A new day...l

A new day...

The sun is coming, I can see it almost peaking over the horizon...the sky has a red cast to from the smoke of fires in the valley...a new day...what will it bring...

I had just read psalm 21 and written in the margin , a "no" answer versus a "yes " answer, what is my attitude, do I still trust and claim joy?
 Right now, life seems to be on a better path the other times, am I joyful because of easier circumstances or do I get my joy from the Lord..

Psalm 21:1-13 The king rejoices in your strength, Lord.
How great is his joy in the victories you give! You have granted him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.
You came to greet him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.
He asked you for life, and you gave it to him— length of days, for ever and ever.
Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.
Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.
For the king trusts in the Lord; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken.
Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes.
When you appear for battle, you will burn them up as in a blazing furnace. The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath, and his fire will consume them. You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind.
Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed.
You will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with drawn bow. Be exalted in your strength, Lord; we will sing and praise your might.

Then I opened this short video, "a new day" and was blessed again by its beauty and words of encouragement...just as I had been by the psalm...what will I do with this new day?  Will I look for joy or not, beauty or not...or will I feel as David wrote in psalm 22, " my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"  From the highs to the lows...help my trust through it all...

http://www.coolestone.com/media/15168/A-New-Day-(Ernesto-Cortazar)/#.V53ynJBHaK1

Thank YOU for is new day...let me be a blessing to those around me...as You have blessed me...in all circumstances.....

Garage saling..l

Garage saling...

Part of our family is holding a garage sale this weekend...an adventure ...

When you hold one, you either really want to get rid of unused items at a reasonable price, ready to bargain, or almost give away, ....or you aren't quite sure if you want to give it away and your prices are a little more than people want to pay...and you pack it back up to store for future sales or "use"... How much will you bargain with customers and how much do you want to store ... How long has it been since I used it? Is it just taking up space ? Will I miss it if I get rid of it? It is a family heirloom? These are question I  ask myself either when I am sorting. Or even when I am buying..

I love to go to garage sales, though...but, then I have to ask, what do I really "need"??? Anymore, I go with a particular list in mind...things I am really looking for, things that will get used up quickly, things that fulfill a certain purpose...all at good prices, of course...

I thought this article interesting in negotiation ...
http://www.stevemarr.org/index.php/home/biblical-negotiating.html

Psalm 119:37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life
according to your word.

Thank YOU for the fun of garage saling, but help me keep my eyes ever on You...what is really important...help me do what glorifies you in all that I do...whether in garage  sales  or living moment by moment or the words or actions that come forth..

Underlining important reminders...

Underlining important reminders...

This morning I was ready Psalm 20 and underlining words that were important to me...words like
-answer in distress
-protect
-help
-support
-remember and accept
-desire of your heart
-plans succeed
-shout for joy over victory
-grant
-trust
-rise up and stand firm

Aren't those positive words in a world of negativity?
King David was ready to to go war and this is what they prayed one time for him or may be many times....

In the New Testament, we are told to put on our armor, the Word, the Truth, our Salvation, righteousness, peace ...because we struggle with the rulers of this world ....

David could see his enemies out there on the battlefields and sometimes we can as well. But, other times the battle rages around us and we can't see it, but know that it is happening by the events taking place...I want to take up those words of David, knowing that we can stand firm in a Holy God who answers...who is trustworthy...who makes plan succeed...who is there to help and support ....

Thank YOU for your victorious words...

Psalm 20:1-9 May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings.
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests. Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.
O Lord, give victory to the king! Answer us when we call!

Matthew 21:22 If you believe, you will receive

Chameleon ..

Chameleon...

A friend and I were involved in an organization. The leader had just changed and we felt that something was not quite right. This new person changed clothes, personality, views, procedures at the will of those around him...we commented on the situation to others, but there was no solution in sight. We could never trust that things would be the same from one day to the next..our husbands were unaware and unresponsive during this whole process and it kept going on and on...over and over, day after day...
Chameleon
* : a person who often changes his or her beliefs or behavior in order to please others or to succeed.

My solution----don't go to sleep after watching the news...or your dreams will be clouded with ideas that are surreal...or are they?

Reading Jeremiah is like reading the modern day newspaper...how we have fallen so far away from the ways of God...then followed by the words of Jesus of the last times in Matthew...are we there or are we just beginning  or are we just seeing results of our nation going further and further from the roots in which we were based...only time will tell...

