Saturday morning...

Happy Saturday...

 I hope with your cup of coffee this morning, you are enjoying the fall like temperatures we are experiencing here.

I debated whether or not to do a 9-11 post this morning.

Not because I wasn't sure it was worthy...

 as proud Americans, that morning is forever etched in our minds...

but because the news surrounding it this year is so filled with hate.

I prayed for something to share with you and as is my routine, while my coffee was brewing,  I opened up one of my favorite blogsites Living Proof Ministries, to find the most beautiful post on Compassion International. 

I was reminded that while there is much anger (rightly so at those who terrorize) and hate (unjustly so) toward those that are different, there is also much to be learned and gained in helping those less fortunate and in need.

My devotional this morning is from John 13:4, 14-15,

"So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin.  Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him....And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you."

In My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers says, "Ministering as Opportunity Surrounds Us.  This does not mean selecting our surroundings, it means being very selectly God's in any haphazard surroundings which He engineers for us.  The characteristics we manifest in our immediate surroundings are indications of what we will be like in other surroundings."

He goes on to say, "The things that Jesus did were of the most menial and commonplace order, and this is an indication that it takes all God's power in me to do the most commonplace things in His way.  Can I use a towel as He did?"

What does your "towel" look like and are you using it as Jesus did?  Are you using it right were you are and not waiting until you go on a "mission" trip? 

Can you help a family in need in your neighborhood?

Can you sponsor a child in another country?

How can you lighten someones load or bring a smile to a child's face?

Ask God, 

be still,

and look around...

I'm sure He will reveal it to you.

Blessings,

Patty

Spiritual Sundays

Saturday morning...

There's such a nice crispness in the air this morning...

We've had a 20 degree dip in temperature in the last 48 hours and I can actually feel the change of seasons coming on.

It seems I won't be "willing" fall much longer...

This weekend is all about miracles over at Kadillac Shack...  Go over and read the beautiful story of Colette Gauthier, watch her makeover video and leave a comment.  You will blessed and you will bless others.

My devotional this morning had me in Luke 11:2-4...that portion of scripture where Jesus teaches us to pray.

"Father may your name be kept holy.

May your kingdom come soon.

Give us each day the food we need,

and forgive us our sins,

as we forgive those who sin against us.

And don't let us yield to temptation."

Most Christians have memorized this as the Lord's Prayer at some time in their lives and it has become almost too familiar...we just say the words without thinking about what we're saying.

As God's word can do...

It hit me fresh this morning. 

 It dawned on me that it had been a while since I truly asked God these things...

I couldn't recall the last time I asked to keep His name holy or for His kingdom to come soon.  Jesus asked these things because He knew God intimately and new his omniscience should be revered and kept holy.  He knew God's kingdom as home, so he asked that it come soon...

I don't think I've ever asked God to give me enough food for the day...it's always been there, but today I was reminded that God is the provider of my food.

Oswald Chambers says, "It is not so true that "prayer changes things" as that prayer changes me and I change things.  God has so constituted things that prayer on the basis of Redemption alters the way in which a man looks at things.  Prayer is not a question of altering things externally, but of working wonders in a man's disposition."

Prayer changes how I look at things...

This is so true. 

When I pray I look at the obstacles in my life as being under the watchful supervision of God.  I remember that He is faithful to provide whatever it is I need.  I remember home is in His kingdom and I remember Him as the Creator, capable of anything.  If He is for me than who can stand against me?

Prayer changes relationship with God...It provides an intimacy that is only earned through conversation.

What have you neglected to ask God for lately?  What have you taken for granted that God has continually provided? 

Tell Him today...Not because he doesn't know but because you need to say it.

Have a blessed weekend,

Patty

Spritual Sundays

close calls and life's reminders..

I'm kind of a mixed bag of emotions this Saturday afternoon...
I'm reflecting on the joy of celebration and the worry of what might have been.

My youngest daughter graduated with her AS in Medical Assistanting last night...A natural scholar she is not.  She scooted her way through each grade by the hair of her chinny, chin, chin.  Her natural talents lie elsewhere. 

