The Beetle and The Ant

During Project 365, there have been a couple weeks where I lagged behind and had to post two week's worth of photos at one time, yet I have been faithful capturing a photo each day this year. There have been a lot of photos that did not make the cut. It's been rewarding learning how my camera works and reviewing the year's events.

Here's one photo I took this past week that I couldn't resist. See this little ant? He is hauling a huge beetle that will surely provide a tasty meal for him and his family. He is moving along at a pretty good clip for his size and his load limit. It's impressive at the strength and diligence of this little guy. Clearly, the beetle outweighs the ant. Yet the ant is not deterred by this fact.


Like the ant, we are given tasks to perform. Some tasks are easy enough while others seem more like the beetle to the ant: huge and overwhelming. When we try to accomplish things in our own strength, they can be overwhelming. But when we turn our tasks or burdens over to Jesus, they are easier to endure.

What have you been asked to do? Do you have a task that you've been trying to do in your own strength? Turn it over today, This Day, to Jesus.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV) casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Thankful Thursday - 7/9/09

Greetings Fellow Bloggers.....It's Thankful Thursday! This is the day each week that I join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey to list five things for which I am thankful. They can be silly or serious, big or small....God honors them all.

1. I'm thankful for summer. I L.O.V.E. summer!!!

2. I'm thankful my dad is healthy enough to be able to drive, travel, and do pretty much whatever he chooses.

3. I'm thankful for God's patience with me. Ok....seriously, sometimes I'm a slow learner.

4. I'm thankful for my wonderful husband. Yep....top five again. He's a great dad to our children and awesome "poppy" to our grandson (who turns 8 tomorrow!).

5. I'm thankful for today, This Day! God has blessed me with life and my desire is to be a good steward with that gift.

That's my five for the week. What are you thankful for? How has God blessed you? Please post your comment here or hop on over to Sonya's spot and link up with the rest of the Thankful Thursday crew.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Psalm 9:2 (NKJV) I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

Proverbs....with a twist

A first grade teacher gave each child in the class the first half of the proverb, and asked them to come up with the rest. Here is what they came up with:

People in glass houses shouldn't . . . run around naked.

Better to be safe than . . . punch a 5th grader.

Strike while the . . . bug is close.

It's always darkest before . . . daylight savings time.

Never underestimate the power of . . . termites.

You can lead a horse to water but . . . how?

Don't bite the hand that . . . looks dirty.

Laugh and the world laughs with you...cry and you have to blow your nose.

A miss is as good as a . . . Mr.

You can't teach an old dog . . . math.

If you lie down with dogs, you . . . will stink in the morning.

A bird in the hand...is going to poop on you.

The pen is mightier than . . . the pigs.

An idle mind is . . . the best way to relax.

Where there is smoke, there is . . . pollution.

Happy is the bride who . . . gets all the presents.

A penny saved is . . . not much.

Two is company, three is . . . The Musketeers.

None are so blind as . . . Helen Keller.

Children should be seen and not . . . spanked or grounded.

If at first you don't succeed . . . get new batteries.

You get out of something what you . . . see pictured on the box.

When the blind lead the blind . . . get out of the way.

Aren't they funny....and true? Oh to have the wisdom of a child and see life through their eyes. Open your child-like eyes today, This Day, and see God's creation anew.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Psalm 18:30 (NIV) As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

Still Learning and Project 365

I'm caught up again on my picture posting at my photo blog, Shutter Clicks. Can you believe it? Half of 2009 has passed along with half our summer. Please stop by and see photos from the last two weeks.

Lessons about God providing a house in His timing continue for me....us. Today, I watched a Hallmark channel movie where a town was about to be taken over by a land grabber. Rather than give up their homes, the blew them up. They knew their houses could be rebuilt and that God would provide all their needs.

A house is just a house....it can be rebuilt and replaced. Whether it's a high-rise apartment in NYC, a condo in LA, or a log cabin in the mountains, it's still just a house. We make it a home.

May your home be blessed today, This Day, with the love of Jesus.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Isaiah 12:4 (NKJV) And in that day you will say: “ Praise the LORD, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that His name is exalted.

Independence Day in Perspective

Did you know that the holiday we call the Fourth of July, or Independence Day, is meant to be a day when Americans celebrate their freedom and blessings from the Lord? Discover how our forefathers viewed this special day.

Back in 1776, as the news spread about the Declaration of Independence, Americans everywhere were joyful and excited—cheering, waving, ringing church bells. John Adams, who would eventually become our second president, was so elated that he wrote his wife Abigail two letters that day. In the second letter, he spoke prophetically about that special day, which would come to be known as Independence Day.

He said this great day:

…will be the most memorable…in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.1

Still Standing Our nation is approaching its 233rd birthday, otherwise known as Independence Day, or the Fourth of July. Its lifespan has included not only a revolutionary war, but also a civil war and two world wars. Yet the United States has remained remarkably stable. The Constitution written by our Founding Fathers is still the foundation for our laws and governmental system.

