June and July Journaling and Writing Challenges

We have been enjoying the fawns again this summer, as we did the year I took this photo.

Psalm 103:1-8 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 

First of all, let me apologize for not getting posts up in a timely manner, especially the writing and journaling challenges. I actually thought I had posted the June challenge here as well as at The Home Maker's Corner and on FaceBook, but I couldn't find it here when I looked for it. I think it must have been the post that the internet decided to eat as a snack one night and I was too tired to try to get it together again. I meant to come back later and do the post over, but I forgot. (The story of my life.) I really tried to be more organized this year about posting in all the places that I put up ministry things, but my plan settled into oblivion in May and I haven't managed to get back to it. Yet. 

Last year and this year life has been changing in some unexpected ways for us. Last year we started attending a new church after about 16 years at another church. It took some getting used to, and also, being a much smaller church, I feel a bit more connected there. This has been lovely, but also takes up more of my head space and time (in a good way).

We had a major family visit last year in the spring, and then in December my brother who had been in Australia for years moved back to the U.S. Since he's living on our property, that has added another pleasant layer to life this year. He's had difficulty finding employment in this area and he is studying at present to expand his potential, but he helps out a lot, in particular with just being there for my Dad and assisting him in various ways. 

This has significantly lightened my load as far as caring for our Dad is concerned. In a weird, but not surprising way, I almost feel like this has triggered a bit of a reaction in me. This isn't uncommon when someone has been keeping up with an important responsibility or necessity for a long period of time and then no longer has to think so much about that thing. I had not realized how much mental energy I (along with my husband) was putting into just checking on my dad daily and making sure he was ok. We also were the ones being there for him when he was having a health struggle. We didn't resent any of it, but it was more tiring to me than we realized at the time.

Last year we were also praying and seeking God's will about the possibility of moving, possibly even to another county where we might serve the Lord in a local church situation. None of the doors clearly opened as far as we could see, but I was working hard on downsizing our possessions with that in view and it rather took over our lives and home. (The downsizing was beneficial, but exhausting.) The outcome of that whole process, though, is that this year we have put our long-delayed plans to build a house on this property into motion. It is a slow process and it has been really tiring. We are in the end stages of completing the house plans at present, and hoping to start the ground breaking soon, if the Lord so wills. 

I say all this to give some insight into why the articles and such have diminished or been delayed so much here and at The Home Maker's Corner. It is not the whole reason, there have been health issues (including menopause) among other things as well, but it is doubtless much of the reason. And, by way of disclosure, I'm considering possibly dropping some things. I'm not yet clear on what or when at this point. 

After a long period of pondering and talking to the Lord and others, I have started a book project which is taking up more space in my mind. It also has been a real joy to me and revived my interest significantly. I have no date for when the books might be finished as these projects take a lot of slow plodding for me, but the hope is to be able to put out some books in the future that are edifying and devotional for the encouragement of Christian ladies.

So, having said all that...and it was more than I intended to say, here are the June and July journaling and writing challenges. :-)

June:  Write about a blessing God has given you that other people would not have noticed.

July:  Write about something you learned from a sermon that changed your life.

Evening Song - Send the Light

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

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 

I have no control over ads or suggestions.

Creatures Great and Small - Honey Bunch

Psalm 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 

Evening Song - How Great Thou Art

Psalm 48:1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. 

Psalm 145:3-5 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. 

Psalm 77:13-14 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. 

I have no control over ads or suggestions.

Texas Memories - Growing Crepe

Crepe Myrtle

The Things that Remain by Annie Johnson Flint

 

The Things That Remain

(Heb. 12:27)

Times change and men change with them,
For still the New allures,
Their purpose falters ever,
No plan of theirs endures;
Strange gods demand their worship,
Strange creeds that come and go.
Men's thoughts and men's opinions
Are tides that ebb and flow.

On ever-shifting currents
Their minds drift to and fro,
Their wavering wills are shaken
By all the winds that blow;
But steadfast as the mountains,
And surer than the sea,
And fixed as are the heavens,
God is and God shall be.

