Category Archives: FL

Apr24

Branch Out!!

Posted on April 24, 2013 by sagescenery

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“He that trusteth in his riches shall fall:

but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.”

Proverb 11:28

Stay Attached To The True Vine!

Bear Fruit!

Accept Pruning…

Be Even More Fruitful!

Remain!!

Be His Friend!

Love!

John 15

The Vine and the Branches

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

ask whatever you wish,

and it will be done for you.

This is to my Father’s Glory,

that you bear much fruit,

showing yourselves to be my disciples.

As the Father has loved Me,

so have I loved you.

Now remain in My love.

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.

I have told you this so that My joy

may be in you

and that your joy may be complete.

My command is this:

Love each other

as I have loved you.

Greater love has no one than this:

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

You are My friends

if you do what I command

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.

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.

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!

Apr24

Reflections Of Christ Our King…

Posted on April 24, 2013 by sagescenery

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Reflect Your King…

It’s Your Time To Shine…

Like Gold…

In Christ!

“These trials will show that your faith is genuine.

It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold–

though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.

So when your faith remains strong through many trials,

it will bring you much praise and glory and honor

on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”

I Peter 1:7 NLV

“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament;

and they that turn many to righteousness

as the stars forever and ever.”

Daniel 12:3

“Wisdom is worth more than silver;

it brings more profit than gold.

Wisdom is more precious than rubies;

nothing you could want is equal to it.

With her right hand wisdom offers you a long life,

and with her left hand she gives you riches and honor.

Wisdom will make your life pleasant and will bring you peace.

As a tree produces fruit, wisdom gives life to those who use it,

and everyone who uses it will be happy.

The Lord made the earth, using His wisdom.

He set the sky in place, using His understanding.

With His knowledge, He made springs flow into rivers and the clouds drop rain on the earth.

My child, hold on to wisdom and good sense.

Don’t let them out of your sight.

They will give you life and beauty like a necklace around your neck.

Then you will go your way in safety, and you will not get hurt.

When you lie down, you won’t be afraid;

when you lie down, you will sleep in peace.”

Proverbs 3:14-24 NCV

Psalm 19

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

“The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.

They have no speech, they use no words;

no sound is heard from them.

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens

and makes its circuit to the other;

nothing is deprived of its warmth.

The law of the Lord is perfect,

refreshing the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right,

giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is pure,

enduring forever.

The decrees of the Lord are firm,

and all of them are righteous.

They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the honeycomb.

By them your servant is warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

But who can discern their own errors?

Forgive my hidden faults.

Keep your servant also from willful sins;

may they not rule over me.

Then I will be blameless,

innocent of great transgression.

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,

Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Are You A Reflection Of Christ our King??

You R. O. C. K.!!

Apr14

America, Are We Sleeping???

Posted on April 14, 2013 by sagescenery

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I want to suggest a book…

A New York Times Best Seller…

The Harbinger:

The Ancient Mystery That Holds the Secret of America’s Future

Jonathan Cahn

For more info. go to: http://www.theharbingerbook.com

“It’s not fiction, it’s real….

A warning…

To sound the alarm…”

The bricks have fallen down,

but we will rebuild with dressed stone;

the fig trees have been felled,

but we will replace them with cedars.

Isaiah 9:10 NIV

America, Wake up!!

Here are some excerpts from the book:

“What would happen…

If a (foolish) gardener tried to remove a weed from his garden by cutting off its leaves?

Or, he cut off its stem?”

Nothing!

“Until he finally deals with the underlying problem…

The root!

The Isaiah 9:10 Effect says:

The attempt of a nation

To defy the course of its judgement,

Apart from repentance,

Will, instead, set in motion

A chain of events to bring about

The very calamity it sought to avert.

You can’t solve a spiritual problem

with a military or political solution.

Apart from a return to God, the root issue

Remains untouched

And will manifest again in a different form…

…Foundations will be laid bare…

Exposing the foundation…”

America, who is our foundation?

