BeStill, Buster and Skoots, OH MY!!

(SING TO THE TUNE OF "WE'RE OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD"...)

We're off to see God's GLORY...THE WONDERFUL GLORY OF GOD!!

YOU'LL FIND HE IS THE GOD OF GODS, IF EVER A GOD! THERE WAS.

IF EVER OH EVER A GOD! THERE WAS, THE LORD OF GOD IS ONE BECAUSE,

BECAUSE, BECAUSE, BECAUSE, BECAUSE, BECAUSE....

BECAUSE OF ALL WONDERFUL THINGS HE DOES.

WE'RE OFF TO SEE GOD'S GLORY, THE WONDERFUL GLORY OF GOD!!

Blessings,

WEAVING AND BELIEVING...

Do you ever read something that just GRABS you?

Well, I just did...it was over at Lallee's Cottage...she wrote:

God's shalom of

peace--the literal

translation refers to a garment intricately

woven with many

threads making a cloak that completely envelopes and cloaks us (keeps us safe,

warms us--brings peace).

Sometimes we don't like the stories (or people) God chooses to weave us into.

When we comply, by His strength, then we become part of that beautiful garment.

It was this question that really caught my eye: Whose life are you denying to be

woven into to bring them blessings?

What a wonderful question. It

started my wheels pondering...

Denial is a decision...

By denying we are 'keeping our color out of their

life

tapestry' when we 'hold our strings too tight and refuse to let them become entangled with the other colors'.

Why is it we seem to let our eyes go to the knots first?...seeing the ugly, seeing the mess, seeing something we don't want to spend time trying to unravel. I certainly find myself thinking things like this.

We talk ourselves into denial because it is the 'easier stitch to wrap around our needle' and slide away from the Holy Spirit

speaking in our heart.

Our denial turns us away before 'seeing the pattern from God's view', the view where the LIGHT is JUST RIGHT.

Shadows don't overtake His view of His creation because He sees to the very HEART of each soul, He knows

the hairs on every head, and He knows every 'string' by name.

Anyone working with yarn knows that more complicated stitches are best when executed with 'soft hands' while working the harder, more entangled stitches...they become the most-valued portions of the project.

Knots on the back may mean a new direction or a changed color...sometimes we 'run out of thread', we give up on our project and throw the 'unfinished piece' in the bag where it will be alone, without the loving hands of commitment to complete the pattern once intended.

Who but God's people, those who read His Word, should be able to recognize a bad decision (at the moment) but KNOW that God uses poor decisions and/or bad choices to BUILD UP a blessing in His creation. God calls us to be His hands, to reach into that bag, pull out those unfinished pieces and share His Love in every stitch until it is 'completed' and allow yourself to be 'worked in' to someone else's project, too...they might need a blessing of friendship, or possibly forgiveness.

And, hey, they might like your color!

Remember: You're the only YOU God has ever made...and He didn't 'leave you in the bag'!

Blessings,

PHOTO STORY FRIDAY (Foliage in the Making) & FRIDAY FILL-IN

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Joining Cecily @ MY CHAOS MY BLISS for PHOTO STORY FRIDAY

It's been a long time since there was color in my yard...and my backyard azalea has reached new hights this year...it's hard to believe this was once in a 6-inch pot (it was a gift friends gave us the day after our daughter came home from the hospital after her birth!...17 years ago)

Look who came to visit while I was shooting...there are other pictures; however, I loved this one because of the puffs of pollen being shaken from his legs as he takes off from the flower!

Our butterfly bush is beginning to sprout after it's "buzz" cut from the winter...it had been a couple of years since we pruned it.

There was no doubt it had been pruned this time around, and I was a little concerned it might have been too harsh a cut. It usually doesn't bloom until we get above 80*, so we'll keep our eyes peeled for buds in another month or so.

These are my "Jill" amaryllis...

the name has nothing to do with their "scientific" identification; they're named after my best friend Jill Gottfriedson who succumbed to pancreatic cancer at the age of 33 (when I was 8 mos. pregnant with my baby...but Jilly knew she was going to be a girl, and I didn't!).

