Monthly Archives: February 2013

Such a Nice Surprise

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Imagine my surprise when I received an email from Cynthia at Prayer Notes by Cynthia letting me know that I had won coasters, The Old Rugged Cross, that she had made and designed. 
If you haven’t already discovered Cynthia’s blog, head on over.  You will find encouragement for your faith and some beautiful and unique art work and crafts.  Cynthia also has website at Etsy.
Thank you Cynthia…I feel most blessed.
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1,000 Gifts – February 23, 2013

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February 23, 2013 Saturday
22.  Thank You Lord for a weekend.  Time to care our home which You have provided and a time to worship, study Your word and to rest.
23.  Thank You for a bright and sunny day.
24.  Thank You for bringing the birds back.  During the cold days of winter they seemed to be few.  Thank You for our little wrens who are building a nest in our bird house. 
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Amazing Grace by Michael W Smith

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Sorry about the ad that comes first…you can skip it shortly. 

Amazing Grace is my absolute favorite hymn and I love this version.  It does capture my heartfelt thanksgiving to my Heavenly Father and my Savior Christ Jesus for the incredible and undeserved gift of forgiveness of my sins, eternal life and the promise of heaven.

I want this hymn sung at my memorial service.  I want it to be a huge celebration of God and His gift of Amazing Grace.
 



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Freedom Has a Price

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Oh how I hate incessant
Whining and complaining
About that which I can’t change
My only choice is to pick my poison
Oh how I hate
The nanny government
Sticking its nose
In the private and personal lives of citizens
Hands reaching through employers
Offering incentives
Dangling the carrot of money
Hoping we will respond like Pavlov’s dogs
Our government has lost its focus
No longer able to defend and protect
Its citizens against evil
Against people and governments bent on destruction
Freedom always has a price to pay
For me, it’s a little over $1.50 a day
To say “No”, my life is my own
It is to God to Whom I will give an account
by Susan Wachtel
February 23, 2013
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Five Minute Friday – Lasting Impression

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It’s not so much what she said
For she was not one for long conversations
But it’s what mom did that made a lasting impression
One day her life made an unexpected left turn
Went down a road she could never have imagined
It’s there she showed me how to be a strong woman
In the midst of her grief
She made plans for an education
That would allow her to provide
A move was in store
Our lives changed
Never to be the same
Focused and determined
She persevered the long days at school
Studied hard at night
Friendships were formed
That would last a lifetime
Together they achieved their goal…LVN
Another move, a new town
A new school, another goal before her
Friends and family would join her on the journey
Buckle down, study hard
Early mornings, late nights
Learn that which doesn’t come easy
The day came when she achieved her goal
Her tireless efforts were rewarded
A goal achieved, a degree received…Registered Nurse
When hard times come
It’s not the time to buckle under the stress
Nor focus on the past, or look in the rear view mirror
It’s the time to be strong
Focused and determined
She was rewarded with a career she loved for a lifetime
by Susan Wachtel
February 23, 2013
It’s another Saturday morn and I participating in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Fridaywriting challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

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Five Minute Friday – My Beloved

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He is the Beloved Son of God
Christ Jesus
In Whom the Father is well pleased
His is my Beloved Savior
Who laid His glory aside
In order to become a man, my Kinsman
He is my beloved Sin Bearer
He paid the penalty for my sin
So that my sin debt was marked paid in full
He is my Beloved Redeemer
He ransomed my soul
From the slaved master called sin
He is my Beloved in Whom I found freedom
Freedom from the guilt of sin, the power of sin
One day from the presence of sin
He is my Beloved God
Who dares to call this sinner His beloved bride
One day He will take me home to a place He has prepared
by Susan Wachtel
February 16, 2013

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!  Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.  Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.  1 John 3:1-3

It’s another Saturday morn and I participating in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.
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Five Minute Friday – My Soul Laid Bare

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Lord, I come before you
Open and transparent
My soul is laid bare before You
As long as I cling to sin
Prize it above You
Fail to recognize sin for what it is
Our fellowship is broken
You will not answer my prayers
The prayers of a prideful, unrepentant heart
By when I repent
When I confess my sin
When my heart is broken over that which breaks Your heart
It is then that the breach has been repaired
You once again receive me in Your loving-kindness
Once again our fellowship has been restored
By Susan Wachtel
February 9, 2013
During my devotional time, I’m writing out the Psalms.  Today I was in Psalm 66, verses 13-20, which fueled this poem.
18 If I regard iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear.
19 But certainly God has heard me;
He has attended to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer,
Nor His mercy from me!
Psalm 66:18-20
For some reason…my Five Minute Friday is usually written on Saturday. However, I still wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  Head over to her website “LisaJo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.
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Trust Him By Faith

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During trials and tribulations
Though God seems distant and far away
He is much nearer than I know
For I am cupped in the palm of His hand
When God seems silent
His voice is drowned out by the noise of life
He bids me to be still
Incline my ear to Him and listen
When I’m tempted to fear and tremble
Walk by sight…focused on my circumstances
The Lord commands me
Take every thought captive in obedience to Christ
May I dare to walk by faith
Take God at His word
May I trust Him enough – to trust Him
Even when I don’t understand what He is accomplishing
By Susan Wachtel
February 8, 2013
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Five Minute Friday – Fear Exchange

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It seems we’ve exchanged the fear of God
For fear of man
Instead of fearing what God can do
We are afraid of what man will say
We choose to forget that God is Holy, Holy, Holy
Fail to call sinful what God has declared sin
We no longer have reverence and awe of God
Fail to declare His Word with authority
Instead of loving God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength
We desire the approval of man
Instead of worshipping God and feeding the flock
Churches have become places where the ungodly are not confronted about sin and repentance
Lord, forgive us for dialing down Your Word
Protecting people from the Sword of the Spirit
Forgive us for being harsh and unforgiving
Where You abound in mercy and grace
Lord, restore in us a reverence and awe of You
May we fear You Lord and begin to gain wisdom
Susan Wachtel
February 2, 2013
Even though it’s Saturday I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five MinuteFriday writing challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.
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Five Minute Friday – Fear Exchange

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It seems we’ve exchanged the fear of God

For fear of man

Instead of fearing what God can do

We are afraid of what man will say

We choose to forget that God is Holy, Holy, Holy

Fail to call sinful what God has declared sin

We no longer have reverence and awe of God

Fail to declare His Word with authority

Instead of loving God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength

We desire the approval of man

Instead of worshipping God and feeding the flock

Churches have become places where the ungodly are not confronted about sin and repentance

Lord, forgive us for dialing down Your Word

Protecting people from the Sword of the Spirit

Forgive us for being harsh and unforgiving

Where You abound in mercy and grace

Lord, restore in us a reverence and awe of You

May we fear You Lord and begin to gain wisdom

Susan Wachtel

February 2, 2013

Even though it’s Saturday I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five MinuteFriday writing challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.