Good Morning

Good Morning!

This is God,

I will be handling

all of you problems today.

I will not need your help.

So, relax and have a great day!

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 shall direct your paths. NKJ

Monday Morning

I've been writing in journals off and on for years. Its something I would suggest everyone try. It doesn't have to be a novel. Just whatever you feel like writing. Some days I might write concerns. Another day hopes and prayers; or something silly. Even cherished memories.

Whatever you feel on your heart to write.

I'm sharing mine this morning with some pictures. Remember it can be anything even random thoughts.

April 28, 08

Monday

Rainy

We still have blooms

Birds are singing

It smells fresh out

Birds are at the last of the seed

What to do..

Sunday was good

Church was good too

A bit cooler out

Sunny

I mowed

Happy about that

For today is Monday

Rainy

VB

Have fun and write away...No pun intended.




A great book to read is: A Fresh Brewed Life by Nicole Johnson

If post is hard to read sorry I'm still learning.

Proverbs 3:3, Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around youneck, write them on the tablet of your heart. NAS

Laughter Is The Best Medicine

Isn't it wonderful when winter's weather leaves the area and spring appears. Everyone is out and about planting. Working at a rapid pace. Almost as if they'll run out of time; not just speed. So in light of all the anxious -over zealous people messing in their yards; here is a funny for you.

Top 10 Signs You've Hired The Wrong Guy To Mow Your Lawn:

10. He shows up with a pair of nail clippers and a Ziploc bag
9. On the side of his mower you notice the stenciled silhouettes of 13 cats
8. Stops frequently to nap inside the grass-catcher
7. Always trying to impress you by stopping the mower blades with his head
6. You notice him shoving the last of his clothes into the mulcher
5. He's fascinated by the details of you home security system
4. Stops every couple of minutes to smoke some clippings
3. Somehow manages to mow the hood ornament off your Lexus
2. Turns a goat loose and says he'll be back in three weeks
1. No toes

Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones. ASV Some translations differ, broken spirit is listed as depression at least once.

Its Sunday enjoy the day. Rest in the Lord & give Him your cares. Go to church. Think Happy. Laugh!

"Start enjoying the life that the Jesus died to give you." Joyce Meyers

Portable Apple Cheese Pleasers

This is a yummy breafast cookie from Quaker Oats. I've made them in the past for my boys and they've always loved it. It's also great when you're on the run or for snacks. It takes only 1/3 cup of brown sugar and can easily be adapted to an organic version. I also use wheat pastry flour instead of all-purpose. Its very easy and yummy. My version today is below....

Here's the recipe.

Combine in large bowl; mix well.
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup butter
1/3 firmly packed brown sugar
1 egg

1tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

Add; and mix well

1 1/2 cups Quaker Oats

1Cup shredded Cheddar cheese

3/4 cup raisins

Stir in;

1 cup chopped apple

Drop by heaping tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheet; bake in preheated moderate oven (375) 15 minutes or until golden brown. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator or in loosely covered container at room temperature. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Now here's what I did.....I doubled the recipe. No problem. Right? I measured out the butter and rest of ingredients. However, I used the measurements of the flour for brown sugar. I also halved the brown sugar and used raw honey. I used 2 granny smith apples so that kind of worked out. I also had walnuts and hazelnuts chopped so through that in. The flour and sugar was the only real mix up. I did add extra rolled oats so it was 4 cups instead of the 3 since it was double. On last thing I keep the same amount of cheese. Results- Except for the sugar strew up. They turned out awesome.

Listen learned...My mind is to preoccupied. I'm not giving the worries and concerns up to the Lord like I should. As a result making things harder than they should be.

I hope you try the recipe. It really is very good, but try the original and use the best ingredients. You won't be disappointed. VB

Spring Outside My Window

Spring officially started March 20. But it doesn't always seem like Spring until you see its beauty and smell the freshness of outside after a light shower.

When you wake up to Robins singing and a warm breeze coming through your bedroom window. You then know Spring is really here. These are just a few of the pictures I took yesterday. While walking around our yard.

