Puffed Up With Pride and a Special Link

"Of all the marvelous works of God, perhaps the one angels view with the most supreme astonishment is a proud man."
Charles Caleb Colton




As I looked out our bedroom window the other day I found myself a silent witness to a confrontation between a hummingbird and a lizard. The lizard was on the porch railing and the hummingbird hovered just a few inches out of his reach.

I watched in fascination as the lizard pranced around on his little legs and puffed out his "chest". The hummingbird quickly lost interest in such ridiculous antics and flew away like a little rocket. The lizard, however, was not to be put off so easily. He continued prancing down the porch rail, stopping every few inches to puff himself up with importance.

I thought then what a perfect picture of "puffed up pride" he was - not that I ever act that way myself you understand :-)

One of the sweetest bloggers I know is doing something special for a little girl in need at her blog. Please take a moment to visit Iris. Thank you so much.

Blessings,

Why Bother to Pray?

Prayer - I have been pondering this simple/complicated discipline for a long time. The Lord graciously, gently, patiently teaches me - using His Word, the writings of others and the miraculous working of His Spirit in my heart and life.

I have been reading Elisabeth Elliot's book "Keep A Quiet Heart" as part of my devotions. The other day the passage was entitled "Why Bother to Pray?" I will admit that I have had that question cross my mind more than once. If God is in control and everything will be as He has ordained, why should I pray?

She gave three answers to that question:
1. "God has told us to pray." It is a commandment, and if we love Him, we obey His commands."

2. "...Jesus prayed."

Fair enough. I know these to be true. It ought to be enough to answer my question. It was the third reason, though, that pierced my heart.

3. "...prayer is a law of the universe. God ordained that certain physical laws should govern the operation of this world. Books simply will not stay put on a table without the operation of the law of gravity. There are spiritual laws as well. Certain things will not happen without the operation of prayer. God could cause books to stay on tables by what theologians call 'divine fiat.' Everything we pray for could occur in the same way, but that is not how things were arranged. Pascal, the great French thinker, said that in prayer God gives us the 'dignity of causality.'"
To think that "certain things will not happen without the operation of prayer" makes of my prayers something miraculous. I have much to learn in the way of spiritual things, but there is such beautiful simplicity in this.

The Father has told me to pray; Jesus prayed; the Father leans down to listen to me and He hears and answers. That is why I pray.

Blessings,

Gratitude

"Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Phillipians 4:6,7

My "Prayer Request List" seems to grow longer as I grow older. Our family has grown from five to fourteen; my circle of friends has expanded in ever-widening circles - like a stone cast into the water - and there are so many over-whelming needs.

But the gentle voice of the Spirit has reminded me of late, that the list of blessings from the hand of a perfect Father far out-numbers the items on my list of requests. When I "make my requests know with THANKSGIVING" there is a peace and a joy that permeates my heart. Suddenly the burden is lighter.

We had the joy of taking our two granddaughters with us for a visit to our son and daughter-in-law and their five children this past weekend. The blessings were numberless. Here are a few:

- the laughter and chatter of cousins

- looking with wonder at my 17 year old granddaughter; seeing God's hand on her life as she blossoms into a lovely young woman

- marathon games of Monopoly with Papa challenging the kids - the screeches and laughter filling the kitchen

- two cousins sitting in the double bed absorbed in their knitting

- brushing soft curls into a pony tail

- little voices calling, "I want to sit by Grandma!"

- hours watching them all swimming and playing games in the community pool, thinking back to the time I was dating my high school sweetheart. How is it possible we are here with this amazing family? Ah - You are so good Father.




- little cousins having a tea party on the back patio


-celebrating Papa's birthday


-trying to blow out those pesky candles that keep relighting! It's a wonder the smoke alarm didn't go off.

- good conversation sitting out on the patio with my daughter-in-law

- knowing that the legacy of faith my parents began carries on in these children - a priceless treasure.

- praying together

- hugs from a 14 year old grandson and the shared laughter as we tease one another

- sweet faces all around the table

- knowing that we will have all of eternity together - I cannot begin to thank Him enough.

Blessings,

Keeping My Eyes on Him

This is rather typical of me. I no sooner declare I am taking a break and here I am back again. But this one is really just for me - one of those moments I need to record so I don't forget. So often something happens, and I think I will never forget. And inevitably, I do. So this one is for me....


As I was walking this morning I was praying - praying about the things I daily bring before the Lord. Big things. Things that only a miracle will answer. I have prayed these prayers for such a long time, I really began to question whether I should just stop asking and accept things the way they are.

Then the words of song began to run through my mind:

"I have made You too small in my eyes,
O Lord, forgive me.
And I have believed in a lie,
That You were unable to help me.
But now O Lord I see my wrong
Heal my heart and show Yourself strong
And in my heart and with my song
O Lord be magnified.

Be magnified O Lord.
You are highly exalted.
And there is nothing You can't do
O Lord my eyes are on You.
O Lord be magnified."


I believe with all my heart it was a gentle reminder from the Holy Spirit - "Keep your eyes on Him; there is nothing He can't do."

Yes Father - I have taken my eyes off You and looked squarely at the circumstances. Truly, there is nothing You can't do. Thank You for loving me so much You would take the time to encourage me and lift my spirit once again.

Blessings,

Taking A Little Break

I think it is time for a little break. I feel as though I need to "recharge". There are so many things swirling around in my mind and heart, but I don't feel as though I'm ready to put anything in writing just now.

