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You are LOVED!

“Our sacrifices and our choices remind us that we are all image-bearers, and every relationship is holy. On whomever I focus my attention, I have the chance to see the face of Christ.” Today’s Reflection, This Life That Is Ours by Lauren Burdette

”So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.“
‭‭(1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭31‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Happy, Blessed Day to All! God loves you and so do we!

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.” (1 John 4:7-21 ESV)

Grumpy, the Squirrel

My four year old G-daughter has been beyond excited to be a beginner ‘patio/deck gardener’. She had been testing her skill a bit with ‘yard gardening’ only to realized nature has a way of ‘force sharing’ when beautiful singing birds find your tiny green strawberries before you find one shiny red one.

The next level would be trying your vegetables, that might mean to her a tomatoe plant with a pepper or two on your upper deck right outside your kitchen view.

In trying to explain, yes, squirrels can climb steps and even the deck post faster that one can try and race up those steps to protect their garden. Racing with a squirrel, rabbit and birds for a fresh treat can be both exasperating and exhilarating at the same time!

I thought how one’s soul often thirist for water in a dry and thirsty land. How to find water where one’s soul will thirist no more!

The Psalmist seem to understand. ”You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.“ (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭63‬:‭1‬-‭5‬)

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?“‭‭Psalms‬ ‭42‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭

John 4 records a beautiful analogy of; “exasperating and exhilarating at the same time!

^John^4;13Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴)but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

WOW! What a beautiful story of promise to share with children and ourselves alike!

Pride and Joy of Chris and Tammy Holton

Robins! Nest! Eggs! Babies! Pops and grandson!

Grandchildren are the pride and joy of old age,…” (Proverbs 17:6 ERV)

Our co-Writer, Tammy and husband, Chris are proud fairly new grandparents. They love spending time with their precious lil guy, Stetson.

Aren’t these beautiful photos with a teaching moment with Chris, Stetson, nest, Robin eggs, and baby bird birth?

We often read fascinating stories of Francis of Assisi’s relationship with a variety of animals, birds, fish, trees, and flowers. It’s said he always tells these creatures, “Do you realize that by your very existence, you are inherently giving glory to God? So just be who you are. Every animal, every created being has a unique thing to do. Each of you, do your thing; and in that doing, you are giving glory to God!” It’s believed and taught Francis would take delight in everything and everybody doing their thing. That would include you and me!

A big note of praise for Tammy and Chris! In a very short time we will get to hear about the birth of Stetson’s baby brother, Sterling Ryan! Our Blessings to ALL!

Hope of Everyone…

”You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior. You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas. You formed the mountains by your power and armed yourself with mighty strength. You quieted the raging oceans with their pounding waves and silenced the shouting of the nations. Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy.“
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭65‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.65.5-8.NLT

I found myself bird watching and wondering what kind of bird might this be? All black with red wings. Someway watching the mystery of so much black but wings of red reminded me of the blood of Jesus Christ shed for our blackness at Calvary.

The Psalmist must have understood how one might feel when darkness surrounds so many and so much. The words of the psalmist, “0 God our Savior, You are the Hope of everyone on earth…”

Meditating on this awesome scripture with this good news, Hope for everyone on earth. And, “God answers our prayers with awesome deeds.”

I named our little bird that seems so at peace, Hope!

Still Water Reflects

Still Water Reflects

The Book of Matthew tells us that Jesus invites us; “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 ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭MSG‬‬

A few years ago I penned a song (There’s a Waiting in My Room) with these words; “I see your face shining as a glory of grace.” As I read these words today from Matthew, “learn the unforced rhythms of grace” I started thinking have I learned “the unforced rhythms of Grace”?

How often have I taken a few days of R&R and walked by a body of water that seems to calm the soul and reflects my face and reminds me God’s Grace is sufficient for all my concerns.

In 2 Corinthians 12:1 “Paul provides an example of how a person should not find his or her identity and confidence in personal achievements because only God’s grace is sufficient. Yet, I leave my resort spot and take my concerns with me to work out.”

