"Hope in God"

My soul was so discouraged

Then I remembered to hope in God

Fear had overcome me

But I found His staff and rod.

Coming to bring me comfort

Replacing grief with praise 

Beauty for my ashes

His song in me was raised.

In so much I believed I was lacking

But there is no good thing withheld

From the one who trusts in Father

In whose tent I dwell.

Memories came creeping

Filling me with regret

I asked God to help me move forward

The things now behind to forget. 

I thought He had forgotten me

And left me all alone

All I had were tears to give

Silent, only groans.

But the Spirit understood me

Answering my deep cries

The utterances God gave me

He did not deny.

He said, ‘Ask, and I will give it

Seek and you shall find

Knock and it will be opened

I will not deny.’

And so, I found myself rejoicing

At the cross as I cast my cares

Grateful I can carry

All these things to God in prayer.

Scripture Meditation:

Psalm 42:5 - Why are you cast down, O my soul?  And why are you disquieted within me?  Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.

Psalm 23:4- Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Isaiah 61:3 - To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

Psalm 84:10-12 - For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.  I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.  For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.  O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!

1 Corinthians 1:7 - ...you come short in no gift...

Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ...

Philippians 3:12-14 -  Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 49:14-16 - But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me.”   “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb?  Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you.  See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.

Hebrews 13:5 - ...I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Romans 8:26 - Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Matthew 7:7-8 - Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

1 Peter 5:6-7 - Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Philippians 4:6-7 -  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
 
(Click on picture for a full-sized view)

"True Beauty"

I apply my make-up

and style my hair

But as I abide in the Lord

the Holy Spirit prepares

For that which is before me

true beauty to reflect

God's countenance upon me

only Him to project.

A woman of God

the Father to fear

Radiant, glowing

so unto Him I draw near.

For all else is empty

and will soon pass away

May I please You, my Lord

let my life be Your praise.

Fill me with Your wisdom

help me walk in the truth

And Your love so freely given

to bear in Christ Your fruit.

Come, arrange my thinking

transform my heart

Clothe me in royal garments

heal every broken part.  

To pass down to the generations

the eternal that never dies

Your permeated goodness

from this broken one to rise.

(Click on picture for a full-sized view)

"Mornings With The Lord"

This is a scrapbook page I created to depict my mornings alone with the Lord.  I can't wait to hide away with Him, with a delicious cup of coffee as I turn on the music (usually joining online with the, "International House of Prayer" -http://www.ihopkc.org/prayerroom/),
for worship, the Word of God, prayer and writing.

At times as I'm in the Scriptures I'm inspired to begin to create a scrapbook page around that Word.  I guess I'm kind of a "show and tell" kind of gal.  For me, this allows the Word to lodge deep in my heart as I go about creating.  Rarely is a page completed that same morning but I enjoy the process as I continue to listen to the Holy Spirit through these artistic designs.

I love all the ways the Lord chooses to speak to me, drawing me nearer to Him, delighting my soul and invigorating my spirit to bring about His purpose in and through my life for His glory.

Think about creating something today.  Offer it up to the Lord.  Have fun and let the Lord use whatever He desires through the gifts He's given to speak to you and perhaps to others as well.

(Click on picture for a full-sized view)

"Welcome, Rosie and Russell!"

God’s love is meteoric, His loyalty astronomic,
His purpose titanic, His verdicts oceanic.  Yet
in His largeness nothing gets lost; not a man,
not a mouse, slips through the cracks.
Psalm 36:6 (The Message)

 
Just over three weeks ago as I looked out my bedroom window, what did I see but two little red tabby kittens, who appeared to be about six weeks old, frolicking in my neighbor's backyard.  There, overseeing their antics was their red feral momma, whom I've named Merci, who I've been feeding day and night for the past year and a half along with other occasional visitors.

I'd been attempting to trap Merci off and on all this time in the hopes of having her vaccinated and spayed to stop the vicious cycle of litter after litter being produced and the great stress this has placed on her, but to no avail.  Even when I'd withhold food from her a bit and no matter how hungry she might be, she'd never take the bait and enter the trap.

I'm aware of a few litters Merci has had but found out through another neighbor, who also does rescue, that Merci has been outdoors longer than I was aware and that she has never been able to trap her either.  However, she was able to Trap/Neuter/Release a litter of three that Merci delivered in the spring of 2012.  So I know Merci's been out there and producing since at least then and perhaps before.  I rescued one of her babies in the spring of 2013, Gracie Anna, when she was 5-6 months old and have since given her a happy home inside.  There were also four kittens delivered in the summer of 2013 who have found homes in the neighborhood. 

Now, time to rescue kittens again.  So, out went the trap in my neighbor's yard where they were living, and my vigil began to catch them.  No way was I going to let them live in the harsh outdoor conditions and face the many potential dangers of growing up a wild cat like their mom and producing untold litters.  If rescued now they were still young enough to properly socialize and to help mold into happy, well-behaved domesticated house cats.

Day two and I still had nothing.  Then late in the afternoon I heard the familiar sound of a cat trap door slamming shut.  I couldn't believe what I saw next - Merci in the trap!  Never did I expect that she'd go in since I'd failed at every attempt up to this point, and besides that, she had all the food in the world just a few steps from where she was, over on my patio.  In fact, I'd been placing more food out and refilling more frequently over the past couple of months since she was quickly gobbling everything up.  That's when I knew she must be pregnant again or have babies.  I had figured it was hopeless to believe I'd ever trap her but there she was.  Now I had a dilemma - let her go and know I'd never trap her again, or take her and get her spayed, leaving the kittens without their mom.

Well, since I knew this was most likely my only and last chance to capture Merci and I was confident the kittens were old enough to eat on their own, I decided this was the time to get Merci spayed and I'd place food and water out for the kittens until I could trap them.  One thing at a time.

