Beauty in the Sky

Things that Fly

This is an awkward story, rather a poem of things that fly

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Of God’s creation on day five of things that fill the sky

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Big things and small things can zoom through the air

Other things just float or flutter with acrobatical affair

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Heavy things and light things, so many types there be

One must pay attention to all the beauty you can see

It was day five that God created the many things that fly

To show us the beauty of Him that love us…way up high

Anita Neal

If you enjoy being outside, look around at all that there is to see. There is life and beauty everywhere, big and little, fast and slow. All with their unique purpose and task to complete. And as always I remind you the beauty and important attribute of Kindness. In all that we do, we should always be kind.

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Encouragement, All He said was “Come”

Good evening. I hope this finds you all well. I wanted to share some encouraging thoughts this evening that I read this morning from Oswald’s Chambers’ Utmost for His Highest. I bounce between that devotion and Jesus Calling each morning searching for my morning jump-start. This devotion reminded me of Jesus’ simple request to us…”Come”.

“God intends for us to live a well-rounded life in Christ Jesus, but there are times when that life is attacked from the outside. Yet it is never God’s intention that we should be anything less than absolutely complete in Him.” Oswald Chambers

But when life erupts on us we get scared, lost or unsure of what to do, who we really are and what we are really worth and we start a self examination of self awareness. This is a dangerous practice that allows the door of doubt to open and our inner thoughts take over.

“Anything that disturbs our rest in Him must be rectified at once, and it is not rectified by being ignored but only by coming to Jesus Christ. This [practice of self awareness] only serves to sap your strength and slow your spiritual growth.” Oswald Chambers

Coming to Jesus is what nurtures us and gives us strength.

When we are refreshed through His living waters we then can stand firm…we then can remind others of His living water. We need to forget sometimes that we are adults and that we think we control things. There are times we need to come to Jesus like small children and let Him carry us. After all, we are His children.

We all know this in our hearts but sometimes our mind gets in the way. We have to allow Him to teach us His ways and let Him guide us along the path of His choice.

As we “COME” to Him, lean on Him, learn from Him, we can then allow our hearts to prove to our minds of the love, grace and mercy God has for us and find peace and comfort to stand strong.

I pray you find comfort from these chaotic times by feeling His presence. I leave you with this prayer of encouragement so that you can know you are cherished and loved in His shelter.

Tuesday Writing Challenge, Catch the Sun

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Path of Light

The sun is going to bed, but I don’t want it to leave

There still so much to see, to do and still believe

I reach out gently to hold it, trying to make it stay

But it looks back at me, smiling, it must be on its way

Its warmth begins to leave us, leaving us with a chill

As I watch its path carry it behind the darkened hill.

The darkness envelopes us, as the light is now gone

I find myself now tired and stifling a coming yawn.

I leave the darkness behind me in hope of a new morn

When the light returns again in a new day to be born.

Anita Neal

Devereaux Frazier and Beth Amanda are currently hosting the Tuesday Writing Prompt Challenge which was started by our star writer Christine Ray. We hope to offer all of you something that will spark your creativity and willingness to participate.

Today’s prompt: catch the sunlight

I remind you always of the value of kindness. It may be the one things that make a persons day.

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Evening Encouragement, Special

As I am getting older, my daughter tells me my stubborn streak is getting stronger. Do you consider yourself a stubborn individual? I think all of us are stubborn to some extent, we have limits we will not cross at any cost. As we start to age, some of those limits get hung onto harder for fear we lose something if we give in….like physical abilities, independence, self worth…and the list goes on. It’s hard sometimes especially if you still have things you are trying to get accomplished.

I especially loved my pastor’s sermon on Sunday. He reminded us that we have to periodically regroup – even in our spiritual life. Stop and focus on Him, Receive the blessing he daily gives, and Believe he is always there for you. The hardest sometimes is to Stop…and then to believe…

The pressure we sometimes put on ourselves in trying to be the best…that “golden vessel” on this earth is not really what God is looking for. I saw a quote the other day that kind of puts this into perspective at least for me it does.

“God is not looking for gold or silver vessels. He is looking for yielded vessels.” Kathryn Kuhlman, 1907-1976

Genesis tells us we are made of dust of the ground…that’s dirt. Not impressive at all, yet when He touches it, magic happens…

We all have made things in our lives through the many things we do and we are proud of some of those things. Think how proud God is of you, His child. You are His creation. He is not asking for big things from you, just be yielding like wet clay and let Him mold you as His instrument…

Not an easy task per the world’s standards…but to God, it’s all he wants. Then he will take care of the rest.

