Saturday, March 2, 2024

We really are created in His image

God sees

This year, I started reading the Bible in chronological order using the You Version Bible app.  I’m reading it with my friend, Graci, in Idaho, and the two of us are having a great time discovering new truths and facts about the Bible, about the stories, and about God. Well, maybe not new, but more like we are actually thinking about things we never thought about before or just forgot about. 

One thing, recently, that came to my mind was how we really are made in God’s image. I mean, we all wonder what God looks like. We know Jesus came in human form, and He looked like us. In Genesis 1:26, God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…” None of us can really imagine what our mighty God looks like, but we can be sure that He experiences all five of the senses He gave us.  

God sees. He sees color and pays attention to detail.  He puts blue in the sky, green in the grass, ocean blues in the seas, oranges, pinks, and yellows in the sunrise and sunset.  Back in Exodus, He even paid attention to minor details when the curtains were to be made for the tabernacle. “For the entrance to the courtyard, provide a curtain twenty cubits long of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen-the work of an embroiderer-with four posts and four bases.” Exodus 27:16. For the priests garments, He said, “Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.” Exodus 28:5.  What detail!

God smells aromas


God loves wonderful aromas. Exodus 29:18 says, “Then burn the entire ram on the altar. It is a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the Lord.” Next He says, “From the basket of bread made without yeast, which is before the Lord, take one round loaf, one thick loaf with olive oil mixed in, and one thin loaf. Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons and have them wave them before the Lord as a wave offering. Then take them from their hands and burn them on the altar along with the burnt offering for a pleasing aroma to the Lord, a food offering presented to the Lord.” Exodus 29:23-25. Song of Songs 2:13a says, “The fig tree forms it’s early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.”

God can taste

It just hit me that perhaps God eats food. I mean, why didn’t this occur to me before now? He made us in His image, and we eat food.  He loves the aroma of a well-cooked offering and of bread.  In Luke 13:29, it says, “People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Of course, the bread of God is probably quite different from what we’re used to. John 6:33 says, “For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Jesus ate meals with His disciples.  He fed the people who followed Him many times, sometimes with just a few fishes and a few loaves of bread. I’m sure God doesn’t require anything, but I do wonder if He enjoys a good meal?

God hears


God hears. Psalms 66:8 says, “Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of His praise be heard.” God loves to hear our voices lifted in worship of Him. Not only does God hear sound, but He also listens to us and answers us.  God was going to destroy the Israelites after bringing them out of Egypt. Moses had climbed Mt. Sinai to talk with God for 40 days and nights. God wrote the Ten Commandments at this time. He saw and heard the Israelites build and worship a false god, a man made gold calf.  His anger burned toward them. He was going to destroy them. Exodus 32:11-14 says, “But Moses sought the favor of the Lord his God. ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth?’ Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember your servants, Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.’ Then the Lord relented and did not bring on His people the disaster he had threatened.”

God bestows touch

Touch is referred to in the Bible many times.  Early, in Genesis 3:3, it says, “…but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” Hebrews 11:28 describes how the destroyer passed over the firstborn of the Israelite children in Egypt, “By faith He kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.” Jesus healed and blessed people through a simple touch. Mark 10:13a says, “People were bringing little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them…” Luke 6:19 says, “…and the people all tried to touch Him, because power was coming from Him and healing them all.”

God feels

We are created in His image.  We see, smell, hear, taste, touch…and we also feel. He’s instilled in us the ability to love, because He first loved us.  We can’t quite grasp how much He loves us, because it’s unfathomable.  His love for us is so great, it’s unconditional, and it’s undeserved…but there it is. I try to imagine why, and then I think of how I love my daughter. She could commit the worst sin against me, and I’d still love her.  I’d die for her.  That’s what God did for you and for me.  That’s how much He loves us.  We are precious to Him. It is an honor to be made in His image. It is an honor to be loved by Almighty God.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Happy Valentine’s Day

 


This morning as I was driving into work, I became a little frustrated as this elderly man pulled in front of me driving at a leisurely pace. I couldn’t go around him, because I needed to turn soon from my current lane.  Exhaling a big sigh, I resolved to just be content at this slower pace, and then we stopped at a traffic light. As I stared at the truck in front of me, I noticed the cute, white-haired man in front of me, and then I saw the bundle of flowers next to him on the seat. 

It’s Valentine’s Day, I thought to myself.  I wondered who those flowers were for and where he might be going to give them to her. I pulled myself out of my own self-important task of hurriedly getting to work, and I wondered what his story was.  My thoughts wandered….Was he taking those flowers home to his dear, sweet, elderly white-haired wife? Perhaps, he was instead taking them to her in a nursing home. Oh dear, what if she has Alzheimer’s and doesn’t even know him? Or what if he is visiting her on this special day in the cemetery?

