Chickens Will Eat Anything

Chickens will eat anything.  I've heard it said many times.  Obviously, these people have never met my chickens.  Mice, yes.  Squash bug, NO.  Snake, yes.  Potato beetle, NO.  Brown june bug, yes.  Furry caterpillar, NO.

What's the point of having chickens if they won't eat the pests in my garden.  Oh, yeah!  Eggs and eating.

(Father God, thank you for providing my daily needs.  Amen.)

Away

I've been away from my blog while I settle in to life in the country.  Raising chickens and planting a garden have taken most of my time.  But, I'm getting that writing itch again.  So, I'm back.

There's been a lot of things on my mind over these past months. I have many ideas for posts. Keep praying that God will reveal what needs to be developed and shared. Expect several garden lesson entries and maybe a chicken note or two.

(Father God, thank you for the time away. I pray that You will guide this blog as always.  In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.)

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

I enjoy "Share a Song Monday" on Eileen's blog.  So I decided to do my own share-a-song.  I really don't spend a lot of time on youtube.  I can eat up my download limit pretty quick.

I'm sharing this song because it has been a special reminder to me during a long drawn out process that I'll talk more about later.  My goal is not the rapture, or even heaven.  My goal is to submit to Christ my Lord daily.  When I do that, I don't have to worry about tomorrow (as the song says).  I know the One who knows and holds.

"I Know Who Holds Tomorrow"  
Written by Ira Stanphill.  Performed by Signature Sound Quartet.


(Father God, thank you for holding this child's hand through every tomorrow that you have planned for her.  Thank you for knowing those plans and prospering those plans according to your great mercy and grace.  I praise you in the name of Jesus, Amen.)

Wealthy

From my garden onto my table.

Yesterday I verbalized out loud that I am the richest I have ever been.  It wasn't an epiphany or even a revelation.  It is just something that I know.  I've even known it for awhile.  I just had never spoken it out loud.

I am rich and wealthy and it has nothing to do with money.  My heavenly father has provided a garden of marvelous food and beauty.  He has provided a home.  He has provided a husband who loves me!  He has provided stability.  He has provided.  I am rich and wealthy.

(Father God, thank you for the riches and wealth that you provide.  In the name of Jesus, I praise you.  Amen.)

Garden Lessons: Heat

August 2011.  Our part of the country is gripped in a massive heat wave.  It is oppressive.  The temperatures are in excess of 100 degrees early in the day and continue that way through the night.  It is tiresome.  The grass is dry and crispy so that our dog can hardly walk on it.  It is severe.  We eagerly look to the skies for some indication that there might be some rain.  It is relentless.  It hurts us.  It hurts our garden.

Our nation is in the grip of sin.  It is oppressive.  We proudly proclaim our homosexuality with parades and celebrations while God calls it an abomination.  It is tiresome.  Our government is borrowing money to pay it's debts but regulates the individual in an attempt to stop such a practice.  It is severe.  We dismiss life through abortion, euthanasia, alcohol, and drugs trying to find something to relieve the shame of our sin.  It is relentless.  It hurts us.  It hurts our garden.

(Righteous Father,  I beseech you in the name of Jesus, your only begotten Son, my Savior.   Forgive us for the grievous sin that offends you.  Turn our hearts, soften our hearts, cause us to be ashamed of the sin which our nation so proudly displays.  Let your people, called by your name, humble ourselves, pray, and turn from our sins so that you can heal our land.  Amen.)

Bumpy Monday - Stand Amazed (08/16/10)

I often stand amazed at how God directs our paths. Just this week my mom and I were discussing how He laid the foundation for me to be in the right place for her to have good access to medical care during her cancer treatments. These are plans that He had in place long before we knew we would need them.

My husband and I were discussing how blessed we are to be together. Both of us have wondered what it would have been like if we had met in our 20's. As we considered that, we came to the realization that we would not cherish what we have now if we had not traveled our individual roads. I am so amazed at what God did there also.

So, why am I amazed? I know the Creator of the Universe. Why would I be surprised and amazed when things work for His glory? Does this show a lack of faith on my part? Am I missing something? No, I pray that I will always be amazed at God. He deserves my incredulous wonder and adoration. He deserves my fear and trembling. He is due all my, well, everything.

(Father God, forgive me for holding back. I pray that You will teach me to love You with total abandon and adoration. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

First

Have you ever considered the depth of information in the first verse of the Bible?  Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis - an origin, creation or beginning - is first.  The first verse of the first chapter of the first book is all about the beginning as we know it.  Those ten words contain the fact that God exists.  They contain the fact that He witnessed the beginning.  He was there before the beginning.  He made the beginning.

Those ten words contain the fact that God is smart.  He created the heaven.  Have you looked up there lately? Have you seen the marvelous sights?  Have you heard on the news about the amazing discoveries of planets and stars and galaxies and more?  He created the heaven and it reflects His glory.  It is amazing how all that works together and stays in place and moves and lives.

Those ten words contain the fact that God is logical.  He created the earth.  Have you gazed in wonder at an infant lately?  It is astonishing that all those systems work together just they way they do.  Have you examined the ecosystem of a pond lately?  Have you observed the incredible diversity and harmony that works there?

Those ten words contain the fact that God is love.  In the beginning, He created the heaven and the earth.  It's like He was making them for something special.  It appears that He was going to do something awesome.  And, He did.  He placed humans in the midst of the heaven and the earth.

Wow!