My Child,
You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7
I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, God

I really needed to hear God speak today. After spending time in the Word and prayer and sitting silently for some time, I hopped on here to read up on the blogs I follow. One had this posted(I don't know how to link it), and it was just what I needed to hear today. I couldn't resist sharing! This is all straight the Word of God and it is truth! I'm reminded how He sees me and that He really does care about my life. My feelings and thoughts do not determine reality. Thank you, God!

Gallery & Garden Cafe Veronese

Today I unexpectedly stumbled upon a new favorite place, the experience of which I'd like to share. I gathered my Intro to Bib Lit homework, Bible & ipod and planned to head out to Starbucks or Coffee Bean or the like, for some focused study time. As I was leaving the house, however, Sandra nonchalantly suggested that I check out this little Cafe on Commonwealth that she'd heard of but had never actually been to. Being originally from a small town that doesn't even have chain coffee shops, I'm always up for checking out a local cafe, so I decided to at least stop in. Oh my goodness, I did not know what I was about to experience. As I drove down Commonwealth scouting the sides of the street for number 419, I saw the sign in the midst of a garden in front of what looks like a residential house. I turned down the next street into a neighborhood and walked from there. As I came up to the front entry I could already tell by the look of it that this was the kind of place I was going to like. Upon entering the front room I was greeted by a gentleman with a menu, which he handed to me as he told me to take my time looking around. So I began to walk around, just looking. One of the first things I noticed was that the music playing was Jack Johnson, which is one of my favorites, and such genre played throughout the evening. Inside, the cafe is decorated with interesting paintings, and cute tables which are all different and homey. After being completely charmed by the inside, I saw the back door and was led by my curiosity. I stepped outside and oh my goodness, I don't know how to describe it but to borrow the words of a friend of mine and say that my endorphins began a party. The entire place is rustic and charming, and just oozing with character. And it just keeps going! As I walked out onto the back patio, to my right was an old-fashioned popcorn machine and a quite colorful piano displaying vases and pottery and such on the top. To my left was more seating and then the porch wrapped around the side, to be discovered later. In front of me was a bar with stools that looks over more tables and garden area, and beyond in all directions were tables and little rooms and alcoves, gardens and a little fountain. I walked under archways into little areas where each table and chairs are unique, even more so than those indoors. There are little collections of things everywhere- through the gardens, on shelves.. it was somewhat like being in Grandma's house, where there are so many old trinkets and things all around, and you just get the feeling that each has a story. Now don't let my description cause you to picture this grand establishment full of beautiful antiques and artwork. It is a quaint little place, quite homey, with somewhat random little old trinkets and knick-knacks, but absolutely busting with character, and I have to say I fell head over heels. I literally want to go back and sit at every table just to experience it. I felt like I was in an old, small town cafe that should be found back where I'm from, rather than here in Southern California... I think that's why it was love at first sight for me. Anyways, I walked around this place for at least 20 minutes, carrying my little menu, just drinking it in, until the man who first greeted me saw me and told me I could sit down :) I had difficulty deciding on where to sit! I finally chose a rather large white tile table with wicker chairs, which was next to the part of the garden that housed the water fountain. Once I was seated I finally succeeded in getting my brain to focus on Biblical Literature, and enjoyed a yummy hot mocha and God's Word for the next 2 hours. Although I have to say the prices will keep me from being able to visit often, the atmosphere will definitely cause me to save up my pennies and look forward to the occasional opportunity.