He loved us first

We as Christians are the most blessed people on the planet because we are the only ones who know the love of Jesus.

In this is love, not that we loved God, 

but that He loved us and sent 

His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:10 NKJV

Please join our prayer group as we spend the week celebrating the love of Jesus.

I'll post a daily reminder to pray on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Lost Dayton Ohio

As you may (or may not) know, I love buildings. My love of buildings started at a young age, and I believe it was when I first walked into the brand new elementary school in town. It was so modern and unique that you would never know it was a school if it didn't have a playground beside it. As I grew older, I also developed an interest in old buildings and their history... long story short, I have worked for an Architect for the past 26 years and our most recent office move landed us in Downtown Dayton. Our initial landlords were big talkers and big planners but they never did anything with any of their buildings until finally some of their investors took over ownership and are finally making some progress (which is all part of another story or multiple stories). Plus, as you probably do know, I'm an aspiring writer. So, pulling all of that background story together, you'll understand why I'm so excited to have gone to a presentation last evening featuring Andrew Walsh author of the book "Lost Dayton Ohio".

Andrew moved to Dayton from Madison, Wisconsin and rented an apartment in Dayton Towers. Looking out of his apartment window he wondered what the green space below used to be. His research led him to discover a wealth of information about his new hometown that most of us Daytonians probably don't even know.  For instance, I never knew that Dayton used to have a Red Light District. Did you? If you're over a certain age, (I won't say what that age is) then you may have known it was located along Pearl Street. We no longer have a Pearl Street as it was "repurposed" along with the brothels and bars that made it a red light district.

Another interesting point was a photo he shared of Bomberger Park back in the day. It used to have a beautiful pool but now is only green space. Green space in downtown anywhere is great, but the pool looked pretty awesome.

Andrew's entire presentation was filled with interesting information about the buildings that surround my office building, and the transformations that have taken place and even more that are in the process of changing. So, even though his book is titled "Lost Dayton Ohio" it's not all about what is no longer here. By "lost" he means "transformed." Like the buildings that

once made up Delco. One of the original buildings is now Delco Lofts; another became the Mendelson building, still another was torn down and that site now houses our 5th/3rd baseball field.

There are chapters about NCR, Wright Company Factory, Dayton Arcade, Rike's Department store, just to name a few. Andrew definitely did his research (did I mention he's a Librarian and volunteers part-time at one of our museums?) and filled the book with wonderful old photographs of what Dayton used to look like.

If I've gotten any of this information wrong, I apologize, but you'll just have to buy the book and read all about it for yourself. I bought three copies!

Follow Andrew Walsh on Instagram or Twitter @daytonvistas
on Facebook DaytonVistas
and/or subscribe to his newsletter www.daytonvistas.com/newsletter.

This event was held at the Brookville branch of the Dayton Metro Library. Check out their website for events near you. We are so blessed to have all of these beautiful new libraries.

Shout out to Frederick Marion for posting this event on his weekly Dayton Lit newsletter. If you're a writer in the Dayton area, you need to subscribe to stay up to date on all of the latest literary happenings. If you're not a writer, you need to subscribe anyway to enjoy the gifted writing talent of Fred Marion as he shares a personal experience every week filled with wisdom, inspiration, and sometimes just a great twist that leaves you thinking "wow".

First love

We love Him because He first loved us.

1 John 4:19 NKJV

A town on a hill

Daily Bible Verse

“You are the light of the world. 

A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. 

Instead they put it on its stand, 

and it gives light to everyone in the house. 

In the same way, 

let your light shine before others, 

that they may see your good deeds and 

glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

I know that He loves me

Two years ago I wrote a post about singing "Jesus Loves Me" as a child in Sunday school. It's a very short post followed by a full rendition of the popular children's song. I hope you'll take a moment to listen.  Click here.

So we have come to know and to believe the

love that God has for us. 

God is love, and whoever abides in love 

abides in God, and 

God abides in him.

