Gratitude IS Grace

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~~ Melody Beattie

I can't remember when this picture wasn't a part of my memory bank. Currently, it has a place in our dining area. I have learned that Eric Enstrom is the creator of this picture--but he didn't paint it; he photographed it. It's a picture of Charles Wilden taken in the early 1900's. Eventually Enstom's daughter, Rhoda Nyberg, made copies of the original photograph in oil paint.

The name of this painting is "Grace".
You can learn more of its remarkable story by clicking on "Grace".

Then and Now -- Galatia and Melrose Place

I've never, EVER watched Melrose Place. From the little I've heard of it, I picture it to be a half hour of drama, confusion, and careless living.

My husband is preaching a series of sermons on the book of Galatians. Galatians is actually a letter--written by the Apostle Paul to new Christians living in Galatia almost 2000 years ago. Those rather naive Christians had become confused and careless. The letter contains passionate and heated language as the apostle tried to convince them to return from the brink of spiritual disaster to spiritual sanity.

This morning, he will be concentrating on chapter 4 of Galatians. It is particularly appropriate for Christians today who in their naivety have become confused and careless; whose lives have become complicated and dramatic due to confused and careless decisions! With impassioned concern Paul urged them (and us) to: Receive the Father's Affection, Reject "Old-Time" Religion (i.e. the one that says, "Be good enough to please God"), and Return to Your First Love.

After the drama, confusion and carelessness all around us, doesn't a simple, peaceful and carefree life sound inviting? I want to hear--REALLY hear--the Word of God to me this morning. I want to receive, reject, and return to simplicity, peace and sanity at all levels.

If You "Enlarge" the Photo and Look Carefully....

"I didn't photograph the entire tree because something caught my eye. There is a single bird perched on a twig high in our son's tree. I wanted to see if I could photograph the little bird. I snapped the shot. I looked at the photo on my camera display, and was disappointed to see that the bird was so small, it didn't appear to show up. The bird is there, though. If you enlarge the photo and look carefully, you can see him."

These words of Jackie (click on her name to see the tree and the bird) used without her permission grabbed my attention -- which promptly flew away and perched firmly to these words of the Psalmist David stored in my memory: "Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!" (Psalm 34:3)

Oh, my friends! The Lord is "there"! Sometimes we're disappointed to see that He appears so "small" or even that He doesn't "appear to show up". BUT--if you enlarge the "photo" and look carefully, you can see Him!

Let us all take the time to MAGNIFY the Lord today.

There's No Place Like Home!

You can see Husband painting the trim around the door in this picture. The medicine cabinet trim is installed but not painted. Below is the finished project....

We've found our new "calling"! In exchange for 3 nights & parts of 4 days, my husband trimmed the medicine cabinet with wood trim, then painted the bathroom walls, all trim, and 2 doors. Except for some aggravation with the paint which was temperamental, the project was enjoyable for him.

We enjoyed the quiet of the lakefront cottage, beautiful weather, use of a paddle boat, pleasant strolls around the lake, one meal eaten "out", reading, playing games and watching an interesting movie, "The Grass Harp".

I decided this is a way to enjoy a lake house without OWNING it--which makes total sense to us at this point in our lives.

It's good to be back home. I've put some beets on the stove top to cook, am composing a grocery list, and have a load of wash in the machine. Now to tackle the messages in e-mail box and check in on my blogger friends.

Back in Three

Here's where we'll be. McClish Lake. My husband will be painting the bathroom and installing trim around a vanity mirror in the cottage of some friends of ours. (I will paint the first coat after he trims in the edges.) The rest of the time we'll be reading, walking, paddle-boating, and enjoying the "down" time.

As the deer....

As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
Psalm 42:1

Ever since we saw one of these in a flower bed on a Garden Walk earlier this summer, I have wanted one for our yard. Last night, Andy introduced my husband to the art of welding and they created this buck. It took awhile to figure out where to place it, but wherever it stands, it will be a reminder of the innate proclivity of mankind to seek and find God. He alone satisfies my soul as a flowing stream satisfies a panting deer.

I welcome you to view more pictures of the buck
on my garden blog.

Yesterday's Gone-And So Is Most of the Candy

It's all out of my system now (in more ways than one)! You can read more at Power, Love and Self-Control.

Waiting now for company. We're having pizza, a great tossed salad, and some green beans with a cheesy white sauce. After dinner, my husband and the father of the family are going to make a deer out of rebar for a garden spot. This will involve welding, so my husband is going to be learning and practicing a new skill.

Watch for the finished project in an upcoming post.

Something Beautiful, Something Good

Friends of ours were replacing a split rail fence. We salvaged what we could, and last night my husband installed this corner fence around what was previously a nondescript bush in a undefined space. Now it is a thing of beauty, in my opinion.

