tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579472357838966262024-03-12T22:49:03.234-07:00It's A Heart Rock Life...thoughts about everyday life--with its joys and sorrows and oh, so many mysteries--
about opening our eyes to see God's hand and HEART in the details of daily life and about learning to hear His whispers of love in the midst of a shouting world...sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.comBlogger408125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-36370631131154772842011-07-22T16:17:00.001-07:002011-07-22T16:52:01.444-07:00Are YOU full today?....<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Full…</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Is how I feel today.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">My heart is full of the amazing blessings of the people in my life. Young, old, and in between. Friends who are like family—some I have known for years and some who are newer in my life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">My heart IS FULL. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">But I don’t always FEEL full. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">And usually that’s when I’m not paying attention. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Not paying attention to the good things in each day, no matter how small they may seem. The Bible says “every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father…”, (James 1:17) and He does give us so many incredibly wonderful gifts if we will have eyes to see and hearts to understand.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i>When I go for a walk along the canals </i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i>with my three favorite red-head boys,</i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>I feel full.</i></b></span></div><i style="color: #0b5394;"> </i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i>When I get an unexpected card in the mail </i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i>from an out-of-state friend, </i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>I feel full.</i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i>When I look out my window at work and see the sun in the bright blue sky and the hummingbird darting in and out amidst the blossoms of the bird of paradise bush, </i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>I feel full.</i></b></span></div><div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i>When I think about the fact that I have gas in my car, food in my refrigerator, clean drinking water coming out of my faucet, clothes on my body, a bed to sleep in…. </i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>all these things make me feel full.</i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paying attention.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">That’s the key.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And<b> <u>remembering</u></b>… </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">and <b><u>recounting</u>… </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">the many ways God touches us, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">provides for us, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">and speaks to us throughout each day…</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">It is then I feel full.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>It is then I know what it is to </b><b><span style="color: blue;">BE FULL</span>.</b> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">* * * * * </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i>In Your presence is <b>fullness</b> of joy; </i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i>In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">~Psalms 16:11</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(ps. I could have come up with many more, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">but I was being true to the 5min limit!)</span></div><br />
<br />
<div style="color: #990000; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">With this post I am participating in <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/2011/07/five-minute-friday-full/">Five Minute Friday</a> over at The Gypsy Mama's blog. Today's writers were to write for five minutes (w/o tweaking, rewriting, or critiquing!) on the word: FULL. </span></div><div style="color: #990000; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Here's how it works: "On Fridays around these parts we like to write. Not for comments or traffic or anyone else’s agenda. But for pure love of the written word. For joy at the sound of syllables, sentences and paragraphs all strung together by the voice of the speaker. We love to <b>just write</b> without worrying if it’s <b>just right</b> or not. For five minutes flat."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thegypsymama.com/2011/07/five-minute-friday-full/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobGMx-QAZXn0cBaQBkmDfBk1E0CDpL3wLL_qf14bTxxuizCm88Ll_iL5SZUK21bfCMrhFLq9L68FyyikJu9tccPUA_rk2TqYt6m2Z8jgimeMlrOxD1jaVEByMuzCr9LMwqhTQf_tWKRuD/s200/5-minute-friday-1.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><br />
</div>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-66679225249353515812011-07-21T16:45:00.000-07:002011-07-21T16:46:08.529-07:00do you love coffee?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I'm pretty sure many of you love coffee in the morning... </span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">as do I.</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">But, how many of you have coffee that <u>LOVES YOU</u>??</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">(<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>see photo of my hot water pot below</i></span>) </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxsr4wtW0KVvUEPDjwYAcsi2Te8gKWIlmjPcuBU7JtNt7IQFY6PsxBl9-V2fgF_eyqcSH3s3NPJYmRFzWao9plO2tTOtgvZNJ_L-oHP2m8x3Yv2zFQr_WwQZJvvAQO7t42EXs_unrtdB7/s1600/heart+-+coffee+pot+cord.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxsr4wtW0KVvUEPDjwYAcsi2Te8gKWIlmjPcuBU7JtNt7IQFY6PsxBl9-V2fgF_eyqcSH3s3NPJYmRFzWao9plO2tTOtgvZNJ_L-oHP2m8x3Yv2zFQr_WwQZJvvAQO7t42EXs_unrtdB7/s400/heart+-+coffee+pot+cord.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">“Come, let us drink our fill of love..." </span></i></b></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">~Proverbs 7:18 </span></i></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(taken completely out of context, I know!! </span></i></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">but tell me that didn't make you smile!)</span></i></div><span id="goog_419515959"></span><span id="goog_419515960"></span>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-34863405951287771352011-07-19T22:30:00.000-07:002011-07-19T22:35:07.036-07:00His love will wipe away all our tears...<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Over the years since I began this blog, I've had friends send me photos of hearts they discover in their worlds. I always love it when I see these reminders of God's love in our daily lives. I especially love that others see them, too... and it's that much more special when they share them with me.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
One of my friends has several daughters, and they love to send me photos of the hearts they discover. The photo below is one the girls sent me awhile ago. Unfortunately, on my cell phone's tiny screen, I couldn't tell what it actually was and had to ask...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">only to discover it was... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>a roll of toilet paper!!!!</i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ktrj1u8VqOzr1hscl-ZlFjY8OS1OxyeBM8FfzTtVAerh5PWZLqbS2ymZ8DhbMPVrwe0jPm0DezfpimXwpT5BXGhx0SA3LpKYRQpx-FKr-QD9cLl-qGsdHxxKrzSR3AfURU0fP8cdWDKg/s1600/heart+on+a+tp+roll+-+morels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ktrj1u8VqOzr1hscl-ZlFjY8OS1OxyeBM8FfzTtVAerh5PWZLqbS2ymZ8DhbMPVrwe0jPm0DezfpimXwpT5BXGhx0SA3LpKYRQpx-FKr-QD9cLl-qGsdHxxKrzSR3AfURU0fP8cdWDKg/s320/heart+on+a+tp+roll+-+morels.jpg" width="213" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">They couldn't wait to send it to me, and it definitely made me smile!! God uses the strangest things to speak to us, if we have eyes to see! </span><br />
