Tag Archives: Peace

“La Mia Famiglia”

Standard

An Italian get-away this past weekend…

At my cousin’s house on the east coast of FL…

A reunion with our cousin from NJ!

6-29 to 30-2013 Judi's 035

One big, happy family…

Filled with…

6-29 to 30-2013 Judi's 104

Our fathers were brothers…

Raised by our Italian Grandma…

Felicia

We all lived near each other in NJ…

Played together…

And went to church together…

6-29 to 30-2013 Judi's 086

There’s definitely a family resemblance…

But, I’ve noticed lately that…

We tend to favor our Mothers in appearance!

6-29 to 30-2013 Judi's 065

We felt like we were at a “5 Star” Bed and Breakfast!!

While talking about our…

6-29 to 30-2013 Judi's 105

In our Lord!

6-29 to 30-2013 Judi's 157

Cousins!!!

And cousin-in-laws…

6-29 to 30-2013 Judi's 046

The beautiful scenery brings…

6-29 to 30-2013 Judi's 106

And family teasing from our cousin from Oklahoma…

Who before he married my cousin…

He had called…

“Chef-Boy-Ar-Dee”

In a can…

Italian food!!!!

Oh, horror!

We’ve since changed his mind…

And now he says…

“I want some SAAAAAAAAAAUCE”

Whenever he talks to us!!

Good boy!

So funny!!

Let’s add my son to the merry mix!!

6-29 to 30-2013 Judi's 160

Our very special hostess!!!

Such a blessing!!

6-29 to 30-2013 Judi's 034

She cooks, she cleans, she’s sweet…

6-29 to 30-2013 Judi's 100

My son wants to adopt her!!

I do, too!!

She makes us want to…

6-29 to 30-2013 Judi's 107

And be together!

6-29 to 30-2013 Judi's 109

To do what Italians do best…

Eat…

While everyone’s talking at the same time!!

6-29 to 30-2013 Judi's 110

Let’s cook and discuss!!

And…

6-29 to 30-2013 Judi's 108

The blessing of family!!!

La Mia Famiglia!

6-29 to 30-2013 Judi's 088

Ahhhh…

All together in one place again!!

6-29 to 30-2013 Judi's 126

One beautiful place!

6-29 to 30-2013 Judi's 079

We don’t want to leave!!

6-29 to 30-2013 Judi's 119

Come join us!!

Additional signs should say…

EAT!

TALK!

LAUGH!

LOVE!!

1 Corinthians13:7

“Love bears all things,

believes all things,

hopes all things,

endures all things.”

Where Are You???

Standard

I’m at your feet, Lord!

There is nowhere else for me!

My King!

All I need is at Your feet!

My soul sings!

Here at Your feet I lay my life down!

Kneel before His feet!

Pour out your love for the Master!

Pour praise on Him like oil!

You weren’t there the night Jesus found me!

You did not feel what I felt…

When He wrapped His love all around me!

I was a prisoner to the sins that had me bound…

Until the day when Jesus came to me!

And healed my soul with the wonder of His touch!

So now I’m giving back to Him all the praise He’s worthy of!

I’ve been forgiven…

And that’s why I love Him so much!

You don’t know the cost of my praise!

You don’t know the cost of the oil in my alabaster box!!

At The Feet Of Jesus

Sermon by Rodney Burton

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/at-the-feet-of-jesus-rodney-burton-sermon-on-jesus-christ-131517.asp

Luke 10:38-42

 “As Jesus and His disciples were on their way,

 He came to a village where a woman named Martha

 opened her home to Him.

 She had a sister called Mary,

 who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said.

 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.

 She came to him and asked,

 ‘Lord,

 don’t You care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?

 Tell her to help me!’ 

 Martha, Martha,’

 the Lord answered,

 ‘you are worried and upset about many things, 

 but few things are needed—

 or indeed only one. 

 Mary has chosen what is better,

and it will not be taken away from her.'”

 

“This is where worship occurs.
Every time in the Word
we encounter Mary of Bethany (the sister of Lazarus),
we find her at the feet of Jesus.
The heart of worship is to find ourselves at the feet of Jesus in submission.
How often do we find ourselves there?
Do we really possess a strong desire for God and His presence?
Do we go through life largely consumed with secular pursuits and worldly entertainment,
while the things of God have little place in our lives?

