Memorable feats....

Memorable birthdays.....

Yesterday was spent looking for the perfect place to celebrate a 10th birthday...for a boy....

We went to a war memorial museum....great info, but no touching and too sedate....

A wonderful truck hamburger stand along the road with a screened in "dining area"..,.,

An airplane and tank museum where a person can climb all over the various tanks, jeeps and army duck.....

An indoor and outdoor amusement park with go carts, golf, bowling and pinball,machines......

A "farmstead festival" with mazes, pumpkin guns and games....

What an amazing assortment .....even the movies was an option with all the trimmings that movie houses offer...

Special days....memorable days...we all have them through out our lives.....birthdays, graduations, weddings, ...funerals....showers....family gatherings for just having family gatherings,...friend gatherings......celebrations for various reasons or no reasons....most good and some not so good...

All through the Bible, it talks about gathering together for various celebrations, but the greatest will be the wedding feast in heaven.....what a celebration that will be.  It will be all prepared... We don't go from place to place to check out the options...it will be there...ready for our attendance....prepared by the greatest planner of all eternity , God Himself...the Host....the Bridegroom....

Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me

    in the presence of my enemies.

Revelation 19:7

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

Revelation 19:9

Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

Thank you for your preparation in our lives.   You celebrate with us in all things...You prepare a table for us, a heavenly banquet .....for our entrance into heaven......

Walking the cat....

Walking the cat......

Last night after a busy day of parties and people, I went for a walk. The threat of mosquitoes had died down and the golden hour for photography had arrived.....so I went down the lane that skirts the pond and crosses the meadow.   The cat always walking with me, accompanying me like a friendly dog...meowing, as in conversation ....tail straight up,, watchful , dashing once in awhile up into the sage that lines the lane....peaceful...the pond was mirror like , reflecting the clouds, rocky ridges, reeds surrounding it....

We continued to walk....crossing the meadow reaching the by the irrigation ditches with their flowing water..toward the main road.....

Shooting ??? Did we hear shooting....hmmm, maybe not so peaceful .....hunting season...was were we the target????  Walking faster, we descended back into the meadow, crossing it again, darkening shadows, not so friendly this time, becoming the mountain lion that roams nearby, or owls that swoop or whatever raced through my mind, the lane longer than it was at first...the cat and I now not at a leisurely pace, but quickly walking back to the house....we made it...safely, conversing all the way...

How perspective changes as noises, shadows, lights dim... Imagination kicks in....fears assail....even though these things were real....there were hunters within sight, strangers to this area, shooting off the back of their truck ....there is a real mountain lion that lives InThe rocks above the lane,   There are owls and eagles that live nearby, waiting for an opportunity  to take their meals on unsuspecting cats, squirrels, , marmots....

Thank you for the safety you provide .....your watchfulness , your care...the beauty if the earth around  me....even though I fear, you protect, give peace...provide safety.... 

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

—Psalm 46:1–3

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.”

—Isaiah 12:2

The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.

—Romans 8:6

Figs

Figs.....

Lately, figs have been at the markets....I found you either like them or you don't.   No In-between...the texture for some, the taste,  when there is such an abundance of other fruit that may be better tasting...

when I was between three and nine years old, we lived in an area that had fig trees, as well as persimmon and pomegranate trees along with all the citrus, peaches, nectarines, grapes......I thought that all people had the opportunity to go out and pick fresh fruit like i  did.  That was just part of my life...

 my grandmother's kitchen tantalized with the pot of figs, slowly cooking making fig jam...the smell was so good....I could spoon it out on to a slice of bread, warm and gooey, .....mmmmm good...(what memories have I given my grandchildren?)  and Fig newton cookies were a staple item....

Figs were a part of life....I didn't realize then that not everyone had them....

Now they are a treat...an expensive one at that.....no going out to pick them up under the trees

Reading through the Bible, they are mentioned for a variety of reasons....peace....health....diet...judgement....picture of good and bad.....

