Brrrr! Today has been one of those bone chilling kind of days where the sun never seems to shine and the wind keeps blowing and the temperature never got above 50 degrees all day long! And I live in Florida! So it was a good day to use up the remainder of our New Year's ham bone and make some split pea with ham soup and cornbread for lunch.
These split peas are yellow...never had them before, but they were still good! They tasted better than this looks...
We finally got our Christmas tree down and all the Christmas decor put away. The house always seems so bare when that happens, and I feel a little sad to see it go, but then again, it's nice to have the mess cleaned up and some space back in the living room again!
However, I talked hubby into doing something that I've been wanting to do ever since we moved to this house almost 18 months ago...
In the space where the Christmas tree was we set up our extra old dining room table that has been disassembled and leaning against the wall in a corner waiting to be either gotten rid of or put back in use.
I have wanted to set it up to use for a puzzle table so I don't have to remove the puzzle from the dining room table every time we have company for dinner. Now I can sit here and look out at Still Waters Pond and work on my puzzle and enjoy the view while I do. It can also be used for a project table for, well, projects! You know...those things you decide to do and need extra space to spread them out to do? I don't know what exactly that would be at the moment, but give me a while and I'll think of something.
So what have you been up to this week? It's been the kind of week where we have tried to stay busy to stay away from the TV and the news and any other interaction on social media that could get us into trouble. I have determined that for every negative comment I see on Facebook from someone, I will post something positive from God's Word or other encouraging thoughts. I will not give in to the petty thinking of those who just want to call names and say ugly things about conservative people and viewpoints, no matter how tempting it may be!
This was the sunset on Still Waters Pond the other evening, when it seemed like the world was coming to an end...God was displaying His power and glory and beauty in the heavens for us to enjoy.
My One Word for 2021 is Believe.
Today's devotional readings included the following verses:
I John 5:1-4
1. "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
2. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.
3. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.
And His commandments are not burdensome.
4. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.
And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith."
So, faith is the victory that overcomes the world!
Do you know this hymn? It's a great one for today!
Encamped along the hills of light,
Ye Christian soldiers rise,
And press the battle ere the night
Shall veil the glowing skies;
Against the foe in vales below
Let all our strength be hurled;
Faith is the victory, we know,
That overcomes the world.
Chorus:
Faith is the victory!
Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory,
That overcomes the world.
2 His banner over us is love,
Our sword the Word of God;
We tread the road the saints before
With shouts of triumph trod.
By faith, they like a whirlwind’s breath,
Swept on o’er every field;
The faith by which they conquered death
Is still our shining shield.
(chorus)
3 On every hand the foe we find
Drawn up in dread array;
Let tents of ease be left behind,
And onward to the fray.
Salvation’s helmet on each head,
With truth all girt about,
The earth shall tremble ’neath our tread,
And echo with our shout.
(chorus)
4 To him that overcomes the foe,
White raiment shall be giv’n;
Before the angels he shall know
His name confessed in heav’n;
Then onward from the hills of light,
Our hearts with love aflame,
We’ll vanquish all the hosts of night,
In Jesus’ conqu’ring name.
Chorus:
Faith is the victory!
Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory,
That overcomes the world.
Hymn written by John Henry Yates in 1891
So dear friends, we who have faith in Christ will overcome this old world and all that "the world" tries to do to hurt us. Stay strong and steadfast:
I Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
Faith is the Victory!
I imagine sitting at the table, looking out at the still water, and just listening for the Lord to tell me what to do, or not to do, next. He may say, "Just sit."
ReplyDeleteYes, some days He does say, "Just Sit...and KNOW that I am God!" I have to remember to take time to "just sit" and listen for His voice more often...
DeleteI've sung that song for as long as I can remember-a good memory of my father leading the singing at church when I was little! Your soup and cornbread look delicious!
ReplyDeleteOh what a wonderful memory that is...my father used to sing in the choir and did many quartets, etc., and I remember him leading the singing often as well. We were blessed to have such fathers! Thank you..yes, the soup and cornbread was good. It was a perfect day for it.
