A partial Valentine's Hodgepodge

 

Well, again today I can only take time to answer a few questions from the Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce and the gang.   It seems that even though parts of my life have slowed down (perhaps only temporarily), my body is also slowing down despite my best efforts to do the healthy things that make for energy.  It just seems as if once I take care of my spiritual life and do a few ministry things, some meal prep and some housework, and try to fit in a little crafting time,  there's not much left for blogging (other than Sunday Scripture, which is a non-negotiable for me).  Of course, it may just be that this is winter.

So, forthwith, the three questions I think I can manage to answer:

3. What makes you feel loved and appreciated? 

I'm going to divide this into two questions, because the same answer will not do for both.  

What makes me feel loved?

Feeling cared for, taken care of.

What makes me feel appreciated?

When someone takes the time to say thank you or express appreciation in some other way.

It was interesting to me in considering these questions that just hearing the words "I love you" does not necessarily make me feel loved.  But when someone says "I appreciate you because ..." or "thank you for taking the time to ..." now that does make me feel appreciated.

4. A box of chocolates or a bouquet of fresh flowers-what's your pleasure? Any special plans for Valentine's Day? 

A box of chocolates, no contest.  If I ration them, they will last longer than the flowers. 

No special plans for Valentine's Day as of yet, but we may decide to go out or have a special treat at home.

These felt chocolates will last forever!

5. Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song lyric relating to love. 

"But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  (Romans 5:8)

and, for good measure ...

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."  (1 John 4:10)

 

 Half a hodgepodge is better than none, wouldn't you agree?

Sunday Scripture

 

Time for another Sunday Scripture lesson from Fix Your Focus!

This week's lesson was actually done by me the week of January 5.  Here goes ...

🌿 WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE CHECKLIST is further on in each week's section. But since I am working on Fix Your Focus all week long, I find it works best for me to do this checklist first. This checklist offers us four points:  

* To make a plan for reading our Bibles and praying.

* To add any upcoming events to our calendars.

* To jot down a to-do list of tasks that must be completed this week.

* To make a note of our top three priorities for this week.

This last point is one that I need to pay special attention to every week.  I've been finding it so helpful.  (The other three points are things that I'm consistently doing.) 

For this week, my top three priorities are:

1) Health  -- start sugar fast, get back to walking and exercise daily; nurture creativity.

2)  Etsy and homemaking -- prepare and send orders; prepare some new listings, especially vintage date books, catch up on dusting/vacuuming.

3) Ministry --  Blogging, Sunday School lesson preparation, phone calls/emails/messages to encourage, make Scripture verse cards for friends.

[If you are following along with our study, this is the place to make a Week-at-a-Glance checklist and/or priority list for yourself!]

🌿 The first actual prompt for each week is JOURNAL.  We are encouraged to take a few minutes to our fears, joys, worries, desires and stressors concerning the week ahead.  [If you are following along with us, take a moment in a journal or notebook to do just that.]. Here's what I wrote on Monday, breaking it down into the suggested categories:

Fears: No real fears going into this week.   

Joys: Getting back to walking will be a joy, as is nurturing creativity.  Ministry is a joy.  I find joy in homemaking tasks when I am not rushed.

Worries: No real worries -- and my intent truly is not to worry.

Desires:  To glorify God in all that is said and done in this week.  To be an encouragement to others.  To steward my health wisely.  To accomplish some homemaking tasks and Etsy listings.  To nurture my creativity with some small craft projects.

Stressors: Limitations of time, energy, and aging.  A few stressful circumstances of life.

🌿 The next prompt is PRAYER. It was suggested that we use several prayer prompts to have a conversation with God about the week ahead.  [You can do the same.  Use the very same prompts for your own prayer.]

* Lord, You are ... omnisicent and know all that needs to happen in this week.  You know exactly how the week will unfold.  You are able to provide all that I need for this week, including health and energy and wise management of time.

* Lord, I feel ... encouraged that I've been able to get back to walking and to begin another sugar fast.  I feel optimistic about the week ahead, though it has moved maybe more quickly than I'd like.

* Lord, help me with ... everything that's on my plate this week,  Help me especially with using my time wisely each day.

* Lord, forgive me for ... wasting time in any way.  Getting frustrated with my husband's hearing loss, or really with any situation that I find trying.

* Make a note of 4 or 5 people you are specifically praying for.  I listed friends dealing with a cancer diagnosis; a young mom and her girls in a hard situation; a friend afflicted with shingles.

🌿 The next section in this helpful guide is SCRIPTURE MEDITATION.  I chose to first meditate on this week's Scripture, Psalm 121:2, using the SOAP method, and then answered several suggested questions.  I added in verse 1 to help with understanding and application.   [You can use your own preferred method to meditate on this verse, and answer the questions below for yourself.]

S= "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the LORD, who made heaven and earth."  (Psalm 121:2)

O= Verse 1 may also be read:  "Shall I lift up mine eyes to the hills?  whence should my help come?"

This reading is such a good reminder that our help does not come from the hills or the mountains, but from the One who created them.

Cross-reference for "the hills" --  "His foundation is in the holy mountains."  (Psalm 87:1)

Cross-references for "my help" -- "Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth."  (Psalm 124:8)

"[The LORD ...] send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion."  (Psalm 20:2)

"May He send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion."  (Psalm 20:2 ESV)

Cross-reference for "cometh from the LORD" -- "Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains; truly in the LORD, our God, is the salvation of Israel."  (Jeremiah 3:23)

Cross-reference for "made heaven and earth" -- "Ye are blessed by the LORD who made heaven and earth."  (Psalm 115:15)

Our help comes from the LORD, the self-existent One, who made heaven and earth.

So ... unlimited wisdom, unlimited power, unlimited creativity -- all of that and much, much more resides in this One from whom our help comes!

A= To help with my application of this verse, I answered the three questions from Fix your Focus:

* Reflect on what this verse tells you about who God is.

He is the Helper of His people.  He is the Maker of heaven and earth -- and there is so much bound up in that statement!  .

* Think about what this verse tells you about who you are.

I'm a person in need of God's help in every possible way.  I'm blessed to have the God who made heaven and earth as my Helper.

* Throughout the week, consider how this verse should affect the way you live.

 I should live like one who has the Maker of heaven and earth, the God of the universe, as my Helper.  If I really laid hold of the truths in this verse, I would be less fearful, worry less, and trust more.  I would be more ready to ask for His help.  I should constantly be reminding myself of these truths.

Thomas Constable wrote: "The psalmist lifted up his eyes to the hills around Mt. Zion as he traveled to a feast there from some flatter part of Canaan. As he did so, he reflected on the source of his help. He also reminded himself that his help was the God who had made those hills along with the whole heaven and earth."

Many of us may have been advised over the years to give our eyes a break by gazing into the far distance at intervals rather than constantly looking at a computer screen, or bending over a sewing project, etc.  I once subscribed to a magazine for counted cross-stitchers that gave that very advice.  Looking up is healthy for our eyes!

Henry G. Bosch wrote in Our Daily Bread,

"What is true in the physical realm is true in the spiritual realm. The eyes of the soul are often tired and weary from focusing on our problems and difficulties. The upward look—the far look—will restore our spiritual perspective.  At times we feel overwhelmed by life’s troubles. If we look to the Lord in His Word and in prayer, however, He will put our problems in perspective and renew our strength."

"Where does your help come from? The psalmist lifted his eyes to the hills. The most stable, secure thing the Jews knew were the mountains around Jerusalem. Then the psalmist lifted his eyes higher and said, "No, I don't get my help from the hills. I get my help from the heavens. God is my Helper." Whatever your need or task is today, your help will come from the Lord, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. A God big enough to make this world and keep it going is big enough to help you with your problems today." -- Warren Wiersbe

P= "Lord, how I praise You for the profound truths in the simple verse from a traveler's psalm.  You, the Maker of heaven and earth, are my Helper.  All-wise, all-powerful, endlessly creative, able to speak worlds into existence and heal with a word -- this is who my Helper is!

