Tag Archives: God’s Scenery

Make The Effort!

Standard
I’m highly recommending this Christian daily e-mail you can subscribe to…
Called “The Daily Verse” by Kat Davis…
Or you can purchase her book by the same name…
Web-site:  TheDailyVerse.com
Today’s Bible verse for November 20, 2012:
“And there was a man named Zacchaeus.  He was a chief tax collector and was rich.  And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature.  So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.”
Luke 19:2-4

After each verse, Kat explains her thoughts from God on that verse: 

For this verse, Kat  writes:  “Let us consider how much of an effort will we make to overcome our limitations, so that we can clearly see Jesus, and figuratively climb the tree, just as Zacchaeus did.”

Always short, sweet, and to the point!!!!

Do we get it???

Don’t be lazy!

Make the effort it takes to see Jesus…

To walk with Him…

To have Him come to our house…

And into our hearts!

Then when He says, “I’m coming in!”

Let Him!!

Amen!

If you were raised in Sunday school, you know the song about Zacchaeus!!!

The song tells of Zacchaeus’s attempts to see Jesus by climbing a sycamore tree, there are a series of hand motions that accompany the song.  The song is one of the more popular children’s Bible songs, and has been featured on numerous Christian children’s music collections.

It was my favorite!!

  I can still see and hear my Uncle Angelo (my pastor!) singing it to us and teaching us the hand motions…

It’s one of those songs you teach to your children…

I taught my son!!

Here are the lyrics:

 “Zacchaeus was a wee little man,

And a wee little man was he.

He climbed up in a sycamore tree

For the Lord he wanted to see.

And when the Savior passed that way

He looked up in the tree.

And said, ‘Zaccheus, you come down!

For I’m going to your house today!

For I’m going to your house today!’

Zacchaeus was a wee little man,

But a happy man was he,

For he had seen the Lord that day

And a happy man was he;

And a very happy man was he.”

Each day, “The Daily Verse” pops into my email…

I can’t tell you how much it has helped set the tone for my day…

For my walk with the Lord…

And how many, many times I’ve felt compelled to forward it to others!

  Miraculously, when I have a need, or a family member or friend is going through something…

“The Daily Verse” seems to be just what I need…

What I want to pray for…

And what I want to convey to others!

  Thank you, Lord…

For giving Kat the gift of Your insight!!

Make the effort…Jesus is worth it!!

“Let There Be Light!”

Standard

Okay!

See those shutters on our windows to the left in the photo???

I’m so grateful for them!!

They’ve been up since June!

And when the winds start blowing, the rain starts falling, and the storm surge starts threatening…

They are a beautiful thing!

When we first moved here…

We didn’t order them for our house…

Hadn’t had a major hurricane in forty years…

 The locals said!!!

“You’ll be fine!”

Of course, Hurricane Charlie proved them wrong!

And three more major hurricanes right after that…

That infamous year!

We were shell shocked!

We “survived!”

Thank God!

But, we were not “fine!”

Sooo, we have shutters now!

They’re an ugly silvery gray color…

But, when needed for our protection…

I love them!

Now, at the first inkling of a tropical storm brewing in the Atlantic…

Around June/July…

My husband, retired cop that he is…

Goes into “there’s a crisis” mode!

And now we all know the drill!

Board up, get supplies and cash, and hunker down…

We did that once this hurricane season…

But, the storm passed us by…

Praise God!

Lots of work…

But, we must be prudent for our safety!

Unfortunately, this year (and two years ago) our East Coast family and friends…

Know the drill, too!

We’re still praying for them!!!

And all of you that were affected!

Well, it’s November…

Happy Thanksgiving!

So, my husband took down our storm shutters TODAY!

It is officially (at our house, anyway!) the end of hurricane season!!

Yipee!

Amen and Hallelujah!

“Let There Be Light!”

I can see sunshine again!

I’m free of our dark “dungeon-effect!”  Ha!

I can see Palm Trees blowing in the mild breeze!

And the beautiful view out back!

Psalm 4:6

“…Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.”

Psalm 18:28

“You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning…

My God turns my darkness into light.”

John 12:36

Believe in the light

That you may be the Children of Light!

Amen!

A Walk Around My Neighborhood…

Standard

I’m home from vacation now, so let’s take a walk around my neighborhood…

A view of our golf course from the street…

Someone’s bird feeder…

Interesting tree!

Palm Tree trunks…nice and neat!