DeleteOh yes, I a know this hymn, thanks for sharing it. I love that you have a craft table with a view now. I know you will enjoy this very much. We had pouring rain and cold temps yesterday. Your cornbread and peas would have been perfect for just such a day. Your sunsets on the pond always look so gorgeous and peaceful. Have a blessed evening,
ReplyDeleteI wish I could send you some of this soup! We have a LOT left over!! It was good, but it's not the kind of soup I like to eat a lot of over and over. I may send some over to "the kids". We are blessed with our sunsets...they always speak to me of God's glory and power. So thankful. (((Hugs))) to you this week.
DeleteI've not heard this hymn, but I'm so enjoying it. A 'keeper', for sure! Your cornbread and soup looks so good. I think it's 30-something degrees outside, just calling for comfort food. One of these days I'm going to try and make some 'from-scratch' soup, too.
ReplyDeleteOh my, "from scratch soup" is the best! These split peas don't take as long as other dried beans...you don't have to soak them, so it this soup was easily done in time for lunch yesterday, which was a perfecto time to eat it. Today (Sunday), the sun is shining and it is now 59 degrees at 1:00, so things are looking up. We went out to lunch after church with our friends. I will probably have more pea soup for supper with a grilled sandwich or something... I am glad you enjoyed the hymn. Yes, it is a "keeper", and so appropriate for the days we are in... Keep the Faith!
DeleteThanks for sharing that old song. You had me singing it instead of reading it. Yes, that table wil be the perfect spot for a variety of future projects.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ruth...yes it is a good song to remember and hum..."Faith is the victory that overcomes the world!" We need to remember that during these turbulent times. Through our faith in Christ we are overcomers!! Praise God!
DeleteThat table is beautiful, the view is amazing and I love that you have a place like that to sit and pray or do puzzles or crafts! I bet it's going to get a lot of use!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cindy. I am planning to enjoy my little table with the view as often as I can. I may just eat there too. It's nice to have a place to sit and look out when it is too cold (or too hot) to go out on the porch! Have a blessed day my friend.
DeleteFaith most definitely is our victory, Pam! Let us keep it close and shine the love of Christ into this hurting world, that seems to want to hurt us at every turn.
ReplyDeleteYour soup and cornbread look scrumptious, and I love that you've found a "home" for your old dining room table. A great place with a gorgeous view of your wonderful pond.
Blessings!
Yes, we are overcomers through Christ, Who loves us. We need to keep the faith and stay strong!! The soup was good. I may have some more for supper tonight with a grilled sandwich. I do love having that table sit there where we can enjoy the view when we can't be out on the porch because of the too cold or too hot weather! Have a wonderful Sunday and week my friend.
DeleteAnother great post, my friend. I just love that table and where its at. Have a beautiful week ahead, smiles.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. I am going to make the most of having that table there, especially when it is either too cold or too hot to sit outside. Don't know why we waited so long to put it there. Of course, next Christmas I will have to figure out what to do with it when we put the tree up again. But that's next year. We'll worry about that when the time comes. Have a wonderful week too my friend.
DeleteWe took everything down except our Christmas tree yesterday. We will work on the tree today and get it down and the house back in order. It makes me sad when the tree comes down. Have a nice day.
ReplyDeletehttps://lorisbusylife.blogspot.com/
Yes, I agree. I wanted the lights from the tree back on this morning while it was still dark, but of course it was gone. I do miss it, but I am happy to have the mess cleaned up. I guess it was time. Have a blessed and wonderful day. Don't overdo it with the taking down of your tree. It's a big job, that's for sure!
DeleteYes, indeed! Faith is our victory! Your puzzle/project table is such a great idea!! Keep us posted on your puzzles and projects! Wishing you blessings in the week ahead! xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terri. We are victorious through Christ Who has overcome the world!! And now, yes, I am working on the puzzle I got for Christmas. I had to put it away for New Years when my sister came, and so now I am just getting back at it. 1000 pieces may be a bit more than I bargained for! LOL.
DeleteFaith is truly the victory! We are victorious in Christ alone.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!