HUCKLEBERRY HAVEN

It's always delightful when July comes tiptoeing into the Summer Season displaying her lazy personality ..... Misty mornings with humidity hovering over the dew stained grass ..... Hummingbirds gently tapping at the trumpet vines and tiny newborn woodland creatures dancing around the garden looking to satisfy their tummy ..... But nothing stirs my soul more than seeing my handsome rugged husband dressed in his daily camouflage apparel along with those recycled Plastic Manning's Dairy Containers lined up on the patio table waiting for a four-wheeling trip to the local Huckleberry Haven ...... Situated on a mountain nearby and laying close to mother earth we find a feast of tiny little sweet blue balls just waiting to be taken by whoever knows about this secret spot ..... Enough Berries for an army brought home for jams, jellies, muffins, pies,preserves, smoothies and plain ol' snacking ..... These tiny wild berries are so sweet and delicious ..... Reminding me that surely GOD put them there just for us, I am taken to GENESIS 1:12-13 where HE declares, "THE EARTH BROUGHT FORTH VEGETATION, PLANTS YIELDING SEED AFTER THEIR KIND, AND TREES BEARING FRUITWITH SEED IN THEM, AFTER THEIR KIND; AND GOD SAW THAT IT WAS GOOD. THERE WAS EVENING AND THEIR WAS MORNING, A THIRD DAY." ..... Today and everyday i will remind myself that Blessings come in all colors, shapes & sizes, even in the tiny wild blue huckleberry ......... Summer          

THE RISING SUMMER SUN

AS THE NEW DAY SET FORTH LIGHT CREPT INTO THE WINDOW ......LOOKING AT THE MORNING SKY WAS A REMINDER OF HOW GODS LOVE FOR US IS LIKE AN ALL CONSUMING FIRE ...... THE RISING SUN WAS SUSPENDED IN MID AIR JUST ABOVE A CLOUD, BLAZING LIKE AN ORANGE BALL OF FIRE ...... IN THE SCRIPTURES THERE ARE MANY REFERENCES TO GODS LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE, THERE IS SOMETHING RIVETING HOWEVER ABOUT THE SCRIPTURES THAT DESCRIBE HIS LOVE LIKE THE ALL CONSUMING FIRE IN THE SKY THIS MORNING ...... IN HEBREWS 12:29 IT IS NOTED, " For our GOD is a consuming fire. " ...... GOD LOVES ALL PEOPLE SO MUCH THAT IT NOT ONLY SADDENS HIM BUT ALSO ANGERS HIM DEEPLY THAT THE VERY PEOPLE HE CREATED WOULD TURN FROM HIM AND WORSHIP FALSE GODS ...... LET IT NOT BE FORGOTTEN HOWEVER THAT BECAUSE OF SIN AND OUR OWN REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO HIM, BY THE WAY OF HIS SON JESUS CHRIST, OUR BONDAGE WILL LIVE ON ETERNALLY ...... AS BELIEVERS OF HIS TRUTH WE ARE COMMANDED TO SPREAD THE "GOOD NEWS" OF SALVATION AND SHOUT  FROM THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD ...... NOT AS AN OBLIGATORY OR FORCEFUL COMMAND WHICH LEAVES US FEELING GUILTY IF WE ARE NOT COMPLYING BUT AS A JOYFUL AND URGENT COMMAND BECAUSE OF WHAT OUR FATHER HAS DONE FOR US ...... TO TRULY UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CROSS OVER 2000 YEARS AGO WOULD LEAVE AN IMPRINT UPON OUR BELIEVING HEARTS THAT SENDS US SHOUTING FOR JOY AND TELLING ALL PEOPLE ABOUT THE JESUS THAT SETS US FREE ...... " Since, then, we know what it is to fear the LORD, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to GOD, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. " 
2 CORINTHIANS 5:11 ...... REMEMBER, GOD WANTS ALL OF HIS PEOPLE TO BE SAVED FROM THE WRATH THAT WILL BE POURED OUT UPON ALL THAT IS EVIL  ...... "This is good, and pleases GOD our SAVIOUR, who wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 TIMOTHY 2:3-4 ......  IN THE BOOK OF 2 THESSALONIANS 1:5-11 APOSTLE PAUL ALSO REVEALS MORE OF
GODS TRUTHS ...... " All this is evidence that GOD'S judgement is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of GOD for which you are suffering. GOD is just: HE will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to those who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the LORD JESUS is revealed from heaven in a blazing fire with HIS powerful angels. HE will punish those who do not know GOD and do not obey the gospel of our LORD JESUS. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the LORD and the majesty of HIS power on the day HE  comes to be glorified in HIS holy people and to be marveled at amoung all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you. With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our GOD may count you worthy of HIS calling, and that by HIS power HE may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act propmpted by your faith. " ...... OUR CONCERN FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW THE GOSPEL NEED BE  FROM A GENUINE AND PURE HEART ...... ONE THAT IS REVEALED BY BOTH, GODS WORD & OUR LOVING ACTIONS ...... ONLY THEN WILL PEOPLE AROUND US SEE THE ALL CONSUMING FIRE THAT IS JUST ONE OF THE MANY CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS ALMIGHTY & ALL POWERFUL LOVING GOD WE CALL FATHER ............................ SUMMER

