Sunday, April 12, 2015

Grace and Reflections for a Woman's Heart #7 and my Blog Anniversary winner

As promised, today is the day that I will reveal
the gracious winner for my one year blog Anniversary.
At the end of this post you will "meet " her
and find another little surprise
that happened before my one year was reached. 

~ A Look Into Proverbs ~

"For the Lord giveth wisdom:
out of his mouth
cometh knowledge and understanding."
(Proverbs 2:6)

~~~***~~~

Proverbs contains the very wisdom of God
given to show us the value
of living prudently ~ or to be cautious


 "But the path of the just is as a shining light,
that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."
(Proverbs 4:18)

~~~***~~~
I love this verse! Why?
Because it is a wonderful promise for the believer.
God has ordained that we walk in His ways,
be obedient to His will
 bringing about our path to grow brighter and brighter.

~~~***~~~

The way of the righteous is light.
When we choose to walk in the light
our ways are safe and pleasant.
Christ is our way and He is the light.
Those who choose to walk in His ways and with the just,
will allow the Word of God to guide their feet.
~
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path."
(Psalm 119:105)


 This is such a great verse to hide in our hearts.
God's Word becomes a light to our paths
as we walk obediently in His ways.
We can have the confidence
that when it seems like our path appears dark,
God's Word, that we have hidden in our hearts,
will guide us every step of the way.

~~~***~~~

As we walk in God's ways He begins changing us
little by little, day by day
into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
~
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass
the glory of the Lord,
are changed into the same image
from glory to glory,
as even by the Spirit of the Lord."
(2 Corinthians 3:18)
~
Another beautiful promise!
When we put our faith in Jesus,
our spiritual nature changes to mirror God.
Not by anything we have done or could do,
but by the transforming Light.

~~~***~~~

We are a work in progress, all through the
work of the Spirit and by the grace of God.
We so need God's grace in our daily lives, don't we?
The spirit of the light is our guide
as we strive to walk obediently in God's ways.
~
Because we live in a fallen world
it's easy for us to stumble, fall and make mistakes.
But praise God, 
our personal failures are God's amazing grace to us.
~
I'm speaking for myself here ~
but time after time I have gone before the throne of grace
having to ask for forgiveness for failing my Almighty God.
In my own words, like Paul,
I do the things that I don't want to do,
and I don't do the things that I would like.
Frustrating!
 God's grace is abundant,
 but it doesn't give me the freedom to sin.
~
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
(1 John 1:9)

~~~***~~~

Through God's love grace and mercy
He never gives up on us.
He picks us back up when we fall
and leads us in the right direction,
continuing to change us into the likeness of Himself.


O the joy which is the pleasure of walking
down the path of the just ~
knowing we are a work in progress ~
pressing towards the Light ~
and reaching our goal at that  perfect day.
Glory to God in the Highest!

~~~***~~~

How have you experienced God's grace
in your spiritual walk with Him?
God pours His goodness and grace upon us ~
Because He loves us dearly.

