These flowers are holding on for dear life, but a few more days, I hope to be able to find them. October is banging on the door rather loudly at this point. Two more days, and we think about sweaters and pumpkin. I love to think about pumpkin all year round. I'm the one in the supermarket asking for canned in July.

This year is moving swiftly too, and in six weeks we will be electing a new President. I don't know what to think about that, except to say, My hope is in the name of the Lord, who stands forever! " The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. {Lamentations 3:24-25}Yes, I will vote for Donald Trump, because he is the best candidate, but I pray to the Lord to transform our nation. We need Him so badly and He wants to move here. Donald Trump won't be able to fix a thing unless God moves upon him.

I came upon this interesting verse in a book that I am reading called"With One Cry", by David Butts. "Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. [Zechariah 9:12} David points out that the verses in this chapter refer to Christ's first and second coming. It just may be that Jesus is telling us to be diligent in prayer and hope in Him, for He will bring about revival. Amen! So be it!

Does this house seem a little lop-sided to you, or is it just me? I don't know, I guess I like everything to be symmetrical, and where I expect it to be. We are all creatures of habit, we like life to be predictable and easy to handle. This will never work once you become a Christian. The only way that God can get our attention sometimes is to shake things up royally, and then we get His message. We don't like to have our stuff rearranged. By "stuff," I mean our old way of life and thinking.

Maybe before our salvation it was ok to dislike someone, and not speak to them. Jesus calls us to respect and to make peace. We don't want to allow our pride to be hurt, but God sees it in a totally different light. He sees the friction that our negative feelings are causing in our lives and in the other person. Someone else wants this "friction" to continue, and he ain't pretty.

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."   Psalm 55:22 When we lean on God with all that we have, He becomes that firm foundation that we can stand on. Stepping out of our assumed comfort zone, and into the arms of our creator-redeemer brings challenges, but oh so much more LIFE! Beyond our wildest expectations! Don't stay in a so called safe place, jump forward into the incredible life that Jesus has!

What does this house speak to you? To me it speaks of days gone by, and a simpler life. There are farms close by and behind this adorable home runs a waterway that leads to Smithtown harbor. Fresh seafood, local vegetables, what else could they want? In our day of technology we can forget how simple life can be. Our time is filled with complex financial and international dilemmas. The moral problems of yesteryear do not compare to what we see now.

As sure as this house still stands,  I know that God loves the people of this nation as much as He did years ago. He is not like man who changes. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. {James 1:17} NIV Our culture changes like shifting wind, but God, He remains ever constant, ever true. It feels so good to know I can trust Him to be who He says He is. This reassurance helps me to build me life with Him. I hope you can say, Amen!

"When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work. " {Nehemiah 4:15} NIV

I am so glad to be writing to you today. Yesterday I wasn't feeling well, and didn't write, but today I am back. I immediately connected with this verse because I love the fact that God does frustrate the enemy. Nehemiah lived in a very uncertain day, but was given the opportunity to secure Jerusalem again, and have the people return. Those who lived there already did whatever they could to help the effort. This is an excellent picture of what Jesus wants from us as His church. He is the Head no doubt, but we as His people need to do whatever He has said for us to do, and do it well.

This involves us, interacting in love with fellow believers and through this the world will see the love we have for one another, and for our Heavenly Father. Sounds idealistic, you might say, but this is His plan. What happens is friction comes in when we have our own goals in front of us, and not His. Our enemy loves to put a poison into our minds that will cut down or hinder someone else, and there goes the flow of life and proper fellowship. Will you plan this week, this year, to cut down the enemy's schemes instead of him cutting you or someone else?  Blessings

Do you know where this wall is? If you do, e-mail me for a free copy of Lysa Terkeurst's new book, "Uninvited." The first person to  contact me is the winner. Do we realize that God says for us just to ask, and it will be given to us? Of course this doesn't apply to things that can harm us! What kind of Father would give bad gifts to His children? "So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who keep on asking him!  {Matt 7: 11}  International Standard Version.

God is the giver of all that is good. " Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the Heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.{James 1:17} If someone says that they have" good things" because they are self-made, you could say, the scripture says that is not true! Don't fight about it though, that doesn't give God any glory. You see what I mean though? No matter what anyone believes, the Word of God stands as the only true authority. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.{Matthew 24:35} NIV.

