Monday Monday...A Lesson from Nature...

Happy Monday from Still Waters Pond...Thought I'd start off this week with a few pictures of our turtle friends out on the little marsh island in the pond.  We've had some bright, sunny days lately and the turtles are taking advantage of this time to do a little "sun-bathing".  

Today was actually quite chilly here, and I imagine the waters are kind of cold...so that sunshine must feel good to these cold-blooded reptiles.

We really don't get to see much of the turtle population out there in the pond unless the weather is just right and they decide to come up and enjoy the sunshine for a few hours.  I am not sure which ones these are...there are at least two different varieties I've seen here in our Still Waters Pond...the Florida Soft Shell Turtle, and the other is most likely some type of Florida Cooter.  This link will tell you more about these turtles:   https://www.boxturtles.com/florida-turtles

There are two here:

Although I enjoy seeing the turtles out there sunning themselves, I was NOT happy with them a couple of weeks ago, when I believe one very strong turtle decided to try to take on one of our beautiful Ring Necked Ducks for a potential meal.  

We watched helplessly from a distance as the duck swam for his life, apparently with the turtle attached to one of his feet. He swam and swam in circles quite a long time. I seriously wanted to go out there in my kayak and knock the turtle loose, but I learned some time ago not to interfere with nature.  

Eventually we believe the duck freed himself and flew away, although we did not actually see it happen, but from all indications we do believe it was able to extricate itself after a very long struggle.  However, all of the Ringed Neck Duck community took off and left our pond and has not returned since that event.  I hope they found some safer waters in which to swim and dive.  

I have to remind myself that the natural world is not always a safe and peaceful place. There are enemies lurking beneath the surface or along the shore or up in the trees, watching for opportunities to snatch a quick meal.  It is often a battle for the survival of the fittest.  

I don't mean to be gruesome or upsetting to anyone here...just stating the facts of life.  And it isn't limited just to the realm of nature.  We are all subject to the dangers of our adversary, the devil...who according to this warning in I Peter 5:8 ~

"8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

But I appreciate what the rest of the verses surrounding that particular passage have to say to us:

"6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

9 Resist him, (the devil), steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever." Amen.

If we humble ourselves before the Lord, and put our faith and trust in Him, not only will He show us how much He truly cares for us, but He will "perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you..."

Just like that duck, who swam and struggled against a formidable foe for sometime, I honestly believe that he literally wore out the turtle and the turtle let him go.  We could say that God gave him the strength to hang in there and fight and finally the turtle gave up and the duck was able to fly away to join his family.  And apparently the ducks were intelligent enough to know that they needed to stay away from this enemy and have not returned.

When we are faced with formidable foes, whether they be from the "nether world" of Satan and his dominion, or perhaps we are faced with difficult circumstances of health, finances, family or other personal issues, we need to remember to be humble before the Lord.  Seek His face and surrender our heartaches and issues to Him, and He will give us the STRENGTH we need to fight our foes.  I love that part of verse 10 that says "after you have suffered a while"...yes, we all do go through some deep waters as a part of this life, but God will actually perfect us in this process...He will establish and strengthen us, and this is what I love...He will "settle you".    I love that feeling of finally being "settled" after struggling with life's issues...it's that feeling of being tucked into bed by a loving parent after a difficult day, the covers are pulled up snuggly around us, and we are tenderly caressed and kissed goodnight, and we are settled...totally at peace, and ready to drift off to sleep without a care in the world...because Jesus is there with us, taking care of all our concerns.  

As an added postscript...thank you for your prayers for us last week as my hubby had a follow up appointment with his surgeon from the surgery/procedure he had done last fall. The report was very good and encouraging, and we are very very thankful to God for His healing.  He will continue to have periodic check ups just to be sure of nothing changing...but the Doctor was very pleased with his progress.  This was very comforting to us.  

I hope this post has not been disturbing to anyone, but only a reminder to us to always "cast your care on the Lord, for He cares for you." That is the good news that gives us peace and comfort.  

Good night dear friends! Praying you will be "settled" and at peace. Amen.

Daylight Savings Time and Super Worm Moon, Oh My!

 Who knew that we would have Daylight Savings Time and a "Super Worm Moon" all in the same week? Well, probably the people who keep up with such things knew it, but I have been a little out of the loop on all things happening in the world lately, so this beautiful full moon really caught my attention this morning:

 Click HERE for the Almanac information on the Super Worm Moon!

 According to the article, the earthworms start coming out of the ground during this moon, so I wonder how many earthworms are out there? I need to go check in the morning. I know you are anxious to see them, right???

 I wish my camera could get better moon shots, because this definitely does NOT do it justice! It was gorgeous, and this was around 7 a.m. today!

 I guess one benefit of being on Daylight Savings Time is we can wake up with the moon still shining...

And practically go to bed not long after sunset...which was at 7:20 pm last night:

It was a little cloudy, but still beautiful, and a lovely ending to a long day....

Who likes daylight savings time?  I know I generally do NOT like it the first week while still adjusting my body clock to the new hours...

