Garage sales ...rummage sales...

Garage sales, rummage sales...

I was reading this am in Exodus...the beginning of the story of the exodus from Egypt ...picturing the women asking for clothing as they prepared to leave...realizing that that clothing lasted for forty years in the wilderness...the Israelite women had no idea that the clothing they were taking would have to last that long...but God knew...He is a provider...

My mind runs in funny trails sometimes...I just pictured in my mind the piles of clothing we see at rummage or garage sales or even big store events as we plow through looking for the right sizes...holding up this or that, checking it out for size, color, likability ...did the Israelite women do this once in a while as their children grew...did they exchange all of those Egyptian articles among themselves?  Did they ever grumble over "outdated styles" as we do....or did they keep those comfortable clothes that sit at the front of our closets to be worn over and over again, because we feel good In them... And As the generation died off, there were lots of hand-me-downs! They went into the new land with clothes that lasted 40+ years!!! Was there new clothes waiting ?

I know this isn't deep theological stuff, but those people were like us, similar thoughts, needs, wants, desires...and God provided as he provides for me/us...He loved them as he loves me/us...
Thank YOU for your watch care...provision ....

Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. And so you will plunder the Egyptians.”
Exodus 3:22

Yet the Lord says, “During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet.
Deuteronomy 29:5


25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:25-34

Cutting onions...

Cutting onions.....

Recently, I was helping with a luncheon for new missionary candidates. My job was kitchen crew...meal prep and cleanup...background stuff where I am serving...

One task was slicing onions, "rings like Olive Garden has on their salads" I was instructed...so I painstakingly thinly sliced the red onion into slices, separating them into nice rings until my eyes were swelling shut(my eyes do that) so someone else had to take over the task...then I diced tomatoes instead...
I finished with the tomatoes and looked to where my beautiful rings once were and found they had been chopped into bits by another, "I don't think we should have those big slices and I don't like them"....oh, well, what's onion slices in eternity...

It felt like my hand had been slapped...it brought back other times in life that work I had done  was torn down by others...after finishing the task, feeling good about it...only to have another whose vision was different, dismantle or totally discard the project...my pride was hurt as well as my feelings...grumbling to myself, "my work is never good enough or I am not good enough"...worth....worthiness....

But, my worth is not in the onions I slice or the projects or the performance, but in the love that Christ bestows...the Holy Spirit who resides...the Father who comforts/provides....I don't need to go the the dark places of pride or hurt or worthlessness...I have a Savior who never leaves or forsakes....

As well as it is a reminder to watch my words...do they uplift, encourage, buildup???

Thank YOU for sliced onions, those smelly things....You are still at work grinding away at the places deep inside my soul...searching, cleansing...

Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:2,7,10

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24

You're my best friend...

You're my best friend .....

I went to a funeral this weekend...the husband passed away suddenly..have know them off and on since 1978 when we both moved to the same town...he was the within months of my age...

The church was packed even the hallways to standing room only....a tribute to the friends and acquaintances he made through the years, the Christian witness he was to family, colleagues alike...he walked his talk...

His wife shared  his daily prayer...it is worthy of further sharing...

"Today, Lord Jesus I will follow you. I am presenting myself to You as your servant. I will obey You. I will do whatever You ask no matter how hard or difficult it might be. I do not belong to me, I belong to You. You have bought me with you blood. You are the Lord and King of my life today. Today I will read your Word. Today I will be devoted to prayer. Today I will love my wife the way Christ loves the church. Today I will be the kind of father to my children and grandchildren that You are to me.

Today I will do my part to build Your church at ....and around the world. Today I will take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Today I will rejoice about everything and grumble about nothing. Today I will love every person you sovereignly bring into my life, no matter how hard they may be to love. Today I will live my life as if it is the last before I stand before you at the judgment seat of Christ and am rewarded for the life that I have lived before You..I can't keep these commitments in my strength. Please give me strength to keep these commitments that I believe are your will for my life...fill me with your Holy Spirit .  I trust You that You will do according to the promise in Your Word. I am greatly lacking in wisdom and need your wisdom to live my life for You. Please give me You wisdom today, more than you gave Solomon so that I will know what to say and do in every situation so that I might glorify You  with my life...I love you, Lord...." Kent McAdoo

The service was a testimony to,his following through with his prayer...it gloried God at every turn...

It ended with this personal favorite song he played for his wife, regularly...


