Storms of Life

Today we had a really bad storm, 90+ mph winds, hurricane force, In Iowa. Many people in this area are without power but I was lucky. Storms are nothing to ignore, some are very serious but I remind you as I posts pictures of what I saw today, that God is always with us.

We heard the weather reports saying the storm would be in Davenport between 2 & 3 but as fast as it was going it was there shortly after 1. These first pictures are the clouds moving in. Both pictures were taken within one minute of each other. That is how fast it was moving. I apologize in advance if this is boring to you, but I find the weather fascinating. To me the weather during storms shows the awesome power of God.

Even when things seem to be blowing around us uncontrollably, God is still with us…keeping us safe from the storms.

All through scripture God reminds us he is our refuge and our strength…

I do sincerely pray everyone is safe from today’s storms as they moved through the midwest and that you did not suffer bad damage. It can be so scary to see nature just fall apart around you. A coworker and I stood at the glass doors of the church watching the greenhouse receive damaging tears and at times it looked as though she would fully bend in half and be pulled completely up from the ground and go sailing. This is a community outreach item where we help the neighborhood have fresh vegetables during the summer months.

The wind was still blowing and the house was still shaking when we left. My daughter tells me there were several semi-trucks that were blown over on the interstates around the area. We as followers of Christ can always fall back on the scriptures when it seems fearful and hopeless. He is there to guide us and protect us from all storms.

Although we had no power in the church, we were safe. God was protecting us from the storm. Trees and huge limbs were snapped on all sides of the building but the building was not damaged…unless there is wind damaged we have yet to find.

When you have an older community with massive hardwood that are decades old, they can not handle those types of winds very well. Sometime when we feel older, the buffeting winds of life seem more that we can handle, But I promise, God is always there.

Through all of life’s troubles, we are reminded in scripture, old and new testament, that He is always with us and we can be safe in His shadow.

I remind you of this last scriptural encouragement before closing. All through the bible, God teaches us of the troubles of this world and that to take heart…He has overcome the world and these are the lessons we learn and hang on to with the hope of His love and care.

So hang on to faith as it brings us the hope and endurance to survive.

And as always, even in hard times of trouble, try to be kind. It may be the only hope someone may see that day of that storm.

Monday Encouragement

As you start your workday week, whether you go out to work or work from home, remember how greatly you are loved and to whom you belong.

Isaiah 54 17

He loves us like children……

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As you feel his love and kindness toward yuo, remember to always be kind to others. It reflects his love…

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Hummers Delight

As hard as I try to catch a picture of a hummingbird at my feeder, my phone camera is just too slow. But I do have a variety of flowers in my yard that they visit often, so I given you flowers from a Hummers perspective, in macro. Sorry, it the best I can do for now.

image000001 (14) — This gets visited a lot. Don’t know if its a favorite or just close to the feeder.

image000000 (44) — According to research, this Purple Sage is a favorite.

image000004 (13) — I see them visiting this a lot as well, don’t remember what its called

image000002 (25) — Petunias are a “tube” flowers and therefore a favorite.

image000005 (8) — This is Lantana, probably not a favorite for hummers but a favorite of mine.

Hope you enjoyed a trip through hummingbird food for my yard, maybe it made you smile. I leave you with encouragement from the scriptures and a reminder of the beauty of nature.

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Have a wonderful afternoon. Be safe and be kind.

The Summer Sky

The sky is always fun to watch as the clouds form fun and interesting shapes during the summer months of thunderheads and the colors of fall are always amazing as the air cools and atmosphere thickens.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Psalm 19:1

Below are some of the picture I have taken this summer as storms have been busy this year.

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And as always, remember to be kind. Kindness was created by God and is a reflection of His love to all creation.

