Writing on the Wall

Deuteronomy 6 gives instructions about 

remembering and talking about

God's commandments at home.

Write them on the doorframes

 of your houses and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6.9

Perhaps you have seen a

mezuzah or even tefillin.

(Have fun looking those up!)

Well, thought I,

what word or phrase would

I like to make as a motto

for our wall?

GRACE popped into my mind.

So, using some things I had on hand,
I drew out the letters and,
not without mishap,
cut them out.

I used the same contact paper
I got at Goodwill a while ago.

Using a Jot permanent marker,
I colored the front of the letters.

They were quite bold.

I decided I wanted to embellish
my letters, so I freehanded some
designs in the letters using
a craft knife and a hole punch.

- Hint:  If you decide to try
this in some form, cutting from
the paper side is a little
less tricky, think I,
because the vinyl side can stretch a bit
while being cut. -

Dollar Tree had some wall stickers.
I started out with one.

Two more ...

then the rest of one side of the
package were pressed into service...
(Get it  Oh, you did?  Sorry.)

(These inexpensive stickers needed careful handling.
Two got ripped.  They are hiding on the high
part...)

So, how much more can we say, "We were slaves...

but the Lord God brought us out...

with a mighty hand."

GRACE

Do I need a reminder?

Am I just stating a truth?

Both, I think. :)

FOREBODINGS

Do you ever get those feelings?

You know, (or maybe you don't)

the dark dread of something.

Sometimes it's just dark dread --

no "of" at all.

I can tell, sometimes, what it's all about.

Driving to a funeral, I will sometimes feel this way.

Then, I can reason it out, 

take a deep breath and

pray for help.

Sometimes, 

it is obviously

depression.

We've met, many times,

depression and I.

There are ways to 

shorten that meeting.

This is not what I'm thinking about.

Today, my father

called and said he is going to

spend some time in a

neighbor's garage.

Dad has been very sick.

Although the weather has moderated,

it is still barely above freezing.

I got a horrible feeling.

Now, when this happens,

I know it can just be my own fear

attempting to attract more

notice than it is due.

I know it can be just me, 

being out of sorts.

I know it can also be

God's Holy Spirit

warning me.

You know,

 And thine ears shall hear a word 

behind thee, saying, 

This is the way, walk ye in it, 

when ye turn to the right hand, 

and when ye turn to the left.

Isaiah 30.21

I have not heard

with my physical ears,

but I have certainly 

experienced this in my life.

So, how do I know

if I am just in a bad mood,

afraid or getting direction?

I stop and pray.

Today, I called Dad,

and told him I had doubts about his plan.

The feeling is relieved.

I still don't know the origin

of that heavy, dark feeling.

I do know

if I was meant to do more

about the situation

I would still feel uncomfortable.

This knowledge comes

from years of experiencing

guidance from my loving Father.

I trust him.

I put everything in His hands.

I listen for His direction.

He never fails. :)

He Reigns!

I was thinking
(yes, that is dangerous)
about the title of this book
and how often people
act like they believe it.

Fact is, there are at least two
interpretations of this little
phrase, and the book
is a list of rules
about money.

I believe in being a good steward.
I sure can use some improvement
in this area, which is why
I picked up the book.

Back to my thought:
Whether I tend to think
that "it's who you know"
or
if you have enough money
(fill in the blank)
or
that dishonesty
trumps truth,
the fact remains

that

I want to keep focusing on this!

Thank You, God!

1 The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.

2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.

4 His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.

5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.

7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.

8 Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O Lord.

9 For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.

10 Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

12 Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

A Little Wander

I knew I needed to go outside.
I have permission to walk this property.
I decided to see how the old apple trees
are doing.

This Russet (a drop) was delicious.

There were plenty to choose from.
There are varieties of Russets
and I know nothing about them.
There was nothing mild about
the flavor of mine.
I ate it slowly,
savoring each bite,
a little surprised that, although
the first bite was a bit startling,
I really enjoyed the rest.

It's a good thing I was not trying to
harvest those apples!
Can you see that one 'way up there?

This is on an old farm.
There are several varieties.

I don't know if the present owners
know what kind they have.
Perhaps I will remember to ask,
one of these days.

I enjoyed the shelter of
this apple tree for
a little while.

Psalm 91 

 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

LOOK UP