March On Tag

Purple Rose and Dollfaced Writer came up with these monthly tags, and dear Stuart tagged me! Thanks, Stuart! Please check out Stuart’s post and the rest of his writings (it’s worth it).

Here are the rules:
1. Thank the person who nominated you to participate.
2. Link back to the original post.
3. Use the original featured image.
4. Talk about what this month’s theme means to you.
5. Answer the questions.
6. Nominate one or more people to participate.
7. Enjoy the rest of your month!

The theme of Marching On brings to mind the hymn, “Onward Christian Soldiers.”

Lyrics: Sabine Baring-Gould, 1834-1924;  Music: Arthur S. Sullivan, 1842-1900

1. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
   With the cross of Jesus going on before.
   Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
   Forward into battle see His banners go!
   • Refrain:
     Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
     With the cross of Jesus going on before.
2. At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
   On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
   Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
   Brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
3. Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
   Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
   We are not divided, all one body we,
   One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
4. Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
   But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
   Gates of hell can never ’gainst that church prevail;
   We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.
5. Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
   Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
   Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,
   This through countless ages men and angels sing.

Here are the questions for this month’s tag:

1. Are you or is anyone in your family Irish?

Yup. My grandma’s family (dad’s side) emigrated from Ireland, plus my mother’s side has Irish, too.  When I had color in my hair, it had red hues. My dad had very red hair. Also, my dad used to teach at Notre Dame, and we have been “Fighting Irish” all my life.

2. Do you wear green for St. Patrick’s Day?

Yes. Especially when I was still teaching, I wore outfits / colors for most of the holidays.

3. Do you decorate for St. Patrick’s Day?

No.

4. If you spotted a leprechaun, followed him, saw a rainbow and a pot of gold…what would the gold be to you? Actual gold? Or something else?

I think I’ve already found the “pot o’ gold” – the Bible.

5. What shade of green is your favorite? Provide an image if possible.

I wear this color a lot, in various hues.

6. What do you like best about the month of March? What do you like the least?

Although March is a tough month weather-wise, I like the promise of spring it brings.

7. What’s the luckiest thing that’s ever happened to you?

I can’t say much of anything about luck, as I don’t believe in it. God blesses, we obey, we receive His blessings…

For this month I am tagging…

Anyone who is Irish, or is not Irish; or who likes Irish, or doesn’t like Irish

February: What’s on your Heart Tag

Thanks to Amy at A New Life (❤ !) for this nomination. Dollfaced Writer has created a tag where each month the theme is different but the tag continues each month. Here are the rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you to participate.
2. Link back to the original post.
3. Attach an image that inspires you regarding the month’s theme (or use the original).
4. Talk about what this month’s theme means to you.
5. Answer the questions.
6. Nominate one or more people to participate.
7. Enjoy the rest of your month

For February, our theme is called: What’s on Your Heart

What’s on my heart for February’s heart theme:

Love is a personal relationship; God is a personal God. Everything we do is personal because everyone we meet was put there for a purpose.

I’m using a picture of a dear lady, a wonderful friend, a sister in the Lord.

Rosie went to be with her Lord last spring, and we all miss her so much. She is a picture, to me, of love. She had heart, and it was the heart of her Lord: she showed it to everyone, she took the risk of leaving herself open to hurt and rejection, and she took everything to God in prayer. What a joyful, peaceful, giving countenance she presented to all! Her eyes and her smile radiated God’s love.

The questions that go along with this tag:

1. Do you believe in love at first sight?

Yes, I think it can happen. However, I also think people must be very careful with it, and not run away with the “feelings” of it.

2. Do you believe in soulmates?

Yup. Anyone who is married has a soulmate, whether they are in tune with it or not.

3. What’s the first thing you notice about a person?

The eyes and the smile (or lack of it). They work together.

4. What’s your ideal date?

A great hike. This was the first date for my husband and me. It allows lots of time for talking without having to sit and look at each other the whole time; and you get to find out a few interesting things about another person on a hike, especially if it’s long.

5. What traits do you look for in a friend/significant others?

Listening, following up, loyalty, consistency, integrity, agape love

6. What are your thoughts on being friends with an ex?

Depends on what “being friends” entails.

7. If you’re a believer, when did you give your heart to the Lord? If not, what in life keeps a bounce in your step?

I’ve always been able to characterize myself as an optimist. In fact, it almost kept me from the Lord: I really liked the way my life was going, and thought I was doing a pretty good job at it all by myself. I was going on 30 when God had a serious conversation with me. As always, His timing was perfect, because there were some Bad Things going on that I really needed Him for soon after.

I nominate the following to continue with the tag:

Ana https://momlifewithchiari.com/

Vickie https://vicklea.com/

Christy https://miraculoussmile.wordpress.com/

Maxine  https://heavensreef.wordpress.com/

Kathy https://atimetoshare.me/

My apologies if you’ve already been tagged for this. And, really no obligation to participate. This is only as the Spirit leads! 😊

Light: Tell the Story

“Grandma, tell me the story again.”

Eve smiled. How many times had she heard that plea? How many children called her Grandma? This little one was the daughter of Jared, several generations from her son, Seth. She drew her into her lap. “Which one, Neah?”

“The light.”

“Oh, the light.” Eve paused as she pondered the light in Eden. Really, after all this time, she had never found the precise words to describe it, nothing with which to compare it. Nothing else was like it.

