Lifting Thoughts Blog Spot - Black Hills

Fields of Discovery

2011-12-12T12:44:00.018-07:00

‎...whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 (NIV) - Rather than praying general, ambiguous or all-inclusive prayers, it has been advised (Streams In The Desert) to be specific, making bite-sized requests for what we really believe is in agreement with God's will. Confidence will build on the results, and we will find that we are taking to God our bigger needs with a greater degree of faith.✧ ✧ ✧

Something for your aches and pains: If you take a daily, early, quiet soak in God's Word, you will rise out of the bubbles refreshed and "transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2). The influence of His gentle redeeming nature is strong enough to recreate you and powerful enough to thwart pressures—from inside and out—which daily threaten to warp or rewarp you in some way. Renewed strength comes from this quiet waiting upon the Lord, and confidence is energized by receiving His truth, that "greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4c).

Oh, may all who come behind us...

✧ ✧ ✧Our life on earth can be played out somewhat like a neighborly willing-servant game on fields of discovery, fertilized according to the Book in the loving manner of Jesus, in the practice of His faithfulness and the exercise of His wisdom in all things, small or big, harvesting a non-exhaustive supply of the replenishing fruits of His Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentlenessand self-control . . . always following Him leading to our ultimate, fulfilled and everlasting reward as God's children and worshippers in Heaven.

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Sunlight for my path...

2011-09-14T10:12:00.009-06:00

I will not seek to know the future years,Nor cloud today with dark tomorrow's fears;Instead I ask clear light from heaven to showHow step by step my pilgrimage should go.- Anonymous

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

I lift up my eyes...

2011-06-14T10:34:00.005-06:00

Enjoy this beautiful song by Integrity Music on You Tube...

Psalm 121:1-2 & 123:1

...and while you are there,

please listen to other encouraging Scripture Memory Songs!

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Mountain Lion Sticker, an Easter Story

2011-04-18T16:55:00.025-06:00

Mountains To Prairies Bed and Breakfast - on facebook
Hill City - Black Hills - South Dakota

‎Saturday's LOST episode occurred after our hike along an obscure old forest road near Pactola Lake. When we returned to the vehicle Sam said,
"I had my lion sticker with me in my pocket..." and my mind immediately went to the stickers on the several cases of Palisade peaches we bought last summer at Krull's Market, the Mountain Lion brand, and I was surprised at Sam's sentimentality that he would carry a sticker with him in his pocket while we hiked. Then he said something really strange, "I just put it under my seat where I like to keep it." ...and that really LOST me, for an embarrassingly long time before I understood that he was referring to his hunting knife which he keeps under the seat!

At Bible Study on Sunday night, I had opportunity to share the above story with the group when the subject of the credibility of the Bible came up, and the leader put forward that the connection and accuracy from beginning to end of the pages of God's Book are nothing short of supernatural, the writers being guided by God through the Holy Spirit.

With that said, Sam's and my LOST episode came to mind...and I couldn't help but laugh. I declared (although these are already not my exact words...) that the writing of the Bible had to be supernaturally guided, otherwise it wouldn't connect or have accuracy from one sentence and page to the next, much less from Old Testament to New Testament! Barely had the laughter (provoked by my sharing our Mountain Lion Sticker story) subsided, when nearly everyone there had their own unique, and humorous, story to tell...the only common thread being human nature's propensity for misunderstanding or exaggerating what is heard.
Did you think of a story?

