The Secret Garden Chronicles Word of God Speak

This has been a busy week, and there has been no time to spend here in the Secret Garden until today.

As soon as I said to my hubby that I was headed out to the Secret Garden to sit a while, the song "Word of God Speak" popped into my mind...and I found myself singing it as I sat down in the garden...as a prayer...so perfect for this moment.  Here is the link for this song and a copy of the lyrics for you to sing along with me:

Word of God Speak, By Mercy Me

Lyrics

I'm finding myself at a loss for words

And the funny thing is it's okay

The last thing I need is to be heard

But to hear what You would say

Word of God speak

Would you pour down like rain

Washing my eyes to see

Your majesty

To be still and know

That you're in this place

Please let me stay and rest

In your holiness

Word of God speak

I'm finding myself in the midst of You

Beyond the music, beyond the noise

All that I need is to be with You

And in the quiet hear Your voice

(chorus)

Word of God speak

Would you pour down like rain

Washing my eyes to see

Your majesty

To be still and know

That you're in this place

Please let me stay and rest

In your holiness

Word of God speak

I'm finding myself at a loss for words

And the funny thing is it's okay

Written by Bart Millard, Pete Kipley, Peter C. Kipley • Copyright © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc

Here are some of the "words" that God spoke to me in the stillness of this place today:

Psalm 119:89-90

"Forever, O Lord,

Your Word is settled in heaven.

Your faithfulness endures to all generations.

You established the earth, and it abides"

Psalm 119:105

"Your word is lamp to my feet,

and a light to my path."

Psalm 119:114

"You are my hiding place and my shield;

I hope in Your word."

Psalm 119:130

"The entrance of Your words gives light;

It gives understanding to the simple."

Psalm 119:160

"The entirety of Your word is truth;

And every one of Your righteous judgments

endures forever."

Psalm 119:169

"Let my cry come before You, O Lord;

Give me understanding 

according to Your word."

Psalm 119:170-171

"Let my supplication come before You;

Deliver me according to Your word.

My lips shall utter praise 

for You teach me Your statutes."

Psalm 130:5-6

"I wait for the Lord, 

my soul waits;

and in His word I do hope.

My soul waits for the Lord

more than those who watch for the morning...

Yes, more than those who watch for the morning."

Psalm 103:17-18

"But the mercy of the Lord 

is from everlasting to everlasting

on those who fear Him;

and His righteousness to children's children.

To such as keep His covenant, 

and to those who remember His

commandments to do them."

Thank You, Lord, for speaking to me today in this place.

You know the concerns of my heart...and You have 

addressed them according to Your Word.

In You I place my trust...for myself,

and for my "children's children",

and for ALL generations.

Amen.

Perhaps this was a quiet moment for the "Word of God" to speak to your heart today as well.  I pray so.  Have a blessed and glorious day my friends.

Friday Foto Friends: At The Beach

Good Morning Friends!  Here it is Friday again! And that means it's time for "Friday Foto Friends", so after you visit here, fly on over to my friend Deb's place at Breathing in Grace and see what others are sharing today.

This past week we had the joy of visiting with our grandson, who was here from Maine (click HERE for that story). One of the highlights of the week was our trip to the beach.  Along with watching our grandson swim in the 62 degree water, I mostly watched the birds along the shore.  Thought you might enjoy a little bird watching with me, so here goes:

"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers...

The birds of the air, 

and the fish of the sea

that pass through the paths of the seas..."

O Lord, Our Lord,

How excellent is Your name in all the earth!"

Psalm 8:3, 8-9

There certainly were a lot of birds congregating when we arrived

Here's the one lone Sandpiper working his way among the tiny little crabs down in the sand...

He has some competition it seems

Perhaps a LOT of competition...

Aren't these TERNS interesting?  

Not sure what these are...anyone know?

More Terns, preening and admiring their reflection in the sand

This white heron seems a little tentative about going into this cold water

He tests the water with his toes...

He turns around and heads back to the sand with a look like, "Nope, not today...this water's too cold for me!"

This Plover doesn't seem to mind at all...

"They went thataway...No, they went thataway..."

The sky was cloudy and full of mystery...

I don't think I've ever seen a Black Pigeon before!!!

On closer look, he's really quite pretty and iridescent

"Gotta keep a movin'"  

Ahoy There!

Now that's an interesting bird!

What do YOU see in these clouds???

"O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!"
Psalm 8:1

And look at that bird!  No wait! It's a Navy Fighter Jet!  And I stand and salute you and say "Thank you!"

And that's all folks!!! Hope you enjoyed this little visit to the seashore!

"How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, 

they would be more in number than the sand;

When I awake, I am still with You."

Psalm 139:17-18

Thankful Thursday-The Secret Garden Chronicles -I'm So Out Of Touch!

Dear Friends out here in Blogland...I apologize for being so OUT OF TOUCH lately...

but most of you know that we were enjoying entertaining our grandson here from Maine this past week...or should I say, "we were enjoying our grandson entertaining US?"  Probably that would be more to the point!  What a delightful, wonderful visit we had...and yes! He was very entertaining!

And so, for my Thankful Thursday, I'd like to thank the Lord for sending our grandson to us...he is God's gift to us from our son Matthew, who departed this world much too soon almost three years ago.  Here are a few pictures from our visit...needless to say...he kept us happily busy...and nearly  ate us out of house and home as only a 17 year old "growing young man" can do!  If you are on my facebook, you may have already seen most of these pictures...so bear with me as I relive our happy times together.

Here he is...straight off the plane and right to the restaurant for some FOOD!
When I asked him if he was hungry, he replied, "Yes, Grandma, I am always hungry".
Truer words were never spoken! LOL

When we got home, our grandson and "the uncles" started building a bonfire so we could have s'mores and hot dogs...this, after a full meal at Cracker Barrel...

Of course I was right there in the middle of that!!

Next day he helped his uncle sell signs at the flea market, a.k.a. "Ben's Wood Signs" (seen on this link at his ETSY shop, "Rustic Forest Studio"  When told that he would have to get up at 6:30 a.m. to go to the flea market, at first he demurred on the idea...until I mentioned that there is a breakfast buffet at the restaurant where this flea market is held..., and then he said,
"Okay, I'm in!!"

Then we had a birthday party for my hubby, with lots of food, friends, and fun!

We took a family hike on one of the many hiking trails in our part of the woods...

Yes, that's me on the end..."pack horse pammy"

Two tall handsome young men, our grandson on the left, and our youngest son on the right

Here's the guys at one of their many outdoor games...Bocce Ball

Then we went out to eat at one of our favorite places on the St. John's River...had to keep him fed... LOL

The guys played a lot of chess...

And then played a lot of corn hole

Even I got in on the act, with my grandson watching and making faces in the background.

The photo bomber is stealing the show...

and again...

and again...while I am totally oblivious...

Next day we went to the beach...but had to stop at Larry's Giant Subs
for lunch first..."The home of the Big One"

And then we watched him swim in the 62 degree ocean water...which was no problem for him
"cause I'm from Maine, Grandma!"

One last chess game before he had to leave to catch the plane...after a big "brunch" (1/2 way between breakfast and lunch) to tide him over...and then a stop at McDonald's on the way to the airport for a "Grand Mac" to seal the deal...

In thinking about this week, one verse came to mind:

"Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted."  Matthew 5:4

That pretty well sums it up...interestingly that verse comes from the book of Matthew...our son's name who is in heaven...and this is his son who came to comfort us...and to bless us with his presence.  

So, on this "Thankful Thursday", I am thankful that God does not leave us comfortless...and that He provides plenty of food to feed the "hungry".  Amen.