Today’s thought – Only a Cup of Water?

july 24 flowers 009Zinnias are happy flowers.

Good Morning

Matthew 10:42
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

What am I to do?
I expect to pass through this world but once.
Any good work, therefore,
any kindness or any service
I can render to any soul of man or animal,
let me do it now.
Let me not neglect or defer it,
for I shall not pass this way again.
~~An Old Quaker Saying.

It isn’t the thing you do, dear,
It’s the thing you leave undone,
Which gives you the bitter heartache
At the setting of the sun;
The tender word unspoken,
The letter you did not write,
The flower you might have sent, dear,
Are your haunting ghosts at night.

The stone you might have lifted
Out of your brother’s way,
The bit of heartsome counsel
You were hurried too much to say;
The loving touch of the hand, dear
The gentle and winsome tone,
That you had no time or thought for
With troubles enough of your own.

These little acts of kindness,
So easily out of mind,
These chances to be angels,
Which even mortals find–
They come in night and silence,
Each chill reproachful wraith,
When hope is faint and flagging,
And a blight has dropped on faith.

For life is all too short, dear,
And sorrow is all too great,
To suffer our sallow compassion
That tarries until to late.
And it’s not the thing you do, dear,
It’s the thing you leave undone,
Which gives you the bitter heartache,,
At the setting of the sun.
~~Adelaide Procter.

John 9:4
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

While it is day. . .
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on July 29, 2014 at 11:11 am  Leave a Comment  
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Today’s thought – Windows of Heaven

july 24 flowers 011 Tis the season of Zinnias!

