The Birds Story

This afternoon I had the leisure of sitting on our new back deck.  I set up my tripod, zoomed in on the bird feeder, and waited patiently for the birds to fly up.  It did take some time before they were brave enough to embark on the adventure of feeding, while I was sitting only 10 feet away with all my equipment.   But the wait was well worth it.  

Here are some examples of what my patience produced:

I so enjoyed the time in-between pictures of birds, when the birds had flown away.  In the nearby tree, I saw them there, chatting away the entire time.   I can just imagine what they were saying:

“Is it worth the risk”

“If you go, I’ll go”

“Wow, that was a close call”

Upon hearing my shutter open and close: “What is that strange noise?” 

I’m glad that they were brave enough to embark on the mission of food, because I had a blast taking their pictures.  Looking forward to more days like this in the months to come.

I heard a sad statement today …

  As I was helping a couple at the cash register I made a comment to the husband and his reply almost broke my heart, he said:

“Ask the boss (referring to his wife), what do I know? I’m just a man”

As he spoke the words I wanted to scream.  My heart did die a little inside, it broke for him.  He didn’t see any true worth in being a man. Satan has so blinded the eyes of men and women in this world, in truth he has warped their thinking completely. 

Where are the true men?  Will they ever stand up for truth?  But then I am challenged all the more, will I step aside and allow the men in my life to stand up as men and take the charge?  Will I allow them to be the “boss”? 

Produce Coolers

Periodically I get to walk into the produce cooler at Dutch-Way, where I work.  (It’s not as big as this one)  Every time I walk into the cooler wonderful memories come to mind.  

I grew up on a farm where we grew fresh produce in the summer time, since I was one of the youngest I didn’t have to do very much of the picking, like my older siblings.  But, I got to ride in the truck and deliver produce with my Dad. 

One such delivery place was West Chester Produce and Sam (the owner) always gave us a banana… we also delivered to places other places and at every place there was something special awaiting. 

Those were good times, I had a good childhood and a wonderful family.  I still have a wonderful family, and treasure my memories.

How Firm a Foundation

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
to you that for refuge to Jesus have fled?

"Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed!
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell shall endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake."

I was thinking about this song today on my way to an appointment that I was not looking forward to, but I had a TOTAL PEACE about the entire situation. 

What caused this peace?  How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your FAITH in His excellent Word!

When we have faith in God’s Excellent Word we are FIRM and standing on the Rock of Ages! Because of this foundation we can go through fiery trials, and not be burned. The deep waters, and not be overwhelmed. 

In the end when all our dross is removed, and our gold refined we stand up and say ”The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to it’s foes; that soul, though all hell shall endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake!!!!”

You may be wondering about my appointment, God worked it all out! And even though it was not what I prepared for I still have a peace, about the issue, if it may come up again!

Photography …

I enjoy Photography.
I need to learn how to “think outside of the box”.
Now, let me put these two sentences together.   I enjoy Photography but find myself getting bored with the possibilities I see around my place.  I need to “think outside the box”, I’m sure that there are tons of great shots to be made – but where are they??
AAAAUUUUGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!! Frustration!
I look at other people’s pictures and find myself wishing/longing to be “good” like them.   But I’m sure they sometimes feel bored with their surroundings. 
I end this short post like this:  I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!!!!!

Tornadoes

I’ve always had this obsession with tornadoes.  They draw me to them.  They fascinate me, to say the least.  I have this strong desire to see one with my own eyes, yet a fear of the power that they display and the realization that I may not live if I see one up close.  I get a thrill from watching the movie TWISTER, for the adventure and excitement that comes from being a “storm chaser”.

They say that in the eye of a tornado there is almost a complete silence, and this has always been a beautiful picture for me! (maybe that’s why I like tornadoes so much)

When I think about the storms that I face throughout my lifetime, the many things that take place on the exterior.  The rumblings, the thunder, and the lighting that can cause destruction, even during these times there can be a CALM.  As I rest in the center of God’s will for my life, though the world around me may not make sense, there can be a place of quiet rest amidst the chaos and seemingly destruction that is taking place.

My soul, wait thou (be silent, be still, hold your peace) only upon God; for my expectation (hope, ground of hope, things hoped for, outcome) is from him.      (Psalm 62:5 KJV with additives from the Brown-Driver-Briggs’ Hebrew Definitions)

May I always strive for this place of quiet rest!

A Different Me

As I walk down the street, and interact with people I see, they see a different me! I put up a front that looks good.  I guess you could say, “I’m a hypocrite”.  They don’t see the real me.  The one who struggles with living a pure life, a life worthy of the calling.  I even put up a front with some of my closest friends!

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.”   Matthew 6:1 (NASB)

I have been convicted.  I’ve been thinking about this especially since I’ve been teaching the 3rd grade Sunday School class.  I appear to have it all together, I’m serving in the church, I attend church regularly, and I say all the right words when people ask me how I’m doing!

But do I really have it all together? NO!!! I have believed the lie that I’m doing alright, when in reality I’m not!  I have slipped, and almost fallen! 

With God’s help, I’m ready to get back up and say:  “I have sanctified Christ as Lord in my heart, always ready to make a defense to everyone who asks me to give an account for the hope that is in me, yet with gentleness and reverence.” 1 Peter 3:15 (personal paraphrase) 

It starts TODAY!!! Thankful for the Grace of God, by which I stand.