There is a lovely Catholic place that I occasionally go to for retreat or special speakers. I was walking through the cafeteria one day and spotted something that has made me giggle repeatedly. Have you ever had a large jug of grape juice in your refrigerator? This was a repurposed jug sitting on a shelf.
On closer examination I saw what it was used for.
Of course, silly me. There had to be some way to get the water into the sanctuary. It just made me giggle! Lord, have mercy upon me.
I have never seen anything like this! We visited the Cincinnati Art museum to see this prayer mandala created by the Tibetan monks.
It was absolutely stunning. Made entirely using colored sand. The monks lay down the layers with hollow tubes and a tool that vibrates the sand into the tiny stunning pattern above.
I found a video of a similar mandala at You tube. Not exactly the same design, but it has a close up that shows how they vibrate the sand out of the tube. We did not see the opening or closing ceremonies. If they come to a museum near you, be certain to go see their creation. They sweep up the sand when finished to represent the impermanence of life.
If you are ever able to see one of these creations all I can say is GO!
My mother had an old saying that had to do with a product called boot black. It was similar to shoe polish.
When my mother thought someone was ignorant or had no common sense, she would say, “He doesn’t know shxx from Shinola.”
Now there is a new product with that name. Makes me wonder if they are aware of the old saying! Hand assembled bicycles and new stylish watches.
The Shinola company!
While traveling in Ireland we saw these rock walls over and over in almost every county we visited. The labor alone to build one of these boggled my mind. Evidently the practice was to take the stones from the fields and build border fences. I cannot imagine being that strong!
If you have ever driven through Kentucky you might have encountered a creation such as this!
In Ireland we thought of Kentucky! Guess my Grandmother Macdonald’s family brought their practices with them!
United Christian Outreach joined the Christian Help Center to put on a “Turkey Crusade.” These are the bags of groceries that were donated for the event. Mind you, the donations had to be collected, sorted, and bagged according to the pre-registered needs of each family.
Our home church hosted the event. We were some of the people who met with families to listen to their prayer requests and then pray with them about each concern.
Then each family was given their groceries and one or two turkeys to prepare for their celebration of Thanksgiving. Sure hoping their celebrations are joyous and festive!
Luke 19:35-40 (HCSB) Then they brought it (the donkey) to Jesus, and after throwing their robes on the donkey, they helped Jesus get on it. As He was going along, they were spreading their robes on the road. Now He came near the path down the Mount of Olives, and the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen: “The King who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven!” Some of the Pharisees from the crowd told Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out!”
They obeyed by finding the donkey for him. They helped him get on it.
I saw this in South Dakota.
Cathedral spires and He said “if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out.” Can you see the man in the right photo above, just waiting to cry out to God in praise? I saw him.
This was by far my favorite though! I see a stately woman in an evergreeen gown with a turban-like head dress, waiting in prayer and praise before the Lord. Like His handmaiden.
Have to wonder if Jesus remembered later when He prayed in the Garden that “as they came near the path down the Mount of Olives the whole crowd had been praising God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen God do.” He knew abandonment and sorrow. I believe we can bring Him joy by praising and crying out to Him with joy now!
Hope you will listen to this song all the way through. When I play it I want to just sing it over and over!
One less stone, one more voice to praise Him!
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It is SO difficult to capture a photo of falling leaves! There is one upper left!
The drama of autumn has been happening very rapidly here. Just thought I’d share the changes.
Loved waking up to this flaming tree in the distance!
Same trees less than one week later!
This morning some leaves were falling one by one. Then a gust of wind took bunches at a time. The back hill is mostly naked tree trunks now. We can see more activity with the birds who remain. The grandeur of watching the seasons change that hill is one reason I delight in this house. Our lot is pie shaped and the back hill is just natural woods. It is as if we have a different backyard four times a year!
Ephesians 6 teaches us about the full armor of God to use for spiritual warfare. Paul wrote that we should not only dress in our armor, but “take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God and the shield of faith with which we can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”
This is not the sword of King Arthur. These weapons are “mighty for the pulling down of strongholds.” (1 Corinthians 10:4) There are several ways to memorize the verses about the armor. One is to recite them while doing something like exercises you must count. Another is to envision dressing yourself in them every morning. I like to put them on head to toe and then the hand pieces. Some teach the belt comes first. I envision the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, and gird your loins in truth (as if putting on panty hose, you remember those, right?). Shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. Put on the robe of righteousness that Jesus bought for you. Take up the sword and shield and stand. And having done all, stand and pray!
Once we were in Smoky Mountain National Park driving the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail just outside of Gatlinburg. This is a spectacular drive that begins up in the mountains and follows Roaring Fork river. There are many parking areas to get out and explore spectacular views of rivers, rocks, tumbling water, old buildings, overall fun.
Imagine my surprise when we parked and stepped out in the parking lot to this rock: 
After years of putting on the armor this is an image I will never forget. Truly a treasure in plain sight!
Isaiah 30:15a is what Baptists would call my “life verse.”
In returning and rest I am saved; in quietness and trust is my strength.
The remainder of the verse says “BUT YOU WOULD NOT.” Daily I am challenged to enter the morning this way or stick in the WOULD NOT arena.
For example, the dryer broke last night and there were two loads of wash waiting for it’s warm air to fluff them. I hung wet sheets on the basement lines and began to ponder with my husband what to do about the situation. We found no obvious cause for the failure to work.
Posted my situation on Facebook. One friend came up with a trustworthy repairman to call.
This morning I wondered how to proceed? I have a birthday lunch apppointment in another area of town at 11:30. Cancel? Proceed? Pray and get quiet. And here came the Isaiah verse. “In returning and rest I am saved; in quietness and trust is my strength.”
Inhale in returning and rest I am saved. Exhale in quietness and trust is my strength. Quiet my mind. Quiet my heart. Listen and rest. Glancing out the window I saw a white cloud scudding across a brilliant blue sky. High winds in the forecast today and that cloud was bookin’ it. And then the cloud was gone.
… as if it had never been here. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” NIV Ps 19:1
Return to the quiet Molly Lin. Rest and trust that my life is in His care. Quietly push back the cares and concerns and stay present. Here. Now.
There is a quote attributed to both Winston Churchill and Mark Twain, so obviously, no one is certain who said it first! “I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.”
So took my shower and decided to adopt that wait and see attitude towards the day. Called repairman and left a message to please call me. Another friend offered to dry the soaking wet towels at her house. Set that up. Repairman called and could meet me late this afternoon after my luncheon appointment. Sweet! And there was still time left in the morning to write this.
The God of Creation has me and each situation I face. If only I will return to Him to rest in quietness and trust I will find salvation and strength to meet each situation.
Hillsong United states it so very well for me. Enjoy!
Treasures in Plain Sight, A Christian Blog 