March Just Marched Right In!

 Can you believe it is March already?  Actually, my hubby was saying that he thought February seemed awfully long...I reminded him that it's the shortest month of the year, but there again, I agreed, it did seem long. It must've been all the crazy weather everyone was having. I'm sure many of you up north are happy to see February gone, and we all pray that March will be a calmer and kinder month.  Some of you have already seen these sunset pictures from the last night of February...but for those who haven't, here's just a sampling...

I was surprised to see those Muscovy Ducks perched in that pine  tree on the island in the Still Very Dry Still Waters Pond...

I guess they like looking at the sunset as much as I do. I noticed they flew away as soon as the sun was completely down...

And sadly, yes,  Still Waters Pond is still very dry. The wonderful rain that we got the other night did not last as long as it was supposed to,  and we got just a bit less than one inch of rain.  Every bit helps, but sadly there was hardly a puddle out there the next day...

Still, the sunset was beautiful, and I enjoyed watching it change as it descended from the skies.

With all of the turmoil going on around the world...I am definitely keeping my eyes on the skies.

Jesus said in Luke 21:25-28

25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Yes, there's a lot going on...planets lining up, the blood moon, the fall of the Iranian evil leader and his cohorts...but I am no prophet, and I know that no man knows the time or the hour of Christ's return...but Jesus went on to teach the disciples a parable in Luke 21:29-33

"29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."

It is a wise person who pays attention to what's happening around them and around the world, and makes sure of his own position and relationship with God...There's no time like the present to prepare our hearts and minds for Christ's return. I'd rather be early than too late.  Just some "food for thought" to start off this month.

Okay,  let's switch gears...on Saturday we had the joy of visiting with my cousin Becky and her husband, who were passing through on their way back home to Ohio:

We met them at one of our most favorite places to eat, "Corky Bells" on the St. John's River. It was a little too cloudy and chilly to eat outside, but we did take a little walk down on the pier after lunch to get a few pictures. Thankfully it had warmed up a little by then.

Becky and I grew up together and seemed more like sisters than cousins.  We were just nine months apart in age, and lived about 10 miles from each other, but we were together for all family holidays, birthdays, and especially in the summer time we spent a lot of time together playing with our Barbie dolls, building houses and making clothes for them, and playing endless Monopoly games and other board games. We often found some mischief to get into as well, but we mostly just had fun and enjoyed being little girls.

This was my 10th birthday, when I got my Barbie doll, and Becky got one not long after, so we shared many hours together creating a life for our dolls. It's always fun when we get together now and remember the good old days, as well as get caught up on our lives today. Thank you, Becky and Pat, for going out of your way to visit us again!!

There was a young boy fishing on the dock, and he caught this fish! I think he threw it back in, but not before pictures were taken by us and his family too!

 

Who remembers the first fish you ever caught?  I do! There were some sweet old folks who lived down on the lake in front of our house where I grew up, and they actually had some "pet bass" that they fed off of their dock.  I was about 11 or 12 years old, and Mr. Fred Jay let me use one of his cane poles to fish from the dock.  Lo, and behold, I caught one of their "pet bass"! I think he weighed about 2 or 3 pounds.  At this point I don't remember if I kept it and brought it home, or if we threw it back in. I think there may be a picture in some box somewhere of me with that fish. I really don't remember us eating it, so it probably got thrown back in, but I do remember the thrill of that catch!!  I've never really done any fishing since then. LOL.

Since today is the first day of March, how about the Calendar Roll Call?  

Here we go:   The Country Seasons calendar by John Sloane is up first:

Love that beautiful Amaish farm scene...looks so peaceful, doesn't it? 

Next is the Thomas Kinkade picture of "Foxglove Cottage"...beautiful!!

How often has Christ said to you and me..."My grace is sufficient for thee...for My strength is made perfect in weakness...?"  It's not always what we want to hear, is it?  No one likes to be weak...we want to stay strong...but sometimes we have to give in and let God's GRACE be our all sufficiency...His Strength will be made perfect when we just get out of the way and let Him do what He needs to do in our lives.  We have to take the humble road instead of the high road.  Not easy for those of us who like to be "in control".  But if I've learned anything in this life, it's to remember that God is in control,  and when I submit to that in my mind and my actions, things go a lot smoother.

