It Finally Feels Like Spring ~

Last year I was sooooo looking forward to Autumn, even Winter, I realize there are those of you who cringe at the thought of cooler / cold seasons, but I really don't care for the dry, sometimes, intense heat of the desert. Now don't get me wrong I do love the beauty the desert has but the heat last longer than any cooler weather we might have. This past fall and winter it was un-usually dry and mild, not good for fruit trees that need a good chilling. 

When I took these pictures of what made it through the winter I was very impressed.  Even the cheap clearance plants from Tractor Supply came through. When I took the first group of photo's it was a cooler cloudy day which was sought after by me since March was awful and unusually hot! All of us here were commenting about it, but not holding our breath in hopes it would turn to the normal Spring temps. And then it was finally a reprieve. Yay!

He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses. Psalm 135:7 ESV

He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. He hurls dsown his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold? He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow. Psalm 147:15-18

Today I took the pics below and so excited about the blossoms on my Meyer Lemon - As I'm hoping for lemons! Last year I got eleven.

 

God is good always, I wasn't able to tend to anything the last few years and I was blessed with what harvest we got. This year the only thing I'm not certain about is the fruit trees. They took a beating with the heat and several limbs didn't make it. I hope they come around and I pray I'm able to help them along.

Here we are almost halfway through April and this past week has been beautiful and what a blessing to go from the stark - dust - and heat of March. I am truly thankful. They say summer is going to be a bear, but my son mentioned we might get El Nino this year that could interfere with our weather I hope that reprieve will last longer ~ a lot longer. :)

"While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease." Genesis 8:22 ESV

Weather is always changing like our seasons ~ But He is in control of them all and I'm glad He is.

Spring Is Around The Corner ~

Winter, and I will include Fall, really was not what I enjoy about the seasons.  Many times I have said Fall is a favorite and Winter is up there as well.  This time I can actually say I'm looking forward to Spring though not the heat of Summer.  ARGH

Fall wasn't as lovely and restful as previous, there barely was any color to speak hardly any changing leaves or even the crispness of cooler air. Winter was mild and rather boring. I missed the calm, restful breather I've had in the past from running and taking care of the whatever's you do when it's warmer out. It just wasn't appealing. Maybe I just missed it being to busy ~

I had been told years ago when I went to get my hair done; I frankly was sick of it and told my hairdresser I can't stand it anymore - I'm in need of a change, she replied - It's February! It isn't really Winter but not yet Spring. In the desert it's dry and dirty - wind gusts start and leaves are barely starting to come out - I'd be lying if I didn't mention some blossoms and flowers we've planted are coming out early making it a bit concerning if we have another freeze. 

Now into March and only a week or so away from Spring my head is spinning with optimism and hopeful I will make time to enjoy it. This past Tuesday I decide to take a drive to Willcox - I love going to Willcox and the drive. We had a rain over night and there was that fresh smell if a coolness in the air. I took a few pics on the way back as I was surprised (not really) that the desert was starting to bloom. 

I first grabbed a shot as I left hoping it would continue to rain. But it didn't only a bit on the drive. Willcox got dumped on and I would love it if we got more rain like them.

Though getting back and opening I wasn't a bit disappoint - look at that sky!  

Spring is around the corner,

Only a week or so to go.

Will it be what I hope for?

Only the good LORD knows.

So I what with anticipation,

Are you waiting too?

Let's pray we have a good one,

That's the best we can do ~

Happy Spring!

VLB 3.10.26

He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting. You make darkness, and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep about. The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God. When the sun rises, they steal away and lie down in their dens. Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening. Psalm 104:19-23 ESV   :) 

The Argument ~

1.3.2026

Prior to 'celebrating' the New Year, I watched a Chuck Missler's teaching, The Christmas Story (in two parts). I enjoyed the study and learned some things I didn't know and a few I hadn't thought of in sometime. In part two he shared a poem he wrote, My King, he titled it for this listen, My Coming King, I will post a link below you can check it out for yourself, here I'll share a short bit of the poem. 

My King

He is the King of the Jews

  He is the King of Israel

But He’s also

  King of all the Ages;

  King of Heaven;

  King of Glory;

  King of Kings;

    …and Lord of Lords.

When I watched and listened to him read his poem he added this right where I stopped. . .

                             Do you know Him?

