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!

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Favorite Chinese Proverb found in Fortune Cookie -Revisited

UPDATE:  I still love this little "Chinese Proverb" found in a fortune cookie. Even though I've posted this a couple times before in the past...this little bird statue is still on my kitchen  windowsill with the proverb attached to it, so I look at it every day.  Many of you may not have seen this before...and even if you have, it's worth reading again! (At least I think so!)  So here goes:



This is not a scripture verse found in the Bible...but there is something very biblical about this saying...This is my favorite Chinese proverb found inside a fortune cookie:

"Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings while the dawn is still dark."

I keep this little message on my kitchen windowsill, which incidentally is where I do most of my bird watching.  It's interesting to note that since we have had to bring in the bird feeders each night due to bear activity in our yard, the birds still gather early in the morning while it is still dark and start singing before the sun rises.  I don't take the bird feeders back outside until daylight for my own safety...but the birds are already singing and patiently waiting in the bushes for their morning treat.  I know they took care of themselves (rather GOD took care of them) before we ever started feeding them, but I love to see them flit to and fro as they gather the seeds we place there for them each day. It's a great start to my day.  And they already have the "faith" to believe that the seeds will be provided for them each day, judging by what I have noticed in their immediate response to my putting the feeders back outside each morning.

What I really love about this little verse is the message it has for me..."Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings while the dawn is still dark..."   It reminds me of the Bible Verse found in Hebrews 11:1: 
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
   Faith is believing that prayers will be answered, trusting that God will provide all I need, even before I see the actual answers to my prayers.  The birds already understand this.  I need to observe and learn from the birds what faith is all about...


This picture came from my parent's home. It reminds me of me, learning about faith by watching the birds...

Have a blessed day my friends!  I hope you will enjoy watching the birds in YOUR neck of the woods!








Wednesday, April 20, 2016

My Father's Cane - Revisited in Honor of My Dad

(Originally posted 7/18/2011)...This was written a few of years ago, but I was thinking of my Daddy yesterday, on the 5th anniversary of the date of his entrance into heaven..and this story came to mind. Reposted today in honor of my Daddy, William F. Mursch ~ 8/9/1918 ~ 4/19/2011.  

"Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me."  Psalm 23:4b


My Father's Cane
Seldom have I been struck with anything so significant as my father's cane.  No, I don't mean struck in the literal sense...but in the spiritual and emotional sense...I have been struck by the presence of that cane, that empty cane, now in my home.

You see, for the past four or five years of my father's life he was rarely seen without the presence of his cane in his hand...or by his chair...or nearby wherever he happened to be at the time.  There were a few times (well, maybe more than just a few) in the more recent past that he forgot where he put his cane, and the hunt would be on, searching high and low, on doorknobs, windowsills, window cranks (those metal cranks that open and close the old awning style windows in my father's house), behind the door, on top of his bed, under his bed, or some other previously unthought of corner of the house...until the wandering cane could be found and returned to his anxious hands, restoring his sense of security and balance once again.  Even though in his latter days he relied more and more on a walker for his balance and footing, he still insisted on carrying that cane with him wherever he went...just in case he might need it to get himself up or down...or to retrieve an errant shoe or other item just beyond his reach.

Yes, my father's cane was a pretty significant part of his life...and we all knew it.  It sometimes became a bit of a joke with us, and he'd playfully threaten to "cane us" if we messed with his precious cane too much!  Daddy was always a bit of a jokester, but yet there was a more serious side underneath when it came to this cane. 