2 Timothy 3:1-5, 12-14. But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power.
Have nothing to do with such people. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it....

We see these things over and over again...even in the churches today..
1 John 2:16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

It seems we do the same sins over and over again from the beginning of time...just wrapped a little differently...made to look a little better...

Thank YOU that your word remains true, You remain true no matter the circumstances...You don't change ....

Walk, talk.....

Walk, talk...

I as reading  Psalm 19 early this morning...

It struck me that the first few verses were like our phase "walk the talk".. The first ones show how God Created..His "walk"...while the rest show his "talk"-his Word...first we see his glorious creation and then read/hear his perfect words...all the earth can see and understand if they will watch and understand. While there are many mission organizations working on translating the Word to the multitude of languages, there earth still declares God's glory...thank YOU for your glory being declared by your creation and proclaimed by your work....
May my words truly be pleasing to you...


Psalm 19:1-14 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Top or bottom....

Top or bottom?

There are lots of major questions in life that we ask...

-is there a God?
-what do I do with my life ?
-purpose ?

 And, now is this generation, more publicly, people are debating, am I male or female? Or both?

There are answers to most  of them...if we want to listen...

Psalm 10:4, 11 In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
He says to himself, “God will never notice; he covers his face and never sees.”

Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

Romans 8:28-30 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Romans 12:1-8, 11 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Genesis 1:27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Top or bottom ?.. When Toilet paper was patented, it was patented so that it came off the top...but it really up to your discretion...

The other major questions are pretty clear...

Thank YOU that you have answered the questions in life...help  me to ask, and seek your wisdom in each...seeking your peace in life ....

Birthday party...

Birthday party...

I remember my first children's birthday party.  I was in kindergarten. It was a dress up party. We were to wear our dress up clothing, so each of us little girls wore one of our mother's dresses. I had on a hat, white gloves and high heeled shoes, necklace.
Somewhere in the boxes of pictures there is a picture of me in this outfit..it was a happy, fun time...we played games that fit the theme, had fun little refreshments of tea cakes. Our take home gifts were little plastic see through purses with pretend lipstick, and makeup...what fun to pretend we were older, clomping around in over-sized clothing and shoes...we were playing like we were ladies in tiny bodies...

Later my children played dress up as well, Cowboys, circus, princesses, trapeze artists, hunters, cooks and bakers, dancers, doctors and nurses....what adventures were had....

Then my grandchildren did and are doing the same thing...pretending...practicing to be adults...from their little worlds to entering the adult world...so fun and so fast...from pretend to real....maturing in so many ways...

It is fun to pretend, but at some point, we grow up in our minds and bodies and hopefully in our minds...and become mature adults, no longer dressing up in costumes but real clothes that fit real lives...

As well as our thoughts mature, we are no longer babes, but our faith must grow as well...real life stories and experiences help us mature in our faith...we look at God's Word as real with meaning for our lives not just platitudes or stories, but what He wants us to take a hold of for ourselves...what He speaks to each of us in our hearts and minds...not pretending ....

Thank YOU for speaking to our hearts, minds and souls...You mature and transform us into your likeness day by day...no pretending anymore...

1 Corinthians 14:20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.

1 Corinthians 3:2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.

Ephesians 4:15-16 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Life hacks....

Life hacks.....

Life hacks...I don't even know what a life hack is, but it popped up on my computer this morning...

http://www.coolestone.com/media/15005/10-Money-Saving-LIFE-HACKS-To-Try-At-Home/#.V5NjuZBHaK0

This was interesting and down to earth, plus usable...then of course it went into more and more hack hints if you followed it  into cyber space.

So, how did it fit into today's thoughts after reading from the Word..? I was reading Psalm 17 earlier and underling promises...

-You listen to my cry
-You examine, test me
-You answer me
-You hear my prayers
-You show the wonder  of your great love
-You keep me as the apple of your eye
-You hide me
-You save me
-You rescue me..
-You still the hunger of those you cherish
-I will be satisfied with seeing You...

Simple hacks...big promises of a Great God...

Thank YOU....

The shredder...

The shredder....