 ~~~***~~~

Our Precious Heavenly Father,
as we graciously follow after Thee
in our walk with You,
teach us to walk righteously
as You light our way by Your Spirit
and through the scriptures.
Keep us close to Thee.
Amen.

~~~***~~~

Now the Give~Away
First I must thank each and everyone of you
for being such "gracious" followers!
Where would I be in this beautiful community
of blogging if it were not for you? 
The Lord has graced me with ladies from all 
over the globe and I appreciate you.
One year ago I would have never dreamed
I would have become involved in a community
of such love and grace
from ladies as precious as you!
~
I wished it were possible to gift each one of you
with a thank-you love gift
but that is not possible. :(
However ~
I have two love gifts going out to two lovely ladies.
Let me explain ~
Between God and I, 
I have been praying for months that
my Google followers would reach 100
either on or before April 2, but I wanted followers 
to find me because God led them to this blog, His blog.
Just two days before my one year party
God sent my 100th graceful follower,
someone I had not seen in our community.
She was all new to me. :)
That's God!!
~
Now for the revealing...
I had Stephanie draw the name out of a beautiful crystal bowl
since she was the BIRTHDAY girl.
Her lovely fingers pulled out


Congratulations Celestina
for winning the gift for my blog anniversary.
You may visit Celestina over at
Southern Day Dreams 
~
My 100th graceful follower was Kim over at
Sarah Lizzies 

 

Celestina's  gift                                                   Kim's gift
Much love to you all!

Joy!
~ Debbie ~

27 comments:

Sylvia said...

What a wonderful post, and needed today! Praise God for His faithfulness! Congratulations to the winners of your 1st anniversary giveaway.
Have a blessed Sunday!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

What a beautiful, uplifting post to read this morning.

Thank you.

Congrats to your winners.

Have a lovely Sunday ~ FlowerLady

Sandi said...

This was beautiful and reassuring to read this morning with my coffee. :) love the winding road pic too! Thanks, Debbie, and have a great day!

Linda said...

What a lovely post, Proverbs is one of my favorite books in the Bible. Actually, I have been "stuck" in Proverbs for a long time now (hmm...on that thought, I think that is God's plan, just stop and reflect/comprehend, smiles).

Congrats to the winners. Blessings

Celestina Marie said...

Dearest Debbie, What a beautiful post for this day. Your words are always touching and fill my heart with a reminder and lesson so needed.

WOW I am so excited to be one of the winners of your giveaway. Thank you so much and to Stephanie for drawing my name. What a blessing this is and one I will hold dear!!
Sending a BIG TEXAS HUG!!
Love to you and yours~
CM

Celestina Marie said...

Also forgot to say, Congrats to you on your 100th follower and the lovely lady who also won your generous giveaway.
I know this is just the beginning for many more friends to find you and follow along. They will be blessed for sure!
XO

Sola Scriptura said...

Congratulations to the giveaway winners :) Beautiful post. I hope you have a wonderful week.

J said...

Sunday morning, getting ready to go to Mass and stopping just to read this post - what a blessing!
Congratulations on meeting your blog goal (with the help of Our Lord!) and to the winners of your prizes!

Pam~ Virginia Retro said...

Congrats to Celestina & kim! I remember how excited I was to reach 100 followers. I think I had a giveaway also.

Debbie, You have a beautiful and inspiring blog.
Happy Blog Anniversary!

Julie's Lifestyle said...

Hello Debbie,
Congrats on all of your followers to your blog. Congrats to the winner of your lovely giveaway. Thanks for the lovely post today. Enjoy today and the upcoming week.
Julie

Anonymous said...

Congrats to the winners!

Thank you for an uplifting and thought-provoking post this Sunday.

I already am good friends with Celeste but I will pay a visit to your 100th blog friend and introduce myself.

Have a lovely evening.

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

I am a work in progress too!! Very nice post today.
Congrat's to the winners! Thank you for having a giveaway.
Happy Sunday.
warmly,
deb

Terra said...

What a nice way for you to celebrate your blog milestone.

doodles n daydreams said...

Congratulations to the two deserving winners. And congrats to you on your 100th follower, a neat milestone.
I always enjoy reading your post on a Monday morning (even if it is still Sunday at your place). It sets my week off just right.

Diana

Vicky Hunt said...

Just lovely Debbie! You always bless me with your words and scripture. Congratulations on 100 followers and congratulations also to Celestina and Kim too! I am off to pay them a quick visit, Have a blessed and beautiful week.

Hugs, Vicky

Anonymous said...

Just knowing that Out Lord is still working in me, brings me a great deal of comfort. Congratulations on your blog anniversary. So blessed to read your words :0)

Ceil said...

Hi Debbie! Congratulations on your #100 follower! What a beautiful way to celebrate, God is sending you his children. (My mom's birthday was 4/2!)

Congrats to the winners of your contest. Such lovely gifts too. You are so generous.
May God continue to be that bright lamp to your feet, that you may always follow Him.
Blessings,
Ceil

Kelly-Anne said...

Oh Debbie...I just had to come back and tell you how I enjoyed your post this morning! I started my day with coffee and your beautiful post - so encouraging!

Many congratulations to the sweet winners - I am sure they will enjoy their lovely gifts!

Have a happy week!

Much love and blessings in Christ Jesus!
Kelly-Anne

Kim said...

Another lovely post, Debbie, filled with glorious photos and gems of God's word. I suspect your uplifting blog is a lamp to many people!! Thank you so very much for my surprise....I am deeply touched!

Stephanie said...

"We are a work in progress..." So true! It's a beautiful thought to know that the Lord works in and through our lives every day. May I aways be open and receptive to God, allowing Him to do a great and mighty work in my life and heart.

Lovely post, mom :) And your images are beautiful. I am VERY happy for the winners and I know they will enjoy the goodies from you.

Happy Monday! Love you!

Linda Walker said...

Hi Debbie,
Congratulations on your anniversary and your 100th follower! Congrats to both of the lucky winners as well!!!! I enjoy reading your posts and today's post is especially timely. So looking forward to reading your future posts of encouragement and faith. Xo
Linda

Debby Ray said...

Such a beautiful post, just like it's author! Debbie, I am so glad to have you as one of my sweet blogging sisters! And congratulations on your ONE year bloggeversary AND your 100th follower!! I would have never believed these sweet relationships through blogging was possible if I hadn't experienced it for myself! Congratulations also going out to Celestina for winning your lovely giveaway!

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

I loved this post on following the light of Our Savior, through His Spirit, Debbie. You never fail to inspire and help to think upon the words in Scripture.
Congratulations to both Celestina and Kim! They will be thrilled with their gifts!

living from glory to glory said...

Hello, I am so glad you are writing to train and bless others with His word! One day we can look back and see this as a tool and a ministry and think of all the amazing ladies, we have met and the people we will meet in heaven!
Congrats to all!!
Hugs, Roxy

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Lovely and inspiring post, Debbie. Following the light of the Lord keeps us on the right path and gives us hope. Your photos are stunning. Wishing you a blessed week and congratulations to the lucky winners. Hugs xo Karen

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Ah Debbie love that verse too, .... Shineth more and more unto the perfect day... Isn't that a verse of hope. Congrats to your two winners too, Shaz in Oz.x

CherylQuilts said...

What a beautiful post, Debbie, and congratulations to the lovely ladies who were winners (in so many ways). I love the verses you shared today and particularly love the Psalms and Proverbs for the richness of wisdom in these books. Oh, that we would daily strive to walk the path with His guidance...one step at a time and seeking His wisdom and direction. What a blessing you are and have been this year, and I wish you a blessed Year Two on your blog. Thank you for blessing us with your thoughts and the Scripture God lays on your heart! Hugs, precious friend!

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