We are studying prayer on Wednesday nights at church. One quote the pastor used from Bob Russell was, “To build a Christian life without prayer is like building a house without nails, it just won’t hold together.” 1Timothy 2:1-8 says: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone–for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men–the testimony given in its proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle–I am telling the truth, I am not lying–and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.”
If I am understanding right…….prayer is essential. One question the pastor asked was: “What encourages you to pray?” Someone said, “answered prayer”. Is there anything that encourages you to pray?
Our Adopted Socrates
Little White Dog by Gary
I wonder if the little fella ever has any fun in life? There he is a little, white, scruffy looking dog. How we got him is a story.
He came to us from a nice family, husband, wife, two kids maybe three the youngest a baby. He was too much for them. The kids loved him, he was a lot of fun for them. But mommy and daddy, well he was too much for mommy and daddy. Somebody had to walk him, the yard wasn’t fenced, and he had to be walked. Then he had to go to the vet, a lot. Expensive to take him to the vet. Yet the fellow had to have help. He was always scratching, itching never stopped scratching himself. He scratched the hair off his legs it hurt him so much.
They were his second family, the first one was just one guy from what I’ve been told. But the dog had to go because the guy had to go to live in another part of the world for work. So he gave the little fella away.
Now, I’ve been told that dogs never forget. That if you are mean to them as a puppy they remember, if you are nice to them as a puppy they remember. I think the little fella remembers being brought home by that guy, loved, cared for, taken for walks, given treats and toys. Then one day for the little fella it was all over. He was picked up, put in a car driven over to another house, dropped off with all the toys and treats and dog stuff. But he wasn’t the only one there. There were kids there, he loved the kids. He played with them. I never witnessed him playing with the kids. But, I know he did, because when he came to us he would bring his toy to us and nudge our leg with it to play tug of war with him and to throw so he could retrieve.
Then the little fella’s world with the father, mother and three kids came to a crashing stop, he was put in a car again with all the dog stuff, food, toys, leash, bed, blanket, pills, and treats and he came to us. I think when we got him, he remembered being given away the first time, and I think he was thinking, “not again”. I think it made him nervous and have a rash and scratch and itch and dig his skin. I think he was in awful pain. He’s getting over that now with a lot of help from the vet and getting him to take a bunch of pills. Maybe he will settle in. He’s never done anything like have a “mistake” in the house. But I think in his mind he wonders, “how long will this last? Will I get sent away again?”
It must be awful to have thoughts like that.
I think I’ll try to help the little fella have a little fun in life.
Psalm 119:144
” Your decrees are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.”
Lessons Learned in Life
Sometimes when wisdom shopping we find someone’s cleverness packed with wisdom. I think this is one of those times. The first thing I thought of was something imparted to me as a young child found in the Holy Writ; I Corinthians 14:40 “Let all things be done decently and in order.”
Be fun to hear the different wisdom that comes to each of us as we read….What do you hear?
A gift,
Thank you, Dale Presley! Love your art! This Iris seems so real like just freshly picked from the garden.
When I see an Iris I see and think of a rainbow and the promises of God. You are a promise. I have heard and read that all His benefits belong to each of us that call to Him.
And, thanks for the fig preserves. My favorite! You are so blessed with multi talents and gifts. Thanks for using them and sharing with me!
Piney Grove, NC Campaign
Fig Bread
Recipe shared by Dale Presley of Daphne, Al. Dale says figs grow plentiful in Alabama when in season. She also thinks for the ones of us without the fresh fruitful supply we may use the dry figs as a substitute.
Ingredients
3 eggs
2-1/2 cups sugar
2 cups ripe figs, peeled and mashed
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup chopped pecans ( also can use walnuts!)
Directions:
Beat eggs, add sugar and beat well. Add the mashed figs and vegetable oil.
Sift together flour, soda, salt and cinnamon. Add the fig mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Beat Well.
Fold in chopped pecans. Bake at 350 egrees for 1 hour in greased and floured loaf pans.
Makes 2 large or 3 small loaves.
Listen to your heart!
