WORSHIP

Five Minute Friday  Over At Lisa-Jo’s…..the word is WORSHIP.

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Reverence and adoration to the only One worthy of our worship….

Glory to God in the Highest

The Great I AM

King of Kings

Lord of Lords

The Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end

The Lion of Judah

Ancient of Days

The Bright and Morning Star

Creator

Redeemer

Prince of Peace

Holy, Holy, Holy!

Lord, God Almighty

“Will I stand in His presence, or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine……..”  (from, I Can Only Imagine, by Mercy Me)

Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;
    no deeds can compare with yours.

All the nations you have madewill come and worship before you, Lord;  

  they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds;you alone are God.    Psalm 86:8-10  NIV

 

Five Minute Friday: Worship

He Is Already There

Sometimes this world gets me down.                                                                                                                          

Political drama, terrorism, people killing each other,

families disintegrating, education that is becoming indoctrination, time lines and power plays….

and…….well….it just makes me weary.

I realize more and more that this place, this earth, is not my home.

Not really.

It never was.

This world is broken…and me along with it.

And yet, through it all, I have moments that remind me who I am, in Him.

Those moments that softly whisper to my longing soul.

When the rays of the early morning sun shoot out from behind a cloud and I remember that my Heavenly Father is on the throne.

When loved ones die and my heart breaks with the pain, I realize that they are seeing face to face, what I see only dimly.

When the news blares of terrorism and fear, I search for comfort from the One who is Sovereign and is not surprised by any of it.

When world leaders claw for power, I know that my God is the King of kings and the Lord of lords….there are none before Him.

When I worry about the future, He reminds me that He is already there.

My weary soul can find rest.

Remember the former things, those of long ago;
    I am God, and there is no other;
    I am God, and there is none like me.
 I make known the end from the beginning,
    from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say, ‘My purpose will stand,
    and I will do all that I please.’  Isaiah 46:9-10 NIV

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Psalm 46:1 KJV

The Last Monday In August

Today is the last Monday in August.  I can hardly believe it. School is back in session. The days aren’t as long as they used to be.

On the way to church yesterday, I noticed that the once vibrant greens of the summer are beginning to fade. Some trees are even allowing yellow to peek through.

This morning, while doing morning chores, I was admiring my sunflowers. I love sunflowers. They make me happy. As I was looking at the flowers I heard the familiar honk of the Canadian geese, behind me. I turned in enough time to see the formation flying overhead.

They said Autumn is just around the corner.                                                                                                                    

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Today I am thankful for:

*Bright yellow sunflowers

* honking geese

* a cat that is still fiesty

* new issues of my favorite magazines

* ice cold water

* being able to help out

* family

* God’s faithfulness

Psalm 28:7 -The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/thanksgiving-bible-verses-15-great-scripture-quotes/#ixzz2d53pCkyL

Old Buildings Speak To Me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found this picture on a wallpaper site on the internet. I have no idea who took this picture, or I would give credit. I like this picture. It speaks to me of days gone by and craftsmanship. Quiet hallways and lives once lived. Maybe this was at one time a house, or a building that housed offices? I’ll never know. I sometimes make scenarios in my head of who used to use the old spaces that I come across. Who lived here? Worked here? Went to school here?

Am I the only one that believes buildings can “talk”? I especially love old houses. Not spooky old houses, but houses that were built to last. Houses that became homes where love and life and memories were shared. Wooden staircases, and hardwood floors. Beautiful woodwork fretting, and carved newel posts. High ceilings and tall windows. Fireplaces and bay windows and butler’s pantries and farmhouse sinks. I could go on and on. Victorians, Saltboxes, Mission Style, Farmhouses, and Colonials…….

Tract homes and new subdivisions where all the houses look identical, void of personality, makes me sad. Sigh. Not that new can’t be great. My husband and I built our house a few years ago…out in the middle of what was once a farm field. After looking at many, many houses on the market…we decided that building was our best option. We built character into our house. It is unique and I guarantee there is no other just like it.

I enjoy blogs that show pictures of old homes and old buildings, and my heart still does a little pitter- patter at episodes of This Old House.

I think my husband sometimes worries about me and my “talking” houses. That is okay, I’ll just tell the houses to whisper…..

 

 

 

Last, Makes Me Sad

                    It is five minute Friday over at Lisa-Jo Baker’s site.  This is where we write for 5 minutes with no editing, no over thinking, and no back 

               back tracking.  Are you ready?     Today the prompt is: LAST 

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I cry at Hallmark commercials. I am nostalgic and I love traditions. I love people. I love their stories. I take things to heart. I want things to last, to continue on…and I’m always disappointed when they don’t. Intellectually, I realize that nothing is going to last forever but, my heart still longs…

I don’t want to say good-bye knowing the relationship probably won’t last through time and distance.

I want the  celebration to be longer. I soak in the music and breathe in the silent night. Why can’t the merry of Christmas last?

I long for Autumn to last a bit longer…for the leaves to cling for a few more weeks.

I need a few more days of unscheduled summer. The unofficial last day of summer is next weekend.

I cry quietly this morning, petting my cat who is probably in her last days. I love my pets…even though I know one day they will cease to be here with me.

Last, hurts. Life is difficult.

Sigh.

This post is sad, I know. I’m just in one of those moods.

Tomorrow is a new day, and this gray day will not last…

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Thank you Jesus, that even in the every day, YOU are here. You see me on the good days and You are there in the bad days. You will never leave me nor forsake me and Your mercies are new every morning

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.    Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

AMEN

 

 

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on:::

Last…

– See more at: http://lisajobaker.com/#sthash.m3BHvAjy.dpuf

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on:::

Last…

– See more at: http://lisajobaker.com/#sthash.m3BHvAjy.dpuf

The Search For Happiness

When the road less traveled, just turns out to be the road that is less.                                

