To Everything There is a Season...Everything

I've been doing some spring cleaning.  I had been thinking about the seasons of our lives and how as we grow older we change.  Sometimes, I think it's not so much that we change but perhaps we learn more about who we are and are able to accept who we have grown into.  Maybe we know better what we really like and what we don't and are okay with that too.  But what about our "stuff", maybe it should also change as we do or maybe we should learn that it's okay to grow out of some of our "things" and hopefully we can cast aside the "stuff" that doesn't reflect who we are.

Well, we've been very busy cleaning up the place.  To be more specific, getting rid of stuff.  After living in a house for several years, it's amazing just how much "stuff" one accumulates.  I and my husband seem to have an affinity for "saving" things.  Things that may not work but could possibly be fixed and used...someday.  Things that have a memory attached to them.  Things that are faded, thread bear, war torn, dusty, untouched, forgotten about and so on...get the picture??  Well, I guess I woke up the other day and I thought to myself, "Self, you are at a time in your life of change.  A time where the towels you bought years ago have threads hanging from their ends and almost no color left in them.  You have picture frames sitting around your house that you don't even like anymore!  Things packed away in cabinets, drawers, closets, Tupperware containers and the garage that you NEVER use...things that you have saved for a day that hasn't come in over 8 years."  Then I said to myself again, "Self, if you haven't used it by now, maybe you never will...so, it's gotta go!"

Trends change, our tastes change, seasons change...why not let our homes and lives reflect the season of  change that we are in.  Now mind you, I haven't gone off the deep end and thrown out everything but the kitchen sink but the thought that I keep repeating to myself over and over as I go through each closet and each drawer is, "Less is more, less IS more!"  I am 47 years old (I think, I can't keep up with my age anymore, I have to keep asking Craig how old I am) and I don't necessarily like the same things I liked 16 years ago...and a LOT of the stuff we have is from waaaaaaaaaay back then, not that there is anything wrong with that, it's just that keeping so much of it just leads to clutter.  It clutters my home and my path and fogs up my head.  I hate clutter.  I love organization.  I like everything to have it's own spot.  I like to be able to see everything in the drawer upon first glance...Oh, that excites me just to say it!  Ahhh, you say, "That's not realistic, you can't do that when you have kids!"  Well, like I said, I haven't gone off the deep end, I just woke up.  I think I may have had a Oprah moment, haha:)  I'm not an Oprah fan but I've heard a few phrases from her show that I liked...one of them went something like..."Live today who you want to be."  I don't think that's exactly how it went but you get the idea, right?   Craig and I are on the same page on this one.  It's time to lighten the load.  How refreshing.  It makes me feel lighter already.

I'm kind of a paper and pen freak...oh, and note books too.  I think I covered that a little in a previous post.

So, each room is gone through methodically.  Each drawer, each closet, each shelf.  I found lots of stuff that was just waiting to be thrown away and lots more things that someone else may be able to use...you know, one man's trash is another man's treasure!  I myself like to go to the second hand stores for stuff that's useful to me every now and then and  I love to save a buck so why not send my stuff there for someone else to benefit from?

Here are the rules I'm following to keep me on the right path as I am sorting through all our "stuff":

• If I haven't touched it in a year or longer...it's gotta go.
• If I can walk out of the room and forget all about it being here (so as to indicate I didn't need it anyway)...it's gotta go.
• Oh, and don't forget...Less IS more!

That's about it.  That's all the rules.  Pretty simple, huh?

Looking around, I see LOTS of things we could still do without and I'm still hoping to get rid of at some point but we don't have to do without it all just yet, we're just doing it with a little less clutter.  We can keep the "stuff" we we use, the "stuff" we really like and the "stuff" we are just content with until the next season in our lives changes.


Ecc 3:1  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:...
 Ecc 3:6  A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

Shalom!

