Cleave – to adhere firmly

I feel like these thoughts need a disclaimer: This is a declaration against the enemy of our souls that delights in discouraging, lying to, separating and destroying God’s people.

Because sometimes ” your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1Peter 5:8 ” even at Cozy Acres.

[Therefore beware] brethren, take care, lest there be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart [which refuses to cleave to, trust in, and rely on Him], leading you to turn away and desert or stand aloof from the living God.  Hebrews 3:12 Amplified

Cleave    to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly

We cannot be cleaving
If we hold each other at arms’ distance.
If we just gaze and then look away quickly
If holding hands feels like a handshake
If in our minds we are making a distance
If we question
If we doubt
If we hide behind our hurts
Until a thought becomes

a withdraw
a space
a wall

It’s time to gird ourselves with truth, not lies
It’s time to cast out the stones
It’s time to rebuke the destroyer
It’s time to march around the city

for how ever many times it takes
to
bring
the
walls
down.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. James 4:8

Let love be without dissimulation.
(disguising  (one’s intentions, for example) under a feigned appearance.)
Abhor that which is evil;
cleave to that which is good. Romans 12:9

(  Picture from Animal Zoo Park
http://animalszooguru.blogspot.com/2010/11/lions-roaring-pics-roaring-lion.html   )

Published in: on June 30, 2011 at 12:22 pm  Comments (2)  

The Simple Woman’s Daybook, June 28

TODAY is  June 28, 2011
Outside my window…rain, rain, rain, here in Sacramento, my husband, the Farmer, says the weeds are getting fed

I am thinking…about different books I want to read. I was  just reading ‘what’s on your bookshelf’ many ideas.

I am thankful for…the cooler weather, even if it brought the rain.

What I am learning … after attending the memorial service Saturday of my nephew,  I was shown many different aspects I didn’t know, what do people see when they look at me?

From the kitchen…the Farmer is trying out new coffee press to make a strong coffee ‘tea’ that is then diluted and refrigerated for iced coffee or heat it up in the microwave.

I am wearing…almost worn out denim skirt and flowered t-shirt, no shoes

I am creating…a dress for Miss A (daycare child) is cut out

I am going… day by day

I am reading…Alice in Wonderland, I have never read it before.

I am hoping…

I am hearing…audio book, The Banker, by Dick Francis and raindrops

Around the house…laundry to be put away

One of my favorite things…Yellow roses

A few plans for the rest of the week: two days off, no daycare, maybe I can get over to the long arm machine and finish quilts in a pile

Here is picture I am sharing…

Golden Celebration gift for 2010 wedding anniversary

Scripture…  They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Psa 107:27-30

Join Simple Woman’s Daybook and  me to pause and reflect on Tuesdays

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Published in: on June 28, 2011 at 6:19 pm  Comments (2)  

Five Minute Friday, June 24, 2011, Wonder

The end of the week – a good time for few words.

Want to take five minutes with me and see which ones bubble to the surface?

http://thegypsymama.com/2011/06/five-minute-friday-wonder/

Wonder  —  to think or speculate curiously:  to be filled with admiration, amazement, or awe;
Go……
i wonder at creation
Look at all the different leaves, flowers, would just 2 or 3 kinds do the same thing apparently not
Look at all the animals, why the emu, the mole, the rat
Look at all the fish some bright, some sightless
Look at all the colors, it could have all been black and white
Look at the people, oh the differences to behold
Look at the seasons, steadfast and dependable
Look at God’s love, how wonderful, all creation tells me, I did this just for your enjoyment
“This is the day, I have made enjoy and rejoice and be glad in the present of my Love, your Father.”
stop.

Is it any wonder that I Love Him…..?

Published in: on June 24, 2011 at 8:58 am  Comments (1)  

Simple Woman’s Daybook, June 21,2011

    TODAY is  June 21, 2011
Outside my window…Hot sunshiny clear blue skies and cuttings from grapevines that are growing bright green leaves

I am thinking…To thank God in all is to bend the knee in allegiance to God Who alone knows all. Ann Voskamp

I am thankful for…air conditioning and fans

From my learning rooms…recent message to me: Pray Hard. Life is Short. Pray for solutions.

From the kitchen…My mom’s Burger Beans, simplified but just as yummy; and first fresh zucchini and yellow crooked neck squash from the garden.

I am wearing…jean skirt/ red t-shirt

I am creating…a knitted afghan based on variation of log cabin pattern, next to last section almost finished, then final border section.

I am going…to have to be very careful with finances the rest of this month.

I am reading… The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

I am hoping…(first thing in my mind) cooler weather tomorrow!

I am hearing…the air conditioner roar, yes

Around the house…not much, retirement has its benefits.

One of my favorite things…coffee ice cream with chocolate syrup

A few plans for the rest of the week:…Wed.-watching grandsons (3), Friday – dinner out with in-town and out of town family, Sat, Memorial service for nephew (49)victim of motorcycle/deer accident,

Here is picture I am sharing…

The Squash. melon, cucumber part of the Farmer’s garden.

Scripture…Ecclesiastes 3:1  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Join Simple Woman’s Daybook and  me to pause and reflect on Tuesdays

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Published in: on June 21, 2011 at 5:58 pm  Comments (3)  

Hidden in the Cleft of the Rock

Could it be that the darkest places in our lives are when God puts us in the cleft of the rock and then He passes by to do the work that needs to be done and when se come out of the cleft we see how abundantly above He answered our prayers and worked things together in a way so ‘much higher’ than our thoughts?

Yes, the cleft is a hard place, it is rock. It is dark. It is a dead end place we cannot see what is ahead. It is also a place of shelter. A place of refuge, A place of safety, A place of protection.  It is a place by God. It is a place whose foundation is a rock.  It is a place where God’s hand supports my leaning weak frame. It is the center of God’s will.

