Wednesday, October 29, 2008

I Can't Believe My Eyes. . .

And what is this? As Sophie was looking out the door this morning. Thinking, do I even want to go out? She didn't, if you're wondering. Sophie does love snow though and cooler-colder weather. Yet, it's way too early even for her. I want Autumn back! And hopefully, as we've heard on the news it will be in the next day or so.

Autumn and, Indian summer - I absolutely love this time of the year. I love the colors and the smells of fall. Though without SNOW. Autumn is also one of the times that I think of when I was younger. A part of my life was spent in Pennsylvania; the "earlier" years until I was around twelve. Those years were very special to me. We always had a lot of family that lived around us. Literally. Picture a square, and in that square was a field. The field belonged to my Uncle who never built a house on it but, he did live close by. (He also was the Uncle I remember around Halloween. When I'd dress up with bro and friends together going trick or treating, we'd go to my Uncle's. "Treat or Trick, guess who this is Uncle Ralph?" Of, course I'd get the best of candy bars.) But, back to the field - I think my cousins and I were happy about the property just staying a field - we spent a lot of time playing there.
At the top of the square was the original homestead of my Great-grandparents. Next to that was another house built by another Uncle. We lived across the field, as well as my grandma's other brother next door. The old homestead always seemed to house plenty of cousins for my brother and me to play with. And, if they weren't living there, they were still there. Fun.
Another thing I loved about fall, was walking across the woods behind the old homestead, to my Aunt Margaret's. To walk on the fallen leaves, hand listening to the crunching sounds they'd make. For a kid's prospective, it was happy times, Autumn. Very fond memories indeed.
I realize life can throw you many curve balls that don't seem fair. Infact, sometimes just unkind. And, that you may even think of those "happier" times, or even what if.  I also know I have someone to bat for me who stays closer than a brother. As said in Proverbs 18:24.
It's also very comforting for me to know that: 

And, we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.  Romans 8: 28 I would even suggest you read all of chapter 8.

Have you considered a relationship with Him? He's never promised things to always go easy, and sometimes the walk maybe a difficult one. He did promise to be there and help us through. And, as in the above pictures; Things will get better, and the sun (SON) will shine on through. Never lose HOPE.

The pictures worked out well and almost as planned. I'm not that good. But He is.

I took a walk with Jesus,
I saw the loveliest of things.
The leaves all of color,
Were floating and dancing.

When looking upward to the sky,
It looked like colorful snow.
Some might have said, “Maybe fairies?”
But Lord I know.

It’s just Your magnificence,
For all the world to see.
And, while continuing on my walk,
Your smell; so sweet to me.

Autumn is here!
VLB October 24, 2008

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

God Is Good ~


Today God blessed me with a beautiful bird. The Carolina Wren and it sang beautifully. Did you know that the Carolina wren has been reported to sing up to 3000 times in one day. That is amazing. But, really it's just God. And it got me thinking.

~God is good. ~

Yet the word good really doesn't seem like a word that would adequately describe God. But, in the Bible it says God is Good. In fact, Jesus said it Himself.

And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. Mark 10:18 NAS

Good just seems like a very small word. So I looked it up. I couldn't believe how lengthy the definition was. I picked a few and you can look at the rest.



GOOD
Morally excellent; virtuous; righteous; pious: a good man.
Of high quality; excellent.
Kind, beneficent, or friendly: to do a good deed.
Genuine; not counterfeit: a good quarter.
Reliable; dependable; responsible: good advice.
Excellence or merit; kindness: to do good.
Moral righteousness; virtue: to be a power for good.
Informal. - The genuine article.
The good, a. the ideal of goodness or morality.
Good things or persons collectively.

—Synonyms 1. pure, moral, conscientious, meritorious, worthy, exemplary, upright. 2. Commendable, admirable. 5. Obedient, heedful. 6. Kindly, benevolent, humane, gracious, obliging. 23. Full, adequate. 24. Profitable, useful, serviceable, beneficial. 25. Efficient, proficient, capable, able, ready, suited, suitable, dexterous, expert, adroit, apt. 46. See property.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/good

I guess it's not that small of a word at all. And, here's something else to ponder ~

The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him. Lamentations 3:25

My prayer is that it's apart of our everyday walk. But, not just to seek Him but to have a real relationship with Him.


I wished I had found my picture; but, for more on the Carolina Wren - http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Carolina_Wren.html

Monday, October 6, 2008

Calming Comfort ~

The last few days (weeks even) have been on the rough side. And, for some reason the picture is calming, even though it really doesn't do just to what I was really seeing. But, thought I'd share anyway. It had been raining off and on for the past few days. Or at least when I snapped the picture. We certainly need it, the ground was very dry.

I don't believe busy could truly describe what I've been up to. We had a couple weekends of garage sales, doctors appointments and running earns with most of them miles away. As well as, the biggest job, getting the house ready for the Broker Open House. We kept insane hours. . . So when I thought of posting, it was rainy out and as I looked at the picture it was very calming to me. It also brought comfort.

The shower was nice and relaxing and with the light I felt a calming comfort. Everyone needs a time to rest; a time of calming comfort. If you are tired physically, maybe you pushed yourself to hard. Rest, relax in knowing there is tomorrow to conquer that task. And, if your mentally anguished, please take a much needed rest in the Lord. Trust Him in everything. Nothing is to great that He can't help you with. And, He wants to.

Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."

Jeremiah 31:25 "For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who lanquishes."

Psalms 116:7 Return to you rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

Have you truly rested in the Lord lately?

Come to the quiet;

You'll find peace of mind.

Inter my rest;

While there is still time.

The world has much noise,

That's harmfull to thee.

Inter My rest;

Come, sit with Me.

August 18, 1989 VB