Uncategorized – denisebalog…Grace filled devotionals.

Listening Heart

“Welcome in His Peace,

Softest flowing light.

For in Him there’s no striving,

Only quietness to the listening heart.”

“He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV

“He’ll calm you with His love

And delight you with His songs.”

Zephaniah 3:17 The Message

Peaceful Heart

“Thank You Lord for Your faithfulness;

Yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Let me not borrow pain;

Nor be another’s sorrow.

Thank You for reminding me,

Even when I sleep,

You’re looking out for all my ways,

And in Your health You’ll keep.

Fix my eyes on Your plans;

Peaceful heart and stable land.

Assured You speak the best to me,

For in Christ Jesus,

I’m truly free!”

“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You;

Because he trust in You.”

Isaiah 26:3 NKJV

Home healing from the change of seasons winds.

May you and your household be in perfect peace, and health today.

Blessings,

Denise

In the Fires

Sun sets, tomorrow ignites.

“Wherefore glorify ye the LORD, in the fires, (even) the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea.” Isaiah 24:15 KJV

In honor of my friend Susan Michaels who inspires daily with her 2-3-2 Haiku reflective posts.

I pray you would be encouraged by visiting her WordPress site – LightRoom.

Blessings, Denise

Restful Breath

Deep sleep night.

Snuggled in tight.

Warm breath rest.

Waking to my best!

“Go ahead – sing a brand-new song to the Lord!” Psalm 98:1 The Passion Translation

Poem by denisebalogc2021

Photography by mbalogc2021

Creative Eyes

“Painting is self-discovery. Every good artist paints what he is.” Jackson Pollock

Paul Jackson Pollack was an American painter and abstract expressionist. 1912-1956

One of the joys of working in an Primary/Elementary school is to see the kids art work lining the hallway by the Art room.

I’m always amazed at their creativity. The following pictures are 3-D handmade clay figures expressing how they see themselves ❤️ Enjoy!

Peyton’s curly golden hair is an especially nice touch. Yep, I think I see cheer pom-poms 🥰 Go Peyton!

This one reminds me of wild hair “gingerbread” coming in from a windy playground ❤️ I’m so glad you have your yellow boots on because it’s muddy out there!

I think “Alondra”was thinking about lunch because it looks like her lunchbox ❤️

I love the peaks in the background especially since we live in a fairly flat location ❤️ I think I see a “steering wheel”. Maybe Leo is planning a trip to the mountains!

I couldn’t see the student’s name on this picture, but I love the fly away curls!❤️

As I stood looking at their clay figures expressing their unique selves, I couldn’t help but be encouraged to see how beautiful they see themselves and each other ❤️

I’m not sure if Elena is jumping or doing a cheer, but the details of her face in the clay is beautiful ❤️❤️

My personal favorite (I think I see myself this way), Red, White and Blue through and through ❤️🇺🇲 Go Edger!🇺🇲🇺🇲❤️

“We are the clay and You are the Potter. Each one of us is the creative work of Your hands.’ Isaiah 64:8 The Passion Translation

“To see through a child’s eyes, is a daily chuckle and a full face smile ” quote by me❤️

I hope you enjoyed a “seeing” my daily world ❤️

“And if you tenderly care for this little one on My behalf, you are tenderly caring for Me ” Matthew 18:5 The Passion Translation

Blessings and have a great day! Denise

“When viewed from the perspective of Scripture, history is more than the recording of the events of the past. Rather, what has happened in the past, what is happening now, and what will happen in the future is all evidence of the unfolding of the purposeful plan devised by the personal God of the Bible.

“All circumstances of life – past, present, and future – fit into the sovereign plan of God like pieces of a puzzle.”

Quote by Robert Lightner, theologian, Dallas Theological Seminary

“Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by it’s horns.” Genesis 22:13 NKJV

Reading this verse, I have heard it taught, and believe, that “Isaac” and the “ram” are both pictures or shadows of Jesus Christ. (The Son and the sacrifice).

“…you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” Genesis 22:12 NKJV

“And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17 NJKV

Reading further, my eyes landed on the words in verse 23 of the 24 verses in Genesis 22.

“And Bethuel begot Rebekah. These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother.” Genesis 22:23 NJKV

STOP. “Lord, why would Holy Spirit choose to finish one of the most important chapter’s in Scripture, Abraham offering up his son Isaac, with telling us how many children Abraham’s brother Nahor had?”

“Look again.” I heard Him speak to me.

“Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked,”

“Rebekah!” “LORD, Abraham saw Rebekah in the future! Isaac, his beloved son, married Rebekah, who bore Jacob, who bore the twelve sons, who bore David, who bore Jesus!”

“Rebekah is the Bride!” The Bride! Abraham saw the Church, the Bride of Christ!”

This revelation changed everything for me. It deepened the significance of the love Christ has for us, His Church. Jesus saw us from the beginning. He, “lifted his eyes” and saw His Bride. The cross “behind him,” and His Bride in the future. We are in Chapter 22 of Genesis ❤️

The Bride, Jesus willingly offered up His life for His Bride.