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Trust The Quiet? Never

Don’t Trust the Quiet

You think I would remember, I have pictures to remind me so

To not trust the quiet, like from your children of long ago

The quiet peace of sleeping dogs and the task that I get to do

No stopping them from fighting or chewing on my shoe

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But here there is only one, asleep at peace you see

For the house is still quiet, where is the other to be

I head to the back of the house as she runs pass me in a dash

There is something in her mouth I must catch her in a flash

My sharp tone scares her making her drop what she has

I look down to the foam pieces of a pillow it was know as

The pillows where she sleeps are small and seem untouched

Maybe it’s from old pillows I thought and hoping for as much

But my horror was confirmed with foam pieces scattered about

And her coming back in my room, a small piece still on her snout

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The room is now re-closed for she still can’t be trusted

For the puppy that still remains has now been totally busted

I know I needed a new pillow, as this one was hurting my neck

This is not the way to do this, but alas, what the heck.

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I remind you as always the value of kindness. Even the animal kingdom understand this concept. So be kind with all kinds and enjoy these fun pictures.

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Tuesday Writing Prompt, 8/4

foggy night

BENEATH

The fog creeps in beneath the surface of the night

Leaving a chill that can bring on a fright

As the moon shines high with its blue eerie light

It keeps you inside in fear of what might

The sound of the stream rushing at its low height

Running through the quiet valley as though to take flight

The sound of the owls as they beckon for a fight

Keeps us inside beneath the surface of the night.

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: Beneath the surface of the night

And as always, I close with encouragement to spread kindness in all you do. It helps the world be a better place.

kindness peace

FOTD, Purple Day

I have featured many flowers in my yard but today, it’s purples turn. And while my purple variety is not a lot…it is all over my yard.

image000001 (27) — Purple Petunias have the best fragrance of all petunias.

image000002 (22) — Purple and white verbena clusters

image000002 (23) — I don’t know, but the basket is beautiful and the hummers like it.

image000003 (6) — Purple and White Petunias

Close ups.

Come join the fun with Cee’s Flower of the Day.

And remember as always, kindness ain’t hard but it is necessary. So please be kind.

kindness peace

Evening Encouragement, “WHY”

Good evening friends. I wanted to share with you something that I did not come up with by myself but was inspired by two fellow bloggers. These are their pictures, quotes that moved them and then I am adding my perspective to that. It flowed in with what my pastor was preaching about this morning…”what it really is all about”.

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The photo was taken by Mitch and his post on The Rock. The quote at the bottom of the picture really rang true. Not sure if the quote was his or if it came from something that moved him, but it went perfectly with the above picture and scripture.

“We have two main purposes in this life: to climb up onto the Rock, and to pull others up onto it.”

The pastor’s sermon today was to remind us of the church being our home, not the building, but the members. We are a church family, and the members nurture and help each other onto the Rock, to stand steady and strong.

Cee’s photo of the rainbow after a storm was amazing and her quote by Mark Twain fell right into this theme as well, at least to me it did.

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Each person born has a purpose set out by God. And even though he may close doors we think we are supposed to go through, He opens a window that better fits His purpose for us. We are not just idly created, well, yes, our parents did their thing, but God ALWAYS has a purpose in creation. We as humans spend a lifetime struggling sometimes trying to figure out our purpose, why am I here, how do I matter. We all matter because “God don’t make no junk”.

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Remember how we have always heard of the story of a mustard seed, the tiniest seed growing into a huge tree. That is our “WHY”!

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The smallest thing we do that helps another person in any way, shape or form is our “why” – we do because He did it for us first. Don’t ever think what you do for Him is not important – It’s ALL important.

Have a blessed evening and as always remember, even the smallest bit of kindness can act like a rock thrown on the lake where the ripples grow in sized as they flow across it.

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FOTD, Hosta, Aug. 2

The Hosta’s around my church are huge and have been blooming all summer. I think the older plants are the giant variety but the smaller leaf variety just in front of them are prolific bloomers.

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They are enjoyable to look at and low maintenance, important for plants around the church. Cee’s prompt for Flower of the Day is always a favorite. Come join in on the beauty.