This log cabin beside the water looks like a perfect retreat when you need to just 'get away' for a while and rest and relax...

And perhaps have some tea...although this is a child's tea set...very ornate and lovely!! Perhaps a bit too ornate for a little girl to play with? Well, maybe Mommy or Grandma needs to supervise just a little bit...

Here's my own little child's tea sets...

The Buster Brown tea set originally belonged to my Aunt Margie, and then she gave it to my mother, and my mother left it to me.

And this little white tea pot and cup and saucer belonged to my paternal grandmother...so these are all pretty special to me. I just need a little girl to come and have a tea party with me...

Oh my! Here's the Susan Branch calendar for March...with Irish Coffee as the featured beverage of choice.  Probably not something that I will be trying...but here's the recipe in case you are so inclined...I don't drink coffee or whiskey, so it doesn't sound too tempting to me...

But this is a funny little riddle:

And last but not least, who doesn't love a red barn?  Wow! That's gorgeous!  

And I love what Billy Graham said in this quote:

How appropriate for our current world situation and quest for "world peace".

"Christ alone can bring lasting peace...

peace with God, peace among men and nations, 

and peace within our hearts."

Amen.

That seems like a good place to bring this post to an end.  It's almost bedtime anyway and it's been a long day. We had a wonderful church service this morning, and then our sons Scott and Benton were both here for lunch. Rose had to work unfortunately.  I cooked a meat loaf and baked potatoes and we had a tossed salad.  Then Scott and I went to work on getting his taxes done.  I had already done ours this past week and we already got our refund deposited into our bank! That was quick!  Scott's had a few more complications to figure out, be we finally got it done and he'll get a tiny refund, but that's better than owing money! When you're single with no dependents and don't own a house or have any other big deductions, you are blessed if you can get a refund at all! I keep telling him every year if he wants to get a bigger refund, he needs to get married and have some kids! LOL.  He'll be 49 this month, so time's a wasting! Oh well, some things are better just left as they are. God knows best and Mama needs to mind her own business. LOL.

Okay, "let's say goodnight, Gracie!"  "Good night Gracie!".  Who remembers George Burns and Gracie Allen? I loved Gracie.      So "good night Gracie."  Good Night.  May you sleep in peace. Amen.

Thursday Thankfulness~Watch and Listen...and Be Ready!

Can you imagine my delight when I came out of the house and found this beautiful Monarch Butterfly resting on the bushes! 

Isn't she lovely in her beautiful gown?

It looks like her petticoat is showing out from under the gorgeous orange, black and white wings, which would remind one of a stained glass window!

I wonder if she is making a stop here in my yard on her way south for the winter?

I don't know much about their migration, but the link I posted above may give more information if you are interested.

I feel honored and blessed to have this lovely visitor in my garden, no matter where she's going or coming from.  I'm just happy I happened to walk outside just at that moment and had my phone camera in hand ready to capture these photos.  Otherwise, this special moment in time would have been lost!

You know, watching for special moments is just as important as listening for them.  We need to keep our eyes and ears open for the blessings that are all around us, waiting to be discovered.

This kind of reminds me of the story of the "Wise and Foolish Virgins", which Jesus taught His disciples regarding being prepared for His return someday...

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, Matthew 25:1-13

1“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 

2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 

3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 

4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 

5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 

7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 

8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 

9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 

12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."

With the way things are going in our world today, the return of Christ may be more imminent than ever before in history.  I would think it would behoove us to be like the wise "virgins" in this parable above, and have our lamps trimmed and ready, with plenty of oil...because we "do not know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming..."    

I remember this song from way back in the late 1980's  (1989   1970's  (actually 1969 was when it was published.exactly), and it had quite an impact on me then, as it still does today.  For a little better understanding, might be good to read Matthew chapter 24 first.

Not meaning to leave you with something that may seem a little depressing, but it doesn't have to be! For those of us who know Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, there is nothing to fear or regret.  We will be ready for His return, no matter when it takes place...or even if He calls us home to heaven sooner...we'll be ready.

