Tag Archives: God’s Scenery

No Charge For Love!

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I just received this e-mail from a friend…

I’ve seen it before…

I don’t know who wrote it…

But it’s worth re-reading!

Let it sink in…

“There’s No Charge For Love!”

Jesus already paid the price…

And Jesus Understands!

Point everyone to Him!

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A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell.

He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups

and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard.

As he was driving the last nail into the post,

he felt a tug on his overalls.

He looked down into the eyes of a little boy.

“Mister,” he said,

“I want to buy one of your puppies.”

“Well,” said the farmer,

as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck,

“These puppies come from fine parents

and cost a good deal of money.”

The boy dropped his head for moment.

Then reaching deep into his pocket,

he pulled out a handful of change

and held it up to the farmer.

“I’ve got thirty-nine cents.

Is that enough to take a look?”

“Sure,” said the farmer.

And with that he let out a whistle.

“Here, Dolly!” he called.

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Out from the doghouse

and down the ramp ran Dolly

followed by four little balls of fur.

The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence.

His eyes danced with delight.

As the dogs made their way to the fence,

the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse.

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Slowly another little ball appeared,

this one noticeably smaller.

Down the ramp it slid.

Then in a somewhat awkward manner,

the little pup began hobbling toward the others,

doing its best to catch up…

I want that one,”

the little boy said,

pointing to the runt.

The farmer knelt down at the boy’s side and said,

Son, you don’t want that puppy.

He will never be able to run and play with you

like these other dogs would.”

With that, the little boy stepped back from the fence,

reached down,

and began rolling up one leg of his trousers.

In doing so, he revealed a steel brace

running down both sides of his leg

attaching itself to a specially made shoe.

Looking back up at the farmer, he said,

“You see sir,

I don’t run too well myself,

and he will need someone who understands.”

With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down

and picked up the little pup.

Holding it carefully,

he handed it to the little boy.

How much?” asked the little boy…

“No charge,” answered the farmer,

There’s no charge for love.”

“But God shows his love for us

in that while we were still sinners,

Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8  ESV

“For we do not have a high priest

who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,

but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are,

yet without sin.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace,

that we may receive mercy

and find grace

to help in time of need.” 

Hebrews 4:15-16  ESV

Our salvation cost Christ a great deal…

But when Jesus saw us,

His eyes danced with delight!

Others may have said, “You don’t want that one!”

But, as Jesus looked at the runts we all are…

With complete love,

He said,

“Yes, I want that one!

I understand and sympathize with their weaknesses…

I know they can never afford to repay,

But, there’s never, ever…

A Charge for My Love!”

Believe In The God Of The Burning Bush!

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Exodus 3:2-6  NIV

“There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush.

Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.

 So Moses thought, ‘I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.’

When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look,

God called to him from within the bush,

‘Moses! Moses!’

And Moses said, ‘Here I am.’

‘Do not come any closer,’ God said.

‘Take off your sandals,

for the place where you are standing is holy ground.’

Then He said, ‘I am the God of your father,

the God of Abraham,

the God of Isaac

and the God of Jacob.’

At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.'”

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Holy!

Purifying Fire!

Majestic!

Awesome in Glory!

Divine Deity!

Righteous!

Almighty!

Consuming Fire!

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“To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.”

Exodus 24:17  NIV

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“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,

let us be thankful,

and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,

for our God is a consuming fire.”

Hebrews 12:28-29  NIV

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“…God, the blessed and only Ruler,

the King of kings and Lord of lords,

who alone is immortal

and who lives in unapproachable light,

whom no one has seen or can see.

To Him be honor and might forever.  Amen”

I Timothy 6:16  NIV

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“God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am.’

This is what you are to say to the Israelites:

‘I AM has sent me to you.’

God also said to Moses,

Say to the Israelites,

‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham,

the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—

has sent me to you.’

This is my name forever,

the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.”

Exodus 3:14-15  NIV

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When Isaiah looked into the throne room of heaven, he saw angels praising God.

Isaiah 6:3-5  NIV

“And one cried to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;

The whole earth is full of His glory!’

And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out,

and the house was filled with smoke.

