Just Who Gave YOU your FREEDOM?

Patriotism is in our Blood

internet memes

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*Thankful for all those who have served and who are serving*

*Thankful for all those who gave the Ultimate Sacrifice for our Freedom*

I want to tell you, I love you...

-meme

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Secret Sorrows that only the LORD can soften

~Yellowstone FB

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"Every heart has its secret sorrows, which the world knows not, and oftentimes we call a man cold when he’s only sad."

~Cited on the opening of the movie, I Heard the Bells.

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Psalm 3:3-5

..."But You, O Lord, are a shield about me,

My glory, and the One who lifts my head.

I was crying to the Lord with my voice,

And He answered me from His holy mountain. 

I lay down and slept;

I awoke, for the Lord sustains me."...

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The Bing, Bang, Bumps of Life

Life is full of joys!

It can also be full of Bumps, Bings, Bangs, and Clunks!

There are many ways to deal with life's struggles and sorrows. 

The best way is to cry out to the LORD, seek His face, read His Word, know His peace.

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1 Peter 1

...3 "Blessed be the God and Father 

of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

who according to His great mercy 

has caused us to be born again to a living hope 

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ 

from the dead, to obtain an inheritance 

which is imperishable and undefiled and 

will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 

who are protected by the power of God 

through faith for a salvation 

ready to be revealed in the last time. 

In this you greatly rejoice, even though 

now for a little while, if necessary, 

you have been distressed by various trials,

so that the proof of your faith, being more 

precious than gold which is perishable, 

even though tested by fire, may be found 

to result in praise and glory and honor at the 

revelation of Jesus Christ; and though 

you have not seen Him, you love Him, 

and though you do not see Him now, 

but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy 

inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining 

as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."...

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Philippians 4

...4 "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer 

and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be 

made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, 

whatever is true, 

whatever is honorable, 

whatever is right, 

whatever is pure, 

whatever is lovely, 

whatever is of good repute,

if there is any excellence 

and if anything worthy of praise, 

dwell on these things.

The things you have learned and received and heard 

and seen in me, practice these things, 

and the God of peace will be with you."...

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What a Beautiful Sign!

 

God's Creation: Rainbow promise   

Genesis 9:12-17

"God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations; I have set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall serve as a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. 

It shall come about, when I make a cloud appear over the earth, that the rainbow will be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. 

When the rainbow is in the cloud, then I will look at it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 

And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

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We live by two lakes, two rivers, and one natural slough which is practically in our back yard. We have enjoyed the wildlife very much through the years and the many, many rainbows which cross our open skies.

This week the weather turned warmish for a couple of days and I suppose this may have had something to do with the very large amounts of Canada Geese in flight, swirling low above us along with their wonderful honking. 

At first I was use to it and went about my business. After a while I realized that this was something spectacular happening. I decided to sit and just enjoy the "air show".  Even the kitties were in wonder at it all. At first they crouched and hid, and then they came out looking up with me.

It was quite a show while sitting to watch comfortably with the warm breezes. Watching this beautiful sight brought back such beautiful, sweet memories. We had lived for quite a while in the Chicago area where there were many a retention pond for Canada Geese to stay the winter throughout that huge area.

Although the LORD was lifting my head, this day my heart was homesick for our far away home with all the honking of the Geese. Comfort was there, and seemingly its warm safety. 

I thought about these memories for a while with my sorrows turning into great agony.  Soon enough reality set in while I was allowing the LORD to hold me tightly, safely, comfortingly even in my sorrows and long ago happy memories!

We live far away from those days of big cities, honking geese, and happy memories. The LORD was with us then and He is still mighty in our life here. He is even more  to us now than ever before.  So much growing up in Him! What Joy! 

I sat and knew that THIS is NOT our home! What child of His could stand to live here when we could be with Him in His mighty Kingdom for eternity! Looking forward to His return!

This World is NOT my Home!!!

John 15:18-19

...“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 

If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you."...

John 18:36

"...Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. 

If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” ...

Hebrews 13:7-14

..."Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their way of life, imitate their faith.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.

Do not be misled by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.

We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the Holy Place by the high priest as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp.

Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the gate, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood.

So then, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come."...

1Peter 2:11-17

..."Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul.

Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God on the day of visitation.

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.

For such is the will of God, that by doing right you silence the ignorance of foolish people.

Act as free people, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond-servants of God.

Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king."...

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Hope to see you, dear reader, there!

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