Midnight . . . December 31st
the split second when
2011 tips into 2012
some will party the new year in
others will sleep through it
However the new year
enters our life
it causes us to
cogitate on the past year
I like that word, cogitate . . .
ponder
reflect on
consider
chew over
I remember when . . . !
At my age, cogitating marks me
as an old codger?
Reflection is good
but look what God says . . .
"Forget the things that happened in the past.
Do not keep on thinking about them.
I am about to do something new.
It is beginning to happen even now.
Don't you see it coming?
I am going to make a way for you to go through the desert.
I will make streams of water in the dry and empty land.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIRV
God says He will make a way
for us to go THROUGH the desert
not half way . . . through it!
and make streams of water
in our dry and empty land
but we must forget the past
good / bad
natural / spiritual
so as not to miss the NEW God is doing!
12:01 a.m.
January 1, 2012 . . .
let go of the past
anticipate
expect
God’s living water
to bring life to every
dry and empty area of our lives!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Christmases Past -- Part 3
As wonderful as memories of
Christmases past are . . .
they all pale
in comparison to God’s precious gift . . .
In the beginning the Word already existed.
He was with God, and He was God.
So the Word became human
and lived here on earth among us.
He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.
And we have seen his glory,
the glory of the only Son of the Father.
John 1:1, 12-14
For God so loved
the world (you and me!)
that he gave
his only Son,
so that everyone
who believes in him
will not perish but have eternal life
John 3:16 NLT (emphasis added)
If you have not received God’s gift
but would like to, here’s how . . .
For if you confess with your mouth
that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart
that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
For it is by believing in your heart
that you are made right with God,
and it is by confessing
with your mouth that you are saved.
For anyone
who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved.
Romans 10:9-10, 13
Blessings!
Christmases past are . . .
they all pale
in comparison to God’s precious gift . . .
In the beginning the Word already existed.
He was with God, and He was God.
So the Word became human
and lived here on earth among us.
He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.
And we have seen his glory,
the glory of the only Son of the Father.
John 1:1, 12-14
For God so loved
the world (you and me!)
that he gave
his only Son,
so that everyone
who believes in him
will not perish but have eternal life
John 3:16 NLT (emphasis added)
If you have not received God’s gift
but would like to, here’s how . . .
For if you confess with your mouth
that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart
that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
For it is by believing in your heart
that you are made right with God,
and it is by confessing
with your mouth that you are saved.
For anyone
who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved.
Romans 10:9-10, 13
Blessings!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Christmases Past -- Part 2
The annual Christmas parade downtown Lincoln the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Picking out a pattern and fabric for my new Christmas outfit, sewn by my mother.
Our first scotch pine Christmas tree instead of the usual “Charlie Brown” Christmas tree . . . we became “modern” with that tree!
Hanging tinsel, straight and even!
Making paper chains for the tree.
Christmas Eve with at my Dad’s parents! Christmas Day with my mom’s mother! Alternating Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with grandparents until they died. Loved those times with the cousins!
Christmas in Humboldt, Iowa (northern Iowa) . . . Ken’s grandparents' home. ALWAYS lots of crunchy snow! Relatives stopping by to visit around coffee and cookies . . . promptly at 10 am and 3 pm . . . the oak table we gathered around now resides in Ken’s and my dining room!
To be continued . . .
Picking out a pattern and fabric for my new Christmas outfit, sewn by my mother.
Our first scotch pine Christmas tree instead of the usual “Charlie Brown” Christmas tree . . . we became “modern” with that tree!
Hanging tinsel, straight and even!
Making paper chains for the tree.
Christmas Eve with at my Dad’s parents! Christmas Day with my mom’s mother! Alternating Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with grandparents until they died. Loved those times with the cousins!
Christmas in Humboldt, Iowa (northern Iowa) . . . Ken’s grandparents' home. ALWAYS lots of crunchy snow! Relatives stopping by to visit around coffee and cookies . . . promptly at 10 am and 3 pm . . . the oak table we gathered around now resides in Ken’s and my dining room!
To be continued . . .
Friday, December 9, 2011
Christmases Past -- Part 1
Sunday School Christmas programs . . . each child had a line to memorize and recite, as well as Christmas carols to memorize!
Coming out of the German Congregational Church in the “North Bottoms” (Germans from Russia area), after watching my cousins in their Christmas program, to snowflakes the size of silver dollars! It was sooooo beautiful that surely there had been silver dollar sized snowflakes the night Jesus was born! Each child received a brown bag filled with lots of peanuts, lots of candy, a box of raisins, an orange, and an apple. And let me tell you, this was not a little, brown lunch bag like we use today! (I was infant baptized in this church and attended Sunday School there until I was 5 years old.)
Christmas Eve candlelight services at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. A small candle and paper collar was given to each of us as we entered the service. The service ended with the singing of Silent Night . . . the sanctuary lit only by the small candles. To this day, I get emotional singing Silent Night. (I attended this church for 25 years, age 5 to age 30.)
Christmas caroling . . . the youth group and choir going by car to the “old” people and shut ins of this Lutheran congregation. Our singing was rewarded with cookies or candy at each home . . . or were they bribing us to stop singing? The last home we caroled was always at Grannie Christiansen’s. She was one of the founding members of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. Loved that woman. Grannie lived on a farm at the top of a hill on 57th or 58th & Prescott . . . 56th Street was a gravel, country road back then. Her home still stands today. Grannie always had lots of cookies and punch and eggnog for us!
Going to the University of Nebraska coliseum for the Elks annual, children’s Christmas party. The coliseum was packed with kids and parents! And we got a big bag of peanuts and candy as we left! I remember getting up early to go to this . . . sitting on the couch to wake up, with only the Christmas tree lights on. One year, our tree had only blue lights . . . the large bulbs back then! Sitting there in the blue light of the tree with Christmas music playing is very vivid to me still.
There were no malls “back in the old days,” so we did our Christmas shopping downtown! And there was always lots of snow. Gold’s Department Store and Miller & Paine had animated Christmas displays in each of their storefront windows . . . sometimes a live Santa sat in a rocking chair in one of the windows, smiling and waving. Other stores decorated their windows, too, but Gold’s & Millers were the best!
To be continued . . .
Coming out of the German Congregational Church in the “North Bottoms” (Germans from Russia area), after watching my cousins in their Christmas program, to snowflakes the size of silver dollars! It was sooooo beautiful that surely there had been silver dollar sized snowflakes the night Jesus was born! Each child received a brown bag filled with lots of peanuts, lots of candy, a box of raisins, an orange, and an apple. And let me tell you, this was not a little, brown lunch bag like we use today! (I was infant baptized in this church and attended Sunday School there until I was 5 years old.)
Christmas Eve candlelight services at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. A small candle and paper collar was given to each of us as we entered the service. The service ended with the singing of Silent Night . . . the sanctuary lit only by the small candles. To this day, I get emotional singing Silent Night. (I attended this church for 25 years, age 5 to age 30.)
Christmas caroling . . . the youth group and choir going by car to the “old” people and shut ins of this Lutheran congregation. Our singing was rewarded with cookies or candy at each home . . . or were they bribing us to stop singing? The last home we caroled was always at Grannie Christiansen’s. She was one of the founding members of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. Loved that woman. Grannie lived on a farm at the top of a hill on 57th or 58th & Prescott . . . 56th Street was a gravel, country road back then. Her home still stands today. Grannie always had lots of cookies and punch and eggnog for us!
Going to the University of Nebraska coliseum for the Elks annual, children’s Christmas party. The coliseum was packed with kids and parents! And we got a big bag of peanuts and candy as we left! I remember getting up early to go to this . . . sitting on the couch to wake up, with only the Christmas tree lights on. One year, our tree had only blue lights . . . the large bulbs back then! Sitting there in the blue light of the tree with Christmas music playing is very vivid to me still.
There were no malls “back in the old days,” so we did our Christmas shopping downtown! And there was always lots of snow. Gold’s Department Store and Miller & Paine had animated Christmas displays in each of their storefront windows . . . sometimes a live Santa sat in a rocking chair in one of the windows, smiling and waving. Other stores decorated their windows, too, but Gold’s & Millers were the best!
To be continued . . .
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Smears, Smudges, and Streaks!
Cleaning windows is #1 on my “Do NOT Do” list! I enjoy clean windows, but I do not enjoy the process. If I could, I would just move when the windows got dirty . . . but that will only happen when pigs fly! So, in the meantime I hire my favorite window washer, Ken.
Just as windows in our houses need cleaning more than once, the windows of our soul . . . our thoughts, our will, and our emotions . . . need continuous cleaning.
Want smear-proof and streak-free souls?
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform us into a new person by changing the way we think.” Romans 12:2
Live in the Light . . . our soul smudges are revealed and cleansed!
“ . . . God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness. We are not living in the truth. But if we are living in the light of God’s presence, just as Christ is, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from every sin.” 1 John 1:5b-7 NLT
The Word of God . . . Prayer . . . and the Holy Spirit . . . the best soul cleaners around!
Just as windows in our houses need cleaning more than once, the windows of our soul . . . our thoughts, our will, and our emotions . . . need continuous cleaning.
Want smear-proof and streak-free souls?
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform us into a new person by changing the way we think.” Romans 12:2
Live in the Light . . . our soul smudges are revealed and cleansed!
“ . . . God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness. We are not living in the truth. But if we are living in the light of God’s presence, just as Christ is, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from every sin.” 1 John 1:5b-7 NLT
The Word of God . . . Prayer . . . and the Holy Spirit . . . the best soul cleaners around!
