What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Friday, December 8, 2017

Friday Foto Friends: Sing to The Lord A New Song -Again!

I actually wrote this last year at the beginning of Advent, but as I re-read it again this morning, I again found such peace and comfort as I quieted myself before the Lord and allowed His Presence to wash over me. There is such tranquility in the midst of the noise of the earth as I come before the Lord in reverence and awe, and enjoy again the beauties of His world surrounding me.

Today is Friday Foto Friends day, and I really didn't have anything new to share that I haven't already shared during the week...but these photos from last year have blessed me again this morning, so I hope you will relax and take time to prepare your heart for the Advent of our Lord.

Original Post 11/26/2016:
As I gathered together the fresh pine boughs and holly branches filled with bright red berries, and placed the cedar candle stands in the center of the wreath that will hold the candles for our advent services throughout these next four weeks prior to Christmas, my heart began to sing to the Lord "a new song"

"Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, bless His name;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.
For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods."
Psalm 96:1-4

I sat down in the garden and allowed myself a few moments of rest and relaxation after the hectic pace of this past week...and reveled in the peace and tranquility of this beautiful space...
This is our memorial garden, dedicated to the memory of our son Matthew, who left this world far too soon at the age of 41 just a couple of years ago.  I turned on the fountain and let the rippling sound of the water soothe my soul...and watched and listened as the birds began to sing and flit to and fro,




gathering their afternoon seeds and catching a quick drink from the fountain and the bird bath. They, too, seemed at peace and yet excited to sing to the Lord a new song...

"Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring and offering, and come into His courts.
Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
Tremble before Him, all the earth."
Psalm 96:8-9

As the Lord ministered to me today in the garden, He reminded me again of the true meaning of Christmas...and why we should prepare our hearts for the Advent of the Lord as we proclaim Christ's birth and purpose for coming to the earth...


"For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace 
there will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
to order it and establish it with judgment and justice
from that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."
Isaiah 9:6-7

What a precious time this was today...the Lord knew what I needed.  I needed a sit down in a quiet place and allow my soul to be bathed in His peace and comfort.  I needed to prepare my heart for the coming of the Lord....Christmas! I needed to make room for Him to enter into my heart and home and life again...and not just go through the motions of putting up all the decorations and shopping for gifts and baking and working and wearing myself out without enjoying the wonder and beauty of this most glorious season...

"Let the heavens rejoice,
and let the earth be glad;
Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;
Let the field be joyful,
and all that is in it.
Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord,
For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth.
He shall judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with His truth."
Psalm 96:11-13

I would like to close this post with this song of worship and meditation on the Lord...please click on the link "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" below, and worship along with me as we prepare our hearts for the Advent of our Lord... (be sure to turn on your sound and sing along for a true worship experience).


Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing is His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.

King of kings, Yet born of Mary,
As of old earth He stood,
Lord of lords, In human vesture, 
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful.
His own self for heavenly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way,
As Light of light descendeth
from the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
as the darkness clears away.

At His feet the six-winged seraph,
Cherubim, With sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to His presence
as with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Lord Most High!



Now let's all gather over at Deb's place, "Breathing in Grace", and join our other friends for Friday Foto Friends Day!  Have a blessed and beautiful day!!

25 comments:

  1. Isn't it wonderful to have those special quiet times with the Lord. I am sorry to hear of the death of your son, Matthew. I have a son who is 42 whom I haven't seen in 12 years by his choice. I pray for him.

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    1. I will pray for your son as well. I am so sorry for this loss in your life and in his, for it truly is a great loss. May the Lord heal the breach and bring him back home.

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  2. SO good for the soul. What a blessing to have that lovely memorial garden to refresh your soul.

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    1. It is a peaceful place, and a place of comfort. It was something that we all felt we wanted to do when Matthew passed away, because his home was in Maine, and that is where he is buried, and we just felt so far away. Now this has become a place to commune with the Lord and meditate on His Word, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of His creation. Matthew would appreciate that as he loved the outdoors.

