Monthly Archives: May 2014

May25

Grief…Are You In The Club???

Posted on May 25, 2014 by sagescenery

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Psalm 34:18

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

My friend, Amy, recently lost her 10-year old son, Kaleb…

She and her daughter, Kyrsten…

Are grieving…

Perhaps you know how she feels…

Perhaps you can pray for them…

Perhaps her words can help you…

Grief….

“We have to learn much along the way…

Before we can move through the process…

We must learn patience…

The value of change…

The beauty of simplicity…

The importance of laughter…

The life-sustaining strength of relationships…

And the joy of spontaneity and adventure…

The membership requirements of the club…

Are anything but enviable…

You have to have felt the floor dropping out…

And the sky falling in…

All in one awful, unthinkable day…

You have to wonder whether you would be able to figure out…

Which shoe to put on which foot…

And then wonder why you should bother anyway…

You find out that you have survived…

Like others…

But, you only have survived as changed people…

There’s no going back…

Grief…

Of this magnitude…

Changes you….”

Matthew 5:4

“Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.”

Romans 12:15

“Rejoice with those who rejoice;

mourn with those who mourn.”

Amen!

Gracious Heavenly Father…

Wrap Your Loving Arms…

Around Amy, Kyrsten…

and all who grieve…

‘Til they can be with You…

In Heaven…

To again see their loved ones there!

May8

Lessons From Noah’s Ark!

Posted on May 8, 2014 by sagescenery

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“Everything I Need To Know…I Learned From Noah’s Ark!”

(I saw this on e-mail today, author unknown, I added the Scriptures)

Genesis 5:32-10:1

1. Don’t miss the boat! Find favor with the Lord!

“But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”

2. Remember that we’re all in the same boat! We need to walk faithfully with our Lord!

“Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time,

and he walked faithfully with God.”

3. Plan ahead! Pay attention to God! It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.

“So God said to Noah,

‘I am going to put an end to all people,

for the earth is filled with violence because of them.

I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth….

Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights,

and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made.’”

4. Stay fit and healthy! When you’re 60+ years old, God may ask you to do something really big, too!

“So make yourself an ark of cypress wood...

I am going to bring flood waters on the earth

to destroy all life under the heavens,

every creature that has the breath of life in it.

Everything on earth will perish.“

5. Don’t listen to critics! Obey God! Just get on with the job that He says needs to be done.

“Noah did everything just as God commanded him.”

6. Build your future on the higher ground of the Lord!

“But I will establish My covenant with you,

and you will enter the ark—

you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you…”

The Lord then said to Noah,

“Go into the ark,

you and your whole family,

because I have found you righteous in this generation.”

7. For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.

“You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures,

male and female,

to keep them alive with you.

Two of every kind of bird,

of every kind of animal

and of every kind of creature

that moves along the ground

will come to you to be kept alive.”

8. Speed isn’t always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

“Pairs of clean and unclean animals,

of birds and of all creatures

that move along the ground,

male and female,

came to Noah and entered the ark,

as God had commanded Noah.”

9. When you’re stressed, float awhile.

“For forty days

the flood kept coming on the earth,

and as the waters increased

they lifted the ark high above the earth.

The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth,

and the ark floated on the surface of the water.”

10. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals. Build your life according to God’s Plan!

“This is how you are to build it:

The ark is to be three hundred cubits long,

fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high.

Make a roof for it,

leaving below the roof an opening one cubit high all around.

Put a door in the side of the ark

and make lower, middle and upper decks.”

11. No matter the storm, when you’re with God, there’s always a rainbow waiting.

“And God said,

‘This is the sign of the covenant

I am making between Me and you

and every living creature with you,

a covenant for all generations to come:

I have set my rainbow in the clouds,

and it will be the sign of the covenant

between Me and the earth.

Whenever I bring clouds over the earth

and the rainbow appears in the clouds,

I will remember My covenant between Me and you

and all living creatures of every kind.

Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.

Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds,

I will see it

and remember the everlasting covenant

between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth…'”

“Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and,

taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds,

he sacrificed burnt offerings on it.

The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma

and said in His heart:

‘Never again will I curse the ground because of humans,

even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood.

And never again will I destroy all living creatures,

as I have done.

As long as the earth endures…'”
Amen!
Thank You, Lord!!

May5

Is 65 The New 45??? Gee, I Hope So!!

Posted on May 5, 2014 by sagescenery

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Happy Birthday To Me!!

I recently celebrated a BIG Birthday!

(Me with Sandy and Elle!)

And I now get to show my golden Medicare “ticket” everywhere..

But, now that I’m “mature,” I forget to do it!!