"You're my best friend....Don Williams
You placed gold on my finger you brought love like I've never known
You gave life to our children and to me a reason to go on
You're my bread when I'm hungry you're my shelter from troubled winds
You're my anchor in life's ocean but most of all you're my best friend

When I need hope and inspiration you're always strong when I'm tired and weak
I could (search this whole world over you'd still be everything that I need)
You're my bread (when I'm hungry you're my shelter from troubled winds
You're my anchor in life's ocean but most of all you're my best friend)
You're my bread (when I'm hungry you're my shelter from troubled winds
You're my anchor in life's ocean) but most of all you're my best friend"

(Can be heard on YouTube)...

He had two very personal friends, Jesus and his wife...commitments to each...

23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
Matthew 25:23

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33

Jealousy...

Jealousy...

Over the years,  I have battled jealousy over a variety of things...

As a teenager, it was someone else's perfect hair, or figure or whatever...( I was raised in the Barbie age)...

After marriage, it was  possessions, which we didn't have and couldn't afford...or that my husband wasn't nearly as handy in building with his hands as my friends...
There was I time, I distinctly remember...we had just purchased a double wide home on property which we loved...but then my sister in law and brother in law built a beautiful home on a huge piece of property- the house was custom designed, 100 feet from corner to corner, filled with all sorts of luxuries...a far cry from our cozy little double wide... Oh, the green eyed monster appeared over and over as they recounted this and that...new furniture, etc, while we were still living with parental hand-me-downs from college years...

And then jealousy over lack of children, which we couldn't seem to carry to full term...as friend after friend brought home their bundles of joy...

Oh, I said all the right things...how happy I was for everyone and rejoiced in their joys...but jealously kept lurking in the corners, sneaking out at inopportune times...I coveted what they had...plain and simple ...it was my right, wasn't it? I felt all of the feelings of resentment, bitterness,  insecurities, anxieties, anger  that the definition of jealousy lists...
Not a good way to start each day...not a good witness to my children...not good for my health...not good for relationships...just plain not good for life...you never win in comparisons...
and jealousy creates idols out of everything you desire more of...IDOLS...not a very positive picture...and no peace of mind...


So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
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. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16-17,19-25

Oh, to desire the life in the Spirit...and not living by the flesh...thinking about the best and not the worst...peace of mind in times when idols are presented at every turn...

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.
Philippians 4:8-9

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

Thank YOU...for your riches which are incomparable ....and certainly more lasting than earthly ones...
For your peace of mind...
For your eternal Love...
for your Son...who gave his life that we might live...
For your Holy Spirit who speaks truth and comfort into our lives ...
For everything...amen and amen...

jeal·ous·y
/ˈjeləsē/
noun
* 1.
the state or feeling of being jealous: 
"a sharp pang of jealousy"
synonyms:
envy, covetousness, resentment, resentfulness, bitterness, spite, the green-eyed monster, suspicion, suspiciousness, distrust, mistrust, insecurity, anxiety, possessiveness, overprotectiveness

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Dictionaries - Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Jealousy
Jealousy [N] [E]
Jealousy is used in the Scriptures in both a positive and a negative sense. When jealousy is used as an attribute of God, it is obviously used in a positive sense. Probably the most striking example of the anthropomorphic portrayal of God is in those passages where he is said to be jealous. The language is based upon the relationship of husband and wife and is frequently associated with Israel's unfaithfulness to God.
The Hebrew word qana [a"n'q] and its cognates are the most extensively used words for jealousy in the Old Testament. In Exodus 34:14 we learn that "the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." In Deuteronomy 4:24, God is describedas "a consuming fire, a jealous God, " giving the idea that he will judge because of his jealousy. In Joshua 24:19, Joshua challenges the people to serve the Lord but reminds them that serving God will be difficult because "He is a holy God; he isa jealous God." In Zechariah 1:14, when the Lord is asked why he allows Jerusalem tobe down-trodden by the nations, he replies, "I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion." In verse 15, he continues to explain that while he intended to punish Israelfor her sin, the nations have "added to the calamity." Because of his jealousy, God will restore Jerusalem to its rightful people and will build his temple there (v. 16).This concept is also brought out in context of the last days in joe 2:18: "the Lord Will be jealous for his land and take pity on his people." The Hebrew noun is also used to describe a man's jealousy for his wife ( Num 5:14-30 ) andGod's passionate anger against sin ( 1 Kings 14:22 ;  Psalm 78:58 ). It isused in a negative sense in Proverbs 6:34, where a man is in a rage because of his jealousy. In Song of Solomon 8:6 jealousy is described as being as "unyielding as the grave." Ezekiel 8:3 describes an idol that was set up in the temple mount "that provokes to jealousy." This image, along with other idols, caused God to remove his shekinah  glory from the temple.
The Greek word zelos [zh'lo"] and its verb form zeloo [zhlovw] are only used five times in the New Testament. In Romans 10:19, Israel is said to be provoked to jealousy by Gentile nations that receive divine blessings. The same use of the word is recorded in Romans 11:11 because "salvation has come to the Gentiles." In 2Corinthians 11:2, Paul declares his deep concern for the Corinthians when he says, "I Am jealous for you with a godly jealousy."
The Corinthian Christians are said to be provoking God to jealousy because of the worship of idols ( 1Cor 10:22 ). This is followed by the question, "Are we stronger than he?"meaning "Can we afford to defy his power?" Therefore, to arouse the jealousy of God is a very dangerous action on our part. On the other hand, God's jealousy is based on his love and concern for us.
Alan N. Winkler
Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Edited by Walter A. Elwell
Copyright © 1996 by Walter A. Elwell. Published by Baker Books, a division of
Baker Book House Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan USA.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
For usage information, please read the Baker Book House Copyright Statement.

