Be Still and Know That I am God

     

                                  
                        Inlet of water from St. Lawrence River 
                              at Fobare's near Louisville, NY

 
Look around you 
and see the handiwork of the Maker. 
All of creation shouts 

"God made me and I am special 
just because I am His."

Be Still and Know That I am God

What does that mean?   

It means that no matter what life or the world hands out, God is with us always.  

Regardless of our circumstances, our Loving Father is present.  He is never gone, never far away.  We may not see or hear Him.  

It may seem that “all hell has broke loose” and Satan has won the battle.  That is not the case.  We know with absolute certainty that Jesus wins the final battle and the war.  

We know that now the war wages on and will until the day Jesus defeats Satan in that final battle.  

We know that only God Almighty knows when that day will be.  We know that things will get worse before they get better.  

God will always be with us helping us to survive and to overcome whatever comes up.  

We only have to give it all to Him and know that He will take care of us.   It may not be exactly what we are hoping and praying for because He will do all things in His time, His will and His way.  However, when all is said and done it will be perfect.  

This bible quote means that we need to take time each day to praise God for all He does, for His wonderful loving kindness and to thank Him for His awesome love.  

We need to take time to “be still and know that I am God.”

                                                            Psalm 46:10

Please scroll through all 13 photos to enjoy entire post.

Please click on these photos for a larger image. 

                              
                  Parking area at Nature Trail 
           near Cole's Creek on St. Lawrence River                       
        The sun sparkling on the water is magnificent.   
              The love of God shining in our hearts 
               makes our souls sparkle with His JOY!!
                    

                 
             St. Lawrence River near Massena, NY

              
          Along St. Lawrence River near Massena 

                
           St. Lawrence River near Massena, NY 

                       
                   Tug boat pushing a barge
                     on St. Lawrence River

                  
           Wilson Hill Preserve near Massena, NY

               
                  St. Lawrence River at Nature Trail 
                       near Cole's Creek

          When you gaze at the beauty of nature, 
                listen for the still, small voice                                            speaking to you, 
                          telling you
             "Be still and know that I am God."

The Simple Life

I lie in my cocoon, soft and warm, snug and secure

The alarm rings.  I push the snooze button again and again

I am so comfortable.  The air is cool.  My covers are warm.

I delay the inevitable.  There is time to laze, time to savor, time to enjoy this simple pleasure.

My life has become a series of simple pleasures.

A good meal, good company, my grandchildren's hugs, holding one on my lap, a beautiful sunset, a peaceful day, one with few pains, holding hands with my husband, a good book, The Good Book, fellowship with God.

So many joys.

My priorities have changed as I have aged.

There is less chaos, so much less stress, so much more satisfaction.

Life is simpler.

I appreciate more, expect less and enjoy what God provides.

I have all I need and so much more. 

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

1 Timothy 6:6-8

                      
                  Inlet from St. Lawrence River 

                 at Fobare's near Louisville, NY

               All pictures were taken on a car ride 

               with my husband,Tim, on 4-19-2016 

                  within 30 miles of our home 

                         near Potsdam, NY.  

               God places so much beauty 

                           around us

               We only need to open our eyes 

                 to feast on the magnificence 

                        of His creation.   

               This is another simple pleasure.

Brook near West Potsdam, NY

                       

              Brook near West Potsdam, NY 

I just finished reading this book - for the second time.  I love Max Lucado's books.  This book added a new dimension to my understanding of the last days and what will happen.  It gave me a greater understanding of the Book of Revelation and a great deal of security about where I will spend eternity.  

I borrowed it from the library at the Knapps Station Community Church.  I have found many books there that I greatly enjoyed and saw many more I hope to read.

Knapps Station Community Church located near Norwood, NY is my church.  Everyone is welcomed and fed with God's word, the Bible.  I would love to see you there.

Please feel free to check out my church at this website.

Knapps Station Community Church




Spring Blessing

May your eyes be open each day to the miracles that are unfolding

May you never cease to appreciate the wonder that is God

And may you be blessed with God’s joy for all of your days

Bear Cub mailbox at Wilson Hill, NY

       
    There is a moose on the loose at Wilson Hill, NY.

All photos taken by Debbie and Tim McEwen - 
  used with permission
All bible reference from the NIV unless otherwise noted
If you are interested, you can click on the Blog Archive dates
  on the top right side of this post to connect 
  to previous blog posts
I post every other Saturday 
The next post will be 5-7-2016
I hope to see you then.  