 She is wonderful with sick people, the underdog and just about anybody who doesn't seem to fit in.  She never wanted to be one of the crowd...even made me put three ponytails in her hair (instead of the standard one or two) in first grade...

My parents made the hour drive in to be apart of the celebration...On their way home, last night, they had a very close call on the freeway...I'm convinced God's angels kept them from a potentially bad accident...They were badly shaken up and their car sustained some damage but thankfully, they were not hurt.  

 

I share this in praise of God, (the alternative to them being safe is beyond what I can wrap my mind around right now) and as a not so gentle reminder that this life is short. 

The outcome could easily have been very different...

It could have been anyone of us...

 

"Look here, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year.  We will do business there and make a profit."   How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?  Your life is like the morning fog.  It's here a little while, then it's gone.  What you ought to say is, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that."  Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil.  Remember it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it."  James 4:13-17

Celebrate today for the gift it is...Do some good for someone in need...Thank God for the chance to live another day!

Thankfully blessed,

Patty


Spiritual Sundays

Spiritual Sunday...

Fair warning...God has me working on discipline, never anyone's favorite subject.  So if your a bit squeamish you might want to high tail it out of here right about now...

"And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children?  He said, 'My child, don't make light of the LORD's discipline, and don't give up when he corrects you.  For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child."  Hebrews 12:5-6

Oswald Chambers writes, "It is very easy to quench the Spirit; we do it by despising the chastening of the Lord, by fainting when we are rebuked by Him.  If we have only a shallow experience of sanctification, we mistake the shadow for the reality, and when the Spirit of God begins to check, we say-oh, that must be the devil."

That last sentence really got me thinking.  As Christians aren't we quick to say when things go wrong, "Oh, that must be the devil at work".  What Chambers is saying is not to be so quick in that assumption.  First examine your life and your heart...Is this particular hardship in an area of your life that you require discipline in?  Has the Lord been trying to get your attention in more subtle ways and you have chosen not to hear or worse yet have you been ignoring the warnings so long that you are now deaf to Him?

Have you not been paying attention to your marriage, ignoring the warning signs and then blamed someone else when it falls apart...

Have you spent and spent on credit, justifying your purchases and juggling the bills and now the balls are crashing down because of job uncertainty?

Have you been the "cool" mom, being your child's friend instead of parent, allowing more freedom than you should have and now are shocked at their attitude and promiscuity?

Have you gossiped at work or with your girlfriends and now been ostracized and labeled untrustworthy?

Have you ignored changes in your health, not exercising, eating and drinking what you know is not good for you and then been surprised with a diagnosis of diabetes, high blood pressure or achy joints?

Please hear me...

There are some things that happen in life that are totally not our fault, we did nothing to deserve them.  They are just what comes with living in a fallen world. 

Sometimes...

Spouses cheat...

Job's are lost...

Children are prodigals...

People talk...

Illness happens...

Through no fault of our own but just because we live in this foreign land...this sinful world. 

To those, I encourage you with Isaiah 43:1-3,

"But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you.  O Israel, the one who formed you says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.  I have called you by name; you are mine.  When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.  When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.  When you walk through the fire of oppression you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.  For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..."

The amazing thing about God is that even those of us who ignore God's warnings and require his loving discipline; he is still the same God of Israel...He still calls us by name, we are still his...He still was ransomed for us...and he still wants to use us to further his kingdom...

"No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it's painful!  But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.  So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.  Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong." Hebrews 12:11-12

Change your ways...so that, others who are weak will not fall but become strong!  Don't you love the Word of God. Even when we mess up, we are his, we can begin a new and we can encourage others.

I know this was a very long post...

It was meant to encourage not discourage.

Our God is full of grace and mercy...His forgiveness knows no bounds...

Take a new grip of his powerful hand...he desires to lead you.

