Thursday, February 24, 2011

Watch, Wait, Stay Alert,

Another blog I follow is Sonja's Deep Calls Unto Deep.  Her blog name grabbed my attention in the beginning because it comes from my very  favorite passage in the Scriptures, Psalm 42, which speaks to the deep intimacy Christ is calling us to experience in Him..  Sonja is sharing a thoughtful yet alarming  post this week and I am borrowing it, yet expanding it into areas in which I ,too, have been awaken to in my spirit.  Sonja shared this video Id like to also share with you now...

I find the events that are expressed in the song are just the tip of an ever growing ice berg that is catapulting along at alarming speed...
A prayer partner shared with us recently about the possibility that current events may be the fulfilment of the prophecy we find in Psalm 83
 A song. A psalm of Asaph.
 1 O God, do not remain silent;
   do not turn a deaf ear,
   do not stand aloof, O God.
2 See how your enemies growl,
   how your foes rear their heads.
3 With cunning they conspire against your people;
   they plot against those you cherish.
4 “Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation,
   so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.”
 5 With one mind they plot together;
   they form an alliance against you—
6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
   of Moab and the Hagrites,
7 Byblos, Ammon and Amalek,
   Philistia, with the people of Tyre.
8 Even Assyria has joined them
   to reinforce Lot’s descendants.[b]
 9 Do to them as you did to Midian,
   as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,
10 who perished at Endor
   and became like dung on the ground.
11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,
   all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
12 who said, “Let us take possession
   of the pasturelands of God.”
 13 Make them like tumbleweed, my God,
   like chaff before the wind.
14 As fire consumes the forest
   or a flame sets the mountains ablaze,
15 so pursue them with your tempest
   and terrify them with your storm.
16 Cover their faces with shame, LORD,
   so that they will seek your name.
 17 May they ever be ashamed and dismayed;
   may they perish in disgrace.
18 Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD—
   that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.

A Bible Scholar has researched this biblical tribes and  the facts show the following 
Edom-Palestinian refugees
Moab- sons of Lot.. Jordan
Hagarites- Egypt
Gebal- Beirut, Lebanon
Ammon  - Jordan
Amelek- Lebanon
Philistia,people of Tyre. Palestine (Gaza), 
Assyria- 
It is noted that these peoples make up an inner ring of nations that surround Israel.  Psalm 83 speaks of an unholy alliance of nations that seek to conspire against and destroy the nation of Israel.    One can not view a news outlet lately without some mention of turmoil in,  and flux going on within, this inner ring... are events  coalescing to culminate in the  mighty conflict we read about in the Psalm...?  If so, this would signal to us just how very close we are to what the scriptures also call the End of Days.  The video mentions that there will come a time when it will be too late...  too late for what?    Too late for anyone who has heard the gospel message of Jesus but has neglected to repent and turn to and accept his gift of grace and salvation...  for them on that day there will be no further opportunity...  for those who believe and have confessed with their mouth Jesus Christ as Lord, will be raptured.  Taken up in a cloud  to begin the glorious eternity with God the Father in heaven.  But woe to those who are left behind...the terrible time of tribulation will come upon the earth  like no time mankind has ever experienced.  It will be too late for those then to cry out for  salvation and peace... for  the  spirit of God will have left the earth with those who were called up. the book of Revelation will explain  this horrible time....  but other passages tell us to watch and wait...  
.  Luke 12:37-38

37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.
Mark 13:33



33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.

Simple Pleasures

Project Simple Pleasures2

I just discovered this lovely blog, A Collection of This and That by Dayle,   who hosts this great theme each week.  This idea resounded with me because an emphasis in our church right now is the challenge to slow down and breathe.. to live in the moment  and cherish the blessings, great and small that come our way...  One of the simple pleasures in my life is the time I do spend online...  blogging, visiting new places and being inspired and challenged to live better  but also it is the engaging chats I enjoy so much not only with my blogging friends but also the many wonderful friends I have on Face Book who bless me in untold ways....  simply a joyous celebration  of the One Another  theme of scriptures...
  Photobucket

Monday, February 21, 2011

The SImple Woman's Daybook



Photobucket





FOR TODAY

Outside my window... It is  late morning... the temperatures are mild, but a brisk wind makes outside a bit uncomfortable.

  The sky is   a scattered array of all kinds of clouds,  and there is the threat of an afternoon rain on the horizon.





I am thinking... I am glad I did have the forbearance to go outside this morning and clear off the main flower bed.  I do have a sense of accomplishment for having gotten that done today.

