FAITH FRIDAY -- ITS THAT TIME AGAIN

It is time to start working on Bible study for our Friday morning class. We always take the summer off because of vacation schedules, and because we really do need a break.

We will start again some time after Labor Day weekend so it is time for this 'teacher' to get the first lesson ready. I have worked on it for two afternoons this week and still don't have the first lesson finished.

We have been doing a study of the book of Daniel, and finished chapter 6 before our break. Chapter 7 starts to be more difficult to understand because of all the prophetic visions that are in 'code'. Say some prayers for me!

In chapter 6 we find the story of Daniel in the lion's den. This may be familiar to many of you from Sunday School lessons. Recently I ran across a short devotion about this, written by Jennifer Benson Schuldt. At the bottom of the page she writes:

FAITHFULNESS TO GOD INSPIRES OTHERS.

May Daniel's faithfulness inspire you when you feel like you are dealing with the 'lions' in your life.

LIVING WITH LIONS

Read Daniel 6:19-28.

When I visited a museum in Chicago, I saw one of the original Striding Lions of Babylon. It was a large mural-type image of a winged lion with a ferocious expression. Symbolizing Ishtar, the Babylonian goddess of love and war, the lion was an example of 120 similar lions that would have lined a Babylonian pathway during the years of 605-562 BC.

Historians say that after the Babylonians defeated Jerusalem, the Hebrew captives would have seen these lions during their time in Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom. Historians also say it's likely that some of the Israelites would have believed Ishtar had defeated the God of Israel.

Daniel, one of the Hebrew captives, did not share the doubts that might have troubled some of his fellow Israelites. His view of God and his commitment to God stayed steady. He prayed three times a day -- with his windows open -- even when he knew it would mean entering a den of lions. After God rescued Daniel from the hungry animals, King Darius said, "[Daniel's God] is the living God and he endures forever. . . He rescues and he saves"  (Dan. 6:26-27). Daniel's faithfulness allowed him to influence Babylonian leaders.

Staying faithful to God despite pressure and discouragement can inspire other people to give Him glory.

It seems what you see in these pictures are the ones found in Babylon, and were seen by everyone that passed by, including Daniel. I had not heard about these before reading this devotion, so I did a search to find a picture. There is more information about them online if you would like to do a search.

FAITH FRIDAY - THE THRESHING FLOOR

It has been quite awhile since I did a FAITH FRIDAY post. I have been saving some, so it is time to get back to this.

I listen to several ministers on TV, and one of them is Ron Carpenter. One week he talked about Ruth and Boaz, and how Boaz slept on the threshing floor. A threshing floor is where wheat is tossed into the air so that the wind blows the chaff away. The wheat kernels are heavier than the chaff, so they fall to the floor.

When harvesting anything there is always a part that is kept and a part that is thrown away.

Jesus lives on the threshing floor. He throws US up in the air. The Holy Spirit is the wind that removes what we don't need, so that eventually only what is good remains in us.

FAITH FRIDAY - (a day early)

When I scheduled this I realized Friday is July 4, and the beginning of a long weekend, so lets read the Good News before the celebrations.

Here is the Good News in Isaiah 43! 

In chapter 42 that we looked at last week, where the Israelites were 'chewed out' because they didn't listen, now they are being told, "Never fear, I am here."

Israel’s Only Savior

1But now, this is what the Lord says—

he who created you, Jacob, (Lorita)

he who formed you, Israel: (Lorita)

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; (Lorita)

I have summoned you by name (Lorita); you are mine.

2When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

3For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

I give Egypt for your ransom,

Cush^a and Seba in your stead.

4Since you are precious and honored in my sight,

and because I love you,

I will give people in exchange for you,

nations in exchange for your life.

5Do not be afraid, for I am with you;

I will bring your children from the east

and gather you from the west.

6I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’

and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’

Bring my sons from afar

and my daughters from the ends of the earth—

7everyone who is called by my name,

whom I created for my glory,

whom I formed and made.”

8Lead out those who have eyes but are blind,

who have ears but are deaf.

9All the nations gather together

and the peoples assemble.

Which of their gods foretold this

and proclaimed to us the former things?

Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right,

so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”

10“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,

“and my servant whom I have chosen,

so that you may know and believe me

and understand that I am he.

Before me no god was formed,

nor will there be one after me.

11I, even I, am the Lord,

and apart from me there is no savior.

12I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—

I, and not some foreign god among you.

You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.

13Yes, and from ancient days I am he.

No one can deliver out of my hand.

When I act, who can reverse it?”

________________________________________________________________

You probably noticed in the beginning verses I crossed out some names and put mine in place of them. Try reading this and putting your own name in place of the other names, and claim it!

God tells us, 

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

Do not be afraid, for I am with you;

And again -

I will be with you.

God calls us precious and honored in His sight, and that He loves us. He calls us His sons and daughters, and He is the best father we could ever hope for. Human fathers can let us down, but God never will.

Continue to read the rest of the chapter. Look at what He says in verse 18 -

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past." 

Isaiah is speaking to Israel, but apply these words to your own life in today's world. Don't read the Bible just to say you have read it. Take in those words and digest them, and see what they are saying to you.

FAITH FRIDAY

Some time ago I opened my Bible and it opened to  Isaiah 42. As I read, it really spoke to me. Here is the Scripture and my thoughts on it will follow.

Israel Blind and Deaf

18“Hear, you deaf;

look, you blind, and see!

19Who is blind but my servant,

and deaf like the messenger I send?

Who is blind like the one in covenant with me,

blind like the servant of the Lord?

20You have seen many things, but you pay no attention;

your ears are open, but you do not listen.”

21It pleased the Lord

for the sake of his righteousness

to make his law great and glorious.

22But this is a people plundered and looted,

all of them trapped in pits

or hidden away in prisons.

They have become plunder,

with no one to rescue them;

they have been made loot,

with no one to say, “Send them back.”

23Which of you will listen to this

or pay close attention in time to come?

24Who handed Jacob over to become loot,

and Israel to the plunderers?

Was it not the Lord,

against whom we have sinned?

For they would not follow his ways;

they did not obey his law.

25So he poured out on them his burning anger,

the violence of war.

It enveloped them in flames, yet they did not understand;

it consumed them, but they did not take it to heart.

---

This is God speaking to the Israelites. But as I read it I was thinking that we Christians today are no different than the Israelites were then. We have been just as deaf and blind to what God has shown us and to what He tells us in His Word. We, as Christians, are not listening to what He is telling us today, nor seeing what God is doing today. Why?: 

Many believe that God isn't speaking to us anymore, because we have not received anything new from Him. He doesn't need to tell us anything new! He has already told us all we need to know to be a part of His family - the Royal Family. Do you ever think of yourself as royalty? If you believe in Jesus, then you are a member of the royal family. God tells us in His Word that we are but it is hard for us in America to understand that concept. I picture it this way - look at the royal family of England. They have the queen at the top. There is no one any higher than her. Then there are princes, princesses, dukes and duchesses, nobles, viscounts, and other titles. Do they all rule? No. But they are part of the royal family, either by bloodline or marry into it. When the Bible says we will rule with Christ, He is still at the top and He has the last word. But we each have our position as part of the ruling family, and we each have our job to do.

Going back to Isaiah 42, This is a warning to us. Pay attention! Listen! Hear what God is telling you, and obey Him when He tells you what He wants you to do or not do. How do you know what He is saying? Read Jesus' words in the New Testament, and the words of the Apostles in their letters to churches. It will say very plainly how we are to live as Christians. What's that you say? "But I can't do it all, I will fail." Yes, you CAN do it. God and the Holy Spirit have given you the ability to do it. Yes, you will fail at times, but God gives us His grace to move on and try again. God just asks that we tell Him we know we made a mistake and that we are sorry and will try not to do it again, and mean it.

Read what Isaiah continues to say here. Those that did not listen came upon some really hard times. God had warned them but they didn't listen,. Our lives can be better if we just listen to Him. Will there be some tough things to go through, even though we do our best to obey? Yes. But God will not leave us.

There is good news next week!

FAITH AND PRAYER

About two years ago my sister-in-law shared a prayer she wrote based on the Lord's Prayer, which is found in Matthew 6:9-13. She had recently done a study on that prayer, and then wrote this prayer thinking of what it means to our lives today. She used related scriptures and her own words. I asked her if she minded if I put it here on my blog and shared with all of you, and she agreed to that. So here it is. We both hope you will be blessed by it.

