“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

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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

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

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

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
(Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV (emphasis mine))

Goodness, where in the world did the year go. It seems to me as just a blur. You know what they say: “As you get older, the years are going faster!”; I sure can attest to that.

The past year has been full of learning for me; work-wise, blogging and also with my photography. To be honest, it has been a very humbling year for me.

Blogging: I stepped back from LWG in the last quarter as a contributor. I felt empty, not able to fill others’ cups. I also didn’t blog much here on “Grace Alone…”. Who wants to ready daily stuff of a 50-something woman?

Work-wise: At the beginning of the year, our company reduced its work-force. One of the reduction included my boss. I needed to adjust to new rules and management. Let me tell you: it took me awhile to adjust to the change. But today I live by the motto: “the only constant in the work-force is constant change”.

Photography: In May of this year I upgraded my camera to the semi-professional model. I really enjoy photographing with it. I have learned so much over the past 7 months. I feel very comfortable with photographing in manual mode. It is challenging, but oh-so-much-fun …

Although I do not write out New Years resolutions (I broke all of them in the past), I do always have plans for the New Year. Here are a couple of points for 2012:

• Grow closer to the Lord. Not so much head-knowledge, but more heart-knowledge (I think you know what I mean).
• I love to cook (really). At the end of this year I have found a new passion for cooking. I will try more new recipes in 2012; I will combine that with my passion of photography (who knows where that leads).
• I want to blog more (again)…especially on my personal blog. I already have some ideas that you might enjoy as well.
• I plan on carving out some time to read more and maybe review some of the books I have read.
• Support more the small business world, locally and across the country
• …and maybe I finally can get my house totally organized; especially my two spare rooms are full of ‘junk’!!!

So this week, I am thankful for new beginnings. Even though our God grants us new beginnings every day, we like to start fresh with a new calendar year (not sure why that is)…

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

Thank you for stopping by today (and reading through the little longer post). Remember: God gives us a fresh start every day; make the most of each day.

Love, peace and Happy 2012,
Iris

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Current Mood: Forgiven † & Thankful

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” ~ Colossians 3:12 (ESV)

I am not thankful for Starbucks for the ‘usual’ reason (although I do enjoy my morning treats of coffee). I wanted to share with you a program Starbucks is running right now. I think we can all be thankful for it; at least us who live in the United States.

If you frequent Starbucks, you may have seen their program “Create Jobs for USA“. I have done a little research to see what truly is behind the program. Starbucks started a fund that will support small businesses in the US to expend and create jobs.

I personally think this is so cool and I have purchased a little wrist-band this morning while getting my morning coffee. Will my donation make a difference? Sure it will. So, if you have someone on your Christmas list you have no idea what to get for them, why not make a donation in their name?

So, this week I am thankful that a big company is trying to make a difference in this country.

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

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: we all can make a difference in someone’s life; let us be His hands and feet in this world.

Love and peace,
Iris

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Current Mood: Thankful

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
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 55:10-11 ESV – emphasis mine)

I truly am thankful for His Word; it gives me the strength that I need to get through the rough days. Sometimes we find ourselves challenged by what life throws at us. Last night I was a little unsettled about some things. You see, I like to please everyone, the people I work with especially.

But honestly, not everyone will like you, no matter how hard your try. As I was reading through a devotion, Luke 6:27-29 ‘jumped’ right at me.

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.
(Luke 6:27-29 ESV)

This has always been a very tough passage for me to follow. So, this morning I prayed for a particular person I have some ‘bumping-head’ issues with. To tell you the truth, this was the best thing I could have done. I was at ease with things at work and the day went better than expected.

You see, God knows what we need and He will guide us by His Word to take the right actions. So, I am more than thankful that we have instructions that will defuse hot topics!

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

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: if a situation needs defused, grab your Bible and He will guide you to take the right action.

Love and peace,
Iris

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Current Mood: Thankful

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” ~ Psalm 18:2 (ESV)

To be perfectly honest with you, I do not like Arizona. Yes, I have been living here for the past 20 years, but I still don’t enjoy the summers. You see, I grew up by the sea and you cannot take the salt water out of my veins…

There is one particular place though that I continue to go back to: the Superstition Mountains. I have photographed the mountain range several times, but every time they look different.

I really cannot explain why this mountain draws me so often. It may has to do with God. Every time I see the mountain (actually every day), I am reminded of God – the SOLID rock in my life. No matter where my path takes me, I can count on God. He is the true constant in my life.

To some, a mountain can be something daunting, but for me it is sheer beauty. Massive, unmovable, solid, beautiful…just like our God.

Have you seen God’s beauty this week? Today, I am linking up with my friend Joan to share His Beauty. Click on the image below to read more of His Beauty…

Thank you for stopping by today…
Love & peace,
Iris

Current Mood: Blessed †

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
(Romans 8:37-39 ESV)

Last week I had shared with my readers that I had ‘A Perfect Day’. Let me share a little more with you how it came to pass and how it ended up a day of unexpected blessings.

You see, since I am not a US Citizen (by choice I keep my German citizenship), I have to renew my ‘green’ card every ten years. Honestly, I was a little nervous; much has changed over the past 10 years. Since 9/11/2001 (the year I renewed last) as you can imagine, applications to stay in this country as a foreigner have become more complicated.

The biggest changes were put in place last year with a new law on how you have to renew your ‘green’ card. You no longer can go to the local office; you have to fill out a form online to receive an appointment for the local office.

On my appointment day I was so nervous, I sent a couple of text messages to some very close friends to pray for me. On the way to Phoenix I thought my husband would have to pull over; I was sick to my stomach. My heart knew that everything would be fine, but I could not get my tummy to follow my heart.

When we got to the USCIS office in Phoenix, I was still nervous.  I noticed that I was not the only one how had butterflies in the tummy …I have to say, the employees at the USCIS office were the nicest people. There were many people with appointments that morning, but I was done within 45 minutes (fingerprints, photo etc). I almost skipped out of the office.

As I mentioned, my husband went with me and we took the opportunity to stay for almost 3 hours in Phoenix. We had a wonderful lunch and took a walk, photographing. I had a smile on my face all afternoon (the weather was perfect too). I told my husband at least a hundred times how much I enjoyed spending the day with him.

By the way, we even found a parking spot we didn’t have to pay for (long story for another day )

You see, sometimes God blesses us unexpectedly. Even if a day does not start out to promising, God will give us something to remember. I sure will remember the day I had to renew my green card for years to come…and will be smiling.

Thanks for stopping by.

Love and peace,
Iris

Current Mood: Blessed †

This month I have chosen Psalm 51:10 as your inspiration. I hope you like it!

Thank you for stopping by and your continued support of Laced with Grace.

Love & peace,
Iris

Current Mood: Playful