In Remembrance

Well, I wasn't going to post again before leaving on vacation. However, on the way to the post office this morning, I passed this gorgeous blooming cactus. It reminded me of my uncle who passed away last fall.

I remember during my mother's and my visit to Arizona to see him how he loved the place he lived. He could see Superstition Mountain from his backyard. He wanted, though in failing health, to drive us up into the mountains to see some of his favorite places. It was a lovely time which provided many special memories.

I recall looking at a coffee table book of blooming cacti. He brought out several for me to look at so I would know the names of the ones I was photographing. He talked about how the cars were lined up just like for Texas bluebonnets when all the cacti were blooming in Arizona as they towered above the wildflowers on the ground. The pictures were stunning.

So, this morning, I remember how the desert blooms. In the midst of his pain he was sharing with us some of the abundance in a dry place.

~~~~~

The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Isaiah 35:1

Let There Be Light!

God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
Genesis 1:3

~~~

God not only created light, but put in front of us a whole menu tonight in Ft. Worth. We had dark clouds full of rain followed by a double rainbow, a beautiful sunset, and an orange background for a flight of birds. Then, as the sky faded and only darkness seemed to loom, the sky cracked lightning just as I was about to put the camera away. What an amazing, living creator we have!!!

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I will be leaving for two weeks, so will be having a break in postings. I will be back with treasures around June 10th.
I know God will give me amazing things to share with you. He is SO GOOD!
<>< c

Lessons from the Garden #8

There is something about seeing two flowers together that seem set apart from the rest. It is as though they have teamed up for an adventure or a project. They are facing the sun and the cold together. They can see the beauty and worth of the 'other', and yet be there to lift up when the other stumbles.

A good marriage, a good friend, a trustworthy co-worker, or a stranger that needs a good Samaritan...they are all times where one is called to help the other. Be alert for those times when you are the one who needs to humbly accept the help of another, and when another needs you to be the one to share an encouragement, a resource, or an ability.

Today I watched my granddaughter share her big beach towel with a classmate after a watery race at her school Field Day. It was awesome to see the giving of what she had to comfort another. She opened her arms and took the other girl into the warmth of her arms and towel. That little movie will stay in my head for a long time! What a blessing!

~~~~~

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.

Ecc. 4:9-10

Lessons from the Garden #7

I was delighted yesterday to see some purple horsemint for the first time this spring. It comes towards the end of the sequence of wildflowers in Texas. One of my favorites; it is often visited by bees, butterflies, and hummingbird moths. This time it seems to have been visited by a foxy maiden.

God knows I take such joy in the wildflowers. I thank him for the opportunity to be creative and joyful. I thank him for the generous and beautiful things he has given us. He is worthy to be adored and praised!

~~~

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.
His love endures forever.
:salm 136:1

Lessons from the Garden #6

I took a road trip with my friend Fran today to visit the Lavender Ridge Farm up by Gainesville, Texas. I had a wonderful honey lavender chicken salad for lunch with a tall glass of lavender lemonade.

I walked the grounds and sought all the beauty my soul could absorb. The strawberries were ready for picking, the lavender was ready for cutting, and the pair of bluebirds tended their babies and posed for me on top of their house. I have expressions and impressions ingrained in my memory to revisit. They will continue to bless me with the Love of the Father in the garden.

~~~~~

from
IN MY GARDEN
copyright Connie 2000

I SEE I'M LIKE MY GARDEN,
AND I NEED THE MASTER'S HAND.
EVERY DAY I GROW IN BEAUTY
AS I FULFILL THE MASTER'S PLAN.
AND I THANK HIM FOR HIS MERCY
AND HIS TENDER, LOVING CARE.
I THANK HIM FOR MY GARDEN
AND THE LESSONS I LEARN THERE.

~~~~

The seed is the word of God...The seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it and by persevering produce a crop.
Luke 8:11,15

Lessons from the Garden #5

I can honestly tell you that I love to photograph thistles in all stages of their growth. But I wouldn't want them growing in my yard. I can assure you that our HOA would even be more upset!