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<div style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">...And the Lord GOD </span></i></b></div><div style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">will wipe tears away from all faces... </span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">~Isaiah 25:8</span></i></b></div><div></div></div>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-31767564907773736082011-07-17T22:07:00.000-07:002011-07-17T22:07:05.924-07:00love on the trail...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On Saturday, a friend and I went on a hike in the southern California coastal hills. It was a beautiful sunny day with a brilliant blue sky. The guidebook promised us a hike on "cool shady trails." Well, we left the guidebook in the car and took instead one of the "suggested hikes" typed on a hand-out in the ranger's station. The directions turned out to be quite confusing, not at all helpful, and we ended up not knowing where we were most of the time. We decided to just hike along the trail as best we could figure it. Needless to say, we never did find those cool shady trails...but we did find miles of hot unshaded sunny trails!!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">To make a long story short, we ended up hiking for about 2 1/2 hours in the hills... mostly going uphill. Very uphill. Very, very uphill! Oh, we had a good time...enjoying the flora-- the blue of sky (and ocean when we could see it again), green of bushes, bright bluish purple of giant thistle flowers, and yellow and orange of monkey flowers dotting the trail side-- and being cooled a bit by the ocean breezes. We whined a bit when each hill that we thought was the final one was discovered to be NOT the final one...hiding a bigger one behind it! We sweated, hiked, chatted, groaned, and laughed our way to the top of the ridge. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">At the base of one big hill, when we stopped a moment or two for a breather, I looked down at the trail and saw this:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreqIpNVs1vD7r3ZwHQU1RVTspEyPKrCRIbmKAHHSBxyRbihWFcPbTD0SBjrexmb3GqhEPGYY4v5JYZOKuBUA2cgy7bSc_WSs1qERYjV-MhZv0exT6EGk0ku9fBMbCr-x8gDMlRBnWf6S6/s1600/IMG_0564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreqIpNVs1vD7r3ZwHQU1RVTspEyPKrCRIbmKAHHSBxyRbihWFcPbTD0SBjrexmb3GqhEPGYY4v5JYZOKuBUA2cgy7bSc_WSs1qERYjV-MhZv0exT6EGk0ku9fBMbCr-x8gDMlRBnWf6S6/s320/IMG_0564.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I had to laugh, for these hearts tend to show up in the oddest places. And each one reminds me of the Creator Who made them, and, I believe put them there just for me to discover and enjoy! I laughed and told my friend I was sure God<span class="fbPhotoCaptionText"> was reminding us that He was on the trail with us... and I think <u>He</u> was enjoying our hike!</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span class="fbPhotoCaptionText"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It's nice to be reminded, especially when trudging along the difficult parts of life's trails, that you are loved-- by friends, by loved ones, by our amazing Father in heaven. </span></span>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-33937101927371171112011-07-13T21:55:00.000-07:002011-07-13T21:56:50.848-07:00ttmms... (things that make me smile)...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most people who have known me more than just a few days probably have discovered that I can be pretty easily entertained and amused. I get a kick out of small things (not like midgets and such!) and enjoy finding quirky bits in life. I'm an avid reader-of-license plates and actually have a list of fun ones I've seen. I love strangely colored or shaped fruit or veges or just things that look out-of-the-ordinary. I have the carcasses of several brightly-colored bugs in a box on my dresser. I see faces on cars, either front end or back. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All these things make me smile and give me joy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I think it's a good thing to be able to find fun and to take pleasure in the small things in life. I mean, isn't that what our lives are really made up of-- an occasional big thing here and there strung together with many many small things in between? I know I don't wait to wait around for a big thing to enjoy when I can delight in so many other little things along the way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And that is what this blog is really about-- experiencing the daily life stuff and looking and listening for God's hand and voice in it all. And seeing what delights He has put here for us to enjoy if we will allow ourselves to be easily entertained.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In light of all of that, I present to you today one of the many <strong><u>Things That Make Me Smile</u></strong>... </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I have recently discovered ...the happiest cars on earth:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRP0yMzIt8AJ3cq_kUpouLURfRg6lFt4uXRPCI0IFtncJtWIwmd2zmfO7a_jP5B0eBDuw6GoCYcmkEAQfvo13ATWpfaw3X9fiw0YPcNkqhkLydEgip6_ArKzFv3dxDntwmTm1OoLNiKAND/s1600/photo+-+smiling+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRP0yMzIt8AJ3cq_kUpouLURfRg6lFt4uXRPCI0IFtncJtWIwmd2zmfO7a_jP5B0eBDuw6GoCYcmkEAQfvo13ATWpfaw3X9fiw0YPcNkqhkLydEgip6_ArKzFv3dxDntwmTm1OoLNiKAND/s320/photo+-+smiling+car.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tell me that doesn't make you smile!! : )</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am grateful for smiling cars...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>A joyful heart is good medicine...</strong></em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>~Proverbs 17:22a</strong></em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-10448660558320970842011-07-12T23:30:00.000-07:002011-07-12T23:30:43.029-07:00gotta love those sweet potatoes....<div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As you know, I so enjoy finding bits of love scattered about. Recently I was having dinner with friends-- ham, green beans, and sweet potatoes. When I mashed my potato, this is what it looked like:</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhmIiMn4-G6qsgr3PomqPdol3OPNm9gzqr2a-s8eZs0eUKNeakBMosF-rFLLY5Fcc38CUdtDWfWdMwmDrq5O2AeKOfo7qfH2rP3QI6XSd4sKh92eaesZT6jHJ-dRQsETFdCvG876K19tz/s1600/heart+-+sweet+potato.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571116381031637298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhmIiMn4-G6qsgr3PomqPdol3OPNm9gzqr2a-s8eZs0eUKNeakBMosF-rFLLY5Fcc38CUdtDWfWdMwmDrq5O2AeKOfo7qfH2rP3QI6XSd4sKh92eaesZT6jHJ-dRQsETFdCvG876K19tz/s400/heart+-+sweet+potato.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I didn't do it on purpose but, of course, I couldn't help but see and appreciate the shape! A good dinner with dear friends....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">served up <span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="color: #cc0000;">with love</b></i></span>. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For this I am grateful...</span></div><div></div></div>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-331909145783695072011-01-04T08:30:00.000-08:002011-01-04T08:30:00.970-08:00the joy spread by the kids in our lives...