What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!
Showing posts with label James 1:17-25. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James 1:17-25. Show all posts

Thursday, August 22, 2024

Thursday Thankfulness/Friday Foto Friends

 Here it is Thursday evening, and it's been a beautiful day! We had some wonderful rain showers earlier and it cooled things off a bit. I can't believe it's actually only 79 degrees at 6:00 p.m.  We haven't seen that in a while!  So hubby and I were able to take a much needed walk. It's been so hot and humid lately that we've had to forego our daily walks, except for a jaunt to Walmart to walk around where it is cool. (plus needed to buy a few things as well).  So #1, I am very thankful for this little bit of cooler weather while it lasts!

#2.  Actually, now that I think about it, it was quite lovely this morning when I first got up. So lovely, in fact, that I couldn't restrain myself from going outside and watching the "moonrise".  I know, you think the moon rises at night! Well, this morning it seemed like there was more of a "moonrise" than a sunrise. 

Psalm 19:1-6 is one of my favorite passages...Thought it would go along nicely with these pictures that I took while I was running around enjoying the morning "moonrise".
Here it is, in order of its appearance this morning:



1. The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
2. Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
3. There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
4. Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.

In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
5. Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
6. Its rising is from one end of heaven,

In this photo if you look above the trees, you can actually see the sunrise in the east and the sunbeams rising up from behind the trees.

And its circuit to the other end;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.


(And also from Psalm 19, my life verse:)

14. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

What a beautiful way to start the day. I'm sorry I didn't get it posted until tonight, but it's also a good way to end the day, right?  God's beauty is everywhere around us if we just take the time to look and appreciate all that He has given us to enjoy.

#3. Thankfulness:  Yesterday afternoon I had the joy and privilege of spending some time with a young lady that I am pleased to know.  You'll never guess what we were doing!  

It has something to do with these pine needles:

Actually we were gathering them up and putting them into bags. Why? Well, because this dear lady does something very special with them. And she prefers to remain anonymous, so I will honor her wishes.

The hurricane a couple of weeks ago knocked down a lot of big pine branches on the lot next door, and these pine needles were just laying there waiting to be picked up.


And here's why she wanted them:

This very talented lady makes these baskets out of pine straw, to give as gifts to people. This one was for a dear friend, and I would say she must be very dear to her, to work this hard to make such an amazing gift!  But not only that, this sweet young woman also puts together special baskets (not the pine baskets) to give to people who are fighting cancer and are going through chemo. She puts things in the baskets that they can use for their comfort, along with little cards of encouragement.  I can only imagine what such a gift would mean to someone who is suffering the ravages of cancer and treatment. I know it would be a wonderful blessing to receive.  This young lady has lost a dear loved one to cancer, so she has a special reason for wanting to do something for others who are going through this.  I know I was blessed just hearing about it.  

#4.  Thankful for some unexpected gifts from unexpected sources. God always has ways of blessing us when we least expect it.

#5.  I heard from my brother (from North Carolina) recently. Sadly, his wife's brother just passed away, and he lived not too far away from where we live.  They will be coming down next weekend for a kind of celebration of his life with my sister in law's family, and then they hope to come visit with us on Saturday morning before they head back home to N.C.   Although I am sorry that it is under such sad circumstances, I am glad that I will be able to see my brother and his wife. We haven't seen them since last fall.  Clifford is my next to the oldest brother, but our oldest brother passed away several years ago, so now Cliff is my oldest sibling. Our sister Doris is next in line after him. (and then me, the baby).  Anyway, this has also encouraged me to get busy on some projects that need to be done around this house before "company comes".  

#6.  Just thankful to God for our health and for the ways God provides for us on a daily basis.  Each day is a gift from God, and that we are well aware of.  


Romans 11:33-36  NKJV

33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! 
How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has become His counselor?”
35 “Or who has first given to Him
And it shall be repaid to him?”
36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things,
to whom be glory forever. Amen.


And with that I will close this post for tonight.  I pray that your day has been blessed as well. Perhaps you can share something you are thankful for today.

Good Night dear friends!  





Tuesday, February 7, 2017

The Secret Garden Chronicles Day 15-Every Good Gift Is From Above

Today was the day for our "Lovely Ladies of the Lord" Prayer Fellowship to meet for prayer, fellowship and sharing God's Word, followed by lunch!  I didn't make it out to the Secret Garden today because the Lord had other plans for me!  Meeting with these "Joyful" ladies is like a breath of fresh air and a beautiful gift from God...and surely the Lord was present with us in this place...