And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.
(God)And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
(Moses)And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.
And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.
(Moses)And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
(God)And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen. Exodus 33:12-23

Close To Him
God never would send you the darkness, If He felt you could bear the light;
But you would not cling to His guiding hand If the way were always bright;
And you would not care to walk by faith  Could you always walk by sight.

So He sends you the blinding darkness,  And the furnace of sevenfold heat;
‘Tis the only way, believe me,  To keep you close to His feet;
For ’tis always so easy to wander When our lives are glad and sweet.

Then nestle your hand in your Father’s,  And sing, if you can, as you go;
Your song may cheer someone behind you  Whose courage is sinking low.

(picture – http://acts2gathering.com/sos-final/rock-cleft )

Published in: on June 18, 2011 at 7:00 pm  Leave a Comment  

The Simple Woman’s Daybook – June 17

TODAY is  June 17, 2011

Outside my window…Bright sunshiny clear blue skies and a garden loving this hot weather, I can almost see growth from one day to the next.

I am thinking…how much writing down specific thoughts helps center me.

I am very thankful for… family and friends, especially when news is received of hard health battle beginning.

From my learning rooms… God is reviewing with me His promises of never failing grace.

From the kitchen…my kitchen has kinda been on strike, just making do with leftovers the past couple days, do today on goes the chef’s hat.  A bucket of fresh picked yellow crooked-necked squash is on the counter ready to be added to the menu.

I am wearing…black tee and cream skirt, barefoot until time to head out shopping.

I am creating…the quilt from last entry is stalled, I need to do (by tomorrow) a small wall hanging for “Bread and Butter” quilt group using pattern and fabric by Kaye England, a favorite quilter and designer.

I am going…to the grocery store, to Rite Aid, and then to make the rest of today

I am reading…the sequel to A Friday Night Knitting Club, Knit Two by Kate Jacobs. I enjoyed the first book this is the second of three in the series.

I am hoping…the weather isn’t too hot today.

I am hearing…birdsong, because the lawn mower was just turned off as Uncle Bob sweeps the sidewalk.

Around the house…not too bad, a little cluttered, and laundry to be done (soap to be gotten when shopping.)

One of my favorite things…eating breakfast out by myself, taking my time with a good book.

A few plans for the rest of the week: quilt club-Saturday, church services and family for lunch (all 20 of us I think)-Sunday; next week the car needs to be serviced, daycare with little Miss A, kinda of normal stuff, I like normal unexciting.

Here is picture I am sharing…

This morning’s picking, yellow crooked-necked squash, thanks to the Giver of increase and the Farmer.

Scripture:   I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 1Corinthians 3:6

Join Simple Woman’s Daybook and  me to pause and reflect on Tuesdays or whenever I can get to writing my thoughts.

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Published in: on June 17, 2011 at 10:46 am  Leave a Comment  

One Thousand Gifts and a Scripture – 6

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/06/when-youre-thinking-its-time-to-give-up

I’m finding many things to be thankful for at Cozy Acres, join me as I take a walk around the yard.

49. We have shade screens on these two large windows and the one on the south end of the trailer.

50. Miss A enjoys every thing about “Meow” even to snitching a bit of kibbles.

51. This Cat aka “Meow” or as I like to call him ‘Seymore Toes’  can get comfortable anywhere and anytime.

52. I Love freckles on eggs.

53. First Fruits from the Garden June 13, 2011

(But , you know, they are a little large, not sure of the quality)

Yep, almost all woody!

So the chickens will get the first fruit scraps, on the left and the Farmer will get the First Fruit bounty on the right.

53. I didn’t think this coneflower would survive the frost but it did.

54. This wild strawberry likes its new home.

55. Look! a volunteer Hollyhock.

56. I’ve waited two years for this one to bloom!

57. These Iris are loving it here. They have doubled in size since transplanted.

58. My geraniums are finding
their new homes.

 

 

 

59. I didn’t take a picture of our new toilet; the old toilet flush mechanism broke. I am really thankful for the new one because is sits about 4 inches higher, now my knees are not under my chin.

60. What God promises He will do!

And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:  I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.  And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:  And I will remember my covenant, Gen 9:12-15

Published in: on June 16, 2011 at 5:12 pm  Leave a Comment  

Every Day

http://thegypsymama.com/2011/06/five-minute-friday-every-day/

Yes, it is Saturday, but I had to ponder this topic and my thoughts finally jelled this morning.  The exercise is to write for 5 minutes, just open up and let it flow; sometimes the flow is fresh and  sometimes something surfaces that needs a little work.  Whatever shows up, it is good.

EVERY DAY

go

Last year was a season of many changes, my whole life seemed to be turned upside down. My financial foundation crumbled, almost everything we had worked for gone, March 12, 3010 felt like a funeral had taken place.

Even so:

Every day I wake up and I have these treasures:

EVERY DAY:  I will load thee with benefits     Psalms 68:19

EVERY DAY: I will hold your right hand   Isaiah 41:13

EVERY DAY: The Lord is my Shepherd    Psalms 23

EVERY DAY: I will send a comforter    John 14:16

EVERY DAY: My peace I will leave with you   John 14:27

EVERY DAY: Let not your heart be troubled  John 14:1

EVERY DAY: My GRACE is sufficient  2Corinthians 12:9

EVERY DAY: Fear not! Isaiah 41:10

EVERY EVENING: I will never slumber or sleep   Psalms 121:4

stop

Scripture references and picture were added after ‘stop’.

Published in: on June 4, 2011 at 11:00 am  Comments (1)