My study is organized. Still some "decorating" to do and then time for some photos.
I had planned to have it completed by now.
My life has been interrupted.
What I thought was a routine visit to my dermatologist last Tuesday has rocked our world.
The power of the C word.
It's a small lesion where a small malignant tumor was found. The doctor who wrote the biopsy report says the prognosis is excellent. She also included probable/possible next steps and special blood work-ups.
The struggle is to think on "excellent" alone rather than mull over the words which make me wonder "what if". I know I'm not supposed to but yet for a moment I visit that phrase. In 2 days I have an appointment with Dr. Glass at Moffit.
I've been filling my hungry soul with the best medicine I know..the Lord's fresh bread...His Word that grounds, comforts and encourages me.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 cries out to me - it is a passage that helps me keep my persective and begs me to lean into my Savior.
From Eugene Peterson 's paraphrase - The Message
16 Be cheerful no matter what;
17 pray all the time;
18 thank God no matter what happens.
This is the way God wants you
who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
19 Don't suppress the Spirit
Yes, Lord - here's looking at YOU!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
A New Day
It's a new day...
.....A new view
.........a new sun on the horizon.
My God, your God, the one true God.....
.....Is still on His throne.
He looks throughout His universe.....
......His gaze lingers here
........in this room
.........at this very chair..
The warmth of His light.....
.....the warmth of His love
.......caresses my face and fills my heart.
"In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3
"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." Psalm 90:14
For another day in His kingdom.....
......I am His
.......Glory!
.....A new view
.........a new sun on the horizon.
My God, your God, the one true God.....
.....Is still on His throne.
He looks throughout His universe.....
......His gaze lingers here
........in this room
.........at this very chair..
The warmth of His light.....
.....the warmth of His love
.......caresses my face and fills my heart.
"In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3
"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." Psalm 90:14
For another day in His kingdom.....
......I am His
.......Glory!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Of Gardens and Grace
Good morning all, it's Wednesday and another day of extraordinary weather; snow, wind, snow, and more snow in much of our country.
Praying that you are staying warm wherever you are reading this. Here in the land of sunshine, though it is colder than in years past and has been for some time, the sun is shining brightly.
I'm thinking about Spring.
The small garden area behind our townhouse is looking grim. The freezes have taken a toll on the potted plants and the hibiscus in the corner is brown down to the ground. The azalea bush (31+ years young) is prevailing, green and full branches outstretched. The flower bed anchored at each end with a small daisy bush and variegated spider plant have weathered the cold.
I'm so eager to ready for the next planting.
It will require the cutting away of dead branches and leaves. Unless that is accomplished the growth will be stunted or even stopped. Much preparation of the existing plants, existing soil, and flower pots will be required, as well as addressing the weeds that are present.
I'm going to the "experts". I cannot leave my garden to chance if I want to enjoy it in the coming months.
The University of Florida has a plethora of information on their website "University of Florida IAFS Extension". My friend Karen has advised that the Master Gardeners from Hillsborough County Extension are presently conducting workshops at my neighborhood library as well; that should be very helpful.
I am willing to put in the time it will take to get my garden producing beautiful green foliage and my favorite flowers. This year I hope tomatoes will join our garden scape. I'm learning which plants will do best in the space, as well as how to keep them thriving.
As I consider the commitment this will take on my part I'm buoyed by the knowledge that I will not be alone in my adventure.
A beloved hymn runs through my mind:
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.
I'd stay in the garden with Him
Tho the night around me be falling;
But He bids me go thru a voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling.
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.
When I sing the words written so long ago I'm warmed that the author, C. Austin Miles, treasured his time with the LORD as I do mine.
With every troweling, every pruned branch and planted seed in freshly laid soil, Jesus will be right beside me; the Bible tells me so!
Thinking of you dear reader and wondering - how does YOUR garden grow?
Praying that you are staying warm wherever you are reading this. Here in the land of sunshine, though it is colder than in years past and has been for some time, the sun is shining brightly.
I'm thinking about Spring.
The small garden area behind our townhouse is looking grim. The freezes have taken a toll on the potted plants and the hibiscus in the corner is brown down to the ground. The azalea bush (31+ years young) is prevailing, green and full branches outstretched. The flower bed anchored at each end with a small daisy bush and variegated spider plant have weathered the cold.
I'm so eager to ready for the next planting.
It will require the cutting away of dead branches and leaves. Unless that is accomplished the growth will be stunted or even stopped. Much preparation of the existing plants, existing soil, and flower pots will be required, as well as addressing the weeds that are present.
I'm going to the "experts". I cannot leave my garden to chance if I want to enjoy it in the coming months.
The University of Florida has a plethora of information on their website "University of Florida IAFS Extension". My friend Karen has advised that the Master Gardeners from Hillsborough County Extension are presently conducting workshops at my neighborhood library as well; that should be very helpful.
