Category Archives: FL Birds

My One Year Blog-A-Versary!! July ’13

Standard

How should I celebrate my…

Entrance into the blogosphere???

I’m going to first of all thank my son…

For thinking of it…

Setting everything up for me…

Supporting me…

Mentioning me on FB…

And constantly answering my technical questions!!

And…

I’m going to let him…

Post whatever he wants!!!

So here goes!!!

So my Mother, the very same one you all so love for her blog posts,

wanted me to write something for her “Blog-A-Versary.”

I told her I didn’t think that was a real thing

to which she replied “Well, I’m making it a thing.”

Thus, her Blog-A-Versary was born.

She instructed me to have some sort of guest post written by the beginning of July,

so she would have time to “get it ready for my Blog-A-Versary” [sic]

I asked when she REALLY needed it by (myself being a procrastinator)

and her answer was a hard deadline of July 13th her actual Blog-A-Versary (or so she claims).

Enough backstory.

Here I sit, proudly, on July 14th, to compose a special guest post for my beloved Mom. 

She is, as I’m sure you all have found out, sort of a strange one,

but endearing.

I always get questions from her about how WordPress works (much to my chagrin)

and the ways of computers.

I’ve become the unofficial tech support for my family, friends, and half my neighborhood.

My Mother, at least, learns.

Some people just don’t know how to take instructions.

*Sigh*

But she’s so supportive in all the crazy things I do,

I’d be a super-jerk-face not to help with her blog-o-things.

Enough backstory.

Here I sit, proudly, on July 14th, to compose a special guest post for my beloved Mom. 

One thing I wanted to talk about real quick is the difference between hating sin and hating the sinner.

This is something that’s really bothered me a lot recently.

As a Christian, there are certainly things that people do that I don’t agree with.

I’m not going to specifics chiefly because my opinion of what’s right and wrong doesn’t matter.

But what I’m talking about is not a religious thing.

What I see so much in the world now is people hating people.

Now, seriously guys?

That’s not cool.

I completely understand disagreeing with someone’s opinions,

but that’s no reason to shun the person.

It’s not my place to judge people.

It’s not my place to condemn anyone or to speak ill of them.

It is, however, my place to be kind to everyone.

Everyone has the right to make their own choices on what they’re going to believe in (or not believe in).

I can tell people my beliefs and explain them if they want,

but I can’t hate them for anything they believe.

Everyone’s done things they’re not proud of;

everyone’s messed up in the past.

What’s normal to some is not normal to everyone.

Keeping a person down and trying to make their life tougher

to try to “scare” them into agreeing with you

is no way to make an argument for your case.

You really want someone to share your opinion?

Awesome.

Being mean is a horrible way to get your point across.

I’m talking to everyone here,

whoever you are

and however you choose to identify yourself.

All I’m saying is that people are still people,

no matter what.

If you think they’re wrong?

Yup, they’re still people.

If you completely disagree with how a complete stranger

chooses to live his/her life?

NEWSFLASH!

That’s still a person.

Take a step back

and try to put yourself in their shoes.

If you still can’t see eye to eye,

you can still be friends,

you can still be courteous.

Just because someone disagrees with you,

they’re not automatically an enemy.

So hey, everyone, just chill out a little.

As a wise woman (my Mother of course) once said to me,

“If it’s not life and death,

it’s not life and death.

Don’t worry about it.”

7-7-13 Golf Course 151

Fly little bird…

Fly!!

Ephesians 4:32

“Be kind and compassionate to one another,

forgiving each other,

just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Colossians 3:12

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people,

holy and dearly loved,

clothe yourselves with compassion,

kindness, humility,

gentleness and patience.”

1 Peter 3:9

“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.

On the contrary, repay evil with blessing,

because to this you were called

so that you may inherit a blessing.”

Amen!!

Press On!!!

Standard

Look beyond today…

Keep going…

Forget the past…

Don’t let it steal your peace…

Press on to your future…

Hope, Joy, and Peace…

Jesus is waiting…

Don’t give up…

No matter what!!

Rise Up…

It’s a race to the finish…

Don’t run aimlessly…

Aim high to reach your goal…

Endure to the end!!