All scripture is given by inspiration of God,and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,for correction, for instruction in righteousness:-2 Timothy 3:16
Knowing this first,that no prophecy of the scripture is of anyprivate interpretation.For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:but holy men of God spake as they were movedby the Holy Ghost-2 Peter 1:20-21
(Tuesday) During this morning's quiet time, wearing my reading glasses,I noticed across the room a tiny object that prompted me to ask Sam if he, too, thought it looked like a miniature shoe. He was sitting about 1-1/2 feet to my right, and didn't see the shape as clearly as my blurred vision saw it (smile); however, he did know what it was, actually. He suggested I get up and go look at it...(scroll down, and then scroll further...)
Do you suppose God, from His perspective, may possibly have a clearer and more accurate view of us, and our circumstances, than we ourselves have?
For now we see through a glass, darkly;but then face to face: now I know in part;but then shall I know even as also I am known.-1 Corinthians 13:12
We may look at ourselves, or someone else or someone else's circumstances, from a distance with our limited vision (through a glass, darkly) and see something as cute as that little shoe. But God sees the truth. Do we want to...see the truth? God's Words are truth, as is Jesus.
Jesus saith unto him,I am the way, the truth, and the life:no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.-John 14:6
And the Word was made flesh,and dwelt among us,(and we beheld his glory, the gloryas of the only begotten of the Father,)full of grace and truth.-John 1:14
Jesus, praying to His Father, requested...Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.-John 17:17
Who but the Creator, seeing from His position, can see clearly?—In our heart of hearts, we know...only He. We can trust Him as He shows us our brokenness...(scroll to below picture...)
The object is a piece of broken metalthat Sam had placed on the shelfas a reminder to make a repair.
Surely your turning of things upside downshall be esteemed as the potter's clay:for shall the work say of him that made it,He made me not?or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it,He had no understanding?-Isaiah 29:16
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;-Romans 3:23
Please read these passages...Romans 5:12-21 NIV (click)...difficult reading, butwe can trust Him as He shows us our brokenness,thanks be to God...
For God so loved the world,that he gave his only begotten Son,that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,but have everlasting life.-John 3:16
And thanks be to God,we have a Guide into all the truth...John 16:13 NIV (click)
Put your HOPE in GOD(click)
There is therefore now no condemnationto them which are in Christ Jesus,who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.-Romans 8:1
Read and receive...all you who are weary and burdened,and you will find rest for your souls.Matthew 11:28-30 NIV (click)

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Come, Spring Rain

2011-02-14T12:58:00.009-07:00

Fill my heartwith Your joyfor my God,for, my God,it is joylesswithout You—
Without Youit is so.It is so completelyjoyless without You—
So fill my heart,oh my God,with Your joyfor my God,for, my God,my heart is joylesswithout You—
Without Youit is so.Life is so completelyjoylesswithout You—
No drop of joy left.Joylesswithout You.
Poem - Copyright (c) 02.12.11 - Linda L. Brown
Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. -Hosea 6:3
Fearfully and wonderfully savedon February 14, 1976,my heart knows Who my Joy is!

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

A Case for His Life

2011-02-12T12:32:00.004-07:00

In some casesyou'll find lipstick like juice,mascara and liner for the eyes.In most casesthat is all it will taketo help you shinewhile you dine.In other casesthere is only the wine.
In some casesyou'll find a cell phone with tunesand a tracker to keep you in line.In most casesyour thumbs do the saying,they get you flying,always in time.In other casesthere is only a dime.
In some casesyou'll find a Bible—your sleuth,and a notebook to store all your mind.In most caseswhat more could you phrase?—your friends are just fine,your family is kind.In other casesthere is only His Life.
Yes,in the best casethere is onlyHis Lifein the leastcase.
Poem - Copyright (c) 02.09.11 - Linda L. Brown

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Yodel in the Wee Hours!

2011-02-11T12:30:00.006-07:00

Sam found me in the far reaches of the house at 1:30 a.m. sitting at my desk listening to a yodeling lesson by Bonnie on my BlackBerry. His reaction.....
"What - are - you - doing - ?"
He had caught me right in the middle of exercising my voice. :/ .....Then he sat down and joined me!!!!!! :·)
After you have mastered Bonnie's lesson, scroll further and please enjoy hearing her sing about how God put a yodel in her heart!

In the video below, Bonnie is teaching her 1st yodeling lesson, on how to find your voice break.

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

M2P joined Christian Hospitality Network

2011-01-29T15:42:00.008-07:00

We cordially invite youto visit the web page onChristian Hospitality Networkwhich represents
Mountains To Prairies Bed and Breakfast(click above link)
. . . offering hospitalitythat shows you are on our minds.

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Happy NEW Year from the Black Hills!

2010-12-31T09:55:00.017-07:00

Black Hills on facebook recently asked how you would describe the BLACK HILLS in five words or less. My response was,

"God's joyful nature visibly expressed."