All right, that's all I have for now. Hope you have a wonderful first day of Autumn! Blessings

This is the display that I used at my church to tell the ladies about the "Uninvited" Bible Study. It's about Living Loved when you feel less than, Left Out, and Lonely. I was reading through the first study guide last night, and I got so excited. It is FULL of Bible verses that will make us solid, and whole on the inside. It starts this Sunday morning at Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle, at 10:30. We would love to have all women join us. Maybe you don't feel left out, but it sounds interesting to you. We need you to be a blessing to the rest of us!

The book and workbook are in the church bookstore, and can be purchased together for $20.00. That being said, listen to this verse: "The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand. {Psalm 37:23-24}
Do you remember as a child being carried by someone who was strong and capable? Maybe it was your father, Uncle or Grandfather. You could completely relax, and many times as youngsters we could have fallen asleep, because we had the reassurance of safety. That is the feeling I get as I read this verse. We may not get everything perfect, but we are still held, because our heart is toward the Lord. "The Lord upholds me with His hand" Could there be anything more powerful in your life than this? Be wonderfully Blessed today, my dear ladies.

This happens to be in my backyard! My husband gave this cute flower box to me for my birthday.

A few years ago I had an appointment with my Gastroenterologist for a routine check-up. Sometimes one needs to wait for a doctor's appointment, right? After 45 minutes I asked at the desk if they knew I was there. They said yes, the doctor had an emergency so she is behind schedule. I sat again. This time I waited another hour or so. I went to the desk to see what was happening. I was told, not much longer. The frustration was building at this point.

 I wait another hour to find that everyone was preparing to leave! I heard someone talking about a no show by the name of Ann Migliore! I went into the room where the nurses were and told them that I wasn't a "no show" but that I had been there for three hours. They were shocked, and I burst into tears. Talk about uninvited! I was embarrassed and  hurt at the same time. The receptionist was gone, and the nurses said that the doctor did not have an emergency. What had happened here?

The nurse hugged me, and I calmed down. The doctor apologized, and I felt better. Why did I react so uninvited? I'll never know why that receptionist forgot about me. I guess I need this Bible Study as much as anyone else. I forgave her, whoever she is, but I remembered this scenario because of the Bible Study. I have this promise to encourage me and you as well:
"And I am certain that God, who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus" {Philippians 1:6}

                                                                                       
I bought this sign for my daughter because it so describes something she would say. She has been a Marvel comic book character admirer for a long time. Seriously, we can laugh at this because it makes sense. I have never seen Rachel and superwoman in the same room. It is ok, I really don't need to see this. It is not on my bucket list, and I have never daydreamed that it may happen someday.

Rachel is super woman to me because she does what others only think about. She stands up for the defenseless, especially children who are in seriously dangerous situations in court because of parents who are not caring for them or much worse! When I was her age I couldn't think about standing in front of anyone especially not in a court room. She is only in her second year of law school, but she has been given abilities from the Lord that are beyond her years and I am so proud of her. "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever. {Psalm 107:7} 

Make sure you tell someone today that you think they are kind of special!

This is a sticky statement from Lysa TerKeurst"s new book,"Uninvited". A sticky statement is something that an author has printed in bold type on a page because it is "that " good. It needs to have attention drawn to it. I especially like this one, because it is a truth that we all need.

 Without a doubt Jesus is our victor, our mighty warrior and He has won the battle already for those who call themselves His children. When something happens to cause us to doubt this truth, it doesn't change the fact that it is still true. Our feelings do not dictate what is true and right and good! Hallelujah! I am so glad that our God does not change like my emotions! What I am feeling right now does not make up who I am.

Only God can define who I am and He says, I am chosen." You did not choose me, but I choose you and appointed you that you should go and bear much fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. " {John 15:16 }
And Jesus says to His disciples just before this, "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing: but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. {John 15:15} We are the most privileged people to live on the face of this earth. God calls us His friends.  

I love this pic, I can't help but use it again. You may remember in July I used it to tell about my mother, who loved wildflowers. Today I am taking another approach. It is amazing that in nature all color works well with others. If I tried to do the same, you might not like the outcome!