Thankfully I now have this sweet little bedfellow "Bear Bear" to keep me company in bed...and help me snuggle down and go to sleep even when the moon is shining brightly through the window and yet it was just barely dark a few minutes before...

"Bear Bear" was a gift from my hubby while I was in the hospital last week. Hubby knew I would need something soft and cuddly to snuggle while recovering from surgery...and "Bear Bear" has been just perfect.

(If you've already seen some of these pictures on Facebook, sorry...just "bear" with me! LOL There are some new pictures toward the end of this post)

Speaking of recuperation, I am doing quite well, all things considered, and am very thankful to be able to be up and around and having less and less pain every day.  Yesterday afternoon I followed the Doctor's orders to try and take several walks every day. I took one walk about the yard, and enjoyed seeing what all was growing in my absence.

 This beautiful tiny little wildflower is growing all around the banks of the pond. It is a Tenangle Pipewort.  In spite of its strange name, isn't it lovely? Look at all the details! Only our Creator God could imagine such a beautifully detailed flower that is hardly as large as a nickel!

 This is another example of the beautiful flowers blooming around the pond. "Narrowleaf Sunflower"


Now, this below is my "Rose of Sharon" bush that I brought here from the Memorial Garden at our old house when we moved. I know I need to get it planted, but I am just so happy to see that it is sending out new leaves.  Mr. "Froggy_Splatt" is taking good care of it.  (The red flowers in the background are poinsettias left over from Christmas and still blooming!)

 I was also happy to see the new "Knockout Rose" bushes that we planted a few weeks ago are blooming again in front of the house.

That is a welcoming sight! Especially since we haven't had much rain, and I wasn't here to water them.  My son did water them for me last night when I asked him if he would.

 There has been a lot of bird and other activity around our yard and on Still Waters Pond:

 Mrs. Cardinal having her afternoon snack.

 This tiny little Yellow Rumped Warbler stood still long enough for me to capture a couple of photos.

And today I saw our first Goldfinch on the finch feeder!

 I do hope he will bring the rest of the family to enjoy the feast...

Mr. Cardinal decided that today was a good day for a bath, even if it isn't Saturday!

 He looks refreshed and ready to enjoy the extra hours of daylight...(although I don't think it matters to him...it's all the same)

 These Suwannee River Sliders (Cooters) are enjoying an afternoon in the sunshine!

 My hubby just called my attention to a Bluebird sitting on the front fence. Unfortunately, because I am still moving rather slowly, he flew away just as I was getting ready to take a picture...but at least I know they are still around. He said there were two of them. Maybe they will come and check out our birdhouse yet!! I've been watching and waiting.

I know everyone is getting quite concerned about this Corona Virus "epidemic"...and certainly we need to be aware and take necessary precautions, but not give in to panic and despair. 
I know I have quoted Psalm 91 before, but it is the Psalm that comes back to me again and again when I think about this virus that is stalking about.  It gives me peace and comfort, and I hope it will you as well.

Psalm 91  (NKJV)

Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God

91 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;

My God, in Him I will trust.”

3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler

And from the perilous pestilence.

4 He shall cover you with His feathers,

And under His wings you shall take refuge;

His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,

Nor of the arrow that flies by day,

6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,

Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,

And ten thousand at your right hand;

But it shall not come near you.

8 Only with your eyes shall you look,

And see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,

Even the Most High, your dwelling place,

10 No evil shall befall you,

Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

11 For He shall give His angels charge over you,

To keep you in all your ways.

12 In their hands they shall bear you up,

Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,

The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;

I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him,

And show him My salvation.”

Amen.

I trust that you are putting your trust in the Lord to watch over you and your loved ones during these difficult days.  And yes, wash your hands...be sensible about where you go and what you do, but don't panic. God is with you. He has promised to take care of His children. And He will not leave us nor forsake us.

Most of all, May God bless you with peace.

"Zip a Dee-Doo-Dah, Zip-a-Dee-ay"

"Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
My, oh, my, what a wonderful day
Plenty of sunshine headin' my way
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay!

Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder
It's the truth, it's "actch'll"
Everything is "satisfactch'll"
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Wonderful feeling, wonderful day!"

(from Walt Disney's "Song of the South")

Does that happy little song bring back sweet memories of your childhood? It sure does mine...Uncle Remus and Br'er Rabbit...and singing "Zip a dee doo dah, Zip a dee ay!"

Well today was one of those kind of days...a beautiful sunshiny day...it actually felt like spring again after last week's dip back into winter.  Although I hear we may be getting some more wintry weather later this week...today was just "satisfactch'll"

Mr. Bluebird wasn't exactly on my shoulder, but the truth is, he was on my bird bath and then on my pine tree:

Imagine my amazement as I sat on the back deck just relaxing, and then this bluebird landed on the birdbath right in front of me:

He turned around and said hello to "Bobby" the Squirrel...

And then he said "Zip- a -dee-doo-day, zip-a-dee-ay" I'm flying out of here...

But curiosity got the better of him, and he came back a few minutes later...not sure if it was "Bobby the Squirrel" he was interested in, or if he wanted to get another look at the crazy lady on the deck with the camera:

Next he flew to the pine tree and sat there for a while, playing peek-a-boo with me.