Here's what Jesus says at the end of the Book of Revelation:

Revelation 22:16-21

"16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

The important question to ask is this:  Are you ready?  My prayer is that each and everyone of us can say with full assurance, YES, I am ready...   and if not, it's not too late to ask Jesus to come into your heart today...then there will be no regrets!    Be Ready!!  Amen.

Sunday Morning Meditations: Be Ready and Watching!

24.  “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25.  the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26.  Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27.  And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.

Mark 13:24-27

 "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen."

Revelation 1:7

16.  "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."

I Thessalonians 4:16-17

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” 

says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, 

the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:8

Some sobering thoughts to ponder this Sunday morning.  The cloud pictures were taken on my way home Friday afternoon with my sweet daughter in love. We thought about how wonderful it would be to see Jesus coming through those clouds, coming to take us "home".  I know I am ready for that day to come....what about you?

Here is our worship service for this Memorial Day weekend. I hope you will enjoy the message and the song by the choir: I Sing a Song of the Saints of God:

1. I sing a song of the saints of God,

patient and brave and true,

who toiled and fought and lived and died

for the Lord they loved and knew.

And one was a doctor, and one was a queen,

and one was a shepherdess on the green;

they were all of them saints of God, and I mean,

God helping, to be one too.

2. They loved their Lord so dear, so dear,

and his love made them strong;

and they followed the right for Jesus' sake

the whole of their good lives long.

And one was a soldier, and one was a priest,

and one was slain by a fierce wild beast;

and there's not any reason, no, not the least,

why I shouldn't be one too.

3. They lived not only in ages past;

there are hundreds of thousands still.

The world is bright with the joyous saints

who love to do Jesus' will.

You can meet them in school, on the street, in the store,

in church, by the sea, in the house next door;

they are saints of God, whether rich or poor,

and I mean to be one too.

 Have a blessed and beautiful SONday!  And be ready and watching for the Lord's return. 

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

Matthew 24:36-44

"I Was In His Mind"

I was thinking about this song from back in the 70's or 80's, anyway, a long time ago. I remember singing it as a solo in church way back when:

"I was in His mind before the worlds were made,

I was in His mind before earth's frame was laid,

because He knew me, because He loved me!

I was in His thoughts the night He prayed for me,

I was in His thoughts before Gethsemane,

because He saw me,

because He loved me!

I was in His heart when Calv'ry's hill He climbed,

I was in His heart when he died for all mankind,

because He sought me, because He loved me!

I am in His mind, and soon He'll come for me,

I am in His mind with Him in heav'n to be,

because He wants me, because He loves me,

because He loves me!"

(written by Jane LaRowe, copyright 1970)

Did you ever think about God knowing you way back before the worlds were made, even before earth's frame was laid? Wow! Can that be?  And then to think that I was in His thoughts when He was praying in the garden of Gethsemane...and in His heart when He died on Calvary...but it gets even better yet...I am still in His mind, and one day He is coming back to take me to be with Him forever in heaven! And not just me...but you too, and everyone who believes in Jesus as Savior and Lord!

Psalm 139 says:

"1 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;

You understand my thought afar off.

3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,

And are acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word on my tongue,

But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

5 You have hedged me behind and before,

And laid Your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

It is high, I cannot attain it.

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning,

And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,

And Your right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”

Even the night shall be light about me;

12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,

But the night shines as the day;

The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

13 For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother’s womb.

14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.

And in Your book they all were written,

The days fashioned for me,

When as yet there were none of them.

17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How great is the sum of them!

18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;

When I awake, I am still with You.

19 Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!

Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.

20 For they speak against You wickedly;

Your enemies take Your name in vain.

21 Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You?

And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?

22 I hate them with perfect hatred;

I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me, and know my anxieties;

24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,

And lead me in the way everlasting."

I find this very comforting during these days of Lent and preparing our hearts for the celebration of Easter once again, which will be here before we know it. Jesus knew me when He went to Calvary to die for me and for you. He knew you, and He loved us enough to die for us. 

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Romans 5:8

"Such knowledge is too wonderful for me! It is high, I cannot attain it!"

This week we have had several examples of God's love displayed for us. I can't go into the details, but I can only say that we are very very thankful for His provision and also for His protection in regards to members of our family. I can only say, "Our God is an awesome God!" and we are most grateful.

Amen.

Friday Foto Friends are over at The Adventures of Lily Grace today.  Won't you come join us?