1 John 4:16 ESV

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Please join our prayer group as we spend the week celebrating the love of Jesus.

I'll post a daily reminder to pray on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Work out your salvation

Daily Bible Verse

Philippians 2:12

Jesus, thank You for loving me

This week I would like to thank Jesus for His love. Too often I thank the Lord in a general way for His many blessings, but don't always praise Him specifically for His love and grace. It should, at the very least, be a part of my daily prayer. I should be in constant awe that He would even be able to love such a sinner as me. Please join me this week in remembering Jesus' love and sharing that love with everyone we meet.

 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: 

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8 NIV

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Please join our prayer group as we spend the week celebrating the love of Jesus.

I'll post a daily reminder to pray on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Message of Christ

Daily Bible Verse

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly 

as you teach and admonish one another 

with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, 

and songs from the Spirit, 

singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Colossians 3:16 NKJV

Chronological Reading Plan Week 14

Chronological Reading Plan

Week 14
92. Judges 8-9
93. Judges 10-12
94. Judges 13-15
95. Judges 16-18
96. Judges 19-21
97. Ruth
98. 1 Samuel 1-3

Carry each other's burdens

Daily Bible Verse

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

you did it to Me

     And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

     “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

     “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’
Matthew 25:40-45 NKJV

Help the poor

He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,

And He will pay back what he has given.

Proverbs 19:17 (NKJV)

He who gives to the poor will not lack,

But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.

Proverbs 28:27 (NKJV)

*****

Please join our prayer group as we spend the week praying for the homeless. Please ask God for guidance as to how to make a difference in the lives of those who are struggling. Listen for God's direction. He answers all prayers.

I'll post a daily reminder to pray on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Homelessness

Stir up love

Daily Bible Verse

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

Hebrews 10:24 NKJV

A homeless woman

My only encounter with a homeless person was a woman who used to live on the sidewalk in front of the downtown library several years ago. She never asked anything of anyone that I saw. I drove past her every morning on my way to work and she was always diligently transferring her possessions from one trash bag to another. I often wondered what her story was but never had the courage to ask. One time I did stop and give her some food and money. She couldn't eat the food I offered because of allergies, but she accepted the money with a nod of the head. Another time I took her a box of trash bags because I noticed hers were wearing thin. She asked if they were contractor trash bags. I said they weren't, and she waved me on, talking - or rather muttering to herself about quality bags as if I wasn't there. I didn't know what to do or say, so I left. I felt like my two attempts were failures and so I gave up (way too easily).
She was there, day after day for years, surviving really harsh winters, and I only stopped twice in all that time. I see these stories on the news about a good Samaritan helping a homeless person get back on their feet and I feel that I failed her. My hope is that she is with Jesus now and that I've grown in my faith to the point where I'm more confident and able to try again.

 Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.

Proverbs 21:13 ESV

Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. ...

Luke 10:30-37 ESV

*******

Please join our prayer group as we spend the week praying for the homeless. Please ask God for guidance as to how to make a difference in the lives of those who are struggling. Listen for God's direction. He answers all prayers.

I'll post a daily reminder to pray on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Pray for the homeless

     This week we are praying for the homeless. With the below zero temperatures we've been having for the past two days, I'm even more thankful than ever for our house. We have heat, plumbing, electricity, food and a means to cook the food. We have comfortable beds. I can't imagine living outside all of the time even on fair weather days.
     There are many reasons people become homeless, of course, and you never think it will happen to anyone in your family, but it can very easily. That's why I chose the picture above; we don't know the reason a person becomes homeless and it's not fair to make assumptions, especially assumptions that lend itself to a "holier than thou" attitude. I've actually had two family members become homeless in 2018 for just everyday kind of mistakes that anyone could make. Granted, they didn't have to live on the street because they had a family to help them and shelter them, and they were willing to accept that gift. However, it could have easily turned out different. Think about it. A person could become homeless as the result of a messy break-up or divorce, disputes with a landlord or family, loss of job, loss of income when a spouse passes away. It could be bad advice from a bankruptcy attorney, a physical or mental illness, or poor money management skills. Then, there are the more common reasons we think of like a drug or alcohol addiction.
     I have a couple of different aspects I'd like to talk about and pray about this week when it comes to those who are homeless. Hopefully, I'm not the only one with mixed emotions as to how best to help them. The main point though, as a Christian, is to try to help the less fortunate in whatever capacity we can.