[N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
[E] indicates this entry was also found in Easton's Bible Dictionary

Bibliography Information
Elwell, Walter A. "Entry for 'Jealousy'". "Evangelical Dictionary of Theology". . 1997.

Gentle mentor...

Gentle mentor....

Yesterday, a friend passed away quietly, quickly..slipping into his eternal reward...to walk those streets of gold...I could picture people he has mentored, known welcoming him to the place that needs no light...shaking his hand like men do...or hugs , a slap in the back, smiles all around...I could see my husband there among the crowd as well...what a reunion...unending joy...

His quiet demeanor, humble ways in awe of this new home..."  So this is what we having been waiting for, wow"...

Always a lover of nature and the outdoors, teaching others that same love, his family as well...

When my husband was close to entering heaven, he made a special out of the way trip to encourage him, shake his hand, give a gentle smile, say a prayer...that was his way...thank you

I know his wife will miss him as well as his son and daughter, but those grandchildren will miss that gentleness...that gentle mentor his was...

Farewell, we say, not knowing how long it will be before we make that same journey...looking to the light, but leaving behind those who grieve...

Thank YOU for the various people You put in our paths...each has a special place along the way...

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 16:11

Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.
Psalm 21:6

It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.
3 John 1:3

23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
Matthew 25:23

Joy in the overwhelming...

Joy in the overwhelming....

My oldest son described going to a professional  football game recently...it was their Christmas Present...their team lost...but, he teared up describing his families pure joy of the just being there, the overwhelming ambiance of the whole experience...

Another son, sent pictures of his children playing "ice hockey " on their ice covered deck...joy in the moment...

My oldest daughter sent a picture of her youngest in shorts, no shirt, walking around in "flappy" shoes (flip flops) totally enjoying the moment....

My other daughter sent pictures of her dog reclining, cuddling with her...

Big and little events that give us joy in the moment, but we are overwhelmed by the feelings of pure gratitude...

As I drove to church, this song played...
Overwhelmed by Big Daddy Weave, YouTube ...

It reminded me of these four scenes in life...or times recently that I looked out over the sea at a glorious sunrise or sunset, or the beauty of the tropics, or the beauty of hundreds of butterflies, or the amazement of monkeys running around and hopping on my shoulder..., the delight of watching  my grandchildren enjoying life...the lessened pain from a cancer procedure, the timing of God in his blessings in another's life, a thank you video from the other side of the world...the home going of a fellow journeyer...complex or simple things in life that can touch our hearts in a deep, deep way...and I am overwhelmed with joy, thankfulness...that is sometimes without words...


If I, a mere human, can derive delight out of big or little things, how much more God must delight in our joy...He after all, made us ...He delights in us...and He has millions in which to see joy in the overwhelming...

Thank YOU...

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.
Psalm 107:21-22

Rejoice always,
pray continually,
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
Mark 9:15

Job 38-39

Job 38-39

Today's reading is Job 38-39 if you are reading the Chronological Bible...

It leaves no doubt who is the Almighty and who is not...
God is asking questions...one after another in rapid succession of Job and his "friends"...where were they when He created?....did they know all things?...what really is their power, wisdom....?

Until finally Job answers ....

Then Job answered the Lord: “I am unworthy —how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer — twice, but I will say no more.”
Job 40:3-5

So much like Isaiah's cry...

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”
Isaiah 6:5

In times when we humans seem to have all the answers...it is good to dwell in these chapters...we can't stop the Hurricanes, the floods of mud, the floods of water or ice...we have no power over the changing of the weather as many say we do...nor life or death unless God intercedes...we are but mere humans...not gods...He is sovereign ...He is all...thank YOU...I am blessed that You have given us your Word, nature which points to You...

