The Secret Garden Chronicles ~ What A Difference The Light Makes! - A Lenten Devotional -Revisited

Currently: I got to thinking about the fact that I have not posted much about this Lenten season we are currently walking through.  It's been a kind of crazy month...just a lot of  "stuff" going on, little things that have thrown us off track and have kept us from focusing on the full meaning of this journey toward Easter we are currently treading.  Palm Sunday is this coming Sunday already! Wow!  Perhaps the "little things that have thrown us off track" have actually been a part of our learning to trust in the Lord and lean not unto our own understanding so much. (Proverbs 3:5-6)  That is a big part of Lent. Learning to follow what it says here in Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, 

who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, 

despising the shame, 

and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Here is what I wrote a few years ago:

3/7/2019

Here is another reposting of a previous devotional for Lent.  Many of you have already seen this and commented on it a couple of years ago.  The message is still shining through for us today, just as God's Word continues to SHINE in our hearts and lives forever...because His Word is truth and is eternal.  Let us let our lights shine for Jesus each and every day...not just during Lent, but always!!
May your day be filled with the SONshine of Christ...so much so that it brightens your path everywhere you go, and draws other people to that Light.

Original Post 3/2/2017:

Yesterday morning as I was taking a walk, I couldn't help but notice this palmetto standing tall  and proud and actually glowing with the sunlight shining through, giving it a radiance that could only come from the sun.

Today I walked past that same palmetto and was astounded by the drab and dreary difference in this once glorious palm...why?  Because there was no sunlight shining through.

I couldn't help but think about what a difference the sunlight makes, not only in drab palmettos, but in our lives as well!  But now I am thinking of a different kind of LIGHT...the SON-LIGHT of the world...Jesus Christ, the SON of God!

Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees in John 8:12 when He said:

"I AM the Light of the world.  

He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness,

but have the Light of life."

In John 1:3-5, we learn more about Jesus Christ, the Word of God:

3.  "All things were made through Him, and without Him

nothing was made that was made.

4.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

5.  And the light shines in the darkness, 

and the darkness did not comprehend it."

And in verse 9, we understand that Jesus Christ was that true Light...

9.  "That was the true Light which gives light

to every  man coming into the world.

In Matthew 5, Jesus' great "Sermon on the Mount", He tells His disciples:

14.  "You are the light of the world.  

A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

15.  Nor do they light a lamp and  put it under a basket,

but on a lampstand,

and it gives light to all who are in the house.

16.  Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works and 

glorify your Father in heaven."

As we continue in our Lenten journey toward Easter, let us focus on letting the SON Light shine through us, shedding His glorious Light on everyone we meet.  Don't be drab and dreary like that palmetto was this morning...let Christ's Light shine through you and light up the world!!

Be Still and Know...

Yesterday afternoon was a gorgeous October afternoon here in Florida...low humidity, high in the very low 80's with a nice breeze...sunny skies...it just doesn't get much better than that, and so I spent some time sitting outside in the Secret Memorial Garden alongside Still Waters Pond...just being still and knowing that God was there with me...and that He was being exalted in the beauty of His creation all around...

No matter what the news may say or just how bad things are getting in the economy or in all of the horrific situations around the world...God's Word is still so true and appropriate:

"Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!"

Psalms 46:10

When I feel myself starting to panic over circumstances for which I have no control...it is important for me to find a place to just steal away and get recentered in my position in Christ...to know that He is God, and no matter what this world tries to do to steal my joy...I will put my faith in Him and keep my eyes focused on Christ, the "author and finisher of my faith"...

"looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Hebrews 12:2

This morning we had an early ride into "town" for my husband to have some lab work done. Again, God's majesty and beauty was on display in the unfolding of the sunrise breaking through the clouds...

It was amazing all the way we traveled...

People who drive through life with blinders on miss so much of the glory of God's heavens on display for us every day.

Remember the hymn:

"Open my eyes that I may see

glimpses of truth thou hast for me.

Place in my hands the wonderful key

that shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for thee,

ready, my God, thy will to see.

Open my eyes, illumine me,

Spirit divine!

2 Open my ears that I may hear

voices of truth thou sendest clear,

and while the wave notes fall on my ear,

ev’rything false will disappear.

Silently now I wait for thee,

ready, my God, thy will to see.

Open my ears, illumine me,

Spirit divine!

3 Open my mouth and let me bear

gladly the warm truth ev’rywhere.

Open my heart and let me prepare

love with thy children thus to share.

Silently now I wait for thee,

ready, my God, thy will to see.

Open my mouth, illumine me,

Spirit divine!"

I hope you enjoyed this little meditation time away from the noise of the world for a while. Whenever you find yourself getting stressed by the things swirling around you in your life...look for the places where God is sending His peace and comfort to you.  They are out there...maybe closer than you think.  

I had other things in mind for writing about today, but this is what came out...so apparently that's what I was supposed to share with you.  Someone out there needed this...I know I did. I can hear the news on the TV in the background while I write, and if I listen too closely I could find myself running and screaming to please "stop the world, I want to get off!"  But when I turn my eyes to Jesus, peace reigns and rules in my heart and mind once again.  I can get up and move forward without fear.  God is being exalted in the nations...and He is exalted in all the earth.  I need not fear. Amen.

Friday Foto Friends...Today

It's Friday, and this week we have had so much rain that we really haven't been out much, at least not out enough to see much that is interesting.  However, last evening after the rain, as the sun was going down over Still Waters Pond, everything was golden for a little while. 