In the meantime, God's blessings on you, my friend.  Debbie 

Why Did I Do That?

  

The rainbow is a sign of God's faithfulness to us. 

Did you ever say or do anything you wish you could take back? 

I can remember speaking so many unkind or foolish words, committing so many ungodly actions.  

I never killed anyone or robbed a bank or beat up anyone but I have thought nasty thoughts.  I have said hurtful words.  I did some things that I really wish I never had.  

I have asked God and others for forgiveness but I so wish I could take back the hurtful things I have said and done.  It bothers me that I hurt others and most of all that I hurt God with my thoughts, words and deeds.  

I have wondered why I did those things.  It occurs to me that they were learning experiences and I'm trying very hard to learn from them.
  
I’m learning to watch what thoughts I allow to stay in my mind. My thoughts affect my words and ultimately my actions. 

I’m learning to be more watchful especially during stressful times.  I’m learning that I must carefully choose what I think, say and do rather than to merely allow them to happen as they will.  

I’m learning to feed my mind, that is my thoughts, with God’s word (the Bible) rather than the stuff that the world is promoting.  Then I have the “good stuff” (Godly stuff) to fall back on when I need it.  

I will never be perfect but with the effort I have less to regret and so more to offer for God’s honor and glory.

     Above all else, guard your heart,

for everything you do flows from it.

    Keep your mouth free of perversity;

keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

    Let your eyes look straight ahead;

fix your gaze directly before you.

Proverbs 4:23-25

When I look at the beauty all around me, I see the love and magnificence of God.  I never cease to be amazed by His attention to detail and how He decorates the world for our enjoyment.

Amazing

It is amazing how loving, forgiving and patient you are with me, Lord.  Your quiet voice gently encourages me to do what You know is best.  

There are times when I just do as I please.  Other times I am very obedient but certainly not always.  Sometimes I feel like a very young child just foolishly wanting things her way.  

There are times when You give consequences as any loving parent does to teach Your child right from wrong.  Usually You just gently nudge.  

You never fail to show Your incredible love.  

Considering my advanced age, most of the rebellion should be out of my system by now.  But it’s not.  

You were so patient and loving from the time I first discovered You.  You are just as patient now.  

I’m trying to listen more closely and trying to be obedient but I fall short so many times.  

No matter how many times You have to repeat Yourself, You are never impatient, never cross.  You just keep encouraging me.  

You keep refining me, guiding me along the right path, Your path, showing me the way home for eternity.  

How blessed I am to have my wonderful, amazing Father.

The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;  Daniel 9:9

                                                                      Crocuses

                                         A raft of geese at  Black Lake, NY

                            View from Burlington, VT

Will Spring Never Come??

Grass is trying to turn green but recent freezing cold stalls it in place.

Trees are budded.  Tulip leaves have risen 3 or 4 inches out of the ground.  Frigid chills prevent further progress.

Even blue skies with wispy clouds and bright sunshine are overwhelmed by wintry winds bitter bite.

Mother Nature is teasing.  She gave us Springtime warmth and then brought back late Winter’s chill.  I had heard the joyful songs of froggy peepers and spring birds but the renewed chill has silenced them. 

Enough games, Mother Nature.  Allow Spring to awaken.
 

Arise Sister Spring. Come and dance the joyful dance of new life. 

My soul craves your warm breezes, the spring green of your new grass and newly minted leaves, the bright colors of your early flowers and your bird songs.  I even miss your buzzing insects.

Awaken.   

Bring your warmth, your colors and your new life.  

Come and touch my soul.  

Rejuvenate me.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Psalms 51:10

                            Bridge at Rouses Point, NY

 Springtime Blessings

May our Divine Lord bless you with renewed faith
May He bless you with renewal of mind and soul and body
And may your days be blessed with His everlasting joy.

    Even in the absence of visible life, there is beauty in all God has created.

All photos taken by Debbie and Tim McEwen - 
  used with permission
All bible reference from the NIV unless otherwise noted
If you are interested, you can click on the Blog Archive 
  on the top right side of this post to connect 
  to previous blog posts
I post every other Saturday 
The next post will be 4-23-2016
I hope to see you then.  
In the meantime, God's blessings on you, my friend.  Debbie