Friday, December 2, 2011
Mirror . . . Mirror . . .
Mirror mirror on the wall . . .
stop reflecting all my flaws!!!
Whether I like it or not . . .
the mirror does not lie.
So I attempt to improve my appearance . . .
Comb my hair
Cover my facial imperfections with makeup
Wear clothes that “hide” whatever.
But there is a better mirror to look into . . .
the Word of God.
The Word reflects who God says I am.
I may not see it yet in the natural realm,
but it is still true.
Keep looking steadily into God’s perfect law of liberty . . .
and to be doers of the Word . . .
“So make every effort to apply the benefits
of these promises to your life.
Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence.
A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better.
Knowing God leads to self-control.
Self-control leads to patient endurance,
and patient endurance leads to godliness.
Godliness leads to love for other Christians,
and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone.”
2 Peter 1:5-7 (NLT)
The looking and the doing is up to me.
Choosing to just read the Word
and not do what it says
is like looking into a mirror
and doing nothing to improve my appearance!
I am changed into His image
As I read and act on His Word.
The eyes are the windows
to my soul,
to my heart.
Want to know what is in my heart?
Mirror mirror on the wall
My eyes and face reflect it all
Into which mirror I gaze!
“Just as water mirrors your face,
so your face mirrors your heart.”
Proverbs 27:19 (Message Bible)
Outside a game park west of Mombasa, Kenya, February 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
OUTBURSTS ! ! !
When you read or hear the word, “outburst," what mental picture forms?
Outburst of anger?
Outburst of violence?
Outburst of tears?
The word “outburst” in and of itself carries a negative connotation. It screams out LOUD and angry! It's like the sound of a balloon popping in a quiet room!
Consider outbursts of love and good deeds . . .
Hebrews 10:24 (NLT) reads, “Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.”
What do OUTBURSTS of love look like? OUTBURSTS of good deeds?
Now there’s a challenge!
Outburst of anger?
Outburst of violence?
Outburst of tears?
The word “outburst” in and of itself carries a negative connotation. It screams out LOUD and angry! It's like the sound of a balloon popping in a quiet room!
Consider outbursts of love and good deeds . . .
Hebrews 10:24 (NLT) reads, “Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.”
What do OUTBURSTS of love look like? OUTBURSTS of good deeds?
Now there’s a challenge!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Always On His Mind
God is thinking about me
and you
this very moment
every moment
wherever we are
whatever is happening
nothing goes unnoticed
I am on His mind
because I am His Child
Loved and chosen by Him . . .
"Long ago, even before he made the world,
God LOVED us and CHOSE us in Christ
to be holy and without fault in His eyes.
His unchanging plan has always been
to adopt us into HIS OWN FAMILY
by bringing us to himself through
Jesus Christ
AND THIS GAVE HIM GREAT PLEASURE!"
Ephesians 1:45 (Emphasis added)
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The Circle of Life Ends at the Curb?
A couple of blocks south of Calvert Street on 52nd Street, a little white house, facing south, sits on the corner lot. A detached garage stands on the edge of the alley to the north. Ken and I have walked by this house many times over the past years . . . it’s on our 3-mile walk route.
An older gentleman, who wore bib overalls, lived in the house.
We would say hello as we passed by.
But the only thing we knew about this man was his passion for gardening. A large vegetable garden filled his entire backyard between the garage and the house. Each spring neat rows appeared, seeds were planted, a mulch of grass clippings was applied to control weeds, and his garden grew.
One morning in August as we passed by on our walk, we saw his “life” at the curb . . . a worn, blue recliner . . . a TV . . . a refrigerator . . . pots and pans. The next day and the next day, bits and pieces of his “life” straggled to the curb, scattered onto the grass.
Even though we did not personally know this gentleman, it was sad seeing what we call “life” tossed so carelessly at the curb.
A young man in his 20’s stood in the open garage at a workbench one evening . . . looking . . . tossing. We exchanged hellos, but I really wanted to say, Who are you? Grandson? Nephew? Don’t be so quick to toss out the “life” of the man who lived there and grew the veggies!
God speaks to my heart each time we pass this house . . . “Lifetimes are spent accumulating and striving after things. Don’t be concerned about the temporal, whose destination is the curb. Be concerned about people who are eternal.”
God desires all people to be saved and to spend eternity with Him. But how will they if we don’t tell them about Jesus and the cross?
The circle of our temporal lives ends at the curb . . . eventually!
The circle of our eternal lives . . . heaven or hell.
I’m challenged to no longer just pass by!
“Lord, let me see people through your eyes and to truly hear them with your heart. Give me opportunities to speak your word into their lives.”
An older gentleman, who wore bib overalls, lived in the house.
We would say hello as we passed by.
But the only thing we knew about this man was his passion for gardening. A large vegetable garden filled his entire backyard between the garage and the house. Each spring neat rows appeared, seeds were planted, a mulch of grass clippings was applied to control weeds, and his garden grew.
One morning in August as we passed by on our walk, we saw his “life” at the curb . . . a worn, blue recliner . . . a TV . . . a refrigerator . . . pots and pans. The next day and the next day, bits and pieces of his “life” straggled to the curb, scattered onto the grass.
Even though we did not personally know this gentleman, it was sad seeing what we call “life” tossed so carelessly at the curb.
A young man in his 20’s stood in the open garage at a workbench one evening . . . looking . . . tossing. We exchanged hellos, but I really wanted to say, Who are you? Grandson? Nephew? Don’t be so quick to toss out the “life” of the man who lived there and grew the veggies!
God speaks to my heart each time we pass this house . . . “Lifetimes are spent accumulating and striving after things. Don’t be concerned about the temporal, whose destination is the curb. Be concerned about people who are eternal.”
God desires all people to be saved and to spend eternity with Him. But how will they if we don’t tell them about Jesus and the cross?
The circle of our temporal lives ends at the curb . . . eventually!
The circle of our eternal lives . . . heaven or hell.
I’m challenged to no longer just pass by!
“Lord, let me see people through your eyes and to truly hear them with your heart. Give me opportunities to speak your word into their lives.”
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
FALL EQUINOX or the GLORY OF GOD?
I LOVE FALL . . .
the softness of cooler temps . . . crisp nights and crisp mornings
putting my flowerbeds and yard “to bed”
beautiful harvest moons
watching farm fields of soybeans turning from deep green to shimmering gold, then brown
watching farmers harvesting their crops
the gorgeous reds and yellows of trees
the knockout colors of mums
to go on picnics of hotdogs and smores (and potato chips!)
the smell of wood fireplaces
the smell of leaves burning (in the “old” days)
Fall . . . my MOST FAVORITE season . . . can you tell?
But there is a day of Fall that I do not look forward to . . . the Fall Equinox . . . when the sun rises exactly east and sets exactly west . . . blinding me via my car mirrors and through the windshield while driving at those times of the day . . . causing me to squint and pray, God thank you for going before me to prepare the way!
But the Fall Equinox can NEVER dampen my love of Fall!!!
How appropriate to be reading 2 Corinthians 3 during this Fall season, with the Fall Equinox approaching (Friday, September 23rd)!
“But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, then the veil is taken away. And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.” 2 Cor. 3:16,18 NLT
Makes me ask myself, “Self, just how brightly is the Lord reflecting in your mirror/life?”
No matter how much I “Windex” my mirror . . . and I do have my part to play in keeping it clean . . . it is “as the Spirit of the Lord works within me . . . making me more and more like him . . . that HIS glory reflects brighter and brighter” in my mirror, my life.
Praise God! It’s not me but the Holy Spirit in me!
Reflecting God’s glory in me . . . a “Fall Equinox” for Him!
the softness of cooler temps . . . crisp nights and crisp mornings
putting my flowerbeds and yard “to bed”
beautiful harvest moons
watching farm fields of soybeans turning from deep green to shimmering gold, then brown
watching farmers harvesting their crops
the gorgeous reds and yellows of trees
the knockout colors of mums
to go on picnics of hotdogs and smores (and potato chips!)
the smell of wood fireplaces
the smell of leaves burning (in the “old” days)
Fall . . . my MOST FAVORITE season . . . can you tell?
But there is a day of Fall that I do not look forward to . . . the Fall Equinox . . . when the sun rises exactly east and sets exactly west . . . blinding me via my car mirrors and through the windshield while driving at those times of the day . . . causing me to squint and pray, God thank you for going before me to prepare the way!
But the Fall Equinox can NEVER dampen my love of Fall!!!
How appropriate to be reading 2 Corinthians 3 during this Fall season, with the Fall Equinox approaching (Friday, September 23rd)!
“But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, then the veil is taken away. And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.” 2 Cor. 3:16,18 NLT
Makes me ask myself, “Self, just how brightly is the Lord reflecting in your mirror/life?”
No matter how much I “Windex” my mirror . . . and I do have my part to play in keeping it clean . . . it is “as the Spirit of the Lord works within me . . . making me more and more like him . . . that HIS glory reflects brighter and brighter” in my mirror, my life.
Praise God! It’s not me but the Holy Spirit in me!
Reflecting God’s glory in me . . . a “Fall Equinox” for Him!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Resistance is Futile!
Saturday . . . July 16, 2011 . . . our day in history! Ken and I made a commitment to make some changes re our weight and physical fitness.
And so it began, on July 16 by . . .
