Sunday Thoughts

These are some good thoughts to ponder in light of all the turmoil in our world today:

Psalm 103:19 NKJV

19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven,

And His kingdom rules over all.

Colossians 1:16-17 NKJV

"16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. 

All things were created through Him and for Him. 

17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist."

Isaiah 45:7-8 NKJV

"7 I form the light and create darkness,

I make peace and create calamity;

I, the Lord, do all these things.’

8 “Rain down, you heavens, from above,

And let the skies pour down righteousness;

Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation,

And let righteousness spring up together.

I, the Lord, have created it."

Psalm 46 NKJV

"1 God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear,

Even though the earth be removed,

And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,

Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,

The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;

God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.

6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;

He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,

Who has made desolations in the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;

He burns the chariot in the fire.

10 Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah"

Psalm 121 KJV

"1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, 

and even for evermore."

Knowing this Great God of Israel, "The Lord of Hosts is with us", I do not need to fear whatever this world may throw at me. I just need to remember to "Be still, and KNOW that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I wll be exalted in the earth!"    God is in control...no matter what!  

And that gives me great peace of mind as I go to sleep at night and wake up in the morning. "My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."  There can be NO better help than that, not from any army or government or person or thing. Praise God! Amen. 

Switching Gears now...I know some of you are waiting to hear about our visit on Saturday with "Your Friend From Florida", Terri D.   Well, I was kind of waiting for Terri to share her pictures first, but I think she's waiting until tomorrow, and I didn't want to steal her thunder...but maybe I'll just share a couple of pictures...

Of course Terri wanted to see Blackie, who is quite the celebrity these days...so here we are...oops! Our eyes are closed! But not Blackie's.  And he's loving that chin rub from Terri!

I think Terri may have a better picture of this because hubby took these pictures first on my camera and then on hers. So I hope hers are a little better! We'll have to wait and see!

Here we are on the front porch, with the flag waving in the breeze.

And here's my sweet son Benton washing the dishes for us so we could visit! (I don't have a dishwasher, but I have great kids!)  He came and had lunch with us, but sweet Rose had to work so we missed her.  Benton volunteered to wash the dishes so I had to take his picture and share it with Rose!

We had a great visit and and I was so happy that Terri was able to swing this way on her way back home from her whirlwind trip to Georgia to visit her family.  I will let her tell the rest and share her pictures in her post tomorrow!

Thank you all for your kind words of compassion regarding the crazy calamity of our poor kitty getting trapped in that "tent". 
Needless to say,  that "tent" will be going back to Walmart probably tomorrow. In the meantime, I ordered something else online and it was delivered yesterday afternoon:

Since we have more cold weather on tap for tonight, I wanted to have another option available for Blackie if we can get him to go in there...well, lookie here:

I let him come in the house and walk around for a while and he went right inside this with no problem. However, I haven't tried to shut the door on it with him in there yet. We will see what develops  later.

So stay tuned for further developments!

I hope wherever you are you are safe and warm and cozy!  I know some folks in the panhandle of Florida and southern Georgia have had some snow today! We had about a quarter of an inch of rain this morning and the current temperature is 46. It was a raw, damp, windy day. It's supposed to be down to freezing by morning, so that's why the need for the indoor crate for Blackie.  

Okay, that's all folks! 

Have a blessed and peaceful night!  

And remember:

"2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber."

Amen.

The Bigger Picture

 This morning I was thrilled to see these two hawks sitting on these posts in the pond, enjoying some sunshine and having their morning "tete e tete" ("Noun. tête-à-tête (plural tête-à-têtes) A face-to-face meeting, or private conversation between two people, usually in an intimate setting; a head-to-head. A bench or sofa that allows two people to talk face-to-face. "
per "Wiktionary.org)

They are just chatting away in "hawk talk", looking out over the pond, probably thinking about "what's for breakfast?"

Perhaps she is looking around to see what looks good,  while he waits to hear the "plan".

They really are a cute couple, aren't they? I was enjoying watching them so much...

That I failed to see "The Bigger Picture"....

 While these two cute hawks are enjoying their morning chit chat, look was sitting out there in the middle of the pond, showing off his wings and acting like he was center stage...perhaps singing to the bullfrogs and fishes..."I Did It My Way"....