This didn't just pop into my head. After reading many of the descriptions offered by other Black Hills devotees, and noticing that some of them said "God's country", I gazed out the window and asked God if He would like to give His own different description in five words or less for the Black Hills, one of His unique beautiful creations.

Hill City Night Lights

As you leave the Old Year,

please celebrate going into the 2011 New Year responsibly.

The car you drive or ride in has aspirations

to one day be a parading Antique model!

_____________________

Forgive us, Lord, for failures past,

Then help us start anew

With strength and courage to obey

And closely follow You. -Sper

❤♫❤♫❤.•*¨`*•..¸♥☼♥ ¸.•*¨`*•.♫❤♫❤♫❤

╔═════════ ೋღ❤ღೋ ═════════╗

* ░H░A░P░P░Y░* ░N░E░W░ * ░Y░E░A░R░ *

╚═════════ ೋღ❤ღೋ ═════════╝
❤♫❤♫❤.•*¨`*•..¸♥☼♥ ¸.•*¨`*•.♫❤♫❤♫❤

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

DECK the HALLS...

2010-12-08T11:55:00.002-07:00

☆ click... with Boughs of Holly ...link ☆

and have a very

☆ Merry Christmas!☆

Mountains To Prairies Bed and Breakfast

bed and breakfast hospitality lodging
hill city, central black hills, south dakota
near

mount rushmore - 1880 train - custer state park
- wind cave national park - jewel cave national monument
- mountain lakes - harney peak - norbeck scenic byway
- george s. mickelson trail - the centennial trail
- historic downtown hill city - antiques
- all things bright and beautiful

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

The Regions of God

2010-11-13T13:06:00.011-07:00

The average man can understand reason

yet not get (compelled) beyond into expansion,

development, elaboration.

But with God

all things are possible.

Let’s be with God.

For Christ's love compels us.

God is love.

—

Mark 10:27 (NIV)

"Jesus looked at them and said,

'With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.' "

2 Corinthians 5:14 (NIV)

"For Christ’s love compels us,

because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died."

In ‘A Table in the Wilderness’, Watchman Nee says...

It is true that “God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith” (Romans 12:3), but alone in isolation man can never exercise it to the full, as the context of that verse makes clear. It needs a complete Body to attain to the stature of Christ and to display his glory. That is why fellowship in prayer is so important. Trusting the Lord by myself is good, but may not be enough. I must trust him also with others. I must learn to pray on the basis of oneness with my brethren in Christ, for only together shall we get through in prayer to God’s end. I need the help of the Body because I need the help of the Lord, and because his life is the life of the Body.

—

Yes, let's be with God.

For Christ's love compels us.

—

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases (click)

Lamentations 3:22-24 (click)

Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love

and good deeds,"

Please read 1 John 5:1-13 (click)

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Listen · Look · Recognize God

2010-11-11T05:40:00.007-07:00

Job 37:5-7
God’s voice is glorious in the thunder. We can’t even imagine the greatness of his power. He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour down. Then everyone stops working so they can watch his power. (NLT)
God's voice thunders in marvelous ways;he does great things beyond our understanding.He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,'and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'So that everyone he has made may know his work,he stops all people from their labor. (NIV)—I love the voice of God ThUnDeRinG! ...and also whispering in the snow and sparkling in the rain.It is good to pauseand recognize God.

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

What God Can Do

2010-10-25T18:58:00.010-06:00

Photo-art credit goes to a friend who sees natureas God's second book...all to His credit.
Here is a courage booster, and just a prayer away...

"When God was ready to judge the world with a flood, He came to Noah. When He desired to build a nation for Himself, He turned to Abraham. When He heard His children groaning under Egyptian bondage, He appeared in a burning bush to Moses. They were three of the most ordinary of men. But God had work to do, and He knew just who to do it with. God has always given His people assignments that are too big for them to handle alone, so that a watching world can see - not what we can do - but what God can do." - Henry Blackaby

On reading Henry Blackaby's quote, a friend was reminded of

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 - Click here.

