Joyful Garden -Joyful Words!

 -internet

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Ephesians 3

"...For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief.

By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.

To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.

This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.

Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."

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Glorify the LORD with your life!

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Respect Your Husband

-Elizabeth Prata

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Up From the Grave He Arose!

Low in the grave He lay

Jesus my Savior!

Waiting the coming day

Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose

With a mighty triumph o'er His foes

He arose a Victor from the dark domain

And He lives forever with His saints to reign

He arose! (He arose)

He arose! (He arose)

Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Vainly they watch His bed

Jesus, my Savior!

Vainly they seal the dead

Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose

With a mighty triumph o'er His foes

He arose a Victor from the dark domain

And He lives forever with His saints to reign

He arose! (He arose)

He arose! (He arose)

Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Death cannot keep his prey

Jesus, my Savior!

He tore the bars away

Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose

With a mighty triumph o'er His foes

He arose a Victor from the dark domain

And He lives forever with His saints to reign

He arose! (He arose)

He arose! (He arose)

Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Up from the grave He arose

With a mighty triumph o'er His foes

He arose a Victor from the dark domain

And He lives forever with His saints to reign

He arose! (He arose)

He arose! (He arose)

Hallelujah! Christ arose!

-Robert Lowry

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Christ The LORD is Risen Today!

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!

Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!

Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!

Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!

Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!

Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!

Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!

Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!

Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!

Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!

Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!

Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!

-Charles Wesley

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Jesus gave Himself up for us!

-Elizabeth Prata

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Blue Bells of Scotland

--Scotland FB 

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I have been waiting patiently as our own Bluebells begin to bloom...

...but this morning I found my one happy "clump" of healthy Bluebells...all nibbled down to the ground! 

One stalk with a slowly opening blossom remains! And one departed leaf half way down a hole...

We are blaming the little creatures who live below.

I put a small cage around the very last one. Of course, little creatures come from below!

Such is life...we enjoyed it all while the plants were thriving :o)

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National Tartan Day, April 6!

-internet

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The joy through the years of meeting and knowing people who are from Scotland, or their people came from this area. There is much joy in sharing, talking, playing, dancing...lots of good memories and sweet people.

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Frustrations and the Temporary Solutions

-ROSE is ROSE

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The LORD's Promises will not Disappoint

 -Kinsman

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Our Spring has sprung with early bulbs in bloom, budding of trees, and the promise of more perennials beginning to show their "baby" leaves.

Dangerous weather missing us so far, but other friends and family receiving much of it.

This all reminds me of how the LORD watches over us. He loves us, cares for us, mourns with us as we struggle in our sin-filled world.

Even when what seems to be the worst things happen, like death...He made a way so we and our loved ones will enter Glory and be with Jesus.  We miss them! but we will see them when it is our turn to be with Jesus!

*If you do not know how this ever could happen:

-We live in a sin-filled world and even we are sinners! We need a Savior and the God of the Bible made a way with His own Son, Jesus, whose death and resurrection was our atonement for our sins. 

The next step is for you to choose to turn away from your sinning and confess that Jesus is your Lord and Savior. 

Salvation is a free gift from God. No one can do any works to get there.

When a person trusts in Jesus alone we can look forward to eternal life in Heaven with Jesus.

Praises to our God and King!

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Mama Bears Must Firmly Hold Their Confidence in God's Faithfulness

Job 13:13-15

...“Be silent before me so that I may speak;

Then let come on me what may.

“Why should I take my flesh in my teeth

And put my life in my hands?

“Though He slay me,

I will hope in Him."...

2 Timothy 1:12

..."For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day."... 

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I will not doubt, though all my ships at sea

       Come drifting home with broken masts and sails;

       I will believe the Hand that never fails,

From seeming evil works to good for me.

       And though I weep because those sails are 

         tattered,

       Still will I cry, while my best hopes lie shattered:

             “I trust in Thee.”

I will not doubt, though all my prayers return

        Unanswered from the still, white realm above;

        I will believe it is an all-wise love

That has refused these things for which I yearn;

        And though at times I cannot keep from 

           grieving,

        Yet the pure passion of my fixed believing

              Undimmed will burn.

I will not doubt, though sorrows fall like rain,

         And troubles swarm like bees about a hive.

         I will believe the heights for which I strive

Are only reached by anguish and by pain;

         And though I groan and writhe beneath my 

           crosses,

         Yet I will see through my severest losses

               The greater gain.

