How Do You Stay Near to Him?

Hi Friends~


I want this to be a place that you can visit to be encouraged, or you may learn something from the Bible.  Perhaps you can make friends through the comment section.  I want you to have your prayer needs lifted up when Joan and I pray over them.


Yesterday, I received some news from Cathy Kraft.  Her dear mother has gone to be with Jesus.  She has been suffering in the hospital, and Cathy and her husband have had one of the most challenging years I have known of.  Her husband's Mother, Lillian passed away a few months ago.  She left updates in the comment section, and we prayed -- often.  Now, they face the passing of Cathy's mother, with-in a few months of her mother-in-law's passing.  I worry about the toll it has taken on Cathy and her family, and of course, I only share this with her permission.  I ask that you please pray for them. They must be so tired. They have had so much to endure lately. Please join us as we pray that they find comfort in the Lord, Jesus the Christ.  That they will seek Him when lonely and heartbroken.  For He is the real Physician. 


Just last night I was reading a book by my Pastor, in it it said that when we think of the Great Physician, we usually think of Him healing physical pain only, when He of course, can cure emotional pain, sadness or loneliness.  If anyone wants to send them a sympathy card, or a card to share something uplifting and beautiful, something full of His love, then please email me, and I have permission to share their mailing address, or you could send your card to me, and I will mail a large amount of cards at once.  Which ever you prefer.  I like the idea of many cards reaching them at once.  We will need to work quickly.  It doesn't need to be a "deep" sympathy card per se...often a Scripture that you love will be one that brings them joy and peace also.  Here is my email.  Please contact me if you need their address...or if you are going to send a card to me and I will mail them all off at once.  tracistarkweather@gmail.com

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The day before last, Dave and I went to an art show that also had Gospel music, and I was singing along, enjoying the crowd of people, praising the Lord!  I woke up at 2:30am that morning, and I kept saying, "Thank You, God for ____."  And, I would fill in the blank.  It went on for two hours.  I felt so close to Him...as if I was sitting right there before Him, thanking Him for everything in my life.

I really don't know what to say...but I want to be honest here. I want this blog to serve Him. And, I want to be honest with you.  The last day and a half I feel completely disconnected from Him.  I don't know why.  And, I have been praying, confessing when needed, I watched a great movie, Seven Days in Utopia, reading His Word...and I don't feel connected.  So, today, I am coming to each of you.  I am asking if you ever feel this way, and what you do to be closer to Him.  I do have one thing going for me.  Make that two.  I know I am a Child of God, and I know that even though I don't feel near to Him...I know He is right here with me.  I would really appreciate hearing from any of you.  And, I am sure you will be helping someone else at the same time. 

I appreciate your being here today.  I'm sorry it's such an unmotivating topic.

I pray your comments are encouraging for each of us.  A winner of the He IS Able Card Sets of the Week will be announced on Wednesday!  Leave a comment by Tuesday 8pm to be eligible!

He IS Able!

Traci Starkweather

Announcing...

Hi Friends~


Let's hope that I can get the spacing on this post even today.  I hope you read the post from yesterday.  It spanned from Friday through yesterday.  Please take the time to read it, and comment, if you would like.  I really poured my heart out in it, and then shared Joel Osteen's point of view from his daily column.


Today, however, we have An Announcement to Make!  Today, we want to let you know who won the He IS Able Card Sets of the Week!  It was so wonderful to see so many comments from the past week...and how many of you shared how God has changed your lives since you asked Him to become your Lord and Savior.  I love to read about how your lives have changed.  Thank You, Jesus for changing our lives to be more like you!  It is so encouraging to read your stories.  How about sharing one of your favorite Scriptures?  I have so many.  It depends what is going on in my life.  I think my all time favorite is from Joshua Chapter 1.  "I will be with you, as I was with Moses, I will not leave nor forsake you."  Just think of how He was with Moses...through so many things...in so many serious situations...and yet, He was faithful.  He IS always faithful.  I LOVE that about Him.


All of the comments were entered in a random drawing.  Then a number was chosen from 1 through 5.  The number of cards going to this week's recipient is...3 (three).  And, the recipient is known as the "Queen of Grunge" and makes amazing pieces of art...including cards.  The "Queen of Grunge" is also known as Gerrie Johnnic.  Congratulations, Gerrie!  Just email me at tracistarkweather@gmail.com and send me your mailing address.  This let's me know that you do want to receive these cards...otherwise, back into the card stash they go.  Be sure to contact me before Tuesday evening at 8pm.  Which is also the same time to leave a comment to be eligible for next week's drawing!


