HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL MY FRIENDS

♥A Tribute To My Mother, My Friend♥






Like most children I never seen my mother as a person, she was always just mama. She was always there when I needed her, and she was the one who first taught me about Christ, and took me to church every Sunday...She always tried to teach me how I should grow up, and I did rebel many times because I did not think Mother knew best. How I wish she were here now to talk to, and to love. My precious mother went home to be with the lord, two days before her 75th birthday in 1990. Life is so short, as God says in his word it is even a vapor, it appeareth for a little while then vanisheth away. This is sure true, if you still have you mother, love her, let her know how important she is in your life. Never let a day go by without saying mom I love you, and never let the sun go down being angry with her.

I have to wait for heaven to tell my dear mom how much I really love again. Yes Praise God for faithful and Godly mothers, teaching their children the ways of the Lord.

M is for the million things she gave me
O means only that she's growing old
T  is for the tears she shed to save you
H is for her heart of purest gold
E is for her eyes, with love-light shining
R means right, and right she'll always be...

Put them all together, they spell


"MOTHER"
A word that means the world to all of us
Author unknown

Here are some Poems that I found written to Mothers, they are lovely, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

"A MOTHER'S LOVE"
A Mother's love is something
That no one can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
it is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away...
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking...
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest,brightest gems...
It is far beyond defining,
it defiles all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation...
A many splendored miracle
man can not understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand.
~Helen Steiner Rice~

"What Is A Mother?"



A mother is one who understands
The things you say and do
Who always overlooks your faults
And sees the best in you...


A mother is one who's special love
Inspires you day by day
Who fills your heart with gladness
In her warm and thoughtful ways...


A mother is all these things and more...
The greatest treasure known,
And the dearest mother
in the whole world


Is the one I call my own!!
I hope you enjoyed my tribute to my mother, and that you make your mom's special day as special as she is.
My daughter's and I are having a Mother/Daughter Tea at the church tomorrow, I will treasure this time with them, life is so short, and we miss out on so much, just being busy and not taking time for our family, let Mom's make sure your children know you love them, and one day they will rise up and call you blessed.

"Mothers Who Pray"

Read : 1 Samuel 1:9-20
9.So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.
10.And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
11.And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
12.And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.
13.Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
14.And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
15.And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.
16.Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
17.Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
18.And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.
19.And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.
20.Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.


2 Timothy 1:5 5 "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also."


The faith and prayers of mothers can have a profound impact on the lives of their children. First Samuel 1 records Hannah's plea and God's answer in the birth of her son Samuel. And in a letter to Timothy, Paul referred to the faith of Timothy's mother, which I'm sure was often expressed in earnest prayer on his behalf. No wonder he was used of God in the early church.


I know a pastor's wife who is a woman of prayer. Whenever her husband left for an important meeting or visit, she prayed a sentence or two for him, asking the Lord's guidance, protection, wisdom, and strength. She usually prayed aloud and the children often heard her, but she never thought much about the impact it would have on them.


Imagine this mother's delight when her college-bound daughter said that leaving home would be easier because she knew that her mother would pray for her--and keep on praying!


Sometimes mothers feel frustrated because they think they are limited in what they can do for their children. But they can always pray--and their prayers are among the most cherished gifts of all. — copied 

My Love and lots of Hugs, Barbara, Friend, Mother, Daughter, and wife.

Terrific Thankful Thursday

It is an amazing day in Southern Georgia, a wonderful beautiful day, and I have so much to be thankful for.
This is the entrance to our land, in the header photo. I am so thankful that God give us the wisdom to buy this place many years ago, instead of going in deep debt to get a house in the city, and big and fancy, for we are now retired, and if we owed for our home I am not sure how we would make ends meet, they just wave at each other now. But God give insight to us, nothing else I can contribute it too, we are not real smart folks, or have any crystal ball to look into the future, so it definitely had to be God's leading.
It is funny how people change, and they have different out look on things as they age, when we are young we think the world is ours, just for the taking, and so many times we want so many things that are out of our reach, so we will go in debt to get them. BIG mistake, we were there one time in our young life, we were  over our heads in bills, had 5 small children running around, needing shoes, and food and always had to pay the rent, we made some really unwise decisions then too, but as we looked more to the lord, and asked for his guidance, he give us great wisdom that no book or any school could ever teach. The fact to live within our means, to be content with what we have, and not to always be looking for bigger and better.
So I think today I am most thankful that God saved me and my dear husband, and then taught us to how live within our means, and how to be content with the things he gives. Like the apostle Paul said in:

Philippians 4:11 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
Philippians 4:12 "I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."