1. At His Feet to Listen to His Words.

a. While Martha was busy,

Mary was at the feet of Jesus listening to Him.

b. She was open to what He had to say.

c. She was hungry to know Him and hear from Him.

d. Jesus declared that Mary had chosen the good part.

e. Sometimes we get so caught up like Martha

in trying to do the work and service of Christianity

that we forfeit what is really important.

f. We can get so busy in the doing that we forget the being.

g. The most important thing a Christian will ever do is

worship Jesus,

and the best place to do that is at His feet.

2. At His Feet to Bless and Anoint Him.

a. John 12:3  Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard,

an expensive perfume;

she poured it on Jesus’ feet

and wiped His feet with her hair.

And the house was filled with the fragrance

of the perfume.”

Mary anoints the feet of Jesus and wipes them with her hair.

b. So often people are looking to receive an anointing or blessing from God

rather than looking for opportunities to anoint and bless Him.

c. The highest degree or form of devotion is to give to someone

without the motivation of getting anything in return.

d. Mary’s act was motivated purely by love.

e. A note in the Full Life Study Bible declares,

(Mary’s) faith in and devotion to the Lord

is the highest example of what God desires in believers.

3. At His Feet When He Didn’t Do Things The Way She Wanted or Expected.

a. John 11:32 “When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw Him,

she fell at His feet and said,

‘Lord, if You had been here,

my brother would not have died.’”

Lazarus was in a tomb.

Surely Jesus could have prevented that.

b. Even though Jesus had not acted in the way Mary had desired,

she still laid at His feet in devotion, submission and worship.

c. The true character of a person’s heart will be revealed

when God acts differently from their desires or expectations.

d. Whenever God is doing things that are beneficial or going your way,

it is real easy to worship Him

and be at His feet.

e. True worship that is genuine and from the heart

comes regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves.”

Fall at His Feet!

Always!

Is There A Road I Should Walk??? Lord, Help Me Find It!!

Standard

He will!

Walk right into His will…

Stay close to Christ!!

That’s where the blessings are!!!

6-12-13 Sunset-Rainbow 084“He made known to us

the mystery of His will

according to His good pleasure,

which He purposed in Christ, 

to be put into effect

when the times reach their fulfillment—

to bring unity to all things in Heaven

and on earth under Christ.”

Ephesians 1:9-10

6-13-13 Beach-Sunset 030“Now may the God of peace,

who through the blood of the eternal covenant

brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus,

that great Shepherd of the sheep,

equip you with everything good for doing His will,

and may He work in us

what is pleasing to Him,

through Jesus Christ,

to whom be glory for ever and ever.

Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21

6-13-13 Beach-Sunset 032

You want His perfect will for you

Not just the road you choose…

Be careful….

He’ll let you have it!

Pray!!

His Plan is always the best!

Where to go from here?

Isn’t always very clear!

We can’t do this on our own…

As long as He is near…

We’re done fighting…

We’re finally letting go…

Trust in Him!

He’s never failed before!

If there’s a road I should walk…

Lord, help me find it!

If I need to be still…

Give me peace for the moment…

Whatever Your will…

Can you help me find it?

I’m giving You fear…

You give me faith…

I’m giving You doubt…

You give me grace…

I know I’ve never been alone!

Even when it hurts…

Have Your way…

Even in the valley I will say…

With every breath…

You’ve never let me go…

I will wait for You…

You’ve never failed before…

I will wait for You…

I lift my empty hands…

Come fill me up again…

Have Your way my King…

  I give my all to You…

I lift my eyes again…

I was blind, but now I see…

You are all I need to find the road I should walk!!

I’ll start with this road in Romans:

“As it is written,

there is none righteous,

no, not one.”

 Romans 3:10

6-12-13 Sunset-Rainbow 070

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God.”

Romans 3:10

6-9-13 St Amands Circle 004

“But God commendeth His love toward us,

 in that, while we were yet sinners,

 Christ died for us.”

 Romans 5:8

6-9-13 St Amands Circle 005

 “Wherefore, as by one man

 sin entered into the world,

and death by sin;

and so death passed upon all men,

for that all have sinned.”

Romans 5:12

6-9-13 St Amands Circle 006

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life through

Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 6:23

6-11-13 Lido Key 084

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth

 the Lord Jesus,

and shalt

believe in thine heart

 that God hath raised Him from the dead,

thou shalt be saved. 

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;

and with

the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

For the scripture saith,

whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.”

Romans 10:9-11

6-11-13 Lido Key 103

“For whosoever

shall call upon the Name of the Lord

 shall be saved.”

Romans 10:13

6-12-13 Sunset-Rainbow 020

Thank you, Lord!

Here’s A Great Prayer…Lord, That The Lost Get Found!!