               

TIME SPENT AWAY

In the Bible, LUKE 10:41-42, the LORD JESUS tells us that Martha chose what was better ...... Exactly what did HE mean when HE made this comment is that by choosing to spend time with GOD, our time is well spent ..... Sometimes while life is happening we have a tendency to focus on our immediate surroundings, taking care only of what's necessary without taking the time to consider how GOD would have us operate ..... Sooner or later though, we come to realize ( if we are fortunate enough to even realize ) exactly what are priorities are and how we are choosing to spend our time ...... Choosing to spend time away with our LORD is good for us ...... No matter how long it takes us to understand that this is not our true home doesn't matter ...... What does matter is that once we do understand, we are able to gracefully "let go" of this world and be the person that GOD has intended us to be ...... In doing this we will also be allowed the privelage of following what Romans 12:2 says and that is," Do Not Be Conformed To This World, But Be Transformed By The Renewal Of Your Mind, That By Testing You May Discern What Is The Will Of GOD, What Is Good And Acceptable And Perfect. " ..... It's wonderful to be here today ............................................. Summer      

SEASONS MAY COME AND SEASONS MAY GO BUT.....

WITH THIS TIME OF YEAR COMES A CHILL IN THE AIR AND A COLOR ON THE LEAVES THAT IS BREATHTAKING ...... IT IS SOBERING TO SEE THAT TIME CHANGES EVERYTHING AND THAT NOTHING EVER REMAINS THE SAME ..... THIS GIVES MEANING TO THE NEWS THAT GOD IS ALWAYS IN CONTROL ..... DO WE SEE BEAUTY IN EVERYTHING AROUND US OR ARE WE DISGRUNTLED
WITH THE COMING OF WINTER ON THE HORIZON ..... IN THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES GOD GIVES US A REASON TO BE CONTENT WITH JUST OUR MERE EXISTENCE WHEN HE REVEALS THAT EVERYTHING HAS AN EXACT ORDER, PLACE & TIME ..... HE SAYS THIS: " There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven. A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing. A time to give up, and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; A time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate; A time for war, and a time for peace. " ECCLESIASTES 3:1-8 ...... THESE ARE VERY DEEP & POWERFUL WORDS THAT APPLY TO EVERYONE FOR EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE WE ENCOUNTER ...... WE HAVE A TENDENCY TO WORRY HOWEVER GOD SHOWS US HOPE BY LETTING US KNOW HE IS IN CHARGE ...... IT MAY BE DIFFICULT FOR US TO GRASP THIS BECAUSE OF THE DAILY TRAGEDIES WE SEE UNFOLDING BEFORE OUR EYES ...... IT IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND HOW A LOVING GOD COULD ALLOW SO MUCH TO HAPPEN .....HERE IS THE TRUTH : " For MY thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways MY ways." ISAIAH 55:8 .....
AS GODLY PEOPLE WE COME TO KNOW AND ACCEPT THAT GOD HAS A PLAN THAT WE FIND HARD TO UNDERSTAND ..... " And we know that GOD causes all things to work together for good to those who love GOD, to those who are called according to HIS purpose. " ROMANS 8:28 ...... SO IT IS INEVITABLE THAT WINTER WILL TURN TO SPRING AND SPRING TO SUMMER AND THEN SUMMER TO FALL ..... GOD IS IN CONTROL AND CHANGE IS ALWAYS OCCURRING ...... DO NOT WORRY, GOD IS IN CONTROL ...... YOUNG WILL GROW OLD AND NEW WILL TURN TATTERED BUT THINK OF THIS, GOD IS CONTROL ...... LIVE EACH DAY TO THE FULLEST AND REMEMBER, GOD IS CONTROL AND HE LOVES US VERY VERY MUCH " For GOD demonstrates HIS own love for us in this :While we still sinners CHRIST died for us. " ROMANS 5:8 ......SO PRAY, SING PRAISE, REFLECT, BE KIND, LOVE, LOVE MORE, AND LOVE MORE STILL YET BECAUSE GOD IS IN CONTROL ....... SEASONS MAY COME AND SEASONS MAY GO BUT GOD IS IN CONTROL ..............................................SUMMER

