to get discouraged and Frances faced those days, too. Her battle was a difficult one with many obstacles, but she is here today to praise GOD for the "victory" HE gave her. The battle was HIS all along!

Blessed to share Frances testimony,
Andrea




" A Special Rainbow "

Today I saw a Rainbow, just above the ground,
Underneath an Oak Tree; where usually there not found.

God is always faithful ~ if we let him lead the way,
When we give our heart to Jesus and trust him day by day.

Satan wants to blind us and see us go astray,
Yet, God will not allow this if we sincerely pray.

The Rainbow is a promise, from whom we can depend;
God will never leave us ~ Oh, What A Glorious End!

Written By: Frances Collins

July 23, 2009
This was the week after my 3rd chemo, the roughest days of my treatment cycle. I forced myself to go outside and water the azaleas under an oak tree by our drive. The sun came through the leaves creating a beautiful rainbow each time I moved the hose. It was much smaller but had all the perfect colors of a rainbow.

Pastor Mullinax drove up a few minutes later and I told him about this very real experience. He smiled and said, "Frances, I have been praying for God to send you a rainbow."

Think about it!!!!! Is God Real?

My family and I want to think all of you for your support, cards etc. Most of all, for your faithful prayers which Our Lord chose to answer.
God Bless Each Of You,
Frances Collins

Sarah's Book Giveaway

Sarah at In The Eye Of Deception will be having a drawing for one of her books. Please jump over and leave her a comment. I know you will be blessed!

Sarah has lived through tremendous pain. She is now able to live victoriously serving her Heavenly Father. I praise GOD for all HE is doing in and through her life.

"...the joy of the Lord is her/our strength." Nehemiah 8:10

In HIS grip,

Andrea

In The Eye Of Deception

Today, I introduce Sarah. She has become an awesome friend. Over the past year, GOD gave myself and others the privilege of encouraging Sarah as she wrote her personal journey with GOD out of abuse and pain. Please check out Sarah's book and website. She has an amazing ministry. GOD is using Sarah in magnificent ways to help woman all over the world.
















There is no darkness so black, no valley so deep, God cannot redeem it for His glory. In the Eye of Deception details one woman's struggle to break free from the damaging effects of child abuse, rape and addictions. It is a story filled with hope, faith, and the realization that God can be trusted to bring about complete healing and recovery.
Nothing else had worked. Nothing had been able to break the chains that kept me living on the edge. Nothing…except the gentleness of His touch.
The power of His gentleness...
In the Eye of Deception: This is my story.

Sarah can be contacted by email: blueheron12345@yahoo.ca
or through her blog: www.cultofdeception.blogspot.com
or her website: http://www.gentlerecovery.webs.com.

Holding Onto GOD

"You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow, Say this: "God, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm safe!" That's right-he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you-under them you are perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. Fear nothing-not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day, not disease that travels through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon. Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you. You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses. Yes, because GOD is your refuge, the High God your very own home. Evil can't get close to you, harm can't get through the door. He ordered His angels to guard you wherever you go. If you stumble, they will catch you; their job is to keep you from falling. You'll walk unharmed amongst lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from your path. "If you'll hold onto me for dear life," says God, "I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you will only get to know and trust me. Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party. I'll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!" Psalm 91 The Message

Psalm 91 brings comfort to my heart as I face the serpents and lions of each day. My GOD is not going to allow them to harm me. He is indeed my refuge and He is yours, too. Take comfort in knowing there is nothing in your life to difficult for God to handle.

Holding onto HIM,

Andrea

My Little Lamb

"Jesus said, Feed my lambs." John 21:15b

Patty at Attic Clutter sent me this precious lamb. He reminds me of the reason for the season. Jesus gave us the ultimate gift of eternal life. He asks us to take gentle care of HIS lambs (to feed them).

What does this verse mean to you?

Loving "The LAMB,"

Andrea

*Thank you Patty for my precious new ornament. He will always have a special place on my tree.

A Spa Day, Wednesday

On Mother's Day, my family gave me a gift card for a spa day! Months have gone by and I have not used it. On Wednesday, I am taking the time to use it. Hopefully, I will be beautifully transformed like the butterfly in the picture above. I pray each of you will find renewal and restoration in the midst of your day. May each of you have a beautifully blessed day!

