Monday Monday~For the Birds!

 Good Monday Morning!  Here's the view from where I'm sitting right now as I try to write this post:

Yes, I have a little "helper", and he's quite taken with the image of the beautiful red Cardinal on my screen. I had to hold him back to keep him from getting a closer look!

This is what he's looking at...the birds have been quite active in our yard this past weekend...

The Bluebirds have also been busy...I do believe there must be babies in the nest by now, as I see Mama and Papa Bluebird come and go to find food for them. That is so exciting! Last year they never did build a nest, and this year we've missed out on watching our Sand Hill Crane family have any babies, so it will be exciting to see if we get to see the baby Bluebirds when they leave the nest. I'll be watching!

On Saturday there was a flock of birds that kept flying from tree to tree and landing in our pine tree, but the sun was so bright behind them I couldn't make out what they were. However, I took a picture of them anyway, and then I had to brighten it up until I could make out the color and markings on these birds...and finally I was able to determine that they were Cedar Waxwings!   HERE is a link to a time several years ago when they came and we were able to enjoy watching them better.  

They normally come in the fall when the hollyberries are ripe and they clean off a tree in no time at all. But now, at this time of year there are no hollyberries or other berries on other bushes yet, so I'm not sure what they were eating. I assume they are migrating back up north now since it is springtime, so if you are used to seeing them where you live further north, be on the lookout for their return! They are such interesting and unusual looking birds!

This is a picture from when they came in November of 2020...when the hollyberries were quite abundant! 

Also on Saturday we noticed way over on the other side of our still very dry "Still Waters Pond" a group of birds gathered at the only puddle of water that remains of the pond...

There are two Great Blue Herons and three white Wood Storks, gathered at this little tiny pool of water to search for whatever food they can find.  

Oh how badly we need rain! The weather report keeps teasing us saying we might get some rain, and then somehow it keeps circumventing our location and we are fortunate if we even get a drop!  Rain is predicted for today and  Oops! It WAS predicted for later today, and I just now looked at my weather app again on my phone, and it's no longer in the forecast! Less than one hour ago it was showing up there, and now they've removed it again! That happened yesterday afternoon as well!

So here is the current revised forecast for this week...There's a couple of days of possibility of rain, but I am not holding my breath! However I will keep praying...

Blackie and I have been spending a little time together on some afternoons sitting in the "Secret/Memorial Garden", watching the birds and enjoying a pleasant breeze in the trees...

He's such a sweet companion...although you have to wonder what's really on his mind when he looks at me with those squinty eyes and perturbed ears..."Oh no! Here she goes again with that camera! Always taking my picture! Good grief, woman! Get a life!" LOL.

Finally he decided to go hide in the azalea bushes and camouflage himself from me and the birds...

Meanwhile I was enjoying watching this Northern Parula enjoying the birdbath!  We don't see them here often, so this was a real treat!

As I walked around the yard I was thrilled to see that all four blossoms on the Hippeastrum plant were blooming.  This link tells the history of when we first discovered this plant blooming in our yard and what a surprise it was.  It always seems to bloom just in time for Easter! 

Much like the Easter Lily, it looks like four trumpets announcing the good news of the Resurrection of our Lord! 

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen!

Luke 24:5-6...

Oh, I am getting ahead of the story for this Holy Week...But even though we remember all the things that Jesus had to suffer during this period of time leading up to His death on the cross...we already know how the story ends...or rather how it begins with giving us all hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ! 

Because He Lives...I can face tomorrow....

Because He Lives Lyrics

God sent His Son, they called him Jesus,

He came to love, heal and forgive;

He lived and died, to buy my pardon,

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living just because He lives.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,

And feel the pride, and joy he gives;

But sweeter still the calm assurance,

This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living just because He lives.

And then one day I'll cross the river,

I'll fight live's final war with pain;

And then as death gives way to victory,

I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living just because He lives.

Have a blessed Holy Week my friends...

P.S. Thank you for your kind words on my "Palm Sunday" post yesterday. I was a little under the weather, but I am fine today, praise God!! I have to be...it's going to be a busy but wonderful week.

Hosanna! It's Palm Sunday! (Revisited)

This is a repeat of previous years' post for Palm Sunday, but the message is still the same! Hosanna to the King of kings!!