JESUS: Old News is Good NewsJesus is the Word of God, older than dirt.Jesus loves you, a truth also older than dirt,yet new as the warmth of this moment's sunshine.Out of dirt, created by Him, a tree grewstrong enough to hold Himcrucified.That is old news.The good news—He was taken from that treeand given back to the earth;the earth did not consume Him;and after a very short whilecould hold Him no more.
He is Life.
Jesus, the boy, prayed.Jesus, the man, prayed.But not to just anyone (or thing).Jesus prayed to His Father in Heaven without ceasing.He wanted to be delivered from the fate awaiting Him,but more than that He wanted to do His Father's will.Through prayer we may learn the Father's will...and draw on Courage of courage...Jesus lives in His own to do the Father's will.

Psalm 40:6-8 (KJV)

Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire;

mine ears hast thou opened:

burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

Then said I, Lo, I come:

in the volume of the book it is written of me,

I delight to do thy will, O my God:

yea, thy law is within my heart.

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Harvest Time!

2010-09-23T17:34:00.053-06:00

Black Hills Wild Black Currants

September 23 marked the last opportunity for harvesting the exotic Black Hills Wild Black Currant. To punctuate the event, Sam and Linda (Mountains To Prairies Bed and Breakfast, Hill City, SD) packed up a truckload of overnight gear.

And off they went, anticipating a full moon to wind down with after a happy time of picking. And the picking was indeed happy. Since Sam could find no more chokecherries, he dove into the bushes and helped Linda glean currants. (Did I say bushes? I meant...jungle!...with no over-the-top view.) They called to each other now and then, especially when something rustled in there, and, well, they were just checking to see if the sound was one of us.

They moved from jungle to jungle, too. Sam returned from a particular expedition and told Linda about his methods. He would leave the main trail when he found a cowpath which appeared to descend into a promising patch of currants. To avoid lugging around the flat of currants already picked, he set the box at the edge of the main trail against a bush where he would return for it later.

Sam and Linda picked together for awhile, but with the sun steadily going down, Sam thought it was time to look for a campground. He went off to get the flat of currants from alongside the main trail. Linda continued picking. In about 15 minutes, Sam returned and said, "Funny, I thought I knew right where I put the box."

Linda opened the truck and poured her currants into the flat she had been filling. They both went in search of Sam's currants. This felt like a BIG deal to both of them...since currants are a luxury fruit and scarce to find. Sam's currants were especially scarce to find. They searched even further down the trail than Sam thought he went, just in case...just in case. Back and forth, back and forth. Sam went ahead and Linda backtracked, slowly, carefully searching every nook and bushy cranny.

One path Linda hadn't noticed before led into a small open space at the bottom, with both sides of the space not visible—so, she started down. Suddenly her feet were caught and she found herself flying through the air in too many directions and landing in the clearing soundly on both knees, and flat forward in the next instant, the calf muscle of one leg twisting and seeming to pop loose. She grabbed the muscle and squeezed, at the same time turning, while straightening her legs and managing to sit upright.

How long is a heartbeat?...it only took a few. Her knees throbbed. She rubbed them. "Thank God, nothing is broken." She felt grateful for that, and grateful, too, that the muscle wasn't torn. She sat there for a few minutes, musing and wondering over how she could possibly have come out of that wild fall intact...hands, wrists and elbows unscathed...head still there and unabused. It did seem miraculous, perhaps angels? Anyway, "Thank God!" Somewhat stiffly, she rose to her feet, moved around the clearing, gingerly, looking for Sam's currants. She heard herself say aloud, "They certainly aren't worth getting hurt over."

Linda turned to face the three strands of low-strung barbed wire that had been her downfall, and stepped over them carefully. Just as she reached the top of the path and pulled herself out onto the main trail, Sam called. He had turned around to ask her to drive the truck down the road a ways and pick him up, as he wanted to walk further to see if possibly someone had discovered the box while he and Linda were in the bushes; perhaps they carried it a bit, then sampled a currant, didn't like the taste and set the box down somewhere. (We were thinking a little strangely.)

