Friday Foto Friends~Happy Last Friday of May!

Psalm 113:1-9

"1 Praise the Lord!

Praise, O servants of the Lord,

Praise the name of the Lord!

2 Blessed be the name of the Lord

From this time forth and forevermore!

3 From the rising of the sun to its going down

The Lord’s name is to be praised.

The 'Still Very Dry Still Waters Pond" early yesterday morning after a couple of rainy evenings.  No puddles on top yet, but that big old sponge is soaking up the water and someday it will have to spill over. Keep Praying! More rain is on the way, so they say... (I wrote that earlier today, before the rains got here around 4:30 p.m.)

4 The Lord is high above all nations,

His glory above the heavens.

5 Who is like the Lord our God,

Who dwells on high,

6 Who humbles Himself to behold

The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?"

Yesterday morning's sunrise...

And last evening's full moon...

It was playing Peek-a Boo with the clouds...

This Gopher Tortoise was also playing Peek a Boo with us as we saw him on the road back in the woods where we had decided to take a long ride...

7 He raises the poor out of the dust,

And lifts the needy out of the ash heap,

8 That He may seat him with princes—

With the princes of His people.

9 He grants the barren woman a home,

Like a joyful mother of children.

Praise the Lord!"

Blackie seems to also fit that description above..."He raises the poor out of the dust and lifts the needy out of the ash heap, that He may seat him with "princes..."  Well, close enough!  Blackie certainly has come up in the world a great deal since his lowly beginnings...however, he thinks he's really the "king" around here...He's helping Daddy with his computer work...LOL.

I have been working on this post off and on all day long.  Had little interruptions throughout the day, and just couldn't sit still long enough to get it posted.  Now, this evening here's what's been happening...

Mr. Ruby Throated Hummingbird flew in to get a drink and rest a spell while he waited for the rain to go away...

And after the rain...a Rainbow!!! Praise God!! What a perfect ending to a lovely day! (Although the rain isn't really over yet...just a little lull in the storm)

Oh....BTW:  Happy Last Friday of May! Wow! That sure went by fast, didn't it?  Hard to believe next week starts the month of June already! The kids are out of school here in our area, and graduations and awards ceremonies have been going on all week long.  Whew! Congratulations to all those who have graduated and received awards. And best wishes to all those who made it through the year and maybe didn't get any awards, but you made it! You survived and hopefully will be moving up to a new level in the fall...new beginnings and opportunities.  I do remember those days quite well. I was always happy to see the last day of school, and believe it or not, I was always happy to see the first day of school in September! Summers were fun when I was a kid...lots of opportunities for swimming, camping, and traveling north to visit relatives. But they were also hot and sometimes boring when I couldn't see my friends all that often. So I was always happy when school started back and we could all be together again.

I know this post seems kind of disjointed...Like I said, I've started and stopped working on it all day...that paragraph above was originally going to be the first paragraph, but I got distracted by the weather and beauty outside...so just bear with me...this is the way it is around here some days! (most days!)

Yesterday the Blue Jays flew in to disturb the Bluebirds! The Bluebirds are now feeding their 2nd brood of babies in the nest it seems...and their youngsters from the first batch are still hanging around in the trees and sometimes show up wanting some help from the parents with food...but anyway, there were several Blue Jays who flew in and starting taunting the Bluebirds, and the Bluebird parents were all over those Blue Jays, chasing them away. I tried to get some decent photos, but there was too much action and I couldn't really keep up. So here's what I did manage to get:

The male bluebird is on the left side, and the Blue Jay is on the right (above)

The male bluebird is on the top branch on the right, and the Blue Jay is on the branch below him, close to the tree trunk.

This is the Blue Jay.  I think the BlueBird was somewhere around standing guard over the birdhouse where the babies are.

Meanwhile, the Ruby Throated Humminbird was flying back and forth to their hummingbird feeder, and looking at the Blue Birds and Blue Jays as if to say, "Can't you blue guys behave yourselves?"   Of course, if you've ever seen hummingbirds in a territorial dispute, you know they can be even more feisty than the Blue Birds and Blue Jays! LOL.  There's never a dull moment here in Pamela's Wild Kingdom! LOL.

I am so very thankful for the rains we have finally been having! It appears that the drought is finally over in our area. Now it's just a matter of time before the pond will be filling up again, little by little. This gives me great joy and hope for so many things...

Let's close with these words from Psalm 96...