This is definitely a lesson well learned, and if you have learned it, then thank God and have a very Thankful Thursday, God bless you and Keep you in his care.

Lots of Hugs, Barbara

Wednesday Wonderful Words

Fruit of the Spirit - Visible Growth in Jesus Christ

"Fruit of the Spirit" is a biblical term that sums up the nine visible attributes of a true Christian life.

Galatians 5:22-23, these attributes are: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. We learn from scripture that these are not individual "fruits" from which we pick and choose. Rather, the fruit of the Spirit is one ninefold "fruit" that characterizes all who truly walk in the Holy Spirit. Collectively, these are the fruits that all Christians should be producing in their new lives with Jesus Christ.

Fruit of the Spirit - The Nine Biblical Attributes


The fruit of the Spirit is a physical manifestation of a Christian's transformed life. In order to mature as believers, we should study and understand the attributes of the ninefold fruit:


Love - "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him" (1 John 4:16). Through Jesus Christ, our greatest goal is to do all things in love. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails" (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).


Joy - "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).


Peace - "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).


Longsuffering (patience) -- We are "strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness" (Colossians 1:11). "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2).


Gentleness (kindness) -- We should live "in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left" (2 Corinthians 6:6-7).


Goodness - "Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power" (2 Thessalonians 1:11). "For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth" (Ephesians 5:9).


Faith (faithfulness) - "O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth" (Isaiah 25:1). "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith" (Ephesians 3:16-17).


Meekness - "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Galatians 6:1). "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2).

Temperance (self-control) - "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love" (2 Peter 1:5-7).

*This is an area we all need work in, well I know I do, perhaps you do not, but I think if we all are honest there is at least one of the fruits that need ripening in our life. I found this on the web, and thought it was a wonderful way of putting it, I made the header to go with it, and hope you enjoy the whole thing, God bless you this wonderful Wednesday, may your light shine, and your Spirit soar. Have a very blessed day.

"Welcome To Tasteful Tuesday"

Well good morning, and after all the talk about our senses yesterday what better sense to give into than taste, wow, I made this wonderful Lemon cake for a social at church Sunday, and everyone raved about it. It is so moist and so tastey. I am going to share the recipe here with you now. Hope you enjoy this as much as everyone at church did. Beings a Christian of course we have to have a little scripture to put in too, it is only fitting that God gets his rightful place before our flesh does, lol I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday, and are enlightened by all the wonderful things of creation around you. God bless you real good today and always.

Psalms 119:103 "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"
I looked up the word taste, and you know it occurs 22 times in 21 verses in the KJV

(Exd 16:31 - Hbr 2:9) Look them all up in your spare time, I am sure it will be a blessing to you.
And we think that it is just our invention to taste, giggles, NOT...May we give God the glory for every thing he made, and made so well, and you notice most things he created in us, are to give us pleasure, we need to do a study on Godly pleasure one day, I think that will be very interesting, don't you? Well not the fabulous recipe of the lemon cake. Enjoy and be blessed, let your taste buds just tantalize, and come alive just thinking about it... Hugs

Lemon Layer Cake

2.5 cups sifted flour
2 tsp. baking powder
.25 tsp. baking soda
.25 tsp. salt (optional)
8 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
2 tsp. lemon zest
1.25 cups sugar
3 large eggs
.5 cup milk
.5 cup lemon juice


Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Flour, line and grease 2 8-inch round cake pans.


