Meditation Monday

I've been singing this little ditty to my granddaughter these last couple of days as we've been walking together along mountain trails. It's a song I learned as a small child, taught to my children and am now blessed to share with my grandchildren. The tune may be one that appeals to little ones more so than adults, but the words are meaningful and capture great truths.

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty
There's nothing my God cannot do...

The mountains are His...

The rivers are His...

                        The skies are His handiwork too...

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty

                   There's nothing my God cannot do.

"Vacation Prayer"

We ran across this poem the other day and thought how appropriate it is for our family at this time. If the vacation season is drawing near for you, too, perhaps you will find these words resounding in your heart as well.

VACATION PRAYER

Loving Father, who didst make this earth so fair; open our eyes to see its wonders and our hearts to feel its beauty. In our days of refreshment and recreation, draw us nearer to Thee through the things which Thou hast made.

May the joy of Thy sunshine, the quiet of Thy forests, the murmur of Thy streams,

and the steadfast strength of Thine everlasting hills teach us the deep secret of Thy peace. Renew in us faith and courage, physical strength and spiritual vision, that we may know ourselves to be safely held in Thy strong hands.

From this life, so near to Nature's heart, may we drink in new strength to help us reach the restless hearts of men. May we go back to the world and it duties, stronger, simpler, sweeter,

and thus become more worthy messengers of Him who saw His Father's goodness in the sparrow's flight and His Father's love in the beauty which clothes the lilies of the field.

HUGH L. BURLESON

Are you up for a challenge?

Good day, everyone!
I encountered several wonderful things on facebook this morning. One of which was the following:

41 Evidences of Pride - Resources - Eternal Perspective Ministries

I hope you will follow the link and experience truth for yourself. But, I'll warn you, it's not an easy questionnaire. A rather challenging one, in fact. Sobering. But praise God that He is working in each of us to conform us to the image of His Son, in whom there is no pride.

Virginia

Worshipful Wednesday

We've been reminded often lately of how patient our Lord is with us. No matter how much we fail and how stubborn we can be He is always willing to work with us. He is always trying to refine our character so that we might become more holy.

In particular, I think He has been trying to teach me that I need to take the focus off of my needs and wants and concentrate instead on worshiping Him with my whole being. I'm trying to learn how to be more mindful of His presence all around me - by praising Him for His creation when I watch a bird fly or take time to look at the intricate design of a flower, by remembering to pray for the people I come in contact with instead of just going through each day with blinders on, by giving Him thanks for all things even when those things aren't what I thought they should be.

There is so much to learn. And of course, the more I learn, the more I come to realize how little I have truly grasped in my mind. But then I come full circle and God reminds me again of His infinite patience...sigh...all I can do is worship Him for who He is. Perhaps that is all He wants from me today...

Meditation Monday

Memorial Park, Chincoteague, Va.
Summer 2009

                         JESUS said

                                         I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE

                                         I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

                                                                                                        ~ John 14:6; John 8:12

Worshipful Wednesday

                               

He leads me beside still waters . . .  He restores my soul.

                                                                                             Psalm 23:2,3

Meditation Monday

"Great Is Thy Faithfulness"  by Thomas O. Chisholm

based on Lamentations 3:22,23

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father!

There is no shadow of turning with Thee

Thou changest not - Thy compassions, they fail not

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow

Blessings are mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Garden tours

One of my favorite things to do in the spring is take a leisurely walk around the house to see what's growing and blooming. Since spring came so early this year it looks more like May out there than early April - just gorgeous - and a rainbow of colors! Everything from miniscule wildflowers to showy azaleas and bleeding heart, volunteers and faithful perennials.

 Forget-me-nots:

so much beauty in such a tiny package

Our ancient lilac bush:

just love those double blossoms!

Dogwood:

a timely reminder of the story of Easter

God is truly the best Gardener! He takes care of all the plants and flowers, despite my good intentions to help Him out. I can put them in the ground and give them food and water, but only He can make them grow and bloom so vibrantly. Amazing when I think he cares for us even more than these "lilies of the field"!

Thanks for touring the garden with me!

Stephanie

"Tempus Fugit"

"Two hours just wasn't long enough," I responded last night when asked how my evening was. It was a blessing to spend a couple of hours in the company of three very dear girlfriends and my, how the time flew past. We talked and laughed, sharing and encouraging one another.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about time . . . how much of it we have, the multitude of ways we can spend it, who we spend it with, how precious it is and, ultimately, how little of it we have. Scripture tells us that we are just a vapor, here for a little while and to make the most of what God has given us.

My dad frequently quoted to me, "time flies when you're having fun." My response was consistently, "and even when you're not!"

When faced with the daily, and sometimes hourly, decision of how to spend my time, I need to be reminded to keep God's priorities in view. Don't we all? Sadly, sometimes I squander, make poor decisions, or allow laziness to take the reins. However, I am so grateful that God is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness. His patience amazes me!

Virginia

It's About Time!

Have you ever noticed how things accumulate? . . . dust, cat fur, toys, clothes, dirty dishes . . . mostly things we don't want more of.
But occasionally, more of things we do love, like friends, additions to our family, beautiful days, favorite outings, and time well spent, can and do accumulate. Ahh, now those are things that bring a smile to my heart. Bring them on! The more, the better!

Today, amidst the chores on my list, mostly cutting down on that kitty fur and tackling the piles of dishes, I want to be sure to include time for things I love, with people I love.

The concept of "redeeming time" means "to buy up, to buy all that is anywhere to be bought, and not to allow the suitable moment to pass by unheeded, but to make it one's own; making the most of every opportunity, turning each to the best advantage since none can be recalled if missed."

I and my two daughters would like to share with you the ways we find ourselves "redeeming our time", whether it be by special outings, fun recipes, favorite crafts, exploring God's creation, or just a normal day of hanging out together. I hope you'll join us and be encouraged along the way to redeem some time for yourself and those you love.

Virginia

Definition adapted from Zodhiates, Spiros. The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament. 1992 and Strong, James. The New Strong's Expanded Dictionary. 2001.