112 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. ... from Psalm 51
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It's clear now, right?
Now we all know why God created a new heart within us. Also why He inspired us years ago to then create a sweet, but wise home-world for our families, for He knew someday we'd remain there for months. Then when we'd burst out the door to outside? He also knew ahead the sadder, madder world we'd behold.
Oh dear.
So these days color me a deeper shade of grateful for the Hobbit Cottage world God nudged me to create. My appreciation runs deep and I'm doubly thankful for certain corners--
Here in my office/guestroom
Above our kitchen stairs leading outside.
A corner of my 'Farm Garden Bed' where I'm planting seeds on cool mornings.
Our front steps and the table where I sit and read and stare at the river.
Peonies opened today! (And oh, I'll be cleaning and repainting the front lower half of our house this summer(!))
Snow-in-Summer blooming at the flagpole.
From these corners I seek to understand how God views our turbulent world. From His perspective I can remain calm, but not to the point of zombie stillness. These days, I believe, there is no standing still for Christians. Standing still = falling backward.
A last thing--
Folks have told other preppers they're now declaring Never Again!
Never again will I be caught unprepared!
Never again will I make fun of preppers!
Never again will I procrastinate learning how to garden, grow food!
Never again will I spend money foolishly!
Never again will I take a good life for granted!
Never again will I not deeply appreciate family and friends!
Never again will I ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit!
Any of my readers also singing that Never Again song lately? Always there's Good to be pulled up from anything Bad for --
... we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." ... Romans 8:28
No, really. We do.
"Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord." ... from Isaiah 55
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." ... Romans 12:21
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Oh, and as I said at Facebook:
Oooo... if I had a real job, I'd probably take this mug there and everybody would either laugh or hate me. heh.
(Love this!)
Find the mug here.
"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15
Oh Yes! I have been so thankful for my cozy nest these past months.
ReplyDeleteI have been living at our trailer for the last week trying to avoid the protests happening in our town. I'm so sad about the state of the world and spending much time in prayer. We watched three church services last night and today online. The church we were married in almost 42 years ago, the church our daughter's family attends and our church here in town. No one is able to have services with "real people" yet, but the music teams provide praise music, there is prayer time and, of course, a sermon.
ReplyDeleteNone of these churches are affiliated, none of the ministers, (to my knowledge), know each other at all and yet each of them preached on the same subject and even used the same scriptures in Micah!!!! God's hand at work for sure. I need to meditate on those scriptures this week as it is obviously something He believes I need to hear. Three times!
Be safe my friend,
Blesssings,
Betsy
Dolores--thanks for letting me know here! I'd been getting that vibe through our messages but now I know for certain and isn't it a wonderful feeling to be prepared?
ReplyDeleteBetsy--that's the kind of thing I saw so often back in the 90's during worldwide Christian renewal (a time that changed my life forever, btw). Our church would visit other churches and their pastors/evangelists would preach what our pastor did the week before! Happened over and over and I've actually thought about that time often lately. The spirit of light and the spirit of darkness both will speak through people and they'll say the same things originating from either light or darkness. And that's helped me understand better what's going on now and has enabled me to recognize the spirits behind what's being spoken for either good or bad. Glad you were able to get away again! Sounds wonderful.
Thanks for reading here, Ladies! Blessings, Debra
Psalm 51 gives us a lot to think about. I am grateful that God wants to continue to create, renew and restore us. Sometimes I get so sick of myself, but He does not. Debra, I sure enjoy seeing photos of your home. Speaking of creation, you've made it a warm, welcoming haven for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Pam! You're usually the only person who comments upon photos of my home so really I appreciate that. I don't post many photos anymore because I come away thinking no one likes them. heh. :) So thanks again! I always appreciate your comments. Always. Blessings, Debra
ReplyDeleteOh, I like the photos of your home. They speak!
ReplyDeleteI love that, Rebecca! "They speak!" Thanks so much for letting me know you like the photos of my home. Blessings, Debra
ReplyDelete