Friday, July 29, 2016

Sabbath Music - Walk in the Light


Busy, busy, busy!  I've been busy this week, and I'm looking forward to some stillness.

I was introduced to this song last week, and love it.  Walk in the Light, by Ted Pearce.
I hope you enjoy this son and the stillness of His Sabbath.  Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you.  He will give you rest, peace and JOY!

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy (Exodus 20:8)

Blessings to you, Gail-Friends.

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 I sometimes share my posts  with  friends at: 


Spiritual Sundays      THE SUNDAY COMMUNITY – #GIVE ME GRACE @SEE SPEAK HEAR MAMA Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life     GRAND Social       The Beauty in His Grip Link-Up   


MOTIVATION MONDAYS – @EMBRACINGHISWILL      SHARING HIS BEAUTY – @THEBEAUTYINHISGRIP
Classical Homemaking Link-Up    Judith’s Wholehearted Wednesday     Raising Homemakers Wednesday     A Wise Woman Builds       Wake Up Wednesday     A Little R & R Wednesday     Wednesday's Prayer Girls & Link-Up Party Thought Provoking Thursdays at 3D Lessons 4Life     Thursday  Favorite Things 

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Wisdom Wednesdays - Are You Ready?





Are you ready if Yeshua the Messiah were to return today?  I am.  Do you long for His appearing?  I do.

The Bible prophecies about his coming are being fulfilled before our very eyes.  I read a fascinating article this morning about the Dead Sea that is a fulfillment of these Scriptures:

 “And it shall come to pass in that day that living waters shall go out from Yerushalayim: half of them toward the eastern sea and half of them toward the western sea; in summer and in winter shall it be.” (Zechariah 14:8)


"Then said he unto me: ‘These waters issue forth toward the eastern region and shall go down into the Arabah; and when they shall enter into the sea into the sea of the putrid waters the waters shall be healed. And it shall come to pass that every living creature wherewith it swarmeth whithersoever the rivers shall come shall live; and there shall be a very great multitude of fish; for these waters are come thither that all things be healed and may live whithersoever the river cometh. (Ezekiel 47:8-9)

The article has fascinating information about how the Dead Sea is receding, and sinkholes are forming with pools of fresh water.  Fish are living in the waters.  Haleluyah!
You can read the article, which has lots of links for reference, at this LINK on Breaking Israel News.  It details the changes which are a fulfillment of Messianic prophecies. 

I am so excited to learn this because I am longing for Yeshua to return.  I say, "Baruch Haba bashem Adonai" - "Blessed is He who comes in the name of Adonai". With all my heart I say, "Come, Yeshua, Come Soon."
I saw these changes on my last trip to the Dead Sea in 2013.  I was shocked to see how wide the beach was compared to my visit in 1996.   We were told that it's very dangerous to walk out on the shores because of the sink holes.   You can see my photos and read about my visit HERE.  

The location we visited for swimming was a very long way from the water's edge, and it must have been filled in with dirt.  The spot for bathing was small, and roped off.  You can see the pictures in my post.


So many prophecies have been fulfilled in my lifetime that my heart races as I write this post.  All indications are that we are living in the last days.  Messiah Yeshua could return at any moment.  I hope you are ready.  The story of the ten virgins is on my mind today.  Read it in Matthew 25:1-13, and ask in prayer whether you are one of the wise or the foolish.

The wise are the ones who have accepted Yeshua the Messiah (the oil) and are obeying His Torah. The foolish are the ones who refuse to accept and obey Him.  You don't want to hear Him say, "I know you not."

I am listening for the sound of His coming!!!!

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 I sometimes share my posts  with  friends at: 


Spiritual Sundays      THE SUNDAY COMMUNITY – #GIVE ME GRACE @SEE SPEAK HEAR MAMA Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life     GRAND Social       The Beauty in His Grip Link-Up   


MOTIVATION MONDAYS – @EMBRACINGHISWILL      SHARING HIS BEAUTY – @THEBEAUTYINHISGRIP
Classical Homemaking Link-Up    Judith’s Wholehearted Wednesday     Raising Homemakers Wednesday     A Wise Woman Builds       Wake Up Wednesday     A Little R & R Wednesday     Wednesday's Prayer Girls & Link-Up Party Thought Provoking Thursdays at 3D Lessons 4Life     Thursday  Favorite Things 

Friday, July 22, 2016

Sabbath Music - Toda Lecha (Thank you)


Greetings to you all, Gail-Friends.  It's been a busy week.  I've been watching the RNC every night, and I feel so much more hope for our country.  True patriotism is not dead.  There are people who believe in the concepts that made America great -- freedom, independence, hard work, moral values, and most of all belief in, and obedience to, G-d.

