Full Moon

There was a beautiful full moon tonight...




"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" --Psalm 8:3, 4

As a Flower of the Field

"As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth."  --Psalm 103:15

Time passes by so quickly, doesn't it?   I captured this image over a month ago while taking a walk up the street with my daughter and her puppy.  Has it really been over a month?

There was another flower I had wanted to capture because of it's unique design and beauty, but alas, when I searched for it this morning, I was surprised to find it had already faded away.  Summer is fading fast, too.

Have you found that when you reach a point in life, you begin to appreciate the many ‘little things’ about it,  that time seems to go into ‘hyperdrive’ and events pass us by in a blur.  But... there are still 24 hours in a day... there are still 365 days in a year.  How does it seem to pass by so quickly and, if it does, where does it go?

Before we know it, snow will be floating down from the sky.  How many times have you said or heard, "Wow, this year has gone by so fast"?  Let's make the most of the rest of the year before it passes by quickly, too.

Father-To-Be

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." --Psalm 127:3

My son and daughter-in-law asked me to take their picture before they headed out to a benefit waltz class. I just love seeing my son's playfulness and affection. I think he's going to make a wonderful father.

Passing It On

“That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:  That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God...”  --Psalm 78:6-7b

My daughter-in-law is now five months pregnant with my first grandchild.  She and my son already sing and read to their unborn baby... a girl?  It’s never too early to start.  Studies have shown that a prenatal baby’s developing brain is stimulated by the sounds, which helps them develop.  After being born, hearing those familiar sounds, stories, and songs can help to calm the baby.

It warms my heart to know that both my son and daughter-in-law share the same beliefs and are working toward the same goals.  How difficult it can be for children when there is no clear sense of direction... or hope.  Who should they believe?  By having to choose one, they are essentially forced to reject the other... or both for that matter.  “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”  (Amos 3:3)

Having pretty much raised our children, I know they won’t always believe exactly as we do.  But that’s okay, because we’re still learning, too.  God is still working to open our understanding and mold us into the likeness of His Son.  So, what’s important is to have a firm foundation in what we believe and pass it on.

Got Music?

“Sing unto Him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.”  --Psalm 33:3

Do you ever feel like there is something missing in your life?  Or maybe you’ve felt really stressed out and you’re not sure why.  Could it be that you need to add some music to your life?  It has been said that music can soothe the savage beast.  In 1 Samuel 16:14-23, the Bible relates an incident in which King Saul was greatly troubled, but was soothed when David played the harp for him.  Studies have shown that music, and especially singing or playing an instrument, can, indeed, help relieve stress.  Singing or playing an instrument increases oxygen intake and exercises your lungs and heart, and if you sing or play with others, it can create a sense of unity and belonging.

Music also helps with learning.  People who have learned to read music and play an instrument usually score higher in math and science.  And we can often remember something more easily when it has been put to music or song.  It's not just for children.  Hundreds of years ago when most people couldn’t read, Scripture was put to music in the form of hymns like “A Mighty Fortress” to help an illiterate congregation learn.  Have you ever gotten a song stuck in your head?  Colossians 3:16 says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."  It doesn’t say anything about having a good voice.  So, what are you waiting for?  Sing and make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

God's Goodness

 

"He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth."  --Psalm 104:4 

I milled some parsley from our garden this morning, and I have some dried oregano waiting to be milled.  Spices can be expensive, but God has blessed our garden this year, and it is so rewarding to enjoy the fruit of one's labor.  Isn't it?