I am thankful for... the Holy Spirit's work in my life that helps me in times of struggle and offense to overcome and forgive.. and directs me to correct my attitude and adjust my thinking.. Whatever do folks without the Spirit do with their emotions and their actions?

From the kitchen... I am thinking early spring and the makings a a marvelous  salad are calling to me...

I am wearing... black slacks, red turtleneck..  just plain and simple

I am creating...   it was also great to put the snow village away this morning and clear away the last vestiges of winter in the house...  I am creating a clean slate from which to explore an attitude of spring in each room.
I am going... overt to my mom's house soon to clean the front rooms in preparation of the Wednesday morning Bible study coming there on Wednesday.  I think it is really sweet of them to bring the study to mom this week since she ash been unable to  attend for some time....

I am reading... A Praying Life, by Paul Miller The Peace Maker by Ken Sande both of these are for bible studies at church! The Peace Maker is for our Sunday night Pastor's study.



I am hoping....  to be able to get the chores at mom's done in short time so we can return and enjoy the rest of Lynn's day off.  His next day  won't be until Memorial Day... that seems a terribly long way off.
I am hearing... the roar of the wind in the bare trees outside my studio window.. It sounds so fierce yet, I hope they a re heralding the coming of spring!  This was written last week, but is just  perfect for this moment as well....  Come Spring!!!


Around the house.... I did  the garden cleaned off and the pansies are certainly in my near future...   I have pit all wintry items away and am now very cautiously  adding in a spring element to every room.. I do not wish to be too hasty lest winter play its dirty trick on my parade....

One of my favorite things.... is planning... a decorating project, or a vacation... sometimes just the planning is as much fun as the culmination of the thing...   That's good because sometimes the culmination never happens!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Monday - chores around the house, meet with pastor and the Benevolent Committee

Tuesday- Laundry marketing  work on Bible Study


Wednesday- allergy shot, Wednesday morning Bible Study

 Wednesday night dinner and    large group  study
Thursday- Sunday School ladies luncheon to plan the year, small group Bible Study in the evening

Friday- ??

Saturday- Meet at Lynne's house to plan future events

Here is a photo Id like to share...

Photobucket

You never know what you might uncover!!!
Photobucket
 First true sign of spring....clearing off the wintry canes of last season's growth!

For the 2011 edition of The Simple Woman's Daybooks visit Peggy here!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Pink Saturday

Photobucket

Happy PINK Saturday!!

In appreciation for all the friends  whom God has blessed my life with...   I am very thankful!


Photobucket


PINK SATURDAY!
Visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for more PINK SATURDAY!!

Skywatch Friday



Photobucket

Photobucket


Check out Skyley for more wonderful photos!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Three or More Tuesday


Photobucket




Visit Tam at The Gypsy's Corner for more TOMT..


Photobucket

Our Valentine's Day was so sweet and special.  Lynn brought home a dozen of the most beautiful flame roses...  They set my heart aglow.  My valentine was so sweet and I enjoyed  Lynn reading his aloud to me... so romantic!
  then we were off to Carrabbas for a delicious dinner of Spedino de Mar,, grilled scallops...  Dottie, Bill, and Kitty joined us for dinner, and then Dottie and Lynn and I took in the symphony...  it was a fabulous evening of fun, fellowship, great food, and entertainment... doesn't get much better than that!
















Monday, February 14, 2011

The Simple Woman's Daybook



Photobucket





FOR TODAY

Outside my window... It is the middle of the afternoon and and the wind is blowing fiercely... the air is so very dry and almost sparkly, but is also almost balmy in its 58 degrees which is very mild fro February





I am thinking... Bible Study this morning was such a blessing.. We studied the fruit of the Spirit... joy... our strength in the Lord, and how very important it is to approach every day with hearts filled with thanksgiving and joy...

I am thankful for... my wonderful family, my friends, whom I love and trust and know that love me,, my prayer partners with whom I have learned so much about how to pray and all the pitfalls in our society that seek to rob us of our prayer life...




From the kitchen... nothing!It's Valentines' Day and we are dining at Carrabas tonight and are then off to the Symphony!

I am wearing... I am all in black today except for my new knitted scarf I purchased yesterday at Hotel Roanoke gift shop I love the fluffy quality of this scarf the kind wiht the furry effects and it is scalloped on the ends... very pretty!






I am creating... a new study on the Holy Days of the Old testament and their significance in the Christians life to share with a friend and perhaps with my prayer group







I am going... to be having a rather full week.. Somewhere to go everyday this week this is not too much fun for old home body...