And though the little hills shall melt,
The mighty mountains move,
Though earth and heaven shall pass away,
And suns unstable prove,
Though faithless stars shall cease to shine,
And there is no more sea,
Still changeless as the changeless God
The Word of God shall be.

Annie Johnson Flint

Hebrews 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Evening Song - Jesus, What A Friend of Sinners

John 15:14-16 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

I have no control over ads or suggestions.

Tennessee Memories - A Rich Mallow

Hollyhock

Evening Song - O, Sacred Head Now Wounded

Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 

I have no control over ads or suggestions.

Creatures Great and Small - Some Bunny's Lunch Time

Cotton tail rabbit

Evening Song - It Will Be Worth It All

Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 

Romans 8:18 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. 

I have no control over ads or suggestions.

Tennessee Memories - Red and White Stripes

Garden Amaryllis

Worth Repeating - We Rest On Thee

We Rest on Thee

"We rest on thee" - our shield and our defender!
We go not forth alone against the foe;
Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender,
"We rest on thee, and in thy name we go."

Yea, "in thy name," O Captain of salvation!
In Thy dear name, all other names above:
Jesus our righteousness, our sure foundation,
Our Prince of glory and our King of love.

"We go" in faith, our own great weakness feeling,
And needing more each day Thy grace to know:
Yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing,
"We rest on thee, and in thy name we go."

"We rest on thee" - our shield and our defender!
Thine is the battle, thine shall be the praise
When passing through the gates of pearly splendor,
Victors - we rest with Thee, through endless days.

Edith Cherry, ca. 1895

2 Chronicles 14:11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.

Ephesians 6:11-12  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.

Evening Song - We Rest On Thee

2 Chronicles 14:11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.

I have no control over suggestions or ads.

The Thousand Word Project - Pining for Summer

Evening Song - Follow On

Luke 9:23-24 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 

1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 

I have no control over ads or suggestions.

Texas Memories - Sunset Storm of May

 

Beyond the sunset’s radiant glow
There is a brighter world, I know,
Where golden glories ever shine,
Beyond the thought of day’s decline.

Josephine Pollard

Pilgrims In the Wilderness

Pilgrims In the Wilderness

We're pilgrims in the wilderness;

Our dwelling  is a camp;

Created things, though pleasant,

Now bear to us death's stamp.

But onward we are speeding,

Though often let and tried;

The Holy Ghost is leading

Home to the Lamb, His bride.

With fellow pilgrims meeting,

As through the waste we roam,

'Tis sweet to sing together,

"We are not far from home!"

And when we've learned our lesson,

Our work, in suffering, done,

Our ever loving Father

Will welcome every one.

We look to meet our brethren

From every distant  shore;

Not one will seem a stranger,

Though  never seen before:

With angel hosts attending,

In myriads, through the sky;

Yet 'midst them all Thou only,

O Lord, wilt fix the eye!

Lord, since we sing as pilgrims,

O give us pilgrims' ways!

Low thoughts of self, befitting

Proclaimers of Thy praise;

O make us each more holy,

In spirit, pure and meek:

More like to heavenly citizens,

As more of Thee we speak.

Mary Bowley Peters

altered

No. 231 in Hymns for The Little Flock

Sing to the tune of - 

"I Sing the Mighty Power of God."

1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers

and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Evening Song - Under His Wing

Psalms 36:7  How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

I have no control over ads or suggestions.

The Thousand Word Project - A Quiet Day at Home

Orchids

Worth Repeating - Was Jesus Homeless?

Originally published here Nov. 12, 2017

Something that has come across my path from time to time in various ways is the idea that Jesus was a homeless person. This is used to make Him "relateable" to homeless people, but I think it is primarily intended to make Christians feel guilty about how they treat the homeless.

Ministering to the poor is an important duty. It is mentioned in the New Testament a number of times. We also see God having pity upon the poor and encouraging us to do so over and over in scripture.

Galatians 2:10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

Proverbs 19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

Psalm 9:17-18 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.

But, in our zeal to acknowledge the suffering of the homeless it is not appropriate to misrepresent the Lord Jesus Christ.

Continue Reading.

-----------

Painting by Abbott Fuller Graves

Evening Song - Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 

I have no control over ads or suggestions.

