TRANSPLANTING …
                                          – Gail Rodgers

The flowers are doing well in their new location.  I wasn’t sure when I dug them up if they would flourish under the shadow
of the eves.  Sometimes I have transplanted my flowers and they seem to wilt at first.  Then the roots start to tap into the new soil and a fresh crop of flowers grows.

God sometimes transplants us.  Often we aren’t sure the new location won’t simply be a place where we will just wilt.  Yet 
God can be trusted to do what is best.  He sometimes picks us up from a familiar spot and we find ourselves in new  situations or even locations and we feel fragile.

Every transplanted flower takes a bit of the old dirt with it … dirt that protects the roots and gives nourishment as the
plant re-roots itself in new soil.  When God transplants us we also take with us some of the ground we have grown in.   We 
take the lessons learned and the memories made.  We take with us the experiences of trusting God and of finding Him
faithful. These things become part of the new soil as we put down new roots.

When God transplants us we can be sure the season will be right. We can trust His choice of the spot in His garden where just the right amount of sun and shade will help us flourish.  We can know He will bring new blossoms to our lives even when we feel we are wilting in all the change.

“He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season…” (Psalm 1:3). 

If you find yourself in a new place in life and feel like you are wilting, stop and consider these points so you can grow in new ways …

  Embrace the change.  Quit struggling and allow your roots to go down into your new soil knowing your Heavenly Father will nourish you in this new place.

  Recall His faithfulness to you in the other times and places in your life.  His track record is sure and He will not leave you in a sun scorched place to wither.

 Look for things to praise God about in your new place. Praise will help hasten the new blossoms in your life. 

 Enjoy each day as a gift from Him.

Father God,
Forgive me for resisting the changes You are bringing into my life.
Let my roots go down deep into Your faithfulness and love.
Bring Your fragrance through me to this new place and bring new growth to my life.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

I do pray that you’re all enjoying your week so far.  Here, the sun has been shining … the skies have been beautiful, and we’ve had a couple of days to dry out here in the state, but it’s a bit cloudy now, and we’re expecting more rain soon … the clean up south of us has begun, and we’re praying for a miracle that any rain pass us all by, this time.  I also spoke to Ian yesterday morning … there were some fires burning near Monterey, and Salinas, California … he could see the smoke from them.  We’re all praying that they get them under control, and they don’t get any closer to where he is.  Mom Betty is battling bronchitis … and not doing too well … they’ve been treating her, but she doesn’t seem to be getting better.  Again, we’d so appreciate your prayers for her, the weather here, and the fires out in Calilfornia.  There’s is so much comfort in knowing someone is standing with you in prayer when there is a need.  Thank you for all the prayers you’ve sent our way! 

There is some happy news … we became a great aunt, and uncle, at 2:59pm, Tuesday afternoon.  God blessed our niece, and her sweet husband, Josh, with a beautiful little girl, Rylie Elizabeth … weighing in at 6 pounds-even, and 20 inches long.  Mom & baby are doing quite well!  I was a little concerned about that birth weight, but they are both small themselves.  I want to get over there to take photos to share soon.  Babies are fun to photograph.  I would have loved to have been there during the birth, but things happened pretty fast.  It’s Josh & Lindsey’s first child, and they are so happy … not to mention my brother and sister-in-law … Rylie is their first grandchild, and they couldn’t be more pleased!  She’s headed home today with that special little bundle.  Also, Tim and his family made it back safe and sound yesterday … your prayers were much appreciated for them, as well … that was a definitely long trip home!  Well, I need to go get more soap ready to go to the antique mall today … it’s selling very well down there this month, and that’s more good news … yes, we are in the midst of some trials, but still, there is so much more to be thankful to our Father for! 

 THE RAIN OF HIS SPIRIT

Thank Him for the storms that break open the dry, parched ground and allow the renewing rain of His Spirit to pour into our lives … It’s the weight of the wind and the force of the storm that make deep, sturdy roots and strong solid trees.  “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots bv the stream.  – Jeremiah 17:7-8 

I pray you all have a most blessed day!
 
  Hugs.
              ~ Deborah <><

Hope you’re all having a good week so far.  We’ve been dealing with the weather the past couple of days, and today I’m so very thankful that we’ve had no significant damage to our property, other than a couple of huge limbs that fell from the trees!  There was a lot of damage down south of our home this last round, but God has protected us again.  I’ve never known it to be this bad here … the winds were fierce, leveling buildings to their foundations, tossing cars around like toys, and I even saw a semi-trailor truck turned completely upside down.  Another tornado damaged 40 buildings at the Indiana National Guard’s Camp Atterbury … so much destruction, and they said a trailor was picked up by the storm, and landed on the roof of a public works building there on the base.  Also, a long span, two lane, covered bridge in our state was completely destroyed, built in 1886 … this was one I had yet to see … it had withstood many a storm for 122 years … and I could go on and on!  They’re saying we could have the possibility of more storms over the next few days, along with very warm, and muggy conditions.  I pray the weather in your area is much calmer than what we’ve recently experienced here!   

