TIME PASSING BY

Oh, time is passing so quickly! It seems the more I put my focus in one area, the less I am able to do in others.  Of course, my main focus is to draw closer to God and study is one of the ways I am doing that. Prayer is the second way.  I have created a page of Bible verses that support prayers of healing, abundance, etc. so that I can draw upon them quickly.

I am at the stage of life where I should have free time and I do! Too much me thinks! I know when working, getting children off to school, and household duties were abound, I managed to get it all done. The lack of a time table - of a deadline - has created procrastination  withering motivation and creativity.

Perhaps this is a dry time, one that purposefully releases me from responsibility so that I do have the time for study and prayer. I haven't abandoned all, I still do laundry and cook and sweep, I even pick up a paint brush occasionally! I feel that as I study God's words I will eventually develop the criteria He wants me to have to fulfill His purpose for me in my art.

Thanks for stopping by...
Rhonda

Sorry, but blogspot isn't letting me respond to posters right now.

Apologies and New Year

First I want to apologize to my readers for dropping out. I do have a good explanation! I fell helping my hubby put insulation in our attic hitting my head. It caused a concussion and I could not be on the computer or watch tv for any length of time.

Now! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I don't make resolutions, do you?  I used to years ago. It was tradition after all!  Then I found that as the time passed, I either forgot them or felt bad for not keeping them.  I punished myself by my own thoughts.  I looked over my rules to discover that I was leaving the most important things out; living and having fun and joy in my life.

Jesus came that we might have life and live it more abundantly.  He came that we might be saved by His Grace not by laws.  Of course being in His grace doesn't mean we abandon rules - that would lead to chaos.  But it does mean that in Him we can have joy in all things.

I have adapted a word for this year: FOCUS.  Focus on His word. Focus on loving others as He has loved me.  As long as I focus on Him, all will be well.

May your life this year be filled with much favor and many blessings!

Rhonda

The Elusive Blue Bird of (my) Happiness

Before writing today, I apologize to those readers who frequent my blog. I have two reasons for not keeping up.  One, is that I fell doing house maintenance and got a mild concussion. If you haven’t had a mild concussion, you might not realize that mild doesn’t mean gentle! Headaches, wooziness, and a few other symptoms kept me away from bright lights, phones, computers and loud noises. The second, is that I may write this blog, but the words are “given” to me. I don’t know if they are words from God or from one of his angels – but I do know that I am not a writer.  I typically answer questions with yes or no, and rarely do I elaborate.  I wasn’t being given those words.  Here is why I believe this: I had felt God was telling me to do something, and I kept questioning it. Is this really God telling me, or is it my own disappointment in the event. It isn’t costing me much and, hmmm, yes my pride wanted to show off my work. See God gave me my talents, and I wasn’t using them the way He wanted me to.

 

Now, the rest of the story of the elusive blue bird.  Past readers will remember that I received a fine camera, with a 30x zoom.  With that camera, I felt I could capture all kinds of wonderful pictures.  We live on a small lake of 5-8 acres.  Now around here that is a manmade lake. I would have called it a large pond. Anyway, we get lots of ducks, Canadian geese and occasionally a blue heron.  Ahh, that is my elusive blue bird!

 

My first attempt to capture that bird on film, he (or she) hid behind a tree and all I captured was the head. As I crept closer trying to get a better angle, up he flew across the pond.  I wasn’t able to get any closer with my zoom, and he blended into the background.

 

A second attempt, two weeks later,  I tried to snap from my deck doors.  Thinking that all I had to do was zoom in, I managed to get a close up photo of two wonderful deck posts of my railing and the heron sandwiched in between hopelessly blurred.  I couldn’t get a second shot, because he rose up and was quickly hidden by the leaves on the trees.

 

Now, I have to add this so you realize how I have tried to capture this wonderful creature!  I look out my dining room window and, yes, I believe it is back.  Hurriedly I get my camera, turn it on, and zoom it in. I creep out the porch door, silently pushing open the screen door. Raising my camera and focusing in, I realize that what I have seen is not the blue heron – but a small branch that has had leaves fall on it in such a way as to give it a head and body if looking from a distance.

Oh well! Perhaps I had better stick with my paint brush!!

May you be blessed this Thanksgiving as you bless others!
Rhonda

Still Here! Just taking a break!

Hi all,
First, I want to thank each and every one of you for your comments. I do appreciate them! And each gives me more to think about!!

I have been unable to write any posts lately - but will be back to at least weekly posts soon. Please stick around!!

Thank you!
Rhonda

The Purpose of Life

We hear people talking and asking, we read books to understand what life is about.  Do we have a purpose on this earth? Do we die when that purpose is fulfilled? Some suggest we are meaningless creatures, a product of reproduction. (To that I totally disagree!) 

I believe that our purpose in life is to love and honor God by serving Him, keeping His commandments, and being a witness.  That by doing what we know as our purpose, we will also be an example to others.

But how do we serve Him? I cannot take Him a cup of coffee, as I would my spouse. I can however give a prayer of thanks that I am able to have the hot cup of coffee and that I have a spouse to joyfully give a cup. I can give the tired waitress an encouraging smile and greeting, as well as a monetary tip.  I can show patience when the checkout line doesn’t seem to move.  How many ways can you think of to show a kindness?

However, I also believe that there is a hidden purpose that we are not to know.  We are not to try to find it; because, if we found it we would become prideful.  It is only completed as a by-product of honoring and serving God. 

Butterflies in Flight

Following my mother’s stroke, we were visited by a Nun from the hospital.  Our conversation led to this statement by her.  She said she prays “for the people whose lives I touch, and for those who touch mine”.  For we may not know whose lives we touch, it might be the person at the next table, or behind us in line.  And, we may not know the person who has set an example that we see, but need to thank.

 
Today I thank you for reading my tidbits, for those of you who leave comments. May you go in peace and with God’s blessings.
Rhonda

Remembering 9/11

Thanking all the responders to 9/11 and to all who dedicate their lives to the service of others. 

Lifting Prayers for all the people of our country who have been touched by this tragedy.


Rhonda