Some snaps Around our Home

My Mother's Day Present- Rock Garden Redone

Rock Garden Dressed Up for Memorial Day

We have lived here for almost 40 years. We have tried to grow different  types of plants, even a pine tree. But this is what grows best for us. ;)

Book Review: The Supernatural Power of Peace

  

                                 By Dennis and Dr. Jen Clark

               The Clarks write about how we can tap into the peace that Jesus gives to those who follow Him. Their purpose in writing this book is “. . .  our endeavor to teach you how to make Jesus Christ Lord of your life in a very practical way.”

               In two sections of this book, they explore the five aspects of peace. Each aspect begins with the letter “G”. Peace governs, guides, goes and gathers, and grounds us as believers.

               In the last chapter, Dennis takes the readers through the 23^rd Psalm using these aspects of peace as explanation of the way we can incorporate peace in our lives.

              

               I would recommend this book to anyone who seriously seeks peace in their life. I also would recommend it to any clergy person who counsels those who are seeking a deeper walk with the Lord.

               I received this book from Destiny Images Publishers, Inc. All they asked was I give an unbiased review.Review

God's Righteousness

“In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;

let me ne’er be put to shame.

Rescue me and deliver me in you righteousness;

turn your ear to me and save me.”

Psalm 71:1-2

               When issues get us down, we who are in Christ can run to Him and find shelter in His arms. God searches for us, brings us out of the doldrums of our lives, and enriches our lives with His love.

               Our heavenly Father is the only One who can do this because only He is holy and without sin. He chose to enter our world in the form of His Son to show us that He loves us and to show us how we can live for Him.

               The psalmist asks God to listen to his pleas and to save him. These supplications come from his heart. Our requests should likewise come from deep within our souls. God answers our pleas when we make our hearts transparent to Him.

Righteousness, Peace, and Joy

       

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,

 but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.”

 Romans 14:17-18 (NIV)

               From time to time the issue of what we, as Christians, eat comes into discussion. At one time, those of the Catholic faith abstained from eating meat on Friday. Those of the Adventist tradition adopt a vegetarian diet, partaking of fruit, nuts, and vegetables.

               The Apostle Paul tells us the goals of the kingdom of God are righteousness—inherent or imputed guiltlessness before God, peace—the presence or experience of right relationships, and joy—great delight, gladness of heart. (1)

              

               For me, there are several items of food I don’t eat but it has to do with health issues not spirituality. God loves those who can and do partake of those foods just as much as he loves me.

               His focus is on pronouncing us, His children, without sin, bringing us into His preence and giving us that great delight of being protected by Him.

(1.)  Definitions are from Guideposts Family Concordance © 1982 Thomas Nelson Publishers,

 Nashville, TN  pp. 592, 515, 378

The Way to Spiritual Wholeness

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just

and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9 (NIV)

               “If we confess our sins. . .” The apostle John lays the groundwork for what we have to do to find forgiveness of our sins. It is very simple. In five words, he spells out the process which we all have to do in order to be on a road to spiritual wholeness.

               As a child, when I was in trouble, my parents would ask me if what I told them was the truth. Looking back, I remember them telling me it would go easier if I did tell the truth. 

               “he is faithful and just. . .” Sometimes we wonder why a person can do or say certain things. John tells us that Jesus is the faithful one and the only just one in the world. As we progress along the path Jesus has laid out for us, we learn that He can do all things because of His faithfulness and because His Father is a just being.

               “and will forgive us our sins,” Jesus does this for us. He’s the only one who can. He does this out of His grace-his vast love for us.

               One time I did tell my mom how something got broken. It was an accident. What made it so bad was I had initially tried to cover it up.

               “and purify us from all unrighteousness.” When Jesus forgives us of our sins, He forgets they ever existed. I have always heard He tosses our sin into the sea of forgetfulness. He cleanses us of all sin-past and present. He does this and restores our righteousness.

               When a friend of ours pointed out it was an accident, my parents choose not to discipline me. Instead they kept the item in our home for several years to remind me of the importance of admitting my mistakes.

               God, in the same way, will take our sins from us, cleansing our hearts. But, unlike our earthly parents, He will wipe away any reminder of our transgression.

              

Dear Lord Jesus: Thank You for cleansing our hearts from sin. Thank You for removing our transgressions from Your memory. All glory belongs to You. In the Name of Jesus, we pray. AMEN.

The Righteous Add to their Learning

“Teach a wise man and he will be wiser still;

teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.”

Proverbs 9:9 (NIV)

               I found the reference to this verse on a sign board at a restaurant we regularly patronize. It spoke to me.

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               The words of Solomon speak to us. He gives his readers two scenarios, each with a positive outcome.

               If we instruct someone who listens and learns from what we tell them, we consider them wise. Solomon shows us that our time is not wasted in the process of our attempt to impart knowledge to another person. As children, we have to learn to listen to those who are our elders. I had an uncle who lived with us during my growing up years; I would have never thought of not doing as he told me. Yes, sometimes he was in charge of me.

               My son once told a daughter of a babysitter that he didn’t have to do as she said. The issue was the mother had told the girl she was to watch him for her. They greeted me almost at the front door and told me what had happened. I got my son’s attention and told him, in front of them when the mother told whoever of her teenage children to watch over him and tell him to do something, he was to do it.

               The second part of this saying speaks of another kind of individual—one who lives very close to God. This person will receive what he or she learns and applies it to their heart and to their lives and learns from the lesson. During the time I havebeen

down with a broken rib, I kept up with my devotional reading. I learned that God does allow difficulties into our lives to teach us what is important in His sight. He teaches us to view events with His eyes. Some of the prayer needs on my list look different since I learned this lesson.

The Righteous Receive Soul Nourishment

“The LORD does not allow the righteous go hungry,

but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.”

Proverbs 10:3 (NIV)

               God provides nourishment for our souls through His Word. He also provides succor to our bodies through the food His fields produce.

               As a child, I went with my mother to a vegetable stand on the east side of the county to get fresh vegetables. As an adult, I have watched my hubby grow fresh tomatoes, zucchini, green beans, and at one time, corn.

               In years past, we have traveled to the area where Hubby grew up and brought back fresh water melons, cantaloupes, and quantities of sweet corn.

               But, not once did I realize that God provided such an abundance of food for those who rely upon Him and His Word. He does this because He is faithful and loves each of His children.

               Right now, I am thankful for strawberries and whipped cream and a husband who fixes them for me.

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               These thoughts are just some of the musings I had as I patiently wait my injury from my fall to heal.