Tag Archives: beauty

Ladder of Joy

13 Monday Aug 2012

Posted by in beauty, Christianity, faith, flower gardens, joy, love, wisdom and understanding

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“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”            Psalm 16:11

I love morning glories.  Just the name fills me with joy and when I wake up and see one of those heavenly blue blooms, I can’t help but believe that it will be a morning glorious.  Last year I planted a morning glory in with some pink petunias and loved looking at the contrast of colors. 

This summer I planted a morning glory that climbed right up to my coffee tree and then kept on climbing.  The lovely vine has heart shaped leaves which make me think of a ladder of joy going up to heaven.  It reminds me of the prayer my mother taught me to say when I was a little girl.  “Please help me Jesus to build a road of the loving heart.”      Every time a bud opens out into one of those beautiful blooms it is like a new possibility that God tucks in our mind to enable us to bless someone.  There are so many rewards to building a road of the loving heart but the best reward is the joy we feel in His Presence as we travel along the way.    Each day is an opportunity to do something loving for someone we meet or know.  It might just be to smile at a stranger or the clerk in the grocery store; or possibly to write an encouraging card to a friend or call someone and wish them a happy day.  You may want to do something special for a family member or visit someone who is sick and take them something you know they need or would like.    The blooms on the morning glory don’t last long and never more than a day. If we are not wise enough to quickly step up and let God use us to bless someone’s life that opportunity may soon be gone.  I don’t want to miss out on these opportunities that God gives me each day.  If you feel the same, please join me in climbing this ladder of life and we will fill it with steps of joy and love as we bless others with the blessings that God has given us.

Inner Peace illuminations

06 Monday Aug 2012

Posted by in beach sunsets, beauty, Christianity, depression, faith, health, Hearts Filled With Joy, love, peace, wisdom and understanding, worry

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“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”   I Peter 5:7

It was one of those beautiful days on the beach after a storm.  The temperature was in the low 70’s and the ocean waves were tossing foam and shells upon the beach.   I decided to take a beach walk so I could photograph the gorgeous clouds and the waves that were dancing for joy.  But just ahead of me I saw a young man with a large, heavy looking backpack strapped to his back and I wondered what stuff could be so valuable that you couldn’t leave it behind in order to enjoy a carefree walk on the beach. 

Then I began to think about what burdens I too might be carrying this beautiful morning.  The burden of an unpleasant conversation that I couldn’t forget, words I wish I had left unsaid, an opportunity to do something kind left undone, worries and anxieties pushed aside and covered up with other worries and problems.  My own invisible backpack of problems was weighing me down and keeping me from enjoying this beautiful day and lovely walk.

Thought freedom comes from a process of substituting our worldly worries and frets with thoughts of trust in God. Sometimes I feel like I have a restless spirit.  I think this is God’s way of telling me that my spirit is at odds with the direction of the Holy Spirit so my soul can not rest.   When I have a restless spirit, I am not abiding in the peace of the Holy Spirit who indwells my soul.  Our heart is where our own spirit dwells.  We can have a spirit of fear, resentment, anger, bitterness, anxiety, worry or hopelessness. Our negative emotions and thoughts can enslave us and make us miserable.   “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”                      Galatians 5:1

Trusting in Christ will set our heart free, but a spirit of hopelessness makes the body ill.  The Holy Spirit is able to illuminate our darkness.  He is able to direct and guide us into all truth.  He wants to bestow on us His wonderful gifts.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”                          Galatians 5:22, 23   “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”   Isaiah 26:3

There is great strength in calmness.  When my circumstances seem our of control I begin to feel panic and want to run away from my problems even though I know the wise thing to do is to run to God.  Sometimes I find myself holding so tightly to my problems that I just have to open my hands and say, “Please Lord, you take them.  I just can’t carry them any longer.”  The only way to hold the hand of Jesus as we walk along is to let go of our problems and give them to Him.