Jesus!

Let’s go back…

I want to see our roots again!!

Love…

And repentance to…

Almighty God!

Apr14

I’m Really Beautiful When I’m In Full Bloom!

Posted on April 14, 2013 by sagescenery

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I may start out small, in God’s Kingdom…

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,

and all these things will be added to you.”

Matthew 6:33 ESV

Struggling to open up, and be all He wants me to be…

But, soon I get going with His strength…

And really start to blossom…

Amazing everyone!

Even me!! But, I feel at home here now…

I’m fragrant…

And pleasing to the eye of God…

I’m adding to the scenery, changing the atmosphere around me…

Steppin’ out, with my Lord!

Ready to be part of a sweet bouquet!

In the Kingdom of God!

Gorgeous!!

God loves watching us grow and bloom, too!

“Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God…”

2 Corinthians 2:15 ESV

Apr4

“I Hope So…”

Posted on April 4, 2013 by sagescenery

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Easter Service at Sacred Heart!

Okay, let me set the scene for you. It’s Easter Sunday. My son and I taught Kids Church at our church at 9 am. We’re very Pentecostal! My husband is Catholic. So on Christmas Eve and on Easter Sunday, my son and I become “C and E” Catholics, so we can go as a family to Dad’s church with him.

Perhaps not ideal. Or, even what I pray for. But it is what it is!!

Anyway, I know Easter Service is going to be super packed at the Catholic church, so I want to get there as soon as we can, when my son and I get home from our church. We wore regular church clothes, instead of our Kids Church t-shirts and jeans, as we usually would, just to save time. But, I let my son wear his black and white Converse sneakers with his black pants, because, well, who cares, right???

Anyway, my husband insists our kid come inside, and change his sneakers, and so, we got to his church right before 11 am, instead of at 10:30 am, like I planned. There might have been a shot at getting a seat at 10:30 am, but “No Way” at 11 am!! It’s a huge, beautiful church, just rebuilt after the hurricane!

But, folks, this is Easter Sunday…Resurrection Day! Amen! And Hallelujah!!

We walk in through crowds, upon crowds, of people. I see a friend and she says, “No seats!!!” Since the usher just gave her husband the last seat, because he had just had surgery, and wouldn’t be able to stand for an hour and a half.

I can’t either!

So we head back outside…

Walk around to the other door…

Into the overflow room!!

The overflow room has overflowed!

People have overflowed out into the vestibule…

And onto the outside walkway…

And well into the parking lot!

So we decided to stay in the vestibule, ’cause I saw a little 2″ window sill, that I mistakenly thought I could rest on. But, at second glance, I saw that it was way too small for my behind!

What was I thinking?

Also, I had worn my really cute, little, tiny heels, since I figured,

“Hey, I’m not working and standing all day, right?

I’ll be sitting, won’t I?”

Ouch!

My mind is racing.

How to find a way to sit down…

ANYWHERE!!!

I ask the usher if there are any folding chairs? “No!” My husband goes to the Annex Building to look. “No!”

Then I spy a door to a kitchen, and just inside, is a little mahogany step stool!

I sneak in when the usher isn’t looking, and grab it!

Nice Christian move, huh?!?!?

I sat rather uncomfortably on this stool for the entire service, I couldn’t even see the priest. I peeked around the blob of people in front of me. He was miles away, but I saw that he had white hair. We had settled right next to the bathrooms, where people were coming and going, and flushing! Not really conducive to worshiping!

But, with their great sound system, and I could hear every word the priest said!

All the hassle was worth it, because of the sermon I heard preached to the Catholics!!

After awhile everyone calmed down to stand in their chosen spots, and the ceremony began. They even sang “Celebrate, Jesus, Celebrate”

Which I loved! Real hand clapping music! Amen!

The priest was talking about what Jesus did for us on the Cross…

“It’s Finished, Nothing Else Needs To Be Done!”

Amen!

He helps them recite their profession of faith and belief in Jesus Christ, etc.