Jill, I miss you so much but think of you every time my "Jills" come for their yearly visit :)

These are some of the drought-resistent ground cover we bought about 5 years ago to help keep our front island from washing away down the hill...it's working! Does anyone know the name of these beauties??

Finally, here are my ROSES! I know, I've never had this many roses from this bush. She's producing gangbusters since the pruning she got back in February...I'm so glad I got it right this time and pray she'll continue throughout the summer.

Go, God! Thanks for the beautiful colors in our yard this Spring...you're such a wonderful Master Designer!

CLICK ON THE BUTTON IF YOU WANT TO SEE OTHER FILL INS!

1. The first rule of working in an office and getting along is to "WORK FOR THE LORD IN ALL YOU DO AND SAY".

2. I really don't like LIVER but I do like clams.

3. When I think of carnivals I think of COTTON CANDY, LITTLE ORANGE TICKETS AND POOR MEN WITH NO FRONT TEETH.

4. The PARROT TULIP is my favorite spring flower.

5. Things on my desk include PAPERS AND PHOTOS NEEDING TO BE FILED, AN ORGANIZER WITH PAPERLIPS/NOTE CARDS AND A "PICTURE OF JESUS KNOCKING AT THE DOOR" THAT USED TO HANG OVER MY GRANDMOTHER'S GUEST BED.

6. Knowing my WEIGHT IS GRADUALLY COMING OFF makes me wanna jump for JOY AND STATE THAT WE CAN DO IT!

7. And as for the weekend, TONIGHT I'M COOKING CHEESEBURGER CASSEROLES, tomorrow DD TAKES THE 'REAL' SAT, my plans include SERVING LUNCH at GAINESVILLE HOMELESS SHELTER and LATER CELEBRATING A CANCER-FREE YEAR WITH ONE OF MY YOUTH COUNSELOR BUDDIES then on Sunday I'LL BE JOINING IN ON OUR SENIOR BANQUET CELEBRATION AT UMYF!

HAPPY WEEKEND...SAY A PRAYER FOR MY GREAT NIECE WHO IS 2 1/2, A CONGENITAL HEART PATIENT AWAITING SURGERY THIS SUMMER. HER PARENTS HAD TO ADMIT HER TO THE CHILDRENS' HOSPITAL DUE TO HER CURRENTLY DEALING WITH A BAD GASTRO VIRUS. SHE'S OUR "MIRACLE KATIE"

:)

EVIDENCE SPRING'S A - COMIN' . . .

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY HERE...ONE OF THOSE CRISP, DRY DAYS STARTING OFF WITH BEAUTIFULLY BLUE SKIES AND A SLIGHT BREEZE. CAN I STAY INSIDE WITH THE OUT OF DOORS ENTICING ME EACH TIME I WALK BY THE DOWNSTAIRS WINDOW?

NO...ITS CALLS TO ME ARE TOO POWERFUL AND SEDUCTIVE TO MY SUNSHINE-DEPRIVED EXISTENCE. WALKING SLOWLY AROUND THE EDGES OF THE FRONT ISLAND AND SEEING THE GREYS AND BROWNS OF THE OFF SEASON, THERE ARE LOTS OF BRANCHES CALLING OUT TO BE PRUNED. (I'M THINKING OF DH WHO RECENTLY PRUNED THE BUTTERFLY BUSH, THANK GOODNESS, IT'S LARGE AND WOULD HAVE DONE ME IN HAD I TRIED TO DO IT ALONE. )

THE PLUM TREE AND THE MAPLE TREE CALL ME TO THEIR SIDES...(THIS IS MY FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO USE A NEW "BREAST CANCER" SET OF PRUNING SHEARS I BOUGHT RECENTLY TO SUPPORT RESEARCH.)

