Category Archives: God’s Scenery

Aug3

Check With God!

Posted on August 3, 2013 by sagescenery

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Many people say many things…

I’d like you to_____

I wish that you would_____

Why can’t you_____

You really should_____

Why don’t you_____

You need to_____

I can’t understand why you won’t_____

Don’t____

Oh, you must_____

When will you_____

Stop thinking about_____

Stay on track with_____

Take responsibility for_____

How can you_____

We need you to_____

And expect you to do many things…

Stay calm

Get excited

Go to work

Stay Home

Have a baby

Make more money

Have another baby

Quit your job

Volunteer

Help out more

Be a great Mom/Dad

Step up

Be a team player

Care for your parents

Give some money

Give more time

Teach your kids

Be perfect

Focus on your job

Cook healthy meals

Keep in shape

Be organized

Be spontaneous

Clean the house

Go have fun

Work hard

Be studious

Mow the lawn

Be polite

Be assertive

Plant a garden

Handle a sick child

Create holiday traditions

Keep in touch with the in-laws

Understand your spouse

Be strong

Be ladylike

Be manly

Be sensitive

Be independent

Send cards

Buy gifts

Delegate

Pay the bills

Organize the carpool

Find anything in the house that’s lost

Read minds

Be confident

Have a sense of humor

Always have an alternate plan ready

Fix the toilet

Save for college

Sign up for classes

Look good

Read your Bible

Spend time with your family

Get everyone ready for back-to-school

Supervise homework

Help at church

Service the car

Throw a party

Buy groceries

Redeem coupons

Bake cookies for school

Watch the news

Run errands

Change your hairstyle

Lose some weight

Buy new clothes

Join a gym

Read more

Take care of pets

Do the laundry

Pick up the kids

Plan the vacation

Etc.

Whew!!

This is exhausting stuff…

Trying to please everyone!

STOP!

Check with God!!

Say, “I’ll pray about it!”

Be who He wants you to be!

That’s what pleases Him!!

1 John 5:14-15

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God:

that if we ask anything according to His will,

He hears us.

And if we know that He hears us—

whatever we ask—

we know that we have what we asked of Him.”

Romans 12:2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed

by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test

and approve what God’s will is—

His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

John 8:28-29

So Jesus said,

“When you have lifted up the Son of Man,

then you will know that I am He

and that I do nothing on My own

but speak just what the Father has taught Me.

The One who sent Me is with Me;

He has not left Me alone,

for I always do what pleases Him.”

Proverbs 16:7

“When a man’s ways please the Lord,

He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

Trying to do it all???

Relax!

Ask in prayer and obey!!

Jesus will give you joy for the things He wants you to do!

Let Jesus take your burdens to lighten your load!

Don’t be pressured by the world!

Psalm 118:8

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in humans.”

You’re confidence is in Christ!!

The opinion that matters is His!

1 Timothy 2:5

“For there is one God

and one mediator between God and mankind,

the man Christ Jesus…”

Simplify your life!

Listen to One Voice!

The world doesn’t dictate…

The culture doesn’t define…

God’s voice is the loudest…

At all times!!

Before you take a new job…

Take on a new volunteer position…

Do another chore…

Let go of things God says are not yours!!

Suggested reading:

Kingdom Man by Tony Evans

Kingdom Woman-Embracing Your Purpose, Power, and Possibilities by Tony Evans and Chrystal Evans Hurst

“…your life flows through different seasons. Each of these seasons carries with it different time constraints, blessings, and demands. To try to do all things without being cognizant of the season you are in is the surest way to burnout and even bitterness…Yet God never said that you would receive praise for trying to please others….Place what God says and what God requires as the highest priority in your life.” Chrystal Evans Hurst

Jul31

Teachers…Parents Are Sending You The Best That They Have!!!

Posted on July 31, 2013 by sagescenery

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Give Them The Best You Have!!

A Back-To-School Lesson!

Romans 12:7

“If your gift is serving others,

serve them well.

If you are a teacher,

teach well.”

Titus 2:7-8

“In everything

set them an example by doing what is good.