“Have you ever held something in your heart and wanted it to talk and just couldn’t find the words? I think artist have a way of speaking that gives your secrets away. I saw the work of this artist today; and thought, how can she reveal my secrets like this?
Would just love to hear from you on what these ear-bugs might be saying?” Sara
Violette, the artist says; “Hello Creatives! I made this little heart this morning for my messy art daily challenge!
It was pretty messy as it was painted entirely on a piece of cardboard with my fingers! I figured little headphones listening to a heart were kind of cute and appropriate. To me “listen to your heart” means going within if you have a question. You can listen to your heart by being still and noticing the changes inside. Do you feel a queasiness, a tightening or do you have a sense of expansion and joy that bubbles up inside when you think about your question?
Often i say yes to things too quickly before checking inside if it’s a right fit for me then i end up feeling overwhelmed. The ball is either dropped or I perform the task grudgingly which means my whole heart won’t be into it. Can you relate to this? Do you regularly check inside when you have an important decision to make?”
Check Amazon for, Journal Bliss byViolette [Paperback]
Violette (Author)
Acts 2:46
By Tammy Holton
Have you ever gone to a local butcher to buy meats? Your
plans were to buy sausage and maybe some pork chops, at the most, 8 or 10, but when the lady behind the counter ask you how many you wanted, you tell her 14. Two days later you discover why 14 pork chops, was in God’s plans…..two precious friends were able to come and sit at your table and dine, with your family. The blessing of sharing a little food with others and preparing a special desert, to brighten another. And, the most amazing part of God’s plan they were on a mission of helps to another. And, needed a kindness stop to refresh and revive them on their travels!
Have you read or heard God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform? (Matthew 15:32-39) When I think of how Jesus fed the multitude with fish and loaves, I think on food and numbers He must know His math! And, miracles he performs at the hands of our small task? What a wonder!
“…and shared their meals with great joy and generosity–” Acts 2:46 Love, from Tammy, Chris, Nicholas and Nathaniel Holton
Rena’s Doll Story
Told and illustrated by Rena Oynes from her Journal pages of “The Doll Within Me” from Sara Craddock’s Doll Book. I hope all that read this book will write their story and share.
When I was young my Dad would always wait until Christmas Eve to get a doll for each of his little girls. As I have thought about it there was never really enough money for the dolls so the last minute shopping meant the dolls were at a much lower price. There was no getting the doll everyone else had, but at least it was a doll. Later as time went by he would place the doll under the Christmas tree to remind him of us as we sometimes did not come home for Christmas. How precious. My own Mom would make dolls for people who needed a special touch. She was drawn to people who had children with cancer and would make dolls with their clothing for them. One little girl was buried with her doll. My mother made dolls for her future grandchildren and made one to be baby Jesus when Christmas pageants occurred. Recently one was used to tell the story of baby Jesus at a BSF Children’s meeting. Somehow dolls seem to grab hold of our emotions.
I was so fortunate for so long to work with children in the public school setting. With retirement I find myself going back to my roots with a Mom who had a love for children of all ages and loved to see them happy with each doll given. A few years ago Dorothy who was a Lily and I designed a pattern for a doll that we liked that was put into Samaritan Purse Christmas boxes. Many wonderful Lilies participated and we all had great fun doing a project that we knew would touch the lives of the children who received them. I even saw a husband of one of the wives who was deligently working on a doll sit in the floor listening and observing his wife’s delight over the little doll. At that time I never thought I’d be making dolls again. Here I am and when the call came, I thought yes Lord, I like my Mom, would love to touch another with a special gift of a doll. My mother crocheted hers but I can sew and paint so as you see this little creation is sewn and painted to bring about her character. I pray the woman who receives will be so excited as I was to see her take form in my hands. Poor thing had to take many a scissor and needle, plus globs of paint, cloth, lace and yarn. Yes this is a new season of my life. I can say honestly that God has something for every season of our lives. What a precious God we serve. I would have never guessed that God would have moved me to Alabama and used my love of HIS children of all ages, sewing and painting to bless his people. Thank you God. I LOVE YOU.
thedailylily.com 