Tonight, we will gather to welcome His Sabbath.

We'll sing, dance, wave banners, praise and thank Him for gifting us with this special day of rest and reflection and JOY.

We'll remember the blessings of the past week, and lay our burdens and cares at His feet.

We'll pray for each other, friends, neighbors, family, our country and especially for the peace of Jerusalem.

We'll study His Word for guidance and comfort, and we'll renew our commitment to obey Him.

Rabbi Jem will lead us in the blessing of the bread and the wine and then speak the Aaronic Blessing over us.  We'll sing the Shabbat Shalom song together, and then, we'll EAT and DRINK, and enjoy sweet fellowship together with our mishpocha (family).  

This song is new to me, shared by a member of our congregation.  Toda by Benny Friedman.  Enjoy and give thanks, Gail-Friends.  (I hope you dance, too.)

Shabbat shalom, and may your Sabbath rest be sweet.

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I sometimes share my posts  with  friends at: 

Spiritual Sundays      THE SUNDAY COMMUNITY – #GIVE ME GRACE @SEE SPEAK HEAR MAMA Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life     GRAND Social       The Beauty in His Grip Link-Up   


MOTIVATION MONDAYS – @EMBRACINGHISWILL      SHARING HIS BEAUTY – @THEBEAUTYINHISGRIP
Classical Homemaking Link-Up    Judith’s Wholehearted Wednesday     Raising Homemakers Wednesday     A Wise Woman Builds       Wake Up Wednesday     A Little R & R Wednesday     Wednesday's Prayer Girls & Link-Up Party Thought Provoking Thursdays at 3D Lessons 4Life     Thursday  Favorite Things 

Monday, July 18, 2016

My Artist Studio



The welcome sign outside my back porch (aka artist studio) and one of our many resident lizards

Welcome to the Golden Cottage and to my artist studio on my back porch. I'm joining the Where Bloggers Create 2016 blog party this week.

I'm most inspired to create when in nature, so my outdoor studio is perfect, and because I live in central Florida (aka paradise), I can enjoy it almost all year 'round.  Come on in and I'll show you around.


I'm a published author and poet, a musician and an artist.  This is my tiny desk, which looks pretty messy.  I'll share more about that in a minute.


The green wicker rocking chair is where I begin my creativity each day.  Early morning is my special time to commune with my Creator.  It's here that I worship Him, talk with Him, and listen to Him.


I turn my chair around to face my backyard, which includes a small pond surrounded by flowers, birdbaths and bird feeders.  My sweet husband is the Golden Cottage gardener, and made this for me to enjoy.  We call it Golden Pond.


 I love the birds that visit each morning.


My neighbor's cat, Bentley, usually visits in the morning, too.  I think he likes to listen to the music on the CD player.


As I read the Scriptures and my devotional books, I'm often inspired to write a poem, an article or blog post, or to paint a picture.


Here's the CD player, next to my artist desk.  I have a CD of birds singing that I play almost every morning. I think it attracts the birds to come by for a visit.


When I'm inspired to draw or paint, I take my artist supplies and place them on the stool you see under the desk, and move it beside my chair.

Here are a few other things I use to create.


The bag above is a tool bag that I bought at Harbor Freight for $7.00.  I love the pockets because I can slip in whatever I need at the moment.


This bag is smaller, but good, too.  I bought it at a thrift store for a couple of bucks.  The Brighton case holds my charcoal.  I love to draw in pen and ink, too.


A friend of mine made the brush holders for me, and I've used them for over thirty years.


I love watercolors, and so often I'm inspired to use them as I read and pray. The little crystal goblet holds the water.  It makes me feel so fancy.



I enjoy using watercolor pencils, too.


My pens, and their nifty carousel, are my newest addition to the tools I use.  I enjoy using them on the coloring sheets that are all the rage right now.  I do coloring just to relax when I have a few minutes to spend on the porch in the late afternoon.



