Monday Monday~Battles Won

 Where do I begin? It seems like it's been ages since I last wrote, but in reality it was just a few days ago!  Weekends tend to be busy times and it is difficult to get back here and visit with everyone like I'd like to, so I've got some catching up to do! But in the meantime, let me try to catch us up on everything around here! 

Well, let's start with this morning on Still Waters Pond...that's always a beautiful way to start the day.

This Great White Egret was wading in the waters in search of something good for breakfast:

He was peaceful and calm, a lovely way to start our week after a busy and somewhat hectic weekend.

Psalm 112:4  New King James Version

4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;

He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

Now, let us start with yesterday, Sunday, or as we like to call it, "SONday".  If you are a Facebook friend, then you probably already know about this, but for those who aren't, we'll start here and work backwards.  My hubby was asked to fill the pulpit yesterday for the Pastor of this wonderful little church out in the country a ways, in the little town of Florahome.  Their Pastor was on a much deserved and needed vacation, and so my hubby was asked if he could fill in for the day. Of course he said yes. He is always thankful for any opportunity to serve the Lord and also keep the gift of preaching alive and not allow it to get too rusty!  We are very thankful for so many who prayed for us yesterday and who sent messages of love and support (via Facebook).  God was truly with us and the Holy Spirit was present as the Word of God was preached.  The sermon was from Luke 16:19-31, the story of "The Rich Man and Lazarus".  If you are not familiar with this passage, it is a good one to read and understand.  

(This picture was previously taken at Christmas time, hence the decorations on the front porch)

This is how that lovely stained glass window looks in the daylight.  It is a very beautiful and historic church building.

Psalm 119:130 New King James Version

"130 The entrance of Your words gives light;

It gives understanding to the simple."

We were warmly welcomed and felt right at home there.  Also our son and daughter in law came along to worship with us.  It was truly a lovely day.

Here is another link to a previous visit to the First Methodist Church of Florahome, which is now, along with our own Interlachen Methodist Church, a part of the new Global Methodist Church. Our churches both disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church denomination in the past year. This was a move that was very financially costly for each of our very small country churches, but taking a stand for the true Word of God was of much more value to us than any financial loss could ever be. We are very thankful for these small congregations who have taken such a great step of faith.

After church the "kids" came over for lunch. Rose brought bacon (she had already pre-cooked) and tomatoes and I added the lettuce and toasted bread and we made BLT sandwiches.  They were very tasty and a nice quick lunch so we didn't have to work hard since this church service was later than our usual church service (they meet from 11-12, and our church meets from 10-11:15), and then we had the 20 minute ride back home, so we got home later than usual, and we were hungry! LOL.  Plus, we have pretty much stopped going out to eat after church since the prices of everything have gone up so much at all restaurants.  We've decided to save our going out to eat budget for more special occasions!

Let's see, what else did we do this weekend? Well, on Saturday our church had our monthly "Agape'" pot-luck luncheon, which is simply a gathering of anyone who wishes to come and bring a dish to share and we have a nice lunch and fellowship. Nothing fancy, just good fellowship and food. 

 

Meaning of the word "Agape'": unconditional, sacrificial love

agape. Original Greek: ἀγάπη (agápē) Agape is often defined as unconditional, sacrificial love. Agape is the kind of love that is felt by a person willing to do anything for another, including sacrificing themselves, without expecting anything in return.

We had a lovely time and lots of good food.  I actually took two rotisserie chickens from the local grocery store.  I did not feel like being on my feet cooking because the night before I did this:

Again, if you are a Facebook friend, you've already seen this picture. I accidentally "kicked" the end of the rocker on the rocking chair with my ankle bone.  It really, really hurt...and I was having difficulty walking on it. Hubby sat me down and put an ice-bag on it, and I took some ibuprofen and tried to just relax. 

Also when I posted this picture people started praying for me. 

By the next morning it was feeling much better, and I put some of this "Dragon Balm" ointment on it to help reduce the swelling, and it actually was so much better by the time we had to go to the luncheon I was barely limping. The only aftereffect was that I smelled like a "dragon". LOL.  Someone asked me "What does a dragon smell like, Pam?"  I said whatever this is in this jar I guess! LOL.  It is something the doctor gave me when I was having so much trouble with my arm/shoulder. It really does help, but it just smells like strong camphor and menthol and sort of like Vicks vapor rub.  But hey! If it works, smell like a dragon!  