Paintball for Caleb's Birthday: Happy Birthday Caleb:)

These guys look like a motley crew now don't they?  From left to right we have Tanner, Craig, Jordan, Corey, and Caleb the birthday boy who requested everyone suit up and take to shootin'!!  He wanted to play paintball for his birthday.  I was hoping that there wouldn't be any tears before the "fun" was over and there wasn't a tear in the place, HOWEVER, the event wasn't without pain.  Corey took 1 direct shot to his head (maybe he should'a wore a hat) two hits to his jaw, one to the ankle and a few stinging body blows not to mention a gluteous maxi mus shot that he said stung quite a bit.  Craig took two shots to the chest that he fussed about for a day.  Jordan also had a glute shot that stung him pretty good and a few direct body shots.  When we got home, Caleb showed us all of the welts on his little body where he got hit, one on his side, his back, his elbow.  I think he was surprised at how much it stung to play but it didn't deter him from wanting to play again!  Then there was Tanner.  Tanner basically had no injuries to report.  He came out pretty clean.  We tried to make sure everyone was dressed in such a way that when they got hit by the paint balls it wouldn't hurt too much...it still hurt but I think everyone had fun.  Maybe it's a better fall sport, then you can dress more heavily for the weather and to take the sting out  a little better.

I took some shots (pictures) as they came off the field after being hit.  It's a little hard to see but there's an orange smudge on Corey's head and it's bleeding a little.  Maybe a nice hat next time??

Tough to see Jordan way in the back but Jordan and Craig both have their hands in the air...surrendering.  They've been hit!  B watches on from behind the safety of the net.

Gotta reload!

Of coarse there's the important part of the party...cupcakes...well, really it's about frosting.

There's Papa, and Allison (who by the way is graduating high school on Sunday (Yay!!),  Aunt Laurie, and Grandma Diane (sorry about that, I didn't get a face shot!)  holding baby Gracie.  I didn't get a picture of Uncle Doug or Megan who were both also there.  You know I slack now and then.  Sorry guys!!!

It turned out to be a really nice day.  The weather was perfect, just a little cool so the clothes they had to wear weren't too hot and it was a lovely sunny day.  Caleb said he had a lot of fun.

Thanks for taking fire for Caleb's birthday guys!!  Maybe we'll do it again this fall...maybe.

We love you Caleb.  You're a great young man and a true blessing to us all.  

 Happy Birthday!!

Oh, and you know what?  I love you more!

Peter's Vision of Unclean Animals...You're gonna like this!!!

If you have ever wondered about or tried to explain the meaning of Peter's vision of unclean creatures in the sheet, this is something you need to see!

I found this the other day while I was studying something not related to this subject.  I stumbled onto it and when I read it, I knew exactly where and what it was connected to!  I was really amazed that I had never seen it before.  You know how so many people say that Peter's vision in Acts 10:19-36 is all about how it's okay to eat things that Abba said not to eat??  (You know, in the vision Abba says, "Rise Peter, kill and eat.")  Well, now you can prove that verse is not about food by scriptural reference!!

The Connections of Peter's Vision
Hos 2:18  “And in that day I shall make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the birds of the heavens, and with the creeping creatures of the ground, when bow, and sword, and battle I break from the earth. And I shall make them lie down in safety. 
In this verse, YHWH is speaking of a covenant which is to be made with the beasts, birds, and creeping creatures or more specifically, the unclean.

Now look at this verse:

Act 10:11  And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

Act 10:12  Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

Act 10:13  And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

Peter's vision is of beasts, birds and creeping creatures.  The same unclean things spoken of in Hosea. 

Peter was about to understand and later speak to the fact that these verses were not in reference to food at all.  These two portions of scripture are DIRECTLY connected to each other.  They are in reference to Abba including another group of people into His covenant (the "unclean" or gentile) because of Israel's disobedience.  This is really amazing to see this connection!  In Hosea Abba is warning Israel that He is going to turn away from them for a period of time so that in the end, they will become jealous and seek Him with their whole heart and when they do, He will turn to them again...BUT in the mean time He will turn toward a "people who are not a people" or not a CHOSEN people and they too are to become one with Him because they will keep His covenant because of their faith in Him.

