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!

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

The Secret Garden Chronicles-Day 8-A Great Cloud of Witnesses


"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded 
by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, 
and the sin that so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance the race
that is set before us...


Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith,
Who for the joy that was set before Him 
endured the cross,
despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:1-2

"Here I am to worship,
Here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that You're my God.

You're altogether lovely,
Altogether worthy,
Altogether wonderful to me."

(Michael W. Smith - "Here I Am To Worship")

I read in my devotions this morning the passage from Hebrews 12:1-2 shared above with the pictures of the two doves in the tree.  Just as I was looking up into the sky to see if there were any clouds to photograph to go along with this passage, (there wasn't a cloud in the sky!) , these two doves flew in and landed on the tree above me...which was absolutely perfect in so many ways...they signify not only the "cloud of witnesses", but also doves are the symbol of peace as well as the sign of the Holy Spirit!  Could there be any greater sign to me that the Lord is in this place?


"Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place;
I can feel His mighty power and His grace.
I can hear the brush of angels' wings,
I see glory on each face;
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place."

(Surely the Presence of the Lord by Lanny Wolfe)


Who is this "great cloud of witnesses" in Hebrews 12:1?  These verses follow the Great Hall of Faith found in chapter eleven...an anthology of so many of the saints of old who had gone on well before this was ever written, and it tells about their great faith, many who died as martyrs for their faith, and who remained faithful to God even though they never saw the fulfillment of the promises they had hoped for...and yet they are now in heaven...watching and cheering us on in our earthly race of faith.

And as I sit here in this beautiful place, surrounded by God's marvelous creation, I stop and realize that I am not alone.  Not only is God Almighty present here with me, but so are these saints of old...and those whom I've known and loved here on earth who have already passed on to glory...and they are rejoicing to see this day, cheering me on in my pursuit of holiness and peace.  

Then I also realize that because God has led me to share what He is teaching me here with you out there in "blogland"...also known as "The Cloud" in cyberspace terms, you are also a part of that "great CLOUD of WITNESSES".  Many of you have been cheering me on in the creation of the Secret Garden and in the writing of these Chronicles each day.  

It is amazing, as I sit here, I can sense your presence as well, and it's as though we are sharing in this communion with the Lord together...and the "Secret Garden" isn't really very "secret" at all, is it?
It's actually a lovely big open sanctuary, where we can all gather in Spirit and rejoice together, encourage one another, share our burdens...

How?  Because God's Holy Spirit transcends time and space.  He unites the hearts of those who are of the same mind and spirit.  And when these words are shared with you, whether you are in Florida, Ohio, Idaho, Iowa, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, New York, or California...to name a few...wherever you are, and no matter what time of day or night it is, when you enter "The Secret Garden" with me, something almost "magical" happens.  No, I don't really mean magical in the worldly, mystical sense, but in the realm of God's Holy Spirit, there is an invisible bond that binds us together in love...that bond is shared only by believers in Jesus Christ, and it is just as real as any material object you may old in your hands, and yet it is not visible to the human eye.

We are a beautiful fellowship of saints, brought together by Christ, and He inhabits our praises. 

"But Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel."
Psalm 22:3, KJV

So, today I want to give thanks to the Lord for His kindness and grace, and for allowing us to share in this ministry of encouraging one another in our own "race" of faith.  That is what this is all about.
It's not about me and this lovely Secret Garden.  It is about all of us, as we are all on this journey of faith together...seeking the Lord's Face in our own secret places...and recognizing that we are not alone in our personal struggles...We have God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit to guide us...AND we have the fellowship of this "Great Cloud of Witnesses", cheering us onward and upward in our great race toward the prize of heaven.  Thank you, dear friends in the "cloud", for being a part of this journey with me!!!

Now here a few other witnesses from in and around the Secret Garden today...Just thought you'd enjoy seeing who else might be watching!







I pray that you have a marvelous day...and remember,
there is a whole great big cloud of witnesses out there
cheering you on to victory!!!
So, how can we lose?




17 comments:

  1. Thank you, Pam, for this encouraging post...remembering the Cloud of Witnesses and being a part of your Secret Garden make me smile...even though the tears are streaming as I write. I am always blessed when I come here to read these Chronicles. I enjoyed also the pictures of the ones observing you today in the Secret Garden. I love to watch woodpeckers. I think they are so interesting...and chickadees are SO cute! Thank you, dear one, for sharing HIM with us again today. xx

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    1. Isn't is a beautiful picture of all of us...this Great Cloud of Witnesses? We all share in a marvelous ministry of peace and God's grace to one another and others around us. The Lord is in this place...right here now! praise the Lord!!! Thank you for being a part of this with us. Have a joyous day my friend!

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  2. Thanks Pam, you gave me today phrase containing grace. 'give thanks to the Lord for His kindness and grace' Since that is my word this year, each day I look for a new phrase or reference to grace.

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    1. Oh, isn't that wonderful? I LOVE how God uses His GRACE to reach out to each of us in our own place of need...often blessing one with one thing, and another with another thing, all stemming from the same gift of grace. That's how He works! Amazing GRACE!!

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  3. I love your illustrations! They complement your scriptures and contemplations perfectly!

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    1. Thank you Terri! I love how God provides the illustrations almost right on cue...which was the case in the doves in the tree...I still marvel how God's timing was so perfect in that...which only confirms to me that He is in this place with US...and these messages are for ALL of us!!! I am so happy you are a part of this beautiful "cloud" of witnesses! God Bless you...and don't do too much today!!

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  4. This is such a treasure, this garden of (y)ours. A blessing to all who gather with you. The birds are so beautiful and colourful as well. Most of the ones I see in N.Z. are brown black or bush green. But then when some of them fly the hidden colours in their wings are truly remarkable.

    Diana

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    1. Thank you Diana. I feel so honored that you join us all the way from NZ! That is such a treasure to me...to know that God brings together beautiful people from all over the world to share in this lovely adventure in "The Secret Garden"...and beyond. And yes, I love seeing all of the colorful birds here...they are God's gift to us as well. I'd love to see pictures of some of your NZ birds as well. Thank you for being here today! You are a blessing.

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  5. You have many beautiful birds to accompany you Pamela. I enjoy your writings so much and seeing all the beauty.

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    1. Thank you Sylvia. You are a blessing to me. I am so thankful for having such wonderful friends along on this journey/adventure.

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  6. Pamela, I so love how you have united all of us who love the Lord in a cloud of witnesses. Thank you for sharing your not-so-secret garden with all of us so freely and lovingly. I often do feel as though I'm sharing that bench with you, drinking in the beauty and wonder of God's creation.
    Blessings!

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    1. I am so happy that you are a part of this lovely "cloud of witnesses"...May the Lord continue to bless this beautiful time together.

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  7. Pam: Thank you for this beautiful message. A close friend of mine has a daughter who is in labor with her first child this morning. The daughter has had a tough pregnancy. Please pray for them, mother and child, and grandmother. Blessings on you and yours.

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    1. Praying now for your friend's daughter and new baby. Hopefully by now the baby has been born safely and healthy. May the Lord bless this new little life with good health and may she/he ? bring much joy to the family and to the Lord.

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  8. I am so blessed to be with you in The Secret Garden (God's Garden). I look forward to each day's visit and always leave feeling blessed and refreshed.

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    1. Thank you for being here with me today...again! I so appreciate your words of affirmation and encouragement. You are a blessing to me.

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  9. Pam, I'm enjoying spending time with you in the Secret Garden. I appreciate how you include music. The great cloud of witnesses is such an encouragement, particularly on those hard days.

    Blessings!

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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.