I am willing to put in the time it will take to get my garden producing beautiful green foliage and my favorite flowers. This year I hope tomatoes will join our garden scape. I'm learning which plants will do best in the space, as well as how to keep them thriving.
As I consider the commitment this will take on my part I'm buoyed by the knowledge that I will not be alone in my adventure.
A beloved hymn runs through my mind:
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.
I'd stay in the garden with Him
Tho the night around me be falling;
But He bids me go thru a voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling.
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.
When I sing the words written so long ago I'm warmed that the author, C. Austin Miles, treasured his time with the LORD as I do mine.
With every troweling, every pruned branch and planted seed in freshly laid soil, Jesus will be right beside me; the Bible tells me so!
Thinking of you dear reader and wondering - how does YOUR garden grow?
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
This is a Test
Happy Tuesday all!
I changed my email and in opening an additional google acct my blog appears not able to be accessed with original link.
Testing to see if it will still show up on facebook.
Technology! Tomorrow a day of transferring all archives so I don't lose them!
Pray for patience for this techno NOT!
Blessings!
I changed my email and in opening an additional google acct my blog appears not able to be accessed with original link.
Testing to see if it will still show up on facebook.
Technology! Tomorrow a day of transferring all archives so I don't lose them!
Pray for patience for this techno NOT!
Blessings!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Of Fruit Trees, Tomatoes and Faith
Confession time - I enjoy food. When a girl living in upstate New York I loved wandering through my grandfather's corn field and peach orchard. Apple and pear trees were lush as they stood tall on the side of my grandparent's big house on main street. A special treat was gathering up fresh peas that had fallen off the trucks as they drove through our small town.
Bright green pods bursting with juicy, fragrant peas. A special time around Aunt Mabels kitchen table when I was 8.
I can still remember the taste of ripe tomatoes fresh from my daddy's garden, eaten straight from the vine.
Mother and Gram spent hours in the kitchen "putting up" tomatoes, fresh corn and green beans. A colorful sight as they lined the shelves in our cellar.
When we moved to South West Florida our gardening days ended. Mom & Daddy took one look at the sandy soil and threw up their hands.
I've told myself that I should start a "Container Garden" and at least try tomatoes and herbs. This just might be the year.
Genesis 2:8-9a, 15 tells us about a Garden. "And the LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food"...Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it."
These 3 verses are rich with meaning for me. Can you picture the Lord kneeling on the soil planting a Garden? He patiently breaks the soil to plant the seeds as He shows the man how to plant. Can you picture Adam with a wondering look on his face? Why, Lord?? Can you hear the Almighty's answer - to "eat" you will need food"..... then giving the man responsibility for keeping the garden fruitful?
The first farmer.
Now I ask you does it get any better than that? Think about it... our God, himself, planted the very first fruit trees. He gave those trees to the first Adam, but as I consider the fruit trees in my grandparent's side yard in upstate New York, I believe with all my heart that when the LORD was thinking of the man..the man in the first garden...He was also looking down through the centuries to come and He was thinking about all His gardeners yet to be born.
No, dear one, it doesn't get any better than that.....
.......I can just taste those fresh tomatoes....can't you?
Bright green pods bursting with juicy, fragrant peas. A special time around Aunt Mabels kitchen table when I was 8.
I can still remember the taste of ripe tomatoes fresh from my daddy's garden, eaten straight from the vine.
Mother and Gram spent hours in the kitchen "putting up" tomatoes, fresh corn and green beans. A colorful sight as they lined the shelves in our cellar.
When we moved to South West Florida our gardening days ended. Mom & Daddy took one look at the sandy soil and threw up their hands.
I've told myself that I should start a "Container Garden" and at least try tomatoes and herbs. This just might be the year.
Genesis 2:8-9a, 15 tells us about a Garden. "And the LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food"...Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it."
These 3 verses are rich with meaning for me. Can you picture the Lord kneeling on the soil planting a Garden? He patiently breaks the soil to plant the seeds as He shows the man how to plant. Can you picture Adam with a wondering look on his face? Why, Lord?? Can you hear the Almighty's answer - to "eat" you will need food"..... then giving the man responsibility for keeping the garden fruitful?
The first farmer.
Now I ask you does it get any better than that? Think about it... our God, himself, planted the very first fruit trees. He gave those trees to the first Adam, but as I consider the fruit trees in my grandparent's side yard in upstate New York, I believe with all my heart that when the LORD was thinking of the man..the man in the first garden...He was also looking down through the centuries to come and He was thinking about all His gardeners yet to be born.
No, dear one, it doesn't get any better than that.....
.......I can just taste those fresh tomatoes....can't you?
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