July 10, Today’s thought – God’s Love and Wisdom

Did you ever see a preying mantis ‘ghost’?
This little guy was so light green; he turned white in the flash.

Good Morning

The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, . . .
the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm,
and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
The LORD is good,
a strong hold in the day of trouble;
and he knoweth them that trust in him.
Nahum 1:3, 7

The fiercest wind that may blow in me
is held in the hollow of His hand.
Behind what seems cruel chance,
there is the love so wise
and wisdom so loving of our God
.

If God can send a storm through space;
And dot with trees the mountain’s face.
If He the sparrow’s course can trace,
What can He do for you?

If God can hang the stars on high,
Can paint the clouds that drift on by,
Can send the sun across the sky,
What can He do for you?

If God can send us sunny days,
And nature from her slumber raise
Till song birds lift their notes of praise.
What can He do for you?

If God can do these many things,
Can count each little bird that sings,
Control the universe that swings.
What can He do for you?

If God can bring sweet peace to be
And to my soul bring liberty,
By Christ who hung upon the tree,
This He can do for you.
G. E. Wagoner

Trust God for your day . . .Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on July 10, 2012 at 10:53 am  Leave a Comment  
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July 9, Today’s thought — Mourning into Joy

Looking through the fir tree at the Crepe Myrtle

Good Morning

And when she (Martha) had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. John 11:28-34

“The Jews thought Mary was going to weep at the sepulchre,
and she did;
but she heard that the Master had come,
and she went first to Him
and He went with her to the grave.
He went with her first to weep
and then to turn her mourning into joy with life from the dead.
Ah! my friend, whatever we mean to do,
let us got to Jesus first.
Mary wept for her brother
and she had the sympathy of Him
whom it is our blessed privilege to claim as our Elder Brother; . . .
So, heart stricken mourner,
He knows the grief and anguish you feel;
He knows the desolations of your spirit
and its yearnings after a solace the world cannot give!
Go to the grave of your beloved one;
but as you go let not your tears so blind you,
neither so hang down your head
that you may not see that Jesus has come to sustain you.
Hear His gracious voice from beside the tomb,
“I am the Resurrection and the life.”
from Streams in the Desert 2.

We suffer grief from the loss of many different things during our lives, not just the death of a loved one. May we, too, go to Jesus early; so He will go with us every step of the way of grief.

Trust God for your day. . .Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on July 9, 2012 at 11:51 am  Leave a Comment  
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July 8, Sunday Bible Reading Hebrews 6:13-20

Sunflower backs.

Good Morning

Heb 6:13-20 Amplified Bible

“For when God made [His] promise to Abraham,
He swore by Himself,
since He had no one greater by whom to swear,
Saying, Blessing I certainly will bless you
and multiplying I will multiply you.
And so it was that he [Abraham],
having waited long and endured patiently,
realized and obtained
[in the birth of Isaac as a pledge of what was to come]
what God had promised him.
Men indeed swear by a greater [than themselves],
and with them in all disputes
the oath taken for confirmation is final [ending strife].
Accordingly God also,
in His desire to show more convincingly and beyond doubt
to those who were to inherit the promise
the unchangeableness of His purpose and plan,
intervened (mediated) with an oath.
This was so that,
by two unchangeable things [His promise and His oath]
in which it is impossible for God ever
to prove false or deceive us,
we who have fled [to Him] for refuge
might have mighty indwelling strength and strong encouragement
to grasp and hold fast the hope
appointed for us and set before [us].
[Now] we have this [hope]
as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul
[it cannot slip and
it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it–a hope]
that reaches farther
and enters into [the very certainty of the Presence]
within the veil,
Where Jesus has entered in for us [in advance],
a Forerunner having become a High Priest forever
after the order (with the rank) of Melchizedek.”

Trust God for your day. . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on July 8, 2012 at 6:00 am  Leave a Comment  
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July 7, Today’s thought — Devotion

I asked Emily to take a picture of me knitting – Margaret caught us in the act. This Picture makes me smile.

Good Morning

I know that, whatsoever God doeth,
it shall be for ever:
nothing can be put to it,
nor any thing taken from it:
and God doeth it,
that men should fear before him. Ecclesiastes 3:14

Devotion

The heart can think of no devotion
Greater than being shore to ocean –
Holding the curve of one position,
Counting an endless repetition.
Robert Frost

God endures – holds one position; so we can have hope of enduring until the end.