PRUNING AWAY DEAD AND OVERGROWN LIMBS, I'M THINKING OF THE PRUNING GOD MUST DO WITH US..."MY ARMS ARE HURTING AS I REACH HIGH AND PULL LIMBS DOWN TO ME."...GOD'S HEART MUST HURT AS HE REACHES FOR US BUT WE TURN AWAY FROM THE MOMENT...CRUSHING ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR SHARING HIS LOVE.

I'M GROWING WEARY AS I CUT AND STACK, BEND AND STRAIGHTEN. " I AM SO THANKFUL OUR LORD DOESN'T GROW WEARY AS HE KNOCKS AT THE DOOR OF MY SOUL." IS HE IS YOUR ROCK, YOUR STRONG TOWER? HE CAN BE IF YOU ASK HIM TO BE FROM YOUR HEART.

I'M SHARING MY PICTURES AS A "BEFORE", SO I CAN FULLY UNDERSTAND MY THANKFULNESS COME SPRING WHEN I WILL POST THESE SAME LOCATIONS (THEN WE'LL SEE CONFIRMATION, TOO, OF HOW HE RENEWS, GROWS, AND STRENGTHENS...HIS FRUITS WILL MAKE THEMSELVES KNOWN IN THE LEAVES, THE FLOWERS, THE COLORS, AND EVEN HIS BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES COMING TO TAKE PART.)

ENJOY THIS TIME OF REST, LISTEN TO HIM IN THE QUIET OF THE WINTER CHILL AND IN YOUR SLEEP... FOR SOON, TOMORROW, WILL GROW INTO A NEW SPRING BURSTING WITH HIS GLORY AND BLESSINGS!

WFW - EVERLASTING DOMINION

My post is very late in the day...in fact, it is 15 minutes 'til midnight and I'm just now finishing this...so I guess I can still get it in.

Today in our Bible study we studied Daniel 4

WHICH reminded me of the picture I took below of the large white oak tree standing majestically in my backyard...swaying when the winds get heavy, losing its leaves very late in the winter and watching over my corner of the world like a tower.

When I was standing at the base of this tree, shooting with my camera up the trunk to get a new perspective, it gave me an awesome understanding of just how big it is and how little I am.

I couldn't begin to even climb this tree...the limbs are so far up from the ground. It's bark is rough and scaly like a really old alligator.

If someone was able to shinny up the base of this tree, one slip and you'd have a very uncomfortable slide down until you hit the ground...then you'd fall on top of all the acorns it drops--that wouldn't be comfortable either.

Anyway, in Daniel 4 the King had a dream about a tree--how wonderful it is, how protective, how provident, how great it was...never giving any of the glory of the tree to the One who made it.

Daniel shared his understanding of the dream...the king would lose his kingship, be abandoned to the fields to eat grass, until he came to acknowledge God's greatness...go read how long it took...it wasn't quick...the hair on his body became like feathers and his nails on his hands grew like claws.

Daniel's theme reiterates “The Most High (God) is sovereign over the kingdoms of men.” God IS triumphant (7:11,26–27; 8:25; 9:27).

The climax of his sovereign rule is described in Revelation: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ [i.e., Messiah, ‘Anointed One’], and he will reign for ever and ever” (Rev 11:15; see Daniel 2:44; 7:27).

HOW ARE YOU ACKNOWLEDGING GOD'S TRIUMPH AND HIS POWER IN YOUR LIFE?

Daniel 4:34

And at the end of the days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, ...I blessed the most High...I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation.

For more Word Filled Wednesday, go to http://the160acrewoods.com/

WFW...persevere...persevere...

Why is it when I am so close to the end of even a simple project it seems harder to finish? Or am I one of the only ones who feels that way close to the end of a project? I've got another skein or so to go on my prayer shawl, and it will be completed.

Could my retisence to finish be my tiredness of what I'm doing, having grown bored with it in this "multi-tasking" lifestyle that whirls in my mind and in our society? My mind is already wanting to get going on the next project...