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.”                Psalm 68:19

In order to have peace of mind we must quiet our thoughts and racing heart knowing that God is in control.  He knows all about our problems and how best to solve them.  Once our mind is quiet, we are able to come into His presence and listen to Him.  When we stop trying to fix our problems ourselves and go to Him in prayer, we can rest peacefully while we wait on His perfect timing.   “Find rest O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.”          Psalm 62:5

Jesus knew that as long as we are in the world we would need peace.  He promised the gift of peace so that we would not be afraid or have troubled hearts.  The prayer of real faith is a prayer of joy because we pray knowing that we can trust God to answer our prayer if it is His will and is in our best interest.   “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”            I Thessalonians 5:16-18

When we trust and love God, we desire to talk to Him and understand the situation from His viewpoint.  When Jesus has complete control of our lives, He enables us to have a heart filled with peace.  Oh the wonder and anticipation of waiting, knowing that our awesome Heavenly Father delights in answering our prayer with what is best for us.   “And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”       Philippians 4:7

GARDEN JOY illuminations

04 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by in beauty, Christianity, favorite songs, flower gardens, health, Hearts Filled With Joy, music, roses, spring flowers, wisdom and understanding, worry

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“By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me – a prayer to the God of my life.”   Psalm 42:8  

Are weeds of worry and care choking the joy of your spirit?  A beautiful spirit must  be regularly watered with trust and faith.

“IN THE GARDEN”  by C. Austin Miles  

“I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses.
And the voice I hear falling on my ear;
the Son of God discloses.

And he walks with me and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own.
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.   He speaks and the sound of His voice is so sweet
the birds hush their singing.  
And the melody that He gave to me
within my heart is ringing.

And he walks with me and He talks with me,
And he tells me I am His own.   And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.”

The only way to be renewed in your spirit is through Divine Companionship.  Walking and talking with the LORD, resting and thinking of Him, loving and praising Him.  Find your joy in Him!  

“Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far out weighs them all.”          II Corinthians 4:16, 17

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”     II Corinthians 4:18

Mustard Seed Faith illuminations

21 Monday May 2012

Posted by in cookout by the creek, faith, fun stuff for grandparents, Fun stuff for kids, health, Hearts Filled With Joy, mustard seed faith, shingles, spring flowers, wisdom and understanding, worry

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“Because you have so little faith.  I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you.”    Matthew 17:20  Faith Failure:

Have you ever had a faith failure?  About a year ago I found out that Marathon Oil was going to put in a pipeline across our land and I became so upset, it made me sick.  A week later I came down with a terrible case of shingles that lasted for weeks.  I called it the worry disease because every time I would start to worry, it became worse and hurt more.

We were informed that we had no choice but to sign the papers agreeing for them to take a 100 foot right away because if we didn’t sign them, the land would be seized anyway.  They said they were willing to pay us for the value of the land.  But how could they know what the value of the land was worth to me?  To them it  was farm land and not worth very much. But what is the value of a tree that is more than 5 feet in diameter and probably more than 100 years old?  And how do you count the cost of wildflowers and daffodils that bloom in the woods every spring?

They were planning to go straight across our woods and creek  and their bulldozers would plow down all the beautiful shade trees as they went.

This was the place where our children had loved playing each summer.  They had floated in boats and inner-tubes, played imagination games on the rocks at pirate’s cove, made trails through the woods and swung on vines hanging from the trees.  Under the big tree we had held Sunday School cookouts by the creek and in the meadow we played games and kickball with the children. 

In the field the kids were also treated to hayrides.  After we finished eating as the sun was setting, we made a big camp fire and roasted marshmallows making s’mores for dessert. 

Then someone played the guitar and we sat around the fire singing songs until after dark.  We always ended with a prayer followed by singing one of my favorite songs, “Cum Ba Ya, My Lord,” and I know He was there because I could feel His Very Presence.

But even though we were informed we had no choice about allowing them to cross our land, what they didn’t figure on was the power of prayer!  When my mind finally quieted and I stopped asking “why Lord,” I began to pray.  I asked God to not let them cut down our trees and cross our land at our favorite spot for picnics and fun.  And each time I prayed I could almost audibly here my Lord say, “Just trust me, just trust me.”  “But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.”    Psalm 33:18

to be continued…….

Make-Believe illuminations

16 Monday Apr 2012

Posted by in beauty, Christianity, fun stuff for grandparents, Fun stuff for kids, Hearts Filled With Joy

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“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.  Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”  I Peter 3:3,4

Who Am I?  Daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, friend, child of God.  Sometimes I hardly know how to sign my name on a birthday card because I wear so many different hats.

