Psalm 145

¹⁷ The LORD is righteous in all his ways
       and loving toward all he has made.

 ¹⁸ The LORD is near to all who call on him,
       to all who call on him in truth.

 ¹⁹ He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
       he hears their cry and saves them.

Matthew 15:16-18

 

 ¹⁶"Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them. ¹⁷"Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? ¹⁸But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.'

Wisdom's Call

 

 

 

Proverbs 8

Wisdom's Call

 ¹ Does not wisdom call out?
       Does not understanding raise her voice?

 ² On the heights along the way,
       where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

 ³ beside the gates leading into the city,
       at the entrances, she cries aloud:

 ⁴ "To you, O men, I call out;
       I raise my voice to all mankind.

 ⁵ You who are simple, gain prudence;
       you who are foolish, gain understanding.

 ⁶ Listen, for I have worthy things to say;
       I open my lips to speak what is right.

 ⁷ My mouth speaks what is true,
       for my lips detest wickedness.

 ⁸ All the words of my mouth are just;
       none of them is crooked or perverse.

 ⁹ To the discerning all of them are right;
       they are faultless to those who have knowledge.

 ¹⁰ Choose my instruction instead of silver,
       knowledge rather than choice gold,

 ¹¹ for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
       and nothing you desire can compare with her.

 ¹² "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
       I possess knowledge and discretion.

 ¹³ To fear the LORD is to hate evil;
       I hate pride and arrogance,
       evil behavior and perverse speech.

 ¹⁴ Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
       I have understanding and power.

 ¹⁵ By me kings reign
       and rulers make laws that are just;

 ¹⁶ by me princes govern,
       and all nobles who rule on earth. ^[a]

 ¹⁷ I love those who love me,
       and those who seek me find me.

 ¹⁸ With me are riches and honor,
       enduring wealth and prosperity.

 ¹⁹ My fruit is better than fine gold;
       what I yield surpasses choice silver.

 ²⁰ I walk in the way of righteousness,
       along the paths of justice,

 ²¹ bestowing wealth on those who love me
       and making their treasuries full.

 ²² "The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, ^[b] , ^[c]
       before his deeds of old;

 ²³ I was appointed ^[d] from eternity,
       from the beginning, before the world began.

 ²⁴ When there were no oceans, I was given birth,
       when there were no springs abounding with water;

 ²⁵ before the mountains were settled in place,
       before the hills, I was given birth,

 ²⁶ before he made the earth or its fields
       or any of the dust of the world.

 ²⁷ I was there when he set the heavens in place,
       when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

 ²⁸ when he established the clouds above
       and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

 ²⁹ when he gave the sea its boundary
       so the waters would not overstep his command,
       and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

 ³⁰ Then I was the craftsman at his side.
       I was filled with delight day after day,
       rejoicing always in his presence,

 ³¹ rejoicing in his whole world
       and delighting in mankind.

 ³² "Now then, my sons, listen to me;
       blessed are those who keep my ways.

 ³³ Listen to my instruction and be wise;
       do not ignore it.

 ³⁴ Blessed is the man who listens to me,
       watching daily at my doors,
       waiting at my doorway.

 ³⁵ For whoever finds me finds life
       and receives favor from the LORD.

 ³⁶ But whoever fails to find me harms himself;
       all who hate me love death."

Do Not Neglect To Pray

As the days flow swiftly by do not neglect to pray.

Take time to rest and quietly breathe a new thought comes your way.

Don't miss the sweet sound of birdsong as they flit from branch to branch.

The butterfly drifting on the soft breeze a beautiful flowery dance,

Feel the warm caress of the sun interrupted now and then by the cool wind and misting rain.

God delights us with so many blessings each day so do not neglect to pray.

Prayer is communing with God through His Son what wonderful fellowship is ours.

Take time now to listen, be still and know He blesses us so by the prayers, love, flowers and showers.

by Martha Susan Owen 4/02/09

 

 

Change Me

Dear Lord change not Thy will in my life,
Or trial and sorrows to be;
Renew my faith and make me strong,
Change not Thy will, change me.

Though teardrops fall when trouble comes,
Like storms on a rolling sea;
Let Thy beacon guide my ship to port,
Change not the storm, change me.

When Thy Holy Word I don't understand
And Thy glory I cannot see;
Teach my eyes, give me sight and wisdom,
Change not Thy Word, change me.

If the fruit Thou hast given me to eat,
Taste bitter and sour, I plea;
Let not my will but Thine be done,
Change not the fruit, change me.

If sometime I murmur and grumble, dear Lord,
About the cross I carry for Thee;
Keep it firm on my shoulders, but hold my hand,
Change not the cross, change me.

If You change Thy ways to please me, dear Lord,
I would soon grow cold and turn from Thee;
That You may hear my prayers, dear Lord,
Change not Thy ways, change me.

There's a valley that I must cross,
Someday Thy face to see;
Lest I forget what power is Thine,
Change not the valley, change me.