Yesterday, I was able to go through six more boxes of outdated business papers, getting them ready to go to the shredder...I had to take off all the staples, any other brads, take off the plastic binding so that I was down to the paper only...the basic paper with no embellishments except the writing and figures on the many pages...

It just made me think of all the hours and hours represented in putting the figures, reports in the papers that I was so blithely throwing into the jaws of the shredder...what those sheets said, the history they portrayed ....the stuff again...

When we cleaned out my husband's office,  we had a truck come to the site to shred, there was so much and there are still three dozen plus file cabinets left, plus more boxes...a lifetime of paperwork...history...passion for his chosen field of expertise...

But, going through the papers again yesterday made me soooo very thankful for the valuable people who made those papers happen, their diligence in following the rules of the government in taxes, who advised and  counseled, who typed, filled in the multitude of forms needed to run a business ...it wasn't me...and it wasn't my husband...it was all the helpers, more than helpers, they were inside "guts" of the business ...my husband was the "creator", the idea person...I was the encourager, the listener ...  We all added our skills to the running of this life dream of my husband ...and most of all God gave the increase, the resources...

thank YOU... For making a dream of one man come true, but thank YOU for all the help you sent to make it real...Yourself, your resources, the people, the ideas...

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.
There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

Job 22:24-26 and assign your nuggets to the dust,
your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines,
then the Almighty will be your gold,
the choicest silver for you.
Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God.

Dear Lord....

Dear Lord...

"Dear Lord, help me find joy in each new day... Show me the path You have prepared for me..." Spoken by a woman in a recent novel... I have uttered the same over and over in days past and present...I want to find the joy in each new day...but the world clammers to be listened to...fear, joyless, worry, anxiety, disputes, wars and rumors of wars, crime, death on all levels...not joy...not release ....not smiles...grief...

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Ezra 6:22 For seven days they celebrated with joy the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because the Lord had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.

Nehemiah 12:43 And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.

Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 19:8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

Psalm 30:11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

The verses go on and on...real true joy come from God...the author, the Creator...the Giver of joy...the Word...

Nothing else, no one else gives pure joy like God...

Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

Thank YOU...for joy, the true joy that come from You...Jesus is our joy...

Lined with cedar...

Lined with cedar...

After almost 20 years of marriage, we were blessed to be able to design and build our own home on some beautiful ground that we had searched for. The  ground was green pasture year around with a spectacular view of mountains towering to 11,000 + feet into the sky...the clouds and big sky made each view a panorama of awe inspiring beauty...

My father in law gave us a cedar tree to cut down, saw into boards to line the interior of this house, some rooms were lined with maple as well, while others were faced with paneling which our children picked out ...but the bulk was lined with cedar. The outside was covered with irreplaceable old growth redwood...not to be found very many places...but we found it at a lumber yard which was going out of business...so we had cedar as a reminder of my husband's family and redwood as a reminder of mine (I grew up partly in the redwood forests of Northern California).

We used rocks collected over the years of my husbands...some from mines around the state of Nevada, as well as specimens handpicked by him..plus bricks from my grandmother's  home in California. A menagerie of "found" items...fir logs for ceiling beams, used cabinets to be replaced when we could..even used carpet to be replaced later as well...it was a work in progress over the years....after all the work we out into it, we only lived in it  two years with all of our children...but they all remember those years fondly...we put a lot of love into it as well as sweat and labor...it was later used as a "cabin" for a wealthy absentee landowner, a retreat for a church group, guest house, a home for several families as they built their homes, and finally another family who remodeled it to their liking...all enjoying the views, the peace and quiet of the area as well as the pasture for a variety of animals..horses, sheep, cattle, goats...

It wasn't a temple as in the Old Testament, but housed a lot of love for the Creator....

Thank YOU...for the opportunity to make memories ...in the house that You provided from so many places...

 1 Kings 5:10 In this way Hiram kept Solomon supplied with all the cedar and juniper logs he wanted,

1 Kings 6:15 He lined its interior walls with cedar boards, paneling them from the floor of the temple to the ceiling, and covered the floor of the temple with planks of juniper.

Proverbs 31:14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

I know this refers to food, .....but we talked about our house in this manner. So many things came from various locations, that we said our home like is verse....bringing from afar..

Christmas in July....

Christmas in July....