                                                           Do you really?

Those two questions caught my attention - it should cause everyone to think of where they are in their walk (relationship) with God.  Over the years I've had people say to me about another's faith, saying, "they aren't Christian," believing they are this way or another (I told them I can't say that). It is entirely possible they did ask the Lord into their lives and somewhere something happened to cause them to go backwards or not forwards. I know some who were instantly changed and some who hadn't for whatever reason. I know children who gave their lives to the Lord, some went onward strong others not. But they still accepted the Lords gift.

For some their faith seems weak or is it? .  .  . Maybe they are battling things only known to them, or  war-faring on their own to break what holds them not realizing or understanding we have someone strong on our side. .     And, maybe they haven't truly excepted Gods free gift that is possible; for I know some found out later they hadn't and believed they had. 

What do you believe about your faith and walk - if you do have a relationship with Him? Is it possible that a person is afraid to fully give their lives to Him thinking they will not have their own control over their lives? Is it possible the thought of yielding to God means you are losing yourself per-se? 

I believe you will always still be you in personally and even characteristics, but become a better version of yourself as He saw you in the beginning, even before you were born. What are you trusting Him for today?

We either need to give our life to Him, trusting in Him or we already have and still need to yield to Him to live free from bondage we might be living under. Keeping in mind here, there is someone in control in your life letting you believe you are. Possibly lying and causing you to believe wrong. We do have free will that God allows giving us a freedom of choice. - Is He waiting on you to yield? If you are afraid it's not what you think.

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 ESV

I believe we might have a time or two in all our lives when we've prayed and felt as God isn't listening or doesn't care. THAT COULN'T BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. 

You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers off this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, .  .  . Colossians 2:20 NLT

It is not fair to blame God for something we aren't 'ready' (by choice) or willing to trust Him for. So as Chuck Missler had asked the questions:

                              Do you know Him?

                                                             Do you really?

Maybe it would be better to ask where are you in this relationship and are you really trusting Him today? I know in my own life it is sometimes easier to trust him for others and have some doubt in mine. It doesn't have to remain this way. In fact I trust Him for the validity of scripture, His word stands true. Though my husband and I both did everything we knew to and prayed over and over for a healing, I wanted him to be here with me. He still died prematurely; Yet I still believe what the word says about healing, believing He still heals today. I trust and not just for the the couple reasons listed. When looking back at my life He has ALWAYS been there and I see what He has carried me through and continues.

Oh ~ The Argument  - is the one that you have with your thoughts, arguing with yourself, a battle, between the truth of God's word that which His Holy Spirit is confirming and the lies that Satan would have you believe. Just a thought. 

As we head into a brand New Year, people for the most part if they haven't already begin with making resolutions, some make it towards their goals, others only break them with disappointed, and to be truthful some make them knowing they break them. :)  I don't know if you are one of them, which ever. I would encourage you if you do make one grab a Bible verse that you can grow daily with or making a point to seek the Lord more, go to a Bible study or start one, there are any number of things you can do that would grow your relationship with Him. I don't make them myself but for several years I've chosen this verse.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, (and sisters), I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  .  . Philippians 3:13-14 ESV

Know that God isn't looking so much for perfection as much as He's looking for progress. It's a thought and one a pastor in Ohio shared. I like it!

.  .  .  Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Philippians 3:15 ESV

This is just my thoughts here to share with those who are reading and following this blog. It has always been my intent to encourage others, not exasperate, yes it is a strong word, however to many today fill pressure from life, most from choices made trying to change their situation on their own thinking it is all they have to rely on.  If anything shifting our thoughts towards the truth of God's word and know that He is as close as a call, whether you asked Him already into your heart and still relying on what you can do for you (the argument) or will ask Him in today.  Do let this year go by as the last with disappoints let's start today by exercising that measure of faith He has given us all of us to grow.

 

Chuck Missler The Christmas Story Part 1

Chuck Missler The Christmas Story Part 2. Both YouTube

Another good lesson from an old radio broadcast with Derek Prince on Right Resolutions you can find here. 

Twelve Steps To A Good Year part 1 by Derek Prince  Youtube

Twelve Steps To A Good Year /all by Derek Prince Website 

Both Prince links are easy to locate and each 10-13 minutes. He also has a mobile app. 

Prayers always for those who happen by. V