Consider...

Matthew 6:19-34
I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

A little rap to end the day.

This is great! She's cute too.
Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=WUQYJ77qa50

Have a great evening.

OK, I will...thank you, thank you, thank you!

This is suppose to bring May flowers...and it will...went out today and they were all perked up saying "Thank you, Lord!"
I should be so thankful for stormy days and bloom where planted.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday.

Stress Management

Accept that some days you're the pigeon,
And some days you're the statue



This is Gracie's, my granddaughter, painting. She is a sophomore in High School. I think she shows great talent. What a gift, Gracie! Meme is proud of you.

You have a giant smiley in your heart...I can see it!

Good evening,

Has everyone had a good day? Here we are almost 6:00. Are you right in the middle of dinner?

Wouldn't it be nice if we could run borrow a cup of peace from a neighbor like we use to do when we needed sugar? I remember borrowing shampoo from one of our neighbors and then running down the street to borrow a hair dryer...getting ready for that special date. I know they hated to see me at their door.
How do you return the use of a hair dryer?

We are checking ourselves on the third fruit of the Spirit, Peace.

We have enough day behind us to know if we have walked in peace or not. Even if life threw some stormy clouds your way in some form, you could have kept a peace that passes understanding. That kind of peace only comes from His Holy Spirit. The peace that you and I produce can be shaken at the drop of a dime. His...well, His Peace doesn't blink at those stormy events and we are rather taken because we can't understand why we are experiencing peace at all. No one in their right mind has peace when their world is falling apart for one reason or another, right?.... except a Spirit controlled Christian letting the Holy Spirit produce all the fruit He wants. We continue in praise and thanksgiving even in sadness or pain.

Here is how the quality of peace is described in some of the different Bible dictionaries and commentaries:

* The presence and experience of right relationships

* The tranquility of soul

* Sense of well-being and fulfillment that comes from God and is dependent on His presence

* The inner tranquility and poise of the Christian whose trust is in God through Christ

* Tranquility, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord (this one can speak volumes to us)

So how are you doing so far? By the time we get through the 9 fruits, we will have had plenty of opportunity to answer some hard questions in our examination of our walk with the Lord.

Is He way in front of you or way behind? Do you think you see a glimmer of Him way off in the distance?

He wants to be much closer ... flooding your life with Peace.
Sounds good to me!

I think His peace is like a giant Smiley in your heart.

Galatians 5
Love and blessings,
Mom/Meme/Linda

It's a good day...knowing He is in control is GOOD.

It's been a great day. Good things happened, nice weather, getting the office in order, Dad doing great, and some good pics to share with you. Enjoy my visit to Cheekwood the other day. Wish you could have browsed along with me.

A lady...

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." Proverbs 31:25

Something about this verse that reaches out and grabs me. Sort of like the wonderful red zinnias and little purple violets clothed with such beauty speak to me.
Have you read about the Proverbs Lady? She is a beautiful lady through and through.

I got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart...Or have I?

Good Morning,

What's everybody doing today? Are you happy? If you aren't happy, do you have joy? I think we all have experienced something going on that is not happy yet joy is still flowing. At least that is what will happen if we are walking, obeying, living a life pleasing to the Lord. We can sure clog the flow though.

I told you we would look at the trait of the Lord's Joy in this devotion. I want to take one fruit of the Holy Spirit in the next 7 devotions. We have looked at Love. Today is Joy.

I told a friend the other day, "I am always amazed how the flesh will choose to jump in a muddy, deep, dark pit over a sparkling, pure, living river." No matter what 'it' appears to be, if it is gratifying the flesh even for the moment at hand, it is the slimy, muddy, water we've chosen. Though it satisfies for the moment, it will drown you eventually.

The fruit of Joy is fruit of the Spirit. It is not your spirit the Joy comes from. It is the Holy Spirit. So guess what we loose when we are gratifying our flesh and not walking with the Lord.
With the imperfections of our own fallen nature, and then you combine that with how people react differently to adversity – some Christians have literally had most, if not all of their joy in the Lord, knocked right out of them.