I also ask you for your prayers … Tim, who has been out in California with Ian, is beginning the long drive back home here to Indiana this morning, with part of his family.  I’d so appreciate your prayers for their safe travels … he’s with his father, younger sister, and little brother … and no, Ian is not coming back with them    … I was so hoping!  He’ll still continue to work at the church, where his schedule is full these days.  He doesn’t know exactly when, but he’ll be coming home … he’s talking about the possibility of a couple of missionary trips first … one being this summer, and one in December before he would come home.  We’re hoping the first of the year.  We do miss our son!  We are praying for God’s will to be done in his life.  Some of you may remember, around this time last year, when I posted about their trip out to California, when they first flew out for a couple of weeks, and then when my husband drove them out for a longer stay.  What started out to be only a few months, has now become a little more than a year.  It’s been a long year for me, and yes, many times difficult, but I know that God has a purpose for everything that He’s allowed in my life through this … I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that in His love, He’s taught me to trust ……

Well, this is a little off the norm, but I’ve gotten two of these e-mails on this ‘tip’, and I thought it worthy enough to pass along, especially since most of us deal with this pesky ’little’ problem in the warmer months anyway.  Have any of you ever heard of this?  I think it’s worth trying … just to see if it does works!   I would love feedback on it … so let’s try it and compare notes!   You all have a blessed day!

Hugs,
   ~ Deborah <><



                                               


MOUTHWASH MOSQUITO SPRAY

I thought I’d share this since we have a mosquito problem here … the best way to get rid of those bothersome bugs is, believe it or not, … LISTERINE MOUTHWASH!  The original flavored medicinal type, in that BIG bottle, which costs lots less then the ‘chemical’ bug sprays, costing a small fortune, and those don’t last too long, either!  The cheap dollar store, generic brand works just as well.  The thing that I’m happy about, is it’s so much safer without the added DEET, like you’ll find in the ‘chemical’ brands, making it safer for spraying on the skin.

We were at an outdoor dinner party, where the mosquitos were having their own ‘dinner’, when the host began spraying his lawn and deck with LISTERINE (undiluted), and those bothersome bugs were gone!  Well, I went home and I filled a 4-oz. spray bottle (full strength) and used it around my seat whenever I saw mosquitos … and it really does work!  I also use it to spray around the picnic tables, children’s swing area, and any standing water … anywhere those mosquitos can be found!  It doesn’t take much, and the effect will last a couple of days.

During the warmer weather, I don’t leave home without it!  So, give this a try around your home and yard, and by spraying your door frames and window frames … you can even spray it in the dog house!

Pass it on to anyone you care about!  You’ll all be ‘skeeter’ free this summer! 

  


REFLECTIONS

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
- Psalm 23:5 –

God calls me to do something, and I begin with enthusiasm. 
But as some point my fervor fades, and my dedication dissipates. 
I find I’ve very little left to give. 
Perhaps it’s because I’ve been neglecting being filled.
David said, ‘My cup overflows.’ 

It is difficult to find your cup overflowing
if you do not intentionally hold your cup under the outpouring of God. 

All too often, we ask the Lord why we feel empty, or why we don’t see His fruits,
or why we don’t feel His presence, or His power, or understand His purpose. 
All too often, we struggle to find His will and wonder what we’re missing;
all the while we have yet to diligently seek Him with a whole heart. 
We are like a man who eats nothing all day and wonders why he is hungry the next morning. 
But God is faithful, and ‘He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.’ 
Are you empty inside?  Seek the Lord diligently and with all your heart.

‘Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness,
for they shall be filled.’
- Matthew 5:6 -

Hope you all have a beautiful, and blessed day!
Hugs ~ Deborah <><


 

 

Spending time with each other is a prerequisite for a growing personal relationship.
The same applies to our personal relationship with Jesus.
Since His Word is all about Him, it follows that getting to know Him better
requires our spending time in the Scriptures.

Think of spending time with Jesus this way:

The average reader could read the 66 books of the Scriptures in 72 hours.

If you spent 2 hours a day reading the Bible, you could complete it in 36 days.

An hour a day would accomplish that blessed experience in about 2 1/2 months.

Half an hour a day would take you from Genesis through Revelation in 5 months.

Just 15 minutes a day will enrich your life with the full counsel and comfort of God in 10 months.

One can also read through-the-Bible in one year by reading three chapters a day, and five chapters on each Lord’s Day

Again, I ask, have you considered your present schedule with the One who loves you beyond measure?


God … is longing for a time of communion with His children.  Specifically, He longs to meet with you.  He knows you know that He loves you.  But still, He wants to say it again.  He knows you know that He is faithful, but He wants to show His faithfulness once again.  - Anonymous