Here is her comment:
"Ohhhh GF, so handsome and so serious! Next photo I want to see a smile. I am so happy he is doing good and that you got to visit and see everything. I know you are exhausted, and need some rest, take time for yourself!

By Gerrie Johnnic on 2 Card Winners Announced...and introducing my son,... on 1/18/12" 

Gerrie, thank you for this comment.  It is about the photo of my son, Airman First Class Simring, and I think he is quite handsome, also.  LOL  I may be biased. This photo was shared in one of last week's posts.

OK--I kept this short, so you would have time to read yesterday's post.  Please share your thoughts about it.  I want to take a moment and thank Joan, our Prayer Team Leader.  Not only is she the Prayer Team Leader, besides myself, she is currently the only member! That is why we are now looking for people who are willing to pray for any amount of time.  Joan prays with such a devoted heart, and is dedicated to each of you...whether you have ever asked for a prayer request/need or not.  She loves to pray...and does it all through-out the day.  So, I hope you will feel blessed as she lifts you up to our Lord, Jesus the Christ!  Perhaps you will feel moved to join us in prayer.  You tell Joan how often you are willing to pray, or how long a week. and she will give you a prayer request to fit your time amount given.

God Bless!  I will be here on Friday, and I hope that you will also!

He IS Able!

Traci Starkweather

Who are YOU? Find Out What Pastor Joel Osteen's Answer Is!

Hi Friends~

Well Folks, as you will read, I wrote this at the airport on Friday…and I meant to send this on to my blog set-up when we got to our dear relative's home.  But, no….The plane was late because the weather was horrendous…snow, frozen rain, ice, sleet…all in one ride.  We got there so late, that I am just getting a moment now to try to send this up. 

I hope you are ready to enjoy this weekend.  I can not believe we are going from 70-80 degree weather…into cold, sleet, snow, frozen rain for the next few days.  The reason we will overcome these terrible conditions?  Because we love our family.  And, we will have an opportunity to visit several family members on this trip. 

For those of you who know that Josh is at his Technical School.  He started classes and Physical Training (I'm not sure what the "T" stands for) this week.  And, is waiting for 2 dorm inspections and 2 open inspections (when they inspect you and your uniform.)  Once he has passed 2 of each inspection, he will be allowed off base on weekends.  I wish he could come home for the weekend.  But, you have to be within a certain number of miles…and we don’t make the cut!  Both , Dave and son are doing fine although I think I miss him more now than when he was in Basic Military Training.  I know that I probably won't see him until December. There is a possibility we will be able to get together for a few days in May.  As a side question, if any of you have family or friends in the Air Force, I have been shown an amazing website that tells about everything.  They answer every question, for free, of course. So, let me know if you would like the website, I wish I had known about it before Basic Training started.

One thing that I have really learned since becoming disabled with a back and neck injury about 14 years ago, is that many people started conversations by saying, “Tell me about yourself,” or "What do you do?"  Well, at first it would bring tears to my eyes every time.  I went from being a retail store manager, and a preschool Director before that…to what?  A disabled blob that rests on the couch, because it hurts too much to do anything around the home?  Should I have answered, “I am disabled?”  No, I was afraid for their pity.  Answer, “I just stay home?”  That seemed like a false statement--though true. I wasn’t staying home because we are wealthy and I want to eat bon-bons by the pool. (We don't own a pool.)  Not like that at all.  Answer, “I am a Mom and a Wife.”  To me that is what I have always wanted to be.  And, I love it.  But, many people are also Mom’s and a spouse…and they do important work.  Some people believe they are what they do.  Once I wasn’t earning a living, I felt that I was a “No one.”  Which is FAR from the truth.

It took me a long time to really let my heart know that it wasn't what I did that was important...and I still visit that dark place now and them. But, I am a Child of God, a wife and a mom.  But, I didn’t think that was the appropriate answer when people asked me that question, and honestly, I wasn’t brave enough to say it at the time.  The Lord has blessed me with more courage over these years.  Especially when it comes to reaching others for Him.  I have found that courage mostly through this blog, and the people who I have come to know who encourage me…as I hope to encourage you.  And, through your emails, comments, prayer requests I have made wonderful friends who are as close as any family, and together we have each grown in our walk with the Lord.