This is an "Anhinga", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anhinga, "sometimes called snakebird, darter, American darter, or water turkey, is a water bird of the warmer parts of the Americas. The word anhinga comes from the Brazilian Tupi language and means devil bird or snake bird. The origin of the name snakebird is apparent when swimming: only the neck appears above water so the bird looks like a snake ready to strike."

Hmm, I never knew about the part where his name means "devil bird or snake bird".  Geepers...Sometimes we really do need to stop and look around at "The Bigger Picture"...and see what is really going on behind the scenes or even out in the open when no one is paying attention!

Even though the Anhinga is no threat to the two hawks sitting there having their morning coffee break...it just goes to show me that while we are sitting here safely in our homes, enjoying our peace and quiet and thinking we know exactly what is going on...there may be a bigger picture that we can't see...perhaps good, or perhaps not so good...depending on how we want to look at it. I do believe there is a LOT going on in this world that we don't understand or see or perhaps don't think it pertains to us.  Perhaps God in His mercy doesn't allow us to see the "big picture" right now because we wouldn't totally understand it all.

The world is in a lot of turmoil right now, and it causes us to have some concerns as well, because we just can't see exactly how God is going to work all these things out for our good (Romans 8:28)

But listen to these verses as you enjoy looking at these lovely pictures of more wildflowers that I saw today as we took a ride:

Romans 8:35

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?"

Romans 8:37

"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

 Romans 8:38-39

38.  "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers,

 Nor things present nor things to come,

39.  Nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, 

shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever."

Psalm 118:1

I hope this calms your fears and concerns as you realize that God IS in control in ALL circumstances, even the ones we cannot see right now...that "bigger picture" that only God can see.

NOTHING can separate us from the love of God...

and He is good...and His mercy endures FOREVER!

Have a blessed day, my friends.

God is in control!

Live Joyfully in the Midst of Struggles

This is what I read in Sarah Young's "Jesus Today" today.... #116

"I am calling you to live joyfully in the midst of your struggles.

You yearn for a freer, more independent way of life than you're currently experiencing.

You pray fervently--and then wait hopefully for the changes you desire.

When I don't answer your prayers according to your will, you sometimes get discouraged.

It's easy for you to feel as if you're doing something wrong--

as if you're missing out on what is best for you.  

When you think that way, you are forgetting a most important truth:

That I am Sovereign.

I am in control, and

I am taking care of you."

This past weekend was very stressful for us.  As most of you know, we take care of my 93 year old mother in law on the weekends, and she is getting progressively more fragile, dependent and extremely needy.  My time is consumed with caring for her needs, and by the end of the weekend I am pretty well exhausted.  I was so much so this past weekend that I am still feeling the effects on my body and in my spirit.  Those of you who have cared for elderly loved ones can relate.  Our whole family is affected by this in a negative way, and we know that some changes are going to have to be made soon.  But we are reluctant to take those steps, and I find myself praying that God will intervene for her and on our behalf...and be merciful for His children's sake. I know God understands my heart in this, and I don't believe He thinks badly of me for having these feelings.  But He wants me to trust Him to do what is best for all concerned.

This is part of the reason I believe I was directed to choose the word "REST" for my "One Word" for 2017.  Not only is it for a spiritual resting in Christ, but also for a physical rest...which actually coincides with the spiritual.  Because when our physical bodies need rest, our spirit usually needs rest as well.  

Today I was uplifted and blessed to be a part of our monthly gathering of our "Lovely Ladies of the Lord" group.   After we meet for a time of prayer, Bible study and sharing our concerns and joys, we usually continue our fellowship at a local restaurant for lunch...

I know the Lord planned this gathering for this week, because I truly needed this time of respite and joy in the midst of my struggles.  These ladies always give me a blessing just by their words of love and comfort and prayer. We are there for each other...and I am humbled by the true beautiful hearts of these dear women of the Lord.  We all learn so much just from sharing our burdens and cares...and laying them at the feet of Jesus. 

I have come away from this meeting today with my burdens lifted, knowing that, 

Yes, God IS sovereign, and yes, God IS in control, 

and most definitely God IS taking care of me!

And I can live joyfully in the midst of struggles!

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord,

for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever!"