To start out on a light note...taking this picture was quite a "joyful" experience!  At the Mill Creek Baptist Church, where we met for our prayer and Bible study time, there is this beautiful display of the word JOY on their front stage area in the sanctuary.  They originally put it up for Christmas, but it is so lovely...and "joyful", that they haven't wanted to take it down yet.  So we felt it would be the perfect backdrop for our group photo.  The reason I am sitting down in front looking all out of breath is because we were trying to take this picture using my delayed timing feature on my camera...and it took several "takes" before we actually got the timing right and I was able to get into place before the camera snapped the photo.  I won't post all the photos that didn't quite make it...trust me, this is the best!

We were in a very joyful and spiritually blessed frame of mind when we took this picture.  Our "meeting" today started out gathered around the piano/prayer bench, with a time of fervent prayer and anointing with oil (according to James 5:13-16) of one of our dear ladies who is scheduled for some surgery next week.

James 5:13-16

13.  "Is anyone among you suffering? 
Let him (her) pray.
Is anyone cheerful?
Let him (her) sing psalms.

14.  Is anyone among you sick?
Let him call for the elders of the church,
and let them pray over him (her), anointing him (her)
with oil in the name of the Lord.

15.  And the prayer of faith will save the sick,
and the Lord will raise him up.
And if he has committed sins,
he will be forgiven.

16.  Confess your trespasses to one another,
and pray for one another,
that you may be healed.
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man (woman)
avails much."


Another scripture that we shared with each other was Matthew 18:19-20 ~ The Words of Jesus Christ:

"Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning 
anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.

For where two or three are gathered together in My Name,
I Am there in the midst of them."

After this time of prayer for our sister in the Lord, we also lifted up several others who are in serious need of healing and prayer at this time...one dear friend in particular who has been (and still is) in a hospital for several months and who needs the healing hands of Jesus to touch her body, soul and spirit. Following this time of prayer, we joined together in singing this beautiful song, which was new to most of us, but Oh! What a powerful and precious message!  I have linked a video of The Perrys singing this song for you.   You may want to watch the video and sing along here...and I believe you will also be blessed by this song of great faith and encouragement:


Click HERE for "By Faith I Can Touch Him Now" by The Perrys


One day I will stand in the presence of Jesus 
and I'll see the Lord face to face 
With my very eyes, I'll witness his Glory 
when I finally finish my race 
But the burdens of life sometimes get so heavy 
that I need to touch Him somehow 
But I don't have to wait until I get to Heaven 
By faith I can touch Him now. 

I can reach out and touch the hem of His garment 
I know he will make me whole 
For He's passing by this very moment 
Can you feel the virtue that flows 
Someday I will walk through the gates of that city 
By grace I will make it somehow 
But I don't have to wait until I get to Heaven 
By faith I can touch Him now. 

I will fall at His feet in the presence of angels 
and millions of saints around the throne 
I'll worship the Lord and sing hallelujah 
without all the trouble I've known 
Then I'll see those hands that lifted my burdens 
and I'll see those scars on his brow 
But I don't have to wait until I get to Heaven 
By faith I can touch Him now. 


Following this time of prayer, praise and worship, we shared further scriptures with each other...especially from James 1:17-25.  Verse 17 says:

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, 
and comes down from the Father of lights,
with Whom there is no variation or shadow of turning..."

Also these words of exhortation:

verse 19-20:  "So then, my beloved brethren (sisters),
let every man (woman) be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath...
For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."

Verse 22:  "But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only,
deceiving yourselves."

These lessons in God's Word helped us to see that we need to be quick to listen to God's Word, and then to put into practice that which we are being taught as we listen and learn.

Following this we headed out for a new (to most of us) restaurant in a neighboring community.
We found Ivie's Country Cafe in Orange Springs to be a delightful little place with good food and a comfy, country atmosphere typical of our life out here in the "woods".  



I love that they proudly displayed our American flag along with the pictures of some of the wildlife from the forest.


And our waitress took a moment from her busy schedule to take our picture at the table before we left.  We had a great time, and will definitely be back to this place again... ( we don't have a lot of choices out in the woods where we live without having to travel a long distance...so we appreciate our few local cafe's)

I hope you enjoyed coming along with us on this prayer-filled, joyful journey today!    This would definitely be a good example of a "good gift and perfect gift from above, from the Father of lights, with Whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."   The gift of Godly fellowship and praying  sisters in Christ is a very good gift indeed!