<span style="color:#000000;">Though I don't have kids of my own, I love the kids and grandkids of my friends. They bring such joy into my life, and I am grateful for them.<br /></span><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;">This New Year's Eve, my friends had two of their grandkids with them for a few days. I, always in for a good time, was invited to their house for New Year's Eve and a sleep-over. (I think I was probably the "out" so they didn't HAVE to stay up till midnight with the boys!)</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">The day and evening were full of fun, food, games, and just enjoying each other's company. While cooking dinner, I was handed a pen and an envelope by the 8yr old, and inside the envelope was the following note:</span></div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVV9f-AoUBY-OwHOX2ve3e3B9Ve-WBpIrWowE8W9iPlzOZC24FbVS2_bE6NpXE1rT-tv6mnSQW0PcT7g42p-WzHrsXU2xc5DOep8A5MuJ7RYBfi-xQPa8G-dDnAL2heV6ypXrO4eztHTMC/s1600/2010+1231+ssk+card0001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558121303013553762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 260px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVV9f-AoUBY-OwHOX2ve3e3B9Ve-WBpIrWowE8W9iPlzOZC24FbVS2_bE6NpXE1rT-tv6mnSQW0PcT7g42p-WzHrsXU2xc5DOep8A5MuJ7RYBfi-xQPa8G-dDnAL2heV6ypXrO4eztHTMC/s400/2010+1231+ssk+card0001.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#000000;">Translation (in case you can't quite get it):<br /></span><blockquote></blockquote></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Dear Shree:</strong></span></em></div><div align="center">[short for Shri-ri, a name they all call me due to boy #3 saying my name that way for a short time]</div><div align="center"><em><strong><span style="color:#000099;">How are you doing?</span></strong></em> </div><div align="center">(blank box for answer)</div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>and what and when are you going to play with us?</strong></span></em> </div><div align="center">(two blank boxes for answers)</div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;"><em><strong>And [till] what time will we stay up?</strong></em></span> </div><div align="center">(blank box for answer)</div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">I responded to the questions with the following:</span></div><div align="center"><em><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">excellent</span></strong></em></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">after dinner and dishes</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">games? (uno?) later, a movie?</span></em></strong></div><blockquote><span style="color:#000000;"><blockquote><span style="color:#000000;"></span></blockquote><div align="left">To which he responded with a note on the back of the original card, stuffed in the envelope again: </span></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span></em></strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558124427949612930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 305px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCULI20BpWGOmINWi2KSzcuzpsEVlxOiM7nKcIovrpZ6GUU2_aLc11znZ-xGCIjdISQpU-KMCYbMLLxwyUC069GCAWzUQu_gUPTNqcHtkLSP4knh5ziI1xC6Eo5pBy_Yrqjky3a2Ryzy6/s400/2010+1231+ssk+card+20001.jpg" border="0" /></div></blockquote><br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">The above note was preceded with shouts of delight in response to the "stay up till" answer!</span></p><p align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">...for these kids in my life, I am grateful!! Thanks, God, for the amazing ways You bless us with others in our lives!</span></p><p align="center"><em><span style="color:#990000;">"...their children will be a blessing." ~Psalm 37:26b</span></em></p>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-53155023216638227722011-01-03T08:00:00.000-08:002011-01-03T09:12:48.017-08:002011... day 2....<div align="center"><span style="color:#990000;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrjPAq3BGjQALgtCop6egSiY7j0Yz_9BMODGHKXdsq6pqtjR70u2fIRr97IL2dFgxhZQEFNW2SdB6VLGJOC8vXQsbO78FG8ytm68UcWKc-YTunYukwISxiNfheXqty2tZUtNTB4VbG51W/s1600/2011+heart+2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557794132434152946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrjPAq3BGjQALgtCop6egSiY7j0Yz_9BMODGHKXdsq6pqtjR70u2fIRr97IL2dFgxhZQEFNW2SdB6VLGJOC8vXQsbO78FG8ytm68UcWKc-YTunYukwISxiNfheXqty2tZUtNTB4VbG51W/s400/2011+heart+2.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#000099;"><em> (butter on my cornbread)<br /><blockquote></blockquote></em></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000000;"><em>He gives food to every creature. </em></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000000;"><em>His <span style="color:#990000;"><span style="font-size:180%;">love</span> </span>endures forever.</em></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em>~Psalm 126:35</em></span></strong></div>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-42952146302399189892011-01-02T19:22:00.000-08:002011-01-02T19:30:34.825-08:002011... day 1...<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWfLiEObrEO79Vm4AoIsEful86vPt58Sv5dNuaTarDaa8b5KWTqvlOXkNaKdc-7sVAO-pdKumZmhA-_xWQRV_FyPcZd4rseiU-im4w54yIcp20t_uhQwaB8aVSLQR6lo9p9sFJ7jCqQQB/s1600/2011+heart+1b.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557795656855713890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWfLiEObrEO79Vm4AoIsEful86vPt58Sv5dNuaTarDaa8b5KWTqvlOXkNaKdc-7sVAO-pdKumZmhA-_xWQRV_FyPcZd4rseiU-im4w54yIcp20t_uhQwaB8aVSLQR6lo9p9sFJ7jCqQQB/s400/2011+heart+1b.JPG" /></a><span style="color:#cc0000;"><em> (strawberry in New Year's Day breakfast cereal)</em></span></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQqlrXbyuk29TYPa20KrLLorttjlbfV4TePtk3pefMSc9wvqKrraCKkZhQtpDtKuhBe3BNrTWQBq5f5sPcfC7dDahZq7AeevyWcdG2q75RSELtOD8hzYShYswN6_lSCSSSLMahzcifSy9/s1600/2011+heart+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557795123954291986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQqlrXbyuk29TYPa20KrLLorttjlbfV4TePtk3pefMSc9wvqKrraCKkZhQtpDtKuhBe3BNrTWQBq5f5sPcfC7dDahZq7AeevyWcdG2q75RSELtOD8hzYShYswN6_lSCSSSLMahzcifSy9/s400/2011+heart+1.jpg" /></a><strong><em><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his <span style="font-size:180%;color:#990000;">love</span> endures forever.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:georgia;">~Psalm 107:1<br /></span></em></strong><div></div><br /></div>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-67842171363289948202010-11-11T14:18:00.000-08:002010-11-11T14:51:52.453-08:00i am...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhE8z7RrzlWjVhd-g2LYjJwmJzX-w7C6XvwwUt0NR_ZUcKA0myrIvO9RBpVy5S-6r0OPBcSglqIIZEjLd4r7HgM-VsdEZKimcyJQh7fTg8WoDZlb6JYyUt-bC8XeF_1I89oWHivxmjw5s/s1600/thankful.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537694315089519442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhE8z7RrzlWjVhd-g2LYjJwmJzX-w7C6XvwwUt0NR_ZUcKA0myrIvO9RBpVy5S-6r0OPBcSglqIIZEjLd4r7HgM-VsdEZKimcyJQh7fTg8WoDZlb6JYyUt-bC8XeF_1I89oWHivxmjw5s/s400/thankful.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">These are just simple words... but I'm wearing them around my neck these days. Words are oh, so very powerful-- for blessing or for cursing, for bringing hope or for bringing despair, for causing joy or for causing sorrow. God warns us continually about our words (our tongue) and the harm or the good they can do to others... and to ourselves.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">They can also form our attitudes ... or be a reflection of the same.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'm wearing these words to remind me every time I look into the mirror...</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Or when my hand strays to touch the necklace at my throat...</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>...to remind me that I AM well and truly blessed...</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>and that I AM (to be) thankful and grateful...