Here are some of the different definitions of what real joy is all about:

* Great delight; gladness of heart
* The happy state that results from knowing and serving God
* That deep, abiding, inner rejoicing in the Lord
* To rejoice, to be glad
* Happy, joyful, cheerful, rejoicing, festive

Realize that God can transmit this divine quality right up into your personality – and this will be His joy, not your joy, once it starts to flow up into you. And once God starts to release His joy into your system, you won’t be able to help but feel it. And once you are able to start feeling it again, it will become much easier for you to learn how to walk back in it in your own daily walk with the Lord.

I think it is important to remember feelings are not always telling the truth. I'm claiming that the Lord is my Joy whether I'm feeling it or not. If we do not feel his joy, it is not because He has left. He tells the truth and that is what we have to believe over feelings. Maybe He is telling us we need to check out our walk and see what dams we have built to keep His fruit from flowing all through our personality.

So when we are missing our Joy, we are missing our Lord. And He is missing you and me more than we can ever realize.

Have a wonderful, blessed, joyful day,

Mom/Meme/Linda
Galatians 5

Sunshine, check. Butterflies, check. New plants, check. Garden time, check!

I've got to start talking about my gardens.
My gardens have a Fruit of the Spirit theme. I take each section and give it a name befitting the fruit of the Spirit. I like to hang wind chimes all over the place representing the Holy Spirit. There is nothing as soothing for me than to go out on that perfect weather day and play in my 'sanctuary. If you have gardens, I hope you will follow my blog and share your comments. I love learning what others do. It's always an inspiration and as you know, gardening is like life...a process that never ends until the fat blossoms falls off.
I hope you enjoy my pictures.
Enjoy!

Mom/Meme/Linda

Is there a rotten apple amongst us?

Good morning,

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5

Do you notice in this verse that it is 'we' that are to take every thought captive? How do you do that? Why do you do it? What is it that we use to guide which thoughts come against God and His way laid out for His children? Of course, it is His word.
A lot of 'thoughts' are no brainers that they are against God's ways. Our flesh may love it; may love the way it makes us feel. The thoughts have very temporary satisfaction at the given moment. We can't deny that there is His voice saying in a loving, powerful, convicting, jealous, way to "Not Go There".
If we let those thoughts hang around too long, they become part of us and end up having feet that will trample our lives to death. Why? Because they should have been taken captive by you and me and made obedient to Christ. We will loose our joy, peace, confidence, boldness, kindness, and the list goes on. I dare to say that we may not even recognize ourselves if we hang on to a thought pattern that is against God. Maybe others will begin to notice you are different and ask if you are all right.
There are list in His word that we would do well to use as an examination of the fruit we produce. ( Galatians 5)
You notice I said 'we' are producing. There is also another list in his word that is His fruit being produced. (Galatians 5) If you will take the time to read about this production list of fruit from the Holy Spirit and fruit from our flesh you will have a keen reminder of how totally depraved we are.

We need Jesus. We cannot produce His life.

A list of His fruit:
Love, Joy, Peace, Long suffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control

Let's look at one fruit today.

The results of LOVE. (taken from bibleknowledge.com)

* Unselfish, benevolent concern for another; brotherly concern; the object of brotherly concern or affection

* The self-denying, self-sacrificing, Christ-like love which is the foundation of all other graces

* Unselfish, loyal and benevolent concern for the well being of another

* The high esteem which God has for His human children and the high regard which they, in turn, should have for Him and other people

* To love, to have affection for someone; to like; to be a friend; the love of brothers for each other

The next devotion we will look at JOY.

When God the Father purposely isolates and spells out 9 specific qualities that will be coming direct from His Holy Spirit – He is really letting you know the extreme importance of these 9 specific fruits.
These 9 fruits are major fruits and qualities that are coming direct from God Himself – and every Christian should do the best they can to work with the Holy Spirit in getting all 9 of these fruits worked into his or her personality.

This is a life long process.