Here are the books I read in the morning that inspire my creativity:


My much-loved and falling apart Complete Jewish Bible, my Messianic Jewish Bible which is brand new, and my daily journal.  In back are the devotionals I use:  100 Days of Blessing (2 Volumes, both wonderful) by Nancy Campbell, The Morning Hour (published in the 1800's) and Streams in the Desert (which I have used for over thirty-five years.  The red book is my goal / vision journal which has pictures of the things I'm praying for (such as my children) or have received a vision about.

I also have instruments I sometimes use in worship, but I don't keep them on the porch.  They are just inside the porch door for easy access.


I have a lap harp, a flute, a Celtic harp, a keyboard, and my newest addition -- a mountain dulcimer.  Playing music is one of my greatest joys.

Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope I've inspired you to create even if you don't have a formal studio space.  I hope to have my own artist studio in its own room one day, but until then, I'm happy on the porch.


Bentley says, "Y'all come back real soon".

I'm linking up with Karen Valentine's Where Bloggers Create 2016 today, along with some other bloggers.  Pop over there to see some other creative bloggers.

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I sometimes share my posts  with  friends at: 


Spiritual Sundays      THE SUNDAY COMMUNITY – #GIVE ME GRACE @SEE SPEAK HEAR MAMA Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life     GRAND Social       The Beauty in His Grip Link-Up   


MOTIVATION MONDAYS – @EMBRACINGHISWILL      SHARING HIS BEAUTY – @THEBEAUTYINHISGRIP
Classical Homemaking Link-Up    Judith’s Wholehearted Wednesday     Raising Homemakers Wednesday     A Wise Woman Builds       Wake Up Wednesday     A Little R & R Wednesday     Wednesday's Prayer Girls & Link-Up Party Thought Provoking Thursdays at 3D Lessons 4Life     Thursday  Favorite Things 

Make It Monday - Mosquito Repellent



Life in Florida is wonderful, and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.  There are a few drawbacks, of course:  the heat, alligators, and most of all, the mosquitoes.  Yes, those pesky bugs are a big problem here in paradise.

Over-the-counter bug repellents are full of dangerous chemicals, and I don't like to use them.  I have found a do-it-yourself solution that works really well, and also smells wonderful.  As a matter of fact, I use it daily instead of cologne or perfume.  Here's the recipe:

DoTERRA Lavender essential oil (5 drops)
DoTERRA Lemon essential oil (5 drops)
Filtered water to fill a 2-ounce glass bottle with a pump

I also use a small atomizer that I keep in my purse (pictured above).

I've used this repellent on my grandson since he was about two years old.  He doesn't mind being sprayed with it at all because it smells so good.

You can experiment by adding a few drops of other oils to find a scent that appeals to you.  I like to add a couple of drops of these oils sometimes:

DoTERRA Hawaiian Sandlewood (my favorite)

DoTERRA Cedarwood

You can purchase DoTerra essential oils at my website.  Just click on this LINK.

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 I sometimes share my posts  with  friends at: 


Spiritual Sundays      THE SUNDAY COMMUNITY – #GIVE ME GRACE @SEE SPEAK HEAR MAMA Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life     GRAND Social       The Beauty in His Grip Link-Up   


MOTIVATION MONDAYS – @EMBRACINGHISWILL      SHARING HIS BEAUTY – @THEBEAUTYINHISGRIP
Classical Homemaking Link-Up    Judith’s Wholehearted Wednesday     Raising Homemakers Wednesday     A Wise Woman Builds       Wake Up Wednesday     A Little R & R Wednesday     Wednesday's Prayer Girls & Link-Up Party Thought Provoking Thursdays at 3D Lessons 4Life     Thursday  Favorite Things 

Pray for the GOP Convention





This quote is from Franklin Graham:

"Don't miss this chance to pray. The GOP Convention begins in just a few short hours. Much will be debated over the next several days at the both the Republican and the Democratic and conventions. Without question, our nation's leaders on both sides of the aisle and our political process need prayer. We are in desperate need of Divine intervention. So join me on your phone or on your laptop at 12:00 noon EDT today from wherever you are and we will pray together. Set your alarms and share this with your friends."

On Facebook, go to Franklin Graham's page to join in the event.

Also, join me in praying for the safety of the convention attendees and the police who will be working in Cleveland.