</strong> <blockquote></blockquote></div></span><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#3333ff;"><strong>Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck</strong>. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. ~ Proverbs 6:21-22</span></em><br /><br /><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#6600cc;">My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; <strong>bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart</strong>. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. ~ Proverbs 3:1-4</span></em><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#cc0000;"><em>Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ~Deut 11:18<br /></em></span>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-52875279981422752942010-11-09T11:52:00.000-08:002010-11-09T12:10:23.413-08:00love eggs? ...or, paying attention...<div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I've been in a bit of a funk the past couple of weeks, and when that happens, I tend to question God... and doubt His love for me. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And, I don't pay attention very well either. <blockquote></blockquote></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This morning when I was eating my breakfast (frittata), </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I did notice a little something there... (come on...</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> you know what you're looking for!)</span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4pr198Rf16-ROsu7uwcYWRtxtbL8Xfsh-fdCiXTVyhgM_YSS6FhfZLgf96ZbkdMWVaZjxaeDcR4TQzh30leHoN5oIMipA_7TkhyphenhyphenY5uRhqpVN_LTy3ZvgSuj4leUom9wr7kWytK4D8ZmZ/s1600/photo+love+eggs+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537640744870231090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4pr198Rf16-ROsu7uwcYWRtxtbL8Xfsh-fdCiXTVyhgM_YSS6FhfZLgf96ZbkdMWVaZjxaeDcR4TQzh30leHoN5oIMipA_7TkhyphenhyphenY5uRhqpVN_LTy3ZvgSuj4leUom9wr7kWytK4D8ZmZ/s400/photo+love+eggs+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> And, in case you're like me and not very good at paying attention sometimes, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">here's a closer view...<br /></div></span><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPo-GzW-SPVidi2ufCedbCZyhjbRAC2yI0bhtNjesHUnfkS2KEZbAsrNd1mo5yBK_AlbBW6VDNw-3KoMqvGSsqcCvPCG9BlAhIA6C7SvqhtB9rjECVRXkA85OnReytCqEXOLCBwTt8pMjh/s1600/photo+love+eggs+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537640622889542322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPo-GzW-SPVidi2ufCedbCZyhjbRAC2yI0bhtNjesHUnfkS2KEZbAsrNd1mo5yBK_AlbBW6VDNw-3KoMqvGSsqcCvPCG9BlAhIA6C7SvqhtB9rjECVRXkA85OnReytCqEXOLCBwTt8pMjh/s400/photo+love+eggs+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> OK. Call me crazy if you want... </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">but we do have a Father with quite a great sense of humor! <blockquote></blockquote></span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#ff6600;">Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:<br />Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#ff6600;">for <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">his compassions never fail</span></strong>. </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">They are new every morning</span></strong>;</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#ff6600;">great is your faithfulness. </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#ff6600;">~Lamentations 3:21-23</span></em></div>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-30054807841289540822010-05-31T22:30:00.000-07:002010-05-31T22:32:12.480-07:00my favorite word...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The other night I was out to dinner with some friends of mine. Eight-year-old B said to me, "<span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>Hey, Sharilyn! What's your favorite word</em></span>?"</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I paused for a moment to ponder the question... there are just so many good words out there! I decided upon one, and just as I was about to tell him what it was, he said, "<span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>I bet I know what your favorite word is....</em></span>"</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"<span style="color:#ff6600;"><em>What do you think it is, B</em></span>?"</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"<span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>AMAZING</em></span>!" and amazingly he was right! That was the word I was going to say!</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I said, "<em><span style="color:#ff6600;">Hey! That's what I was going to say!</span></em>"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="color:#000000;">He said, "</span><em>Well, I knew it was."</em></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em>"<span style="color:#ff6600;">How did you know that?</span><span style="color:#000000;">"</span></em> </span><span style="color:#000000;">I asked.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em></em></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em><span style="color:#000000;">"</span>I knew it because you like exploring and finding cool stuff</em></span><em>!</em>"</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I laughed and told him he was right. He smiled, quite pleased with himself, and I smiled, quite pleased that he would know that about me... from our shared adventures of discovery-- searching out bugs in his yard, closely examining flowers and leaves, discovering hearts of all types, playing on the beach together, and generally being AMAZED at God's truly amazing creation!</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I decided a couple of years ago that I wanted to use words that were really worth using-- big words, not necessarily big in size but big in their descriptive powers. Words like --"fantastic" and "wonderful" and "magnificent" rather than just "good" or "cool" or "nice." And "amazing"... because that's what it's truly like to live in this world our Father created for us, and I never want to stop being amazed by it... or by Him!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;color:#009900;"><em>...just something to think about... </em></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;color:#009900;"><em>what's YOUR favorite word, and what does it speak about you?</em></span>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-51101398486164023362010-05-21T14:55:00.000-07:002010-05-21T15:06:07.213-07:00the heart of a tomato...<div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The other day I was cutting up tomatoes for a batch of salsa. The phone rang, so I laid down the knife and left the kitchen for a couple of minutes. Upon returning, I picked up the knife and was about to finish chopping the tomato, and this is what I saw sitting on the cutting board:</span></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGDcf8Ho9qEp4coIUmn20BfejCP8uK-FRjBkrv7lRdnIEoB7memYx43iimo1gHB-lwgNWqBdCxpQw4iWaUw0p_5BYGsOdKy9VpztTy557qiHlHEwuk94JztpXUn15zscEtzJCtaVsk_HB/s1600/IMG_1049r.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473484772903054962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGDcf8Ho9qEp4coIUmn20BfejCP8uK-FRjBkrv7lRdnIEoB7memYx43iimo1gHB-lwgNWqBdCxpQw4iWaUw0p_5BYGsOdKy9VpztTy557qiHlHEwuk94JztpXUn15zscEtzJCtaVsk_HB/s400/IMG_1049r.