Birds & Books with Lessons to Share

Bright little winter birds
coming to feed,
One takes a crumb,
another a seed.
Each takes a portion,
according to need.

Good little winter birds,
teach us your creed!

from MORNING IS A LITTLE CHILD by Joan Walsh Anglund

So many reasons to share this little poem with you today...copyright in 1969, 40 years later it speaks volumes to the conditions we have created for ourselves and our world. Each of us focusing on our needs rather than our greedy and gluttonous appetites for every dazzling trinket we behold would conserve incredible resources for the generations to come.

My daughter-in-law has recently blogged about "Children's Books as Heirlooms." She photographed several of our treasured volumes. Thinking about our conversations surrounding that topic, I remembered this book, which was one of my daughter's very favorite. She had every beautiful verse memorized. I remember our discussions of this particular one and how God does meet our needs. When he gives us even so much more, what blessings we receive. We choose to have hearts of gratitude for both our needs and the gifts beyond, and learn to be much contented with our true needs met.

Spending time together with your child discovering truths, values, ideas, stories that will encourage and inspire them for a life time must be another element in a life of health and wellness for the body, mind, and spirit! Another reason this just seemed to fit so well into thoughts and ideas offered to you. You will find great ideas for sharing books with your children on Amy's blog.

My daughter turns 33 in less than two weeks. This is still a cherished book on our family bookshelf. I'm looking forward to her 2 precious little girls loving it, too! Perhaps this would be best kept as a post for her birthday, but I'm eager to share today.


The photograph above:
In the Wood | photo page - everystockphoto

Posted using ShareThis

Juniper, Tiny Detail May = Great Rx

"But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers."
I Kings 19:4 (New American Standard Bible)

He sat down under a juniper tree -- of what importance was the type of tree anyway that the author of I Kings was inspired to include this tidbit in his writing. That question jumped out at me as I studied I Kings 18 & 19 in preparation to lead the women's Sunday School class this week. The author's focus is "The Faith Test." (You may wish to read the account to refresh your memory on the details. The NIV calls it a broom tree, by the way. King James and New American Standard refer to a Juniper tree.)

Elijah's faith is certainly being put to the test here. He has just asked God to call down fire on the very wet offering in the showdown with Baal's followers. WOW! Has he ever seen some incredible proof of The Living God! So did all the Baal followers; and now Elijah's life is threatened. In just a few short verses we find him sitting under a tree bemoaning his condition to The Living God -- the same ONE. Eventually, Elijah did hear God in the midst of his life seemingly gone awry. . . but why under the Juniper tree?

Here comes the aromatherapist part of me seeking some insight. It's just no mere incidental that the author of I Kings was divinely inspired to include the make & model of the tree. Juniper has historically been used for physical and spiritual purification. It's aromatic influence is noted today for evoking feelings of health, love, and peace and may help to elevate one's spiritual awareness. Sounds like exactly the Rx Elijah needed. Isn't God's Word just full of amazing details!?!?!

Photo above, "Beautiful Tree at Echo Lake" is by Jessica Merz from the Every Stock Photo website.


If you would like to experience the benefits of juniper just as Elijah did, pure therapeutic grade Juniper Essential Oil and essential oils diffuser are available today from Young Living Essential Oils.

Sing & Dance for Your One True Valentine!

Hallelujah! Sing to God a brand-new song,
praise him in the company of all who love him.
Let all Israel celebrate their Sovereign Creator,
Zion's children exult in their King.
Let them praise his name in dance;
strike up the band and make great music!
And why? Because God delights in his people,
festoons plain folk with salvation garlands!
Psalm 149:1-3 (THE MESSAGE)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Please Enjoy this Video

A facebook friend just shared this video. It is beautiful. The interaction between the fawn and the kitty is just so precious and tender. ENJOY!!!

Just 2 weeks ago we were in what seemed like the sub-arctic circle. Today -- Jonquils blooming!!! What a reminder of the resurrection power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Also, an appropriate reminder, I believe, to recognize His supremacy over all of life, especially in the bleakness of the circumstances all around us in our world today.

"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." Matthew 6:27-33 (The MESSAGE)

THEY ARE SEXY! They're also a Pain!

Ladies, they also make us emotionally feel on top of the world or at least a little closer to it. (That holds especially true if you're short like me.) Wait! For the tall slender types, they really lift you up there! They create the illusion of longer legs, we're convinced they are the ultimate in femininity. The pointy toe ones work wonders if you're seeking the long slim foot look. BUT physically, our feet scream all day and into the night -- especially if you must be in an upright position for hours on end with no chance to kick them off under your desk.

A few years ago, a young woman in her early 20's, an aquaintance of mine, loved her heels so much. She loved the way they looked and the empowering emotions they created in her mind and spirit. She wore them proudly every day. She had a whole wardrobe of these glorious spikes. She had done this since her teens. But now the pain she was enduring from the foot torture the heels inflicted had become excrutiating. This young lady faced the additional pain of foot surgery. She willingly submitted with the vision in mind that as soon as she healed she would once again daily don this glamourous footwear.

Somewhere I missed the logic in that young woman's choice. Of course, wearing these means you always have a weapon close at hand (or in this case, close at foot). In this author's humble opinion you also have a weapon on your foot -- a weapon of destruction of your own precious feet. I love to wear them to play "dress up," too. . . that is perhaps for an hour or two at a time with hopes that some of that time I'll be sitting down. For those who must wear them or choose to wear them regularly, please lovingly care for your feet.

I've been following a fellow reflexologist on twitter who has posted some great messages about the feet and health and the role of reflexology. She has just included a great message on this subject of "Love Those High Heels, Care for Those Tootsies." You are invited to read her thoughts at Ask Michelle.



Above photo by brittny teree smith from www.everystockphoto.com.
License agreement -- http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/

Are We All Wound Up Chasing the Robbers & Thieves???

Complementing previous post on following the voice of The Good Shepherd, Jesus, our ultimate protector, even the protector of our time. Praying this bit of graffiti enhances the lesson shared in my last post. Reference THE HOLY BIBLE -- John 10:1-10. Have a blessed and abundant day!!!