While I’m not Catholic, my Mom’s older sister was a nun, I was raised in a Catholic town in NJ, and basically there were a hand-full of us non-Catholic Italians in our town-most of whom were related to us!!

So, if you have any questions, please go to Rebecca Hamilton’s blog called Public Catholic, at:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/publiccatholic/

For more precise explanations of Catholic doctrines. Her blog is awesome!

Finally, the priest got to the sermon part, and said…

“I Hope So!”

My ears perk up from my crouched position on that tiny, hard, little bench!

This is a phrase I’ve heard from my husband, since we met in high school!

Question: “Are you going to Heaven?”

Answer: “I hope so!”

“Where did you learn that answer?” I asked him…

Now, my husband knows a lot of Bible…thank you Catechism classes!

“I was taught,” he said,

“That the only person who is assured of going to Heaven, is the one thief on the Cross, who said,

“Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.”

Jesus answered him,

“I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise.”

Luke 23:42-43

“That’s the only one?” I ask.

“Where’s our Blessed Hope, then?”

“Not to know if you’re on your way to Heaven, or not…’til when?”

“‘Til after you die????”

I never got it!

And I never heard a sermon at my husband’s church addressing it…

‘Til this Easter!!!!

I was so excited!

We Pentecostals are like that! Ha!

When the Holy Spirit reveals something…

Remember what happened in Acts Chapter 2!!

Good thing I didn’t have far to fall,

‘Cause I was about ready to fall off my stool!!!

I’m poking my husband, as the priest is saying,

“You know, we’re the only religion, that when asked if we’re going to Heaven…

We say,’We hope so!’

And, we’re the only religion that has a place called ‘Purgatory!’

Where is that, anyway???”

That’s another doctrine I couldn’t understand, either…

“No!” he said, “Believe in Jesus as your Savior!”

Then, the priest adds,

“Also, don’t be so grouchy, Jesus wasn’t grouchy, and He died on a Cross for us, so we could go to Heaven!!”

This priest preached to a packed audience of Catholics, and friends, the sermon I’ve been praying my husband would hear for years and years.

“Did you hear that?” I ask my husband.

He said, “No, I couldn’t hear a thing, you were talking so much!!”

Dear Holy Spirit, please reach out and open his ears!!

I was made to love You!

Jesus, I repent…

I’m following You…

I’m serving You in Confidence…

So Daddy, I’m on my way!

“For by grace you have been saved through faith.

And this is not your own doing;

it is the gift of God,

not a result of works,

so that no one may boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only Son,

that whoever believes in him should not perish

but have eternal life.”

John 3:16 ESV

“And there is salvation in no one else,

for there is no other name under heaven given among men

by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:12 ESV

Apr4

Are You On The Right Path???

Posted on April 4, 2013 by sagescenery

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Where Is Your Path Leading You?

“‘…Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’

And they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,

and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.'”

Acts 16:30-31

“Jesus answered,

‘I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.

No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

John 14:6

“Then know this, you and all the people of Israel:

It is by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead,

that this man stands before you healed….

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other Name under Heaven

given to men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:10,12

Are Obstacles Blocking All Your Path?

“He came and preached peace to you who were far away

and peace to those who were near.

For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”

Ephesians 2:17-18

Are You Stuck In A Sand Trap?

“When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom

as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you

except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

1 Corinthians 2:1-2

Is There Debris On Your Path That Needs To Be Swept Away?

“For no one can lay any foundation

other than the one already laid,

which is Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 3:11

Are There Too Many Stains?

“For it is by grace you have been saved,

through faith —

and this not from yourselves,

it is the gift of God —

not by works,

so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9

Are There Too Many Dead Ends?

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done,

but according to His mercy He saved us.”

Titus 3:5

Are There Too Many Big Rocks Along Your Path?

“This is good, and pleases God our Savior,

who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men,

the man Christ Jesus,

who gave Himself as a ransom for all men…”

1 Timothy 2:3-6

Are There Too Many Patched Up Places?