Pastor Joel Osteen wrote a wonderful column the other day…on this topic.   I want to share this column with permission, from Today’s Word,  Pastor Osteen’s daily column.  Here it is word for word.  I just LOVE the Scripture that Pastor Osteen used for this column.  We will be looking at it again soon.  I have it taped to my computer table.  However, right now, I am sitting in the airport waiting for our plane, which is late due to the bad weather where it came from.  EEK!  I repeat:   “I Am Trusting God in Everything!” "I am Trusting God in Everything!"

Don’t Confuse Your What With Your Who

By Pastor Joel Osteen

Today's Scripture

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully

and wonderfully made;  marvelous

and Your works, and that my soul

knows very well." 
(Psalm 139:14 NKJ)

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TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

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Have you ever noticed that when you ask someone “Who are you?” a lot of times they’ll say, “I’m a salesman.” “I’m a minister.” “I’m a coach.” “I’m a teacher.” Many people find their identity in what they do. The problem with this kind of thinking is that people identify themselves with their negative habits and strongholds, too. I hear people say, “I’m an alcoholic; I just can’t beat it.” No, that’s not who you are, that’s what you do. But if you keep thinking that way and talking that way, it will become so ingrained on the inside that you’ll convince yourself that it’s true, and it will keep you from rising higher.

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One time somebody told me, “Joel, I’m a drug dealer.” He was embarrassed by it. He didn’t want to live that way. I told him what I’m telling you, “That’s not who you are. If you’ve accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then who you are is a child of the Most High God. It’s time to start acting like it because you have a destiny to fulfill.”

As a believer, you are the righteousness of God in Christ! You are the head and not the tail! You are an overcomer! Today, embrace who you are in Christ and don’t ever let your performance change your identity.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Father God, thank You for who You are and for who You’ve made me. I declare today that I am the righteousness of God in Christ. Help me to keep my identity in You and glorify You in all that I do in Jesus’ name. Amen."

— Joel and Victoria Osteen

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Well, We are Finally Home! This one blog post has been drawn out over days! I couldn’t get to a wi-fi area in the airport, because the fog in Baltimore was so thick, it took us a long time to get there…and we almost didn’t catch the flight!YOU are important to me, I apologize for not finding a way to get this posted…but now I have, and WOW it is long! Hang in there please. I loved looking at your comments that have been left this past week...thank you for sharing! I just took a look.If you haven’t left a comment in the past week…please do so before Tuesday night…tonight 8pm Eastern time.If you do this weekly, you may be randomly chosen to receive between 1 and 5 cards. This is weekly and the recipient is announced on Wednesday's. Why 1-5?  Because that number will be randomly chosen also.We want to share these cards with you, so that you may easily share the love of God, your love for God, or a loving hello with someone who needs to hear about the love of Jesus Christ…or just a word of encouragement. Thank you so much for being here. My goal for this week?  To get into my art room and make some cards with the Our Daily Bread Designs stamps I bought during their huge sale during December.  I hope to have some paper craft to share with you at the end of the week.   So, tell us about yourself in the comment section! He IS Able! Traci Starkweather   p.s. I apologize for the spacing and changes in font size on the post. I have worked on trying to fix it for well over 4 hours. I want to get it posted...thanks for hanging in there with me!

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God is So Good! And, We Have 3 Card Winners!

Happy Wednesday Everyone~


I hope your week has been a wonderful one!  I hope that you are sharing your life with our Lord, Jesus the Christ.  And, in return He is revealing Himself to you!


In our last post I announced 2 of our Card Winners! They are Becky Dunham, and Abby-- from Little Birdie Blessings Blog!  They will each receive 3 cards/envelopes from the He IS Able blog.  IF they contact me before Tuesday, January 24th at 8pm.  Just email me your mailing address, even if I have it already...that way I know you do want me to mail you the cards!  My email is tracistarkweather@gmail.com 


God is So Good...and that is what today's Scriptures are about:

"Now therefore arise, O Lord God,

to Your resting place, You and the ark

of Your might;  let Your priests, O Lord God,

be clothed with salvation and let

Your godly ones rejoice in what is good."

(2 Chronicles 6:41)

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,

And He delights in his way."

(Psalm 37:23)

 

Let's take a look at the "He IS Able Card Set Winner of the Week!"

