Finding joy in the everyday

I n The Garden I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses, And the voice I hear falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses . . . And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other, has ever, known! He speaks and the sound of His voice, Is so sweet the birds hush their singing, And the melody that he gave to me, Within my heart is ringing . . . And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other, has ever, known! And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other, has ever, known! ***** We don't need to be in the garden to "Walk with Him, talk with Him" - He is with us 24/7, so no matter where you are in the coming week, remember He is beside you.   And don't forget to rest, we live in such a busy world where everything is moving so fast an...

Had a wonderful Sunday afternoon at the Hyatt enjoying High-Tea with my daughter-in-law, her mother, aunt and uncle. The food was wonderful (as you can see from the selection above) and the company was lovely.  Can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon.  While we were waiting in line for food, a little girl in front of us was grinning at us in her best dress and a pretty ribbon in her hair.  Her mother told us that this was her first high-tea and she was proud as punch to be out with her mother, grandmother and co. I think its really important (and loads of fun) to take girls to places like this, to enjoy afternoon tea and the company of others. Its one of those indulgences that most of us like young, old or somewhere in the middle. If I have grand-daughters, this is one place I will certainly be taking them to.  I have to say, I was pleasantly surprise to see so many women dressed in pretty dresses/skirts with nicely done hair, shoes etc... ...

Painting by Cindy Procious There is a name we love to hear, We love to sing its worth; It sounds like music in our ear, The sweetest name on earth. It tells us of a Saviour's love, Who died to set us free; It tells us of His precious blood, The sinner's perfect plea. Jesus! the name we love so well, The name we love to hear! No saint on earth its worth can tell, No heart conceive how dear. This name shall shed its fragrance still Along this thorny road, Shall sweetly smooth the rugged hill That leads us up to God. And there the whole triumphant throng, Of blood-bought saints on high, Shall sing the new eternal song With Jesus ever nigh.

I followed this beatuiful butterfly all over my garden just to take its photo.  Don't you think it captures Gods great creation? Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth Will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace. Turn your thoughts upon Jesus Think deep in His comforting love And the thoughts of self And the sin of strife Will be lost in the rapture above. Give your heart unto Jesus Cast each heavy burden aside. And the joy and peace Of his presence near Will enter and ever abide. by Helen H. Lemmel (1922) Look heavenward

Apple dumplings by George Dunlop Leslie     Daily duties are daily joys , because they are something which God gives us to offer unto Him, to do our very best, in acknowledgement of His love by Edward Bouverie Pusey And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily , as to the Lord, and not unto men  Colossians 3:23  

Sometimes some ordinary day will come,  A busy day like this - fill to the brim With ordinary tasks - perhaps so full That we have little thought or care for Him. And there will be no hint from silent  skies,  No sign, no clash of cymbals, roll of drums; And yet that ordinary day will be The very day in which our Lord will come. Author unknown My mum gave this to me ages ago and I stumble across it on the weekend. A very timely reminder in our very hectic world. ~oOo~

  The Lord is my light and my salvation;  whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life;  of whom shall I be afraid?   Though an host should encamp against me,  my heart shall not fear : though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident . One thing have I desired of the LORD,   that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,   to behold the beauty of the LORD,   and to inquire in his temple. PSALMS 27:1, 3-4 GOD is my strong salvation, What foe have I to fear? In darkness and temptation, My light, my help, is near. Though hosts encamp around me, Firm to the fight I stand, What terror can confound me With God at my right hand? James Montgomery ~oOo~

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love; Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day! All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
 Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
 Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
 Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee. Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
 Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
 Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine;
 Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine. Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
 Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man. Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
 Joyful music leads us Sunward in t...

I'm waiting for Thee, Lord, Thy beauty to see, Lord, I'm waiting for Thee, for Thy coming again. Thou'rt gone over there, Lord, A place to prepare, Lord, Thy home I shall share at Thy coming again. 'Mid danger and fear, Lord, I'm oft weary here, Lord, The day must be near of Thy coming again. 'Tis all sunshine there, Lord, No sighing nor care, Lord, But glory so fair at Thy coming again. Whilst Thou art away, Lord, I stumble and stray, Lord, Oh! hasten the day of Thy coming again. This is not my rest, Lord, A pilgrim confess'd, Lord, But glory so fair at Thy coming again. E'en now let my ways, Lord, Be bright with Thy praise, Lord, For brief are the days ere Thy coming again. I'm waiting for Thee, Lord, Thy beauty to see, Lord, No triumph for me like Thy coming again.   by Hannah Burlingham, 1842-1901 ~oOo~

How good is the God we adore, Our faithful, unchangeable Friend, Whose love is as great as His power, And knows neither measure nor end. 'Tis Jesus, the First and the Last, Whose Spirit shall guide us safe home; We'll praise Him for all that is past, And trust Him for all that's to come. by Joseph Hart, 1759 ~oOo~

 God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines Of never-failing skill, He treasures up His bright designs, And works His sov'reign will. Ye fearful saints fresh courage take, The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy, and shall break In blessings on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan His work in vain; God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain. By William Cowper (1774) William Cowper often struggled with depression and doubt. One night he decided to commit suicide by drowning himself.  He called a cab and told the driver to take him to the Thames River. However, thick fog came down and preven...