I love this picture taken of three of my children and a friend playing dress up.. Little girls love to dress up and little brothers sometimes enjoy it too.  At least until later when they are teenagers and see the pictures.

Little girls love to dress up like a princess or a fairy.  The imagination is a wonderful thing given to us by God.  Ballet costumes are so pretty and dancing all dressed up in one is the dream of many a little girl.  I remember the very first time I danced with my father at the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago with a live orchestra playing after dinner music.  I felt very grand and so grown up even though I was only in grade school.  How very special one feels when a daddy or grandfather dances with us for the very first time.

Even grown up girls love to dress up and look like someone different from who we really are most of the time.  I think every girl deserves to go out on a special date all dressed up and feeling special now and then.  I told a girl friend of mine that we should dress up in our best dresses and big hats and go out for a special Kentucky Derby luncheon this spring.  I am getting tired of wearing blue jeans and sweatshirts even though I love to be comfortable.  I see nothing wrong with dressing up as long as we remember that God is looking at our heart and as a child of God I want my appearance to be pleasing to Him.

What about you?  Have you dressed up for something special lately?  I would love to hear from you.

Glorious illuminations part II

03 Tuesday Apr 2012

Posted by in adoreable puppies, beauty, Best Friend Dogs, Christianity, crafts, Easter, flower gardens, Fun stuff for kids, health, Hearts Filled With Joy, therapy dogs

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“Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”            John 11:40

You may not think caterpillars are beautiful.  Many have stripes or spots that help protect them from birds and other predators by breaking up their body’s outline.  This coloration also blends well with the plants upon which the caterpillar eats.    They crawl slowly in a wave-like motion using three pairs of true legs, and as many as five pairs of “pro-legs” which function the same as the true legs.  The true legs later develop into the legs of the adult butterfly, while the pro-legs are lost during metamorphosis.  The caterpillar’s feet are capable of wrapping around and grasping the branches and stems of the plants they like to eat.

Obviously, God’s purpose was not to make the caterpillar attractive but to protect it from danger.  But how beautiful is God’s purpose when we see his entire plan.  He chose to use a miracle to transform an ugly earth bound caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly that can fly.  What a great illustration of what happens to us when we die.  Death is not the end, but a beautiful new beginning.  We are much like the caterpillar with no beauty of our own until God transforms us by His grace giving us new life and beauty when we place our trust in Jesus who died for our sins so that we might have eternal life.

Fun stuff for Kids

Caterpillar Craft (for a younger child)

You will need

  • 5 fuzzy balls,(one color or a rainbow of colors)
  • one large fuzzy ball
  • Strip of poster board, 1,2 inch by 5 inches
  • a set of googly eyes
  • glue stick or hot glue gun(for adult use)

Fold poster board strip like an accordion and glue on small fuzzy ball with large one for the head.  Let glue set.  Glue on googly eyes.

Cocoon For Your Caterpillar

Use an ordinary bathroom toilet paper holder and wrap it with green or brown peel and stick foam.  Fold the end of it together to form the top of the cocoon and add a thin strip of cut foam to wrap your cocoon around a branch.

Butterfly Craft

You will need a large white paper coffee filter, washable markers, a wood clothes pin, pipe cleaner, spray bottle, Elmer’s white glue, googly eyes.

  • Spread newspaper or a plastic table cloth over work space.
  • Color coffee filter with markers using several different colors.
  • Fill spray bottle with water and lightly mist coffee filter so colors run together.  Let dry.
  • Put a little glue on inside of the clothespin and carefully insert coffee filter.
  • Cut a pipe cleaner in half and wrap it around the neck curling it up behind the head to form antennas.
  • Glue on googly eyes.

Easter Egg Coloring Fun

The Coming of Sunshine

Sunshine was born on Easter Sunday and it was love at first sight.  She was the sweetest puppy and never caused a bit of trouble.  It was almost like she was a gift from God because she came into my life at a time when I was feeling very blue.  Some dogs are wonderful therapy and Sunshine reflected her name and always brought me happiness.

