A Fall Day at the Coles' home...

HAPPY FALL!!

I had fun today cutting flowers out of my garden before a frost, arranging the Fall centerpiece...what a wonderful spirit lifter.  

Saaaaweet... :)

When you can't think of anything to say...

His Wings...

Psalm 91:4:

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings.

His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Dose of Encouragment and in the nick of time!

Scriptures for Encouragement

1Sam 12:16...... "...stand and see this great thing which the Lord will do before your eyes...

Luke 18:27....... "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Num 23:19....... "God is not a man, that He should lie. Has He said, and will He not do it?

Jas 1:4............ "But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Rom 8:31......... "If God be for us, who can be against us?

2Tim 2:1.......... "...be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2Tim 1:13........ "Hold fast the pattern of sound words...in faith and love...

Col 3:2............ "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Col 3:23.......... "Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

Mark 9:23........ "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.

Josh 1:9............ "Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed,
for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."


1Chr 22:18........ "And has He not given you rest on every side?"

2Chr 20:17........ "You will not need to fight this battle. Position yourselves,
stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you,..."

John 16:33......... "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Rom 8:18............ "...consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

Rom 8:37............ "Yet in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

Church, lunch, mall, OPPS! ER

One minute we are having lunch getting ready to go to the mall for a little shopping...even got as far as the door of the Mall then...








...next minute we are on our way to the ER...

Yep...I'll be getting rid of all my narrow, skinny heeled shoes. A little unlevel ground + the narrow heel is asking for trouble.
After the xray, the doc said she thinks it is a sprain but might be broken. I have to go see my doctor if it continues to hurt and swell after 2 or 3 days. Oh! I pray it is not broken!!
Hope your Sunday was completely without injuries.

t

Cave Dwellers are not really alone...

1 Samuel 22

The Priests Slain at Nob

¹ So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father’s household heard of it, they went down there to him. ² Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them. Now there were about four hundred men with him.

Never Alone
by Charles R. Swindoll

Read 1 Samuel 21:10--22:2; Psalm 142

David had bottomed out. This was the lowest moment of David's life to date, and if you want to know how he really felt, just read the song he composed during those days, Psalm 142.

Can you feel the loneliness of that desolate spot? The dampness of that cave? Can you sense David's despair? The depths to which his life has sunk? There is no escape. There is nothing left. Nothing.

Yet in the midst of all this, David has not lost sight of God. He cries out for the Lord to deliver him. It's here we catch sight of the very heart of the man, that inward place that God alone truly sees, that unseen quality that God saw back when He chose and anointed the young shepherd boy from Bethlehem.

David has been brought to the place where God can truly begin to shape him and use him. When the sovereign God brings us to nothing, it is to reroute our life, not to end it. Human perspective says, "Aha, you've lost this, you've lost that. You've caused this, you've caused that. You've ruined this, you've ruined that. End your life!" But God says, "No. No. You're in the cave. But that doesn't mean it's curtains. That means it's time to reroute your life. Now's the time to start anew!" That's exactly what He does with David.

Here he is, broken, at the end, without crutches . . . crushed in spirit. And would you look who comes to him? Those same brothers and his father along with the rest of the household. Sometimes when you're in the cave, you don't want others around. Sometimes you just can't stand to be with people. You hate to admit it publicly; in fact, you usually don't. But it's true. Sometimes you just want to be alone. And I have a feeling that at that moment in his life, this cave dweller, David, wanted nobody around. Because if he wasn't worth anything to himself, he didn't see his worth to anybody else.

David didn't want his family, but they came. He didn't want them there, but God brought them anyway. I love it that they crawled right into that cave with him. (Swindoll)

******I don't think this 'cave' is the same thing as the 'man cave' we joke about. I can't imagine wanting to be in a dark cave alone...I know what wanting privacy and quiet time are all about. I know what wanting to take a break and retreat are all about.

Take yourself back to David's time. He was familiar with the surroundings. Being in a cave alone was nothing new. When he was a shepherd he probably took shelter in caves. But David being afraid? depressed? and alone?was probably not a place he was use to being. So if it is 'shelter' and a 'hiding Place' we are seeing, I can identify with him and I bet you can too.