Hubby’s already on it, so I know it’s fine…

I’ll get used to it!

We already had good insurance…

Thanks to the NJ Public Schools…

My plan after college was to get married,

Teach for two years,

Have 4 kids…

Done!

But, since my son took 14 years to arrive!

I just kept on teaching…

And, as my sister-in-law advised,

“Stay in teaching long enough to get all the benefits you deserve!!”

So, I stayed!

After 26 years, I retired…

One kid, a pension, and my health insurance…

God is good!

Because of so many years…

Of being blessed with God’s wisdom…

My years of experience…

And my mistakes…

(Thank you for “redos,” Lord!)

I’m such a wealth of information!

Ha!

So, what do you want to know about???

Growing up in a constantly fast-talking Italian family…

With lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins???

So much fun going to church together…

Everyone talking at the same time…

Very loudly!!

With lots and lots of food!!!

Growing up Pentecostal???

Lots of “You can’t do that!”

But, lots of faith, love, and strong trust in God, too!!

I learned to teach my son about all the things we can do in Christ!

And the joy we experience!

Growing up with an older brother???

“Stitches” in my side as he walked too fast on our way to school…

Joe always said my younger brother, John, and I had “piercing voices!”

Growing up with a younger brother???

Who, as I mentioned in another post…

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/09/07/oh-by-the-way-…have-any-gauze/ ‎

Slashed my lip with a snow shovel…

While we were shoveling snow in NJ…

When I was in 6th grade!

But, we never wanted to be apart!

Praying for a sister???

My Mom was 38…

I had to have a sister…

Having two brothers was just too much…

I was eleven when Tina was born!

She went everywhere with me!

So special to me to this day!!

Amen!

God answers prayers!

Wanting to be a teacher since the first grade???

My cousin, Phyllis, who was three years older…

Lived next door…

And was always the teacher…

I was the best student there ever was!

Dating????

Long term dating…

Too early, too intense…

I would not recommend it today!!

College and Master’s Education???

Let me just say…

The tassel is definitely worth the hassle…

Do your homework…

Get an education!!!

Then, ask God to give you a job you’re passionate about!

First Marriage???

Moved to Texas to live with my older brother and his wife…

Married two and a half years…

Divorced…

Came home to NJ!

Divorce???

Low, low point…

Feels like someone took a photo of the two of you…

Tore it in two…

And ripped your heart out…

You’re deeply changed…

I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone!

Second Marriage

To my high school sweetheart…

Thirty-seven years…

Through the best of the best…

And the worst of the worst…

The key is to go through it…

TOGETHER…

That’s what marriage is all about…

Even when “LOVE” is strong…

But, “LIKE” is not!!

Amen!

Oh,Yes…

I am difficult to live with…

More than just sometimes!!

Good quote on Facebook:

“In every marriage more than a week old,

there are grounds for divorce…

the trick is to find, and continue to find,

the grounds for marriage!!”

Thank you, Jesus!

Amen!!

Ten years of Infertility???

Why me?

All my cousins and friends had kids…

But, God turned my attitude to…

“Why not me?”

And I received a miracle gift from God!

It was totally worth the huge cost and effort…

Of in-vitro…

To have our son!!!

Thank God for insurance!

Coming back to God???

Spent twenty years doing “my own thing!”

But could not fathom…

Raising my son without faith…

He loved Jesus…

Going to church…

Lively worship music…

And Veggie Tales…

And he led me back to Jesus!

Raising a great kid???

What a ministry…

To pour Jesus into your child!!!

Life???

Yes, they’ll be trials…

But, always accept the Lord’s…

Joy!

Death???

So sad to lose loved ones…

But, we can celebrate their life…

Because of our Hope of Heaven…

And say, “See you soon!”

Parents???

We do our best…

So remember…

Your parents did their best, too!!

Forgive…

Don’t hold onto grudges…

Love!

Friends and family???

While you can’t pick your family…

You can love, encourage, and minister to the family that God gave you!

Friends…

Chose wisely and love deeply!

Siberian Huskies???

Only God could make such a beautiful face…

My Crazy, Precious Little Girl…

Is lots of work…

And brings, oh, so much joy!!

See her Birthday post!

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2014/01/03/guess-whos-turning-seven/

Seeing through God’s eyes???

Is beautiful…

And difficult…

Be prepared to listen…

Be prepared to obey!

Religion???

Faith is better than no faith…

Our relationship with Jesus is everything!

Being retired???

Not HAVING to work is soooo good…

Retirement with a pension is the best!

Ministering to others???

Accountability…

Teaching others keeps you on your toes!

Keep on going for God!!

Eternal Life???

