“And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.””
(Luke 22:41-42 ESV ~ emphasis mine)

Many times I pray short prayers; prayers for family or friends. I pray throughout the day; I really do not have a specific time for prayer. However, if there is something really on my heart, and I need to let go of a certain situation, I pull out my little prayer book.

What I have noticed that when I write down my prayers, my focus changes. It is not so much that I want to change God’s mind over a situation, but He changes mine. Read again what Jesus said in the garden of Gethsemane…”not my will, but yours”…

Isn’t that what prayer really is? To align with God’s will? I know that I need to sometimes spell it out (thus my prayer book). I need to be reminded that He is in control. I am thankful for those times when things become a little clearer to me through prayer. So, this week I am thankful for the power of prayer.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
(Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)

What are your thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving your link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today; remember: through prayer your vision becomes clearer.

Love & peace,
Iris

Current Mood: Thankful

You see, before Christmas I was looking for a new camera strap. Although the camera came with a strap, I was tired of ‘sporting’ the make and model. I wanted something comfortable and fashionable. That the product is made here in the United States is a bonus; I found that out after the fact …

Capturing Couture is not only making camera straps, wristlets, and camera bags here in the US; Erika and Lisa are exporting their products to Germany, Canada, South Africa, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Australia. Erika and Lisa brought fashion and functionality together.

I currently own three of their products and I am very happy with them. My hubby gifted me a beautiful camera bag and the matching camera strap for Christmas:

Last week I received my wristlet for my point-and-shoot camera:
I am telling you; I totally adore their products and I would like for you to check out Capturing Couture.

To make it easier, I am giving away a camera strap for your DSLR (from any of their gorgeous collections) or 2 Wristlets for your point-and-shoot.

All you have to do to win is to let me know which one you would like. You have until next Sunday, February 5th to post in the comment section. To have an extra entry, “Like” Capturing Couture on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Thank you for stopping by today and for your support of American made products.

Love & peace,

Iris

Current Mood: Playful

Thank you for stopping by today; have a blessed Sunday afternoon.

Love & peace,
Iris

Current Mood: Blessed †

So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
(Isaiah 55:11 ESV)

In the month of January we meet up at my friend Laurie’s blog, “Women Taking a Stand“. Please visit her blog to link up for Thankful Thursday.

I know that I have had many Thankful Thursday posts about His Word; it is just a powerful source of comfort for me personally. When I am down or getting stressed out, I like to ‘dig’ into the Psalms. Most of them are penned by King David and he knew where to find comfort. David Psalms are just as relevant today as they were in his time.

This year I will try (once again) to read through the Bible. But this year I have accountability partners. My friend, Kathy Howard, started a FB group to read through the Bible together. It is wonderful; especially when Kathy is posting some insights on passages that are not easy to digest.

By the way, there is still time to join Kathy’s online Bible study of Ephesians. Maybe you have time to check it out this week …

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: time spent in His Word is time well spent.

Love and peace,
Iris

Current Mood: Thankful

Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
(Proverbs 31:8-9 ESV)

For years I wanted to approach this subject, but every year I ‘chickened out’. You know why? Because I don’t want to come of as harsh or as Miss-Know-It-All on this subject. Believe me, a lot of prayers went into this project.

My series is not political motivated; nor do I write out of patriotism (I am just as passionate about German made merchandise). Why is “Made in America” so important to a German gal living in America? Two words: Child Hunger.

You see, for me “Made in America” and eradicating child hunger go hand in hand. If people living in America do not have work, how can they supply food for their families/children? If you read the statistics (unfortunately only 2010 numbers are available that this time), it is very disheartening to see 20% of children are hungry in this rich country. And that is not counting children that live in insecure food-environments. I am thankful for local and national food banks that assist families, but I don’t think that will solve the issue at hand.

At the end of 2004, our then 19-year-old son pointed us to a documentary. I believe that the company highlighted in this documentary is highly responsible for the vanishing manufacturing jobs in the United States. I haven’t set food in their stores since I watched the documentary.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand that many have to shop there, because of the budget they have for the basic necessities like food. I am blessed that I live in a large city that has different options to shop for groceries (like our Arizona based grocery chain – Bashas and AJ’s). Actually Target started to have bigger grocery sections in our area. Like I said, I have more options in a big city than people living in rural areas.

But I digress. The biggest issue is that America imports more than it exports. The most current foreign trade data is from November of 2011. The gap between exports and imports is scary to me. Trade is good, but it needs to be more balanced.

So, what can I (personally) do to turn things around in America? Maybe it is just a drop of water in a large bucket?!? But if we all look at what we buy (one product at a time), we maybe can do this together and help Americans put food on their family’s table. I want to support American families and not necessarily American companies (not the same in all cases which I will show you).

Over the next several months, I will link to products that are made in America. Not only will I link to the products, but will also purchase them (some are already in my possession ). And you, my dear readers, will be able to ‘cash-in’ as well on some of the products that are made in America (sorry, can’t give away a Viking kitchen appliance).