Willy Lott's Cottage, Flatford, Suffolk The cottage is a timber-framed 16th century building made famous by being the subject of one of John Constable's well  known paintings. Home is a refuge, a place of rest, a haven of content, where the burdens of everyday life are relieved.  No matter how humble the home may be, how destitute its stores, or how poorly its inmates may be clad, you will find a friendly welcome from hearts beating true to your own.  The chosen partner of your toil has a smile when others have deserted you, a hand of hope when all others refuse, and a heart to feel your sorrows.  It should be the duty of all to strive to make home so happy that each evening will furnish pleasant memories to lighten the load of another day.  Make it so happy that you do not tire of it, but long for the hours when your day's toil is over, and you desire to reach it becuase it is the happiest and dearest place on earth. From "The Golden Gems of Life" by Fergu...

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
 What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. Refrain:
 Trust and obey, for there’s no other way 
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, But His smile quickly drives it away;
 Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
 But our toil He doth richly repay;
 Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
 But is blessed if we trust and obey. But we never can prove the delights of His love Until all on the altar we lay;
 For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows, Are for them who will trust and obey. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
 Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
 What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
 Never fear, only trust and obey. By John H. Sammis ...

W hen you are: stuck  can't solve a problem need some guidance  want someone to talk to feeling sad lonely stressed LOOK UP God is waiting to hear from you Photo: Ruby -- not she wasn't really stuck - just "hiding"!! ~oOo~

The grass withereth , the flower fadeth:   but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah 40:8    Art link * * *

Father, 'twas Thy love that knew us Earth's foundation long before: That same love to Jesus drew us By its sweet constraining power,
 And will keep us, Safely now, and evermore. Now that changeless love enfolds us, All its wealth on us bestows;
 While its power unchanging holds us
 In a holy calm repose. God and Father, Unto Thee our worship flows. God of love, our souls adore Thee!
 We would still Thy grace proclaim,
 Till we cast our crowns before Thee, And in glory praise Thy name;
 Praise and worship. Be to God and to the Lamb!   From The Little Flock hymnbook, 1856 J. G. Deck, written circa 1850, verse 2 by F. A. Darrah, d. 1936 Photography link: Source * * *

Christ in the storm on the Sea of Galilee by Ludolf Backbuysen, 1695 Jesus slept on a pillow in the midst of a ranging storm. . . . He could because He slept in the calm assurance that His Father was in control.  His was a quiet heart.  We see Him move serenely through all the events of His life - when He was reviled, He did not revile in return.  When He knew that He would suffer many things and be killed in Jerusalem, He never deviated from His course.  He had set His face like flint.  He sat a supper with one who would deny Him and another who would betray Him, yet He was able to eat with them, willing even to wash their feet.  Jesus in the unbroken intimacy of His Father's love, kept a quiet heart.  by Elisabeth Eilliot from "Keep a Quiet Heart" Thou art the Lord who slept upon the pillow, Thou art the Lord who soothed the furious sea, What matter beating wind and tossing billow If only we are in the boat with Thee? Hold us in quiet through t...

  (Image) You never walk alone Along life's road There will be sunshine and rain Roses and thorns, laughter and pain And 'cross the miles You will face mountains so steep Deserts so long and valleys so deep Sometimes the Journey's gentle Sometimes the cold winds blow But I want you to remember I want you to know (Chorus)
 You will never walk alone 
As long as you have faith
 Jesus will be right beside you all the way
 And you may feel you're far from home 
But home is where He is 
And He'll be there down every road 
You will never walk alone
 The path will wind And you will find wonders and fears
 Labours of love and a few falling tears
 Across the years
 There will be some twists and turns
 Mistakes to make and lessons to learn Sometimes the journey's gentle
 Sometimes the cold winds blow But I want you to remember wherever you may go You will never walk alone (Chorus)
 Jesus knows your joy, Jesus knows your need He will go the distance with y...

Highfield Cottage - Sutton Forest, NSW If Home is where the heart is 
Then may your Home be blessed 
A shelter from the storms of Life 
A place of rest,  
And when each day is over 
And toil put in its place 
Your Home's dear warmth 
Will bring its smile  
To light the saddest face! ~ John McLeod ~ May you always have walls for the wind, a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,  laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,  and all your heart might desire. ~ Irish blessing ~ * * *