First . . . the AdvoCare 24 day challenge and added vitamins and nutritional supplements. (Ken & I are AdvoCare distributors)
Second . . . journaling on MyFitnessPal.com. An eye opener!
Third . . . walking.
We hadn’t walked consistently for the past 2 or 3 years. But on July 21st, we started again with our 2-mile route, walking it in 39 to 40 minutes. Slow. But a start.
On August 5th, we increased to our 3-mile route, walking it in 57 minutes / 19 minute miles. I’m happy to say, we are now consistently walking 3 miles in 52 / 53 minutes / 17 minute miles.
Our walk each morning takes us through the arboretum on the Union College campus . . . a brief but cool and peaceful respite. And from there, past Lamar’s Donuts!!! Now, I’m not a big donut fan. I prefer a bag of chips any time, any day! But when it comes to Lamar’s Donuts . . . I drool just at the thought!
Purposefully, we walk with NO money . . . BUT . . . each day we walk past Lamar’s, we hear the donuts saying, “Resistance is Futile!” (Say futile with a long “i” like the Borg on Star Trek!!!)
So, yesterday and today we CHOSE to take money with us on our walk. And YES, we stopped at Lamar’s Donuts for coffee and a donut. We were out of coffee at home . . . justification for the stop? Lamar's have the BEST coffee and the most AWESOME glazed buttermilk bar!
I cannot even put into words the deliciousness of each bite of that glazed buttermilk bar! Now, having had one 2 days in a row, I’ve had my “fix” and am content for a while.
OK . . . seriously . . . donuts are not a sin . . . just not the best choice for me right now! And I’ve had some fun with this donut thing.
As to resistance . . . resisting the devil and my flesh! . . . God promises me a way out of any temptation that comes my way. I just need to ask Him to show me the way out and then choose His way out!
You are tempted in the same way all other human beings are. God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted any more than you can take. But when you are tempted, God will give you a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor. 10:13 NIRV
Resistance is NOT futile! But resistance IS a choice!
P.S. Weight loss as of today . . . and still losing . . .
Ken . . . 32 pounds (in the past 12 months)
Arlene . . . 16 pounds (in the past 7 months, 9 of those pounds in the past 2 months!)
And so it began, on July 16 by . . .
First . . . the AdvoCare 24 day challenge and added vitamins and nutritional supplements. (Ken & I are AdvoCare distributors)
Second . . . journaling on MyFitnessPal.com. An eye opener!
Third . . . walking.
We hadn’t walked consistently for the past 2 or 3 years. But on July 21st, we started again with our 2-mile route, walking it in 39 to 40 minutes. Slow. But a start.
On August 5th, we increased to our 3-mile route, walking it in 57 minutes / 19 minute miles. I’m happy to say, we are now consistently walking 3 miles in 52 / 53 minutes / 17 minute miles.
Our walk each morning takes us through the arboretum on the Union College campus . . . a brief but cool and peaceful respite. And from there, past Lamar’s Donuts!!! Now, I’m not a big donut fan. I prefer a bag of chips any time, any day! But when it comes to Lamar’s Donuts . . . I drool just at the thought!
Purposefully, we walk with NO money . . . BUT . . . each day we walk past Lamar’s, we hear the donuts saying, “Resistance is Futile!” (Say futile with a long “i” like the Borg on Star Trek!!!)
So, yesterday and today we CHOSE to take money with us on our walk. And YES, we stopped at Lamar’s Donuts for coffee and a donut. We were out of coffee at home . . . justification for the stop? Lamar's have the BEST coffee and the most AWESOME glazed buttermilk bar!
I cannot even put into words the deliciousness of each bite of that glazed buttermilk bar! Now, having had one 2 days in a row, I’ve had my “fix” and am content for a while.
OK . . . seriously . . . donuts are not a sin . . . just not the best choice for me right now! And I’ve had some fun with this donut thing.
As to resistance . . . resisting the devil and my flesh! . . . God promises me a way out of any temptation that comes my way. I just need to ask Him to show me the way out and then choose His way out!
You are tempted in the same way all other human beings are. God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted any more than you can take. But when you are tempted, God will give you a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor. 10:13 NIRV
Resistance is NOT futile! But resistance IS a choice!
P.S. Weight loss as of today . . . and still losing . . .
Ken . . . 32 pounds (in the past 12 months)
Arlene . . . 16 pounds (in the past 7 months, 9 of those pounds in the past 2 months!)
Sunday, July 10, 2011
The Great Escape
Well, it happened. They finally flew the coop!
Last night I was on the back patio talking on my cell phone with my dear friend, Robyn. The sky was dusky. Two baby mourning doves sat on their usual branch, inches from security . . . their nest. They had been sitting there since late afternoon, so I’m sure they were hungry. When Mama landed a couple of branches away . . . with her secret weapon, food . . . it took no coaxing for her babies to venture to where she was perched. They were hungry and she had food. Literally, they fluttered their way to her and managed not to fall into our fish pond below! And so the process continued over the next 15 minutes or so . . . mama coaxed the babies . . . branch to branch away from the nest . . . into the large maple tree next door.
No more little beaks peeking at me from the other side of my kitchen window. Hmmm . . . I wonder . . . will family #3 be raised in that little nest yet this summer?
As for Sir Oliver, well he's a happy fat cat. He's now allowed to return to his territory.
And so continues life.
P.S. I can't believe my eyes! I just looked out my kitchen window and mama mourning dove, or a new mama mourning dove, is back in the nest . . . tucking twigs back in place and shaping the nest with her body! Will watch and see.
Last night I was on the back patio talking on my cell phone with my dear friend, Robyn. The sky was dusky. Two baby mourning doves sat on their usual branch, inches from security . . . their nest. They had been sitting there since late afternoon, so I’m sure they were hungry. When Mama landed a couple of branches away . . . with her secret weapon, food . . . it took no coaxing for her babies to venture to where she was perched. They were hungry and she had food. Literally, they fluttered their way to her and managed not to fall into our fish pond below! And so the process continued over the next 15 minutes or so . . . mama coaxed the babies . . . branch to branch away from the nest . . . into the large maple tree next door.
No more little beaks peeking at me from the other side of my kitchen window. Hmmm . . . I wonder . . . will family #3 be raised in that little nest yet this summer?
As for Sir Oliver, well he's a happy fat cat. He's now allowed to return to his territory.
And so continues life.
P.S. I can't believe my eyes! I just looked out my kitchen window and mama mourning dove, or a new mama mourning dove, is back in the nest . . . tucking twigs back in place and shaping the nest with her body! Will watch and see.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
The Bluejays vacated their nest on June 3rd . . . June 10th, mama Morning Dove moved in. It seemed she sat FOREVER before we finally got our first glimpse of her babies on Sunday, July 3. There were two, and they were fully feathered.
Although the best view of the nest is from my kitchen window, which is almost eye level with the nest, pictures have not come easily. First, Morning Doves are the same color as the tree bark of my crabapple tree; and second, a small leafy branch hangs in front of the nest. Had I known the nest would be used a second time this season, I would have had Ken cut that branch off!
In trying to record the babies’ debut, I took the screen off my kitchen window . . . opened the window . . . stood with one foot on a chair and a knee on the kitchen sink . . . hung my camera out the window as far as I dared to . . . and took pictures one handed. Well, you may think, what is so hard about that? My kitchen window is about 15 feet off the ground . . . I don’t like heights . . . and one slip and there goes the camera for sure and possibly me!
Nevertheless, I did manage to get a few pictures. (Click on the picture for a closer view.)
It’s been quite interesting watching the babies this week. Mama has coaxed them from the nest out onto the branch, where they sat and flapped their wings.
She even tried calling them to the ground . . . BUT . . . they stayed sitting on the branch and eventually went back into the nest.
This morning, Mama sat in the nest and wouldn’t let the babies back into the nest with her, which I thought was rather funny. But, eventually she relented, got out, and back into the nest they went.
Here's a picture of the entire family . . .
I’m sure it will be today or tomorrow . . . which is what I said yesterday and the day before! . . . and they’ll be out of the nest for good. So we’ve secured the area for their first flight by keeping Sir Oliver, our 15 lb. cat, in the garage!
As I’ve watched the Bluejays and the Morning Doves raise their families outside my kitchen window, I’ve been reminded of how valuable and precious we are to God . . .
“. . . not a single sparrow (Blue Jay or Morning Dove) can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31 NLT
Although the best view of the nest is from my kitchen window, which is almost eye level with the nest, pictures have not come easily. First, Morning Doves are the same color as the tree bark of my crabapple tree; and second, a small leafy branch hangs in front of the nest. Had I known the nest would be used a second time this season, I would have had Ken cut that branch off!
In trying to record the babies’ debut, I took the screen off my kitchen window . . . opened the window . . . stood with one foot on a chair and a knee on the kitchen sink . . . hung my camera out the window as far as I dared to . . . and took pictures one handed. Well, you may think, what is so hard about that? My kitchen window is about 15 feet off the ground . . . I don’t like heights . . . and one slip and there goes the camera for sure and possibly me!
Nevertheless, I did manage to get a few pictures. (Click on the picture for a closer view.)
It’s been quite interesting watching the babies this week. Mama has coaxed them from the nest out onto the branch, where they sat and flapped their wings.
She even tried calling them to the ground . . . BUT . . . they stayed sitting on the branch and eventually went back into the nest.
This morning, Mama sat in the nest and wouldn’t let the babies back into the nest with her, which I thought was rather funny. But, eventually she relented, got out, and back into the nest they went.