Prayer patterned after The Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father who art in heaven…You are OUR Father.  You are our Source of Life.    You are our provider and you love us deeply with an everlasting love.  You see from heaven and know our every need.  You hear from heaven and are attentive to our prayers. Yet you live in us as well through your Holy Spirit.

O Father, hallowed be your name…You are the Great I Am.  You are everything that we need.  Your name is awesome and majestic in all the earth.  We worship you.  We praise your name.   We pray that all peoples on earth may recognize your holiness and greatness.

May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  We would pray that you may rule in our hearts and that our lives may more and more be patterned after that of Your Son, Jesus, so that others may see our good works and give glory to your name.    Oh Father, we seek to do your will each day.  Make us more loving, giving, and serving.  May we be more concerned with the needs of others than we are with our own needs.

We look to you to give us this day our daily bread.   Father, we recognize that you are the Source of every good and perfect gift and you provide for our daily needs.  Help us not to be focused on our wants.     Make us mindful daily that Jesus is the Bread of Life and that you have provided for our spiritual needs as well as our physical needs.  You are our Shepherd…You lead us in green pastures.

And Father, please forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.  This is hard.   We want to be forgiven, but have such a hard time forgiving those who have wronged us.  Help us to be merciful just as you have shown us mercy.

Lead us in the paths of righteousness for your name’s sake.  Keep us focused on you and your will, so that we may not be led astray.  Please protect us from all evil.

We praise you for who you are.  You are our King and you reign with Power and Glory forever!   Amen!

THAT'S MY STORY AND I'M STICKING TO IT

Everybody has a story. Many years ago, if I had been asked to tell my story, I would say that I didn't have one. There was nothing out of the ordinary in my life, or so I thought. Or I wasn't willing to tell my story when my marriage was in big trouble. I didn't want anyone to know what was happening behind closed doors. I pretended my life was good. I didn't want anyone to know that my husband had had an affair and was going to leave us. We all have secrets. Now, as you can probably tell, I am an open book. I have shown you some of my dirty secrets here. I mean real dirt. You saw my cluttered pantry. Then I showed you my clean and organized pantry. And now it needs to be done again, as well as all my other closets.

On one of Joyce Meyers programs she talked about when we have tough life problems and how we handle them. And we all have times like that. She told a story of parents with a lovely little boy who was so delightful and smart and showed videos of his story. Then he became sick with a genetic disease that destroys the nerves of the central nervous system. It was devastating. He soon lost his ability to walk well, and then couldn't walk at all. Later he lost his eyesight. I don't remember the age of the boy, but he was little. I would say he was between 3 and 5 years old. How frightening that had to be for him. It was tough. And it was hard on his parents.

As I was thinking about things Joyce had said, I thought about my story. I decided that I must have been meant to be alone.

First, I am an only child. Yes, I did have my parents, and childhood friends, but that is not the same as having siblings. Life is very different as an only child, some good, some not so good.

Then I got married when I was still 18, and had 3 babies within 5 years. Now I am no longer alone, but whew! I sure didn't know how to deal with kids and the problems they bring to the mix.

And then my parents died when I was 24 and 28 years old. And I have three kids that I need advice about bringing them up. No parents, no grandparents, no siblings to ask what I should do. And my husband was no help either. I had friends but not the kind I could ask those kinds of questions. Alone. And I tried to handle it all. . alone. I didn't do a great job, but I could only do what I knew at the time, and that wasn't much. Where was Dr. Phil when I really needed him? (or the internet)

Alone. A husband that was there physically, but not emotionally. A husband who decided to give his love and time to another woman for a time. Another huge problem that I had to deal with alone. No parents or siblings to take my problems to, and I sure wasn't going to go to my husband's mother or sister.

The marriage died and we separated after 25 years. The kids were now out of school and working jobs. Alone. I finally found a full time job, and after 2 years I was in danger of losing that job, not because of anything I did wrong, but what would I do if I didn't have a job so I could afford rent, etc.? No one I could go to for help. Alone.