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></em></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I love it! :) One of those surprise moments of seeing God's love for me in the shape of a random heart in my daily life. They never cease to delight me! <blockquote></blockquote></span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">When thinking about a verse that might go with the photo, I automatically thought of Galatians 5 and the fruit of the Spirit. But I decided to do a little digging and see if there was any other reference to fruit and love I could find. This is the one I discovered:</div><blockquote></blockquote><div align="center"></span><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff0000;">Sow for yourselves righteousness,</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>reap the fruit of unfailing love, </strong></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff0000;">and break up your unplowed ground; </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>for it is time to seek the LORD, </strong></span></em></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><strong>until He comes </strong></span></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><strong>and showers righteousness on you. </strong></span></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;">~Hosea 10:12 </div><blockquote></blockquote><div align="left"></span></em></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I love the likening of our pursuit of God to the process of planting -- sowing righteousness, breaking up the fallow ground, reaping love, being rained upon. </div><blockquote></blockquote><div align="left">It is about preparing our hearts for God, for the harvest He grows within us! It is about seeking Him and receiving the showers He pours upon us... and it is about the harvest He brings about through us when we are obedient to His call to the fields in our hearts and lives!</div><blockquote></blockquote><div align="center"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">All this good food for my soul from the heart of a little tomato... </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">taste and see that the Lord is good!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SoB6eKvOABbGMyXT_ZFFSgVx3fyQiInZVlClNTducTaMYXqvSsmSiisyE-jXomlCBhPxEOWJyLTyTVOIPmYuoY_Q-hEPlj0UN0BOR2gTy5szoTnxvPwOAirko0yaMT1WqErcG4xmbWE6/s1600/IMG_1050r.JPG"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473484592385883314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SoB6eKvOABbGMyXT_ZFFSgVx3fyQiInZVlClNTducTaMYXqvSsmSiisyE-jXomlCBhPxEOWJyLTyTVOIPmYuoY_Q-hEPlj0UN0BOR2gTy5szoTnxvPwOAirko0yaMT1WqErcG4xmbWE6/s400/IMG_1050r.JPG" border="0" /></a>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-110963566060541802010-05-20T15:51:00.000-07:002010-05-20T15:52:37.198-07:00God is...<div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><blockquote><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkVsUtc_mICsI8GfCAoQwGDpFtWD_hCAaydUv-nYZ23Fqkn9zNHyIMHJdS1k59eA3JScZQsLSvNYEW40omW-CJxG6e3cc9kV0sKAt8QceZ3dLwTXYO1QhykFB8jRW72iHoZXiC7Dyuv4P/s1600/IMG_4319.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkVsUtc_mICsI8GfCAoQwGDpFtWD_hCAaydUv-nYZ23Fqkn9zNHyIMHJdS1k59eA3JScZQsLSvNYEW40omW-CJxG6e3cc9kV0sKAt8QceZ3dLwTXYO1QhykFB8jRW72iHoZXiC7Dyuv4P/s1600/IMG_4319.JPG"></blockquote><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473465054173891602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkVsUtc_mICsI8GfCAoQwGDpFtWD_hCAaydUv-nYZ23Fqkn9zNHyIMHJdS1k59eA3JScZQsLSvNYEW40omW-CJxG6e3cc9kV0sKAt8QceZ3dLwTXYO1QhykFB8jRW72iHoZXiC7Dyuv4P/s400/IMG_4319.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><em><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#000000;">Before me,<br />Even as behind,<br /></span><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>God is</strong></span><span style="color:#000000;">,<strong> </strong></span><br /></span><span style="color:#000000;">And all is well...<br /></span></span><span style="color:#000000;">~Whittier<br /></span></em></span><br /></div>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-63603285708695255522010-05-18T12:58:00.000-07:002010-05-18T17:09:31.769-07:00we shall soar on wings like egrets...<div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#000099;">...but those who hope in the LORD</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#000099;">will renew their strength.</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#000099;">They will soar on wings like eagles...</div><blockquote></blockquote><div align="left"></span></em></strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#000000;">Yes, I am aware this is not an eagle. It is, instead, a great white egret. But, for some reason, this photograph keeps bringing to my mind the "soar on wings like eagles" verse. I think it's the beauty and majesty of the flight. Really... look at that great big gangly body, and yet, the bird lifts it gracefully and majestically from the earth and takes to the sky!</span> <blockquote></blockquote></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#000000;">One would think it would require great effort (and, not being a big bird, I cannot be sure what effort is required to lift it from the ground!). Yet, the bird is doing what it was created to do. And in the verse above, God tells us that when we do what WE are created to do --<strong><em>to hope in and wait for the Lord </em></strong>-- we will have the strength of a bird in flight. We will have the sustaining power of the Wind (the Holy Spirit) beneath our wings to cause us to soar -- to lift us and carry us at great heights --like an eagle! <blockquote></blockquote></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000000;">For He gives strength to the weary and power to the weak... that we may soar...</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbPc9zI7kFN_leq1VfdUSucfbhtxgNiXNnlxygNNiNX5Zo6hcGeT_RWeIAX8VnYHOi9b9a8zaHPKLwJnYQayOVQQOwjUZXcm8ORW8n89ycSX6svtMUAGVT8jo-dtdptZHhhyphenhyphenpzX0tIyz_/s1600/IMG_2073r.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472702838074515474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbPc9zI7kFN_leq1VfdUSucfbhtxgNiXNnlxygNNiNX5Zo6hcGeT_RWeIAX8VnYHOi9b9a8zaHPKLwJnYQayOVQQOwjUZXcm8ORW8n89ycSX6svtMUAGVT8jo-dtdptZHhhyphenhyphenpzX0tIyz_/s400/IMG_2073r.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000000;"><em>Do you not know? </em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000000;"><em>Have you not heard?</em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000000;"><em>The LORD is the everlasting God,</em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em><span style="color:#000000;">the Creator of the ends of the earth.</span> <blockquote></blockquote><span style="color:#000000;">H</span></em></span><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000000;"><em>e will not grow tired or weary, </em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000000;"><em>and his understanding no one can fathom.<br />He gives strength to the weary </em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000000;"><em>and increases the power of the weak.<br />Even youths grow tired and weary, </em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em><span style="color:#000000;">and young men stumble and fall;<br /></span><blockquote></blockquote><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">but those who hope in the LORD </span></strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><em><strong>will renew their strength. </strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><em><strong>They will soar on wings like eagles;</strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><em><strong>they will run and not grow weary, </strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><em><strong><span style="color:#000000;">they will walk and not be faint.</span> <blockquote></blockquote></strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em><span style="color:#000000;">~Isaiah 40:28-31</span> <blockquote></blockquote></em></span><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000099;">(photograph taken at Bolsa Chica wetlands, Bolsa Chica, CA)</span></em></div>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-31746818791324268602010-01-26T22:13:00.000-08:002010-01-26T22:26:34.051-08:00love in the parking lot...