At the Car Wash

It really is true: you can find beauty if you look for it! 

And you can prove it if you keep your camera handy! 

I took these pics inside the car wash a few days ago and love the colors and textures.

Balance

Lord, help me live a balanced life . . . 

seeking first your kingdom . . . 

 keeping the main thing the main thing . . . 

 enjoying the blessings I have . . . 

reaching out to others . . . 

 clinging to your truth.

A Reminder

Love Never Grows Old

(My father-in-law Evon and his sister Ruby) 

He just turned 93; 

She is a century old. 

So much history between them -

So many memories they hold. 

 Though their bodies are ailing 

And their steps have slowed, 

The love so evident between them 

Has not grown weak or cold. 

The bond between brother and sister 

Is not built on shifting sand. 

Love is the strong cord that binds; 

All obstacles it does withstand.  

Love is patient, love is kind. 
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered. 
It keeps no record of wrongs. 
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 
Love never fails.
 ~I Cor. 13:4-8~

------------------------------
Added note:
I am once again amazed at how God works!  I published the above post, returned to my blog, looked across to the sidebar and read these words from "Bible Verse for the Day" (and I'm putting them here because they will change tomorrow):
 “And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” 
(Isaiah 46:4)    (Read by Max McLean. Provided by The Listener's Audio Bible.)

HIS LOVE NEVER EVER GROWS OLD!!
 

Stillness

No matter how you look at it, 

He is an awesome Creator . . . 

Lover of Beauty . . . 

and His glory shows up everywhere! 

Emily's Joy

Sixteen-year-old granddaughter Emily and her family live near the Gulf Coast and have been pounded with rains and winds. Thankfully, they are safe! Yesterday she posted these words on her Facebook:  

Joy (noun)- Dancing and spinning and giggling like a three-year old in the middle of a hurricane, barefoot and sopping wet, with rain pouring down and floodwater up to the scar in the middle of your shin, while your brother and sister are splashing and running and jumping and laughing around you... and realizing you haven't smiled this widely and this long in days. :) ♥

And as I smiled, I thought:  I think there is a sermon or song or two, an analogy, a lesson in those lines!

I think the song has already been written!  Thanks, Deron, for bringing it to my attention again this week:
   And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

Em's definition is a wonderful symbolic picture of dancing in the rain . . . in the storms of life.  And we all have them in varying sizes,
intensities and durations.

I'm reminded that:
 a "dancing-in-the-middle-of-a-hurricane" attitude is a choice
you have to risk getting wet

some will shake their heads at your attitude and actions

having a family "celebrate" with you always helps

you may be reminded of previous storms as the water sloshes 

around your "scars"

"scars are a sign of healing"

feelings of joy run deep and don't depend on weather forecasts and surrounding floodwaters

joy splashes onto others

I also know that I must not be critical of those who have not yet been able to "praise You in this storm."  I'm certainly not the poster child for this kind of faith, but I'm leaning and learning!

I'm thankful that "I know the Master of the winds.  I know the Maker of the rain." And by way, Em knows Him, too - in a very real way!

In spite of anything and everything swirling around me,
I know that He is in control.

And that's where my joy comes from!

Thanks, Emily, for a priceless reminder! 

Climbing

Life's journey is filled with. . . 

Mountains, hills, and valleys, 

On-the-edge roads, winding curves. 

A traveler experiences . . . 

Moments of exhilaration, 

Awe, fear, surprise. 

The trip affords . . . 

Views of where we've been, 

Glimpses of where we are going. 

A Guide is available . . . 

Who IS the Way, 

Who never leaves our sides. 

We can be assured that . . . 

We will reach our destination, 

The Mountaintop will be worth it all! 

(Note:  I took this pic as we drove Bear Tooth Highway, which led us out of Yellowstone and into beautiful South Dakota.)

Faithful

An awesome sight . . . an amazing example of "being on time"! 

But I can think of One whose infinite faithfulness cannot be surpassed . . .

One who is always on time . . . 

One who will never fail us! 

I'm glad I know Him and He knows me!

I'm Back!

We followed our son's black Suburban over 4000 miles through 12 states!  It was the best of times!  I took this pic as we were leaving "our home" near Jackson, Wyoming, with our hearts full of gratitude for God's blessings and presence as we enjoyed His incredibly awesome creation.  I'll be sharing more of my photos in the days ahead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'd like to share something I read this morning that spoke to me.  It's too good not to share!