Robins Nest

Bradford Pear

This is also the first year of living here we're able to enjoy in its splendor. In previous years, the frost and snow even ice storms robbed us of seeing full blooms. And, for this length of time. I so longed to see it, finally here it is. Thank you, Lord.

Weeping Cherry

Chirping Sparrows Nest with 4 eggs.

Such a blessing it is.

On a funnier note. Spring isn't always Spring without all the doings of critters...Like your dog's getting skunked and raccoons hitting your feeders. With possums doing their thing, mostly being yucky strange or playing dead when bugged by one of the dogs; and squirrels... Yes, let's not forget the squirrels. These rodents with furry tails can truly be a handful and troublesome to all Jack Russell's. If you are one of the many who have such a dog - you know exactly what I mean. Our Miki is no exception to that fact. As I was out walking enjoying the beauty of it all, a squirrel was hiding on the deck. As I moved closer towards the deck and not seeing the squirrel; (our deck is fairly high off the ground) I heard the screen door slide open. When out like a rocket came Miki! (I could hear her running). I looked up just in time to duck out of the way from the squirrel sailing overhead. Spread eagle! That squirrel was just as surprised seeing me, still freaking from Miki to begin with.

How dull would life be if we didn't stop to enjoy the many blessings? Blessing that are woven in and out of life's unpleasantries. Blessing we often don't appreciate or even recognize. God's gifts to all of us.

~

Robin Red-Brest,
Sings his morning song.
A nest's been made,
Worms are dug.
Robin Red- Brest
Sings his evening song,
Well pleased with his day.

4-10-08 VLB

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV

Earth Day

Well its Earth Day! I've already received a number of emails on it. Mostly sharing some tips on things we as concerned people can do.

I don't get wrapped up to much in the "Global Warming" issues as some. I've listened to many arguments going in either direction. I am concerned about things that are happening, food issues, pesticides, genetically altered crops, and over vaccinating: I could go on. This is a good site to check out: http://www.truefoodnow.org/ I try to keep some balance to it all. I also sign many petitions. As a christian, my concerns can differ greatly from the concerns of one who isn't. Though in Genesis 1:26-28 God gave as things to take care of.

26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” NKJ

We haven't been doing a very good job. So for the past month I've been recycling. Its mind boggling to me how much trash you actually don't have when you recycle. I had one kitchen trash bag for 2 weeks use. I think that's awesome. That's just one of the things I'm doing. What do you do?



When you look at this beautiful world that Gods blessed us with for a short time, let's consider our ways. Some, in their efforts to help this planet end in worshipping the creation instead of the Creator. If we have a relationship with Him we worship Him. Trust God in all you do. He will direct your path.

If you'd like to help more though, maybe consider a different form of getting around..Ha

I wouldn't mind it....

The link above has a new shopping list to consider when purchasing groceries.

Today

I was thinking today of what to post. Something creative and inspiring, maybe even profound. All that seemed to come to mind was bits and pieces. My head was full, and my heart felt overwhelmed with stuff...As in my previous post, you do have your good days and bad. This morning was moving towards the bad. Nothing really was happening and that actually was the problem. Many of you know what it's like to be hopeful, exercising your faith, trusting for that answer to prayer. Though days can go by, even months. Nothing.....
So, what do you do? I sat for a while and wanted to cry. Yesterday, seemed so different with my clean kitchen blessing. I watched the birds coming in for feed and sat, still waiting. I opened my Bible to Psalm 68 and read. If you get/take the opportunity to read it do so. Its powerful.

God is all powerful, He has taken care of the enemies. I picked out a few verses that helped me.

v3. But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God: may they be happy and joyful. (Can you be joyful in rough times? Yes).
v4-6. Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds - his name is the Lord and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; (Can He minister to our needs and set us free? Yes).
v9. You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance. ( Are you weary? Can He refresh you? Yes).
v10. Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, O God, you provided for the poor. (There are many ways to be poor. Can God provide? Yes).