~ Author Unknown ~

rain refresher

 

 

 

 

a cumbersome burden and heavy load
can seem like a rough, long, winding road

the sun beaming down and dust in your throat
stop with a frown tear off your coat

just when you think too great is the pain
look up to the sky and feel the spring rain

now over the hill down to the valley below
makes the rest of the journey look like a stone's throw

 

martha susan owen

 

 

 

Baby Jesus Prince of Peace

 

 

Baby Jesus Prince of Peace

The Prophet spoke in days of old. His Voice was strong. His words were bold. "Behold! A maiden shall give birth. Her Child, God's Son, shall rule the earth. "And we shall call Him Prince of Peace, For where He rules, all wars shall cease, And sin and death shall hold no fear. Behold! The time is coming near."

Along a dusty, winding road, A little donkey bears his load. Young Mary, great with Child, must ride, While patient Joseph plods beside. To Bethlehem they make their way. "We'll count you there," the rulers say. The sky grows dark. The day is gone, and still they travel, on and on. The road is cold. The road is long. It seems no place for a donkey song. But sing out, little donkey. Bray! The Prince of peace is on His way. At Bethlehem the inns are filled. Young Mary shivers, tired and chilled. But then a landlord, by God's grace, says, "you may use my stable-place. "And there as midnight moves to morn, The tiny Prince of peace is born. The quiet oxen see His birth, This Child God sent to rule the earth.

Sing, you oxen, large and slow. Songs of welcome rumble low. As He rests on Mary's arm, Your straw-sweet breath will keep Him warm. Young Mary smiles down at her Son, a helpless Babe, and yet the One the prophet long ago foretold in voice so strong, in words so bold. She thinks of when the angel came and told her of the Baby's name. Still smiling, she stands up to lay Her Jesus on the manger hay.Sing, young Mary! Sing with joy as you gaze at your newborn Boy. In God's great plan you've played your part. Now sing a glad song in your hearts.

The fields are dark. The fields are still. And sleepy shepherds drowse until God's glory shatters through the night. Then sleepy shepherds shake with fright. An angel speaks, "Oh, do not fear. I bring you joy. I bring you cheer. At Bethlehem near break of morn, The Savior of the world was born!" Stop your shaking, shepherds. Sing! This news changes everything. The Lamb of God has come to save. So stand up, shepherds. Sing! Be brave! The Angel says, "Now God designed a sign for you. The Babe you'll find in swaddling clothes on bed of hay. He's lying there this very day."

Then round the angel rank on rank of angels gather, all to thank and praise the Lord with holy mirth, Because He sent His Son to earth. Sing, you angels. Glory sing. Let all earth and heaven ring. Let your songs our songs increase. Glory, glory, good will, peace! And when the angel song is through, The shepherds know what they must do. At once to Bethlehem they run to find the Prince of peace, God's Son. Into the stable dark and small, They crowd, those shepherds, sheep and all. And Baby hand holds woolly fleece, the tiny, sleepy Prince of peace.

Sing a lullaby. Oh, sing! Let the little sheep bells ring. Gently now, you woolly sheep, Sing the Prince of peace to sleep. That little Prince, so humbly born, would someday die with cross and thorn, But, raised by God to life above, now rules the earth with peace and love. No earthly throne sets Him apart. Instead, He rules within each heart, and when we all our struggling cease, We feel His love. We know His peace.

Sing, you heavens! Sing, you earth! Sing about the Christmas birth. Sin and death and war shall cease. He's come, the tiny Prince of Peace.

Author Unknown

My wish for you this Christmas season is that you may know the peace that comes only from Our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ the Son! 

 

 

Glad or Mad - Happy or Sad

Happiness is an attitude.
We either make ourselves miserable,
or happy and strong.
The amount of work is the same.
Francesca Reigler

Good Morning to all.  So what attitude do you choose today?

Open your eyes and quietly observe.....you will see what you are looking for.  Are you focused on beauty?  There is beauty in the gray sky and leafless trees.  I see the shapes of the branches, feathery tanglements against the soft gray background.  I see wonderful nests for birds and squirrels hidden by leaves in the spring and summer.  And just look at all that mysterious mistletoe.  Any bright color just pops out and adds just enough to add to but not disturb the peaceful beauty of a lovely gray day.  Look for the bright red cardinals chirping at the feeders and the graceful flight of wings in the air.  Look for bright blue and orange of the bluebirds flitting from roof to ground and tree.  Red and orange berries on branches hanging over the fence.  Then the calming shades of grays and browns, greens and blues blending and mingling all around.  I look for beauty, I find it and happiness is awakened.  Have a beautiful day.  And Praise the Lord for this Day He Has Made.

Psalm 118:24 (New International Version)

 24 This is the day the LORD has made;
       let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Listen for Songs

Softly Singing

Listen closely you can hear,
A song so sweet upon your ear.
It’s in the trees and through the rain,
Softly singing a peaceful refrain.

Listen closely you may know
The sound of peaceful falling snow.
You must be still and quiet too,
Allow the song to come to you.

Listen closely you feel the joys
Of giggles from sweet girls and boys.
Laughter makes such a wonderful song
You find you want to sing along.

Listen closely the flowers grow
Their song the colors of the rainbow.
For colors make a song so bright,
I call this tune a song for sight.

Martha Susan Owen / 2008 March 21