Pentecost Sunday and Blooming Flowers...

It's Sunday afternoon and time to sit down with a cup of tea (or coffee) and visit for a while...You might as well get comfortable, this looks like it's going to be a rather long post...but I do  hope you'll come along with me as I ramble along, sharing things as God leads...

Psalm 84:11 NKJV

11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;

The Lord will give grace and glory;

No good thing will He withhold

From those who walk uprightly.

Bluebird pictures taken this morning here on Still Waters Pond

John 6:63 NKJV

63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. 

The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

Romans 8:6-7 NIV

6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, 

but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 

7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; 

it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 NKJV

A Hymn of Faith

17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,

Nor fruit be on the vines;

Though the labor of the olive may fail,

And the fields yield no food;

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,

And there be no herd in the stalls—

18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

19 The Lord God is my strength;

He will make my feet like deer’s feet,

And He will make me walk on my high hills.

Today is Pentecost Sunday, the day set aside to acknowledge and celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to the early church, following the Ascension of Jesus Christ into Heaven.

This is a recording of our Pastor's Message regarding Pentecost, and our choir singing "Spirit of the Living God, Fall Fresh on Me."  This was a recording from years past, as our Pastor and his wife have been on vacation and weren't here to record the current message. However, they are back home now and he will be preaching from this same passage today,  in Acts chapter 2.  Since this was pre-recorded some time ago, you will note that I am in the choir singing as well.  However, unfortunately, I was not at church today.

The Bluebirds have been actively flying in and around the birdhouse again this morning, but for whatever reason, they still have not settled down to nesting this spring/summer (so far).  I'm not sure what's going on, but I'm sure in God's good time they will get back to nesting and doing what Bluebirds do to keep their family growing and prospering...but for now they must just need to take a break.

I kind of feel like they do, although not in the sense of nesting or increasing our family...those days are long over and one with. LOL.  But no, I'm thinking more about the fact that in this current season of our lives, we are taking a break from our normal routines and resting and waiting on the Lord to show us the next step.  As I've mentioned several times recently, my hubby is going through some medical issues, and we are still waiting for an appointment with the specialist to help determine the course for whatever lies ahead.  We had talked about going back to church today, but when it came right down to it, hubby just really wasn't ready to venture out among the crowd and participate in all that would involve. Our church is a very loving and caring group of people, and there would be many hugs and anwering the question of "how are you?" over and over, and he's just not ready for that, as wonderful and beautiful as it is. So we have opted to stay at home for now...and our son said he would go today and get all the hugs for us and bring them home...LOL.

We have been trying to get out of the house as much as possible however and take little rides and short walks.  Yesterday our son was at a "Garden Market" selling his planters, etc., and so we drove there to see him and to just walk around a little bit and see what was there.  Here's a few of the new items he has built lately:

These are Barbeque caddies...see below:

And some other planter boxes:

 Unbeknownst to me, hubby ventured over to a vendor who was selling various flowers and plants, and who also had some lovely bouquets of cut flowers.  I was totally surprised and shocked when he came up to me with something hidden behind his back and then presented this bouquet of cut zinnias to me...

To say I was flabberghasted would be an understatement.

We've been married almost 56 years, and I could probably count on two fingers the times I have been given flowers...(it's a long story...I once made the mistake of saying we needed that money for other things like food and clothes, etc., and quenched that spirit and regretted it ever since.  Don't ever do that, ladies...if your hubby gives you flowers, no matter how much you know that money could've gone for "more important" things, there's really nothing more important than cherishing his gift. I learned that the hard way)

So, to say this was something that totally surprised me and blessed me beyond belief would be an understatement.

I am now cherishing the gift as well as the giver so very much...

I am realizing more and more how fragile life is, and that none of us knows how many days we have on this earth with our loved ones...even when they (or we!) may be perfectly healthy...things can change so rapidly and unexpectedly...and we need to remember to cherish every moment and give thanks to God for the gift of love and life.

I've been thinking about this song by the Gaithers a lot lately, and may have even mentioned it to some of you in some comments.

We Have This Moment, Today

Song by Gaither Vocal Band 

Lyrics

Hold tight to the sounds of the music of living

Happy songs from the laughter of the children at play

Hold my hand as we run

Through the sweet fragrant meadows

Making memories of what was today

We have this moment to hold in our hands

And to touch as it slips

Through our fingers like sand

Yesterday's gone

And tomorrow may never come

But we have this moment today

Tender words

Gentle touch and a good cup of coffee

And someone who loves me

And wants me to stay

Hold them near while they're here, oh

And don't wait for tomorrow

To look back and wish for this day

We have this moment to hold in our hands

And to touch as it slips

Through our fingers like sand

Yesterday's gone

And tomorrow may never come

But we have this moment today, we have this moment today

We all have this moment today

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Gloria Gaither / William J. Gaither

We Have This Moment, Today lyrics © Hanna Street Music

Speaking of zinnias...what hubby didn't realize is that we now have those same flowers growing in our garden! Every day a new one opens up, and I've declared that this must be the year for Zinnias!

