How Beautiful Your Songs Of Praise

A beautiful song to listen to...


 ...while you browse through these photos of beautiful birds and blooms we saw on our recent anniversary trip.

 

 

 

Psalm 139

Here is some music (It Is Well With My Soul) to listen to as you read Psalm 139 below it.



1O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me.
² Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, 
   Thou understandest my thought afar off.
³ Thou compassest my path and my lying down,
   and art acquainted with all my ways.
⁴ For there is not a word in my tongue, 
  but, lo, O Lord, Thou knowest it altogether.
⁵ Thou hast beset me behind and before,
  and laid Thine hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
  it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
⁷ Whither shall I go from Thy spirit?
  or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?
⁸ If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there:
  if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there.
⁹ If I take the wings of the morning,
  and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
¹⁰ Even there shall Thy hand lead me,
   and Thy right hand shall hold me.
¹¹ If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me;
    even the night shall be light about me.
¹² Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee;
    but the night shineth as the day: the darkness
    and the light are both alike to Thee.
¹³ For Thou hast possessed my reins:
   Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
¹⁴ I will praise thee;
   for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
   marvellous are Thy works;
   and that my soul knoweth right well.
¹⁵ My substance was not hid from Thee,
   when I was made in secret,
   and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
¹⁶ Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect;
   and in Thy book all my members were written,
   which in continuance were fashioned,
   when as yet there was none of them.
¹⁷ How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God!
   how great is the sum of them!
¹⁸ If I should count them, they are more in number
   than the sand: when I awake, I am still with Thee.
¹⁹ Surely Thou wilt slay the wicked, O God:
   depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
²⁰ For they speak against Thee wickedly,
   and Thine enemies take Thy name in vain.
²¹ Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate Thee?
   and am not I grieved with those
   that rise up against Thee?
²² I hate them with perfect hatred:
   I count them mine enemies.
²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart:
   try me, and know my thoughts:
²⁴ And see if there be any wicked way in me,
   and lead me in the way everlasting.

He Sees, Knows And Cares

On a recent trip I saw these little beauties hidden in the thick and lush foliage nearby...Just simple, wild impatiens (Maria-sem-vergonha here in Brazil) but, oh, so lovely!

Some were already getting old and wilted but in my opinion they still added a unique beauty to the whole scene. The colors of different shades of green, white and pink were...well, too beautiful for words.

 

 The closer I got to them, the more light was cast on them and the more detail I could see. It was a special time as I enjoyed my photo "session" with them.

 

 

Posting these photos reminds me of some verses, verses that remind us that no matter who we are, where we are or what we're doing, saying or thinking, God sees, hears and knows all. More importantly, in spite of all that...HE CARES!

 

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,

beholding the evil and the good. (Proverbs 15:3)

 

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:13)

Rambling Roses

While I get my thoughts in order to post about other more outstanding things in my life, I'd like to just show you this Rambling Rose which suddenly decided to bloom this month, even though it obviously isn't healthy...judging by the diseased-looking leaves!

This was my first glimpse of the beginning-to-open buds early one morning several days ago...
 

A close-up, I love close-ups which show details one doesn't normally notice...drops of water, folds of the petals, colors deep inside the bloom.

 I left the house and when I returned a few hours later the roses were fully open! I'd love to grow that fast in some areas of my life, wouldn't you?

Another close-up...

 

 Someone else is looking over the possibilities of this lovely rose. Perhaps a new home, hmm?

 

I love the view of the golden early morning sun behind them.

So it's only two roses. But there are several more buds beside these two and on the other rambling branches. I have something to look forward to for the next few weeks!

 

O, how much more doth beauty beauteous seem
By that sweet ornament which truth doth give!
The rose looks fair, but fairer we it deem
For that sweet odour which doth in it live.

-W.Shapespeare (from Sonnet 54)

A Clean Heart And A Right Spirit

A verse to begin my week. And yours. May He have full power over us today, this week...and for the rest of our lives.

Still, My Soul Be Still

I heard this song recently and it was a great blessing to me, I pray it blesses you, too.



STILL, MY SOUL BE STILL
And do not fear
Though winds of change may rage tomorrow,
God is at your side
No longer dread
The fires of unexpected sorrow.

God You are my God
And I will trust in You and not be shaken,
Lord of peace renew
A steadfast spirit within me
To rest in You alone.

Still, my soul be still
Do not be moved
By lesser lights and fleeting shadows,
Hold onto His ways
With shield of faith
Against temptations flaming arrows.

Still, my soul be still
Do not forsake
The Truth you learned in the beginning,
Wait upon the Lord
And hope will rise
As stars appear when day is dimming.