    "I cannot even begin to thank You for being my Helper.  Please help me to live each day in light of who You are!  I pray in Jesus' name, Amen."

🌿 GRATITUDE is the next prompt.  We were to reflect on the way God has shown His faithfulness to you over the past week and list five things we are thankful for.  [If you are following along with us, be sure to make your own list of five things!]. Here is my list:

1) Being able to get back to exercising regularly.

2) The provision of a weekly planner sheet that is helping me track my daily habits more effectively than ever before.

3) Good phone conversations with Jennifer and Rebekah.

4) A coastal getaway in mid-December that I don't want to forget about or forget to thank God for.  It was wonderful in every way!

5) Strength and ideas to keep posting in both blogs regularly throughout December.

🌿 SPIRITUAL GROWTH is the next prompt, and this week there's an emphasis on REST.  We were to think about what observing a Sabbath rest looks like to us and to make a plan to intentionally rest this week.  [And again, if you are following along, please think about this for yourself.]

Our plan for resting this week included a night at our little cottage, which is not always possible in winter.  Carefully watching weather forecasts, we were able to plan this for a warmer night.  It was so restful to be there overnight as rain pattered on the metal roof.

🌿 Lastly is a GOSPEL-CENTERED AFFIRMATION: 

The Creator of the whole world is the One who helps me.

What a blessing this thought is!  How thankful and trusting we can be as we contemplate the mighty Creator as the One who is our helper.

And there's the Sunday Scripture for this week!

A few February goals

 

Delightful graphic by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings

How, oh how is it that 2026 is 1/12 over already?!  Time for me to set a few goals for February.  As always, some are specific to this month, and many are ongoing.  Here goes:

* Keep up with Flylady's homemaking zones of the week
* Spend time with our friends who are younger believers
* Enjoy our church ladies' gathering
* Post in this blog as often as possible 
* Post in my Christmas blog as often as possible
* Continue planning and making Christmas gifts and decor
* Continue planning for family birthday gifts and crafting any handmade ones
* Continue studying and preparing for my Sunday Scripture blog posts
* Read through the February passages of the Daily Walk Bible
* Finish a surprise gift
* Continue stocking my Etsy shop and continue selling vintage items
* Write at least 4 encouraging notes to friends and family
* Help and encourage my local daughter as I'm able
* Plan meals with a greater emphasis on healthy eating
* Get early light each morning
* Get to bed by 8:30 each night we are at home
* Drink enough water each day
* Walk and/or exercise at least 4 times each week
* Get together with friends for brunch and thrifting
* Continue with my Sunday School lesson preparation and teaching
* Complete a 40-day sugar fast
* Work at our volunteer jobs as needed
* Work on typing a manuscript
* Continue our times of teatime discipleship on Wednesdays
* Seek to encourage friends by email and phone chats
* Put up a few Valentine themed decorations
* Figure out finishes for some completed cross-stitch and embroidery projects
* Maybe design and make some banners for winter and maple sugaring season
* Do some freezer meals (and some cleaning) in preparation for our Nevada family's March visit

HEALTHY HABITS FOR FEBRUARY:  Drink more water/get more sleep/exercise daily/intermittent fasting/limit carbs/get morning light

WORD FOR 2025: Intentional

And there you have it -- a few goals for February 2026!

Sunday Scripture

Time for another Sunday Scripture lesson from Fix Your Focus!

This week's lesson was actually done by me the week of December 29.  Here goes ...

🌿 WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE CHECKLIST is further on in each week's section. But since I am working on Fix Your Focus all week long, I find it works best for me to do this checklist first. This checklist offers us four points:  

* To make a plan for reading our Bibles and praying.

* To add any upcoming events to our calendars.

* To jot down a to-do list of tasks that must be completed this week.

* To make a note of our top three priorities for this week.

This last point is one that I need to pay special attention to every week.  I've been finding it so helpful.  (The other three points are things that I'm consistently doing.) 

For this week, my top three priorities are:

1) Health and homemaking -- maintain health goals; get back to walking and exercise.  Accomplish some neglected homemaking tasks.

2)  Etsy -- prepare and send orders; prepare some new listings, especially vintage date books.