 

This week's Card Recipient left a comment which read:

"Hi Traci! Oh that graduation ceremony must have been awesome to be a part of! A Proud moment too!"

 

Congratulations, Vicki Jo!  You were the person who wrote the randomly chosen comment!  So you will receive 4 cards/envelopes (the randomly chosen number of cards to be given between 1 and 5). Please be sure to email me your address before January 24th, 8pm Eastern.  If I don't hear from you, sadly, those cards will be put back in our "Card Stash."  Vicki Jo, my email is listed above--I hope you send me your mailing address, soon!  Way to go! Tell your friends...we have this drawing every week!  Leave a comment before Tuesday at 8pm-Eastern!  You may be randomly chosen to win again!

Let's look at more of God's Word.  Especially those Scripture which share just how good He is.  Let's look at Psalm 52:9:

"I will praise You forever for what You have done;

in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good.

I will praise You in the presence of Your saints."

(Psalm 52:9)

 

"I believe that I shall look upon

the goodness of the LORD

in the land of the living!"

(Psalm 27:13)

 

Here is a poem by Richard J. Foster~

"Even when all we see are the tangled threads on the backside of life's tapestry, we know that God is good and is out to do us good always."

 

What is it that makes you know in your heart that God is good?  Does He prove it in your life?  Do you remember to thank Him when He does?  Can you name one time when you know that God was working for the good in your life?  Perhaps you were going through a rough time, and He strengthened you, or gave you the words to share, or something else?  How about sharing one thing that makes you know that God is good in our comment section?  I love when we encourage each other...what a great way to do this!  And, if you post it before Tuesday 8pm, you may be randomly chosen to receive up to 5 cards/envelopes!  They are beautiful!  Donated by loving, and artistic card makers around the world.  Please leave some sort of comment!  It really encourages us!  And, we hope it encourages you!t

He IS Able!

Traci Starkweather

2 Card Winners Announced...and introducing my son, a US Airman.

Hi Friends~


Thank you for being patient with me as I recovered from my trip to see my son become an Airman 1st Class in the US Air Force.  It was an amazing trip, and God kept revealing Himself to me in so many ways. Thank You, Jesus!  I am most excited that Joshua accepted my first Bible from when I found the Lord when I was 29.  Josh had only asked for a book of Psalms and Proverbs.  He had been meeting with the Chaplain on base, to discuss Judaism, and he found great peace and comfort in His Word.  Well, we know that His Word never goes void!  Never!  Josh is seeking, and I am ecstatic!  I am still praying for his Salvation, and for a life of loving and serving the Lord for my son. I am trusting in God for everything this year. My "Thought of the Year."  I have used a word in the last couple of years to focus on...this year it is the same thought...it's a good one!   I'm doing my best not to get down, or act without asking Him first. 


The Lord clearly answered the prayers that were lifted up asking for Him to please grant me the energy and strength to make it to every event for Josh and the other Airmen.  I made it while we walked miles around the base and San Antonio...such a beautiful city...so much art!  Since being home, I have been recovering from the change in weather, and I miss my son so much.  I have been down. I know, I need to look up.  Keep My Eyes Upon Jesus!


Our trip to Lackland AFB in Texas was amazing!  I have never felt so proud of my son or my country.  And, I have always been against war...still hope we end the war soon, and that humans, (The smartest animal on earth), will come to a different, more intelligent way to solve differences.  Don't get me wrong, I am, and always have been extremely grateful for all of our military members.  I saw everything that our Airmen go through at Basic Military Training on video from the base--not something easy!  And, I saw my son emerge with more confidence, standing straighter (6' 3" with boots!), and a leader as well as a follower when needed.  I am so proud of him, and love him very much.  Here is a photo minus his wonderful red, curly head full of hair:

Airman 1st Class Josh Simring

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I found two poems that really struck my heart.  They are both in the book, Whispers of Promise.  This book is published by Harbour, and both poems are anonymous.  I hope you enjoy them!

You'll Never Stand Alone

God doesn't want to see you suffer

 unnecessarily.  Instead of leaving

you to work out your life in your

own way, He wants to guide you.

  When you face difficult days... you

 won't stand alone.  Trouble won't

 blast your life but will strengthen

you instead.  Your Creator can turn

 all trials to blessings if you just

 stand firm in Him.  Enjoy your

days in Jesus.

