barbara ries: Daystar (Shine Down On Me) - 08/02/10 10:33 PM
I heard this song (Gaither Vocal Band) while watching Charles Stanley and tonight I found the video and lyrics. I played it over and over and have made it my song to Jesus as well. Let it be your song too. Enjoy!
GBY! Barbara
- This biog is an extension of HOPE Ministry and "The Secret Place" -- if it has sown a blessing in your life please consider sowing back to the ministry at the website link below.
www.hope2007.org
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barbara ries: Trusting Jesus as your Lord and Savior is a dangerous thing! Walking Away from God. - 07/25/10 07:54 AM
Like the prodigal son who decided to walk away from his family, we too have a free will. When we make the decision to commit to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we gain both responsibility as well as great liability. The responsibility involves being a witness to the love of Jesus, following His Word and doing what the Lord tells us to do. It is a disciplined life; like it or not. The liability occurs when we walk away from God. Those who do walk away decide to live their lives for themselves or to be free from restraint. But why? Sometimes it's … (50 comments)
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barbara ries: PASS THE PEACE AND HOLD THE MUSTARD PLEASE! - 06/22/10 10:30 AM
The one aspect of my life in Christ that I cherish the most is peace. When the Lord "fashioned me in my mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13), He did so with the intent of this provision for peace. But I had a part to play in achieving it. I like the way the International Standard version puts it in James 3:18 "And a harvest of righteousness is grown from the seed of peace planted by peacemakers."
Peace is good for our soul and our physical well-being. Staying peaceful reduces stress and keeps us anxiety-free. I don't know about you but I safeguard my … (5 comments)
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barbara ries: Amazed By His Grace - 06/01/10 01:07 PM
It's been said to me before that 'GRACE' is God's Riches At Christ's Expense yet how many of us have failed to really grasp what this means? When I remind myself that He is the creator of heaven and earth or when I consider His greatness and power or that He can speak into being any situation or circumstance I am always left amazed.
This past weekend I had the absolute priviledge to move into a new space that quite honestly I had my eye on for almost 1 1/2 years. This beautiful new construction was meant for me I would tell myself … (6 comments)
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barbara ries: Thermometer or Thermostat? - 09/26/09 07:43 AM
My thermostat is probably the most versatile item in my house because it allows me to maintain a constant environment effortlessly with the touch of a finger. Unlike a thermometer that changes constantly a thermostat keeps things steady.
When I speak with women who are experiencing challenges it is amazing how some change their attitude and words even their countenance to reflect their circumstances. There are also others who go with the flow of life's ups and downs and like a see-saw, they hold on while riding the highs and lows without falling off.
If you're like me, I smile at the risk of … (0 comments)
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barbara ries: "I Am Doing A New Thing" - 06/09/09 01:57 PM
Friends:
I know this is lengthy but oh, so good! Receive it and be encouraged by it then pass it along to anyone the Lord lays on your heart. Blessings!
In Christ,
Barbara R.
"Live each day as though it were your last, and SMILE!... God loves you!"
http://barbararies.activerain...com
www.hope2007.org
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I AM DOING A NEW THING
"Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. 20 The beast of the field will honor Me, The jackals and … (7 comments)
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barbara ries: The Ministry Of Motherhood - 02/07/09 05:34 AM
After surviving experiencing motherhood for 25 years, I used to think this state of being a mother would lead me to a state institution... seriously! (only a mother can understand this)
But as we all know, the blessing of children is in fact, the most wonderful gift that God gives to women. I also believe that motherhood is a ministry -- one in which mothers have a tremendous responsibility and opportunity to shape the lives of their children. They set the standard of excellence in the home through example (or should), provide unconditional, unfailing love (or should), and shape the world around their children to become wonderful human beings … (25 comments)
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barbara ries: The Reason I Was Created. - 01/28/09 10:33 AM
I will celebrate my birthday this coming Saturday and unlike my oldest son who claims he can remember when he was in my womb (no kidding!), today during my time with the Lord, I thought about the reason why I was created. Having lived 50 years on this earth, the answer as to why The Father made me came quite effortlessly.
Opening my bible I went to Psalm 20:4. I noticed this verse was dated last year in 2008 when He first spoke these words to me.
