One of God's Masterpieces

 Before you creep out and turn away because you don't like spiders, please take a few moments to appreciate the artistry and beauty of this, one of God's most interesting engineers and builders...
The Golden Silk Orb-Weaver:

 This magnificent creature was busily repairing/building his nest early yesterday morning...

 Look at the precision of these strands...like a harpist playing his harp...

 Perhaps he is playing a song of praise on this "harp" as he works...

Can you appreciate the precision and symmetry of this design?

Like a perfect figure eight...

I don't know about you, but to me, this is such a marvelous demonstration of God's amazing creative "genius" at work...

I just thought it was worthy of notice today...

"Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;

Sing praises on the harp to our God,

Who covers the heavens with clouds,

Who prepares rain for the earth,

Who makes grass to grow on the mountains,

He gives to the beast its food,

and to the young ravens that cry.

He does not delight in the strength of the horse;

He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.

The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him,

In those who hope in His mercy."

Psalm 147:7-11

Life's Fragile Thread - Updated.

Good Monday Morning everyone!  It's a wonderful day to be alive! (My apologies to the working world out there...I realize that Mondays aren't a big favorite, but when you are retired, every day is a great day!)

I am thinking today about "life's fragile thread"...

Saw these fragile, but strong threads of this Golden Silk Orb Spider web on our walk this morning...

My apologies also that I have not not posted a "Sermon Notes" post in the past couple of weeks. We were traveling last Sunday (more about that trip in a minute) and unable to attend church, and then yesterday we went to visit my mother in law at the nursing home because she had fallen late Friday night and no one was able to go visit her on Saturday due to being at a memorial service for our dear cousin Janice, (click Here for more about her story) and we really felt we needed to go check on her. So glad we did. Thankfully she did not injure herself when she fell, but apparently her body and mind have slipped back to where she was a couple of weeks ago, and she's back in bed.  We realize that when one is 95 years old, every day is a gift, and we just have to take it one day at a time.

If you have followed any of my last posts, you are well aware that we traveled a week ago out of state for a family reunion.  On our way to North Carolina for the gathering, we traveled by way of Atlanta, Georgia, so we could visit my oldest brother Russell in the hospital.  Just prior to our planned reunion, my brother was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, and he was admitted to the hospital posthaste to begin intensive chemotherapy and to stay for at least four-five weeks in "isolation".  This was quite disturbing news for him and for all of us in itself, and there was no way that he could even wait one more week so that he could be with the family for the reunion. There was some discussion about postponing the reunion until he could participate, but he did not want us to change our plans.

And so we traveled to Atlanta...

And I must say that for this country girl, the experience of traveling through Atlanta on a busy Friday afternoon was not one that I would want to do again anytime soon. So thankful for my hubby's careful and expert driving...but that's another whole story.

We arrived safely, and my brother and his wife were very happy to see us.  Thankfully, we were allowed to visit with them as long as we donned sterile gowns and shoe coverings.  I was surprised that we didn't have to wear masks and gloves too...

 My brother and his wife Anne

My brother and me

The rest of our crew...#1 Son, his beloved bride, and my sweet hubby, the expert driver.

The good news is that my brother may get to go home next week, as it appears his bone marrow is beginning to create new cells again. However, he will be actively continuing as an outpatient for some time. Please continue to pray for him if you will, as he still has a long way to go, but we are thankful for the encouraging news this week.  In the meantime, my other siblings and myself must each submit a "DNA" sample to be tested for a possible Bone Marrow match in case our brother should need it...

The beautiful skies as we left Atlanta and headed toward North Carolina to continue our journey.

Again, this story reminds us of the fragility of life...how quickly things can change.  For our cousin Janice...she went into the hospital for very serious heart surgery, and never regained consciousness. She thought she'd be back home in a week...

For my brother,  This is what he was doing before the diagnosis of leukemia...building a boat! Yes, literally building this boat from bow to stern...

And we are praying he will soon be able to get back to work on it and soon be able to sail away on a happy cruise...

And even for my 95-year old MIL, one day she was celebrating her birthday with family and friends,

and that very day she had a little "spell" that sent her to bed, and it has been up and down, but mostly "down" every since...

Our lives are held by a very fragile thread...

One minute we can be enjoying our lives to the fullest...full of plans for our future, dreams of the rivers we will cross and the mountains we will climb...and then something happens to snap us back to the reality of the fact that our life here is a gift from God...every single moment of life is a gift...