Good Morning

Malachi 3:10
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

What is God saying here but this:
“My child, I still have windows in Heaven.
They are yet in service.
The bolts slide as easily as of old.
The hinges have not grown rusty.
I would rather fling them open and pour forth,
than keep them shut and hold back.
I opened them for Moses, and the sea parted.
I opened them for Joshua, and Jordan rolled back.
I opened them for Gideon, and hosts fled.
I will open them for you–if you will only let me.
On this side of the windows,
Heaven is the same rich storehouse as of old.
The fountains and streams still overflow.
The treasure rooms are still bursting with gifts.
The lack is not on MY side.
It is on yours.
I am waiting.
Prove Me now.
Fulfill the conditions on your part.
Bring in the tithes.
Give Me a chance.
~~~Selected.

Taste and see that the Lord is good . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on July 25, 2014 at 11:27 am  Leave a Comment  
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Today’s thought – A Man Called Peter

june27 pink 001I really like these cushion zinnias.

Good Morning

Matthew 4:19
“Follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you a fisher of men”

This is how Simon Peter’s journey with Jesus began — he was given a vision of being something other than what he was. It is also how our journeys begin. Christ saw him not simply as he was, but as he would be. And Jesus committed Himself to making Peter everything he had the potential of becoming. But Peter had to answer the call. And so do you.
Peter could have said no. He could have stayed with the nets and the boat and the fish, and followed in the traditions of his father. He could have remained in Capernaum, his home town, and lived out his days in anonymous mediocrity. And so can you.
But Peter said yes! And as a result, he not only walked on water—he walked into history! He became a cherished hero to millions of Christ-followers throughout history, who see in Peter so much of themselves.
Jesus gave him vision, and this produced a passion that marked Peter throughout his life. His eagerness to impress Jesus, his moodiness when rebuked, his crazy zeal in vowing to be faithful when others fell away — all these and more stem from his deep, abiding passion for Christ.
The Lord added to Peter’s vision and passion the necessary ingredient of discipline — otherwise Peter would not have gone the distance. He responded to the process of being disciplined, and was therefore not only willing, but able, to take remarkable risks as a faithful follower of Jesus. Vision, passion, discipline and risk. That’s how Peter did it.   ~~ Rylie

Follow Jesus . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on July 1, 2014 at 4:35 am  Leave a Comment  
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June 28, Today’s thought — Promises

Zinnia

Good Morning

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:26-28

We tend to pray with words
because we aren’t brave enough
to pray from our groaning soul ache.
And so we chatter away with our Dear God, just…
and we miss him in the middle of
all.
this.
noise.
He’s still there, though.
He doesn’t roll his eyes
or cross his arms
or tap his foot with impatience.
He hears all the chattering
and he sees what lies beneath it.
Even in the noise,
He gathers us up
and pours Himself out.
Emily at chatting at the sky

So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance. And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit [what His intent is], because the Spirit intercedes and pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God’s will. We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:26-28 Amplified Bible

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

Published in: on June 28, 2012 at 6:47 am  Leave a Comment  

Remembering

‘Shabby Chic’ zinnias from volunteer plants from last year.

Psalms 105:5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

Remembering about my first encounter with Christ?
The first time Jesus spoke to my heart I was about 6 years old in a service at the camp meeting in Hanford, CA.

Remembering the first Sunday School song? T
he first one I remember is The Wise Man Built his House upon a Rock.

Remembering a lesson from Sunday School?
One lesson that has always stuck with me is based on Ezekiel 33:13-20; if you are saved and sin – all the good you did  doesn’t mean anything because of the sin, and if you sin and ask forgiveness –all the wickedness is forgotten because the mercy of God. You can’t expect a pile of good to balance out sin.. nor will a pile of sin be more than the forgiving power of God.

Remembering a verse from the Bible?
Matthew 6:22-23 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
The part of the verse ‘if the light be dark how great is the darkness’ if someone has seen the precious light of God and turns away, that light becomes darkness and like being in the light and turning off the lights at night the difference between the light and dark is so great.

Remembrances are the foundation blocks of the building of our faith in God.

Psalm 77:11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.

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

Lord, help us always remember your goodness and blessings to us.

Published in: on June 9, 2012 at 11:30 am  Leave a Comment  

May 31 — Today’s thought –He knew not

Zinnias are starting to bloom!

Good Morning

Hebrews 11:1, 8 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Whither he went, he knew not; it was enough for him to know that he went with God. He leant not so much upon the promises as upon the Promiser. He looked not on the difficulties of his lot, but on the King, eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, who deigned to appoint his course, and would certainly vindicate Himself.
O glorious Faith!
This is thy work, these are thy possibilities; contentment to sail with sealed orders, because of the unwavering confidence in the wisdom of the Lord High Admiral; willinghood to rise up,leave all, and follow Christ , because of the glad assurance that earth’s best cannot bear comparison with Heaven’s least. –F.B. M.

Hebrews 11:8-10 [Urged on] by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go. [Prompted] by faith he dwelt as a temporary resident in the land which was designated in the promise [of God, though he was like a stranger] in a strange country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs with him of the same promise. For he was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God. Amplified Bible

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

Published in: on May 31, 2012 at 8:23 am  Leave a Comment  

{this moment}

I’m joining this ‘new’ to me photo blog

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.


See more ‘moments’ here:

http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2011/10/this-moment-3.html

Published in: on October 29, 2011 at 7:51 pm  Comments (1)  

One Thousand Gifts and a Scripture –7

Today I’m adding to my list of One Thousand Gifts:

61.  Young ones learning and helping plant corn.

62. Zinnias, such happy flowers

63. and Sunflowers, one of my favorites

64. wind dried sheets

65. Bobo and his Lady, watching them make me smile

66. black tree silhouettes

67. Evidence of many hours, the Farmer works in the garden and around Cozy Acres

68. Nothing like fresh tomatoes, all I want

69. Memories

70. A peaceful place to visit, won’t you come?

The Scripture I read this morning:

  Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters,
and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress;
so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God,
until that he have mercy upon us. Psalms  123:1-2

When you don’t get what you want…

“Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want.”  the Farmer.

Many times over many years our family has heard the Farmer repeat this statement.  And today it was said again.

This spring the Farmer started planning and planting the garden. He started seeds in little pots. He planted many plants on his hands and knees. He put in the drip system lines, so vegetables would be watered and not weeds.

This spring the Farmer was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer, stage 3, 8-9 out of 10 on the Gleason scale.  ” The doctor says I have this thing wrong with me but I don’t feel anything” said the Farmer.  The  Farmer under went a biopsy, CT scans and   a MRI. He  took oral hormones as a first step in treatment. He received a hormone shot as the second step.  Calypso beads were inserted in the prostate gland to be able to line up the radiation correctly. A body form was made to insure being very still during radiation.

Yesterday was picking day, the Farmer got up early to start picking while it was still somewhat cool. He had to stop to make a 10:30,  Dr’s. appointment.  The radiation schedule was set, Monday through Friday at 2:00pm, for 8-9 weeks, starting September 7th.

Yesterday I heard,  ” I’m bummed.” quietly and solidly. He didn’t finish picking the garden.

The Farmer has never voiced discouragement. It didn’t matter what happened, good times, happy times, hard times, loss times, pick up and start again times, thankful times…there was always a sureness that we would make it through.

Has the Farmer lost his faith? NO!    Does He doubt God’s plan? NO!   Is He human?  Oh, Yes!  Is He grieving, yes.  Will He come through this battle with victory and praise, YES!  Not just because He is the Farmer, but because He is God’s Farmer!

Today I heard  as he smiled, “Well, this wasn’t what I wanted to experience,” as he stepped off the deck , walked back out to the garden to finish the picking.

The Farmer plants flowers for me and I love him.

Published in: on August 11, 2011 at 4:28 pm  Comments (13)