If we are guarding our thoughts and taking them captive to make them obedient to Christ, we are on the right road.

If we are not, let me remind us that our God will not leave us in that dark corner. He is there waiting to wrap us in His arms and love us back to Himself. Remember the prodigal son/daughter. Please focus on that truth. Don't let the enemy tell you God is mad and against you. That is a lie.

Blessings,
Mom/Meme/Linda

One Kings Lane

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Yes, I see you...I know you are there...

Good Morning,

How is everyone today? Did you have a sweet, peaceful sleep?

Praying this morning, I kept thinking about 'acknowledging' the Lord. Like when one walks into a room and somone seeks your face...your glance...for the purpose of acknowledgement...to nod their head or smile. Their acknowledgment tells you, "I know you are here, I'm aware of you... I care enough to let you know this".
It warms ones heart to be acknowledged. It's kind, it's endearing, it's encouraging...with a nod of the head one speaks volumes.
Are you in prayer about specifics? You are acknowledging Him.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:6

You are bringing Him into that particular situation for help, guidance, encouragement, strength, and wisdom. It's not all about getting help.
You have just warmed God's heart. Think about that for a moment. This just blows me away.

In Song of Solomon 4:9, the Lover (God) tells his love (You) : "one glance from you captures my heart, my treasure, my bride. You hold it hostage with one glance of your eyes, with a single jewel of your necklace."

Did you ever think that YOU warm His heart with a glance from your eyes?
Why, there is a party around the throne when we acknowledge the King of Kings. Our husband, our love.
I don't think I am able to understand the full impact of acknowledging my Lord.
A glance from me without any words can warm His heart?
Absolutely amazing!

I pray this day will be a sweet, peaceful day for you.


Blessings and love,
Mom/Meme/Linda

Peculiar Treasure

A peculiar Treasure unto Me - Exodus 19:5
Good Morning,
I love this truth. I love that we are God's heart throb. Do you realize how often we forget this wonderful, fulfilling fact?
Make it personal...(your name) is a treasure to God.
Do you realize you are a treasure to God?
He tells us here..."They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in the day that I do make, even a peculiar treasure." (Mal 3:17, R. V.).
He tells us here... Psalms 139
He tells us here... John 3:16
He tells us here... The entire book of Song of Solomon (a love story)
He tells us here... "Ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light" (1Pe 2:9, R. V.).

Where his treasure is, there is a man's heart. True with us and true with God...We are God's treasure.
We protect the things we treasure.
If it is in clothes, we guard against moths.
If it is in metal, we guard against rust and thieves.
Whatever it is we take care that it is taken care of also.
Is Christ less careful for His own treasures. We do not need to fear 'the theif'. Will not the Only-begotten keep us, so that the evil one shall not touch us (Mat 6:19-20)?

God's treasure is His forever. "They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in the day that I do make, even a peculiar treasure." He will hold His own, as men cling to their treasure, binding it to their body, in a storm at sea (Mal 3:17, R. V.).
God regards us with the ecstasy of a love that rejoices over us with singing; and counts on us as a mother on her child, a miser on His gold.
Love and blessings,
Mom/Meme/Linda

Sugar Coated Heart

Good Morning,

"But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." I Samuel 16:7

Isn't that a wonderful verse? Does it bring comfort knowing this?

God looks on our hearts and sees our motives, intent and character. Who we are inside is really who we are.

As a man speaks is his heart. Our mouths do give us away... even to ourselves. If we listen long enough we will hear it speak as an unregenerate heart feels. Obedience, while it manifests itself in outward actions, begins in the heart.
When wrong happens—with kids and adults—I want to correct it rather than hide it or sugar coat it. To be sensitive to the times I hurt someone's feelings or disobey God and His wishes. Then to listen to the Spirit's prompting, admit my fault, and right the wrong.

Yes, the old nature still demands to have it's way. The Lord looked on our hearts and took care of the problem through Christ. Knowing this we can find comfort in this verse.

