SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: GARDEN TOUR

5/13/12 Garden Tour: A Garden of surprises and majesty. 7374 Abercrombie Lane. A “Master Gardener” lives here---that was not a surprise. Squirrel baffles that actually work. Tidy bird feeders. Stone walkways without mud traces. Different color blooms on the same plant. Roses with a glorious scent. 

DISCLAIMER : This is NOT my garden.:

At my house, “Squirrel Baffles” do not work; Oak Leaf hydrangeas do not survive; voles eat the roots of the hostas; chipmunks dig in the impatiens; Racoons haul off the bird feeders; and birds poop all over the patio furniture. Yet, even in my yard, “Creation's revealing Your majesty.” (“Indescribable,” Laura Story) Come on over anytime.

 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing is come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land; (Song of Songs 2:11-12)

A "cuppa" for the birds

 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (Matthew 6:21)

Oak Leaf Hydrangeas --on my "Garden Bucket List"

A quiet nook---perfect for a cuppa and a good book

"Dolly Parton"---hybrid tea rose---so sweet

"Lady in Red"---a laced cap hydrangea

 Indeed, He hath made everything beautiful in his time:…..(Ecclesiastes 3:11) and we are all welcome to enjoy it! No surprise there!

Searchin’ & Seekin’….

5/12/12 ….answers to questions? On my “saturating Saturday”, several questions came to mind. Am I seeking “light”? Better yet, am I truly seeking the One who is the Light? Do I bend toward Him in such a way that others know that I’m seeking light---just like the tree in Ben’s park bends to seek the light? Am I “inclined” toward Him today? Does His light shine forth in my life?

 

Do others  Christians search for answers as they, too, seek the light?

“Let the Little Girl Dance”

5/11/12 “Let the Little Girl Dance”---I know this iTune download of mine is not spiritual in context but the words could have some spiritual connotations, if "dance" was used as a metaphor for life with the Lord. From her condition before salvation, (alone/without God) as a wallflower who sits out of the dance because she’s never accepted the offer of grace. Timidly, as she accepts Christ’s offer and moves toward Him. She passes by all the "worldly Buddys" (temptations that beckon) as she walks toward her Lord. It’s obvious that she does in fact want to “dance” with Him. Now, if she’ll just allow Him to lead!

(Little wallflower on the shelf)
(Standing by herself)


(Never had the nerve to take a chance)
(So let the little girl dance)

Let the little girl dance Let the little girl dance

She never danced before
So let her on the floor
(So let her on the floor)

Let the little girl dance
Let the little girl dance


She wants to give it a try
So let the little girl by
(So let the little girl by)

She's been a little wallflower on the shelf
Standing by herself


Now she’s got the nerve to take a chance
So let the little girl dance

Let the little girl through
She wants to pass by you


Buddy, can't you see
She wants to dance with me
(She wants to dance with me) (Billy Bland’s rendition, 1960s)

 All of this once again prompts my somewhat continual prayer---“Lord continue to lead me in the ”dance” you have chosen for me.”

TEMPER THE HEAT

5/10/12 Each morning Mother always made her tea for the day. Right in the glass pitcher. She taught me  to make perfect tea by adding the sugar while the water was hot. (We never called it "sweet tea," it just always was.) To keep the glass from breaking, she always put a table knife in the pitcher and would pour the water so that it hit the knife first. I guess that somehow dispelled the heat.

I was reminded of this today as I read a “keep your spoon in the cup” incident described by the author in Surprised by Oxford, as her former professor was encouraging her, a “new” believer.

Keeping the spoon in the cup keeps the china from cracking under the heat, she explained…..The metal of the spoon becomes a conductor, protecting the delicate china from extreme in temperature.

You need to keep the spoon in the cup, Caro….especially when things get hot. God lifts us up, but He also grounds us. Fear will get into the cracks; fear ultimately is what breaks us apart. (Weber, 289)

I mulled my mother’s teaching with Weber’s analogy and some needed “fear” related verses. Mulling, Joshua 1:9, Psalm 16:8, Psalm 27:1-3, Isaiah 41:10, John 14:27, II Timothy 1:7 & Hebrews 13:6, as I drank my English tea in my Hadley stoneware mug from KY. What a combo!

Dispelled. Dispersed. Diffused. All good action words for tempering heat. Heat that comes from struggles and fear. Fear that will crack us wide open if we don’t allow the truth from God’s word to infuse us and thus diffuse the heat that can break us.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

5/9/12 International relations. Where does it all start? In the office of the Secretary of State? In a dining room of an embassy? In a church? For Tony and Kristin, it began in their hearts. Before too long, those heart tugs and first thoughts of international "relations" gave birth to COCO, who at age 2, extended their family makeup to two. Though sketchy on all the details, it’s a known fact that an adoption can be arduous. Factor in trips to China and dealing with all the red tape mixed with finances, language barriers and the central government of The People’s Republic of China----well, you get the picture. But God…………(Ephesians 2:4)

Coco and her daddy meet Lucy and her mommy

The real picture you need to “get” now is this one---a proud Daddy sharing his beautiful daughter with his best friend’s (from high school) family. Tony practically grew up at our house. He’s one of those measured on the upstairs door jamb that will accompany me to the nursing home some day. His name placement is under Evan B.’s mark---who has also honored the door with the measurement of his 2 young sons. These friendships which have spanned the years now span many miles from South Carolina and middle Tennessee, to Brooklyn. 

On this visit, first time dad, Tony, whose Coco already has a 100 word English vocabulary, and son Josh, also a first time dad, had even more to share. Their daughters got to meet. These guys do diapers. Who would have thought? (though Coco is picking up training rather quickly) I envision future trips between the two families---the best way to remain friends and for the girls to be told of the importance of life long friendships, regardless of miles.