1 Timothy 4:8

“For physical training is of some value,

but godliness has value for all things,

holding promise for both the present life

and the life to come.”

Amen!

May4

MOM Upside Down Is WOW!!

Posted on May 4, 2014 by sagescenery

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Have a Happy and Blessed Mom’s Day!!

This made you laugh!!

Perfection, right???

Now…

Go tell your kids to clean their rooms…

And eat their vegetables!!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Psalm 127: 3

“Children are a heritage from the Lord…”

Amen!

May3

Grace Was Made For People Like Me!!

Posted on May 3, 2014 by sagescenery

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John 1:14

“The Word

became flesh and made His dwelling among us.

We have seen His Glory,

the Glory of the One and Only Son,

who came from the Father,

full of Grace and Truth.”

And you!!

Be honest with God…

He’ll never let you go…

Jesus, we need You…

Lord, help us to believe…

Show us Your arms are open…

Your blood redeems…

Show me You can love…

Even me…

Show me Grace was made for…

People like me…

Amen!

1 Corinthians 1:3

“Grace and Peace to you from

God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

May3

I Will Follow Him!!

Posted on May 3, 2014 by sagescenery

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Just make sure you know which “HIM” you’re following!!

1Peter 2:21

“To this you were called,

because Christ suffered for you,

leaving you an example,

that you should follow in HIS steps.”

Andre Rieu

conducts while playing the violin,

providing the beat with his bow and instrument

and by motions of the body,

virtually dancing the rhythm.

He actively attempts to involve the audience in the music.

Accordingly, audiences have responded with great enthusiasm!

May2

When The Golf Course Is Closed To People…The Critters Come Out To Play!!

Posted on May 2, 2014 by sagescenery

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Because God is watching over them!!

Psalm 91

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High    
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, 
“He is my refuge and my fortress,    
my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely He will save you    
from the fowler’s snare    
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His feathers,    
and under His wings you will find refuge;    
His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,    
nor the arrow that flies by day,
 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,    
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,   
ten thousand at your right hand,  
but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes    
and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you say, 
“The Lord is my refuge,”   
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,    
no disaster will come near your tent.
For He will command His angels concerning you    
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands, 
   
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra;    
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

“Because he loves me,” 
says the Lord, 
“I will rescue him;   
I will protect him, 
for he acknowledges My Name.
He will call on Me, and I will answer him;    
I will be with him in trouble,    
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him    
and show him My Salvation.”
Amen!
See how well He watches over us, too!!

May2

It’s A Florida Thing…

Posted on May 2, 2014 by sagescenery

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Yup…this is funny and true!!

Florida Biking

Socks are only for bowling.
You never use an umbrella because the rain will be over in five minutes.
A good parking place has nothing to do with distance from the store, but everything to do with shade.
Your winter coat is made of denim.
… You can tell the difference between fire ant Bites and mosquito bites.
You’re younger than thirty but some of your Friends are over 65.
Anything under 70 degrees is chilly.
You’ve driven through Yeehaw Junction.
You know that no other grocery store can compare to Publix.
Every other house in your neighborhood Had blue roofs in 2004-2005. You know that anything under a Category 3 just isn’t worth waking up for.
You dread love bug season.
You are on a first name basis with the Hurricane list. They aren’t Hurricane Charley or Hurricane Frances. You know them as Andrew, Charley , Frances , Ivan…

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May2

My Soul Pants For You, My God!!

Posted on May 2, 2014 by sagescenery

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Psalm 42
As the deer pants for streams of water,    
so my soul pants for You, my God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the Living God.    
When can I go and meet with God?
My tears have been my food day and night,
while people say to me all day long,    
“Where is your God?”
These things I remember    
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God    
under the protection of the Mighty One
with shouts of joy and praise    
among the festive throng.

Why, my soul, are you downcast? 
   
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,    
for I will yet praise Him,    
my Savior and my God.

My soul is downcast within me;    
therefore I will remember You
from the land of the Jordan,    
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
 Deep calls to deep    
in the roar of Your waterfalls;
all Your waves and breakers    
have swept over me.
By day the Lord directs His love,    
at night His song is with me—    
a prayer to the God of my life.

I say to God my Rock,    
“Why have You forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,    
oppressed by the enemy?”
My bones suffer mortal agony    
as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,    
“Where is your God?”

Why, my soul, are you downcast?    
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,   
for I will yet praise Him,    
my Savior and my God.
Amen!
(P.S.  You’d think these photos might have been taken in NJ, but actually they were taken while we were visiting friends in the Keys.  Our friend, Billy Butler, grabbed my camera while we all quietly watched from the car, and took these beautiful photographs!!!) 