Perfect Peace Scripture Picture

Dad and I saw this pretty cow bird this morning drinking some water from our little pond.
Nature and all the unique animals that God had made are truly amazing. It's neat how creation  points us back to the creator. It's a good reminder that just as the animals point us to God we who are also his creation, should point others to our creator just as this little cowbird does.

~Elizabeth

~Elizabeth

~Brittany

Welcoming Fall

So happy to see the first day of fall!  Fall is such a peaceful, refreshing, encouraging time.  I am very much looking forward to seeing how the Lord continues to work His perfect, beautiful plan in this season!  He is at work everywhere in everything!

~Brittany

For Thy Name's Sake - Lead, Teach, and Guide Me

~Brittany

Faith, Love, and Perfect Gifts

The Lord is so faithful to provide encouragement through His Word for every aspect of His children's lives.  As I have felt very needy of His presence and aid, He has blessed me with precious passages to meditate on, promises to hold on to, and verses to give me strength and courage.  I hope that these passages will be a blessing to some of you as well, in whatever the Lord is placing before you.

~Brittany

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.  For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

James 1:2-8,12

“Be not faithless, but believing.”

John 20:27

~Brittany

~Brittany

From Whence My Help Cometh

~Brittany

True Joy is Strength

~Brittany

God's Rock Flowers - His Best Soldiers

 Thou hast shewed thy people hard things (Ps. 60:3).
 
I have always been glad that the Psalmist said to God that some things were hard. There is no mistake about it; there are hard things in life.

Some beautiful pink flowers were given me this summer, and as I took them I said, "What are they?" And the answer came, "They are rock flowers; they grow and bloom only on rocks where you can see no soil." Then  I thought of God's flowers growing in hard places; and I feel, somehow, that He may have a peculiar tenderness for His "rock flowers" that He may not have for His lilies and roses. --Margaret Bottome 

The tests of life are to make, not break us. Trouble may demolish a man's business but build up his character. The blow at the outward man may be the greatest blessing to the inner man. If God, then, puts or permits anything hard in our lives, be sure that the real peril, the real trouble, is what we shall lose if we flinch or rebel. --Maltbie D. Babcock

Heroes are forged on anvils hot with pain,
And splendid courage comes but with the test.
Some natures ripen and some natures bloom
Only on blood-wet soil, some souls prove great
Only in moments dark with death or doom.
God gets his best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction.

 -- Streams in the Desert, for November 23rd
 
~Brittany

Rejoice Always

~Brittany

The Will of God ~ Give Thanks

~Brittany

~Brittany

~Brittany

Peace through Christ

~Brittany

~Brittany

This picture was done per special request by Mom.  When some dear friends came to visit, they brought us this apple tree to plant in our orchard.  Every time we see it, it makes us think of them.  One day last month we were amazed to discover that it had a blossom on it!  Incredible!  So, Mom asked if I would try to get a picture of it and asked if I could put a verse with it about God doing the impossible.  We never know how He is working, but we do know that He works all things for the good of His children and for His glory.  So we can rest assured that, however difficult or impossible it may seem to get to the point of good and glory, nothing is impossible for Him and He is doing His perfect work!

~Brittany

~Brittany

Patience Makes Perfect

"Possess your souls with patience.

Never complain.  Never murmur.

Never feel sorry for yourself."

- Brother Chris Pappas -

We were very blessed this past Lord's Day to make one of our semi-frequent visits to a church body we have come to love and appreciate very much.  Pastor Pappas's messages were such a blessing to our family that day, (as they always are!) and the fellowship was sweet and encouraging.  Towards the end of his message for second service he stated the above quote.  It really spoke to me as I feel the Lord has been teaching me much about patience (and many other things) over the past couple of years.  The Lord brought this message just when I needed it and I wrote it down in my journal so I wouldn't forget.  It brings to mind the following passages:

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

~  Romans 5:3-5 ~

"But let patience have her perfect work,

that ye may be perfect and entire,

wanting nothing."

~ James 1:4 ~

Patience is such an important lesson to learn.  We must have hope and be patient.  The Lord is doing His perfect work.  We must just simply, quietly trust and wait on Him.  I hope this is a blessing to some of you as well.  May the Lord bless and guide the rest of your week.

~Brittany

After I had finished writing this, I was trying to decide what to title the post when the thought struck me - patience makes perfect (from the above verse).  We've all heard the saying "Practice makes perfect", but what a neat spiritual thought that "patience makes perfect!"  Wow!  The Lord is so good!  His Word is always fresh and bringing new encouragement! :-)