Here's a picture of the entire family . . .
I’m sure it will be today or tomorrow . . . which is what I said yesterday and the day before! . . . and they’ll be out of the nest for good. So we’ve secured the area for their first flight by keeping Sir Oliver, our 15 lb. cat, in the garage!
As I’ve watched the Bluejays and the Morning Doves raise their families outside my kitchen window, I’ve been reminded of how valuable and precious we are to God . . .
“. . . not a single sparrow (Blue Jay or Morning Dove) can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31 NLT
Monday, July 4, 2011
Oh, Say Can You See . . .
The Star Spangled Banner Lyrics
By Francis Scott Key 1814
Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
To my father, Army, World War II
To my father-in-law, Navy, World War II
To my husband, Army, 1967-1969
To the men and women who have served from the beginning of this nation
and who are currently serving
THANK YOU!
Because of you . . .
I, my children, my grandchildren, future generations
all who live in the United States of America
may enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness!
Happy Birthday, America!
By Francis Scott Key 1814
Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
To my father, Army, World War II
To my father-in-law, Navy, World War II
To my husband, Army, 1967-1969
To the men and women who have served from the beginning of this nation
and who are currently serving
THANK YOU!
Because of you . . .
I, my children, my grandchildren, future generations
all who live in the United States of America
may enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness!
Happy Birthday, America!
Friday, June 10, 2011
For Rent?
Looking out my kitchen window, as has been my practice for the past several weeks as I watched the progress of my blue jay family, I was surprised at what I saw!
No, the baby blue jays were not back, nor have I seen them around the yard. What I saw was a pair of morning doves, the female snuggly nestled into the former blue jays' home and daddy morning dove standing on the branch next to her.
The blue jays must have hung a teeny "for rent" sign upon vacating their nest and new tenants have arrived? Wouldn't that be fun! Will watch and see.
Here's my 15 pound cat, Sir Oliver, who gets reprimanded for doing what comes naturally in regard to birds, frogs, rabbits, or other creatures who invade his territory!
Happy Friday!
P.S. Also saw a baby rabbit in my large flowerbed this week!
No, the baby blue jays were not back, nor have I seen them around the yard. What I saw was a pair of morning doves, the female snuggly nestled into the former blue jays' home and daddy morning dove standing on the branch next to her.
The blue jays must have hung a teeny "for rent" sign upon vacating their nest and new tenants have arrived? Wouldn't that be fun! Will watch and see.
Here's my 15 pound cat, Sir Oliver, who gets reprimanded for doing what comes naturally in regard to birds, frogs, rabbits, or other creatures who invade his territory!
Happy Friday!
P.S. Also saw a baby rabbit in my large flowerbed this week!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
6 Ounces vs. 15 Pounds
Did you know that an adult blue jay weighs 2.5 to 3.5 ounces! So begins my story of 6 ounces (mama and daddy blue jay) vs. 15 pounds, Sir Oliver, our cat!
On Thursday, June 2nd, we watched the 3 baby blue jays take turns cautiously standing on the edge of their nest. At times, the wind fluffed their wings, surely to be propelled right off the edge! But, it was not THE day to leave home!
First thing Friday morning, I looked out my kitchen window to check on my “babies.” Checking on the babies first thing every morning was my routine since the beginning of nest construction. I could tell . . . THIS was THE day! Two of the baby blue jays were standing tall on the edge of their nest! The mama and daddy blue jay would land briefly and then take off as if saying “follow us . . . it’s easy!" The babies, however, held fast working up courage to take flight.
As I was getting ready to run an errand, I looked out my bedroom window, which faces my shade garden and the fish pond, and saw . . . Sir Oliver . . . our 15-pound cat doing what comes naturally. Baby #1 had landed on the ground next to our fish pond. In the split seconds I watched, the baby was flapping its wings trying to escape from Sir Oliver.
Frantic, I ran down the hall and headed out the patio door to the deck yelling, “Oliver has a baby blue jay!”
I flew down the 14 deck steps to the ground, expecting to find Sir Oliver licking his lips. Instead, I found him hiding under the picnic table, put in his place by mama and daddy blue jay! Baby #1 was in the fish pond, flapping it’s wings trying to stay afloat and get out. Over head, mama and daddy blue jay are squawking and swooping the patio area!
I know to never get between a momma and her baby . . . BUT . . . I had to make a choice! Rescue baby #1 from the pond while running the risk of getting pecked by the parents or do nothing. I decided to take my chances. Walking quickly but calmly to the pond, with one quick, smooth motion, I cupped my hands under baby #1, lifting him out of the water and setting him on the ground. Slowly, I backed away.
Sir Oliver wasn’t about to budge from his hiding place . . . because of fear or hoping for a second chance at the baby??? But I persuaded him out of hiding. He headed around the corner of the house to the front yard, low crawling all the way! He stopped long enough for me to pick him up . . . his heart racing as I put him in the garage, where he had to stay the next 24 hours until the babies were safe.
When I returned home from my errand, Heather told me a baby was on the patio by the corner of the house. It was baby #2. How do I know? It was smaller and was not as blue as baby #1.
Baby #1 had left the yard.
Baby #2 was on the patio.
Baby #3 was standing outside the nest, on a limb!
I stood on the patio, up against the house, watching baby #3 in spite of the scolding parents. Baby #3 was out of the nest and was standing on a branch! This is it! Surely I will see him fly! BUT . . . I looked at baby #2 and when I looked back at baby #3 . . . gone! Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him land next to a hosta in my shade garden, followed by daddy blue jay.
Thinking baby #3 would be there a little while, I looked back to check on baby #2 . . . gone! Flown off, and I missed it! So I looked back at baby #3 . . . gone . . . just flown over the fence!
Houston, the babies have landed! I missed all their maiden voyages!
Empty nests . . . baby blue jays and baby robins all in the same week!
Fiercely protective!!! That’s how I would describe mama and daddy blue jay! Even the robins they peacefully shared the yard with these past weeks were chased away!
God spoke to my heart and said, “That’s how jealous and protective I am of you, my child!” Now there’s something to meditate on for a while and let sink into my spirit!!!
On Thursday, June 2nd, we watched the 3 baby blue jays take turns cautiously standing on the edge of their nest. At times, the wind fluffed their wings, surely to be propelled right off the edge! But, it was not THE day to leave home!
First thing Friday morning, I looked out my kitchen window to check on my “babies.” Checking on the babies first thing every morning was my routine since the beginning of nest construction. I could tell . . . THIS was THE day! Two of the baby blue jays were standing tall on the edge of their nest! The mama and daddy blue jay would land briefly and then take off as if saying “follow us . . . it’s easy!" The babies, however, held fast working up courage to take flight.
As I was getting ready to run an errand, I looked out my bedroom window, which faces my shade garden and the fish pond, and saw . . . Sir Oliver . . . our 15-pound cat doing what comes naturally. Baby #1 had landed on the ground next to our fish pond. In the split seconds I watched, the baby was flapping its wings trying to escape from Sir Oliver.
Frantic, I ran down the hall and headed out the patio door to the deck yelling, “Oliver has a baby blue jay!”
I flew down the 14 deck steps to the ground, expecting to find Sir Oliver licking his lips. Instead, I found him hiding under the picnic table, put in his place by mama and daddy blue jay! Baby #1 was in the fish pond, flapping it’s wings trying to stay afloat and get out. Over head, mama and daddy blue jay are squawking and swooping the patio area!
I know to never get between a momma and her baby . . . BUT . . . I had to make a choice! Rescue baby #1 from the pond while running the risk of getting pecked by the parents or do nothing. I decided to take my chances. Walking quickly but calmly to the pond, with one quick, smooth motion, I cupped my hands under baby #1, lifting him out of the water and setting him on the ground. Slowly, I backed away.
Sir Oliver wasn’t about to budge from his hiding place . . . because of fear or hoping for a second chance at the baby??? But I persuaded him out of hiding. He headed around the corner of the house to the front yard, low crawling all the way! He stopped long enough for me to pick him up . . . his heart racing as I put him in the garage, where he had to stay the next 24 hours until the babies were safe.
When I returned home from my errand, Heather told me a baby was on the patio by the corner of the house. It was baby #2. How do I know? It was smaller and was not as blue as baby #1.
Baby #1 had left the yard.
Baby #2 was on the patio.
Baby #3 was standing outside the nest, on a limb!
I stood on the patio, up against the house, watching baby #3 in spite of the scolding parents. Baby #3 was out of the nest and was standing on a branch! This is it! Surely I will see him fly! BUT . . . I looked at baby #2 and when I looked back at baby #3 . . . gone! Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him land next to a hosta in my shade garden, followed by daddy blue jay.
Thinking baby #3 would be there a little while, I looked back to check on baby #2 . . . gone! Flown off, and I missed it! So I looked back at baby #3 . . . gone . . . just flown over the fence!
Houston, the babies have landed! I missed all their maiden voyages!
Empty nests . . . baby blue jays and baby robins all in the same week!
Fiercely protective!!! That’s how I would describe mama and daddy blue jay! Even the robins they peacefully shared the yard with these past weeks were chased away!
God spoke to my heart and said, “That’s how jealous and protective I am of you, my child!” Now there’s something to meditate on for a while and let sink into my spirit!!!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Baby Debut
The teeny beaks of baby bluejays were spotted last night as daddy bluejay came to feed them. With the wind and rain, it was a very brief debut!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Daddy & Momma Robin
Our second pair of nesters . . . under our deck, where they had a nest last year and successfully raised babies.
