Friday Photos

 

This is one of my favorite photos of all time. We had been kayaking along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, and I took this picture from my kayak when we reached our put-in.

When I placed the trilogy of pictures at the top, I wanted to emphasize the change noted in the verse I used. All Christians are in a state of growth and change," from glory to glory."

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord; are changed into the same image from glory to glory, 

even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

2 Corinthians 3:18

Being Triggered

Many people today speak of being "triggered," which is usually a negative reaction to something that has occurred. I have moments of being "triggered" as well, but they are much different. 

I usually easily go to the Lord with thoughts of my own needs or those of my family, but I often need reminders to pray for the needs of others.

I was thinking of that today when I was cleaning the sink.  It reminded me to pray for a friend of mine who recently underwent a cardiac procedure.  You may wonder why my sink made me think to pray for her.  First of all, I am sure the Lord used the cleaning of my sink to prompt me to pray for my friend because one day, she and I had a conversation about cleaning the kitchen sink.  Not an earth-shaking topic nor an earth-shaking conversation, but the Lord used it to bring my thinking to her so I would pray for her.

I am a firm believer in what I call "prayer triggers." For example, the sound of a siren reminds me to pray for first responders. Seeing a school bus reminds me to pray for our friend who drove a school bus for several years. (I imagine she needed those prayers!) I have many such triggers, where everyday things remind me to pray for someone else. Now, I have a "kitchen sink" prayer trigger.

The wonderful thing about prayer is that we can do it anytime, anywhere, in any position.  Our prayers are not required to be long and flowery.  A simple lifting up of that person's name is sufficient; God knows the details.  However, if we do desire to pray about specifics, that is perfectly good as well.

If we had just a glimpse of how precious our prayers are to the Lord, we would find prayer to be one of the most delightful events of our day. Our prayers to the Lord are so precious to Him that we find this verse in the Old Testament: 

"...let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice..." 

Song of Solomon 2:14.

If My Voice
If my voice is sweet to you, Lord,
As Your Word declares,
And if somehow you find delight in my prayers.
And if Your face You call me to seek, Lord,
Your face I will seek…
And my voice You will hear…

All Things Ellie Tuesday

Let me tell you a little about Ellie.

Ellie is a full-blooded beagle.  She is almost five years old. We got her from Jeffco Kennels in Livingston, LA, and she is the best beagle we have had.

Our previous beagle, Sparrow, was a sweet soul of a dog and lived to be over 13. When she died of congestive heart failure, we were brokenhearted and not sure if we wanted another dog.  We began seeking the Lord's will in that regard.  At the same time, I began looking at breeders on the internet to acquire information in case we decided to get another dog.

I found Mr. Jeff and Mrs. Lisa, who own and operate Jeffco Kennels and was very impressed with how they cared for and socialized their puppies. Shortly after Sparrow's death, one of the momma beagles at Jeffco became pregnant with a litter. Ellie was one of eight puppies in that litter. It was right around that time that we decided to get another dog—of course, it had to be a beagle. 

Ellie's first car ride

We picked Ellie up on May 1st. She weighed 3 lbs. 3 ozs. and was the cutest little bundle of puppy! When we picked her up, she was almost potty trained, and she settled into the rhythm of our family immediately. Everyone loved Ellie, and Elllie loved everyone. (Except for maybe this one woman who walks around the block, but that's another story for another day.) 

Unlike the stereotype, Ellie adores our mailman.  If we are outside when he comes by, she will pull me until I take her to see him.  And it isn't because she wants one of the dog treats he keeps in his truck.  She loves to see him, and he loves her back.

Ellie's favorite thing to do is eat. She loves chicken best. She also loves to take walks, especially when she can stop and smell as much as she likes.

Curious Ellie

Ellie is a great travel dog. She loves the car and sits contentedly in the back seat. She adapts to any situation, whether we stay in a hotel or with friends. She loves to go hiking with us, and we love exposing her to new things. 

We had one beagle who loved water, and I was curious to see how Ellie would respond to a river. She was not interested at all!

Ellie has been exposed to many other animals, including cats, dogs, turtles, cows, and horses. On subsequent Tuesdays, I will tell you about some of those encounters.

The most important thing to tell you about Ellie is that she is absolutely a gift and blessing from the Lord. Not a day goes by that I do not thank the Lord for bringing her into our lives and reminding us through her how much he loves us!

