Rambling Thoughts

This will be kind of a rambling post of pictures, thoughts and concerns...

A Juvenile Cardinal enjoying his supper

I honestly don't know what to write these days.  Our country has gone crazy. And if you watch any news at all, you are already painfully aware of this. Our blogs are places where we can retreat away from the world for a little while, and enjoy some time among "friends", sharing things that we enjoy doing, places we've been, words of hope and encouragement that God has given us to pass on to others. 

Great Blue Heron, watching for his supper in Still Waters Pond

Right now the "news" is so dismal, there is only one thing I can do...and that is pray for our nation, our President, our government, our police officers and soldiers on the front line trying to maintain order in a world of chaos. Pray...and commit all of this to the Lord, for without Him we can do nothing. 

Marsh Pinks enjoying the afternoon sun along the shore of the pond

Here is one good piece of advice that we read this morning in our devotions...and it stuck with me.  It comes from 2 Peter 3: 15-18.

"15.  And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--

as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,

16.  as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, 

in which are some things hard to understand,

which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, 

as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

17.  You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand,

beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, 

being led away with the error of the wicked;

18.  but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To Him be the glory both now and forever.  

Amen."

Neighborhood Kitty, watching the birds at the bird feeder, and thinking about "supper".  But not gonna happen on my watch!

Sometimes we get so caught up in the things that are happening around us that it is easy to lose sight of the real issue and the bigger picture of what God may be trying to teach us. If you hear something being said often enough from the media and from people in high places, it almost becomes  a "law" to us...even though it may be totally incorrect and against our beliefs. But if it is told to us often enough, we may begin to go along with the "crowd" and with popular thought, regardless of whether or not it is really true or in keeping with the truth of God's Word. 

Without intention, I believe I was just describing "propaganda"...here is the definition according to Wikipedia:

"Propaganda is communication that is used primarily to influence an audience and further an agenda, which may not be objective and may be presenting facts selectively to encourage a particular synthesis or perception, or using loaded language to produce an emotional rather than a rational response to the information that is presented.[2] Propaganda is often associated with material prepared by governments, but activist groups, companies, religious organizations, the media, and individuals can also produce propaganda.

In today's world, we are being bombarded with propaganda from every outlet.  Social media is one of the biggest methods being utilized to spread messages of hate and false information.  Therefore, it is even more important than ever that we stay in God's Word as much as possible...and pull away from the influence of the media and the world whenever we can.  Take a walk, read a good book, take a ride (but don't turn on the radio or read your cell phone). Turn off social media for a while and take a good break from it. Call a friend and be a good listener and encourager. I love reading what my friends write here in "blogland", and I look forward to your posts each day. 

I hope you've enjoyed these pictures from around my side of the pond that were interspersed among my rambling thoughts today.  

Gloxinia has two blooms!!

Friends, we just really need to pray for one another!  We are all hurting in one way or another...and we need each other! And as we see the day approaching for the return of the Lord, we are going to need each other's encouragement and prayers all the more. Thank you for being here. You are each a special part of my day...even if I don't always get around to reading everyone's posts until a day late...I look forward to catching up with you. May God bless you each and everyone, and give you peace. Amen.

Young Cardinal Says Good Night!