Starting anew,

Patty

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Spiritual Sunday...perfection

"For you know when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."  James 1:3-4

I mentioned in yesterday's post that God was teaching me about slovenliness in any area of my life.  My devotional, Oswald Chambers - My Utmost for His Highest, reminded me that every aspect of my life is under the scrutiny of God.  There are not some areas that I can choose less than perfection in...areas that I can say, "Now that will do for now."

My pastor defined perfection in this verse as , "being perfectly aligned for our individual purpose".  

What a worthy calling that kind of perfection is.  Each test of faith brings us closer to complete perfection. 

We cannot leave any area untended and expect to live the purpose filled life that God intends for us. 

Just something to ponder,

Have a blessed week,

Patty

Spiritual Sundays

You can't take it with you...

I thought this post was worth sharing on both blog sites...

"Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. Though while he lived he counted himself blessed- and men praise you when you prosper -he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light o life. A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish."

Psalm 49:16-20

All my life I have heard that saying..."You can't take it with you," never knowing that is was scriptural based. What a vital scripture for us to remember, especially here in the U.S., where compared to the rest of the world we are definitely that rich man. And doubly so here is blogland with so much creative inspiration that appeals to the aesthetic.

I love to visit the blogs of so many amazingly talented women...I am inspired to make my home more beautiful because of them. I thoroughly enjoy sharing my home and latest finds with any who visit my blog, too.

The Psalm is not saying to not enjoy beauty...to not create a beautiful home...It is saying to not be overawed...It is saying that, riches without the knowledge of who the giver of all good and perfect gifts, will cause a man to perish.

I am blessed not because of where I am fortunate enough to worship God from...I am blessed because I can worship God...that I was chosen and adopted by the One True God to come into his presence whether it be here in my lovely sunroom, outdoors in his beautiful creation or from a prison cell. I am blessed because I can...not by where I am.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow...Praise Him all creatures here below...Praise him all you heavenly hosts...Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost...Amen.

In awe of Him,

Patty

I'm linked up to Spiritual Sundays,   I Owe it all to Him Retreats, Tea Time Tuesday and Gratitude Wednesday...Be sure and go over and see what beautiful things await you...

Saturday morning... {D}

I really just have a minute to pop in and say,  "Good morning".  Today is the day of my tea party for ten of the most important ladies in my life...my bible study sisters.  As usual I still have a gazillion things to do, but my devotional this morning stopped me short and I knew I just had to share it with all of you.

Oswald Chambers is on the subject of following completely after Jesus...could there be any better subject?

"Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus.  Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, "Your name is Simon, son of John - but you will be called Cephas" (which means "Peter').  John 1:42

Chambers says, "God writes the new name on those places in our lives where He has erased pride and self-sufficiency and self-interest.  Some of us have the new name in spots only, like spiritual measles.  In sections we look all right.  When we have our best spiritual mood on, you would think we were very high-toned saints; but don't look at us when we are not in that mood.  The disciple is one who has the new name written all over him; self interest and pride and self-sufficiency have been completely erased."

I cut these flowers yesterday for my centerpieces today...At first glance they are quite beautiful...

but as I snapped the pictures from different angles...

the container that held them began to come into focus more...

the focus was no longer on the beautiful flowers but on the cheap plastic bucket that held them...

Is this my spiritual life?  At first glance this unworthy vessel shows off the sweet beauty of Jesus pretty well but as you begin turn the angles of my life the container becomes more evident and Jesus begins to fade in the background.  Pride, self sufficiency and self interest begin to show in spots like measles.

I long to have my new name be evident in all areas of my life...to have this earthen vessel show only the love, compassion, grace and patience of Jesus.  I know that this will take surrendering every aspect of my life to Him daily, hourly...by the minute if necessary.

How about you?   Are the measles going around where you dwell, too?  Just something to think about...

Have a wonderful, abiding weekend...

Blessings, Patty

If you haven't enter my giveaway this is the last weekend to do so...Just click on the picture at the top of my side bar.

I've linked up with Spiritual Sundays...Head over there and be inspired...

Saturday afternoon...{D}

Prayer...

One of the wonderful things about blogging is the people you meet.  I am still amazed at how God can weave people into our lives that we would otherwise have never known if we were not living in this computer age. 