In the Body of Christ, we must work with others for a common cause, the truth of the gospel. Sometimes this cause can get covered up by discord within and among fellow believers. Rejection is one of the biggest lies of the enemy among all people. We are exposed to it at early ages, and not taught how to deal with it. This can lead to feeling of low self worth, and an inability to accomplish tasks well. When I came to the Lord, I didn't do my best at anything because I was so sure that I couldn't. I think back on that, and I can't believe that that was really me.

If we are aware of feelings of rejection in our lives, we need to know what to do with them. First of all, go to Jesus, and remember how loved you are by Him. What others say and do to us, doesn't define us. What God has to say about us is what shines! "How precious are your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with you. "  {Psalm 139: 17-18}  "I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are your works, And that my soul knows very well. {Psalm 139-14} 

I could go on and on with God's word as to what He thinks about His children. "No weapon forms against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgement You shall condemn.  {Isaiah 54:17} The thing that is most important is not to allow anyone to steal your joy or peace. If you would like to know more on this subject, why don"t you join our class called "Uninvited" a Bible Study by Lysa Terkeurst that will start on Sunday September 25, at Smithtown Gospel tabernacle. If you aren't close by, pick up the book on amazon, and read it for yourself. I'm always here to answer any questions and for prayer.

I know this is very different than my previous pics, but it says a lot. Roman pillars have always been colossal forms of art, which this one is, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Of course, in Jesus' day, they were a symbol of the power of Rome. Their outward power was backed by their military which outnumbered most armies many times over.

Isn't it interesting that Jesus came to earth during the
Roman Empire? His love and power defied every inch of Rome's outward strength. Have you ever wondered why God, who is supreme, and times things perfectly, especially the entrance of His one and only son, would choose this background? Rome may have dictated their commands to men, but Jesus won their hearts. The love of God gave men something that they were longing for; peace in their hearts!

Oh! the love that fills our souls, and reigns supreme!
May this love wash over me today and all that be,
Without this love no one can stand, regardless of their plight,
His might and power shall ever be, long after I depart,
And may His purposes prevail, for all eternity!
Please come Dear Lord, the time is now, but He quietly whispers to me,
"Be still my child, my plan will come, you will know it well my child."

This red building is the library in downtown Chicago. The cream colored building to the right is where my daughter lived for her first year. The tan building that you can hardly see a federal prison! Yes, and you can see the prisoners in the morning on the roof getting their outdoor time. You think I'm kidding? No, the truth is always harder to believe than made up stories! If I had known that there was a prison next to my daughter's  apartment, Wow, things would have been different, but we didn't know until most of the year was over.

Now this prison certainly doesn't look inviting! The windows are just slants, and everyone who comes in wants to get out! I have felt like that at times. I've said to myself, "How did I get into this mess?"I can't find my way out! It is only when I look to the Lord that He starts to unravel the knots that I have put myself in. Because He is gentle, and lovely, He doesn't try to do HIs work in me all at once. A little here, a little there, each day He tells me "I am His own.   "Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it. If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth his offer would be utterly scorned." {Song of Solomon 8:7} God's amazing love for us will never fail or faint. Tell Him you are so glad for that today!

So we, Your people and the sheep of your pasture, Will give you thanks forever; We will show forth Your praise to all generations. {Psalm 79:13}

This house is lovely, but it would look even better if it wasn't overgrown with shrubs. It is a bit untidy! I won't show you what MY house looks like right now, because it is even worse! If someone doesn't tend to these things, what was once a beautiful yard can become rather unsightly.

It's the same with our spirits. If we don't keep the "weeds "out, we will be off kilter. As I shared on Wednesday, I have to keep my thoughts in order, so that the ugly weed of discontent doesn't take root. It can be so easy to to be thrown into a bad attitude because someone is rude or bitter with us. Don't allow that root to take hold in your life. Praise and worship to our God who is "the King" over ALL the earth, will turn our eyes to HIM, where they rightfully belong. Don't allow the enemy of our souls to get a foot in the door of your heart. Praise the Lord for He is worthy of Praise! Live a life of Praise!

Isn't this inviting? Not only do they have ice cream, sorbets and ices, they have several cases filled with pastries and homemade candies! Yum, but I don't eat sugar. I thought about this for a few days while I was in Chicago, and I decided  to have a kiddie cup, but it didn't taste as good as I remembered. I lost my taste for ice cream, or at least sugar.

