Fly, I will

I’m Still Flying (photo from a friend)

If you look closely you will noticed her wings are a bit damaged. A beautiful female Gulf Fritillary butterfly. Makes one wonder what happened? We don’t know but the first thought might be a few close calls with a bird or two.

She has chosen to fly and be and do her duty and show her beauty.

All of us most likely have been marred in some way be it physically, emotionally or spiritually. And, maybe all three. I sure have!

Jesus sure understands our hurts. Our needs and even our desires.

“Jesus understands every weakness of ours,…” (Hebrews 4:15)

“… For in him we live, and move, and have our being;..” (Acts 17:28)

“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

In Him we renew our strength.

Isaiah 40:31 – but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.

“Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here!” (Matthew 14:27-28)

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9)

Fly my friends and do your duty and show your beauty! You are loved!

A Story shared with me this week -Come Home by Jacqueline Craddock Chandler

“Got something funny but sweet to tell you! Yesterday I called, “my Daddy”, age 92,  and asked him was he OK or did he need anything before I got home? (I live near by him) I had a pastor (lady) to call me and asked me if I  could come to her house and have a cup of coffee and go over some music.  Daddy said he was fine and didn’t need anything at that time so I told him what I was gonna do. She lives in the boondocks, so I had no phone signal. He tried to call me after I had been there a while to see if I had left to come home he couldn’t get me. So he calls my daughter and tells her to call me and tell me that I need to come home that it’s late and I can’t see. (I have cataracts on my eyes) She tried to call and couldn’t get up with me but remembered Daddy said I was going for a cup of coffee with someone. She narrowed it down and called Lisa and Lisa told her I was there. She told me what daddy had said, we thought that was so sweet so I left and went by his house, carried him some supper and sat around with him for a while. He was content and went to bed and I left. I just thought I would share that my 53 year old daughter, calling her 72 year old mother to tell her that her 92 year old father said “come home” now! lol”

A sweet story truly! I starting thinking of the caring protective love of an earthly 92 year old father. We may not have an earthly father to call us. Yet, all of us have a Heavenly Father that sent His Son, Jesus, to become a living sacrifice to call each of us to come home for safety. We may have night blindness as well. Maybe with cataracts blinding us from help that is offered to us whatever we may be going through or wherever we may be. “Come Home.”

In 1880, Author, Will L Thomas (1847-1909) from East Liverpool, Ohio penned words to a Hymn that we still sing and share there is HOPE for all! “Come Home” Eternal Hope!

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling
Calling for you and for me
See on the portals He’s waiting and watching
Watching for you and for me

Come home, come home
Ye who are weary come home
Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling
Calling, “O sinner come home”

Come Home

Leave a message in comments if you would like to contact Jacque about her CD’s or singing in your church or gatherings.

“I Am exalted among the Nations…“

“Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations;
I am exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I saw this photo of a little town in NC from a few years back. I smiled, ‘a horse and rider’ rode into town for their weeks groceries.

I was also watching TV live from DC area showing a missile attack on Israel being launched from Iran. Lot of tension with hearing this may broading into a much larger conflict with nations and in the earth!

I started thinking about these scriptures, Be Still…know about God…He is exalted in the nations…He is exalted in the earth. His grace is sufficient…keep your mind renewed and you will know what God’s perfect will is. And, these words were also written a few years back and have been found to be true by many over much time.

There are just so many more scriptures that guide and comfort us. I feel so blessed we can easily read, think about, believe, share and encourage one another daily. Just as we are doing. Thanks to each of you!

 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Tonto and Ricky’s Story

My Story, Tonto

I had a name without a family; therefore, I had no name! I had no love! I was given to a rescue, but no one who visited wanted me. I was timid. I was shy. I had no contact with humans. I was deeply afraid of those walking on two feet.

I was told that I was a cross between an Arabian and an Appaloosa. I was placed in a pasture with no care or even the slightest interest in me. At the age of 4, I was surrendered to a rescue.

One day, a kind and compassionate man named Ricky discovered me. He was known as a masterful trainer. So when he agreed to invite me to his farm, the rescue was excited and gladly delivered me right to his barn’s front door!

They ran me into a stock trailer and took off for Ricky’s farm about a couple of hours away, They happily backed up to his barn and released me while all the two legged men rushed me into a stall.

Ricky gave me a family and my name is Tonto! He began to talk with me in a kind compassionate way which was very strange. I heard and felt Ricky say, “would you just let me touch you, Thats all I ask.” I was astonished but I did. His touched changed me forever. Within a few hours he was sending photos to the rescue to show our bond.

It’s been years now and Ricky and I are inseparable. We are bonded by love. Ricky is a Christian and it shows in our love story. We hope you enjoy our photos. We want to share more of our story soon.