Daddy Robin sitting near by . . .
Momma Robin . . . you have to look close to see her. She doesn't let me get very close before she flys off. Her head is to the left side of the nest . . . see her white throat? Double click on the picture for a full screen picture of her.
Daddy Robin sitting near by . . .
Momma Robin . . . you have to look close to see her. She doesn't let me get very close before she flys off. Her head is to the left side of the nest . . . see her white throat? Double click on the picture for a full screen picture of her.
The Secret Life & Power of Seeds
I have heard that the mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. However, the only mustard seeds I’ve seen are the ones I cook with; I don't think they are that small. Maybe the ones I cook with are the fruit, not the seed??? Hmmmm . . . will have to look that up.
This I do know, lettuce and rutabaga seed are soooo teeny. I planted both in my new veggie garden on Monday and by Friday, 4 days later . . . little green plants appeared, along with a bazillion maple seeds!
Radish seedlings . .
Rutabaga seedlings . . .
Even after gardening all these many years, seeing a seed I plant come up out of the ground and grow and produce fruit never ceases to amaze me and remind me of God! I was like a little child in a toy shop Friday when I saw my new little veggie plants. The life and power inside a dry seed is an amazing miracle! The life and power of the Word and Holy Spirit inside a believer is an even greater and more amazing miracle!
As I was enjoying the beginning fruit of the labor of my hands (and back!), God reminded me of this verse.
“I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” Matthew 17:19-21
It’s really not even about the size of the seed. It’s about the planting . . . the “saying” to this mountain . . . speaking God’s word to the circumstances in our lives. Circumstances, the natural realm, are temporal . . . subject to change! God's word/promises contain life and power.
Faith which remains only in thought form is dead. Faith without works is dead. Faith is an action. Speaking is an action . . . sometimes I would even call speaking work.
Mountains/circumstances are moved first in the spiritual realm, like the dry seed is first put into the dirt. As I speak God’s word by faith and water it with prayer, praise and thanksgiving . . . life pushes up through the hard circumstance, busting up and out of the dirt, reaching for the SONlight!
“God is not a man, so he does not lie.
He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act?
Has he ever promised and not carried it through?”
Numbers 23:19
If God said mountains can be moved, then they can be moved! As we plant the seed, He will carry it through!
This I do know, lettuce and rutabaga seed are soooo teeny. I planted both in my new veggie garden on Monday and by Friday, 4 days later . . . little green plants appeared, along with a bazillion maple seeds!
Radish seedlings . .
Rutabaga seedlings . . .
Even after gardening all these many years, seeing a seed I plant come up out of the ground and grow and produce fruit never ceases to amaze me and remind me of God! I was like a little child in a toy shop Friday when I saw my new little veggie plants. The life and power inside a dry seed is an amazing miracle! The life and power of the Word and Holy Spirit inside a believer is an even greater and more amazing miracle!
As I was enjoying the beginning fruit of the labor of my hands (and back!), God reminded me of this verse.
“I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” Matthew 17:19-21
It’s really not even about the size of the seed. It’s about the planting . . . the “saying” to this mountain . . . speaking God’s word to the circumstances in our lives. Circumstances, the natural realm, are temporal . . . subject to change! God's word/promises contain life and power.
Faith which remains only in thought form is dead. Faith without works is dead. Faith is an action. Speaking is an action . . . sometimes I would even call speaking work.
Mountains/circumstances are moved first in the spiritual realm, like the dry seed is first put into the dirt. As I speak God’s word by faith and water it with prayer, praise and thanksgiving . . . life pushes up through the hard circumstance, busting up and out of the dirt, reaching for the SONlight!
“God is not a man, so he does not lie.
He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act?
Has he ever promised and not carried it through?”
Numbers 23:19
If God said mountains can be moved, then they can be moved! As we plant the seed, He will carry it through!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Shelter in the Storm
Wow, that was quite a storm that blew through Lincoln around 3 pm yesterday!!! As the wind hurled small debris against the south side of the house and twisted the trees, I looked out my kitchen window to check on mama blue jay.
There she was, hunkered down deep into her nest, swaying with the wind, protecting her soon to be offspring under her wings . . . and these verses of Psalm 91 came to mind . . .
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Amen and Amen ! ! !
There she was, hunkered down deep into her nest, swaying with the wind, protecting her soon to be offspring under her wings . . . and these verses of Psalm 91 came to mind . . .
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Amen and Amen ! ! !
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Nesters, 2 Pair Actually!
Bluejay Nesting Update:
The nest was completed about a week ago, and mama bluejay has been sitting on it most of the time since . . . unless, of course, a squirrel scampers along the top of the fence . . . then off she goes to swoop the squirrel!
It's becoming a challenge to get pictures of mama bluejay. First, because during the strong wind late last week, a cluster of maple seeds blew through the crabapple tree and got caught at "mama bluejay face level!" Second, even though the window exterior is reflective, she somehow manages to know when I am about to take her picture and flys off the nest! Sometimes, she sits on the nest staring at the window, at me! Maybe I should have gotten her to sign the photo release form?!? :-)
Second Set of Nesters . . . Robins!
A pair of robins have returned to their spot under our deck, where they nested last year and raised their babies!
Daddy robin sitting near by!
I noticed some feathers on the ground near the robin nest and said to Ken, "Look, their plucking feathers to line their nest." His reply, "The feathers (probably a morning dove) are from Sir Oliver's (our 15 pound cat) morning snack!" :-(
Patiently awaiting baby bluejays and baby robins!
The nest was completed about a week ago, and mama bluejay has been sitting on it most of the time since . . . unless, of course, a squirrel scampers along the top of the fence . . . then off she goes to swoop the squirrel!
It's becoming a challenge to get pictures of mama bluejay. First, because during the strong wind late last week, a cluster of maple seeds blew through the crabapple tree and got caught at "mama bluejay face level!" Second, even though the window exterior is reflective, she somehow manages to know when I am about to take her picture and flys off the nest! Sometimes, she sits on the nest staring at the window, at me! Maybe I should have gotten her to sign the photo release form?!? :-)
Second Set of Nesters . . . Robins!
A pair of robins have returned to their spot under our deck, where they nested last year and raised their babies!
I noticed some feathers on the ground near the robin nest and said to Ken, "Look, their plucking feathers to line their nest." His reply, "The feathers (probably a morning dove) are from Sir Oliver's (our 15 pound cat) morning snack!" :-(
Patiently awaiting baby bluejays and baby robins!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Under Construction
Twigs are flown in and put in place with the acuracy of a crane! See the paper in the nest? It was taken to a nearby tree and "worked" until pliable for weaving into the nest.
She's a little hard to see, but she's there. From time-to-time, the female slips into the nest to shape it to her body.
P.S. Early spring visitors to my shade garden. The robins never allowed more than 4 of themselves on the birdbath at any given time, even though there were 12-15 in the garden.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Shade Garden Joys
The birds . . . and our 15-pound cat, Sir Oliver . . . love my shade garden almost as much as I do. It's peaceful and cool and is home to a concrete bench, a large concrete birdbath, and a small fish pond. Although I personally don't use the birdbath, Sir Oliver enjoys a drink from it now and then.
About a month ago, my shade garden was filled with robins. Four or five at a time would sit on the birdbath to enjoy a drink and a bath. We still have robins in and about the yard, but most have moved on.
I love watching for nest construction. A pair of cardinals were checking out the clematis in my shade garden, but I will have to go to the other side of the fence to see if they are actually building in there or not. Cardinals build in bushes and things like clematis.
As I was looking out my kitchen window this morning, I saw a pair of bluejays building a nest in the flowering crab tree. I watched the male trying to manuever a long twig through the new shoots of the crab tree and saw him finally deposit it into the nest. Mama had been sitting on the nest in progress, molding it or maybe seeing if she likes the view.
Bluejays would not be my bird of choice to build a nest in my shade garden. Although they are beautiful, they are aggressive birds and chase other birds away . . . thus their reputation as "neighborhood cop" when I was growing up. (I don't use the word cop anymore, so I guess they would be called "neighborhood police person?")
As I watch the birds enjoying my shade garden, I'm reminded that if God provides for the birds of the air, how much more will he provide for us.
About a month ago, my shade garden was filled with robins. Four or five at a time would sit on the birdbath to enjoy a drink and a bath. We still have robins in and about the yard, but most have moved on.
I love watching for nest construction. A pair of cardinals were checking out the clematis in my shade garden, but I will have to go to the other side of the fence to see if they are actually building in there or not. Cardinals build in bushes and things like clematis.
As I was looking out my kitchen window this morning, I saw a pair of bluejays building a nest in the flowering crab tree. I watched the male trying to manuever a long twig through the new shoots of the crab tree and saw him finally deposit it into the nest. Mama had been sitting on the nest in progress, molding it or maybe seeing if she likes the view.
Bluejays would not be my bird of choice to build a nest in my shade garden. Although they are beautiful, they are aggressive birds and chase other birds away . . . thus their reputation as "neighborhood cop" when I was growing up. (I don't use the word cop anymore, so I guess they would be called "neighborhood police person?")
As I watch the birds enjoying my shade garden, I'm reminded that if God provides for the birds of the air, how much more will he provide for us.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Spring Rains, Dandelions, & Honeybees
Spring rains . . . gentle ones or thunder boomers . . . I love them all! The cracks of thunder make me jump, but I love a good thunderstorm . . . without destruction, of course! I love the smell of rain! And rain floods my soul with childhood memories . . . my mother sewing on her treadle sewing machine . . . the porch swing . . . mud puddles . . . splashing in the water running down the curb . . .
