Dwelling in Happiness by Carole Brown

Happy are your men,

and happy are these servants

who stand continually

before you,

and hear your wisdom.

Second Chronicles 9:7

Starli Cameron was a successful person. She owned her own restaurant business: an up-class place that catered delicious foods. She was a talented pianist. Her features were beautiful, her body slim and strong from running and ice skating, her clothes well fitting and gorgeous. She was loved and had friends.

Was she happy?

No. 

Starli had forgiveness issues carried from the past. Until she forgave--not only the people who wronged her but herself too...and turned to God, she couldn't be REALLY happy. 

--(Taken from Knight in Shining Apron, Book Two of the WV Romantic Mystery series )

***

Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon to talk with him. She came bearing vast and glorious gifts. She viewed his establishment, his servants, the officials attending his feasts, his food, and all that was in his hands. She experienced his wisdom in answering her questions, and was awed by it all. So proclaimed the queen: Happy are your...



Everyone wants to be happy, but sometimes real happiness can be hard to find. 
Searching in the wrong places (business, friends, looks, talents and money) will not bring happiness.



The answer is simple. God is the only way--the only path--to find happiness. Searching his word, following his words, trusting in him, allowing him to guide us in all that we do will give us contentment and peace which leads to true happiness. 

Psalm 144:15 says: "Happy are the people whose God is the Lord" 

And that is so very true.

ABOUT CAROLE:

Besides being an active participant of many writing groups, Carole is an award winning author and enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense, tough topics, romance and whimsy into her books, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons? 

Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427898838&sr=8-1

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/browncarole212

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-brown-79b6951a?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

Google+:    https://plus.google.com/u/0/113068871986311965415/posts

Word Sharpeners: https://wordsharpeners.wordpress.com/

Stitches in Time:  http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/

Dwelling in LIFE!

I lay down my LIFE, that I might take it up again.

--Christ from John 10: 17b

Jesus' prophetic, startling and puzzling words to his generation. They suggested he had a devil, or perhaps he was mad. But Jesus, as his father did, knew all things. He knew what was in store for him in the very near future.

What man is he that desires LIFE...?

--Psalmist David, 34:12

The hopelessness of those who know not God's love and forgiveness. Life without God is truly an unfulfilled, unsatisfactory existence. Only with him is there true life, true peace and true joy.

God's gift to us is eternal LIFE through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

For God declared in John, chapter three, verse sixteen:

For God so loved the world (US!) that he (God) gave his only begotten son (Jesus) that he who 

believes on him, might have everlasting LIFE!

God's promise to us:

Take no thought for your LIFE...

Wherefore, if God so clothed the grass of the field, or what you shall eat or drink or wear...

for your heavenly father knows what you have need of. 

(paraphrased)

--Matthew 6:25-32

What do we do?

Seek God first and his righteousness. 

That's it. The simplicity of accepting LIFE.

Spring and the Easter Season is a wonderful time to reflect on what God gave us, the promise and assurance of everlasting life for such a small price from us.

Can we rejoice in LIFE today?

What blessings of LIFE do you appreciate and enjoy? 

How has God's assurance of LIFE affected your life?

ABOUT CAROLE:

Besides being an active participant of many writing groups, Carole is an award winning author and enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense, tough topics, romance and whimsy into her books, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons? 

Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427898838&sr=8-1

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/browncarole212

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-brown-79b6951a?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

Google+:    https://plus.google.com/u/0/113068871986311965415/posts

Word Sharpeners: https://wordsharpeners.wordpress.com/

Stitches in Time:  http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/

I Confess: I am a...

Those who read my post earlier know that I felt God gave me the word "dwell" for 2017. But the question is: how can I do that successfully FOR ME?

The first word that popped into my head was "Peace." 

Dwell in peace. 

Here are some scriptures I found about peace that speak to me:

• Matthew 5:9  

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." 

I need to make peace with others and encourage those I associate with toward peace.

• Matthew 11:28-30  

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  

When my soul is troubled and weary, God can give me rest in both body and soul.

• John 14:27  

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." 

What God gives to us as Christians far surpasses the measley earthly pleasures and treasures that (I) hold dear. Remember, Carole!

• John 16:33 

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

I can rest safely in my salvation and cling to these words from my Savior.

• John 20:19  

"On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them,  “Peace be with you.”

God's special greeting to me. He wishes this for me. He yearns for me to rest in his peace. I need to be obedient.

How can I allow peace to dominate my life? Pray, serve, love, obey, trust and have faith.

Quotes on peace:

• God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.  –  C.S. Lewis

• I have to get to the point of the absolute and unquestionable relationship that takes everything exactly as it comes from Him. God never guides us at some time in the future, but always here and now. Realize that the Lord is here now, and the freedom you receive is immediate.  –  Oswald Chambers

Oh, yes, my confession? I'm a worrier, and I know there's no peace in worrying. 
I'm pretty sure God gave my the word "Abide" to get my attention.
I wonder what else he'll bring to my attention this year?

How do you feel about peace in your life?

ABOUT CAROLE:

Besides being an active participant of many writing groups, Carole is an award winning author and enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense, tough topics, romance and whimsy into her books, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons? 

Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427898838&sr=8-1

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/browncarole212

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-brown-79b6951a?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

Google+:    https://plus.google.com/u/0/113068871986311965415/posts

Word Sharpeners: https://wordsharpeners.wordpress.com/

Stitches in Time:  http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/