You are indeed are  the Almighty ....

YouTube ,   Natalie Grant, song "King of the World"

Nightmares...

Nightmares...

I was awakened  by a nightmare at 1 am this morning...I rarely have them...but when I do, they are soooo very real and frightening...I realized I had gone to bed with my head churning in a hundred different directions and hadn't quieted my spirit down in the Lord... Bringing Him more problems, but not laying them down...I was in panic and pain mode instead...which is probably why my dreams were so tormenting....

I can remember my breathing getting faster and faster just like the day had been...running through each minute...adding more and more into the hours...taking it all on my shoulders instead of quietly handing each over...working step by step...line by line, worrying, anxious, wanting out...wanting changes...etc...

And then I open the following devotional this morning...God must smile so much when we see ourselves for the anxiousness we hold on to...he already has words of encouragement ready...he has the days thought out and taken care of...before we even get to them...Thank YOU....



Jesus lives, Sarah Young
FAITH
MY LIGHT SHINES ON YOU CONTINUALLY, WHETHER YOU ARE AWARE OF IT OR NOT. During the wee hours of the night, your thoughts are often distorted—even catastrophic. Although you may feel as if you’re enveloped in darkness, remember that darkness and light are alike to Me. I am with you, and My Love for you never fails. You need the Light of My Presence supremely more than you need the light of day. When the way before you seems dark and threatening, you can still trust Me to guide you.
Walking by faith is akin to using radar to discern the way you should go. Instead of trying to see through clouds of uncertainty up ahead, fix your eyes on Me. I can show you a way forward where there appears to be none. Moreover, as you strive to stay in communication with Me, your soul opens up to Me. Even in the midst of your struggle, My loving Presence can fill your soul with warm delight.

even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
Psalm 139:12

For we walk by faith and not by sight.
2 CORINTHIANS 5: 7 NKJV

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
PSALM 143: 8

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
HEBREWS 12: 2

There are just some times...

There are just some times....


http://www.coolestone.com/media/18443/Bird-Frozen-To-Metal-Fence-Rescued-by-Kind-Man/#.WlIVcutHaK0

I watched this short video this morning and just cried...there are just some times that we need held, calmed, comforted, loved, healed, encouraged, unstuck, etc...and God sends along just the right person or persons or just comes Himself to do the needful....

We see it over and over again throughout the Bible....
-Hagar
-Joseph
-Moses
-Ruth
-David
-Paul
-Job
-Mary
-Lazarus
-the woman at the well
-the sick son, daughter, mother, friend,
-the lame or blind men
-etc...

Someone to hold our hand, someone to pray, someone to encourage, someone to listen, someone to mourn or rejoice with us...someone...someone to unfreeze our feet...thank YOU...

And we may be that someone to others...as well...

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Luke 12:6-7

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Hear my prayer,  Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob.
Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.
Psalm 84:1-12

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Sewing machine....

Sewing machine...

This is a family story...

My sewing machine of 39 years died this last month...it cranked out its last stitches wearily until it stopped going forward and only went into reverse with a lot of pressure.   I took it to the repairman and he shook his head and sadly said, "I can't help you this time". At the last repair and maintenance place, they had warned me that there was terminal problems, but they patched it up and I was able to use it for three more years...longer than expected...

Both of my grandmothers sewed, my mother as well.   It was part of my life..I received my first sewing machine at 7 years old...a little Singer hand crank one..(it still works!)...I made a lot of doll clothes on it and it reposes in its original box amongst my memorabilia of life...

One of my grandmothers taught me to use her singer treadmill machine...it was smooth working...I remember the soft " swish, swish" sound of the foot pedal going back and forth, up and down as the machine did its work of sewing one piece of cloth to another...such fun, both to sew and spend time with grandma...we had lots of discussions over that machine...

My mother had an electric Singer machine that had a fold out cabinet.  She sewed most of my clothing and hers as well...I don't know when she got it, but it was her pride and joy until she moved into her last home and purchased a little portable electric one.  On the old one, she made baby clothes for me to my high school formals with hundreds of outfits In between. It was still going strong as my children reached adulthood...

My high school graduation present was a sewing machine...we shopped until just the right one came in sale...my father was reluctant to purchase it because he thought I wouldn't study in college, but sew instead...it was a stress releaser for me...it lasted for 10 years until it, too, wore out..

Then when my oldest daughter was one year old, I purchased this latest one...I was sooooo thrilled to be getting such a fancy one, and a twenty-five year warranty.   ( I remember thinking "25 years, that's a life time away").
One of my daughters told me she always remembered where ever we lived, I had my Sewing machine set up, ready to go.  And indeed, when I looked at or built homes, there was an area specifically designed for a sewing area.

