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Have you ever noticed the BEAUTY of the words in scripture?

The words paint pictures of God and who He is.

Here are just a few word pictures:

Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:104

I am my Beloved’s and He is mine…. Song of Solomon 56:3

Let righteousness burst into blossom and peace abound until the moon fades to nothing. Psalm 72:8

Too often our familiarity with God’s Word causes us to pass right by and we don’t NOTICE. Yet there are so many words of beauty and of power!

Sometimes our thoughts and emotions cloud over and we don’t quiet ourselves and take time to SEE the words we are reading.

Have you noticed that happens with you?

Yet God promises:
The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God shall stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8

What have you found recently in Scripture that speaks to you?

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Dawn Ulmer, a follower of Jesus and a retired Registered Nurse, has enjoyed writing since the age of 19 when she wrote ‘My Philosophy of Nursing’. Presently, she is enjoying writing on Medium, her favorite platform.

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Precious Words from God was originally published in REFLECTIONS by Dawn on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

A Surprise Ending

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My son and I decided to journey to where we used to live.

We hadn’t lived there for over 20 years. I wondered what I would feel when we drove by.

Would I feel sad? Regret? Anger at how it all ended?

When we drove by, my emotions seemed subdued. I decided to just let them roll over me and I could sort them out later. Then I noticed…

The house was GONE!

As we left, I had no words. I felt NOTHING. Not sadness or even anger.

I realized that the place was no longer mine to grieve over. I was to continue to move on. There was and is more living to do.

I was reminded of this scripture:
…one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13–14 KJV

Fast forward an hour.

I was so pleased to arrive home to my cozy, clean home.

What was THAT?

I heard a LOUD explosive sound that was like a bomb going off.

Then the electrical power went out. It was like time had stopped.

Within an hour, there was a crew of Consumer Energy workers surveying the area to find the problem. The workers had been called in to find the problem and fix it.

There was much walking back and forth over the grassy areas of my yard. Small flags were stuck into the ground to show where electrical and other lines traversed underground

The problem area was determined by LISTENING to underground sounds. When an electrical charge was sent through the line, the sound was evident.

Once it was determined where the problem was, it was time to begin carefully digging.

Right in my back yard!

What an interesting process!

More listening for the ‘leak’ was done again and again. Then digging would begin again.

As the crew approached the problem area, we were told to cover our ears because the ‘explosion’ could be LOUD.

After an hour, that hole began to look like a rectangle, four foot deep grave.

The electrical underground ‘wiring’ was repaired and the ‘grave’ was filled in again.

How ironic!

After visiting where we had lived, I now had a ‘grave’ in my backyard to remind me:

The past was dead and gone…and I was to continue to move on with life!

Over the past 20 years, God has given me a full life, fulfilling His promise to me:

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten,
Joel 2:25 KJV

Thanks be to God!

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Dawn Ulmer, a retired Registered Nurse, has enjoyed writing since the age of 19 when she wrote ‘My Philosophy of Nursing’. Presently, she is enjoying writing on Medium, her favorite platform.

If you would like to be added or deleted from my ‘special’ list, please let me know.

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What Would I Feel…and Think? was originally published in REFLECTIONS by Dawn on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Can you do it?

As we are in the middle of winter, where are your thoughts?

Are they on:

Having to traverse the ice and snow on the roadways?

Boots, coats, gloves or hats that need to be replaced?

The recipe you want to prepare for a special meal?

A project at work?

Estranged children or family members?

Our minds are FULL! Don’t you agree?

The other morning as I sat in my special comfy chair looking out the window at the snow gently falling, I wanted to let my thoughts dwell on God. Just God and who He is and all He does.

I wanted my thoughts to rest in those thoughts, pushing back every other thought that wanted to distract me from Him.

If I could have died at that moment, I would have been content.

I began to wonder about my thoughts — could I actually experience seamless praise as I transitioned from my earthly body to my heavenly Home, never skipping a beat but going from praise of God to praise of God?

I also wondered what I would be thinking when I got there. Would I join with those who had gone before me in their praise of God?

I could join in with them NOW and give that seamless praise to the Creator of the universe.