To Further Clarify, Read on...

To give you a clearer picture of what is actually being shown in these verses of scripture, I'll start in Deut. ch. 32 which explains why Israel is gets into trouble and what the consequences will be for their sin.  

Deu 32:17  They (Israel) sacrificed unto devils, not to Elohim; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.   **Israel is disobedient, playing the harlot with gods who their forefathers didn't know.

Deu 32:18  Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten Elohim that formed thee. 

Deu 32:19  And when YHWH saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters. 

Deu 32:20  And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. 

Deu 32:21  They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not Elohim; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. 

Here is YHWH's announcement that He will hide His face from Israel because of her disobedience AND His purpose in doing this is to make her (Israel) jealous by taking for himself a people “who are no people,” meaning that He is going to take a people to Himself that were not His people...people from among the nations, (gentiles or those who are considered "unclean" because they were without Elohim).

More to connect...

The book of Hosea describes YHWH's plan to take the "unclean" and make it clean, it is a prophetic story of a man who marries an adulterous woman, a shadow picture of Abba's relationship with Israel.  This story is telling us how YHWH is going to deal with His adulterous bride in order to turn her from her hardness of heart back toward her husband (YHWH) and further explains how He will "take a people from among the nations" (the unclean ones) into covenant with Him to accomplish this task.  I'll start in Hosea chapter 1:

Hos 1:9  then He said, “Call his name Lo-Ammi (not my people), for you are not My people, and I am not for you.

But in the very next verse, Abba promises that He will restore Israel in the very same place that He divorced or separated himself from her.

Hos 1:10  “Yet the number of the children of Yisra’ĕl shall be as the sand of the sea, which is not measured nor counted. And it shall be in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they shall be called, ‘You are the sons of the living Elohim.

Hos 2:23  “And I shall sow her for Myself in the earth, and I shall have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion. And I shall say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people,’ while they say, ‘My Elohim!’ ”

Hos 2:16  “And it shall be, in that day,” declares יהוה, “that you call Me ‘My Husband,’ and no longer call Me ‘My Baʽal.’

Hos 2:17  “And I shall remove the names of the Baʽals from her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name.  **You will not have the names of others gods on your lips...that is adultery.

Hos 2:18  “And in that day I shall make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the birds of the heavens, and with the creeping creatures of the ground, (the unclean/gentile) when bow, and sword, and battle I break from the earth.  And I shall make them lie down in safety.

Hos 2:19  “And I shall take you as a bride unto Me forever, and take you as a bride unto Me in righteousness, and in right-ruling, and kindness and compassion.

Hos 2:20  “And I shall take you as a bride unto Me in trustworthiness, and you shall know יהוה.

**Here is the promise to make the covenant with the ones who were considered unclean.  The words are the direct reference to Acts 10 and Peter's vision.  YHWH says not to call "unclean" what He has made clean, specifically speaking of people who were once unclean but now have been called  out of sin.

Now let's look at Acts Chapter 10 and the vision Peter had when the unclean beasts, fowls, and creeping things were brought before him on a “great sheet” knit at the 4 corners (the unclean coming out from  the whole earth...all nations, the four corners of it??).   Peter’s vision is in reference to Hosea Chapter 2 and this promise that YHWH made to take people from among the nations (gentiles) and bring them into covenant with Him.  Those who were once excluded are now included because Israel turned away from her husband, YHWH.

Peter's Vision 

Peter is sent to Cornelius's house.  Cornelius is a gentile who is desiring to hear the WORD of YHWH.  Peter goes to his house because the dream of the sheet reveals Hosea Ch. 2 to him.

Act 10:11  And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

Act 10:12  Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

Act 10:13  And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

Act 10:14  But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

Act 10:15  And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

Act 10:16  This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

Act 10:17  Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

Act 10:18  And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

Act 10:19  While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

Act 10:20  Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

Act 10:21  Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

Act 10:22  And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

Act 10:23  Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

Act 10:24  And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

Act 10:25  And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

Act 10:26  But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

Act 10:27  And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

Act 10:28  And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.  **The vision is not about food but about men!

