A Spirit of Unity

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May the God

who gives endurance and encouragement

give you a spirit of unity among yourselves

as you follow Christ Jesus,

Roman 15:5

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A team functions fully when the members are of one mind.

This is especially true in marriages and church fellowships.

The best way to be unified is for each person to be following the Leader

and keeping his/her eyes focused on the Leader at all times.

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The Lord grants us endurance

to walk by faith each day

and fills our hearts with love

for each other along the way.

Wendy/2015

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I love my husband, family and church best by loving God with all my heart, mind, and soul first.

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Blessings as you follow Christ first and foremost ~ Wendy

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Can you think of another verse or quote that promotes unity in a family or other group setting?

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New Blog Announcement and Invitation

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Trust in the Lord’s power

to provide a way

for we’re at our strongest

when we kneel down to pray

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Wendy/2015

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My main blog has moved to http://www.wendylmacdonald.com

It’s a big scary step for me,

but my blog was running out of space,

and I know there’s so much more I’d like to do.

The new blog looks much like my old one,

and I’ve moved all my old posts over to it.

I’d love it if you came and checked it out.

Leave a comment so I know you were there and can visit you back.

Blessings ~ Wendy

I Call on You

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I call on you, O God, for you will answer me;

give ear to me and hear my prayer.

Show the wonder of your great love,

you who save by your right hand

those who take refuge in you from their foes.

Keep me as the apple of your eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings

Psalm 17:6-8

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I Call on You

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When my heart beats

a rhythm of fear

I pray that your Spirit

would draw me near

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For your Love sings faith

 your touch gives hope

 leading me to help

so I may cope

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For to suffer alone

is no path to Light

I need call on You

in the dark of my night.

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Wendy/2013

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This week I am feeling thankful for a praying husband.

What are you thankful for?

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Apple of His Eye Blessings ~ Wendy

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Window to Heaven

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“…the people living in darkness have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”  

From that time on Jesus began to preach,

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Matthew 4:16

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Window to Heaven

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Make me a crystal

near to your heart

reflecting

refracting

your Light into art

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Make me a window

under your throne

a portal

a signpost

to lead others home

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Make me a rainbow

and worthy to be

a vision

a lantern

so others may see.

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Wendy/2013

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I noticed that the sunlight was shining through the prism onto our wall one morning…

Without the presence of light

the crystal is just a piece of glass.

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This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you:

God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

1 John 1:5

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Delightful Blessings ~ Wendy

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The Words We Write

to give his people the knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins,

 because of the tender mercy of our God,

by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven

to shine on those living in darkness

and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the path of peace.

Luke 1:77-79

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The Words We Write

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If others read

the pages of our life

will they find enough knowledge

to set their souls aright?

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If others read

the binding of our book

will they see sure salvation

without a second look?

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If others read

a paragraph of our days

will they learn of forgiveness

and be drawn to His ways?

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If others read

a sentence here and there

will they taste of tender mercies

of a God who deeply cares?

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If others read

the final chapter of our life

will they see the Sunrise from on high

in all the words that we write?

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Wendy/2013

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Unless Jesus is our Rising Sun –  we are deeply sunk…

and those that read our writing  will be led astray into darkness.

May we yield to his Light and leading.

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Sunrise Blessings ~ Wendy

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Temporary Treasure

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“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:20-21

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Temporary Treasure

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When earth’s gold has dulled

and rust has entered my abode

I’m once again drawn to my Lord

to dwell upon the truth He’s told

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For all the dusty treasures here

are just temporary props

upon a stage deemed kindling sticks

a mere background for all He’s taught

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So I take comfort and delight

in remembrance of this fact

that the only gift I’ll keep for good

 is his love when Christ comes back.

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Wendy/2013

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Death, decay, and destruction are the hallmarks of life on our earth. It is the reality of what occurs daily on our beautiful blue, green, and brown planet.

I was reminded recently that no matter how safe we think we are, and no matter how careful we are to save and spend wisely, there is always the potential for unforeseen disaster.

Ian and I had planned a special get away for our first trip alone since having our children. It was not to be extravagant – but it was something to look forward to. We cut back here and there and he worked some overtime. I have postponed upgrading my camera etc. in order to make ends meet.

Within a week of our planned trip we discovered that a member of our household made some poor choices that cost us our trip and more. We won’t be going this year.

At first I was in shock; but, praise God I rallied quickly and prayed that He would use it for good. I was absolutely not interested in allowing Satan the opportunity to make a wedge in our close-knit family.

Since this prayer, and the  flowing of peace into my heart , I can already see that He has, indeed, used it for good.

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What kind of god can use what the enemy intended for harm – for good?

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Our God can! 

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Heart in the right place blessings ~ Wendy

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What if?

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“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Matthew 25:21

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What if?

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What if my talents resemble

a child’s sandcastle on the shore

while others are built of stone

on mountaintops grandeur?

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What if the crops I’ve planted

only yield some lowly grain

while others have mined diamonds

and other costly things?

