June 1, 2017 by Adele Bower

My New Year’s Resolution for June

John 1:16

Recently I read that intentionally having an attitude of gratitude has emotional benefits. We could add to that spiritual benefits. Telling the Lord that I am grateful for His blessings creates in me even more gratitude. The older I get the more grateful I am for the little things. I like the big blessings, too, but the little things seem to stand out to me more lately. I’ll name a few.

Fresh, ripe tomatoes. Gardenias. Fragrance of newly cut grass on a very hot day. Rain. A shower with a sweet smelling soap. Iced tea. A nap. Feeling well again. A gardening book (and I don’t garden). Texts from the children and/or grandchildren. Phone calls from a friend. Our cats. Facebook friends from all over the world sharing our art and art struggles. I’ll stop.

You may notice the above things are not exactly spiritual in nature. But concerning deeply spiritual things our Lord has provided us with more blessings than we can imagine. You see, I believe John 1:16. His grace cannot be used up; and He chooses to bestow on us one blessing after another…..on and on. And I’m ever grateful.

This verse will be my New Year’s Resolution for June 2017; I’ll think of it, believe it and try to count His gracious blessings.

‘Til He Shouts!

May 9, 2017 by Adele Bower

My New Year’s Resolution for May

My New Year resolution for 2017 is to focus on one verse from the Holy Bible for each month of the year. The verse for the month of May is……..

“The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?” ____Psalm 27:1

During the time of the most discomfort and concern while in the hospital recently, I did my best to focus on the Lord. One night I told myself a few of the wonderful stories of our Lord Jesus’ miracles in the gospel of John. It was a comfort to me to contemplate, the best I could at the time, on the love and grace of our Lord.

‘Til He Shouts,

April 6, 2017 by Adele Bower

Tears and Triumph

“Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey-riding on a donkey’s colt.’ ” Matthew 21:5

Tears

On that day…..the day we call Palm Sunday…..the Lord Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on a small donkey. As the ecstatic crowd welcomed Him thinking He was the one who would free them from their suffering under a cruel and harsh rule, He wept.

“As He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it and said, ‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace-but now it is hidden from your eyes.'”

Luke 19:41-42

The Greek word for weep is ἔκλαυσεν…meaning to weep aloud, expressing uncontainable, audible grief (“audible weeping”). He was sobbing; those around Him could have heard Him but the crowds were cheering.

Our Lord shed tears of grief and sorrow as He rode the small donkey into Jerusalem that day.

Triumph

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and makes war. ” Revelation 19:11

“On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written:

King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” Revelation 19: 16

Yes, Jesus Christ is coming again and in complete victory and triumph. He will not be shedding tears. As the King of Glory, He will be riding a white horse….not a small donkey. He will establish His everlasting kingdom.

Wishing you a blessed Palm Sunday with praise to Him.

‘Til He shouts!

First published for Palm Sunday 2015, then 2016. In honor of our Lord Jesus Christ.

March 30, 2017 by Adele Bower

My New Year’s Resolution for April

No, I’m not giving up waffles and strawberries for 2017. No, I’m not on a diet…….should I be? Don’t answer that. No, I’m not denying myself something I enjoy. My New Year’s Resolution for April is only a positive.

Late last year I decided to make a change in the area of new year’s resolutions. Instead of making one, all encompassing, year-long vow….I would take one month at a time. Further, it would be a resolution to follow a fresh, new Scripture from God’s Word…..different each month.

Oh, I’m very good at making resolutions, vows, and plans, but not so good at keeping them. One time I started a diet and made it…….all….the….way….to…lunch that same day, before I decided I had made a bad decision. Onward.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice”.

_____Philippians 4:4

This wonderful verse kept coming to my mind over the past week, so I decided it would be my April Resolution……to follow as closely as possible, with the help of the Lord. I know He will help; it is His Word, after all.

Most of the time I have no trouble rejoicing in little things; the sound of our cats purring, a good TV show, lunch, rain (gentle), plans to see the family soon, sweet scented soap, putting on my old blue jeans shirt when it gets too cold in my work room, and things like that.

But nothing compares to rejoicing in the Lord and meditating on all He has done for me…..and for you….if you belong to Him. When I occupy my mind with just a few of His marvelous gifts, there is no room for anything else and I’m happy.

The word rejoice appears 194 times in the Bible, so it must be of some significance. Paul, the Apostle thought it had significance, so he repeated it. I’m listening and I will follow.

‘Til He Shouts,

Note: My artwork “Waffles and Strawberries” is available as greeting cards and other fine art prints on my website, Adele’s Art Website

February 28, 2017 by Adele Bower

I’m better than you….

According to the Bible…….that is not true.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others”. ___Philippians 2:3-4

This year, instead of making one big, impossible New Year’s resolution, I decided to make a new one each month; Find a Scripture and follow it for the entire month, hoping and praying it will become a habit.

I’ll admit this is a hard one. But when I get discouraged I remember nothing is impossible with our Lord…..especially when it is His will………stated, written down in the Bible and sealed with all omnipotent authority. Our Lord promises to answer any prayer asked “according to His will” 1 John 5:14. What a glorious promise.

Here I go, Lord, into a brand new month and doing my best to trust and obey. I know with absolute certainty that I can count on You and the truth of your Word.

‘Til He Shouts!