The rain we had this past week was neither gentle nor a thunder-boomer and was too cold to play in. Yes, I still walk in the water running down the curb!
Lightening filled the sky as we drove home from Omaha this past Thursday night. We kept anticipating cracks of thunder, but nothing. To me, lightening without thunder is like eating movie theater popcorn without extra butter!
One of the first “flowers” to bloom, and I use that term loosely, is the dandelion. In our yard, the dandelion is a curse. But the dandelion is a blessing to bees and beekeepers, alike!
Ken and I used to have honeybees, 4 hives to be exact. It was a fascinating hobby with a VERY sweet reward! Nothing sweeter than honey or honeycomb right off the hive . . . by the spoonful or honeycomb on a piece of hot, buttered toast . . . real butter, of course! Those of us with allergies, eating honey from our area is very beneficial.
There are three simple rules to keeping bees happy . . .
First, place the hives near a good food source . . . in Nebraska, an alfalfa field. Yummo!!!
Second, don’t approach the hive from the front. If you do, you will be met by the guard bee, which will NOT stop pursuing you until he stings you or you kill him, whichever happens first.
Third, don’t drop the super, the individual boxes that make up a hive! Ken did this once when we were “working the hives!” YIKES!!! Let me tell you from personal experience, there’s not enough smoke to calm the thousands . . . yes thousands . . . of bees making a beeline for you, their sole purpose to take you out!
If bees think there is a fire or have outgrown the hive or a second queen hatches, the bees will gorge themselves on honey and leave the hive. Full of honey, the bees are content and happy.
So how does this all apply to my spiritual walk?
I need a good food source, God’s word!
“How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.” (Psalm 119:103 NLT)
There is no guard bee keeping me from God!
“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebr. 4:16 NLT)
For a sweet soul and/or healing for my body . . . or maybe someone else needs soul sweetness and/or health for their body . . . speak kind words.
“Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and health for the body.” (Proverbs 16:24 NLT)
We haven’t had honeybees for a long time, but I am hoping one day we will become “beekeepers” once again. In the meantime, I’ll buy my honey from my neighbor up the street and stay gorged on the word of God . . . sweetness for my soul, health for my body, and kind words on my lips.
The rain we had this past week was neither gentle nor a thunder-boomer and was too cold to play in. Yes, I still walk in the water running down the curb!
Lightening filled the sky as we drove home from Omaha this past Thursday night. We kept anticipating cracks of thunder, but nothing. To me, lightening without thunder is like eating movie theater popcorn without extra butter!
One of the first “flowers” to bloom, and I use that term loosely, is the dandelion. In our yard, the dandelion is a curse. But the dandelion is a blessing to bees and beekeepers, alike!
Ken and I used to have honeybees, 4 hives to be exact. It was a fascinating hobby with a VERY sweet reward! Nothing sweeter than honey or honeycomb right off the hive . . . by the spoonful or honeycomb on a piece of hot, buttered toast . . . real butter, of course! Those of us with allergies, eating honey from our area is very beneficial.
There are three simple rules to keeping bees happy . . .
First, place the hives near a good food source . . . in Nebraska, an alfalfa field. Yummo!!!
Second, don’t approach the hive from the front. If you do, you will be met by the guard bee, which will NOT stop pursuing you until he stings you or you kill him, whichever happens first.
Third, don’t drop the super, the individual boxes that make up a hive! Ken did this once when we were “working the hives!” YIKES!!! Let me tell you from personal experience, there’s not enough smoke to calm the thousands . . . yes thousands . . . of bees making a beeline for you, their sole purpose to take you out!
If bees think there is a fire or have outgrown the hive or a second queen hatches, the bees will gorge themselves on honey and leave the hive. Full of honey, the bees are content and happy.
So how does this all apply to my spiritual walk?
I need a good food source, God’s word!
“How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.” (Psalm 119:103 NLT)
There is no guard bee keeping me from God!
“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebr. 4:16 NLT)
For a sweet soul and/or healing for my body . . . or maybe someone else needs soul sweetness and/or health for their body . . . speak kind words.
“Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and health for the body.” (Proverbs 16:24 NLT)
We haven’t had honeybees for a long time, but I am hoping one day we will become “beekeepers” once again. In the meantime, I’ll buy my honey from my neighbor up the street and stay gorged on the word of God . . . sweetness for my soul, health for my body, and kind words on my lips.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Are You A Deborah?
The Israelites served the Lord until Joshua and that generation died. The next generation quickly abandoned God. They did not even acknowledge God, let alone remember the mighty works He had done on behalf of the Israelites. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways!
The Lord took pity on his people. When Israel cried out to the Lord for help, God raised up judges to rescue them and turn their hearts back to Him. While the judge was alive, things went well . . . but when the judge died, the Israelites rode the spiral plunge downward, living worse than the generation before them.
In Judges chapter 4, enters Deborah, judge number 5. Deborah was a
Prophetess
Judge
Teacher
Counselor
Ruler
Wife
Mother
Song writer
Poet
Deborah was committed to God. She walked in her prophetic gift, able to discern wise answers for the disputes of the people who came to her. She led with integrity, encouraged people, and the people followed God.
God is looking for Deborahs today! Women with hearts passionate and committed to Him . . . hearts of integrity . . . women who can lead and encourage. If we have such a heart, God will do the rest!
Are you willing to say, Lord, here I am . . . I’m a Deborah or I want to be a Deborah . . . use me!
The Lord took pity on his people. When Israel cried out to the Lord for help, God raised up judges to rescue them and turn their hearts back to Him. While the judge was alive, things went well . . . but when the judge died, the Israelites rode the spiral plunge downward, living worse than the generation before them.
In Judges chapter 4, enters Deborah, judge number 5. Deborah was a
Prophetess
Judge
Teacher
Counselor
Ruler
Wife
Mother
Song writer
Poet
Deborah was committed to God. She walked in her prophetic gift, able to discern wise answers for the disputes of the people who came to her. She led with integrity, encouraged people, and the people followed God.
God is looking for Deborahs today! Women with hearts passionate and committed to Him . . . hearts of integrity . . . women who can lead and encourage. If we have such a heart, God will do the rest!
Are you willing to say, Lord, here I am . . . I’m a Deborah or I want to be a Deborah . . . use me!
Friday, March 11, 2011
I See Spring In The Air!
I love this time of year! I see spring in the air!
Even the sun looks different! Seriously! Have you ever noticed how the sun looks different at the beginning of each season?
Beautiful, clear, deep blue skies . . . yesterday!
Winter’s death giving way to new life
Daffodils emerging from hibernation
Crocus poking through the mulch, soon to be in full bloom
Iris 2-3 inches tall
Fat robins – Ken says they’re not fat, they’re fluffy!
I can plant pansies soon!
Even the sun looks different! Seriously! Have you ever noticed how the sun looks different at the beginning of each season?
Beautiful, clear, deep blue skies . . . yesterday!
Winter’s death giving way to new life
Daffodils emerging from hibernation
Crocus poking through the mulch, soon to be in full bloom
Iris 2-3 inches tall
Fat robins – Ken says they’re not fat, they’re fluffy!
I can plant pansies soon!
Useless & Fruitless?
Women are bombarded with products designed to hide – or reverse – their age!
Anti-wrinkle creams, moisture rescues, sculpting serums
Night resurfacing elixir – sounds like something a road crew would use!!!
Dark spot corrector to even skin tone
Makeup that is “cream-whipped for 100% baby-smooth perfection!
Hair color – ANY color!
Exercise programs!
Drink milk!
It takes a lot of work to take care of and make this earth suit I live in look good! But these products are superficial; they do not define me!
It’s not our outward appearance or our age . . . young or old . . . that matters to God.
It’s our heart!
I’m so thankful that God doesn’t see us through the number of candles on our cake! It isn’t a matter of how old we are but how willing we are to respond to God’s working in and through us!
Look at Abraham . . . Sarah . . . Moses . . . Mary, mother of Jesus . . . Elizabeth!
They were all “numerically challenged” . . . old! . . . when God chose to use them for His kingdom!
I love Psalm 92:14 (Amplified Bible) . . .
“[Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment].”
Teenage or 105 or somewhere in between . . . God has a plan for your life! Ask Him about His plans for you and make the choice to be fruitful!
Anti-wrinkle creams, moisture rescues, sculpting serums
Night resurfacing elixir – sounds like something a road crew would use!!!
Dark spot corrector to even skin tone
Makeup that is “cream-whipped for 100% baby-smooth perfection!
Hair color – ANY color!
Exercise programs!
Drink milk!
It takes a lot of work to take care of and make this earth suit I live in look good! But these products are superficial; they do not define me!
It’s not our outward appearance or our age . . . young or old . . . that matters to God.
It’s our heart!
I’m so thankful that God doesn’t see us through the number of candles on our cake! It isn’t a matter of how old we are but how willing we are to respond to God’s working in and through us!
Look at Abraham . . . Sarah . . . Moses . . . Mary, mother of Jesus . . . Elizabeth!
They were all “numerically challenged” . . . old! . . . when God chose to use them for His kingdom!
I love Psalm 92:14 (Amplified Bible) . . .
“[Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment].”