I am reading... A Praying Life, by Paul Miller The Peace Maker by Ken Sande both of these are for bible studies at church! The Peace Maker is for our Sunday night Pastor's study.







I am hoping.... that this evening will be a restful yet joyous occasion for us and our friends as we dine out and then take Dottie with us to the concert. The program will mainly highlight the strings tonight with the following programme:

J.S. Bach - Air on the G String
Mozart - Romance from A Little Night Music
Piazzolla - The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires
* Pärt - Fratres
Grieg - Holberg Suite




I am hearing... the roar of the wind in the bare trees outside my studio window.. It sounds so fierce yet, I hope they a re heralding the coming of spring!




Around the house.... well, I have great plans to get into my spring cleaning... yet I need a bit more inspiration. I am most definitely going to be clearing off the flower beds and looking into planting some pansies soon.




One of my favorite things.... is reading, but I have been rather inundated with reading to do for classes at church this winter and I haven't read a good novel it seems in eons. I am looking forward to some down time just set aside for pleasure reading.




A few plans for the rest of the week:

Monday - Bible study, meet a friend, get ready for and attend dinner and concert

Tuesday- Take mom to the doctor , laundry, study

Wednesday- Take dad to the eye doctor, marketing for two households, study, dinner at church, large group Bible Study

Thursday- Choir/luncheon at church, small group Bible Study in the evening

Friday- let's keep this a secret but for now ...nothing! Yes!

Saturday- prayer in prayer room early perhaps breakfast out with the prayer partners... yard work




Here is a photo Id like to share...

Yesterday when we were leaving Hotel Roanoke and walking to the car... I saw this!!!!



"When daffodils begin to peer,
With the heigh! the doxy over the dale,
When, then comes in the sweet o' the year;
For the red blood reigns in the winter's pale."- William Shakespeare




For the 2011 edition of The Simple Woman's Daybooks visit Peggy here!

Friday, February 11, 2011

Skywatch Friday

Photobucket

This mid February sky holds the promise of an early spring... the Groundhog said so, and I am taking it at its word!

Check out Skyley for more wonderful photos!








My Husband Rocks Friday



KatyLin, of The Great Adventure hosts this theme each Friday!

Well, it has been a while since I participated in this theme, not because Lynn doesn't rock every w eek... far from that!   But since it is Valentine's week  I wanted to do something a little special for him...
Photobucket

Lynn has always been just  the very best husband  and father...  He became a dad in 1985 and for the last 26 years he has demonstrated more love more caring and more wisdom with each passing day.  Whether he is leading our family in prayerful celebrations and devotions  around the table,   helping around the house, or on Amanda's biggest day of  all, her wedding day...  or  out on the town and in fun excursions with me... or just chillin' with me around the house...  he will evermore be my special and most loving Valentine!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Tea Talk


1.  My tea cup is filled with the most delightful Earl Grey... so satisfying on this brisk February day
Photobucket

2. I'm  feeling....very happy with the circumstances of my life... my family... my church ... my friends... my prospects....  contentment is a wonderful virtue!
3. On my  mind....  As I enjoy this warming brew, I am contemplating the book,  A Praying Life, by Paul Miller.   One of my all time favorite Bible Scholars writes of this book." Honest, realistic, mature, wise, deep,  Warmly recommended"  Well, that is good enough for me.  I'm just starting into chapter 9  Learning to Trust Again..Understanding Cynicism...  Can't wait to dive in!
4.
Paul Miller writes, in chapter 9...

"When I say that cynicism is the spirit of the age, I mean it is an influence, a tone that permeates our culture, one of the master temptations of our age.. By reflecting on cynicism and defeated weariness, we are meditating on the last petition of the Lord's Prayer: "lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from  the evil one, Matthew 6:13"  


Now you will wish to join Ruth for more  Tea Talk  !

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Word FIlled Wednesday



Click the above photo to return to Cafe Devotions!
Photobucket

John 13:34
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must  love one another.

God puts people in our lives our families, our church friends, our co-workers, even the people we meet on the street... and He tells us to love them...  He doesnt qualify how and if or because.. He just commands us to love one another.  In  even tells us to love our enemies and to turn the other cheek to our attackers, to give our tunic as well as our coat to the thief.   Sometimes I realize that I have not loved as Jesus has taught us to... and this season of love is a good time to begin demonstrating more love in our lives.  

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Three or More Tuesday

Photobucket

Visit Tam at The Gypsy's Corner for more TOMT..