Act 10:29  Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

Act 10:30  And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

Act 10:31  And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

Act 10:32  Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

Act 10:33  Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

Act 10:34  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

Act 10:35  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Act 10:36  The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Yahushuah the Messiah: (He is master of all)

Now, in the next verses from the book of Acts, Peter explains the true meaning of the vision and he talks about those who have been called out from among the nations and how that because they believed, they are no longer to be considered "unclean"!!!

  Act 15:7  And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

Act 15:8  And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit (spirit of life), even as he did unto us;

Act 15:9  And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Act 15:10  Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Act 15:11  But we believe that through the grace of theYahushuah Messiah we shall be saved, even as they.

Act 15:12  Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

Act 15:13  And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

Act 15:14  Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

Act 15:15  And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

Act 15:16  After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

Act 15:17  That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

Peter is recalling to the people's mind that the scriptures tell them that after a people are called out of the gentiles, Messiah will return and rebuild or repair the tabernacle of David..."THE KINGDOM" the Jewish people have been waiting for...it is the eternal Kingdom that will not be destroyed and all Israel's enemies will be destroyed...AFTER THE FULLNESS OF THE GENTILES BE COMPLETE (WHEN THE GENTILES ARE CALLED OUT OF THE FALSE WORSHIP) He will restore His bride and His Kingdom!!!!!!!!  THIS IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW!!!!!

  I pray this is an eye opening study for you as it certainly was for me.  I'm sure this could of been said much more clearly by someone who can write more eloquently than I because I struggle to express what I have been shown.  So, because I lack the abilities to be short and concise, I apologize and I pray you can see past my inadequacies and understand the meaning and depth of this writing.  YHWH is amazing in all His truths and I am in awe of Him and His works created for our salvation, everyday!!!


I pray you are blessed with understanding in the WORD.


Shalom.

just for fun...Arts and Crafts

Here is an example (not the original) of the paper dolls B and I made.  This craft is so cute.  I didn't get a picture of the one we did...what was I thinking???  But I thought it really turned out cute.  We just used the colored tissue paper for the skirts since I didn't have any neat fabric leftovers here.  I have to say that I have really enjoyed doing these girlie crafts...remember, I'm a boy mama.  We do male oriented things here...nothing girlie!   So, I get to act like a girl again, that is good for me.  I guess Abba just knows doesn't He.

This is a penguin foot.  You ask, "What in the world is a penguin foot?"...

This is a penguin foot print.

Caleb helped me out painting B's foot.  He's a great helper for stuff like this:)  We pressed her painted foot on construction paper, then we added wiggly eyes and a beak and this is the penguin we got from her foot print.  She is painting the snow on the page with glitter.  When we got done, she painted her own penguin by hand and it was actually better than the one we did with her foot!   Again, no picture of her handmade art...Gramma's slackin'.

I have my days.

Just for fun:)

Have a blessed day!

Ecclesiastes; The Wisdom Found Under Heaven

Ecclesiastes  
The book that speaks about vanity, the futile emptiness of trying to be happy apart from Elohim.


In this book, Solomon looks at life "under the sun" (on this earth) and he declares it all to be empty (but determines that even in the vanity of  of our toils, certain things are right).  According to Talmud, the point of Ecclesiastes is to state that all is futile under the Sun, so, for that reason, One should therefore put all one's efforts towards that which is above the Sun (or from Elohim). 