“But He continued, ‘You are from below;

I am from above.

You are of this world; I am not of this world.

I told you that you would die in your sins;

if you do not believe that I am,

you will indeed die in your sins.’”

John 8:23-24

Is Your Path Crooked, And Filled With Large Obstacles??

“And we have seen and testify that the Father

has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.”

1 John 4:14

Is Your Pathway Just Dirt?

“No one who denies the Son has the Father;

whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.”

1 John 2:23

Are You Going Around In Circles?

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels,

now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death,

so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.”

Hebrews 2:9

Are You Fenced In?

“Jesus said ‘Enter through the narrow gate.

For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction,

and many enter through it.

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life,

and only a few find it.'”

Matthew 7:13

Go Ahead! Open The Door!!!

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.

But if anybody does sin,

we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense — Jesus Christ,

the Righteous One.

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,

and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

1 John 2:1

There’s Only One Way!

“For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son,

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,

but to save the world through Him.

Whoever believes in Him is not condemned,

but whoever does not believe stands condemned already

because he has not believed in the Name of God’s One and Only Son….

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,

but whoever rejects the Son will not see life,

for God’s wrath remains on him.”

John 3:16-18, 36

There’s Only One Path!

“From this time many of his disciples turned back

and no longer followed Him.

‘You do not want to leave too, do you?’

Jesus asked the Twelve.

Simon Peter answered Him,

‘Lord, to whom shall we go?

You have the words of eternal life.’”

John 6:66-68

The Path That Leads You To Eternal Life!

“And this is the testimony:

God has given us eternal life,

and this life is in His Son.

He who has the Son has life;

he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

1 John 5:11-12

Who’s Lighting Your Path?

“Just as man is destined to die once

and after that to face judgment,

so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people;

and He will appear a second time,

not to bear sin,

but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.”

Hebrews 9:27

Are You Going Down The Right Path?

Going The Right Way?

Who’s Leading You?

Mar29

The Rocks Will Cry Out…

Posted on March 29, 2013 by sagescenery

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If We Won’t Praise Our King!

Luke 19:28-40 NIV

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

^“After Jesus had said this,

He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

As He approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives,

He sent two of His disciples, saying to them,

‘Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there,

which no one has ever ridden.

Untie it and bring it here.

If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’

Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as He had told them.

As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them,

“Why are you untying the colt?’

They replied, ‘The Lord needs it.’

They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.

As He went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

^‘Blessed is the King who comes in the Name of the Lord!^‘

‘Peace in Heaven and Glory in the Highest!’

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus,

‘Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!’

‘I tell you,’ He replied,

‘If they keep quiet,

the stones will cry out.'”

Don’t wait for the rocks to cry out!

Mar28

God’s Gifts Of Spring!

Posted on March 28, 2013 by sagescenery

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Winter Snow Melts…

Spring Flowers Bloom…

New Life…

A New Song!

Born Again…

All Creation brings Glory to God…

“God in His kindness gave each of us different gifts…”

Romans 12:6 GWT

“He has given me a new song to sing,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see what He has done and be amazed.

They will put their trust in the LORD.”

Psalm 40:3 NIV

“Every good and perfect gift is from above…”

James 1:17 NIV

“For God’s gifts

and His call can never be withdrawn.”

Romans 11:29 NLT

“It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts.

He alone decides which gift each person should have.”

1 Corinthians 12:11 NLT

“Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!”

2 Corinthians 9:15 KJV

“…the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23 KJV

“For by grace you have been saved through faith.

And this is not your own doing;

it is the gift of God…”

Ephesians 2:8 KJV

“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit…”

1 Corinthians 14:1

“As each one has received a special gift,

employ it in serving one another,

as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

1 Peter 4:10 ESV

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

“Jesus answered him,

‘Truly, truly, I say to you,

unless one is born again

he cannot see the kingdom of God.’”

John 3:3 ESV

“And He who was seated on the throne said,

‘Behold, I am making all things new.’