No other nation has experienced such a long period of prosperity. In fact, since America has flourished under the Declaration of Independence, France has had fifteen different governments. Brazil has had seven since 1822. Poland, seven since 1921; Afghanistan, five since 1923; Russia, four since 1918; and the story is similar for other nations throughout Europe, Africa, South America and the rest of the world.2

America’s remarkable achievements are sometimes called “American Exceptionalism”—a term coined in 1831 by Alexis de Tocqueville, a well-known Frenchman who visited America and wrote the classic Democracy in America. In one passage he said, The position of Americans is quite exceptional, and it may be believed that no democratic people will ever be placed in a similar one.3

America Must Remain Humble However, when we hear such praises about America, we must not let pride cause us to feel any sense of superiority. Psalm 75:6,7 reminds us that achievements are from the Lord and therefore, should be a cause for an appreciative humility. President John Adams once said, It must be felt that there is no national security but in the nation’s humble acknowledged dependence upon God and His overruling providence.4

Thankfulness to the Lord was a frequently added practice to Independence Day celebrations of the past. When the godly people of our past would break bread together, they would first say grace and include some words of thanks for the many blessings bestowed upon the nation.

There was a time when a spirit of gratitude to God Almighty permeated America’s celebration of Independence Day. For example, on July 4, 1837, sixty-one years after the Declaration of Independence was first issued, John Quincy Adams delivered a speech where he noted that America’s two most popular holidays (Christmas and the Fourth of July) were inseparable. In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. It forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation. The Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer’s mission on earth [and] laid the cornerstone of human government on the first precepts of Christianity.5

Reflect and Give Thanks The birth of Christ is the primary reason that Christians celebrate Christmas. Let’s hope that Christians also remember the true spirit behind Independence Day—which is God-given liberty. There is nothing wrong with having cookouts, shooting off fireworks and having a good time. That’s what our forefathers did when they celebrated their independence. Let’s just remember to include God in our celebrating by giving Him the praise and glory.

We live in the greatest nation on earth. Our constitutional republic form of government still provides more freedom to its individual citizens than any other form of government on earth. Thankfully, we still have the freedom to worship the God of the Bible as our forefathers did, without fear of persecution. It is He who has blessed our nation and enabled us to send out the Gospel to the far corners of the earth. It is He who makes a nation great (see Job 12:23).

Whatever you plan to do this Fourth of July, please remember to take some time and reflect on the history of the holiday. And then let’s remember to thank Almighty God for our many blessings.

Learn more about the Christian heritage of Independence Day.

1. Peter Marshal and David Manuel, The Light and the Glory, Baker Book House Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1977, p. 310.
2. "Summer 2006," , accessed January 14, 2009.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.

This article was published in the June/July 2009 issue of Enjoying Everyday Life® magazine. Copied from Joyce Meyer Ministries website.

God bless America!

Peace and Joy,

Susan

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Happy Birthday America!

"The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil Constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or to be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men." -- Samuel Adams

"A thoughtful mind, when it sees a Nation's flag, sees not the flag only, but the Nation itself; and whatever may be its symbols, its insignia, he reads chiefly in the flag the Government, the principles, the truths, the history which belongs to the Nation which belongs to the Nation that sets it forth." -- Henry Ward Beecher

"God bless America, land that I love,
Stand beside her, and guide her,
Through the night, with the light from above,
From the mountains, to the prairies
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home,
God bless America! My Home Sweet Home!" --Irving Berlin, God Bless America

"We can't all be Washingtons, but we can all be patriots." -- Charles F. Browne

"Patriotism is easy to understand in America; it means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country."-- Calvin Coolidge

"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." -- Nathan Hale's last words before being hanged by British.

"Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" -- Patrick Henry

"When I die, I desire no better winding sheet than the Stars and Stripes, and no softer pillow than the Constitution of my country." -- Andrew Johnson

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty." -- John F. Kennedy

"(W)e here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom; and that this government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." -- Abe Lincoln in the Gettysburg Address

"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." -- Abraham Lincoln

"We must always remember that America is a great nation today not because of what government did for people but because of what people did for themselves and for one another." -- Richard Nixon

"Americanism means the virtues of courage, honor, justice, truth, sincerity, and hardihood -- the virtues that made America." -- Teddy Roosevelt

"In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds however, the timid join him, For then it costs nothing to be a patriot." -- Mark Twain

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." -- The Pledge Of Allegiance

Peace and Joy,
Susan

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV) if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

It's time once again for Thankful Thursday, hosted by Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey. This is the time each week that I pause to write down what I'm thankful for.....they can be silly or serious, big or small....because God honors them all.

1. I'm thankful for the faith journey I'm on right now. In essence, faith is being certain of what you do not see and sure of what you hope for. Right now.....I'm hoping for a house and I'm certain God will provide exactly what we need in His time.

2. I'm thankful for my wonderful husband. Yep....top five again! He is standing by me, encouraging me, persuading me that the houses we've placed offers on and not gotten have not been God's house for us.

3. I'm thankful for the houses we didn't buy. Seriously. This is teaching me to rely on God and expect His very best for us.

4. I'm thankful for the lesson of being content right where we are. There is a purpose and a plan in our remaining in the rental house.

5. I'm thankful for each one of you. Yes, you brighten my day, uplift me with your comments, teach me with your insight, and love me with your prayers.

What are you thankful for today, This Day? Please leave me a comment and stop by Sonya's to see how God is blessing others.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Romans 12:3 (NIV) For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.