How does a Mother surrounded by all her children, a man carrying the load of financial responsibility, a person dealing with health issues, relationship troubles, grief, disasters that have bottomed one out find their cave? Their hiding place...their shelter?

I know someone who told us that HE was our hiding place and our strong shelter. I know that He will teach us what this means...Not to be taught by human words... It's a God thing only revealed by Him.

May we know Him intimately...comfort, shelter, company, understanding, counseling...and remember, caves can be dark; but He also says in Psalms 119 that 'His word is a lamp for our path and a light for our feet"...sounds good to me in that dark cave.

What if you don't know his word (bible)?? No problem...He says of himself "I AM the WORD"... He alone can reveal himself.

Blessings to you

July Morning... stroll through my gardens with me...

I took a stroll through my gardens this morning... cup of coffee in one hand and camera in the other...and yes, I spilled coffee all down my top...But I was able to capture some really pretty shots in spite of seeing all the work that needs to be done. But that is the fun of a garden, isn't it? Always something to do...a true pleasure process.
This day sure is a lot better than strolling through taking pictures in May 2010 after the flood.
God is Good!!

Desert Learning...a hard place to live.

Wow! I love the devotion this morning. Some speak more than others.
I HAVE to have a refreshing  glimpse of His love for me... or I will only feel loved like we humans love each other. And THAT, my dears, compared to His love for us, can be very disappointing, disillusioning, and distressing.
What do you think of when you read about being in the desert? 'Desert Learning' as Swindoll puts it.
It's important to consider this because in this place is where we are loved the most yet feel the most ignored.
Amazing Grace! How sweet it is!

Read Exodus 3:1; Acts 7:29--30

Notice carefully how the process took place through those years of desert learning, because it is the same with you and me. God must break through several hard, exterior barriers in our lives before He can renovate our souls. His persistent goal is to break through to the inner person. As David acknowledged, "Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom" (Psalm 51:6).

What are those resistant layers in our hearts, and how does He break through to that hidden part? First, He finds pride. And He uses the sandpaper of obscurity to remove it ever so gradually.

Then He finds us gripped by fear---dread of our past, anxiety over our present, and terror over what may lie ahead---and He uses the passing of time to remove that fear. We learn that things aren't out of hand at all; they're in His hand.

He next encounters the barrier of resentment---the tyranny of bitterness. He breaks down that layer with solitude. In the silence of His presence, we gain a fresh perspective, gradually release our cherished rights, and let go of the expectations that held us hostage.

Finally, He gets down to the basic habits of living, he penetrates our inner person, and there He brings discomfort and hardship to buff away that last layer of resistance. Why? So that He might renovate us at the very core of our being.

Reach for the hand of your Guide! He is Lord of the desert. Make that your desert. The most precious object of God's love is His child in the desert. If it were possible, you mean more to Him during this time than at any other time. You are as the pupil of His eye. You are His beloved student taking his toughest courses. While testing you, He loves you with an infinite amount of love.

Jesus walked through the desert first. He felt its heat. He endured its loneliness. He accepted its obscurity. He faced down Satan himself while the desert winds howled. And you can be sure He will never, ever forget or forsake the one who follows Him across the sand.

(by Swindoll)

Fibonacci numbers - The Fingerprint of God

Dining Table Chairs FINI'!

My project of the dining room chairs finished today. Here are a few pics of 'along the way'. I'm pleased with the way they look. I especially like the way the new cork chandelier shades match the natural wood of the chairs.
I will be starting the dining room table top next week. I'm leaving the legs dark, but hoping when I get the top refinished/sanded it will be similar to the chairs.
The family will be here tomorrow to celebrate Kelly's 45th birthday. It will be a day of rest and enjoyment and a nice break from the house projects...they have a way of waiting on me and go NO WHERE!

GOOD STUFF!