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Parking lot love.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">No, not as in "parking"....<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Just a bit of love I found today in the parking lot at the bank. It was pouring down rain (which, by the way, I LOVE!), and I was hurrying into the bank when I spotted this lying on the rain-soaked pavement:</span><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431299776986489954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylrJKAzwl73GjPj2wUrVznIWwR83WFg4qCKEhfSB06Zk5b9VizwhA75IXxf3UeWVF1_8LzaZA6unHQBNSXzokFoyhbIbBljiKazCb6a0fdXSaYESLydBQ3dD8sR1lx9tKWcZbMHT8J_b7/s400/2010+0126+parking+lot+heart+1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">...and me without my camera!! :) </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So, when I came back out of the bank, I grabbed my handy cell phone and snapped these wet photos of a wonderful bit of love! (I'm sure the folks in the parking lot were wondering what in the heck the crazy chick was photographing on the pavement in the pouring rain!! but some things just MUST be done!)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Last time, it was aluminum foil... this time a wet towel (or a wet blanket??)...</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">May we continue to see God's love in our daily lives... </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And may we stop and give Him thanks...</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">even when it's raining...</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRaDrWBOhHZWshzO2f4iHHBR8v3TxPk0Xp6ke6te18EQoRrV3UU5cL-JrXXwV2jsQuMchCfUkwAS76S3u-5wcDkgux7bwJA5vZNsH5FSVM0GJHpZZr80-yI9UfJx2DjilHWxQJaUXvnkq/s1600-h/2010+0126+parking+lot+heart+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431300434974887010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRaDrWBOhHZWshzO2f4iHHBR8v3TxPk0Xp6ke6te18EQoRrV3UU5cL-JrXXwV2jsQuMchCfUkwAS76S3u-5wcDkgux7bwJA5vZNsH5FSVM0GJHpZZr80-yI9UfJx2DjilHWxQJaUXvnkq/s400/2010+0126+parking+lot+heart+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div> </div></div>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-91642320845152234652010-01-13T21:16:00.000-08:002010-01-13T21:53:20.992-08:00crickets...<span style="font-family:verdana;">Shhhh. Listen.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Do you hear that sound?</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Crickets...</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I think that's what you've been hearing at my blog the past few months.... the sounds of silence broken only occasionally by a surprise post here and there.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Well, I'm still trying to work out the discipline of fitting blog-time back into my schedule, and I do appreciate those of you who still pop by to see me! I think I'll get there eventually... </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">For some reason, the month of January is usually a bit difficult for me. My job is always extremely busy in January, so I feel like I work a lot. And, also, I think it's the let-down after the busy holiday season of spending time with friends and loved ones. The combination usually results in me struggling with being emotional (negatively) and having to work at not being "down." </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">As you know by now, I love "happening upon" God's little reminders of His amazing love for and thoughts of me. And in January, it's extra special to find them. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Tonight I made a quick stop at Costco (one of my very favorite stores!!) to pick up a couple of photos I had ordered. When I went to get back in my car, I discovered this delightful little message right next to my car door...</span><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxVXLAshs6fhzQo8B2jF3F5XFVj-kjH5QXfzVx5lmCLrWY6RcjxrAkOHXcioolLooPv1m3BmV14hTJ3aR5NYU0ZprjWgcGlAF2X_oN1iPTfuw33ujSF7b5rKAD9_D97sCQXefM9DaKfbw/s1600-h/IMG_0671.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426460880962353826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxVXLAshs6fhzQo8B2jF3F5XFVj-kjH5QXfzVx5lmCLrWY6RcjxrAkOHXcioolLooPv1m3BmV14hTJ3aR5NYU0ZprjWgcGlAF2X_oN1iPTfuw33ujSF7b5rKAD9_D97sCQXefM9DaKfbw/s400/IMG_0671.JPG" border="0" /></a><strong> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><em>...a shimmery silvery message of love... <blockquote></blockquote></em></span></strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">Thanks, God, for remembering me today...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Thank You, my Father, for reminding me... <blockquote></blockquote></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#333399;"><em>...note: the circle around the heart is from my flashlight as I was taking the photo...</em></span></div>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-19060301557716569622009-12-25T00:11:00.000-08:002009-12-25T00:40:59.467-08:00HE has arrived!!<span style="font-family:georgia;"><em>And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, </em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em></em></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#006600;"><em><strong>"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." </div><blockquote></blockquote><div align="left"></strong></em></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em>Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, </em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#cc0000;"><em><strong>"Glory to God in the highest, </strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."<br />When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."</span></strong> </em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em>(Luke 2:8-15)</em></span></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RCrreFKByVONkINZcAth4LJ7sN_pBB-OrLCqL0MFFChu2CMcFr6fAqDVfIj8oha2xSukGj1iOn1Chev9dqQRpK2MYeqLIITaETnKDD4f9Lf6xI-2yDxcJOkJsW_NfQRApIlBwc6w2r1h/s1600-h/IMG_3203+shepard+crop.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419088194712008418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RCrreFKByVONkINZcAth4LJ7sN_pBB-OrLCqL0MFFChu2CMcFr6fAqDVfIj8oha2xSukGj1iOn1Chev9dqQRpK2MYeqLIITaETnKDD4f9Lf6xI-2yDxcJOkJsW_NfQRApIlBwc6w2r1h/s400/IMG_3203+shepard+crop.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-family:georgia;"> So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.<br /></span></em><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQXHdkWQJWBiGhU_2shUHsfglR5ZKaXOiRdQ2Ii5r8hlcNK_jBp86H59diThtFQLGZohyf76fMX7EdAZPD8AAIVdDIXUks8s5rLv73Z-ssncwO8hKJ-2UE9gYKk52NbA1ttEOHzjr_GRa/s1600-h/IMG_3199.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419086174769908018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQXHdkWQJWBiGhU_2shUHsfglR5ZKaXOiRdQ2Ii5r8hlcNK_jBp86H59diThtFQLGZohyf76fMX7EdAZPD8AAIVdDIXUks8s5rLv73Z-ssncwO8hKJ-2UE9gYKk52NbA1ttEOHzjr_GRa/s400/IMG_3199.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-family:georgia;"> There He is... the newborn King. </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;">The Savior. </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;"> Jesus Christ our Lord.</span></em></div><div align="center"><em></em> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em>(Shhhhh.... I think He's</em> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em>sleeping</em><em>!)</em></span><br /></span><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29GZXb_igRP1EggrhsgT7eAnqoSPrFKHBhi5bwEcBNeF3MvH33vXQawk_oimTVsz9g1GAH2DsLfrr4aTsCKr59id4seCcZGaT48qnFdRXhX8nH0tG6og0qAPCxl32NqZRsSItP-rNuI_r/s1600-h/IMG_3205.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419084752498336354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29GZXb_igRP1EggrhsgT7eAnqoSPrFKHBhi5bwEcBNeF3MvH33vXQawk_oimTVsz9g1GAH2DsLfrr4aTsCKr59id4seCcZGaT48qnFdRXhX8nH0tG6og0qAPCxl32NqZRsSItP-rNuI_r/s400/IMG_3205.