Bloom Where You Are Planted

dec8 clif's 005Oak tree growing where the Master Gardener
planted the acorn in my brother’s backyard.

 

“I am writing to the exiles scattered to the four winds.
Not one is missing, not one forgotten.” 1Peter 1:1, The Message

In this Scripture we have a new point of view
set forth for our consideration.
From one point of view we see a national disaster —
for hundreds of thousands of citizens have been uprooted
from their homes by an occupying army,
and driven like cattle into the highways and byways;
scattered to the four winds,
and now known only as exiles.

That’s a rather bleak picture.

But from another point of view
we see something altogether glorious.
The word for scattered in the Greek New Testament
actually means “to be sown as seed.”
In other words, while they may be viewed by man
as exiles from their country;
they were seen by God as seeds planted in new fields of glory.

If we would learn to always see our shifting circumstances
from God’s point of view,
we would not be caught up in the shift
and drift of a culture that stirs up strife
and debate over things that inconvenience us.
Rather, we would live as thankful people,
praising God for His faithfulness in all things at all times —
and we would bloom where we are planted.

God knows who you are,
where you are,
and what His plans for you are.

If you will but humbly acknowledge that He is in control,
a shift will occur in your heart and in your outlook —
sunshine will break through the dark clouds,
and your life will sprout with new purpose and great effectiveness.

You will bloom where you are planted —
and may thus discover that God has in fact brought you
to where you have always wanted to be!

Published in: on May 17, 2016 at 11:32 am  Leave a Comment  
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Just a Closer Walk with Thee

Do you want a  ‘Closer Walk with Jesus’?
Meet Him in the morning.

july 7

 

1 I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Refrain:
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

2 Thro’ this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee. [Refrain]

3 When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore. [Refrain]

Psalm 63:1-2
A Psalm of David,
when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
O God, thou art my God;
early will I seek thee:
my soul thirsteth for thee,
my flesh longeth for thee
in a dry and thirsty land,
where no water is;
To see thy power and thy glory,
so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

 

Published in: on May 16, 2016 at 3:32 pm  Leave a Comment  
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May 15, Sunday Bible Reading

482012 001
Proverbs 3:1-14

The Rewards of Wisdom

My son, do not forget my [a]teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;

For length of days and years of life [worth living]
And tranquility and prosperity [the wholeness of life’s blessings]
they will add to you.

Do not let mercy and kindness and truth leave you
[instead let these qualities define you];
Bind them [securely] around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.

So find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.

Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart
And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

[b]In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him,
And He will make your paths straight and smooth
[removing obstacles that block your way].

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord [with reverent awe and obedience]
and turn [entirely] away from evil.

It will be health to your body
[your marrow, your nerves, your sinews, your muscles—all your inner parts]
And refreshment (physical well-being) to your bones.

Honor the Lord with your wealth
And with the first fruits of all your crops (income);

Then your barns will be abundantly filled
And your vats will overflow with new wine.

My son, do not reject or take lightly the discipline of the Lord
[learn from your mistakes and the testing
that comes from His correction through discipline];
Nor despise His rebuke,

For those whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

Happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired]
is the man who finds [skillful and godly] wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding and insight
[learning from God’s word and life’s experiences],

For wisdom’s profit is better than the profit of silver,
And her gain is better than fine gold.

from the Amplified Bible

Published in: on May 15, 2016 at 8:28 pm  Comments (1)  
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Endeavor to be Patient

octoner 21 chickens stampede 004
Thankful for the gift of fresh range-free eggs.

This morning I read these thoughts.
How they spoke to my sometimes over critical heart.

And what doth the Lord require of thee,
but to do justly,
and to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with thy God?
–Micah 6:8.

Endeavor to be patient in bearing with the defects and infirmities of others,
of what sort soever they be;
for that thyself also hast many failings which must be borne with by others.
If thou canst not make thyself such an one as thou wouldest,
how canst thou expect to have another in all things to thy liking?
THOMAS À KEMPIS

Put on therefore… kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering.
–Colossians 3:12

Published in: on May 14, 2016 at 5:26 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Yarn Along – New Beginnings

 

Yarn Along
~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading and I love sharing my projects and current reads here.~
This is how Lisa begins her blog, Small Things, on Wednesdays.

Many of the wonderful items, knitted or crocheted,
I see get added to my someday list.
Books and authors, new to me, peak my interest.

I haven’t knitted since I can’t remember.

In my wanderings yesterday I visited
a favorite yarn shop in downtown Sacramento,CA.
A little voice whispered in my ear,
Look at those!
I looked.
I fondled.
I asked for a pattern for toddler sox.
(Even though I knew I had a pattern at home.)
I walked out with a little seed planted in my heart.

Maybe I’m waking up again.

kimera Pattern – Jeannee, Plymouth Yarn
Yarn – kimera, Adriafil

 I’m  reading  ‘The Masterpiece’ book 2 of Alcott Legacy series, Maryann Minatra.
I’m listening to ‘The Prodigal’ book 4 of Abram’s Daughters series, Beverly Lewis.

Linking to Yarn Along with Lisa

Published in: on May 13, 2016 at 11:37 am  Comments (1)  
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Hello

Remember me?

I feel as though I have been living in a cave for  . . .

I’m being to peer out . . .

It’s bright out there . . .

outside

I’ve missed the light.

 

Thanks, Mom, for praying.let

 

 

Published in: on May 13, 2016 at 11:37 am  Leave a Comment  
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