A Song in My Heart

I Just Can't Stop...Praising His Name...
I Just Can't Stop...Praising His Name...
I Just Can't Stop...Praising His Name...
JESUS

The Roddler

Wow, whatever happened to the traditional-looking stroller? Well for any who may be interested, here's the New Look in Strollers. It's called The Roddler. Even though my kids and grandkids no longer qualify as needing to use one of these, I found the website a fun place - and the custom "rod" I built was something else. To view the models available or build your own custom Roddler, go to http://www.kidkustoms.com/ .

Never Alone

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Just Walking Through

The Valley Exposes Us to Beauty
We Cannot See from the Mountain Top

Lull-Lull Land

The Cares of Life Sometimes Lull Our Senses.
We think - Peace and Safety.
Then - WHAM - Sudden Destruction.
That is why we must always be Watchful and Pray (for we don't know when we may find ourselves in a position where we are oblivious to the sights and sounds of our enemy).

Trust the Master Weaver

When gray threads mar life’s pattern,
and it seems so out of line,
Trust the Master Weaver
who planned the whole design.
For in life’s choicest patterns,
some dark threads must appear,
To make the rose threads fairer,
the gold more bright can clear.
The pattern may seem intricate,
and hard to understand,
But trust the Master Weaver
and His steady, guiding Hand.

* Poem is courtesy of Hallmark greeting cards

Putting a Spin on Things

* Cartoon was emailed to me, courtesy of a friend.

Freebies? I Doubt It

There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch
(guess these little guys' open mouths reveal
that they either don't know that or don't believe it)

We get so excited when we think we're getting something for nothing. We send off for samples (this allows businesses to get our mailing or email address so they can sell our information to others). We get two items for the price of one (all the time we're actually paying for two with a slight discount for that privilege). We buy a car at 1.99 percent interest (car is overpriced to pay the difference in what would have been a kickback to the dealership). We apply for a credit card at zero percent interest to pay-off debt (one late payment on any of our bills, including utilities, and the card's interest rate jacks up to an absorbent amount - 0 to 21% or more). I could go on and on but I'm sure you get the point.

Sorry, it is only an illusion that we get "freebies" - in fact, it is as far from the truth as an elephant flying to the moon tomorrow morning. (Don't you dare ask me at what time its leaving).

Why, even our Salvation didn't come totally free. There was a price paid - not by us, but by the Lord. He paid the ultimate price for us at Calvary.

Nurturing

Thoughts in Nurturing a Child

1. Do your very best
2. Trust God with the results
3. Give Him the credit

Whacked or Trimmed?

"Why has thou…broken down her hedges,
so…all…which pass…do pluck her?" Psalms 80:12

The Lord removed Job's hedge, at Satan's insistence. God wanted to prove that Job was not someone who gave only lip service but through adversity Job would continue to serve the Lord. When the trial of all trials hit Job, I am sure it felt like a weed eater had come in and whacked away his hedge. He lost everything, and everyone was looking to see how he would react. Today, the Lord does the same thing - only this time, we are the "Jobs." There are days when our hedge is removed and we stand exposed to the whole world. Being exposed can come in a whacking or just a trimming; however, no matter which, it will let us know in what shape our experience with the Lord is.

Whether we like to hear it or not, adversity reveals our true character. When we are exposed, every little thing has opportunity to get at us. We become a target to be bruised, taunted, mocked, and/or belittled. Our anxieties bring stress...stress to be what others think we should be, to go through pain within a certain time frame and a certain way, or to agree with whatever advice we receive. That's makes for stress, for sure; but the paramount of our stress is when we stand alone, face-to-face with ourselves. It is then that our flesh starts taking over, and we may think He doesn't care one bit about us or our own. In some situations, it would be far more logical to agree with rejection than believe that God cares. It is during these times that tears may cloud our vision, allowing our confidence to retreat. Hopefully, we will catch ourselves and trust that He will place His protective cover around us once again (in His own way, and in His own time).

I can guarantee that we have all had “Job” moments. So, as the Job of old, we as the “Job” of today must trust until the covering returns. I wrote the poem below a number of years ago after two of the greatest losses in my life. I remember standing exposed for the whole world to see. I wanted to retreat into a cave, and never come out - but I couldn't let my love for Him become only words, for my love for Him was originally born in my heart. I had but one choice, to stand exposed until the hedge grew back.

Why I penned this today, I don't know - but if you are in a Job experience, all I can say is, don't give in - wait patiently for the covering. The hedge will grow back. You can be a survivor! How do I know? Well, I am! (and I'm no one special but for the Grace and Love of God).

The removing of a hedge reveals not only my character
But places me face to face with contentiousness,
Leaving my heart open for bitterness to insert.
It takes words spoken in times of glorious elation,
And boisterously returns them in turmoil.
At this point, I must consider my heart’s location.

Vanity says, denounce creation, recant any inward hope.
Arrogance chimes in, "let go of what is right, what is true"
But it is here that my faith must hold strong.
In the removing of a hedge, my dedication is exposed,
A dedication, an allegiance, not found in books
But written on the pages of endless love.

If I will but believe that He does truly care,
I will allow strength to enter during weakness,
Reclaiming commitments originally sparked.
Setting my mind within reality’s boundaries,
Building a protection for peace to return.
A peace that can only come from above.

The removing of a hedge comes to all,
Uprooting adverse growth woven inside my domain.
The inner makings of my soul will be displayed,
And I will chance openly speaking thoughts once hidden.
Yes, I am destined to become a modern-day Job,
and there will be times when I stand uncovered for all to see.

Ah...Duh...

Help!!
My Mind is Blank!!

On second thought, perhaps it's just resting.

Clickity Clack, Clickity Clack

The Empty Wagon Makes the Most Noise

Oophs, after reading the comments, perhaps I should let you know what I was thinking:

Those with little of God's knowledge in their hearts are usually those who are boisterous, noisy, and disruptive. We hear their empty wagons every day, noisily proclaiming an end-time harvest can't be reaped. I DISAGREE! Don't you?

What's on the Horizon?

Storms make a strong tree


Sufferings make a strong Christian

Water Wisely

This Is One Tree

We Need to Make Sure Stays Watered

...for with just a little watering,
our fruit will ripen for all to enjoy...