Monday Monday~Sanctuary

The other morning I sat out on the back porch overlooking Still Waters Pond and was determined to "listen" for the ways that God would be speaking to me.  The past few weeks have been challenging, to say the least, and I have been needing some time alone with God, away from the distractions of what's going on in the world at large, as well as in my own little world.  

As I sat there watching and listening to the birds singing while they were going about their morning routine of finding seeds and berries for food...I thought about this lovely spot as a bird sanctuary...

and then my mind went to the words of this song, "Sanctuary", and I began to sing.

"Lord prepare me

To be a sanctuary

Pure and holy

Tried and true

And with thanksgiving

I'll be a living

Sanctuary, for You"

As I sat there singing and thanking the Lord for this little sanctuary, I prayed, 

"Lord, prepare ME to be a sanctuary."

(these Bluebirds have been spending a lot of time around the birdhouse lately...I don't think it's nesting time for them, but maybe they just need to feel like they are in a safe place...)

Psalm 63

1"O God, You are my God;

Early will I seek You;

My soul thirsts for You;

My flesh longs for You

In a dry and thirsty land

Where there is no water.

2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,

To see Your power and Your glory.

3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,

My lips shall praise You.

4 Thus I will bless You while I live;

I will lift up my hands in Your name.

5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,

And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips."

Matthew 11:28-29

28 "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: 

and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

As I sat there thanking God for this time alone with Him, I also did a little reading and research about the word "Sanctuary".  I found a website entitled PreceptAustin.org,  and found this information that was very helpful: 

"A SANCTUARY is a sacred place, a place set apart for a holy purpose, a place to commune with God in intimate fellowship, a place to worship Him "in spirit and in truth" (Jn 4:24), a place to "find rest for our souls" (Mt 11:28-29-note), a "place of refuge from the raging wind and tempest" (Ps 55:6-note), and "a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat." (Isa 25:4) In the New Covenant, our Lord Jesus is our Sanctuary and place of refuge. To use a modern expression, Christ is our "Safe House" now and forever. "How blessed is the one whom Thou dost choose, and bring near to Thee, to DWELL IN THY COURTS. We will be satisfied with the goodness of Thy house, Thy holy temple." (Ps 65:4-note) "Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; In Thy presence is fullness of joy; In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever." (Ps 16:11-note) "How blessed are those who DWELL IN THY HOUSE! They are ever praising Thee. Selah"

Since the past month has been filled with many interruptions to our normal life in the way of medical issues, recuperation and changes in routine, we have not been able to go out of the house except for doctor appointments and other necessities, so therefore we've not been able to attend church or our regular Bible studies, choir practice, etc. Even though we keep up with our daily devotions and prayer times, it still isn't quite the same as being able to worship and fellowship in person with our church family.  Therefore, this place of "sanctuary", beside Still Waters Pond, (Psalm 23:2..."He leadeth me beside the still waters") has become a sacred place of worship and thanksgiving.

I must add, however, that we had good visits with our kids this weekend. Scott came home and mowed grass and took care of several little jobs that needed doing around the house. Benton and Rose and the grandpups came over last night and brought fried chicken for supper, and we had a nice visit with them. So I count those as extra special blessings!

This Eastern Phoebe has also been spending a lot of time in and around this part of Still Waters Pond,

carrying out her duties of catching bugs and singing "Phoebe! Phoebe!" to let her mate and/or family know where she is.  Maybe she's thanking God for the food He provides for her.

The Sand Hill Crane family comes and goes, and they always announce their arrival and departure with loud and raspy trumpet sounds.

Personally, I think they want us to know they are here as a way of showing a kind of friendship.

Here's what popped up on the this little daily devotional calendar for today:

So appropriate for this season of life we are in...

"When you pray, I will listen. You will find me when you seek me..."

Jeremiah 29:12-13

Psalm 23 KJV

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

I hope you enjoyed spending a little bit of time with me today in "The Sanctuary".

I am thankful for each and every one of you and look forward to visiting with you again soon.

Meanwhile, is there a special place that is your "sanctuary"?  Maybe you can share it with us in one of your posts. 

Have a blessed and wonderful day my friends.

 

Sanctuary in the Shade...

I looked out my bedroom window a few minutes ago and saw this pop of red color in the middle of the cool shade of the palmetto fronds...

And I just couldn't help but want to stand and watch this beautiful male cardinal sitting there, enjoying a peaceful sanctuary in the shade...

I was thrilled, because years ago I designated this very location to be named the "Bird Sanctuary"
And this is is a picture from way back when we first put this little bird house sanctuary in there and the first male Cardinal discovered it... (I wonder if he could be the same one? Probably not...what is the life expectancy of a Male Cardinal?  In the past seven years we have seen many come and go along with their mates and children)

In the years since the bird house has seen better days...and the local rif-raf have tried to take it over:

(see the two lizards..."Rif and Raf")

Uh-oh! I think I've been discovered....

So I backed away from the window a bit...but he's still looking right at me...

 Oh well, he flew away...maybe he'll come back later and take a bath with Bobby the Squirrel like once before... (this picture is from a few weeks ago)...

Until then...I hope you are enjoying some peace and quiet in your "sanctuary" today.  Wherever it may be...a favorite chair in the corner of your house...hopefully near a window where you can see the activity going on outside...or if weather permits, maybe a rocking chair on the front porch or a swing in the back yard...or a park bench...I hope you have a place where you can just sit a while and enjoy the "shade" and not have a care in the world...take along a good book or read your Bible...or pray for our country, our churches, our families and friends, and even for our own personal needs. And don't forget to say "Thank You, Lord" for Your blessings on me...

Here are some links to a couple of old posts written from my "sanctuary" in the shade....
Have a blessed and beautiful day my friends.

https://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-light-has-come.html

https://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2013/07/my-surprise-secret-garden-or-backwards.html

Oh, I wanted to say a word of thanks...both my hubby and I had routine doctor appointments this week, and we both had very good reports...better than before...so we are very thankful for this and wanted to say Thank You, Lord!!