Month: May 2020

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Spiritual growth

Hmm – He Has Stilled So Many Storms!

Psalm 107:28-31 (NIV2011)  Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.  He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.  They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.  Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.

I have been taught for many years that the Old Testament is a foreshadowing of the life and impact of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Re-reading Psalm 107 while writing this blog I remembered there is a strong correlation to:

John 6:16-21 (NIV2011)  When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake,  where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them.  A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.  When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened.  But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”  Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

And also to

Matthew 8:23-27 (NIV2011)  Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.  Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.  The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”  He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.  The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

I have the icon below from Printery House in Conception, Maryland. I have provided their link if you would like to order one.

I have this framed print in my prayer area and also 3 x 4 inch cards

https://www.printeryhouse.org/ProdPage.asp?prod=A04

From The Printery HoUSE: Theology and Symbolism

“Dark clouds race overhead. Huge waves overtop the gunwales. The boat pitches at a sickening angle. How easily our problems and troubles overtake us like a storm at sea when we forget to let Jesus take charge of our lives!

“The Apostle Peter is depicted in the usual iconographic manner with curly hair and beard. He stands in the boat, pleading with the Lord to awaken and save them. His cloak flares behind him in the wind, suggesting angelic wings, although we know from the Gospels that Peter was much too human to be angelic! The other Apostle huddling in his cloak and looking very frightened is identified for us in barely visible writing as St. John the Evangelist, “the disciple Jesus loved.” He is traditionally shown as a young man in iconography because tradition says he was the last Apostle to die.

“Jesus is dressed in the traditional garb of red tunic and blue cloak. His cloak, called in Greek a “himation” is dark blue signifying the mystery of His divine life. His tunic is red to signify His human blood shed for us all. Christ’s halo, the iconographic symbol for sanctity, is inscribed with a cross and the Greek letters; omicron, omega, nu; spelling “HO ON.” (The “nu” is hidden by the boat.) In English, this becomes “Who Am,” the name used for God in Exodus 3:14: “I Am Who Am.”

“We all have experienced times in our lives when we felt like Peter in this scene, pleading for help and hearing no answer. We all have experienced times when we felt like this portrait of John, overwhelmed by our worries and problems. Pray for awhile with this icon, place yourself in the scene, lay your troubles at the feet of the sleeping Jesus. Then hear His words, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Our Lord Jesus Christ is God, so powerful that even the winds and waves obey Him. Yet He loves you so much that He gave His life for you. Let Him calm your storm.”

I love the comment that Peter was “much too human to be angelic.“

Who better in this unprecedented time on earth, Who better to calm your storm, than the Lord Jesus?

Posted on in Faith

Yoked

I am to be a co-laborer, co-worker, yoked to Jesus for cooperation in Kingdom building. Have you seen a nursery school class on an outing?

Kids hold a loop to make a chain, each one paired with his/her buddy? That is as close as most of us get to the idea of being yoked to Jesus. Linked with Him for cooperation in Kingdom building. He leads, I follow along and cooperate.

1 Corinthians 3:9 (KJV)  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

1 Corinthians 3:9 (NRSV)  For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.

How does this start after I decide to make Him my Lord and King? The building begins with that sanctuary of my heart, sanctified, set apart for His use, a dwelling place for God. I clear a place in my life and heart and soul for God to build His kingdom. He begins on the throne of my heart. Ephesians 2:8-10 reads: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

As the Lord sits on the throne of my heart, I am to take charge of how my mind and heart are occupied. I become God’s workmanship, His project, where He displays His craft and skill. Not by my performance and efforts, but as He rules and directs and reigns in me, His glory shows forth. I have a responsibility to let Him have His own way within me.

Father God, I want to cooperate with You. I want to be Your co-laborer, co-worker. Yoke me to Jesus and do Your work within me. Show me what You have prepared in advance for me to do . Give me the courage and faith to do Your will. Amen.

