My Heart Jumps For Joy: May 2018

Saturday, May 19, 2018

Do You Ever Wonder?

This the swamp on Route 35 between Norwood and West Potsdam, NY.
I am amazed that Spring always follows Winter.

I am amazed the earth always changes its tilt in such a way
that the sun now warms the earth and the time of new life comes.

Even this swamp is alive and beautiful with green and new life.

The sun and the Son bring new life in their appropriate time

and make all things beautiful.

I wonder and think about all kinds of things.

I am amazed that a tiny seed can grow into a beautiful flower.

Even the dandelions and wild violets are beautiful.

The brook near my house is alive and green.

I am so grateful that I live in a house where I can get a hot shower. I think about the technology that caused the house to be built and all the things that went into it. I think about the fact that there is electricity to pump the water into the house and heat it. And then to gently shower that heated water into a tub so I can get clean whenever I want to. I think about all the inventions that had to be thought up to make the pipes, the electricity and so on and to deliver it to my home. There are an incredible number of components that go into that one activity and I am the fortunate beneficiary.

This is only one little aspect of my life that is amazing.

I have always been amazed that I can walk upright on 2 feet. Being clumsy, I am not the most graceful person, but I am still able to walk upright.

I can think about moving the various parts of my body at will and they usually respond as I direct them to. It is amazing that I can type/keyboard this piece that you are reading, and my fingers respond appropriately to my mental commands.

Even these crab apple blossoms seem to shout,
"Look at me I am a creation of the Son and I rejoice just to be alive.

I was created for your pleasure and to give glory to the Father."

I am amazed that I live in such a beautiful world. Winter is gone. Trees and fields are turning green. Some trees are blooming. Some flowers are blossoming. The air is warm. The sky is often a beautiful blue and the sun shines warming me to my core.

I never cease to be amazed by the world that God made for me to live in and enjoy.

The beauty and diversity of the world that the Lord has made

is absolutely incredible.

I am amazed that He made it beautiful and made me in such a way that I can see it as beautiful.

I am amazed and grateful that the act of love of a man and a woman can create a new life and a new person.

The list is endless, and I never stop wondering.

The most amazing and wonderful thought is that I have a Father who loves me no matter what I do and that He made all this just for me – and you.

When you wonder, wonder about that.

Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5

On a yummy note: Keep June 14 available for the Strawberry Shortcake Dinner at Knapps Station Community Church.

It is a dinner not to be missed!

You are so amazing Father.

Whenever I reach out, You are there. You take my little hand.

You hold me in Your mighty hand

and You love me.

Blessed be Your most holy name.

My dear friends: Please pray for the victims of the shooting in Texas. Please pray for the families, friends, acquaintances, law enforcement and everyone involved - even the shooters. Please pray that God may touch their hearts and the hearts of all those who would do harm to others. Please pray that the cancer that is eating away at the goodness of this country can be cured. Please look for acts of kindness that you can do to fight this cancer. If we each do our little part, with the help of God we can overcome the evil and darkness. We can bring light back to this amazing world that our Father created and bring it back to the beauty that it was meant to have. Let us pray that there will be NO MORE SHOOTINGS!

The sun may be setting but there will be another day.
Let's work together to make it a better day for everyone.
As Tiny Tim in "A Christmas Carol" said "God bless us everyone."
And know that God will bless us all.

May He bless you greatly, my friend!

All photos taken by Debbie unless otherwise noted.

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 would love to hear from you either

on the comment section of this blog post
or through my email.
debbieamcewen@gmail.com
I post every other Saturday.

The next post will be on June 2, 2018.

I saw these tracks at the bridge near my house.
Does anyone know what they are?

Friday, May 4, 2018

Are You Ever Overwhelmed?

Do you ever feel like you are at the end of your rope
and hanging on for dear life ?

Do you ever feel like you have too many obligations?

No time for yourself?

Thoughts swirling in your head?

Do you ever feel like there's just too much to do?

Do you ever have people coming at you from all directions with requests and demands?

Do you ever feel like there just isn’t enough of you to go around?

Do you ever feel totally depleted, empty, like there is nothing left of you and your essence?

Is that how Jesus felt when the crowds followed him?

Pleading, yelling, demanding, requiring, “heal me!” “help me!” “save me!” “speak to me!” “give me what you’ve got, all you’ve got!” “I’m needy” “feed me” “It’s all about me!”

Did anyone have a care if Jesus ate, if he slept, if he had any comfort, any peace?

Did He complain?

Did He send the crowds away?
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness. When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 9:35-36

Or send the children away?

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

Was He ever sick?

Was Jesus ever exhausted?

Did He ever have a bad day and just not feel like “doing all that?”

Although fully God, Jesus was fully human so He must have felt that way at times.

The time He spent in prayer with His Father kept Him going.

He knew He was opening the door, paving the way for all of us to spend eternity with Him and His Father.

He knew He was paying a terrible price to atone for all the sins of humanity.

When Jesus was overwhelmed, He thought about the end game and how precious we are to Him.

When you feel overwhelmed, turn to Him, reach out to Him and He will give you eternal peace and never-ending JOY!

This was my yard just a month ago.

This is my yard today. The snow is gone.
New growth is everywhere.
I have heard the peepers and Spring is here. Yeah!!
When I turn to God, He takes away the cold in my heart and soul.
He gives me new growth.
He warms me and makes me come alive.
I may still need a lot of cleaning up like my yard
but He puts me on the right path.
And He puts JOY in my heart and soul!

Blessing:

My friend: I wish you the peace of knowing that when you are troubled, when your life is in turmoil, that our Brother and Savior, Jesus is only a heartbeat away, waiting anxiously for you to call out. When you do, He always answers.