Seeking His Paths

Photo, "Path in the Woods," by Sally L. Smith

Those who know your name trust in you,
    for you, Lord, have never forsaken 

those who seek you.

Psalm 9:10 NIV

My husband, the "Always Alert Deer Hunter," is always seeking deer paths on our walks.  The one above is a "Man Path" created as a short cut to a field on which the land owner can drive his heavy equipment.  There is not a lot going on this time of year so the path has become strewn with leaves and debris.  Deer paths are less noticeable and are shortcuts through the woods to the deer's feeding ground.  He wants to know where the deer are so he can determine the best place to set up his deer stand.  We eat the venison during the year and share it with our family. (It takes two TN deer compared to one IL deer so we never seem to have enough).  He provides for our family and saves us money.  Plus, we like our deer meat.

 If we follow His Paths, God provides for us.  He will lead us to His Plans for our lives if we are alert to the signs He leaves for us, do the work He gives us and thank Him for the privilege of serving Him afterward.

Thank you, God, for your Paths.

There Was This Rock...

ON THE KITCHEN TABLE

ON THE TABLE BY BILL'S BIBLE AND GLASSES

ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DINING TABLE

JUST SCRATCHING THE SURFACE OF MY OWN COLLECTION


Where did they get their love of rocks?
...by one who loves rocks.
Where did they get their love of working outside?
...from the one who loves to work outside.
Where did they get their love of reading?
...from the one who is the avid reader and read to them when they were so young they couldn't even focus yet.
Where did they get their love of wild play?
...from the man who throws them in the air, chases them through the house and keeps them busy while Mom get dinner.
Where did they learn to pray?
...from the ones who prayed at bedtime and at meals.

Where do they get their love of Jesus?
Well, from ones who love Jesus, of course.

From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Psalm 61:2 NIV


Photos by Sally L. Smith

Blue Jays and Water Oaks

Blue Jay and Water Oak by Sally L. Smith

But you remain the same,
 and your years will never end.

Psalm 102:27

Every year they come in droves and fill our trees as they look for the leftovers from our Water Oaks.  Though the acorns are small they are little treats this time of year for the birds.  It is a joy to see them right outside our back windows.

It's the little joys in life that give help me through the day.  I can easily lose perspective when schedules mount and overlap.  It is then that I need to remember to be thankful for the little things...and the big things.

Keep a list of everything for which you are thankful as they come into your life today.  It may give you encouragement in times of distress to remember the little things and that God's love never ends.

Apple Roses!

He carved cherubim, palm trees 

and open flowers on them 

and overlaid them with 

gold hammered evenly over the carvings.

1 Kings 6:35  NIV

He carved juicy apples into petals with the skins still on the edges

and overlaid them with apricot jelly and 

pressed pie crust evenly over the petals.

Bill found another wonderful recipe and outdid himself with his Valentine surprise for me.  I countered with walnut and chocolate chunk brownies but he won the contest!  What a surprise they were and so good, too.  Even manly men can make beautiful and tasty things for their wives.  It's certainly OK with me.

The Lord gives skills to those who are willing to do the work. Take a look at the number of artisans that helped decorate the temple...from beams and walls to flowers and woven cloth. They were no doubt manly men but God gifted them with the ability to create beauty. 

I Will Sing!

"In the Morning I Will Sing" photo by Sally L. Smith

But I will sing of your strength,
    in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
    my refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 59:16 NIV

Every day is a good day because God is in it.  Sometimes we have to look for Him and some days He is very evident.  On the days I try to find Him, I have to command myself, as the Psalmist did in the first line of this scripture.  "I will sing!"...but not today.  Today I am looking forward to the busy.

I had a great birthday yesterday and I am appreciative of all the birthday wishes I received from friends and family.

Today is a big day with lots of extra planning and ends to tie together.  It is a good thing God is in it!

La-La-La