Something beautiful, something good...
All my confusion He understood.
All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife,
But he made something beautiful of my life.
(Gaither)

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10)

In Jesus, I have found my description and definition!

Sun-catchers and Son-catchers

I recently hung these blue sun-catchers in a bush outside our back sun porch. When the sun shines, the cut glass catches the light and bounces it beautifully back into the atmosphere around it! I am keeping my eyes open at thrift stores for more blue, cut glass sun-catchers to hang from the bush.

II Corinthians 3:18 says, "And we all, with unveiled faces, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.'" (II Corinthians 4:6).

As I "catch" the glory of the Lord, I am increasingly changed. And as I am changed, His glory bounces gloriously back into the atmosphere around me! I believe the Lord is looking for more Son-catchers to reflect His light to the world. Let's let our lights shine!

Where I Lost a Pound

This was a SIGNIFICANT pound, too! See my Power, Love and Self-Control blog if you're interested....

A Day at the Lake with "Home Connection" Group

Click to enlarge

"Home Connections" are the small groups within our church that meet in homes every other week. One of the couples in our "Connection" has a summer place at the lake. Today everyone in the group gathered, shared a fantastic meal, and enjoyed a boat ride to the local ice cream parlor. Some of us swam. It was a perfect day to be in the water. Notice the rocks I dug out of the bottom of the lake with my feet! I plan to use them for a flower bed border since I pulled up the "bottle border" to begin making our bottle tree. (See the August 15th post in Scene in our Garden to see the bottle tree my husband is fashioning for us!)

I'm Sure You've Never Done This!

A couple of weeks ago, while browsing the blogosphere, I came across an interesting blog. The challenge was to post rooster pictures on an upcoming Friday. I THINK it was to be THIS Friday. I left a comment assuring the originator of this brilliant idea that I wold participate.

Now I have forgotten where I saw ANY of this. I can't even remember if it was THIS Friday or next. And I have no idea if I was supposed to do anything else. Anyway, here are pictures of two special roosters in my house. The lamp was made by my grandmother. It has survived numerous moves and has stood in various rooms of several homes I have lived in. The oil painting was done by a mother of a friend. I bought it at auction after the artist died.

The Rooster - a Short and Original Poem

Proud and regal,
serious and stately,
the rooster struts.
(I've not seen one lately.)
rlg

My Secret Life as a Red Hatter

Every second Tuesday of the month, I don a purple outfit and top it with a red hat to go out to eat with 19 other women. My invitation came at the hands of a piano student who spoke enthusiastically about her Red Hat Club. I expressed an interest, and the next thing I knew I was invited to attend my first meeting. This Tuesday, our "queen" (the woman standing) was conducting her last meeting. The responsibility will pass to her friend seated at her left. Next month we will no longer be officially a Red Hat Club. With rising dues required by the national organization, we have decided to continue our outings without the connection to the official organization. I will be hosting our meeting in September (the selection of restaurant is passed around the membership from month to month.) I'm keeping it in town and have invited the ladies to our home and garden for dessert and coffee to follow the meal.

A friend loves at all times, and a (sister) is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

I'm thankful for the wider circle of friendships I have enjoyed as a result of being a Red Hatter.

Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottentail and Peter

We watched a good movie last night! The scenery was breath-taking, the Victorian dress and settings accurate, the acting winsome, and the story inspiring. Renee Zellweger was perfect in her role as Beatrix Potter, the illustrator and storyteller of the most popular children's books ever. We also watched the special feature included in the video -- "The Making of a Real-Life Fairy Tale" after the movie itself. It is worth the time to watch that feature.

This line about Beatrix Potter will occupy my thoughts throughout today: "You see what she valued by the choices that she made."

I believe this is true of all of us! My prayer is that my values will be more and more conformed to those of Jesus Christ Himself, and that my choices will reflect that--and Him!

Brain Detox

I was on my way to church yesterday turning the radio dial in my car when I heard the info-mercial...a free trial offer of a new supplement to remove the toxins from the brain! A supplement to improve memory back to where it was 10 years ago! Other benefits were promised, too. I searched for a pen and paper to write them down, but I didn't find them fast enough! I'd forgotten what they were when I finally arrived at church and tried to remember. I couldn't even remember the telephone number to call for my sample! 1-800-748-something....

But here's an ancient remedy I DO remember for keeping one's thinking sharp! "Be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good, and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2) "Whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8).

Indianapolis, IN - our State Capitol

Scene along the route to our hotel...Unexpected sculpture photographed from car window. A fountain was a part of this dramatic, larger-than-life work. We didn't stop to get closer, but it would be worth going back to see! You can click on the picture to see it better.

The night was beautiful while we waited for the shuttle to take us back to the hotel. Downtown was hopping with activity!

