Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Library Spotlight: Juliaetta Community Library
On a lovely Autumn day, I took a drive up to Juliaetta. My plan was to take pictures of the local library there because I wanted to do a spotlight. I had been to the library before for a book signing event. It was something I got to do with my Mom - Pamela Thorson. When I parked the car, I got out and strolled down the sidewalk. The outside of the library is whimsical - which I love. It has various book covers painted on the outside wall. Can you guess what my favorite was? After I took those pictures, I stepped inside the door. The library always feels so welcoming when I enter it. It's both cozy and comforting.
You can like their Facebook page at Friends of the Juliaetta Community Library.
Many blessings,
- Grace Thorson
Sunday, October 13, 2024
Devotional: Receiving His Grace
Grace. It's what we don't deserve but are given anyways. It's obviously my first name, but somehow, I've never been able to comprehend it. I've gone my whole life being extremely hard on myself, and I was confused at what grace even meant. I would compare it to mercy, but it's not the same thing. So usually, I wouldn't give grace to myself. I've done many things I'm not happy about, so I didn't and still don't think I deserve it. I've gone my whole life this way. What is even grace? I would think, but I would learn to understand it.
God's grace is beautiful. It's just so amazing. He gives us what we don't deserve. We're sinful creatures, so do we really deserve grace? God thinks so, and I'm so glad He does. Unfortunately, I've noticed that in today's society, grace isn't practiced much. Only God appears to be the gift bearer of this wonderful gift. We can be so hard on others, and ourselves, that we forget to be full of grace to the world. God gives us grace, so naturally we should gift it to people, too. Let's make grace popular again.
Like I mentioned above, I think it's interesting that even though my name is Grace, I've never really understood it. But He's often reminded me of his vast grace. It covers my multitude of sins. I truly don't deserve His grace, but I'm so overjoyed that He gives it to me. It really is like a gift that is wrapped in love and finished with a bow of joy. I eagerly wait for it when He gives it to me. Kind of like a kid on Christmas morning, I always look forward to His gifts. They're the best kind, especially when it's grace. I thank God for grace in my life, and I hope to share it with those that need it in their lives.
So, when you're in not a good place, just remember God's grace. It's there, and He's always willing to give it to you. And God's grace is all we need. We can survive on just that, and His love for us. We have an enemy that, however, doesn't want us to receive grace. He'll fight to keep you from accepting God's grace. He did that in my life, and I'm certain he'll keep at it. We just have to remember that Satan can't keep you from receiving it, though. You'll be able to open that precious gift as soon as you realize it. In other words, grace isn't going anywhere. God is there waiting to give it to you - that amazing grace.
Receive His grace today.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB
Do you need prayer? Leave a comment, and I'll pray for you.
Many blessings,
- Grace Thorson
Friday, October 11, 2024
Photo Quests: Never Looking Down
Photo Quests: Never Looking Down
Intro: It's a warm Autumn day that I went out for a photo quest. I took photos of the
sky and the tops of trees. I don't ever want to be caught looking down in life. I hope to continually be looking up to the heavens. This photo quest reminded me of that.
Quest Ending: It was a simple photo quest this time, but I was really inspired by the
never looking down. I want to always keep my eyes on God even in the hardship. The sky and trees provided that thought to me. I hope it inspired you to keep looking up, too.
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Guest Writer: Author Janet Chester Bly
Guest Writer: Author Janet Chester Bly
Subject: Daily Graces
When her son was born, the doctors worked furiously to get his breathing started. They later told Dawn they couldn’t be sure whether to keep trying or not. They flew baby Lane by helicopter to a bigger hospital. The doctors warned he might not survive the trip, but he did. However, the hospital staff reported Lane may have suffered brain damage or loss of kidney function.
Dawn recalls, I remember the peace God gave me about the whole thing. Of course, we prayed God would work a miracle. But God also gave me that peace.” God did work a miracle. Lane survived to be a healthy adult. And Dawn grew in perseverance and spiritual trust from that experience.
Growing faith is sometimes a learned trait, a process of deliberation, line upon line, precept upon precept. Here a little and there a bunch, you practice your faith. When you buckle down on your troubles, you tighten your assurance God will help somehow.
Somewhere along the line, everyone encounters a severe personal crisis in which the whole idea of God’s goodness gets tested. That happened to me when my husband was diagnosed with a rare form of prostate cancer that eluded the usual treatment.
One of the toughest things I faced when I lost him centered on answering the why God didn’t heal him when so many people in multiple places prayed for him. One person even expressed anger towards God because he just knew Steve would be cancer-free. I feared he’d turn from his faith altogether. He couldn’t understand why I seemed so accepting of Steve’s fate.
But by that point, I had witnessed so much of God’s hand in our lives. “You don’t know,” I tried to tell him, “All the many daily miracles of grace we experienced along the way, through all the ups and downs. Not the least, God granted us five full, mostly active years together, when the doctors said it could be much less.”
And after he passed away, God kept working when he allowed my three sons and me to finish Stephen’s last novel together, when he had only one chapter completed: Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot. Truly, finishing that task within the four-month deadline provided an unexpected, surprise wonder for my whole family.
Every round of circumstances and challenges we face will include unique details and sometimes unexpected or creative results.
Life’s uglies, such as devastating disease and loss of loved ones, cause us to wrestle with monumental questions. We may confront God with our whys and doubts. But we do have the immense privilege of direct access and dialogue with our Creator. When we’re pressed down on our knees with no pretenses, we cry out to Him and dare ask for understanding and miracles. He may grant life, insight, or release . . . or not. One hope may be dashed, but watch for it, another always remains. For every mystery, every loss, there is a gain. For instance, God reigns beyond the grave.
Over the years, I’ve learned to stay alert for God’s gracious mercies mixed in with every big challenge I face. I’m more sensitive to notice what’s the over-arching Plan that will make me marvel at His wisdom. Since I’ve witnessed His works myself, in Him alone, I hope.
Hope keeps us buoyant with fire and energy, looking to the future. Patience grounds us in calm endurance to the present sometimes stark reality. And trust keeps us still and quiet, to pay attention to what God is doing in our world. He’s always busy—answering prayers, doing good, or suddenly springing a surprise.
To develop spiritual journey skills like that takes practice, with drills and repetitions. It’s a process of cultivation. We’re even toughened through our own wilderness jaunts, like the Israelites (Deuteronomy 29:5), and also like Jesus (Matthew 4:1ff).
Getting to know God personally means walking through life’s stuff with Him. We find out for ourselves that He is with us. We become pilgrims with a purpose, travelers with an assignment: to trust Him, to even enjoy Him, and to serve Him forever.
"We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 5:3-5 NIV
Her Books:
Website: www.BlyBooks.com
Facebook Personal: https://www.facebook.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlyBooks
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/
Thank you for being a guest writer, Janet. Look forward to having you on again.
Many Blessings,
- Grace Thorson
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Monday, October 7, 2024
Restaurant Spotlight: Hardware Brewing
Many blessings,
- Grace Thorson
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