From My Life and Journal: The First Week of March

 

A highlight from this past week was starting the book Loved to Life: "A 40-Day Pilgrimage with Love Himself that Will Change Your Life" - by Ann Voskamp. 

Maybe you are reading another of the many devotionals that are available to read leading up to Easter, but if you don't have one, maybe there's still time to purchase this one? I highly recommend it. I also love the extra (free) print-outs and images that are available. The image to the left was from the Day 4 reading. Each year, no matter how long we may live, we can be filled to overflowing with His Love. Though we are but dust, He came to us, died for us, so we can live in this love, day-by-day, moment-by-moment.

Another highlight from this past week ...

When the calendar page turns to "March", it is time for me to begin packing up the winter decor items in our home, and pulling out some of our spring decor items. Though spring has not officially arrived yet, in my heart and mind, it begins March 1st! I love multiple things about each of the four seasons, but my favorites are SPRING and AUTUMN. I like to keep our decor simple each season, just adding a bit here and there, to accentuate the views of God's seasonal handiwork that we see out our big windows in our living room, and other rooms on the main level in our home. So much beauty every season!

My weekly rhythm of sourdough baking ...

This is something I look forward to each week as it is relaxing for me to do, and also provides us with such healthy, delicious bread. I have no desire to purchase bread in the stores, and haven't needed to do so for quite awhile.

This week I made two different types of loaves ... the Basic Artisan Sourdough Bread (on the left), recipe from Second Rise Sourdough, and the Classic Sourdough  Bread (on the right), recipe from @everything,sourdough, both on Instagram.

Recently I purchased a new "bread lame", used to make the artistic design on the artisan-style loaves. I am still learning, but was pleased with my first try with the new bread lame. Another reason I love sourdough baking, is that it gives opportunity to be creative in making beautiful bread, in addition to having the more nutritious bread that sourdough provides.

And from my Devo Journal ...

Do you love to journal, as I do? (Made even more fun when used alongside a cute coffee mug, this one from one of our granddaughters!) There are many types of journaling, and the same type is not the best choice for everyone. For me, my journal is written as a daily prayer, or even at times, a moment-by-moment prayer. A collection of my gratitude to God for His daily care and His many blessings, and a place where I call out to Him for help. It's also a place where I write out word-for-word from His Word - writing the promises and the words of truth that impact my heart deeply day-by-day. It's how I let these truths settle deep into my heart. 

Here are a few of those words of truth in my journal this past week:

Be gracious to me, Lord,

for I call to You all day long.

Bring joy to Your servant's life,

because I appeal to You, Lord.

For You, Lord, are kind and ready to forgive,

abounding in faithful love

 to all who call on You.

(Psalm 86:3-6 CSB)

It is really so simple, but we often make it so difficult.  For it is true that at any time during our day, especially when we are feeling in need, or feeling weak or discouraged, that all we need do is turn our gaze from our problem, to the One who is abounding in faithful love. It takes a turning of where we look. Wherever we are, at home, at our job, or in the midst of a great trial, it takes a turning of our gaze. A lifting of our eyes and our hearts to God.

When we can't lift the weight of our broken hearts, the weight of our burdens, the weight of being us, all there is to do is lift our eyes ... to the Lamb of God. Focusing the eyes is always a matter of how we focus the heart. Where the eyes are fixed, so the heart is. Where you look is where you love. (Quote from Loved to Life by Ann Voskamp)