Let’s see what is being said:

And then I heard everyone in heaven and earth, and from the dead beneath the earth and in the sea, exclaiming, “The blessing and the honor and the glory and the power belong to the one sitting on the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever.” Rev. 5:13, TLB

Also:

Then I heard again what sounded like the shouting of a huge crowd, or like the waves of a hundred oceans crashing on the shore, or like the mighty rolling of great thunder, “Praise the Lord. For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice and honor Him; for the time has come for the wedding banquet of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She is permitted to wear the cleanest and whitest and finest of linens.” (Fine linen represents the good deeds done by the people of God.) Revelation 19:6–8, TLB

Are you part of that crowd giving praise to God? I hope so!
Let’s begin NOW and continue right on into eternity with Him.

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Dawn Ulmer, a retired Registered Nurse, has enjoyed writing since the age of 19 when she wrote ‘My Philosophy of Nursing’. Presently, she is enjoying writing on Medium, her favorite platform.

Please request to be added or deleted from my ‘special’ list.

Avid4Jesus Alma Curry Haley K. Lee Byrd Lu Skerdoo Órla K. Rosa Diaz-Casal Sally A Mortemore Susie Winfield

Is Seamless Praise Possible? was originally published in REFLECTIONS by Dawn on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Christmas

Since childhood, I have known or read the story about Jesus, the Messiah’s, coming.

I don’t know about you, but if I hear a story once a year for many years, my eyes begin to glaze over and my ears no longer hear.

This year, I asked God to show me something NEW

Look what He showed me:

There were shepherds camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the shepherds talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left,RUNNING….
Luke 2:8–16, MSG

Do you see the last word?

They RAN!!!!

Are we that eager to hear from and see God? Will WE run to Him?

Let’s have our hearts do more of that! Let’s run TO God and be swift to obey Him!

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Dawn Ulmer, a retired Registered Nurse, has enjoyed writing since the age of 19 when she wrote ‘My Philosophy of Nursing’. Presently, she is enjoying writing on Medium, her favorite platform.

Please request to be added or deleted from my ‘special’ list.

Alma Curry Lu Skerdoo Avid4Jesus Haley K. Lee Byrd Órla K. Rosa Diaz-Casal Susie Winfield

Something New in an OLD Story was originally published in REFLECTIONS by Dawn on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

We Need It!

Give us this day our daily bread. Matthew 6:11

Daily, for years, I wake up praying, asking God for my daily bread.

I always pictured that as a plea and a thankful statement, knowing that every morsel of my food comes from His hand and that I am VERY thankful for His faithfulness.

This morning, as I was praying, “Give us this day our daily bread”, I was stopped and began to think about my Writing Day ahead.

I’d done all of my household tasks and knew that I would be writing about a new subject and needed God’s help to present it clearly and in an interesting manner.

Today, my daily bread that was needed was the ability to craft what I wanted to say.

First I am writing this piece on Daily Bread because this is what God gave me to share. Second, I found myself sitting prayerfully, ready to dive into the other subject.

I hope, before you jump into your next piece of writing, that YOU take a moment and ask God for His daily bread for YOU — not only physical food but also food to feed your own soul AND ‘food’ which you can share with others.

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Dawn Ulmer, a retired Registered Nurse, has enjoyed writing since the age of 19 when she wrote ‘My Philosophy of Nursing’. Presently, she is enjoying writing on Medium, her favorite platform.

Please ask to be deleted or added to my ‘special’ list.

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Daily Bread for Writers was originally published in REFLECTIONS by Dawn on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Skyscrapers. Only humans….

Malls. Only humans….

Automobiles. Only humans….

Clocks. Only humans….

Clothing. Only humans….

Let’s consider

Trees. Only God….

Flowers. Only God….

Ocean. Only God….

Swans. Only God….

Snow. Only God….

When I look around, there are some things ONLY GOD can do…and we can rest and marvel in that fact.

If we look at our lives, we can exclaim…ONLY GOD!

We recognize His hand everywhere we turn. IF we will only open our senses to Him to be able to see Him in what He does.

In the beginning God created…. Genesis 1:1

And He continues to create today!

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Dawn Ulmer, a retired Registered Nurse, has enjoyed writing since the age of 19 when she wrote ‘My Philosophy of Nursing’. Presently, she is enjoying writing on Medium, her favorite platform.

Alma Curry Ken Van Camp Sharon Hillam Susie Winfield Haley K. Lu Skerdoo Órla K.

If you would like to be added or deleted from my ‘special’ list, please let me know.