They remind me, even as I have gotten in the midst of many to get a picture, that going into a field of beautiful but treacherous thistles will leave one with scratchy regrets. We are often drawn to pretty or forbidden pathways that are not right for us. They will cause us and others pain, and finally ending at the pain of regret for not being obedient to what we know was right.

No shaming here...which of us can throw the first stone? But we can go out from being hung in the thistles to wanting and trying to listen for that voice of direction when we are weak.

The doggies in the photo know this modern day lesson:

Tis a modern epistle
to stay away from the thistle.
If we take such a course
we end up with remorse.
If it is help that you seek
remember God helps the weak.

~~~~~

When my spirit grew faint,
then You knew my path. In the way where I walk
they have hidden a snare for me.
Ps. 142:3

Lessons from the Garden #4

Maturing in a garden takes tending by the gardener if the fruit is to be the best for harvest. As well, spiritual maturing is a gradual thing. We are works in progress.
~~~~

from
IN MY GARDEN
copyright Connie 2000

I CAN SEE THE LOVE IN PRUNING
AND THE NEED FOR PULLING WEEDS;
AND THE ESSENCE OF THE WATER,
AND THE HOPE IN PLANTING SEEDS.

I, TOO, NEED THE TENDING
AND THE MENDING FROM THE STORM.
I CAN HEAR YOUR LOVING WHISPERS,
I SEE YOUR MIRACLES PERFORMED.

~~~~

This process of becoming Christlike will continue until we are united by our faith and by our understanding of the Son of God. Then we will be mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him.
Eph. 4:13

Lessons from the Garden #3

This beautiful, spindly stem with tiny yellow flowers actually matures into one of my favorite veggies~~asparagus!
Hard to believe when seeing the earlier version that it could come to be part of a luscious soup or wrapped in bacon on the grill, or steamed and put into a salad. Yummo!

The point is that tiny little reeds are strengthened by wind and trials of nature to develop strength and produce fruit. Like us, problems can make us tougher and more faithful as we are tested and face trials. It develops perseverance and give us encouragement as we look back and see what God has led us through previously with victories. We can learn from the victories and the failures to hang in there and trust God.

~~~~~~

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:2-3

Lessons from the Garden #2

I cannot walk through Fran's garden without thinking of the care and work she has put into it being a productive, beautiful space. I also cannot be in it without realizing how much God loves us and gives us provision.
~~~~~

a few words from...

IN MY GARDEN
words and music
copyright Connie 2000

I GO WALKING IN MY GARDEN;
IT IS MY SECRET PLACE.
I END UP SPENDING TIME THERE
WHEN I WANT TO FEEL YOUR GRACE.

THE BEAUTY OVERCOMES ME.
THE FRAGRANCE FILLS THE SPACE.
THE BIRDS SING ALL AROUND ME
AND THE TEARS RUN DOWN MY FACE.

~~~~~~
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Matt. 10:29-31

Lessons from the Garden

I have always been a fan of gardens, and planted several throughout my life. My last big undertaking was a huge herb garden in a side yard on a cul-de-sac. It afforded much joy but became too much to maintain. I still love gardens, but am leaving the gardening to my friends and those who have planted spectacular ones in places I visit.

I am quite blessed to visit my friend, Fran and take pictures of the progress of her plantings. I know that gardens have provided me much insight to our own journeys of bearing fruit and blooming wherever we are planted. I wanted to share a few stages of growth from her beautiful garden with all my blog followers.

~~~

This first group of pictures is of the progression of blooms from just opening to becoming a stunning army of tall gorgeous balls of flowers. These are onions, and were just breathtaking as I photographed them glistening after the rain on Thursday morning.

The progression reminds me of how we are watered and stretched by God. He has put gifts in us that are bursting out as we mature. Do not hide these gifts that God has put in you for His glory. We are to let them shine!

from my song
IN MY GARDEN
(copyright 2000)

I SEE I AM LIKE MY GARDEN,
AND I NEED THE MASTER'S HAND.
EVERY DAY I GROW IN BEAUTY
AS I FULFILL THE MASTER'S PLAN.

I THANK YOU FOR YOUR MERCY
AND YOUR TENDER LOVING CARE;
AND I THANK YOU FOR MY GARDEN
AND THE LESSONS I LEARN THERE.

