She Had Me at Moo...

Have you seen my sweet-faced cow?

She's in the lead right now in the Trustees of Reservations' Get Out Photo Contest in the category for 'Down on the Farm'!! 

To cast your vote, go to Trustees of Reservations' Get Out Photo Contest 

Just click VOTE on the sweet-faced cow picture from Appleton Farms 
[You can vote up to once-a-day now through August 29th] 

 Feel free to SHARE this post to help spread the word! 

 HOW CAN YOU RESIST SUCH A SWEET FACE?

GOT YOUR VOTE?

Footprints in the Heart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

People enter into our lives, as they say, for a reason, a season or a lifetime. They touch our hearts and souls in profound ways; often leaving lasting imprints.

Our only response to this encounter need be to accept the gift of their presence in our lives, for the moment, without wanting to cling or hold tight our grasp. Instead, we allow the experience to flow freely through our fingers -- in sweet release -- knowing we have touched the beauty and essence of their souls.

[Photo: Crane Beach ~ Ipswich, MA, April 18, 2011]

Random Acts of Kindness

December 1, 2010

To the man in the black Olive Tree Construction truck…THANK YOU for committing a Random Act of Kindness this morning!!

Timing is everything. It takes only a split second to miss the mark.

That’s what happened to me this morning on my commute to an appointment in Wellesley (MA). I suddenly found myself in the middle of the intersections of Rt 16 and Rt 2 just as the light turned red; I was a sitting duck at the mercy of the oncoming traffic. The rear end of my car blocked three flows of traffic. Cars honked at me to move, but the long stream of traffic ahead wasn’t budging. I silently prayed that nobody would hit me. Time stood still. I was seeing red for what seemed an eternity…so were the other drivers as they greeted me with angry stares, loud beeping and colorful gestures as they whizzed past, nearly missing my car. Was the traffic light working!?!?!?!?

In the midst of this chaotic scene, a man (a couple cars ahead) suddenly jumped out of his truck. Oh great, I thought. Watch the light change and then everybody will be stuck because this jerk suddenly decides he wants to say hello to his buddy at the front of the line. What the heck was he thinking?

I watched incredulously as the man ran up to the lead car; he lowered his head towards the driver’s window. His arms swayed gracefully in a sweeping motion (could this be a solo Swan Lake flash mob?) He seemed to be guiding the car to move forward. The car had stopped about 5 ft behind the stopping line. The man kept waving the guy to move forward. Finally, there was enough space for the other cars to move ahead giving me space to inch forward…finally I was out of the way of oncoming traffic.

Then it struck me. The guy was actually trying to help me. As he headed back to his car, I raised my hand in gratitude for his incredible and unexpected gesture of kindness. He threw a hand into the air (his head hung low) and shrugged a slight nod towards me. Just as he jumped back into his truck, the light turned green. Timing is everything.

(As he drove away, I noted the Christian fish symbol on his car…perhaps one of God’s angels sent to enlist His aid?)

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Angels are among us...often we're unaware of their presence in our lives. We're never alone. Someone is always watching out for us. God always has our back.

Just wanted to pass on my story of gratitude for a Random Act of Kindness for which I was the recipient. Have you committed any Random Acts of Kindness lately? Make someone's day...spread kindness wherever you go. :)

Wishing you Joy-Filled Holidays and a Hope-filled New Year!

Wishing you the gentle peace of the Christmas Season;
may it wash over you in unending waves of grace.

Blessings for a healthy, prosperous New Year!
May you be surrounded by family and friends,
ecstatic with joy, comforted by the gentleness of peace,
blossoming with hope, abounding in love, living in faith,
growing in understanding and wisdom and have a heart
filled with love.

Peaceful Blessings,
Kimberly

You Really Matter! A beautiful message everyone should read...

If you would like to know more about God’s love and how to enter into this new life or if you have other questions, Contact Us

Daily Meditation...'Go Light Your World'

In the same way, let your light shine before men,
that they may see your good deeds
and praise your Father in heaven. ~Matthew 5:16

Blessings for a Hope-filled and Spirit-led New Year!

Looking forward to the new year in anticipation, I pray that God will summon you by name for his special purposes that only you can accomplish and carry out. May our ears be attuned to the still small voice speaking to our hearts when He calls us.

Blessings for a healthy, prosperous New Year. May you be filled with the spirit, full of peace, ecstatic with joy, abounding in love, blossoming with hope, ever faithful, abiding in God's word, growing in understanding, and walking in the will of God.

Peaceful Blessings,
Kimberly


Image above created using one of Photoechoes Kaleidoscope software and one my photos.

Letter from a Friend

Another one of my inspirations that continues to fill me with hope many years later. I bought a framed piece of art in 1990 with this beautiful message. It spoke to my heart. Little did I know the true significance of its message. God relentlessly pursues our hearts...he's been pursuing mine for decades. Thank you, Jesus, I finally turned towards you.

May you realize just how much God loves you, too.

From my collection of inspirations...

Letter from a Friend

I am writing to say how much I care
for you and to say how much I want
to know you better.

When you awoke this morning, I
exploded a brilliant sunrise through
your window hoping to get your
attention, but you rushed off without
even noticing.

Later, I noticed you were walking with
some friends so I bathed you in warm
sunshine and perfumed the air with
natures sweet scent, and you still didn't
notice me. As you passed by, I shouted
to you in a thunderstorm and painted
a beautiful rainbow in the sky and you
didn't even look.

In the evening, I spilled moonlight onto
your face and sent a cool breeze
to rest you. As you slept, I watched
over you and shared your thoughts, but
you were unaware that I was so near:

I have chosen you and hope you will
talk to me soon. Until then
I will remain near. I am your friend and
love you very much.

