Friday Foto Friends -Miscellaneous Stuff from my week

Do you see anything unusual in this picture?

How about this one?

Do you know what this is?  It is an "inch worm" that was attached to the elastic strap that holds my wildlife camera to the tree trunk outside!  I did not notice it until I was taking the camera back outside after bringing it inside to check for pictures.  There weren't any pictures INSIDE the camera half as interesting as this little fella who hitchhiked on the strap inside the house and back out to the tree again!!! He sure blends in with the bark on the tree!

 Now this is what I call beautiful: This huge swallowtail butterfly just fluttered right past me and landed on this bush and sat and waited for me to take its picture!  I said, Thank you!!

If you follow me on Facebook, you may have already seen this beautiful green bug on the wild daisy one morning this past week...

Actually, I saw him two mornings in a row, on two different flowers. (that's assuming it's the same bug...might be a different one, but it was in the same location...) Isn't he magnificent? I mean, for a bug, that is...

And then this rosebud warranted two pictures and scripture verses because it was so gorgeous... (see the other at the end of this post)

Okay, all you Sand Hill Crane family fans...one evening on my usual walk to the neighborhood pond I stood on the little dock and searched all around for the crane family. Suddenly, from across the pond I saw these two cranes flying up and over the pond to the other side....So I just started snapping the pictures, not sure if it was going to capture them or not... can you see them? There's two flying together:

And then immediately following the first two came these other two...not sure which ones are the parents and which are the babies anymore as they are all pretty much the same size! Anyway, they all landed safely on the other side and started pecking away for their supper on the neighbor's lawn...(they eat grubs, frogs, bugs, anything they can poke around for and come up with that is tasty)...

Then I looked back over to the other side of the pond and noticed this lone deer standing there watching...

We don't usually see them alone, so it was a surprise to see her there by herself. I watched to see if others would join her, but none appeared, so I headed back home.

Now, shifting gears a bit, (ahem...) we went to "Ollie's" the other day...do you have "Ollie's" stores near you? It is kind of new to our area...one of those "bargain outlet" stores where they have "Good Stuff Cheap"...but I kind of doubt this antique Thunderbird qualifies for "good stuff cheap"...

 If it did, I'd be wanting one too! LOL

Next door to Ollie's is a new "Roses" store, another bargain department store that just opened up in the former JC Penney's store of the old mall that is practically empty except for these new stores... and somehow, this skirt just called out to me from across a crowded store... must be the "gypsy" or preferably the "shabby chic" in me...what do you think?  My hubby actually talked me into buying it. (It was under $10.00) I decided that if I don't feel comfortable wearing it in public I could always use it for a tablecloth!  LOL.  (I still wish the JC Penney's store was there...that made me sad when it closed).

Okay, that's all for this week (unless some other photo "develops" in the next few hours before this blog is actually posted for Friday morning)

I hope you will traipse on over to Deb's place at Breathing in Grace and see what the other Friday Foto Friends have discovered this week...

Until next time, have a blessed and beautiful week....

(same rose, next day)

Messages In Nature

Messages In Nature

If you look closely, you will see a big heart in this old oak tree. 

I didn't notice it until I looked at the picture, 

yet it was there all the time. 

Isn't that the way it is with love? 

Sometimes we can't see it because of all the clutter and stuff surrounding us...

kind of like not being able to see the forest for the trees. 

But God's Love is right there...in places we don't expect to find it. We just have to step back and take a breath and look again. 

When we look at the "bigger picture", 

we begin to understand the message 

God is trying to get through to us. 

Perhaps you can help me find some other hidden messages in these pictures from more of God's creation all around us...

"He will not be afraid of evil tidings;

His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.  

His heart is established;

He will not be afraid."

Psalm 112:7-8a

 "The Lord is my strength and song,

and He has become my salvation."

Psalm 118:14

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him."

Psalm 37:7

"Blessed are the meek,

for they shall inherit the earth."

Matthew 5:5

"But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid!"

Matthew 14:27

"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma."

