Thursday Thankfulness~Watch and Listen...and Be Ready!

Can you imagine my delight when I came out of the house and found this beautiful Monarch Butterfly resting on the bushes! 

Isn't she lovely in her beautiful gown?

It looks like her petticoat is showing out from under the gorgeous orange, black and white wings, which would remind one of a stained glass window!

I wonder if she is making a stop here in my yard on her way south for the winter?

I don't know much about their migration, but the link I posted above may give more information if you are interested.

I feel honored and blessed to have this lovely visitor in my garden, no matter where she's going or coming from.  I'm just happy I happened to walk outside just at that moment and had my phone camera in hand ready to capture these photos.  Otherwise, this special moment in time would have been lost!

You know, watching for special moments is just as important as listening for them.  We need to keep our eyes and ears open for the blessings that are all around us, waiting to be discovered.

This kind of reminds me of the story of the "Wise and Foolish Virgins", which Jesus taught His disciples regarding being prepared for His return someday...

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, Matthew 25:1-13

1“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 

2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 

3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 

4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 

5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 

7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 

8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 

9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 

12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."

With the way things are going in our world today, the return of Christ may be more imminent than ever before in history.  I would think it would behoove us to be like the wise "virgins" in this parable above, and have our lamps trimmed and ready, with plenty of oil...because we "do not know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming..."    

I remember this song from way back in the late 1980's  (1989   1970's  (actually 1969 was when it was published.exactly), and it had quite an impact on me then, as it still does today.  For a little better understanding, might be good to read Matthew chapter 24 first.

Not meaning to leave you with something that may seem a little depressing, but it doesn't have to be! For those of us who know Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, there is nothing to fear or regret.  We will be ready for His return, no matter when it takes place...or even if He calls us home to heaven sooner...we'll be ready.

Here's what Jesus says at the end of the Book of Revelation:

Revelation 22:16-21

"16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

The important question to ask is this:  Are you ready?  My prayer is that each and everyone of us can say with full assurance, YES, I am ready...   and if not, it's not too late to ask Jesus to come into your heart today...then there will be no regrets!    Be Ready!!  Amen.

The Secret Garden Chronicles-Day 7- Some Good News

I really need this today...

Just as I was preparing to sit down at my computer tonight to "transcribe" my notes from this afternoon's journal writing in the Secret Garden, the power went off!  We weren't having any kind of storm, so it must have been some kind of accident or a transformer blowing somewhere.  Anyway, we enjoyed about an hour of candlelight and peace and quiet with no television or other noise.  We actually sat in the softly lit living room and started telling stories and having real conversation instead of talking back to the TV. (Does anyone else do that?)  I was almost sorry to see the lights come back on, except for the fact that it is rather chilly here, going down in the 30's tonight, so I am thankful that we will have heat and lights and our pump can pump our water again!  And, I can now sit here and write to you!

Now, back to The Secret Garden Chronicles, written this afternoon...

As I sit down in the garden today, I feel a deep sense of relief.  

Here's my hubby with his mother, taken last week when we visited
while she was playing BINGO!

It's been a busy morning, going to visit my mother in law in the nursing home,
and then also meeting some of my husband's relatives for lunch prior to their going to  visit at the nursing home as well.  

It was very refreshing to spend time with them...strong Christians with very similar interests and feelings as we have on many topics concerning the current political climate in our country...and the constant barrage of negative news on the air waves.  It is so comforting to be with people who are like-minded and Spirit led.

Thank You, Lord, for putting Your people together at the right time and place!

Here's my mother in law on the bottom right, with her cousin on the left, and her nephew and lovely wife on the back row. She was very pleasantly surprised to see them!

By the way, my mother in law told us today that she loves this place and doesn't want to leave!  That was a great bit of news...and a real comfort to us to know that she is adjusting so well to her "new home".  She is making new friends and loves all the activities, as much as she is able to do.  God has truly answered our prayers.

Now, back to the Secret Garden...again...

As I come before Your throne, O Lord, quiet my heart, mind, and spirit so that I can focus my thoughts toward You.