Posted on in Book quotes, Faith

Psalm 107 from Let Devotional

I would have to call Psalm 107 the LET Mall or perhaps the online shopping haven for Let verses!   Seven lets in just a few verses!  Verses 1-2,8-9,15-16, 21-22, 31-32 say:            

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever.  Let the redeemed of the Lord say this – those He redeemed from the hand of the foe.  “

8-9 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and  His wonderful deeds for men, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

15-16 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men,for He breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.

21-22 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of His works with songs of joy. 

31-32 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men.  Let them exalt Him in the assembly of the people and praise Him in the council of the elders. “

In the Old Covenant there were many kinds of offerings and sacrifices.  In the  New Covenant Jesus is the perfect offering and the sacrifice for our sins.  There are very few references to any offerings we are to make as Christians.  The offering and sacrifice most often referred to in Matthew through Revelation is  defined in Hebrews 13:15 as a sacrifice of praise.  This one theme runs throughout the Bible: gratitude, thankfulness, praise, all contribute to our well being and are pleasing to God our Father.

Gratitude can change us in an instant.  If we let ourselves give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love, our emotions will follow our thoughts.  Step back from your intense situations and pray to see God’s hand at work.  The Holy Spirit will begin to show you His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds.  In order to see this way we must yield to Him our perspective, letting  Him guide and direct our view.  Sometimes my thank offering is made through tears and is truly an act of my will.  It never ceases to amaze me how my emotions will FOLLOW.  “Tell of His works with songs of joy,” and soon the very atmosphere around you will change.

Do we give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and wonderful deeds? When was the last time you did that? This Psalm says let them sacrifice, let them exalt, redeemed from hand of the foe; God satisfies and fills, God breaks down strongholds, God deserves our praise.

             Forgive me for failing to love You .  God, I want my life to be a veritable bounty of praises to You.  Let  me offer praise to You in every situation, regardless of how I feel.  Show me the value of this sacrifice.  You are a Father of unfailing love and wonderful deeds! I thank You and praise Your holy name.  Amen.

Bob wanted to be certain you understand that I wrote this devotional many years ago. The quotes are from the booklet entitled Let.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Memories, Nature

Sister Mary Veronica

Years ago I helped Sr. Mary Veronica in the gardens at the Convent of the Transfiguration. She was a master gardener (I am not). She was highly allergic to poison ivy (I am not, but still wear gloves around it). So we hit it off. I had much less arthritis then and could afford to lend help to others. She often sent me home with portions of her plants.

Here is the Solomon’s Seal prospering! We had to take out some plants back there that provided more shade, but I think it will do okay. I was curious about the name. Gardening Know How on line says:

“Solomon’s seal info indicates that scars on the plants where leaves have dropped look like the sixth seal of King Solomon, hence the name.”

{Read more at Gardening Know How: Solomon’s Seal Info – Caring For A Solomon’s Seal Plant https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/solomons-seal/caring-for-solomons-seal.htm}

I miss her. She was such a sweet soul.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Humor, Special Event

New Kids on the Block

When I first spotted this nest I thought the Robin must be out of her mind! So low to the ground and there are cats in our neighborhood. The cats do not wear bells or other items on a collar to warn birds of their approach!

Photo by Robert Dutina

If you look closely you can see that she wove a blue plastic tape into her nest. It is likely from our favorite bakery. How she found it I do not know! Guess we dropped it outside the garbage can?

Now this is a baby only a mother could love. UGLY!

Photo by Robert Dutina

So at this point the mother Robin is not too happy with us, always approaching her nest and scaring her off. Actually she could stay and watch, but she doesn’t! Wonder if she would be more interested if she knew so many folks would be seeing photos of her babies progress? As usual, a day after they hatched I found a portion of egg shell in the garden on the next lot.

Two hours later napping soundly.
Robert, talented photographer and baby bird whisperer. He clucked, it opened it’s mouth for him!

So yes, there is fun to be had around here. When he gets a shot of the babies with feathers I will post that. I know when mom trains them to leave the nest we will hear LOTS of urgent chirping and calling.