Apple Art ?

This afternoon, my daughter wanted to bake something. She was looking through my Joy of Cooking Cookbook and was considering a very involved apple pastry. I reminded her that there were pie crusts in the refrigerator. It didn't take very long for her to change her mind to making the easier apple pie.

Before I knew it, it was coming out of the oven, and I was amazed at her piece of art! ! !

I'm not sure she's even made an apple pie before! I can't wait to try a piece :)

The photo was taken with my iphone :)

To Be or Not To Be the Garden of Eden

Today I posted some photos on my Bird Blog http://birddreams.blogspot.com/

They were sweet discoveries I made when I went outside after a thunder storm.

I mentioned that I hadn't been paying attention to the garden because of other matters that have distracted me. So, the photos can be a bit misleading, because they are beautiful and look like they could have come from a well maintained garden. I didn't intentionally try to give that impression.

The truth is, I haven't, nor has anyone else, been tending the garden this year. As a result, the weeds are waist high or higher. I had trouble finding a couple of Blueberry bushes that I know should be there and next to every rose bush are huge thistles.

I couldn't help but think of Adam. What a shock it must have been for him to sent from the Garden of Eden and have to deal with the weeds that would aggressively take over any piece of ground not tended to.

My garden was like a paradise, a Mini Garden of Eden, in years past; but, now it is like the outside of the Garden of Eden. In spite of that, I will still enjoy what sweet treasures I can find out there and maybe someday, it will be restored again.

Personal Declarations

Sometimes, when I find myself in the middle of a few very challenging situations and I feel like I can't take one more step, I begin to talk to myself - not out loud. I engage my brain to recite the truth to my heart so that I don't let myself get carried away by emotions that could really keep me from imploding.
In the last number of months, I've begun writing these thoughts down. I call them "Declarations." Writing things down seems to give strength to the process and it is also interesting to look back over a Declaration or two sometimes when I can't think of what to tell myself. :)
This is a Declaration I wrote yesterday. It was 'one-of-those-days' and I realized that I needed to sit myself down and strategize or I would be mowed down by despair. I thought I would share it with everyone and maybe it might help someone else who is having 'one-of-those-days' today.

I will choose to keep my focus ahead of me
-I can't get stuck in this moment or in the past
I will choose to do what I can in this moment
-instead of giving up
I will remind myself of the truth - the basic facts
-and not get overwhelmed by extemporaneous chatter
I will not let my emotions carry me down a negative path
- that disables me
I will resist the temptation to run away
-though I so wish I could
I will allow the Holy Spirit to work His life in me
-love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
I will endeavor to be all I can be - right now - right here
-so that I don't waste the moment and I can still make progress

A Poem by Annie Johnson Flint

Have you come to the Red Sea place in your life,
Where, in spite of all you can do,
There is no way out, there is no way back,
There is no other way but through?
Then wait on the Lord with a trust serene
Till the night of your fear is gone;
He will send the wind, He will heap the floods,
When He says to your soul, "Move on."

And His hand will lead you through -- clear through --
Ere the watery walls roll down,
No foe can reach you, no wave can touch,
No mightiest sea can drown;
The tossing billows may rear their crests,
Their foam at your feet may break,
But o'er the seabed you will walk dry ground
In the path that your Lord will make.

In the morning watch, 'neath the lifted cloud,
You will see but the Lord alone,
When He leads you on from the place of the sea
To a land that you have not known;
And your fears will pass as your foes have passed,
You will be no more afraid;
You will sing His praise in a better place,
A place that His hand has made.

Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
Yes, our God is merciful.
The LORD preserves the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me.
Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
For You have delivered my soul from death,
My eyes from tears,
And my feet from falling.
I will walk before the LORD
In the land of the living.
Psalm 116:5-8

For more Annie Johnson Flint's biography:
http://www.preceptaustin.org/annie_johnson_flint%27s_biography.htm

John Wooden

Found this quote on Twitter:
"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."
John Wooden (1910- )
An American Basketball Couch

I liked Mr. Wooden's quote, so I looked him up on Wikipedia and found lots of interesting and inspiring information about him. In the article, I found his Seven Point Creed which had been given to him by his father when he graduated from grammer school.

Here is a copy of the Seven Point Creed:

• Be true to yourself.
• Make each day your masterpiece.
• Help others.
• Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.
• Make friendship a fine art.
• Build a shelter against a rainy day.
• Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day

He was outstanding in his field having many great success stories and honors given to him. I would encourage anyone to look him up, if you don't know him, and be inspired to be all that you can be!

All Will Be Well

Dear Lord,
Thank you that I can trust in you
because you will always keep your word.
Help me to trust you more
and to not worry about things which
I can't do anything about.
Give me faith so I can give you
everything that is too big for me.
I know you are good
and
you do all things well.
Thank you for the hope that
'All will be well'
I don't want to waste my time
worrying about things that are beyond
my ability to control.
I want to use my thinking energies
to appreciate
all the beautiful wonders
around me.
I want to be free to be creative
so I can be
one of those beautiful wonders
in the lives of others
for your glory.
Amen

Words of Encouragement

"The Lord looks on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his love,
to rescue their souls from death,
to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul is waiting for the Lord.
The Lord is our help and shield.
Our hearts find joy in the Lord.
We trust in God's holy name.
May your love be upon us, O Lord,
As we place all our hope in you."
Psalm 33:18-22

"They call and the Lord hears
and rescues them in all their distress.
The Lord is close to the broken-hearted;
those whose spirit is crushed God will save."
Psalm 34:18,19

As I was praying last night, I came upon these verses of hope in the Lord. I am sure there are others who will be blessed to hear these words, so I decided to post them. Where ever you are in life, take peace in knowing that God is close to you, He will rescue you when you call out to Him, He will never let you down and His great love is all over you!