It cheered my heart to see his love for whomever these flowers were for, and it reminded me that in the hustle and bustle going around about us all day long, the most important thing we can do is love others. He reminded me to slow down, take a deep breath, and tell the ones who are important to me that I love them.

Share your love.❤️

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”

I Peter 3:8

Pictures from December 2023 Book Signing

 

 

Thanks to everyone who came out to my book signing! It was a success, and I had the best time. It was great to see so many familiar faces. I feel blessed to have so many kind friends and loyal readers. Now, onto the next novel, Never Gone!










Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Be the hands and feet of Jesus

 



This is a picture of our dog, Zoey, seven years ago when we first saw her at a pet store.  She was the only dog there, and she was a rescue.  As my husband and my young daughter, who was six at the time, stood beside me, we listened to how she and her brother were found in a ditch on the side of the road a few weeks previously.  Her brother had been adopted the day before, and now here she was so sad, lonely, and forlorn.  She wouldn't even look at us through her glass display. I couldn't imagine how anyone with a heart could leave her there, and so, we didn't.   

We are very thankful for her.  She is a sweet girl, has much more energy now, and we've decided she must have PTSD from some stressful event she experienced as a puppy.  Whenever a hot air balloon flies over our house, she becomes Houdini and escapes out of our fenced-in backyard.  We tried to escape-proof the yard, but she still gets out. We still haven't figured out how she does it.  Fortunately, we've been able to get her back each time. She has brought us much joy.

After I adopted a third puppy, my husband wouldn't let me go near any kind of farm with puppies or pet shop or dog breeder anymore.  I guess I can't blame him.  Those puppy eyes get me every time. I have to admit, I'm not even a dog person, or, well, I wasn't, and I'm still tempted to bring home another one.

During this time of the year, it's a good time to pause and be thankful for all that we are blessed with.  I'm thankful for my family, friends, health, home, job, food, ability to have fun (social events), freedom, that I live in the U.S.A., and that I can worship God freely.  I'm thankful for God's great love for me.  

Just like sad, lonely puppies who need love, warmth, shelter, food, and someone to care for them, there are a lot of people in our world who don't have these basic things that we take for granted. Yesterday, I was reminded of just how blessed I am to not have to think about my next meal.  My daughter and I have started an after-school drive-thru Starbuck's thing.  We get our favorite drink and listen to Taylor Swift as we drive home.  It's our bonding time.  Yesterday, I had some extra time before I had to pick her up, so I went to Starbucks first and ordered our drinks through the drive-thru.  As I rounded the corner after paying for the drinks, a teenage boy about the age of 15 stood in the parking lot and hesitantly started to flag me down to stop for a minute.  He was in jeans and a hoodie sweatshirt and boots and had his hood pulled up over his head.  He didn't look menacing, but my first reaction was one of fear and uncertainty.  What does he want? Is he going to hurt me? What if I stop?

I actually passed him because of my uncertainty.  As I passed him, he made no move toward me and in my rearview mirror, I saw his head drop down as tears streamed down his face.  I stopped.  I feel certain that God tugged at my heart in that moment and told me to help him.  I rolled my window down and motioned for him to come to the car.  He approached hesitantly.  I looked at his face.  His nose was running and there were two streams of tears rolling down his cheeks.  My heart ached for him.  In my motherly voice, I asked, "How can I help you, babes?"  For context, I always use a term of endearment for all kids, "babes, dear, sweet girl, sweet boy, etc."  He seemed embarrassed and wouldn't look up at me, but he answered, "Do you have a couple dollars I could have?"  I replied, "Sure." Then I asked, "What's wrong?"  He replied, "I'm hungry."  I was stunned and felt heartache for him. People in our neighborhoods, kids, really do go hungry.

I happily handed him some money, and I told him that God hasn't forgotten about him.  I just wasn't sure what else to say.  He thanked me and walked directly to the pizza joint that was across the parking lot we were in.  I was still reeling with a little fear from stopping to talk to him. This kind of thing just doesn't happen to me.  I went home last night and couldn't stop thinking about him.  I wondered, How long had it been since he'd eaten?  Is he homeless?  Did he sleep outside last night--it rained and it was cold? Where are his parents?  The one question still plaguing me now is: Should I have done more?