The shopping networks are offering Christmas gifts, decorations, linens, wreaths...etc...for sale in July...movie channels are playing Christmas movies and introducing Christmas Ornaments...and it is only July...Christmas planing is getting earlier and earlier every year it seems...

Watching Christmas movies, several revolving around Christmas tree growing or sales lots being back so many memories of past Christmas trees.
When I was a child, our Christmas trees were manzanita trees with their red bark and coin-like leaves.  My grandmother would hang ribbon candy, bubbling lights on the gnarly limbs. It was until I was 9 years old that I saw an evergreen Christmas tree at my other grandparent's home, a natural small redwood with its open spaced limbs holding its large Christmas bulbs of colored lights...so manzanitas at one grandparents home and evergreens at the other.  That was the norm all of my growing up years.

When we got married, we had our first Nevada tree, a free juniper...we obtained a permit for a free tree from the local Forest service office as well as a map of the areas for cutting. We diligently followed the map to east of Carson City, found the area, surveyed the area for a tree. We had a film camera with us ,but forgot it in the truck, so cut it down, took it back to truck, set it up, then Filmed it falling like we were cutting it down ..we did that with each of us "cutting down the tree"... What fun...
Another year we cut down piñon pine trees east of  Elko with  a group of people from our church...or another when we cut down a small juniper near winnuenucca, the truck boiled over and we fed it melted snow to get back to town. In Oregon, we leased our ground to tree farmers, so we got a farmed tree for the first time, both a noble and a fir...

Finally, we ended up getting trees from a local fund raiser, festival of trees,  decorated fake tree in various themes. We got  a baby themed one, a country one, to name a few...when my husband died, it was hard to even think about Christmas...let alone a tree. I finally got small apartment sized ones from my Boy Scout grandsons...just right...

Fun through the years..so many kinds, so many years...so many trees...

Thank YOU for the wonderful times. ......

Genesis 2:9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Psalm 104:16 The trees of the Lord are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.

The pit....

The pit...

I walked across the yard intending to pick up a pair of forgotten gloves lying in the ground. All of sudden the ground gives way and opens up into pit, with the side quickly caving in, my feet are  slightly settled on a narrow ledge.i call for help, a board or pole or something the lay across the top and hang in to while someone calls for help to get out of the abyss which is slowly eroding underneath my feet and as I feel myself sliding downward...downward toward the blackness below....

I wake with a start...my early morning jolt... I didn't get back to sleep. Why in the world did I dream of this?  Maybe just to write about it. Will be tired  later today...but the jolt was rude awakening for sure ......

Joseph was thrown into a pit by his brothers for jealousy....Daniel was let down in the pit with the lions for  jealousy as well...The earth opened up in the wilderness and a whole family was devoured for disobedience...

This morning after awakening from my dream, I thought of the psalms about the pit...

Psalm 30:2-5 Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. 

You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit. 

Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. 

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. 

Psalm 40:2-3 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. 

Psalm 69:15-18 Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me. 

Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. 

Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me; deliver me because of my foes. 

Psalm 103:2-5 Praise the Lord, 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. 

I away from home this week, working on my husband's business concerns and I feel way in over my head and overwhelmed by the heritage he left, but this is not  my comfort zone to say the least... He knew this stuff backwards and forwards until right before he died...it was his language...a foreign one to me...I knew about it, but not the nitty-gritty on the paperwork, the deadlines, the nuances of the legalities, the dog eat dog world, the scrambling for the market place....he loved it, My family and I benefitted from it...but, I find myself slowly descending into that pit with little to hang on to... On the other hand, We have been so blessed by advisors who have stepped up to help us through  this process of what to do, when, how...

And more than that, God has been here with us...merciful, satisfying, loving us through the process...

Thank YOU...

Sent from my iPad

The valley where the city dwells....

The valley where the city dwells...

I flew to Helena, Montana yesterday through rain storms, cloud cover, thunder, wind...a little bumpy, but made it through ...as I view the valley this morning, it is rainy, windy....but the clouds put on a spectacular show last night with the light from above streaming down at various intensities through dark and light  clouds...the lights of the city below brilliantly shining, make their way in the darkness...

Then the following verse popped up for the "verse of the day"... How fitting for scenes seen...God's great power....

"Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
Jeremiah 32:17 NIV

As I was preparing for this trip, I watched the weather patterns for the coming days and dreaded the flights...then God in his planning put worship songs about fear into the minds of the leaders just for me...( I thought)...

