Joyfull Living

A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength; Proverbs 24:5 "Good, Better, Best, never let is rest, until your good is better, and your better is best." Have you ever heard that cute little rhyme? It is an encouragement to continually be striving and reaching for better. We all desire to be stronger, wiser and more knowledgeable. With each step in the right direction, we increase and gain in those areas. Some simple ways to exercise, stretch, reach and grow can be found in a few key areas: Dependability: If you say that you will do it - follow up and do it. Strive to be a person who is dependable and can be counted on. Start small but follow through. Integrity: Let integrity guide each decision. It has been said that “Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching.” Seek the Lord for His guidance and follow that leading when indecisive times come. Do the right thing! Faithfulness: Faithfulness is loyalty and c...

Kodak Gallery is giving away a million free gifts over the next few days. All you have to do is go to Kodak, sign your email address up and they will email you a code to give when you order for $15.00 off of your order. I have already ordered my Christmas photo cards! There are several other photo gifts which are great! Enjoy saving some money and finding some great gifts!

Recently our family traveled to the mountains for a few days. We enjoyed some of fall's beauty and splendor! Here are a few things of fall beauty!

WELCOME!! Thank you for stopping by my blog today. I love my readers and appreciate each one who stops in for a visit. Even though it is not expressed often enough, I am thankful for you. Thankfulness and appreciation are valuable virtues which can continually be improved upon. These virtues are also an important part of the discussion over At the Well today: Biblical Hospitality. I used to think that hospitality encompassed serving a great meal and inviting guests into a spotless home. Many times I did that, but after a day spent cleaning, cooking and preparing for the guests, by the time they arrived, I was not good company! Neither was my family since I had been grumpy, irritable and threatened them continually for leaving a speck of dust or footprint in the house before the guests arrived! Through the years, I have learned that hospitality is not only action and work, it is an attitude that starts in the heart and extends outward through love and service. Hospitality ...

Recently the opportunity arose to review a family game that dealt with numbers. Since my 8 year old son loves games and also loves math, I jumped at this chance. Upturn is a product of Timberdoodle Company which provides quality educational games and homeschool curriculum. Upturn is a game that is easy to explain, easy to play and an exciting combination of numerical strategy and chance designed for children ages 6 and up. This game retails for $25.00 and would make a fantastic and quality gift as we approach the Christmas season. A few days after receiving a copy of Upturn, a catalog came in the mail from Timberdoodle and is jam packed with educational supplies ranging from curriculum , books, games and toys which provide fun, challenge and educational value. Our game arrived promptly in the mail and as we opened the package it became evident that this was a quality product. The outer box is sturdy and the contents include plastic number racks to hold the number tiles ...

Fall has arrived! This is my favorite season where so many scents and sights bring to life a warmth and cozy season to our homes. One of my favorite things to do in fall is to do some baking. In the south where I live, the heat in summer can be brutal. There is not much baking going on, it is simply too hot! In the fall the air cools off some and offers some relief from the heat. Candles can be lit to create a warmth and inviting atmosphere in the home and some homemade cakes or breads baking in the oven emit a fragrance through the house that draws the family together with anticipation of a delicious treat. Fall baking brings me great joy!! This is my next baking creation: Aunt Jenny's Apple Bunt Cake: Now, I don't have an Aunt Jenny, but I recently found this recipe and knew it looked like a perfect fall baking dose of joy! Here is the recipe: 4-5 apples – peeled, cored & cut into thin wedges 5 Tablespoons white sugar 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon A hint of nutmeg ...

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear (timidity), but of power, love, and self-discipline. II Timothy 1 6,7 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. II Timothy 1:9 By nature I am a very timid person. New circumstances, new opportunities or new situations intimidate me and can cause me to fear. These verses remind me that God has gifted me and will fill me with His power, love and sound mind- self discipline to complete any task or embrace any situation. Was it because I deserve such wonderful gifts? Absolutely not! His plan is me to live a holy life and to show His grace. His grace is shown not through what I can do , but what He can do through me. What a powerful promise, what a wonderful Lord we serve!