Power, popularity, prestige, pleasure--NOTHING can fill  the void in a man's life who lives apart from Elohim.   Solomon explains that life takes on meaning after understanding the purpose we are created for.  He discusses the matter of giving his heart to search and understand "all things that are done under heaven" so that he might understand by wisdom, "this grievous task of life the sons of man had been given by Elohim to be exercised with."  Ecc. 1:13  
Don't we all come to this, at least at some point in our lives when we ask ourselves, "What is the purpose of this life?"  " What am I supposed to be doing in this one life I've been given?"  "What things really matter and what things are lasting?"    Solomon must of thought these same thoughts and he sought to know the answers.  The man who was given more wisdom than any man had ever been given and more wisdom than any man will receive again wanted to understand this "task of life" that we are tried with and in the end, will prove us all.


In a Nutshell 
When I came to this chapter the other day to search, I had to ponder many of the things that Solomon must of encountered in his search for understanding.  He was a man rich beyond measure so time and money were no road block to him in his search for understanding.  He was able to consider, at length, the consequences and benefits of all matters.    He says, "I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, while acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.  Ecc. 2:3
He seeks both wisdom and folly so that he might know what men should put their hearts to do all the days of their lives and here's what I think he says in a nutshell:


He says, "I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards...I got me servants and maidens...I had great possessions...I gathered me also silver and gold...Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. ...and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all (death, see ch. 9:3).  ...then I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.  ...yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion."  He is explaining how he comes to his final conclusion and he goes on to say, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 
  He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. 
  I know that there is no good, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 
  And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. 
  I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. 
  That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past (He will judge all that has been done). 

There is nothing new under the sun.  Man has two choices, either he will choose to do what is right is the eyes of Elohim or evil.  What has been will occur again in the end of days and at the end of it all, Elohim will judge all the works that have been done "under the sun."

Ecc 4:6  Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. 

Be content with your portion for today.  (Mark 15:15, Luk 3:14, Phil 4:11, 1 Tim 6:8, Heb. 13:5)

Ecc 5:2  Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. 

Consider your words and use them wisely.  Abba hears and and will judge every idle word.  (Matt 12:36)

Ecc 5:4-5  When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.  

  Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.  

Don't make promises you can't or won't keep.  (Deut. 23:21)

Ecc 5:12  The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. 

Ecc 5:15  As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. 

Ecc 5:18  Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. 

Ecc 7:19  Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. 

Ecc 8:2-6  I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. 

  Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. 

  Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou? 

  Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment. 

  Because to every purpose there is time and judgment...

Ecc 9:1  For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God (He shall judge)...9:4 but to him that is joined to all the living there is hope...

Ecc 9:5  For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 

Ecc 9:6  Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun. 

The conclusion of the matter

Ecc 9:7-12 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. 

  Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. 

  Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. 

  Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. 

  I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. 

  For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them. 

Ecc 12:1  Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not...

Ecc 12:13-14  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. 
Ecc 5:18  Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

Isn't this amazing to consider?  We can rest and be thankful in what has been given, it is a gift from Elohim and where we are is where our work is to be done today.  Do not vex yourself in what is not in your hand to do or attain, give thanks for what you have been given.  This is a real lesson to ponder for me.  I pray I find real peace in this wisdom and I pray all of Elohim's people do the same.

Praise Yah, HalleluYah!!

A Few Silly Things That I Love...and a few not so silly.

This list is in random order:)

Morning.  I love the sunrise, the pink sky and the warmth of the sun as It climbs in the sky.

I love the bright sun light glittering off the ripples on the pond in the morning hours.  It sparkles and dances.  It’s beautiful.

I love the birds singing outside my window and listening to the crickets and frogs chirping.  I love how it sounds so woodsy and natural.

I love the smell of freshly opened and freshly brewed coffee, yumm.  Hot coffee with real cream, coconut oil (yes coconut oil:) just about a teaspoon please) and a little raw, sweet, yummy honey.

I love the glow of candles when the lights are dim.

I love the smell of fresh cut grass and the engulfing smell of hyacinths and roses.

I love tiny story book looking houses with pointy roofs and window boxes for flowers and little white picket fences.  I want one of my very own someday!

I love the coolness found under an expansive shade tree on a warm day.

I love screened in porches and gazebos with flickering little lights or lanterns glowing in the twilight inviting you to come in and sit all cozy.