~~~~~~

By Name

Think of the most wonderful name you could have. What would you like to be called? Think of the love that would be in that name. Think of the one who would use it and how He would cherish you in the way it was spoken.

He knows you by name. That name is written in God's hand. He doesn't need to look at the writing to remember which child he is addressing. Just like a mother could not forget the name of her child, He does not forget one of his children. God never forgets your name. He knows it because He made the one it was given to.

He Knows My Name

Sometimes we just feel lost in the world. We can feel overwhelmed and think that nobody knows what we are going through. But God calls us by name, collects every tear, and welcomes us into his arms. He knew us and knit us together in our mother's womb. He knows at every second how many hairs are on our heads. He knows when we will draw our last breath. There is nowhere we can go that He is not.

He knows exactly where we are in the pastures. He calls each sheep by name. He is indeed a very personal Good Shepherd.
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He calls his sheep by name.

Lean into the Voice

I wonder if this little lamb is trying to get back into the flock, or trying to escape.

The best life plan is to not wander away from the Good Shepherd. Yet, we do, sometimes aimlessly and sometimes purposefully head off on our own. Most of us learn the hard way by not listening to that still, small voice. The Good Shepherd is faithful to us even when we wander away. He will leave the 99 to get the 1. He wants more than to find you; He wants a relationship with two-way conversation. That should make you feel special.

Practice listening to His voice. It is audible for some. For someone else it might be a nudging in the spirit or a physical warning to not do something. It might be an overwhelming peace or a clear sense of answered prayer. Whatever it might be for you, lend an ear and lean into the voice. It is the one who loves you more than you can imagine.

~~~~

My sheep listen to my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27

Happy Mother's Day

Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

And he took the children in his arms,
put his hand on them,
and blessed them.
Mk. 10:14-16

~~~

Mothers, thank you as well for taking us in your arms and blessing us!
Happy Mother's Day!

A Blessing for Mothers

As one looks at the promise of a new child ( as I am doing in anticipating my next grandbaby in August) it is fun to think of the first year of life in passing on and including a new life in the family circle of traditions, holidays, values, and loving each other.
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...do not forsake your mother's teaching...it will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck,
Proverbs 1:8-9

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Perhaps your mother was one who did such teaching. Perhaps she was a Beaver Cleaver type. Perhaps she was just trying to keep it all together in a tough marriage. Perhaps she raised you as a single parent. Perhaps you got another mom when you married that took you under her wing as her own. Whatever the case may be for each of you, I know there were women strong in your instruction who blessed you. They are our 'mothers' as well. Give thanks for them all!

In my case, I had a female high school teacher that believed in me and gave me chances to shine. I had a grandmother we dubbed as 'mean grandma' that was nothing of the title. And my own mother, in spite of her circumstances, fought for ways to get me a chance to go to college. These women presented me opportunities against many odds to stretch myself and grow.

Beasts in the Blooms #6

I nearly stepped
on this long, tufted tail.
I hoped that my
fast beating heart would prevail.

The rest of the creature
was a little illusive.
I hoped the encounter
would not be abusive!

The tail held a clue;
it seemed somewhat feline.
Would he be big and mean
with a dripping canine?

He peeked over the bush;
the cat's tail was defined.
This lion's proud face
showed a soul that was kind.

He told me the stories
of what he'd been through,
and now I have passed them
to each one of you.

I blew him a kiss
and continued my day;
grateful to cross paths
on the good king's highway.

Beasts in the Blooms #5

A stunning bird stepped
along the water's mirror edge.
Lion watched in awe
as it stretched into flight.

He threw his head back
and roared gratitude
as he praised God for
freedom's delight.

He found joy in the riches
of God's poured out blessins'
in the wildflower niches
where he learned some heart lessons.

With sweet incense of praise
songs poured out of him.
His humble, brave heart
was filled to the brim.

~~~~~~

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,
and he shall lift you up.

Thou did come that we might have life,
and have it more abundantly.

Beasts in the Blooms #4

The chimp was ecstatic
as he hung from the reed.
He swung through the flowers
with incredible speed.
He stopped to give thanks
and took great delight
as he watched butterflies
take rest from their flight.

~~~~~~~

Not a creature exists
that is concealed
from his sight.