3) Ministry --  phone calls and emails, blogging, Sunday School lesson preparation.

[If you are following along with our study, this is the place to make a Week-at-a-Glance checklist and/or priority list for yourself!]

🌿 The first actual prompt for each week is JOURNAL.  We are encouraged to take a few minutes to our fears, joys, worries, desires and stressors concerning the week ahead.  [If you are following along with us, take a moment in a journal or notebook to do just that.]. Here's what I wrote on Monday, breaking it down into the suggested categories:

Fears: No real fears going into this week.   

Joys: I find blogging to be a joy.  It's also a joy to connect with friends.  I find joy in both walking and homemaking.

Worries: No real worries going into this week.  A few concerns, but they seem to be resolving.

Desires: To improve my health and meet my health goals daily.  To glorify God in all things.  To make real progress with decluttering and downsizing.

Stressors: As always, the limitations of time, energy, and aging.  A few stressful circumstances of life.

🌿 The next prompt is PRAYER. It was suggested that we use several prayer prompts to have a conversation with God about the week ahead.  [You can do the same.  Use the very same prompts for your own prayer.]

* Lord, You are ... aware of all that this week will hold and You are sovereign over every minute of it.  You are aware of all that I hope to do in this week, and I do believe that these activities line up with Your purposes for my life.  You are able to help me accomplish all that You would have me to.

* Lord, I feel ... tired this week and a bit overwhelmed.  Yet I also do feel optimistic, hopeful, and energized for a new year.  I feel somewhat emotional this week -- a deep-down sadness that I know is very real and also understandable.  Yet I know that You can give me "joy in the place of sorrow, peace in the midst of pain" regardless of what I'm feeling.

* Lord, help me with ... prioritizing and wise use of time this week, and going into the new year.  Help me to accomplish all that You would have me to this year, and this week.

* Lord, forgive me for ... times when I fail to use my time wisely.  Times when I fall into depression or self-pity and seek comfort from earthly things that will never provide lasting comfort.  Times when I am easily frustrated with my hubby's hearing issues.  Times when I don't stop and think before speaking.

* Make a note of 4 or 5 people you are specifically praying for.  I listed friends dealing with a cancer diagnosis; a granddaughter starting her own business; a friend afflicted with shingles.

🌿 The next section in this helpful guide is SCRIPTURE MEDITATION.  I chose to first meditate on this week's Scripture, Proverbs 3:5-6, using the SOAP method, and then answered several suggested questions.   [You can use your own preferred method to meditate on this verse, and answer the questions below for yourself.]

S= "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

O= ESV reads: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths."

 Three directives; one promise.
🌿 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
🌿 Do not lean on your own understanding
🌿 Acknowledge God in all your ways
--- AND ---
🌟 He will direct your path.

Cross-reference for "trust in the LORD" -- "Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land; and verily though shalt be fed.  Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  Commit thy way unto the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."  (Psalm 37:3:5)

Cross-reference for "lean not unto thine own understanding" -- "LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.."  (Jeremiah 9:23)

I learned many years ago the important principle that our own understanding of a situation is often flawed.

Cross-reference for "In all thy ways" -- "And thou, Solomon, my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a willing mind; for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the the thoughts.  If thou seek Him, He will be found by thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off forever."  (1 Chronicles 28:9)

A= To help with my application of this verse, I answered the three questions from Fix your Focus:

* Reflect on what this verse tells you about who God is.

He is completely, fully trustworthy.  He is sovereign and must be acknowledged as such.  He knows all things and is able to direct the path of each individual.

* Think about what this verse tells you about who you are.

I'm a finite, limited human.  My intellect, perspective, and sense of direction are all flawed and distorted.  I'm a person in need of God's direction.

* Throughout the week, consider how this verse should affect the way you live.

 I should live life with a wholehearted, unwavering trust in God.  I should not lean on my own understanding of life, as that will always be flawed to some extent.  I should acknowledge God is all my ways and become sensitive to His leading and direction.

