"Sometimes while I'm talking to God, He'll show me something about myself in such a way that I have to laugh at my own humanity and how funny I must look to Him." - Donna

Donna...just found your blog...I absolutely love it! And I love your singing! I'm at work right now and it was just exactly what I needed to hear to help me make it through tonight! Thanks for your ministry here!
- Robert

Google Time

Custom Search
Protected by Copyscape Website Copyright Protection

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Review Moment: Make Their Day by Karen Ehman

What a fun book! When life gets so busy you don't have time to come up with ways to show your loved ones how much they mean to you, this book's contents might come to your rescue. Some ideas are simple, while some require more time and money, but there are 101 from which to choose, so you're sure to find a few ways that will work for you. I appreciated the Bible verses and the focus on godly hospitality. During stressful times, it's important to focus and take time to show kindness and love for our family and friends. I'm planning to use the ideas in this book myself. 

I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers for an honest review.

Product details

  • ASIN : B08MXYPRM1
  • Publisher : Bethany House Publishers (February 2, 2021)
  • Publication date : February 2, 2021
  • Language : English
  • File size : 15311 KB
  • Text-to-Speech : Enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
  • X-Ray : Enabled
  • Word Wise : Enabled
  • Print length : 142 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN : 076423904X


Saturday, April 24, 2021

Poetry Moment: Rain from Heaven

Rain from Heaven

Oh, Lord,
I long to drink of Your healing rain.
My soul lies battered and parched
from the dryness
of an arid earth that drains life
from me.
I raise my face toward You –
my mouth and spirit
open
ready to receive a cleansing,
a restoration,
only You can pour out.

As a sparrow, helpless and hungry
waits for sustenance from her mother,
I wait in expectation
for You to fill me
to overflowing.

I cry out to You
in praise and thanksgiving,
trusting Your faithfulness
to supply my every need,
and know only You
can quench this awful thirst.

My spirit trembles
with awe.

My body quakes
in anticipation.

Then like a spring shower brings life and hope
after winter desolation,
Your blessings cascade
over my thirsty soul.

Warm waters cleanse within,
healing flows into the deep,
and my soul hungrily,
greedily
drinks.

Ahhh…….

by Donna J. Shepherd 


Photo by Geetanjal Khanna on Unsplash

Tuesday, March 09, 2021

Review Moment: NIV Verse Mapping Bibles and Journal

The NIV Verse Mapping Bible is a Bible with what is referred to as a mapping journey, and is for anyone who wants to dig deeper into Scripture. 

First, select a scripture and note the key words and phrases. Then do what I find most important, read that verse in context and look for the action and write a summary of what you’ve learned. This Bible is formatted with wide columns and lines on every page to make notes. There are 350 verse maps already partially filled out to get you started with the process. 

The Verse Mapping Bible Study Journal (as an additional purchase) has fifty blank ones to continue your journey. I found the Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament) word studies especially helpful. 

As a long-time Bible teacher, I’m happy to see a system that helps us study the Word more thoroughly and apply it to our lives. That there is a version for girls (NIV Verse Mapping Bible for Girls) brings me joy. Starting a journey through the Bible early in life will bring many benefits and encouragement to serve God. 

Overall, I like the concept, but willingness and determination and, I daresay, discipline is required for this type of study. If you crave going deeper into God’s Word, this is the study Bible for you. 

  • Adult Bible: https://www.amazon.com/Verse-Mapping-Bible-Cloth-Comfort/dp/031045459X
  • Girls Bible: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310454689
  • Journal: https://www.amazon.com/Verse-Mapping-Bible-Study-Journal/dp/0310124018
  • Bible Gateway Blogger Grid provided me with complimentary Bibles and journal to review. All opinions are entirely my own. #BibleGatewayPartner

    Tuesday, February 09, 2021

    Devotion: Valentine's Day - Say, “I Love You” to Someone Today



    “But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.”1 Thessalonians 4:9

    February is the month of love. A lot of people think Hallmark thought up Valentine’s Day, but few know how it really originated.

    One legend says Valentine was a priest during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When his actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

    Other stories suggest Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

    According to another legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that he fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression still in use today.

    Since America has been at war, there is a heightened awareness of the fragility of life. If you haven’t told your spouse, your children, or your loved ones you love them, why not do it today? We don’t know what tomorrow holds or even if there will be a tomorrow and of course the Lord could return at any moment for His Church.

    Even if you don’t have a sweetheart, perhaps you can think of someone who could benefit from an expression of love from you. Just think – there may be someone in your life who won’t be hugged or told someone loves him or her if you don’t take the initiative.

    What about your church family? What is one of the ways we know we are in the body of Christ? I John 4:7 says, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”

    Lastly, but most importantly, I want to tell the Savior of my soul, the Maker of my heart and the Creator of love itself that I love Him.

    Say, "I love you" to someone today!

    Prayer: Lord, I thank You for all those who love me, and for the privilege of loving others. Most of all, I thank You, God, for Your love, mercy, and grace shown through Jesus Christ.

    Donna J. Shepherd © 2012 All rights reserved. No portion of this Website may be reproduced by Crossmap or any other website without dated written permission from Donna. - Thanks!

    *First posted 2-14-06
    Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...