“Looking into Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame…”Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

Jesus, yesterday, today and forevermore! “The sovereign plan of God. “

“I am by Beloved’s, and His desire is towards me.”Song of Solomon 7:10 NKJV

Pencil and Prayer

“Good morning Lord. Now that I’m here how do I separate writing and prayer?

Both are written on my heart, but where does the line begin and the prayer start?

Search me, O Lord, and find me new. For I bring this pencil and paper in dedication to You.”

Dedication – Strong’s Hebrew #2598 – chanukah. It was used to show something was officially in service.

“Oh LORD, You have searched me and know me. You know my rising up; You understand my thoughts from afar off…and are acquainted with all my ways ” Psalm 139:1:2 NKJV

“You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence.” Psalm 139:4 The Message

“You know every step I take before my journey begins. You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way, and in kindness You follow behind me.” Psalm 139:5 The Passion Translation

May you be blessed to know the kindness of the Lord Who prepares the day ahead and hears the dedications written in our hearts.

Blessings, denise

Good Hope

“Where are the promises of Your song?

They seem to be distant like a long ago storm.

Remembered in name but gone all the same;

Where are the notes of Your horn?”

“Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven!

“For there is peace and a good hope given to the sons of men.”

“When the choir of angels disappeared and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another,

“Let’s go! Let’s hurray and find this Word who is born in Bethlehem and see for ourselves what the LORD has revealed to us.” Luke 2:14-15 TPT

“You are wearied in the length of your way; yet you did not say, ‘There is no hope.’ You have found the life of your hand; therefore you were not grieved.” Isaiah 57:10 NKJV

“I created the fruit of the lips, “Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near.” says the Lord, “And I will heal him.” Isaiah 57:19 NKJV

Poem by denisebalogc2021

Photographs captured by denisebalogc2015 – Prestonwood Christmas Program, Dallas, TX

My Own Small Way

“Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are.” Alfred Austin

I decided this summer,

As I watched my Flag wave,

I’d save which was once lost,

In my own small way.

With renewed hope and delight,

Plans were laid out,

As I dreamed through the night.

In the cool of the morning,

My work would begin,

Planting and digging were gardens had been.

With the sweat of my brow on 90 degree days,

I’d press through the heat wiping my face.

The moisture of salt mixed with my tears,

Remembering the former beauty of my garden’s earlier years.

***“Tears are the summer showers to the soul.” Alfred Austin***

Day after day,

Going back out at first light.

I’d press to restore her,

It only seem right.

In her kindness and sweet morning refrain,

She draws me to her moist soil,

As my Flag bravely waves.

“And now, Lord,

what do I wait for?

My hope is in You.”

Psalm 39:7 NKJV

Alfred Austin was an English Poet Laureate in 1896.

Born May 30, 1835-Died June 2, 1913.

Poem and photographs by denisebalogc2021

The First Day Counts

“The most important day of a person’s education is the first day of school, not Graduation Day.” ― Harry Wong

It’s been awhile since you heard from me.

I started back to school, and yes,

I could barely see.

Covered in questions, “When does enrollment start?”

I thought I lose my mind at each day’s start.

But then the bells began to ring,

School is open! Welcome our children in!

“My child, if you truly want a long and satisfying life, never forget the things that I’ve taught you.” Proverbs 3:1-2 TPT

“A child who reads will be an adult who thinks.” Unknown

WordPress friends and family,

I’ve missed seeing you!

Denise

“The ways of wisdom are sweet,

Always drawing you into the place of wholeness.”

Proverbs 3:17 TPT

Song in the Wind

“All writing is in a sense a prayer – a sending out of hope, a thanksgiving, a celebration, a song sent into the wind that we hope someone will hear.” Quote by Georgia Heard

Writing the words scored on our hearts happens for me in the quiet places of life. In the uninterrupted times when the house is asleep or the rare days of gardening outside in the light.

Raking pass the clutter of the “to do’s”…

Stepping into the ideas, dreams and stories my heart longs to share.

Cutting away the weeds of negativity…

Not listening to the trash talk, “Your not good enough,” or “No one else will care to read.”

“Weeds were wrapped around my head.” Jonah 2:5

Uncovering a nugget of truth.

It takes persistence to break open the time…

Once opened, beauty blooms upward toward the light renewing the passion planted deep inside one’s soul.

“In hope believed.” Romans 4:18

Let it not be said of me, she didn’t find the time to write, to embrace her destiny for if she passes by her heart’s desire as “…a song sent into the wind…”

“I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.” Luke 19:40 NKJV

“Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” Luke 1:45 NKJV

“Like an open book, You watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before You, The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.” Psalm 139:15 TM

Perfect in One

You are the storm,

You are the Sea.

You are the One Who rescues me.

At Your word mountains move.

In the sound of Your voice Peace is heard.

Declaring Your love with the rising of the Son.

I live, breath and walk to be with You as One.

“I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me”

John 17:23 NKJV

“You live fully in Me and now I live fully in them so that they will experience perfect unity.”

John 17:23 TPT

Poem by denisebalog

Photograph by denisebalog – Caesarea, Israel