Happy Palm Sunday!

This LINK is to my usual Palm Sunday post entitled "Deliverance" that I have shared for the past eleven years.  If you wish to go back and read it again, it is interesting to see how not much has changed in the message that was shared originally 11 years ago and today.  We are still in much need of "deliverance", and Jesus Christ is still the only ONE Who can deliver us from all our foes, fears and sins. 

(Note today, March 24, 2024...this post was written back in 2021, during the "pandemic", when many of us were still not able to attend church in person.  So very thankful that we have come a long way since those terrible days of being isolated from one another. May we rejoice today in Christ our Savior and in His setting us free from the bonds of sin and death!  This Holy Week is about so much more than the Easter Bunny! Hosanna to the King of kings!)

And if you would like to join in with us as we worship the Lord in song and message, here is our church's service from Palm Sunday, 2021.



The choir is singing a song entitled
"Who Is He?"

"Who is He Who comes in triumph?
Who is He who comes to die,
Comes in peace and comes in power,
Hidden One now lifted high?
Jesus, Jesus, Lord, Messiah,
Mighty master of the grave!
See Him ride, the King of Glory!
God Himself has come to save!

See Him there in humble splendor.
Hear them shouting all around.
Joy explodes in wild procession.
Praise is now the victor's crown.
"Glory, glory in the highest!"
Like the angels hear them sing,
Dancing round the Long-awaited -
Once their hope, and now their King.

Rise and join the glad procession!
Hear them passing by again -
All the ransomed, all His children,
Marching to Jerusalem!
Look ahead! The gates of splendor!
Hear the everlasting hymn!
Open wide Your hearts in worship!
Let the King of Glory in!"

(words by Ken Bible, tune "Hymn to Joy" by Ludwig von Beethoven

Today is the beginning of what Christians know as "Holy Week", as well as those of the Jewish faith celebrate Passover. It is unusual that both of these most holy of all religious holy days fall during the same week this year. That does not always happen, but of course it did happen back in the year that Jesus was crucified and when He rose again from the grave, which is why we celebrate Easter.
Jesus was on His way to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem when he rode into the city on the back of that donkey colt on what we now know as Palm Sunday.

If you wish to listen to the message from our pastor above, he will be teaching all about this special event from the scriptures found in Luke 19:28-44

The Triumphal Entry

Luke 19:28-44

"28 And when He had said these things, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 

29 When He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, He sent two of the disciples, 

30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 

31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” 

32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as He had told them. 

33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 

34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 

35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 

37 As He was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 

38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 

39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem

41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 

42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 

43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 

44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

I hope you will be able to celebrate this special day today in some way, even if you are unable to attend church in person. We, as believers in Christ, have much to consider and rejoice about even during the difficult times of this Holy Week, because we know that Jesus lives!!

"Because He lives,

I can face tomorrow!

Because He lives,

All fear is gone.

Because I know He holds the future,

And live is worth the living just because He lives!"

Amen.

In case you missed it, Lily Grace learned about Palm Sunday HERE yesterday

 

Sunday Night Review

 You have to look closely to see the two baby cranes, Pat and Val, in this picture.  They are getting bigger and bigger every day and are so much fun to watch.

Here they are a little closer...not sure which one is which, but I'm thinking this one is "Pat", because he seems to be the bigger and more alert one...

And I think this one is "Val", who was born second, and "she" tends to be a little more sleepy and lags behind sometimes and then has to run to catch up with the rest of them.

 They definitely have big appetites and are eating most every waking moment.

What's interesting is the Bluebird parents are still busily feeding their hungry brood inside the birdhouse right next to the Crane family feeding their hungry little brood.  God's beautiful creation in nature at work all around us.

I'm glad they can all be there beside one another without any issues.  They are each minding their own business and taking care of their families.  I love this.

So, when I'm not stuck at the window watching all of this wonderful view all day long...

I've been trying to play "catch-up" with reading as much as I can of your posts. I fear I am falling behind and I hate to miss anything.  It's been a busy week and weekend and I have been dealing with some extra little nagging health issues, i.e.; dizziness, which makes you feel kind of yucky all over if you know what I mean.  So I've been moving slowly and not doing anymore than absolutely necessary to "survive". LOL.  I have been better today and was able to go to church so that was a blessing. Last evening our kids were here and we put our food together and had a great supper. That was a blessing and a real "pick me up".  So was seeing our sweet "grand pups", Sugar and Spice. 