One writer pointed out: "Verses five and six are the best known and most memorized verses of Proverbs. In fact, they are the life verses of many believers. These two cherished verses describe a life of total dependence and commitment to God. This is what our Heavenly Father wants of us, His dear children -- all who truly follow Him. He longs for us to be completely dependent upon Him and to have utter confidence in Him. This is what it means to trust. The object of the wise person’s trust is the LORD (Jehovah): the covenant-keeping God, the God who cannot lie."

 Warren Wiersbe explains, "The word translated “trust” in verse 5 means “to lie helpless, facedown.” It pictures a servant waiting for the master’s command in readiness to obey, or a defeated soldier yielding himself to the conquering general.”

Another writer commented that trust is an all or nothing proposal: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart.” This writer noted that "partial trust is not trust at all. Either God is trustworthy, or He is not. If He cannot be trusted with all, He cannot be trusted at all."

As we think about not leaning on our own understanding, it's so helpful, as I said earlier, to realize that our own understanding of any situation is very often flawed.  Richard DeHaan, in Our Daily Bread, gave an illustration of watching from a 25th floor hotel room as traffic snarled up on a highway below.  From his vantage point he could see the problem, yet of course the cars on the road could not.   Many mistakenly switched into the lane where the stalled car was, thinking to save time, but of course this tactic actually delayed them.  DeHaan wrote, 

"As we travel along life’s road, we do much the same as those misguided drivers. With our limited foresight we select the route that seems best—only to find that the temporary advance has led us into a course filled with delay and heartache. But how reassuring that we can look to One who is above everything, who knows the end from the beginning! This is why the writer of Proverbs could say, 'In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths'.  When the Lord indicates a 'stop' or a 'change of lanes' or a 'wait,' we should gladly obey."

P= "Lord, I'm so thankful for this Scripture passage.  It is so encouraging to know that if these conditions are true of me -- wholehearted trust, acknowledging You as Lord, refusing to rely on my own limited understanding -- that you promise to direct my paths.

    "Help me each day to trust You completely, relying on Your wisdom and not my own, and to acknowledge You in all my ways.   I praise You for the clear instruction in Your Word, and for the guidance and direction You'll give as I look to You.  I pray in Jesus' name, Amen."

🌿 GRATITUDE is the next prompt.  We were to reflect on the way God has shown His faithfulness to you over the past week and list five things we are thankful for.  [If you are following along with us, be sure to make your own list of five things!]. Here is my list:

1) A truly wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and loved ones.

2) Energy and time to accomplish all that was needed in that busy week.

3) An amazing response to our Christmas on the Common cookie decorating activity.

4) A good crew from the church to help with this outreach.

5) Wisdom and ideas for December posts in both blogs.

🌿 SPIRITUAL GROWTH is the next prompt, and this week there's an emphasis on SERVING.  We were to think about those we know who might be in need, and also to consider what resources we have available -- time, resources, prayer, etc.  We were to think about how we could serve those in need this week.  [And again, if you are following along, please think about this for yourself.]

Our plan for serving this week includes prayer and giving.  We have many in our lives battling illness and disease, and will be praying for them throughout each day.  We also plan to share Scripture verses and donate to a basket of encouragement for friends coping with cancer treatment.

🌿 Lastly is a GOSPEL-CENTERED AFFIRMATION: 

I entrust my whole life to the LORD.

What a challenge this thought is!  And yet as we recall it is the all-powerful, all-wise God in whom we trust,  we realize the wisdom and benefit of such a commitment.

And there's the Sunday Scripture for this week!

From the January archives, part 2

 

 As readers no doubt recall, I left off with 2016 in my posting from the January archives.  We'll pick up with this one from January 2017: Winter in a jar.  This was a fun project that involved epsom salts, snowflakes and a vintage photo.  I wasn't satisfied with my results, but this decorating idea could be tweaked endlessly.

From the same year, this little study of Psalm 143 might encourage you greatly as it did me.

From 2018, Best Squash Soup is a true favorite just perfect for chilly weather.

Courage was my word for 2019, and I think this is a pretty timely post for where we find ourselves today.

From January 2020 I'm sharing A pretty winter decoration some of you still in the throes of winter (like me) might like to adapt.