So I said: ‘Woe is me, for I am undone!

Because I am a man of unclean lips,

And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;

For my eyes have seen the King,

The Lord of hosts.’”

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“There is no one holy like the Lord;

there is no one besides you;

there is no Rock like our God.”

I Samuel 2:2  NIV

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“The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.”

Psalm 103:19  NIV

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“Thus says the Lord,

‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool…'”

Isaiah 66:1  NIV

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“Immediately I was in the Spirit;

and behold, a throne was standing in heaven,

and One sitting on the throne.”

Revelation 4:12  NIV

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“In a loud voice they were saying:

‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and praise!’

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth

and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be praise and honor and glory and power,

for ever and ever!’”

Revelation 5:12-13  NIV

Peek-A-Boo!

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Let’s play a little game!

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Oh, you want to take my picture???

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Cute, huh?

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Lovely!

Just taking a leisure walk with my camera in hand, when I spotted this lovely cat near the villas in our neighborhood.  It quickly scampered off as soon as I came around the corner, but when I said, “Hey wait, would you like your photo taken?” it stopped and started to pose!  So we continued to play a little Peek-A-Boo together, while I took photos!

God’s scenery is  so precious…it was a delightful encounter…

I wish I could have brought it home with me!

Wonder what my Crazy Siberian would think of that???

“Behold, He Is Coming With The Clouds…”

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“And every eye will see Him…”  Revelation 1:7

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“Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds

to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”

I Thessalonians 4:17

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“…and they will see the  Son of Man

  coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.”

Matthew 24:30

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“Jesus said to him,

‘You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter

you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power,

and coming on the clouds of Heaven.’”

Matthew 26:64

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“And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above;

and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”

Daniel 12:3

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“When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars,

which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him,

and the son of man that You care for him?”

Psalm 8:3-4

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“To Him who made the great lights,

for His steadfast love endures forever.”

Psalm 136:7

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“The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it,

for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.”

Revelation 21:23

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“And the street of the city was pure gold…”

Revelation 21:21

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

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“Hey!  Is this where the party is???”

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“Oh yeah!  Lunch is served!!”

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“We’re big birds!  We want more!!”

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“Oh, they’re so greedy!!”

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“Who me?  What do you mean???”

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“I’m ready for my close-up!!”

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

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“Watch it!”

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“Humph!”

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“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!!

Hey! Did You Hear? My Son Is Now Quoting Me On FB!

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Does that mean I’m really a writer!?!  Ha!

It just started last week!

We were at drama practice sitting around trying to think of some good choreography…

For “Me Without You” by tobymac…

Great song!

There’s an instrumental part (sort of robotic-sounding) in the middle of the song…

And we were trying to think of cool movements for it…

So, as we were tossing ideas back and forth…

One of us (probably me!  Ha!) said,

“How about if Jesus was a robot in this part???”

Everyone laughed, except for one of our newer boys!

He had been asking questions all practice…

Like…

“Why do we need to BE a piano?

Or turn ourselves into musical instruments?”

We tried to explain how human video dramas are done at Fine Arts competitions…

If the song talks about a ladder…

We need to MAKE a ladder using the people in the drama…

If there’s a hill…

We MAKE a hill with our bodies!

Still he didn’t get it!!

So I guess the “robot-Jesus” idea was the last straw!!

He was so exasperated with all of us…

That he said, “That’s just really offensive to talk about Jesus like that!!”

That’s when I said the line that my son quoted on FB!!

“Don’t take us as seriously as you’re trying to!!!”

All the older kids cracked up…

My son wrote it down and posted it…

As a quote from his wise Mom…

And I got 20 “Likes” on his FB page!!

Two days later, I had a funny dream that I remembered completely…

Most of it was a convoluted story of us moving into a new house…

Realizing that it was falling apart…

That the previous owners left all their stuff…

Even a kielbasa/hotdog- looking food item in the grill, etc., etc.

Oh, and I dropped my cell phone in a lake!

Crazy!

But, at the end of the dream…

I was coming home late from somewhere…

And my retired cop husband was sitting in his car in a Foodtown parking lot where we used to live in NJ…

Waiting for me to make sure I was safe…

I saw him sitting in his car with the headlights on…

And I thought, “How nice!”

