Category: Faith

Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Cooking, Faith, Listen, Yield

Our Neighbors

I have a few neighbors that need a home cooked meal now and then. Since I have never learned how to cook for just two people, it is my pleasure to share with those people. Usually they get whatever we are having for dinner that day.

One gal is divorced, has raised 5 kids mostly on her own, and now lives with some nasty chronic illnesses. She works mostly from home and puts in long hours. She recently hit a few financial snags with appliances breaking down, car repair, plus the cat was diagnosed with diabetes requiring medications. She has appreciated anything I drop off. My husband does not like watermelon so recently I shared some cut up melon with her since I cannot eat a whole one before it goes bad. I could almost hear her dancing with delight as she texted her response at finding the melon along with green beans and ham at her door.

Another fellow was widowed a few months ago. His wife had Alzheimer’s disease. He went to see her at the nursing facility every day for 2-1/2 years. He lost a tremendous amount of weight. His stability even with his walker began to be in question. When she finally took her last breath he was a physical wreck. I told him we need to fatten him up! I took him a couple meals. Once when I delivered food he was assembling a foot cycle machine similar to the photo below.

He told me he is determined to get his strength back so he can take walks in the neighborhood. I took him some green beans with ham and potatoes last week. I left it on his porch and texted that I had left it for him. I went early in the morning and did not want to disturb him in case he was sleeping in. He shortly texted back that he got it.

If he comes down the street in his car he always stops to speak. He never drives away now without saying “How’s Bob? I love you!

When I was walking Lucky the other evening he was working in his garden. He came wobbling across the grass towards me. I cringed not wanting him to fall. When he got close enough to speak over his barking dogs, he dropped his city ways and spoke in his Indiana country twang, “Them was some good beans!” He had not commented on the food previously. I took his words as a high compliment!

We are told in Scripture to love our neighbors and share one another’s burdens.

 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12: 30-31

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 NRSVUE

Is there someone you could reach out to with love and compassion? If not with food, perhaps with other things you are capable of? Often, most everyone just wants a listening ear and a kind heart to come close. Do not let those the Lord sends your way remain invisible. Give a smile, send a note card. Simple things are usually the best!!

Posted on in Book quotes, Faith, Prayer, Spiritual discipline

Bob’s Book

Recently Bob ordered a book on the autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux. He shared some of his favorite parts with me.

How great is the power of Prayer! One could call it a Queen who has at each instant free access to the King and who is able to obtain whatever she asks. To be heard it is not necessary to read from a book some beautiful formula composed for the occasion. If this were the case, alas, I would have to be pitied!

Interesting that she saw prayer as the Queen with instant free access to the King. I am uncertain that I agree with her idea that prayer is able to obtain anything she asks. I believe the answers can be: yes, maybe, no, or we will see about that.

Her idea of prayer as a Queen should hold each of us captive as we make our requests known to God.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Posted on in Faith, Just do it, Poetry, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Writing Life

My Editor Is Back Home

I have been working with a professional editor on a book about prayer as a means of growing closer to Jesus. She was traveling for a couple weeks. I got an email that she is back in the area. Yikes! More work to be done – always!!

I worked really hard from January through May with my friend Dana to get the book of poems ready for printing. Then we printed it, bound it and I have been giving out some paper copies and sending out electronic digital copies.

Now I am applying myself to this book about prayer which will be published through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. A first for me. I wonder if I should have done the poetry that way as a few folks are asking for print copies? It just cost too much and took too much time to make the copies we did print.

My posting might be spotty the next couple weeks. I only have so much energy to go around. My grandson is learning to crochet with lessons from me. The crochet group in Union Township would like me to attend more than bi-weekly. I am also a homemaker, wife, etc. Learning a new sewing machine. Trying to help one grandgirl with her sewing.

I occasionally run into the brick wall that tells me there is too much energy going out. I need one of those meters that tells me what level my energy is at. Throw in the chronic pain, the sinuses raging this spring, I can wind up a mess if I am not careful.

