Even Muddled We Can Still Be Used By Him

Sometimes I can actually put two sentences together with barely an effort to sound lucid like I’ve benefited from all the proper schooling my parents invested in. It’s unfortunate that most times I only sit here with a blank stare in front of this screen stumbling around with how to begin a blog post coherently so that I not sound like I'm 10 years old. So often I’ll start out with what I believe would be a good thought or event to share. In my thoughts I weave reasoned profundities using proper sentence structure, grammar and punctuation that would make my parents and my 4th Grade teacher proud. But other times I sit in front of this blank screen and am thwarted by that clanging monkey side of my brain making my thoughts turn into an irrational permanent adolescence. That set me to pondering, did the Prophets and other great men and women of God suffer from serious problems or hindrances in sharing His message or doing His will too? They sure did! Let’s see pick out just a few of the Prophets situations in the Holy Scriptures:

As we investigate the numerous ways in which prophets were persecuted we shall find that they divide into (1) rejection of themselves and their message, and (2) physical violence to their persons.

They were persecuted through ridicule (2 Kings 2:23, Luke 22:64, Jer 20:7); by being told to be quiet (Amos 2:12, 7:13); by unpleasant looks (Jer 1:8,17, 5:3); through accusations and having their message reported back to the authorities (Jer 18:19, 37:13, Amos 7:10, Jer 20:10); by being debarred from attending God's house (Jer 36:5); and by having their prophetic words, both spoken and written, rejected (Isa 30:10, Micah 2:6, Amos 7:12,16, Jer 36:23).

Physical violence to their persons took various forms: they were placed in the stocks (Jer 20:2); they were kept in chains (Jer 40:1); they were slapped in the face (1 Kings 22:24); they were imprisoned in cells, dungeons and cisterns (Jer 37:15-16 & 38:6) in some cases just on bread and water (1 Kings 22:27); they were threatened with death (1 Kings 19:1) while others were actually put to death (2 Chron 24:21, Jer 26:20-23).

Others were killed whose names are not recorded. Jesus gives us reason to believe there were many who made the ultimate sacrifice (Luke 11:50-51).

Source:  https://prophecytoday.uk/study/teaching-articles/item/234-persecuted-prophets.html

So, there you are. Praise God at least I haven’t had to suffer anything that drastic! I’m only muddled because I allow myself to be distracted by all the bling around me. His Holy Prophets suffered from stuttering, depression, they were tortured, beheaded, cut in two, ignored, belittled, starved, and everything else that’s horrible one can think of that we humans in our sin do to one another. Also others who have sought to follow Him have suffered all these fates but they stayed focused and kept going. It’s God’s infinite mercy and grace that the whole human race hasn’t been given over to a debased mind to digress into extinction by our own hands isn't it?! Instead He sent a perfect Saviour His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, who paid for all our sins at Calvary. Free of cost for us, but, oh, what it cost Him. All we have to do is trust and believe.  

May your day be blessed with more coherent thoughts than mine. Keep looking up dear ones because Jesus will be taking all of us who trust and believe Him outta the way of the wrath to come soon!

Friday Foto

We've been feeding the deer sweet corn down on the gun range which also attracts lots of other hungry wildlife. Mostly birds. These are only a few of the one's that have shown up. Usually the migratory's come through but they're late this year. Perhaps they'll grace us with their presence for the next Friday Foto.

Enjoy the photo overload. 

Blue Jay

The blue jay is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae, native to eastern North America.

It lives in most of the eastern and central United States; some eastern populations

may be migratory. Resident populations are also in Newfoundland, Canada;

breeding populations are found across southern Canada.

Brown Thrasher (Georgia State Bird)

The brown thrasher, sometimes erroneously called the brown thrush or fox-coloured thrush, is a bird in the family Mimidae, which also includes the New World catbirds and mockingbirds. 

Northern Cardinal (we named our property after these beautities)

The northern cardinal, known colloquially as the redbird, common cardinal,

red cardinal, or just cardinal, is a bird in the genus Cardinalis.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

The red-bellied woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker of the family Picidae.

 It breeds mainly in the eastern United States, ranging as far south as Florida

and as far north as Canada. 

Eastern Grey Squirrel with Blue Jays

The eastern gray squirrel, also known, particularly outside of North America,

as simply the grey squirrel, is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus.

It is native to eastern North America, where it is the most prodigious

and ecologically essential natural forest regenerator.

Towhee

Pipilo is a genus of birds in the American sparrow family Passerellidae.

It is one of two genera containing birds with the common name towhee.

It is such a pleasure, an honor and a privilege to be surrounded by God's beautiful handiwork. I try to thank Him every day for allowing us to live here. Can I get an amen?! 