Maybe yes and maybe no.  I do believe that God presents us with opportunities to be His hands and feet in this world.  If I had been Jesus, I would have walked up to this boy and met his needs and made sure he knew he was loved for who he was.  It can be scary in this world to do good things for others sometimes.  Evil lurks around us, and sometimes our good deeds are rewarded with people turning on us.  

What I have learned from this is that I will continually pray for God to show me how to help people.  I ask him daily to present me with people who need my help and need to be reminded of His love for them.  I tell God that I trust Him to keep me safe in my endeavors to care for others because there are SO MANY people out there who need our help, even if it's just a little money for food, or a little food, or help finding shelter, or an invitation to church, or just a reminder that God hasn't forgotten them.

I'm going to keep my eye out for that young man over by Starbucks from now on.  If I see him again, I'm going to ask more questions and see how I can help him more.  This Thanksgiving, give thanks for the basic things you have because they really are BIG things.  If you can send a turkey or a ham or a turkey dinner to a family that needs help, do it.  Be the hands and feet of Jesus.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones!

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Book signing!

 



COME MEET AUTHOR

DENISE JANETTE BRUNEAU!

 

I’m a writer, doctor, wife, mom, daughter, sister, dog mom, breast cancer survivor, and child of God. I write novels in the genre of sweet, cozy romance with Christian themes that will touch your heart and reach your soul. 

 

I’m a medical doctor, trained in Obstetrics and Gynecology. I work full-time as an OB Hospitalist. My professional affiliations are mostly in the medical realm, but as an author, I claim to be a member of the Bluegrass Writers’ Coalition and Author Ready, which is a group orchestrated and run by wonderful author, Richard Paul Evans. 

 

There are three published novels to my name: Lavender Sky, Finding Home, and Heart Chimes. I’m working on a fourth novel called, Never Gone.

 

Being a compassionate doctor is what I want to be known for. It matters to me that I show God’s love to others through what I do. The same goes for the novels I write.  

 

 THERE WILL BE GIVEAWAYS!!!

 

WHEN? Friday, November 3, 2023 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm

 

WHERE? Layton Hills Mall, 1201 N. Hill Field Road, Layton, Utah 84041

 

At: FOR THE LOVE OF

 

QUESTIONS: (385) 888-0881, https://www.4theloveofgood.com


https://www.denisejbruneau.blogspot.com

https://www.denisejbruneauauthor.Storiad.com






Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Fall again




It’s that time of year again. Can you believe fall is here? It’s at this time each year, I find myself a little weary from all of the summer activities. I want to slow down a bit, sit on the front porch, and take in the brilliant colors of the season. 

I welcome the coolness of the air, and it reminds me that this is a new season. If you’re weary, like I am, take some time to rest and enjoy the beauty God put into this season. Maybe, He’s calling you to take some quiet time for yourself and to be with Him.

And don’t forget to be festive and decorate!





Monday, October 2, 2023

Writing buddies

 I sat out on my back deck tonight as I worked on my newest novel, Never Gone. This story is slowly unfolding in my mind as one of choices removed, regrets, loss, and then connection and forgiveness.  I’ve thrown a little mystery in there as well to add to the storyline. I can’t say more now, but maybe these two can. They are my writing buddies❤️


If Charlie and Gracie won’t tell you anything, I look forward to sharing more with you soon about Never Gone.  You’ll love this story!


Saturday, September 16, 2023

Lavender Sky trivia! Play to enter for a chance to win!

 

     



Play Lavender Sky trivia now. Answer all five questions right, and you’ll be entered to win one of the two prizes above. There will be two winners. Send your answers to me through the contact form here on my blog site or you can PM me on FB/Instagram. I will let you know if you answered all five questions right after you send me your answers. Contest ends September 30. Winners will be chosen then. Choose wisely!

1. What nickname did Delaney give to the hot ER doctor?

A) Doc Hollywood

B) Doc Hottie

C) Doc Sapphire

D) Doc Smokin’


2. Ben is particular about which drink?

A) Mountain Dew

B) Coke

C) Iced tea

D) French press coffee


3. Which agency got involved with Finn’s case?

A) FBI

B) DEA

C) IRS

D) Immigration


4. Ben saves Delaney from what?

A) Drowning

B) Fire

C) Car accident

D) A fall


5. Delaney fails at installing something because she is too emotionally distraught to focus. Ben comes along and comforts her by taking her into his arms. Then he completes the installation for her. What does he install?

A) Fuse

B) Vacuum filter

C) Car seat 

D) Refrigerator light



We really are created in His image

God sees This year, I started reading the Bible in chronological order using the You Version Bible app.  I’m reading it with my friend, Grac...