Journal Prompt - Dismal

I've been avoiding doing this prompt! Who wants to think of dismal things? In fact I'm not quite sure what the people who wrote the prompts were thinking of -- "How dismal is this?"
The only thing that is dismal around here would be the weather. And actually it's not all that dismal; it was a beautiful sunny day today. But it has been cold; so cold in fact that we've been covering a couple of our plants during the night this week. The Nanny Berry bush/tree & the Mountain Laurel, both were newly planted last summer and both are getting ready to blossom for the first time. My poppies are a little wilty looking, hoping that some warm weather the next few days. Also worried about the tree lilies.
Here's Jillian standing by the Nanny Berry tree last week . . .

Still trying to figure out why in the world I would want to dwell on dismal things! So, I'm going to remain positive and not do it! Tomorrows prompt is so much better! :)

Journaling Prompt - Frustrated

That would be very fitting for me today. The prompt actually says something about harboring frustration. I think the most frustrating thing for me this month has been trying to figure out what to journal about being frustrated.
Is this blog really worth it to post to on a daily basis? I don't hide it from anyone, but I don't really share it with anyone either.
Today as we wait for Easter morning I can't help but think how frustrated & frightened the disciples & friends of Jesus must have felt. They must have been ready to give up. And that's where I think that frustration truly leads one. So I will turn my burdens over to the Lord, including this frustration I'm feeling & lean on Him for my strength.

Journaling Post - Empty

I think my quiet time from the last post is finished. Actually that's not true; I've been avoiding the next prompt on my list -- I need to empty my soul of anger.

This one has been very frustrating for me. I know there must be some anger some place in my soul. All I seem to be finding is a little bit of frustration here and there. I decided that this must be good; God is at work helping me to overcome anger, the Holy Spirit is guiding me to rid myself of old hurts & anger. I look back through my life & know that there have been times when I've been very angry; so angry that I'm sure my blood pressure was elevated! Now when I look back at those situation I can see where they led me & I'm in a much better place than I was then, than I would have been if I had taken the road where anger was leading. If it hadn't been for the incidents that caused the anger, I wouldn't have been able to move down a new path. I would guess that if there's anyone that I haven't truly forgiven it would be the one person that caused so much stress in Andy's life. Perhaps if she hadn't caused so much stress he would still be here with us. I used to cringe every time she called after he died; I used to delete any messages from her so I didn't even have to see her name in my email; sometimes I'd even put posts on his Face Book account so her posts didn't show when I opened it up -- I was even about to the point that I thought about blocking her posts. But I know she needs that outlet too to get over his death. I can't say that I'm angry with her now. Yes, I'm still annoyed with her, appalled even, but not angry. I am glad she's across the country from me & I don't have to run into her around town.
Maybe there is still anger there, but it is whisked away when I turn it over to God.
Maybe I'm deluding myself & there is anger in my soul that I don't recognize.
Can it be possible that for three days I've been trying to put my finger on something I'm angry about & not find anything? I wonder if satan snuck in this prompt to make us stirred up to anger; or maybe to give us a sense of false pride?
No, I'm going to give this one over to God & praise Him for the peace that He has given me. A peace that can come from only Him! Thank you God for Your loving mercy; for Your presence; for Your peace!

Journal Post Three - Whisper

In the quiet comes a whisper; guess the last few days have been so noisy that I haven't heard the whisper. At least I haven't heard it clearly enough to take time to write about it. But I have been thinking a lot about it. Sometimes life gets so busy that we forget to listen for the still small voice of God. He's always there, all we have to do is stop & listen!
There has been a gentle breeze lately & the weather was warm enough last week to put out my wind chimes. I've been collecting them for about six years now I think. Each time we take a vacation I try to find a new one & my husband & kids have been giving them to me for gifts too. Now I think I have about 20 hanging on the patio. You may think it would be loud & distracting, but it's really not. I like to think of them not only as a reminder of the trips we've taken & the love of my family but also of God's whispers as they chime in the breeze. They have many different tones from little tingles to wooden claps (soft ones) and that makes me think of the many ways that God inspires me & talks to me. Sometimes it's just a nudge to do something I should; other times He has to almost hit me up the side of my head to get my attention. As I grow in my faith, I'm learning more & more to listen for His instruction before I go out & do it on my own. How about you? What are some ways that you listen for/to God?

Journaling Prompt Two

Sunday -A union with Him brings loving grace.
God's grace is an awesome thing. He gives it so freely, all we have to do is say "YES!" and we receive grace & salvation. But it does go beyond just saying yes; we need to bring glory to God in our life every day -- this should be our mission in life.
This morning's sermon by Jean was one of glorifying God. She used John 12:20-33 for her scripture base and talked about how a seed must die before it produces any fruit. Metaphorically Jesus was saying that He must die before His mission here on earth will come to fruition. And we are left behind to glorify God & spread His word throughout the world; this message was not just for the Jews, but to the whole world.
The take-away points that I wrote down in my Bible were as follows:
1. This passage does not to mean that we should not like our life here on earth, but rather that we should look beyond our life here to an eternity with Him.
2. What we do to glorify God is limited only by our imagination.
3. Our Christian life should be like the path that a lamp lighter left as he traveled down the road; one that is visible to all who gazed down the road, lighting the path that he took. He certainly walked in the light as we should; he made the path light for others to see as we should strive to do in our daily walk while we are here on earth. And who would want to walk toward Christ if we hated our life here?
4. Our desire should be to glorify God daily & receive His give of salvation.
So today I come to God in praise & adoration; glorifying His goodness & mercy - thanking Him for His gift of life for eternity and lighting the way for all who follow!

Journaling Prompt One

Prompt - It is startling to realize the miracles occurring.

It is amazing to think about all the miracles that happen around us everyday. As spring approaches, the miracle of rebirth surrounds us. The leaves emerging; the flower buds forming & some even in full bloom already; we need to take time to thank God for His marvelous creation. He is totally awesome! And at this season of Lent we are reminded to dwell on the sacrifice Christ made to save us from our sinful nature.

More of the Rat-A-Tat-Tat -- A Duet Even!

Another exciting day in the birding world. We have been hearing the pileated woodpecker for about a week now; actually he makes quite an loud call & his rat-a-tat-tat is almost deafening. If you want to listen to it go here, scroll down listen - http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pileated_Woodpecker/id/ac  When Dave spotted him yesterday it was thrilling. Today was even more thrilling because he was in a tree in the back yard...and there were two of them. I tried to get a photo of them, but didn't manage. I did get a poor quality shot of one of them (it was a rainy, dreary day - not good for using the camera.)

It is amazing to me to watch the birds that are here. When I think of the way nature works together I am in awe of the way that God created the universe & I thank Him for making me aware of what there is to watch & learn from. I have learned to keep my eyes & ears open; I have learned to pay attention to what the birds & critters are doing. And as I think on this, I work hard to keep my eyes & ears on my Lord for I have much to learn from Him.