7-10-13 Walk & Gilchrist 001

Philippians 3:12-16

“Not that I have already obtained all this,

or have already arrived at my goal,

but I press on

to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Brothers and sisters,

I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.

But one thing I do:

Forgetting what is behind

and straining toward what is ahead,

I press on

toward the goal

to win the prize

for which God

has called me Heavenward

in Christ Jesus.

All of us, then,

who are mature should take such a view of things.

And if on some point you think differently,

that too God will make clear to you. 

Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

7-10-13 Walk & Gilchrist 014

Hebrews 12:1-2

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,

let us throw off everything that hinders

and the sin that so easily entangles.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

For the joy set before Him

He endured the cross, scorning its shame,

and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

7-10-13 Walk & Gilchrist 002

Matthew 25:23

“His master replied,

‘Well done, good and faithful servant!

You have been faithful with a few things;

I will put you in charge of many things.

Come and share your master’s happiness!’”

7-10-13 Walk & Gilchrist 026

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run,

but only one gets the prize?

Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.

They do it to get a crown that will not last,

but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;

I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.

No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave

so that after I have preached to others,

I myself will not be disqualified for the prize”

7-10-13 Walk & Gilchrist 033

1 Timothy 6:12

“Fight the good fight of the faith.

Take hold of the eternal life

to which you were called

when you made your good confession

in the presence of many witnesses.”

7-8-13 Laishley Park 050

Colossians 3:2

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

7-7-13 Golf Course 098

Our old time Pastor/Evangelist…

Tommy Waldron…

Who has since gone on to be with the Lord…

Passed away several years ago…

At the age of 86…

The day after preaching a fiery message…

For us to “Plod On!”

What a way to go!!

Preach, Be in God’s Presence…

Die, Be in God’s Presence!!

Here are the words to the song he always had us sing:

7-8-13 Laishley Park 015

Plod On

Plod on. Plod On.

Whatever life does,I’ll plod on.

Whatever the weather;

Whatever’s in my way;

Whatever life does,

I’ll plod on every day.

My life is there to live

And I’m living it well.

I can succeed in my own special way.

Whatever life does, I’ll plod on every day.

Success doesn’t have to be instant,

Just as long as it comes in the end,

I’m plodding, slowly but surely.

No problem is too big, and there’s no rule I can’t bend.

Plod on. Plod on. That’s the way to go.

If it feels good – do it! Never mind the trend.

There’s nothing to it. It’s a life I recommend – Plod on!

Plod on. Plod on.

Whatever life does I’ll plod on.

Plod On

From the 2002 album by Luke Smith

Called “Life Will Work itself Out”

http://www.lukesmithmusic.com/Life/Life.htm#PO

The Art Of Thinking Brilliantly by Graham Cooke

Standard

Watch…

And learn to think brilliantly…

As your God wants you to!!!

“For God,

who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,

hath shined in our hearts,

to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God

in the face of Jesus Christ”

2 Corinthians 4:6

5-19-13 Walk-Golf Course 054

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge Him,

and He shall direct thy paths.

Be not wise in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil”

Proverbs 3:5-7

5-19-13 Walk-Golf Course 062

For the Lord gives wisdom;

from His mouth come knowledge and understanding

He holds success in store for the upright,

He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless

for He guards the course of the just 

and protects the way of His faithful ones.

Proverbs 2:6-8

5-19-13 Walk-Golf Course 069

“With Him are wisdom and might;

To Him belong counsel and understanding.”

Job 12:13

5-19-13 Walk-Golf Course 083

Soar!!!

My Simple Everyday Prayer…

Standard

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 051

Here’s a definition of my recent days…

Pulled in a thousand different ways…

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 134

At a loss for words to explain…

The need to relax, and rest my brain!

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 054

Lord, I come to You for peace…

Make all my cares, and worries cease…

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 135

So many opportunities abound…

To share Your Love all around!

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 101

Help me know which ones to choose…

(Please make them my passions, desires, talents, and gifts)

Not just my obligations, or “have-to’s!”