The day had been mostly dark and gloomy and very stormy, but by evening the rains had stopped and the sun was sending out its last fleeting shining moments before darkness took over for the night.

And then this morning, when we arose from our beds and looked out over the pond, this is what we saw:

That glorious full moon, in its last reflective moments before slipping down behind the trees and giving way to the morning sun.

And now we have the morning sun rising in the eastern sky...

It  is looking a bit overcast at best, as we have more rain on the way according to the forecast.

This kind of feels like a "Genesis" moment:

"Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.

And God saw the light, that it was good; 

and God divided the light from the darkness.

God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. 

So the evening and the morning were the first day."

Genesis 1:3-5

So, if this were the first day of the rest of your life, which it is, by the way... what would you do differently?  Would you make any changes in how you live...what you do and say, what you eat...the places you go, the things you think about or dream about...

Something to think about.  But then I read this in my little devotional book, "Choose Grace":

Ah! Good thoughts for this day...let us live fully in the present, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), trusting Him to guide us through each step of this day and beyond. If today were the only day I had left in this life, I would want to live it with joy and thanksgiving for this very moment, fully immersed in His grace, knowing that I am His beloved child. There could be nothing better than that...

Have a blessed and beautiful day today, my friends, whatever you do, wherever you are...be blessed.

Amen. 

On another note, Please join me in prayer for those families and people who have been affected by the terrible building collapse in Miami. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones, and for those who are still awaiting news of those who are still missing. Such a horrific tragedy.

Footnote to my "Followers", On July 1st, blogger will no longer support the "Follow by Email" (Feedburner) format. It you are following this blog only by email notification, that will stop on July 1st. However, you can still follow me here at  https://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/ (For Closed Doors Open Windows) and also for my friends who enjoy reading The Adventures of Lily Grace, you can follow us at https://adventuresoflilygrace.blogspot.com/

If I can figure out how to set up another follow by email format, I will let you know. But for now this will be it.  Thank you for being one of my dear friends here in blogland. I do hope you will continue to follow this blog as often as you are able, and leave a comment so I know you've been here!  

Have a blessed day!

 

Facing Our Battles With Eyes of Faith

I hope you all had a blessed and Happy 4th of July celebration at your home yesterday. We had a quiet day, but very meaningful.  Started out the morning putting the flag out on the front porch, with a beautiful sunny sky as a backdrop.  I always sing "The Star Spangled Banner" when I put the flag up. I just can't help it. I am thankful for our flag and all that it represents to our country.

I added a couple of other flags to the porch. They helped the porch to look a bit brighter and more festive. Sadly, my geraniums and other plants are suffering in the heat and not producing very well right now, so the flags made things better.

After breakfast I took a ride in the kayak around "Still Waters Pond".  

Not a lot different to see, so just enjoy the pictures of the water lilies with me...

Twins!! Double the beauty!

I discovered this different type of water lily in the shady area of the pond: It is a "Nuphar Lutea", or Yellow Pond Lily

There are very few of these on our pond, and I wish this picture was better, but the sun was so bright it was hard to get a truer picture of the bright yellow color.  But if you look at the link I posted above, it will give you a better picture of what it is supposed to look like. And guess what? They are edible!

However, I don't see myself trying to eat one anytime soon.

Okay, back to the ride around the pond...

This is on the other side of the island, in that little cove...

And here I am on the home stretch...

I think the underside of those lily pads is interesting too...(before they curl up and die).

I'm heading into shore...there is my "Secret Memorial Garden" up ahead...

So that's the tour.  Now on to today, Sunday. Yes! We finally went back to church!!!! What a beautiful day in the Lord's house!! I wish I had thought to take some pictures, but I did get one picture of our new pastor as he was speaking:

Here is a link to our church website and his sermon for today.  It was an excellent message and even better in person than the video, which was taped before this morning. We had a "full house", meaning with social distancing, every family group sitting six feet apart, wearing masks, no hugging...our fellowship hall was filled to capacity.  It is easier to meet there than in the sanctuary, as we cannot be quite as flexible in seating with pews, etc.  Hopefully this will only be temporary until this virus goes away or at least abates enough to  feel safe again.  Our pastor's message really gave us some very good ways to approach this situation we are facing.  His scripture was from II Chronicles 20:1-25.  The key verses were some that I already had underlined in my Bible from different situations throughout my life.

II Chronicles 20:12

"O our God, will You not judge them? 

For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; 

nor do we know what to do, 

but our eyes are upon You."

And hear God's response through His servant Jahaziel:

15.  "...Thus says the Lord to you:

'Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, 

for the battle is not yours, but God's."

17.  "You will not need to fight in this battle. 

Position yourselves,

Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you...

Do not fear or be dismayed; 

tomorrow go out against them, 

for the Lord is with you!"

Perhaps you will find these verses comforting and helpful to you in whatever battles you may be facing in your life.  Whether it be, as in verse 9, "If disaster comes upon us--sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine--we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save."...whether it be our enemies in battle, or this current "pestilence", which is a plague, or even in famine...we can be assured that the Lord will hear us when we call out to Him in prayer.  We do not need to worry or fear...for "the battle is not yours, but God's"...and the Lord is with you!!  

I hope this is a comfort to you today, as it certainly was to me.  We are facing many kinds of enemies these days, and we need to know that we can rely on God to fight for us, and that He is with us no matter what the enemy may try to do.  Praise God!! What a blessing to know this...amen? 

Keep your eyes on Jesus, "the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

God bless you, and God bless America!