Just as I was going to turn right to pull into the parking lot…

A HUGE Moose

Came charging at the left side of my car!!

I was at a red light…

But, I said to myself…

“I remember what my husband always said to me!

‘If a HUGE Moose came at you, even if you’re at a traffic light…

Step on the gas and get out of there!!'”

By this time, after telling my husband and son this crazy dream…

We were all laughing hysterically!!

My husband does give us lots of safety tips…

But never once about a HUGE Moose!!

But, I got 30 “Likes” on that one!

One of my friends read it and didn’t understand it!

Guess you had to be there!

My philosophy is…

To never take myself or life too seriously!

Ahhhh…Laughter!

Belly laughs…

Joy, Joy, Joy!!!

Jesus, give me more of it!!

 “A joyful heart is good medicine…”  Proverbs 17:22

 “Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy;

Then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’”  Proverbs 126:2

 “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance…”  Ecclesiastes 3:4

 “A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.”  Proverbs 15:13

 “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”  Psalm 32:11

“Up On The Roof”

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“Hoo…Hoo!”

The way the sun’s shining, makes this dove seem as if  it’s made of clay, like our roof!

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But, it’s very real!!

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Looking up…I caught these black birds perched on a neighbor’s roof!

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They have a great view of the Heavens!

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And not a care in the world!

Jesus, if we would just learn to look up, too!

And stay fixated on You…

I know you’d care for us, also!

Amen!

When I look up (fix my eyes on You!)…

I see some amazing things!

I remember all your promises…

I see all Your faithfulness…

Help me in this new year to do just that!

“…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.

Hebrews 12:2  NIV

Dead Lizard!! Dead Lizard!!

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I had the most amazing conversation with a little boy on a bicycle, while I was taking a walk around my neighborhood last week!

I was just past the new construction site I told you about in a precious post…

Haven’t Seen One Of These Around Here In A While!!”

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I was listening to my inspirational Gospel tunes on my iPod, and thinking…

“Things are progressing nicely at the construction site!”

My Dad was a carpenter, so every step in the building process interests me!

I remember as kids, my Dad would ride us by every house he had built, and proudly say, “I built that house!”

I perhaps didn’t appreciate it then, but after having built all our houses over the years…

I appreciate it now…

Great job, Dad!!

Anyway…

Suddenly,  this little boy, perhaps 6 or 7 years old, came barreling at me on his bicycle…

While I was thinking, reminiscing, and listening to my music…

Shouting, “Dead Lizard!!  Dead Lizard!!”

I pulled out one ear bud…

And said, “What!?!”

He repeated it again!

“Dead Lizard!!  Dead Lizard!!”

“Where?”  I said…

He pointed up ahead…

“Want to see it?” he asked…

“Of course!” I said…

I just love kids!!  Don’t you???

I see people on my walks all the time…

Mostly those walking their dogs…

I don’t walk mine, my husband does that…

Because my crazy Siberian pulls my arm out of its socket!

It’s not a calm walk!!  Ha!!

Anyway, I talk to a lot of people on my walks, pet their dogs, say “Have a nice day,” etc.

And not once has anyone said anything as amazing as,

“Dead Lizard!!  Dead Lizard!!”

That’s why I love kids!!

So the kid on the bicycle turned his bike in the direction I was walking…

And raced to show me the way to the dead lizard you see in the photo!!

Soon, he turned back to me as I was apparently following too slowly!

“Come on!” he said…

“Can’t you run???”

Apparently he doesn’t understand age!  Ha!

So I walked a little faster to please him!

When we got to the dead lizard…

He proudly pointed to it, and said, “There it is!”

“Ahh,” I said.

“You’re right, it’s definitely dead, alright!

How do you think it died?” I asked…

“Did you run over it with your bike???”

In FL, little lizards run back and forth, and in front and around you all the time…

I remember when we came to FL for vacation, before we moved here, when my son was young…

That he went to grab one, and it let go of its tail to get away…

My son started crying, thinking he had killed it…

But we explained to him that it’s their defense mechanism…

And they can grow their tail back again!

