Emotions

The creator of the universe created all things and said they were good. I look at the animal kingdom now through the eyes of the TV with Animal Planet’s fabulous shows and realize (in my mind) that I was right! Animals are just another marvelous extension of our loving God who also reflect his beauty and his love. Animals have the ability the be loving and nurturing, possessive and sharing, teaching and scolding…and angry.

When you bring those values down to our domesticated pets, you add in another layer of amazement and laughter because we get to share it on a closer more intimate level. Many of you have know me to speak of Mimi…half coon hound and half black lab… the ruler of the home…

loyal friend — So much for the protective sheet staying in place, part of her nest

She is also the mighty protector…and gives me this disgusted unapproving look if I ignore her warnings.

But last night was extra funny for me. She is rather spiteful if I don’t do as she wishes and will do something to get my attention to show her displeasure. She usually finds a piece piece of paper or a paper towel I have dropped into her access, then shreds it to pieces and leaves it where I can see her displeasure. Or if there is no paper around and a sock is grabbable, then she is off to her favorite hiding place, under the table, after showing me she has it. She knows it is extra effort for me to climb under the table to get said sock.

Check out the “not looking at you” disgusted pose. This is her favorite expression for “not happy” or “not begging”. Animals do have expressions.

So what prompted today’s funny happened last night as I worked until 3, came home for 30 minutes and then left again to go face paint…the very idea I left and didn’t take her and she got no food to boot(it was too early). So now she is in a state of disgust. But I got home around 8, gave her extra supper treats so all is forgiven, right??? No, because I had not had a chance to be on the computer all day and I had a few things to do, therefore not playing with her. The least I could do was come to the couch to be on the computer for snuggle time. First I get the “not looking at you” disgusted look combined with appropriate sighs. Since that didn’t work, then fine “I will just go to bed” and she did. But not before a display of total unhappiness.

This is her secondary water bowl, one day I will have to explain WHY we have two, there were 3 at one time but that is a story for another day. Most of the water was gone but enough was there to show spite. She of course was on the bed in the guest room. Again don’t tell me they are not emotionally charged.

So I went and got a treat and her ball and we played for a while until bedtime. Then all was well, lesson for mommy I guess.

Remember we all want to be loved, respected, to belong to, so share that love and kindness where ever you can and make everything smile, even animals.

Last grouping of pictures from google. What a great resource to pull from to show the beauty of the world.

Flower of the Day, 8/15/19

Man, where did this month go. I have been so busy this month I cant believe its half over. The air is beginning to cool just a bit so I know the flower will be gone by the end of September but I am really enjoying them now.

Now that the June bugs are finally gone, my geranium is getting a second wind. I love the blush of white in the center.

Never forget just how beautiful you are as you were made just as special as any flower ever made. We are all precious in His sight. Reflect your beauty and always be kind, it reflects His beauty.

Kind26

Come join in on Cee’s fun challenge of FOTD and share the beauty of flowers.

The Beauty of The Tree

Piercing Through the Trees — Summer Beauty

The Beauty of the Tree

I can hear it coming, the deep thundering in the distant

I dare not move for fear of losing this peace in a instant

The sun seeps through the canopy above

A quiet calling of a dove

I ponder the quiet around me

Embracing the beauty I see

I raise my heart to heaven in hopes that God will hear

With shadows of forest surrounding, a reminder of Eden so dear

Forgive us our dear Father for your beauty we do not see

Help us always to remember the beauty of the tree.

Anita Neal

Today, Irene of Heavens Sunshine posted this beautiful picture trees and it reminded me of the Garden of Eden and how magnificent it must have been. An untouched creation of God. It gives me hope of the beauty of heaven.

Check out other picture from Irene’s blog as well as all the many photographers in this blogging world that continually remind us of the beauty of this world.

And as always remember to be kind in all you do to help regain some of the beauty of all of creation.

Kindness roots

Petunias, FOTD

Cee’s fun challenge for Flower of the Day has nee especially fun for me. Don’t know if it is because my flowers this year have been so lovely or I have been more aware of their beauty – probably some of both.

My petunias have been exceptionally full in one of my hanging baskets and thought I would share.

The short lived life of a Petunia blossom reminds me how fast life zooms past us. We must grow and bloom where God has placed us and share out God given beauty and love with all we come in contact with. And always be kind.

Flower kind3

Fun Night Out

Sometimes you need a real distraction of fun to help rejuvenate your mindset. Last night was on of those. I was asked to come participate and face paint in the annual family night out at a small community south of where I live. It just so happened that the event was the same night that the local fire and rescue did their training so they combined the two to the children’s utter delight. And I even got caught in the spray accidentally(??) hmmm?? But it was a lot of fun. It was setup on a playground with a large pavilion where mountains of food were brought out by everyone. They played kickball on the ball field with other games, chalk drawings on the tennis court, me face painting and of course the highlight was the fire & rescue guys.

The camaraderie of small town life was very evident and it reminded me of the love we should always share with our fellow man. Everyone was kind, nurturing of all the little ones there. I had to laugh at one dad as he handled his daughter’s teasing whine. After the water “fight” some of the parents had remembered to bring towels and one dad wrapped his shivering 5 year old daughter in a towel as she stood in my line for face painting. Her older sister told him “I am cold too”. He didn’t miss a beat and remarked “Yea, and your 11 and know where they are.” Awesome. I just laughed at him. The loving banter in families is such a gift that does not get used as much as it should. It shows caring and nurturing while also showing training of responsibility and self sufficiency.