Your friend Jesus.

Under His Wings

Almost 20 years ago, I received this piece of inspiration from my friend Ginny. She is a beautiful angel that entered my life to offer me encouragement, support and provide spiritual nourishment as I began a journey of recovery and growing faith in God.

a poem about letting go and trusting...

Under His Wings

As the eagle must force her young from the nest,
To teach them how to fly,
So our Father must press us out
Of routine things he'd have us try.

And just as the eagle guards her own
to insure their safety in flight,
Our Lord is near when we try our wings -
We're never out of his sight.

But should the eaglet begin to fall,
the Eagle swoops down from above
to rescue its young and bear it up
on wings of strength and love.

So how can we doubt the eagles creator,
the One who made us all,
would fail to save and deliver us,
if we should start to fall.

~ BJ Hoff

Broken Dreams

A friend offered me this piece of encouragement almost 20 years ago...it has carried me through many rough patches along the way. From my collection of inspirations...

a beautiful poem about letting go and trusting God...

Broken Dreams As children bring their broken toys With tears for us to mend, I brought my broken dreams to God Because He was my friend. But then instead of leaving Him In peace to work alone, I hung around and tried to help With ways that were my own. At last I snatched them back and cried, "How could you be so slow" "My child," He said, "What could I do? You never did let go." - Author Unknown

Inspirations of the week...

A experienced a chain reaction of inspirations this week...one after another...after another...after another. The closer I moved towards God...in praising Him and walking in His will, the more He revealed himself to me. Some of the inspiring messages that I've received this week include:

'Everything' Lifehouse (drama)
A new post on Life is Full of Unhandled Exceptions filled me with the spirit, rekindling the fire within to praise God for his loving mercy and grace. This video is amazing. May it move your spirit.

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. ~ James 4:8

Thank You, Jesus!
Over the weekend, Thankful Paul dropped by my blog to say hello. I decided to return the favor in-kind and visit his blog, Jesus and the Atheist. What I discovered amazed me...a powerful testimony of a new believer in Christ. It reminded me of the power and grace that only God can offer. May you be blessed and inspired by his testimony.

Be Blessed Movie
One of the blessings that I received this year was to reconnect with a good friend from High School. Over the years we've lost touch with each other...traveling along our separate paths. During the Spring, Leslie, reached out to me through classmates.com. What a delight to hear from her almost 20 years later.

Today, I received an email from her with a link to a motivational movie on 'Finding Joy. The past few months, I've felt anything but Joy'...so, what a delight to receive this gift. I explored the Simple Truth's website and found this movie on Blessings. Gifts are meant to be shared...May you be blessed and inspired by this movie.

I'd love to hear what inspires you...

Trust in Christ = Hope for a Future

How can I serve thee, Lord?

A thought, a prayer, a small gesture towards a friend in need...
that, I believe, is how Christ calls me to serve Him in my day.

We may never know the impact someone's words or gestures
have in changing someone's outlook, heart or mind. I've found
that when I extend kindness and serve others ahead of my own needs,
God raises me to a new level of grace...one where the desire to serve
Him increases.

Lord, deliver me from my selfish ways that I may serve those in
need of hope, love, and faith today. Let your light shine through
me that others may see your Glory and be drawn to you.

In Christ, Hope is born anew. His Light casts out the darkness.
The promise of His love is everlasting.

*******************************************

A friend of mine is battling with depression, spiritual
warfare and a deep sense of hopelessness in her life.
I thought I might offer her a bit of hope to cast a ray
of light into this dark season of her life.

I found this little heart rock in my travels and added some
scripture quotes to this beautiful stationary to create a card for her -
A reminder that trusting Christ offers hope for our future.


(click on the image for a close-up of the sweet little heart rock)

Great Light of the World...

Great Light of the World - Bebo Norman

Transformational imagery created using original photography (see Golden Radiance post) and Kaleidoscope software (PhotoEchoes)

The Promises of the Holy Spirit

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
~ Ezekiel 36:26


I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.
I will counsel you and watch over you.
~ Psalm 32:8


And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
~ John 14:16


When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth;
~ John 16:13

Prayers of Abandonment

Image on prayer card with *Brother Charles of Jesus prayer

*Prayer of Abandonment of Brother Charles of Jesus

Father, I abandon myself into Your hands;
do with me what You will.
Whatever You do I thank You.
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only Your will be done in me,
as in all Your creatures,
I ask no more than this, my Lord.

Into Your hands I commend my soul;
I offer it to You, O Lord,
with all the love of my heart,
for I love You, my God, and so need to give myself--
to surrender myself into Your hands,
without reserve and with total confidence,
for You are my Father.


The Third Step Prayer
(from page 63 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous)

God,I offer myself to Thee-
To build with me
and to do with me as Thou wilt.
Relieve me of the bondage of self,
that I may better do Thy will.
Take away my difficulties,
that victory over them may bear witness
to those I would help of Thy Power,
Thy Love, and Thy Way of life.
May I do Thy will always!

Copyright ©Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.


My personal prayer...

Holy Father, thank you for your grace and mercy working powerfully in my life. You are my strength, my guiding force. In you, I find peace and purpose. I offer myself to thee Lord, to use me according to your will. I lift up my fears and anxieties to you, knowing and trusting that you will work everything out according to your will. Please clear the clouds of doubt from my mind that I may see the path ahead. Let your will be done, not mine.

God, I lift up my hands in prayer, my heart in surrender and my will to be conformed to your ways. Relieve me of the bondage of my fears and doubts. Forgive my lack of faith in your love for me. Empty me of all desires, demands, needs and expectations of myself and others that aren't according to your will and plan for me. Fill me with your peace, purpose and strength.

In your Son's precious and Holy name I pray