When it comes to trying to decide where to go for our Valentine's Dinner it all comes down to what is the most delicious... and best ambience, right..
Well, high on my list is  Carrabas!
Photobucket

One thing I love about Carrabas is the bread served up with the balsamic vinaigrette  dipping sauce....  yum!
Photobucket

Dinner theater is really nice as well.  Even though this one is a few miles away, the food is always yummy, and the show adds so much flair to the evening!  HMMMM!
Photobucket
Of course, one can never go wrong with Chinese... our favorite food of all....and the bar offers limitless variety!
Photobucket
Then, we could just stay home and cook.... nah!

Ruby Tuesday


Photobucket



For more  reds visit our host, Mary.. Always a blogging treat to visit her site!



It is hard for me to believe that it has been a year since our last Valentine's Sweetheart luncheon at church. When I was searching my files for red I found this great shot of my buddies, Gerri and David , with whom I got to join at their table last  year...sad to say, last year I went stag!  But this year my Valentine will be with me!

Photobucket
 David looks like he has been  a bell ringer in another life... great follow  through, there, David!






Mosaic Monday....well, the next day!




Photobucket
This being the week of Valentine's Day I just had to share my Valentine's... the loves of my life.

Visit Mary at the Little Red House for more Mosaic Monday!!

Friday, February 4, 2011

Pink Saturday



Photobucket





Happy PINK Saturday!!


I really don't have much pink going on at home except for the lovely new china which I have already posted on this week... so as I looked around the dining   room I thought, " well, there is the darkest  shade of pink in my weathered tartan cloth"  So I am taking a bit of license here to share the side board decked out in its  lovely plaid  linens....


Photobucket

I love to inspire myself with Olde World details that help keep me focused on my favorite endeavors such as genealogy,    the study of the United Kingdom, and appreciation for my ancestral lands...
.

Photobucket

Photobucket

So there you have it from every vantage, and I hope you truly have a lovely
PINK SATURDAY!
Visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for more PINK SATURDAY!!




Photobucket


















Skywatch Friday


Photobucket


Photobucket
Out my studio window a wintry sunrise bursts upon the horizon!

Check out Skyley for more wonderful photos!



Thursday, February 3, 2011

Tablescape Thursday

Photobucket

Visit Susan   at Between Naps on the Porch for more Tablescape Thursdays.    

I can't believe it has been almost two years since I   posted on this theme.   I love visiting the beautiful posts commemorating life around the dinner table, the amazing  charm of women's creativity to make the home a loving, gracious environment.  It wasn't  until last week when I chanced upon   my new dinnerware at Marshall's that I  have been inspired to share... a bit of something new!

Photobucket

As you can see Im still celebrating    the  majesty of a winter's tale... the statuesque stance of the stag proudly heralding the mid winter's gleam of ice and snow glistening in the golden rays of the low slung sun.  
Photobucket

Photobucket
Fire and ice mingle together to create  a sparkling ambiance  to cheer a dreary rain drenched day...
 and then the gaity and promise of spring filters in ... the olde world charm of these Royal Stafford plates and bowls   strike a magical chord of gladness over the icy landscape..
Photobucket
I dont know the name of this lovely pattern, but to me it should be Rhapsody,, for the full blown rose  laid so gingerly atop the ancient script speaks to a depth of romance that fairly takes one's breath away!
Photobucket
This mid-winter's dream of a table scape conjures up magical  visions of music and romance as we contemplate the coming of valentine's day next week..
Photobucket
Photobucket
 I hope you enjoyed my invitation to dine  with his  Lordship, the laird, and perhaps  there shall be dreams of romance in  your rest this eve!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Three or More Tuesday


Photobucket

Visit Tam at The Gypsy's Corner for more TOMT..

 Last week I chanced upon the most divine dinnerware....  I must confess,,, my terrible weakness for beautiful china.   I certainly didn't need it but Marshall's prices made it just too tempting to pass up..
I haven't used it yet,and my husband was asking me this morning why I had bought them if I wasn't going to use them since they are right there with my everyday dishes.  I do plan to use them along with my other everyday ware just to keep one day from spilling over into the next!  So I set the table in the dining room this morning...
PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket

Made in England at the potteries of Burslem, they are Royal Stafford, dishwasher and microwave safe dinnerware....  I absolutely love their Olde World feel and romantic flair!  But the very best thing about these are that a set of 6 dinner and plates and 6 bowls cost me less that $45.

Friday's Fave 5

Hosted by  Susanne!                                         Does time seem to be flying by? I am getting so I cannot keep up... sos I am doi...