Fighting and Victory

I watch two beautiful male hummingbirds fight over the feeder and wonder - what are they fighting for? Perhaps it is for mating rights or possibly just for the right to that nectar! One thing is for sure, they are fierce and often fight to the death.

This made me think of II Timothy 4:7, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." I am so glad that God has left us with the Bible; our guidebook for the Christian life. The example of Jesus Christ Himself, the apostle Paul and heroes of the faith are there for us to follow. Their lives are those of victory, not defeat.

I read a quote this morning: "He (Paul) spent his life fighting for something that would outlast him",

and wondered, what am I fighting for? Am I fighting with eternity's values in view? The Bible gives one passage (and there may be more) that illustrates the self-introspective, often conflicting and confusing struggle between the flesh and Spirit. The more Paul struggled with it and yielded to the flesh, the more he used the word "I". His life shows, obviously that he didn't yield to his flesh regularly, but claimed the promises of God on a daily basis. Praise the Lord that we can do this and these Biblical examples prove that a Christian can live all of life this way!

Lord, please keep me from groveling in so much self-introspection that I never get to see your promises and to claim them daily, for victory this life.  When I claim them, help me DO what your Word says; and not make excuses like, 'I'm waiting for the Spirit to move me' (though I want to be led only by your Spirit). With eternity's values in view, Lord!

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." I John 5:4

I hope you have a really blessed day. I suppose these are the dog-days of early Summer. We've been getting some pretty heavy thunderstorms in the afternoons. Right now the mist is hanging heavily. This picture doesn't show it justly. It's truly beautiful and still.

We found six shutters, free, on the side of the road the other night! I have wanted a little potting corner or shed for quite some time. Here is my makeshift one, at the end of our porch for now.

I see the victorious humming bird, back to drink from his feeder. Take care, and thank you for stopping by Darling Hill!

The Peak of Summer

The skies have been blue and partly cloudy with the most wonderful cloud formations lately! What a beautiful place to live, this side of Heaven! I hope you're enjoying your beginning of Summer as much as we are here on Darling Hill.

Syd's Mom and husband, Bob, were up camping nearby last weekend and we got a chance to go see them at their campsite. 

Syd & Bob went on their long-awaited golf day.

golfing is new to Syd; though he used to caddy for his grandfather and did some golfing as a teen

Bob got Syd some clubs, so now it's time to test them out!

Syd's time is demanded upon more than almost any man I know, though he would not complain or say so (I am excluding you fathers out there who are CONSTANTLY called upon for everything imaginable!). I won't go into the particulars (and I'm one of the chief "hounders"). Because of this I just encourage him to get away by himself once in a while, whether it be in the canoe or on the driving range. In 32 years, this is the first time he's actually taken my advice on this matter! yay!

I was challenged by a message my hubby preached Sunday night. It was on prayer..."It's time to pray"; that is the statement God used and is still using to prick my heart. Today I was reading from Job 42. "And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends..." (verse10). The prayer emphasis on Sunday night was not so that I will get something from God, of course, but because prayer is a commandment and needed immediately and without ceasing. In our children's Sunday School class we've been studying about the greatest commandment, the one on which hangs all the law and prophets; LOVE. How can I love properly without constant prayer?  I read the following verses from Galatians this morning also:

"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another." 

Galatians 5:13-15

Isn't it funny that verse 15 is in there? It just hit me today. Christians can bite and devour one another, and obviously can consume one another! What a shame. Coupled with these verses on not being in the flesh, but having true love for one another, it makes a perfect contrast. If we're not loving we may be "consuming". WOW!

stop pouting - start praying; stop complaining - start praying; stop biting - start praying; 

stop demanding - start praying.

Meanwhile, back to Saturday:

my Moms

The mothers and I decided to head out for a flea market and some ice cream. It was a really enjoyable time. We finished up with a dinner under the canopy.

here we are, all blinded by the late afternoon sun - SMILE everyone!

"Bye Mom & Bob, till next time"

For Father's Day, Syd got Bob the cutest coffee mug. I wish I'd taken a picture of what it said. Something like..."Happy Father's Day, Dad. I know, of all your kids,  I'm you're favorite!"...the other side said "Sorry the others can't be as awesome as ME!". Bob got a kick out of it, and can't wait to show it to his real daughters! (of course we know they won't be offended, as we know the girls already. They'll get a good laugh over it).

