Thankful for winter afternoons spent enhancing stories previously written.  As saw the first robins yesterday (first week in February in the northeast) and thought I heard red-winged blackbird, this story was edited today from the chapter entitled Feathered Friends. Sharing.

Chorus

What’s this I hear?

Pleasant to my ears.

One instrument starts,

though it’s not a harp,

than another joins in -

soon it sounds like singing.

Another member joins

this joyful chorus line.

A new composition

is being written.

It’s an original opus

which seems to greatly please us.

One member of the choir, late

joins this original debate

richly enhancing the song

with his a Capella long.

Confident, he’s not at all shy

as his voice floats through the sky.

Another member who felt sick

now feels better for the music

lifted his woebegone spirit

and he soon feels better for it.

He now joins in with song

while tapping his toes along.

This chorus sings without instruments

for their voices are their instruments.

Finely tuned they sing,

morning and evening,

songs of thanksgiving -

a heartfelt offering.

You’re met these chorus members before.

They were welcomed outside your door

when the first robin of spring

and other joyfully singing

songbirds

are heard.

Take a minute to lend an ear.

Which bird sound did you hear?

Or maybe it was a cricket you heard,

even though they never say a word.

Nature creates a beautiful synchronized harmony

as all God’s creation comes together in unity.

* * * * *

Music can lift our spirit

whenever we hear it.

Not just from constructed musical instruments,

but also from nature and all it represents.

The buzz of bees is sweet to hear

when to flower blossoms they veer.

The singing of birds

is joyous music heard.

The lapping of the ocean’s foam,

the rushing of the river’s drone,

the wind that blows,

the cattle’s low.

The bleating of sheep,

a chick’s peep-peep-peep,

the rooster’s er-er-er-er-errr,

the drip of a passing rain shower.

And quacks and clucks and gobbles and honks

all add to the music that talks...

in fact, shouts for joy to the Lord

for nature is never bored.

It celebrates with music.

Don’t be shy, join in it.

Make any joyful noise.

Your spirit will be buoyed.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,

burst into jubilant song with music;

make music to the Lord with the harp,

with the harp and the sound of singing,

with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn –

shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

Let the sea resound, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it.

Let the rivers clap their hands,

let the mountains sing together with joy;

let them sing before the Lord.

Psalm 98:4-9

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people,

the sheep of his pasture.

Psalm 100:1-3

A neighbor raises hens. They too have organized their own opus. It seems one starts with a verse and the others join in with a refrain, like a chorus; which is actually celebration when an egg is laid, known as an egg song. The entire hen house celebrates with an opus. I look forward to their harmony. Being serenaded makes tedious chores enjoyable.

Robin redbreast breakfasting on crabapples in February.

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Miss Fancy Dress

 Ms. Fancy Dress

Here comes Ms. Fancy Dress.

She’s today’s garden guest.

She’s invited herself for afternoon tea.

She comes because this tea party is free.

Wearing an eye-catching floating gown

this afternoon she’s seen waltzing round and round.

She sips pink lemonade tea first. Delightful!

Does she know its Latin name? Echinacea.

Purple cone flower is its common name.

Ms. Fancy Dress sips from its hedgehog* frame.

She sips from one, then another

as her gossamer wings flutter.

Then orange juice tea attracts her attention

at this mid-summer afternoon luncheon.

This tea is really turk’s cap lilies.

Soon she becomes quite silly.

She’s seen hanging upside down

covered with orange pollen.

Next, lavender garden phlox is quietly sipped

as her long feeding tube unerringly dips,

but she seems to like pink lemonade the best

as she shares with other tea-drinking garden guests.

They’re her friends the bees,

here for afternoon tea.

Just who is Ms. Fancy Dress?

Who is this welcome garden guest?

A yellow dress with black dots and stripes and a blue ruffled hem,

to see her waltz in my ballroom always attracts my attention.

No fashion designer or seamstress the world over

could come up with these coordinates of color.

Too soon her belly is filled.

For a few minutes I was thrilled

to visit with my garden guest.

There she goes, Ms. Fancy Dress.

She’s a yellow swallowtail

who waltzes about in this tale.

*The name "echinacea" comes from the Greek word for "hedgehog" due to the spiny appearance of the cone-shaped seed head.  Did you know?  Now I know.

* * * * *

Oh the poise of Ms. Fancy Dress as she waltzes about.

Even if a gossamer wing is torn, she still gallivants.

Though her God-given mission

is for pollination

she attracts much attention

from gardeners and children.

As if not a care in the world,

she seems to reduce worries that whirl.

Her agility and grace

brings smiles to many a face.

Her buoyancy exhibits

lightness of spirit.

She’s not weighed down with the cares of this world,

trusting in her Creator her needs are upheld.

She brightens many a day

with her cheerful, carefree ways.

If life is a dance,

her waltz will enchant.

This lightness of spirit is also available to us

through believing faith as we choose to live a life of trust.

Life has many worries that tend to get us down,

forgetting God’s faithfulness and leaving behind a frown,

but God has a solution for worry

or a feeling of anxiety.

It’s “cast all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you.”

