Fears, Lies, Trust, Love & Peace

As we traverse these difficult times I am reminded of a passage in Jeremiah, chapter 38, in the how trickery of people’s gossiping and how it can influence those who are weak in God’s teaching and begin to believe those lies. I see this same thing going on today with so much “he said/she said”, this one is lying, that one is lying. Who do we believe and who do we trust. So it is imperative we stay close to God, for He is who we can always trust.

Jesus Calling devotion books reminds us this morning that God is not careless. He allows difficult times to come to equip us for other things in the future. I love the saying that “Sometimes God calms the storm and sometimes he allows the storms to rage but calms our hearts.” This world is definitely in a storm but we must breathe in and relax in God and trust in His strength and counsel to keep us above water. So this morning let’s trust in His unfailing love.

He is a mighty God and nothing is too difficult for Him. So do not fear from our seemed weakness. Lean on God’s possibilities.

Our weakness is designed to show his strength, so don’t let your presumed limitations measure the wall that is before you. Stay connected to God and He will show you how to climb that wall.

As we stay connected with God, we are encouraged by His love we for we know He is always walking with us.

So just remember to talk with Him and then listen while he guides you through every challenging situation.

As you feel the comfort of His love and peace, remember to share the peace and kindness with others. Now more than ever kindness is needed to spread across this world to bring us all a bit of peace.

One-Liner Wednesday, May 13

Do your pets have spacial awareness issues…like mine thinks “Your leg, my chair.”

IMG_20200511_202752 — Guess cuz the lap was already taken…

Come join in with Linda G Hill and 1 liner Wednesday to share some important life lessons…or humor.

And as always, remember the joy and smiles your pets bring you and show them kindness and smiles they deserve. They depend on you as the head of the pack.

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Flower of the Day, Azaleas, SMM

In spite of chilly temperatures and clumsy workmen putting in the fence post, my baby azalea plant bloomed. I was so excited. Azaleas are the city flower, where I come form in south Ga., so you know I had to have one. I just didn’t know if it could withstand the winters here in Iowa. So for Cee’s Flower of the Day challenge, I give you my white azalea. My peonies are not blooming yet.

And for Irene’s Sunshine’s Macro Monday shot we have a “closeup” of the larger cluster.

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And as always, with the beauty of flowers making you smile and helping you feel its kindness, remember to spread that kindness everywhere. Kindness is a virtue we can should exercise often.

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On the Hunt for Joy, Sunflowers

Did you know there were over 15 different types of sun flowers, of just the tall ones ranging in height over 14 feet. Crazy. Cee has challenged us to share our sunflowers on our Hunt for Joy. Sunflowers are so awesome. I love seeing a field of them when they are blooming. I was given a packet for May Day but our temps have still been going down in the 20s at night so hopefully this week I can get them planted.

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But I will share with you my sunflowers from last year that the birds planted. It was quite fun watching them grow under the feeder then I moved them when they got tall enough to move.

IMG_20190710_161505 — Flower and bee, brown center long yellow-orange petals

I was amazed that even though I used the same brand of bird food, the sunflowers were obviously were different varieties.

IMG_20190708_171630 — Yellow center, bright yellow petals that were shorter but fatter

This last one had three blooms on the same same stalk with smaller blooms than the others.

IMG_20190718_115120 — Smaller bloom but multiple blooms.

Sunflowers are a smiling flower. I think they make us all smile. So smile often, enjoy the flowers through the spring and summer and remember to be kind.

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Value of Encouragement & Kindness

Can you put a value on kindness or encouragement. Not really, but when it is done from the heart, value is created. Today I received the sweetest card, not expecting one, but it really made me smile.

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Where I was trying to be an encourager, I myself was encouraged. Thank you back, Miss Dotti.

During this time of added stress of our lives, it is all the more reason to be kind and encourage others to hang on. This will pass and while things may be different forever, maybe we will be stronger for it. I am encouraged by a picture I have seen that zooms through the internet to remind us that God has our back and with that we are ever strong.

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So I remind you to relax and breathe in the Love of God and he will hold you in His hand and shine on you with shower’s of with peace.

Prayer Numbers

So I encourage you to spread kindness and encouragement as much as you can. You never know just how one small drop of kindness can create a ripple effect that goes around the world.

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Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Tasting

Coming from the southern states of the US, we have a different idea on taste I think that most states as it seems to be more of a “foody” area than other states I have lived in. Now that I am in the midwest, I am not seeing the taste variety. Cee has challenged us this week for the sense of taste and tasting is a high sensory in my book.

