Hey Hope Beyond Friends who are battling illness: I’m putting together a Skype devotional/prayer group for those of us who are largely homebound. This is for persons who are followers of Jesus Christ of the Bible. You’ll need a computer with a camera, Skype, and to be registered on Skype. I’m thinking 8 people per group (and starting additional groups if more are interested), lasting 45-60 minutes, once per week. The format could be: Get acquainted, Bible-based devotional, short prayer requests, prayer. These are “come as you are” which means just get dressed and turn on the computer! This first group is for gals. I’ll collect names and facilitate additional groups that you will run yourselves if we have more gals or guys who are interested.
Make a comment below with a message and your Skype name if you are interested.
Thanks and take care, Just Julie
UPDATE: We had our first call at 8:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, September 18th. Such a sweet time of blessing we had! Looks like we will continue at this time and Yes there are openings for a few more folks. Would love to meet you! JJ
4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable:5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up.
Nothing going on here at the nursery: barren ground and a dead stump provide a perch for this lone feline.
6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.
In the absence of compost and amendments, nothing would grow in this soil!
8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”
Compost, Canadian peat moss, hardwood mulch and fertilizer should give these newbies and transplants a head start in their new home.
When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
This passage provides important lessons for our lives. When we do not heed the Word of God all our efforts ultimately waste away, crumbling back to the earth like the dead plants in this compost pile.
9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant.10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.
Striving in our own strength, is like blindly chasing after the wind.
11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
Barren ground shall not awaken to the truth without the light, the Words of our Lord and Savior.
13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.
Plants weaken and become subject to pests and diseases when choked together. Perennials that mature properly require care, division, replanting, water, sunlight, fertilization, and time to grow in due season.
15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
The newly pruned and divided stella d’oro daylilies will flourish next year, finishing this season well and providing plants for the new garden bed too.
How glorious it is to rest in God’s creation and plan for our lives!Finished well. Thank you Lord!
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P.S. I’m thinking of putting together a group Skype devotional and prayer time once per week with others who are largely isolated for whatever reason. The focus would be open and based upon belief in God through the person of Jesus Christ of the Bible. Please leave me a comment below if you might be interested. I’ll do a separate blog on this soon! Take care, JJ
4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Jeremiah 29
I offer this passage for those of us who are Christians and are worried about what may come here in the United States.
I offer this passage for those of us who are recovering from serious illness and feel vulnerable or too weak to act in our own strength to try to change things.
I offer this passage for myself to remind me WHO is in charge of all things: past, present, and future. And I will add this reassurance as well:
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6
Why is it so easy to forget the Lord’s faithfulness in my life? First, He led me to Him when I was finally ready to stop striving out of my own determination to make something out of my life, MY WAY. Second, He gave me a reasonable life as a baby Christian only for it to spiral out of control, my control. His hand was upon me and wanted me to depend only upon His grace. Third, He brought me exceedingly sweet restoration, the desires of my heart, and a love worth waiting for in the arms of my intended beloved. Fourth, He allowed exceedingly difficult weakness to strengthen our faith and prepare us for His return in glory. Yes, I believe He will return soon.
More important than looking for what disasters may bestow us in this once great United States of America is to ready ourselves and WATCH for the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Luke 12
What then shall we do? Wait without worry; meditate on His Words, instructions and promises; carry on with the events of living; and share the hope within us. If I must bury my nose in His holy Word for hours to calm my fears then that is exactly what I shall do. I know I will find You there my Lord . . . in sweet fellowship until I am in your presence forevermore. Just writing this has lifted my spirits.
Just reading this, can you sense His peace too Gentle Reader? I hope so. JJ
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P.S. I’m thinking of putting together a group Skype devotional and prayer time once per week with others who are largely isolated for whatever reason. The focus would be open and based upon belief in God through the person of Jesus Christ of the Bible. Please leave me a comment below if you might be interested. I’ll do a separate blog on this soon! Take care, JJ
Here’s a sampling of some of some pretty things that are bringing a smile lately. Simple, colorful, easy on the eye and pocketbook too. All from my middle of the night shop: Trinity Jewelry by Design
Breast Cancer Awareness Adjustable Necklace
Each one represents a collection and all are handmade by yours truly. The Friendship Necklace design features an authentic friendship bracelet from the Threads of Hope ministry. Check the “About” page for more information about these artisans.
SPECIAL: Enjoy free shipping and packaging with coupon code ANNIVERSARYSALE for orders placed in the USA this month (August 2014).
Sweet dreams, JJ
Chevron Macramé BraceletLyme Disease Awareness Bracelet with Spirochete DesignFriendship Necklace or Bracelet with Seahorse CharmChevron Amethyst Leather Wrap BraceletAdjustable Genuine Leather Loop Bracelet
Hey Hope Beyond Friends who are battling illness: I’m putting together a Skype devotional/prayer group for those of us who are largely homebound. This is for persons who are followers of Jesus Christ of the Bible. You’ll need a computer with a camera, Skype, and to be registered on Skype. I’m thinking 8 people per group (and starting additional groups if more are interested), lasting 45-60 minutes, once per week. The format could be: Get acquainted, Bible-based devotional, short prayer requests, prayer. These are “come as you are” which means just get dressed and turn on the computer! This first group is for gals. I’ll collect names and facilitate additional groups that you will run yourselves if we have more gals or guys who are interested.
Jesus is for the Wounded 
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