 

From 2021 I shared an encouraging read for moms and grandmas in troubled times.  It resonated with many of you then but I think it's worth sharing again today for those who missed it.

Also from 2021, One Day at a Time shares an uplifting poem perfect for the new year.

A really nice dishcloth pattern is also from 2021.  If you missed this and like to crochet dishcloths, you might wish to check it out.

In 2022 I shared about making a Christmas cookie recipe book.  A fun look at the one I made.

 

From 2023, Strengthening your prayer life might be a blessing.  I'm enjoying some of these posts again myself!

Graphic by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings

 And that's it for now!  I think 2024 and 2025 are fresh enough in people's minds that I needn't share posts from those years.  Enjoy your browse through these January posts from years gone by!

Sunday Scripture

 

Time for another Sunday Scripture lesson from Fix Your Focus!

This week's lesson was actually done by me the week of November 24.  Here goes ...

🌿 WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE CHECKLIST is further on in each week's section. But since I am working on Fix Your Focus all week long, I find it works best for me to do this checklist first. This checklist offers us four points:  

* To make a plan for reading our Bibles and praying.

* To add any upcoming events to our calendars.

* To jot down a to-do list of tasks that must be completed this week.

* To make a note of our top three priorities for this week.

This last point is one that I need to pay special attention to every week.  I've been finding it so helpful.  (The other three points are things that I'm consistently doing.) 

For this week, my top three priorities are:

1) Thanksgiving -- heart preparation as well as food prep.

2)  Etsy -- try and prepare two listings a day to get ahead of Christmas shoppers.

3) Ministry --  SS lesson prep and teaching; finish Scripture post; church outreach for Christmas on the Common.

[If you are following along with our study, this is the place to make a Week-at-a-Glance checklist and/or priority list for yourself!]

🌿 The first actual prompt for each week is JOURNAL.  We are encouraged to take a few minutes to our fears, joys, worries, desires and stressors concerning the week ahead.  [If you are following along with us, take a moment in a journal or notebook to do just that.]. Here's what I wrote on Monday, breaking it down into the suggested categories:

Fears: No real fears going into this week.   

Joys: Gathering to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends will be a joy.  A Thanksgiving prayer and praise service at church is always a joy.  Our cookie decorating outreach at Christmas on the Common will be a joy.

Worries: No real worries going into this week, just a few concerns about how the cookie decorating activity will go and if I have planned and prepared well enough.

Desires: That our Thanksgiving with family and friends will truly honor God and appropriately express our thankfulness to Him.  That our outreach to the community will point others to Him and prompt some to visit our church.  

Stressors: Other people, at times; cold weather; the limitations of aging bodies and less energy; my hubby's health and hearing issues.

🌿 The next prompt is PRAYER. It was suggested that we use several prayer prompts to have a conversation with God about the week ahead.  [You can do the same.  Use the very same prompts for your own prayer.]

* Lord, You are ... in full control of every aspect of this busy week.  You are aware of how tired I got last week and how much I have to do this week.  You are able to give me strength for all that needs to happen, and for each situation that I will encounter.  You are aware of each of these stressors and You are able to help me manage them.

* Lord, I feel ... somewhat overwhelmed as I consider all that there is to do in this busy week, and I am heading into it tired from a week of ministry.  I also feel grateful and blessed by all that You are doing in my life and all that You have given us, especially our cottage.

* Lord, help me with ... applying lessons that You're teaching me, especially the Scripture from week 35 about not having "eager anger".  Help me to have energy for all that I need to accomplish and do this week.  Help me with my interactions with others.

* Lord, forgive me for ... times when I try to act in my own strength or out of my own so-called wisdom.  Times when I do give in to "eager anger".  Times when my attitudes are not pleasing to You.

* Make a note of 4 or 5 people you are specifically praying for.  I listed friends dealing with a cancer diagnosis; two busy teenage granddaughters; several young adults who need to deepen their relationship with God and return to Him and to His people.