Deciding to tell Sam later that she had fallen, Linda walked slowly toward the truck. Still examining the side of the trail in hopes of finding Sam's currants, her thoughts turned more gracious, more heavenward than before. It was nearly too dark to see shapes at this point. Passing an old post marker which Sam had made mention of earlier, Linda glanced into an open area without breaking stride, but then paused abruptly, leaned to see if the white spot she had glimpsed was a rock, about 10' back into the clearing, tucked nearly behind a bush. It was Sam's box!...tilted in such a way that the currants created a shadowy illusion making the box difficult to find. Linda was elated, knowing Sam would be relieved that the fruit of his labor had not been carried off or lost.

With no full moon visible due to complete cloud cover, and darkness imminent, Sam and Linda agreed on taking their picnic home, to relish while watching a movie. Camping could wait. They would select an alternate road home. Enough dusk light remained to allow the enjoyment of brilliant fall colors, which seemed also to light up the evening.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 KJV

To every thing there is a season,

and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate;

a time of war, and a time of peace.

What profit hath he that worketh

in that wherein he laboureth?

I have seen the travail, which God hath given

to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time:

also he hath set the world in their heart,

so that no man can find out the work that God maketh

from the beginning to the end.

I know that there is no good in them,

but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

And also that every man should eat and drink,

and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

_____

A day may not end as you thought it would,

but give God a chance to tell you His version.

_____

Click the happy bear for something on the light side!

Brought to you by Smiling Bear ofMountains To Prairies Bed and Breakfast...looking forward already to spring flowers!

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Which View, Right or Left?

2010-09-01T09:33:00.010-06:00

Photo-art credit goes to a friend who sees natureas God's second book...all to His credit.
... as for thee, stand thou here by Me,and I will speak unto thee...-Deuteronomy 5:31a
So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you;do not turn aside to the right or to the left.-Deuteronomy 5:32
As a Christian,my view is neither right nor left.It simply is.My view is of my Father in Heaven.
And be not conformed to this world:but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable,and perfect, will of God.-Romans 12:2

Photo-art credit goes to a friend who sees natureas God's second book...all to His credit.

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Blessed Day!

2010-08-31T11:20:00.002-06:00

Count your blessings...

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

John 8:32

2010-07-03T18:52:00.005-06:00

The artwork is a collaborative joy-time

between granddaughters Shelby and Ava!

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Just Keepin' In Touch

2010-06-24T15:46:00.010-06:00

Photo-art credit goes to a friend who sees natureas God's second book...all to His credit.

Dear Lord...

I talked to You a while ago
and I'm already back—
I really like to keep in touch
before I hit the sack.
I kinda want to thank You for
Your help throughout the day—
I'm glad You're not annoyed with me
because I often pray.

Some days are kinda tough, You know
some nights get pretty long.
But knowing that You care for me...
sure gives my heart a song.
It's great You're not too busy, Lord,
to hear the words I say.
I'm glad I need not stand in line
...and wait to pray.

And so I'll say good night for now
and then when I get up
I'll get in touch with You again
so You can fill my cup.

Copyright (c) 06.24.10 - Shelby E. Mai-Kalani Huff

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Legacy

2010-06-19T12:33:00.007-06:00

Photo-art credit goes to a friend who sees natureas God's second book...all to His credit.

I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice and I am sure that it is in you as well. And for this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

-2 Timothy 3-7

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

New Beginning

2010-06-11T13:16:00.017-06:00

Photo-art credit goes to a friend who sees natureas God's second book...all to His credit.

Consider the perspective which has been said -

Nothing is predestined:

the obstacles of your past can become the gateways

that lead to new beginnings.

From a natural perspective, there is probably a good vein of truth in the quote; I mean to say that it is like a gold mine.

From a supernatural perspective, the Word of God says in Ephesians 1:5 that He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will. From a personal perspective, the obstacles of my past did serve to bump me into an accessible position in front of the adoption gateway, which I then by the grace of God recognized as Jesus Christ. And there was my new beginning - end and enter.

It is not a comfortable gateway from the cocoon

through which the larva emerges a butterfly.

...Jesus declared,

I tell you the truth,

no one can see the kingdom of God

unless he is born again.

-John 3:3 NIV

He said to me:

It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega,

the Beginning and the End.

To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost

from the spring of the water of life.

-Revelation 21:6 NIV

For by grace you have been saved through faith;

and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

For we are His workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which God prepared beforehand

so that we would walk in them.