So here is a warning that I might not be posting five times a week for the next few weeks. Plus, we are going to be traveling to New Mexico to see our dear friends the Cookseys. I do not usually focus well while traveling. The airport brain fog seems to initiate a brain state unlike the home brain state. You likely understand what I am saying.

Please pray as I continue to work on this book about prayer. The enemy of our souls does not like anything that threatens his assumed authority. Our King has power over us lives. I trust the Risen King to keep me, but I also need all the help I can get!

If you are interested in having a digital coy of the poems I will need your email address.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Music, Nature, Praise, Prayer, Rest, Surrender, Trust

Silhouette Delight

Remember the old song about silhouettes on the shade? You can click below to hear the song.

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=_h5YJZS7x_Q&si=fAAckGck4Ybj3-P7

It recently came to mind as spring leaf sprouts became true leaves. God is near at all times. The Almighty goes to incredible lengths to abide near us! David danced before God. Miriam danced before God. How about you?

Neighbors leave their porch lights on
Every night of the year
The maple leaves are finally large enough
To cast shadows on the window shade

The spring wind blowing all night
Showed fancy patterns at my side 
Each time I awoke the dance steps
Lulled me back to sleep

Mystery of nature
Here again you comfort me
If I observe or not the dance continues
Were the moves a fox trot or rumba

Another night the breeze
Was gentle as a caress
The dance was more like box step
Slow waltz of lovers unaware of other dancers

One night the storms rolled through
Tearing leaves from tender shoots
The yard was littered next morning
Debris of tango or jitterbug

					


			

							
			

		




			
				


	


		
	

		
		 		
	


	
		

					
	
			

				Posted on  in Aging, Amazing Creations, Art, Challenge, Faith, Family, Humor, Marriage and Memories, Nature, Thanks			


							
The Camera
					


		

			

Many who know the hobby of my husband know he has a wonderful eye for photography. When he retired from the laboratory his fellow employees wanted to know how best to gift him. I suggested they take up a collection towards a new camera. More than once he has considered dropping photography as his hobby. The verse that follow tells what happened next. Loosely based on the ideas from If Your Give a Mouse a Cookie.





If you get a retiree a camera
He will want to buy the instruction manual
And then spend a month reading the manual
Playing with settings, and learning the camera
Just when you think he will never take a real photo
He will venture out to snap some shots

When it is time to go beyond the house
he’s gonna want a case
And if the book doesn't fit in the case 
He is gonna need a new case

If you get a retiree a camera
He is going to need time to edit
And through away the “junk” shots
And print only the perfect ones

If you get a retiree a camera
There are episodes of frustration
Away from home on a special occasion
When the settings somehow escape him
And he goes back to the book
Fuming that it seemed so simple
When he practiced in the living room

If you get a retiree a camera
You need to plan time to review
The videos and best shots
And praise his hard work 
learning the contraption
And the expert eye that is seeing
The things you had hoped all along 
he would capture

All of the photos below are by rmdutina

































































Yes! Always give this man as many cameras as he needs! What does your eye see most often? CAn you capture it in a photo?!?

					


			

							
			

		




			
				


	


		
	

		
		 		
	


	
		

					
	
			

				Posted on  in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Listen, Music, Nature, Obedience, Praise			


							
Five Part Harmony
					


		

			

There is nothing like a spring morning to remind me of choral harmony. Recently I realized that The Cornell University app called Merlin was repeatedly picking up five birds singing simultaneously on Wednesday and Thursday and other days. There are times the singing sounds like a cacophony of voices, but there are also times when they seem to blend into five part harmony.





Once it found the voices of Carolina Wren, House Wren, Chipping Sparrow, American Robin and Northern Cardinal. Another morning House Finch, Blue Jay, Song Sparrow, Red-shouldered Hawk and Northern Cardinal.