Yes, seeking God in prayer is the antidote for what worries you.

If you’re at all familiar with the Psalms,

you’ll realize that David prayed often -

in thankfulness

and in distress...

when victorious or at wit’s end;

when pursued by enemies without end.

Rather these enemies were physical,

emotional, or irrational,

David knew one remedy for anxiety was to offer praise to God at all times.

Praising God focuses on God’s loving kindness allowing God’s faithfulness to shine.

Through life’s various surprise twists and turns,

disappointments, not knowing which way to turn,

let prayer bring you needed peace and comfort,

healing emotional and physical hurts.

God hears our heart’s cry when we pray,

even when we don’t know what to say.

In him we live and move and have our being.

As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

Acts 17:28

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7

Do not be anxious about anything,

but in everything, by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God.

And the peace of God,

which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

The Spirit helps us in our weakness.

We do not know what we ought to pray for,

but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

And he who searches our hearts

knows the mind of the Spirit,

because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.

Romans 8:26-27

For everything that was written in the past

was written to teach us,

so that through endurance

and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 15:4

Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights above.

Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.

Praise him, you highest heavens

and you waters above the skies.

Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for he commanded and they were created.

He set them in place for ever and ever...

Praise the Lord from the earth

you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

lightning and hail, snow and clouds, storm winds that do his bidding,

you mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars,

wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,

kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth,

you men and maidens, old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for his name alone is exalted;

his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

Psalm 148

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From Anxiety to Joy

 

From Anxiety to Joy

I accidentally turned to I Thessalonians this morning. Chapter 3, verses 1-9.

Paul said “when we could stand it no longer” in verse 1 and again in verse 5 “when I could stand it no longer.”

I was surprised to read that Paul had anxiety. Paul, who wrote the majority of the New Testament, had anxious moments? Seems so. His words: could no longer stand it, i.e. unbearable. (Paul was human.) Remember, Paul had a passion for souls to grow in grace and he didn’t want trials to diminish their growing faith. Paul was prohibited from visiting at this time so couldn’t check up on these newborn believers. He sent Timothy to bring back a report.

Paul’s anxiety stemmed from thinking these newborns would grow faint from satan’s attacks via trials, which Paul had already explained as normal and to be expected.

Not if, but when.

Timothy was commissioned to strengthen and encourage these believers. To tell them to not lose heart.

According to MacDonald commentary, trials are a necessary discipline:

1. They make our faith stronger.

2. They enable us to comfort and encourage others going through trials.

(Concentrate on that word through.)

3. They develop Christlikeness.

4. They make us more zealous in spreading the gospel message.

5. They help us to remove wrong thoughts and motives.

Have you ever realized trials have purpose?  Have you ever thought "What is God trying to teach me through this trial?"

Timothy was sent to encourage. We all need encouragers like Timothy in our lives as there are always obstacles satan uses to attack us. Reminded of Barnabus in Acts whose name means Son of Encouragement. NIV describes Barnabus as being “greathearted.” Those who have a passion for souls, like Paul and Timothy, are definitely greathearted!

Timothy went to encourage them, and came back encouraged in return – with good news to report. Paul was also greatly encouraged. His response (v7) “now we really live”! Paul’s heart was overflowing with pure joy as these believers were standing firm, growing in faith. Pure joy!

It was God who strengthened these newborn believers in the faith. It is God who manifests pure joy!

Consider it pure joy

whenever you face trials of any kind,

because you know the testing of your faith develops perserverance.

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete,

not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

SONGS

 

SONGS

A tweet

sounds sweet.

A chirp,

like syrup.

Unless it's 4:30 in the morning

when young ones start practicing their singing!

These young ones are not even on key -

sounding quite off key, according to me.

Eventually they will harmonize.

Eventually they wait until sunrise.

Eventually...but not today.

Today they can't wait to play.

They sound like a ruckus,

not a pretty chorus.

One is always louder than the rest.

One who probably thinks he sounds the best.

They call back and forth

as "good mornings" are versed

with each tweet, twitter, peep, and chirp,

thankful for another day on earth.

It's not the sound but the spirit of which they start each day,

this joyful spirit that we should emulate everyday -

happy to be alive,

knowing that God will supply!

It's an internal knowing -

like faith indwelling.

Knowing that God who is faithful today

will be faithful throughout all their days.

Now that's something to sing about!

Definitely something to get excited about!

And God will supply

for both you and I.

* * * * *

Do you awaken each morning

like the birds who start their day singing?

Even though they don't know what their day may bring

they start each day with a happy song to sing.

If each morning birds sing a new song of thankfulness to God,

then we, too, should sing songs of joy – in good times and in hard.

Singing will change our attitude

and erase any dour mood.

Turn on some music

and sing along with it.

Feel better? You'll find, if the truth be told,

this daily practice will lighten any load.

Wake up, wake up, break out in song!

Judges 5:12

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.

Psalm 40:3

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,

burst into jubilant song with music.

Psalm 98:4

Is any one happy? Let him sing songs of praise.

James 5:13

Papa sings Cheerio-o-o~

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My nephew created the following:

My nephew created the following to share with you all.