So now I can see the beauty of yet another place through rainswept days, lights in the night, the big sky-of which Montanans' boast..., miles of grasslands, open range...

God has indeed made beauty for all to enjoy on this earth...created heavens for us to enjoy ...thank YOU...

Isaiah 40:26, 28-31 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Birdbath...

Birdbath ....

I have a natural stone birdbath outside my kitchen window. It gets fed by the sprinkler system, by rain and snow.   Many different kinds of bird congregate there from time to time, each taking their turn in the water....sometimes quail or doves...other times sparrows or finches...starlings...each by their own kind...I never see a mixture...which is kind of interesting...

This morning as I was washing my dishes, there was a family or flock of eight common finches either in the water or around the edge...drinking, bathing, fluffing or just sitting...some would test their toes in the water, while others would go full fledge into it...dunking and fluffing over and over again...finally sunning themselves in the sun...

(As you can see, I am easily entertained...)

This first flock was followed by starling and later by doves, each taking their turn...each with their won ritual...it reminded me of my father talking about Saturday night baths...in the kitchen, in a wash tub...first one boy, then the next until all had taken their dreaded turn...
Or even when my children were small, the "most"  nightly ritual of scrubbing them off, playing in the water...one or two at a time...splashing, giggling, and even sometimes complaining until the water had cooled and it was time to towel off and get ready for bedtime stories ...and finally, bed...

My birdbath usually has water year around..so this sight is seen fairly often throughout year...God is using me to water His small creatures...I appreciate being In the chain of helps...knowing that He who knows about the sparrows, knows about me...

Thank YOU....

Matthew 10:29, 31 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?
Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

The irony of it....

The irony of it...

Going to bed last night with a heavy heart from the sniper shooting of police officers who were standing guard...they were guarding a peaceful demonstration  against themselves...making sure that the demonstration went smoothly even though they were themselves the target ....and then it turned deadly and they were the sniper target ....picking them off one by one...what wickedness...what bravery shown on the part of the various policemen in attendance ...

I had to reread again for the innumerable times, Psalm 37, my default psalm in times of adversity...the contrast between the righteous and the wicked and their "reward"...

God knows me so well, and immediately in the first verse He says, "do not fret because of evil men".... My first reaction...then I try to refocus and pray for the victims...which takes my eyes off the evilness...but I still admittedly come back to,"fret"...then whys....why are people so evil and want to harm others?

He tells us to
-not fret
-trust in the Lord
-take delight in the Lord
-commit my way to Him
-be still before Him
-wait patiently for Him
-refrain from anger
-do not fret again, as it leads only to evil...and that is what we are not to fret about
-turn from evil
-hope/wait for the Lord

Because He is their salvation, their stonghold, their deliverer...
The list against the wicked, the evil doers is long and just...in this psalm and others...they don't stand a chance against a holy God...

Thank YOU for reminding me not to fret, but to hand my fretting over to You...You alone are my stronghold....my comfort in times of trouble...cover your people with peace...that is beyond comprehension. ...

Psalm 37:1-25 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.
But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.
The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.
The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.
But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
But the wicked will perish: Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.
The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; those the Lord blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be destroyed.
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
Psalm 37:26-40 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.
Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.
For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones.
Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish.
The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.
The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.
The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.
The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death; but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wicked or let them be condemned when brought to trial.
Hope in the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.
I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree, but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.
Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace.
But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked. The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

Stand firm....

Stand firm..

I was reading in Philippians this morning. The phrase "stand firm" popped out and I wondered how many times that was used..24 times in the whole Bible...mostly in the New Testament...

Jesus said in Luke 21:19 "Stand firm, and you will win life."....when speaking of the end times...
Matthew 10:22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Matthew 24:13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Mark 13:13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Paul, James, and Peter all spoke of standing firm...against the wiles of the world, the devil...standing firm in life...for the beliefs we hold...for the stance we take...against the flesh which wars within us...

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

2 Corinthians 1:21, 24 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.
He anointed us, Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.

Philippians 4:1, 4, 8-9 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

1 Peter 5:8-9 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Resist  him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

I confess before all, that I do not stand firm in all that I know...I fall, I fail, I succumb to temptations...knowing that, will I fall or fail when earth shattering decisions face me..?  Will I be moved?...shaken...I want to stand firm in the little things so that I can stand firm in the big things...