Standard

“For the Son of Man

came to seek

and to save the lost.”

Luke 19:10

Hello my friend…
I remember when you were…
So alive with your wide eyes…
Then the light that you had in your heart was stolen…
Now you say that it ain’t worth stayin’…
You wanna run but you’re hesitatin’…
I’m talkin’ to me…

Don’t let your lights go down…
Don’t let your fire burn out…
‘Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe…
Why don’t you rise up now?

Don’t be afraid to stand out…

That’s how the lost get found!

So when you get the chance…
Are you gonna take it?
There’s a really big world at your fingertips…
And you know you have the chance to change it…
There’s a girl on the streets, she’s cryin’…
There’s a man whose faith is dyin’…

Love is calling you!

Why do we go with the flow?
Why take an easier road?
Why are we playin’ it safe?
Love came to show us the way…
Love is a chance we should take…
I’m movin’ out of the gray!

Stand out!!

You know you have the chance to change it!!

Love is calling you!!

Take the chance!

Luke 15: 4-24

The Parable Of The Lost Sheep

“What man of you, having an hundred sheep,

if he lose one of them,

doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness,

and go after that which is lost,

until he find it?

And when he hath found it,

he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

And when he cometh home,

he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them,

‘Rejoice with me;

for I have found my sheep which was lost.’

I say unto you,

that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth,

more than over ninety and nine just persons,

which need no repentance.”

The Parable Of The Lost Coin

“Either what woman having ten pieces of silver,

if she lose one piece,

doth not light a candle,

and sweep the house,

and seek diligently till she find it?

And when she hath found it,

she calleth her friends

and her neighbours together, saying,

‘Rejoice with me;

for I have found the piece which I had lost.’

Likewise, I say unto you,

there is joy in the presence of the angels of God

over one sinner that repenteth.”

The Parable Of The Prodigal Son

“And He said, ‘A certain man had two sons:

And the younger of them said to his father,

Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.

And he divided unto them his living.

And not many days after

the younger son gathered all together,

and took his journey into a far country,

and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

And when he had spent all,

there arose a mighty famine in that land;

and he began to be in want.

And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country;

and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat:

and no man gave unto him.

And when he came to himself, he said,

‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare,

and I perish with hunger!

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father,

I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

And am no more worthy to be called thy son:

make me as one of thy hired servants.’

And he arose, and came to his father.

But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him,

and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

And the son said unto him,

‘Father, I have sinned against Heaven,

and in thy sight,

and am no more worthy to be called thy son.’

But the father said to his servants,

‘Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him;

and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it;

and let us eat, and be merry:

For this my son was dead, and is alive again;

he was lost, and is found.’

And they began to be merry.”

God rejoices when one of His lost children…

Is reconciled to Him…

When the lost get found!!

What a great prayer!

6-2-13 Casey's Show! 033

Even If The Healing Doesn’t Come…

Standard

This post is dedicated to my beloved Cousin Tom…

Who just passed away…

One month after his Mother, my Aunt Rachel…

Who I spoke about recently…

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/05/05/leave-a-legacy/

Tom, or “Cousin Tommy Boy!”

As we used to call him…

Was two days older than I…

We celebrated all our Birthdays together for many years as children…

Running and playing with all our siblings, and our other cousins…

He loved trucks…

And his favorite sound was his “truck” sound…

“Gilly-Gilly-Gilly…Vroom!”

A happy, fun, and playful child,

Who grew up to be a Mighty Man of God…

Who loved his family, and cared for my Aunt…

Heaven welcomes you, my precious cousin…

Well done, good and faithful servant…

Rest now…

I know you’re seeing your Jesus face to face!

You’re Home!!

May our Lord bring His Peace to everyone in our family…

We will miss you!

Sometimes, all we have to hold onto…
Is what we know is true of who You are…
So when the heartache hits like a hurricane…
That could never change who You are…
And we trust in who You are!

Even if the healing doesn’t come
And life falls apart
And dreams are still undone…

You are God!

You are good!

Forever Faithful One !

Even if the healing
Even if the healing doesn’t come…

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;

and there shall be no more death,

neither sorrow, nor crying,

neither shall there be any more pain:

for the former things are passed away.”

Revelation 21:4

Lord, we know Your ways are not our ways…
So we set our faith in who You are…
Even though You reign high above us…
You tenderly love us…
We know Your heart
And we rest in who You are…

You’re still the Great and Mighty One !

We trust You always…
You’re working all things for our good
We’ll sing Your praise!