I will not doubt. Well anchored in this faith,

          Like some staunch ship, my soul braves every 

            gale;

          So strong its courage that it will not fail

To face the mighty unknown sea of death.

           Oh, may I cry, though body leaves the spirit,

           “I do not doubt,” so listening worlds may 

               hear it,

                   With my last breath.

                                  *

An old seaman once said, “In fierce storms we must do one thing, for there is only one way to survive; we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there.”  And this, dear Christian, is what you must do.

Sometimes, like Paul, you cannot see the sun or the stars to help you navigate when the storm is bearing down on you. This is when you can do only one thing, for there’s only one way. 

Reason cannot help you, past experiences will shed no light, and even prayer will bring no consolation. Only one course remains: you must put your soul in one position and keep it there.

You must anchor yourself steadfastly upon the Lord. And then, come what may—-whether wind, waves, rough seas, thunder, lightning, jagged rocks, or roaring breakers—- you must lash yourself to the helm, firmly holding your confidence in God’s faithfulness, His covenant promises, and His everlasting love in Christ Jesus.

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—Richard Fuller,4/1, Streams in the Desert

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Fiery Ordeals, Rejoicing in Exaltations in Faithfulness

-Scotland FB 

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1Peter 4:12-13

..."Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation"...

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Waiting on God and abiding in His will is to know Him in "the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings" 

Philippians 3:10

..."that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death"...

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and "to be conformed to the likeness of his Son"

Romans 8:29

..."For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren"...

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Therefore if God's desire is to enlarge your capacity for spiritual understanding, do not be frightened by the greater realm of suffering that awaits you.

The Lord's capacity for sympathy is greater still, for the breath of the Holy Spirit into His new creation never makes a heart hard and insensitive, but affectionate, tender, and true."

1Timothy 1:12

 ..."I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service"...

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-3/19 Streams in the Desert

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Life Slips By...Run to the LORD...

-Kinsman

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Turn Around

Where are you going my little one? Little one

Where are you going, my baby, my own?

Turn around and you're two, 

turn around and you're four

Turn around and you're a young girl 

going out of the door

Turn around

Turn around

Turn around and you're a young girl

Goin' out of the door

Where are you going my little one? Little one

Little Dirndls and petticoats, 

where have you gone?

Turn around and you're tiny, 

turn around and you're grown

Turn around and you're a young wife 

with babes of your own

Turn around

Turn around

Turn around and you're a young wife 

with babes of your own

Where are you going my little one? Little one

Where are you going, my baby, my own?

-Songwriters: Alan Greene / Malvina Reynolds / Harry Belafonte

-Turn Around lyrics © Alan Greene Songs

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Psalm 90:12, 14, 16-17

"...So teach us to number our days,


That we may present to You a heart of wisdom...

...O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness,


That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days...

 

...Let Your work appear to Your servants


And Your majesty to their children.

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us;


And confirm for us the work of our hands;


Yes, confirm the work of our hands."

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Planning for the Fourth of July in the Winter

-PLUGGERS 

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What a treasure this PLUGGERS was for us!

So many, many years ago with little ones at home we made big snowmen, but also towards the end of the winter we would make a small one: 3 snowball size. 

The children would watch as I would wrap the small snowman in aluminum foil. It was difficult for them to understand in February that in July we would bring our  Summer Snowman out and enjoy him as he melted.

A few years go by with it being July 4th and our now elementary school young ones at our second home with the excitement running high-- my son asked if he could throw the almost melted snowman pieces over the roof (a Cape Cod: higher roof line so he loved that challenge :o)

Of course, he could do this! And a new tradition begins! The small snowman pieces went up to the roof and did not last very long so I thought of ice cubes. Went inside bringing out a plastic bowl full of ice cubes.

The excitement filled their faces and the throwing of melting ice cubes over the house began with this extended tradition... continuing even to a new state, new home, and by that time, teenagers. 

Blessed!

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Calmness Among Chaos

-Isle of Skye, Scotland FB 

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Calmness. 

Where does calmness come when your world turns upside down?

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Come Away from 

Rush and Hurry

Come away from rush and hurry

To the stillness of God's peace

From our vain ambition's worry

Come to Christ to find release

Come away from noise and clamor

Life's demands and frenzied pace

Come to join the people gathered

Here to seek and find God's face.

In the pastures of God's goodness

We lie down to rest our soul.

From the waters of God's mercy

We drink deeply, are made whole.