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 111

Help me stand strong, and not spread my life too thin…

With commitments, and busyness where I can’t win…

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 139

Help me to see that You’re in control…

When tempests come, and friends cajole!

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 114

To trust Your Word, and Your Voice…

To find the path where I can truly rejoice!!

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 141

Where do you want me five years from now?

What will I do to get there, and how?

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 118

Help me fulfill Your plan for me…

No matter what obstacles I see!

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 058

To be in Your Image I must not fret…

You have never, ever failed me yet!!

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 131

Thank you, Lord!

I feel better already!!

Amen!

I Woke Up This Morning With Freedom On My Mind…

Standard

Freedom For My Soul…

In Jesus Christ!

5-13-13 Laishley Park 028

“Now the Lord is the Spirit,

and where the Spirit of the Lord is,

there is freedom.”

2 Corinthians 3:17 

5-13-13 Laishley Park 029

“In my anguish I cried to the LORD,

and He answered

by setting me free.”

Psalm 118:5

5-13-13 Laishley Park 030

“The LORD lives!

Praise be to my Rock!

Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!

He is the God who avenges me…

who sets me free from my enemies.” 

2 Samuel 22:47-49

5-13-13 Laishley Park 031

“Jesus said, ‘You will know the truth,

and the truth will set you free.'”

John 8:31-32

Sunday morning April 14th, 2013…

Is a bright and shining day…

At Middle Collegiate Church in NYC…

Where soloist Tina (my sister!)…

And choir director, John… 

Deliver…

Joy

Love

And Freedom…

To the congregation.

Minister Jacqui…

  And all the members of the church…

Are on their feet…

Rocking and swaying…

To the beat of…

Freedom!

So can we all with Jesus!!

Branch Out!!

Standard

“He that trusteth in his riches shall fall:

but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.”

Proverb 11:28

4-21-13 Walk 030

Stay Attached To The True Vine!

Bear Fruit!

Accept Pruning…

Be Even More Fruitful!

Remain!!

Be His Friend!

Love!

4-21-13 Walk 018

John 15

The Vine and the Branches

4-20-13 Walk 004

 “I Am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener.

4-20-13 Walk 017

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,

while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes

so that it will be even more fruitful.

4-20-13 Walk 048

You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

4-20-13 Walk 050

 Remain in Me, as I also remain in you.

No branch can bear fruit by itself;

it must remain in the vine.

Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.

4-14-13 Walk 054

I Am the vine;

you are the branches.

If you remain in Me and I in you,

you will bear much fruit;

apart from Me you can do nothing.

4-14-13 Walk 056

 If you do not remain in me,

you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers;

such branches are picked up,

thrown into the fire and burned.

4-13-13 Walk 015

If you remain in Me and My words remain in you,

ask whatever you wish,

and it will be done for you.

4-7-13 Walk 026

This is to my Father’s Glory,

that you bear much fruit,

showing yourselves to be my disciples.

4-7-13 Walk 035

As the Father has loved Me,

so have I loved you.

Now remain in My love.

3-2-13 Walk 017

If you keep my commands,

you will remain in My love,

just as I have kept my Father’s commands

and remain in His love.

2-25-13 walk 014

I have told you this so that My joy

may be in you

and that your joy may be complete.

4-21-13 Walk 027

My command is this:

Love each other

as I have loved you.

4-21-13 Walk 113

Greater love has no one than this:

to lay down one’s life for one’s friends

4-21-13 Walk 112

You are My friends

if you do what I command

4-20-13 Walk 042

I no longer call you servants,

because a servant does not know his master’s business.

Instead, I have called you friends,

for everything that I learned from My Father

I have made known to you. 

4-20-13 Walk 052

You did not choose Me,

but I chose you and appointed you

so that you might go and bear fruit—

fruit that will last—

and so that whatever you ask in My Name the Father will give you.

4-20-13 Walk 001

This is my command:

Love each other.”

You’re Branches!!!

Remain attached to The Vine!

Flourish

and

Branch Out!

Bear Fruit!

Love

He Wills It!

Free As A Bird!

Standard

“So if the Son sets you free,

you will be free indeed.”