Ephesians 2:8-10 NASB

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Set Your Sails

2010-06-05T15:58:00.009-06:00

We cannot create the wind or set it in motion,but we can set our sails to catch it when it comes;we cannot control the Spirit,but we can so place ourselves before the Lord,and so do the things He has bidden us do,that we will come under the influence and powerof His mighty breath.-Selected, Unknown Author
When a great issue is in the balanceand the path is obscure,WAIT;but while waiting do the work that lies before you,for in that task may be the solution of your problem.-Unknown Author
BEFOREAFTERThe street shown in the before picture is Walnut Ave.It was paved not long after M2P opened.

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Jesus, the Rising One and Only, Seek Him

2010-06-02T13:41:00.010-06:00

Photo-art credit goes to a friend who sees natureas God's second book...all to His credit.
And the LORD will be king over all the earth;
in that day the LORD will be the only one,
and His name the only one.
-Zechariah 14:9

And he said unto him,
Why callest thou me good?
there is none good but one, that is, God:"
-Matthew 19:17

I am the good shepherd:
the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
-John 10:11

This country’s problems, I believe,
have been created by leaders
choosing to leave God, i.e. Jesus Christ the Creator,
out of their decision making.
If you see in the East a bright light
and Him coming down out of the heavens
riding on a white horse leading His followers,
you can rest assured
that the problems of this country and this world
are about to be solved.
-S.B.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse;
and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True,
and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

His eyes were as a flame of fire,
and on his head were many crowns;
and he had a name written, that no man knew,
but he himself.

And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood:
and his name is called The Word of God.

And the armies which were in heaven
followed him upon white horses,
clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword,
that with it he should smite the nations:
and he shall rule them with a rod of iron:
and he treadeth the winepress
of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
-Revelation 19:11-15

crescendo

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Thank God I'm a country...bear

2010-05-30T12:59:00.007-06:00

Click the happy bear for something on the light side!

Brought to you by Smiling Bear ofMountains To Prairies Bed and Breakfast,wishing you a safe and HAPPY Memorial Day Weekend...
and reminding you to pray that God will keep Americathe land of the free and the home of the brave.Thank Him, too, for the brave lives givenand being given for our freedom—lest we forget—

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Lesson of the Mountain Hemlock

2010-05-25T17:21:00.009-06:00

The image above is in the public domain,the work of the Forest Service of the US Dept of Agriculture.
Why is it that the mountain hemlocks can attain such stateliness in spite of fierce winter gales and crushing snows? If you look at one of them closely you will see that it has foliage almost as delicate as a fir, its dark needles being as dainty as fairy feathers. Yet if you try to break a twig or a bough you will learn that therein lies the strength and the tenacious power of the hemlock. It will bend and yield but it will not break. Winds may whip and toss it this way and that, but they cannot break it—nor can elements, however fierce, pull its roots out of the ground. For months it may have its graceful form held down by a mighty weight of snow, but when the warm breath of summer winds and the melting influence of summer's sun relieve it of its burden it straightens up as proud and as noble as it was before.
Beautiful, wonderful hemlock of the mountains—what a lesson you bring to us! Though we may be storm-tossed and bent by the winds of sorrow, we need not be crushed and broken if our souls are anchored to the Rock of Ages.-Unknown Author
Other Photos of Mountain Hemlock can be viewed by searching the internet.
Listen to1) Rock of Ages2) Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,Let me hide myself in Thee;Let the water and the blood,From Thy wounded side which flowed,Be of sin the double cure;Save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labor of my handsCan fulfill Thy law's demands;Could my zeal no respite know,Could my tears forever flow,All for sin could not atone;Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,Simply to the cross I cling;Naked, come to Thee for dress;Helpless look to Thee for grace;Foul, I to the fountain fly;Wash me, Savior, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath,When mine eyes shall close in death,When I soar to worlds unknown,See Thee on Thy judgment throne,Rock of Ages, cleft for me,Let me hide myself in Thee.-Augustus M. Toplady 1776

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers

The Bright and Morning Star

2010-05-20T14:09:00.008-06:00

Nothing But The Blood

(click link)

What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

What can make me whole again?