The Mood is Melancholy. . .

Today is a grey and rainy day. The kind that’s restful, a day of rest, a day to rest your mind and listen to the quiet and good calming music. Isn’t it interesting how you can listen to music and it takes you to where you first heard it or you can identify the music with a place. For instance, when I listen to George Winston – I sail back to Buckley, WA when the boys were just little. It was open skies of vivid blue, where we would take our walks around the neighborhood looking at the beauty even see Mt Rainer with snow on top and visit with an old walker we called Woody. There was a fresh feeling of new, it made things right you felt good. Blessed!

Another one is DC Talks CD Jesus Freak. When I hear the songs I’m in NM again with a wonderful feeling. Especially the song Between You and Me - I’m out on my mail route or on a drive in beautiful areas. It ministered to me in a way that it still does today. Isn’t it something how music can effect on your emotions - whether it is positive or negative?

I love music and quiet. LOL!

It’s also interesting how events can affect you too. Like a niece turning 6 this week and the last time you saw her she was 4 years old. We aren’t as close as we used to be and it’s sad to think when you could use a friend the most, you don’t have that friend you thought would be there. But the Lord is always there and does send others your way in the form of new friendship. You can even feel close to others you may never have met, but it’s like you’ve known them forever.

I was looking at a blog this morning that I recently started to visit. The blogger had pictures posted that made me sad. They were beautiful pictures of what she woke to on her birthday. Beautiful pictures of blue skies and daffodils; and in the western part of the states no less. It made me long to be there and belong.

I guess rainy days can have this affect on you; making you melancholy. Maybe it’s how we all should be feeling – longing to be home. That place you have in your heart you feel you belong and need to be. Just off the phone with my cousin as he said, “there’s more to life than mole life.” LOL Yes, I guess I’m feeling melancholy. Aren’t we just strangers here and should long to be in a better place, as heaven.

As the rain comes down and a change is in the works again; I might just make today a day of rest. I’ll listen to my music and think of better days ahead. Above all be thankful to the Lord and friends He sends along my way.

Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

A Winters Morn ~

They do say winter will end; that's what they say. Who are they anyway?

When I was a girl living in Pennsylvania at this time of the year - well it's different on a kid than a grownup. We lived above a the hollow that was full of trees and foliage. You could look out the big picture window and the hollow looked magical with all the glittering diamonds of snow on the trees. As the sun would rise it looked frozen in time; another place you'd be. I loved it and it's beauty. When you're that grownup you wished you were that kid.

Things always seemed different - better, somehow. This morning when I got up at 6AM it was 4 degrees, YIKES! Still some warmer that previous days.




But this morning when I took these pictures outside my door, there was life out there.
And even with it's blistery cold temperature the birds are busy singing. Hopefully Spring will be on it's way soon. I realize I keep saying that, maybe I'll start to believe it since I am saying it so much.



Meanwhile, there's beauty to behold amongst the cold. Thank you Jesus! So I'll look from inside to the wonders out there. I'll think of fond times of old to keep me warm and pray for better days ahead.

Still there's always packing, cleaning and hopefully projects (fun projects).

Looking At The Weather

The weather outside has been painting a much different picture than in the those you see below. The pictures are more "the calm" before the storm.

And, we have certainly had interesting weather here. Snow, WIND, rain, WIND, ice and last night another cold front went zipping right on through with the lake effects; did I mention the WIND, wow. It's my hope that we are having the last of it but it's any ones guess since -and for the moment - we are here in the snow belt of Ohio.
"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8 He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; Who makes lightnings for the rain, Who brings forth the wind from His treasuries. Psalm 135:7
The pictures are showing a more calming effect the weather can have. The droplets of rain are a reminder of (to me) how God can renew us - refreshes us for present times and times ahead.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 I like this ~
We may be growing older and might not be as fit as when we were young but I don't want to be one who is wasting away on the inside.
All of us can use a renewing and not just outwardly. We need a new refreshing - renewing of our inner man; our spirits need to be uplifted. It feels good when you're refreshed inside. It's truly amazing what God's word can do for you. It's the difference between empty and full.
I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." Jeremiah 31:25
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:110-11

A promise to those who believe that you can count on. But there is a cause and effect lesson here.

In the book of Jeremiah it tells as -
Do not lose heart or be afraid when rumors are heard in the land; one rumor comes this year, another the next, rumors of violence in the land and of ruler against ruler. Jeremiah 51:46

There are so many people concerned about just that very verse, things they are seeing - things they're going through right where they live, or over their children or job; whatever it might be. "Do not lose heart." I know first hand trials you can go through. Are you weathering that storm? Are you renewing your spirit.

“In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Acts14:16-17

My husband and I have been trying to study God's word together every morning. One of the studies we did was on "endurance" Enduring under trials. You can find the teaching letter that Derek Prince had under Single Letter Topics.   Enduring Under Trials 
Finding quiet time is some of the best advice that can be given. Everyone can have it everyone has excuses why they don't and it is just excuses. To grow and be refresh it's a must do.

