Branches, Birds and Bats

Saturday the 22nd of August and our word today is branch/branches.

Psalm 104:10-13 (ESV)

10 You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
    they flow between the hills;
11 they give drink to every beast of the field;
    the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell;
    they sing among the branches.
13 From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
    the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

From Maristella:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”John 15:5/NIV.

From Happy One:

Jeremiah 23:5 KJV

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous BRANCH, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgement and justice in the earth.

If you have a verse to share please add it in the comments and I’ll copy it here.

And our resident umbrella bat returned.

Have a nice Saturday!

Bread & Low Tide Adventures

August 21st brings us to the word Bread.

Deuteronomy 8:3:

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

From Patsystitch:

John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

From Maristella:

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
Luke 22:19 | NIV

From Happy One:

Luke 4:3 & 4 KJV

And the devil said unto him,
If thou be the Son of God,
command this stone that it be made BREAD. 

And Jesus answered him saying, It is written
That man shall not live by BREAD alone,
but by every word of God.

Remember to leave the verse/verses you pick in the comments and I’ll add them here. Thank you.

Our kids had a shore day exploring low tide.

Our grands and our son’s best friend’s kiddos.

I managed to mow all our acreage yesterday. It was a cooler day which made that an easier chore. Dear finished painting our back deck. It looks so much better. Have a great Friday everyone!

Bless, Blessed, Blessings

Today is August 20th and our word for today is Bless. Our Pop’s favorite Psalm was 103 and I’ll share a portion of it here.

Psalm 103:1-5:

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your (spiritual) diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like eagle’s.

From Maristella:

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8 | NIV

From my sister Vera:

 ““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:3-12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

From Happy One:

Luke 6:28 KJV

BLESS them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

As usual please share a verse in the comments so that I can copy and add it here. Thank you in advance.

Our kids continue to enjoy each other on the Coast and we get pictures via texts. It’s so good to see the photos of how they are enjoying life with each other. A blessing for them and for us watching from afar. Thank you Lord!

Uncle Joshua and Jaymison Joshua!

Addy and her Aunt LoLo!

Have a great Thursday everyone. Today is mowing day for me!

Perfect

If you are here for the Wednesday Hodgepodge scroll down to the next post.

Today is August 19th and our word for the day is Perfect. Today I’m adding a larger section of scripture.

1 Corinthians 13:8-12 (ESV)

Love never ends. As for prophecies , they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophecy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

From my sister Vera:

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:14 NIV

From Happy One:

Romans 12:2 KJV

And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good,
and acceptable, and PERFECT, will of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

From Maristella:

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
James 1:17 | NIV

From Anneliese:

“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”
Hebrews 10:14

If no one else shares from Hebrews, I’ll add those verses later.

Add your verses to the comments and I will include them here. Thank you so much for participating!

Plead the Fifth Hodgepodge

Time for Wednesday Hodgepodge with a big thank you to Joyce for coming up with the questions!

1. Five years ago this month hubs and I relocated from New Jersey to the Palmetto State. What were you doing five years ago this month?

We were still recovering from Dan and Jamie’s wedding and festivities. The weather was not typical for that time of year and a record was set at their wedding. It was 104 degrees at their outdoor wedding. After we recovered we continued on house projects with no hint that we would be selling and re-locating to the northeastern part of our state from the Seattle area. We were concerned about fires close to Dan and Jamie that destroyed the out buildings and some vehicles on one of the groomsmen’s property. The fire came right up to his home without burning his home down but the heat was so intense it melted the mini blinds. Lots of smoke damage.

This was the fire heading up to the home. This section of hillside is still recovering from the fire.

2. What was the last 9-5 job you worked? Tell us about it.

Well I can’t call teaching a 9 to 5 job and other jobs I had after since my teaching job don’t fall into a 9 to 5 category so my last “punch in punch out” job was at Certified Grocers in Commerce, California. (1973-1975) I started as a temp in filing and they hired me full-time and I wasn’t able to get my full salary until the temp agency was paid a finders fee. Ugh. Even though I had my teaching credential at this time it was hard to come by a teaching job. I finally got a teaching position and resigned from Certified Grocers. Oh and my first teaching assignment at Garfield Elementary (Montebello Unified School District) was 2nd grade and my classroom was on the stage of the cafeteria. So one of the walls of my classroom was a stage curtain. Yep…that happened. They finally brought a portable classroom on campus and my class was able to move into the portable.

3. Plead the fifth, high five, take five, it’s five o’clock somewhere, or the big 5-0…which number five phrase relates to your life in some way currently? Tell us how.

I’m going to have to go with Plead the Fifth. It seems that my opinions and convictions right now would land me in hot water with the political and social justice elite. My lips are sealed with the general public but it’s nice to have some lively discussions with people who are like minded and won’t condemn me for my thoughts.

4. During this season of spending so much time at home, what distractions get in the way of being your most productive? Or have you been extra productive since this whole thing started?

Plans make me the most productive and since it’s hard to make plans to do anything in these uncertain times I’ve been very unproductive. Mowing the lawn is the most regular and productive thing I do.

5. Give us a list here of your top five anything.

The Top Five places I would visit over and over again:

  1. Most anywhere in Great Britain like the Cotswolds, Oxford, York, Wales just to name a few.
  2. Family and friends wherever they may be.
  3. Lavender Festival in Sequim Washington
  4. Tulip Festival in Skagit Valley Washington
  5. Pacific Coast Beaches in the Winter

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I thank our sovereign God for allowing us to enjoy these two grandchildren in our older years!

Thank you to our kids for sending texts with these photos!

August is ticking away and thankfully we are cooling down a little after a few blistering hot days!