She continued. “The light was everywhere, not like it is now. Here, we have darkness and light. We have ways to make light when it’s dark outside, but it’s not the same as the light we had in the Garden. God was the light, and He was in the garden, and His light was everywhere. Everything shimmered and glowed – everything: the trees, all the plants, even the animals. And Grandma and Grandpa. There was light everywhere, but it was not blinding. It was light that enabled us to see, to see more clearly than we can now, with more truth. There was light everywhere. See those trees?” Eve pointed to some palms. “In the Garden, the trees had light, and there was light springing up from the ground around them. When we walked, our steps were light. We walked with God then…” Eve fell away from her speech.

“Isn’t God still here, with us?” Neah looked up at her Grandma.

“Yes.” Eve brushed the tip of Neah’s nose and smiled. “Yes, He is. Everywhere. And we can still talk to Him. But,” she ended on a wistful note, “it’s not the same as in the Garden. We can’t see Him here like we did.”

“You could see God?”

“No, no we couldn’t see Him, exactly, but somehow our eyes or our vision was different there. Oh, I wish I could explain it!” She gave Neah a hug. “But some day, some day we will be able to see again, to walk with God in purity. He promised. And Neah,” she held her granddaughter’s eyes, “God is always true. He always loves you, and He will always take care of you. Never doubt Him. We may sometimes walk away, but He never does. And He always, always wants us to walk with Him.”

Neah yawned. “I will, Grandma. I will.”

********

John from The Eclectic Contrarian started the unique and intriguing Tell the Story Challenge, and it’s been spreading around. Amy and Stuart nominated me after weaving their well-crafted prose. Please visit them to read and be blessed.

The Tell the Story Challenge rules (as per John): present a picture, then tell the story of the picture. It can be as short or as long as you want it to be. Nominate at least 3 people.

I’m not good at nominating. Here’s a picture, and if it speaks to you, please write a story about it.

(photo from Google Images)

Sunshine Blogger Award 2

Thank you, Amy, for nominating me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Amy is a gifted blogger; please visit her site at https://anewlife256599767.wordpress.com/ 

Here are the rules…

Thank the blogger who nominated you.

Use the “Sunshine Blogger Award” logo on your post.

Answer the 11 questions the selector asks of you.

Choose 5-11 fellow bloggers to nominate, and ask them your own questions.

My questions from Amy, and my answers:

1. How do you spread rays of sunshine outside of the blogging world?

My husband tells me my smile is like sunshine.

2. By looking at your all-time stats, what are your readers’ favorite posts?

I don’t know how to navigate my stats enough to find the answer to that. From all the clicking I did, I think the top ones are Love Dat Famlee, Environment Shapes Expectations, Change Your Past, and The Art of Listening.

3. What are you favorite posts, either something you have written or something that touched your heart from another blogger?

Reflections: Which Mirror; An Overview: One Approach to Reading the Bible; Where are Your Oars?; and 3-2-1 Quote Forgiveness

4. What is your favorite faith based film?

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1N-Hdqno4w  EE-TAOW! It puts me on my knees, crying praises to God. It’s only a bit over 20 minutes; I encourage you to watch.

5. What is your favorite verse in the Bible and why?

Cannot pick a favorite. However, my life verse when I was baptized was James 4.8b, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” It depicts God’s goodness, grace, mercy, and love; while reminding us of our responsibilities.

6. If given the chance and the trip was free, would go to outer space for a month? Why or why not?

No. Just no.

7. What about writing is the hardest for you personally?

I enjoy it when I’m stirred to write. Otherwise, it feels like a chore.

8. Could you see yourself as a missionary?

I went through the application process, years ago. When I was talking to my friend about it, I told her I thought I’d “received the call.” She advised me emphatically, “Hang up!” I finished up the application and was turned down because I was a single mom.

9. If you had the chance to go on any mission trip where would you love to go?

I’ve already traveled quite a bit (Air Force dad), so I would just go where they tell me.

10. What is your favorite season of the year and why?

No favorites. I do like living in a climate that experiences all four seasons, though; no pining for tropics or beaches.

11. Is there a specific topic that you have wanted to write about but haven’t yet? And if so, what is it?

“The Angel of Death” has been meandering around my head for a while. I’m working on it.

My nominees:

https://dailyhopeful.wordpress.com/

https://jesskidding17.wordpress.com

https://godswhispersoftruth.wordpress.com

(Please note that participation is completely voluntary, no hurry, no pressure.)

Questions for my nominees to answer:

1.Write something about your family (as broad or narrow as you want).

2. Write something about your church family (as broad or narrow as you want).

3. What life lesson has God been working in you recently?

4. What kind of fantasy vacation would you dream up (money not a factor)?

5. Favorite book(s)? Include a note about your favorite genres / authors.

6. Write something about a teacher of yours.

7. Write a two-line poem about clouds (you can change clouds to something else, if you want).

8. Favorite hot beverage?

9. Where is the farthest-away-living relative that you know of?

10. What is a good gift for someone that costs little to nothing?

11. Are you into holiday hoopla (house all decorated, stacks of Christmas cards, lists for gifts, parties & get-togethers, Christmas sweaters, etc); or are you low-key; or are you non-existant?