With the help of my feral rescue contact, who went above and beyond, arrangements were made to get Merci to a feral rescue group and then taken to the vets the next day for spaying, deworming and vaccinations.  According to the veterinarian, she seems to be in fine shape and very healthy.  After recuperating from surgery on a neighbor's screened-in porch, Merci was re-released into my community where I'll continue to care for her each day.  Though she's a feral cat and I'll never be able to get close or touch her, my heart goes out to her and I love her.  She's a beautiful girl!

I was able to rescue Merci's kittens during her brief absence and begin their socialization, setting them on the track of, "much loved, spoiled, rotten cats"!  What a joy to have little ones running around and to know that God saw them and their need and chose us to help.  It amazes me how much the Lord cares for all of His creatures, great and small, and didn't let this feline family "slip through the cracks".  It causes me to realize how much more He loves you and me!  Thank You, Lord, for Your provision and for the kindness, compassion and generosity of those who helped in this endeavor.  May they be richly blessed.  Thank You, Father, that nothing goes unnoticed or is lost with You. 

"Joy and Good Friends"

What could be better

Than joy and good friends?

These blessings in abundance

I pray the Lord send

To all those I know

And those yet to meet

Prosperity in unity

As we walk in God's peace.

Finding words of encouragement

To each other to speak

Helping in prayer

Those who are weak.

Demonstrating love

God's commandments to keep

Allowing no bitterness

Into our hearts to come creep.

Freely forgiven

No grudge we will hold

But ask, kindle kindness

Father, come mold

A people into your image

Only grace to reflect

Keep us from evil

Lord, defend and protect.

To be alive in Your Spirit

But dead to the flesh

As we go through our days

May we have no regrets.

For we follow the Shepherd

And our hearts overflow

Only with a good theme

His nature to show.

Praising the Lord

We will not forsake

Joining together

But time we will make

For those God has given

As we come face to face

Sharing our lives

Growing in grace.

Scripture Meditation:

Psalm 133:1-3 - Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.  It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore.

Romans 12:18 -  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Ephesians 5:1-2 - Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.   And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Ephesians 5:19 - Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs...

Galatians 6:2 - Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.   For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. but woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.   Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.  And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Psalm 45:1 - My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
Hebrews 10:24-25 -  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Acts 2:46-47 -  So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,  praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

(A page from my inspirational scrapbook)

"Shelter Sweeties"

These are just a few pictures of some of my feline friends at the shelter where I volunteer.  Look at those beautiful faces!  Some of them have been here for months and others much longer.  There are young ones and old ones, those with special needs, "lookers" and just ordinary critters, all looking for a home and a human to call their own.

Dogs and cats come into the shelter every day, off the streets, stray and abandoned, neglected and abused, while many are owner surrendered for one reason or another. 

It breaks my heart every time I visit but the pictures in my mind of their pleading faces continue to draw me back to hold them, love them, to bring them goodies, to play and to reassure them that they are precious and loved and worth adopting.

I believe we need them and they need us too.  God put them here for a reason.  He takes delight in His creatures and delights that we take pleasure in them and care for them as well .

Creature comforts

A paw on my face

Nuzzling my neck

Trust in me placed.

A charcoal kitty

Looks with wistful, golden eyes

Yet they are also hopeful

As he says, 'Would you be mine?'

Then another approaches,

And another in need

Will they find forever homes?

Their eyes seem to plead.

Some may need a little patience

Some are wild, others shy

Some have been here so long

Wondering, 'Why?'

They may not be a "looker"

And they just get passed by

Will they get a second chance

To sit by a side?

Will a warm bed be offered

Some nourishing dish?

'I've so much to offer'

Spoken through soft purrs and licks.

I find it hard to leave them

And so I ask the Lord to hold

To keep them safe and care for them

Until He would unfold

To those He's called to rescue

Finding these a place

A lodging in the heart of one

Who would extend God's grace.

The compassionate and loving

Gaining so much in return

From unexpected teachers

In critter clothes to learn.

"Rejoice"

This is the day the Lord has made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

Every day is a new day full of possibilities.  God made the day for us to enjoy and to rejoice in the blessings of life "today", to view it as a new adventure and seize every opportunity to glorify Him through finding reasons to be glad.

There are things that can surely drag me down and sometimes I really have to purposely look for the good and remember to be grateful. Anybody else ever get the pity party going? But rather than remaining focused inwardly I pray the Lord to lift my head toward Heaven and God, to listen to the truth that makes me free from all that can bog me down. After all, He is the lifter of my head and He is faithful.

I'm glad today to finally feel a lot better after having the flu for the past two weeks.  I'm grateful to have gotten out of the house early this morning to walk my precious dog, Gideon - even in the rain!  He was  so frisky and had a blast.  Never mind the mud.  He didn't let the dreary looking day dampen his spirits and I had fun too.  He's such a happy pup and makes me smile. 

Thank You, Lord, for joy first thing this morning with my "baby" and for all of Your blessings.  Thank You for the promises found in Your word that are mine and make my heart sing, rejoice and be glad in this new day.

Scripture Meditation:

Psalm 3:3-4 - But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.  I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill.
Psalm 9:1-2 -  I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.  I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
Psalm 32:11 - Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Psalm 33:20-22 -  Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.  For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.  Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You.
Psalm 45:7 - ...Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness more than your companions.
Psalm 70:4 - But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you...
Psalm 100:1-5 - Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.
Psalm 149:5 - Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds.
Ephesians 2:6 - ...and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus...
Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
1 Thessalonians 5:16 - Rejoice always...
Zephaniah 3:17 - The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
2 Chronicles 6:41 - ...may your saints rejoice in your goodness.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 - Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls— yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.

(A page from my inspirational scrapbook)