Why does five part harmony amuse me? Remembering Revelation 7, I recently posted on my bathroom mirror the song of the angels: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” This is a reminder to me for when my mind wanders to lesser things. I try to return to this holy song being sung continuously, that I too, might join in the heavenly chorus. 





The angels surround the throne of God, the elders, the four living creatures and the ones wearing white robes. A countless multitude most likely singing in heavenly harmony to the Almighty God of our faith. I mean, as a former choir member, I have to wonder would they be likely to sing off key or out of harmony to the Host High?





After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”

11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:

“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!”

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”

14 I answered, “Sir, you know.”

And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.


















The Scriptures are replete with references about singing praises to our God. Five birds singing in a harmony that heaven created and adores. Might we add our voices today towards the Holy One in constant adoration? What would your lyrics be today?













					


			

							
			

		




			
				


	


		
	

		
		 		
	


	
		

					
	
			

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


							
One Prayer by Julian of Norwich
					


		

			

Re-Writing a prayer from Old English to today.





LORD, let not our souls be busy inns that have no room for You or yours,
but quiet homes of prayer and praise, where You may find fit company
where the needful cares of life are wisely ordered and put away,
and wide, sweet spaces kept for you;
where holy thoughts pass up and down
and fervent longings watch and wait your coming. - Julian of Norwich

Can you tell I am confused? My editor for the book about prayer has instructed me that it is not proper to capitalize the pronouns that refer to God. Oh golly. I have capitalized those pronouns for years as a sign of respect. So if you look back on the re-written prayer you can see my now inconsistent writing. Below is the Old English copy of the prayer. Which do you prefer?





Lord, let not our souls be busy inns that have no room for thee or thine, But quiet homes of prayer and praise, where thou mayest find fit company, Where the needful cares of life are wisely ordered and put away, And wide, sweet spaces kept for thee; where holy thoughts pass up and down And fervent longings watch and wait thy coming.





Julian was born in 1343 so obviously we have no photos of her!








					


			

							
			

		




			
				


	


		
	

		
		 		
	


	
		

					
	
			

				Posted on  in Amazing Creations, Art, Challenge, Faith, Focus, Listen, Nature, Praise, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Thanks, Trust			


							
Sleepless and Then Blessed
					


		

			

My mind was racing and I was sleepless. I asked the Lord to help me through it and these verses came to me. I looked them up using key words or phrases on the iPad mini, saved them to the i Cloud Notes and was able to get back to sleep after reading a few pages on the novel I had been reading earlier. I thought the verses might be a good reminder to some of you, so here goes. The trouble starts when I think I need to have the answers to the questions that trouble me.







And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,  singing,





“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
 and thanksgiving and honor 
and power and might 
be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” Rev 7:11-12







Ponder that for a moment. Angels around the throne, around the elders, and the four living creatures – I wonder how many angels it takes to surround that great company of beings? And the words they sing! BLESSING and GLORY and WISDOM and THANKSGIVING and HONOR and POWER and MIGHT be to our GOD. I do not think we can declare this too many times! I need not fret. Wisdom belongs to God first.





I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my eye upon you.





Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
    whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,
    else it will not stay near you. Psalm 32:8-9





Do these sound familiar? Yes, I have posted these before, but I need to be reminded of them often. I am learning to trust that the Lord will instruct me, teach me, and counsel me. That also means the Lord thinks of me as instruct-able, teachable, and able to receive counsel. He has great faith in me. Do we have great faith in the Almighty One?









And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, 
your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 
“This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21





Have I waited? Have I listened? Am I willing to follow the instruction I am given? 









Years ago, when I was first beginning to tell relatives that I was writing Peggy, the wife of my Cousin Art, told me these verses. I was reminded in the night.