Sermon Notes ...Christ WILL Come Again!!!

Before our Sunday School class began yesterday I had an opportunity to go into our little prayer chapel...a room set aside for prayer. It was a very moving experience as I studied the pictures on the walls and thought about what they really meant...and how Jesus is our Great Shepherd, and that He came to seek and save that which was lost...

Read what Jesus said in Matthew 18:11-14...

"For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

What do you think? 

If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, 

does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains 

to seek the one that is straying? 

And if he should find it, assuredly, 

I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.

Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven 

that one of these little ones should perish."

I was reminded of the 23rd Psalm:

"The Lord is my Shepherd;

I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil; 

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me int he presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

And then our choir sang this beautiful song yesterday in church, "Dwell in the Light Forevermore". 

If you click on this link and click on the arrow you can listen to it.
https://www.lorenz.com/choral/church/choral/church-choral/dwell-in-the-light-forevermore 

It wasn't an easy song to learn, but it had such a beautiful message. Here are the publisher's words about how this song was written:

"I was working on Susan Bentall Boersma’s new lyric, Dwell in the Light Forevermore, on Friday, December 14, 2012, when a lone gunman burst into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, inexplicably taking the lives of twenty young children and six adult staff members within a matter of minutes. As news of the tragedy spread, I, like so many, was devastated by the senseless loss of life. I found Susan’s words to be a source of solace and hope that day: 

"Into the valley of shadows

under a veil of gray,

God calls the good and faithful,

then guides us on the way...

Through the valley of shadows, 

lost in the dark of night, 

our God goes before us to lead us to the light. 

There will be no more night! 

No need for lamp or ray of sun, the Lamb will be the light. 

There will be no more night! 

No need to fast, to watch, to weep around the throne so bright. 

My dear friend and mentor, the late Dr. Robert H. Reardon, President of Anderson University (IN) from 1958-83, said to me several years ago following the unexpected death of his wife, Geraldine, “Grief is a common journey we all share in life. Though none of us wish to take the trip, eventually we must all travel it.” Pain and disappointment come in many forms. Life is never scripted quite the way we would have chosen. But by faith we know that God walks with us and goes before us shedding light in our valleys of shadows, longing to embrace us when we reach the end of the journey‒be it long or short– with joyous words ushering us into the eternal presence of Christ’s holy light: 

"Out of the valley of shadows,

We step into the day,

We see the Lamb upon the throne

and hear the Savior say:

“Well done, well done, my good and faithful one! 

Come, dwell in the Light of Life forevermore!” 

This is the eternal hope to which we cling!" – Lloyd Larson

I know I haven't been keeping up with the Pastor's sermon notes here lately, and I must apologize to our pastor as well as to you. It seems like each week things have come up that have distracted me from my purpose, and by the time I got around to it, it was time for the next message! So today I just want to say thank you to our Pastor A.C., for his faithful commitment to our church for the past 18 years. This past Saturday we had a luncheon to celebrate his upcoming retirement.  He will be with us a couple more weeks, and then on to enjoy whatever the Lord has for him and his wonderful wife Leslie.  Here are a few pictures from the celebration:

The church gave him this plaque, which is appropriate for him as he loves old cars...

His message this past Sunday was about the Ascension of Jesus Christ, from Acts 1:1-11.  Some of the key points were:

• Jesus HAS to come back again...we've made such a mess of things here on earth...we need Jesus to come and straighten it all out...
• We don't know when He is coming...but we've been given work to do in the meantime....both in "Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth...even in Interlachen..."
• We've been commissioned by Jesus to preach the Good News... (Matthew 28:18-20) and to be His witnesses
• We need the Holy Spirit to help us do that...(see Acts 1:8)
• We have that ministry to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick...be the hands, feet and eyes of Jesus to a lost and dying world
• Our world is in a mess. We need to get out of our comfort zone and reach out to those who need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ and His Salvation.
• We need to be more accepting of God's people...welcome them and pray with them and for them, and introduce them to Jesus, and let Jesus do the rest.
• We need to "reach out and touch someone" with the love of Christ today...
• Jesus IS coming back again...
• 
  
• "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." Acts 1:11

Therefore...let's get going...there's work still to be done until He comes again...

