Sunday, August 26, 2012

Shhh! Listen! Can You Hear It?

Hello Dear Friends & Neighbors,
 
The beauty of the below post touched me.  It makes me appreciate all the traveling I've done lately, and all the beautiful scenery and people God has put before me.
 
BORROWED FROM LYNN MOSHER - Thank you, Lynn.
 
Shhh! Listen! Can you hear it? 

Can you hear God’s voice in your surroundings? In things like...

* bubbling streams and surging oceans
* turbulent storms and calm, clear days
* glowing sunsets and breath-taking sunrises
* majestic mountain heights and verdant valleys
* the lives of ants, butterflies, rabbits, and squirrels
* the beauty of snow and ice and the desperation of droughts
* the melodies of birds and the rustling of breezes through the leaves
* the explosive hues of fall trees and the vibrant variety of spring and summer blossoms

What about your thoughts? What do they convey to you?
What do your eyes “say” to your brain about what they see?
What do your hands “speak” to your heart as they touch objects?
What do your feet “tell” you about where you walk? (And no, not that they hurt!)

God communicates with us in immeasurable ways, but our busy schedules, other interests, and circumstances numb us to them. We become inattentive to His voice spoken through others, our circumstances, His Word, and His creation. His voice is available to us every second of every day as He continuously speaks to us through all that He has created.

God created all things, commanding them to exist by His Eternal Word. The writer of Hebrews tells us that “the word of God is living, and powerfully working, and sharper than every two-edged sword.” (Heb. 4:12 Received Greek Text) The Amplified Bible states it this way, “For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective].”

By the definitions of the words in that verse, God’s Word is alive and powerful, active andworking, keen and cutting. Not ordinary words, His words are unseen, living entities, actually working energy and living matter of the dynamic kind that creates.

God’s Word creates because it is a part of Himself, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1 NKJV) and Jesus is that Word of God, “His name is called The Word of God.” (Rev. 19:13 NKJV)

John 1:3 says that, through Jesus as the Word, “all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.” (NIV) He is “the Origin and Beginning and Author of God’s creation.” (Rev. 3:14b Amp)                                                                                       

Scripture also says, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Col. 1:17 NIV), that creation is “being held together by the word of God” (2 Peter 3:5 RGT), as Christ the Word is “upholding all things by the word of His power” (Heb. 1:3 NKJV).

God’s Word is everlasting. It never dies, for “the word of God which lives and abides forever…the word of the Lord remains forever.” (1 Peter 1:23, 25 Received Greek Text)

David said, “What You say goes, GOD, and stays, as permanent as the heavens.” (Ps. 119:89 Msg) And Jesus declared it, “My words won’t wear out; My words will never pass away.” (Matt. 24:35 Msg)

Whether those spoken words were preserved as the written Word or preserved in creation, they are still alive. Therefore, if that Living Word never dies and echoes throughout the endless halls of eternity, then its power is continuously and permanently active in what it has created, being perpetuated from one generation to the next.

All atoms and molecules of living matter circulate in resonation, pulsating, as the dictionary says, with the same frequency as their source. Within that living matter is God’s voice imprint, His DNA, as the Source of all life, still resounding in the entire universe.

That same echo of the Living Word working in creation operates also in our hearts to create eternal life within us.

If God’s voice still resonates in creation and in us, are we sensitive enough to hear His Still Small Voice?

Oh, my sweet friends, God is speaking.

Do not miss His sweet whisper.

Shhh! Listen! Can you hear it?

 
Oh yes, God is speaking loudly and clearly.  Thank you dear Abba Father for all you have blessed to your children.  I'm grateful and totally awed!
 
Have a beautiful weekend,
 
Hugs,
Barb

Thursday, August 23, 2012

What Not to Wear: ACFW-Style

What Not to Wear: ACFW-Style
         by Melissa Tagg

This is great!  Funny...but some advice to take serious!

BY THE WAY MY FRIENDS.......

I'm still visiting my mother in Portland, OR.  We had a heat wave last week and I didn't bring it with me from Texas.  Texas has problems enough of it's own with the heat.....I'll be back in that heat on September 1.