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

James 1: 17

The Undead Snake

One of the 44 trestles on the VCT

 A couple years ago, Glen and I decided we would hike the Virginia Creeper Trail.  

This old railway trail has been converted into a biking and hiking trail.  It is 32 miles long, begins in Abingdon, VA, and ends in Whitetop, VA, close to the Virginia/North Carolina State Line.

We had been on this trail before when we were doing a section hike on the Appalachian Trail. For several miles, the VCT and the AT share the same path. This exposure to the VCT led us back in the summer of 2023.

The VCT has 44 trestles along the 32 miles of trail, which makes this trail special.  Some of these trestles cross creeks and rivers, and some cross ravines.  I love the fact that they are each numbered, so you can easily keep up with which ones you have crossed.

We were crossing one of these trestles when I noticed a black snake on one side. I observed the snake for a bit and ensured I was well out of its way, but the snake never moved. I did not see the slightest movement, and I remember telling Glen, "Look, this poor snake died up here on the trestle."

We continued our hike, which was to be an "out and back," which meant we would go out a particular distance and then turn around and retrace our steps to where we began.

I didn't want to see the snake again because I thought it was so sad.  Imagine my surprise when we reached that trestle and the snake was still there but in a different place!  The snake hadn't been dead, merely resting.  Or perhaps feigning death as a protection from predators.

When I remembered this the other day, it made me think that just because we think something is dead doesn't make it true. There are so many times in our lives when we think something is dead—some hope, dream, or prayer. But it isn't. God just isn't finished with it yet.

Because we live totally in the realm of time, we forget that the Lord is eternal. He had a plan for mankind before He created the world. His plan includes everything—me, you, and everything about us.  

"My times are in Thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me." Psalm 31:15

One of my daughters frequently says, "Trust the process."  This is exactly what our attitude toward the Lord should be. Trust Him.  He knows everything about everything, and we do not.  Or, as our dear friend Wayne emphatically states, "God is God, and we ain't!"

"O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; 

for His mercy endureth for ever."

1 Chronicles 16:234

Friday Photos

 

This photo was taken June 28, 2023, when we were hiking the Virginia Creeper Trail.  I was surprised at the beauty of this scenery.  We sat on a nearby bench for several minutes, enjoying the view.

All Things Ellie

Ellie Jean Louise Davis

One of our friends commented that she views our blog "just to see photos of Ellie."  I know she was joking, but noticing that comment today gave me the idea to dedicate one day a week to "all things Ellie." (Thanks for the inspiration, Karen!)

Once I had decided that might be a fun endeavor, I needed to decide which day of the week to do it.  I decided it would be a day with an "E" in the name, for Ellie.  So that left me with Tuesday or Wednesday.  Since Wednesday is our busiest day of the week (we do two services back to back on Wednesday), I decided to make Tuesday our "All Things Ellie" day.

I will begin by giving you a little background on Ellie.  (If you have read any of our Ellie & Percival Series children's books, you already know a good deal about Ellie.)

Ellie is a beagle.  She will be five in March.  Her favorite thing in the world - besides eating, of course - is to smell things.  Most afternoons in the week, we go to a local schoolyard.  We put Ellie on a 30ft leash and let her go where she wants to go and smell whatever she wants to smell for as long as she wants, or for about 45 minutes.  She loves this activity.  Every afternoon, about the time we would usually go, she begins to watch me for signs we are leaving.   I enjoy doing this with Ellie.  Beagles are hounds, and as such, they are driven by scent.  The "smelling time" is as important for them as the actual exercise.  During a usual time at the schoolyard, we will walk over a mile, so she gets some exercise with it as well.

Ellie's Favorite Toy

Ellie's favorite game is "Keep Away."  She has a few toys which she loves for this.  She takes her job in Keep Away seriously, so not every toy can handle it.  My favorite -and most long-lasting- toys are made by the "Fluff and Tuff" company.  These toys have a mesh lining inside, and they hold up very well to Ellies vigorous pulling and my not-as-vigorous tugging.  They wash well, too. (I have not received any compensation for this review; I am simply amazed at how well they handle what Ellie dishes out.)