Psalm 96:11-13

"11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;

let the sea resound, and all that is in it.

12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;

let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.

13 Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for He comes,

He comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness

and the peoples in his faithfulness."

Good Night Friends!  Have a blessed weekend.

A Devotional for Advent -Revisited

NOTE: This was originally written a couple of years ago...but I thought it appropriate to share with you again today, this First Sunday of Advent...

Original Post written 11/29/2020

After the busyness of the previous week of Thanksgiving preparations and spending precious time feasting with family and friends...my mind and spirit needed to get away from the hustle and bustle for a little while and spend some time alone. Sitting along the shore of our Still Waters Pond brought peace and comfort as I quieted myself before the Lord and allowed His Presence to wash over me. There is such tranquility in the midst of the noise of the earth as I come before the Lord in reverence and awe, and enjoy again the beauties of His world surrounding me.

Ah! I suddenly remembered that it is the beginning of Advent...and as I gathered together the fresh pine boughs and holly branches filled with bright red berries, and placed the cedar candle stands in the center of the wreath that will hold the Advent candles throughout these next four weeks prior to Christmas, my heart began to sing to the Lord "a new song"...

"Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!

Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, bless His name;

Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.

Declare His glory among the nations,

His wonders among all peoples.

For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised;

He is to be feared above all gods."

Psalm 96:1-4

While I retreated from the world a little while, God reminded me again of the true meaning of Christmas...and why we should prepare our hearts for the Advent of the Lord as we proclaim Christ's birth and purpose for coming to the earth...

"The people who walked in darkness

Have seen a great light;

Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,

Upon them a light has shined."

"For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace 

there will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

to order it and establish it with judgment and justice

from that time forward, even forever.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."

Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7

What a precious time this was today...the Lord knew what I needed.  I needed to sit down in a quiet place and allow my soul to be bathed in His peace and comfort.  I needed to prepare my heart for the coming of the Lord....Christmas! I needed to make room for Him to enter into my heart and home and life again...and not just go through the motions of putting up all the decorations and shopping for gifts and baking and working and wearing myself out without enjoying the wonder and beauty of this most glorious season...

"Let the heavens rejoice,

and let the earth be glad;

Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;

Let the field be joyful,

and all that is in it.

Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord,

For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth.

He shall judge the world with righteousness,

and the peoples with His truth."

Psalm 96:11-13

And what about you? Have you prepared your heart for the coming of the Christ child this Christmas? There is no time like the present to be "present" to God's peace...

That would be the very best "present" of all...

Peace on earth, and in our hearts as well.

Amen.

Friday Foto Friends: Is It Spring Already?

My apologies to those of you who may be trapped in your houses with cabin fever due to frigid temperatures and mounting snowbanks and icy roads...but THIS is what is happening here where I live:

Yes, the wild plum trees in the woods where we love to walk each day are blooming profusely!

These two little trees are a bit overrun with Spanish moss, but that doesn't keep them from blooming every year...and then hopefully producing many tiny little wild plums to feed the wildlife in the summer:

Wouldn't this be a lovely crown for a little princess?

I know this is picture overload, but this season only is only for a little while, and I want to drink it all in while it lasts:

"The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them,

And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose;"

Isaiah 35:1

I think you can tell that seeing these blossoms truly is a "delight" for me!

Song of Solomon 2:11-13

"11 For lo, the winter is past,

The rain is over and gone.

12 The flowers appear on the earth;

The time of singing has come,

And the voice of the turtledove

Is heard in our land.

13 The fig tree puts forth her green figs,

And the vines with the tender grapes

Give a good smell.

Rise up, my love, my fair one,

And come away!"

As I wandered around rejoicing and clapping my hands at such delights, I thought of these verses in the Bible:

Psalm 96:11-13

"11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;

Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;

12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it.

Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice

13 before the Lord.

For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth.

He shall judge the world with righteousness,

And the peoples with His truth"

And I came to this tree below.

Looks like judgment has already been passed on this old tree and its life is ebbing away.

But even in death, it has a strange kind of beauty and purpose

It appears there is some kind of fuzzy material there in the cavity of the tree, like something has been using this as a nest or a hiding place...a place of safety from predators.  It also looks like a little bear sitting there...if you step back and look at that blackened area...do you see the ears and nose? I sure do...but then, I'm always seeing faces in the woods and trees and sky...all a part of delighting in God's creation!

