Monday, November 30, 2009

Christmas Change


It is the last day of November.
A mostly cloudy, gray day. 
Soup simmering on the stove.
A quiet house.
Boxes scattered 'round.
Waiting to be opened.
Christmas to be displayed.
This Advent season...anticipation.
Remembering God's promise.
Looking for the Christ.
Open my heart, LORD.
Present Yourself radiantly.
More beautiful than any package I could wrap or receive.
You are the gift-giver and the gift all in one.
What more is there that I need?


In this holiday season of "giving and receiving" consider how you might spend less and give more to those in need. Visit this link. http://christmaschange.com 
Think about it....join me as you use your resources to spread good news to those in desperate need, restoring the magic and wonder to this season.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

In Hardwood Groves


The same leaves over and over again!They fall from giving shade above To make one texture of faded brown And fit the earth like a leather glove. Before the leaves can mount again To fill the trees with another shade, They must go down past things coming up. They must go down into the dark decayed. They must be pierced by flowers and put Beneath the feet of dancing flowers. However it is in some other world I know that this is way in ours.  Robert Frost

Friday, November 27, 2009

Light of a new day


Light of a new  day 
Piercing the shadows in my soul
A new day dawns
Yesterday gone.


Monday, November 23, 2009

'Lettuce' be thankful...


There is 
always, 
always, 
always 
something to be
 thankful for.



566. freshly harvested homegrown lettuce for salad

567. planning menus with daughter who loves to cook

568. anticipation of oldest son coming home tomorrow

569. husband's family Thanksgiving yesterday

570. cooking for my neighbor and his family

571. socks on my cold feet

572. cooking in the kitchen with my niece

572. laughing with my husband

573. the return of the geese to our pond

574. spaghetti sauce in the crock pot

575. smell of pumpkin muffins baking

Friday, November 20, 2009

Pine Needles


To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass
 is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug.
-Helen Keller


It's a clear, brisk Fall day. My online coursework can wait. Laundry and housework, too. There is pine straw to rake. Gather. Pile high. Brown refuse from towering southern pines. Falling. Blanketing. Carpeting the fading, green grass. Pine straw. 


The first yard I ever played in had huge pine trees so I am familiar with these naturally shed leaves, these needles. 


This time of year many people use pine straw as a mulch. Valued for its attractive reddish-brown color, ease of application and good insulation, pinestraw has become a moneymaker for many landscapers. 


Mulches are used for various agricultural and gardening purposes, they are applied to the soil surface. 


Properly used, they benefit plant growth and minimize garden labor. The main functions of mulches are the conservation of soil moisture and the moderation of soil temperature. 


They moderate internal soil temperatures by retaining heat from the day and radiating it to the soil at night during spring and fall; in the winter mulches moderate soil warming during the day, limiting the stress plants undergo during soil freezing and thawing cycles.


 They also are used to prevent frost heaving of unestablished plants in winter. During summer, they keep soil cool by blocking direct sunlight exposure of the soil surface. Mulches are used to block evaporation of water from the soil, slowing down soil drying. 


They also help control the growth of weeds, blocking sunlight and/or smothering weed seedlings under layers of material. Mulch also reflects sunlight back from the ground to the leaves of plants, they also provide a clean and dry surface for ground-lying fruits. 


They prevent soil erosion from heavy rains, prevent surface run-off of water, and prevent the direct impact of hard rains on the soil surface. Some mulches improve soil texture, adding humus. 


Gardener of my soul mulching my heart, applying the necessary to benefit me, conserving, moderating, ridding my life of the unnecessary. I pray that my life will reflect The Light and that I will provide fruit. 
And even more. 


These pine needles, this straw. A symbol of how life turns. Ever-changing. And what falls, what is cast away, still has value. If we care to listen. If we take the time to look. Stop long enough to feel. 


So today I ask the one who tends and nurtures me in this season to apply His mulch to my heart, right to my soil soul.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Multitide Monday





Anne from HOLY EXPERIENCE asks, "Want to drink the joy elixir? Become a Joy Finder? Consider joining the Gratitude Community! Just jump in with your own counting!" So here I go...jumping in again with joy for the gifts....






560. fun with brother, sister, and cousin












561. pecan pies, pound cake, caramel apples and more





562. newlywed Krista and Chris





563. great-grandfather and great-granddaughter dancing   





564. a sweet little family



565. sister, brother having fun with their niece




To the end that my glory may sing praise to Thee,
and not be silent. O Lord my God,
I will give thanks unto Thee for ever.
 Psalms 30:12



Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Fear

We all have or have had fears. I have plenty.


Just had two restless nights. Tossing. Turning. Haunted by fear. The unknown. Out of control. Mind racing. 


One of my life verses...2 Timothy 1:7 says "For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 


Repeating it over and over again. 
The truth making a  rut, wedged deep in this doubting soul. This one that questions. Too much.


Another good verse...“Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth.”  Colossians 3:2



A friend interested me in the book Fearless by Max Lucado. I have only read chapter one so far but I am already hooked!


There are so many uncertainties and unknowns. Now more than ever...It is important to learn to abide and trust even deeper in Christ, turning my fears over to Him, laying them down at his feet. 


Lucado retells the familiar story of the disciples out in that fishing boat on the stormy sea. 
Sometimes we just have to get in that boat, even if it looks like it is sinking!