Enjoy your summer day. Tomorrow is the longest one of the year! Thanks for stopping by the Hill.

A Sunny Rainy Day Thought...

"It does not matter what my circumstances are, I can be as sure of abiding in Jesus in them as in a prayer meeting."  - a quote I read today

How true! If I only expect God to be at "excitement point" all the time, there is none of the serenity of the life hid with Christ in God there.

"Abide in me, and I in you; as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can  ye, except ye abide in me." John 15:4

In 1 Peter 2, I was reminded this morning that I was redeemed with the precious blood of Jesus and that He "was manifest in these last times for you, who by Him do believe in God that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God." (I Peter 2:20, 21)

What a wonderful reminder that I must be as serene in my walk whether on the mountain top with Him or way down deep in the valleys. It is ashamed that a Christian can ever get "bored" with life on any given day. We have a wonderful God to serve! It should show that He is really a REALITY in my life all the time!

Infused in God's Word

As I listen to the rain on the tin porch roof it is a relaxing sound. Hardly would I know that it is after 7:30 a.m. On mornings like this it is easy to curl up with a good book and drop back off to sleep. There are dishes to do and projects waiting to be picked up and finished, so no sleeping this day. My hubby has been getting up at 3:45 for several weeks as he must be at his post by 5:00 a.m. While I'm in "recovery" he's been encouraging me to stay in bed and sleep till at least 6:00. The days of recovery are coming to an end, however, and I'm afraid that this sleeping till 6 is going to spoil me. With the rain this morning though, I did just that!

It takes God's Word to really bring you out of a "funk" (I don't know what that word actually means, so am sorry if I'm using an inappropriate one, just sounds like an awful state to be in!) Perhaps it does not happen to you, but sometimes I think that when a string of situations come along that are especially burdensome it's easy to get into a "funk" spiritually. God's Word says that "there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man". No present state that I find myself in is unique. The Lord has seen it all and promises to bring me through!

In reading my Bible today I was reminded that Matthew 11:28 says, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." It also commands me to take His yoke upon me and to learn of Him. One of my favorite old Testament Scripture verses is, "Come ye children; hearken unto me and I will teach you the fear of the Lord." What amazing results ensue when we COME to Him. "Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe". Do you ever sing that little children's chorus? What a victorious Christian life we will have when we simply open God's Word with prayer and, depending upon His strength, obey what He tells us in it.

A New Project:  This one will take weeks to see results

Comfrey and Plantain Salve ~ for healing scratches and especially good for rashes (including diaper)

I use my oven with pilot light to dry my herbs. 

The comfrey leaves came from my friend Dottie because I have seen no comfrey on Darling Hill. I will give the recipe to anyone who wants it. There are plantain growing all over our driveway. They thrive in the sandy soils. In the photo below you'll see dried dandelion. It was only put in for color and is for another salve altogether - sorry for any confusion.

The next step is to add the olive oil, just over the top of dried, broken leaves

The infusion process takes 4-6 weeks! The woman who wrote the recipe did a "triple infusion" - which could take 12-18 weeks. I'm too impatient for that. I'll try about 5 weeks and see how it comes out. Infusing it longer brings stronger healing properties. We get surface scratches here (hee, hee!)
Well, it's on to the dishes and a few other things waiting in the wings.

When I look at the jars of dried up, broken leaves being covered with the pure oil it does bring to mind the Word of God that can infuse us (if we will open, read and heed it), cleanse our wounds and purify our hearts. I want to be like those broken leaves, steeping in the balm of His Word, don't you? Christians have the Great Physician ready always to teach and to purify. What great riches are here before us.

Any of my praying friends: I have a burdensome, unspoken prayer request. It does not have to do with me directly but is very near and dear to Syd's and my hearts. Thank you for praying for it when you think to do so.

I hope you have a productive and delightful day. Thanks for stopping by the Hill!

Resting and Singing

"And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God; many shall see it and fear, and shall trust in the Lord." Psalm 40:3

Undisturbed Relationship: This is what I was meditating upon this morning. Throughout my life I have watched this relationship between my mother and our Lord Jesus Christ. Growing up, in observing other Christians, whether they be leaders or lay-people, myself included, so often there are questions being asked to God..."why? what do you want me to do? how can I assure being blessed by God?" 