“If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you.

Leviticus 25:35-36 ESV

*******

Please join our prayer group as we spend the week praying for the homeless. Please ask God for guidance as to how to make a difference in the lives of those who are struggling. Listen for God's direction. He answers all prayers.

I'll post a daily reminder to pray on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Look for this photo in my posts:

Bear more fruit

Daily Bible Verse

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit 

He takes away; 

and every branch that bears fruit 

He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

John 15:2 NKJV

Go out into the world and bear fruit!

Chronological Reading Plan Week 13

Week 13
85. Joshua 12-15
86. Joshua 16-18
87. Joshua 19-21
88. Joshua 22-24
89. Judges 1-2
90. Judges 3-5
91. Judges 6-7

A voice from Heaven

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, 

“Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” 

“Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, 

“that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

Revelation 14:13 ESV

I found an old post I had written after my husband passed away "Letting go and moving forward" if you're interested.

Snowmageddon

     Everyone braced for round 2 of snow this weekend, a storm that was supposed to add 3" to 12" of snow on top of the remains of our 8" deep snow storm last weekend. It was all supposed to begin around 4 in the morning, but as of 4 p.m. we still just have rain. Not that I'm complaining, I just feel like we were set up to see fireworks but all we got were some sparklers. It's a bit of a letdown, especially when you consider all of the events and plans that were changed or canceled today because of this impending snow-doom.
     For me personally, it's difficult, because once I have a plan in place, even if it's a plan to do nothing, it's difficult for me to change it. I'm not terribly spontaneous. Since we didn't see snowmageddon today, my guiltless pleasure of hanging out at my parents' house and writing all day had me feeling guilty at the prospect. So, I ran a couple of errands this morning, but I never could get into writing (until now, of course...if this counts as writing). I spent the better part of the day changing my blog theme. If you can't tell what's different, I'll tell you: I changed the top scene from one of snow-covered trees and street sign to one of just snow. I changed all of the fonts of everything and fiddled with the colors. Looking at it, it doesn't really seem like it should've taken hours to come up with, but it did and I can't get that time back, so I might as well let it go. I was thinking of adding more categories to the left, but that just seems like too much effort right now.
     Okay. Just checked in with The Weather Channel and apparently, this storm is real and even has a name: "Snow Storm Harper" and everyone North of here got snow and supposedly, we're going to get it tonight instead of last night.
     It's probably difficult to predict the weather, but what's so sad (& yeah, it's funny, too) is all of the checking in with reporters in various locations, standing in the rain, telling us that the snow will be arriving at some point in time, and they'll be there when it happens, and that it is in fact, snowing somewhere at this very moment, however, they don't have any reporters in those locations to show us snow. What they should do is spin it like "Rain in January? How crazy is that?" and make that the story instead of, "We predicted snow and by golly, we're going to stay out here until we get some." It kind of reminds me of Linus waiting for the Great Pumpkin.
     Tomorrow I'll wake up and eat my words probably, but for today, I'm under-impressed.

You're always on my mind

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,

Philippians 1:3 ESV

Comfort for those who mourn

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Matthew 5:4 NIV

Grieve as one with hope

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

God heals all wounds

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18 NIV

Listen

He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Matthew 11:15 KJV

When grieving

   After my husband passed away, people would make reference to finding my "new normal" insinuating that my life would go on and I would work through the pain. I tried to rush that part of the process; I wanted life to be and feel normal again; not to diminish my husband's passing, but to quit feeling so empty inside. It turns out that you can't rush the process. I had a loving, supportive family who wanted to be with me and help me through, but there were a lot of times that I just wanted to be alone to work through things and to pray. I did a lot of praying. I also started journaling and reading my Bible. All of that helped, but what made the biggest difference to me was that when I finished praying, I sat quietly and tried to listen for the answers. We often ask God "why?" when we're suffering, but then we don't give Him a chance to answer. Try it. Be still.

