It consistantly amazes us at how God is always interested and involved in the many details of our lives at Cottage Bliss. Here is our format for sharing some of the ways He is working and how He uses you to bless us.

We as individuals have experienced God’s grace, forgiveness, healing and deliverance in many areas of our lives.  We pray that you may also experience this kind of freedom and joy that is found only in Him.

 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
       because the LORD has anointed me
       to preach good news to the poor.
       He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
       to proclaim freedom for the captives
       and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
       and the day of vengeance of our God,
       to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
       to bestow on them a crown of beauty
       instead of ashes,
       the oil of gladness
       instead of mourning,
       and a garment of praise
       instead of a spirit of despair.
       They will be called oaks of righteousness,
       a planting of the LORD
       for the display of his splendor.
 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
       and restore the places long devastated;
       they will renew the ruined cities
       that have been devastated for generations…
 And you will be called priests of the LORD,
       you will be named ministers of our God.
       You will feed on the wealth of nations,
       and in their riches you will boast.
 Instead of their shame
       my people will receive a double portion,
       and instead of disgrace
       they will rejoice in their inheritance;
       and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,
       and everlasting joy will be theirs.
Isaiah 61:1-7

  Praise the LORD, O my soul,
       and forget not all His benefits-
  Who forgives all your sins
       and heals all your diseases,
  Who redeems your life from the pit
       and crowns you with love and compassion,
  Who satisfies your desires with good things
       so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Psalm 103:2-5

Sherie's Blog

11/8/2010
How kind and good our God is.  He cares for each one of His children individually.  He is such a loving Father.  He knows exactly the encouragement we need just when we need it.  And it is sometimes so unusual that you know without a doubt it came from His hand.

Today we were celebrating several shop employee birthdays (you know us, any excuse for a party!).  Our table was beautifully set with tablecloths, fine china teacups, a lovely cake, flowers and gifts.  Right when the party was to begin, little did we know that our guests of honor had just walked into our shop!

By divine appointment, God sent a grieving couple, who had just lost their son, to our party.  They came to the mountains seeking peace, consolation, healing and encouragement from their God.  (Just so you know, if you happen to come in when we are having a party, you are invited!)

They were drawn into our party room by the sound of us all laughing hysterically at a you-tube video of a dog doing the meringue, played in honor of our three YOUNG birthday girls, whose age shall remain a secret forever.  (Google you tube dog dancing meringue and laugh yourself silly!)

As we shared over cake, ice cream and tea, laughed over fun gifts, and shed tears with them over their tragic loss, it was evident that God’s peace was on Ruth and Don.  They shared how God has ministered to them in their grief, and Bonnie shared about the loss of her husband to cancer this year with them, and how God’s grace has been there carrying her through.

We had a remarkable time of prayer together.  Our pain will never be wasted.  What joy and hope there is in knowing Jesus.

God has a party for you to attend, even in the midst of your pain.  He is good all of the time.  This couple made a decision to not be like the elder brother in the story of the prodigal son, but to attend the divine appointment God had set up for them.  God so lavishly consoled and comforted them as only He can do. 

So, eat some cake, blow the party favor of praise to Him in spite of your circumstances, and throw some of your confetti on others as well.

God’s got a party today, and I’ve decided I’m attending!

9/22/09
GOD DOES IT ONCE AGAIN!!!! GO GOD!!!
Okay, I just have to brag on God a little bit! He did yet another Big Miracle!
This goes to show that if we are willing to sow even a little seed, that God can provide a big harvest!

Cottage Bliss is helping sponsor a mission trip to Africa to help those less fortunate than ourselves. We recently paid for kits to help about 50 people. When the supplies came, they were ALMOST DOUBLE what was ordered. When contacted about their mistake, the supply company graciously said to go ahead and keep the extra supplies sent!! See how that works?? We have seen this time and again with God.

"One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty." Proverbs 11:24

9/8/08
This afternoon our screen door opener malfunctioned and our door wouldn't close. It just so happened, (by divine appointment of course) that a Door Specialist was in the store with his girlfriend at the time this occurred and he offered to bless us by replacing the needed part immediately. And, indeed he did!! Thank you Russ, for letting God use you to write yet another God story.

6/6/08
I had just prayed about the expense of our new "Cottage Bliss" signage, as I hated to spend money that normally would be put to use for nobler causes. (See our mission statement.) Yet we definately felt led to make the name change. About a week later a couple from the Netherlands drove through our parking lot with a motor home and backed into our "High Country Amish Quilts" sign and put a small crease in it. Their insurance paid for our new sign! Thank you, Lord!!!!!!