When the job fills the ego, but starves the soul…

and the search for happiness is hard and long…

These things cause a body to long for more.

More of the things that truly matter.

 

You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body. –C.S. Lewis

 

This world and what it has to offer, will never be enough.

We were made for more than this world.

Creation was fractured when sin entered in.

God’s perfect world, left wounded and hurting because of mankind’s choice.

But, this will not always be so….

 

And you might say to me, “Jesus, is just a panacea for the weak”

“a placebo for the needy.  I am more than that”.

But, your more is never enough. Deep down you realize this.

And the race continues to run you ragged.

You are breathing hard from the search.

When you finally reach, what you thought, was the finish line…

You see that happiness doesn’t wait for you there. It is elusive.

You need more time. You need more money. You just need more of something…

That is, unless your joy is in the Lord.

When the road is unsure and the longing wears at your soul…

Open the door. Look to the One who knows you intimately.

The One who knows your need.

 

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 NIV

 

You will find, Jesus is enough.

Nothing else this world has to offer is going to fill the void.

It can’t…

because it is only He who is able to make you complete.

 

“…For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete…” Colossians 2:9-10

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Morning In The Country

The early morning air felt good on the skin. The summer heat had not yet made it’s way to the property just outside of town. The dew glistened on the blades of grass, sparkling like a million diamonds. She took it all in, knowing that in seconds, the diamonds would disappear and she would be left with only the memory of their sparkle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Her bare feet padded softly across the deck, brushed more than once by the fur of the kittens that had come to the house. The kittens had come into this world in a barn on the property, as their mama had chosen this family to be caretakers of her small mob. The morning was quiet, so quiet, that the woman could hear the neighbor over the hill, and completely out of sight, open his car door and slam it shut. The sound pierced the early  morning like a shot. His car motor roared to life and then he was gone. She noticed the corn and how tall it had gotten, and noted how much time would be left until she would see her neighbors in their farm equipment, harvesting their hard work. She felt a wet nose push against her hand and turned to look into the big brown eyes of the collie. He said good morning with a lick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The grass was growing high in the back field. This morning even the weeds looked beautiful, as the Queen Anne’s Lace raised up to gather the sun. The quiet was clipped with the sound of the two roosters battling it out for who would have the morning wake up call. She smiled. The sound of the roosters sounded like country to her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She slid into her boots and headed to the barn where the horse watched her approach. The soft thud of hooves could be heard as the two saw who could get over to the feed trough first. The woman was greeted with an eager face, looking for an apple treat. The woman knows she spoils her. Her hand was covered in horse drool as the treat quickly disappeared. There are worse things in life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunshine was now pooling on the ground leaving spots of flaming gold as her gaze fell across the neighbor’s llama field. The red, worn barn in the back corner, looked like something straight out of a Norman Rockwell picture. She sighed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For all the things of this world, all the places she had been, things she had seen…there was never the same contentment as she felt here.

Now.  At this moment.

 

“A heart at peace gives life to the body…” Proverbs 14:30  NIV

The Small Things

Today, over at Lisa-Jo Baker’s blog, the five minute Friday prompt is:  SMALL

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The small things really do turn out to be the big things. When I look back on my life, I realize that the big things have changed my life, but it is the daily, small things that continue to make my life what it is. The life I have, the life I enjoy, is because of those small things.

Sitting on the porch swing, sharing time with my husband * Warm chocolate chip cookies * An hour long conversation, on the phone, with my sister * Watching a funny TV show with my daughter, laughing out loud together* Receiving a text message from my son, telling me he loves me…and my mother’s heart overflows * Teaching * The smell of my new “Toasted Marshmallow” candle * A cool morning breeze * Crazy kitten stampedes * Golden sunshine * Cool crisp air * A million diamonds of dew on a mid-August morning * Brushing the horse * Hot showers and feeling clean and fresh * Ice cold water in the heat of the summer

I pray that I never take the small things in life for granted.

 

 

 

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

– See more at: http://lisajobaker.com/#sthash.HKw3A4ZN.dpuf

The Gift Of Not Taking Anything For Granted

I’m always amazed at how quickly the sand slides through the hour glass. It seems like just yesterday school was winding down, I was looking forward to the trip to Costa Rica, and the kids were off to be counselors at camp. Here it is, the last week of (unofficial) summer. School starts next week. It is not staying light as long in the evenings, and there is a slight chill in the air. Autumn is only a few weeks away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time…I think I have all the time in the world. Don’t most of us feel that way? I complain this day is boring, or that day is too busy, I rearrange a schedule, or squeeze one more thing in, and still time marches on. A minute is always sixty seconds, there are always twenty-four hours in a day. The tick tock of time remains calm and even, no matter what is going on with me at the moment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet, precious moments, and me holding the sand as it slides through my fingers.

The best gift one can receive is the gift of appreciating. The gift of realizing.

The gift of not taking anything for granted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens.  Ecclesiastes 3:1  NIV

Counting My Blessings

“Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!”

Johnson Oatman Jr.  pub.1897

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Continuing to count each days blessings. Giving thanks to God who continues to bless with gifts far beyond what I deserve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Living in the country…loving the land.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Going to church, worshiping the one true God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The peacefulness that comes from watching horses graze.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fresh eggs, from our own chickens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chickens, and crowing roosters, and collecting eggs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cool refreshing taste of iced tea on a hot summer day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiet, moonlit nights….when the stars leave me breathless and I realize just how big my God is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God never breaks a promise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This sweet dog. I’m so thankful for his companionship…and glad he chose us to be his family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christ died for me. He took my place. He paid the price……because He wanted me. I don’t know why, but I’m so thankful He did.

 

 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV