It’s seed time in No Va where I live. It’s time to plant and it’s such a joyful time as we share seeds, plant seeds and wake up with eyes, to look and see, what we might see! Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, which states, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: … a time to plant, and a time to pull up that which is planted…”.
Be Patient , not sure from whom I received this drawing but I like it!
“This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. “(Habakkuk 2:3)
“But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (Roman’s 8:25)
(Psalm 37:7) “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his ways.”
Be sure to give thought to what you are waiting for and then answer the question posed by Jesus himself;
“What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:36 CEB)
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.” Psalms 23:1-6 NKJV This video and scripture brings a lot of imagery to my mind giving me a different perspective on a few things.
“Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.” I Samuel 3:10
And ‘Jesus’ arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” Mark 4:39 KJV
A few days ago my five year old Granddaughter and I were walking holding hands in our early Spring Garden of our flowers and an angel statue. I stopped and paused and spoke about the beauty of the day. And, giving thanks for our blessings.
I heard planes overhead and cars going by and realized I was not holding her hand. I looked down and there stood this precious child bowed, eyes closed and praying hands under her tiny chin. As my voice had quieten I heard a child’s voice blessing the children and others of the world. She was blessing and giving thanks for various things. Humility and Trust was all I could see or hear. My eyes were filled with tears.
I was a little unsettled on my feet and wordless for a moment. Then, yes, I heard the Lord speak to my heart. It was just a few weeks ago she and I had visiting our doggie’s grave. I was offering a blessing. She quickly asked, “Grandma, what does blessing mean?” I gave her a little explanation and off I went for our next duty.
This child heard and became a doer of the Word! James 1:22 exhorts us to be doers of the word and not just hearers.
I was guilty and of little faith. I gave her an answer on the definition of blessing and thought and acted like that was silly of me to give that little explanation.
I think I might have a better understanding now of, “Let the little children come to me.” Matthew 19:14
And, gave us why, “for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” And, a little child shall lead them.” Isaiah 11:6
Jesus loves Humility and Trust! The Lord is Our Shepherd! 🙏🏼
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” —Hebrews 4:13 (NIV)
Garden Sanctuary
Come and sit awhile. Watch the birds build a nest, feed their young as well as teaching them to fly! Dont forget the chirpings and singing among other melodious sounds!
Bees buzzing. Tree Frogs maybe trilling for a mate? And, a few squirrels offering a show as rabbits and chipmunks drop by for a chat. Often butterflies will demonstrate the art of flight as they flutter to your delight!
Write in your journal! Offer a prayer for yourself and others! Watch the sky and read encouraging words! Hebrews 14:5, God has said, “I will never you or abandon you.”
Enjoy the lovely Spring blossoms and blooms and anticipate Summer’s yield of garden fruits and vegetables.
Above all make Love a priority as you sit and ponder Gods love and feel its warmth. Share your gift of love with others!
A new commandment given to you by Jesus, “I give you: that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34)
I have read and heard a few stories recently of a friend often sharing a friend’s story. It usually goes something like this ‘He told the truth then! Now, he is caught in a trap. An almost dead rat!’ Poor man.
So often we as humans get rejected, hurt and wounded. We harbor this in our inner being until we become a part of the wound. Hebrews 12:15 used the term “root of bitterness” emphasizes the need to address and remove the source of bitterness to avoid negative effects.
Jesus came to earth to teach humans how to forgive and walk in healing. He taught us by forgiving we reject others that lie and deceive and then we enjoy the life of freedom of our minds and souls so we can enjoy the beauty and nature of the earth He created for us.
We don’t need our name carved in or on a stone as we are one with the stone. Our names are carved in the (a)*Rock and He is the creator of all things.
Even thou people and things fall all around us the truth will never fall. We may not have all truth yet but we should daily seek truth! Truth will set us free! I choose to seek and find truth and enjoy the beauty of nature. All humans have been given this gift but often we want to be a part of the golden calf rather than enjoy the golden stars, moon and sun and the blessing of peace, joy and love given by the Creator.
I pray ‘this poor man’ along with all humans will seek truth and walk in truth before we become part of the wound of destruction.
Many celebrate lent and Easter around this time each year. Often if we be willing many of us will find our way back to life and living in hope and wonder of the creator and realize we are NOT the Creator. We are created in His image.
Always seek truth! “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)
“… You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. (Matthew 16:3)
(a)Corinthians 10:4 states, “For they all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”
(a)Psalm 18:2 states, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation.”
