Encouragement

So the craftsman encourages the smelter,

And he who smooths metal with the hammer

encourages him who beats the anvil,

Isaiah 41:7a

 

 

 

 

I had a wonderful, encouraging time yesterday.

 

 

 

 

I spent about an hour shooting photographs with some dear friends.  Just being with them encouraged me greatly.  It has been a while since I just took time to go someplace and shoot for the pleasure of it.

 

 

 

It felt good.



Abiding Place

O Lord, who may abide in Your tent?

Who may dwell on Your holy hill?

Psalms 15:1

 

 

 

With the new home, we have been focusing a lot lately on where we live.  Seems every day is filled with opening boxes and relocating "stuff" to its new place.

 

 

 

 

There have been moments of "Why did we ever acquire that!" and moments of "Remember this?"

 

 

 

 

There have also, over the past several months, been many moments of realizing just how comforting and wonderful it is to have a home, an abiding place. After this moving experience I have a new understanding of the hopelessness that can come with homelessness. 

 

 

 

 

Pray for those who do not have a place to call home.  And, more importantly, pray for those who do not abide in Him!

Are We Really In Charge?

Even though the elections for President of the United States are more than a year away, we are constantly bombarded with news about the election and those who have chosen to seek that office.  There are many that want to be in charge.  It  seems like there is someone, or something, for everyone.

 

 

 

Yet, I can't help but wonder - are we the people really in charge?  Did we create this earth? Can we control this earth?

The earth is the Lord's and all it contains,

The world, and those who dwell in it.

Psalms 24:1

 

 



The Bounty of Summer

I will sing to the Lord,

Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

 

 

 

As a photographer, I really enjoy going to a farmer's market during the summer.  The colors and textures are great fun to shoot.

 

 

I also love purchasing and consuming the fresh fruits and vegetables that are available there.

 



 

 

Whether you are a photographer or a consumer, find yourself a good farmer's market.  You will not be disappointed either way.



In the Desert

It has been hot where I live!  I mean really hot, like 106 heat index hot.

 

If it has been hot where you are, I pray that you are taking precautions to stay as cool as possible.

 

And, I hope, even in the discomfort of this hot summer, you are finding things in your life and in the world around you to sing praise about.

For, even in the desert there is beauty. 

Sing to God, sing praises to His name;

Lift up a song for Him who rides through the deserts,

Whose name is the Lord, and exult before Him.

Psalms 68:4

A Prayer for Friends

May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.

Jude 1:2

 

 

Today's scripture is offered as a prayer for special friends who are hurting.  Some of them are hurting because of recent loss of family members others are facing uncertain futures, and some are simply lost in this world.

 

 

 

 



Adding Fuel to the Fire

For lack of wood the fire goes out,

And where there is no whisperer,

contention quiets down.

Proverbs 26:20

 

 

 

Maybe, just maybe, a great part of the contention in our world today is our fault.

Are we the ones who add fuel to the fire?  Are we the one who whisper?



We Need Statesmen

For a child will be born to us,

a son will be given to us;

and the government will rest on His shoulders;

and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

 

 

 

What our country needs more than anything else is statesmen! Leaders who lead for the love of the country not the love of money and power!

 

Excuse my political rant.  I try to keep those out of social media because it gives people an opportunity to lash out.

 

I was reminded by a recent visit to the Washington, D.C. As I walked in that town of so much power I found myself asking, "Where are the statesmen?"

 

Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson lost his entire fortune because he took time out of his life as a Virginia farmer to lead this nation.  He GAVE his personal library to the nation so that we would be a nation of literacy.  That's right, he did not sell it, he gave it. If you haven't done so lately, read the Declaration of Independence.  Read all of it! 

Mount Vernon, home of George Washington

George Washington could have been president for his entire life.  Many wanted to make him king!  He stepped down.  Why?  He thought it would be better for our nation! Take the time to read Washington's Farewell Address.  It will surprise you.



Work is Progressing

 

 

We continue to make progress with the unpacking.  I must admit there are moments when I ask myself, "Why do we have all this stuff?"

 



 

 

And, there are moments when we both look at each other and think, "Didn't we move this box from point A to point B yesterday?  Why are we now moving it to point A again?" But, we trudge on.  And, slowly we are seeing God's plan for this home.

 



 

Soon everything will be hung in it's proper place.  Now, how long it will stay there is another matter!

 

 

Commit your works to the Lord

And your plans will be established.

proverbs 16: 3

 

It's Been a While!

They wandered in the wilderness in a desert region;

Psalms 107: 4a

 

 

We have not be in a wilderness, nor a desert region, but we sure have felt like we were wandering!

 

 

 

 

After selling our home in April, we moved to Murfreesboro, TN to be closer to family.  It will be easy we said.  It will be quickly settled we said. Ha!

 

Well, on June 30th we finally made it home!

 

 

 

 

We are very grateful to our family for sharing their homes while we searched for a new home.  And we searched, and searched, and searched!

 

We still have a lot of boxes to unpack but things are beginning to fall into place.

 

 

 

We have beds up and food in the pantry so . . . Y'all come to see us!