I'm so excited about being able to attend and participate in the ACFW Conference held at the DFW Hilton (DFW Airport).  I live just 15 minutes straight down the road and will be sleeping at home nights.  I don't know what I'll be wearing.....possibly a new set of hearing aids.  Also, I'm having cataract surgery on September 6 and am praying that I'll see everybody much clearer.

This is my first time to attend the ACFW Conference.  Do I need to wear a beanie like a college freshman?

Also, be on the lookout for the next publication of The Wordsmith Journal Magazine.  I'm doing a review on a fantastic novel - The Visionary by Pamela S. Thibadeaux.  Hope you'll read it.  I know you'll like it.  LOL

So - I've got some funny and interesting stories about my Portland visit  that I'll share with you in the future.  It's off to bed now,  tomorrow I will yawn myself up at an early  hour and travel from Portland to Centralia, WA to meet my cousins Jerre & Von.  They have traveled recently to British Columbia  to attend a wedding.  So, before they fly back home - we're going to meet them and have a wonderful visit.  If the weather is nice - we'll buy some sandwiches at Safeway and take a lunch to the park.  If not...we'll find a quaint restaurant.....if there are any in Centralia!

Blessings of Joy to all!

Hugs,
Barb

Thursday, August 9, 2012

CATCHING UP AND PASSING IT FORWARD.....

Hello Friends and Neighbors,

Guess it's time to let you know that I'm in Portland, Oregon visiting with my mother, Margaret.  She is 93.8 years of age and continues in vitality of life and thanks the Lord every day for her joys and blessings.  Mama is an awesome lady.  She shares her home with my younger and only sibling, brother Arlen (Bob).  I am grateful to God and Arlen for his being here and keeping watch over and caring for mama.

Only a few minutes ago, mama and I were sitting comfortably in the swing on the large deck  that extends over the garage at the back of this gorgeous Oregon home setting.  As you might recall where I live, I traveled here from HOT OLD TEXAS, and am basking in the warm...not hot....beautiful weather here  NO RAIN EITHER!  Mama was reading a book and I was resting my eyes listening to the singing of the birds and wonderful quiet.  Ahhhhh!  Mama reached over and took hold of my hand and said, "You didn't need to wash the dishes."  She continued to hold my hand and I thought to myself to remember this sweet moment of touching and the feel of her hand.  It is hard not to tear up at times because I know the Lord could call her home at any time.  She does express weariness, but not often, and says she is ready to meet Jesus when he calls.

Of course, I know it will be a time of celebration in heaven - but I dread it personally for myself, I should say "us" meaning all of us she will leave behind.  How blessed Arlen and I are to have such an incredible mother.  Mama is always there for us and anyone needing her love and growing wisdom.  My brother and I are very proud of her and love her with all of our hearts.

OK, at the risk of seeming selfish and maudlin I'll refrain from further speculating on that dreaded time ahead of us.

All these special moments in time that we share as a family are the most meaningful times for me and I will have good remembrances always.

Just wanted to share with you how I'm feeling at the moment...I needed to express that.  I'll be checking in again from time to time while I'm here in Portland.  I am returning home to Arlington, TX on September 1.  Your prayers will be appreciated for us here, as well as my family at  home.....including my dog, Jenny; and my cat, Homer.   While I'm visiting mama, I'm also enjoying her dog, Bix and her kitty, Stripey.

At the present time, I am reading the book I'll be reviewing in the September issue of The Wordsmith Journal Magazine.  I'll keep what I'm reading and who the author is a secret and you can be sure to read about this highly unusual story that is incredibly written in my new review column - the Senior Perspective....Just Saying ...in The Wordsmith Journal Magazine.  There, I've said the title of this fine magazine twice now.....please remember it! LOL

While I'm here, I'm plan to catch up on some crocheting, making cro-hooked dish clothes,; because my hubby is complaining that he has run out of all the ones I made several years ago.  Anyone else out there in my friends circle know how to crochet or cro-hook?  Let me know.....we can share patterns and suggestions.  What fun!

And of course, I will also be seeing other beloved family while I'm out here and I'm excitedly looking forward to those occasions  Hope you are all having a great summer, and to those traveling or staying home - stay safe!  Be blessed by His Grace each day and don't forget to thank Him for the blessings.

Hugs,
Barb