I guess that could be said no matter how old we are...every day is a gift...and we should treasure it as such and live each day as if it could be our last. No one is guaranteed 95 years or even 75 years. (or even 20 years).  So make each day count for good...love Jesus, love your neighbors, and give God the glory for all that He has done for you.

"Come now, you who say,

"Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell,

and make a profit"'

whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.

for what is your life?

It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

Instead you ought to say,

"If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that."

James 4:13-15

This Psalm just popped into my head as I have been trying to think of how to bring this post to a positive ending as we ponder how we should live in light of this "fragile thread" of life:

Psalm 100:1-5

"Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!

Serve the Lord with gladness;

come before His presence with singing.

Know that the Lord, He is God;

It is he who has made us,

and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

and into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name,

For the Lord is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

and His truth endures to all generations."

Amen!

This should speak for itself.

Postscript just as I was ready to hit "publish" on this post: Just got a call from the nursing home where my MIL is. They believe we need to come see her today as she seems to be showing signs of preparing for her departure from this life...

so I will let you know later...

Thank you for your prayers.

2nd Postscript:  Little did I know when I wrote this this morning that not only would my mother in law be seriously knocking on heaven's door, but my brother would also be in ICU by this afternoon in very serious condition...after being in such good spirits yesterday and looking forward to going home. Again, "Life is fragile...handle with prayer."  Thank you again for all your prayers and comments today. They truly mean a lot to me.

Friday Foto Friends: Nature's (God's) Art Work

Here it is...Friday Foto Friends day again!  In keeping with the "season"....yes, fall is upon us, but I was thinking more about how "nature" decorates for Halloween....I don't have to do any decorating for that spooky day..."nature" does it for me!  Well, actually, GOD is the Master Designer...He is the One Who gave all creatures the ability to build their nests or webs or wherever they live. Have you ever thought about that?  Well, think about all the diverse creatures throughout the earth (and sea!).  If you ever watch any of the magnificent nature programs that National Geographic does, you can't help but marvel at the magnificent artistry and design of all creatures big and small...and their abilities to capture food and build homes for their young...

Today I will just share some of the "artwork" of our "arachnid" family...better known as spiders.

I know some of you won't like that...but it's all a part of nature! God created them along with all the beautiful creatures out there.  (Genesis 1:20-25) So let's just sit back and be glad we didn't walk into these spider webs as we journeyed through the yard and woods...

This is a 'photo-shopped" version of the spider web in my front yard:

And here is the real picture in our front yard.  Yes, so glad I didn't walk through this!

We saw this lovely golden silk orb-weaver along the road, which appears to be hanging in open space...but his intricate web is there to support him...just not visible to us that day because the sun wasn't shining through it for us to see!

 This is what it looked like....

 And here are some other examples of a very large Golden Silk Orb Weaver web:

 Look at that intricate design!!!  Amazing!!!!

Here are a few other interesting webs from around the neighborhood.  Maybe not as neat and tidy as the ones above, but they still get the job done!

These next pictures I took a couple of years ago at our back door under the light one evening. I was just amazed at the many layers of these masterpieces:

These remind me of a galaxy far, far away...

Here is an interesting Proverb I discovered about the spider:

Proverbs 30:24-28

"24. There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise: 

25.  The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer;

26.  The rock badgers are a feeble folk, yet they make their homes in the crags;

27.  The locusts have no king, yet they all advance in ranks;

28.  The spider skillfully grasps with its hands, and it is in kings' palaces."

I know this hymn written by St. Francis of Assisi didn't mention spiders specifically, but it still fits:

1. "All creatures of our God and King,
   Lift up your voice and with us sing,
   Alleluia! Alleluia!
   Thou burning sun with golden beam,
   Thou silver moon with softer gleam!
   • Refrain:
     O praise Him! O praise Him!
     Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
2. Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
   Ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,
   O praise Him! Alleluia!
   Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,
   Ye lights of evening, find a voice!
3. Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
   Make music for thy Lord to hear,
   O praise Him! Alleluia!
   Thou fire so masterful and bright,
   That givest man both warmth and light.
4. And all ye men of tender heart,
   Forgiving others, take your part,
   O praise Him! Alleluia!
   Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
   Praise God and on Him cast your care!
5. Let all things their Creator bless,
   And worship Him in humbleness,
   O praise Him! Alleluia!
   Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
   And praise the Spirit, Three in One!"
6. 
   