“Then Job got up and tore his clothes in grief.

He shaved his head

and threw himself face downward on the ground.

He said, ‘I was born with nothing,

and I will die with nothing.

The Lord gave,

and now He has taken away.

May His Name be praised!’

In spite of everything that had happened,

Job did not sin by blaming God.”

Job1:20-22

You are God and we will bless You!
As the Good and Faithful One!
You are God and we will bless You!

Even if the healing doesn’t come!
Even if the healing doesn’t come!

Amen!

“Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him;
    I will surely defend my ways to His face.”

Job 13:15

We pray for blessings…
We pray for peace…
Comfort for our family, protection while we sleep…
We pray for healing, for prosperity…
We pray for Your Mighty Hand to ease our suffering…
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things…

‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears…
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise…

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea…
And long that we have faith to believe…

When friends betray us…
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart…
That this is not, this is not our home…

What if my greatest disappointments…
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy…
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise…

“For this world is not our home;

we are looking forward to our City in Heaven,

which is yet to come.”

Hebrews 13:14

6-2-13 Casey's Show! 035

 “But our citizenship is in Heaven.

And we eagerly await a Savior from there,

the Lord Jesus Christ,

who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control,

will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His Glorious body.”

Philippians 3:20-21

Born Again!!

Standard

John 3:3

“Jesus replied,

Very truly I tell you,

no one can see the kingdom of God

unless they are born again.'”

Searching all these years

Not at all who I thought I’d be…

Lost…

You found me here!

Broken beyond repair…

You came along…

You sang Your song over me!

Feels like I’m born again…

Living for the very first time in my life!

The love I feel is so much more real than anything!!

The life I have now is only the beginning!!!

Feels like I’m born again!!!!!

Feels like I’m breathing

Feels like I’m moving

You came to me…

Gave to me Life…

  A Love I’ve never known…

Love I’ve never felt before

Feels like I’m living…

For the very first time!!!

Look into the mirror…

Are you who you wanted to be??

Living the way you wanted??

Your eyes remind you you’re not free!

Are you tired of going solo??

Then, never go there again!!

This is what it is…

This is who I am!!!!

I finally take my stand!

I met the one with two scarred hands!!

Giving Him the best of…

Everything that’s left of…

The life inside of me…

I’ve been Born Again!!!

You’re living in fear…

Sick of people telling how you should be…

Where’d you get your info??

Let me tell you what I believe!

We are the ones He called by name…

We’re never gonna look back…

Let go of the guilt the shame…

This is who we are!!!

We’re Born Again!!

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!

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!

I’m Worn Out!!

Standard

Ever been there????

I had a rough week of lack of sleep, feeling sick with coughing and runny nose, trying to get rest, trying to go to work, trying to fill my obligations, too much going on, trying to figure out what to cut out, lack of concentration, getting nothing done…

And so on, and so on…

I’m worn!

Let this song soak into your entire being…

Jesus, give us rest!

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28

When we cry out with all that’s left in us!

So we can see that Redemption wins!

That struggles end!

Jesus, mend our heart that’s frail and torn…

Even when we’re tired…

Even when we’re worn!

Help us know a song to You can rise…

Even from the ashes of our broken life…

And all that’s dead inside can be reborn…

Even when we’re worn!

Lift up our eyes…

Though we feel too weak…

When life just won’t let up…

 “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:30

 You can give us rest…

We’re crying out with all that we have left…

Our prayers are wearing thin…

We’re worn, even before the day begins!

We’re worn, and we’ve lost our will to fight…

Lord, we’re just plain worn out!!

“He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak.”  Isaiah 40:29

So Heaven come and flood our eyes…

So all that’s dead inside will be reborn!

Help us!

Especially when we’re worn!!

“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.”  Psalm 62:1

It’s Finished! Once And For All!

Standard

Celebrate Easter and the Resurrection!

Once and for all
The Father’s love
He is the light in the darkness
Who took on flesh
And took our place
The weight of the world on His shoulders
The weight of the world on His shoulders

We believe our God is Jesus
We believe that He is Lord
We believe that He has saved us
From sin and death
Once and for all

Once and for all
Our debt is paid
There on the cross it is finished
The Lamb of God for us was slain
Up from the grave He is risen
Up from the grave He is risen

Jesus, Jesus
God from God
Light from Light
You are our salvation
Jesus, Jesus
God from God
Light from Light
Your kingdom is forever

It’s Finished!

Once And For All…

For All Of Us!

Accept The Father’s Love…

Believe…

Jesus is God!