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  I sometimes share my posts  with  friends at: 


Spiritual Sundays      THE SUNDAY COMMUNITY – #GIVE ME GRACE @SEE SPEAK HEAR MAMA Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life     GRAND Social       The Beauty in His Grip Link-Up   


MOTIVATION MONDAYS – @EMBRACINGHISWILL      SHARING HIS BEAUTY – @THEBEAUTYINHISGRIP
Classical Homemaking Link-Up    Judith’s Wholehearted Wednesday     Raising Homemakers Wednesday     A Wise Woman Builds       Wake Up Wednesday     A Little R & R Wednesday     Wednesday's Prayer Girls & Link-Up Party Thought Provoking Thursdays at 3D Lessons 4Life     Thursday  Favorite Things 

Friday, July 15, 2016

Sabbath Music - My Good Shepherd



I've been meditating on Psalm 23 over the last couple of days.  I remember memorizing this passage when I was nine years old.  I'm so thankful that my Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Bertie Lee Burton, led her class to commit it to memory.  I've never forgotten it, and it has helped me through many hard times.  I've used it to encourage others as they walk through dark valleys. 

"Yea, though I walk through valley of the shadow of death, 
I will fear no evil.
His rod and His staff (the Word and Spirit) comfort me."

My heart aches for those who don't know the comfort of the Good Shepherd, whose hand I have held since I was five years old.  He is good...so good.  I say this even though we're seeing many things happen in the world that are not good.  I know Him, and know His goodness.  I know His love, even though bad things have happened in my own life.  Every hard thing I've walked through has taught me more of Him and His goodness.

If you're going through a dark valley, draw near to Him and He will draw near to You.  Take His hand and He'll lead you through.

This song is the 23rd Psalm, sung in Hebrew.  The beautiful images enhance the restful melody.  Rest and worship Hashem and may your Sabbath rest be sweet.

"Mizmor leDavid" by Gadi Elon"

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 I sometimes share my posts  with  friends at: 



Spiritual Sundays      THE SUNDAY COMMUNITY – #GIVE ME GRACE @SEE SPEAK HEAR MAMA Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life     GRAND Social       The Beauty in His Grip Link-Up   


MOTIVATION MONDAYS – @EMBRACINGHISWILL      SHARING HIS BEAUTY – @THEBEAUTYINHISGRIP
Classical Homemaking Link-Up    Judith’s Wholehearted Wednesday     Raising Homemakers Wednesday     A Wise Woman Builds       Wake Up Wednesday     A Little R & R Wednesday     Wednesday's Prayer Girls & Link-Up Party Thought Provoking Thursdays at 3D Lessons 4Life     Thursday  Favorite Things 

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Thankful Thursday - Family



I've so much to be thankful for...my family, especially.

My sweet husband is the best grandfather in the whole wide world.  I love watching him and our grandson interact together.  Boys are so much fun...the young ones and the older ones.

Jem has been teaching him semaphore.  We call it "fun with flags".





Later that day, his dad came over with his new drone.  Ahhh...boys and their toys.




We bought a pool for him, and he has enjoyed it so much.  Jem gets in it, too, and they play silly, boy pool games for hours.  With the terrible heat we've had lately, it's been very enjoyable.


After they've become so water-logged that they are "pruney", we come inside to read books or play games.  Our dog likes to play, too.

My sweet daughter gave me two lovely gifts recently.  She painted this flamingo for me, and gave me a beautiful Brighton bracelet that says, "You are always in my heart."   Well, believe me, the feeling is mutual.  I love both of my daughters to the moon and back and love spending time with them. 


My family is G-d's greatest gift to me.  Life is good and I am blessed.

What are you thankful for today, Gail-Friends?

Thankful Thursday is my day to focus on and 
be thankful for all the good things in my life.

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I sometimes share my posts  with  friends at: 


Spiritual Sundays      THE SUNDAY COMMUNITY – #GIVE ME GRACE @SEE SPEAK HEAR MAMA Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life     GRAND Social       The Beauty in His Grip Link-Up   


MOTIVATION MONDAYS – @EMBRACINGHISWILL      SHARING HIS BEAUTY – @THEBEAUTYINHISGRIP
Classical Homemaking Link-Up    Judith’s Wholehearted Wednesday     Raising Homemakers Wednesday     A Wise Woman Builds       Wake Up Wednesday     A Little R & R Wednesday     Wednesday's Prayer Girls & Link-Up Party Thought Provoking Thursdays at 3D Lessons 4Life     Thursday  Favorite Things 

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Conscience Protection Act


 016.jpg

Tomorrow, July 13, 2016, or later in the week, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the Conscience Protection Act.  This law is very much needed to counter a growing number of states that are making health care providers and employers  participate in providing abortions. 