Who Created It? was originally published in REFLECTIONS by Dawn on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Are you overwhelmed?

The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers; — 
Little we see in Nature that is ours…
By William Wordsworth

The beginning of this poem has been running through my mind lately. Yes, the world is too much with us of late! We see and feel it as hurricane season is upon us in such a deadly way. The political season is heating up to boiling over. Also, bombs are falling from the skies in nations, injuring everyone in their paths. Yes, the world is too much with us of late.

If we don’t guard our minds, we will be swept away.

Of course, one way to guard our minds is through scripture…reading it, meditating upon it and applying it to our lives.

I won’t go on and on with my own thoughts and words but will share some scriptures that get to the heart of the matter.

Do you understand that it ALL belongs to God?

The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Psalm 24:1, KJV

We would be wise to stand in awe of Him who created us!

Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. Psalm 33:8, KJV

Isn’t God amazing!?

He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding. Jeremiah 51:15, KJV

Are YOU waiting for Him?

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. Isa 64:4, KJV

Do YOU have PEACE?

Jesus said: Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 14:27, KJV

Jesus also said: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33, KJV

Are you a member of the kingdom of God so that you can be a light to others in the world?

Jesus said: My kingdom is not of this world…John 18:36 KJV

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Matthew 5:14, KJV

If we are a member of the kingdom of God, Jesus further said:

My kingdom is not of this world:And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Rom. 12:2, KJV

Let us give our hearts to God. Let’s thank Him for all He has done and is doing, having sent Jesus, His son, to die in our place so that we no longer need to be punished for our sins. Let us go on to live in obedience to Him!

Let us be part of the solution this world needs!

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Is the World Too Much With You? was originally published in REFLECTIONS by Dawn on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

How is Your Moral Compass?

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. I Timothy 2:5

Soon we will see the results from the elections in the United States of America. By now, most of us are tired of the political ads and antics as we try to sort out truth from fiction.

The other day I felt a deep panic: What if the WRONG PARTY wins?

As I pondered further, I sensed that God was encouraging me to KNOW that no matter who won, which direction our nation would go, that I would still be me. I would still believe in what I know to be true…because I’m a follower of Jesus and strive to please God in my daily life.

What would be different? The whole world could change but I and my core beliefs would remain the same! Since I follow scriptural principles, I would continue, to the best of my ability, to follow God’s principles which he has set forth there.

When is the last time you looked at the basics as listed in the Ten Commandments?

Let’s take a look.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS in Exodus 20

Then God issued this edict:
2 “I am Jehovah your God who liberated you from your slavery in Egypt.
3 “You may worship no other god than me.
4 “You shall not make yourselves any idols: no images of animals, birds, or fish. 5 You must never bow or worship it in any way; for I, the Lord your God, am very possessive. I will not share your affection with any other god!
“And when I punish people for their sins, the punishment continues upon the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of those who hate me; 6 but I lavish my love upon thousands of those who love me and obey my commandments.
7 “You shall not use the name of Jehovah your God irreverently,[a] nor use it to swear to a falsehood. You will not escape punishment if you do.
8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath as a holy day. 9 Six days a week are for your daily duties and your regular work, 10 but the seventh day is a day of Sabbath rest before the Lord your God. On that day you are to do no work of any kind, nor shall your son, daughter, or slaves — whether men or women — or your cattle or your house guests. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heaven, earth, and sea, and everything in them, and rested the seventh day; so he blessed the Sabbath day and set it aside for rest.
12 “Honor your father and mother, that you may have a long, good life in the land the Lord your God will give you.
13 “You must not murder.
14 “You must not commit adultery.
15 “You must not steal.
16 “You must not lie.[c]
17 “You must not be envious of your neighbor’s house, or want to sleep with his wife, or want to own his slaves, oxen, donkeys, or anything else he has.” Exodus 20:1–18, KJV

The scriptures are FULL of wisdom in how to live our God-given lives. For example, we are told to LOVE and how to do it, we are told how to treat one’s husband or wife, how to raise our children and what our minds should focus upon.

What do YOU think? No matter who wins or loses the election, can you continue to follow God’s moral compass?

Also, please remember that no matter the results, God is still on His throne and is in control!

Please SUBSCRIBE if you would like to read more from me.