In your teaching show integrity, seriousness

and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned,

so that those who oppose you

may be ashamed

because they have nothing bad to say about us.”

For additional verses about teachers, go to:

http://www.prayers-for-special-help.com/bible-verses-about-teachers.html

Where according to:

Prayers for Special Help,

“These Bible verses about teachers enlighten us

first on the exceptional responsibility that one has while teaching.

Due to the impact a teacher has on a student,

one quote warns us that teachers will be judged

with a greater strictness than others.

Jesus is often called a teacher

and he himself confirmed that he was one;

the apostles were also teachers.

The teaching passages above

also insist that the ability to teach is a gift

in which the teacher serves others

and leads by example

with the objective to make the students

as wise as the teacher.

It is the teacher’s task to study,

handle the truth correctly,

and teach accurate information

while treating the pupil with respect.

These quotes identify integrity,

dignity,

faithfulness,

and lack of hypocrisy

as traits that the teacher should possess.

Overall, the teacher is warned about too much study

that does not focus on the fear of God

and living a godly life.”

Humbling stuff, huh???

James 1:5

“If any of you lacks wisdom,

you should ask God,

who gives generously to all without finding fault,

and it will be given to you.”

Proverbs 22:6

“Train up a child in the way he should go:

and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Luke 12:12

“…for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time

what you should say.”

2 Timothy 3:14-17

“But as for you,

continue in what you have learned

and have become convinced of,

because you know those from whom you learned it,

and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures,

which are able to make you wise for salvation

through faith in Christ Jesus.

All Scripture is God-breathed

and is useful for

teaching,

rebuking,

correcting

and training in righteousness,

so that the servant of God

may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Deuteronomy 11:18-21

“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds;

tie them as symbols on your hands

and bind them on your foreheads.

Teach them to your children,

talking about them when you sit at home

and when you walk along the road,

when you lie down

and when you get up.

Write them on the door frames of your houses

and on your gates,

so that your days

and the days of your children

may be many in the land the Lord

swore to give your ancestors,

as many as the days

that the heavens are above the earth.”

Lord,

Teachers are going Back-To-School now!

We need Your help!!

Please help us to show Your love!

Even when our days are chaotic!

Especially, when our days are chaotic!!!

Amen!!

Jul27

Friendship Is A Beautiful Thing!!

Posted on July 27, 2013 by sagescenery

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My dear friend, her family, and their dog traveled this summer to…

Door County, Wisconsin…

Let’s take a look at her beautiful photos!!

Ahhhh…peace and quiet!!

I see their dog feel’s right at home!!

She snapped this photo for me…

The Italian!!

So I’d feel welcome, too!

I love this beautiful 4th of July floral arrangement!!

Vibrant colors in a background of lush green!!

Deep purple…

The color of royalty!!

Lilac-colored lollipop flowers???

Can we blow on these???

Or run with them in the wind???

Cotton Candy, anyone???

Pick me a big bouquet!!!

Genesis 1:31

“God saw all that He had made,

and it was very good…”

2 Corinthians 13:11

^“Finally, brothers and sisters,

rejoice!

Strive for full restoration,

encourage one another,

be of one mind,

live in peace.

And the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Amen!

Jul25

What A Web We Weave…

Posted on July 25, 2013 by sagescenery

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The other day…

My husband called me outside on the lanai…

“Come quick!

Bring your camera!

Here’s a shot of a lifetime!!”

At first, I just couldn’t see it!

What was he pointing at???

Then, I moved closer…

And the light shifted…

And suddenly…

I saw this beautiful spider’s web!!!!!!

It was huge!

Oh, so perfect!

Nice to look at…

But, if I was a tiny, little, helpless fly…

I would be tempted to fly into that web…

Which is soooo attractive to me!

And get hopelessly caught!!

Don’t get caught in a web of the devil’s lies!!

Sin may look beautiful…

Even bring temporary pleasure…

But it’s a death trap!!

Just like this beautiful spider web is…

To the spider’s prey!

The enemy of our soul…

Seeks to steal from us…

Ensnare us…

Entangle us…

Kill us…

And destroy us!!

