OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY - BEACH ON A RAINY DAY

It was a balmy but rainy and windy day at the beach. The clouds were lowering across the sky and this little fir tree was being whipped by each wind blast.

There was a storm off the coast of NJ and it kicked up the waves - I love to see the waves break and hear the surf roar.

Here is a picture of an old fishing pier. I should have taken a picture of the sign above the door of the fishing clubhouse. It said the pier was 94 years old and in continuous use in all that time

For more Outdoor Wednesday posts, go to Susan at A Southern Day Dreamer

SPIRITUAL SUNDAY - PERSPECTIVE

My question for God:

How do I make sense of the seemingly random circumstances of my life? Is God really in charge, or do things happen by chance?

A Moment with God:

I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. But don't be upset, and don't be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives...So it was God who sent me here, not you! Genesis 45: 4-5, 8

The Lord will work out his plans for my life. Psalm 138: 8

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From a human perspective, the world and even our lives often seem to be random and unpredictable, but God is ultimately in control. In Joseph's story, God used even the cruel and unjust actions of Joseph's own brothers to fulfill his plan. People's sinful ways do not ruin God's sovereign plans. Your life is like a tapestry. Now you can see only small sections on the back, with all its knots and loose ends. Someday you will see the front in its entirety, the beautiful picture of world history and your personal story from God's perspective. If you can see unexpected and even unwelcome circumstances in this way, you can embrace both the good and the bad, knowing that God is weaving a beautiful picture with your life.

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Divine Promise

YOU SEE ME WHEN I TRAVEL AND WHEN I REST AT HOME. YOU KNOW EVERYTHING I DO. Psalm 139: 3

This lesson, again from "Divine Moments for Leaders, seemed so appropriate for today. The world sometimes feels so scarily out of control and this lesson puts everything into "God's Perspective!"

Many thanks to Charlotte and Ginger at Bloggerspirit.blogspot.com.

OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY

The pictures I have chosen for this Outdoor Wednesday are of my church looking from the field and small stream that runs through the back of the property. Where you see the birdhouse is a very small stream or as some would call it, a creek. In the far background is the Social Hall with offices and Sunday school rooms and auditorium. The church itself is to the left behind the trees.

The colors are just beautiful and I think this is the peak of the Fall season - the last week in October.

For more Outdoor Wednesday posts hosted by A Southern Day Dreamer go here

A PRAYER AT SUMMER'S END

For fruit warm ripe in summer's sun,

For love and work and wholesome fun,

For raindrops on the windowpanes,

For walks down grassy country lanes,

For sunshine bright, for moonlights glow,

For cornstalks marching, row on row,

For baby pigs, for laughter gay,

For fragrant smell of new mown hay,

For food...and music...birdsongs sweet,

For restful, healing nighttime sleep,

For home with its familiar joys,

For carefree shouts of girls and boys,

For safe returns, for loving care,

For all the bliss of answered prayer,

For dancing stars, for firelight's gleam,

Fulfillment of a cherished dream,

For books and friends, a faith that sings,

For happiness homecoming brings,

For hope renewed, for courage born,

For breathless hush of early morn,

For this -- a blessed interlude --

Dear God, accept my gratitude.

-Ruby A. Jones

A big thank you to Sister Charlotte and Sister Ginger for giving us a place to tell inspirational stories, share poems and scripture with all who come HERE

OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY

A friend and I went on a bus trip to Peddler's Village in LaHaska, Bucks County, PA yesterday. Below are some of the beautiful grounds around the assorted shops, cafes and restaurants located

in this picturesque area of Pennsylvania.

These pictures show some of the last "roses" of summer...still quite stunning.

Thank you to A Southern Day Dreamer and for more Outdoor Wednesday posts go HERE

A WONDERFUL PINK, SPARKLE SURPRISE!

I was the winner of Dana's, of The Stone Rabbit, 200th post! Now what have we here? Thank you so much Dana for these lovely gifts! All packed so neatly in PINK tissue paper!

Opening the box was a lot of fun and I pulled each item out carefully!

Oh Wow! Look at these neato pink pens with "The Stone Rabbit" printed on them! I LOVE them! As a writer, I'm always looking for great pens!

...And here is a photo of my "Thank You" to the Stone Rabbit!

Next came out the sweet note, the sparkley glitter hat, and the ice cream cone ornament in a pretty pink and white color.

Another picture of those great pens!

Ta Da! Look at me - lookin' at you wearing the very pretty, glittery hat that I intend to
wear:

GOLFING! Here I am posing with my new golf hat and seven iron
Thanks again Dana! That was fun!

DIVINE MOMENTS - SPIRITUAL SUNDAY

I'm choosing another post from the little book called "Divine Moments for Leaders" - Everyday Inspiration from God's Word. It seems once I pick up this book, I can't just read one "lesson!" Every one has some great advice from God's Word. Today I chose one called "Boundaries."

MY QUESTION FOR GOD

What boundaries do I need in my life, and why do I need them?

A MOMENT WITH GOD

Guard you heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23 NLT

My child, listen and be wise: Keep your heart on the right course. Proverbs 23:19 NLT

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The purpose of a guardrail on a dangerous curve is not to inhibit your freedom to drive, but to save your life! That guardrail keeps you on the road and provides security and safety. The Bible tells us that without some restraints, we would go out of control. Look to God's Word to be a guardrail as you travel through life-----not to inhibit your freedom but to keep you safe and on the right path. If you don't guard your heart with God's Word and stay focused on the road God has laid out for you, you may have a terrible accident when temptation distracts you. This also applies to business and ministry. When you do what is right according to God's Word, you develop a reputation of integrity. You don't take advantage of others, you realize you can't take credit for your successes, and you know you need to rely on God and others to help you finish strong. These boundaries don't restrict you but in fact help you do well in business, or in any area of life.

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DIVINE PROMISE

JOYFUL ARE THOSE YOU DISCIPLINE, LORD. THOSE YOU TEACH WITH YOUR INSTRUCTIONS. Psalm 94:12 NLT

I thank Dear Charlotte and Dear Ginger for the chance to share inspirational insight with others.

To see more Spiritual Sunday posts go HERE