John 8:36  NIV

3-10-13 Walk 3-11-13 Beach 097

“Jesus said, ‘You will know the truth,

and the truth will set you free.'”

John 8:31-32  NIV

3-10-13 Walk 3-11-13 Beach 193

“because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit

who gives life

has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

Romans 8:2  NIV

3-10-13 Walk 3-11-13 Beach 114

“For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord

is the Lord’s freed person;

similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.”

1 Corinthians 7:22  NIV

3-10-13 Walk 3-11-13 Beach 115

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

Stand firm, then,

and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Galatians 5:1  NIV

3-10-13 Walk 3-11-13 Beach 116

“In my anguish I cried to the LORD,

and He answered by setting me free.”

Psalm 118:5  NIV

3-10-13 Walk 3-11-13 Beach 130

“The LORD lives!

Praise be to my Rock!

Exalted be God,

the Rock, my Savior!

He is the God who avenges me. . .

who sets me free from my enemies.”

  2 Samuel 22:47-49  NIV

3-10-13 Walk 3-11-13 Beach 001

“But thanks be to God that,

though you used to be slaves to sin,

you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching

to which you were entrusted.

You have been set free from sin

and have become slaves to righteousness.”

Romans 6:17-18  NIV

3-10-13 Walk 3-11-13 Beach 024

“Be sure of this:

the wicked will not go unpunished,

but those who are righteous will go free.”

Proverbs 11:21  NIV

3-10-13 Walk 3-11-13 Beach 026

“But now He has reconciled you

by Christ’s physical body

through death

to present you holy in His sight,

without blemish

and free from accusation.”

Colossians 1:22  NIV

3-10-13 Walk 3-11-13 Beach 027

“For this reason

Christ is the mediator of a new covenant,

that those who are called

may receive the promised eternal inheritance–

now that He has died

as a ransom to set them free. . .”

Hebrews 9:15  NIV

3-10-13 Walk 3-11-13 Beach 130

“Set me free from my prison,

that I may praise your name.”

Psalm 142:7  NIV

3-10-13 Walk 3-11-13 Beach 140

“He upholds the cause of the oppressed

and gives food to the hungry.

The LORD sets the prisoners free,

the LORD gives sight to the blind,

the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,

the LORD loves the righteous.”

Psalm 146:7-8

3-10-13 Walk 3-11-13 Beach 141

“Sin is no longer your master,

for you no longer live under the requirements of the law.

Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.”

Romans 6:14 NLT

3-10-13 Walk 3-11-13 Beach 142

“We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare;

the snare has been broken,

and we have escaped.”

Psalm 124:7  NIV

3-10-13 Walk 3-11-13 Beach 055

“The Spirit and the bride say,

‘Come!’

And let him who hears,

say, ‘Come!’

Whoever is thirsty,

let him come;

and whoever wishes,

let him take the free gift of the water of life.”

Revelation 22:17  NIV

Yipee!!  We’re free!

Freedom in Christ…

It’s a free gift!!

Take it!

Don’t Fall For The Counterfeit!!

Standard

1-21-13 Walk 009

Beautiful statues!

“When anyone hears the message about the kingdom

and does not understand it,

the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.

This is the seed sown along the path.”

Matthew 13:19  NIV

2-14-13 Valentine's Day 010

But nothing like the real thing!

“Jesus turned and said to Peter,

‘Get behind me, Satan!

You are a stumbling block to me;

you do not have in mind the things of God,

but the things of men.'”

Matthew 16:23  NIV

2-14-13 Valentine's Day 013

“And no wonder,

for Satan himself masquerades

as an angel of light.”

2 Corinthians 11:14  NIV

2-14-13 Valentine's Day 021

“Submit yourselves, then,

to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.”

James 4:7  NIV

2-14-13 Valentine's Day 023

“The God of peace

will soon crush Satan under your feet.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”

Romans 16:20  NIV

2-14-13 Valentine's Day 024

“So the great dragon was cast out,

that serpent of old,

called the Devil and Satan,

who deceives the whole world;

he was cast to the earth,

and his angels were cast out with him”

Revelation 12:9  KJV

2-14-13 Valentine's Day 027

“Prove all things, hold fast that which is good”

1 Thessalonians 5:21, KJV

“Satan, who is the god of this world,

has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe.