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  3. Your writing was so peaceful, it was as if I was sitting right there with you in that glorious garden surrounded by the singing birds, how beautiful.
    I appreciated your encouraging words as to slowing down and preparing our hearts for the birth of Christ.
    He deserves our whole heart in worship of Him.

    May your heart be blessed in these coming weeks ahead~~

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    1. Thank you Debbie. I am glad that you felt the peace of the Lord that I was also experiencing in those treasured moments apart from the world. Isn't God good to give us those times just when we need it most? Yes, we are preparing for the celebration of the birth of Christ as well as His second Advent, which we pray will be soon!

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  4. Your writing was so peaceful, it was as if I was sitting right there with you in that glorious garden surrounded by the singing birds, how beautiful.
    I appreciated your encouraging words as to slowing down and preparing our hearts for the birth of Christ.
    He deserves our whole heart in worship of Him.

    May your heart be blessed in these coming weeks ahead~~

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  5. "That the powers of hell may vanish
    as the darkness clears away."


    Amen.



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  6. Beautiful photos and reminders for us to set aside quiet time during this season, which can become all too hectic and meaningless. May we all meditate upon Christ's coming into this world.
    Blessings, Pamela!

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  7. Such beautiful garden and memorial photos. It must be wonderful to have a quiet place place to sit and pray and soak in the beauty and visit with Our Lord. Thank you for sharing it with us dear Pamela.

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  8. Thank you for sharing this personal story. I love to see the memorial pics. What are your thoughts when you read "Everlasting Father."

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    1. Thank you Ariella..."Everlasting Father"...Our home will be with Him in heaven forever and ever, He is the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and Omega...and His love for us, His children, is never ending. He loved us before we were born, and He will love us for eternity. There can be no greater love than this! God bless you today, dear friend.

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  9. Such a lovely and peaceful post. Those quiet times in His presence are so very special. I love your garden and the memorial to your son. It's so sweet and the birds are happy there, too.

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  10. How precious that only you find peace and solace at the memorial but you enjoy many joyful visitors there as well!

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  11. I'm so, so glad you shared this post again, Pamela. I saw it last year, as you can see by my previous comment, but found it just as soothing and comforting as I did then.
    Blessings!

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    1. Sometimes it's okay to repeat things...especially when they bring peace and calm to our spirits. Thank you for coming by again! Wish we could sit together and visit in the garden...just like "Children In the Garden"...

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  12. Thank you, Pam, for this post! Oh, I needed to read Psalm 96 today! And I wish I could sit in your prayer garden & commune with the Lord. It's such a lovely quiet place. I really need that now. God bless you!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by and enjoying the tranquility of this moment. You are welcome to come back anytime you need to take a breath of fresh air.

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  13. I love that wreath. So gorgeous.
    That memorial garden is pretty. I am glad you have a sweet place to sit and find comfort. :)
    Losing children is a special sorority/fraternity that I wish would never have members.

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    1. Oh yes...to your last sentence. I've met some wonderful people in this sorority, all very strong people who have suffered much but have such comfort and peace when they know their child is with the Lord and that we will see them again. So thankful for Jesus and His saving grace. That's why He came to earth as that little baby so long ago...so we would have eternity together with Him...and those whom we love who also love Jesus. Praise God.

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  14. I love this post... such peace in the memorial garden where you're able to ponder on the Lord. I'm trying to quiet myself in this very hectic time of year.

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    1. It isn't easy to quiet ourselves, but I find when I do take the time to do just that things go so much better...and I don't feel so frantic. Thank you for stopping by for a visit. I wish we could really.

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  15. Everyone needs a quiet place, but yours is extra special with all your little friends

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  16. Pam, Thank you for sharing this again--I think I missed it last year. Ah...the quiet and peaceful rest that is so necessary at this time of year is what so many need. Thank you for always pointing us to Jesus!

    The song, "All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" is one that I'm somewhat familiar with having sung it several times at church.

    Christmas Blessings to you and your family!

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Thank you for visiting here today. I would love for you to sign my guestbook and let me know you stopped by. I always enjoy reading your comments and words of encouragement! May you be blessed as you go on your way. Please come back and visit again soon.