I haven't written much at all lately, but I feel the "pressure" to get something on my blog (pressure I put on myself) when I don't. If I call it a "break, " I won't think about not writing any more.

I am writing this little post on my new HP laptop. I feel so blessed just to be able to have one. Imagine, sitting on the couch and reading blogs. Amazing!

I will still be here, reading and commenting. I love to keep in touch with all of you. I will be back soon - with something "brilliant" to share no doubt :-)

Blessings,

Dreams

I am a dreamer – or more accurately put – a day dreamer; always have been. With very little prompting, I can take a little sliver of a thought and build from it a magnificent mansion. For example, years ago I joined a writer’s group in our church. With very little encouragement my mind began dancing with visions of writing the next great American novel. Several rejection letters later, I felt as though I was standing amid the ruins of my lofty dream.

One would think that after six decades of living, the practical side of my nature would be a bit more developed. In many ways it is, but I still have the heart of a dreamer. In spite of troubles I could not have imagined ever having the strength to endure; it still beats with that hopeful rhythm.

I got to thinking about the people whose lives God has chosen to share with us through the pages of scripture. Were any of them dreamers? As it turns out, I believe many of them were. For example there were Jesus’ disciples. They had a dream that one day Jesus would free them from the tyranny of Roman rule and establish his kingdom. Surely they all dreamed of the places of honor they would occupy as His chosen ones. Instead they saw that dream die a shameful death on a cross one fateful Friday... read more here at Laced With Grace. Blessings,

The Saga Continues

I thought we had probably seen the last of the little fawn. The afternoon of the second day, my husband became really concerned about the him (He has decided the fawn is a "him".). It was so hot, and he had been there all day long.

So he filled a little bowl with water and carefully made his way outside. Very slowly he tippy-toed in the direction of the fawn, and suddenly that baby, whose legs had appeared rather wobbly when we first saw him, took off like a shot. He managed to get through the barbed-wire fence and took off up the side of the road. We couldn't find him anywhere.

I was worried that he had hurt himself trying to get through the fence and looked for him the rest that day and all through the next. No sign of him anywhere.

Then this morning I got up and looked out the bedroom window and there he was - snoozing under the oak tree again. I was relieved to think that all had been forgiven and he was giving us a second chance.

My husband was in the living room, so I hurried to out to deliver the good news. Of course he already knew, and he had news of his own - the Mama and Papa were in the back yard! I carefully walked to the window, and sure enough, there they were sitting peacefully in the shade.

Now I know what you're thinking, because, truthfully, I thought the same thing. Deer don't mate for life or anything - do they? Perhaps not, but it made us feel happy to think that they were a family.

We could hardly eat our breakfast. We kept hopping up to check and see if they were still there. When it was time to go for our walk, we very quietly walked down the sidewalk and out to the road without terrifying any of them.

They were all gone when we got back home. So....I am just going to continue thinking of them as a happy little family unit, safely tucked away for the day in a sheltered place.




This was the only picture I was able to get. This is the Papa (his antlers haven't grown in yet). Mama is hiding behind our decrepit shed.

Have a blessed weekend. I'll keep you posted.

The Baby Under the Oak Tree

When we looked out our kitchen window yesterday morning, we saw a little fawn all curled up sleeping on our front lawn. There was no sign of Mama anywhere. We knew from past experience that you aren't supposed to touch them, so we watched to see what would happen.

He picked his little head up and looked around for a while. Then he got up on wobbly little legs and did a bit of exploring. He nibbled on the grass, so we were relieved to think he would be able to get something to eat. After a long walk for such a little one, he came back and laid down in the same spot. Still no Mama.

We had a dental appointment in town and had to leave, so I called the Wildlife Refuge to see what we should do. We didn't like the idea of just going off and leaving the little one alone. The kind lady congratulated us first of all for not touching him. She said the Mama would surely be back. Apparently they make the same rounds every twenty-four hours. They leave the babies to go off to eat and later return. I felt a bit skeptical, but we followed her advice and left the fawn alone.

We were gone for several hours, and when we returned the fawn was gone. My husband walked every inch of our two acres just to be sure. I took back what I had been thinking about the neglectful ways of Mama Deer and said a little prayer of thanks.

This morning, there he was here again - sleeping peacefully under the shadow of our huge old oak tree. The above picture is from this morning. I will trust that Mama is somewhere nearby and will return for her little one. Perhaps she has been observing us and has decided we are trustworthy.

It touches my heart is such a profound way, this little one sleeping peacefully and trusting that all will be well. It reminds me of the Father's watchful care of each one of His little creatures and certainly of me. Thank You Father.

P.S. Thank you for all your kind advice about laptops. I'll let you know what I get whenever I can finally decide....sigh

Blessings,

HELP!

I am in need of some help from those of you who use laptops. I've been saving my pennies for a long time now and am almost ready to purchase one. I can't wait!!! I have visions of being able to sit and blog just anywhere I want to. How great is that?

However, as the time approaches to actually make the purchase I find myself in the usual state of affairs - confused. Everyone I ask recommends a different make. I really just want something dependable. I plan to keep my desktop computer, but I think I'll use the laptop most of the time.

The salesman today recommended Dell. My cousin's son, who is a computer supply person, said he would recommend an H.P. Of course there are others too. I'm just not sure which way to go.

So...if you have a favorite, could you tell me which one it is? I promise I won't threaten dire consequences if it doesn't work well for me. I just thought I would ask my friends for some advice. I'll take responsibility for the final decision :-)

Thanks so much.