Beauty Tip

As you appreciate the beauty of a garden of flowers, take deep life giving breaths of the flower perfumed air and gaze at the amazing beauty of a flower until it sinks deep within your spirit and soul and you reflect that beauty and the love God has poured into his wondrous creation.  You may not see the beauty when you look in the mirror, but you will be reflecting it to others in a smile or kind deed that lights up your countenance with God’s love.


 

The Easter Lily

The beautiful white flowers of the Easter Lily symbolize purity, hope, love and life which is the spiritual significance of Easter.  Lilies were found growing in the garden of Gethsemane after the Crucifixion.  They were said to have sprung up when drops of Christ’s sweat fell to the ground in his final hours of sorrow and distress.  At Easter time churches bank their altars with masses of Easter lilies to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope of everlasting life.

Health Tip

Eternal life is not just life everlasting up in heaven, it is youth giving, revitalizing, joy producing, purpose filled life here on earth.

The Garden of Gethsemane

Just before Jesus was arrested he and His disciples went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”  He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.  “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them.  “Stay here and keep watch.”

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.  “Abba. Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you.  Take this cup from me.  Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.  “Simon,” he said to Peter, “Could you not keep watch for one hour?  Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”                          Mark 14:32-38

What a wonderful Savior we have in Jesus!  

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   John 3:16

Challenge To Great Riches

14 Saturday Jan 2012

Posted by in Best Friend Dogs, Challenge to Great Riches, Fun stuff for kids

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“you will fill me with joy in your presence,”     Psalm 16:11

Have you ever noticed how on a cold winter day the closer you sit to the fire the warmer you feel?  If Jesus came into my home I would want to sit as close as I could to Him.  I know it would be just like being outside and feeling the winter winds when suddenly the sun comes out and you feel warmed all over.  I love to have my grand kids cuddle up to me when I read them a story and I’ll bet God rejoices when we want to be close to Him.

Beauty tip:

Next time you have a fire in your fireplace watch how the firelight reflects on your family’s face.  Did you know that when you are in the Presence of God, you become a reflection of His Glory and that’s what makes us beautiful – with an inner shining beauty.  “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD.”  Exodus 34:29

Grammy Fun Stuff

Shepherd and Daddo at Magee's Bakery

Today we went to Magee’s Bakery with our two year old grandson, Shepherd.  When you walk in the door the most delicious aroma greets you and it always reminds me of the bakery I loved to visit when I was a child.  I remember that they had trays of yummy looking assorted cookies in a glass case and the sweet lady who waited on us always gave me a free sample sugar cookie.  But Magee’s has wonderful doughnuts and a glass case of beautiful celebration cakes plus lots of pretty cup cakes.  We love their cinnamon sugar doughnuts the best and it has become a weekly stop on Wednesdays which is the day we have Shepherd.

One beautiful Wednesday last fall we arranged to meet our daughter, Mary there along with her four children.  She home schools all of them, ages 6, 8, 10, and 12.  I suggested that it would be a great field trip (of course the kids all agreed) and afterward, we went over to Woodland Park so Shepherd could play while the older kids did bark rubbings and collected leaves from the many different, wonderful old trees there which have name plaques underneath.  It was almost like a treasure hunt finding all the trees with name plaques and the kids thought it was lots of fun.

TREASURE HUNT:   “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel who summons you by name.”   Isaiah 45:3

Cousins Night Jan. 11

Speaking of treasure hunts, this year on January 11 at Cousins Night I gave each of my grand kids a challenge to learn some of my favorite bible verses.  I also did this last year and since four of them completed the gold challenge part two, I added a diamond challenge this year.  The best thing about the challenge is that I am learning the verses along with my grand kids and their parents hear them say the verses as they try to remember them.  It is the greatest BRAIN ILLUMINATION possible!!

Health Tip:  Will you take the challenge and illuminate your mind with me?

THE CHALLENGE TO GREAT RICHES

The Hunt for Gold  (part one ages 5-8)

The Great Riches will be the treasure of wisdom and knowledge of God you have hidden in your heart throughout the year.

