A gift for you!

I saw this post on a blogger friend's page: http://http://legacy-4-my-boys.blogspot.com/ And I'm playing!! It's open to everyone, in the United States, who reads my blog.The first FIVE people to respond to this post will get something bought or made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I buy or make!

2- What I choose will be just for you.

3- It will be done this calendar year. (that's right, before December 31, 2009!)

4- You have no clue what it's going to be!

5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

But I would never send something that I didn't like myself!The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and make the same offer to the first 5 people who respond on your blog entry, thereby continuing the fun!The first 5 people to do so, and leave a comment telling me they did, will win a FAB-U-LOUS gift from me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it! Sounds like fun, right? So, let's play!

Mourning Dove

Spring is just around the corner. And with that comes the birds in the morning outside my bedroom window. Weekends where I can sleep in give me so much joy. This morning as I lay in bed, I heard a woodpecker. But the one bird I get so excited to hear is the Mourning Dove. There's always one in the tree outside my bedroom window that comes back each time the weather gets warmer; although this species of bird doesn't necessarily migrate south in the winter, I have yet to hear one in my yard year-round. I don't know what it is about the Mourning Dove in particular but it immediately takes me back to my childhood. Saturday mornings I'd lie in bed and listen to it. It's sort of a sad sound, like it's crying. Now whenever I hear it, I smile and thank God. It's like a gift from Him to me. Just another sign of His faithfulness for that day. Like He created the Mourning Dove with my name and face in mind. I might be going a little far there, and you might be thinking, "Geez, Bridge, it's just a bird..." But if that small creature brings me so much peace when I hear it, can't you imagine with me that it's God's way of saying, "I'm here with you. Rest and wait on Me and receive My love for you today."

Aaah, I cannot wait for Spring! And for the Mourning Dove to return and sing for me every morning. Here's a link to hear what the dove sounds like, if you're so inclined:

http://www.learnbirdsongs.com/birdsong.php?id=7

A still, small voice.

God knows just how to get my attention. Sometimes, it's in the most simple yet amazing ways..

This morning, before my devotional time, I made a fire in the fireplace. I sat down on the couch with my Bible and notebook and just began to read. After a few minutes had passed, I glanced at the fire; one small log was completely surrounded by a flame, while the other had only one single high flame coming off of its side. Not in a booming voice or in an earth-shattering way, but in a quiet voice, God began speaking to my heart..

- I have come that you might have life, and have life in abundance. Sin, impure thoughts, and pride will cause you to stray from Me. The log you see in the fireplace that has one long flame rising up from its left-side represents you in your Christian walk. The side that is aflame is the 'face' you put on for the world to see, while the other side, untouched by the fire, is the part I can see. This will be your lot in life if you do not repent and turn away from (forsake) your sin. The log that is so engulfed in flame that, if you were to put your hand near it it would burn you, represents what I want to be and do in you. The Holy Spirit, encompassing every fiber of your being, will cause those around you to be completely drawn to my Spirit working in you. It is a life of total freedom, joy, peace, and fruitfulness. You will not be moved by the terrors and trials by day or by night, which I can assure you will come..

Your children and your children's children will be anointed and chosen to do great things for My namesake. Your spirit, when joined with mine, will cause demons to flee, the lame to walk, and the sick to be healed. Do not look to the left or to the right in fear. Keep your eyes on Me and My purpose for you. Let me make your joy complete in Me. Will you go forward with me? Will you trust in the unseen?

Verses of importance:
Deut. 30:19; Jn. 15:5; Matt. 7:7-11; II Cor. 4:18

I do not, in my own 'merit', deserve any gift that God chooses to give...especially salvation. But because of who He is, and what Jesus has done for me out of His complete love for me, the promises that are in His Word are assured to me...

- The fruits of the Spirit (self-control, patience, endurance..)
- The gifts of the Spirit (prophecy, teaching, healing..)

Only by the grace of God I am becoming who He wants me to be. I fail daily. I only want to surrender to His will for me a little more today than I did yesterday. It's not easy, nor does He promise I'll be complete in everything and possess all of His gifts. But the gifts He has given me are to be used to glorify Him, not myself. I'm thankful He chooses to teach me and and call me to Himself, even when I fail Him.