                                                          ~Anonymous

This second poem is what this blog is about...it's why we have the

He IS Able Blog Card Give-Aways.  To encourage us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ either through voice or through the cards you may receive as a gift from this blog.  "The He IS Able blog:  Sharing His Love, His Word, His Gift of Salvation through Card-Giving!"  I hope this poem will help cause an enthusiastic reply, and that you will all tell someone about Jesus Christ this week...one way or another!

 

Let's Lighten the Darkness

When we reach out in faith to

someone and don't get a positive

response, do we recognize that

we're speaking to a spiritually deaf

soul?...Kindness in the face of

opposition may begin the work

that opens deaf ears and lightens

blind eyes.  Let's start to unclog

ears and lighten the darkness.

~Anonymous

 

This poem really fit my life.  Before I knew the Lord, I really felt that my eyes were sealed with concrete before learning about the Lord.  I could not know the Truth because I could not see it with my eyes sealed shut.  But, when I heard about Him, read His Word, asked Him into my heart as my Savior and Lord...he opened my eyes.  It's as if He chiseled the concrete off of my eyes...I WAS blind, but now I can see!  Praise God!

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Announcing:  The Winners of the Last 2 Week's He IS Able Card Set Gift!

Congratulations Becky Dunham and Abby from Little Birdie Blessings Blog

 

This is Becky's comment:  "Thanks Traci! I am thrilled to have won these cards! Will get you my snail mail immediately. I have just recently found your blog and I am so glad I did - we can all use uplifting every day :) Thanks for providing an amazing blog where I can be lifted in my faith just by visiting! God Bless!"

And, this is Abby's comment: "Thank you Traci, I'm excited to have won the five cards and looking forward to getting them."

How interesting that both of our randomly chosen card recipients were chosen before!  Well, ladies, you know what to do...please send me your mailing address (tracistarkweather@gmail.com)  so that I know that you each want your cards.  Oh, how many did you get?  The random number was 2.  So, you will each receive 2 cards/envelopes this time.  Just let me know before Tuesday evening (the 24th) that you want these cards.  If I do not hear from you, I will put the cards back in the "Card Stash."  How were you entered in this?  Well, you simply left a comment before Tuesday night 8pm.  Just like our Give Away every week!  That's all it takes. 

We have many cards left on hand...so the give-aways will continue.

 However, we would love to add some A2 cards that have a Scripture, Biblical Image, or say a flower and a word like "Blessings" or "Jesus Loves You" on the cover.   It would be wonderful to include your cards in our Weekly He IS Able Card Give-Aways.  Thank you for considering this way of serving the Lord.  If you have more than one card, please put it in a plastic ziplock and include an envelope and mail to: 

                                   

                                           Traci Starkweather

                                            116 Colyer Drive

                                            Longwood, Florida 32779

 

He IS Able!

Traci Starkweather

I'm back...And need some rest!

Hi Friends~

Thank you for your patience.  I hope you enjoyed the Series that I auto-posted while Dave and I went to see Joshua graduate from Basic Military Training in Lackland (Beautiful San Antonio) Texas.

I am really worn out...and I would like to take today off from blogging, and rest.  I WILL be back on Monday.  And, I will announce the 2 Winners of the He IS Able Card Sets of the Week!

I do hope you understand, that after a big trip like that...and an emotional trip like that...it takes me longer to recover.  My legs, hips and back really feel much better resting.  I hope you will join me on Monday.  I apologize if I am letting any of you down.  I have been praying for each of you.

He IS Able!
Traci Starkweather 

He IS Able...

Hi Friends~

Well, we have read the Introduction from "My All in All" by Mr. Robert J. Morgan over the last 3 posts.  It has been very inspiring and educational.  It has opened so man doors for us to start to look into this new year...2012.  (Who can believe that?  2012!)


Today, I really want to share the first Devotion of the book.  As soon as you read it, you will see why it was so important that I share this with you.  It is a direct quote from "My All in All" published by B&H Books.

"God is able to make all grace abound toward you;

that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things,

may abound to every good work."  (2 Corinthians 9:8 KJV)

Missionary Amy Carmichael attended a meeting featuring the renowned preacher Dr. Andrew Bonar.  "He was very old and could not speak very plainly or strongly," she recalled.  "The hall was full, and I was near the back.  I could not catch a single word he said, except this word all.  He read 2 Corinthians 9:8 and he put every bit of strength he had into it, so that the one word rang out--all--always--all--all.  I have forgotten thousands of great sermons, but that's "all" I have never forgotten, and it has helped me countless times."

