Yep, It's Spring! and "Into The End There Of"

I've been very busy - but that's not unusual for me.  One morning a couple weeks ago (I say that now since that's when I started this post) but that was 2/3/11 and now hard to remember!  I started painting the trim in the living room having already finished walls that were in much need of a "re-freshening." but just about done now! We also were blessed that morning with a light sprinkling of rain in a very dry "in drought" desert.  :) And if you've ever experienced a very dry "in drought" desert you know I so thoroughly enjoyed that little bit we received which consisted of nothing. :( but still no rain! only little teasers  :(  in fact for those that don't care for it - they sure are missing it! And the NOAA said we are the 2nd driest since 1948! WHAT! We pray for rain :) 

Have you ever thought (wished or hoped for) "If only I had more time?" I know - I know, I sound like a broken record, or should I say disk! I spend all day inside or out, garden - house I feel like that stupid bunny!  LOL  but I've been doing better in the time management dept. God has been gracious! The hardest thing I deal with is not having time to be creative or working on my blogs that I miss.
I've been working hard trying to get the garden in order and planting done.  Having a mild winter enabled me to get potatoes and garlic in the ground.  Recently finding and planting Walla Walla onions also;  but a gopher has been having a hay day on the complex carbs from the potatoes and a strong heart from my garlic - has made it very hard to get rid of!  I've envisioned a fat gopher running excitedly through his tunnels from other parts of the property - keeping us looking for clues - where will he surface next! LOL  I am excited to see how all of what I planted do since gardening in the desert is a learning process.   but so is patience and the older I get the wiser I am accessing all the Lord has to do the things needed to be done.   BTW - the garden is doing well :)

Taken March 23

Last year the strawberries grew producing delicious lovelies to enjoy - they're still doing well and already have strawberries!  but not like u-pick farms the strawberries continue to produce and another batch is soon to be out! More on the garden later - its a time thing~  :)

Taken May18

Being ready in season and out of season.


I've made several trips back and forth from storage trying hard to get things out, as well as, unpack boxes and for the past couple years.  It's difficult moving into a house that isn't empty.  I feel we are finally where we should have been last year at this time, while suffering some set backs.  Last year if anyone remembers, we had 10 pups to deal with and many trips to the VA and hospital with my husband.  What's surprising to me is that in all the places we've lived I feel I've worked harder here than anywhere, much of it unpleasant and through it all see the Lord's grace.  but even though this journey I've been on seems long God has been with me/us every step that I may get through to the end on His strength~

He has always been there and most recently been sharing with me/us the importance of being ready in season and out of season.  What's important in our lives and what isn't.  Being prepared for seasons to come.  I realize many people can take for granted things of necessity when there is a good flow of income.  You just don't always think about or plan accordingly if something were to happen. Our family has lived in tight situations before living without and with plenty.  We have been without water before when a pump would go or the power went out and sometimes for days.  So you learn to conserve and be smart not to waste and learn how to use it wisely.
The same goes for purchasing and storing foods - not wasting.  I guess that is how the garden got into the picture (Thank you son) - learning how to grow foods to be more self sustaining.  Everyday I go to the garden I can enjoy something to eat - whether its herbs and chive tops or strawberries - potatoes.  This is wise and something I believe God has His hand in.  Being a good steward of what you have I believe isn't just about money, we've always wanted to be in a position to help others in need; as God has blessed us through others.  My husband has said many times, "he's glad we live on God's economy!"  He has supplied every need, every time, and all we had to do is trust Him.  I hope you have your trust in Him~

One night I had a dream and in this dream I was being taken up in "the rapture,"  caught up in to the air and all those with me - we were the only ones who saw Him, chaos left.  Chaos everywhere including in our home with the animals, and then my heart began to ache over those that hadn't given their hearts to Jesus.  I woke up with a feeling of urgency. I thought for a moment - I need more time.  Then ask the Lord when?  He said quickly!  Recently in the news the world was to come to a end, stated by Harold Camping (apparently another time before); but clearly in the Word - Jesus himself said no one but the Father knows the time.  Matthew 24:36  Many people have taken the opportunity to mock this man but the truth is - is that Mr Camping is correct and with one thought, Jesus will return one day; that is the truth.  I find it also sad, that those that have mock Mr. Camping are also mocking the truth in God's word.  Now you could look at the man as a kook and yes I could agree but, there is an enemy out there that would get you to think that there is no truth in Christ returning (as many believe) - though He will.  

No one knows the day or the hour and until that time comes  we were left with the job at hand - In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:  Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.  For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-5

How do you know to be ready? God said he would send you His Spirit even in the old testament.  Joel 2:28  Tells us He will pour out His Spirit.  God gives us every provision necessary to live while we are walking on the earth.  I'm thankful He does for I don't know how people live without Him.