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em><strong> ...with the Shepherds...</strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em><strong>...with the angels...</strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em><strong>...with all of heaven and earth...</strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em><strong></strong></em></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#000099;"><em><strong>REJOICE!!</strong></em></span></div></div>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-10167442044651886772009-12-09T17:41:00.001-08:002009-12-09T20:28:38.945-08:00ttmms...<div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Today I was at work enjoying a snack of raspberries and almonds.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I was happily munching along when this little character showed up...</span></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjqhG3YDu_tZgHvRcBO8NxkeMAkv5oJT5q33qUFXgeSAbDJvBcR5nr1Vb6-WiefNc_pSWtCBvgUf4VLJaHsbuAyRC-GV7xiNt3GgYpqDgs9zhdukIkKzWwxdSsWAUxl-h2NY_K2TAA-up/s1600-h/ssk+2009+raspberry+man.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413417017603279234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjqhG3YDu_tZgHvRcBO8NxkeMAkv5oJT5q33qUFXgeSAbDJvBcR5nr1Vb6-WiefNc_pSWtCBvgUf4VLJaHsbuAyRC-GV7xiNt3GgYpqDgs9zhdukIkKzWwxdSsWAUxl-h2NY_K2TAA-up/s400/ssk+2009+raspberry+man.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Who, on earth, was this? </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A strange little "person" whom I could possibly call </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mr. Raspberry... </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">or, perhaps, Little Orphan Almondine? </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">What a silly, happy little face--</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I couldn't help but giggle every time I looked at it...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">and, yes, even laugh out loud!</span><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIn5ZZXWY6KLSUL7YE8MLp8gT-rsvfEaYJ23icGTayNgE2DAsfcPxvzCapaETtkOxtZ8BJN_RhB7EOpnUTvFzIHEZ8dS4jgw43bVJ_ln-qNrGCBOMUyUAsrohn3gn5TaxM5YovZsaFGRvY/s1600-h/ssk+2009+raspberry+man+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413416893384039378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIn5ZZXWY6KLSUL7YE8MLp8gT-rsvfEaYJ23icGTayNgE2DAsfcPxvzCapaETtkOxtZ8BJN_RhB7EOpnUTvFzIHEZ8dS4jgw43bVJ_ln-qNrGCBOMUyUAsrohn3gn5TaxM5YovZsaFGRvY/s400/ssk+2009+raspberry+man+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yes, I do realize I have yet to grow up... </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">and to stop playing with my food... </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">but, tell me, what fun would THAT be?!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I like to think it's just a bit of that </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"created in God's image" piece called </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;"><strong>CREATIVITY</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">and </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#663333;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#663300;">DELIGHT</span></strong>.</span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><blockquote><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></blockquote><div align="center">...yes, this is one of those</div><div align="center"><strong>Things That Make Me Smile...</strong><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">(go ahead...you can laugh at it, too!)</span></em></span></div>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-33003219947590437332009-12-07T23:02:00.000-08:002009-12-07T23:21:51.941-08:00let it rain!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFv0_kc3ZbOrwh_XZ3KrI8mc4ThzqKXDAbgMnUED8jV7_glhwPlAJiLloMXWWUGBbNtPDC9IeXdMzho14nnmBZBVVZzq1McCWhhS3TsrrMV_g3xhr1GRjuqB_P2qP3e0afGyG9bJAyEdbs/s1600-h/IMG_6752.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412759229603829746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFv0_kc3ZbOrwh_XZ3KrI8mc4ThzqKXDAbgMnUED8jV7_glhwPlAJiLloMXWWUGBbNtPDC9IeXdMzho14nnmBZBVVZzq1McCWhhS3TsrrMV_g3xhr1GRjuqB_P2qP3e0afGyG9bJAyEdbs/s400/IMG_6752.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Today it rained!!</span> </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In Southern California, that's not a common occurrence, but most times it is a very welcome one. It seems we are always in a drought anymore...never seeming to get quite enough rain...lakes and rivers and reservoirs growing ever lower.</div></span><blockquote></blockquote><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><div></span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">We need the rain for drinking and for crops--for sustenance.</div></span><blockquote></blockquote><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><div></span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">We need the rain for cleansing--for washing away the dirt and grime that builds up on everything.</div></span><blockquote></blockquote><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><div></span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">We need the rain for growth-- for new life and renewed life.</div></span><blockquote></blockquote><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><div></span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Whenever we get a good cleansing, drenching, thirst-quenching rain, I think of how we need God in such a similar way...to pour out Himself upon us like the rain pours from the clouds. In much the same way that the land thirsts for the rain, our souls thirst for the rain of God... and for the same reasons-- for sustenance, for cleansing, for growth... for LIFE.</div></span><blockquote></blockquote><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><div align="center"></span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">Lord, pour upon us this day...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">Wash us clean.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">Quench our thirst.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">Help us to grow.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">Give us LIFE...</span> <blockquote></blockquote></span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">We are grateful for Your rain...</span></div><div> </div>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-45709465797731112892009-12-06T16:20:00.000-08:002009-12-06T18:40:54.955-08:00to God be the glory...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For some reason this song keeps running through my mind today... </span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Truly, great things He has done...for us... and highest on the list is sending His Son... for us...because He loves us so very much. What better song to sing this Sabbath day?! As we begin to prepare ourselves for Christmas--for the very coming to earth of our Savior-- may we sing loudly and from the depths of our hearts in praise of Who He is and what He has done!</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong></strong></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;"><strong>To God Be The Glory</strong></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;color:#000099;">by Fanny Crosby</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;">To God be the glory, <span style="font-size:130%;">great things He has done</span>;</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;">So loved He the world that <span style="font-size:130%;">He gave us His Son</span>,</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Who yielded His life</span> an atonement for sin,</span></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#000099;">And opened the life gate that all may go in.
