Southern Memorial Day Tradition

Last week my husband got an invitation for both of us to attend a "cook-out".

This was no ordinary barbecue...

This 90 year old gentleman has been hosting it for 47 years!

"RG" had known Gary's father,
 and had worked with Gary's grandfather in the logging industry.
The ties that Mr. RG had to Gary's family made this occasion a special treat.

Entertainment was provided by a singing group called
"4 GIVEN + ONE".

The small grill was worked continuously
to keep up with hungry appetites!

Different types of food were served in various places.
Our host made sure everyone knew where to go
to sample all the delicious fares.
The last stop was strawberry shortcake with ice cream.
Gallons of strawberries had been prepared!
Mmmmmm...  Delicious!

The playground was busy with happy children...

...While grown-ups watched or visited.

Four-wheelers offered rides for those who wanted a little adventure.

A good time was had by all!
I felt privileged to be a part of this get-together!
Thank you, Mr. RG and family!

Hop on over to Rock4Today to check out my latest "Names of God on Rocks"!

Thanks for your visit!

Mourning or Mating?!!!

While I was having my morning cup of coffee one day this past week,

I saw two mourning doves land on the wires leading into our house.

I grabbed my camera,

and didn't have any idea what a show they were going to put on for me!

All these photos were taken in sequence...

although in reality I took nearly a hundred photos!

I've tried to pick out a few of the best.

They sat so close together...

All their movements seemed to be in sync...

...They moved through their grooming rituals...

They started at the front, and progressed to the back...

...sometimes their heads were not even visible...

...Occasionally they stopped their simultaneous routine...

...to groom each other!

They snuggled close at times.
No wonder they are called "love birds",
and are often used in wedding ceremonies!

After "snuggling",  they would return to grooming themselves again.

This is the last photo I took of them together before they flew away.

One of them circled back around and landed on my back deck.
He appeared to be looking in the kitchen window at me,
and saying, "Did you get all the pictures you wanted?"!!!

As I looked at all the photos I took, I began to feel like I had invaded their privacy!
(Click on the above pictures to enlarge them.) 

How wonderful a God we have!

I love it when He reveals to me His glory and beauty in nature,

and I'm glad I could share some of it with YOU!

Last year around this time I did a post on a different type of doves.

You can find that post HERE.

The song below about doves was originally written by Bob Ferguson.

Click HERE if you'd like to hear it sung by Dolly Parton.

"Wings Of A Dove"

When troubles surround us, when evils come
The body grows weak
The spirit grows numb
When these things beset us, God doesn't forget us
He sends us His love

On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
On the wings of a dove

When Jesus went down through the river that day
Well, he was baptised in the usual way
And when it was done
God blessed His son
He sent him His love
On the wings of a dove

On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
On the wings of a dove

On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
On the wings of a dove

Words Have Power!

SPEAK THE WORD!

This morning after my husband finished reading our Proverbs for the day,

I flipped to the back of his Bible to check on a cross reference.

The Bible had no concordance, 

but did have some interesting "Helps" in the back.

This was one of those "Helps",
and it got me thinking of a verse from Proverbs 18:21 that says,
"The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit."

This reminded me of Ephesians 6:10-18 where Paul talks 
about our Christian battle of spiritual warfare,
and he says in verse 17 to
"Take the helmet of salvation
 and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the Word of God."

Is Jesus going to use words from the Holy Scriptures to win the end time battle?

"I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, 

whose rider is called Faithful and True. 

 With justice He judges and makes war. 

 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns.  

He has a Name written on Him that no one knows but He Himself.  

He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood,

 and His Name is the WORD OF GOD.  

The armies of heaven were following Him,

 riding on white horses and dressed in find linen, white and clean. 

 Out of His mouth comes a sharp sword 

with which to strike down the nations..."

Revelation 19:11-15

Do we have the same useful tool that Jesus is going to use

when He comes back to earth to defeat the enemy?

...And are we using it?

I, for one, am not SPEAKING THE WORD enough!

With God's help, 

I plan to PUT IT TO WORK more often!

The Bible I mentioned above can be found HERE as the

"Every Day Life Bible".

Thanks for stopping by.

I did post a new and unusual Name for God on Rock4Today.

I hope you'll take time to check it out!

There are babies in the house!

No...

Not in my house...

But in the birdhouse!

I'd been seeing a flurry of activity at the old blue bird house.
My husband had cut down the dead tree to which it had been fastened.
Impatient for him to put it up in another spot,
I used bungee cords to fasten it to a near-by tree.

I thought the chickadees had moved in,
but they are such quick little things,
it was hard to catch them.
But today I was able to catch them bringing food to their babies!

They weren't too crazy about having me watch them,
and looked me over good before allowing a photo op!

Finally they seemed to accept my presence,
and flew in and out of the little house,
bringing in food and carrying out debris.

This is a rather light hearted post compared to the Grace series 

that I finished up last month...

Often God uses nature to refresh me and restore my soul.

A verse that caught my attention this morning was from Psalm 103:20 NIV,

"Praise the LORD, you His angels,

You mighty ones who do His bidding,

Who obey His Word."

What God seemed to be saying to me through that verse,

is that when I speak God's Words in prayer,

He may unleash angels to accomplish answers to those prayers!

Now that's an awesome thought!

Unseen wings with the answer on the way!

Thanks for stopping by!

Rock4Today has been a little sluggish lately,

but should have a new name of God on a rock soon!