Teenage or 105 or somewhere in between . . . God has a plan for your life! Ask Him about His plans for you and make the choice to be fruitful!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Fig Leaf Troubles Again!
"He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. Then Jesus said to the tree, 'May no one ever eat your fruit again!'" Mark 11:13-14 NLT
It has always bothered me that Jesus cursed the fig tree for not having fruit when it says it was too early in the season for it to have fruit! Seems a little unfair to the fig tree, don’t you think?
My study Bible shares this . . .
It takes 3 years from the time a fig tree is planted until it bears fruit. Maybe this was fig tree was only 2 years old?
Fig trees yield a great amount of fruit twice a year . . . in the spring and early autumn. Maybe it was summer or winter when Jesus walked by?
Figs normally grow as the leaves fill out. That explains it! The fig tree was in full leaf; there should have been fruit.
The fig tree gave the “appearance” of fruit. When Jesus found none, he said no one would ever eat fruit from that fig tree again. It withered from the roots and died.
So how does this apply to my life, to the life of the born-again, spirit filled Christian?
If we are fruitful in appearance only, we are living a religious life without substance . . . spiritual barrenness.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
The Message Bible reads . . .
But what happens when we live God's way?
He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard – things like
affection for others (love)
exuberance about life (joy)
serenity (peace)
We develop a willingness to stick with things (patience)
a sense of compassion in the heart (kindness)
and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. (goodness)
We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments (faithfulness)
not needing to force our way in life (gentleness)
able to marshal and direct our energies wisely (self-control)
fruit in parenthesis added)
Walking in and producing fruit of the Spirit is not a piece of cake! There will be pruning, a cutting away of dead things in our lives. Pruning produces more fruit, allowing God to fulfill His plan and purpose for our life on this earth.
Be fruitful, not just leafy!
It has always bothered me that Jesus cursed the fig tree for not having fruit when it says it was too early in the season for it to have fruit! Seems a little unfair to the fig tree, don’t you think?
My study Bible shares this . . .
It takes 3 years from the time a fig tree is planted until it bears fruit. Maybe this was fig tree was only 2 years old?
Fig trees yield a great amount of fruit twice a year . . . in the spring and early autumn. Maybe it was summer or winter when Jesus walked by?
Figs normally grow as the leaves fill out. That explains it! The fig tree was in full leaf; there should have been fruit.
The fig tree gave the “appearance” of fruit. When Jesus found none, he said no one would ever eat fruit from that fig tree again. It withered from the roots and died.
So how does this apply to my life, to the life of the born-again, spirit filled Christian?
If we are fruitful in appearance only, we are living a religious life without substance . . . spiritual barrenness.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
The Message Bible reads . . .
But what happens when we live God's way?
He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard – things like
affection for others (love)
exuberance about life (joy)
serenity (peace)
We develop a willingness to stick with things (patience)
a sense of compassion in the heart (kindness)
and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. (goodness)
We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments (faithfulness)
not needing to force our way in life (gentleness)
able to marshal and direct our energies wisely (self-control)
fruit in parenthesis added)
Walking in and producing fruit of the Spirit is not a piece of cake! There will be pruning, a cutting away of dead things in our lives. Pruning produces more fruit, allowing God to fulfill His plan and purpose for our life on this earth.
Be fruitful, not just leafy!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Who Are You???
Maybe you say . . . or at the very least think . . . I’m only . . .
a daughter
a mother
a wife
a sister
an aunt
Or maybe you define yourself according to your job? I’m just . . .
a secretary
a teacher
a dishwasher
a house cleaner
or whatever
None of these define who you/we are!
God recently spoke to me and said, I'M YOUR IDENTITY!
God defines who we are!!!
a chosen people
royal priests
a holy nation
God’s very own possession
to show others the goodness of God
you are called out of the darkness into his wonderful light
once you had no identity as a people
now you are God’s people.
1 Peter 2:9a-11
We are chosen to show others the goodness of God!!!
We are called into HIS light . . . NOT into our light!
Don’t hide HIS light!
SHINE!!!
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine,
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine til Jesus comes
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine til Jesus comes
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
Won’t let Satan blow it out
I’m gonna let it shine
Won’t let Satan blow it out
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
SHINE ON!!!
a daughter
a mother
a wife
a sister
an aunt
Or maybe you define yourself according to your job? I’m just . . .
a secretary
a teacher
a dishwasher
a house cleaner
or whatever
None of these define who you/we are!
God recently spoke to me and said, I'M YOUR IDENTITY!
God defines who we are!!!
a chosen people
royal priests
a holy nation
God’s very own possession
to show others the goodness of God
you are called out of the darkness into his wonderful light
once you had no identity as a people
now you are God’s people.
1 Peter 2:9a-11
We are chosen to show others the goodness of God!!!
We are called into HIS light . . . NOT into our light!
Don’t hide HIS light!
SHINE!!!
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine,
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine til Jesus comes
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine til Jesus comes
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
Won’t let Satan blow it out
I’m gonna let it shine
Won’t let Satan blow it out
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
SHINE ON!!!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Do You Even Care What Happened to Me?
While at the Easterday Rec Center this afternoon to get information about summer camps for Brandy, a man in a wheel chair approached me as I waited to talk to the director. He said hello as he wheeled past me . . . then stopped and asked, “What is your name?” I told him my first name and asked him his. “Tim,” as he reached out his hand to me for a handshake.
Tim appeared to be a man around 50 years old. His speech and his mouth drooping on one side made me wonder if he had had a stroke.
The next 2 questions he asked me have marked my soul and my heart forever!!!
Tim: “Do you want to know what happened to me?”
Me: "Yes"
Tim: Looking me square in the eyes . . . “Do you even really care what happened to me?”
Me: Locking my eyes on his, “Yes, I care. What happened to you?”
Tim: “When I was 33 years old, I had brain surgery. During the surgery, the doctor dropped the scalpel, which cut my carotid artery. I nearly died.”
He is now 47.
With no further conversation, he wheeled on.
A few minutes later, I heard him call my name and say something. But because of the noisy group at a table to the side of us, I had to ask him to repeat his question.
Tim: “Can you understand me when I talk.”
Me: “Yes, I can; but the noise from this group of people makes it hard for me to hear.”
Tim: “It’s important to me that people can understand me when I talk. Have a nice day.”
End of conversation.
He turned and wheeled away.
Inside myself, I wept.
"When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why:
I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.'
"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?'
Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth:
Whenever you did one of these things
to someone overlooked or ignored,
that was me — you did it to me.'
Matthew 25:31-40
(Message Bible, emphasis added)
One does not have to be disabled to be overlooked or ignored!
Tim appeared to be a man around 50 years old. His speech and his mouth drooping on one side made me wonder if he had had a stroke.
The next 2 questions he asked me have marked my soul and my heart forever!!!
Tim: “Do you want to know what happened to me?”
Me: "Yes"
Tim: Looking me square in the eyes . . . “Do you even really care what happened to me?”
Me: Locking my eyes on his, “Yes, I care. What happened to you?”
Tim: “When I was 33 years old, I had brain surgery. During the surgery, the doctor dropped the scalpel, which cut my carotid artery. I nearly died.”
He is now 47.
With no further conversation, he wheeled on.
A few minutes later, I heard him call my name and say something. But because of the noisy group at a table to the side of us, I had to ask him to repeat his question.
Tim: “Can you understand me when I talk.”
Me: “Yes, I can; but the noise from this group of people makes it hard for me to hear.”
Tim: “It’s important to me that people can understand me when I talk. Have a nice day.”
End of conversation.
He turned and wheeled away.
Inside myself, I wept.
"When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why:
I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.'
"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?'
Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth:
Whenever you did one of these things
to someone overlooked or ignored,
that was me — you did it to me.'
Matthew 25:31-40
(Message Bible, emphasis added)
One does not have to be disabled to be overlooked or ignored!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Rest for Your Soul
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28, emphasis added)
We usually stop quoting at the end of this verse, envisioning physical rest in the arms of Jesus. Physical rest does come, but not until we have done verses 29 and 30, which read . . .
“Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.” (emphasis added)
When 2 oxen are yoked together on a wagon, one does not pull and the other one just lies down to watch. No, they work together, sharing the load, making the load easier.
Jesus will not put the yoke on us . . . WE are to take the yoke. To yoke or not to be yoked . . . that is the question! It's our choice! We are a PERFECT fit with Jesus!!! Why do we fight the yoke so??? Because we are meat heads . . . carnally minded!!!
The benefit of the yoke is to give us rest . . . rest for our souls . . . our minds, our wills, and our emotions! We are very good at finding physical rest for ourselves but struggle with finding rest/peace in our soul. We fight against the very yoke, Jesus, who will give rest to our souls!
Jesus knows the battle(s) in our soul . . . our mind . . . our will . . . and our emotions! And He cares! When we are going through a soul battle, we need to RUN to Jesus, saying Wait a second while I put on this yoke! Say to Him . . . I don’t understand why I’m thinking this way. . . I don’t understand why I’m feeling what I’m feeling . . . I don’t understand why my will wants to rule and reign . . . BUT YOU LORD JESUS know and understand everything I’m thinking and feeling. I submit myself to you and NEED you to speak to me, to calm my soul. I choose to walk through this TOGETHER with you.
My soul has been fighting the yoke these past 6 days. But because I made the choice to put on the yoke and cried out to Him saying, I need to hear you, Jesus! . . . TONIGHT . . . I heard Jesus speak to me . . . and He is bringing rest to my soul as we share the yoke!!!