2  Then the Lord answered me and said:
Write the vision;
    make it plain on tablets,
    so that a runner may read it.
3 
For there is still a vision for the appointed time;
    it speaks of the end and does not lie.
If it seems to tarry, wait for it;
    it will surely come; it will not delay.
4 
Look at the proud!
    Their spirit is not right in them,
    but the righteous live by their faithfulness. Habakkuk 2:2-4





So when it comes time to give away the printed copies of the poetry, I am trusting that those who do not get a printed copy will be able to use the electronic copy I can send to any email address. As long as they open it in Microsoft Word, it should appear just like the printed copy. The tablets of Habakkuk have taken on a new form! 





And this picture also popped up that night seemingly out of no where.






Veteran in a New Field by Winslow Homer






The image shows a man cutting the harvest. One of the first art images the Lord used to speak to me was by Vincent van Gogh, entitled the Sower. There was more than one of these paintings. Here is the first I knew about. 










From the sower to the harvest. Wow. Such blessings for us all.

					


			

							
			

		




			
				


	


		
	

		
		 		
	


	
		

					
	
			

				Posted on  in Aging, Faith, Family, Nature, Special Event, Thanks			


							
Went to The Reds Game
					


		

			

As we walked into the Reds game we saw this.










Yes, well. Storms blow through Cincinnati all the time. About 75 degrees and lovely.





Shortly the heavens opened! We were seated next to folks who were rooting for the White Sox. From our seats the State of Kentucky disappeared! The winds came, the rain blew. We moved under an area with a better roof. There we talked with a pipeline construction worker from Oklahoma who was excited to catch the game. He was worrying that they might cancel it.





The screen kept saying rain delay. We eventually chimed in with “No joke!”










The best reward for waiting through a rainstorm is a rainbow. And this one lasted and lasted!!










They were not very accurate at updating the weather radar. Eventually the game began, almost 1-1/2 hours late. I was wearing shorts and had brought a very thin hoodie made of t-shirt like material.





After the rain came the wind became steady and the temperature dropped. The lady next to me was able to go to her car and get her winter coat. She offered me her tiny scarf which I declined. 





We left after 3-1/2 innings as it was just too chilly to be enjoyable. We got home before the game ended. And then the Reds lost 5-1. 





We did get to go to the ballgame and eat peanuts and throw the shells on the ground! It was also 1-2-3 Tuesday. $1.00 UDF ice cream cups (chocolate sundae cup was delicious.) $2.00 hot dogs. Yep, they were good, too. and $3.00 beer. Bob enjoyed his Kona wave. My husband always love a thrifty deal! A good time was had by the Dutinas!






					


			

							
			

		




			
				


	


		
	

		
		 		
	


	
		

					
	
			

				Posted on  in Amazing Creations, Faith, Nature, Praise, Special Event, Thanks			


							
Yes! They are Opening!!
					


		

			

The opening photo is by r m dutina.  Early in the spring, right before a frosty night, I feared I might lose the poppy plant. I covered it a couple times an then decided to let it survive on its own.










They did fine through several very cold nights. I have watched the buds on the poppy plant certain they would open today. Then nothing. Certain they would open. Not yet. And then … drum roll …..






Notice all of the spiny buds!






Yes, they are blooming. I cut the first one to take to a friend. It went into shock but then perked up on her mantel.





Now they are bursting with color.





























They were so top heavy with blooms I needed to support them with a piece of fencing or else they would have fallen into the driveway and been crushed by the Volkswagen!  I bought these at the grocery store a few years ago. The tag said something about pastel colors. I thought too bad. I really enjoyed the bright red ones at the other house. They did bloom with a few pastel blossoms. Well, here they come all growing in this year with bright red color! They do not bloom for long, but so spectacular! Grateful for these lovelies.





There is another poppy plant growing at the other end of the front flower bed. The Sweet Viburnum shrub has overgrown it. Guess it is time to shovel it out and place in the back flower bed!





As with a house, the work in a flower bed is never finished!







“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” ~ Isaiah 40:8









“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” Matthew 6:28-29 NIV