A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

WE HAVE ALL BEEN STUCK BEFORE ..... STUCK FOR WORDS, STUCK IN THE MUD, STUCK BETWEEN TO WAYS TO GO, STUCK BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE .....IT IS A BEWILDERING PLACE TO BE ...... STUCK, THAT IS ..... SO NEXT TIME WE FIND OURSELVES NOT KNOWING WHAT TO SAY , IT WOULD NEVER HURT TO GO TO GODS WORD WHICH SAYS, " A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger . " PROVERBS 15:1 ..... AND WHEN WE ARE FORCED TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHICH WAY TO GO IN LIFE GODS WORD TEACHES US THIS , '' Enter by the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. " MATTHEW 7:13-14 ..... BUT WHEN WE ARE STUCK BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE THIS IS WHAT THE BIBLE REVEALS, " The LORD is my ROCK and my DELIVERER; my GOD is my ROCK , in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold . " PSALM 18:2 ..... NEED WE KNOW ANY MORE ? ..... HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY ..........................................SUMMER

CHERISH YOUR FREEDOM

FROM THE LOOKS OF THINGS GOING ON ALL AROUND US WE MUST LEARN TO LIVE SIMPLE AND SIMPLY LIVE FOR EACH MOMENT THAT OUR DEAR LORD GIVES US ..... TODAY IS A DAY THAT HAS NOT COME EASY ..... MANY MANY AND STILL YET MANY MEN & WOMEN HAVE FOUGHT THE FIGHT TO KEEP OL' GLORY WAVING HIGH OVER 200 YEARS SINCE HER BIRTH ..... BEING AN AMERICAN IS A BLESSED GIFT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN BY OUR CREATOR ..... IT IS BY NO ACCIDENT OR COINCIDENCE THAT EVERYONE OF US HAS BEEN BORN HERE ..... WE ALL HAVE BEEN CALLED TO A MUCH LARGER PURPOSE WITH THE FREEDOMS AND LIBERTIES WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN ..... JESUS WANTS US TO BE A TESTIMONY OF OUR FAITH AND AN EXAMPLE OF WHO HE IS AND HOW HE LOVES US..... HE WANTS US TO GIVE HIM THE GLORY AND HONOR HE SO DESERVES ..... IN THE NEW TESTAMENT PAUL SPEAKS TO THE ROMANS AND SAYS, " And we know that in all things GOD works for the good of those who love HIM, who have been called according to HIS purpose. " ROMANS 8:28 ..... AS PEOPLE WHO LOVE THE LORD AND CHERISH THIS GREAT NATION, LET US REMEMBER TO THANK THOSE WHO DEFEND THE PRECIOUS FREEDOM WE ENJOY HERE ON THIS SOIL ..... AND FOR AS MUCH AS WE ARE GRATEFUL TO BE AN AMERICAN, WE ARE EVEN MORE GRATEFUL TO BE A CHRISTIAN CLOTHED IN THE RIGHTEOUS BLOOD OF THE LAMB WHERE WE CAN ENJOY AN ETERNAL FREEDOM ..... A FREEDOM THAT WAS PAID WITH THE SHED BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR TRUE SOLDIER AND FRIEND .....HAVE A HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY AND REMEMBER TO CHERISH YOUR FREEDOM TODAY AND FOREVER............................................. SUMMER

MOTIVATION TO LIVE BY

WHEN LIFE BECOMES A BURDEN WE OFTEN RETREAT TO ISOLATION OR SINFUL WAYS OF COPING ..... IT IS NOT OUR HUMANLY DESIRE TO SEEK AFTER GOD ..... WE SEE IT IN THE NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE WHICH REMINDS US OF HOW INCAPABLE WE ARE AT REAL LOVE , " We love because HE loved us first. " 1JOHN 4:19 ..... IT IS EASIER FOR US TO THROW IN THE TOWEL AND SUCCUMB TO THE EVIL ONES TEMPTATIONS ..... THEY DANGLE BEFORE OUR EYES LIKE SHIMMERING JEWELS ..... THE APOSTLE PAUL REMINDS US WHEN HE SAYS, " I know that nothing good lives in me, that is,
in my sinful nature . For I have the desire to do what is good, but cannot carry it out . For what I do is not the good I want to do ; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing . Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it , but it is sin living in me that does it . " ROMANS 7:18-20 ..... SO WE FIND OURSELVES STRUGGLING AND IN A QUANDARY OVER THE CHOICES IN LIFE THAT WE SEE ARE BEFITTING FOR US AND DECISIONS THAT COULD PRODUCE GOOD FRUIT..... THEN SUDDENLY WE BECOME FEARFUL AND CONFUSED WONDERING IF OUR LIVES WILL EVER AMOUNT TO ANYTHING GOOD FOR GOD ..... AND THEN WE MAY OR MAY NOT SEE HOPE ..... BECAUSE TRUE HOPE CAN ONLY BE FOUND IN GODS WORD ..... PARTICULARLY THE SCRIPTURE THAT TELLS US , " For GOD did not give us a spirit of fear ; but of power, and of love and a of sound mind. " 2TIMOTHY1:7 ..... SUCH MOTIVATION FOR US TO LIVE BY ................................................................SUMMER