My lunch of leftover BBQ chicken legs, corn and peas from last was pretty tasty and now I are going to top it off with homemade pound cake covered in blueberries with whipped cream. Mmmmm.

Can you add too much whipped cream…maybe… if you use the entire container on one item.

Some people prefer the “fru-fru” food as I call it, where it is prettier to look at and not much quantity. Not me. I want rib sticking food with good flavor and plenty of it.

IMG_20200101_121722 — Fired pork chop with pepper gravy, turnip greens, black-eyed peas and stewed tomatoes on buttered toast.

Or if you want it all running together, that’s okay too, especially for breakfast.

IMG_20200212_184113 — Eggs covered by sausage gravy smother in buttered grits. Covered-smothered…it’s a southern thing.

But regardless of your favorite dishes, while food is for sustenance, it must also be tasty and enjoyed. It brings about conversations at mama’s house. So while you are savoring thoughts of you favorite dishes, remember to think on kindness. Kindness is needed now to help strengthen out hope through this current crisis.

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I Was Very Good, FOTD

Today I had to go to Lowes to get the hardware to finish my fence. It’s a very dangerous store for me this time of year as they have a great garden section…BUT I was very good, I just took pictures.

IMG_20200508_121304 — The colors of spring

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IMG_20200508_121101 — I think these were my favorite today

So now we are concentrating on the project of getting the fence up. But once that is done…all bets are off. New fence = new flowers. I have seen some awesome containers that hang from a fence…just sayin’…

As you are enjoying your spring, or getting ready to enjoy your spring, remember flowers understand kindness as well, so always be kind.

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Cee’s beautiful Flower of the Day challenge is a favorite for this time of year. Come join in.

Photo a Week Challenge: Fleeting

Sometimes when you get in a position where you see the fragility of the world, you realize just how fleeting life is. Nancy Merrill has challenged us to use a photo with the idea of Fleeting. So I give you my ideas on fleeting and hope you enjoy.

You really don’t realize how fast life goes until all of a sudden you are knocking on 70’s door. And then watching your babies have babies…they don’t stay babies long with the oldest headed to college this fall.

Three of the 7….

But we also are challenged with a new life as we know it which is not only fleeting but a bit scary…

c drs — It will pass, not my picture but thought it needed posting

And we cant leave out the beauty of nature and even scripture reminds us the fragility and fleeting of it stating the grass will fade and the flowers will wither. But for now lets enjoy the beauty of spring.

IMG_20200426_132225 — Lemon Slice Calibrachoa

And since life is fleeting, all the more reason to be kind. Kindness is a true reflection of our soul.

Even though kindness is what is most often remembered about us by ...

Trusting God in Crisis

Good morning friends. Hope you are doing well. Today looks to be a beautiful day, so lets see what God brings our way. I write this Words of Encouragement each morning for my church family to help lift their spirits through this time of trial where we are staying at home and thought today’s message may help others feel God’s peace.

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Trust...what a hard word. When I think of trust, I think of things that I am certain will benefit me or that I know fully what will happen. Today we are fighting over the trust of political issues, concern of trusting our own instincts over daily situations, trusting we will be safe going to the grocery store…and trusting that God sees all, knows all and loves all. And guess what…He does, He is our rock of trust with which to stand firm.

I love some of the pictures I have seen on Facebook with Satan yelling at Jesus in how this pandemic closed the churches and Jesus quietly replies that the church is not the building but is in my people and that His church is ever strong. When we look around at how through technology we are spreading the love of Christ and how people who never bothered to pray before are now praying. The church is alive and well.

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God will use whatever situation we find ourselves in to accomplish his goal. He will continue to patiently wait to see what direction we chose at the fork in the road and then guide us to benefit us and His kingdom.

Jesus Calling devotion this morning reminds us that if we trust God…really trust God with our entire being, then nothing can separate us from His peace. This is how we foil evil, by growing in grace through the very adversities meant to bring us harm.

So do not fear any day as it comes your way but relax in His sovereignty knowing that he is holding your hand and will bring good out of every situation you will encounter.

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As you begin to trust, remember to be kind to those who are still trying to trust.

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Escapist Coloring Club, May

Boy do we need to escape from this mess now, and this is a great way to do that. Some of us are busier than ever and some are at a snail pace. I am somewhere in the middle but lean more toward the snail. I wanted to color something to make it feel like spring, even though we are still in long sleeve.

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Come join in the our fun way to relieve stress get in touch with your inner child. Linda G Hill hosts this prompt once a month as The Escapist Coloring Club Prompt.

And remember to always be kind with all people and all creatures, especially when things are so unhappy. You may never realize the affect you have in doing so.

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