One Last Look Back

Before my heart dances into the Advent Season, I want to cherish one last look at fall. She comes slowly to South Texas, quietly making her way among the cedar trees and live oak. The Master Artist has saved just enough paint on His palette to dab His breath-taking colors onto this vast green canvas.

Whenever we have friends or family come for a first time visit from the north, they are always astounded that we aren't set in the middle of desert country with cactus and tumble weed our only vegetation. If that is your image of South Texas, I want to give you just a glimpse of what it is really like.



This is our very own little red oak. We guard her carefully, knowing the reward she brings us in the fall.






















Blessings,
Linda

Walk With Him Wednesday

Ann has suggested that we write a Psalm of Praise for Thanksgiving.


"To be grateful is to recognize God's hand on everything that touches your life. Every breath you draw is a gift of His love; every moment of existence is a gift of grace..."
James MacDonald



Grateful Praise

Father in heaven, we lift our hearts to You in praise.
You are high and lifted up and Your glory fills the heavens.
You are righteous and perfect in all your ways - never changing.
Your wisdom is beyond our understanding; Your power beyond our imagining,
And yet You are mindful of us.

You hear us when we pray, bending low to listen.
You answer every prayer according to Your perfect will,
A will that seeks only to do us good.

In times of difficulty, You are there - measuring grace sufficient.
In sorrow, Your tears are mingled with our own,
Bringing comfort and peace beyond understanding.

In times of happiness, You rejoice with us - pouring out Your love.
You dance over us with radiant joy,
And cover us with Your wings.

It was Your love that drew us - a love that held nothing back.
It is Your love that holds us - though we may wander now and then.
With hearts filled with love we praise You and give thanks
For all that You are.


Happy Thanksgiving. I pray your day is filled with love and warmth.
Linda

Thanks to God

Thanks to God

Thanks to God for my Redeemer, Thanks for all Thous dost provide.
Thanks for times now but a mem'ry, Thanks for Jesus by my side.
Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime, Thanks for dark and dreary fall.
Thanks for tears by now forgotten, Thanks for peace within my soul.

Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered, Thanks for what Thou dost deny.
Thanks for storms that I have weathered, Thanks for all Thou dost supply.
Thanks for pain and thanks for pleasure, Thanks for comfort in despair.
Thanks for grace that none can measure, Thanks for love beyond compare.

Thanks for roses by the way-side, Thanks for thorns their stems contain.
Thanks for home and thanks for fire-side, Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain.
Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow, Thanks for heav'nly peace with Thee.
Thanks for hope in the tomorrow, thanks thro' all eternity.

(an anonymous Swedish hymn)
picture: Norman Rockwell

Blessed Thanksgiving,
Linda

Multitude Monday

"O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting."
I Chron. 16:34

Yesterday a portion of our church choir and orchestra gathered in the parking lot of our church. Within a few minutes the three buses cruised slowly down the hill and came to a stop. Like a bunch of excited high school kids going to the "big game" we climbed aboard.

Once everyone was seated and accounted for, the buses began the journey to a little town about an hour and a half north of us. We were on our way to an event we had been anticipating for months. The congregation in this little town had just moved into their brand new church building and invited us to sing during their evening service.

The people were waiting for us when we arrived. They had prepared a meal that was absolutely amazing. It was a complete Thanksgiving Dinner! The tables were just groaning under the weight of turkey, ham and all the sides you can imagine. And the deserts!!! I could hardly make a choice.

We were served first and then the rest of the church family joined us. I have always loved fact that when people have Jesus "in common" - there is an immediate connection. We may not know each other well, but we know the One who has given us everything and it binds us together. I am a naturally shy person, but that commonality puts me at my ease.

I am thankful for the unity we have in Jesus. I am thankful that no matter what our life story, when He is the common thread we are family. It fills my heart to see the difference He makes in a life. It is, for me, the greatest testimony to the truth of the Gospel.

It is not a set of beliefs that binds our hearts together. It is not a philosophy or a new way of looking at things. It is a relationship with the great God of creation. It is that which gives hope and joy and meaning and purpose to life. It is that which takes a life that was full of despair and pain and turns it around. It is the true and living God whose lovingkindness is everlasting."

An elderly gentlemen closed in prayer when we were finished singing. My heart overflowed as I listened to his voice, a little weak with age but strong in the faith of a lifetime. Nothing speaks more eloquently than a life lived for Jesus.

I am so thankful.
Linda

Please visit Ann's and become part of the Gratitude Community.

Burdens

I am here, but I am weary. There are lots of things running around my little mind, but I find I just don't have the energy to get them out and onto paper. I'm not sure what it is. I certainly haven't been over-doing things in the physical department. It is just a sort of "mind weariness."

I have been carrying the cure around with me - written out on an index card in a little spiral notebook. Matthew 11:28-30 were my very first memory verses for this year. I believe, without realizing it, I have been carrying burdens around which were never meant for my feeble shoulders. Whenever I have recited these verses, I have felt the tears starting. It is time to let the words do their heart-work; time to let Him carry the burdens.

It is one thing to bring the burdens to Him; it is quite another to leave them there and not pick them back up. It is even possible, I have found, to think you have not done that - but the heart knows better. It feels the weight and grows weary.

So once again I come, sit at His feet and lay it all down. I feel the stirring of joy, of hope. I find Him faithful - always faithful.

Blessings,
Linda

Multitude Monday

I am thankful for:


Autumn decorations that brighten our home...



The delicious smells that fill the house as I prepare supper...


A hearty soup on a crisp, cool day...


The sweet little face of a brand new pansy...






The tiny beginnings of life - miraculous....


A surprise in the flower bed - a flower dug up and thrown away long ago makes a reappearance after the rains....


The poignant reminder in front of the school on our street....



Beautiful, wonderful clouds...


A birthday bouquet....


A handmade present from my Mom....


Praise and Thanksgiving

"O My God,

Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects, my heart admires, adores, loves Thee,
for my little vessel is as full as it can be,
and I would pour out all that fullness before Thee in ceaseless flow.

When I think upon and converse with Thee
ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up,
ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed,
ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart,
crowding into every moment of happiness.

I bless Thee for the soul Thou hast created,
for adorning it, sanctifying it,
though it is fixed in barren soil;
for the body Thou hast given me,
for preserving its strength and vigour,
for providing senses to enjoy delights,
for the ease and freedom of my limbs,
for hands, eyes, ears that to Thy bidding;
for Thy royal bounty providing my daily support,
for a full table and overflowing cup,
for appetite, taste, sweetness,
for social joys of relatives and friends,
for the ability to serve others,
for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities,
for a mind to care for my fellow-men,
for opportunities of spreading happiness around,
for loved ones in the joys of heaven,
for my own expectation of seeing Thee clearly.

I love Thee above the powers of language to express,
for what Thou art to Thy creatures.

Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity."

from "The Valley of Vision"

Join the others at Ann's to take part in the Gratitude Community.

Blessings,
Linda

Joy Challenge - Day 40 - A Glimpse

" Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with Thee; If I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count."
Psalm 40:5




We drive past this tree every day. I look at the simple beauty and marvel. The Master Artist has paused in this place and created something very special. It makes my heart sing. He takes the time to fill our lives with matchless beauty. Pure joy!

To share a glimpse of the splendor with which the Lord has blessed us, visit Jennifer's blog. Perhaps you would like to share a glimpse He has given you.

Blessings,
Linda

P.S. This is the last day of my Joy Challenge. As with anything that causes my heart to draw closer to the Lord - it has been .......A JOY!!