Dawn Ulmer, a retired Registered Nurse, has enjoyed writing since the age of 19 when she wrote ‘My Philosophy of Nursing’. Presently, she is enjoying writing on Medium, her favorite platform.

If you would like to be added or deleted from my list, please let me know.

Alma Curry Sharon Hillam Susie Winfield Haley K. Lu Skerdoo Órla K. Lee Byrd Rosa Diaz-Casal Sally A Mortemore Avid4Jesus

Are You in Political Quicksand? was originally published in REFLECTIONS by Dawn on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Beware!

An urban legend has been told that in the Solomon Islands, if they wanted to fell a tree, the inhabitants would encircle it while yelling at it for 30 days. Soon thereafter the tree toppled and was dead.

For the past 3 years I felt like a tree being encircled by a Hater who ‘yelled’ loudly.

Since God in His Word tells us:

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18, KJV

My goal, therefore, is to try to live at peace with everyone.

Let me explain how it happened that an acquaintance who turned ‘friend’ could turn into a Hater

Where I live, I was determined to get to know my neighbors.

One woman neighbor enjoyed arts and crafts, as do I. Over time, we shared with each other some projects we’d each been working on and, eventually, created a small group which would meet monthly.

I noticed, however, that any time she and I would get together, something inside of me was disquieted.

We talked about a wide range of topics as women do:
She would detail her on-going medical issues.

Complaints about her husband were right at the surface.
She would complain about her church.
She would correct anything I would do to keep our group up and running.
She asked me if we could ‘go shopping together’ since she doesn’t drive.

I couldn’t put my finger on why my spirit would feel disquieted, I just knew that, after she left, I would pace around, utterly frustrated.

For my own peace of mind, I backed away from ‘visiting’ with her.
I no longer was willing to feel disquieted and frustrated after each weekly visit.

I planned to treat her as I would anyone else who I saw in the neighborhood. A friendly greeting and short conversation would be the healthiest, I thought.

After all, Jesus Himself sometimes needed to put distance between Himself and others for a variety of reasons. Here is one such instance when some people didn’t like what He said:

… jumping up, they mobbed Him and took Him to the edge of the hill on which the city was built, to push Him over the cliff. But He walked away through the crowd and left them. Luke 4:29–30, TLB

I didn’t bargain for what would happen next as I gently retreated.

She ghosted me!

Little did I know that she would take things to such an extreme.

If she saw me coming, she would turn and walk the other way, go into her home and shut the door — for three YEARS.

She had gone from acquaintance to ‘friend’ to Hater

Since I know God does NOT want me to become a Hater in response, I went out of my way to kindly greet her husband when I saw him, hoping he’d know that I thought kindly of them.

One day this past week, I heard and saw a great deal of activity in the neighborhood.

They were moving!

Their move was just down the block but I no longer would be faced with a ‘Hater’s’ door which was shut and closed to ME whenever I walked out my own door.

No longer would I be reminded, multiple times a day that I was ‘hated’ by someone who wasn’t willing to talk to sort things out.

It’s sad. I don’t think our relationship will be repaired any time soon and I must be content with that. I can, however, do the most powerful thing possible — I can PRAY!

Jesus always knew when to stay or when to go to maintain peace. Yet He always prayed!

We should do no less.

Please SUBSCRIBE if you would like to read more from me.

Dawn Ulmer, a retired Registered Nurse, has enjoyed writing since the age of 19 when she wrote ‘My Philosophy of Nursing’. Presently, she is enjoying writing on Medium, her favorite platform.

If you would like to be added or deleted from my ‘special’ list, please let me know.

Alma Curry Sharon Hillam Susie Winfield Haley K. Lu Skerdoo Órla K. Lee Byrd Rosa Diaz-Casal Sally A Mortemore Avid4Jesus

Is There a Hater in Your Life? was originally published in REFLECTIONS by Dawn on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Sumacs Lead the Way

In my portion of the midwestern USA, we know that when we see the Sumacs begin to change to golds and reds, that soon the other trees will follow in their autumn dress.

As the temperatures cool and the sun begins its annual trek to the south, green trees will eventually shed their leaves. Yet first comes the COLOR!

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Alma Curry Lu Skerdoo Órla K. Sharon Hillam Susie Winfield Haley K. Lee Byrd Rosa Diaz-Casal Sally A Mortemore Avid4Jesus

Autumn Color Begins was originally published in REFLECTIONS by Dawn on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.