A Different Kind of Fast

by Aletha Hinthorn on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at 11:28am ·

The Hebrew word "fast" means to cover the mouth.  In fact, a fast of words is one of the fasts in Isaiah 58. Isaiah 58:9b lists not pointing fingers in judgment and not speaking malicious words as conditions of great blessings.

Sylvia Gunter remembers the first time God led her to fast for 40 days of all negative, complaining, critical, and judgmental words. She wrote in a recent devotional, "About two weeks into my fast, I was treated haughtily at a store. As I left the store, I said to myself, 'I'll just take my business elsewhere. That is the second time she has had an attitude with me.'

"Immediately I heard in my spirit, 'No, you are the one with the attitude.' I wanted to fall to my knees on the sidewalk, crying out, 'I am so sick of me!' I know how Isaiah felt when he told God, 'Woe is me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips' (Isa. 6:5). O God, take a coal from the altar and purge this wicked heart of mine. God showed me that He was dealing with a root of pride (Isa. 57:15, 1 Peter 5:5-6). I was puffed up, with no sense of my own spiritual need.

"I struggled for a while in this fast of words in what felt like hand-to-hand warfare, but God softened and sweetened my heart. After that season, I felt like a dog in a yard with an invisible electric fence. Every time I opened my mouth to say anything critical, I would get a zap from my loving Father. I reviewed my prayer notebook and was amazed at how many Scriptural insights God gave me during that time. God was being faithful to reveal more of Himself.

"Ask God if He is leading you to do a forty-day fast of critical, judgmental, negative, complaining, gossiping words.  You may be amazed what God will do through it."

Thank You, Jesus, for helping us guard our thoughts so that our words also please You.

"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23).

Manna Miracles

It's not too often that I see a hummer's tongue . . . and I love it when I get a "miraculous" shot like this one! Well . . . OK, it's not really a miracle; that may be carrying it a little too far!

I wonder, though, how many miracles we miss . . . or take for granted . . . or call a "coincidence." I'm reading a book by Mark Batterson entitled The Circle Maker, which I highly recommend. He writes about the Israelites complaining about one miracle, the manna from heaven, while asking for another - meat. He reminds readers not to be too critical, however, for we do the same thing!  

There are miracles all around us all the time, yet it's so easy to find something to complain about in the midst of those miracles. The simple act of reading involves millions of impulses firing across billions of synapses. While you are reading, your heart goes about its business circulating five quarts of blood through a hundred thousand miles of veins, arteries, and capillaries. And it's amazing you can even concentrate, given the fact that you're on a planet that is traveling 67,000miles per hour through space while spinning around its axis at a speed of 1,000 miles per hour. But we take those manna miracles, the miracles that happen day in, day out, for granted.

I'm glad God is patient with us just as He was with the Israelites, but I don't want to take His patience lightly.  How much richer our lives would be if we could just see - really see - the miracles around us daily. . . and if we could learn to be content with His just-enough-for-today blessings. 

I mentioned the rarity of seeing a hummingbird's sliver of a tongue.  I certainly don't want God to say, "I rarely hear Glenda being thankful for the blessings I lavish on her."  

Lord, give me eyes wide open to your manna miracles . . . and a thankful, content heart.

Praise Him!

From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the LORD'S name is to be praised.

~Psalm 113:3~

So many reasons to Praise His Name.  Among them:

His Power

His Plan

His Promises

His Protection

His Presence
His Peace

I sing praises to Your name, O Lord,

Praises to Your name, O Lord.

For Your name is great and greatly to be praised.

~Lyrics by Terry MacAlmon~

Note:  After posting this, I looked across the page to my Bible Verse of the Day, and here's what I read (I'm adding it here because the verse will change tomorrow):

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

I love it when God coordinates things :)

Barnabas

 Just look at that sweet face!

Meet Barnabas . . . our newest family member . . . a small, furry bundle
of life and energy!  He came to us recently during some difficult days, and his name fits him so well.  He just has a way of getting one's mind off cares and concerns!  I am reminded that our creative God uses the unexpected to bring encouragement into our lives!  These words from an old song come
 to my mind:

My Jesus knows just what I need . . . 
He satisfies and every need supplies.
Yes, He knows just what I need.

Hometown

Patriotism is like charity; it begins at home.

 ~J. Henry~ 

 I'm enjoying time with family . . . be back to blogging in a few days.

Journeying

The wind blew

ruffling his feathers,

but he didn't retreat;

he was too near his destination -

lunch at the bird feeder!