Several times during the day, Ellie comes to me with one of her favorite toys and drops it at my feet. I try to play with her whenever I can because I know how much she loves it and that it satisfies some of her innate needs.

Ellie is a wonderful dog, and I look forward to sharing her with you every Tuesday.

Waiting for the Birds

 Our daughter gave us a bird feeder with a camera for Christmas.  Today, we finished assembling the feeder, charging the camera, and installing the feeder on the side of our house.  Glen and  I both have the app installed on our phones, and both the app and camera are functional.

The view from our bird feeder

Our great temptation is now to watch the camera and wait for the birds.  The feeder is full of food; the birds just don't know it is there yet.  But we are so excited to see them; we want them to come and eat right now!

I can't help but chuckle at myself for being so impatient with the birds.  It causes me to think about people I have known and prayed for over the years. I want them to come to know the Lord, right now! 

You see, The Lord has prepared everything for us.  He "giveth to all life, and breath, and all things" (Acts 17:25.) He has secured our salvation by the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  He waits for us to take advantage of the wonderful life He has created for us.

Not only that, but He continues after our salvation to meet our needs and provide everything we need to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

What we need is there; we only have to accept it through faith.  We have to fly to the bird feeder and take advantage of what has been placed there.  I pray that each time I see a bird happily feasting on the seed we have provided, I remember the abundance our Lord has provided for us.

This makes me think of one of my favorite hymns, "Day By Day."

Day By Day

Lyrics by Carolina Sandell

Day by day, and with each passing moment,

Strength I find to meet my trials here

I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.

He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,

Gives unto each day what He deems best,

Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day the Lord Himself is near me,

With a special mercy for each hour;

All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,

He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r.

The protection of His child and treasure

Is a charge that on Himself He laid;

“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”

This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then, in every tribulation,

So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,

That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation,

Offered me within Thy holy Word.

Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,

E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,

One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,

Till with Christ the Lord I stand.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, 

and cometh down from the Father of lights, 

with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." 

James 1:17

Friday Photos January 17, 2025

 

Raindrops dissecting a reflection

This picture was taken on November 4, 2016. I had just gotten a new camera and wanted to try it out, even though it was drizzling. I stood at our front steps and took picture after picture, trying to get a shot of the droplet rings, dissecting the reflection of the roofline. In the end, I was happy with it.  

The Second Diamond Lost

 After Glen and I had been married for only one month, I was out running errands when I looked down at my left hand and saw that the diamond had been removed from my engagement ring.

Fast forward almost fifty years.

One Sunday morning before our Chapel Service, I was chatting with Mrs. Betty about things.  We talked about losing them, having them taken away from us, in general, about not having them anymore.  She relayed to me that her son had told her, “Mom, those are just things.”  It reminded me of a sign I used to have on my wall:

“Only God and people are eternal; everything else is just stuff.”

We finished our conversation, and I sat down in a pew in the chapel. Glancing down at my left hand, I noticed once again that a diamond was missing from my wedding band.

I could not help but smile. After all, Mrs. Betty and I had just discussed how things are just that: things.

After a few minutes, I began to remember a tiny shiny stone I found a few days before when I was cleaning my bathroom floor. I thought it might be from one of my granddaughter's playthings, so I put it in a bag for safekeeping.

When I got home, I went straight to my jewelry box where I had put that bag. Yes, the tiny stone perfectly matched the empty setting on the side of the ring. I put the ring in the bag with the stone, intending to take it to the jewelers that week.

One thing led to another, and now, months later, the stone and the ring still sit in my jewelry box. I suspect that, having once decided that "things were just things," I was in no hurry to replace the stone into its original setting.

I will take it to the jeweler, but for me, even though it is beautiful, it is still a "thing". There is nothing in our lives, no thing, no person, no event, no accomplishment that can bring us lasting fulfillment and joy. On Christ Jesus can do that. This is so true the Scriptures say of Him:

“…Christ is all, and in all.”  Col 3:11

"For in him we live, and move, and have our being;" Acts 17:28

There is a lovely song, published in 1869, under the name, "Always Rejoicing," attributed to Pauline T, which beautifully expresses these thoughts.  These are the lyrics:

HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING?

My life goes on in endless song:

Above earth's lamentation,

I hear the sweet, tho' far-off hymn

That hails a new creation.