They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News.

They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ,

who is the exact likeness of God.”

2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV

Hold Fast!!

Don’t fall for the counterfeit…

from the father of lies!!

“Fishing? Anyone???”

Standard

“Fishing for men, that is!”

Love, Jesus

2-19 to 2-10-13 Gilchrist & First Baptist Outreach 001

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

Matthew 4:19  NIV

2-19 to 2-10-13 Gilchrist & First Baptist Outreach 036

Let’s go fishing!!

2-19 to 2-10-13 Gilchrist & First Baptist Outreach 045

“Simon Peter said to them,

‘I am going fishing.’

They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’

They went out and got into the boat,

but that night they caught nothing.”

John 21:3  ESV

2-19 to 2-10-13 Gilchrist & First Baptist Outreach 023

“And when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon,

‘Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’

And Simon answered, ‘Master, we toiled all night and took nothing!

But at your word I will let down the nets.’

And when they had done this,

they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.”

Luke 5:4-6  ESV

2-19 to 2-10-13 Gilchrist & First Baptist Outreach 032

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea

and gathered fish of every kind.”

Matthew 13:47  ESV

2-19 to 2-10-13 Gilchrist & First Baptist Outreach 054

 “But ask the beasts, and they will teach you;

the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you;

or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you;

and the fish of the sea will declare to you.

Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?

In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind. 

Job 12:7-10  ESV

2-19 to 2-10-13 Gilchrist & First Baptist Outreach 050

“And wherever the river goes,

every living creature that swarms will live,

and there will be very many fish.

For this water goes there,

that the waters of the sea may become fresh;

so everything will live where the river goes.”

Ezekiel 47:9  ESV

2-19 to 2-10-13 Gilchrist & First Baptist Outreach 026

 

“Afterward Jesus appeared again to His disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.

It happened this way:

Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,

the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.

‘I’m going out to fish,’ Simon Peter told them,

and they said, ‘We’ll go with you.’

So they went out and got into the boat,

but that night they caught nothing.

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore,

but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

He called out to them, ‘Friends, haven’t you any fish?’

‘No,’ they answered.

 He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’

When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter,

‘It is the Lord!’

As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’

he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off)

and jumped into the water.

The other disciples followed in the boat,

towing the net full of fish,

for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 

When they landed,

they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

Jesus said to them,

‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ 

So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat

and dragged the net ashore.

It was full of large fish, 153,

but even with so many the net was not torn.”

John 21:1-11  NIV

2-19 to 2-10-13 Gilchrist & First Baptist Outreach 019

“Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

2-19 to 2-10-13 Gilchrist & First Baptist Outreach 064

“Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”

2-19 to 2-10-13 Gilchrist & First Baptist Outreach 080

“It is the Lord.”

“Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”


So…did you bring any fish home???

2-19 to 2-10-13 Gilchrist & First Baptist Outreach 059

“I’m going out to fish.”

“We’ll go with you.”

Yes, that’s the way to fish!

Love, Jesus

Lunch Will Be Served On Our Front Lawn! Hope You Love Fish!!

Standard

1-19-13 Birds on the lawn 012

“Hey!  Is this where the party is???”

1-19-13 Birds on the lawn 016

“Oh yeah!  Lunch is served!!”

1-19-13 Birds on the lawn 023

“We’re big birds!  We want more!!”

1-19-13 Birds on the lawn 024

“Oh, they’re so greedy!!”

1-19-13 Birds on the lawn 025

“Who me?  What do you mean???”

1-19-13 Birds on the lawn 030

“I’m ready for my close-up!!”

1-19-13 Birds on the lawn 035

“Did you have to invite these two guys???”

1-19-13 Birds on the lawn 038

“Watch it!”

1-19-13 Birds on the lawn 039

“Humph!”

1-19-13 Birds on the lawn 040

“Okay, lunch was delicious!  Let’s be friends!

See you tomorrow…

Same time, same place!!”

Thank you, God, for Your fine-feathered friends to delight us!!