So it was on that day of the estate sale of his household belongings that I noticed his cane standing there alone by the door, and I knew that I had to have it.  I could not let it be sold to strangers...it was just too much a part of my Dad.  You see, this particular cane wasn't just an ordinary wooden cane...it actually had belonged to my Grandma and Grandpa before my Dad.  I can still remember the day of my Grandmother's funeral, when we went back to her home for a family gathering after her burial, that I saw her cane standing there alone in the corner of her dining room.  It struck me then that she was really gone, and I found myself wanting to go and just hold on to her cane as if it was a part of her.  Perhaps my Dad felt the same way, and that is why he ended up with the cane...and why he held on to it so tightly in his latter years. Perhaps it gave him strength...not just in the physical sense by holding him up, but maybe in an emotional sense as well...a connection to his past...to his loved ones gone on before...and maybe it was a bit like holding on to his mother's hand again as he had as a child.  Perhaps it gave him comfort. 

Last week I had some surgery, and when I came home from the hospital I was having some difficulty getting myself up and down and balancing myself while walking.  I asked my husband to bring me Daddy's cane, and he did...and as I held the well-worn handle in my hand, I found the strength I needed to get myself up...and the balance my legs were lacking in order to walk around in my home.  I was greatly comforted in holding on to my father's cane, and felt connected to him as if I was holding on to his hand and he was supporting me and lifting me up. It was an extremely special experience for me...

I think I better understand that portion of the beloved 23rd Psalm now in verse 4:
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;  For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."
Yes, my Heavenly Father's cane...His rod and His staff...does comfort me, support me, and sustain me in the times of my weakness and anxiety.  Even when I may walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I do not need to fear any evil...for God is with me...and...
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."  Psalm 23:6    Amen.
My Dad, Thanksgiving 2009. Notice the cane hooked over the back of his chair.
Such a precious man...sure do miss him...but I know I will see him again someday.
Until then, I'm happy to have such precious memories.


Me and my Daddy, circa 1953


Sunday, April 17, 2016

Just a Little Pep Talk -Updated

This is a rerun of a previous posting from over two years ago...but I came across it tonight and it spoke to my heart again...and I felt that God wanted me to share it with you again as well.  Perhaps there is someone out there who needs this "Little Pep Talk" tonight.  I am praying for you, whoever you are. May God bring courage and strength and hope to your heart as you read these words. 



"The Lord is my light and my salvation; 
Whom shall I fear?  
The Lord is the STRENGTH of my life; 
Of whom shall I be afraid?" 
Psalm 27:1

Fear is one of those enemies of the mind that binds us and keeps us from being able to step out on faith...or sometimes even to step out of our houses. It locks the door of our hearts and throws away the key, prohibiting us from giving or accepting love.  Fear tells us not to speak out...strangles our tongues so we can't express our thoughts freely, grasps our hands and keeps our fingers from writing the words that could set others free. We fear what others might think of us if they knew the truth...we fear we'd lose their friendship or love...if one can call it that.  God's Word tells us that "There is NO fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.  (I John 4:18)   "Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in the world." (I John 4:17)

"When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes...
they stumbled and fell."
"Though an army may encamp against me, My heart SHALL NOT FEAR! Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident!"  Psalm 27:3

"And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of JOY in His tabernacle; I will SING, yes, 
I will SING praises to the Lord." 
Psalm 27:6


Sometimes we just need to give ourselves and those around us a little pep talk from God's Word! Now, doesn't that feel better?  

"The LORD is my STRENGTH and my shield;
My heart trusted in HIM, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
and with my song I will praise Him."

"The LORD is their STRENGTH, 
and HE is the saving refuge of His anointed."
Psalm 28:7-8

FINAL WORD:

"Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
and HE shall STRENGTHEN your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!"
Psalm 27:14

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Morning Has Broken...

"Now in the morning, 
having risen a long while before daylight, 
He (Jesus) went out and departed to a solitary place;
and there He prayed."
Mark 1:35

"I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;


I will sing praise to my God
while I have my being."

May my meditation be sweet to Him;
I will be glad in the Lord."
Psalm 104:33-34


"Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me,
bless His holy name!

"Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits;

Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."


Psalms 103:1-5

"Bless the Lord, all His works, 
in all places of His dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!"
Psalm 103:22


I hope you have enjoyed this morning meditation.  May YOUR "meditation be sweet to Him"...and may you be "glad in the Lord".  Amen.