Then I met a man who became my husband and we eventually married. No longer alone. Oh, but after 15 years he died of pancreatic cancer. Alone. His daughter and family no longer kept in contact once he was gone and the estate settled. Alone.

My kids are scattered all over the country - Wisconsin, Virginia, Seattle, and the closest at Omaha is 160 miles away. I don't see them very often, and they aren't here when I need help. Alone. I seem to be destined to be alone.

But since I was an only child, I learned to entertain myself. I developed several hobbies. Actually too many hobbies! I like to read books and watch television. And now that I have a computer, I can reach out and contact many people that I had lost contact with, both friends and family. I have made new friends online and that is wonderful. But I am still alone. Do I mind being alone? Sort of, but not really.

And I am not really alone. God is here. He is with me all the time. He has taken care of me. I see that as I look back on my life. He has guided me even when I didn't ask for guidance. He has a plan for me and He has worked out my life to get me to where He wants me. It hasn't always been pleasant. It hasn't been easy. But now I can see why things happened to get me to this place. I have no doubt why I am at this place.

I was always concerned if I would have enough money to live if I was alone and unable to work. But God has taken care of me in every way. He has seen to it that I have had enough money to survive. He has even seen to it that I received sums of money from unexpected places and people. He saw to it that there was the perfect house available for rent just at the time I was forced to move, and at lower rent than any other place available in town. People in my church have helped in so many ways. Many men and women saw to it that I got moved which was amazing! There has always been someone ready to help when I asked, and some have even helped out in answer to a prayer that I had not even uttered yet! Yes, God takes care of His people. Don't ever doubt it.

That's my story, and I am sticking to it!

"Not All Empty"

You know about good intentions, don't you? I had the intention of writing this yesterday . . . . but here we are, a day later. And maybe there was a reason for it, since this is about a devotion I read, and I usually post things about faith of Faith Friday. So what is today? Friday.

I was reading a daily devotional for December 18 in the current "Our Daily Bread". It was meaningful to me, especially at this time of year when many of us might struggle with being alone for Christmas. My family all live a distance away and it rarely works out that they are able to be here for holidays. I am okay with that since I am a bit of a loner, but it is still always nice to have your family around at this time of year. We all dream of having the 'perfect' Christmas, but that rarely happens in real life, just in movies and pictures.

This devotion shows how profound children are. We need to listen (and really 'hear') to what they say. Here is the devotion based on Psalm 107:9:

Our granddaughter Julia spent the summer working in an orphanage in Busia, Uganda. On the final day of her internship, she went to the children to tell each one goodbye. One little girl named Sumaya was very sad and said to her, "Tomorrow you leave us, and next week the other aunties (interns) leave."

When Julia agreed that she was indeed leaving, Sumaya thought for a minute and exclaimed, "But we will be all empty. None of you will be left!" Again, Julia agreed. The little girl thought a few moments and replied: "But God will be with us, so we won't be all empty."

If we are honest with ourselves, we know that "all empty" feeling. It is an emptiness that friendship, love, sex, money, power, popularity, or success can never assuage -- a longing for something indefinable, something incalculably precious but lost. Every good thing can remind, beckon, and awaken in us a greater desire for that elusive "something more." The closest we get is a hint, an echo in a face, a painting, a scene . . . And then it is gone. "Our best havings are wantings," said C. S. Lewis.

We were made for God, and in the end, nothing less will satisfy us. Without Him, we are all empty. He alone fills the hungry with good things (Ps. 107:9)  -- by David Roper

"He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness." -- Psalm 107:9

Prayer -- Dear Lord, fill me with Your goodness and love. I desire nothing in heaven and earth but You. Without You, I have nothing. Thank You for the abiding satisfaction that we can find in You.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself because it is not there.   --- C. S. Lewis

Christmas is more than Santa Claus and presents, Christmas trees, lights and tinsel, candy canes and sugar cookies. There would never have been a Christmas at all if it weren't for the greatest gift of all -- the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. If Christ isn't in Christmas, the holiday that bears His name, then there is no Christmas.

Faith Friday - Shrek the sheep

FAITH FRIDAY

Here is something that is making the rounds on Facebook, and probably forwarded in emails. I think this has a great message.