Combine sifted flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. In a large mixing bowl combine butter and lemon zest and beat until fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar (the slower, the better) until completely combined. Add eggs one at a time, then beat 2 to 3 minutes until the batter is light and fluffy.


Beat .25 of dry ingredients into the wet batter, and then add all of the milk. Beat until combined. Add the remaining dry ingredients, alternating with lemon juice, beginning and ending with the dry.
Divide batter between the two cake pans and smooth with spatula.


Place pans on the middle rack in oven. Bake for 25 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched. Cool in pans on rack for 10 minutes.




Make the Lemon Butter Cream Frosting:


1 small box of instant lemon pudding
1 stick of soft butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 box of confectioners sugar
Coconut


In a medium bowl, beat the butter and lemon pudding with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the confectioners sugar in batches and beat until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and beat for one minute.
(Frost the Cake:)
Up to a few hours ahead, spread a thin layer of frosting on the cake, filling in any gaps as you go. Chill until the frosting firms up a bit, about ½ hour. Spread the remaining frosting decoratively over the top and sides of cake. Scatter with bits of lemon slices, or lemon zest, I add coconut to mine too, but  garnish as you like.

~ The Beauty These Eyes Have Seen ~

I have been lazy today, sitting out on the porch this morning, sipping my coffee and enjoying the sweetness of God's creation. The birds singing, the chickens clucking, the sound of the rooster in the wind, I can even hear the creek flowing, I just marvel at how God created us to hear, and see, touch and smell, and taste, oh my the senses he has given are so remarkable, have you ever just thought about this?


WOW..what if we could not see all this beauty, or smell the wonderful scents of home made bread baking, or even fish frying, and then to taste them, oh me. Then what if we could not touch and know things were hot or cold, or if things picked us, like cactus, or cut us like broken glass, what if we could not hear the bird singing, oh my what a dull and dangerous life we would live, wow my ramblings are taking over this morning, please be patient with me. I have found when I am rambling there is someone who needs what I ramble about, lol.
Now what if we could not hear our baby cry in the night when they need feeding or changing, have you ever thought of the marvelous detail our heavenly Father put into our creation?

Another sense God put in us, is the feelings of our heart, what if we did not feel compassion, or fear, or love, or pity, we would be just like robots, nothing effecting us in any way, well I am glad for all the ways God has put us together, and to think we are made in his image, now we look in the mirror and see our image, so, when we look do we see God in us? We need to see something different in us that sets us apart from those who do not have God living in them.


We need to be a shining light to this dark world around us. Everyone says God looks on the inside, this is so true, but, man cannot see our inside, so they look on the outside and try to see what we are made of, who we are, and what we stand for. We need to have the genuine feelings that we care about people and their feelings, and how we can make them feel better. We need to be separated, we need to be a peculiar people as God put it, we need to look different, so many Christians are striving to look like the world that they get lost in the world, our goal should be to look like God, our creator, to be like Christ our Saviour, and to live like we have the Holy Spirit living in us. Oh God help us to be more like thee, to have more compassion on others, to feel the pain they feel, and to be able to help them in some way. To live my life unto the lord, to be more like him.


Thanks for listening to all my ramblings today, and hope you have a wonderful week ahead, and that you will think about the things I have said here today too.


Be blessed, but better be a blessing ♥ Barbara

Drinking From The Well of Living Water, Happy Now Am I

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.


For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2


The law of Spirit and life is a great liberator! Amen we are set free from the law of sin and death. Death has no rule over us because of Jesus' resurrection.


Sin has no claim on us because Jesus paid off our debt to sin on the cross of calvary. We stand before our Holy God as his righteous spotless children, free at last because of the work of our mighty Lord Jesus Christ. There is no condemnation in our future, only glory!


Wow that makes me want to shout, gives a holy goose bump, and brings a smile to my face, I am so blessed and so forgiven for all the wicked evil I have did in my life, praise God for the victory Jesus give...
 
Have a wonderful and blessed Sunday, Praise God we are able to go worship our Saviour freely.