Monday Monday~Battles Won

 Where do I begin? It seems like it's been ages since I last wrote, but in reality it was just a few days ago!  Weekends tend to be busy times and it is difficult to get back here and visit with everyone like I'd like to, so I've got some catching up to do! But in the meantime, let me try to catch us up on everything around here! 

Well, let's start with this morning on Still Waters Pond...that's always a beautiful way to start the day.

This Great White Egret was wading in the waters in search of something good for breakfast:

He was peaceful and calm, a lovely way to start our week after a busy and somewhat hectic weekend.

Psalm 112:4  New King James Version

4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;

He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

Now, let us start with yesterday, Sunday, or as we like to call it, "SONday".  If you are a Facebook friend, then you probably already know about this, but for those who aren't, we'll start here and work backwards.  My hubby was asked to fill the pulpit yesterday for the Pastor of this wonderful little church out in the country a ways, in the little town of Florahome.  Their Pastor was on a much deserved and needed vacation, and so my hubby was asked if he could fill in for the day. Of course he said yes. He is always thankful for any opportunity to serve the Lord and also keep the gift of preaching alive and not allow it to get too rusty!  We are very thankful for so many who prayed for us yesterday and who sent messages of love and support (via Facebook).  God was truly with us and the Holy Spirit was present as the Word of God was preached.  The sermon was from Luke 16:19-31, the story of "The Rich Man and Lazarus".  If you are not familiar with this passage, it is a good one to read and understand.  

(This picture was previously taken at Christmas time, hence the decorations on the front porch)

This is how that lovely stained glass window looks in the daylight.  It is a very beautiful and historic church building.

Psalm 119:130 New King James Version

"130 The entrance of Your words gives light;

It gives understanding to the simple."

We were warmly welcomed and felt right at home there.  Also our son and daughter in law came along to worship with us.  It was truly a lovely day.

Here is another link to a previous visit to the First Methodist Church of Florahome, which is now, along with our own Interlachen Methodist Church, a part of the new Global Methodist Church. Our churches both disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church denomination in the past year. This was a move that was very financially costly for each of our very small country churches, but taking a stand for the true Word of God was of much more value to us than any financial loss could ever be. We are very thankful for these small congregations who have taken such a great step of faith.

After church the "kids" came over for lunch. Rose brought bacon (she had already pre-cooked) and tomatoes and I added the lettuce and toasted bread and we made BLT sandwiches.  They were very tasty and a nice quick lunch so we didn't have to work hard since this church service was later than our usual church service (they meet from 11-12, and our church meets from 10-11:15), and then we had the 20 minute ride back home, so we got home later than usual, and we were hungry! LOL.  Plus, we have pretty much stopped going out to eat after church since the prices of everything have gone up so much at all restaurants.  We've decided to save our going out to eat budget for more special occasions!

Let's see, what else did we do this weekend? Well, on Saturday our church had our monthly "Agape'" pot-luck luncheon, which is simply a gathering of anyone who wishes to come and bring a dish to share and we have a nice lunch and fellowship. Nothing fancy, just good fellowship and food. 

 

Meaning of the word "Agape'": unconditional, sacrificial love

agape. Original Greek: ἀγάπη (agápē) Agape is often defined as unconditional, sacrificial love. Agape is the kind of love that is felt by a person willing to do anything for another, including sacrificing themselves, without expecting anything in return.

We had a lovely time and lots of good food.  I actually took two rotisserie chickens from the local grocery store.  I did not feel like being on my feet cooking because the night before I did this:

Again, if you are a Facebook friend, you've already seen this picture. I accidentally "kicked" the end of the rocker on the rocking chair with my ankle bone.  It really, really hurt...and I was having difficulty walking on it. Hubby sat me down and put an ice-bag on it, and I took some ibuprofen and tried to just relax. 

Also when I posted this picture people started praying for me. 

By the next morning it was feeling much better, and I put some of this "Dragon Balm" ointment on it to help reduce the swelling, and it actually was so much better by the time we had to go to the luncheon I was barely limping. The only aftereffect was that I smelled like a "dragon". LOL.  Someone asked me "What does a dragon smell like, Pam?"  I said whatever this is in this jar I guess! LOL.  It is something the doctor gave me when I was having so much trouble with my arm/shoulder. It really does help, but it just smells like strong camphor and menthol and sort of like Vicks vapor rub.  But hey! If it works, smell like a dragon!  

Actually, I give all the glory to God for answered prayer.  You see, I was also supposed to give the devotional at the beginning of our luncheon, and the devil didn't want me to do it, but God had other plans and sent in His prayer warriors and His own weapons to help me.

Isaiah 54:17 New King James Version

17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper,

And every tongue which rises against you in judgment

You shall condemn.

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,

And their righteousness is from Me,”

Says the Lord.