Through all the tumult and the strife

I hear the music ringing;

It sounds an echo in my soul--

How can I keep from singing?

What tho' my joys and comfort die?

The Lord my Saviour liveth;

What tho' the darkness 'round me lie?

Songs in the night he giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm,

While to that Rock I'm clinging;

Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,

How can I keep from singing?

I lift my eyes; the veil grows thin,

I see His Truth above it,

Step by step leads me to Him,

This path how I've learned to love it.

The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,

A fountain ever springing;

All is mine since I am His-

How can I keep from singing?

No storm can shake my inmost calm,

While to that Rock I'm clinging;

Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,

How can I keep from singing?

It Is The Ending That Matters

 

A website I visited the other day asked me to choose the answer to a preset security question, "Who is your favorite fictional character?"

Being a fan of Jane Austen and Tolkien, I had plenty of names to choose from.  I knew, however, that I would need to easily remember this character if I returned to the site, perhaps even months from now. It had to be someone who stands out above all others.

There were only two who met that criteria:  Snoopy and Scrooge.

Glen and I love Snoopy because we are beagle people.  Over the years, we have had five beagles, two of which were the most incredible dogs we have and could ever own.  Sparrow and Ellie would make even Snoopy proud.  

But I chose Scrooge.

The choice of Scrooge, however, may surprise you.  We are not just great beagle fans, we are great Dickens fans, and especially the story, "A Christmas Carol."  We love it in print, we love it in film (we prefer the version with Alastair Sim), and since 2013 in New York, we have loved it on stage.

Among all the characters in "A Christmas Carol," some may wonder why I would pick a miserly,  curmudgeon of an old man. You see, Scrooge may have started that way, but he didn't end that way.  During his visits by the Spirits, he came to see he could not continue in his life of selfish independence and abhorrence of the ministrations of others if he was to escape the consequences when his life ended.  

In his discourse with the last spirit, he sought the intercession of the spirit to no avail. He promised to not be the man he was, but still, he found no freedom from the haunting Spirit of Christmas Future.  It was only when he turned his gaze from himself and what he thought he could do to change himself toward Heaven that he was transformed:

"Holding up his hands in a last prayer to have his fate aye reversed, he saw an alteration in the Phantom's hood and dress. It shrunk, collapsed, and dwindled down into a bedpost."

Upon waking and finding himself safely back in his own bedroom, he proclaimed, "Heaven and the Christmas Time be praised for this.  I say it on my knees, old Jacob, on my knees!"

In the end, "it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge."

Scrooge represents us all.  We want to try so much to reclaim ourselves.  We want to do something to make ourselves good enough to please God.  But nothing we can try, not the very best or greatest amount of works, can secure our salvation.

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He love us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast."

In the end, we -- like Scrooge-- must bow our hearts to the only One who can and has secured our salvation.  We must accept by faith His free gift and give ourselves wholly to Him.  It is then He creates in us a "clean heart," He begins the process of transforming us into the image of "His dear Son," and He adopts us into His family to forever be His Sons and daughters.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: 

old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."  

2 Corinthians 5:17

The question is not, how did we begin, but how will we end?

Comfort....Through Us

 Trouble.  

We don't need any explanation of that word, do we?  We all have troubles.  Sometimes big, sometimes small, and nagging.  But, as the Scriptures say, 

"Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward."  Job 5:7

The issue is not the trouble; the issue is what we do with the troubles.  We have many choices.  We can blame others, which is never effective in dealing with trouble.  We can sit and bemoan our troubles, even to the point of feeling ill-treated.  Or, and this is the only answer with hope, we can turn to the Lord with our troubles.

King David said, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1). While King David tells us that the Lord is our refuge and strength in times of trouble, the Apostle Paul takes it even further:

"Blessed be God, even the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." (2 Corinthians 1:3,4)

The Lord loves to comfort His children.  Why? Primarily because He loves us more than we can ever imagine.  We love to comfort our children, to hold them close and whisper in their ears that everything will be "ok".  I even love to comfort Ellie when she is upset about something, and she's a dog!  