Thank YOU that you stand with me, not turning away when I desperately need your help...help me stand firm in all that I know is right....in You and in Your   Strength...

The if/then of unity....

The if/then of unity....

If...
-encouragement
-comfort
-unity in the Spirit
-tenderness, compassion
Then....unite in love, spirit and mind...be united not going it alone. Work together, caring for others, their interests...be Christlike, giving up all His glory to serve us, die for us...
Servanthood, a hard lesson to learn...but, the rewards are out of this world...into another for Christ's sake ...
Paul teaches it, lived it, exemplified it, but hard for us to do...
We have received instructions, by reading through the gospels, then the espistles...daily lessons on living a Christlike life...by the power of the Spirit...
I know I can't do it alone...my human flesh is strong in wanting its way...

Thank YOU for your example, your life, your tenderness, your compassion...
Help me in Your power to follow in the way you have prepared...


Philippians 2:1-11 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,
if any comfort from his love,
if any common sharing in the Spirit,
if any tenderness and compassion,
then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This is my story...

This is my story...

Several years ago,  several women and myself  did the study, "this is my story" by Lisa Whelchel.  It included a scrapbooking project as the study...I bought two kits so that my husband and I could do it together. It seemed like a pain at the time, but am so glad we did it together ...we even copied them and put them together and gave as a Christmas present to our children....a legacy of faith...

I noticed you can still get the leaders guide and the kits in Amazon, even at better prices than when I got them...

It made us think back into childhood experiences that molded us, our parents, our stories....how God entered our lives...

Yes, it was well worth the time...

Thank YOU for the puzzle pieces you have placed into our lives which make us who we are...thank YOU as well for prompting us to do things we might pass by ....

Proverbs 13:22a A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children.....

https://www.amazon.com/This-Story-Scrapbook-Album-Elements/dp/1415832013

Challenges...to the end of the earth..l

Challenges...to the ends of the earth...

I just finished reading the book "Undaunted" by Christine Caine. I came away challenged, overwhelmed, and a little depressed...I know so many people who are "out there" doing myriads of things for the kingdom...visibly  working...and I admit I felt a little jealous...my role seems to be so behind the scenes and has always been..encouraging those out front, giving to those on the "battlefield", facilitating resources that God has so graciously bestowed, standing in the gap between needs and availability, listening and praying for those hurting in life...quietly, silently....in my place of service...in the place that God has placed me....

So go away, jealousy...You Have  no place here...ours is not to compare our path with another, but to enjoy my path...to be challenged in my path...making sure that my path is filled, my purpose is filled....following the lead of my Savior, who has a purpose laid out just for me...not comparing !!!

Thank YOU for searing my heart yet again from foolish thoughts, bringing friends along who speak truth..about your love and my place in your world...help me and anyone to find that path which You have prepared for us, not comparing or "shopping" around ....that perfect way... Walking worthy of the call....

Philippians 1:27a whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

The following scriptures were sited as challenges and reminders, in "Undaunted" of who we are and more importantly whose we are...

1 John 4:11, 19 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
We love because he first loved us.

Ephesians 1:4a for he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. ..

Colossians 2:13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Luke 15

1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

John 6:28-35 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.
For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Isaiah 53:4-5 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Challenges...to the end of the earth..l

Challenges...to the ends of the earth...

I just finished reading the book "Undaunted" by Christine Caine. I came away challenged, overwhelmed, and a little depressed...I know so many people who are "out there" doing myriads of things for the kingdom...visibly  working...and I admit I felt a little jealous...my role seems to be so behind the scenes and has always been..encouraging those out front, giving to those on the "battlefield", facilitating resources that God has so graciously bestowed, standing in the gap between needs and availability, listening and praying for those hurting in life...quietly, silently....in my place of service...in the place that God has placed me....

So go away, jealousy...You Have  no place here...ours is not to compare our path with another, but to enjoy my path...to be challenged in my path...making sure that my path is filled, my purpose is filled....following the lead of my Savior, who has a purpose laid out just for me...not comparing !!!

Thank YOU for searing my heart yet again from foolish thoughts, bringing friends along who speak truth..about your love and my place in your world...help me and anyone to find that path which You have prepared for us, not comparing or "shopping" around ....that perfect way... Walking worthy of the call....