Why are we always amazed each time we realize we do not know what is best for our lives. We fight rest for our soul when we walk in the natural, rather than in the spiritual!
Thank you, Jesus, for patiently waiting for me to put on the yoke! Thank you that I don’t have to do this alone . . . that you are walking THROUGH this WITH me.
We usually stop quoting at the end of this verse, envisioning physical rest in the arms of Jesus. Physical rest does come, but not until we have done verses 29 and 30, which read . . .
“Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.” (emphasis added)
When 2 oxen are yoked together on a wagon, one does not pull and the other one just lies down to watch. No, they work together, sharing the load, making the load easier.
Jesus will not put the yoke on us . . . WE are to take the yoke. To yoke or not to be yoked . . . that is the question! It's our choice! We are a PERFECT fit with Jesus!!! Why do we fight the yoke so??? Because we are meat heads . . . carnally minded!!!
The benefit of the yoke is to give us rest . . . rest for our souls . . . our minds, our wills, and our emotions! We are very good at finding physical rest for ourselves but struggle with finding rest/peace in our soul. We fight against the very yoke, Jesus, who will give rest to our souls!
Jesus knows the battle(s) in our soul . . . our mind . . . our will . . . and our emotions! And He cares! When we are going through a soul battle, we need to RUN to Jesus, saying Wait a second while I put on this yoke! Say to Him . . . I don’t understand why I’m thinking this way. . . I don’t understand why I’m feeling what I’m feeling . . . I don’t understand why my will wants to rule and reign . . . BUT YOU LORD JESUS know and understand everything I’m thinking and feeling. I submit myself to you and NEED you to speak to me, to calm my soul. I choose to walk through this TOGETHER with you.
My soul has been fighting the yoke these past 6 days. But because I made the choice to put on the yoke and cried out to Him saying, I need to hear you, Jesus! . . . TONIGHT . . . I heard Jesus speak to me . . . and He is bringing rest to my soul as we share the yoke!!!
Why are we always amazed each time we realize we do not know what is best for our lives. We fight rest for our soul when we walk in the natural, rather than in the spiritual!
Thank you, Jesus, for patiently waiting for me to put on the yoke! Thank you that I don’t have to do this alone . . . that you are walking THROUGH this WITH me.
Monday, January 17, 2011
The Lord's Servant
“I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”
This verse keeps rumbling around in my spirit. God’s Word says many things about us, about who we are in Christ Jesus, and is filled with promises for our lives. We want everything God has said about us and promised to us to manifest in our lives. So we do our part . . . believe . . . ask in faith . . . speak in faith . . . give in faith . . . wait patiently, or so we think . . .
But there is a qualifier . . .the verse begins with . . . “I am the Lord’s servant.”
Jesus . . . the greatest servant of all . . .
The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me
because God anointed me.
He sent me to preach good news to the poor,
heal the heartbroken,
announce freedom to all captives,
pardon all prisoners.
God sent me to announce the year of his grace –
a celebration of God's destruction of our enemies—
and to comfort all who mourn,
to care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion,
give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,
messages of joy instead of news of doom,
a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.
(Isaiah 61:1-3 Message Bible)
The Spirit of God, the Master is on me . . . Is the Holy Spirit our Master or do we think of Him and treat Him as our servant?
We are servants of the Spirit of God, our Master, and are anointed/empowered by Him to bring the good news of God’s love, forgiveness, joy, peace, healing, freedom to the people brought across our path each day . . . to the people in our sphere of influence.
This verse keeps rumbling around in my spirit. God’s Word says many things about us, about who we are in Christ Jesus, and is filled with promises for our lives. We want everything God has said about us and promised to us to manifest in our lives. So we do our part . . . believe . . . ask in faith . . . speak in faith . . . give in faith . . . wait patiently, or so we think . . .
But there is a qualifier . . .the verse begins with . . . “I am the Lord’s servant.”
Jesus . . . the greatest servant of all . . .
The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me
because God anointed me.
He sent me to preach good news to the poor,
heal the heartbroken,
announce freedom to all captives,
pardon all prisoners.
God sent me to announce the year of his grace –
a celebration of God's destruction of our enemies—
and to comfort all who mourn,
to care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion,
give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,
messages of joy instead of news of doom,
a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.
(Isaiah 61:1-3 Message Bible)
The Spirit of God, the Master is on me . . . Is the Holy Spirit our Master or do we think of Him and treat Him as our servant?
We are servants of the Spirit of God, our Master, and are anointed/empowered by Him to bring the good news of God’s love, forgiveness, joy, peace, healing, freedom to the people brought across our path each day . . . to the people in our sphere of influence.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Blessings of Obedience
If you listen obediently to the Voice of GOD, your God, and heartily obey all his commandments that I command you today, GOD, your God, will place you on high, high above all the nations of the world.
All these blessings will come down on you and spread out beyond you because you have responded to the Voice of GOD, your God:
GOD's blessing inside the city,
GOD's blessing in the country;
GOD's blessing on your children,
the crops of your land,
the young of your livestock,
the calves of your herds,
the lambs of your flocks.
GOD's blessing on your basket and bread bowl;
GOD's blessing in your coming in,
GOD's blessing in your going out.
GOD will defeat your enemies who attack you. They'll come at you on one road and run away on seven roads.
GOD will order a blessing on your barns and workplaces; he'll bless you in the land that GOD, your God, is giving you.
GOD will form you as a people holy to him, just as he promised you, if you keep the commandments of GOD, your God, and live the way he has shown you.
All the peoples on Earth will see you living under the Name of GOD and hold you in respectful awe.
GOD will lavish you with good things: children from your womb, offspring from your animals, and crops from your land, the land that GOD promised your ancestors that he would give you.
GOD will throw open the doors of his sky vaults and pour rain on your land on schedule and bless the work you take in hand.
You will lend to many nations but you yourself won't have to take out a loan.
GOD will make you the head, not the tail; you'll always be the top dog, never the bottom dog, as you obediently listen to and diligently keep the commands of GOD, your God, that I am commanding you today.
Don't swerve an inch to the right or left from the words that I command you today by going off following and worshiping other gods.
Deut. 28:1-14 (Message)
All these blessings will come down on you and spread out beyond you because you have responded to the Voice of GOD, your God:
GOD's blessing inside the city,
GOD's blessing in the country;
GOD's blessing on your children,
the crops of your land,
the young of your livestock,
the calves of your herds,
the lambs of your flocks.
GOD's blessing on your basket and bread bowl;
GOD's blessing in your coming in,
GOD's blessing in your going out.
GOD will defeat your enemies who attack you. They'll come at you on one road and run away on seven roads.
GOD will order a blessing on your barns and workplaces; he'll bless you in the land that GOD, your God, is giving you.
GOD will form you as a people holy to him, just as he promised you, if you keep the commandments of GOD, your God, and live the way he has shown you.
All the peoples on Earth will see you living under the Name of GOD and hold you in respectful awe.
GOD will lavish you with good things: children from your womb, offspring from your animals, and crops from your land, the land that GOD promised your ancestors that he would give you.
GOD will throw open the doors of his sky vaults and pour rain on your land on schedule and bless the work you take in hand.
You will lend to many nations but you yourself won't have to take out a loan.
GOD will make you the head, not the tail; you'll always be the top dog, never the bottom dog, as you obediently listen to and diligently keep the commands of GOD, your God, that I am commanding you today.
Don't swerve an inch to the right or left from the words that I command you today by going off following and worshiping other gods.
Deut. 28:1-14 (Message)
Monday, January 10, 2011
No Withholding
“Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your beloved son . . . I will bless you . . . and through your descendents all the nations of the earth will be blessed – all because you have obeyed me.” (Gen. 22:16-18)
We are blessed these hundreds and hundreds of years later because Abraham chose to obey God, to not withhold from God.
Do we understand that the same spiritual principle continues in motion today?
What will our children, our grandchildren, and future generations receive . . . the blessings of our obedience or the consequences of our withholding from God?
A “Mary heart” . . . one of obedience, willing to lay down its own agenda, its own dreams, its own “Isaac” . . . willing not to withhold anything from God.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Here We Go . . . Again!?!
Aaahh . . . A new year
A fresh start . . . a clean slate
I can get a handle on my life
I can stop the old habits
I can start the new ones
I CAN do this!
I WILL be . . .
T-minus . . . until failure
Then condemnation
Back to the old because I’ve messed up
Oh well . . . next January 1st . . . try again
Oh well . . . next January 1st . . . try again
Each January 1st . . . INSANITY
Doing the same thing over and over
Expecting different results
Declare the changes needed!
Set goals . . . But . . .
Who is in control?
Who can bring the lasting change?
Every January 1st . . . “I” tries to rule and reign
I cannot bring lasting change to my life
But With GOD, ALL things are possible!
I can do ALL things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us!
Don’t wait until the NEXT . . . January 1st
Minute by minute . . . day by day
Take the “start overs” to Jesus
And His cleansing blood!
How ?
“It's the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us . . . Say the welcoming word to God—‘Jesus is my Master’—embracing, body and soul, God's work of doing in us what he did in raising Jesus from the dead. That's it. You're not ‘doing’ anything; you're simply calling out to God, trusting him to do it for you. That's salvation. With your whole being you embrace God setting things right, and then you say it, right out loud: "God has set everything right between him and me!" (Romans 10:9-10 Message Bible)
HAPPY. . . new year . . . IN JESUS !
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