Thank you so much for reading my blog today and hopefully you will join me on a journey to buy more American made products to lower the child hunger in this country.

She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
(Proverbs 31:20 ESV)

Love & peace,
Iris

Current Mood: Okay

I am very excited about the study. After all, my blog “Grace Alone…” is based on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians . I am double excited, because Kathy is leading the study. It would be great to have the study face-to-face with Kathy and other women, but the on-line study is the next best thing. I hope you will join us.

Love and peace,
Iris

Current Mood: Forgiven †

For Marriage Monday, Chrysalis is inviting us to complete the below prompts to help us to get to know each other as a unique daughter of God. For detailed instruction, please visit E-Mom’s weblog.

I am… fearfully and wonderfully made.
I want… to encourage others.
I have… hunger for God’s Word.
I wish… I would be more creative.
I hate… dishonesty.
I miss… my family in Germany.
I fear… loneliness.
I feel… loved.
I hear… the birds in the backyard.
I smell… bacon that my hubby cooked this morning.
I crave… acceptance for who I am in Him.
I search… for things made the U.S.A. (and found some very cool stuff)
I wonder… if it will rain today.
I regret… my wander years without God.
I love… my family and friends (and try to love my enemies).
I ache… in my lower back.
I care… about child hunger (and it should be eradicated in first world nations)
I always… hope for a better tomorrow.
I am not… not a fan, but follower of Christ.
I believe… Jesus Christ died for my sins.
I dance… all the time.
I sing… in my head all day long.
I cry… when I am mistreated
I don’t always… speak the truth in love.
I fight… for the underprivileged.
I write… to bring hope into the dark world.
I never… say ‘never’.
I listen… to music that lifts my heart.
I need… my hair cut.
I am happy… when I can spend time with my hubby and son.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
(Psalm 139:14 ESV)

Thank you for stopping by to get to know me a little .

Love and peace,
Iris

I just downloaded her entire album “One Song at A Time” (currently available for $5). Here is one of her songs Jamie uploaded to You Tube (featuring Toby Mac):

I hope you will check out Jamie’s music; I think that her music will bless your socks off .

Love and grace to you,
Iris

Current Mood: Blessed † & Happy

This time I stood in an actual chocolate paradise. This was not some average, American chocolate shop. I had the joy of salivating in a European chocolate establishment. (And yes, Hershey, they do it better.) The chocolate aroma overwhelmed me and I had to squash the thought of Eve eyeing the forbidden fruit.

Everything I could have hoped for was here – plus many I could have never imagined. The tantalizing smorgasbord of tastes and textures excited me. Chocolate with coconut for my husband? Three choices! Sugar-free chocolate for my diabetic father-in-law? Oh yes, more than he could ever eat! The experience far surpassed my greatest chocolate fantasy. I left with gifts in one hand and my own personal stash in the other.

This morning I fondly thought about this chocolate shop visit when I read through the Bible book of Ephesians. Here’s a couple of passages that thrilled me:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3, NIV

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20, NIV

I know my chocolate experience is a weak analogy for these glorious promises, but no physical comparison can measure up to the spiritual blessing God desires to pour into our lives. (So everything considered, being set loose with an unlimited chocolate selection was a good choice.)

Are you experiencing “every spiritual blessing in Christ?” Have you witnessed God do “immeasurable more than all you can ask or imagine?” I honestly can’t say I have, but I’m growing that direction. Want to come along?

You’re invited to join me in a study of the book of Ephesians. “Growing Up Together – a study of Ephesians,” begins Wednesday, January 18th on my blogsite. You can visit my blog now for a bit more information.

Do you long to experience God’s blessing in your life? In what areas do you feel your faith needs to grow?

Kathy Howard calls herself a “confused southerner.” Raised in Louisiana, she and her husband have lived all over North America. She doesn’t know whether to say “coke” and “ya’ll” or “pop” and “you guys.” But this Southern girl loves to encourage women through teaching and writing about God’s Word. Find out more about Kathy’s Bible studies and speaking ministry and get lots of free resources at www.kathyhoward.org

Photo & Content Copyright © – Kathy Howard

Current Mood: Blessed †

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
(1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV)

In the month of January we meet up at my friend Laurie’s blog, “Women Taking a Stand“. Please visit her blog to link up for Thankful Thursday.

Last week, I read an interview with Lisa Shaw on my friend Debbie’s blog, “Heart Choices“. I haven’t met Lisa in person, but I know Lisa through the internet. Lisa is such an encouragement to many of us who have been around for a little while.

At any rate, I ordered Lisa’s book last week and it arrived today just in time for me to post about it for Thankful Thursday. I can’t wait to read her book “You are beautiful in God’s Eyes”.

Lisa also included a sweet personal note, that blessed my socks off …That is just so like Lisa.

If you haven’t come across Lisa via her blog or FB, I suggest you check out her ministry. I know her words will bless you.

I am thankful for women like Lisa that share the love of Christ with others; women who are beautiful inside and out.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Love and peace,
Iris

Current Mood: Blessed † & Thankful