Okay, here's a couple more pictures that have nothing to do with spiders.  These were taken on our ride to take our son to work  (yes, the car situation is still a work in progress...the old car is "toast"...cannot be fixed, so it is being taken to the junk yard as we speak. Now back to search for the "perfect" vehicle for a very low price!)

The Sand Hill Cranes enjoying their morning walk and "Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag:

 These two Sand Hill Cranes were enjoying a different walk along the pond in the neighborhood:

And this was the sky yesterday morning along the road:  (more of God's Artistry!)

Okay, that's all folks! Hope you enjoyed this web of God's natural artistry today!!

Now, let's follow the web over to Deb's place at Breathing in Grace (here) to see what our other Friday Foto Friends are posting!  Have a blessed and beautiful day...and watch out for those spider webs along the way! Don't get tangled up in a web of mystery...but stay focused on our Master Designer/Creator and enjoy all the beauties He has displayed for us to behold!!

"Tiny Treasures" along the way... UPDATED

Going back through previous posts from a few years ago I discovered this one from 11/23/13. Since this is a busy week preparing for a house full of guests for Thanksgiving, I most likely won't have much time for blogging...or even for watching for those "tiny treasures strategically placed along the way."...But it is still such good advice...and perhaps there is someone out there who needs this message today.  In the midst of your hectic preparations for family gatherings and travels, take a moment to recognize those special treasures that God has placed in your path. It could truly brighten your day and help you relax and enjoy the "ride".   Happy Thanksgiving!!

These were the "tiny treasures" I found today...holly berries have turned red and look so pretty outside my bedroom window.

This was originally posted on 11/23/2013:

First thing this morning I read the following thoughts in the little devotional book , Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young, on the page for today's date, November 23:

"As you go through this day, look for tiny treasures strategically placed along the way.

I (Jesus) lovingly go before you and plant little pleasures to brighten your day.

Look carefully for them, and pluck them one by one.

When you reach the end of the day, you will have gathered a lovely bouquet.

Offer it up to Me with a grateful heart.

Receive My Peace as you lie down to sleep,

with thankful thoughts playing a lullaby in your mind."

 Shortly after reading this passage, we took an early morning walk in the woods.  I almost forgot to take along my camera, but quickly ran back into the house to get it before we had gotten very far. I'm so glad I did, because otherwise I would have missed the first "tiny treasure strategically placed along the way."  This perfect Golden Silk Orb Spider web, "strategically placed" directly in my path.  There was no way to get under it or around it, so we just had to turn around and go back a different way.  I wasn't about to destroy it!

 Can you imagine how difficult it must be to get all those silken strands so perfectly lined up in complete circle? Such amazing creatures!  You have to admire the skill of these spiders even if you don't particularly appreciate the spider itself!

The next treasure (not quite as tiny) that I discovered today was this sink! You may not think much of this old well used sink...but it has been in my sights actually for awhile...left over from a local church yard sale sitting rather forlornly under their "van-port" (where the church van sits), and it kept beckoning me to look a little closer.  I am sure you are wondering why I would want this old (very heavy cast iron!) sink...well,

I have my reasons...thinking of an outdoor sink for my son the carpenter to wash up brushes, hands, equipment...and also a place for doing some flower potting, washing up after working in the yard...LOTS of uses!  So I contacted the Pastor's Wife and asked how much they wanted for it...and she said, "It's yours! Come get it!"  And so I did...rather my son and I did. Thank goodness! I had NO idea how heavy that little cast iron sink would be!  Now to get him to build a potting bench/workbench to place it on...

But don't you agree this is a treasure?

As I walked around our back yard I noticed the next tiny treasures..These two sweet little blossoms on my Louis-Philippe Rose bushes, which were a gift from a dear friend who has since moved away and they are here to remind me of her kindness!  The Louis-Philippe Rose is also known as the "Florida Cracker Rose".  They are finally starting to bloom a little more freely, and their sweet delicate little faces make me smile.

 It smells so nice too!

Especially I am happy to see  this one blooming, because I recently transplanted this plant to a new location so that I could plant my new "Don Juan" rosebush birthday gift from my sister in its former spot so I could see it from the window.  I was afraid it wouldn't bloom again after transplanting it, but here it is!!!

The day is not done yet...and I may add more "tiny treasures" before the day is through.  But I wanted to take the time now to offer these up to the Lord with a grateful heart!  He knows how to bring joy to us in the simplest of ways.

What "tiny treasures strategically placed along the way" have YOU discovered today? Why not share them with others and be a part of the lovely bouquet being offered up to Jesus with a grateful heart full of Thanksgiving?