This is our time...both the good and bad...it is where we have been exiled to...it is our Babylon...this is where our generation was placed to bring the God of heaven to earth. 

One of the ways that happens is through praying for others.   As I read blogs, in the midst of the beautiful ways God has blessed these creative women...
I find life happening... 
health problems, wayward children, financial difficulties, military families, death, personal struggles,
and yes, joyful praise...

I've started adding prayer requests to the inside back cover of my bible.  I want to be sure and spend time in prayer for people that I have said I would pray for or that God has put on my heart to pray for and this almost 50 year old brain can sometimes (most always) be forgetful of names and specifics.  Then at least a couple of times a week, I will flip back there and spend some time with my hand over these names in prayer.

Please know that I don't share this to say, "Hey watch me pray," but just as an offering of what one person can do...I'm sure there are many of you out there who have methods that work for you...this one just happens to work for me.

While the habit of spending specific time in prayer and commune with God is essential...so is unceasing prayer.  The prayer that comes from intimately knowing God as your lifeline...your very pulse and heartbeat.

Oswald Chambers says in My Utmost for His Highest, "If we think of prayer as the breath in our lungs and the blood from our hearts, we think rightly. The blood flows ceaselessly, and breathing continues ceaselessly, we are not conscious of it, but it is always going on. We are not always conscious of Jesus keeping us in perfect joint with God, but if we are obeying Him, He alway is. Prayer is not an exercise, it is the life."

"I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.  I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one-as you are in me, Father, and I am in you.  And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.  I am in them and you are in me.  May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me."       John 17:20-23

Have a blessed Memorial Day weekend and pray for our military men and women.

Patty

I've linked up to Spiritual Sundays...

Saturday afternoon...

I had so many plans for today...so much I was hoping to accomplish...

here it is late afternoon and my to do list is mostly undone...

sigh...

Do you every have days like that?

It seems I'm in crisis mode...life has thrown me a few curves this last week.  I don't know if that's why my get up and go, has got up and went...

Somehow it seems okay to take a pass on my to do list today and just breathe...

I received this beautiful magazine in the mail this week...

Life Beautiful - Faith for Your Journey

I think I'll just put my feet up a while and enjoy it...

and that's okay.

"Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up...We are pressed on everyside by troubles, but we are not crushed.  We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.  We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God.  We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.  Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies."    2 Corinthians 4: 1, 8-10

Blessings,

Patty

I've linked up to Spiritual Sundays...

Saturday morning... {D}

It's such a beautiful Saturday morning here...The air is still cool and crisp, the birds are singing their good morning songs and the aroma of my coffee is beckoning me to start my day...

I wanted take a minute to wish all of you a Happy, Blessed Mother's Day. 

Whether you are mother's to children in your home, or spiritual mother's to girls in your sphere of influence, it's an enormous blessing and responsibility.

If ever there were a word to describe being a day in and day out mom, it would be patience.  I know the incredible love and blessing is ever present, but the put the foot to the ground and walking the thing out, everyday mom stuff...takes patience.  It is not for the faint of heart...

Children come with their own bents, their own emotions, their own personalities and their own free will...

Take these flowers...each one is of the same family line but look how unique each one is.  One of them tends to wilt quickly if not given enough attention...One of them will not stand straight but would rather grow off to the side...One of them always seems to hold it's head up straight saying "Look at me."

"We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.   May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father.  He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light."  Colossians 1:11-12

"Patience is more than endurance.  A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer.  God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says-"I cannot stand any more."  God does not take heed.  He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly.  Trust yourself in God's hands.  For what have you need of patience just now?  Maintain your relationship to Jesus Christ by the patience of faith."    Oswald Chambers

If your children are growing straight and strong right now, enjoy.  If they need extra attention, lavish it...If their road is not straight, be patient and pray...Don't be discouraged...God has a plan...His bow is pulled...His purpose is in sight...Trust your children in His hands.

Have a blessed Mother's Day,

Patty

I've linked up to Spritual Sundays head over there and see what other blessings are in store...