Actually, I give all the glory to God for answered prayer.  You see, I was also supposed to give the devotional at the beginning of our luncheon, and the devil didn't want me to do it, but God had other plans and sent in His prayer warriors and His own weapons to help me.

Isaiah 54:17 New King James Version

17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper,

And every tongue which rises against you in judgment

You shall condemn.

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,

And their righteousness is from Me,”

Says the Lord.

So take that, you chair rocker!! You tried and failed! You did not win this battle!  I've got the King of kings and LORD of Lords fighting my battles!!  Amen!!  (and the devotional was given right on time as planned!)

On that note, I think I will close this post for today.  I could keep on going, but it's almost lunch time and someone is hungry...(lol), and tomorrow is another day.

So I hope you know that you also have the King of kings and LORD of Lords fighting your battles for you.  If you aren't sure...then just ask Him, trust Him, and Believe in Him.  He will not let you down.

Have a wonderful rest of your day dear friends.

Autumn Saturday Morning and All is Well

If you are a Facebook friend you may have already seen these photos. Sorry they are kind of blurry, but it was getting dark and it was zoomed in to across the pond...But anyway...we know it is fall here on Still Waters Pond because last night 10 Canada Geese landed and visited with Mr. and Mrs. Sand Hill Crane on their island for a spell.

They mulled about, chattering back and forth with each other...probably talked about the weather and how nice it was here and asking directions to the big lake where they can swim a bit, etc.

Our pond seems to be growing another marsh island...that area where they are standing used to be all water, but now it seems the land masses are shifting and it has become another little sand bar covered with dying water lilies. They tend to do that in the pond. I just hope they don't all end up covering the whole pond,  but anyway...it does give the geese and cranes more space to land and build nests, etc.

After they visited for a while I could tell that the Cranes were getting a little concerned that the geese were taking up too much of their space, so they started their loud raucous cries at them, and then the geese started muttering among themselves a little more loudly until they worked themselves up into a honking frenzy and the next thing I knew they were up in the air and flying away. Too quickly for me to get focused and get a picture, but it was quite a sight.

I am sure they will be back. This is the season for them to start congregating on our lakes and ponds for the winter months, so the excitement has begun!! Stay tuned for further developments!

Meanwhile:

Back on shore I got busy the other nice cool morning and did some work out in my little butterfly garden area.  We had removed all the garden decorations the previous week for the hurricane, and so now was a good time to try to get outside and clean up the garden and put it all back...

Yes, I know it still looks weedy. I did pull a lot of weeds and grasses away, but some of that stuff is also the remainder of the flowers that were planted.   Some are starting to die back for the winter I guess, so I will continue to prune and pull and clean up as the days go by. Next spring I may do things totally over and prepare the ground better before planting...but I tend to do things spontaneously without much forethought and that's what happens...

Oh well, it still looks a lot better than it did before I ever planted the garden. And I love my new little lawn ornaments.  I will not be putting any regular birdseed in these items because of the squirrels, but I am experimenting with Safflower seed in the glass bird feeder to see if the birds will eat it and the squirrel will ignore it because they don't like safflower seeds. So far so good...

Oh, changing gears a bit...back inside...It's been cool enough a few mornings this past week to turn on our fireplace...actually we didn't turn on the real heat part, just the lighted part that looks like a warm fire but isn't really warm yet. We mostly use this just for the ambience. It makes our house feel all warm and cozy!

Well, with that in mind, I will close for today. It's going to be another busy day.  We have our "Agape Luncheon" at church, which is a gathering of church family for a pot luck meal and fellowship. I think I am making a pot of Hobo Stew (recipe can be found HERE ) and some cornbread. At least that's the current plan.  We aren't going to Dixie Cottage this morning, but we shall see how things go. If things get really busy there, we may go in and help out for a while. We hope it does get busy...it's been kind of a slow week.

Okay, that's all folks! Have a blessed and beautiful day wherever you are!

Here's a thought for today:

1 Thessalonians 3:12

" And may the Lord make you increase 

and abound in love to one another and to all, 

just as we do to you,"