Gusts of wind

sometimes ruffle my feathers,

but I must not retreat;

I'm too close to my destination

to turn back now!

. . . forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call 
of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14

It's All About HIm!

If you have visited my blog for a while, you're already aware of how much I enjoy nature! The older I get, the more I revel in God's handiwork. I love sunrises and sunsets, the mountains and woods, birds and butterflies, and flowers of all kinds. But I don't want to ever put the creation above the Creator! The world is His . . . and it's all about Him!

I think of the question asked by Francis Chan: Are we really in love with God, or do we just love His stuff? I definitely love His stuff, but I worship Him! I praise Him for His awesome power!

This is my Father's world; I rest me in the thought . . .

Who Am I?

 

I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous, your handmade sky-jewelry, moon and stars mounted in their settings. 

Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, Why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way? 

~Psalm 8:2-4 The Message~

It's a staggering thought that I can't wrap my mind around:  The Creator and Keeper of the universe knit me together in my mother's womb, and I never leave His thoughts nor His sight!  I don't understand it, but I don't have to understand to experience His unconditional, never-ending love.  

With the songwriter I ask, "Who am I that a King should bleed and die for?"  And with another I can sing the answer:  "I'm a child of the King!"  Amazing . . . but true!

Guard Duty

~Faithfully guarding the newly-hatched bluebirds~

1 Timothy 6:20-21: 

And oh, my dear Timothy, guard the treasure you were given! 

Guard it with your life. 

Avoid the talk-show religion and the practiced confusion of the so-called experts. People caught up in a lot of talk can miss the whole point of faith. 

Overwhelming grace keep you! 

2 Timothy 1:13-14: 

So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, 

exactly as I set it out for you. 

It's as sound as the day you first heard it from me. 

Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us. 

 (The Message - emphasis mine)


So much to guard . . .
So much at stake . . .
So many watching our lives . . .
So much behind us . . .
So much to gain . .
So good to know He is guarding and guiding!!


  

Earth is crammed with heaven 

And every bush aflame with God,

But only those who see take off their shoes. 

~Elizabeth Barrett Browning~

I Get To!

Higher Ground

The gorgeous, glowing setting sun gave this tree, damaged from last year's storm, a golden hue. The mockingbird perched atop it was an added bonus! 

Don't we all wish for "higher ground" at times . . . above all "the stuff" of life . . . soaking in the Son's golden rays?  It's a healthy part of our journey toward Christian maturity. Many years ago, Johnson Oatman, born in 1856, must have had similar desires when he wrote the hymn "Higher Ground." For those of you not familiar with those words, here they are: 

I'm pressing on the upward way; 

New heights I'm gaining every day. 

Still praying as I onward bound, 

"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground." 

My heart has no desire to stay 

Where doubts arise and fears dismay. 

Tho' some may dwell where these abound, 

My prayer, my aim is higher ground.

I want to live above the world 

Tho' satan's darts at me are hurled.

For faith has caught the joyful sound 

The song of saints on higher ground. 

I want to scale the utmost height 

And catch a gleam of glory bright. 

But still I'll pray till heaven I've found 

"Lord, lead me on to higher ground." 

Chorus: 

Lord, lift me up and let me stand 

By faith on heaven's table land. 

A higher plane than I have found, 

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground. 

Backroads Blessings

Usually my posts are fairly short, so I hope you won't get bored with my rambling today! I found it difficult to summarize our drive on some country roads yesterday . . . way, way back country roads! We visited some old homeplaces, a beautiful little church and rode for miles admiring God's creation. Feel free to click on the pics to enlarge them, and I hope you enjoy the ride!

I was struck by the stillness of the old homeplace where this swing hung motionless 

on a long, long dusty porch. 

 

I was amazed at the longevity of these handmade, original log gutters that run the length of the porch and  and empty into a cistern.  I'm not sure that much water reaches the cistern now because of straw and leaves filling the gutters.

.

If these walls could talk, the stories would be endlessly woven together with happy times, sad times, and God's presence.  It's a special place to me for several reasons.  I have fond memories of visiting the services held here many years ago, and I can still hear Aunt Ollie's beautiful, clear voice as she led the small congregation in old hymns.  In a corner of the peaceful churchyard, she and six other family members were laid to rest - among them, Aunt Sallie.

.

Aunt Sallie lived not far from the church and spent many happy hours in her little house in the woods . . . making sassafras tea, hunting, gardening and enjoying her quiet life. She's been gone a long, long time, but the cistern she used still stands . . . sturdy and strong . . .

 just like  Aunt Sallie!

