Thanks for holding us in the light, Michele! I've been posting so much about "treasures in the darkness" that honestly, I am more than ready for light. Your newsletter continues to be such a rich resource - I'm grateful to be one of your subscribers.
I don't have the words to express how important and meaningful this March newsletter has been for me. I have poured over every word of your sharings about the " well-placed hope" and the "Tragic Gap." Each word spoke to my heart. I felt the Holy Spirit speaking to me and opening my eyes and providing me with such comfort. My "Tragic Gap" has felt so wide and deep and paralyzing at times, but your inspired words reiterated so clearly that this is not my eternal condition. God is my hope and refuge. The Holy Spirit intercedes for me. I loved the analogy about the "balance scale". What a beautiful picture. I have "A BRIDGE", a great and Mighty God who loves me. Therefore, I will always have HOPE.
Can’t begin to tell you how thrilled I am whenever something I have written finds its way to the right person at the right time! I can only give the credit to the One who oversees everything that comes to us!
Like Mandy, I am newly widowed (6 months) and appreciate this post. I recently read the book "Dark Clouds--Deep Mercy" and the author dedication page is to Sylvia (his stillborn daughter) "whom God used to teach me that hard is hard; hard is not bad."
Michele, I always appreciate your posts, and I love that I can now hear your voice, too! You've made me think of possibly adding audio to my weekly letter as well. Was it difficult to do this?
Thanks to your example, I have added an audio file to my last few posts. I have found it's a great help to those with limited vision or those who simply need their hands for other things. And I may also need to follow you to Substack! I'm always hesitant to embrace technological change, but my website email distribution list is not the best, and the costs continue to rise.
Thank you for this lovely paraphrase and interpretation of scripture. I will expect God to shimmer everyday!
May everything you feel or see or think be filtered through your new heart, a gift from God, and may your new spirit remind you of the reality of God-presence, shimmering behind everything that comes your way in the coming days. (Ezekiel 11:19)
I'm reading through Ezekiel right now, and believe me, when I read that little verse amidst all the prophet's proclamations of woe, it grabbed my attention. So thankful for the gift of a new heart and God the Spirit at work, helping me to see everything with new eyes.
Thank you for sharing your harvest of blessings for this new year. They are a sweet reminder and encouragement to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, regardless of the circumstance. I'd love to have them in printable form to keep with my Bible and devotional readings. Will you be doing that? Or may I have permission to copy and paste into a Word document, including the source? Thank you for your ministry of blessing and gentle encouragement to us.
I love to read the things you write as there is a lyrical nature to your weaving of words, and my heart is sweetly encouraged. Thank you for your relationship with our good God that produces these wise and beautiful thoughts to encourage us.
Thank you, Michele, for reminding me “It’s time to be a blessing and to live blessed by remembering the generosity of a faithful God whose promises are solid and whose power is absolute.” You are a blessing!
Thanks for holding us in the light, Michele! I've been posting so much about "treasures in the darkness" that honestly, I am more than ready for light. Your newsletter continues to be such a rich resource - I'm grateful to be one of your subscribers.
So thankful for the encouragement of your voice and your willingness to keep reading. It’s wonderful to have your friendly presence.
He is adorable! Congratulations to all! And thank you for your perspective on life that is so full of grace (:
We’re all Grace-dependent creatures whether we admit it or not! Thanks for reading and for taking the time to comment!
Great words about God's Grace and beautiful baby God Bless him and the family, may he grow strong and come to love and follow the Lord!
That’s our earnest prayer!
Praying for safe delivery of a healthy baby Michele!
Thank you! Me, too, and the time is nearly here!
I don't have the words to express how important and meaningful this March newsletter has been for me. I have poured over every word of your sharings about the " well-placed hope" and the "Tragic Gap." Each word spoke to my heart. I felt the Holy Spirit speaking to me and opening my eyes and providing me with such comfort. My "Tragic Gap" has felt so wide and deep and paralyzing at times, but your inspired words reiterated so clearly that this is not my eternal condition. God is my hope and refuge. The Holy Spirit intercedes for me. I loved the analogy about the "balance scale". What a beautiful picture. I have "A BRIDGE", a great and Mighty God who loves me. Therefore, I will always have HOPE.
Can’t begin to tell you how thrilled I am whenever something I have written finds its way to the right person at the right time! I can only give the credit to the One who oversees everything that comes to us!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts here!
"Spirit-fueled hope enables us to hear a music that drowns out the groaning of creation, assuring us that redemption is on its way." Well said. ❤️
May we find grace to tune in to the music that will fuel hope! There are so MANY distractions and competing melodies!
Like Mandy, I am newly widowed (6 months) and appreciate this post. I recently read the book "Dark Clouds--Deep Mercy" and the author dedication page is to Sylvia (his stillborn daughter) "whom God used to teach me that hard is hard; hard is not bad."
Wow, that’s a truth-packed statement and so countercultural. I am so thankful to hear from you and to be able to connect with you over the truth!
Michele, I always appreciate your posts, and I love that I can now hear your voice, too! You've made me think of possibly adding audio to my weekly letter as well. Was it difficult to do this?
The most difficult part is keeping the world quiet while recording!
Substack makes adding an audio file very simple. I haven't even looked into it on WordPress...
Thanks to your example, I have added an audio file to my last few posts. I have found it's a great help to those with limited vision or those who simply need their hands for other things. And I may also need to follow you to Substack! I'm always hesitant to embrace technological change, but my website email distribution list is not the best, and the costs continue to rise.
May our anchor always hold. Many thanks and blessings to you!
Wonderful to hear from you, Boma!
Thanks so much for the blessings! I will be referring back to these all year!
That’s good to know! Being aware of what readers appreciate helps me to plan future content.
Thank you for this lovely paraphrase and interpretation of scripture. I will expect God to shimmer everyday!
May everything you feel or see or think be filtered through your new heart, a gift from God, and may your new spirit remind you of the reality of God-presence, shimmering behind everything that comes your way in the coming days. (Ezekiel 11:19)
I'm reading through Ezekiel right now, and believe me, when I read that little verse amidst all the prophet's proclamations of woe, it grabbed my attention. So thankful for the gift of a new heart and God the Spirit at work, helping me to see everything with new eyes.
Thank you for sharing your harvest of blessings for this new year. They are a sweet reminder and encouragement to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, regardless of the circumstance. I'd love to have them in printable form to keep with my Bible and devotional readings. Will you be doing that? Or may I have permission to copy and paste into a Word document, including the source? Thank you for your ministry of blessing and gentle encouragement to us.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C7ISiH2t2UE1iPPO4r3MGXPzYReKdOL5SnQ4VInsYBU/edit?usp=sharing
Here's the link to the PDF I have on file for this. I wish I had remembered to include it in the newsletter, so THANK YOU for the reminder.
Thank you for the link. Perfect!
I love to read the things you write as there is a lyrical nature to your weaving of words, and my heart is sweetly encouraged. Thank you for your relationship with our good God that produces these wise and beautiful thoughts to encourage us.
What a sweet and encouraging message! I do appreciate your kindness and your time spent in reading!
I always find an extra joy bump when I see you using one of my photos on your blog. Thank you! And the verse from Lamentations is a favorite of mine.
I can always count on you to create the perfect image!
Thank you for bathing us in Scripture's truth and God's blessings. What a way to recalibrate '25.
I am so dependent on regular infusions of truth. Thanks for the encouraging words!
Thank you, Michele, for reminding me “It’s time to be a blessing and to live blessed by remembering the generosity of a faithful God whose promises are solid and whose power is absolute.” You are a blessing!
A big thanks to YOU!