Month: July 2023

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Listen, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth

Move Your Mind

Yesterday was tremendously difficult. Bob and I were both struggling with frustrating chores and situations. Then I snapped at him and things got even worse. I had to really work to get my brain and soul into a better, calmer place. There was nothing earth shattering, except great difficulty mentally and spiritually. I apologized for my outburst. He forgave me and the day went on.

Photo by Evgeniya Litovchenko on Unsplash

This morning on a podcast I heard an interviewee tell the moderator that with his broadcast he casts a ray of sunshine on an otherwise dark network of podcasts, social media, etc. I thought, “You know, that is that is what I try to do with this blog. A ray of sunshine in an otherwise dark world.” Then I returned to my desk and lying open was the following paragraph written by John Eldredge in Resilient.

Photo by Rocco Caruso on Unsplash

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, right and pure, lovely ad admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8). Think about something beautiful, something that reminds you of the goodness of God. A place you love. A sweet memory. Something in nature. Something that makes you smile.

Now stay with that today.

Resilient by Eldredge Page 172

Even when things are terrible, we have the ability to move our minds to other places. We can cry out to Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit to help us. Nothing is easy when the warfare is raging against us. There are times I think for the Christian in this day and age nothing is easy period.

The chorus from the following song was rolling around in me this morning. I pray that if you come upon a warfare struggle like what I faced yesterday you can move towards Jesus and not away.

Lord I give you my heart
I give you my soul, I live for you alone
Every breath that I take
Every moment I'm awake
Lord have your way in me
Have your way
Recorded by Hillsong music, written by Reuben Timothy Morgan, 2002
Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Just do it, Listen, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks

Rest Here A Moment

“May I rest here a moment”, asked the tree?

“Certainly”, replied the rock.

The tree placed it’s hand-root upon the rock. Fifty years later it was still there.

Found during hike at Hocking Hills

Have you given yourself a time to rest in the LORD?

He is the rock of our salvation.

Psalm 62:6

He said to them, “Come with me privately to an isolated place and rest a while.”

Mark 6:31a NIV

Jesus our rock tells us to rest. Enter His rest. Be restored. Are we doing those things? They are all to our benefit.

Posted on in Faith

Rocky Fork Lake

As a child I visited this lake with my mom’s sister and her husband, two kids. Uncle Whitey had a boat and would take us out to try to ski. My sister was able to do it. I was never strong enough to pull myself up. I never remember seeing lily pads there as a child, but I suppose Uncle Whitey never docked his boat in that particular area.

https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/rocky-fork-state-park

The park is between our house (Amelia) and Wilmington. Bob and I first discovered the lily pads there last year. We were delighted. We marked the calendar to go back this year. The weather has been so hot that the lilies were not at their peak. We marked the calendar for earlier next year!

Spectacular!

You might wonder about my fascination with Lily pads? I first discovered them as a flower to photograph at the Cincinnati Nature Center during a prayerful walk. That inspired a poem in 1990.

Perhaps I Could Ask You Just to Stand and Tip? ©1990  Molly Lin Dutina 

Lily pads at the pond		
Grow on stalky stems
Leaves unfold an opened palm
Cupped at center point
Summer shower starts to drop
Mercurial glistening spheres
Gathering in the center spot
‘til bulbous weight smears silver drops
Into glistening globs
And tips the leaves so full
To pour their contents overboard
And rising from the spill
Stately shielded lily-hands
Begin the cycle once more

Keep my stem flexible, Lord
My hands open and cupped
Eager to receive Your all
Questioning not Your skill
Only trusting the power of Your love
To melt my rigid will

Drench me Lord 
In Your shower of love
Let me gather and drink my fill
Then spill over on those around
And rise to await Your will

Send water of Your Spirit
To tip me over, pour me out
Then wash over me once again
Fresh cleansing by Holy Words

Shine Your light through
This enshrouding mist
Color me with covenant this:
Abiding presence and constant love,
Indwelling grace that conquers sin
Transfigured rigid I
Yielded and bent
In Your service	
Spilling forth rivers of living water	
And giving rest to croaky voiced frogs	  
Who, when Spirit-kissed,
Become priests and kings	
Singing their praises to You.

Perhaps You ask me just to be Your lily leaf
Stand and tip

Though it had rained earlier in the morning when we visited Rocky Fork, I found no pads with ‘mercurial glistening spheres.” That would have been tremendous!

So here I am 33 years later still trying to do the Lord’s bidding, gather the living water, stand and tip, yielded and bent in His service. May you be Spirit-kissed and become priests and royalty singing praises to God!

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9 NIV
Posted on in Art, Special Event

Museum Visit

Recently we went to a special exhibit at Cincinnati Art Museum. These were paintings by Pablo Picasso entitled Out of Bounds. The museum notes, “The year 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Pablo Picasso (1881–1973), perhaps the most innovative and influential artist of the 20th century. The Cincinnati Art Museum is celebrating his legacy with an unprecedented exhibition, the first to examine Picasso’s lifelong engagement with landscape. Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds brings to our galleries paintings and sculptures by the artist from some 25 public and private collections across the United States and Europe.”