Love to all, Tonto and Ricky

God’s Care for Animals Shows His Love for all of us!

Second Chance Stables, Inc

My name is Ricky
My name is Tonto

A Rainbow

🎶He’s got the whole world in His Hands🎶

“The rainbow that I have put in the sky will be my sign to you and to every living creature on earth. It will remind you that I will keep this promise forever. When I send clouds over the earth, and a rainbow appears in the sky, I will remember my promise to you and to all other living creatures. Never again will I let floodwaters destroy all life. When I see the rainbow in the sky, I will always remember the promise that I have made to every living creature. The rainbow will be the sign of that solemn promise.” Genesis‬ ‭9‬:‭12‬-‭17‬ ‭CEV‬‬

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NRSVUE)

Reading Schedule for ones that have joined the study of “The Story“ part I thru the end of ‘24

See more info from Tammy Holton’s Lily’s post, “The Story” (below) as told by Daniel Davenport. Find the website and audio lessons there by just clicking on the lessons. Join in at anytime. If you have questions on schedule or comments please leave here for Tammy. Or contact info for Daniel Davenport on the study site.

Hope you find the beauty of Gods promise 🌈 to every living creature rainbow by Debi Chaves encouraging to continue the study if you have started. Or, join now. http:countrysidecc100.com/

Always remember, you are loved. (John 3:16)

“The Story” being taught by Daniel Davenport, by Tammy Holton

http://countrysidecc100.com/

I would like to invite each of you to join us as we go chapter by chapter exploring, “The Story”, authored by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee. “The Story” is being taught on Audio through the voice and preaching of our minister, Daniel Davenport. Daniel and family are residents of Edenton NC. He was born and raised only a few miles away from the very place God has called him to preach, teach and love the people from, being eastern NC. And, the many that have found and made Historic Edenton and surrounding areas their home of choice.

We would also like you to invite all of your friends to join us at Edenton, Countryside Church of Christ for live teachings each Sunday Morning to go through this book series. See our schedule of services on our website or Face Book. http://countrysidecc100.com/

I look forward to meeting you! I’m excited to have you join me in these weekly studies as we venture into, “The Story”!

Please feel free to contact our church through the contact info on our pages. If you listen and feel to know more about, The Story” contact our minister, Daniel Davenport, for further information. http://countrysidecc100.com/

Also, please feel free to leave your questions or concerns here and I will try and respond!

Tammy Holton

Hornets of the Bible

Hornets Nest

This Hornets nest hung just a little to close over the sidewalk where children and walkers alike might be making their trek for opening of a new school year. My husband and I thought to empty the nest and make a gift for our Grand child’s P-k classroom.

I can just imagine little eyes peeking in the magical opening and little minds wondering how could those little pesty hornets make such an amazing thing. Me, too! My husband began to marvel at how well it was woven on the branch. And, it is awesome.

Then I began to really wonder why did God create these things that sting! I began to ponder as I googled Hornets in Bible! I’m sharing the verses. But then I began to read in context God’s use for hornets and see just how useful they are in God’s plan.

I would like to hear your thoughts on these scriptures and Hornets. Imagine our donation to a class of PreK children hearing your story and wondering why did God do such a thing?

Exodus 23:28 – And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.

Deuteronomy 7:20 -Moreover the LORD thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee, be destroyed.

  • Joshua 15:33: Mentions the Judean town of Zorah, which literally means “town of hornets”.  

Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭12‬ ‭“I sent the hornet ahead of you, which drove them out before you—also the two Amorite kings. You did not do it with your own sword and bow.”
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“Rhythms oh Grace”

My Nane is Rhythms of Grace

Jesus said,] “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” Matthew 11:28-29 (The Message)

As we approach the holiday we have termed, “Labor Day, Monday, September 2, 2024 I want to wish each one of us a very happy and restful day as we celebrate one another for our contribution to our “nations prosperity” through our labors.

“Labor Day…a public holiday or day of festivities held in honor of working people, in the US and Canada on the first Monday in September, in many other countries on May 1.”

“Observed each year on the first Monday of September, Labor Day is at heart a celebration of the hard-won achievements of America’s labor movement and a recognition of what workers have contributed to the nation’s prosperity.”

I was so touched by the words of Jesus inviting us into a rest…”Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.”

My son Chris made our little frog for Debi’s (a Lily contributor) Birthday with his 3-D printer. It really made me smile. The colors, the expression, the sheer delight of its form. I paused to think of the goodness of the words of Jesus inviting me to walk and work with Him and I would develop for my continued work an unforced rhythm of grace.

What makes you smile and enter into a rest while learning the “unforced rhythms of grace?