Matthew 10:22 . . .but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Trust God for your day. . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on July 7, 2012 at 6:00 am  Leave a Comment  
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Junly 6, Today’s thought — Who Hears, Not Who Says

A glimpse of San Francisco on the way home from Monterey, CA

Good Morning

We all know that God does not listen to sinners,
but he listens to anyone who worships and obeys him. John 9:1

Most of our prayer lives could use a tune-up.
Some prayer lives lack consistency.
They’re either a desert or an oasis.
Long, arid, dry spells interrupted
by brief plunges into the waters of communion. . . .

Others of us need sincerity.
Our prayers are a bit hollow,
memorized,
and rigid.
More liturgy than life.
And though they are daily,
they are dull.

Others lack, well, honesty.
We honestly wonder if prayer makes a difference.
Why on earth would God in heaven want tot talk to me?
IF God knows all,
who am I to tell him anything?
IF God controls all,
who am I to do anything?. . . .

Our prayers may be awkward.
Our attempts may be feeble.
But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it
and not the one who says it,
our prayers do make a difference.
He Still Moves Stones, Max Lucado

Now we know that God heareth not sinners:
but if any man be a worshipper of God,
and doeth his will, him he heareth. John 9:31

Trust God for your day. . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on July 6, 2012 at 6:00 am  Comments (2)  
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July 5, Today’s thought — Leave the Edge

Have you seen the Farmer’s hat, yet?
He calls it his umbrella. Thanks, Dan.

Good Morning

So let us go on to grown-up teaching.
Let us not go back over the beginning lessons
we learned about Christ. Hebrews 6:1

I like the story of the little boy who fell out of bed.
When his Mom asked him what happened,
he answered,
“I don’t know. I guess I stayed too close to where I got in.”

Easy to do the same with our faith.
It’s tempting just to stay where we got in and never move.
Pick a time in the not-too-distant past.
A year or two ago.
Now ask yourself a few questions.
How does your prayer life today compare with then?
How about your giving?
Have the amount and the joy increased?
What about your church loyalty?
Can you tell you’ve grown?
And Bible study?
Are you learning to learn?. . .
Don’t make the mistake of the little boy.
Don’t stay too close to where you got in.
It’s risky resting on the edge.
When God Whispers Your Name – Max Lucado

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,
let us go on unto perfection;
not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works,
and of faith toward God,   Hebrews 6:1

Trust God for your day. . .Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on July 5, 2012 at 10:26 am  Leave a Comment  
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Yarn Along – Knitting at Monterey, CA

Happy July 4th to all.
We are blessed with freedom to choose.
I choose to knit.

WendyKnits’ Summer Solstice KAL started well:

then my daughters and I went to Monterey, CA for the weekend.

Emily, Margaret, Leslie (mom) and Mary

Knitting was still accomplished.



I am loving this shawl, Muted Jazz. The yarn is so soft and smooshy.

So after that brief vacation, Summer Solstice was the #1 knitting pleasure.

I have just two more rows of Clue B to do. Clue C came Tuesday so I am almost ready. One knitter added more beads to Clue C – it was a really nice touch, I have lots of beads.

Just finished listening to “Look Again” by Lisa Scottoline. I really enjoyed the story line of real mother’s love. It reminded me of the story in the Bible of Solomon and the two mothers. 1 Kings 3:16-28.

Joining Tami and Ginny:

    

Published in: on July 4, 2012 at 1:16 pm  Comments (6)  
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July 4th, Today’s thought — Choices

Coneflowers

I Hear America Singing

ByWalt Whitman

I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,
Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,
The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands,
The wood-cutter’s song, the ploughboy’s on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,
The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,
The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.

America, where each one can choose and have joy in the choosing.

Build ye houses, and dwell in them;
and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;
Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters;
and take wives for your sons,
and give your daughters to husbands,
that they may bear sons and daughters;
that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.
And seek the peace of the city
whither I have caused you to be carried away captives,
and pray unto the LORD for it:
for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
Jeremiah 29:5-7

Trust God for your day. . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on July 4, 2012 at 11:50 am  Leave a Comment  

July 3, Today’s thought — God’s Opportunity

Moon rise over Cozy Acres about 8:15pm last night.