There are so many examples that are comparisons in life...a picture story for us to remember....we all have such different learning styles, and Gods Word seems to address that, so we can remember by a variety of means His word...

Even the lowly fig....

"Fig

First mentioned in Gen. 3:7. The fig-tree is mentioned (Deut. 8:8) as one of the valuable products of Palestine. It was a sign of peace and prosperity (1 Kings 4:25; Micah 4:4; Zech. 3:10). Figs were used medicinally (2 Kings 20:7), and pressed together and formed into "cakes" as articles of diet (1 Sam. 30:12; Jer. 24:2).

.......the fruit of the fig-tree appears before the leaves, and hence that if the tree produced leaves it ought also to have had fruit.......

The fig-tree of Palestine (Ficus carica) produces two and sometimes three crops of figs in a year, (1) the bikkurah, or "early-ripe fig" (Micah 7:1; Isa. 28:4; Hos. 9:10, R.V.), which is ripe about the end of June, dropping off as soon as it is ripe (Nah. 3:12); (2) the kermus, or "summer fig," then begins to be formed, and is ripe about August; and (3) the pag (plural "green figs," Cant. 2:13; Gr. olynthos, Rev. 6:13, "the untimely fig"), or "winter fig," which ripens in sheltered spots in spring." Bible dictionary.....

Nahum 3:12 All your fortresses are like fig trees

    with their first ripe fruit;

when they are shaken,

    the figs fall into the mouth of the eater.

Micah 4:4 Everyone will sit under their own vine

    and under their own fig tree,

and no one will make them afraid,

    for the Lord Almighty has spoken.

Thank you  that you  make simple things into lessons of life for all....who come to You....

Ephesians 2:10

Ephesians 2:10 Reading this verse, I was struck by the first phrase, "we are God's handiwork"...oh, we hear it, every once in a while...but does our soul hear it, deep down.....handiwork, workmanship, treasured possession, his very own, cared for, fearfully and wonderfully made..... I just had to let that sink in, settle in my being...we are cherished beyond measure because He is beyond measure, loved, held, enfolded, covered, .....in all those hidden places that no else sees......He knows every cell, every thought , every hair... It is beyond comprehension....but of so comforting.....He loves me.....no amount of crafting that I do has that amount of completion....thought....our intimate friends and family cannot fathom nor take that place of care, that deepness....only Him....our Creator..... Thank you...... Ephesians 2:10. NIV For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 Amplified Bible (AMP) 10 For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), [a]recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. Exodus 19:5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Titus 2:14. ...who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Psalm 8:4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Psalm 37:18 The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever. Matthew 10: 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Waiting.....

Waiting.... Do I ever have to wait???? Of course!!!! it seems like half of life is waiting, maybe more.... As children, we wait for birthdays, Christmas, school vacations, school to start, to become a teenager, to turn 16,18, 21....., to graduate, to get that first job, to buy our first car, wait for that first date, get engaged, get married ....... As an adult, we wait for the first job, first apartment, first house, marriage, that first child...and each one after that...to turn 25, 29, 35 and then we don't wait for years anymore a s they pile on, that jackpot, bonus check, things to get better....... We wait in lines, on hold, patiently or impatiently.....in duress or peacefully....we wait for answers, in hospitals, , for programs to start....to end ,..... We wait and wait.....was it worth it, was the anguish over, did we find it, did we follow through, did I do right thing, am I angry in waiting, ...so many questions in waiting.....why.... Noah waited for the dove to return....7 days.....I wonder if he thought it was futile, was he anxious ? After all those days in the ark with all those animals....I would have been so ready to disembark...waiting In line, in fact... The Israelites had to wait to get the promised land after traveling In the desert for 40 years....that is a long wait....because of disobedience .... Saul was told to wait for Samuel and he didn't ....with dire consequences.... David was told to wait, Peter, the disciples, people down through the ages...so we are not the only ones to wait.... Patiently, expectantly, not fretting, quietly...eagerly, taking heart.... I don't know about you, but this is a character quality that I need to work on....and apparently God thinks that, too... As I get the opportunity daily.... Thank you for the lessons in waiting.... Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 33:20 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. Psalm 37:7 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. Psalm 38:15 Lord, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God. Psalm 40:1 [ Psalm 40 ] [ For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. ] I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. Isaiah 30:18 Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Lamentations 3:24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of The Lord. Acts 1:4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. Romans 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 1 Corinthians 1:7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. Jude 1:21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Path of light.....

Path of light.....

Yesterday morning, as I was walking, the sun was at an angle that all the things around me were silhouettes, the sidewalk was aglow with wetness of the morning sprinkling , the grass was billions of diamonds. ....the path was shining ahead.......light and dark all around....

As I continued to walk , the sun ascended a little higher and there was a little color instead of the silhouettes...but the paths still shown, with the diamonds in the grass still sparkling all around.....

What a picture....a path of light.....stretching out before me....it was unique, the right timing..the right angle....the right message....follow the light....enjoy the unfolding Of the day....

It's that moment by moment, line upon line time...adding more and more light to the day...time...

2 Samuel 23:4

he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.’

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

John 1:4

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

John 8:12

[ Dispute Over Jesus’ Testimony ] 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.”

John 12:46

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

Genesis 1:4

God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.

Exodus 13:21

By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.

2 Samuel 22:29

You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.

Job 33:28

God has delivered me from going down to the pit, and I shall live to enjoy the light of life.’

Psalm 18:28

You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.

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 27:1

[ Psalm 27 ] [ Of David. ] The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 36:9

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

Psalm 76:4

You are radiant with light, more majestic than mountains rich with game.

Isaiah 60:20

Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.

Matthew 5:14

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

Matthew 5:15

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

Thank you for Your path....Your  light....Your gentle timing......

Other thoughts....

Repairer of walls...o

Repairer of walls....

I lived near a small city park.  Yesterday, as I was walking, one of the city employees was just finishing up repairing the brick work on the circular sitting wall,that surrounds the eating area. Several bricks had fallen off and some others had been pounded off over a period of time. One time when I was at the park a little boy about three was  happily playing with his toy, a hammer, blissfully going down the row of facing bricks, one by one, pounding them off the concrete base.....The repair work looked so good and I thanked the repairer for his skill  and work...do we thank city workers for their diligence enough, working behind the scenes helping to keep us safe, clean, etc???

Anyway, the repairer of walls, reminded me of Nehemiah.  His repair job was on a much bigger scale...the walls surrounding Jerusalem ....

He heard about the walls in disrepair from fellow Jews while he was the cupbearer for the king in another country...he wept, mourned, prayed, fasted...when he heard the news of his homeland...Jerusalem was the Jewish holy city, representing the Jewish national identity.  So many  Jewish events happened in that city and Nehemiah wanted to help in someway to take away the shame of its broken walls...and he did....receiving letters for safety, supplies,  he went there with the king's blessing to bring about the repairing of the walls in record time even with harassment , ridicule, opposition.....he united the people to help one another, protect one another, and ultimately to finish the job.....

When the job was completed, they had a dedication, with instruments, singers, offered sacrifices, all rejoicing, "the sound of rejoicing  In Jerusalem could be heard far away". A huge job, finished....

Nehemiah has so many lessons in its 13 short chapters,,,prayer, leadership, unity, blessing, perseverance, .....among others....God used Nehemiah, a willing vessel, to unite, rebuild, lead the way...in repairs...of the wall, ....of the people....

Am I a willing vessel, a praying one, ?  Where do I fit in this kingdom work???

Thank you for your leadership, headship in Nehemiah's life, an example In so many ways to those of us who need to rebuild those walls in our lives that need repair, .....by prayer and diligence ....doing it as unto The Lord....for His glory....

Nehemiah 1-13....good thoughtful reading as usual.....

http://www.raystedman.org/old-testament/nehemiah