Sermon Notes: FUMC, Interlachen, FL, Pastor A.C. Myers, 6/2/2019

Please Note : I want to repeat this disclaimer here...the notes, outline, and content included here are based upon my own personal understanding of the message that was being given. I am not attempting to completely quote or reproduce this message or any other message I've shared previously. Just as each person reading these notes may glean insights and thoughts that seem to directly apply to one's own situation and interpretation, my own delivery of these messages is skewed by my hearing and translation of what is being said. Some may read my notes here and wonder if they were hearing the same message as I...and I say, God speaks to each of us as He wills...there are things He is trying to get across to each individual that may be entirely different than what the person sitting next to you in the pew is needing to hear... That is how the Holy Spirit works! He knows what we need to hear and how to apply it to our hearts. So it is with that understanding that I present these sermon notes to you.

"Hallelujah! What a Saviour!" (Updated)

Update: I thought this hymn would be appropriate for tonight, which is "Maundy Thursday"...the night on which we remember the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior...the night that He shared the Last Supper with His Disciples and then was betrayed by one of them for 30 pieces of silver. The night before Jesus suffered and died in my place so that I might live...

Originally posted on 8/18/2011:

Hymn for today: "Hallelujah, What a Saviour!" by Philip P. Bliss, circa 1838-1876

Here is one of my favorite hymns...we usually sing this one around the Communion Table.  I hope you know the melody...sing along with me and worship this wonderful Saviour!

"Man of sorrows," what a name, for the Son of God who came,

Ruined sinners to reclaim!  Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude, in my place condemned He stood,

Sealed my pardon with His blood; Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we; Spotless Lamb of God was He;

"Full atonement", can it be!  Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Lifted up was He to die; "It is finished," was His cry,

Now in heaven exalted high; Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

When He comes, our glorious King, All His ransomed home to bring,

Then anew this song we'll sing, Hallelujah! What a Saviour!"

"Hallelujah! What a Saviour!!!"

Postscript 4/18/2019:  Please pray for my friend Sharon Watson as she makes plans to travel "home" to Minnesota to be with her large extended family, and to begin Hospice care there.  She is ultimately traveling to her forever eternal home, but wants to make this last journey to be with her loved ones  while she can. Thank you for your prayers as she travels...

This picture was taken last year not long after she began chemo. It's been a difficult journey, but God has been with her all the way. She is such a remarkable woman of faith. I have been so blessed by her friendship.  Here is a link to her Caring Bridge site:  https://www.caringbridge.org/public/sharonwatson

Thank you again.  

God bless you all.  Let us rejoice in Christ our Savior, and all that He has done for us.

Jesus Is Coming Soon!

I woke up this morning with this song in my head:


Jesus is Coming Soon!

And I prayed that what I was hearing in my head was actually a message that Christ's return is truly imminent.  I know that those who are believers in Jesus Christ are also eagerly awaiting His return...but there are many who will scoff and think we have gone off our rockers to be saying this.

My prayer today is that we would each be sure that we are ready to meet the Lord in the air at any time.  Whether He comes to rapture His Bride, the Church away, or if He calls for us individually to come on home, we need to be ready.  The trumpet could sound at any moment. 

Here is a link to many Bible verses that speak about Christ's return:

https://www.openbible.info/topics/christs_return

I know there are some scholars who will say that all of the prophecies concerning His return have not yet been fulfilled...and that may be true...but we do not know the exact hour that Christ will come to rapture the Church away before the beginning of His literal reign on the earth...before the Great Tribulation...so we need to be ready.

Jesus was not willing that any should perish...

2 Peter 3:8-10 (KJV)

8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

So we need to be ready!!

These photos are of the Swallow-tailed Kites that have come back to nest in our neighborhood. I have seen three so far...not sure if there is a 4th one, but seeing them gliding through the air so smoothly makes me think about the day when Christ will call for us to meet Him in the air...

Here's another old hymn: "What If It Were Today?"   This video has the words, but just with the accompaniment and no singers...so if you know the song, you can sing along.  

Okay friends...I've shared what the Lord laid on my heart to share with you today.   I pray that each of us is truly ready for Christ's return!! What if were today??? Would you be ready?  I pray that your answer would be a resounding YES!!