And it made me think about purpose...even as we get older and age begins to take its toll on our bodies, maybe we can still find a purpose in our lives...perhaps we can be a place of refuge and security for those still finding their way along the paths of life...for those still kind of tripping over the vines and roots and getting tangled in the brambles as they ramble around seeking truth and hope and still trying to see the beauty in life when all seems to be kind of dark and scary...

Maybe we can warn them when danger lies ahead, and to keep their heads up and eyes open before they get tangled in the web of this old world and all its dangers... (yes, I almost ran into this spider and his web again...but thankfully I was watching for it this time and stopped just in time...and took a detour around  him)

You know, we may not always have all the answers to life's questions, but we know WHO does, and where we can find hope and help in time of need...by turning our eyes to Jesus...

1 "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

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."

Hebrews 12:1-2

Yes, I believe we are here to run our own race with patience and endurance, and to also help lead others along the way who may become tangled in the web and vines of life's difficulties as God leads us.  That is why I am so thankful for you all here in Blogland...others who also come alongside when we need an encouraging word and a prayer for our journey.  Thank you for being those kinds of friends!!

Also, thank you to all who had some kind words for me yesterday as I had a medical test to go through. I did survive the test and the drinking of the horrible barium "milkshake".  Now we wait for the results, but I feel confident all will be well.

And one more thing...I had an update from our friend Martha Jane Orlando's husband Danny yesterday. Martha is still in the hospital, but seems to finally be turning the corner and is building strength and feeling so much better. He is hopeful that she will soon be discharged. Thank you all for your prayers and concern for her.  She is looking forward to getting back to her blog so she can share all the things God has been showing her during her confinement.

Have a blessed and "delightful" day!!!

 

New Year Reflections

Well, it's here!  The beginning of a brand new year!

What does this new year hold for each of us?  We really don't know...

The future is just as dim as this early morning fog on Still Waters Pond...we can just barely see the glimmers of light on the other side...

We may feel like this teapot on a birthday cake, wanting to break out and celebrate, but the uncertainty of life is swirling around us and we just aren't too sure which way to go...

Or like this snowman and the beautiful cardinal, enjoying the beauty of the moment while it lasts, but realizing that all too soon all this reverie will melt away and we will be left wondering what happened...and what do we do next?

As we reflect on the joys and beauties of the Christmas season we have just celebrated, 

we take one last look at what was...

And in the midst of it all we find glimmers of HOPE...

little reminders of the JOY and PEACE of the Christ Child of Christmas 

and we are reminded to BELIEVE in His promises for us for a future filled with Faith, Hope, and Love

.

"For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.

Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

I Corinthians 13:12-13

Hear the words of the Prophet Isaiah, as he writes down what God the Lord still speaks to us across time:

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts,

Come to the waters;

And you who have no money,

Come, buy and eat.

Yes, come, buy wine and milk

Without money and without price.

2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread,

And your wages for what does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,

And let your soul delight itself in abundance."

Isaiah 55:1-2

As most of you may already know, my new "One Word" for 2022 is "Delight".  Throughout the year I will be reflecting on the word "Delight" from many perspectives...especially as I read through God's Word and discover the many places where God expresses His delight in His creation and His children...and also in the many ways we "delight" ourselves in Him.  But I also expect that I will personally be expressing "delight" in life itself...as the year unfolds before us and we experience first hand delight and joy in God's creation, family and friends and whatever blessings come our way. And just because I know that life is never all "wine and roses", I can probably expect there will be times when life won't seem so "delightful", and those will be the times when my "delight" may turn to trusting God even when things don't make much sense.  But for now, let us rejoice in the beauty and glory of God and declare His wonders among all peoples:

Since it is still foggy as pea soup outside, I thought you'd enjoy seeing this beauty that is blooming in my kitchen!  I just took this Amaryllis bulb out of the box a few days ago, and look at it now!

Psalm 96:1-4

"Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!

Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

2 Sing to the Lord, bless His name;

Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.

3 Declare His glory among the nations,

His wonders among all peoples.

4 For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised;

He is to be feared above all gods."

And please notice that it has not just one blossom, but there are others on the way, ready to bloom any day now!

Yes, the New Year is full of promise and hope and delight...even if we can't see it all right now...we can believe it by faith and we can sing to the Lord a new song...

"Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;

Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;

12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it.

Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice

13 before the Lord.

For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth.

He shall judge the world with righteousness,

And the peoples with His truth."

Psalm 96:11-13

Amen

and 

Happy New Year!