Snowmen on Ridge Road

Yesterday afternoon I enjoyed putting Christmas decorations out. My favorites are snowmen, of course! Anyone who loves to watch the snow fall like I do must certainly love to have snowmen around the house. Hope you enjoy some of the snowmen I've cherished through the years, both new and old, and a few other favorite scenes!

Mom made the Christmas tree. My daughter-in-law made the clown.

Of course, I have to have some deer!

The nativity figurines are one of my earliest purchases.

I saw this little house in a magazine and love the peace it portrays in my heart.

December 1st is upon us. Fill your heart with the joy only Christ can bestow.

Let the Cheering Begin!

In Billy Graham's November 14th devotion in the book "Unto The Hills" he wrote about God's angels watching the drama of this age. The angels have witnessed all the ages, and they are interested spectators.

I like these words he shared: "We know they are watching, but in the heat of the battle, I have thought how wonderful it would be if we could hear them cheering."

Yes, we all need our cheer leaders. I know I do! Those folks who stand by you when the going gets rough, encouraging you on and letting you know you're not alone.

But what would it be like if we heard angel's cheering? Just the thought brings tears to my eyes. What a phenomenon that would be! Talking about a sign from God!

As I ponder this thought, one way I can "hear" the angels cheering for me is reciting scripture: "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" Hebrews 1:14 And, "For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." Psalm 91:11 They are serving me and guarding me.  That makes me cheer!

Another way is to sing this simple melody: "All day, all night, Angels watching over me, my Lord." That certainly brings them close! I can also listen to recorded books such as: Angels All Around us: A Sightseeing Guide to the Invible World by Anthony DeStefano, or read David Jeremiahs's book Angels: Who They Are and How They Help

Mr. Graham also wrote: "If God were to open our spiritual eyes, we would see 'horses and chariots of fire' (2 Kings 6:17) surrounding the servants of the Lord, for we are encircled by 'Thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly' (Hebrew 12:22) sent to protect His royal seed."

One day I'll see those angels, and I can ask when they cheered for me. Unto then, I have a few angels  here on earth that I can turn to who always cheer my heart!

The snaps are all from my yard this year. The yellow and gold's were beautiful this year!

He Made the Heart

In a fiction book I read recently, I was reminded God made the heart, and He can fix it. I failed to note which book it was, but it was a series by Tracie Peterson and Judith Pella.

"To know Him is to love and obey Him. It is to trust Him even when the way is unclear and all hope is gone . . . To trust Him even when your heart is broken . . . especially when it is broken . . . For where else may you take your broken heart, if not to Him who made it in the first place?"

God created every part of our human body, and that includes the heart. When our heart is broken, He is the one who can bring healing, and repair the broken parts. I'm not sure if I've heard it expressed quite that way before. I like it.

I have no regrets for the life I left behind. Oh, to be sure, there's been a lot of heartbreak. There's been a lot of difficulties. There's been a lot of sorrow. Yet, as I've just written above, my God made me, and He knows best how to care for my heart.

My heart has also enjoyed happiness, joy, laughter, dreams come true, love and friendship. Suffering and joy go hand in hand.

Psalm 73, ascribed to Asaph, deals with the question: How can an infinitely powerful God be good and still allow the wicked to appear to prosper and the righteous to be in want? I especially like verse 26 which reads: "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Today, November 14th, is a very special day! I celebrate 34 years of new life in Christ. I still remember that Tuesday evening in 1978 when I went forward during a revival service and asked Jesus to come into my heart. That day began a life of living for Jesus, for His purpose, for His glory and for His service.

Yes, God made my heart. Sometimes it's happy, sometimes it's sad. Sometimes it's filled with joy, sometimes it cries. One thing I'm very sure of . . . God knows my heart. I'm very safe in His care!



I recently purposed the DVD "The Best of the Booth Brothers" from the Gaither Homecoming Series. Clips of their best-loved performances on the Homecoming stage with interviews between each song. Dear me, I think "The Boys" have been replaced. (See my September 5, 2012 post.)

Serious, fun, thought-provoking and happy! What a way to prepare for bed! Listening to them sing such songs as "Then I Met the Master," "In Christ Alone" and "Look For Me At Jesus' Feet" has been very enjoyable. It does my heart good.

I love it when God surprises me! Yesterday afternoon a quick stop in my kitchen found this beautiful scene out the window. It completely surprised me! Last week I noted how I didn't get "the" snap this fall. God provided. I love it! The sun was shining bright, the yellow leaves were ablaze and a lovely snap was discovered!

This snap is from our front yard several years ago. In recent years it hasn't produced the beautiful yellow seen here.



Fall Parade

Western Maryland . . .

Lake Needwood, Rockville . . .

Sugarloaf Mountain, Maryland . . .

Favorites from earlier years . . .

Didn't get "the" snap this fall. I'm always looking for a great picture, one that stands out. But, I enjoyed riding around getting the snaps that I did. Fall is, indeed, a beautiful season!