We can lose our taste for sin too. It doesn't satisfy like it used to because when you are in the light, anything else tastes dirty. Yuck! If I continued to push the sugar into me, I would get sores in my mouth. That is no fun at all, and keeps me away from wanting things that I used to eat with no problem. I am glad for that. What keeps us away from sin? Not wanting to disappoint our Father in Heaven. It doesn't always work, I fall and ask him to forgive me like everyone else, but I know He loves me, and He knows I work hard at staying away for it."Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is none upon the earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." {Psalm73: 25-26}

My mouth is usually what gets me into trouble. It usually is a negative thought that I have allowed to brew inside of me. A family member with a bad attitude, or someone who hasn't been nice to one of my children! That is a big trigger for me. We all have a choice with what we will do with these feelings. If I let the negatives remain, my mouth will prove it. Oh, then I am sorry for not letting go!! God will forgive my sincere cry for mercy, but I have taken a few steps back. I may even feel lonely, "Uninvited". My feelings are not telling me the truth, but I have to fight them off. Perhaps you have things to work out as well. Why don't you meet me this Sunday, at Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle at 10:30 in the back building near the parking lot? The class is for women who want to live loved, not lonely, or on the outside. God loves us so very much and HE wants us to be comfortable and encouraged especially in HIS house. I look forward to seeing you there! Here"s a quote from this study, "There is an abundant need in this world for your exact brand of Beautiful!" Amen!

I know you may be asking yourself, "Is that a real Iguana?'' No, it is just decoration, but in mid-town Manhattan it does get some attention. I asked myself when I first noticed it,"Who would put a lizard on the front of a building?"Smart advertisers, that's who. Most buildings have signs, lighted, colorful, or just big, but these people wanted to get real attention.

God wants us to be attentive to His word. He doesn't put out signs on buildings to get our mind on Him, because He is more creative then that. He sends people with heart-felt needs to us, that draw us to Jesus, so we can draw them to Him too. No one can solve the problems of mankind except for Him! "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings like eagles. They will walk, and not be weary, they shall run and not faint." {Isaiah 40:31}
All good things take time. I know, I don't want to wait, and you don't either! We are used to the drive up window, but God doesn't have one of those. It's the daily reading of the Word of God that builds strength, and adds character into our lives. We can't see it on the outside like my friend on the building, but it is powerful and life changing.

Do you see how the light is shining on these stairs? It looks like we are being summoned to the King"s throne! The darkness all around declares that this is the only safe and wise way to go. "Commit your ways to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established." {Proverbs 16:3}

Do we grope around in darkness, looking for a way out? Sometimes, but when we embrace the Lord Jesus, and are lavished in His love and goodness, we have NO desire to grope around in darkness again.The apostle Paul was a passionate man, but he was going in the opposite direction. God used darkness as a buffer zone for him to turn around, and do a 180 degree transformation. It's His kindness that leads us to repentance. He is just so so good!! My words will never be justified to match His greatness. "Every good  and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights."{James 1:17a} This weekend give Him praise for all He has done in your life!  love you all so much. Thanks for taking the time to read. Blessings rich and abundant upon you and your families in Jesus' name. Amen.xxx000

I love the look of fountains in the summertime! It reminds me that refreshment is never too far away. This fountain is in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. I was impressed by some of the works of art in there that displayed a love for God that I never saw before! Everywhere I go, I see Him, because I am looking for Him! I am not anybody special, God will show anyone His masterworks if they are open to Him revealing Himself to them!

What a Mighty God we serve, that longs to show us Himself if we will humble ourselves and follow Him. The Bible says, "the whole earth is FULL of His glory! His glory is His beauty and fullness that we can only glimpse from afar because otherwise we would be destroyed. The power that created ALL things is who our God is. His goodness and being would drop us in an instant if we were to get too close while in these fleshly bodies. We will have a spiritual body when our time comes and we will see Him in His fullness, and we will never cease to praise Him! What a glorious life we have ahead of us!   "He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; The Lord is gracious and full of compassion. He has declared to His people the power of His works, In giving them the heritage of the nations.    {Psalm 111 :4 and 6}