I Am Not Alone - Revisited Again

Here it is a Wednesday, the middle of the week, and I honestly had nothing new to share with  you. Then I was reading a few of our friends' posts, and there was more than one mention of  "being alone", or "feeling alone", and I thought to myself, "I wonder how many others are out there with feelings of loneliness or who are currently going through a difficult time and feeling like they are alone in their struggles."  I have a feeling there are more than just a few.  We all go through those times, when we are literally alone, or when we may feel alone even though there may be many people around.  We may feel like we don't belong, or that no one really cares whether I live or die. My friend, if you find yourself having these kinds of feelings, first of all, please don't isolate yourself completely. Reach out to someone...even if it's someone here in blogland. We may not be physically close, but we are close in spirit and heart, and there are many here who will be more than happy to pray with you, listen to your fears or concerns, and may even have some words of wisdom and encouragement to share with you. But most of all, reach out to God and tell Him about your concerns and pain. It is amazing how much prayer helps when we take our needs to the Lord and leave them there. I have included many scripture verses in this post of hope and faith and promise and how much God cares for you. Please take the time to read through this and perhaps even save the verses for future reference. You personally may not feel the need for this right now, but there may come a time when you will...or you may know someone who needs to hear this message...so please share it.  And may you know beyond a doubt that you are not alone, because The Father is with you.

Previously posted on 4/9/2020, during the "pandemic":  Sharing this post again...perhaps there is someone out there who needs to hear this message today, especially during this time of "social distancing" and isolation.

May you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are not alone..."the Father is with me"...

"And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me."

John 16:32b

The above drawing used to hang in my husband's study when he was serving as a pastor.  I drew this for him years ago after seeing this same picture on a card that someone had sent to us...so I can't take full credit for the idea...but it struck me so strongly that I had to duplicate it for a constant reminder that God would be with him through all the difficult days and times of searching for answers from God's Word to share with God's people.

Perhaps there is someone reading this today who needs to be reminded that you are not alone...because the Father IS with you...always!  How do we know this?  Because His Word promises...and God never goes back on His Word:

"Be strong and of good courage,

Do not fear nor be afraid of them;

For the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you.

He will not leave you nor forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6

"And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you.

He will be with you,

He will not leave you nor forsake you;

Do not fear nor be dismayed."

Deuteronomy 31:8

"Fear not, for I AM with you;

Be not dismayed, for I Am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

"Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your Presence?

If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell,

behold, You are there.

If I take the wings of the morning,

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there Your hand shall lead me,

and Your right hand shall hold me.

If I say, 'Surely the darkness shall fall on me,'

Even the night shall be light about me;"

Psalm 139:7-11

Jesus tells His disciples the following promise just before His departure from this earth into heaven...which is for all of us who bear His Name:

"Lo, I Am with you ALWAYS, even to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:20

Also Jesus promises to send us a helper...a comforter:

"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, 

that he may abide with you forever..

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.

I will not leave you orphans; 

I will come to you..."

John 14:16-18

So, my friends, if you are feeling all alone in your battle with grief, disease, disappointments, tragedies and anxieties...if you cannot feel Christ's Presence in your life, I encourage you to claim these promises above for yourself today.  Rest in His loving arms, knowing that He is with you and will never leave you or forsake you.

There is a song that came to my mind while writing this that I would like to share with you...perhaps you've heard it...or maybe it will be new to you.  Click on this link to the song "Just Be Held" by Casting Crowns.    

Here are the lyrics:

"Just Be Held"  by Casting Crowns

Hold it all together
Everybody needs you strong
But life hits you out of nowhere
And barely leaves you holding on

And when you're tired of fighting
Chained by your control
There's freedom in surrender
Lay it down and let it go

So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held

If your eyes are on the storm
You'll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the cross
You'll know I always have and I always will

And not a tear is wasted
In time, you'll understand
I'm painting beauty with the ashes
Your life is in My hands

So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your worlds not falling apart, its falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held

Lift your hands, lift your eyes
In the storm is where you'll find Me
And where you are, I'll hold your heart
I'll hold your heart
Come to Me, find your rest
In the arms of the God who won't let go

So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your worlds not falling apart, its falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held (stop holding on and just be held)
Just be held, just be held, just be held, just be held

So, no matter what you are going through right now, my prayer for you is that you will remember that you are never alone...God is with you always...and now, lay back into His loving arms and "Just Be Held".

