We Live In a Beautiful World - 342




We Live in a Beautiful World by Katelyn Smaglick 2010 (Puzzle Art)

Disregard the caption under the art, she is studying biology, morphology and all that other medical stuff.  So what i'm trying to say is that we do live in a beautiful world even if it says red lesions with silvery scales under our art... lol.  She'll appreciate the sense of humor.

This drawing is by my daughter and i just needed to share it with you.  She is a true blessing to me and makes me a very proud Dad.

 



Never Compromise - 340

That was the last point that i picked up out of the sermon tonight on Triumphant Living - "Never Compromise".  Minister Kevin Cuevas delivered the Word and began with point one which is Be In The Word.  Read your Bible daily and spend daily time in prayer (talking to God and asking for directions).  The interesting thing about the H.O.P.E. Church is that a different minister or preacher comes each Tuesday night so we receive a different flavor of message from each.  It is amazing to see how the Spirit of God instructs and teaches through each of these individual ministers. 

The final point on the sermon is pretty straight forward.  Once we are on the path that God has set us on we should never deviate.  Taking into account that we are human and make mistakes is a given but we must always apologize for our error, stand up and stay the course.  Live your faith with complete conviction and belief.
God Bless.

~ ab

Luke 9:62
Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

Fresh and Dried Herbs - 338

i've been cutting and drying herbs the last two weeks and preparing the garden for the autumn plantings.  This is a busy time in the garden for cleaning up the weeds, putting up the harvest and planting cool weather plants - cabbage, spinach, kale, brussel sprouts, brocolli, carrots, etc.  The tomatoes have come back since we finally cooled off and had a little rain, so i am planning on protecting them if temperatures drop.

i have three composting bins that serve well with one another.  As a mature bin is turned into the garden beds, the other two are in the process of composting and are continually used for a place to recycle garden weeds, trimmings, coffee grounds and kitchen vegetable scraps.  This ensures that you have a constant supply of rich compost to renew the soil with every six months.

There is a hope that someone out there has the same passion and drive for growing things that i have.  The garden is a place that comforts me and it is a place where i can lose myself and just relax.  That is just another positive thing from organic gardening. 

Hope you are having a blessed day - Love and Blessings,  ~ ab

http://www.antbrotherfarms.com/
www.photoblog.com/antbrother

Canning Peppers - 333

i received a call a few minutes ago from downstairs asking if i could look in the kitchen for a noise that keeps waking her - sounds like a "dink".

i asked, "How many have you heard it so far?"

She replied, "It's woken me up three times."

Unfortunately i canned twelve pints of pickled peppers tonight...

Mrs. Smith's House - 331

Some of the work that has come my way is repairing badly rotted windows and sills on older houses and retriming the exterior.  These projects have dropped into my lap and given the crew an opportunity to get some experience and know how on what to do when "the stud is gone." :)  This house has been good in learning to work together better as well.

Some days it's almost like i've been here before and am walking back through those steps again - the remembrence.

Buzz - 330

i stopped to check out the marigolds in front and took a few pics.  A ten pounder (what i call a large bumble bee) was enjoying his time on the flowers so i took a few pictures of him and watched as he worked his way from flower to flower digging for pollen. 

It's a GoOD day today - something in the air as if a change of seasons is taking place - or has inside of us.  i would call it the healing, cooling salve of mercy and grace from above.  Don't you feel something?  Haven't those burdens and walls felt like they have melted and crumbled to the ground.  The Spirit of God is moving and His angels are here to comfort each of us and strengthen us for the upcoming time.  We are each as unique and beautiful as God made us.  He too is tending His garden.

 Just moving from flower to flower and gathering the pollen....

Why Follow Bread Crumbs When You Can Smell Fresh Baked Bread From Your Own Kitchen? - 319

That's a bit of a lengthy title but it conveys the message, quickly.  Can you hear me?

i experienced the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit tonight in Church in jail.  A young man that i met earlier this year at the laundromat, came to work with me after a month or so, and tonight he went with me for a second time to Church.  What we all experienced was God first hand, saving the heart of a young man that was hurting and wanting to change.  My friend was tired of hurting, of searching for something good in life, wanting freedom and joy.  i know he opened his heart up to God tonight, and The Lord answered.  This fundamental change brought on by an act of The Spirit of God is called being reborn in the Spirit and is what Jesus said had to happen for a man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 

During our service we have Testimony time.  When my friend stood up and started talking, he first thanked the Church for the gift of a Bible.  His heart really softened and he shared the pain of the life he came from in brief.  One of the ministers stood up and asked that all the preachers and assembly pray over my friend, while he annointed him with oil.  The air was already full of the Spirit of God from our praise songs and many other testimonies and scriptures (mini-sermons).  What happened then was the feeling of the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit over everyone.  We were all praying for my friend and some started singing their own songs and others receiting scriptures.....  the sound of many voices, each unique yet all in one accord and one heart.  My whole body shivers with the remembrence of just a few hours ago.  This Church in jail is something special that God has created for His Glory.
You don't have to look for crumbs of blessings elsewhere.  You don't have to search through someone else.  Look into your heart and search for God.  Talk to Him and seek the only way to freedom and rebirth in the Spirit of God.  Tell Him you don't believe in Him and He will have convince you that HE IS.  He is with you always and knows everything about you, try Him. 

He's in your kitchen baking the best bread you have ever had.  (Can you tell i'm getting the bread baking desire back?)  But seriously, take a moment each day to sit with Him and get to know your Creator...just talk.  May you also be blessed to experience the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the humility to know that God can use you for His Will, even if you are beat up and tossed out like the rest of the herd.... lol..  He'll pick you up and clean you up and bless you for His purpose. 

i haven't written much in a long time, but have mostly walked quietly this year, learning, seeking God in prayer, stumbling over myself, and becoming an apprentice.  i hope to be writing more, regularly, and on many things in my heart and mind, and from my hands at work and play. 

my heart feels really good today - free.  To be able to watch someone else experience God - to watch Him do something right in front of you to a man - is simply amazing, profound... or Just God.  My friend knows Jesus tonight, i saw a huge burden lifted from him tonight.  He is feeling free too.

Thank You Father.

Well,,,,,  Stop and Smell the Fresh Baked Bread!

Love and Blessings,
~ab

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”