Nobody should be forced to participate in the brutal act of killing an unborn child.  But in California and New York, state agencies are forcing health plans to cover all abortions.  In Washington state, a court has ruled that public hospitals must provide abortions if they provide maternity care.  The Obama Administration is refusing to enforce the Weldon Amendment, a federal law that prohibits state governments from issuing such abortion mandates.


I found this information on the National Right to Life website. 

UPDATE:  Today, July 13, 2016, the House passed this bill.  It will now go to the Senate for approval, and then on to the president for his signature. Pray for him because he has said he will veto the legislation.

Today, speakers called for President Obama to uphold the words he spoke at Notre Dame in 2009, when he said that we should ‘honor the conscience of those who disagree with abortion’. 

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I sometimes share my posts  with  friends at: 

Spiritual Sundays      THE SUNDAY COMMUNITY – #GIVE ME GRACE @SEE SPEAK HEAR MAMA Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life     GRAND Social       The Beauty in His Grip Link-Up   


MOTIVATION MONDAYS – @EMBRACINGHISWILL      SHARING HIS BEAUTY – @THEBEAUTYINHISGRIP
Classical Homemaking Link-Up    Judith’s Wholehearted Wednesday     Raising Homemakers Wednesday     A Wise Woman Builds       Wake Up Wednesday     A Little R & R Wednesday     Wednesday's Prayer Girls & Link-Up Party Thought Provoking Thursdays at 3D Lessons 4Life     Thursday  Favorite Things 

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Remember America's History




This is copied from a post I saw on Facebook, and it ties in to this post I did last week:
America's Only Hope.

HOW DID WE DRIFT SO FAR AWAY?

"DID YOU KNOW
As you walk up the steps to the building which houses the U.S. Supreme Court, you can see near the top of the building a row of the world's law givers and each one is facing one in the middle who is facing forward with a full frontal view, It is Moses and he is holding the Ten Commandments!

DID YOU KNOW
As you enter the Supreme Court courtroom, the two huge oak doors have the Ten Commandments engraved on each lower portion of each door.

DID YOU KNOW
As you sit inside the courtroom, you can see the wall, right above where the Supreme Court Judges sit, has a display of The Ten Commandments.

DID YOU KNOW
There are Bible verses etched in stone all over the Federal Buildings and Monuments in Washington , D.C.

DID YOU KNOW
James Madison , the fourth president, known as 'The Father of Our Constitution' made the following statement:
'We have staked the whole of all our political Institutions upon the capacity of mankind for Self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.'

DID YOU KNOW
Every session of Congress begins with a prayer by a paid preacher, whose salary has been paid by the taxpayer since 1777.

DID YOU KNOW
Fifty-two of the 55 founders of the Constitution, were members of the established Orthodox churches in the colonies.

DID YOU KNOW
Thomas Jefferson worried that the Courts would overstep their authority and instead of interpreting the law, would begin making law an Oligarchy: the rule of few over many.
How then, have we gotten to the point, that everything we have done for 220 years in this Country is now suddenly wrong and unconstitutional?"

Lets remember that this great country was built on The Holy Bible and a belief in G-D!


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I sometimes share my posts  with  friends at: 
Spiritual Sundays      THE SUNDAY COMMUNITY – #GIVE ME GRACE @SEE SPEAK HEAR MAMA Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life     GRAND Social       The Beauty in His Grip Link-Up   


MOTIVATION MONDAYS – @EMBRACINGHISWILL      SHARING HIS BEAUTY – @THEBEAUTYINHISGRIP
Classical Homemaking Link-Up    Judith’s Wholehearted Wednesday     Raising Homemakers Wednesday     A Wise Woman Builds       Wake Up Wednesday     A Little R & R Wednesday     Wednesday's Prayer Girls & Link-Up Party Thought Provoking Thursdays at 3D Lessons 4Life     Thursday  Favorite Things