These are the ladies with whom I attended Women of Faith.
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana. The United States Census estimated the city's population, excluding the included towns, at 798,382 in 2008. It is Indiana's largest city and is the 14th largest city in the U.S., the third largest city in the Midwest (behind Chicago and Detroit), and the second most populous state capital (behind Phoenix, Arizona). It is one of two state capitals that shares its name with its state (The other is Oklahoma City).

For much of its history, Indianapolis' economy centered around government manufacturing. Today, it has a much more diversified economy that includes the fields of education, health care, and finance. Tourism is also a vital part of the economy of Indianapolis, and the city plays host to many conventions and sporting events. Of these, perhaps the most well known is the annual Indianapolis 500 mile race. Other major sporting events include the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard (formerly the "Brickyard 400") and the Men's and Women's NCAA Basketball Tournaments.

While we were there, the national Drum and Bugle Corps competitions were being held in Lucus Oil Stadium (home of the Indianapolis Colts football team). The 12,000 women attending Women of Faith met at Conseco Fieldhouse - the home of the Pacers (basketball).

Women of Faith

Indianapolis. Arrived this morning and spent the day with friends and 12,000 other women. This is my first Women of Faith Conference. I'm glad I came. Peppy music, entertaining speakers. Some good advice thrown in. I particularly enjoyed hearing a much-slimmed-down Sandi Patty sing some beautiful songs. Steven Curtis Chapman also did a mini-concert this evening. Our first hotel encounter was a nightmare! Reservations had been disregarded. The smoking rooms offered us had worse problems than the smoke odor! But now the four of us are sharing a nice, king bed suite at Comfort Suites.

There Is A Fountain

My husband visited a lady in a nursing home yesterday. Afterwards, we walked in a pleasant neighborhood for our exercise. If you're interested in details of this fountain, visit my post at Power, Love and Self-Control.

Continually and Increasingly--Come, Hope, Praise!

Psalm 71 appears to be David's "old age prayer" (see verses 9 and 18). It was MY Psalm this morning--I generally read one a day. I am impressed with the word "continually" that appears in my version in verse 3 (God is a rock of refuge to which I may continually come) , verse 6 (My praise is continually of you), and verse 14 (I will hope continually).

"I will hope continually and I will praise you yet more and more," he wrote.
"Continually and increasingly," I noted in my journal..."come, hope, praise!"

The Psalm ends with David detailing his Praise Plan: harp, lyre, lips and tongue. My piano probably feels a little neglected this summer, but my plan is to incorporate it in the singing of my praise this morning.

"My lip will shout for joy when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long" (vs. 23-24).

One of several miniature pianos in my collection....

Jesus May Come Today

(Harry Ostrom, 19th Century)

For some reason, this old gospel song came to my mind while I walked early this morning. Jesus MAY come today! What hope! What perspective this truth brings to my heart and mind today!

Jesus may come today,
Glad day! Glad day!
And I would see my Friend;
Dangers and troubles would end
If Jesus should come today...

I may go home today,
Glad day! Glad day!
Seemeth I hear their song;
Hail to the radiant throng!
If I should go home today...

Why should I anxious be?
Glad day! Glad day!
Lights appear on the shore,
Storms will affright nevermore,
For He is at hand today...

Faithful I'll be today,
Glad day! Glad day!
And I will freely tell
Why I should love Him so well,
For He is my all today...

Glad day! Glad day! Is it the crowning day?
I'll live for today, nor anxious be,
Jesus, my Lord, I soon shall see;
Glad day! Glad day!
Is it the crowning day?

God WILL Supply EVERY Need

The $12 one...

...the free one.

While at the lake last week, we took a walk and stopped at a small garage sale. In front of the other items for sale sat a "free" bicycle and a skateboard. I helped myself to the free bicycle thinking it might be nice to have when the grandchildren came to visit.

When I arrived home the following afternoon, my daughter called and said, "Mom, would you keep an eye out for bicycles at garage sales? Both of our kids' bikes were stolen last night." I KNOW it wasn't coincidence that I picked up that free bicycle! I went a'saling and found a second bike for $12. My husband got busy and painted the free one. By the time our grandchildren came, the newly painted one was drying and ready for riding the next morning.

Another provision arrived this afternoon. In bags on the back porch were beets, green beans, squash and kohlrabi - fresh from the garden of generous friends.

My God WILL supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Philippians 4:19-20.

Open Porch at the Harlan Days Parade

In all the excitement, I failed to get enough pictures to really capture the "Open Porch" this morning during the Harlan Days Parade. These were a few of the friends who dropped in. The float is our church's cooperative project with a neighboring Awana Club. Now for a creative approach, be sure to read "Donna's Version" - her August 1 post!