<br /></span><blockquote></blockquote><span style="color:#000099;"><strong><em>Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,</em></strong></span></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;"><strong><em>Let the earth hear His voice!</em></strong></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;"><strong><em>Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,</em></strong></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;"><strong><em>Let the people rejoice!</em></strong></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;"><strong><em>O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,</em></strong></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;"><strong><em>And give Him the glory, great things He has done.</em></strong></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">
<br /><span style="color:#000099;">O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,</span>
<br /><span style="color:#000099;">To every believer <span style="font-size:130%;">the promise of God</span>;</span>
<br /><span style="color:#000099;">The vilest offender who <span style="font-size:130%;">truly believes</span>,</span>
<br /><span style="color:#000099;">That moment from Jesus a <span style="font-size:130%;">pardon receives</span>.
<br />
<br />Great things He has taught us, <span style="font-size:130%;">great things He has done</span>,</span>
<br /><span style="color:#000099;">And <span style="font-size:130%;">great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son</span>;</span>
<br /><span style="color:#000099;">But purer, and higher, and greater will be</span>
<br /><span style="color:#000099;">Our wonder, our transport, <span style="font-size:130%;">when Jesus we see</span>.</span></span>
<br /></span>
<br />sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-13200201756097878252009-12-05T20:30:00.000-08:002009-12-05T20:52:20.494-08:00it's time...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">it's time </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">to get back to this blogging about living a heart rock life.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">it's time </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">to get back to living a heart rock life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">it's time</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">to remember why i started this in the first place...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><blockquote><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></blockquote><div align="center"></span><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#990000;"><em><strong>...to share thoughts about everyday life--</strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#990000;"><em><strong>with its joys and sorrows and oh, so many mysteries-- </strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#990000;"><em><strong>about opening our eyes </strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#990000;"><em><strong>to see God's hand and HEART in the details of daily life </strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#990000;"><em><strong>and about learning to hear His whispers of love </strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#990000;"><em><strong>in the midst of a shouting world...</strong></em></span></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">it's time...</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">i've missed you whom i've met and become friends with here in this little place in cyberspace.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">i've missed me here --</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">who i am when i'm here: grateful, thinking, looking, searching...</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">it's time... for me to be here again...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">i hope you'll join me...</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><em>(and, if you've never left...thank you...)</em></span>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-51890961867640589252009-11-11T09:34:00.001-08:002009-11-11T09:37:24.920-08:00a slice of the pie...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A friend emailed me this little clip the other day, and I couldn't help but share it with you....<br /></span><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/upmyrinWq64&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/upmyrinWq64&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A very thought-provoking visual, isn't it....</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Don't forget from Whom all things come to us...</span>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-57052348670585486842009-10-27T21:30:00.000-07:002009-10-27T21:58:23.779-07:00ttmms... (things that make me smile)<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">(Ok. The next time I post someThing That Makes Me Smile, I shall just use the initials.)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I love to travel... to go to new places, see new things, eat new food! (oooh. mmm! eat new food!) I don't get to do it as much as I would like, but I probably am blessed to do it more than some folks. I am grateful for the times I get to go away from home, to stay in a hotel.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">One of the things I love most about staying in a hotel is... (are you ready? you may think I'm weird after seeing this, if you don't already!)...</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DeHB0X5oQiGv6FFLSIGs6bG0RtygyCCS_N3lw_csa6OwASf14wpHX68Fik5qDxQzRejSGYD7SFkm3L3MYRl4r6ROGyPXfSvO6qifNCDA5RJQnSz8zSsHw1EhcwHxi_nA6CrpLvHvzY3O/s1600-h/hotel+tp.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397021999426736562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DeHB0X5oQiGv6FFLSIGs6bG0RtygyCCS_N3lw_csa6OwASf14wpHX68Fik5qDxQzRejSGYD7SFkm3L3MYRl4r6ROGyPXfSvO6qifNCDA5RJQnSz8zSsHw1EhcwHxi_nA6CrpLvHvzY3O/s400/hotel+tp.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yes, I'll admit it! I love toilet paper with the little points folded into it!! I do!! For some reason, I just love it when I am in the bathroom going about my business, and I discover the points on the toilet paper!! Oh, what joy!! :) I smile and smile!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'm not sure what it is about it, but I love it!</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Maybe it's because it makes me feel so special-- I mean, someone actually took the time to fold my toilet paper into cute little triangles!! my toilet paper!! Just think about it for a minute and let the amazement sink in....</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">(And if one can be amazed and delighted by such as this, just THINK what it's like to ponder the fact that the Creator of the very UNIVERSE has chosen me-- ME!! -- to be His own treasure!! Wow!)</span><br /><blockquote></blockquote><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000099;"><strong>I am immensely grateful... for both!! :)</strong></span></div>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457947235783896626.post-80151932014627816552009-10-25T11:07:00.000-07:002009-10-25T11:20:10.357-07:00celebrate the Sabbath with joy...<div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396602901405046514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2uwu7KrBw2sDuDs_eB-gcdAJZovMyZPtQMr9SAzYkpHXKoRxoVRnkV5G1W5dFRMk8F_b23lVYFzxERmqIb90liqnBbFgNMdH0gQ9nh9tGrKHzntYKZiqAESTStWgIqj2ZvJwd6jYtEIO/s400/2007+06+MI%2B332.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;"><em><strong>Joy</strong></em></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;"><em><strong>is the echo</strong></em></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;"><em><strong>of God's life</strong></em></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;"><em><strong>within us.</strong></em></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><em>~Joseph Marmion</em></span></div></div>sharilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436200474614751501noreply@blogger.com2