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January 25, 2017 by Adele Bower

….sin is not absent”

Art by Adele Bower

My Mother once told me that I was born talking. My friends and family would probably say that I’m still talking which may be true. I love people and I enjoy talkative people. I love to share my thoughts, experiences, concerns, joys, and plans and I love to hear their thoughts, experiences, concerns, joys and plans. In the midst of all that talking I probably repeat myself from time to time, but doesn’t everyone? Some well-meaning advice may slip into the conversation from time to time.

For several years I was blessed to speak before many Christian women’s events as well as a few professional organizations and teach many women’s Bible classes . As you can imagine, I loved it.

But all this talk can have a down side, as Proverbs 10:19 so poetically states. As in all our relationships and actions we should seek the Lord to guide us including our conversations.

In my last blog, “I Hate Criticism“, I mentioned that instead of one or more New Year’s resolutions, I was going to make one for the new month….all twelve as they arrive….and each based on a particular Scripture for that month.

MY FEBRUARY SCRIPTURE RESOLUTION IS PROVERBS 10:19,

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.”

In this particular time in our nation I have no problem keeping quiet on social media, but I want to learn to do the same among friends and family. My husband, bless him, has always been a patient listener. After a lot of consideration I’ve decided to do my best to hold my tongue. May the Lord help me.

‘Til He Shouts!

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January 5, 2017 by Adele Bower

Getting To Know You

Art by Adele Bower

It was a dark and stormy night! (I love that line!) Actually, it was true. Severe storm warnings had been issued for the Houston area again and was due to hit our neck of the woods in the wee hours of this morning. Therefore, I was wide awake between 2 and 3:30 waiting and wondering. The storm didn’t hit us until around 8 AM while I was enjoying a cup of hot tea and sweet cornbread for breakfast.

During that hour and one-half of the night, along with my wondering, my mind wandered to thoughts of our new Facebook Group page, “Whatever Is Lovely” and what I wanted to share on it when the sun rose….hopefully.

For a few of you who have been in one of my Bible classes, you’ll say “I’ve heard that before, Adele.” But I know you don’t mind hearing it again:

In my Christian life, nothing has changed me more for the better,

than reading through God’s Word…over and over again.

I thought and wondered why I find it so wonderful to read His Word regularly. Maybe it was the time of night, or the fact that I was fairly relaxed, but the answer came quickly: By reading God’s Holy Word I’m getting to know Him better. That’s it. I’m getting to know Him better every day. What a joy it is.

Feeling pleased that I had answered my own question so quickly, I realized I was almost humming the song, “Getting To Know You” out loud. Oops! Careful there; David is trying to sleep. When I remembered the song is from “The King and I“, I thought, how appropriate…..Jesus is the King of Kings.

The words could not be more fitting about how I feel about our Lord Jesus Christ:

Getting to Know You

Getting to know you
Getting to know all about you
Getting to like you
Getting to hope you like me

Getting to know you
Putting it my way
But nicely
You are precisely
My cup of tea

Getting to know you
Getting to feel free and easy
When I am with you
Getting to know what to say

Haven’t you noticed
Suddenly I’m bright and breezy?
Because of all the beautiful and new
Things I’m learning about you
Day by day.

From “The King and I”….Music and Lyrics by Rodgers and Hammerstein

‘Til He Shouts!

I first wrote and published this blog, “Getting To Know You” on April 30, 2016

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January 2, 2017 by Adele Bower

I Hate Criticism!

MY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
Instead of making one or more resolutions today, I’ve decided to make one each month. Each one will be based on a Scripture that the Lord keeps holding up in front of me and saying “Adele, don’t forget. This is my Word of instruction”. Okay, Lord.

MY JANUARY SCRIPTURE RESOLUTION IS EPHESIANS 4:29
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen”.

It occurred to me this morning that “unwholesome talk” may not just mean cursing, but criticisms as well. When has criticism toward you ever “built you up”? Having gone through art classes in college, and art school, (and some workshops), I’ve had to endure criticism of my art, and I hated it. Once a teacher told us to line up all our day’s paintings so he could critique them. Mine was SO awful I decided not to put it in the line-up. If he noticed he never said so. I was relieved but will never forget how afraid I was to be criticized.

Yes, I know I, may be overly sensitive, but so is my Abby Cat and I think she is wonderful. David often says Abby Cat and I are just alike. (Oh yeah, and he’s just like Tomboy Cat….all boy! So there!)

Back to my resolution: I’ve learned that the more I love someone, the less I find fault with them. OOO! That is convicting.

What is your resolution? Or resolutions?

‘Til He Shouts!

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December 24, 2016 by Adele Bower

He Had No Beginning

In honor of our Lord Jesus Christ on His birthday.

The Holy Bible teaches that the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, has always existed. They have always been together. Always. When I stop to think about that amazing truth, I find it beyond my comprehension.

“But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman…..” Galatians 4:4a. On that very special day in Bethlehem, the Second Person of the Trinity, left the glory of heaven and took on the form of a baby. We call it Christmas.

Christ the Lord is “the same yesterday, today, and forever”. Hebrews 13:8. But He had an earthly beginning all those many years ago. We may think it was a modest arrival for the Lord of Glory until we ponder that the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds announcing His arrival. There will never be a more glorious birth announcement in history.

It was His birthday but Jesus Christ brought mankind the greatest gift of all; He came to die for our sins. Romans 4:25. He rose from the dead, fully alive and is seated at the right hand of His Father in heaven, ever interceding for us and offering Himself for our salvation.

We bring Jesus Christ our best gift………a heart full of love, joy and gratitude for Him.

‘Til He Shouts!