Thursday Bible Verse Challenge ~ Jesus said…

Today is the last Thursday in April and the last day of our current Bible Verse Challenge. Post any verse that are the words of Jesus and I’ll share them below. Thank you to all who have shared.

For the month of May and June we will share verses from the Psalms.

Back to this month’s challenge. Jesus said,…

Matthew 7:24-27:

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Did any of you sing the song in Sunday School about the Wise Man? The wise man built his house upon the rock…

From Vera:

“Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.””
‭‭John‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.””
‭‭John‬ ‭4:13-14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Smell the Hodgepodge

Time for Wednesday Hodgepodge where Jo comes up with the questions and we come up with the answers. Thank you Jo From This Side of the Pond.

1. What are some memories you associate with spring?

Strawberry Stands in Southern California. Fresh strawberries right from the fields were so juicy, sweet and delicious! Both of our grandchildren were born in the Spring and that is a very special memory being at the hospital waiting to hear about their entry into this world. Addy was born on the first day of Spring. Easter celebrations are also high on the list of things I associate with Spring. Easter is a favorite of mine to celebrate with joy. After we moved to Washington State a trip to the tulip fields in April make for a wonderful visual picture of Spring!

2. April showers bring May flowers…was that saying proven true where you live? Snapdragons, anemones, carnations, lilacs, sweet peas, tulips, lily of the valley, orchids, roses, gardenias…which one on that list is your favorite May bloom?

If I have to choose one I’ll say lilacs!

Here’s a lilac memory from April 2010 of my niece and grandniece at Descanso Gardens in Southern California.

3. What are your top three distractions and how do you deal with them?

Noise, Empty chatter, devices as in smart phones.

If I can’t get away from the noise I have my headphones.

If I can’t get away from the chatter I try to tune it out. I do tend to sigh when the chatter stops.

Devices, I turn them to silent, or turn them off.

4. Do you eat beef?

Yes!

In the course of a week, how often is beef on the menu?

I would say at least 3x’s a week.

A hamburger, steak, prime rib, or a roast beef dinner…which beef entree would you choose and yes you have to choose. Unless you’re a vegan, and then you may pass.

In a restaurant I would most likely choose Prime Rib if it’s on the menu. If not then I’d go with a hamburger.

5. In what way were you creative during the month of April?

I was creative in planning, organizing, recruiting, cooking and serving 58 pastors last Thursday and Friday. We served dinner, a dessert social, lunch and dinner.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

These grabbers are a favorite with our grands. Toys just don’t hold as much interest. They were trying to grab uncle Andrew’s feet.

Casting Techniques

Continuing with JJ’s Fishing party and the fun we had watching JJ and Addy casting their fishing line to catch some treats.

Enjoying his ‘catch’.

This girl has form!

There was some fishing out of doors, too.

Fishing was fun and we still have more to share from this special day.

This week we have a forecast of temps that rise each day reaching a forecast of 77 degrees this Thursday! What’s happening in your corner of the world?

JJ’s Fishing Birthday Party!

We were greeted in fishing style for JJ’s 2nd birthday celebration.

O-fish-ally Two!

This would be where the littles could cast and fish for treats.

Fun fish party themed events and food for the day.

Puffer Fish fruit kebobs.

Fish Veggie tray.

Cattails.

The tackle box with worms and bait.

Fishing floats.

Lunch was fish themed, too, with tuna sandwiches, fish sticks, shrimp, etc.

Our daughter in law always finds the best ideas for themed parties.

Too much fun to make it into one post. More to come.

Happy new week everyone. We are looking forward to a low key week that will end in May!

O Happy Day, When Saints Shall Meet

O Happy Day, When Saints Shall Meet

O! Happy day, when saints shall meet
To part no more—the thought is sweet;
No more to feel the rending smart,
Oft felt below, when Christians part.

O happy place I still must say,
Where all but love is done away;
All cause of parting there is past;
Their social feast will ever last.

Such union here is sought in vain,
As there, in every heart, will reign;
There separations can’t compel
The saints to bid the sad farewell.

On earth, when friends together meet,
And find the passing moments sweet;
Time’s rapid motions soon compel,
With grief to say, Dear friends, farewell.

The shepherd feels the smarting shock,
Of parting from his weeping flock;
His feelings for them, none can tell,
When forced to say, My friends, farewell.

The happy season soon will come,
When saints shall meet in Heaven, their home;
Eternally with Christ to dwell,
Nor ever hear the sound, Farewell.

Words: David Barnard, (1681-1770)

Mid Spring

Things are really greening up around here. We are getting some rain today and tomorrow which I’m thankful for. I enjoy my plants being watered from above. I already am behind in mowing because of being busy in the church kitchen for the conference last Thursday and Friday. Speaking of the conference, everything went really well and we had good teams in the kitchen helping and others who volunteered and brought dessert items. Being in charge meant lots of mental and physical exertion. We are recuperating today with our feet up and laying low. Thank you to everyone who prayed.

Happy Weekend everyone!

One Down…

One of our two days in the kitchen is done and we are beat.

Very tired but satisfied that all went well today.

Tomorrow we’ll feel more like this when the day is over and our responsibilities in the kitchen are done till the next event.

Happy Friday everyone!

April Bible Verse Challenge ~ Jesus said…

Another Thursday for our challenge and I’m finding it hard to pick from so many wonderful words that Jesus said and left for us in the Word of God. When you add your verse/verses in the comments I will add them below*.

*Today April 22nd and tomorrow the 23rd I’ll be busy from morning to night with Kitchen preparations for meals being served to Pastors from the Northwest who are attending a 2 day meeting at our church. I might be very late in adding your verses below. Thank you for your understanding.

John 8:31-32

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

From Vera:

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭17:20-21‬ ‭ESV‬‬

From Maristella:

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-26

Gone Fishing

We had a ‘reel’ good time at JJ’s 2nd birthday Fishing party. I’ll be working on posting about it after Friday.

Wednesday through Friday my time is not my own and I’ll be busy shopping and in the kitchen at our church for a conference. I’ll be back to visiting blogs and posting after Friday.

Thursday’s Bible Verse Challenge post is ready to go but I will be late in adding your verses to the post.

Hope the second half of the week goes well for you all. For those of you who pray I’d appreciate some prayer for good teamwork in the kitchen and lots of stamina to get the job done. Thank you.