This is Shrek the sheep. He became famous

 several years ago when he was found after 

hiding out in caves for six years. Of course, 

during this time his fleece grew without anyone

 there to shorn (shave) it. When he was finally

 found and shaved, his fleece weighed an

 amazing sixty pounds. Most sheep have a

 fleece weighing just under ten pounds, with

 the exception usually reaching fifteen pound

s,

 maximum. For six years, Shrek carried six times

 the regular weight of his fleece. Simply

 because he was away from his shepherd.

This reminds me of John 10 when Jesus

 compares Himself to a shepherd, and His

 followers are His sheep. Maybe it’s a stretch,

 but I think Shrek is much like a person who

 knows Jesus Christ but has wandered. If we

 avoid Christ’s constant refining of our

 character, we’re going to accumulate extra

 weight in this world—a weight we don’t have to

 bear.

When Shrek was found, a professional sheep

 shearer took care of Shrek’s fleece in twenty-

eight minutes. Shrek’s sixty pound fleece was

 finally removed. All it took was coming home to

 his shepherd.

I believe Christ can lift the burdens we carry, if

 only we stop hiding. He can shave off our

 ‘fleece’—that is, our self-imposed burdens

 brought about by wandering from our Good

 Shepherd.

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and

 burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My

 yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am

 gentle and humble in heart, and you will find

 rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my

 burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

This is perfect

Faithful Friday - Something to Think About - part 2

Faithful Friday

 

More One-liners

 

Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.

 

Don't put a question mark where God put a period.

 

Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.

 

Forbidden fruits create many jams.

 

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

 

God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts!"

 

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

 

He who angers you, controls you!

 

If God is your Copilot - swap seats!

 

Prayer: Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!

 

The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

 

The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.

 

We don't change the message, the message changes us.

 

You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to ---- discourage him.

 

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen:

1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

 

Father, bless the person reading this in whatever it is that You know they need.

Faithful Friday - Something to Think About

Faithful Friday

 

Christian One-liners

 

Don't let our worries get the best of you, remember, Moses started out as a basket case.

 

Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited - until you try to sit in their pews.

 

Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers.

 

It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.

 

The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.

 

When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.

 

People are funny, they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.

 

Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.

 

Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.

 

If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.

 

God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?

 

Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

 

Peace starts with a smile.

 

I don't know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from?

 

A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just sitting on the premises.

 

We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.

 

Be ye fishers of men. You catch them - He'll clean them.

Faith Friday

FAITH FRIDAY

 

 

I just saw the movie "The Book of Eli" on TV.

I know, it is has been around awhile, but I don't go to the theaters.

 

 

 

I don't even watch many movies on TV anymore. I don't care for all the violence, focus on lots of blood and guts, and foul language. Unfortunately, this movie has plenty of all three and why it is rated R. I decided to watch it as I love Denzel Washington, and he is just too handsome!

It took awhile to discover the real theme of the story, and that theme is a gem. I didn't know anything about the movie so was very surprised. It really promotes the value of the Bible and perseverance. Today we take it for granted because there is no shortage of Bibles. For many it is just another old book. Even people who call themselves Christian often don't put enough value on the book.

This movie is a good example of how God chooses certain people to carry out His plan. And then He protects those people, at least until they finish the job He sets before them. And God's word - the Bible - will always last to bring His word and His promises to the next generation, and the next. The movie also shows how God equips His chosen people so that they can carry out His plan to the end. It shows the value of perseverance, and the value of constantly reading the Bible. For in the end, after Eli gives up the Bible to the enemy, he continues to march on to the west until he gets there. And then he recites the Bible word for word through all 66 books while another man writes them down so that he can print more Bibles.

A Christian revue of the movie mentions the violence and language and that it is a shame whole families can't see the movie, and yet, when you think about it, after such desolation of the world, and with Satan in control, there will be violence just to survive, and the language is already bad in this country so it would be a pretty true picture of what we might find at that time. It will truly be hell on earth.

So, if you haven't seen the movie, go out and rent a copy. Watch it first and then decide if you want your kids to see it. I do think you may be blessed in certain ways. I know I was.

It has been awhile

It has been awhile since I sat down to chat with you all. It has been a combination of busy, and being tired. Last week was not one I want to see for long while.