Psalm 118:1

Amen.

Random Journal Day- Or- God Is In Control - UPDATED 2015

UPDATE: THIS RANDOM JOURNAL DAY ENTRY WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED IN 2012...SO I THINK THAT'S BEEN LONG ENOUGH TO RECYCLE IT. This was actually the FIRST Random Journal entry I had ever done, as you will read below.  Now we are gathering over at my friend Dawn's new blogsite: http://enthusiasticallydawn.com/   and some of the same friends are still joining in just like we did three years ago...plus some new friends...so take a look there after you read this offering for today...  (just saying...it would be rude to leave me here without reading first...LOL)

ORIGINAL POST< MARCH 31, 2012:

My blogging friends Dawn from " Beneath the Surface" and Susie from "Recovering Church Lady"  have suggested a "Random Journal Day", where those of us who have kept journals randomly select an entry from one of our old journals and share it with each other.

So, with a little fear and trepidation, I have been randomly searching through my old journals for something appropriate to share with you.  Maybe I shouldn't have been so selective...perhaps I should have just opened a book and started posting the first thing I put my finger on...but that would not have been a good idea...trust me!  Anyway, I finally decided on one that I hope will pass the test  (my test for myself), so here goes:

September 30, 2____... The first page in a new journal...written 5 days after my 50th birthday...

"I wish I had remembered to begin this actually on my birthday~but I was too overwhelmed to write! It is hard for me to realize that I am actually 50 years old! Inside I still feel like the same little girl I used to be.  Certainly, I've matured & hopefully have grown in wisdom. But deep inside there is still this little girl yearning to see the world and experience all the good things life has to offer.  Actually, I have already tasted of many of those things~I've had a beautiful and well blessed life.  God has been so gracious unto me.  I have excellent health, and a clear mind (most of the time!), and a wonderful home and family.

But there are still some mysteries in life I've yet to discover and understand.  There are people waiting to be known and loved, places to be seen and enjoyed, sunrises and sunsets too beautiful to describe waiting to fulfill their destiny.  May God be praised for all the glorious things He has done-and is continuing to do."

In this journal entry I went on to detail some of the joys and blessings of my 50th year of life, as well as some of the trials and tribulations.  It had been a wonderful year, and also a horrible year, but I won't go into the details here.  However, I summed it all up by reciting the words to a little song that I had just learned in my church's Vacation Bible School that previous summer.  It had blessed my heart and encouraged my soul so much, that it became my theme song for the whole year.  Here it is, the words as sung by Twila Paris:

"God is in control, We believe that His children will not be forsaken.

God is in control, We will choose to remember and never be shaken.

There is no power above or beside Him we know,

Whoa oh oh, God is in control.

He has never let you down-

Don't start to worry now-

Don't start to worry now.

He is still the Lord of all we see,

And He is ever watching o'er us-

Watching over you and me!

God is in control!"

I finished this entry into my journal by saying,

"Suffice it to say that as I begin this 2nd half of the 1st century of my life, I anticipate God doing some extraordinary and marvelous things.  I want to live my life each day as if it were my last day-for none of us knows when that day may be.  I want to savor the moments of joy and beauty that come my way...rejoice in the fellowship of friends in the Lord-who are sent to brighten my life--for they are ambassadors of Christ to bring comfort and healing and joy...To worship the Lord more fully in the Spirit of Holiness...to keep my eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith...to learn to trust Him so much that I am able to walk on the water instead of just wading through the river..."

Wow!  It has been almost 12 years since I wrote that...and I wish I could say that I had lived up to my own expectations and desires...but alas!  I am only human...and I still have a long way to go and a lot to learn.  But one thing is certain... God IS still in control! "He has never let (me) down"...and "He is still the Lord of all we see...and He is ever watching o'er us...watching over you and me!"
And I am still trying to learn to trust Him so much that I am able to walk on the water instead of just wading through the river ... How about you?

This is me now...still learning to trust Him one day at a time.
Praise God....He still has NEVER let me down...and He never will!

Okay, NOW go back and check out http://enthusiasticallydawn.com/2015/02/06/random-journal-day-48-with-featured-journal-keeper-jeannie-pallett-giveaway/  for some great blog posts by some wonderful friends!