We sat and listened to the birds yesterday afternoon. Each one was singing their individual song; the song that the Lord gave to each species. Some have two or three songs, but only one or two can sing more than three or four. It is assured, none can sing every other bird's song. The trees were full of music and we were blessed to be in this amphitheater!

This morning, when meditating on an undisturbed relationship with my Savior, the testimony of His flying creatures came back to my heart, as well as the testimony that I watched in Mom as she moved through each day. I do not recall hustle and bustle, questionings, disturbed or ruffled "feathers". She would probably remember some. It was a testimony of an undisturbed relationship, and for this I am very thankful. Though major changes, age and infirmity have brought new testings to my mother's life; fears are very much a temptation, as the Bible says can happen in old age. They lurk and could easily cause us to doubt and stumble. It is then that our Lord uses unquestioning revelation in His Word to hold us fast.

The birds stick to the individual and determined song that God has given each one; they sing the praises faithfully and loudly. When I came to know Jesus as my Savior, He gave me a "new song" that is based upon established revelation revealed in God's Word. Aren't you glad that it is not a shaky foundation? We need not question WHY (or why not) God is doing this or that in our lives. 

This morning I read the Scripture from John 16. It is a picture of oneness with the Lord. Much is written about asking and receiving. Verses 22 and 23 are ones that I want to meditate on much more. One thing that 22 says is that "your joy no man taketh from you". Verse 23 goes on to say, "in that day ye shall ask me nothing".   There is very much a sense of oneness with the Father here; a oneness that we can obviously experience daily. It (perhaps) is a oneness that does not have to ask the Father, "Why? Why not? Why am I not receiving certain 'blessings'?" but that reveals itself in rejoicing and a joy that no man can take from us!

Mom, at rest on her porch swing

A restful shot of the dogs, resting as we listened to the chorus of birds

LATE Spring Snow!

Well, here it is, May 26th...I'm so glad that we didn't plant our veggies and flowers yesterday -which would've naturally been the day for it.

The plants have been pulled in (excuse the dirty floor under that chair)

These beautiful Gerbera daisys will go in the urns, while lettuce fills this windowbox

When the temps dipped to 33 by bedtime and there was already an inch of wet snow, we brought everything in to await warmer weather.

The geranium has lots of buds...perfect for welcoming folks from the box at the top of the driveway

We have heard reports that Monday will bring 60+ degree temperatures; perfect for putting out the flowers and planting the awaiting tomatoes, squash and lettuce.

Here was the picture of smiling Quincy this morning, bravely weathering the new snow. The hummingbirds seem undaunted, as the regular four have made it through the night. I think they're thankful for the sweet 'fuel' they get from the feeders on everyone's porches.

Happy Spring, everyone! Now that the nitrogen has fertilized our soils, planting should go well tomorrow -weather permitting, of course! Thanks for stopping by.

A Bowl of Spring Leaves

New leaves unfurl ~
their color, tumbling; rolling, south to west; north to east.
Chartreuse trickling down the valley, to rest and blend with deeper greens at the foot.
Twisted lines enveloped and folded; revealed here, hidden there ~ plunging to the depth of this abyss. Before us lies a massive bowl that holds the fruit of Spring leaves;
birch and poplar; oak, beech and maple.

What a joy to be home for a few weeks! As many know, I had a surgery last week. It did not occur on the day that they'd planned it (Tues). My hemoglobin was only at 18 and they needed it up in the 30s. Another blood transfusion took place - 4 units this time. Praise the Lord it worked and they let me have the surgery on Thursday. Everything was fine and coming home on Friday afternoon was a joy! Something about being home really helps you to heal and rest. Though there are MANY things around here that tug at my organizational strings, I'm trying to be really choosy. Syd's cooking alot and doing dishes (smile). A couple of the ladies at church have provided food and the Lord is using the Spring weather to rejuvenate my batteries. What a beautiful rain we had last night and this morning. It makes the new green leaves even brighter!

The poem describes the scene that we take in from the top of Darling Hill on a week such as this. We are blessed to live in the country. It's hard to imagine how indescribably beautiful Heaven will be. Thankfully God inspired the writer, when He described the new Heaven and new Earth; else no one would ever be able to express the scenes of the place which God has prepared for those of us who love Him!

The sun is rising over the hill now and lighting the leaves in our woods. I'm going to sign off and take the puppies out to enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by!