Why do I want to rush through my work...especially since this is a shawl that is being prayed over while I work...one day it will be wrapping someone's shoulders who may not be able to get out of bed...one day it may be wrapped around the dolly of a small child who is enduring cancer treatments at a local hospital...one day it may be comforting a grandmother who just lost her life-long partner. God has a plan for it, but at this point in time I do not know where or who it will be comforting.

Even though some days my crafty genes are healthier and eager to get about the business of crocheting there are days my hands are tired and hurt--and I want to be about other things. It is in those times I should place myself in the future of this shawl and pray for its new owner...for them to be able to persevere through whatever trial is meeting them during their days, their nights, their happy times and their sad times.

There are many scriptures giving guidance about perseverance and the fruits of the labor...especially in situations where we hear God's nudgings to our hearts or spirits about helping someone during difficulty. His Word guides us:

Hebrews 10:36You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

James 1:12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Revelation 2:3You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

Lord,

Let us drink in Your refreshing, living Word.

have it revive us to be about our commitments...

stir us with things You bring to our attention...

spontaneously, remind us to be diligent and bold for Your sake,

not for our glory or edification, or comfort

but to show love of neighbor, of friend, of needy.

Amen

For more WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY posts...

http://the160acrewoods.com/

WORK WITH YOUR HANDS

Are you teaching your kids skills with their hands?

My Mother made many things with her hands…she sewed beautiful, long curtains for our living room and made several silky, white wedding gowns for local brides…She cooked special treats for us each week (this was before fast food and drive-through), and one of my favorites was: peanut butter on saltine crackers, marshmallow on top, browned in the oven…and she crocheted (little gifts, doilies, trim on pillow cases, and many afghans).

She taught me throughout my childhood; but I didn’t appreciate what I had learned until I became a Mommy and discovered how difficult and nerve-racking it can be to try to teach a child. God was busy teaching skills back in Old Testament days with the Hebrews, too. Exodus 35:34-35 “and he has given…the ability to teach others. He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen…”

While my Mother was teaching me the various crafts, she would sing hymns or talk about life lessons—telling me Jesus would always be with me. Our household was simple and middle class…I very rarely got ANYTHING with a brand name on it. To this day I enjoy making things with my hands--and even draw every now and then, which Mother didn’t teach me. I guess God just gave me that one as a bonus. We enjoyed a quiet, happy life even if we didn’t have THE BEST of everything. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we
told you, so your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so you will not be dependent on anybody.

Recently I started crocheting with a group of ladies at our church one evening each week for a couple of hours…we make prayer blankets and shawls/stoles to give to anyone in need of prayer or support while going through a difficult time. As we’re working there is sweet talk…we share ideas about colors, patterns, and techniques…and we even share needles if someone walks out of the house without the one they NEED. Husbands and kids drop in and out so we get to catch up with them, too. Prayers go into every thread as it slips through our fingers off each skein and into the final shawl or blanket.

I’ve used one skein of yarn on my first shawl and have just worked in the beginning thread of the second skein…this shawl will take three or four skeins, I believe. Anyway, I’m excited and wanted to show you what it looks like so far. I also got the idea to put it up on my website and ask for your prayers to cover it…that will make it even more “prayed over” and you will be helping us in our mission work : )

This is a pattern by Shirley Evers and it’s easy; so if anyone would like it, I’ll be glad to share it. It only involves chain stitch, single crochets and double crochets, there’s not a lot of fancy counting or special turning techniques…I like ‘em simple. I should finish it within the next week to 10 days, if I stay diligent at night while I’m watching TV or listening to the radio.

So we’ll commit this one to the Lord for His Use…one day a stranger or church member will get it and I pray it will soothe them in a very warm, God-encompassing way. I wonder how long it took to make the curtains for Solomon’s temple?…it was the same colors (kinda) as the shawl I’m doing… 2 Chronicles 3:14 He made the curtain of blue, purple and crimson yarn and fine linen, with cherubim worked into it.

One Month...and Counting

If you KNEW you had only “One Month to Live”…what would you do?