And not so neat…

Trees and clouds…

What a beautiful day!!!

The canal across the the street…

Beautiful bougainvillea!

Lovely landscaping!

Fall colors!!

Even in Florida!

Crown Of Thorns plant…

Nice arrangement…

Pineapple Palm…

Hibiscus…

Okay, we’re back home!

I’m very blessed!

It’s November!

And there’s not a snowflake in sight!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

No More Tears!

Standard

Listen to:

“There Will Be A Day”

By Jeremy Camp

Several years ago, one of the girls in our drama team did a solo lyrical dance to this song

for the Penn Florida District Fine Arts Competition in Orlando…

Beautiful!

Here are the lyrics…

“I try to hold on to this world…

With everything I have…

But I feel the weight of what it brings…

And the hurt that tries to grab…

The many trials that seem to never end…

His word declares this truth…

That we will enter in this rest with wonders anew…

But I hold on to this hope…

And the promise that He brings…

That there will be a place with no more suffering…

There will be a day with no more tears…

No more pain…

And no more fears…

There will be a day when the burdens of this place…

Will be no more…

We’ll see Jesus face to face…

But until that day…

We’ll hold on to you always…

I know the journey seems so long…

You feel you’re walking on your own…

But there has never been a step…

Where you’ve walked out all alone…

Troubled soul don’t lose your heart…

‘Cause joy and peace He brings…

And the beauty that’s in store…

Outweighs the hurt of life’s sting…

But I hold onto this hope…

And the promise that He brings…

That there will be a place with no more suffering…

There will be a day with no more tears…

No more pain, and no more fears…

There will be a day when the burdens of this place…

Will be no more, we’ll see Jesus face to face…

But until that day, we’ll hold on to you always…

I can’t wait until that day where the very one…

I’ve lived for always…

Will wipe away the sorrow that I’ve faced…

To touch the scars that rescued me…

From a life of shame and misery…

Oh, this is why…

This is why I sing…

There will be a day with no more tears…

No more pain…

And no more fears…

There will be a day…

He will wipe away the tears…

He will wipe away the tears…

He will wipe away the tears…

There will be a day!”

Jesus, I Am So In Love With You…

Standard

Listen to:

“Let My Words Be Few”

By Phillips, Craig and Dean

Ever notice how a song can expressed your thoughts exactly…

Well, this is exactly how I feel!!

“You are God in Heaven…

And here am I on earth…

So I’ll let my words be few…

Jesus, I am so in love with You…

And I’ll stand in awe of You, Jesus…

Yes, I’ll stand in awe of You…

And I’ll let my words be few…

Jesus, I am so in love with You…

The simplest of all love songs…

I want to bring to You…

So I’ll let my words be few…

Jesus, I am so in love with You!”

I’ve Decided To Love…

Standard

Yes!

To love you!!

Even though…

You…

My spouse, my father, my mother, my son, my daughter, my family or my friend…

Whoever you are…

Make me crazy at times…

Or annoy me with your habits…

Don’t appreciate me…

Or pay enough attention to me…

Get on my last nerve…

Or make a mess for me to clean up…

Bark orders…

Or give me the silent treatment…

Aren’t punctual…

Or snore…

Don’t call…

Or call too much…

Expect too much of me…

Or give too little of yourself…

Are too negative…

Or too needy…

Too loud…

Or too intolerant…

Whatever we disagree about…

Or however different we are…

I choose to love you…

Because God does!

I want to love like this…

As God does!

I want to live like that!

Listen to:

“Live Like That” by Sidewalk Prophets

“Sometimes I think…

What will people say of me…

When I’m only just a memory…

When I’m home where my soul belongs…

Was I love?

When no one else would show up…

Was I Jesus to the least of those…

Was my worship more than just a song…

I want to live like that!

And give it all I have…

So that everything I say and do…

Points to You…

If love is who I am

Then this is where I’ll stand…

Recklessly abandoned…

Never holding back…

I want to live like that!

Am I proof…

That You are who you say You are…

That grace can really change a heart…

Do I live like Your love is true?

People pass…

And even if they don’t know my name…

Is there evidence that I’ve been changed…

When they see me, do they see You…

I want to live like that!

I want to show the world the love You gave for me…

I’m longing for the world to know the glory of the King…

I want to live like that!”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8
“Love is patient and kind…
Love does not envy or boast…
It is not arrogant or rude…
It does not insist on its own way…
It is not irritable or resentful…
It does not rejoice at wrongdoing…
But rejoices with the truth…
Love bears all things…
Believes all things…
Hopes all things…
Endures all things…
Love never ends…”
So it’s final…
I’ve decided to love!