Good Morning

Let patience have her perfect work,
that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing   James 1:4

There are times of testing for everyone.
When there are, Wait!
Use all the forces of faith and put patience into practice.
God’s timing is never late.
Deliverance is at hand!
For He “standeth in the shadows keeping watch above His own.”
In living the life of faith we come to learn
that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts nor His ways are ways.
Great pressure means great power
in both the physical and spiritual realm.
Some circumstances may bring us into difficult times.
But these need not spell discouragement
for “our times are in His hands.”
If we trust in the Lord and wait patiently for Him to perform,
that simply provides the opportunity
for Him to display His almighty power.
. . .
“Wait”
Remember His marvelous works that He has done: His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth Psalm 105:5

Trust God for your day…Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on July 3, 2012 at 11:50 am  Leave a Comment  

July 2, Today’s thought — Hope

‘His eye is on the sparrow (bee) and I know He watches me.”
Monterey, 6/2012

Good Morning

Why are thou cast down, O my soul?
and why art thou disquieted within me?
hope thou in God:
for I will yet praise him.
Psalm 42:5

Hope–what a precious word!
David;s question to himself is answered by a “Hope thou!”
How often have the Lord’s dear children turned to the Psalms when perplexed and heavily laden and found just the right word to give strength, heartease and encouragement!
The wonderful apostle of faith, George Mueller, has left this testimony:

“There is never a time when we may not hope in God!
Whatever the necessities,
however great our difficulties,
and through to all appearances help is impossible,
yet our business is to hope in God,
and it will be found that it is not in vain.”

…and he shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you and forever John 14:16

Trust God for your day. . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on July 2, 2012 at 11:29 am  Leave a Comment  

July 1, Sunday Bible Reading Psalms 119:17-24

I thought the frost killed this spider, but I was wrong. And I’m glad.

Good Morning

Psalm 119:17-24

Deal bountifully with thy servant,
that I may live,
and keep thy word.
Open thou mine eyes,
that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
I am a stranger in the earth:
hide not thy commandments from me.
My soul breaketh for the longing
that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed,
which do err from thy commandments.
Remove from me reproach and contempt;
for I have kept thy testimonies.
Princes also did sit and speak against me:
but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.

Trust God for your Day . . .Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on July 1, 2012 at 6:00 am  Leave a Comment  

June 30, Today’s Thought — Just When I Need Him Most

The Hydrangeas love this shady spot.

“God is our refuge and our strength; a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1).

If you had your choice, which would you pick:
1) to have God’s presence with you,
or 2) to have God’s presence really, really with you?
If your smart, you’ll choose number two.
But, you must realize that by making that choice,
you are accepting the fact that there’s gonna be trouble.
God is with us always,
but He is really, really with us in trouble.
Trouble?
What exactly are we talking about here?
The Hebrew word means tightness.
The kind that is caused by adversity, anguish, distress, or tribulation. It refers to a situation or a time of extreme discomfort, any affliction which comes for many different reasons.
God delivers His people from this condition.

“God is our refuge and our strength;
a very present help in trouble.”
It was this verse that led a tried and harried former Augustinian monk named Martin Luther to pen his famous Reformation hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Its message is timeless and its encouragement unceasing.

Jacob built an altar at Bethel to “the God Who answered me in the day of my distress and was with me wherever I went.” (Gen.35:3).

Job’s friend, Eliphaz, assured him that “from one disaster after another He delivers you; no matter what the calamity, the evil can’t touch you” (Job 5:19).

David tells us that God is “a sanctuary during bad times” (Psalm 9:9).

“Just when I need Him, Jesus is near,
just when I falter, just when I fear;
ready to help me, ready to cheer,
just when I need Him most.
Just when I need Him, Jesus is true,
never forsaking, all the way through;
giving for burdens pleasures anew, j
ust when I need Him most.
“Just when I need Him, Jesus is strong,
bearing my burdens all the day long;
for all my sorrow giving a song,
just when I need Him most.
Just when I need Him, He is my all,
answering when upon Him I call;
tenderly watching lest I should fall,
just when I need Him most.”
(William C. Poole, 1907).

Jesus is there for you — just when you need Him most. Rylie

Trust God for your day. . .Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on June 30, 2012 at 5:57 am  Leave a Comment  

the Farmer says “How does your garden grow?”

Yummmmmmmmm! Yummmmmmmmm!
the Farmer picked more tomatoes than he wanted to eat in the garden,
so I got a few.

Published in: on June 29, 2012 at 11:35 am  Leave a Comment  

In The Garden with the Farmer

Filling one bucket at a time,
the Farmer said ” We don’t have to buy any more squash or cucumbers.”

Published in: on June 29, 2012 at 11:17 am  Comments (2)  

View From My Chair – June 29,12

I’m at the best place I could be.

Published in: on June 29, 2012 at 11:12 am  Leave a Comment  
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