Tennessee Memories - Wild and Bumbling

Wild roses

May 2026 Writing and Journaling Challenge

This month's challenge is about writing out a prayer.
Please click the link to read the whole challenge.

Philippians 1:3-4 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

The May Writing and Journaling Challenge.

Evening Song - Day By Day

Matthew 6:31-34 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. 

Deuteronomy 33:25 ...as thy days, so shall thy strength be. 

I have no control over ads or suggestions.

Tennessee Memories - Brown Iris

The birds upon the tree tops sing their song;

The angels chant their chorus all day long;

The flowers in the garden blend their hue,

So why shouldn’t I, why shouldn’t you praise Him too?

Author unknown

Iris

Evening Song - Count Your Blessings

Psalm 126:2-3 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. 

Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. 

Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. 

I have no control over ads or suggestions.

The Thousand Word Project - Pecan Blossoms

Pecan Blossoms

The Thousand Word Project - Sweet Flowers Are Blooming

Sweet flowers are blooming in God’s sight,
Created by His word,
Beneath His heav’n of sunny light,
By spring’s quick pulses stirred.

Through sky blue depths the larks do sing:
Their music fills the air;
What is it makes their voices ring
With gladness everywhere?

Matilda B. Stevenson

Engelmann Daisies

Be Not Anxious – A Poem by Annie Johnson Flint

 

Be Not Anxious

I cannot change the yesterday when I distrusted Thee,

Though all my fears unfounded proved, and shame me now as then;

I cannot promise that my faith will last throughout the night,

Or that, when Thy tomorrow comes, I will not doubt again.

But grant, O faithful Lord and true, that I may trust Thee now,

Just now, each moment of each hour of this Thy present day;

That, looking backward, I may read the record of the past,

And, forward, see Thy steadfast word light all the future way.

With Memory to guard the rear and Faith to lead the van,

And all Thy tested promises like beacon lights to shine,

How can I dread that demon shape of anxious, faithless fear?

For he shall lose his power when I fully trust in Thine.

Annie Johnson Flint

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Evening Song - All Your Anxiety

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Hebrews 4:15-16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

I have no control over ads.

To purcahse: https://www.johnmarshallfamily.com/

April 2026 Writing Challenge

The prompt for this month is not up on the web page. There's a free journaling card to download again this month.

Writing Challenge for April 2026.

The Thousand Word Project - Bright and Cheerful

Ways to Sow the Seed of God's Word

Tracts are great, and they definitely have their place, but sometimes the message just isn't as clear as I'd like it to be, or the Bible verses are skimpy. I've even seen tracts with not actual verses written out in them. The thing is, only God's word has the promise that it will not return void - empty. So, if we want to have fruit, one good way is get God's word out there.

Isaiah 55:6-11 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 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. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

In the book Jungle Pilot (by Russel T. Hitt) about Nate Saint, there is a quote by Nate where he points out that even though he might not do very great things for God, he could carry a bag of seed with a "hole" in it and scatter the seed everywhere he went. He was speaking figuratively about spreading God's word. This is about that.

Continue Reading.

Evening Song - Scattering the Precious Seed

Matthew 13:3-9 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 

1 Corinthians 3:6-8 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 

I have no control over ads or suggestions.

Texas Memories - Mexican Buckeye

Mexican Buckeye

Christ Ever Lives

 

Christ Ever Lives

...he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Heb. 7:25

Christ ever lives!

What joy th' assurance gives:

He lives, and lives no more to die,

My present portion—future joy —

He ever lives!

Christ ever lives!

This truth my soul relieves

From all anxiety and fear;

On Him I roll my every care—

He ever lives!

Christ ever lives!

This truth my soul receives,

And glories in its risen Lord,

Alike on earth, in heaven, adored—

He ever lives!

Christ ever lives!

This truth my soul believes;

Farewell, then, sorrow, doubt, and woe,

I sing with triumph while below

He ever lives!

Christ ever lives!

And blessed triumph gives,

To all who on Himself rely;

For them upon the throne on high

He ever lives!

Albert Midlane

Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 

Evening Song - Look Ye Saints, the Sight Is Glorious

Psalm 24:7-8 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 

Revelation 5:12-13 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 

I have no control over ads or suggestions.