The context of this Verse involves giving to the Lord's work, yet the promise is larger than its context.  The words God is able represent a recurring divine promise:

**  He is able to establish us  (Rom. 16:25)

**  He is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or think (Eph. 3:20)

**  He is able to keep what we have committed to Him  (2 Timothy 1:12)

**  He is able to aid us in temptation  (Heb. 2:18)

**  He is able to keep us from falling  (Jude 24)

**  He is able to deliver us (Daniel 3:17)

**  And He is able to make all grace aboud to us in all ways at all times for all things.

Our God IS Able!  Throughout this year, He isn't going to impart some grace or some sufficiency in some things for some good works.  It's all--all--all!

_______________________

He IS Able!   That is a great thing to remember when you think your problems are too small for Him to notice, or too big for Him.  There is nothing He can not do!  (Sorry for the double negative!)  He is there for you no matter what!  You matter to Him!  He loves you more than anyone, and He has the best path set for your life, if only we will follow Him.

He IS Able! is also the name of a blog that has a prayer team to pray for your needs,  we're here to encourage you to encourage others, and for all of us to learn how to lead a Christ filled life together, learning more about Him, and perhaps sharing a few crafts along the way!

We are currently looking for Prayer Team Members and someone who would enjoy writing one post a month.  The topic is about the different women of the Bible.  If you are interested in being a part of this blog, perhaps sharing a tutorial, or sharing about a specific Scripture, your Testimony of when you came to know the Lord please let us know either in the comment section or email Traci at tracistarkweather@gmail.com.  And, please let us know if you have anything in particular that you would like to learn about in this coming year!

He IS Able!

Traci Starkweather

"My All in All" (Part 3)

Hi Friends~

I hope you have been reading this series with us since Monday.  It is based on this wonderful Devotion Book I am reading.  It is called "My All in All" by Robert J. Morgan.


Before you read any further...I left Wednesday's post off asking you to post your Favorite Scripture with the word "all" in it.  Just write it out in the comment section, if you would.   It will also make you eligible to win the He IS Able Card Sets Give-Away!  When you are done with that...come on back and take a look at the list of Scripture the author came up with that all include the word "all" in it.

(Part 3 of Robert J. Morgan's Introduction to "My All in All"
The following is a quote:

Looking up the word in a concordance, I was amazed to find 5,675 “alls” in the Bible.This word shows up in a remarkable number of Verses, and it amplifies many of our greatest truths, commands and promises:

**”All things work together for the good of those who love God”(Romans 8:28)

**”You have thrown all my sins behind Your back” (Isaiah 38:17)

**”Even the hairs of your head have all been counted.”

(Matthew 10:30)

**“Love the Lord your God with all your heart”(Matthew 22:37)

**“Trust in the Lord with all your heart”(Proverbs 3:5-6)

**“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened”

(Matthew 11:28)

**“Goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.”

(Psalm 23:6 NIV)

**“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you" (Matthew 6:33)

The Lord doesn’t waste words in His Book.  In the Verses above, the alls could easily have been left out;  yet there they are. Seems it’s one of God’s favorite words.  He used it thousands of times, often in passages that would have read nicely without it;  yet, the all maximizes the meaning to the absolute.  It’s the largest little word in the world, taking already strong statements and broadening their applications to virtual infinity, which, after all, is what one would expect from an omnipotent Father.

The frequency of this word in Scripture speaks to the all-sufficient grace of our Almighty Savior.  It highlights the infinite omniqualities of God, and the complete devotion we should afford Him.  He is the Lord of All, our All-in-All, our Almighty God, our All-Sufficient Savior from whom All blessings flow;  and He is All we need.

Looking up all these alls was the simplest Bible study I’ve ever done, but one of those most bolstering to the soul, because all Scripture is given by inspiration of God—even the thousands of occurrences of this little monosyllabic term.

So for each day of the year, I’ve selected an “all” from Scripture---365 of them, all told.

The other 5, 310 occurrences you’ll have to dig out yourself!T

He IS Able!                                                                                     Traci Starkweather

"My All in All" (Part 2).

Hi Friends~

If you weren't here on Monday you may not know that I am in Texas celebrating with my son who is graduating from the Air Force Basic Military Training!  So, Monday started the 1st part of this series... "My All in All" by Robert J. Morgan.  Please go back to Monday's post and read the set up for this beautiful book.  It will continue for a couple of days at least.  I also explained about the He IS Able Card Sets Give-Away on Monday--please read it.