What does, “learn the unforced rhythms of grace” mean to you? Do you get excited about coming to the table of Grace and learn more about the unforced rhythms of Grace?

Easter stories

Are often told, shown and lived by many generations in various ways to demonstrate the joy of Easter and the ways we celebrate. One of my favor scriptures highlighs the word, JOY in the moment of fear!

“Mary Magdalene and the other Mary left the tomb quickly with fear and great JOY and ran to tell his disciples.” Matthew 28:8 (NRSVUE) (see link below for more understanding of the Easter Story).

Art Eggs by Sierra, age 4 and Bunny art by Aunt Yvonne

“The butterfly says to the Sun, “They can’t stop talking about my transformation. I can only do it ONCE in my lifetime. If only they knew, they can do it at ANYTIME and in COUNTLESS ways.” -Dodinsky

As my granddaughter just now age 4 and her Aunt with eighty years age difference shared in our Easter celebration with their art stories joy exploded in my soul. I was astonished really how Sierra chose from among many stickers for her to use a butterfly theme to decorate her eggs.

Her Aunt sent by mail “Naughty Bunny” art for our enjoyment. And, also our “Butterfly” quote by Dodinsky.

And, then our friend and co-writer, Tammy Holton thought to share the story of Easter told by her minister, Daniel Davenport, of Edenton NC. I listened and shared with others thinking what a great storyteller Daniel is bringing all parts of Easter into focus. (Sharing Link below)

Daniel gives hope in how we can unite forever in love and continue to share our Easter stories in joy even when we may feel much fear. Feel free to share your Easter story in comments right here.

I Am the Resurrection and the Life 3/31/24

http://countrysidecc100.com/

Early Spring Eastern NC-Irises

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
—Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

The Iris Symbolism… “Having been around for centuries and with nearly 300 species available in a rainbow of colours, it shouldn’t be a surprise to learn that Iris has a lot of meanings behind it in different cultures. The most common meanings include hope, wisdom, trust and valour, making it a great flower to have around the house.”

Tammy, wife, mother, grandmother, nurse, friend and full of faith has often been referred to as an Iris! She truly is a great flower to have around the house!

Philippians 4:8 a recipe in my way of thinking to help ignite mental health when put in practice.

“The three upright petals on an iris flower stand for faith, wisdom, and valor. An extract from the iris, called Orris Root, is used as an additive to perfumes and is the most widely used fixative for potpourri.”

The writer, Paul, of Philippians 4:8 goes on to say now, “put it into practice.”

Our thinking—our attitude—affects the way we live out our faith in our daily space.

Have you a favorite flower? If so, what makes it so special to you? To others?

Love one another

Jesus speaking, “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34,35)

My bracelet of many years. It was a gift. I don’t think I wore it very often. When I did I thought of a daisy which reminded me of my sister, Barbara. When she dwelled on earth she often thought of herself as a daisy. So it made me think of her. Maybe a friend gave it to me to remind me of her. She was very lovely and full of love for others.

Just this week after years I thought I would wear for the day since it’s early March, rainy and little signs of spring which I keep searching for.

When I put it on my arm and looked I saw heart after heart. I thought that’s not my daisy bracelet! Where did I get this?

Do you see hearts? I do! I thought of Jesus saying, “love one another.” Then, I quickly looked up scripture where he introduced these words with, “A new commandment I give you…” I’m now thinking what was the old commandment that I may have been following?

If, I follow this new commandment, “everyone will know I am a disciple of Jesus”. Maybe if I slow down and become more observant of God’s creation I might have a little more “enlightenment” as to God and His creation!

How Majestic is your Name;

In all the earth!🎶

Time to plant our seeds,

Paul, the Apostle of Jesus wrote, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV)

Uncle and niece planting Strawberries for summer ice cream!🍓🍦Seeds were furnished by friend.

“It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.

The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.” vs 7,8

WOW! Just WOW! Pause and think on this! 💝