Even my new Tervis Tumbler that my sister in law Peggy gave me for Christmas this past year has zinnias all over it!

I think this must've "planted the seed" in my head about zinnias, plus, my sister Doris said something to me about zinnias the last time they visited here. I remember she looked at my butterfly garden and said that I needed to plant some zinnias out there!

So there you have it!  

Speaking more about "planting the seed"...the other day we took a little short walk down the street in our old historic downtown area. I've mentioned this place many times as it has become our favorite place to walk lately. Here's where I wrote about this once before.  It seems as though everytime we walk there I discover something else new.  Remember, this location is where there used to be some very old houses that had stood here in our little town for over a hundred years, until they widened the highway to four lanes and some of the houses were destroyed, and at least one that I know of was moved to a new location.  Click here for the one about the house that was moved from that location.

Anyway, the other day I discovered these flowers growing in those old vacant house lots:

These are known as Crinum Stars and Stripes Lilies.

They were popping up and blooming in various locations throughout those vacant lots...

growing where once old houses had stood, and 19th Century homemakers had planted the seeds (or bulbs in this case) of these lilies to beautify their gardens and enjoy each spring.  

And as I thrilled to the beauty of each blossom in the various places, I thought about those dear women now long gone, and wondered what their lives had been like and what they must've thought about when they planted their flowers and tended their gardens.

I'm sure that not one of them ever imagined that over 100 years later some woman like me would come along and notice their flowers still faithfully popping up through the soil and blooming right where they had planted them so many years ago.

I also enjoyed the view from where their houses once stood, and admired this beautiful huge Magnolia tree, which has also been sending out its gorgeous blossoms for the past several weeks for all to enjoy.

Of course, years ago when they built their homes here and planted their gardens and raised their children on this land, they never could've imagined that one day there would be a busy highway where once their front (or back) yards had been...as a matter of fact, when their homes were first built there still wasn't any such thing as motorized vehicles...just horses and carriages trotting down the narrow streets.

Oh, there was a train track across the street from their houses, which is now the walking trail we walk upon, and it brought people into their little town every day. (and took them away again!)

There's still LOTS of this coral vine blooming everywhere those houses once stood too...

A lovely reminder of what once was in days of yore.

All of this flower talk today has made me think a lot about what we are planting in our lives...what kinds of seeds have we planted in the lives of others...perhaps dreams and words of encouragement and hope, words of faith and salvation to those who will believe...and will those seeds continue to grow and flourish long after we have gone? Will there be any remnant of what we planted and nourished in the lives of our children, our grandchildren, or perhaps friends, other family members, neighbors, co-workers, people we have met and cared for?

In Matthew chapter 13, Jesus teaches the parable about planting seeds in the different types of soil,  which is also about teaching the Word of God.  And then in 1 Corinthians 3:6, the Apostle Paul says:

 " I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.",

which means that we plant the seed, others come along and water the seed after we've done our part in planting it, and God is the one who will reap the harvest in due time.  But if we don't plant the seeds of faith in those we love and care about, there will be nothing to water and nothing to harvest.  There won't be any beautiful flowers blooming that we left behind us after we are gone. Something to think about on this Pentecost Sunday. 

I apologize if this post was too long or rambly, but it's just things that came to my mind today and I wanted to share them with you...and perhaps plant some seeds of thought in your heart and mind as well about the legacy we are leaving behind us. It's never too late to plant some seeds!! Who knows? They may still be blooming 100 years after we are long gone from this earth! Think about it!!

Here's another link about that location where we like to walk

This is a link to a post I wrote about Pentecost Sunday many years ago

Another Link: The Rushing Mighty Wind

Friday Foto Friends, It's June!

 Happy First Friday of June! Seems like we just started May the other day...and here we are already on the 2nd day of June. Guess I'll start off with my June calendar pictures to get this month rolling along:

This sweet little Susan Branch calendar always has such cute pictures. I love the Vintage Hall red pitcher on the calendar. It is similar to the one I have below:

And speaking of teapots...here's the picture from this month on the Teapot Calendar:

I love the interesting quotes they feature...this one from Jane Austen:

Does anyone purchase "sponge cake" anymore?  And have you ever had one like this particular one below?  Sounds interesting...