Don’t Move!

Standard

Listen to: 

“I Will Not Be Moved”

by Natalie Grant

Here are the lyrics…

“I have been the wayward child…

I have acted out…

I have questioned Sovereignty…

And had my share of doubt…

And though sometimes my prayers feel like…

They’re bouncing off the sky…

The hand I hold won’t let me go…

And here’s the reason why…

I will stumble…

I will fall down…

But, I will not be moved!

I will make mistakes…

I will face heartaches…

But, I will not be moved!

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand…

All other ground is sinking sand…

I will not be moved!

Bitterness has plagued my heart…

Many times before…

My life has been like broken glass…

And I have kept the score…

Of all my shattered dreams…

And though it seemed…

That I was far too gone…

My brokenness helped me to see…

It’s grace I’m standing on…

And the chaos in my life…

Has been a badge I’ve worn…

Though I have been torn…

I will not be moved!”

Have you moved???

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.

  Let nothing move you. 

Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,

Because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 

I Corinthians 15:58    NIV

Don’t move!

 

Relax!

Standard

Vacation Day vs Work Day!!

My “get-up-in-the-morning-on-vacation” routine:

Wake up when I feel like it…

Do my stretches first, so I can move, when I finally get out of bed…

Grab some coffee…

Sip it slowly…

Savor the moment…

Call someone, if I want to…

Watch a little TV, if there’s something good on…

Read a little…

Throw in a load of wash, maybe…

Sweep the sand off the floor…

  Clean up a few cups and plates in the sink…

Look outside and see my husband enjoying his fishing time…

And talking to people walking on the beach…

Check my e-mail…

Talk to my son while he’s on his computer doing his graduate work…

And telling me funny things to make me laugh!

P. S.  Moms, I remember when my son  was young, I fantasized about getting a room at a local hotel, all by myself!

So I promise you, it does get better!!

Get ready to go to take a walk on the beach…

Take photos of God’s amazing scenery…

Meet hubby to go in the Jacuzzi…

Talk to fellow vacationers…

Figure out where we want to go to dinner tonight!

Eat good food…

Go to a movie…

Go to Candy Kitchen to get loads of candy…

Take a walk…

Watch God’s glorious sunset…

Stay up late…

Whatever we want…

It doesn’t get better than this!

Work on the other hand…

Whether inside or outside the house…

Is just not relaxing enough to talk about right now…

While I’m in my “relaxed-and-on-a-vacation” mood!!

It brings back, too many frustrating and exhausting memories!  Ha!

That I’ve chosen to forget about during this week!

I suggest you try to go on a vacation soon!

This is the blessed life!!

I pray I always appreciate the time I get to relax with my family!

Thank you, Jesus!

Okay, This Is NOT On “My Bucket List!”

Standard

Skydiving…

Wearing thongs…

Running for political office…

Living in the past, or on past glories…

Backpacking around the country…

BASE jumping…

Being a groupie of a famous person…

Walking a tightrope, like our friend, Bello the Clown…

Being stuck in an air-conditioning vent…

Falling into a mine shaft…

Working again for my least favorite principal…

Being made to eat anything slimy…

Oh, I’m sure I could go on and on…

But, I love that many of you do want to do these things!

And I’ll pray for your “Bucket List” to be fulfilled…

But, I refuse to live without JOY everyday…

So, I do have a Prayer List…

And here’s what’s on it:

I do want to…

Write a book…

And have it published…

See my son successful in life, especially in God’s eyes…

See him married to a Godly girl, and have a family that serves the Lord…

To live healthy, so I can see my grandchildren…

And teach them to love God…

Live a peaceful life with the Lord…

But, know how to battle spiritual warfare when necessary!

Impact for Christ, all kids, young adults, and adults…

Minister and speak where God leads…

Encourage our drama team to outreach far and wide with God’s direction…

Travel to Italy to see relatives still living there…

Go to Israel to see where Jesus walked…

Serve the Lord on Earth, ’til I get to Heaven to hear…

“…well done, good and faithful servant…”

Mathew 25:23

Leave a legacy of love and encouragement…

To all those…

I’ve been blessed to come into contact with in my life on Earth…

In Jesus Name I pray…

Amen!