February 2026 Writing and Journaling Challenge

Write about a close friend or family member and how they have helped you walk closer to Jesus.

This can be a long or as short as you like.

Thoughts On My Eldest Uncle

1 Timothy 4:12 ...be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Sometimes people affect our lives in ways they little know. These days people tend to talk a lot about the negative ways this happens. It can happen in a very good way too, even in ways that bring us closer to the Lord Jesus.

My Uncle Don was 39 when he got married, if I remember correctly. My Aunt Deb, whom he married, was around 29 at the time. They went to France as missionaries not too long after they were married and worked there in youth ministry for a few years - maybe two terms. When they returned to the U.S. my uncle attended seminary, and eventually they went into pastoral work, including church planting. He continued as a pastor for years and eventually worked in a prison ministry.

Continue Reading at The Home Maker's Corner.

Evening Song - I Am not Worthy the Least of His Favor

Genesis 32:10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant...

Mark 1:6-7 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. 

Romans 8:17-18 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 

Texas Memories - Moon and Planets

Psalm 8:3-4 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 

Word of the Day - Deep - Part 1

 

Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Genesis 7:11-12 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.

Deuteronomy 33:13 And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath,

Nehemiah 9:10-11 And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day. And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters.

Job 38:29-30 Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it? The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.

Psalm 42:7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

O Maker of the mighty deep

Whereon our vessels fare,

Above our life’s adventure keep

Thy faithful watch and care.

In Thee we trust, whate’er befall;

Thy sea is great, our boats are small.

- Henry J. Van Dyke -

Continue Reading at The Home Maker's Corner.

Evening Song - Sound the Battle Cry

Ephesians 6:10-17 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 

1 Timothy 1:18-19 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 

I have no control over ads or suggestions.

The Thousand Word Project - Sleeping In the Sun

A Few Thoughts In A Winter Storm

Memories from a previous storm.

I was going to try to write something new for you, but I didn't start soon enough, and as I'm sitting here right now (Saturday night) we are getting sleet and maybe some freezing rain coming and going. Because of the hour, I'm going to have to stop and go do a few things "just in case" the power goes out in the night. We are mostly ready and our wood stove is already going, but I need to wash up a few pans for cooking and take a shower and my husband needs to pump up the air mattress in case we need to come sleep in the living room in the night. If the power goes out and stays out for an extended period we will have at least two extra people (my dad and brother) and possibly more. I hope and pray the power stays on for all of us, but I'm very thankful that we do have a backup heat source, and plenty of wood.

In lieu of a regular post here are a few things for you to ponder and enjoy.

Songs in the Night

Job 35:10 But none saith,
Where is God my maker,
who giveth songs in the night;

We make our songs in the day of our gladness,
When life is all laughter and joy and delight,
When never a shadow has clouded our sunshine;
But God giveth songs in the night!

He giveth songs in the night of our sorrow,
When tears are our drink and when grief is our meat,
Till we silence our weeping and still our repining
To list to those cadences sweet.

God giveth songs in the night of affliction,
When earth has no sun and the heavens no star;
Like a comforting touch in the desolate darkness
His voice stealeth in from afar.

He giveth songs -- and His music is sweeter
Than earth's greatest voices and gladdest refrains;
Our loveliest melodies shade to the minor,
But His keep their full major strains.

He giveth songs when our music is over,
When our voices falter and our tongues are mute;
When trembling hands drop from the lute and the harp-strings,
And hushed are the viol and flute.

Give us Thy songs, O Thou Maker of music!
Teach us to sing, O Thou Bringer of joy!
Till nothing can silence the notes of our triumph
And naught our rejoicing destroy!

Annie Johnson Flint
[altered]

Psalm 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

Psalm 12:1-8 Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him. The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted. 

A free coloring page: LINK

Evening Song - I Love to Tell the Story

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

1 John 1:5-8 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 

Texas Memories - January Sunset

Evensong is hushed in silence,
And the hour of rest is nigh;
Strengthen us for work tomorrow,
Jesus, Son of God most high!
Thou who in the village workshop,
Fashioning the yoke and plough,
Didst eat bread of daily labor,
Succor them that labor now.

We are weary of life-long toil,
Of sorrow, and pain, and sin;
But there is a city with streets of gold,
And all is peace within.

John Purchas

My Jesus, As Thou Wilt

My Jesus, As Thou Wilt!

My Jesus, as thou wilt!
O may thy will be mine;
Into thy hand of love
I would my all resign.
Through sorrow, or through joy,
Conduct me as thine own;
And help me still to say,
"My Lord, thy will be done."

My Jesus, as thou wilt!
If needy here and poor,
Give me thy people's bread,
Their portion rich and sure.
The manna of thy Word
Let my soul feed upon;
And if all else should fail,
My Lord, thy will be done.

My Jesus, as thou wilt!
Though seen through many a tear,
Let not my star of hope
Grow dim or disappear.
Since thou on earth hast wept,
And sorrowed oft alone,
If I must weep with thee,
My Lord, thy will be done.

My Jesus, as thou wilt!
All shall be well for me;
Each changing future scene
I gladly trust with thee.
Straight to my home above
I travel calmly on,
And sing, in life or death,
"My Lord, thy will be done."

By Benjamin Schmolck
Translated by Jane Borthwick

Luke 22:41-42 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

Evening Song – Beside the Still Waters of Peace

Psalms 23:1-2  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

I have no control over ads or suggested videos.

The Thousand Word Project - The Difficult Life of A Cat

New Writing and Journaling Challenge for 2026

This seemed like a good year to do another writing challenge. The last time I posted a series of challenges throughout a whole year was in 2017. Lord willing, this one will also be a year long challenge.

I am going to send you to the pages at the Home Maker's Corner each month so that I don't have to repost everything here each time. I hope that it will be a blessing and encouragement to you.

The main page with the basic instructions IS HERE.

The first challenge is here: JANUARY.

I'm planning to include a free printable with each month's challenge. The printable for January is a journaling card. Here is the FREE GRAPHIC LINK. The download icon/button is on the upper left as of this posting.

Evening Song - The Mind of Christ

Philippians 2:4-5 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 

1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 

Romans 8:27-28 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

I have no control over ads or suggestions.

Thousand Word Project - Warm and Comforting

Come in from the cold and cuddle up,
The warmth of home is best.
A warm quilt and warmer cup,
And then a time for rest.

MES

Worth Repeating - A Clean Start

 

Lamentations 3:22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

How curious and yet appropriate that these comforting words should appear in the book or Lamentations - a book of sorrow with a word of hope and comfort. This is the way of our Lord.

The lines of an old poem came to mind recently. I looked it up and here is part of it:

Every day is a fresh beginning,
Every morn is the world made new;
You who are weary of sorrow and sinning,
Here is beautiful hope for you --
A hope for me and a hope for you...

Continue Reading.

Evening Song - God Will Take Care of You

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 

The New Year - A Poem by Martha Snell Nicholson

The New Year

Dear Lord, as this new year is born
I give it to Thy hand,
Content to walk by faith what paths
I cannot understand.

Whatever coming days may bring
Of bitter loss, or gain,
Or every crown of happiness;
Should sorrow come, or pain,

Or, Lord, if all unknown to me
Thine angel hovers near
To bear me to that farther shore
Before another year,

It matters not. My hand in Thine,
Thy light upon my face,
Thy boundless strength when I am weak,
Thy love and saving grace!

I only ask, loose not my hand,
Grip fast my soul, and be
My guiding light upon the path
Till, blind no more, I see!

Martha Snell Nicholson

Psalm 17:5-7 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee...

John 10:27-29 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.