Now we move along to the Thomas Kinkade calendar, and as always there is a lovely painting that makes you sit and ponder the beauty captured by this artist.  I also appreciate the different scripture quotes that are given each month...this one is particularly comforting...

and this one is a good challenge...

Moving into my bathroom, this is a lovely photo which I will name "Tiptoe through the tulips with me..."

Now we come to my favorite, the John Sloane Country Seasons calendar.  These paintings always captivate my imagination and take me back to a kinder,  gentler time...

This was aptly named "Secret Spot".   After looking at this picture I felt driven outside to my own "secret spot" in the "Secret Memorial Garden".  It was a lovely afternoon, with a gentle breeze as I sat on the swing in the shade, watching the bluebirds come and go to their house:

In these pictures Mrs. Bluebird is sitting in her doorway, and Mr. Bluebird is perched on the pole above the blue teapot. They are literally having a conversation with each other, chattering back and forth and enjoying the beautiful day.

I hope you can see them.  They let me get pretty close. Sadly, I didn't have my "real camera" with me, only my cell phone, so I couldn't get a better closeup. But I was thankful they let me get this near without flying away.

This is an earlier photo taken the other day, when they were still building that nest. You can see who's doing all the work here...yes, that's the mama...

I think the nest building is complete now, and they just seem to be waiting for the eggs to hatch.

Now, changing gears a bit, I bought myself a gift today...a new outdoor wildlife camera. It was quite inexpensive at Ollie's, and even came with the 8 batteries that are required, so that about paid for itself.  I've set it up out on the deck, looking out toward the pond, hoping to see what kind of "night life" is out there that we've been missing.  So stay tuned for further developments.

Our tomato is still growing...I hope it will be ready to eat soon! I wish I had more. There is one more smaller one growing, but it doesn't look like it's going to get very big.  Next time I will plant more and do it earlier.

Here's a random photo of one of the Sand Hill Crane colts, either Pat or Val, taken the other day. You can see how his colors are changing into the more gray feathering of an adult.  And there's a little bit of a reddish tinge on the cap of his head. They sure are getting big.

Oh, we have been enjoying the Ruby Throated Hummingbirds coming and going to the feeder. This is a male. It seems as though the females came first, and now we mostly see the males. Not sure how many different ones there are as we only see one at a time.

This Great White Egret was enjoying being perched in the trees on the island:

She sat there quite a while, just taking a sunbath I guess!

If you read my last post here the other day, you saw pictures from our church Memorial Day picnic. You didn't see this one...Our pastor's wife sent me this picture that she had taken of me with our son Benton and my hubby.  Rose had to work that day (at Home Depot), so she couldn't come.  We had a great time with our wonderful church family.

Here's another picture she shared...her hubby, our Pastor, doing the grilling of the hamburgers and hotdogs for everyone! He definitely exemplifies a true servant in every way. We are blessed to have him and his wonderful wife at our church. 

By the way, here was last Sunday's message on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2) Our choir is singing "Spirit Song" at the beginning of the video.

"O let the Son of God enfold you with His Spirit and His love

Let Him fill your heart and satisfy your soul

O let Him have the things that hold you, and His Spirit, like a dove

Will descend upon your life and make you whole.

Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill Your lambs

Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill Your lambs

O come and sing this song with gladness as your hearts are filled with joy

Lift your hands in sweet surrender to His name

O give Him all your tears and sadness; give Him all your years of pain

And you’ll enter into life in Jesus’ name

Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill Your lambs

Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill Your lambs"

I appreciated all of your wonderful comments on my last post. I haven't been posting much this week and have been slow to getting around to reading. It's been a bit of a stressful week in some ways and I was also under the weather for a couple of days. But I am better now and very thankful to God for His healing power and for His Holy Spirit, Who comes and fills His lambs and gives us peace and wholeness and much joy.  Where would we be without God's Holy Spirit?  Jesus promised to send Him to us when He left earth for heaven, and promised that He would be here to comfort and help us always. 

John 14:15-17

15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."

The more we watch the news and see the things that are happening in the world today, we can understand what Jesus meant when He said in verse 17 "whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him:"   It breaks our hearts to see the blindness of our world, especially in our own country.  All the more reason that while we are still free and able to speak the truth here, we need to take a stand for the truth that is found in Christ and His Word.  I make no apologies for sharing God's Word  here in my blog.  My prayer is that it will help to encourage, inspire and enlighten us as we go about our daily lives. 

16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes..."

Romans 1:16

So, that's my story and I'm sticking with it!

I hope you have a blessed and wonderful weekend my friends. I will try to get around to visiting more consistently. I love you all and always look forward to what you have to share. Thank you for being there! We need each other!!