The Backyard Pond

I am fabulously (past the limits of belief) in love with the great outdoors. God was so good to create all of this wonderful earth for us. Can you even begin to imagine what Heaven will be like? You know; His word says that in His Father's House are many mansions. In another part of His Word; He tells us that He goes to prepare a "place" for us. We can use our imaginations here. These are just my thoughts, but I would like to think of a beautiful pond with stepping stones and you can just hear the water gurggling as it flows down those stones.
The birds are fairly singing for joy, trying to outdo one another with their praise for God. As I meander down one of the woodsy paths, it takes my breath away to see the sunlight trickling down, splashing the forest floor with the warmth of its rays. As we sit down to visit on some old white wicker; we feel the whisper of a breeze as it gently kisses our brow. Was that a drone of a bee sipping on nectar, the song of the wiperwill and yes, in the distance the hunted love song of the turtle dove?
I do know one thing for sure...God is here! His presence is so overwhelming that it brings tears to my eyes.
I would love to invite anyone that would read this to feel welcomed to stop by. I believe each and everyone of us has problems, face trials, bear burdens that sometimes seem heavier than we can bear. His Word tells us to bear one anothers burdens and that is what I would like the Backyard Pond to be...a place to come and share, a place to come to encourage one another.
Would you meet me at the pond for a spot of tea and a visit? We can start by praising God for what He has done and let Him have His way in the remainder of our visit.

"Glorify ye the Lord in the fires." Isaiah 24:150

Have you ever been through the fires of afflication? Do you know the definition of afflication? Webster's Dictionary says it aptly well. Afflection: suffering, pain, mental suffering. The Lord allows us to face some things. We may be struggling with finantial difficulties and even though we know God will undertake and work it out; all these other little "foxes" come tearing in. Sickness strikes, perhaps long term. Our children may go through things of their own which causes our hearts to break. "Oh, Lord..how long"?
Not a one of the above is a stranger to me. I must share of a testimony that I was priviledged to hear. Is it not heartening to see some precious one who just has to be broken in body, but who retains the splendor of an unbroken patience? What a witness all this offers to His wonderful grace! Our God was certainly glorified in this. This precious one has been through so much and still; there is a song in her heart.
No matter what my dear and precious family and friends may be facing in this amazing day of "falling away", we need to just hold onto the Lord's hand real tight like. He won't let go...thank God, He won't let go! And...as my friend encouraged me with her testimony, that in turn glorified our God. He is my all in all.
Remember..."Glorify ye the Lord in the fires."

Saturday, April 4, 2009

"I was crushed...so much so that I despaired even of life, but that was to make me rely not on myself, but on the God who raises the dead." (2 Cor. 1:8, 9.)

I was reading this morning in Streams In The Desert. I don't think I could have found anything that would have encouraged me more. He is so faithful. I'd like to share what I read penned by A. B. Simpson

"The pressure of hard places makes us value life. Every time our life is given back to us from such a trial, it is like a new beginning, and we learn better how much it is worth, and make more of it for God and man. The pressure helps us to understand the trials of others, and fits us to help and sympathize with them.
There is a shallow, superficial nature, that gets hold of a theory or a promice lightly, and talks very glibly about the distrust of those who shrink from every trial; but the man or woman who has suffered much never does this, but is very tender and gentle, and knows what suffering really means. This is what Paul meant when he said, "Death worketh in you."
Trials and hard places are needed to press us forward, even as the furnace fires in the hold of that mighty ship give force that moves the piston, drives the engine, and propels that great vessel across the sea in the face of the winds and waves."