How They Prayed...

The next time you pray, take a moment to think about men and women of the Bible and how they prayed. We can all learn much about prayer, just from looking into their lives and their prayer habits. Their life's journey serves as an incredible example for all of us.

Always start with praise! So many of their prayers began by praising God! For example, Daniel's focus was on God's greatness. He prayed to "the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with all who love Him and obey His commands" (Daniel 9:4). He acknowledged God as absolutely righteous, merciful and forgiving.

Begin your own prayers with praise and thanksgiving. Praise God for His mercy, His power and His love! Thank Him for His daily provisions for you and for your loved ones. Give Him the glory for your talents, your blessings and most of all for eternal salvation given so freely to each of us, through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. God has given us so much! 

Adore Him...For He adores you so very much! 

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:46 & 47).

Christmas Praise!

Heaven’s Glad Splendor the Father’s delight!

God of all glory so holy so bright.

High hallelujahs, angels rejoice...

Shepherds adore Him with one great voice.

Babe in a manger, Emmanuel;

Jesus the Savior, with man to dwell,

Lord of Creation, Dawn’s Morning Star,

Royalty, beckoning kings from afar…

Humble, yet regal, creatures bow down,

Holy Child, given in Bethlehem’s town,

King of High Heaven, Lord of Pure Light…

Perfect and sinless, the Giver of Sight…

God’s gracious love gift, Your praises we sing.

Jesus forever, our worship will ring,

Gracious Messiah, Merciful One…

Glory and honor, to Jesus, God’s Son;

Glory and honor, praise Jesus, God’s Son!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

 

Vivian May Edwards



I love trees because...

I have always delighted in trees for many reasons... 

Ever since I was just a wee little sprout growing up in Miami, Florida, the sights, scents, sounds and feel of breezy Palms by the ocean, intermixed with boats, seashells and pelicans have always had a way of healing and rejuvenating my inner being...  

God gently leads me beside quiet waters and it is He who so gloriously restores
my eternal soul!

This aged beauty reminds me of how my path of faith, and growth in my trust of God has not always been strewn with roses and dark chocolate covered squares. God has not always intervened in my life in such a wonderful way as to always lift me up and out of my stormy surroundings.

But, it is in this amazing life of ours that God is always present. He loves to interweave the golden threads of His love into each twist and turn of our struggles, sorrows and even in our common and everyday experiences.

 Change...

Autumn ushers in, amazing change filled with praise,

For God's lovely Works and bountiful ways!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

 

With branches lifted high, way up high towards the heavens, I am reminded everyday of how trees sing in united and consistent praise and celebration of God, the Great Creator and King!

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12

     I love how trees provide a much needed home and shelter for birds and all kinds of little fury critters. This reminds me of God's love and care for all His creatures.

     I love how trees provide shade and a fun place to play! I remember as a child, how I loved to climb trees. I took great pride in how high I could climb then swing off the lowest branch and back down to the ground just like a monkey. When I lived in Venezuela, I very often played Tarzan with my cousins as we swung from the thick vines in the jungle. One time though, I did fall, just missing a bunch of recently cut and very pointed tree trunks.

     I had alot of fun in trees when I was a kid! It is a wonder I am still alive...

Royal Palms...

Remind me of the beauty and stature of Jesus, my Heavenly Bridegroom and Savior. I love to think about Heaven and how eternal beauty and splendor will adorn my future royal home, where I will live forever with my King! 

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him. I Corinthians 2:9

These old Oaks remind me of wisdom. What events have they witnessed? If only they could talk... 

One of the purposes of our wounds and trials is not only to test our worthiness but also to increase it and to prepare us for or eternal work in God's Kingdom. Just as the mighty oak is tested by the storms as well as strengthened by them...

I could say so much more about the wonder of trees and the magnificence of the One who created them!

But this post is long enough I think. I would love to hear your thoughts though on this subject! I look forward to hearing from you!

Blessings, and I hope you are enjoying this beautiful Fall Season!

 Vivian May Edwards

Fruitful trees, and all cedars, fruit trees, palms, rain forest, forest and jungle trees, trees deciduous or evergreen, are equally full of benevolent design, and alike sub serve some purpose of love; therefore for all and by all let the great Designer be forever praised! Hugh Macmillan, 1867.

Beach fun photo challenge

I love the ocean!  So of course, this photo challenge was great fun for me as I enjoyed looking through all my beach photos from our recent family vacation in Florida.  My grandaughter as you can see, takes after her grandmum. She was in her element as she ventured, explored and thrilled with each discovery of creamy seashells, prickly crabs and foamy white powerful waves! 

I am always in awe at the creativity of my God and bask in His perfect design and greatness in allowing me to experience a bit of His idea of fun!  

His beautiful blue ocean...

Thus Far...

Faithful! Trustworthy, dependable and safe…

Thankful thoughts as I reflect on my life… As I remember the goodness and greatness of my Heavenly Daddy on this, the last day of 2009. My goodness, how I’ve needed Him this year to be these things for me and so much more, and He has in such awesome and powerful ways!

Have my broken things been fixed or replaced? Or have the unwanted, unexpected and craziness of frightful life storms in my life been done away with? All the while hoping and praying for answers, solutions and rescue? It would be so wonderful if I could answer yes and report that things have worked out and all is well with this fragile life of mine, but I can’t, not yet... But what I can say is this, “God has been faithful to me! He has loved me and cared for me like no other!”

Tonight, as I glance back at the puzzlement of the winding paths of my hidden life… The rocky overgrown passageways of my broken hopes and realities, I have a remarkable sense of peace in knowing that God, with joyful confidence has produced in me a childlike trust in Him. The sweetness of His mercy has never failed to create a song of grateful praise in me, deep down in my tender heart of hearts.

Thus Far…

As I look forward to 2010, I find myself spying a treasure chest filled with the jewels of a renewed sense of hope and joy. Scattered amongst them I also see the uneven and flawed gems of more uncertainties which come from character building and lessons still needing to be learned like: The LORD who “Thus Far” has helped me will continue to help me in my journey.

Hear my call weary traveler.

Hear echo’s resound through the night.

In the midst of your thundering tempest,

Sing praises to God with delight!

Vivian May Edwards

Thus far has the LORD helped us. I Samuel 7:12