Thursday Thoughts

Good morning folks! Yesterday went from dull to interesting. We started out shopping. Dropped by a new business called Trackside Emporium on Central Avenue in Blackshear that sells antiques and odds and ends on consignment. Last week Steve had set up an account to sell some of his work. Below is the display the owner did for us. Nice huh? I hope they sell.

After stopping at Trackside we sped off to Waycross to keep an important doctor's appointment at the spine center. Steve's been experiencing sporadic debilitating back pain. Poor guy's been waiting since last week to go in to get help. Well, guess what?! The little receptionist lady in the office that made the appointment last week made it for the wrong office. What the ...!?! 😲 Apparently they have an office in Waycross and one in Baxley. She put us in Baxley! 😕 Bummer. Now he has to start all over again. 😡 Well at least Steve said he's feeling somewhat improved by now, which I'm very grateful for. Thank you Lord for answered prayer! For now he wants to wait to see if it starts ailing badly again before trying to return. Maybe they'll get it right next time. 😒 Medical care in America is so messed up since the man who calls himself 0bama slithered into Office. 

Funny thing happened at the doctors. When we walked into the spine center, Steve made a beeline for the check in center, which is only right since he's the patient. Since we live in a small community the first thing I do is scan all the faces in the waiting room to see who's around. 'Lo and behold two very dear Facebook friends were sitting right there in the corner whom we had never met face-to-face! What fun! That made the visit much more pleasant and we finally got to meet properly. We ended up staying just to pass the time with them. When they got called back we moved on to other errands since Steve's appointment was a mistake. Kinda worked out OK anyway. I guess you know you're getting old when your social life revolves almost exclusively around doctors offices!! 😅😂

Sam's excited ... can you tell? 😂😆

Must be the weather but I need a change. I've decided to get rid of the boring sofa and recliner covers and have something brighter. I ordered the one below last night. 

Can I have the dog too? No? 👀🐕

If my joint health was better I'd paint the walls or at least give them a good wash. My mind still thinks I'm 18 but every time I put my head back or lift my arms ... it's CRACK .. ouch! My body reminds me I'm almost 70. Then I have to run and get the heating pad to ease the ache. 😆 Aging is not for sissies. I'm so grateful I won't keep this body for eternity but am being renewed in my Spirit by Jesus Christ. What a blessing.  💖 

Hope y'all have a great day. Go create lots of happy memories, share the Gospel while we can, and make someone's day with a smile or kind word, as we wait on our Saviour to make His appearance to us that we may be with Him forever.  💙💚💛💜

Wordless Wednesday: After The Storm

 

Tuesday Tidbits

 

Good morning friends!

Today is starting out blustery and overcast. Southeast Georgia is bracing for a big cold front that's expected to pass through possibly by mid-day. Right now it's giving Alabama what-for. There's been such a brouhaha about the storm that the local Governments shut down all the Schools. Usually these things play out before they reach the Georgia coast. I'm getting tired of all the fuss over weather. It seems like every time the wind blows or it rains or some natural occurring weather event is anticipated, the news tries to ensue wide spread panic. Cheese and crackers people what a big fuss over something we have no control over. Good grief. Well, whatever happens, praying for a hedge of protection around all of us. At least our property is fairly well sheltered. When we were first clearing the acreage in 1993 I had them leave a majority of mature trees. I did it mostly for protection from sun but also from wind. The heavily forested areas encourage wildlife and offer us much welcome shade in the sweltering Summer heat. The temperatures do get brutal here from about July to mid-September. 

My heart is breaking today about losing another friend. Yesterday I learned that I lost a dear internet friend of almost 25 years last Thanksgiving and didn't even know it. I wondered why she hadn't wished me Merry Christmas nor Happy New Year. Like usual, I lost track of the time. Jan and I have been "pen pals" since the early days of internet in the late 90s. Even though we never met face-to-face we were still good friends. Jan was really sweet, intelligent, funny gal (note the T-shirt ... what a hoot!) who loved the Lord. Jan originally hailed from Texas. She was a true Southern Lady in every respect. Thanks to her kindness I learned a lot about website design back when all this computer stuff was still new. I felt so muddled all the time with the strange language these things spawned. 

When we first met Jan lived in Washington State. Sadly, her husband of many years became very ill and passed away in 2010. The winters and other factors became too much for her so she and her family sold everything and moved to a resort town in Barra de Navidad, Mexico. They lived on a sailboat! How exciting, right?! She's so brave. I could never do that as I get really sea sick. I'm a poor sailor. Give me flat, stable land anytime! 

I'll miss our on-line chats about web design, our faith, family and life in general. Jan was so much more clever about these things than I am. At least I know one day soon we'll all be rejoicing at the feet of Jesus together forever and will never have to say Goodbye again.  

Oh, Glorious Day.