I'm sure he thought I couldn't see him, so he was safe to sit there and take a peek at me...

 Oops, better turn my head and not let her get a good look at me...

Well, maybe just another little peek...

"I think I'd better fly up to that other tree and get where I'm safely hidden from prying eyes"

And so he flew away, but hopefully he'll be back another day. Now I need to find a bird house and get it fastened out there somewhere so maybe he'll stay and bring his wife and family...

As I watched that clip of that song above with Uncle Remus and the children, I noticed that there were many other critters skipping along with them as they sang. I didn't quite see all of those special creatures today, but I did see a few others that were interesting:

Early this morning the Canadian Geese were getting quite close on our shore, and they were being stalked by a neighborhood cat who just happened to be passing through the yard:

 She kind of crept alongside them for a while....

But then she was off to better hunting grounds and they stood and watched her go...

 I'm sure they were quite relieved...

And then later this afternoon these Suwannee Cooter turtles were sunning themselves on a log in the pond.

 They look quite content and peaceful just relaxing in the sunshiny day...

I noticed there was a little brown dog in the movie clip running alongside the children...and sure enough, this little brown dog came trotting through our yard this afternoon.  Not sure where he came from or where he was going...he paused for a minute and said hello, and I said hello back to him, and he sniffed around and off he went. My son says he has seen him come through the yard before. He seems to be healthy and friendly, so I assume he belongs to someone although I didn't see a collar, but perhaps he just goes on a daily run through the neighborhood. Of course there are leash laws that are supposed to keep that from happening...but sometimes little brown dogs just have to break the rules. I hope he stays safe and gets back home okay.

So now I am singing that little tune and having that "wonderful feeling"...it's a "wonderful day".

I believe the Lord gave me this happy little interlude this afternoon as I am beginning to prepare for my surgery one week from today. Today we went shopping to get some things stocked up here at the house. I am trying to get things organized here at home so it won't be too difficult for hubby to take care of things in my absence (or even when I am back home and still unable to fully participate for a while).

Yesterday at church I was so completely surprised, blessed and thankful that our Pastor called me and another gentleman, who is also going to be having surgery this week, along with our families and anyone else who wanted to come and stand with us and lay hands upon us as he prayed for us. It was such a beautiful and spirit filled time of prayer on our behalf, and I truly felt the Presence of the Lord, and just as Jesus laid His hands on so many throughout His years of ministry and healed them, I believe that Christ is still reaching His hands out to us through His ministers and people of faith and that there is healing in those hands. I thank the Lord for this blessing and gift.

Our pastor's sermon yesterday was entitled "Forgiveness is a Product of Repentance", based on the passage in Luke 15:1-10. One key verse was verse 10:

"I say to you that likewise there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Luke 19:10 says: "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." 

Repentance = "to change one's mind", "to turn away from something", "to make an about-face in your life."
Salvation is Christ's message. He is calling us away from what is destroying our lives toward what will totally change our lives.
"Repentance refers to practice of continual self-examination and turning away from anything that destroys or diminishes our relationship with God."
In Psalm 51, King David  is praying a psalm of repentance after his sin with Bathsheba.  In verse 3 he acknowledges his sin. In verse 4 he recognizes that his sin is against God. Sin has stolen the joy from his life.

• Sin steals the joy from our lives.  David asked for cleansing.  He repented of his great sin and asked God to restore the "joy of Your salvation." (verse 12) 
• Forgiveness is a product of repentance.  We receive forgiveness whenever we repent.  
• Repentance should be a part of our daily communication with God, for we have all sinned. 

In Exodus chapter 32 the people sinned when they made a Golden Calf and worshiped it in place of Almighty God.

• What are the "golden calves" that we have made and worship today? They can be very subtle...
• What keeps me from drawing closer to God? 

Perhaps we need to identify that Golden Calf in our lives and repent and turn back to the Lord.  And the Lord will forgive us and restore the joy of our salvation when we turn from that which is separating us from Him.

Sermon Notes: FUMC, Interlachen, FL, Pastor John Bennett, 02/23/2020

Please Note : I want to repeat this disclaimer here...the notes, outline, and content included here are based upon my own personal understanding of the message that was being given. I am not attempting to completely quote or reproduce this message or any other message I've shared previously. Just as each person reading these notes may glean insights and thoughts that seem to directly apply to one's own situation and interpretation, my own delivery of these messages is skewed by my hearing and translation of what is being said. Some may read my notes here and wonder if they were hearing the same message as I...and I say, God speaks to each of us as He wills...there are things He is trying to get across to each individual that may be entirely different than what the person sitting next to you in the pew is needing to hear... That is how the Holy Spirit works! He knows what we need to hear and how to apply it to our hearts. So it is with that understanding that I present these sermon notes to you.

There is such joy when we know we are forgiven of our sins...and then we can sing along with the song above "Zip a dee doo dah, zip a dee ay!! Wonderful feeling, wonderful day!!  I hope you have this great joy in your heart too!