"Peace I leave with you,

My peace I give to you;

not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid..."

Words of Jesus, 

The Gospel of John 14:27

Happy Sunday!! The Baby Cranes Have Arrived!

 Hello and Happy Sunday!  It's a beautiful spring day here on Still Waters Pond, and I've got some wonderful news to share...you've been waiting to hear this, and I am happy that I can finally show you the brand spanking new baby Sand Hill Crane Colts, "Spring" and "Trumpet". 😍   The first one to be born was named Spring, because he/she was born on the eve of the "Vernal Equinox" (Spring), and the other came a couple of days later, and I had promised to name it after a President because the eggs were first laid in the nest on President's Day, so I decided on the name "Trumpet".  One of our blogging friends actually suggested that name, and I thank you, Debbi, from "Debbi's Front Porch" for the suggestion.  I think it is a fitting name in honor or our current 47th President, and also because these cranes sound like a loud trumpet when they call!  I can't tell which is which at this point, because they are growing so rapidly that you really can't tell them apart.  Spring may be a bit bigger than Trumpet because she/he was born a few days earlier.  

Regardless of their names or anything else, let's just enjoy the cuteness, shall we?  

So without further adieu, here they are:

Speaking of cuteness...here's our adopted kitties, "Blackie Sue" and "Sunshine", soaking up some warm afternoon sunshine.  Yes, I changed the name of Blackie to Blackie Sue, because it appears she's a girl, and it also appears that she may be expecting some kittens...time will tell...things could get very interesting around here...

 Thankfully they are not at all interested in the new baby Cranes, because I think they are smart enough to know better than to go near those babies with those ever present parents around.  You don't want to ever make a Sand Hill Crane parent angry at you for going near their babies!!

So, I hope you enjoyed seeing these sweet babies!  I'm sure there will be a lot more photos to come in the coming days and weeks as we watch them grow at the speed of lightning!

Meanwhile, what else is going on?    Here's the video of our church service/choir from this morning. The choir was singing a wonderful medley of songs, "My Jesus I Love Thee", "I Love You Lord", and "Oh How I Love Jesus".  You might enjoy singing along with these beautiful songs.  The Pastor's sermon from Genesis 3 is quite good too.  If you want to know if I am singing in the choir, yes, I am the one behind the microphone that you can't see very well. LOL. But that's okay...I was singing for the Lord, and that is what matters most.

Let's see, what else? Yesterday we went to the "Deep Creek" Farmer's Market because our son Benton had a booth there selling the wooden planter boxes that he builds. He had a record setting day for sales, and that was a real blessing!! God is so good!  These are just a few of the items he makes and sells:

He has to make another trip to Valdosta, GA., to get more of the cedar wood to make more items for a big market sale this next weekend. They can't find the wood he needs anywhere around here, but thankfully that's only a couple of hours away from us here. Anyway, it's a nice problem to have.

Oh, here's just a sampling of some of the animals that were for sale at the Farmer's Market:

Cute "Easter Bunnies"

Anyone need a wake up call in the morning?

Cock a doodle do to you!

Oink Oink!

Uh, I think these are geese, so it would be honk honk, or are they ducks, so it's quack quack?  I need to go back and sing "Old MacDonald had a farm, ee i ee i oh!"

We had a fun time walking around and checking out all the different kinds of booths, crafts, food, plants, etc.  I was good and didn't buy much...a couple of huge beef-steak tomatoes and some home made bread & butter pickles!

Remember a few weeks ago I told you about this old "Brush General Store" being renovated finally? (Click HERE for link) and before pictures.

Well, the progess is slow, but they finally got the new roof trusses and boards on this past week. They had to do a lot of foundation work to shore up the building before they could safely get up there on the roof to work. 