Here Sugar is enjoying some "Grandma" time because she was sad that Spice was sitting with her Mommy Rose, and she felt left out. So we had a sweet time together until it was time for them to go home.

 

How many of you have already decorated your homes for Easter?  Our son Scott was here this afternoon and I had him bring in the big plastic tote full of decorations from the shed, so I hope to be working on that sometime this next week. I can't believe Easter is in two Sundays!

Some of our vendors at Dixie Cottage have brought in some interesting and fun Easter decorations for sale.  Here's a few of them:

Of course we know and believe that Easter is not about the Easter Bunny and colored eggs and baskets... We equate springtime and the new life of baby bunnies and birds and even Sand Hill Crane Colts with Easter because they are symbolic of the new life that is ours when we have  new life found in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for our sins and resurrection from the dead to eternal life.  

Last Sunday our choir sang "Because He Lives", which is a song written by Bill and Gloria Gaither that expresses the joy and hope and promise of Easter very well:

Because He Lives

"God sent His son

They called Him Jesus

He came to love, Heal and forgive

He bled and died To buy my pardon

An empty grave Is there to prove

My savior lives

Chorus:

And because He lives

I can face tomorrow

Because He lives

All fear is gone

Because I know

He holds the future

And life is worth the living

Just because He lives

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,

And feel the pride and joy he gives;

But greater still the calm assurance:

This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

(Chorus)

And then one day

I'll cross the river

And I'll fight life's final war with pain

And then

As death gives way to victory

I'll see the lights of glory

And I'll know He reigns

Because He lives

I can face tomorrow

Because He lives

All fear is gone

Because I know

He holds the future

And life is worth the living

Just because He lives (He lives)"

(you can watch us singing it and sing along with us in this video below)

I'm sure we've all been heartbroken over the devastating news out of Mississippi and surrounding areas this weekend.  I just can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to have my home totally destroyed and everything around us swept away in just a matter of moments. So many lives lost and people's worlds just shattered.  My heart goes out to them and we pray for God to intervene on their behalf to help them rebuild their lives. I wish I were physically and financially able to do something to help, but prayers are all that I can offer and trust that God will bring forth those who are able to help these dear ones get back on their feet again.  I pray that they will also know that, like the song above says, "Because He (Christ) lives, I can face tomorrow...because He lives, all fear is gone, because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living, just because He lives."    

May God give them the faith to know that life is worth the living, and that He will give them the strength to keep going.

Well, it's time for bed so I will say goodnight. I pray that you will sleep peacefully, knowing that God holds the future in His hands, and we do not need to fear.  Amen.

Thankful Thursday

I have much to be thankful for today, both personally and also for the life and activity surrounding our Still Waters Pond.

I love all the nature and natural beauty God has provided for us to enjoy here on our pond.

This Great Blue Heron came strolling by this morning.  Isn't he magnificent?

However, the Sand Hill Crane family were also there, having their morning breakfast...

and they weren't too sure about this unexpected "guest"...

So they stood guard and protected "Colt" until Mr. Heron passed on by

He waded on around the bend of the pond and didn't seem to give them a second look. Yes, Great Blue Herons are a predator type of bird, and if the parents weren't so vigilant he just might have been interested...but I think he's more into eating fish and frogs than fuzzy baby Sand Hill Cranes...

So the Crane Family happily resumed their morning foraging...

You may have noticed the Duct tape around the Bluebird House. Well, when we woke up this morning the door to the bird house was wide open again.   I was quite concerned as I ran down to the birdhouse to make sure that the babies were still okay.  I ran so fast that I didn't think to take my camera/phone with me, but I sure wish I had thought to do so.  Yes, indeed the baby bluebirds are very much alive. There was one standing up in the nest with his mouth wide open, expecting me to drop something juicy and good inside I'm sure!!  I couldn't tell how many birds there were, but I am sure there are more than two.  My main concern was to close the door and figure out a way to secure it better.