Ephesians 5:1-2

I thought perhaps these positive words from scripture might be a blessing and a breath of fresh air in the midst of a week full of turmoil and negativity. Perhaps this will inspire you to be on the look out for more "messages in nature", sent with love from God to you!  Be sure to either capture them in pictures, or write them down...and share them with us so that we can be encouraged as well!  

May God be with you always!

Catching Flies With Honey or Vinegar?

Today the son of our Vice President Joe Biden passed away from brain cancer. (Click on link for full story).  When I first heard this news this morning my heart jumped into my throat and my eyes filled with tears.  Not because I am a fan of Joe Biden or any of his philosophy of politics, etc., but because he is a father who has just said good-bye to his beloved son here on earth.  Because he is a parent who is grieving and hurting and in need of comfort and strength that only God can give at a time like this.  Because I too am a parent who has been touched by this same grief.  One year ago I also said goodbye to my beloved son here on earth.

On my Facebook page I posted the above news article with the following statement:

"No matter what your political view may be, when someone loses a child, whether it be to cancer or accident or other tragedy, hearts are broken. My prayers go out to the Biden family today as they mourn the loss of their son Beau. This is not an easy "club" to belong to...the club of parents who have lost a child. I never chose to become a member of this club, and I am certain VP Joe Biden would not choose to be here either. I understand from reading this article that this is not the first child he has lost, in addition to his first wife. May God give this family strength and comfort during this time."

One thing I have learned since going through the loss of my son is that when someone loses a loved one, regardless of their political stance, religious affiliation, race, nationality or even sexual orientation...yes, I said that...now hear me out...regardless of any of that stuff, when a human being has lost someone very dear to them, it is not my place to judge them or make comments regarding how I think they should respond or act or change...it is my place to extend the love of Christ toward them...to pray for their comfort...to hold them  up to the Father with love and compassion...to show them the same comfort that He has shown me in my times of tribulation:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

Who comforts us in all our tribulation, 

that we may be able to comfort those who are in trouble,

with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,

so our consolation also abounds through Christ."

II Corinthians 1:3-5

I would hate to think that when my son died there were well meaning people making comments that they hoped his death would cause me to change...or that somehow my son's death was because of my political viewpoint or religious beliefs or because of my or any of my family member's sins.  If anyone felt that way I am so thankful that they kept their opinions to themselves.  If anyone feels like they should pray that God will change my heart or my beliefs or political viewpoint now that my son has died, you may go ahead and pray that if you think that is necessary...but please leave the judging to God.  I recently wrote about this in the following link:"Interesting Insight Today".   Jesus said:

"I have come as a light into the world,

that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.

And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, 

I do not judge him; 

for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.

He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words,

has that which judges him--

the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day."

John 12:46-48

And also:

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,

but that the world through Him might be SAVED!"

John 3:17

Again, I say that even though I may not agree with someone's viewpoint or lifestyle, etc., it is not my place to judge them...but to LOVE THEM AS CHRIST LOVED THEM AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR THEM.  Especially when they are hurting and grieving.  Save the preaching for another time. Right now just extend the Love of Christ to them and their family.  Pray for them to be comforted as only Christ can comfort them.  If there is any changing to be done in the heart...God knows how to reach them.

You know the old saying "You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar?"  Well, I think if we as Christians would practice this saying more often, we just might win more "flies" to the Lord.  Yes, there is a time and a place for strong preaching and teaching and exhortation.  But the time of grief and loss is not the time.  This is the time for love and compassion and wisdom.

"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us,

an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma."

Ephesians 5:1-2

Amen.

Bitter Roots (recycled & updated)

I just realized that today is the first Friday of the month, so therefore it is also "Random Journal Day"...the day we peruse old journals/writings and share with you something from the past.  I honestly don't have time today to go digging in my old journals as I have company...but something has been on my mind this morning..."Forgiveness"....because some bitter roots started to come back up to the surface regarding a relationship that has had difficulties from day one...and even though I have offered forgiveness and have actually tried hard to maintain this friendship, it would seem as though that is a one sided feeling.  So I needed to re-read what I wrote about this and remind myself that forgiveness is a choice that I can choose to continue to live, or I can slip back into an unforgiving spirit and cause myself more sorrow.  I can't control what other people choose to do or how they try to cause division and hurt between my loved ones.  But I can choose to demonstrate Christ's love appropriately regardless of the outcome.  Lord, help me to do what You have taught us to do. Amen.


"Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled...."  Hebrews 12:14-15

bit·ter  (btr)

adj. bit·ter·er, bit·ter·est

1. Having or being a taste that is sharp, acrid, and unpleasant.

2. Causing a sharply unpleasant, painful, or stinging sensation; harsh: enveloped in bitter cold; a bitter wind.

3. Difficult or distasteful to accept, admit, or bear: the bitter truth; bitter sorrow.

4. Proceeding from or exhibiting strong animosity: a bitter struggle; bitter foes.

5. Resulting from or expressive of severe grief, anguish, or disappointment: cried bitter tears.

6. Marked by resentment or cynicism: "He was already a bitter elderly man with a gray face" (John Dos Passos).

	1.	bitterness - a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will

root ¹  (rt, rt)

n.

1. The usually underground portion of a plant that lacks buds, leaves, or nodes and serves as support, draws minerals and water from the surrounding soil, and sometimes stores food.

2. Any of various other underground plant parts, especially an underground stem such as a rhizome, corm, or tuber.

3. The embedded part of an organ or structure such as a hair, tooth, or nerve, that serves as a base or support.

In the physical, earthy sense, if you have ever worked in a garden or a yard, you know about ROOTS.  Those are the essential parts of a plant or a tree that feeds the plant and enables it to grow and flourish.  If the roots do not have any food, (water, nutrients) the plant will die.  It cannot develop and prosper without the roots providing food.

In the spiritual sense, the roots feed the heart and soul and mind of man.  In order for the spiritual man/woman to be healthy, the roots need to feed on good food...solid teaching, God's Word, love, forgiveness, kindness, gentleness...the "Fruit of the Spirit"

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law."  Galatians 5:22-23

However, when the heart and soul of a man/woman feeds on bitter roots, i.e.; anger, fear, anxiety, lies, unforgiveness, false teaching, hatred, jealousy, selfishness, idolatry, dissension, ~  the Spirit of that person cannot survive. 

"....Of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."   (Read Galatians 5:16-21)

When we allow such thoughts and feelings and unforgiveness to control our minds, we die a slow, painful death. That bitter root of resentment and anger takes control, causing not only our own heart, mind and soul to be severely injured and endangered, but according to Hebrews 12:15, any root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by this many become defiled.  We not only hurt ourselves, but all those around us.  Our pain and anger ferments and oozes out of our being with every word we speak and every movement we make. We become prisoners, bound within the vile chains of self-righteousness and hatred toward anyone and everyone who does not show us pity and align themselves with our "cause". 

What is the cure? How can we escape such painful self-destruction?

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, EVEN AS GOD IN CHRIST FORGAVE YOU!" Ephesians 4:30-32

Can it be that simple?  Is it even possible? How can I let go of my feelings of hurt, humiliation, shame, anger, disappointment, self-righteousness, resentment, and allow myself to forgive?

"Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children.  And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." Ephesians 5:1-2

Christ forgave me.  Christ forgave you.  Christ died for me.  Christ died for you. Christ suffered agony on the cross for me.  Christ suffered agony on the cross for you.  Christ didn't have to do that, but He did it anyway, willingly, lovingly, deliberately.  Why?  Because He loves me.  Because He loves you. Because He wants to spend eternity with you and me. That's why.  I don't deserve that. You don't deserve that. We deserve to die. But Christ came and saved us so we could have eternal life. 

He forgave me...and all He asks is that I forgive others just as He forgave me and gave His life for me. Is that too difficult for me? Is that too difficult for you? Forgiveness...freedom...eternity...This is something to think about.  This is something to do.  With God's help...it IS possible.
 
Please click on this link for a song that speaks to what I've been saying here.  Let this message settle into your heart today."Forgiveness" by Matthew West  Let it permeate the hidden places in your heart, soul and mind that are still harboring bitter roots of unforgiveness...and ask God to help you let it go.

Set the prisoner free...and "that prisoner is you"....