"...the joy of the Lord is my strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Blessings and prayers,

Andrea

Squeezing Lemons

Both these lovely ladies gave me the lemonade award:


Being Me
Audrinna

I hope you will jump over and visit each of them.

Each follower on this blog is special and loved. As I pondered the lemonade award. I thought of how each of us have or are experiencing lemons in our lives. That makes us understand each other. We are all in some way kindred spirits.

What do we do with all the lemons? Do we allow them to rot in our midst or do we make lemonade and share it with others. As I pass this lemonade award to each of you, I pray you will make lemonade and share it with the less fortunate around you.
Let's not allow a single lemon to rot and stink up our lives! Get to squeezing, dear friends. Take all the "yucky stuff" in your life and make lemonade!

Squeezing lemons,

Andrea

Thank You, Mary Moss

Today, I would like to thank Mary Moss. Many of you may not know Mary and indeed you should. She is a wonderful lady, a prayer warrior, encourager, and friend. I met Mary about a year and half ago.

We became close friends, quickly. We are most definitely kindred spirits. Mary is a published author, speaker, and blogger. Shortly after our friendship began, she encouraged me to blog. I had NO desire, but GOD had a different plan and HE sent Mary to encourage (push and shove) this stubborn, willful being. She had her work cut out, but she did NOT sway from GOD's call and she has NEVER given up on me.

All of the wonderful gadgets on my blog are placed there by Mary. She even surprised me with blog makeovers by Edie at Rich Gifts. On Arise 2 Write, Mary "stole" a photo I had taken and had it designed as my background! What a friend! Mary puts true meaning to the verse:

"A friend loves at all times." Proverbs 17:17

Mary has 3 blogs. I hope each of you will take the time to visit her blogs and get to know her. I also encourage you to order her devotional book, "Woman At The Well." You will not be disappointed.

Mary's blogs:

Divinely Designed
Crayon Chronicles
Godly Graffiti

Thankful for GOD's blessings of friendship,

Andrea

Circle Of Friends

Deborah passed this award to her readers. What a blessing! I hope each of you will check out her blog.

I am suppose to tell 5 things I love to do:

1) Walk on the beach!
2) Hike in the mountains!
3) Write and read!
4) Follow my furry kids on adventures of Dog Therapy. I am merely the human at the end of the leash!
5) Crash into my Heavenly Father's arms and rest!

I am passing this award to each of you, because indeed you have become a Great Circle Of Friends!

"A friend loves at all times." Proverbs 17:17

Blessed to be a friend,

Andrea

Shelter

A month ago, I was hiking in the mountains of Virginia. I came across this natural bird condo. I was drawn to this birdhouse condo of sorts. Look at all the holes in this tree where the birds live.

I watched the birds come back and forth and I thought about the bird houses my husband has put up near our home. The provision of shelter is often taken for granted. My own home is more than I could have ever dreamed, asked, or imagined and I am forever thankful.

There are those who proudly live in grass huts, small apartments, and homes of all shapes and sizes all over our world. Then there are those who do not have shelter at all. They are exposed to all the elements. Some choose to live a life of homelessness, but in our current economy there are many who have found themselves homeless and did not choose this path.

Today, I pray for each person affected by homelessness and/or hunger. This is a day to consider giving beyond your normal gift to your local food banks and shelters. If you have never given before, now may be a day when you can start. The smallest donation goes a long way. Recently, I learned the food bank can stretch a $1 donation and multiply it by 12, because of their buying ability. If you do not have any spare assets, because of your own situation you can continue to pray. Prayer does change things. It moves mountains. Do not think prayer is a "small" contribution, because it is NOT.

Challenged to do more,

Andrea

Paths of life

Some paths are easy.
Some paths are not.
Some paths bring joy.
Some paths forgot.


"By your words I can see where I am going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. I've committed myself and I'll never turn back from living by your righteous order." Psalm 119:105-106 The Message

What path are you on?
Who is your guide?

Following the leader (my Heavenly Father),

Andrea