So take that, you chair rocker!! You tried and failed! You did not win this battle!  I've got the King of kings and LORD of Lords fighting my battles!!  Amen!!  (and the devotional was given right on time as planned!)

On that note, I think I will close this post for today.  I could keep on going, but it's almost lunch time and someone is hungry...(lol), and tomorrow is another day.

So I hope you know that you also have the King of kings and LORD of Lords fighting your battles for you.  If you aren't sure...then just ask Him, trust Him, and Believe in Him.  He will not let you down.

Have a wonderful rest of your day dear friends.

Friday Foto Friends: A Visit to A Friendly Little Church on the side of the road

Last weekend we had the opportunity to "visit" this "Friendly Little Church on the side of the road" in Florahome, FL.  I've been there before, and I may have shown some pictures of the outside here before, but on this day we were privileged to go inside and I could take pictures to my heart's content. Maybe you will enjoy coming in with me.

The occasion for our visit wasn't for a church service.  No, something quite different.

Our son, the carpenter, was asked to construct a sound booth for the sanctuary, to accommodate their new sound and technology equipment.  They are bringing this little historic church in the country up to modern standards as far as the sound system and visual technology goes.  Everything else will remain the same...

Anyway, our son needed a helping hand to hold some things in place while he fastened them together, and so my hubby was willing and able to assist him for a while, and I took advantage of this time to take some pictures that I've been wanting to get for a long time.

This is our son, but he is not finished yet.  Still had some trim and other things to do to complete the job, but we had done our part to help him.  I wish I had a picture of the finished work. I should ask him to send one to me.

I will start with these ancient oak doors and the very unique door handle. 

Can you imagine how many people have come in to worship through these doors over the past century?

The sign outside says the church was founded in 1914. I was thinking it was older than that, but still, that is over 100 years old, so that is still pretty significant.

The thing that is so unique about this little country church is this beautiful stained glass window that catches your eye when you first walk in. I've never seen one just like it, kind of a wagon wheel design.

The sanctuary is beautifully decorated for Christmas.

Then I love to look at these beautiful old oak curved back pews. I also love that picture of Mary, weeping at the foot of the cross of her precious Son, Jesus, as He was dying for the sins of the world.

Reminds me now of the Christmas song, "Mary, Did You Know?"

"Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God

Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Mary did you know?

Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Mary did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect lamb?

That sleeping child you're holding is the great I Am.

Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Mary did you know?

Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Oh

Mary did you know?"

(Written and sung by Mark Lowry)

The Nativity Scene is waiting for the Baby Jesus to appear.

The Christmas tree is filled with ornaments all about the Christmas story

Beautiful stained glass window in the back of the sanctuary;

Walking back outside, I was happy to see the camellia bushes are starting to bloom:

A peaceful little garden area in the courtyard:

The back of the church:

Such a pretty little country church:

And then I walked around their beautiful oak shaded yard to see their wonderful outdoor Nativity display....again we await the arrival of the Christ Child on Christmas Eve:

Last year our church choir joined their church choir for a special Christmas service of singing Christmas carols and then we came outside for a candlelight service at this scene and sang Silent Night together. It was so very beautiful and peaceful.  Following that we had a time of fellowship and lots of good food! Sadly, we won't be able to do that this year because of the  "restrictions".  

Praying life will start returning to "normal" soon. Praying for all those who are still suffering from this horrid disease, and praying especially for those who have lost loved ones in this battle.

Focusing our thoughts on Christmas and the Baby Jesus who came to "one day rule the nations"...

The Great I Am...

May He soon restore healing, peace and comfort to our land.

Amen.

I hope you enjoyed this little tour of the "Friendly Little Church on the side of the road". 

Have a blessed and beautiful Advent weekend.

P.S.  Here are a couple of pictures of the finished Sound Booth, although after this he went back and finished the inside of the booth with stain as well. And the church is going to carpet the floor of the booth.  But you get the idea:

 

Good Monday Morning!

Monday, May 4th, 2020! 

It is hard to believe we are already breezing through May so quickly. The days, weeks, and months all seem to run together anymore, don't they?  Without having any kind of definite schedule to our lives these days, many are finding it difficult to differentiate one day from another. That is why I wrote out the day and date above...for myself as well as for those who may need a reminder as to what day it is!

I trust you had a pleasant weekend wherever you are, and that you are staying healthy and safe.

We are very thankful to be staying well and God is taking such good care of us and our family during this time...we are very grateful.

We took our usual ride to our walking place the other morning, and I was very excited to see

these two deer alongside the road. You have to look very closely to see the second deer, down in the lower left hand corner, hiding in the grass. That one leaped up and ran into the woods as we got closer...