OK—Here is the Introduction.  It is all typed in direct quotes.

"He is all in all to me,

And my song of songs shall be,

Hallelujah, O My Savior,

I am trusting only Thee."

~Fanny Crosby

“Daily Assurance of God’s Grace…My All in All”

INTRODUCTION

One evening several years ago when troubled about a particular matter, I sat at the dining room table and picked up my Bible. I turned to a little book near the back and read through 1 Peter, thinking the old fisherman might have an encouraging word for me. When I got to the last chapter, I came across Verse 7: “casting all your care upon Him, because He cares about you.” It was a Verse I knew well, indeed had memorized it; but now I saw something I’d never seen before. It said: “casting ALL your care upon Him.”

The Divine Author could easily have omitted the word allwithout hindering the flow or force of the text: casting your care upon Him. But the Lord deliberately dropped that little all into the sentence like a pearl in the pathway, and I had overlooked it for years.

But what a word! The “all” indicated this was anall-inclusive promise. Nothing is excluded from the invitation. No problem is too small for His notice, none to large for His power. He’s concerned about each and every problem I have or would ever have, public or personal, large or little. He can handle them, and I should give them all to Him in total trust.

Then a thought came to me. I wondered if there were other “alls” in the Bible that I’d missed. Continuing my reading, I noticed three Verses later that God is the “God of all grace.” Four Verses later: “Peace to allof you.” Three Verses down the column, in 2 Peter 1:3, I read, “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through knowledge of Him who called us.” (NKJV)

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I'm going to stop quoting the book for today.  I have a challenge for you.  The next post will start off with many Scripture containing the word "all" in it.  So, I am challenging you to write your favorite Verse that contains the word "All" in it in the comment section.  Have a great day!  God Bless!

He IS Able!

Traci Starkweather

"My All in All" (Part 1)

Hi Friends~

Happy New Year!  I pray that you have all enjoyed this holiday weekend, and if you have made any resolutions, that they include getting to know Him as  closely as possible. You could spend as much time in prayer as possible.  Read His Word every day…even a paragraph!  And, encourage others in daily life…and to know the Lord, Jesus the Christ!

I am leaving for my son Joshua’s graduation from the Basic Military Training from the Air Force this week.  I doubt I will have the time or energy to post while I am gone.  You will all be in my prayers, as usual.  I will be spending some quality time with  my son that I haven’t seen for almost 3 months, and will not be able to see for almost a year! It is difficult for me to travel, we are heading to San Antonio, Texas. My back, legs and migraines are usually pretty bad when I travel. I am praying that my disabilities will not keep me from attending any of Josh’s events!

So, I will draw 2 names next week for our He IS Able Card Set Give-Away!  I’m not sure what day it will be, so please stop by Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  I will be recuperating from the trip so as soon as able, I will announce the winners.  It is difficult for me to travel, we are heading to San Antonio, Texas.  My back, legs and migraines are usually pretty bad when I travel.  I am praying that my disabilities will not keep me from attending any of Josh’s events!  Be sure to leave a comment before Tuesday at 8pm to be eligible to receive a set of beautiful hand made cards.

I have started a new book of Devotions.  I have been waiting a while to start it on the 1^st .  And, I read the introduction the day before.  It may seem odd, but I want to share the introduction with you.  It is amazing…and so inspiring!  The book has a long name…

“Daily Assurance of God’s Grace…My All in All”   It is written by Robert J. Morgan and B and H Publishing Group put it out.  And, I love the feel of this paperback. The pages feel worn, the outside edge is "texturized" somehow…some pages stick out more than others, over and over it has ridges!  And it just feels like it has been read by many before me…this exact book--even though that was not the case.  The cover is an antiqued gold and brown, and the edges look as if they were distressed with Tim Holtz’s Distress Inks.  It is cozy.  If I am being clear about what I mean.

I hope you will enjoy these few days as I split this wonderful Introduction to this book and the 1st Devotion into a few parts.  You know how God provides?  Well, I pray for Him to please provide the material that is shared on this blog.  Well, when you get to the 1st Devotion...you will KNOW that it was made to be shared on the He IS Able blog!

I am setting the next post to automatically show up on Wednesday morning.  Have a great week!  God Bless!

He IS Able!
Traci Starkweather