Angels and Family

Today is Tuesday August 18th and our word prompt is Angel. When I put in Angel for a word search in the Bible at Bible Gateway it showed 282 results! I’ll share one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament.

Psalm 103:20

Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!

Matthew 13:49:

So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous.

From Maristella:

“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
Hebrews 13:1-2 | NIV.

From my sister Vera:

 “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

From Patsystitch:

Psalm 34:7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and delivers them.

From Happy One:

Hebrews 13:2 KJV

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:
for thereby some have entertained ANGELS unawares.

It was enlightening to look up verses about angels.

If you found a verse or two or section to share add it in the comments and I’ll share them here.

The photos I’m sharing today all came from our daughter in law, Laura. The photo of the two angels guarding the door is from St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

The marble, bronze and gilt bronze monument takes the form of two larger-than-life white marble figures of angels, at either side of a black marble and gilt bronze door over which is inscribed, from the Easter Even Collect, “Through the gate of death we pass to our joyful resurrection.” The Viscounts are separately identified on the elaborate panels on each half of the door, to which crests, the family motto “Virtute et Fide” (“By Virtue and Faith”) and the following poignant biblical texts are added: “Until the day break and the shadows flee away” (from the Song of Solomon 2, 17) and “They that dwell under his shadow shall return” (from Hosea 14, 7). This unusual monument stands in the first recess of the north aisle of the nave.

And now some photos from our kids together on the “Coast” this week.

Addy was counting down the days to see Uncle Joshie and Auntie LoLo.

Auntie and Uncle thought ahead and bought some fun outdoor stay cool toys!

JJ is a fan of water!

Addy loves to play with Uncle Andrew and Auntie Katie. Hope they can keep up with her.

A special little spot to sleep with her little stuffed friends by her side.

I sent along these new face masks for the girls to enjoy straight outta Russia! Love the little photo bomber!

We continue in a hotter pattern here in the Northeastern corner of Washington State. Hope you are keeping cool.

Walking the Dog…

The August Bible Verse Challenge for August 17th is the next post down.

We are dog sitting for our kids this week. Early on Sunday morning Dear took Rayna for a walk around our property to get some exercise and air before we left her home alone while we were at church.

Our kids are enjoying themselves on the Coast all together. We are thankful that they enjoy being with each other. Rayna will be happy when her little family returns on Sunday. She doesn’t get to eat scraps that fall from the table here. At home she’s always alert to what Jaymison or Addyson might drop from their plates. 🙂

The August Bible Verse Challenge for August 17th is the next post down.

Anger…

Monday the 17th of August and we are in a blistering hot weather pattern. Today’s word is Anger.

Ephesians 4:26-27: (ESV)

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. 

From Maristella:

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
James 1:19 | NIV. 

From Happy One:

Ecclesiastes 7:9

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be ANGRY:
for ANGER resteth in the bosom of fools.

From Rosella who is remembering her father who would have been 104 today:

Proverbs 15:1
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Hello Monday. If you have a verse to share add it to the comments and I’ll post it here. Thank you!

A Little While! Our Lord Shall Come ~ Hymn

The word for today is Little and since this is Sunday I’m sharing this Hymn. If you have a verse to share please add it in the comments and I’ll copy it on this post. Thank you!

A Little While! Our Lord Shall Come

A little while! our Lord shall come,
And we shall wander here no more;
He’ll take us to our Father’s home,
Where He for us has gone before,
To dwell with Him, to see His face,
And sing the glories of His grace.

A little while! He’ll come again;
Let us the precious hours redeem;
Our only grief to give Him pain,
Our joy to serve and follow Him;
Watching and ready may we be,
As those who long their Lord to see.

A little while! ’twill soon be past;
Why should we shun the shame and cross?
O let us in His footsteps haste,
Counting for Him all else but loss;
O how will recompense His smile
The sufferings of this little while!

A little while! come, Savior, come!
For Thee Thy bride has tarried long;
Take Thy poor wearied pilgrims home,
To sing the new eternal song,
To see Thy glory and to be
In everything conformed to Thee!

Words: James G. Deck, 1841.

From Maristella: Thank you Maristella for the hymn from your childhood and the Proverb!

Hi! I would like to share a hymn of my childhood…”Sabe,Senhor, o que temos é tão pouco pra dar, mas este pouco nós queremos com os irmãos compartilhar…” Something like this: You know my Lord, We have too little to give, but we want to share this little with our brothers in Christ…” ” Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.”
Proverbs 15:16 | NIV.

From Happy One at Life is Good:

Isiah 11:6 KJV

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
and a LITTLE child shall lead them. 

Looking Up!

Here we are at the 15th of August and our word for the challenge is Train. You can also choose training or trained.

2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV):

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

From Barbara at Sweet Tea and Sandals:

Proverbs 22:6, Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

From Maristella:

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4 | NIV. ”

From Happy One at Life is Good:

I King 10:2 KJV
The she in the verse is the Queen of Sheba.

And she came to Jerusalem with a very great TRAIN,
with camels that bare spices,
and very much gold, and precious stones:
and when she was come to Solomon,
she communed with him of all that was in her heart.

If you have a verse to share please do in the comments and I’ll add it here. Thank you in advance.

Shop Progress:

I took these photos yesterday from our neighbors property looking across and up to where Dear is working on the roof of the shop. He only has 3 more panels to go to finish up the metal part of the roof. Once our son gets back from the “Coast” they’ll hoist up the last three and get them fastened. This is the most time consuming, tedious and difficult part of the project.

Our furry four pawed friend is arriving this morning for our keeping. I’ll probably have some photos to share this coming week. Hope you all have a good weekend.