🌿 The next section in this helpful guide is SCRIPTURE MEDITATION.  I chose to first meditate on this week's Scripture, 1 John 4:10, using the SOAP method, and then answered several suggested questions.   [You can use your own preferred method to meditate on this verse, and answer the questions below for yourself.]

S= "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."  (1 John 4:10)

O= Cross-references for "not that we loved God" -- "Not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit."  (Titus 3:5)

 "But God commendeth His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us ...
"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."  (Romans 5:8,10)

 Cross-reference for "but that He loved us" -- ""In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him."  (1 John 4:9))

Note for "propitiation" --"Christ completely fulfilled -- satisfied -- the just demands of a holy God for judgment on sin by His death on the cross ... Propitiation is not placating a vengeful God but, rather, it is satisfying the righteousness of a holy God, thereby making it possible for Him to show mercy righteously." -- C.I. Scofield

Warren Wiersbe says, "We should remember that propitiation does not mean that men must do something to appease God or to placate His anger. Propitiation is something God does to make it possible for men to be forgiven. 'God is light', and therefore He must uphold His holy Law. 'God is love', and therefore He wants to forgive and save sinners. How can God forgive sinners and still be consistent with His holy nature? The answer is the cross. There Jesus Christ bore the punishment for sin and met the just demands of the holy Law. But there, also, God reveals His love and makes it possible for men to be saved by faith."

Cross-reference for "the propitiation for our sins" -- "And He [Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."  (1 John 2:2)

A=  Considering the fact that God loved us and sent His Son, Dwight Pentecost wrote: ""The death of Jesus Christ did not change the heart of God, as if One who hated us now loves us, rather it opened the floodgate so that the love of God for sinners could be poured out to them through Jesus Christ."

 Charles Spurgeon explains, “If there was to be reconciliation between God and man, man ought to have sent to God; the offender ought to be the first to apply for forgiveness; the weaker should apply to the greater for help; the poor man should ask of him who distributes alms; but ‘Herein is love’ that God ‘sent.’ He was first to send an embassy of peace.”

To help with my application of this verse, I answered the three questions from Fix your Focus:

* Reflect on what this verse tells you about who God is.

He took the initiative in saving us, sending His only Son to pay the price for our sins -- satisfying the just demands of a holy God.  He loved us before we ever thought of loving Him.  His loving us long before we loved Him is the very definition of love -- and that certainly makes sense because 1 John 4:8 tells us that "God is love".

* Think about what this verse tells you about who you are.

I am a sinner who could never pay for my own sins.  I am a person who was deeply loved by God long before I ever had a thought of loving Him,  and I'm a person who was loved by Him so much that He sent His only Son to be the propitiation for my sins.

* Throughout the week, consider how this verse should affect the way you live.

 I was loved by God so much that He paid for my sins with the blood of His own Son.  I can never repay that, obviously, but I can determine to live every bit of life as a thank-offering to Him.

"The Bible says that God so loved the world that He gave. . . . Love, in its purest form, is an action. When we give to others what is most valuable to ourselves, we prove our love." -- David Jeremiah

"Those who have yet to discover the intimacy of God often view Him as being cool and demanding toward His creation. But nothing is farther from the truth. Even in the Old Testament, we find God constantly moving toward mankind in an effort to reveal more of Himself on an intimate basis. Love motivates Him to do this." -- Charles Stanley

David McCasland wrote in Our Daily Bread, "In our world of loneliness and despair, there is an enormous need for men and women who know the heart of God, a heart that forgives, that cares, that reaches out and wants to heal."

McCasland suggests that we pray, "Father, please show the wonder of Your great love through me to others today so that they might know they need not walk through life alone. Let my heart personally experience and display Your care."  

He notes: "God's love in our heart gives us a heart for others."

P= "Lord, simply saying that I am grateful for the love You showed me in sending Your Son to be the propitiation for my sins seems so pitifully inadequate.  This was an amazing act of love on Your part, and You planned this long before I had even a thought of loving You. 

    "I know that I can certainly never repay You for this amazing act of love.  But I pray that You will help me as I seek to live every day of life as a thank-offering to You.  Help me to show the wonder of Your great love for others, and to share the truth with them that they need not walk through life alone.   Your love is there for them as it was for me.  I thank You for all that You have done and all that You will do,  in Jesus' name, Amen."