Always remember how very special you are.

I leave you with an oldie but goodie by Chonda Pierce, Potter’s Hand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRE79EgDW64

Have a blessed evening and always remember in everything you do…be kind.

FOTD, August 17, Hibiscus

On my way to work this morning I saw this flower and had to stop and take it’s picture. Don’t know that I have seen an all white Hibiscus but it was striking.

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Never pass on the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of flowers. Cee’s challenge Flower of the Day gives us to chance to see what others are seeing.

And as always, as you enjoy the beauty of what you see, be the beauty you can be by being kind. Kindness has a beauty all its own.

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Pros/Cons, SoCS

There are always two sides to any argument. Some will always agree with you and some will fight you about it letting you know you are so wrong. Today I am going the do the pros and cons of a concept that while everyone may agree with the cons, they are far outweighed by the pros making everyone…well, you will see.

The Pros and Cons of Dogs….how can their ever be a con? Well, okay, walking them in the rain is a con…

Processed with VSCO with c1 preset — Look at that precious face…

but it’s better than them going in the house…

dog accident — Oops, sorry…but its raining outside…

Then their is the con of pet hair on you clothes… but the pro is you are making a fashion statement.

dog-hair-on-pants — Black hair on white pants is even better…

Beside the obvious attributes that can be cons, lets talk about the gut wrenching emotional pros…like cuddling

Cuddling, touching, companionship is a powerful pro for dog ownership.

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And their love is timeless. They are all in with their owners. Totally devoted to us.

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And their devotion sometimes make us laugh temporarily forgetting the day’s trials.

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So very true…they give us an emotional support that sometimes surpasses anything we may run into during any given day.

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We just have to make sure we are deserving of that devotion and try to mirror that love and devotion out into the world showing the world it possibilities through kindness as was first started at creation. Always be kind to all kinds.

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Come join in on Streams of Consciousness Saturday with Linda Hill and all who play with this prompt.

FOTD, August 13, Lilies

Come join in the the fun and beauty of flowers. Cee has created a fabulous prompt that we can all share the beauty we see.

Even toward the end of summer and a crazy storm, the lilies are still hanging on. It is interesting to me in that depending on where the lilies are growing, some are still going strong. My lilies in front yard are gone but the back ones that get sun all day long are still going. They have been a real testament to the 2020 season with all the craziness going on. Stay true, stay strong and you will survive.

And as always remember the strength and resilience of kindness and carry it wherever you go.

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One-Liner Wednesday, Strength

YOU WERE GIVEN THIS LIFE BECAUSE YOU ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO LIVE IT.

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Come join in on 1 Liner Wednesday from Linda Hill and enjoy the creative juices of us all.

And as always, remember to be kind. There is untold strength in kindness.

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Tuesday Writing Prompt, 8/11

fight

Anger

You tried to ruin me, but I was not able to see

The fear you carried and tried to shove on me

I tried to help you but ended up getting hurt

You threw me to the ground while ripping my shirt.

I had enough pain and went away on my own

In hoped you would see life is no fun being alone

But this made you madder, for me to finally breathe

A feeling you hated, deepening you anger to seethe

You tried to ruin me, but I am now able to see

That being without you I can finally be free.

Anita Neal

Today’s prompt: Finish the phrase “You tried to ruin me, but I…”

Come Join in and share in this challenge. And as you go through this day, remember the beauty and grace of kindness. Its the virtue that can make and bad situation tolerable.

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CFFC Challenge,Wilting & Dying

We are now getting into the sad time of year where the beauty of the spring flowers are about done. Its about time to start planting the fall flowers of yellows and golds.

image000004 (14) — Even though the under brush is dying, the determination to bloom still holds.

image000002 (12) — The bloom of the sunflower has bowed in death, yet the birds still feast on the few seeds left.

image000001 (18) — The pods of this beauty are curled in death but a new life is sprinkled to the ground for spring.

image000000 (45) — The leaves of the tomato where fruit was enjoyed lay wrinkled in death at the end of a season.

Come join in on Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge. This week’s CFFC topic is Special Request: Wilting, dead or aging flowers and leaves. Be creative and mostly have a lot of fun.

But remember the beauty they gave us earlier in the year with their colors so vibrant and fragrances so dear. We bid them goodbye, dreaming of the next season come and encourage them to tell us “what about next year?”

I am reminding you as always to be kind and enjoy the simple things of life. I am sharing a picture group that shows pure joy…hope it makes you smile. Thank you Random Acts of Kindness for the Photos.

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