If knowing the Lord looks on your heart does not bring comfort, think on Jesus sacrifice for you for awhile. See that when God looks on his child He sees Jesus covering you and you are a RIGHTEOUS SAINT! NOW THAT'S A SUGAR COATED HEART FOR REAL.

Let's walk in that truth today.

Love and blessings,
Mom/Meme/Linda

Nasty offerings! Who Me?

Good Morning,
What a bright, sunny, clear morning. I hear it calling my name! Yeah God! I love your sunshine!
I'm Reading Malachi this morning. As I read God's message to Israel, I decided to apply these truths to our lives today.
I'm going to nutshell God's answer to them when they would ask "How are we dishonoring your name?"
There will surely be some lessons for us today that we can apply to our walk with the Lord.
1~ Would we offer to some extremely high, respected official a gift that was an insult in it's very presence to the receiver. And then to top it all, be proud that we 'at least took something to him/her.'
God requires our best...our very best. Because He is Best personified. Think about what we are offering Him. (Malachi 1:6-14)
Whatever it is we do, do it as unto the Lord. This is the same principal. Is our work, our service to others polluted before God? Are we grumbling in our tents of something we are called to do because it is hard, sacrificial, unpleasant, or hurtful to us? Maybe it just interferes with our plans or is something we just 'plain ol'' don't want to do. I have found that if I can remember that whatsoever I do, do as unto the Lord. Don't get me wrong...(even then it may be with a 'jerky attitude' )... but it actually lifts the burden and even can bring joy if I get all the 'kinks' laid back on Jesus. After all , He didn't die in vain.

Give me any feed back you have. I'll pass it on. We can encourage each other.
Read Malachi. It's short and to the point.
"YES, THAT IS WHY I NEED JESUS" is what we are to say to the little, often loud, accusing voice. It's better to agree with that accusing voice because he is right usually... THAT IS why we need our Savior, our Goodness. You will see what I mean.
Love and blessings,
Mom/Meme/Linda


So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
(Psalm 90:12)

Joy? Where Art Thou?

Good Morning,
Still a gloomy Nashville here, but we are looking for some sunshine today! I am so ready for that bright light in the sky I can taste it.
There are some people that I love to be around. Just being in their presence feels good.
I've often wondered what it would be like to look Jesus in the eye and talk to him without the knowledge of His Deity... Just an ordinary conversation... I think I would have a hundred questions and would be so drawn to him that it would be like magic. Can you just imagine the look in his eyes! The deep joy, peace, and confidence. There is no way, that one could not notice or feel the deep calm, confidence, and joy he exemplified.

In the insightful words of Elton Trueblood:
"The Christian is joyful, not because he is blind to injustice and suffering, but because he is convinced that these, in the light of the divine sovereignty, are never ultimate. . . . The humor of the Christian is not a way of denying the tears, but rather a way of affirming something which is deeper than tears."¹

Yes, a few things in life are absolutely tragic, no question about it. First among them, a joyless Christian.

I've heard it said that a person could tell what a man was like by looking at the expressions of his wife. There is probably some truth to that and it can work both ways.
Our walk with the Lord is so opposite the human, natural way. It is only the Spirit Controlled Christian that has joy in the midst of anguish, Health in the midst of sickness, light in the midst of extreme darkness.
Can we show the world Jesus in us by the expression of our spirit? The expression in our eyes?
Is there that 'something is different' going on in our lives?

We are in the midst of forgiveness constantly.
Our accuser hears a Holy Shut Up from our Savior!

A truly cheerful face comes from a joyful heart,
not from a lack of concern for life's tragedies
Proverbs 15:13, 15; 17:22 (I also think of David when in the Psalms he would ask his spirit "Why are you so downcast?"... over and over again he would remind himself of the Lord's goodness. David talked to himself quiet a bit. In this day and time we might say, "What's wrong with you" to ourself...not to forget to also speak of the benefits of knowing the Lord over and over again.)

Blessings and love to you,
Mom/Meme/Linda

1. Elton Trueblood, The Humor of Christ (New York: Harper and Row, 1964).