In all the hubbub of getting acquainted, we didn’t measure Coco on “the” door. On the positive note, that just means a return visit is in order----a great way to keep up that relationship.

“Master” Meditation

5/7/12 Enjoying an afternoon “cuppa” with some of Mary Jane’s homemade shortbread and a good book, I came across the author’s explanation of an Alexander Pope epigram that begs the question, "who is your master?"

'I am his Higness’ Dog at Kew:

Pray tell me sir whose dog are you.'

As Carolyn Weber states, we all have a master. As she puts it, “ No individual by the very state of existence, can avoid life as a form of servitude; it only remains for us to decide, deny, or remain oblivious to, whom or what we serve.” (Surprised by Oxford, 5)

We all will serve something or someone. At that point in her life, Weber was her own master, thus serving herself. Garnering respect for herself alone.

My notes from yesterday’s sermon on a passage in Malachi had me asking myself questions. Is the Lord truly the Master of my life? Do others see my service and respect for Him? Does the Lord receive from me the respect that is due Him?

"A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" says the LORD Almighty…..”(Malachi 1:6)

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24)

"I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul," writes William Ernest Henley in his poem, "Invictus".

Acceptance or rejection of God as the Master of one’s life seals our destiny. Though God made us in His own image, God gave us choices. One may choose to steer his ship, the vessel of his soul, with a single purpose---to be a praise to God’s glory. God becomes the Master/Captain of his vessel and leads Him on the path to eternity with Him.

On the other hand, a “self” master mistakenly thinks that he can control all aspects of his life, apart from God.  If he chooses his own destination, thus veering off God’s course, this choice can lead to destruction.

Who’s your master?

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: ALL ABOUT BIRDS

5/6/12

“From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring

Every creature unique in the song that it sings." (Indescribable-Laura Story, lyricist)

MAMA alongside---DADDY at rearguard as they escort them along the road that leads to church---an important outing.

Goldfinch pair at thistle feeder outside breakfast room window!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Female American goldfinch watches from afar.

"Upscale" birdhouses in  Chickasaw Gardens. I like it that the church is central in their "hood".

AAA---a “Triple A” Truth

5 /4/12 Mulling over Monday’s (4/30) Jesus Calling entry for several days, I have become increasingly aware of my inadequacy and God’s adequacy. I think that might be right where God wants me.

Almighty’s Adequacy Awareness---all about my awareness of Almighty God’s adequacy in my life. 

AAA Help for on and off the Road

Sometimes life’s bumps in the road feel more like an emergency, a crisis that needs immediate attention. Triple A (AAA ®) motor club advertises such assistance (listed below) for those of us on our nation’s highways. What about our spiritual highways and byways? Who gives us assistance when we break down?

• 5 miles of free towing---God alone pulls believers out of the pit and is willing to go the distance, not just a few miles. “In my distress I called to the Lord, I cried to my God for help…He heard my voice;…He reached down…He rescued me… the Lord was my support” (Psalm 18: 6, 16-18)

• AAA Mobile Battery service comes to you---my battery doesn’t even need to be delivered---the transfer of energy in my life takes place within---(“gift of the Spirit,” Acts 2:38)

• Trip Continuance up to $1,000---no limit to His provision as I stay on the life road He has for me—“He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because he delighted in me”. (Psalm 18:19)

• Vehicle Locksmith up to $50—again without charge, I am signed and sealed. Signed with His blood and “sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13)

• Fuel Service Delivery - but you pay fuel---with the Lord, I pay nothing---His power is always available, a gift---free of charge and environmentally friendly---“to him who lacks might, He increases power,” (Isaiah 40:29)

• Car theft reward - $1,000—no one can take me from His hand---“I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day” (II Timothy 1:12)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (II Corinthians 12:9)

I interpret weakness as inadequacy---my inadequacy. Be Aware reader, life is all about His Almighty Adequacy. That’s a AAA truth for sure!

Defining Christianity

Defining Christianity

5/3/12 Today’s “K-Love” quote was T. D. Jakes definition of Christianity---definitely food for thought.

“Christianity is one beggar telling another beggar where to find the bread.”

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. (John 6:35)

  Ah-h-h the aroma of the “Bread of life”-----the spiritual food needed by all men.

Holy Drive Thru

5/2/12 ….similar to a Holy Quick Check

Once again, the ever present has been overlooked by me. Hubby said this street, not far from our home, has been there a long time. Last week, going west on Messick, was the first time I had taken notice of this unusual street sign. 

On impulse, I wanted to put on my right blinker and drive up. It was as if I imagined a drive-thru for guidance and direction would be located just at the end of the road. 

Not far from home. Quick and convenient. Answers served up at “will call.”

But God ….has always had a way of bringing me up short. Almost immediately I had a sensation---a cross between a God whisper and a shoulder tap---a sort of throat-clearing God nudge. A God Calling moment.

Ah-hem, Dotsy. This nearby location is 3.3 miles from your house. I’m indwelling. How much closer can I be? Am I not always with you?

Holy Spirit might be the name of the street/drive, but in the life of a believer, God’s Spirit is the enlightened Power within. It is this Spirit who teaches, guides, and instructs----filling us not only with understanding but also with inner peace and joy!

The prophet Isaiah describes the attributes of the Holy Spirit as the spirit of the Lord: ". . . the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD." (Isaiah 11:2)

I have had a lot of questions lately about a decision which I have been considering. Yes? No? If yes, then when? How? I don’t have to turn left on Holy Spirit Drive for the answer. I just need to look within.