I am happy to see that progress is being made. I will continue to update you as I see it happening!

I guess that's about it for tonight. I am very thankful for all the ways God is at work in our midst every day.  You know, we don't know what the future holds for any of us, but we do know Who goes before us and clears the way.  

Deuteronomy 31:8 NKJV
8 And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. 

He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; 

do not fear nor be dismayed.”

Our congregation sang this song today, and it was very meaningful...perhaps you will find it to be so as well:

God Will Make a Way
Song by Don Moen ‧ 1993
Lyrics

God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

Oh, God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

By a roadway in the wilderness, He'll lead me
Rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade but His Word will still remain
And He will do something new today

Oh, God will make a way

Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
Yes, he will, he will make a way for you
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Don Moen / Kyagulanyi Eria
God Will Make a Way lyrics © Integrity's Hosanna! Music, Pt. Nadaku Musik, Tunecore Global, Ninth Avenue Music

Amen!

Be blessed and have a wonderful week!

Wednesday Treasures

 I didn't have anything new to share until I looked out the window this evening!

It was so beautiful...I broke out in song...

1 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!

O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation!

Come, all who hear; now to his temple draw near,

join me in glad adoration.

2 Praise to the Lord, above all things so wondrously reigning;

sheltering you under his wings, and so gently sustaining!

This flock of ducks flew over while I was out there watching the sunset!

Have you not seen all that is needful has been

sent by his gracious ordaining?

3 Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;

surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,

if with his love he befriends you.

4 Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!

All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him.

Let the Amen sound from his people again;

gladly forever adore him.

And then the moon starting peeking out from the clouds...

And as the sun disappeared in the west, this is how the moon appeared:

And one last look at the sun setting behind the trees...

Those are the lights of the gas station/convenience store on the other side of the highway beyond the pond.  We can only see it at night and especially in winter when there aren't as many leaves on the trees, but I love to see the lights across the pond.

Oops! I blurred that a little bit, but I like it, don't you?

This is how it looked early this morning!

I hope you enjoyed these "treasures" from this evening's sunset.  It was truly majestic.

Amen!

Okay, so, I would like to end this post on a totally positive note. I wish I could, but you need to know that my life is full of frustrations and issues just like yours. It's not all lovely sunsets and sunrises and birds and flowers and trees... Thankfully, right now my frustration is not something terrible or life threatening, thank the Lord.   But it is frustrating, none the less.  You've seen this washing machine before HERE, about 1 year and 3 months ago, to be exact.  

If you re-read the previous post that I linked above, you will know that this washing machine started out on a rather shaky note. When it was first delivered, within 24 hours I was calling for them to come pick it back up because it wasn't working properly. They replaced it with another, that has worked perfectly until NOW, three months after the one year warranty expired. Of course.  And no, I didn't purchase the extended warranty. Yes, I should have. Lesson learned. It would be worth it to do so, and if I had it to do over again, I would certainly have done so, and I highly recommend it if you are buying any new appliance today. They are NOT built to last more than a couple of years. Trust me! I should know better. And it is too expensive to have them repaired, IF you can find someone who knows how to repair these electronic gizmos. SO, NOW we are trying to figure out the next step. Should we pay for someone (if we can find someone) to come and fix it...or should we replace it? I wish I could find a good used washer that is about 10 or 20 years old and still working. That would be worth buying. The older the better.  So we are going to sleep on it and pray about it and try to figure out the next step tomorrow. I really DON'T want another one of these NEW washing machines. They are built to fail.  My One Word "Wisdom" is getting a work out.

Oh, this is the verse that is on a devotional reading for today's date:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV

"16 Rejoice always, 

17 pray without ceasing, 

18 in everything give thanks; 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

So, on THAT note, I will rejoice, and pray, and give thanks. This is God's will, and therefore I believe He will provide and show us what to do about this situation.  

Stay tuned.

Good Night my friends.  Let's go back up and look at that sunset again and sing that song once more, shall we? That's a much better way to end our evening, rejoicing in what God has ordained!

Amen!