I have never ever cared for his cubist styles. A few of the items in this exhibit showed he really could paint in styles I liked! Well, at least twice.

He could have been an impressionist!

Some of the items looked as if they were drawn by a child with crayons. I should have taken a photo for you!

Here is one of Bob’s favorites.

There are likely folks around the world who like his art along with many collectors. Give me an impressionist any day!

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Thanks, Traveling, Worship

Massive Tree!

We went searching for this tree when we were on Maui.

Banyan tree of some repute!

There is only one banyan tree in Banyan Tree Park in the middle of Lahaina.  But it is the largest banyan tree in the United States and one of the largest in the world.  Lahaina’s giant banyan tree is 60 feet high and 200 feet wide, filling most of the block that makes up Banyan Tree Park on Front Street, behind the Lahaina Harbor.

https://www.mauihawaii.org/sights/banyan-tree/

So here she is!

Here is my video to try to capture just how enormous this tree is!

Of course, Wikipedia had lots to say about this tree. Here is a portion

The banyan tree in Lahaina, in Maui, Hawaii, United States, was planted on April 24, 1873, in Lahaina to mark the 50th anniversary of the arrival of first American Protestant mission. The banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) known in Hawaiian as paniana, located in the Courthouse Square, which was renamed Banyan Tree Park covering 1.94 acres, is not only the largest in the state but also in the United States. The tree was a gift from missionaries in India. A mere 8 feet (2.4 m) when planted, it has grown to a height of about 60 feet (18 m) and has rooted into 16 major trunks, apart from the main trunk, with the canopy spread over an area of about 0.66 acres (0.27 ha).

In 2023 Lahaina will have a birthday party to celebrate the Banyan Tree being planted 150 years ago.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banyan_tree_in_Lahaina

16 major trunks?!? 1.94 acres!! That is larger than the lot our home is on!

Praise God for such tree wonders, joyous travels and His glory in a growing tree.

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Listen, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Yield

My Mind

Recently I came across something that said I need a mind that is peaceful, still, serene and quiet. That led me to the idea that all those things are promised in Scripture. I would imagine you could use a mind like that also? Here are some passages and images that might help you get to that state of mind.

You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

Another version reads “Whose mind is staid on you.” Staid as in fixed. Read that again and just sit with it a moment. Those of us who are familiar with the Bible tend to run right past the verses we think we know. Can you live this verse?

The mind that is still.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

Psalm 46:10a

It is easy to read or say “be still” but can you do it? Still yourself. Quiet yourself. Even sit still for an extended period of time? Dan Harris, former ABC news anchor, now heads up 10% Happier, an app based on his best selling book. He says even one or two minutes of stillness can make a huge difference. Take a pause right now to try that.

The mind that is serene. That brought me to two different passages. If you read Psalm 23 you begin to realize how serene life with the Shepherd can be. Though there may be dangers and enemies, He is able to keep His sheep. Philippians 4 with emphasis upon verse 8 came out on top though! It gives us very clear instruction about our mind and what to do with it!

 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 

Philippians 4:4-8 NIV

We CAN take captive our thoughts to Christ Jesus. No, it is not simple, but oh so very worthwhile! Think about such things!

And finally we are urged to have a mind that is quiet. It is exhausting to have a busy, busy mind. Here is help for that situation. But you must DO it.

But I have calmed and quieted myself,
    I am like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child I am content.

Psalm 131:2 NIV
Posted on in Aging, Beagle, Humor

Barbie Dolls

The photo above is entitled Barbie Evolves. At first Barbie was just a fashion doll.

Yes, I had one as a child. I thought it was sort of creepy. I knew I would never look like THAT! Listening to a radio program recently that reviewed the new movie with the writer and producer they mentioned that before Barbie there were basically only baby dolls for girls to pretend with. Suddenly there was a teenage doll girls could aspire to be like.

Barbie Career Dolls

Her clothes were extremely difficult to put on and take off. Her bust-line combined with that waistline was going to be unattainable for most girls. I eventually figured some man must have created her.

When my granddaughters were growing up I was given a pattern to crochet for Barbie clothes. I kept a damaged doll for fitting in case I had to make some. Then I hid the pattern hoping they would never find it. Literally, did not want to make those things, but did not want to have to buy the pattern either if they requested some clothes.