Be still before the Lord

    and wait patiently for him;

Psalm 37:7 NIV

Please join our prayer group as we spend the week praying for widows and widowers. Please ask God for guidance as to how to make a difference in the lives of those who are grieving. Listen for God's direction. He answers all prayers.

I'll post a daily reminder to pray on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Pray for a widow or widower

  I am a widow who married a widower. I understand the pain that comes from losing your soulmate; it's like losing a part of yourself. The emptiness it leaves in your heart is like a giant hole that can never be filled. When you spend so much time with someone and invest so much of yourself into a relationship through good times and bad it's difficult to imagine how you'll be able to live your life without that person. Family and friends will try to comfort you, and you may even feel like you're taking it really well; especially at first when there's so much to take care of and deal with, but the moment will come when it hits and you'll feel like...well...it's indescribable.
   Well-meaning people will tell you that "time heals all wounds" and that he/she's "in a better place" and/or "no longer suffering." Well-meaning people don't know what to say but feel compelled to speak anyway. The truth is, what they say is true but first you'll have to fight through many different emotions: anger, guilt, peace, love, hate, sorrow, and not in any order and sometimes several emotions all at once. You'll grieve until you're ready to stop grieving, and then you'll grieve some more. But, over time, you will heal, and, by God's grace, you will see your soulmate again. I hope this week's Bible verses give you encouragement and comfort.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. 

Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

John 11:25 ESV


Please join our prayer group as we spend the week praying for widows and widowers. Please ask God for guidance as to how to make a difference in the lives of those who are grieving. Listen for God's direction. He answers all prayers.

I'll post a daily reminder to pray on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Chronological Reading Plan Week 12

Chronological Reading Plan

Week 12
78. Deuteronomy 24-27
79. Deuteronomy 28-29
80. Deuteronomy 30-31
81. Deuteronomy 32-34; Psalm 91
82. Joshua 1-4
83. Joshua 5-8
84. Joshua 9-11

Pray for a caregiver

It can happen in an instant. A fall, an ignored symptom, an accident. Just when you felt like every aspect of your life was finally in sync, the unexpected happens and a loved one is suddenly in need of care. You jump into action without even being asked. You freely and willingly sacrifice your time, sleep, and even feelings.

It's often a thankless job; one that can drain you both physically and mentally. There are times when you feel like your sense of self is completely lost and your identity is wrapped up solely in the life of the person you're caring for.

There aren't enough hours in the day. There aren't any sick days or vacation days. Holidays are double time without pay. You feel stressed, overwhelmed, and in some instances, like there's no end in sight. If you start to feel sorry for yourself, you feel guilty for having any feelings like that so you choke back the tears, and carry on.

I've been the caregiver and the one being cared for. It's not easy on either side of the coin, but we all get through. However, if you know a caregiver, there are things you can do to help.
 - give them a reprieve
 - drop them a note that lets them know someone sees how hard they work and that it's appreciated
 - offer to run some of the errands, or to take the person to doctors' visits
 - let them know that you're there for them if they need to vent, or a shoulder to cry on.
 - pray for them. There's a chance that they are so busy and so drained, that they don't take the time to pray for themselves. Pray that they receive strength, encouragement, hope.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 

1 Peter 5:7

Chronological Reading Plan Week 11

Chronological Reading Plan

Week 11
71. Deuteronomy 3-4
72. Deuteronomy 5-7
73. Deuteronomy 8-10
74. Deuteronomy 11-13
75. Deuteronomy 14-16
76. Deuteronomy 17-20
77. Deuteronomy 21-23