Gardening season is right around the corner. I know you are getting antsy to begin. (A GREAT GIFT IDEA TOO)

I’ve authored 6 (Yes, SIX!!) books – see what’s available in my online store: https://www.amazon.com/.../Judy-Janowski/author/B00L0RIDD8

Yes, Life Is a Garden Party is an entire collection of books – and are you aware that I publish blog articles weekly? See them right here: https://lifeisagardenparty.blogspot.com/

Yes, there are 5 volumes of my book “Life Is a Garden Party” (below) and I also wrote “God’s Gift to Us - Christmas” (https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Gift-Christmas.../dp/B0BJCCMS1G)

Volume 1 of Life Is a Garden Party is no longer available due to demise of publisher.

Volume 2 is available in several formats right here: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Garden-Party.../dp/B0793SLQ82

Volume 3 in paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Garden-Party.../dp/1641110198

Volume 4 in paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Garden-Party.../dp/1649907907

Volume 5 in paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Garden-Party.../dp/B0DGZM4V1L

Go to my page and invite your friends to follow. Always look forward to your comments and shared insights!

TY Adam Janowski. And my nephew is also a writer. Check out His personal page for Authentic Behavior Contrast. I answered the questions and his analysis was right on!

Encouraged to Encourage Others

 

Encouraged to Encourage Others

Romans 16:1-16

Paul makes mention of his spiritual brothers and sisters in Romans 16 who encouraged him. People who are now named in God’s Book of Life. Those who encouraged him in various ways: helped him, worked with him, served the Lord with him, opened their homes to share the gospel message, women who worked hard serving the Lord, those in prison with him, those who overcame tribulation and came out stronger in faith in the end...

Verse 1 mentions Phoebe, who was an encourager. Her name means radiant light. Do you know of a Christian mentor who radiates God’s light? I do. Her name is Joy. So appropriately named.

Verse 5 mentions Epenetus whose name means praiseworthy. Do you know the meaning of your name? Epenetus is remembered as a dear friend, as is Sachys in verse 9, and Persis in verse 12. In another translation, dear friend is translated “beloved.” Paul was one to wear his heart on his sleeve. After all, he had a passion for souls! Not only was Paul chosen and called by God to spread the gospel truth, he did so willingly - despite unimaginable hardships. Read II Corinthians 11.

There’s a hymn which says in part: “Give me a passion for souls, dear Lord, a passion to save the lost...” This was Paul’s mission.

Epenetus is remembered by Paul as the first convert in the province of Asia. His name meaning praiseworthy tells me he couldn’t keep the good news to himself and was bold in spreading the gospel. Verse 12 mentions Persis. The NIV note says her name means Persian woman. The gospel was spreading across the nations. Praise God!

Verse 10 acknowledges Apelles as one tested and approved in Christ. To me, that means he experienced a period of tribulation, yet in the end his faith grew stronger. Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew of “in this world you will face tribulation, BUT...be of good cheer.” BUT – make a U-turn. Instead of continuing down that road of “woe is me,” count your blessings. You’ll find much to cheer about. Ask “what is God teaching me?” Truly, you have faced tribulations in the past which in the end grew your faith. Think on the words of Lamentations 3:21 – “This I recall to mind, and therefore I have hope”... It is good to look back and see how God carried you through.

Remember the promise in Exodus 3:7 -

“The Lord said, “I have indeed SEEN the misery of my people...

I have HEARD them crying...

and I am CONCERNED about their suffering.”

God knows what you are going through. He has a plan to RESCUE you – verse 8.

Apelles’ trials gave him insight into building others up through their trials. Not if, but when trials come. No one escapes trials. Notice the word through. Trials do not last forever. Andre Crouch’s hymn comes to mind, which starts with “I’ve had many tears and sorrows...” Chorus: “Through it all, through it all I’ve come to trust in Jesus, I’ve come to trust in God. Through it all, through it all I’ve come to depend upon His word.” That is, God’s promises. Your trials will eventually become encouragement to others as you share how God saw you through.

Many of the people mentioned in chapter 16 were slaves who served in the imperial household. Most likely most of the (government) employees were not Christians. Are there other Christians in your workplace that you can edify in their journey?

Verse 13 says Rufus was chosen in the Lord. Remember, you also were chosen to be part of God’s family. How sweet that Rufus’ mother was also mentioned as being a mother - an encouragement - to Paul. Is there someone you can be a mother to?

Many of the people mentioned in these verses have not been recorded anywhere else in Scripture, yet God knew them by name and saw their works of faith in spreading the gospel message. Reminds me of the people mentioned by name in Numbers. God knew their name! The Old Testament says God calls the stars by name. The New Testament says God cares for the sparrows. Your name and your heart to serve the Lord, are not forgotten by the Lord either.

Is there someone who comes to mind that encouraged you on your faith journey or you can encourage on their faith journey? Is it possible to send a card to thank them. Or a prayer thanking God for their testimony.

Genesis 12:2 says “you are blessed to be a blessing.” Encouragement is free to give and priceless to receive.

Encourage one another

and

build each other up.

I Thessalonians 5:11