"May the Lord grant you according to your heart's desire and fulfill all your purpose." Psalm … (22 comments)
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barbara ries: MySpace is HIS space. - 01/22/09 07:54 AM
Living with kids can be challenging especially as a single parent. Yet challenging is probably an understated word, more like treacherous at times especially in those golden moments when it's a toss up between watching the newest Hanna Montana episode, Man vs. Wild or Flip This House. Regardless, one universal word comes to mind when I think of my space -- exhausting. Thank goodness my space has become His space; that abiding shelter of His Presence where peace and rest are found in abundance. My choice to live with God in His space relinquishes the demands of time and energy once … (6 comments)
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barbara ries: Real Estate and God. What's LOVE got to do with it?? - 01/13/09 09:58 AM
The Bibles tells us in Jeremiah 29:11,"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." NKJV Our clients all have plans when it comes to their real estate goals. Some are experiencing foreclosure, divorce, death of a spouse or illness and must sell their homes. Compound this with the current market and it truly is an arena for the Lord to show Himself as our strong and mighty tower. But what about God's plans? I work largely with clients who are experiencing life challenges. Compound … (4 comments)
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barbara ries: A Prayerful Quest For God - 12/23/08 11:20 AM
The life of the Cross carries with it "an obedience unto the death of the self-life" -- that is; reaching the place of total dependency on God in all things. It is not feasible, possible or desirable to 'depend upon our own understanding' rather to be filled with the continual presence of the Holy Spirit to do the will of God. In John 4:34, "Jesus said to them, My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish this work." (NKJV) Jesus lived to do God's will. He is the only pathway to our spiritual satisfaction. When … (5 comments)
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barbara ries: TERMINALLY ILL 4 YR OLD's CHRISTMAS WISH. - 12/18/08 06:07 PM
Tonight as I tuned in to my local television station, I heard the story of 4 yr old Hannah Garman who lives in my town. She was diagnosed in late October with terminal cancer. Her mother also died of cancer two years ago so I can only imagine the deep grief and heart wrenching pain this family is experiencing at this time. When asked, this child's only Christmas wish is for Christmas cards, period. As I read her online journal (found here) I sat at my computer shaking my head in disbelief repeatedly asking God to heal this child. My thoughts … (12 comments)
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barbara ries: Snowflakes Are Like Kisses From Heaven! - 12/17/08 09:29 AM
I love the snow especially when someone else does the shoveling! Just kidding. I actually enjoy the extreme workout. My heart loves it, my neighbors love it and my landlord too! I told my friend this morning that snowflakes are like kisses from heaven. The reason being is that each one is unique, they are appointed to fall directly upon our face when we least expect it plus they create an insulated blanket of love that buffers the stress of life with uniform purity. All that from one simply snowflake kiss from heaven. As for my friend, I heard a blizzard … (4 comments)
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barbara ries: God Blesses The Broken Road - 11/29/08 04:38 PM
Psalm 147:3- "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (NKJV)
God loves the brokenhearted. He understands their pain and the anguish of a heart broken by shattered dreams, unfulfilled promises, mistaken identities and loss. Many hoping to find true love along their broken road are left alone and lost in both time and emotion. But God tracks the many days and years lost because of choices made along the way -- a way marked by emotional stop signs and one-way highways not pointing in the direction of His saving grace and mercy. He redeems time lost along one's broken … (18 comments)
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barbara ries: Simple Needs In Difficult Times - 11/27/08 07:53 AM
With Thanksgiving Day upon us, the holiday season too often becomes a busy and stressful time of year for many. In this challenging economy I have witnessed my clients lose their home's equity to buyers, suffer repeated price reductions and deal with the hardship of foreclosure and short sales. But in the midst of their struggles, God faithfully opened doors and hearts for me to minister to others His peace and encouragement to weather the storm and remain steadfast in their real estate goals. The Secret Place and HOPE Ministry will be entering its seventh year of ministry in 2009 and with this comes an expanded … (4 comments)
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barbara ries: A Turkey In Mukluks? - 11/20/08 05:00 AM
I love Thanksgiving and every single year I have recurring thoughts of sitting in a horse-drawn sleigh being pulled along a snowy path. I see myself all snuggled up next to my true love traveling on a path newly insulated by freshly fallen snow and of course, the cold. Brrr!! But I'm not worried because my hands are nestled in a muff and my toes are toasty and warm in my fur-lined mukluks. (yes, I used to have a pair) -- not quite a fashion statement BUT they are warm!
Today I thought about "the path" not the one engraved by a horse-drawn … (18 comments)
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barbara ries: The Point Of Grace - 11/18/08 08:39 AM
The Point Of Grace
In early October some of us with the Lancaster Community Choir were asked to sing with Point Of Grace at their Christmas concert being held in December. On the way home from practice last night I thought about the phrase 'point of grace' and its meaning in my life. What is this marvelous grace that was given to us by God? By definition grace is "unmerited favor" or good will. Another definition is "a manifestation of favor, esp. by a superior." Manifestation being that which has already been revealed. In the point of grace, it is the love poured out … (4 comments)
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barbara ries: More Time To Love! - 11/05/08 02:25 PM
It comes as no surprise to anyone aware of the current housing crisis that sellers aren't selling and buyers are taking their time trying to find the best deals. Maybe it's just me, but I have more time on my hands than ever before. Today as I thought of other ways to earn money I was reminded by The Holy Spirit that God always has and always will provide for my need. Not that He expects me to sit around waiting for some angelic lottery to be deposited into my bank account but surely He prefers that I utilize this slow … (18 comments)
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barbara ries: Where's the Dummies Guide To TWITTER-ing?? Help! - 11/03/08 05:38 AM
So give me an extra hour to sleep in Sunday morning and what do I do? -- I get up at the designated time my pre-programmed brain wakes me at 5:30am except in this case it was an hour earlier. After making the coffee, placing 2 slices or Organic whole-grain live sprout bread in the toaster and powering up the pc, I prepare to do what every reasonable agent does at this time in the morning, I BLOG. Noticing that AR allows me to "Announce new blog posts on your Twitter feed," my inquiring mind wants to know what is this wonderful thing called TWITTER? … (14 comments)
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barbara ries: Waiting On God. - 11/01/08 06:53 PM
Think about this the next time someone tells you they are waiting on the Lord.
Scripture tells us in Isaiah 40:31 to wait on the Lord meaning, "to expect, look for, and hope in Him." But I also believe that we are to wait on God as a waitress does her customer. Dictionary.com defines 'wait on' as "to supply the wants of a person, as serving a meal or serving a customer in a store." Interesting. So what this indicates is not only do we delay decisions, or postpone action until we know God's will in a situation -- which by the way, … (21 comments)
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