This next verse made me cry...
v19-20. Praise be to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. (We aren't alone! Is He our Savior? Yes). Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death. (For me I know I have eternal life in the Lord. So what else might be holding you captive like a death? Can He provide escape? Yes).
V32-35. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord, to him who rides the ancient skies above, who thunders with mighty voice. Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the skies. You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary: the God of Israel gives power and strength to His people. Praise be to God!

Yes, the day started off a bummer but it got better. Are things still yet unresolved? Yes. But the answer is coming. God is faithful, that's where I have hope. He will carry our burdens so we don't have to. Give them up to Him even if you have to do so everyday.

I read this in Life Lessons from the Hiding Place; Corrie Ten Boom, that I believe applies. 

People often suffer the most - By anticipating suffering that never happens. They, therefore, have more to bear than God gives them to bear.

His ways are immense; when I look at His beautiful sky and all His creation; I think that. Tomorrows a new day..VB

Morning Blessings

This morning what a wonderful blessing to have the beauty of sun shinning through our windows. They old Chandelier crystals hanging above the entry were bouncing with color as the suns rays refracted through. Awesome.


But with all the beauty shinning, there was still a bigger blessing I recieved. So I'll start by backing up a bit--We have been going through what my gram might have said years ago, a bad patch. I'm sure many of you have gone through a bad patch a time or two? Sometimes the things you go through can be stressful and tiresome. As you wait for the answers you're seeking; you most difinitely have good days and bad. The past few have been no exception either and yesterday I guess I was flat out exhausted. In the process I did fix dinner and such but didn't really clean-up. When I finally went to bed, I was pretty much gone. Sometime after I fell asleep and before getting up I was dreaming. I was dreaming of the state I left the kitchen in. It wasn't just kitchen stuff but paint cans with supplies, papers and books, everything that should have been elsewhere. So as I laid there dreaming of cleaning it all up I woke myself up.

As I went downstairs, seeing the sun in entry made me feel happy and turning into the kitchen was a true blessing from God and my husband.


I woke to a beautiful clean kitchen...How absolutely AWESOME! was that. How I love that man of mine.

So I pray for all of you out there today. That God would bless you too. And though I (we) may not know what lies ahead as we're waiting for prayers to be answered; I'll think of how I'm being blessed everyday in many ways.

The Lords timing is perfect,

Don't rush it.

Be ever patient,

Just trust.

12-27-89 VB

Have and awseome day in the Lord.

Lazy Day ....Maybe Boring....

Its Sunday, overcast, rainy and not uncommon for Ohio. For me a restful lazy day and for Sophie? Well she's a bit bored..After we got home from Church, I started thinking of things I'd like to do or finish. Finish; now that would be something. I have projects that I've put off or put up. And with no valid excuse left to use. I fill so badly that I started a quilt for my Julie and ashamed to say for how long. But for some unknown reason, as much as I try, I can't seem to finish it. I'm sure she's given up on the idea of a nice quilt with fabric she pick out her self as a lost cause. I even took everything with me, including sewing machine, last year on a visit. Traveling across country with high hopes to get it done. After some time went by (days) I took out all the pieces and got already to start sewing. Plugged in the sewing machine and it no longer worked. Was it a sign of some sort? I'm not sure. Needless to say I packed it all up and brought it back home. I haven't unpacked it yet.

As far as unfinished goes; my friend and I bought a pin cushion kit, complete with pattern and wool fabrics. I'm guessing this was about 4 years ago and I excited to say we started the project back up. At the time of purchase we thought how fun it would be to get together on days "like this" or even sunny. Just sit, talk, and sew. Where has the time gone? It really isn't a big project at all either. This could be a good sign for the Julie's quilt. I hear motivation sometimes helps. I tend to procrastinate to much and its not good sometimes. I'm always thinking of how to do it better and changing my mind, that my friends takes valuable time. Time I need to spend better.