I already made mention of the wedding I attended a week ago Saturday. The next day I had a funeral visitation to go to as my brother-in-law had passed away. He was the groom's grandpa. Then Monday was the funeral. Lot of visiting with family and friends. The next day my friend called me to say that a grand-nephew of my husband's first wife had committed suicide. He was 53, never was married. I guess he was very depressed on several issues. It was a total shock to everyone. He sometimes came to visit wit my husband and I got to know him fairly well. I probably should have gone to the funeral this past Friday, but I was still worn out from all the previous weekend activities. I could should have gone to another funeral - the father of a friend from church - on Saturday. Three funerals within 6 days. They say things come in threes, so I think we are done for awhile.

It was actually a good thing I stayed home Friday as a man from church stopped and asked to pick up my lawn mower and he would service it as well as sharpen the blade! It seems God keeps nudging people and telling them what I need, since I had been thinking (and only thinking) I should find someone to sharpen that blade. I don't think it has ever been done. When he brought it back he said it needed sharpening really bad. Then, at 5 pm one of the boys this friend had hired to do my mowing showed up to see where he is to mow, find the mower, etc. Half hour later he came back and mowed. PTL! All this is proof that when you trust God completely, He provides and fills your needs.

My oldest daughter called a few days ago, and we talked for 2 hours and 20 minutes! It was a very fruitful talk, and am pleased to find out she is doing a Bible study. That is another answer to prayer. She also said she was decluttering, getting rid of lots of 'stuff', and currently working on shredding a bunch of papers. That spurred me on to finish the job I started months ago. So the last few days I have been sorting papers and doing some shredding. I have some that need to be filed, and a bag full that will be recycled. Not done yet, but on my way! I will probably go through some of it again and close my eyes and toss some more, but want to get this initial run finished for now.

We have had one HOT day today - way above normal. It got to 100 for a short time this afternoon. It was 106F just 50 miles south of us. Not humid thought, so that is good, except for the fire danger. I closed up the windows that had been open all night, and the house stayed comfortable without turning on the AC. Tomorrow - back in the upper 70s I think. As Tracey said on FB, Mother Nature is having hot flashes. LOL

God's Little Gifts

God has been giving me little gifts recently. These are things He knows I take delight in and am so very thankful for them.

The past few days I have been hearing a beautiful bird song very close to the front of the house. It has many pretty notes and phrases. I had heard it before and didn't know what kind of bird was doing the singing since I could never see it when it was singing. Since I keep hearing it close to the house I happened to think that maybe it is building a nest atop the front door porch light since robins have built there in the past. I very quietly opened the front door and looked through the storm door, looking to the right of the door where the light is, and there was a purple finch! I am about 2 feet away from it. It didn't notice me and kept right on singing for a bit. I hear it usually first thing in the morning and again in the early evening so I am almost sure there is a nest there but I have not gone outside yet. It has been too cold! Such a pretty bird with a pretty song.

Yesterday I kept seeing another bird that I had not seen before. It was hanging around my patio quite a bit so am wondering if it is or has built a nest nearby. At first I thought it was a slate junco but we usually only see them in the winter here, although with all the snow we have been getting this month, it is still winter. Since it was around so much and so close I got a better look at it and decided it was not a slate junco but had no idea what it was. Out comes my bird book. The junco has a yellow beak, this one had a black one. The junco has a black throat, this one had white. The only thing I could find in my book that looked similar was an Eastern phoebe. That is it! I didn't know they were in this area at all.

In this second picture you can see it looks a little like a slate junco only the gray isn't quite as dark.

I the last week or so I have seen another bird that I had never seen before, and as far as I can tell by my book it is a brown creeper. It kept climbing up the trunk of the tree right outside my living room window so I got to watch it for awhile, too. It is a small bird, and luckily I was able to get a good look at its beak. I found it on the same page as woodpeckers, but acts similar to nuthatches. I have also seen nuthatches on my trees recently, and they are another pretty bird.