At first all I had was some blue painter's tape, so I used that, but I knew that wouldn't hold up very well if something pulled on it.  So when we went to town a little later we picked up some good strong Gorilla Duct Tape, and we wound it around the house and door so that it shouldn't be so easy to pull open again.

I was so very thankful that the birdies looked fine and the nest was still intact.  No sign of Mr. Black Cat hanging around, so I'm not completely sure if he is the culprit or not.

I was very happy to see Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird continuing to deliver yummy food to their babies throughout the day.

Mama Bluebird saw me sitting up on the back porch, so she waited on the perch above the birdhouse for a long time before she would go inside to feed the babies.

She looked my way a few times as if to say "Thank You" for taking care of my babies this morning. But now will you please leave so I can give them this food? You know I don't like to go inside the house if anyone is watching!"

Or maybe she just wanted to give me a few good photo ops, because she knows how crazy I am about taking her picture!

I think she said, "Hurry up already and take the picture. This bug is getting too wiggly in my beak, and my babies are hungry!"

While Mama Bluebird was inside feeding the babies, Papa Bluebird waited his turn outside with another juicy looking morsel in his beak.

Isn't he beautiful?  I am so thankful God has allowed us this joy and privilege of watching His amazing creation in action!! It truly brings joy to our days.

Meanwhile, look who has discovered the "Secret Garden"!!

Don't you just love this message?

Oh, you can be assured, wherever "Colt" is wandering about, Mama and/or Daddy will always be close behind or before him.

I am glad they found a place to let their minds be at rest for a spell...

So today I started out the day (after my early excursion to take care of the birdhouse) by going to the Eye Doctor. I haven't been in several years, so I know I was overdue.  Thankfully they didn't find any major issues, but my eyes have changed a bit and I will be getting some new glasses. I guess it's time. I think I've had these for over five years.

Here I am in the waiting room at the Eye Dr.  My eyes have been dilated and I am waiting to go in for the exam.  I was playing "Wordle" on my phone. Have you ever played it? It's challenging and fun. It's good for the brain!!

Hubby got my attention.  He was there too because he has a problem with lower eyelashes that want to grow in toward his eyeball and that causes a lot of irritation. The Dr. was very kind to remove them for him. However, it's something he has to go back and do every few months because they keep growing back.  So anyway, we were both there waiting. And I am very thankful for this new eye dr.  We had to change because of our insurance, but I think it's going to be just fine.

I am thankful for these pretty yellow daylilies and tulips below.  We went shopping for some other kind of flowers for something special tomorrow, but couldn't find them anywhere, so these will have to fill the bill.  I will tell you more about that tomorrow. 

Someone asked about this cute little embroidered bunny rabbit in the basket, and if there is a story. Well, to be honest, I don't remember exactly where I got that bunny rabbit! I am sure someone gave it to me some time ago, but at this moment I cannot remember who or where, but I love it and I put it out every Easter!  If the person who gave me this bunny is reading this, please forgive me, and please identify yourself! I feel bad that I can't remember the details!! But I am thankful for the gift, whoever you are! 

Well, I think it is time to say goodnight. I am thankful for this blog and the opportunity to visit with so many sweet and precious people out there in blogland. I apologize for not always being able to get around to every new post, but I do try to keep up. This week has been very busy with Dr. appointments and other things. I am thankful that our reports are good and God is taking care of us. I know there's a lot of sorrow in the world right now, and I pray for the people in Ukraine and also here at home. As we approach Easter, my heart is filled with the joy of my salvation and the reminder that because Christ arose from the dead, we too will have everlasting life through faith in Him.  

Reminds me of the song, "Because He Lives"... Here is Carrie Underwood singing this powerful song.

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;

He came to love, heal and forgive;

He lived and died to buy my pardon,

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,

And feel the pride and joy he brings;

But greater still the calm assurance:

This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

And then one day, I'll cross the river,

I'll fight life's final war with pain;

And then, as death gives way to victory,

I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

(written by Bill and Gloria Gaither)

 And that's why I am thankful!!!  

Have a blessed and wonderful rest of your week. Thank you for all the kind and sweet comments on my previous posts. I've been reading and enjoying them. I hope I can get around to responding to more, but just know that I am very thankful for YOU!