🌿 GRATITUDE is the next prompt.  We were to reflect on the way God has shown His faithfulness to you over the past week and list five things we are thankful for.  [If you are following along with us, be sure to make your own list of five things!]. Here is my list:

1) Revival meetings going well and good decisions being made.

2) A friend trusting Christ as Savior.

3) Good quality time with Christian friends.

4) Strength and wisdom in planning for ministry at my volunteer job.

5) Energy, after a super busy week, to pack up for TWNE and head there on Sunday afternoon.

🌿 SPIRITUAL GROWTH is the next prompt, and this week there's an emphasis on FELLOWSHIP.  We were to plan a time to fellowship with friends this week.  [And again, if you are following along, please think about this for yourself.]

This definitely happened as we gathered with both family and friends for Thanksgiving.  We also had opportunities for good fellowship as we worked with friends from church on our Saturday cookie-baking outreach.

🌿 Lastly is a GOSPEL-CENTERED AFFIRMATION: 

When I need to be assured of God's love, I need look no further than the sacrifice of Jesus.

We can take this sweet, encouraging, motivating truth into the coming week and seek to share it with those who need to know or be reminded.

And there's the Sunday Scripture for this week!

And then there were four (Hodgepodge questions)

 

 Yes, it seems as if maybe this week I can answer four Hodgepodge questions quickly and easily.  Recall, the Wednesday Hodgepodge is hosted by Joyce at From this Side of the Pond.  Joyce asks the questions, bloggers answer them on their own blogs and link up.  Want to get in on the fun?  There's still time, so head on over!  Here are the four questions I picked, and my answers.

1. Ice skating, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, playing in the snow, or a snowy walk...which winter activity do you choose? Have you done any of these activities so far this winter? 

I'm going to say a snowy walk.  We've had a number of those as we try to walk every day possible.  Last week we walked in a nearby tourist town, and here are a couple of fun photos from that walk.

This welcoming candy-themed snowman was in front of a Christmas Loft store.  I loved the snowflake ribbon on their wreaths, too.

This take a stick, leave a stick library for dogs was on the main street of a little town.

2. Everyone is posting pictures from ten years ago on their social media sites so let's jump on the bandwagon too. Share one photo and one thought to go with said photo from the year 2016. And maybe everyone isn't doing this, but many are and we're going to be part of the fun. 

I had been resisting this trend, but Joyce pushed me into it.  I wanted to show a winter photo from January 2016, but what I ended up with was a photo of my winter hutch that year. 

And then because I wanted some type of outdoorsy photo, I ended up with this one from late April 2016 when we took a mental health hike with some of our loved ones.  It's one of my favorite posts that I've ever written, so you might enjoy reading it too.  Link is here: Poems and a post for the last day of April.

4. 'They' say there's a day for everything and January 21st proves it. National Granola Bar Day. Do you like granola bars? How about just regular granola? Do you like bars of other kinds? 

I seldom eat granola bars.  I do like them, but not the crunchy kind.   I don't really care for bars of other kinds all that much, although some of the Clif Bars are quite good.  Here is a great recipe for Homemade Granola Bars.  I do like regular granola, especially as a topping for yogurt.  I usually give granola as a Christmas gift each year.  Here's my recipe: Christmas granola.

5.  A frozen lake, a trickling stream, a raging river, or a deep well...which one describes something about your life right now? Elaborate as much or as little as you like. 

I'm going to say a trickling stream.  For the most part life is moving along quite smoothly and calmly right now, which is good because I'm really embracing the idea of easing into a new year. But yet there are the inevitable things that might disturb the stream, and do -- sickness, for example, or life events either joyous or difficult that make the stream take a temporary turn.  There are those places where the stream bubbles along very swiftly indeed and I see those as the busy times of life.  I had such a day yesterday, filled with ministry and phone calls.  So in general, I'll compare life right now to a trickling stream.

Above photo is from a winter walk, photo below from a snowshoe hike.

And there are my four answered Hodgepodge questions for this week.