Book, Book Club, faith, reading, Review

Once A Queen ~ Book Review

Our March Book Club pick was Once a Queen by Sarah Arthur.
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Once a Queen is a fairytale fantasy that weaves real life family dynamics with magic portals , secret gatherings and magic woven tapestries. You meet 14 year Evie as she travels to England to meet a grandmother she has never met before who lives in a beautiful estate that has an intriguing staff. The staff is one we would all want if we were as privileged.
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It starts off slow but then quickly starts to wrap you into the story as it unfolds. As the characters unfold , and the story is weaved ,and you get glimpses of the white stag, you can’t help but to start to step into the magic of the story . Definate Narnia vibes throughout that awakened my childlike faith in reading this.
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Our bookclub enjoyed reading this and several of us are adding the other books to our list!

faith, Gathered thoughts

Happy Easter

Thankful for the sacrifice made for me today . I am known as redeemed, forgiven and a new person all because my king choose to die for me and all humanity ❤️

faith, Gathered thoughts, history

Holy Week Wednesday ~ Spy Wednesday

Holy Week Wednesday

Holy Week Wednesday .. did you know it’s also known as Spy Wednesday? It is a solemn day in the Christian liturgical calendar, as it marks the beginning of the events leading to the crucifixion of Jesus, which is commemorated on Good Friday.

As I read the scriptures this am,I couldn’t help but think of the relationship between Jesus and Judas. Judas saw the miracles and had an encounter with Jesus like no other. We see the whole story as it played out in scripture but in those moments and the moments leading up what was Judas thinking? Was he wrestling within, did he almost run and confess it all to Jesus or was he always plotting ? And the whole time Jesus knew.. he knew it all .. how it was going to happen,who would be the one to betray him and yet he still loved him❤️I can only imagine the heartbreak in knowing this and how Jesus felt as he washed Judas’ feet .

And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present” (Luke 22:2-6).

“He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.””

Matthew 26:23-25 ESV

Holy Week

Holy Wednesday is often marked with a service of Tenebrae (Latin for ‘darkness’ or ‘shadows’).With the reading of psalms while candles on a candelabrum are gradually extinguished, creating the sense of growing darkness.This symbolizes the abandonment of Jesus by his disciples.

To learn more about Holy Week check out these other post ⬇️

Holy Week

Good Friday & Easter ~ Why Both Are Important

faith, Gathered thoughts

Stillness in God

Do you find it hard to be still in the presence of God? I sure do! My mind is often running through list or already planning the next few hours .
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As I get older , stillness I think is more of an offering of my time. Sitting without distractions even if for only a few minutes and saying God I’m here and then waiting. I am finding that the more I practice being still the more at peace I feel ✨

faith, Goals, Review

Prayer Journal

One of my favorite gifts this year ❤️
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It has several things that I love . Prayer prompts for every day of each month, list of those I’m praying for , things I’ve learned this month , a place to record favorite passages, spiritual and personal goals ,answered prayers and what I’ve learned this month. It’s a great way to document my prayer life and see how God is moving over the year .
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One of my favorite things to do is to look back and see how God has answered prayer request that sometimes are months or years in the making.
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Do you use a prayer journal? I would love to hear what you use .. and If so, what’s your favorite thing about it?Drop a comment below ⬇️

faith, Gathered thoughts

Prayer

What amazing wisdom in these words spoken so many years ago. I am continually learning the power in prayer . So many things in our daily life that we have no control over like schedule changes, extra work handed to us, last minute school projects,attitudes of others,and the list goes on .
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What we can control is our reaction to those things.Prayer has been a comfort to me . Knowing that I am praying over how things will go , inviting God to go before me in situations,asking God to be with a loved one or friend who has not been kind, asking God to shut doors that are not His best and so many more .
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Praying has giving me a perspective to see the situation from different angles and to put on humility, compassion and empathy when I otherwise want to fix it or make it better in my own way and trust me that never seems to work out.. anyone else?
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When I pray I’m able to take what ever is coming or causing stress and lay it at the feet of God . That doesn’t mean it goes away but it does mean I lay it down and I don’t pick it back up. I trust God with whatever is next knowing I have given it to him and I am fully submitting to his will in the next steps.
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What are your thoughts on prayer? Share in comments below. I would love to hear!

Affiliate, faith, Gathered thoughts, Review

Adjust your Crown

Anyone else have those days where you need to be reminded that you are a daughter of the King?

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We are in the home stretch of the school year coming to a close, but there is still so much to do. This year a little harder then most with our oldest graduating. So much good and yet my heart aches to slow down the time and rewind to when he was younger and enjoy those moments more.

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Life is moving so fast and these moments with our littles are fleeting. Enjoy. Every. Moment . And in the tough moments, remember you get to do this .. school, sports , momlife .. whatever it may be .. and adjust your attitude and straighten your crown . You are a daughter of the most high King ! ❤️

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#ad I love this tumbler by @dwell.apparel . Not only is it beautifully made but throughout the day it draws me back to who I am ❤️ To order your own and save 15% off ..click the link below ⬇️

faith, Gathered thoughts

Good Friday

Thankful for the sacrifice made for me today . I am known as redeemed, forgiven and a new person all because my king choose to die for me and all humanity ❤️
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easter #goodfriday #jesus #faith #holyweek #redeemingbeautyfamilyadventures #faithblogger #faithjourney #faithinspired #redeemed #forgiven #resurectionsunday

faith, Gathered thoughts, history

Holy Wednesday

Holy Week Wednesday .. did you know it’s also known as Spy Wednesday? It is a solemn day in the Christian liturgical calendar, as it marks the beginning of the events leading to the crucifixion of Jesus, which is commemorated on Good Friday.

As I read the scriptures this am,I couldn’t help but think of the relationship between Jesus and Judas. Judas saw the miracles and had an encounter with Jesus like no other. We see the whole story as it played out in scripture but in those moments and the moments leading up what was Judas thinking? Was he wrestling within, did he almost run and confess it all to Jesus or was he always plotting ? And the while time Jesus knew.. he knew it all .. how it was going to happen,who would be the one to betray him and yet he still loved him❤️I can only imagine the heartbreak in knowing this and how Jesus felt as he washed Judas’ feet .

And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present” (Luke 22:2-6).

“He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.””

Matthew 26:23-25 ESV

Holy Wednesday is often marked with a service of Tenebrae (Latin for ‘darkness’ or ‘shadows’).With the reading of psalms while candles on a candelabrum are gradually extinguished, creating the sense of growing darkness.This symbolizes the abandonment of Jesus by his disciples.