I pray I'm never without a window to open;

To hear the rain and the birds that sing.

To see the sun and feel it's warmth.

Oh what a glorious thing it is,

God's creation

The coming of Spring.

A renewing of your spirit.

VLB 02-17-09

Happy Valentine's Day to You~

Valentine's Day is really just a day and I won't go into the origins of it. Today I just wanted to send God's love your way. The Bible tells us so much about love and that God is the author of love. And how this love should be shared with others not just on a day - but everyday. People read many times and often talk about the verses in Corinthians; though we may forget what it says some times.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

Love is patient,
Love is kind,
Is not jealous;
Love does not brag,
Is not arrogant,
Does not act unbecomingly,
It does not seek its own,
Is not provoked,
Does not take into account a wrong suffered,
Does not rejoice in unrighteousness,
But rejoices with the truth;
Bears all things,
Believes all things,
Hopes all things,
Endures all things.

Love never fails. . .

Have you read this it's about:

God's Love and Ours~

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. 1John 4:7-21

Some things just can't be said or written any better.

TEST DUMMY MODE!

Hello out there!
I am trying something new to me, it's called Frock. It's supposed to make all the things you do on your blog or other web links you might have, easier. The key word easier. I'm a bit afraid of trying it but trying it non the less. In this endeavor I am to report back to my husband who wants me to check this out. So far so good. The photo below was a simple grab, drag and drop onto the work area that I'm typing in. The area I'm typing in also seems more user friendly. As blogger s know the small box that you work out of when you post is can be tedious at times, of course that could just be me. It seems to take me longer than it should to post at times. especially when adding pictures.

As for the picture below my heart goes out to all those in Australia that are going through this time. The picture was taken from a news link.



I'm still learning and working out the bugs, wish me luck.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Sunday Nights Sky. .

The moon is so beautiful I just needed to share this picture. It doesn't even come close to its beauty.

There's beauty in the sky tonight,

It's such a beauty - one can see;

The Lord has truly blessed me.

The evenings sky - the moon is full aglow.

The clouds are drifting all around,

For everyone to know;

The King of Glory placed it there,

One can see - it's such a beauty.

I'm thanking you for it.

VLB 02/08/09

Weekend of Blessings ~

Friday and Saturday wasn't by any means typical in the Buckley household; though we have had our share of doings. But this weekend was proving to be challenging to me since it was mostly by my doings. . . It's possible it may have more to do with my age since I don't seem to move as fast.

Our youngest son Aaron's birthday was on Saturday as well as the Pastor's Appreciation Dinner at church.

It goes without saying what a blessing to us our son is and how much we appreciate him in our lives. And for his birthday he wanted a Cheesecake ~ w/ Raspberry Syrup Drizzled which I made Friday to serve up Saturday. Here he is trying to think of a wish.

Friday we had his birthday dinner of Fajitas which I started early in the morning and while that was going on I had a bread starter going since Thursday evening. Boy I needed to get a move on ,that bread took most of the day Friday and was done around six.

You can see where this is going? I had quite a full plate (no pun intended). Friday I had to make sure the preparations for the pastor's dinner was started - the actual cooking took place Saturday for the Chicken Tikka Marsala . Our pastor and his wife were missionaries to India so I choose to make them something for there and not in the norm for church dinners.

Here Pastor Roger is being sung to by very talented guys. They could take the act on the road.

You may know Ohio isn't my most favorite state. But I would never change the blessings of friends we've made over the years and how much more our lives have been enriched by them. And I would never change all the life's lessons I've learned or the trials we've had in our lives. I didn't like them; I'm stronger for them.

As in the lesson we learned in church today with Pastor's last teaching (He and wife are going back into the mission field in India), Romans 8:" 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

I can only hope that my family has enriched the lives of others as they have enriched ours. I can't ever imagine things different in know them and the many lesson we've learned and will continue to learn.

As for Aaron, I pray he got his wish. For a young man he isn't a stranger to trials either.



Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

"Life is full of blessings,

For young and old alike.

God is the author;

I ~ Can't add anymore to that.

Amen

VLB 02/08/09

Sharing in my morining. . .

I keep a personal journal for all my inner most thoughts, sometimes they're even silly. I haven't been keeping up with it for a while now; this might seem odd since I have this blog. It's not that I don't have anything to write about, my heart is so full I have just to much to write. My entry this morning was the first I've written since December.
BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE! -3 degrees YIKES! Ground hog day has come and gone but is it any surprise to you that he's seen his shadow? Imagine 6 more weeks until spring.
We are still here - still in moving mode -help me LORD! The rest is for me and the Lord. Sorry. He is and has always extended His grace to me. So today I wish you His grace extended to you. His Love that covers a multitude and peace that passes all understanding. I pray you enjoy your day.

The sun shines bright ~

Over the winters white.

All things are frozen ~

It's quiet outside.

The trees are all glistening ~

Still in a winters sleep.

As the sun shines bright ~

Over the winters white.

VLB 02/05/09