He uses beautiful counterfeit!

It’s hard to see his tricks!

Let Jesus shine His Light…

At just the right angle…

And you’ll be able to suddenly see…

The devious plans…

The enemy has for you!

John 10:10

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

I have come that they may have life,

and have it to the full.”

Turn away…

And embrace God’s Plan for your life!!

Jeremiah 29:11

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’

declares the Lord,

‘plans to prosper you

and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.'”

Ahhh…

I love this promise of God!!!

Jul23

Mom Brown’s Legacy Lives On…

Posted on July 23, 2013 by sagescenery

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This was written by my dear cousin…

To read at the funeral…

To honor her Mother-in-law…

When she passed from this earth…

into the loving arms of our…

Lord Jesus Christ...

“My Mother-in law,

who we called Mom Brown,

touched so many,

in so many different and amazing ways,

myself included!

I can relate story after story concerning the generosity,

kindness, spiritual wisdom, and guidance

she bestowed on this fast talking,

hard to understand at times,

Jersey Girl.

But I have selected one powerful,

life changing example

that began over 24 years ago,

just after I married her son.

She gave me a gift,

the first book of many that followed.

It was a book entitled,

My Utmost for His Highest

by Oswald Chambers.

It is a daily devotional

that has a month and day at the top of each page,

common to most devotionals on the market today.

However, at this time in my life,

I had never purchased one

and was unfamiliar with its true purpose.

I started reading it daily on July 1, 1989

and when I completed the June 30th reading a year later,

I stored it on my library shelf,

feeling a sense of accomplishment

that I had made my way through a year of these very deep

and complicated writings by a man who lived in the nineteenth century.

A few weeks later, Mom asked me

if I was reading the book she gave me.

I replied,

“Yes, I finished it and placed it on my library shelf for safe keeping.”

I have to admit, her response set me back a bit.

She said, “Oh, no,

you have to keep reading it,

year after year,

and each year it will mean something different to you

and you will understand it better and better,

as the years pass.”

The thought of getting the book off the shelf

and reading it again really didn’t appeal to me.

However, the excitement and enthusiasm in her reply

motivated me to give it a shot.

This book has become one of my most prized possessions.

I carry it on every trip I take,

and read it every day.

And you know what?

Mom Brown was absolutely,

positively right!

Each year it provides more incite into the woman who gave it to me

and her best friend,

Jesus!

My husband and I started reading it together,

most likely around 1999.

I don’t know why it took me 10 years to start sharing it with him,

but maybe it was because I understood the passages more and more

and realized,

“You don’t keep something so special to yourself!”

We both read it every morning still to this day.

However, because my copy has a broken binding

and many pages are loose and on occasion fall to the floor,

and also because there are so many of my written notes covering the pages;

My husband purchased his own leather bound copy several years ago.

He realized I was never replacing mine.

We have grown so much spiritually, both individually and together as a couple,

thanks to our dear departed Mom

who read this book every day of her life for over 40 years

and lived the scriptures quoted in it to the max!

I have been so blessed to have known her

and to have her influence in my life.”

Proverbs 1:8

…and do not forsake your mother’s teachings.

They will be a garland to grace your head

and a chain to adorn your neck.

“I always keep extra copies on hand to pass out to others.

I have several with me today

and if anyone would like one of these books,

please take it before you leave.

I would like you to think of it,

not as a gift from me,

but instead a gift from Mom Brown…

so her legacy can live on!

Jul15

My One Year Blog-A-Versary!! July ’13

Posted on July 15, 2013 by sagescenery

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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 13^th her actual Blog-A-Versary (or so she claims).

Enough backstory.

Here I sit, proudly, on July 14^th, 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 14^th, 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.”

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!!

Jul12

Press On!!!

Posted on July 12, 2013 by sagescenery

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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!!

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.“

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.”

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!’”

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”

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.”

Colossians 3:2

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

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:

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

Jul12

Power Failure???

Posted on July 12, 2013 by sagescenery

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There’s never a power failure with God!