Quite amazing little creatures, these “Lizzies!!”

So the little boy on the bicycle says…

“No, I didn’t run it over…

I found it this way!!”

I’m glad I came along for him to share his “find” with!!  Ha!

After we looked at it for awhile, I said…

“Merry Christmas, and thanks for showing me the dead lizard!”

And he turned to ride back the way he was going, and I continued on my walk…

Quickly though, he had another thought and said…

“When you go around the corner and see a black truck…

That’s my Dad’s truck…

Say to him, ‘Bryson said, Hi!'”

“Oh, you live around the corner?” I asked…

“We’re renting!” he said…

“Okay, I’ll tell him!”  I said as I continued walking…

He turned his bike around, and sped off ahead of me, to make sure I gave his Dad the correct message…

And beat me there!

Sure enough, there was his Dad washing his black truck!

So I said, “I’m supposed to tell you that Bryson said Hi!”

He laughed, that laugh that’s says, “Yup, I know my kid and that’s exactly what he’d say!!”

Bryson called to his Dad, “We saw a dead lizard!!”

His Dad said, “Great!

And Bryson, remember, stay where I can see you!”

While doing the “I’m-watching-you” motions…

“I know  that, Dad,” he replied…

And then he pedaled away, but on his own block this time!

So I said, “Merry Christmas, Bryson”

And he said, “You already said that!”

Yes, he’s right…I did!

Dear Jesus…how can anyone hurt a child???

“Christmas On The Beachside”

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I just heard this song on the radio last week…

I love it!

And if you’re from a beautiful tropical area…

You’re going to love it too!!

It’s by Austin Adamec, and featuring Lindsey Ciresi…

It’s called “Christmas On The Beachside”

I couldn’t find the lyrics…

So I listened to it a thousand times!

  Ha!

  I hope I got them right!!

“Christmas on the Beachside…

Gotta love the Beachside…

It’s wintertime…

And it’s so far from snowin’…

The palms are swaying…

And we’re jumpin’ in the ocean…

The sun shines on the waves in December…

The Birthday of the Savior…

We celebrate together!

Christmas on the Beachside…

Underneath the blue sky…

No need for sleigh rides…

The surf is just right…

Christmas on the Beachside…

It’s the Salt Life…

Because Jesus is the reason…

No matter what the season…

On the Beachside…

Fire from chimneys…

Presents near the fire…

It’s getting hotter…

Soakin’ out the weather…

Snuggies and comfy Christmas sweaters…

Can’t compare when you’re…

Breakin’ in the water…

Though the Holiday may fade away…

We will always find a way…

Red & green may dissipate

We will Always Celebrate

Christmas on the Beachside!!”

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Haven’t Seen One Of These Around Here In A While!!

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First, ruts in the mud…

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Made by tire tracks digging in…

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And then a Porta-Potty!!

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On a New Construction Site!!

Yipee…

Building…

Is Back!!

The economy is slowly picking up again!!

Never thought I’d be happy…

To see a Porta-Potty…

On my walk around my…

Usually lush, green neighborhood…

But, it just goes to show you…

That everything is relative!

Not a very pretty sight…

But…

The Porta-Potty means building is going on…

In our spiritual lives…

Building’s going on all the time!

Listen to:

“You Build Us Back” by the Newsboys

Here are the lyrics…

“We’ve been crumbled…

We’ve been crushed…

City walls have turned to dust!

Broken hands…

And blistered feet…

We walk for miles to find relief!

When the thief takes…

When our hopes cave…

You Build Us Back!

When the earth shakes…

When the world breaks…

You Build Us Back!

We are scared…

We are poor…

All our safety nets are torn!

We’ve been humbled to our knees…

From these ruins…

We believe!

Redeemer…

Redeem us!

Restorer…

Restore us!

Oh! Build Us Back!

Though the mountains be shaken…

The hills be removed…

Your unfailing love remains!

After all that’s been taken…

Your promise…

Still sacred!

You Build Us Back…

With precious stones!”

Build Us Back, Lord!

And Our Economy, too!  Amen!

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