IV>

Apples	Protects your heart	prevents constipation	Blocks diarrhea	Improves lung capacity	Cushions joints
Apricots	Combats cancer	Controls blood pressure	Saves your eyesight	Shields against Alzheimer's	Slows aging process
Artichokes	Aids digestion	Lowers cholesterol	Protects your heart	Stabilizes blood sugar	Guards against liver disease
Avocados	Battles diabetes	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin
Bananas	Protects your heart	Quiets a cough	Strengthens bones	Controls blood pressure	Blocks diarrhea
Beans	Prevents constipation	Helps hemorrhoids	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Stabilizes blood sugar
Beets	Controls blood pressure	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones	Protects your heart	Aids weight loss
Blueberries	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Saves eyesight	Boosts memory	Prevents constipation
Broccoli	Strengthens bones	Saves eyesight	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Protects your heart	Helps hemorrhoids
Cantaloupe	Prevents constipation	Promotes weight loss	Protects your heart	Helps hemorrhoids
Cantaloupe	Saves eyesight	Controls blood pressure	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Supports immune system
Carrots	Saves eyesight	Protects your heart	Prevents constipation	Combats cancer	Promotes weight loss
Cauliflower	Protects against Prostate Cancer	Combats Breast Cancer	Strengthens bones	Banishes bruises	Guards against heart disease
Cherries	Protects your heart	Combats Cancer	Ends insomnia	Slows aging process	Shields against Alzheimer's
Chestnuts	Promotes weight loss	Protects your heart	Lowers cholesterol	Combats Cancer	Controls blood pressure
Chili peppers	Aids digestion	Soothes sore throat	Clears sinuses	Combats Cancer	Boosts immune system
Figs	Promotes weight loss	Helps stops strokes	Lowers cholesterol	Combats Cancer	Controls blood pressure
Fish	Protects your heart	Boosts memory	Protects your heart	Combats Cancer	Supports immune system
Flax	Aids digestion	Battles diabetes	Protects your heart	Improves mental health	Boosts immune system
Garlic	Lowers cholesterol	Controls blood pressure	Combats cancer	kills bacteria	Fights fungus
Grapefruit	Protects against heart attacks	Promotes Weight loss	Helps stops strokes	Combats Prostate Cancer	Lowers cholesterol
Grapes	saves eyesight	Conquers kidney stones	Combats cancer	Enhances blood flow	Protects your heart
Green tea	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Helps stops strokes	Promotes Weight loss	Kills bacteria
Honey	Heals wounds	Aids digestion	Guards against ulcers	Increases energy	Fights allergies
Lemons	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure =	Smoothes skin	Stops scurvy
Limes	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin	Stops scurvy
Mangoes	Combats cancer	Boosts memory	Regulates thyroid	aids digestion	Shields against Alzheimer's
Mushrooms	Controls blood pressure	Lowers cholesterol	Kills bacteria	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones
Oats	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Battles diabetes	prevents constipation	Smoothes skin
Olive oil	Protects your heart	Promotes Weight loss	Combats cancer	Battles diabetes	Smoothes skin
Onions	Reduce risk of heart attack	Combats cancer	Kills bacteria	Lowers cholesterol	Fights fungus
Oranges	Supports immune systems	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Straightens respiration
Peaches	prevents constipation	Combats cancer	Helps stops strokes	aids digestion	Helps hemorrhoids
Peanuts	Protects against heart disease	Promotes Weight loss	Combats Prostate Cancer	Lowers cholesterol	Aggravates  Diverticulitis
Pineapple	Strengthens bones	Relieves colds	Aids digestion	Dissolves warts	Blocks diarrhea
Prunes	Slows aging process	prevents constipation	boosts memory	Lowers cholesterol	Protects against heart disease
Rice	Protects your heart	Battles diabetes	Conquers kidney stones	Combats cancer	Helps stops strokes
Strawberries	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	boosts memory	Calms stress
Sweet potatoes	Saves your eyesight	Lifts mood	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones
Tomatoes	Protects prostate	Combats cancer	Lowers cholesterol	Protects your heart
Walnuts	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	boosts memory	Lifts mood	Protects against heart disease
Water	Promotes Weight loss	Combats cancer	Conquers kidney stones	Smoothes skin
Watermelon	Protects prostate	Promotes Weight loss	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	Controls blood pressure
Wheat germ	Combats Colon Cancer	prevents constipation	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	improves digestion
Wheat bran	Combats Colon Cancer	prevents constipation	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	improves digestion
Yogurt	Guards against ulcers	Strengthens bones	Lowers cholesterol	Supports immune systems	Aids digestion