Also He said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’”

Revelation 21:5 ESV

The Gift of Salvation is Free…

The Motive for the Gift is…

Nothing more than the…

Grace of the Giver!

Grace is a gift…

All Life is a gift…

Including Eternal Life…

Receive God’s Gift by Faith…

And Be His!

Mar14

Illuminating Blogger’s Award!

Posted on March 14, 2013 by sagescenery

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Thank you!

I’ve been nominated by http://seasonsgirl.wordpress.com/ for the Illuminating Blogger’s Award! It’s my first nomination…and I’m so excited and honored! Seasonsgirl’s blog has been an inspiration to me since I started my blog in July last year. Her posts are kind, gentle, and lovely…she honors God in all that she does! I feel warm and fuzzy…welcomed and loved…when I read her posts…you’ll love her blog, too!

So thank you Seasonsgirl for reading, liking, and commenting on my posts…and for the nomination for the Illuminating Blogger’s Award! I know we’d be great friends…if we ever meet in person…you could teach me all about your awesome life on a ranch!

I love all your photos, your life, your pets, and your animals!!

So now the rules for the Illuminating Blogger Award…

The Rules:

Visit and thank the blogger who nominated you (see above)

Say a few words of gratitude on your blog and follow the link (see above)

Share a few words about yourself and pass on the award to 5 other bloggers

About Me!

Christian, Wife, Mother, Minister, Teacher, Drama Team Director, owner of a Crazy Siberian and a California King Snake…Italian from NJ living in FL with lots to say…who loves to serve the Lord with JOY, write-write-write, and take beautiful photos of God’s awesome scenery!!

Anything I do is a ministry to Jesus, so I pray you’re blessed by my blog…whether it’s a Scripture, my favorite contemporary Christian music, a kid’s Bible object lesson, teaching a life lesson, my photographs, or something humorous to get the outrageous JOY out of life that God meant for us to have!

I love sharing it all!!

Five Worthy Nominations For The Illuminating Blogger’s Award:

1. I love author Bella Grace’s blog, http://walkingonwaterwithgrace.org/ Founder of Walking On Water Ministries, Walking On Water, or WOW…a ministry built on faith, hope, trust, and more importantly LOVE.

She loves the Lord, she’s my sister in the Lord…I feel loved when I read her posts, and also when she comments on mine!

2. I love OverwhelmedByJoy, http://overwhelmedbyjoy.wordpress.com/about/ She’s a wife, mother, friend, and more…also a patient, who makes a conscious decision to choose joy, even though permanently disabled. She’s a caretaker for her mother. She chooses joy because this is the best option. Because the other option. . . is not an option.

She’s so inspirational, wise, and caring…I love her blog!

3. I love Adam J. Holland’s blog, http://unorthodoxepicure.com/ because he’s so opinionated, and makes me laugh, laugh, laugh every day…by making me think about everyday things in a funny way!

He doesn’t consider himself to be any quirkier than the next guy, but his family, friends and fellow bloggers disagree. He’s a chef, so his recipes are awesome! Check it out!

4. I love this new blog I just found…or maybe Kimmy found me! http://kimmyg01.wordpress.com/ Her blog includes spiritual topics that interest me…women’s ministry, Christianity, Christian living, and inspirational poetry…I’m lovin’ it!

5. I love http://becomingcliche.wordpress.com/about/ because she talks about teaching topics that interest me! She has a snake…and…ya gotta love her writing!!

She said, “Since my “About Me’ portion is getting more hits than my actual blog, I may as well not waste an opportunity. I am a snake-keeping, thrift-store loving mother of three. I work as an educator in a zoo and do a bit of free-lance writing. My pet peeves include wet clothing buried in the hamper and little popcorn kernels that get stuck in my teeth. Most days, I have the attention span of a gnat!” Check out her blog…you’ll have fun!!

I love all my blogging friends! Thanks so much for making this a joyful journey for me!! God Bless!!