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What if the life I live

only leaves an etch in stone

while others have hewn marble monuments

when they’re warmly welcomed home?

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What if I joyfully accept

the humble lot God’s given me

investing it with all I’m worth

for interest eternally?

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Wendy/2013

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The comparison  game really isn’t appropriate for Christians to engage in. Our mandate is to trust and obey God; we are also called to make disciples. A spinster I know works faithfully at her day job quietly and reliably. She also serves faithfully in children’s ministries year after year in her church. I would not describe her as a glamorous woman; however, I believe she is potentially the most beautiful woman, from her fellowship, in the eyes of God. I admire her!

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May we invest the talent we’ve been given.

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Investment Blessings ~ Wendy

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Her Healing Faith

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She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

Matthew 9:21

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Her Healing Faith

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For twelve long years – shunned

for a wound that would not heal

When the Word in flesh walked her way

what else, but hope, to feel?

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She did the unthinkable

 Untouchable she’d so long been

Her humble and trembling hand

 tentatively touched his hem – unseen

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He knew not only her hearts cry

plus years of tears in plea

but also each line and crease of her palm

 acquainted with her intimately

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While others denied it was them

who dared to touch his cloak

She fell trembling at his feet

 emboldened by healing she spoke

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Jesus needed no answer

for he knew before she’d tell

His desire was to give her blessing

upon her faith that made her well.

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Wendy/2013

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Have you ever experienced the healing hand of the Lord in a way that let you know it was definitely from him and definitely in response to your faith? Here is a link to a post where I shared about an answer to a personal prayer of my own twelve years in waiting…

Healing Blessings ~ Wendy

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Dear Healer of hearts and broken bones,

Help us to believe that You are able to do anything. May we come to You humbly and with faith that whatever the answer You give to our prayers is – it is enough. You are all that we need.

Amen

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Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.

Matthew 9:22

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A Temple of Truth

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Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

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A Temple of Truth

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Her prayer’s passion is not to be

a whitewashed tomb that others see

nor a temporal temple that’s fading fast

or a clapboard chapel not made to last

The sinner’s song that she doth sing

is Amazing Grace before her King

Her heart’s altar is washed with red –

the color that her dear Savior bled

Her deepest desire is that she’d grow

so like her Lord that it would show

within her eyes and upon her lips

to draw others nigh his precious gift

Not a closed down church with empty pews

But a heart overflowing with Good News

To any and all that are brought her way

that she’d be a temple of his Spirit each day.

Wendy/2013

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I’m not very good at attending church in a stoic fashion.

My eyes tend to well up with tears during praise and worship time,

and my cheeks burn with guilt when a sermon touches my heart.

 It is so hard not to shout out with joy when I remember that I am saved

and that He has no plans of abandoning the project he’s begun in me.

  My life before walking with Christ was, to put it bluntly–stupid.

Faith is real and personal to me.

 I didn’t inherit it from my non-church parents.

It’s not a game.

  I’m in it for keeps and have lost some old friends

and have been abandoned by some family members.

Jesus is my all in all.

 I love much, because I’ve been forgiven much.

Temple of Truth Blessings ~ Wendy

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Dear Living Lord,

I have no regrets to have lost my old life and, now, to be found in You.

 My heart beats because of your healing hand upon me.

Shine through the cracks of my old shattered life

and be glorified in this temple of your making.

Love from one alive in You.

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I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live,

but Christ lives in me.

The life I live in the body,

I live by faith in the Son of God,

who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

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No parking in the past ~ because you’ll be towed away by discouragement.

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A Mother’s Heart is Always on Shift

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Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 36:5-7

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A Mother’s Heart is Always on Shift

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She relieves weary limbs

that have carried them both

Resting

Awaiting the arrival of her new gift

She keeps a watchful eye

A mother’s heart is always on shift

Soon untried limbs emerge

Wobbly

But carrying their own weight

Yet the burden of care does not lift

from her life

A mother’s heart is always on shift

Grown into a yearling and shooed away

Naturally

The cycle of life continues

The doe’s belly swollen enough to split

She raises two – this time

A mother’s heart is always on shift

I wonder if she remembers

offspring

each speckled fawn now grown

raising a family of their own – adrift?

Does she carry them in her thoughts?

A mother’s heart is always on shift.

Wendy/2013

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I’ve watched several doe and their fawns during the years we lived in the woods. Special moments like a newborn barely able to stand and almost tumbling as mother cleaned the signs of birth from its fur are etched in my mind. My toddler son and I watched this special event from our old front porch.

Animals have been given instincts that often surpass those of some human parents; however, I don’t believe deer carry their offspring in their hearts for life – like we do. I suspect that only those made in the image of God have that capacity.

A parent’s heart is never off shift! I know that my Heavenly Father never sleeps.

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Thank you, Father, that you do not forsake me. Help me to have forgiveness and compassion upon those who did abandon me either physically or emotionally. You are all that I have ever needed. You are more than enough… xo

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Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.

Psalm 27:10

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