Philippians 1:27a whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

The following scriptures were sited as challenges and reminders, in "Undaunted" of who we are and more importantly whose we are...

1 John 4:11, 19 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
We love because he first loved us.

Ephesians 1:4a for he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. ..

Colossians 2:13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Luke 15

1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

John 6:28-35 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.
For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Isaiah 53:4-5 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

God bless the USA...

God Bless the USA...

I have to admit I like listening to these guys with their mellow  blending voices ...

http://www.coolestone.com/media/14975/Lee-Greenwood---God-Bless-The-USA---Home-Free-Cover---A-Cappella/#.V3evApBHaK2

As we ran in the pool yesterday, the music was a medley of patriotic songs, one after another, ending with "God bless the USA". Actually, many of us hummed along or sang the words as we jogged, huffing and puffing...was a good way to make at the time go more quickly, the rigors of the running softened by the feeling of patriotism ...memories of flags flying and folded, fireworks, 21 gun salutes, people in combat for our freedom...

Thank YOU for the country You have given us, let us not waste the blessing you have bestowed...

2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Watermelon salad....

Watermelon salad...

There are recipes that remind me of certain people....with our modern transportation, we can "summer" foods year around, but the first watermelon in the summer just is special...

Over thirty years ago, I tried a new watermelon recipe when we had company and I have been making ever since...the other family and our like the recipe, especially my long time friend...I just made it again in memory of her...we both enjoyed it those many years ago and every time I make it, I remember our comments, laughter, fun that we had together...our families bonded in geology, field camps, KOA's, children's activities, garage sales, months of map coloring, geology office work, can collection, dump ( dumps used to be open to pick through ) diving, Good News clubs, couponing, over innumerable meals In our cozy travel trailers....

Although we lived on opposite sides of the country, we could pick up the phone and carry on a conversation as if we saw each other everyday... ( we should have done it more). We even wore similar clothing that we picked up on opposite sides of the USA , arriving at her son's wedding with the same outfit...( I quickly changed mine)...

She battled valiantly the cancer that finally took her to her heavenly home, she was able to say hello to any who were won to Jesus by her smile, her dedication to Child Evangelism...and those who loved and knew her who had gone before...she paves the way and will stand welcoming those who come after...

Thank YOU for friends who bring a smile, even from their heavenly home...who are remembered by a recipe that bring many wonderful memories....

melon salad...

A small watermelon, diced
One half cantaloupe, diced
One or two tomatoes, diced,
Either  a small fresh onion, diced or one teaspoon dried, minced
A spring of fresh mint or a tea bag of mint tea
A tablespoon of oil.
Juice of one lime
Mix and chill...eat and enjoy .....

Optional, you can add one half honey dew melon, seeded cucumber, diced jicama as well...


1 Samuel 20:42 Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.

Proverbs 17:17a A friend loves at all times,......

Locker room jokes....

Locker room jokes....

Getting ready for water fitness is funny. But this morning, one woman was joking about not looking like her mother "at this age".  Here we are a bunch of woman in a locker room, some sixty year olds, but most 70+, baggy skin, most overweight, gray hair, wrinkles in every imaginable place....amongst us are teen girls just finishing their workouts for one of the local swim teams, slender, not an ounce of flab anywhere, fit, trim, wonderful long hair, no wrinkles....quite a contrast to say the least....

One woman pipes up saying, " I remember thinking I am never going to look like "that", my mother ...." As she stares looking into the mirror..." And here I am, looking at her!"  We all chuckle...thinking we have said the same thing...and here we all are, looking at our mothers...as the teens walk out saying the same thing we have in the past, "I am never going to look like that"....

Age....it does give perspective....and laughter...for those of us who have lost our mothers to another world, we  are joyous and sad at the same time, missing them and rejoicing that they are in a Better place...

We carry on, the  matriarchs of our families...hoping that we can give wisdom, time, joy to those coming behind as we gathered from our mothers...

We do look like our moms...I want to be remembered for a smile or encouragement, not the wrinkles that are quickly invading my life...

thank YOU for mothers, mine and so many more who bring joy to their families...maybe I do want to look like her after all...

Proverbs 31:26, 28-31 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.