Unlike in Florida…

Where we experience power failures all the time…

Like today…

The sun was shining…

It was beautiful outside…

And our power went out!!

We’re used to it in hurricanes and lightning storms…

Prepared for it even…

But, I wasn’t prepared for a power outage today…

Electricity!!!!

I can’t live without it!

I was on the computer…

The internet went down…

Digital clocks were blinking…

The security alarm was beeping…

My hubby was watching his beloved Yankees…

And now nothing!

My son was getting ready to go out…

But can’t use the hair dryer…

Life just stands still a moment…

Or two, Or three…

I quickly forget we have no power…

I’m so used to having it available!!!!

I go to turn on a light…

I go to microwave something…

I know I’ll freak out soon…

When I realize…

The air conditioning is dying!!!!

Help!!!

Oh, wait!

Thank You, Jesus!!!!!!

Here it comes…

The power is back…

Oh, Praise God!!

I know I need all Your power, too, Lord!

All the power Your Word says I have in Christ!

Power in Your Holy Name, Jesus!

And the power of Your Holy Spirit living in me!!

Thank You, God!!

You’ve never failed me yet!!!

Luke 24:49

“I am going to send you what My Father has promised;

but stay in the city until you

have been clothed with power from on high.”

John 1:12-13

“Yet to all who did receive Him,

to those who believed in His Name,

He gave the right to become children of God

children…born of God.”

Romans 15:13

“May the God of Hope

fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him,

so that you may overflow with hope

by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

1 Corinthians 4:20

“For the Kingdom of God is not in word,

but in power.”

You can count on God’s Power!

Jul11

God’s Nightlights!

Posted on July 11, 2013 by sagescenery

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Genesis 1:3-4

“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’

and there was light.

God saw that the light was good,

and He separated the light from the darkness.“

John 8:12

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said,

‘I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness,

but will have the light of life.'”

Psalm 119:105

“Your Word is a lamp for my feet,

a light on my path.”

2 Corinthians 4:6

“For God, who said,

‘Let light shine out of darkness,^‘

made His light shine in our hearts

to give us the light of the knowledge

of God’s glory displayed

in the face of Christ.”

Psalm 43:3

“Send me Your light and Your faithful care,

let them lead me;

let them bring me to Your Holy mountain,

to the place where You dwell.”

Psalm 27:1

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—

of whom shall I be afraid?”

1 peter 2:9

“But you are a chosen people,

a royal priesthood,

a holy nation,

God’s special possession,

that you may declare the praises of Him

who called you out of darkness

into His wonderful light.”

Proverbs 4:18-19

“The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,

shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;

they do not know what makes them stumble.”

Ephesians 5:8

“For you were once darkness,

but now you are light in the Lord.

Live as children of light

(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)

and find out what pleases the Lord.”

Matthew 5:14-19

“You are the light of the world.

A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.

Instead they put it on its stand,

and it gives light to everyone in the house.

In the same way,

let your light shine before others,

that they may see your good deeds

and glorify your Father in Heaven.”

Be God’s nightlights…

Even in the dark of night!

Jul5

It’s Time To…

Posted on July 5, 2013 by sagescenery

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“Enjoy Your Freedom” by Holley Gerth

http://holleygerth.com/

photo by n11a11m

For many years, freedom sat like an unopened present on the shelf of my heart. I looked at it a bit suspiciously. From time to time, I’d pick it up and shake it so I could try to figure out what was inside. But I never had the courage to open it.

Then God said it was time. He placed my hands on that box, helped me untie the ribbon, peel back the paper, and lift the lid.

And here’s what freedom looks like to me this summer:

Being able to laugh out loud.

Friends who accept me as I am, mess and all.

Sitting on the back porch watching fireflies.

A nap.

Knowing I can make mistakes and then try again.

Grace spread out like a picnic and God handing me a paper plate.

Freedom given is not complete. It’s only when we receive it, enjoy it, give thanks for it that becomes fully ours.

The fourth of July in America is a day for celebrating freedom–please do.

And let’s also celebrate the freedom God has given us every other day too.

Open the gift and enjoy what has always been yours, friend!