The radio program told about how the designer at first sent the doll back to Japan again and again because they kept making her with nipples and the toy designer did not want nipples. After many attempts the Japanese designers got the idea. The commentator also made the remark that Barbie was made of plastic and therefore will be around for centuries in landfills!-

So all this time I am listening and walking the beagle. At times we take a short cut from the retention pond along the edge of the neighborhood back to the street. There is a man who lives there who had a lovely pine tree. For some reason he wanted it cut down. When Ryan builders would not do it, and the HOA board would not do it (the tree was clearly on his property) he decided to do it himself. We all scratched our heads over the why? since it appeared to be in good health. So I am walking Lucky, listening to the radio interview and I pass his wood pile. I stopped abruptly and took the photo below.

Launched in 1959 by the Mattel toy company right here in Cincinnati my life has been surrounded by Barbie and her fellow character dolls. If you raised boys you likely were shielded from her unless they had girls to play with. In that case, they likely wanted a Ken doll or G I Joe? That leads to an entire other conversation about dolls who are not anatomically correct!

Posted on in Faith, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Yield

Make A Trade With Jesus

One of my favorite new artists is Brandon Lake. He is such a powerful figure in contemporary Christian music, I ask that you pray for him and his family. I had not listened to his album, “Help!” recently. When I put it on the other day I was blessed once again. This bridge lyric stuck with me to the point I had to go look up the exact lyrics.

All my Sorrows
Turned to Dancing
All my pain Turned into Joy
And all my Tears
Turned into Laughter
And all my fear Turned to a Roar

So Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord

Judah Akers and Brandon Lake, Meant for Good

I think that describes our life with Jesus so perfectly. At the time of our sorrows, pain and tears we cannot perceive this turning. Yet, consider Psalm 30.

Hear me, Lord, and have mercy on me.
    Help me, O Lord.

11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
    You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
12 that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
    O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!

Psalm 30:10-12 The Living Translation

The Bible says Jesus took our sin and made us the righteousness of God through him. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Don’t ask me how but it is true.

and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:3 NIV

I urge you trade in the things you have been clinging to that weigh you down and sadden your heart. Make an uneven trade with the LORD Jesus Christ. He waits for you to release these things to Him so He can fill you with His good thins.

Posted on in Memories, Nature, Traveling

Kauila and The Sea Turtles of Punalu’u

I have been wanting to look up this story and share it with since we returned from Hawaii. This is located at the black sand beach on the big island of Hawaii.

The mystical turtle, Kauila, makes her home in the Ka’ū district at Punalu’u Bay according to Hawaiian Mythology, Kauila was empowered with the ability to turn herself from a turtle into human form and would play with the children along the shoreline and keep watch over them. The people of Ka’ū loved Kauila as the guardian of their children and also for her spring that gave them pure drinking water.

Information from http://www.instanthawaii.com/cgi-bin/hi?Parks.punal

The presence of Kauila can still be felt today by the sea turtles that inhabit this special place. The Hawaiian Honu (Green Sea Turtle) can be regularly seen in the bay feeding on limu (a type of seaweed) growing in the shallows. In addition the Honu’ea (Hawksbill Turtle) sometimes enters the bay at night to crawl ashore and deposit eggs in the black sand. Both species of sea turtles are fully protected under the U.S. endangered species act and wildlife laws of the State of Hawai’i. Enjoy watching these marvelous creatures but do not touch or disturb them

The above words can be found at Punalu’u Beach Park, inscribed on a borne plaque along with the beautiful image of a child sleeping on the back of a sea turtle.

Punalu’u Beach Park, in the district of Ka’ū, is a delightful stop, just moments off highway 11 between the towns of Nā’ālehu and Pāhala. The county park is open 24 hours a day and there is no park fee.

The word Punalu’u means diving (lu’u) spring (puna) and comes from the tradition of diving to the bottom of the bay with upside down containers and filling them with the fresh spring water seeping from the bay floor.

Here is the plaque below the memorial. Salt air does tears things up!

Now you know why the quotes are from on line information!
Posted on in Faith, Journal, Just do it, Listen, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth

Time with Jesus

Andrew Johnson has a guided meditation on the Insight Timer app entitled “Favourite Place of Relaxation.” I have used it often and usually leads me to a new place with Christ.

This time spent in guided meditation began with a gauzy gray scene, no distinct things to see; then fragrance of a banquet, then full color image of the Lord presiding and directing me to the table.

I remembered the verse “He welcomes me into His banqueting table, His banner over me is love.”

He bid me gather His finest foods, roasted meats, potatoes and onions, grapes, refreshing fruits. All for sharing with His people. All for my nourishment and growth in Spirit. I gathered them into the basket I was carrying.

He loves me. He tells me to return often. To take as much as I can carry. To be at peace knowing how much I am loved. As are you. Rest in that all encompassing love today. Feast with the Lord.


He has brought me to His banquet hall, And His banner over me is love.

Song of Solomon 2:4

The Insight Timer app is free. Click on the link if you want to try this mediation for yourself.

https://insighttimer.com/andrewjohnson/guided-meditations/favourite-place-of-relaxation

May the Lord bless you as you draw ever closer to Him in your daily life.