life and death...

quick quotes

winne the pooh...

quick quotes

this may be a little surprising, but I love 'Winnie the Pooh' quotes
it's amazing how a little bear, a little pig, a little donkey, and a little boy can have such simple and meaningful thoughts about life...

the mercy tree

I happened upon this song recently and I love it! It praises the blameless Prince of  Peace, the perfect Lamb, the Savior.  Lacey Sturm sings with a powerful and passionate praise. The lyrics take you to worship...

On a hill called Calvary stands an endless mercy tree...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrgl9z3grKU&feature=youtu.be

Mercy Tree
Lacey Sturm

On a hill called Calvary
Stands an endless mercy tree
Every broke and weary soul
Find your rest and be made whole

Stripes of blood that stain its frame
Shed to wash away our shame
From the scars pure love released
Salvation brought the mercy tree

In the sky, between two thieves
Hung the blameless Prince of Peace
Bruised and battered, scarred and scorned
Sacred Hands pierced by our thorns

It is finished was his cry
The perfect Lamb was crucified
The sacrifice, our victory.
Our Savior chose the mercy tree

Hope went dark that violent day
The whole earth 'quaked at love’s display
Three days silence in the ground
This body born for Heaven’s crown

On that bright and glorious day
Heaven opened up the grave
He’s alive and risen indeed
Praise him for the mercy tree

Death has died. Love has won!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ has overcome.
He has risen from the dead.
(repeat)

One day soon we’ll see His face
And every tear, He’ll wipe a way
No more pain or suffering
Oh, praise him for the mercy tree

Death has died. Love has won!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ has overcome.
He has risen from the dead.
(repeat)

On a hill called Calvary
Stands an endless mercy tree

foto favs

doodlebug and the mirror

foto favs

little stinkbug

foto favs

ladybug playing with nana's rocks

pray, praying, prayers

A promise to pray is a sacred vow.  Don’t say it if you don’t mean it.

‘You’re in my thoughts and prayers.’  ‘I’m praying for you.’  ‘I’ll keep you in my prayers.’  ‘Sending prayers your way’.  ‘I’ll be thinking about you.’  ‘I’ll be praying for you and your family.’

How many times do we say these words or hear these words or write these words or read these words? Over and over and over again.  Do we say this when we don’t know what else to say?  Is it just an automatic response?

Think about it.  What are we really saying?  Are these just empty words? Are we sincere?  Do we genuinely intend to?  Do we actually add them to our prayer list?  Do we faithfully pray for them each day? 

Do we pray specifically for/about their:

salvation/belief

health/healing

grief/pain/comfort

faith/peace

family/relationships

suffering/loss

guidance/support/strength

job/employment/finances

troubles/needs

Well, do we?

A promise to pray is a sacred vow.  Don’t say it if you don’t mean it.

This includes me.

Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As He finished, one of His disciples came to Him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

Luke 11:1 NLT

feather facts

dark-eyed juncos

This little bird is a ‘flashy’ sparrow.  Throughout the seasons, the Dark-eyed Junco has extremely variable markings.  Their bright white tail feathers flash in flight.  But, I can easily identify them by the most adorable and cutest little pink beak.  Pink.  I rather like that.

These are birds of the ground.  Typically, they feed from the ground in forests, under shrubs and trees, and even venture out onto lawns searching for fallen seeds.  It seems mine get plenty to eat both on the ground and on the deck.  They clean up scatter from sloppy birds and messy squirrels.  Very helpful and very cute.  At least my Dark-eyed Juncos are incredibly neat.  Some may consider it a thankless job, but not me.

It can be rather difficult for me to get a high quality picture because these little birds with pink beaks flit around faster than the shutter speed on my camera.  I really enjoy watching the Dark-eyed Juncos as they carry out their day-to-day activities.  And, yes, I rather like their little cute pink beaks.

Happy New Year ~ 2015!

Last night I was thinking.  Thinking about the number 2015.  I was born in 1960 and I accepted Jesus in 1977 and I was married in 1980 and had my only child in 1982.  I, in no way, could have conceived that I would be here.  Now.  In 2015.  This year wasn’t even a blur in my vision.  Not at all.

My, oh, my.  Yet here I am.  Now.  I’m much older and I’m married to my one and only and my son graduated from college and married the love of his life in 2005.  Then I became a Nana to three wonderful grandchildren. 

First a granddaughter.  In 2007.  I was clueless about little girls.  Like pretty dresses and pink nail polish and really cute shoes and dolls and pony tails and adorable pocketbooks and little toy dishes and colorful ribbons and books for little girls and hair clips and princesses.  Clueless.  And she knew it.  And sometimes I’m still clueless.  And she knows it.  She’s seven and a half now. 

Then a grandson.  In 2008.  I knew little boys.  I had some of his Daddy’s old toys.  Like T-ball and lots of trucks and bouncing balls and tons of cars and trains and tracks and legos and baseball and books for little boys.  I had a handle on little boys.  And I don’t think he ever noticed.  He’s just over six now.

Then another grandson.  In 2010.  I knew little boys.  I just had to go back to the beginning and start over again and add new toys into the mix.  But I knew.  And I don't think his big sister and big brother ever noticed.  He’s a little bit over four now.

And I’m praying God will bless me with one more.  A young granddaughter.  That makes four grandchildren.  I’m not as clueless.  I’m a more experienced Nana now.  With most things.  But her big sister and two big brothers will show me the way...

Thru  the years, God has been so good.  My life is blessed.  Seriously, blessed.

Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. Proverbs 17:6 NIV