I love the birds that come to my feeders that are all bright and colorful.  So amazing, these creatures and Abba knows the way each one goes...a sparrow does not fall to the ground without Abba being aware of it!

I love the humming birds that show up in the summer.  Their colors are so bright and their wings move so fast that they buzz as they fly by.

I love spring.  I love the cool warmth of spring and the greening-up of the landscape.  I love the feeling of life that comes with spring, almost a kind of freshness and newness.  It seems to bring with it a feeling of hope for what the rest of the season might bring with it.

I love gardens.  Gardens of every type I think.  I love vegetables or flower gardens.  I especially love the beautiful gardens lovingly designed by people who just do it for the sheer joy of watching it.  Gardens filled with little fences, flowers, and a few chickens running around.  (Oh, and I love chickens!)  Cute little garden sheds with climbing roses creeping up their sides and meandering paths.  I love them all.

I love the way B wears her “sprinkle shoes” on the wrong feet.

I love to kiss a chubby little baby face.  Especially one that’s all smiley with bright eyes and a dimple...you know who you are GraceJ

I love it when all my kids are in the same room.  I love it when we just get together to chat or play a game or read a book or eat good food (big smile).  I just dearly love to be with my boys and my daughter in law and my girls, anytime at all!  I love my family.  You are all precious gifts in the life that Abba has given me.  I watch with thanksgiving as I see the hand of Abba working in your lives.

I love my family who has gone before me and made choices in my best interest no matter how painful and hurtful they were at the time.  Those choices were all orchestrated by Abba's hand.  Thank you Abba for the gift of those precious lives you sent to care, love and watch over me.  Words fail me to express the wonder of your hand in my life.

I love my husband who loves me through the absolute thick of it...and I do mean thick!  Often, we have learned important lessons of life the hard way and on the long road but My husband has a steadfast heart to stay the coarse which I often don't understand.  Another evidence of Abba's unfailing mercy toward me.  He is a blessing.

I love my extended family (those who we fellowship with).  Those who may not live nearby but still never fail to make that call.  I love that they stand beside us and love us.  I love that they dream with us and ponder with us.  I love that they wait with us and that they are just there for us.

I love those AMAZING revelation moments when you’re reading scripture and  Abba opens up wonderful nuggets of truth that further confirm His amazing plan of restoring His house or when He confirms that He hears my prayers...little me.  Who am I that He would be mindful of me?  Oh, but He is mindful, even of me.

I love to sit on the deck in the shade when the sun is high and I love to sit on the deck under the gazebo canopy at the end of the day with the twinkly lights on and watch the twilight come.  This may be my very most favorite few minutes of the day. I love the purple and deep blue colors that set in as evening comes.  I love the sky as it changes from blue to orange, pink and purple.

I love the sunset.

I love fall.  I love the smell of leaves burning and the trees changing to all the beautiful reds and oranges of fall.  I love the crispness of the morning air and the smell of dampness that often accompanies it.  I love getting out my sweaters and warm jackets.  I love how the sun hangs low in the sky.  I love the first fires in the wood stove.  I love the cozy feeling of being inside and warm when I know it’s chilly and wet outside.

I love the fresh produce of summer.  Hahaha!  I love vegetable stands with all manner of fresh veggies and fruits!  I love the colors and the smell.  I love to buy it all and take it home...I don’t always love to cook it BUT I love to eat it!  I especially love it when it’s sweet corn time and the sweet corn venders are open selling bushels of that golden, delicious, sweet corn on the cob!  What an incredible food, served hot with lots of REAL butter...om!  The thought of it is just joyful!

What amazing gifts Abba does bestow on us in His creation, the gifts of light, color, and smell.  The gift of new life and seasons.  The gifts of family and love.

I like the quote:  I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life...He gave me life so that I might enjoy all things.

Amazing isn’t it?

Ecc 5:18  Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which Elohim giveth him: for it is his portion. 

Blessings, Traci