Saturday morning... {D}

I've been doing some thinking, so my coffee is nice and strong this morning...

I've been pondering a conversation I had earlier in the week.  One I gave a quick response to but then it kinda gnawed at me awhile...like it wasn't quite through with me...like it was asking, "Are you sure about that?"  "Is that your final answer?"

The conversation had to do with facing opposition in your faith...

Do you ever feel like you're standing alone in your faith?

 In the workplace...with your family...in your circle of friends...maybe even in your church?

This was part of our discussion at bible study this week.  What do you do when you are livng in line with the Word and those around you are not?  Or worse yet, mock the fact that you are...

Do you let them pull you down?   Do you lose heart?

As God would have it, my devotional this week brought some clarity...

According to Oswald Chambers, in My Utmost for His Highest, "A servant of God must stand so much alone that he never knows he is alone.  In the first phases of Christian life disheartenments come, people who used to be lights flicker out, and those who used to stand with us pass away.  We have to get so used to it that we never know we are standing alone...Allow nothing to keep you from looking God sternly in the face about yourself and about your doctrine, and every time you preach see that you look God in the face about things first, then the glory will remain all through..."

While we may find those who believe as we do, they are not our barometer...they are not who we base our faith on.  For that we stand alone, one on one with Christ.  His is the face we seek glory in. 

"The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me.  Everyone abandoned me.  May it not be counted against them.  But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death."  2 Timothy 4:16-17

Do you feel like you are standing alone in your faith? 

Yes, but that is how it should be...the firmness of my faith is only as strong as the foundation and that rests squarely on the Cornerstone...my one on one relationship with Christ...

and that's my final answer.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Patty

These pretty flowers are what's blooming in my garden this month.  There are roses, columbine, pincushion flowers, scented geraniums, daisy's, statice and peruvian lillies.  Hope you've enjoyed them as much as I do.

I have linked up to Spiritual Sundays and AZ plant ladies Monthly Garden Bouquet.

Saturday morning... {D}

I love Saturday mornings…

The pace is slower and there's more time for reflection…

Of course, I have my coffee in hand…

today it’s a splurge of my favorite...
 freshly ground beans of Snickerdoodle...

and I'm thinking of that book from a few years back that had you list five things you’re grateful for…

This is such a good habit for me to get in to.  The area of contentment, of being okay with my life, of not comparing it to others, has always been a struggle for me. What I'm learning is that contentment is not automatic...it's a choice.  I can choose to think on the what ifs and but whys in my life or I can choose to rest in the thank you Gods.

Okay, here’s my list…

1. Always first is my God and Savior…His mercy and grace…His ultimate sacrifice…His innate goodness.

2. Of course, my family…both the one I was born into and those joined by marriage.

3. My cozy cottage…

4. Good health to enjoy doing the things that bring me happiness and joy…

5. My friends…both old and dear and my new blogging friends. I never would have imagined you were all out there with your warm and encouraging words.

If I could add a sixth…it would definitely be this coffee…mmm…wish you could smell its wonderfulness.  Now go pour yourself a nice hot cup...

I'd love to know what’s on your list?

My life is certainly not without it's stresses and struggles but I am finally...

 thankfully content,

Patty

"Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have.  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything,  I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.  For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."  Philippians 4: 11-13

I've linked up to Spritual Sundays...

Easter finery...

There is absolutely something magical about spring...

I don't know whether it's the extra daylight or brighter sunshine...

 but the air is just full of new possibilities...

Maybe it's the sweet colors of Easter...

The snowy whiteness of bunnies...

or the pastels of colored eggs...

the first songs of bluebirds...

or the chirping of chickies...

The stillness of winter is gone...the air just comes to life this time of year...

It's no wonder God chose this season on the kingdom calender for the resurrection...

"Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?  He isn't here!  He is risen from the dead!"  Luke 24:5-6

Have a blessed Easter week,

Patty

I have linked up to Spiritual Sundays, Cottage Instincts, Show off your cottage Monday...