About 2 years ago God showed me three birds that I rarely get to see here, all in one day! There was a pair of goldfinch first. I know they are around here but rarely get to see them. I should put a feeder out for them, then I would see them more regularly. Then a cardinal landed in a tree very close to me. It didn't stick around very long, but I was able to watch it for a minute or two. And then. . . . a bird that I had no idea was in this area at all . . . an Eastern bluebird!! So in one day I saw red, yellow and blue beautiful birds. PTL

I have seen some other very small brown birds that I have not been able to find in my book. They are very quick birds and I have not seen them up close, and only for a few seconds at a time. They don't stay in one spot long. Maybe some day I will be able to find out what they are. I could look online but I have no idea what they might be so would be looking at lots of bird pictures.

I do so enjoy watching the birds in their natural habitat, but don't really want any in cages, though I have had parakeets in the past. I am hearing the purple finch right this minute! I wish I could record the song.

When I lived at the other house with my husband, we did feed the birds there. We mostly saw house sparrows by the dozens, which I barely see here. And we had turtle  doves, starlings, blackbirds, robins, bluejays and the squirrel that liked to climb up on the feeder and break it. I did see a nuthatch when we still had the big pine tree on the yard. And there was a nighthawk that nested on the top of the business next door. They are cool to watch in the evenings and hear their cry. And we did sometimes see purple finches and chipping sparrows. What is odd about the last two. . . the finch is the size of a sparrow and the chipping sparrows are the size of other finches like you find in cages for pets.

Almost forgot but there is another bird I saw up close for the first time. A chicken hawk! It flew right past my bedroom window as I sat here at the computer. I just saw this brown blob zip by right next to the window and had no idea what I saw. So got up from the chair and looked out and this hawk was chasing a rabbit in and around my big maple tree! I don't know if the hawk was successful or not as the squirrel finally left the tree and ran toward the garage and out of my sight. I suspect he was heading for the evergreen tree several feet from the garage. That might have been his downfall as it left him wide open to the hawk.

I know God is giving me these little glimpses of different birds as gifts and reminders that  He loves me. We just need to sit still, watch and listen for them.

"The Song is Ended, But the Melody Lingers On"

A few years ago, when I was going through some boxes of memorabilia, sorting and tossing out the unimportant papers, I found a handwritten paper that had been in my husband's things. I recently ran across it again and I really like the thoughts that are there and would like to share them here. These words commemorate the life of a relative of my husband, and a long time church member, Sunday School teacher and one of the church organists. It seems it was read at one of the ladies meetings at church. After the introduction part of the message is the following. I don't know who to credit writing this, and think that many thoughts come from another writing but that is just a guess. (parenthesis are mine)

" Her life is comparable to a song that was sung. 'The song is ended, but the melody lingers on.' (In Job 38:7 God asks Job, "Where were you) when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

Since "the morning stars sang together" at the creation, the lives of all people can well be described as music. For music is the one art that can express the ever changing moods and events in men's lives.

In it we find love, hate, peace, war, joy, sorrow, harmony or discord understandably portrayed. In music, there are many changes of tempo and expression: slow, fast, loud, soft, soothing or exciting, and there are rests also. As Ruskin says, "There is no music in a rest, but there is the making of music in it."

In our whole life melody the music is broken off here and there by rests, and we foolishly think we have come to the end of time.

God sends a time of forced leisure - sickness, disappointed plans, frustrated efforts, and makes a sudden pause in the choral hymn of our lives, and we lament that some voices must be silent and a part missing in the music which ever goes up to the ear of the Creator.

How does the musician read the rests? See him beat time with an unvarying count and catch up the next note true and steady, as if no breaking place had come in between.

Not without design does God write the music of our lives. Be it ours to learn the time and not be dismayed at the rests. They are not to be slurred over, nor to be omitted, nor to destroy the melody, nor to change the key note.

If we look up, God Himself will beat the time for us. With our eye on Him, we shall strike the next note full and clear.

The life melody of J. . . . . N. . . . .  was interspersed with many rests until, on April 24, 19 . .  at the age of 92 years, the last, sweet note of the melody faded into silence and God wrote the final rest."

Happy Easter

Just dropping in to wish you all a very blessed and happy Easter.

 Hopefully you can spent it with family.

 Remember the reason for this holiday and what it means for us.

"He is Risen!"

"Christ is risen indeed!"