But the Lord has another reason for comforting us.  As He pours His comfort into our spirits, He doesn't intend for it to stay there.  He has comforted us with perfect comfort that He may comfort others through us!  As we offer a word or gesture of support or comfort or understanding to someone else, that is His comfort flowing in and through us to the hurting ones in our world.  He has given us everything we need to help others in their times of sorrow, grief, and pain.  It is our choice to seek His will and utilize what He has given us for the benefit of others.  He desires us to pour out our lives for others as He poured out His life for us.  And in this, we will find peace and joy.

Friday Photos

 Chacaloochee Bay to Apalachee River

I was looking through my files and realized I have a lot of photos that no one ever gets to see.  So, I thought I would start posting one photo every Friday.  Some of these may have appeared in a post previously, and if so, I apologize.  I promise I will try not to post photos of Ellie too often.

Glen kayaking on Chacaloochee Bay

This is one of my favorite pictures.  Glen and I loved kayaking either at sunrise or sunset.  I preferred sunrise because, when kayaking at sunset, we had to make sure we got back to the put-in before it was dark.  There are alligators out there, after all.

This photo was taken on May 2, 2013.  We put in at Chacaloochee Bay and paddled east to Pass Picada. This pass leads to the Apalachee River, my favorite river to kayak.  We would have already looked at the time for sunset and determined exactly how long we could be out before we had to head back.  Then, we returned to Chacaloochee Bay and sat in our kayaks, watching the sun slowly dip down toward the horizon.  Sometimes cutting it very close, we would go to the put-in with just enough time and, more importantly, just enough light to pack the kayaks away and travel the 12.5 miles home.  If the "hot donut" sign was on this would usually include a stop at Krispy Kreme!

Nothing makes my thoughts turn to the Lord more than being out in nature.  The lapping of the water against our kayaks, the wind -hopefully- at our backs, and the graceful trees lining the river all point to Him.  Add the birds, the fish, and yes, the graceful alligators, and He is manifesting Himself in every direction.

"For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead..."

Romans 1: 20

"We Will Have a Long Eternity Together"

 

My Retirement Cake

Yesterday was the first full day of my retirement. My 46-year career as a nurse has ended.  This was not sudden because, on my birthday in 2022, I became a PRN nurse, which meant I was only required to work two shifts a month.  Doing that until January 2, 2025, was a great transition to retirement. 

However, the last shift I worked I shared with my best friend and nurses I have worked with for 33 years. At one point in the shift, one of the nurses and I were talking about my retirement, and I could tell by the look on her face we were headed for that "we won't see each other again" conversation.  I did not want to go there.  "Ugly crying" at work is something to avoid at all costs. It was then, out of the blue, a thought came into my head.  I am absolutely sure the Lord planted this thought, and I told Shirley, "Shirley, we will have a long eternity together.  I'm sure all of us will sit around together in heaven one day and tell work stories."

That thought, "We will have a long eternity together," became my mantra. Anytime someone looked at me with misty eyes, I repeated it. It was my mantra—and my comfort—for the night and for the next morning when I left the hospital. It comforted me then, and it does now.

Since then, I have been thinking about what is often referred to as an "eternity view." If everything we do, think, or encounter is viewed through the lens of eternity, then things certainly are different.  

Take, for example, the passing of a loved one or friend. When my father passed away unexpectedly, our good friend Tom called, and his first words to me were, "I heard your father moved to a better neighborhood."

Those words first made me laugh, with the realization of how true they were, and then they comforted me. My father didn't die - oh, his body did. His heart just stopped beating. But my father's spirit lives on and is in the presence of the Lord. One day his earthly body will be resurrected and transformed into a body without corruption and united to his spirit. This is true of all who believe in the Lord Jesus.

But there is more to living in the light of eternity.

Every moment of our lives impacts eternity in some way. There are people the Lord has placed in our lives to show love and kindness to, which might lead them to faith in the Lord. There are places He intends for us to go and things He intends for us to do, requiring us to seek His guidance and leading. Perhaps there should be less thought on our earthly bank account and more thought on the "unsearchable riches of Christ." How much differently would we think of each person we meet if we made the choice to remember that this very person in front of us was someone for whom the Lord Jesus died?

So, in this new year, as well as this new phase of my life, I have the heartfelt desire to view my life, my days, my hours, my minutes, with eternity in mind. What is it the Lord wants to do in that specific minute in my life?

My husband has written on this subject on his blog, and here is the link for that post:

The Special of the Day from the Orange Moon Cafe:  "The Eternal Purpose"