But this one just turned and stood there and looked at me as if to say, "Okay, here I am. Go ahead and take your pictures. I know you've been wanting to get a picture of me for a long time...so just go ahead. Take your time..."

And so, of course I did...She just stood there and waited patiently for me to take these pictures...

Isn't she lovely? I don't believe I've ever had such a close encounter with a deer alongside the road waiting patiently for me to finish taking pictures. I thanked her profusely and then we turned into the road to go on for our walk, and she turned into the woods to go catch up with her youngster, who was waiting patiently for her in the underbrush of the woods.

What a beautiful way to start the day!

After our walk, we decided to take a ride to a pretty little town about 15 miles north of us...

"Florahome"

This sign is in the park where the old train station used to be many years ago. They have now turned the railroad tracks into a biking and walking trail through the area, which is very nice.

I enjoyed reading about the history of the town. It was actually named after "one of the original residents...Flora Sipprell.  According to local lore, folks were headed for "Flora's home", which in time was shortened to Florahome."  I guess I feel a kind of kinship with this little community, because my maternal grandmother's name is "Flora", as was her grandmother's name. I have always thought that was such a lovely name.

This is what is left of the train station now... a nice picnic pavilion, overlooking ball parks on one side, and a tennis court across the road.  A very lovely place indeed.

Some of the "Flora and Fauna" that we saw while there at this park:

 This is a male "Spicebush Swallowtail" butterfly. Sadly, he has lost one of his "tails", and even though he was still alive, I am not sure that he would be much longer. But he was very beautiful anyway.

There was some pretty wild phlox growing alongside the road:

And these beautiful old live oaks surrounded the park.  The Florahome Methodist church is right through those trees in a very picturesque setting:

But what I was most thrilled to see was this Red Shouldered Hawk, sitting on the fence , obviously with his eye on some kind of prey on the ground. He was so focused on his prey that he did not mind me getting so close to take his picture:

 Isn't he magnificent?  So this was the second "close encounter" with one of God's beautiful creatures in the same morning!!  What an amazing blessing!

This morning as I was sitting here writing this I was thinking in my mind, "Now what scriptures should I add to go along with these pictures?"  But before I could get to that part, my hubby reminded me that it was getting "late" (he stays on a schedule no matter what) and we needed to go ahead and read our morning devotions. We do that together every morning. It is a wonderful way to start our day off right and gives us good "food for thought" before we actually get our "food" for the morning's breakfast.  

So anyway, I sat down in my chair and opened our devotional booklet to the page for today, and the first thing I do is look up the  suggested scripture references that go along with the devotional readings.  There is usually a Psalm, a Gospel reading, and then either one of the Epistles or something from the Old Testament.   The Psalm for today was Psalm 42, and here is what the first few verses say:

1.  "As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So pants my soul for You, O God.

2.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When shall I come and appear before God?

3.  My tears have been my food day and night,

While they continually say to me,

"Where is your God?"

4.  When I remember these things,

I pour out my soul within me.

For I used to go with the multitude;

I went with them to the house of God,

with the voice of joy and praise,

with a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.

5.  Why are you cast down, O my soul

And why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him

for the help of His countenance."

Wow!  I love how God puts these things together,  don't you?  Seeing that lovely deer, and then putting that with the fact that yes, my soul is panting for God during these days of "social isolation" and not being able to attend church and worship together with our dear friends.  Yes, I am fully able to worship God anywhere, and that I do.  But even though we have been provided with wonderful messages of hope and inspiration on the computer, radio, TV, or whatever ways available (some attend drive-in church services), my soul is "thirsting for God".  I long to "go with the multitude, to the House of God, with the voice of joy and praise, and with the multitude that kept a pilgrim feast."

I miss our church fellowship and corporate worship, singing hymns of praise together in one voice, worshiping together through praise, prayer, and our offerings. 

"As the deer pants for the water brooks, 

so pants my soul for You, O God."

But my hope is in the Lord. Just like the Psalmist says in verse 5, "Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance." 

I know it won't be long until we will all be together again...things may be a little different...it will be difficult to restrain ourselves from giving holy hugs to one another, but I pray that soon God will remove this plague from our land and we will "yet praise Him for the help of His countenance." Amen?

After our little ride out in the country, as we headed back home we stopped by a little roadside vegetable stand, which I was SO happy to see as I've been craving some fresh fruits and vegetables.  We were able to purchase our first real fresh from fields cantaloupe and watermelon and fresh tomatoes .  

Here I am enjoying a bowl of watermelon beside the pond....

And, I asked my son to move one of our picnic tables down from the deck,  so I can enjoy it in the shade in the yard when I sit out there to watch the birds. Now we can "entertain" friends  as we social distance...

I just need to get a few more chairs for down here. 

So now, y'all come!

We'll eat our watermelon and enjoy visiting outside!

Have a blessed and beautiful day my friends!