 THE CHALLENGE:   Learn the verse or verses for the month.  Find it for me in your Bible and say it to me.  Receive a large gold coin

January:  Joshua 1:9   Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

 February:  Proverbs 3:3, 4   Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

 March:  Jeremiah 33:3  Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

 April:  John 8:12   When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,  “I am the light of the world,  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

 May:  Proverbs 3: 5, 6   Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding:  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

June:  Psalm 16:11   You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

 July:  Daniel 12:3   Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

 August:  Psalm 56:3, 4   When I am afraid, I will trust in you.  In God whose word I praise, In God I trust; I will not be afraid.  What can mortal man do to me?

September  Philippians 4:13   I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

 October:  Ephesians 6:10, 11   Finally be strong in the LORD and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

 November:  Luke 18:27   Jesus replied,  “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

  December:  John 3:16   For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 The Hunt for Gold (part two ages 9 and up)

The Great Riches will be the treasure of wisdom and knowledge of God you have hidden in your heart throughout the year.

 THE CHALLENGE:  Learn the verse or verses for the month. Find it for me in your Bible and say it to me.  Must be 100% correct.  Receive a large gold chocolate coin for each correct verse.

Bonus rewards should be given for naming the books of the Old Testament, naming  the books of the New Testament  and reciting Ephesians 6:17.

January:   Isaiah 45:3  I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel who summons you by name.

February:  Matthew 6:20-21   But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

March:  Jeremiah 32:17   Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you.

April:  Isaiah 40:31   But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

May:  Matthew 17:20   He replied, “Because you have so little faith.  I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you.”

June:  Psalm 23  The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

July:  Philippians 2:14   Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.

August:  Psalm 91:1, 2   He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”

September:  Isaiah 64:4, 5   Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.  You come to the help of those who gladly do right who remember your ways.

October:  Ephesians 6:12   For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

November:  Proverbs 16:16, 17   How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver.  The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life.

December:  Philippians 4:19   And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

THE ARMOR OF GOD:   Ephesians 6:17  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The Hunt for DIAMONDS 

The Great Riches will be the treasure of wisdom and knowledge of God you have hidden in your heart throughout the year.

 THE CHALLENGE:   Learn the verse or verses for the month.  Find it for me in your Bible and say it to me.  Must be 100% correct.  Receive a large chocolate gold coin for each correct verse.

January:  Psalm 37:5, 6   Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:  He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

February:  Jeremiah 29:11-13   “For I know the plans I have for you,”  declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

March:  I Corinthians 2:9   However, as it is written:  “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”

April:  Jeremiah 32:19, 20   Great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds.  Your eyes are open to all the ways of men; you reward everyone according to his conduct and as his deeds deserve.  You performed miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt and have continued them to this day, both in Israel and among all mankind, and have gained the renown that is still yours.

May:  Philippians 4:4-7   Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

June:  Job 22:25, 26   Then the Almighty will be your gold, the choicest silver for you.  Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God.

July:  Philippians 3:14   I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

August:  Hebrews 12:1-2a   Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus…

September:  Proverbs 1:9  For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

October:  Matthew 7:26, 27   “But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

November:  Ephesians 2:8, 9   For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

December:  Ephesians 3:20, 21   Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.

Golden Illuminations                                      

                                                                                          

On Saturday October 8, I received an early Christmas present from my daughter.  A beautiful seven week old Golden Retriever puppy from the litter of my grandson’s dog, Lucy.  My grand kids named this puppy Snowball because of his fluffy, thick, white puppy fur.  But I decided to rename him Ladd in honor of the Lad in “Further Adventures of Lad” by Albert Terhune.  This was one of my favorite books as a child along with “Sunnybank, Home of Lad.”  It was said that Lad was a dog of uncanny brain and great loving, loyal heart and with a dancing sense of fun.  A dog with a soul.

My Laddie has all those wonderful traits and brings delight and laughter into our lives every day.  This morning he was doing his own version of ‘dancing for joy’ as he twirled round and round the room somehow managing to kick an old tennis ball with both his front and back paws.  His favorite spot is by my chair or in the kitchen near the stove if I am cooking dinner.  His favorite treat is a sliver of cheese or an ice cube. He likes to be near me wherever I happen to be.

We also have another Golden Retriever named Happy.  He is the grandson of our original dog, Happy. (more about him later).

“Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. You have filled my life with greater joy.”   Psalms 4:6,7

My New Year Resolution:

This year I intend to sit just as close as I can, as often as I can and as long as I can at the feet of Jesus.  What a joy it is to be in His Presence!