"Father, I adore You;

Lay my life before You;

How I love You.

Jesus, I adore You;

Lay my life before You,

How I love You.

Spirit, I adore You;

Lay my life before You,

How I love You."

I can almost hear the echo of this "round" in my head as I sing...other voices join in unison, and then in a three part round.  So melodic, touching the very chords of my heart.  I may be here in this garden alone, but with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit all present...we are ONE!

Dear Friends, Won't you sing along with me? I hope you know this worship song...

"Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy

Holy, Holy,

Lord God Almighty.

And we lift our hearts before You 

as a token of our love,

Holy, Holy. Holy, Holy.

Gracious Father, Gracious Father,

We're so blest to be Your children

Gracious Father.

And we lift our heads before You 

as a token of our love,

Gracious Father, Gracious Father.

Precious Jesus, Precious Jesus,

We're so glad that You've redeemed us,

Precious Jesus.

And we lift our hands before You

as a token of our love,

Precious Jesus, Precious Jesus.

Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit,

Come and fill our hearts anew,

Holy Spirit.

And we lift our voice before You 

as a token of our love.

Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

And we lift our hearts before You 

as a token of our love.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah."

While I was sitting here singing, my sweet son came and put this sign up in the Secret Garden...in a location where I will see it as I sit down to worship and pray and write.  I wanted it there before me to remind me each day that as I enter this sacred place, I am to stop what I am doing, BE STILL, and  KNOW that God is present...He is here, and He asks me to acknowledge His Presence.

Maybe it will help the chickadees to be still as well...

It's so easy to become distracted by the things of the world, even here inside this beautiful place, which is set apart expressly for communion with God.  If I don't leave my worries and frustrations at the gate when I enter, it will be difficult to open my heart and mind to what God is wanting to say to me.

Today I was directed to read Psalm 45:1-7

(My Bible notes state that "This great Psalm of the King, with Psalms 46-47, obviously looks forward to His advent in glory."  (The New Scofield Study Bible, NKJV)

I really love this first verse...I felt like it was written just for me:

1> "My heart is overflowing with a good theme.

I recite my composition concerning The King;

My tongue is the pen of a ready writer."

2> "You are fairer than the sons of men.

Grace is poured upon Your lips;

Therefore, God has blessed You forever.

3> Gird Your sword upon Your thigh,

O Mighty One,

with Your glory and Your majesty.

4> And in Your majesty ride prosperously

because of TRUTH, humility, 

and righteousness.

And Your right hand shall teach You 

awesome things.

5> Your arrows are sharp in the heart

of the King's enemies.

The peoples fall under You.

6> Your throne, O God, is FOREVER and EVER!

A scepter of righteousness is

the scepter of Your Kingdom.

7> You love righteousness and hate wickedness;

Therefore God, Your God,

has anointed You with the oil of gladness

more than Your companions."

I really became excited while reading this passage about our Lord, Jesus Christ, The Mighty One, The King. I can envision our Lord, the King of kings, riding in glory and majesty, and His throne is FOREVER!  A scepter of righteousness...and He is riding on the clouds, coming to gather His Bride, The Church and all the saints of old, and take us into heaven...where we will reign with Him -FOREVER!  What a glorious day that will be...

In Revelation 22:12-13  Jesus says:

"And behold, I am coming quickly,

and My reward is with Me,

to give to everyone one 

according to his work...

I AM the ALPHA AND THE OMEGA,

THE BEGINNING AND THE END,

THE FIRST AND THE LAST!

Verse 17:

"And the Spirit and the Bride say, "COME!"

And let him who hears say, "COME!"

And let him who thirsts come...

Whoever desires, let him take

the water of life freely..."

Verse 20:

"He who testifies to these things says,

"Surely I Am coming quickly."

Amen, even so,

COME, LORD JESUS!"

After a difficult week, with a lot of contention in the news and our world, these thoughts of Christ returning for His Bride are very comforting to me.  It is my prayer that this will be a comfort to you as well, my friends.  When we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior and Coming King, we have nothing to fear about the future.  And that is GOOD NEWS!!!