At the table of God's presence

All the saints are richly fed.

With the oil of God's anointing

Into service we are led.

Come, then, children, with your burdens—

Life's confusions, fears and pain.

Leave them at the cross of Jesus;

Take instead his kingdom's reign.

Bring your thirsts, for he will quench them—

He alone will satisfy.

All our longings find attainment

When to self we gladly die.

Come away from rush and hurry

To the stillness of God's peace

From our vain ambition's worry

Come to Christ to find release

Come away from noise and clamor

Life's demands and frenzied pace

Come to join the people gathered

Here to seek and find God's face.

-Marva Dawn

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GLORIFY the LORD Even in Your Sorrows, Heartaches, and Pains!

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Honoring God/Honoring Your Father and Your Mother

-Meme

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In our greater area there is so much new building going on-- constantly.

Seems each week we see another lovely old homestead and all their beautiful trees and rolling land bulldozed into piles with the beautiful home in rubble.

Society is so bent on being in a hurry to destroy and remove the past only to build venues, warehouses, and ugly high-rise apartment living.

This generation, generally, doesn't seem to desire a home and land with trees and gardens, nor a spouse or children- only pets.

Seems that almost nothing is appreciated, treasured, or loved.

Even a righteous life well lived for the LORD is disrespected and destroyed by family members for their own selfish reasons.

Truth for Life     

Honoring Parents, Honoring God/Honor your father and your mother./Exodus 20:12

The fifth commandment is simultaneously a simple instruction and an indispensable element of the well-being of entire societies. When the Lord gives the command “Honor your father and mother,” He is laying down the blueprint for maintaining the stability of families, communities, and nations.

What does it mean to honor your parents? The word for “honor” carries the notion of weight and heaviness; children ought to feel the weight of respect for their parents. Parents are owed such regard because God has placed them in their roles, and the stewardship of such a role is worth its weight in honor. While children are in view here, the Bible also has much to say about parenting that honors God (see Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21).

How does a child display this honor? In several ways. For one, a child ought to show practical respect to his or her parents. This can be as simple as speaking well of our parents, showing them courtesy, looking them in the eye, and addressing them with a due sense of deference. 

Second, it involves genuine love; there should be heartfelt expressions of affection between parents and their children. 

Third, unless it would involve disobeying God, a child ought to obey what his or her mom and dad say. This expectation is found all over Proverbs: for example, “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching” (Proverbs 1:8). 

Fourth, a child should submit to their parents’ discipline. All good parents discipline their children (though it must not be done in anger nor vindictively or disproportionately), and children ought to trust that such discipline is for their good (Hebrews 12:5-11).

In ancient Israel, respect for parents was valued so highly that those who disregarded it flagrantly or persistently faced the death penalty (Deuteronomy 21:18-21). Why such a significant consequence? Because the home provides a vital training ground, the success of which affects how the child will relate to authorities of all kinds. 

We never outrun authority in our lives. There are political authorities we are called to obey (Romans 13:1-7), spiritual authorities we are to respect (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12), and those of advanced years we are commanded to honor (Leviticus 19:32). 

Most significantly, when children learn to honor their parents, even despite their parents’ many imperfections, they learn what it means to honor our perfect heavenly Father. Reverence for parents is an integral part of reverence for God. Because their authority is God-given, to honor them is to honor God Himself.

So if you are a parent with children at home, it is not loving (though it may be easier) to fail to insist that your children honor you. 

And if you are an adult with parents still living, it is a matter of obedience to God that you show them the honor they are due, not according to how well (or otherwise) you feel they raised you but according to the position the Lord gave them. As you honor them, you will be pleasing Him and showing those around you that God-given authority, when exercised in a godly way, is a blessing to all.

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"Blue Bold" is my "highlight, scripture italicized, with my own paragraph separations

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A gracious Thank You to Alistair Begg and his people.

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Be a Special Memory

-meme
 

A Real "Hissy Fit"

-Pickles

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A Fine Quote and Don't Forget it!

-Loch Katrine, Scotland FB

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"When people say, 

'I believe in Jesus', 

look them straight in the eye and ask,

 'Which one?' "

~ Walter Martin

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FIND BIBLICAL TRUTHS

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God's Awesome Creation up Close!

It's True

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often 

that this great nation was founded, 

not by religionists, 

but by Christians; 

not on religions, 

but on the gospel of Jesus Christ!"

Patrick Henry.

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