On this journey called life I'm continually made aware of just how valuable time is. How you spend it is important. Whether praying for someone, helping a friend, finishing a project or reading God's Word; I need to learn how better to be a good steward of time. I read today " it's not how you start the spiritual journey; it's how you continue and how you finish". .

So as I continue learn to finish what I've started while making better use of my time. I'm hoping to share some pics of what I've done. VB

Be Still

This morning was a blessing for me and though it wasn’t sunny with big puffy white clouds (my favorite kind of day), I was blessed all the same. I went to a women’s fellowship breakfast at Mary Yoder’s with ladies from church. I haven’t been to one in a long while - - years in fact, so it was high time to do so. It seems that when you’re going through something difficult it is then when you recognize the true importance of Godly fellowship - - though one still has the choice to seek it or not. The ladies planning to attend were asked to be ready to share Bible verses that apply to a verse in Psalm 46.

“Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth! “Psalm 46:10 AMP

When I read this verse I focused on the words “be still” as this is something the Lord had been impressing upon me, as well as a couple of my friends over the past two or three weeks. As I read and thought about what this scripture means, it occurred to me that it’s actually God’s “command” to each of us - - to “be still” and to “know that He IS God.” 

Yet to “be still” doesn’t always seem so easy when life is happening. This is especially true as a wife and mom for a near 30 years; there have always been a lot of things happening, some good, some bad. The notion of being still - knowing that God is who He says He is, and that He really is in control, has been one of the most difficult lessons for me to learn. It means far more than sitting down and taking a break, one could look at it as not getting stressed over the troubles and hardship that come our way by trying to take the helm ourselves but to wait and be still before the Lord.  As it is a command it truly is one of the most important things we can do as a believer. 

So what does the word “still” mean to you? According to this on-line dictionary http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/still there are 39 separate definitions of the word still. Of these, the first two seemed to fit the scripture best: 1. Remaining in place or at rest; motionless; stationary: to stand still. 2. Free from sound or noise, as a place or persons; silent: to keep still about a matter. 

Luke chapter 10, verses 38 through 40, tells of two sisters, Martha and Mary and their reactions to the Lord’s visit. Martha was the busy one; she was distracted with all the things that had to be done, preparations made, and dinner to be served. Frustrated with the lack of help, and feeling that Mary was treating her unfairly, she went to Jesus with her compliant. 

Jesus said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” NAS 

We need to learn how to have the stillness of Mary; that calm quiet spirit within. To be able to refueled we need to be like Mary to get through those days of Martha. Whether you’re a believer or not there’s always that part of you that needs to find rest and peace for the journey you’re on. It doesn’t take much time out of your day; for Mary, she gained while sitting with the Lord. Martha missed out on a wonderful and rare opportunity. And, not to take away from the fact that Martha thought what she was doing was important, after all Jesus was there for dinner. Martha’s busyness kept her away from the Lord, the very one she was busy for. 

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 harmful to thee. 

Inter my rest, 

Come, sit with Me. 

8/18/89 VB

Why Refracted Lite?

There are so many wonderful blogs; many have inspired me over the past year to finally attempt my own. I chose the title for a couple reasons; I’ve always loved seeing light being bent into beautiful colors as it passes through prisms. Like in Pollyanna the classic Disney movie, I have collected Chandelier crystals so I can see as much as I want. I’m always amazed at their beauty; it started me thinking of how I want others to see me and who I am in the Lord-- with His light shinning forth through me. I want His light to bend out into all different directions touching others in a positive way. Not that I claiming to be Paul, but I try to follow his example:

 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.  And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 KJV

I have so many interests I’m sure there’ll be a little something for everyone and hopefully this blog will inspire, helping any and all who may view as others have inspired me. And like all blogs this is a work in progress.

Refracted: To break the natural course of, as rays of light or heat, when passing from one transparent medium to another of different density; to cause to deviate from a direct course by an action distinct from reflection; as, a dense medium refracts the rays of light as they pass into it from a rare medium. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

As for some of my family and friend who may wonder the spelling of Lite—Light was already taken.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 KJV