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48 NIV)
A 4 year old Child‘s “art love” to an elderly doggie’s sickness and the doggie was not even hers
As I sit quietly and contemplate the depth of love from the brush of a child artist expressing her love for an invalid doggie only days away from death;
I ask myself am I coloring and painting to closely inside the drawn lines?
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
“Be Perfect as Our Heavenly Father is perfect!” The enemy pierced the side of his son as He hung on a cross and water and blood were poured out for ALL. Did blood drops cover His enemies as well as family and friends?
I reflected on my art of love I’m afraid I may like to stay within my lines of just family and friends that I love! It’s a bit messy outside the lines don’t you think? I wonder what it would mean if Jesus had made his decision to stay in heaven with his father and the heavenly host and their nice neat family lines of separation from his enemies?
Passion without compassion is the opposite of the teachings of Jesus? Yes? No?
Can we have one without the other? Yes? No?
Dictionary pertaining to passion and theology;
Theology.
the sufferings of Christ on the cross or His sufferings subsequent to the Last Supper.
the narrative of Christ’s sufferings as recorded in the Gospels.
Compassion, dictionary;
“a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.”
Crucifixion of Jesus
We are in a season many Christians refer to as lent. This year the dates are, Wed, Mar 5, 2025 – Thu, Apr 17, 2025.
“The season of Lent lasts for forty days (not including Sundays). It is a time when Christians reflect and prepare for the celebrations of Easter. We often use 3R’s to daily remind us, reflection, repentance and reconciliation. “
“Christians often observe the season by choosing to give something up, whether it’s a particular food or drink, a habit, or some other behavior.”We give thought to Jesus and his 40 day fast.
“The “Passion of Jesus Christ” is the story of Jesus’ suffering, arrest, trial, and crucifixion. The word “passion” comes from the Latin word patior, which means “to suffer” or “to endure.”
Did Jesus have compsssjon for the whole world by giving us an account of His Passion for you by a symbol of The Cross in YouTube form? Or, has this story been told by eye witnesses so His story would become your story. Why did God, the Father, have so much passion for the world that His Love for humans turned into such compassion that “The Cross” became our cross? Or, has it?
And, why do we need “The Cross”? Or, do we even need the cross.
““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (“John 3:16)
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:17 NKJV)
“Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)
Thanks for sharing your 3R’s …reflection, repentance and reconciliation be it here, there or wherever you might be!
Tammy Holton, a friend and contributor of the Lily, just celebrated a Birthday.
She was gifted by her family a “winter” weekend to a North Carolina beach. She was kind enough to share with us through text and photos the joys of her Birthday celebration. A wife, mother, and grandmother photos were delightful as was the Birthday Cake! 🎂
Tammy, also shared a photo of a scene that often causes a pause to our souls as we bathe in what seems like a lonely winter ocean where sun bathers often shy away from!
Yet, It seems to me at times a view of the ocean on a clear winter windy day speaks volumes that I might hear only when the ocean is alone! The Psalmist might have felt the same.
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.” (Psalm 62:5 ESV)
“…like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?” *Psalm 62:3 ESV
Happy February Birthday Tammy! And, thanks for the share!
“…Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John (13:34-35 NIV)
“They (we) know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them (us). For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they (we) have no excuse for not knowing God.” (Romans 1:19-20 NLT)
The LORD is a safe place for the oppressed a safe place in difficult times. (Psalm 9:9 CEB)
“The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.” (Psalms 9:9-10 NLT)
Psalm 136:9: “The moon is a testament to God’s enduring love
Psalm 121:6: The moon is a symbol of God’s protective care over His people
Isaiah 30:26: The moon is depicted symbolically as reflecting the glory of God’s future kingdom”
Have you ever felt fear, doubt and unbelief? I have? There have been times I thought others to be “Light” only to find darkness. And, others have felt that way about me. Surely, we have seen times we thought we had it right and they in their blindness, like us, also thought they had it right. We close the door and lock ourselves, at least our minds, away until they agree with us. That probably will never happen.
Mind Movies running 24/7! Do we reallly want to, or know others that want to play the villain in their own movie?
We only have to open our door or even a window and look up to realize God with us! God in us! God loves us!
A few nights ago when the world news surely distorted my faith I walked my precious goldendoodle to the door and “The Moon” greeted me!
Do you have a moon story? A moon song? A moon poem? A moon…? one that has helped you to make you faith stronger?
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