Keith and Kristyn Getty
Copyright (c) 2008 Thankyou Music

A Joy Dare (July)

1. Gifts Loved
    -Husband
    -New veggie plants
    -Beautiful music
2. Gifts Read
    -Fear thou not for I am with thee...
    -Words of hymn
    -email from son
3. Gifts in Faith, Family, Freedom
    -answered prayer
    -strong Christian heritage
    -living in a free country
4. Gifts In Red, White and Blue
    -Blooming Red Rose
    -Clean white sweater
    -Blue sky (finally!)
5. Gifts Of Persistance
    -Prayer
    -Our dog wanting affection *smile*
    -Going after a dream...another *smile*
6. Gifts Of Enthusiasm
    -Songleader
    -Bird singing (!)
    -New daddy
7. Gifts of Challenge, Conflict, Change
    -Helping a wounded church
    -Scheduling with one car
    -Growing older
8. Gifts Water
    -Rain
    -No lack
    -Hot showers
9. Gifts Of Rhythm, Rhyme, Reason
    -A beautiful song
    -The lyrics of that song...
    -The fact that I don't have to know the reason that God does things
10. Gifts In Weakness
    -More trust in Him
    -Having to rely on those I love
    -Being cared for by those who love me
11. Gifts in Jars
    -Purple cabbage slaw
    -Pineapple-lemon jam
    -Grated cheese
12. Gifts of Life, Growth, Decline
    -

Perfect Praise And A Pink Posy

Can I squeeze in one more tiny post this month? Yes, I can! It's just some beautiful words from God's Word to end or begin your month or day. Read it and be blessed.

Of Roses And Oregano

About four weeks ago I mosied over to the garden center with the intention of buying a new rose plant. You know, just a regular one, in some other color besides the light pink, medium pink, red and orange that I have. After several years of taking myriads of photos of these...well, I figured I was due for a new one. Now is that too much to ask? Besides, they only cost $2.45. Where in the world can you buy a rose plant for $2.45, I ask? I had to take advantage of this.

So I came home with a light pink (what...??) miniature rose and an, umm, oregano plant. No kidding. Besides being irrisistible, I liked the idea of getting two plants for less than what the one would cost. Can you believe it? I mean, I was thrilled at saving 57 cents! One just never knows what one will do when faced with difficult decisions.

Having explained all that, let me make an album of my two new plants for you.
                                                                     First day appearance...

                                     I think they like being together-the rose and the oregano.

 Look at this pink baby. Is it any wonder I couldn't resist?

                                               And she has a twin sister. Almost identical.

                               

                         This Italian seasoning, oregano, is a very pretty green plant, in my opinion.

A few days later...I would never have imagined that there were so many petals inside these babies!

 

And look, there's baby sister!

     

     A few days ago I moved the oregano to my kitchen window and the mini's to the front yard.  I love how they look against the stone wall.

    As if this wasn't enough, their beauty was enhanced even more by the rain! Breath-taking.

 

Thank You, Lord, for the beauty of these plants and for the joy that they give me.

I am blessed by Your creation.

 

"...He has done all things well..." (Mark 7:37)

The Perfect Father

For me, my father was perfect. No other man could have been to me the father that he was. God knew exactly who I needed to be my father-to teach, discipline, love, guide, encourage and pray for me. And as I remember the man that he was, in this child's eyes, he really was perfect. So strong, so faithful to God and to my mother, so dedicated to serve the Lord yet also dedicated to spend time with his family.

I was with him at the moment of his passing away in 2007. It was so heart-rending to whisper in his ear, "It's ok, Dad, you can go...". But, oh, how I miss him!

I have another Father who is perfect. Perfectly perfect! He loves, teaches, guides and encourages me in an even much greater way than my earthly father. Who wouldn't want a Father like that?!

Several years ago, I accompanied a young lady named Katy as she sang a song in a school program. I loved the music and the words, I still do. I could not find the music anywhere online (perhaps you can) but here are the lyrics:

Always The Perfect Father

Always the perfect Father,
With always the perfect plan,
Always knowing what is best for me.
You are always the perfect Father
of a far from perfect child,
But You love me, perfect Father,
All the time.

Long ago You made me, Lord,
You made me just like You,
But somewhere in my life
I took a road You did not choose.
Because You loved me perfectly,
You let me try and fall,
Then You picked me up and
sent me on my way-Your way!

For You are always the perfect Father,
With always the perfect plan,
Always knowing what is best for me.
You are always the perfect Father
of a far from perfect child,
But You love me, perfect Father,
All the time.
                            -Dennis and Nan Allen

“I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters,

Says the Lord Almighty." (II Corinthians 6:18)