While sewing, I could pray, think through problems, meditate...it was not just about sewing...it was my "closet", my "war room"...my creative outlet as well...

When I look at family pictures over the years, articles of clothing for each child portray the hours at the sewing machine...or gifts sewn with so very much love into each stitch...

And those 25 years have come and flown by...adding many more for extra measure...a generation ...

Thank YOU for that creativity and the love You have shown me...you have given me a lifetime of pleasure, answered problems, prayers...over those millions of stitches...I have cried at that machine when I couldn't do any things else...when the life closed in with its events...and I have rejoiced as well...so I am giving over the machine to the repairman's "bone pile" to be used to bring similar machines back to life...an "organ donor"...

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.
The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.
Psalm 145:13-17

The Lord has been faithful over the years...he repairs, builds up, uses us for His praise...he prays over us, gives us many years, cries over us...died for us that we Might live...until we join Him in our eternal home...we are his delight...thank YOU...

Weather....

Weather...❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️🌬🌬🌬

It has been cold, cold, cold where I live day after day...not as cold as the northeast with their blistering sub zero days...and I keep a list of places on my iPhone with their weather...all are cold except a friend near South Africa...

I keep, saying, " it is winter, after all, chin-up and bear it..." But, my body is still cold...

The Bible, having been written in the Mideast, has few references to the coldness of winter, not that the Author wasn't aware of different temperatures around the world...it just wasn't part of that culture as much...
And even now, seeing pictures of that part of the world, they rarely have down coats, mittens, or heat saving hats...it is just warmer...

And trekking through the desert with Moses, their "sandals didn't wear out nor their clothes"...so warmer than we have ...

Paul and friends must have needed a cloak as he asked for it in one of his letters...but I imagine the dungeons may have been a little cooler as well as damp and dark...

More talk is about seasons of harvest, rain for crops, etc.
Plus, snow is spoken of in reference to our sin being taken away and we would be as white as snow...

But, the bitterness of the cold is hard to be found...so I would liken it to the hardness of heart, bleakness, iciness toward the Word, whether that is Jesus or the very Word of God...both of which bring life, truth, comfort to our lives which may have been frozen in worldly values, pain and suffering...

From winter of life to the growth of Spring...new beginning, new life...thank YOU...that you bring life...even in the winter of times...

❄️❄️❄️---🌞🌞🌞

Family photos...

Family photos...

We have had hundreds of family photos over the years, some sedate, some fun...some needed...some very memorable, some I wish I could forget...

But, all in all I am very glad we had them taken...they create a calendar of our lives, the growth, the smiles, the awkwardness of youth, then cuteness, the "ahhhs", the history, family....they also show the firsts and lasts, the beginnings and the ends....changes...

I have bins and bins of family albums from my grandparents, parents, our lives....there are also hundreds stored on the computer in albums as well...
I keep thinking I need to get rid of some, but then I look at them and can't let go, I might need them for some project down the road...and I have used them several times....but, I want to hold on to those treasures, those memories...so I hold on to the bins, filled with memories...

Some of those pictures in time have changed within days and weeks with changes in lives...with changes in family members...

Christmas time is a great time to take family pictures as well as graduation, births, birthdays...any family gathering is a good excuse to add to the collection...

I so appreciate getting family pictures with Christmas cards. I love to see the smiles of the people posing there...I love watching the little ones grow from year to year...but, with many, there are missing ones, which is hard....a reminder of lives changed, sorrows, but a homegoing as well....

Thank YOU, that you allowed the technology of picture taking...from caves in the desert, we see it in the paintings of the past, the sedate first photos, the negatives and old photos found in attics,  museums, and our own garages of bins...

We see it in the words of Your Word...your descriptions of the world in the beginning, over time and what is to come...Your pictures for us...that no can destroy...not in human bins of picture memories...

You have given us life with all of its seasons and changes, thank YOU...

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
1 Chronicles 16:8-12

On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63:6-8



"Dear Jesus, My deepest desire is to trust You with my whole being, but trusting does not come easily to me. I have, however, become more open to accepting adversity as a gift from You. Sometimes I just want relief from my difficulties. At other times I am able to receive them as blessings. Help me to allow my problems to train me in trusting You.

BELOVED, IT HELPS TO HAVE AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE. If your life on earth were all there is, it might be reasonable to run from adversity and seek a life of pleasure. However, your earthly lifespan is minuscule, compared with the Glory that awaits you in heaven. A large part of learning to trust Me is viewing your life through this big-picture perspective." dear Jesus by Sarah Young