Here's a quote from Derek Prince I saw on FB:  The latter rain is being given for the sake of the harvest. God is already beginning to put His hand on people, saying, "Get ready now. Get Loosed. Get detached. Because when the harvest comes, it is going to be so quick that you will have to be ready to cast in the sickle and reap." 
There's much to be said about gardening/farming and God has used analogies throughout the Bible in a way as to be helpful and useful in this life we live.  This all may just be ramblings to you - but it all makes perfect sense to me :)    

BTW- We got the pesky gopher! 5/21/11 Thanks Dad!

Go ahead and grow something!  Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. Proverbs 20:4

*Reg. print 2-3-2011- Green as of today :) 

 

Staint Patrick's Day~

Whether you're Irish or not, yesterday most people celebrated St Patrick's Day. With corned beef and cabbage, green beer, festive parades and for many it might have been mass in honor of the patron saint.  But for me I'm always reminded of the love and desire Saint Patrick had for his Creator and to do His will reaching the lost of Ireland.  His life was one of many hardships and of miracles as the Lord worked in and through his obedience to Christ.

Saint Patrick's example is one we all could follow.  As believers and followers of Christ - He's never left us unequipt to do His bidding; He has given us all that's needed through the Holy Spirit. He has also given us examples as we read the words of Paul who was inspired by the Holy Spirit to showing us how to live by his example.

If you are fighting in a battle or I hope not running from snakes equip yourself --

The Armor of God

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.  Ephesians 6:10-18

Remembering to pray for each other --

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Ephesians 6:19-20

I've always loved reading the prayer on St. Patrick "Breastplate," with a portion I love saying for myself.  It is also called the Deer's Cry (more on that another time) also there are slightly different versions.

I bind unto myself today,  

The strong Name of the Trinity,

By invocation of the same,

The Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever.

By power of faith, Christ's incarnation;

His baptism in the Jordan river;

His death on Cross for my salvation;

His bursting from the spiced tomb;

His riding up the heavenly way;

His coming at the day of doom☘️

I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power

Of the great love of the cherubim;

The sweet 'well done' in judgment hour,

The service of the seraphim,

Confessors' faith, Apostles' word,

The Patriarchs' prayers, the Phrophets' scrolls,

All good deeds done unto the Lord,

And purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today

The virtues of the starlit heaven,

The glorious sun's life-giving ray,

The whiteness of the moon at even,

The flashing of the lightning free,

The whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,

The stable earth, the deep salt sea,

Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today

The power of God to hold and lead,

His eye to watch, His might to stay,

His ear to hearken to my need.

This wisdom of my God to teach,

His hand to guide, His shield to ward,

The word of God to give me speech,

His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin,

The vice that gives temptation force,

The natural lusts that war within,

The hostile men that mar my course;

Or few or many, far or nigh,

In every place and in all hours,

Against their fierce hostility,

I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan's spells and wiles,

Against false words of heresy,

Against the knowledge that defiles,

Against the heart's idolatry,

Against the wizard's evil craft,

Against the death wound and the burning,

The choking way and the poisoned shaft,

Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in the hearts of all that love me,

Christ in the mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name,

The strong Name of the Trinity;

By invocation of the same.

The Three in One, and One in Three,

Of Whom all nature hath creation,

Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:

Praise to the Lord of my salvation,

Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

☘️"Day of Judgment."

What Does Your Eyes See?

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— 1Corinthians 2:9 ESV

This morning, that verse jumped into my thoughts as I was looking at his creation.  I do enjoy getting up early - I've mentioned before I miss my quiet times.

My morning started around 6 and as I was looking out the window watching changes taking place I thought I had better grab my old friend~

It took some time (from 7- 7:30) to take the first three shots.  It was pretty cool out while watching the clouds rolling over the mountain, I was trying hard to capture what I was seeing.  However, pictures don't seem to do justice to the beauty and to the moment.  Sometimes taking pictures isn't that easy, at least at times it seems to be that way.  :)

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.  Isaiah 64:4 NIV

The clouds did come rolling in and while moving faster it started snowing - flowing into lower elevations.  We face storms sometimes; we see them coming from the distance like clouds rolling in. As they're picking up speed, we see them nearing us - that lower elevation.

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 NAS

There's so many things happening in this world - things which aren't pleasant to see.  Daily we are being ever reminded of the injustice out there.   But as birth pains of labor the Bible tells us these things are to come.  But don't lose heart my friend, always rely on the Lord.

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind." Isaiah 65:17 ESV

Now just as there are bad things out there that we see and hear - there are many things we don't see and hear that are good, and of the Lord.  Our hope is in Him! Our strength comes from Him! Our peace and comfort - all that is good - He supplies every need. 

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 ESV

When I look at the pictures I see the clouds - yes, a storm was coming in fact, the clouds swallowed the mountain scape up and has now just lifted.  In all of that I still see His beauty, His glory and His grace.