We're currently studying this question. There have been varied answers, with the majority being centered around worldly priorities…“me” or..."wants" or…things or places in the world to see, or activities to be done.

No mention of Eternity has come up at all. Once life has ceased, are you concerned about Eternity? Is today's society concerned about Eternity? The worldly things seem so trivial when bumped up against Eternity. Don’t you think?
Eternity should be known as the continuation rather than the end!

Teaching more about Jesus Christ and His Biblical promises of Heaven is very important. Reminding today’s young people, and our adult Sunday School classes, Christ is already sitting at God’s right hand and is preparing a place for those who believe on Him! That’s exciting!

Jesus was a real man, yet God, our Savior, walked, performed miracles, was raised from the dead and ascended into Heaven. He was not a “cartoon” or “just a “Bible story” to make us feel better. He will one day acknowledge believers to God when they get to Heaven...if they acknowledge Him to men on earth! That’s exciting, too!

Do we believe Jesus’ own Words?

<Mark 16:19
“After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them,
he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.”

Matthew 10:32
"Whoever acknowledges me before men,
I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.

The “world” certainly re-iterates the importance of “living just for NOW”...who wants to talk about death? When it’s over, it’s over…or so they seem to believe.

I, for one, want to focus on Christ’s words and His Promises. He was very precise in His warnings. He told us not to love the world or things in the world, and He confirms our living with Him in Heaven…after death. We will go to be with Him in the place He is preparing for us.

1 John 2:15

Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods.

Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father.

Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way,

wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.

John 14:2
In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

How can we, as believers, not have a passion for those we love, or even those we don’t know, to understand the promises of Heaven? If they don’t believe on Jesus Christ as their Savior, there is no hope for a good eternity; in fact, it is just the opposite.

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

Luke 12: 4-5
Jesus said, "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.But I will show you whom you should fear:
Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell.
Yes, I tell you, fear him.”

Lord, We have work to do sharing Your Truth. Help give us a passion to spread the Word to this world before it’s too late and they are lost, unable to enjoy Eternity with You in Your Glory. Amen


How are you helping people understand Jesus’ eternal love for His creation?

GOD DELIGHTS IN HIS CREATION & Wordless Wednesday

Because God inspires us through His Word...I'm learning so much from so many as I read and blog. I want to send my thanks with a little of God's beauty to boot!

So, My Hands...His Glory will now have a "BEE-cause" Award...inspired by Psalm 91.

It will be given when there are special moments of time spent with God--"listenings" to His instructions, "restings" in His presence, or "rescues" and "shields" from traps and hazards. (God-incidences will also be included, because I love to capture and read back over God's creativity IN our lives...no coincidences, I believe they are GOD-incidences).

God truly does delight in His creation...

You are His creation--He delights in you, where you are, when you share with Him, and even when you don't share with Him--He never leaves your side. Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, Holding you in the palm of His Hand!

Many, many times she has captured my heart in her words from His Word, so my First recipient is: Elaine, at http://peaceforthejourney.blogspot.com/ for "seasons of change"

Go here to check out some great "wordless wednesday" pics

http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/?p=401#comment-23216

BEASTS, BEES, BUTTERFLIES & BLOOMS

Beastie Kitty stalking, seeing what's lurking in and out of the blades
...scooting to and fro, gathering whatever for wherever...
.....resting, enjoying the southern sun on the hard, heated bricks leading to the door
..........looking again, a brown, spotted lizard; pouncing and playing catch!

Bees buzzing in, on, up, down, around, finally landing on a bloom

......wings closed while gathering God's pollen goodness

.............wings open, readying for flight, gathering is done

Butterfly billowing, wisping through warm breezes, meandering through leaves and trees

......flittering quickly, to and fro, never staying still on one perch very long

...........contrasting yellow-black against the lavenders and greens, what beauty!

Blooms greeting visitors in the morning, opening to sunshine after nightly naps

......spider-like, lizard-green fingers reaching from each stem, welcoming daylight

..........dusk enticing each petal to protect itself; closing gently to embrace another rest

Colossians 1:16

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him