We drove for miles, not meeting one vehicle . . . just enjoying the quietness, the simple beauty of the wildflowers, the abundance of grapes and huckleberries, the longleaf pines, and cool, clear creeks. 

Solitude and the beauty of God's awesome creation are good for the soul! We  returned home feeling blessed to have visited the past but also to have been so keenly reminded of God's mercies and blessings that are new every morning! The God who met with that small group of people at Good Hope Baptist Church long before I was born and who was so real to Aunt Ollie and Aunt Sallie is still alive and well!

No doubt about it . . . we saw Him on those backroads!

Stark Beauty

Riding in my FIL's pasture yesterday, this dead - very dead - tree caught my eye. 

Sitting atop all the deadness, though, was life, and beauty . . . and a song! 

Standing

Standing on the promises that cannot fail 

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail. 

By the living Word of God I shall prevail, 

Standing on the promises of God. 

~R. Kelso Carter~

Waiting - and waiting - in a semi-dark room at the optometrist's office yesterday after having my eyes dilated, those words played in my mind. There's not a whole lot one can do in that situation, so I used some of those moments to meditate and pray and think. Actually, I sang those words, too . . . very quietly, of course . . . but I like to think my audience of one, He who started the whole world singing, might have tapped His foot! 

And would you believe that when I opened my devotional book this morning, there were those same lyrics jumping off the page at me? God is just so good like that!! This Scripture was also added: 

You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord our God gave you has failed. 

 Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. 

Joshua 23:14 

In a shaky and uncertain world, I'm so thankful that I can stand on His unfailing promises!

Creature Comforts

 Notice the tiny sliver of a tongue protruding from the thin beak.

This amazing little creature seems satisfied and comfortable!

O Lord, what a variety of things you have made!

 In wisdom you have made them all. 

The earth is full of your creatures. 

They all depend on you to give them food as they need it. 

When you supply it, they gather it. 

You open your hand to feed them, and they are richly satisfied.

~Psalm 104:24, 27, 28 NLT~

And I say, "Amen!"

Sunshine Days

Looking at this beautiful sunflower - and watching a row of them open up to the sun - remind me of this little song
that I sang as a child. 

So let the sunshine in; 

face it with a grin. 

Open up your heart 

and let the sun shine in. 

 Spending time with family for a few days has brought lots of sunshine into our lives . . . lots of laughter . . . lots of good times! 

 I'm thankful for the "sunshine days"!

Oops!

Got a gripe grip? 

It's amazing how one little letter can change things!!

Got a gripe? 

Get a grip! 

(I'm talking to me!)

I could gripe about this cute, pesky squirrel eating all the bird feed but . . . :)

Have a great weekend!

The Peace Speaker

Fearing for their lives

and full of uncertainty,

they gathered to wait

behind locked doors.

Suddenly He appeared -

though the door remained locked -

speaking words they needed,

"Peace be unto you."

He still comes

through locked doors

to fearful hearts

who need His peace.

(Based on John 20:19-31)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace,

Coming down from the Father above!

Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray,

In fathomless billows of love.

~Lyrics - Wonderful Peace (19th century)~

Lily of the Valley

I have found a friend in Jesus; He’s everything to me. 

He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul. 

The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see 

All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole. 

In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay; 

He tells me every care on Him to roll. 

Refrain: 

He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star;

 He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

~Charles W. Fry~

Although my Easter lilies are late blooming, I am glad The Lily of the Valley is always in season . . . always blooming . . . always adding beauty to our lives . . . and He's always on time - His time, not mine!

Focused

Philippians 3:12-16 (The Message)

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. 

So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

 I say:  Let's keep our eyes on the prize!

Vacancy

Son Ripened

Should we be satisfied just believing in Christ and not longing to move more and more into His fullness?  No! . . . To ripen in grace, we must live close to Jesus, in His presence, ripened by the sunshine of His smiles. 

~Charles Spurgeon~

More of You, more of You;

I've had all but what I need -

just more of You.

Of things I've had my fill,

and yet I hunger still.

Empty and bare, Lord, hear my prayer

for more of You.

~Lyrics to More of You - Gloria Gaither~

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior,
 Jesus Christ.

II Peter 3:18

Tonight's Sunset Unedited

(Click on pic to enlarge.)

Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to Thee,

how great Thou are; how great Thou art.

Who's Driving?

Family Outing

Family outing 

We all need one now and then 

Makes life sunnier