As this country, even this entire world, is in a defined battle of good versus evil, this family closeness needs to be strong. There needs to be the strong family bond around a central theme – love. May we all pray for that in all of our families. Enjoy the photos I have enclosed and remember to always be kind. There are over 40 versus in the bible that speak of God showing the importance of kindness and how kindness ripples our through the world spreading goodness as it goes.

kind ripples

I tag in with Granny Shot it and her new challenge of Water Water Everywhere. That certainly was the issue last night.

How Do You Value Your Worth?

Everyone who reads my posts knows I always try to encourage and show kindness and try to remind others to do the same. The message below is a strong message of encouragement and hope to prove your worth to God.

I believe those of us in the Christian faith, even though we may go to different churches and may have different ideas of how to worship, we understand that we all serve and worship the same God, the same Jesus Christ. The message below is a wonderful message wrapped around the story of the lost coin and how God values every single lost coin, every single lost person. It was he who created us and he does not want to lose a single coin to the father of lies.

If you have the time and interest take a listen and realize just how valuable you are in God’s eyes. If you have limited time, fast forward to about 10:30 on the timer and listen to the last 9 minutes. I think it will do a lot of good to those of us who struggle with self worth due to the negative world around us.

Always remember the value you have in God’s eyes, and remember the value of those around you in God’s eye and try to reflect his love and kindness.

kind16

The True Light, #1LinerWed

aopen bible

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness. John 8:12.

“The Light of His presence is shining upon you. Brighten up the world by reflecting Him. Sarah Young

bright light

When we feel the warmth of the sun radiating on our face, all the more will be God’s love on our hearts to breath in and share that love with others. Try to always be kind.

kindness 19

Join in with all of us on One Liner Wednesday with Linda Hill.

Tuesday Photo Challenge, Sculpture

Here in the midwest, there is not a lot of sculpture around. You have the occasional old building gargoyle or the lions on the concrete steps up to the older houses so I was amazed when I saw this one the other day. I rode around the block trying to find where I could park so the I could see it up close. I knew eventually I would be able to use it and sure enough, Frank, of Dutch Goes the Photo, has given us a sculpture prompt for the TPC.

It stands 20-25 feet high with a large metal sign making it a good 30 feet total height. And it is totally carved from an old tree that probably died where it once graced this lovely home.

statue

The home is now home to Freedom Homes Ministries, a place to help those who need a second chance at life.

Remember, there are many times we all need a second chance to start over. God gives us a new chance every morning, so smile and be thankful for all the love he gives us and share it with others. The kindness and love you share spreads out like ripples on the water, so throw those pebbles of love often and watch them spread out bumping into other ripples creating a sea of love and kindness.

kind ripples

Recharging

recharge

There are times when our supplies are low and we need to build them back up and recharge our efforts. This week has been one of those weeks for me but due to the massive heat wave we are having, which is not normal for this area, the outdoor activities for today have been canceled allowing me to recharge.

This morning’s devotion was very much a recharge for me and I thought I would share. I am a firm believer in sharing the riches I pull from my devotions as much as I also enjoy other’s teachings on things they obtain from their studies. I think it is a way we can build each other up in His love.

Sarah Young’s book Jesus Calling for July 18 made a statement from Hebrews 11 talking about faith as being something we believe in that we can not see. While that is true as the stories and truths of the bible happened thousands of years ago, we still believe in them happening, the truths that they teach us and how we can apply those truths to situations we face today.

But understanding those truths, as much as I am able, (because each time I read them I get a different perspective) when I see the beauty and ugliness of life, it only strengthens those truths.

The beauty we see helps bring us hope when ugliness happens. Here are today’s scripture readings to remind you that he did it all for us – Acts 17:24-28 NIV

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so men would seek him and perhaps reach out to him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being.

I pray that today as we come together in reading each other’s blogs, that we also share in each other’s love and happiness and may you also share in the peace, love and grace offered daily to you by God above. And if you can, share that love and kindness with others so that the ever growing ripples of love never stop.

kind ripples

Wall Beautification, TPC

I love how it has become so acceptable to turn old city building walls into works of art. One day this fall, when it cools a bit, I am going to take a walking tour to find as many as I can in our area. This weeks photo challenge from JansenPhoto was Wall so I went in the direction of refurbished walls.

The wall below is a newer street art on a local bar at one of the busiest sections of the street near the bridge. I wish I had taken a picture before and after because the wall was in bad need of painting. Well they painted it and the likeness for nighttime view is pretty close.

Pub Wall

I saw a few weeks ago a brand new one starting up right downtown on the back wall of the symphony practice building and I thought how very appropriate. It is being done by the Metro Arts Youth Apprenticeship Artist. It is not fully complete but I thought I would share so you really appreciate it when it is complete and I will repost it.

Symphony Wall

Art is a major form of creative passion and there are many forms that can be created from music, painting, photography, sculpting, writing, cooking, gardening… I could go on forever. Art is anything thing that is created by one person for others to enjoy. Think about the master creative artist…God, who gives out these gifts of creative arts because of his passion for creating. He created us and he wants us to share in his passion. So we should all enjoy these wonderful gifts and use them to encourage others to be happy and kind and to brings smile to all.

So remember to smile, be kind and enjoy all the beauty of creation and the art of those who enjoy creating art.

artflower — SHARE YOUR GIFT THROUGH KINDNESS