The Source

As you know if you come here often, I do not say to much about what I believe and sometimes I think I have a really great thought about something someone has posted but again I try to refrain from putting in my two cents worth......as was the case last week. I never want to appear pushy or make the appearance that I think I "know it all". It seems that the more I think I have learned the more I find out there is to know. Last week Janet from the Lavender Loft did a post and asked many questions, mostly about artist, and some about knowing who we are, etc. . Then on a following post she said that Sherrie had been so inspired that she had done a whole post on these thoughts. I read her post and enjoyed what she had to say.

Sunday morning after spending some time in prayer I went to my computer to read a daily devotion, this one was from "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers.....a book that has been around for a long time. It so spoke to me and addressed some of the subjects that had come up, so I decided to share it. Hope you get something good out of what he had to say.
LIVING SIMPLY____YET FOCUSED
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin__they simply are!
Think of the sea, the air, the stars, and the moon____all of these simply are as well, yet what a ministry and service they render on our behalf. So often we impair God's designed influence, which He desires to exhibit through us, because of our own conscious efforts to be consistent and useful. Jesus said there is only one way to develop and grow spitritually, and that is through focusing and concentrating on God. In essence, Jesus was saying, "Do not worry about being of use to others; simply believe on Me." In other words, pay attention to the Source, and out of you "will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38). We cannot discover the source of our natural life through common sense and reasoning, and Jesus is teaching here that growth in our spiritual life comes not from focusing directly on it, but from concentrating on our Father in heaven. Our heavenly Father knows our circumstances, and if we will stay focused on Him, instead of our circumstances, we will grow spiritually____just as the lilies of the field.
The people who influence us the most are not those who detain us with their continual talk, but those who live their lives like the stars in the sky and the lilies of the field___simply and unaffectedly. Those are the lives that mold and shape us.
If you want to be of use to God, maintain the proper relationship with Jesus Christ by staying focused on Him, and He will make use of you every minute you live__yet you will be unaware ,
on the conscious level of your life, that you are being used of Him.
LOOK AT THE BIRDS OF THE AIR.....CONSIDER THE LILIES OF THE FIELD
Matthew 6 : 26, -28

Book Shelves are for Books ?

This first picture was suppose be the last picture???

You will figure it out as you read on. It is tooooo late for me to try and change this now.

This whole wall in my computer room holds four book shelves, five counting the small one. Each shelf has books on it, really they are there, behind all of my "favorite things". Now if you want to see some of these treasures you will have to click on the picture for a close up. All of my books are separated into different categories, art, antiques, crafts, but most of them are on different subjects pertaining to my Christian faith. A lot of study books, books written by the early founders, commentaries, dictionaries, etc. NOTHING fictional.
This would be a good time to add one more photo

It is another book, this one will find it's home in the kitchen however since it is a cook book. It came in today's mail, a surprise gift from my dear friend Janet, you all know her from the blog The Lavender Loft. It looks very interesting and has a fig cake recipe that I can hardly wait to try. We care take the property next door and they have given us rights to pick the figs and the blueberries. Now that is what you call a blessing, as was the book that came today. Of course a big thank you went out right away. I guess if I get any more books I just might have to move out some of the other stuff. I've always wanted a BIG old Victorian house with a library but I guess this is as good as it is going to get.........and yes I am BLESSED......how about you?

Here Birdie, Birdie

All of these pictures will probably have to be clicked on to see what I am talking about. I was not able to get any closer, especially to the birds. I took the pictures out of the window in my computer room. This first shot is of our Manx cat that really does not want to get a drink but would love to catch a bird. I think she is going to get a new collar with a bell. Her name is Sweetie. The next picture is a beautiful yellow bird taking a bath and the last picture is of a Blue Jay and I think he is saying, "where did all of the water go and I wonder if I'll fit in this tiny thing"? That is why I added the larger tray of water that you see in the first picture. As I worked at the computer the other day I saw bird after bird come get a drink and take a bath. I filled that little one up about three times before I said, "this will never do" and added the larger one. They come one right after the other, small gray birds, big yellow birds, mocking birds, cardinals, and blue jays. I guess I need to get out my bird book and find out the names of the ones I'm not familiar with.

It is a wonder that we have so many birds since we have four cats outside. I guess the secret is feed the cats real good so all the want to do is lay around on the front porch and sleep.

Changes made...AGAIN

SORRY I HAVE HAD TO MAKE A FEW CHANGES IN THE COMMENT SECTION....

I HOPE THIS WILL NOT BE TO MUCH OF AN INCONVIENCE TO MY REGULAR VIEWERS.....

I TRIED TO OPEN UP THE COMMENTS TO "ANYONE" TRUST ME THAT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.....

I WOULD HATE TO HAVE TO CLOSE MY BLOG, HOWEVER IF MY COMPUTER IS GOING TO BE SUBJECT TO VIRUS THE BLOG WILL HAVE TO GO.

So with that said, I hope everyone has a nice day and be safe and BE BLESSED!

Bears & Babies

A few weeks back, several people were showing their dolls, toys, etc. and I was busy working in the yard. Well I'm still busy in the yard but thought it would not take that much time to take a few pictures of some of "the kids". Mind you this is just a few of my favorites, some live in a trunk so they are not on display. I guess I'd have to say the doll and the purple bear on the bed take first place. The doll belonged to my Aunt Helen who passed away several years ago and the bear was bought for me by our youngest daughter for a birthday present. Also in the bear group I have two Steiff bears, one is a nine inch and the other one is tiny, about two inches.

Betzie from TIME ENOUGH had some wonderful babies, I really enjoyed looking at her collection. Now she has some real babies, they have four legs and they bark, and I can hardly wait to see some more recent photos of them. If you have time stop on by and check them out.

Sooooo cute! You can get to her site by clicking on it on my side bar.

I really need to thank my good friend Nancy for starting this whole thing, she bought me my first Boyde bear back in 1993. I have since stopped buying as I am retired and, well I've run out of room. If you like looking at this sort of thing let me know........I have more.

You can see the dolls better if you click on the picture to make it larger.