Texas Memories - The Springing of the Blue

Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? 

Bluebonnets

Deep Are the Wounds that Sin Has Made

 

Deep Are the Wounds

that Sin Has Made

Deep are the wounds that sin has made;

Where shall the sinner find a cure?

In vain, alas, is nature’s aid,

The work exceeds all nature’s power.

Sin like a raging fever reigns,

With fatal strength in every part;

The dire contagion fills the veins,

And spreads its poison to the heart.

And can no sovereign balm be found,

And is no kind physician nigh,

To ease the pain, and heal the wound,

Ere life and hope forever fly?

There is a great Physician near;

Look up, O fainting soul, and live;

See, in His heav’nly smiles appear

Such ease as nature cannot give!

See, in the dying Savior’s blood,

Life, health, and bliss, abundant flow!

’Tis only this dear, sacred flood

Can ease thy pain, and heal thy woe.

Sin throws in vain its pointed dart,

For here a sovereign cure is found,

A cordial for the fainting heart,

A balm for every painful wound.

Anne Steele

Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

1 John 1:7 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.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Evening Song - Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

 

1 Timothy 1:17  Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, 

the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I have no control over ads or suggestions.

Texas Memory - A Sheltered Spot

Vinca Major
Periwinkle

Evening Song - God Leads His Dear Children Along

Hebrews 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. 

Psalm 16:7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. 

Psalm 42:8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. 

Psalm 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

I have no control over ads.

The Thousand Word Project - A House In the Sun

Proverbs 30:28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces. 

Writing and Journaling Challenge - March 2026

For the March Writing and Journaling Challenge, please visit the web page
linked HERE.

Free bookmarks for printing: HERE.
Click the download icon in the upper left.

Evening Song - I Could not Do Without Thee

Revelation 1:4-5 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 

2 Corinthians 3:3-5 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 

Colossians 3:10-11 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 

Matthew 14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

I have no control over ads or suggestions.

The Thousand Word Project - Peace Inside

Colossians 3:14-16 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 

Peace lily
(indoor plant)

Evening Song - Medley - Sweet Hour of Prayer

Psalm 69:13 But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation. 

Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 

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

I have no control over ads or suggestions.

The Thousand Word Project - Pink Slippers

Red bud tree

A Secret Sorrow - A Poem

 

A Secret Sorrow

I have a secret sorrow,
A grief deep down inside,
Where large and heavy burdens,
In tiny places hide.

There are no doors nor windows
To meet another's eye,
For no one understands it,
Except my Lord and I.

The times of bitter anguish,
With Him alone I spend,
For in this place of suffering,
He is my only Friend.

And here I fight great battles
With deadly, inner foes;
Yet all the raging conflict,
None other truly knows.

But, oh, what consolations!
What comforts rare and sweet,
Christ gives His careworn children,
Where peace and sorrow meet!

What largeness of security,
To stand within God's hand,
That formed the mighty mountains,
And all the heavens spanned!

To think! The King of glory,
At God's right hand on high,
Is filled with tender pity,
For such a one as I.

By Mary Van Nattan Stephens

Psalm 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 

Evening Song - Must I Go and Empty Handed

The story is told that a young man came to understand the gospel and confess his faith in Jesus Christ in the last month of his life. As his life was drawing fast to its close on this earth and he thought of his arrival in heaven having had so little time to serve the Lord, he is said, "I am not afraid to die. Jesus saves me now. But, oh must I go empty handed?" The story was told and a Baptist minister named Charles Luther heard the story and wrote this song. 

God is just and gives credit where credit is due. I will not be surprised if all the lives challenged by this song down through the years are partially laid to this young man's account. Perhaps he did more with his dying words than he would have done had he lived to work and serve for years. Only the Lord knows that.

Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? 

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 

Psalm 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 

I have no control over ads or suggestions.

The Thousand Word Project - Sunny Winter Living Room

Chrysanthemum

The Thousand Word Project - Silver Coated

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. 

Evening Song - What A Day that Will Be

Revelation 4:1-2 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 

I have no control over ads or suggested videos.

The Thousand Word Project - Encrusted

Nandina

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