Sabbath Restoration and Renewal

My Heavenly Father, my great and loving Lord Jesus, I come before you now having rested and thought and prayed today with you.  I do needed to be with and near to you.  Thank you my living God.

It is your Sabbath day, and I have spent time with you in silence and contemplative thought.  Please create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew your everlasting spirit within my soul. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. I ask that you please restore me. I ask you for the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing heart and spirit to accept and cherish your wonderful gifts. 

Isaiah 40:31

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Jesus is our hope. When we hope and have faith in Him, He renews our strength, our spirit and our hearts joy. Jesus,  I thank you for this quiet, peaceful and very calm day  I needed time with you today, and I am so grateful to be able to call out to you every moment knowing that you are right there and you hear me every moment of my life. 

…..and I now pray

My Father….

Who art in heaven  

hallowed be thy name,

thy kingdom come

Thy will be done, 

on earth, as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day,  our daily bread

And forgive us our trespasses 

As we forgive those who trespass against us, 

and lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil, 

for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, 

forever and ever, 

• Amen •

Pruning….your window of opportunity

Pruning all bushes between now , and by the end of the first week in October, is your window of opportunity. We have been trimming bushes the whole month of September.

When you prune, you are giving a signal to the bush….that it has permission now to grow new branches and leaves, and in the case of Rose bushes, they usually give you a full robust blooming phase in October and even into November and December.  If there is no early frost, Roses can bloom even into December. It’s kind of a last “hurrah” before winter arrives. Pruning “now” gives all your bushes the whole month of October to show you their stuff. Growing can be strong during October. And this new growth will be nourishment for your bushes to protect them from the real chill of winter.

Sooo…, get busy in the next couple weeks to prune and trim your bushes. They are waiting for you to relieve them of their older growth, left by summers heat.

Contessa says…. You have our permission to prune and if you feel afraid, just get in contact with us and we’ll do the job for you. We are most Happy to help. You will be thrilled with the results. We are certain.

•••••••••••••••
Below are Rose Stem cuts. 

And in the case of all other bushes, cut back at least six (6) inches, and make the “diagonal”’ cut right before the next branch with leaves intact

“Contessa” says…., it’s all good!

Lily of the Valley

The Lily of the Valley  flower is one of the most fragrant blooms you will find, but its value goes far beyond the tip of your nose!

In fact, this elegant bloom is frequently associated with traditional feminine values like chastity, motherhood, sweetness, and purity. These meanings aren’t anything new – in fact, this flower has quite the storied past. Another benefit, valley flowers grow really easily. 

Lily of the valley flowers are thought to bring luck in love but can also symbolize…… a return of happiness.

Christian traditions maintain that the flower is a symbol of humility and of the second coming of Christ. It is mentioned more than a dozen times in the Bible.

We find this tiny blossom to be so delicate and yet it blooms in the very early spring when temperatures are not conducive to the blooms of other flowers. In reality they are very hardy and pretty resilient to early spring chilly weather. The contrast of their dark curly pointed green leaves with the amazing white blooms is so breathtaking. We adore this lovely perennial flower. Once planted they will grow for years  and years…..just like love grows for years and years.

 

 

Creating a “Wake”

September 23

Matthew 5:1

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

On a flight along the Gulf Coast, I looked out the window and saw something amazing. Even if I couldn’t see the boats on the gulf, I could tell their size by the wake I saw behind them. Small boat, small wake. Big tanker, wide and long wake. Did you know that in 2019, according to the Pew Research Center, more than 2.5 billion people in the world professed to be Christians. It is staggering to think about the wake of Christianity. Since the birth of Christ, the influence, the power, the impact He has made upon the lives of countless men and women, boys and girls. Christianity is defined by what God did in history – Who Jesus is, and what Jesus did. And the whole Bible is the story of God at work in the lives of men and women, equipping them so they will leave a “wake” that testifies to their commitment to Him. Prayer Dear Father God…may we all create a “”wake” and make a difference. Certainly with you in our lives we have a chance. With you alone in our hearts and our spirits we can make a difference. I pray that the little things I may do as a witness to others would be blessed by your heavenly lord light in me.  My dearest Lord, I ask that you help me to let my light so truly shine.  Amen.

Tomorrow feeling like fall …. High 68 degrees

It will feel like fall tomorrow. But a glorious sunny day with a high of 68. We know many of you will be out and taking great walks. It’s just going to be a cool….but perfect day. 

We wish  everyone…. a wonderful “first of fall day.”

magic…….

….. ending day sky. I think about 20 minutes to darkness. So breathtaking. 7:25 pm.  It’s a frame capturing sun, cloudy air, high humidity and the bluish sky fading. Today had it all. Sun, rain, clouds and blue sky.  Once it decides…. it fades quickly. Thinking about my day. My “Reflection” in a photo. Amazing…..

 

A Child of God

Aug 9

Deuteronomy 32:4

“His work is perfect; for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice; righteous and upright is He.” –

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

A little girl climbed into her daddy’s lap and asked him to build her a dollhouse. Much to her delight, he promised to do so. Distracted by his business, the father forgot about his promise. One evening he entered his daughter’s room and saw all her dolls and doll furniture packed in boxes. When he questioned her about it, she simply said she was packed for the upcoming move into her new dollhouse. Although he had not even begun to build it, she knew he would do it because he had promised. His word was good enough for her and her confidence in her father never wavered. Our confidence in God should be like that little girl’s. Our God is faithful and just, and He keeps His promises. So make time today to thank God for His perfect work, His just ways, and His faithfulness. Prayer My Lord and Savior…..my hope is in you. Your promises exceed my every hope. I thank you for everything you have given me and all that you provide. As your child I open my heart to accept your gifts and your fruitful blessings upon me. As my living and faithful Father you keep your promises and I am so grateful. Thank you for your constant faithfulness to me.  Amen

Reflections from Contessa

My mind can trip me up. But my soul is right on “the mark” when I’m in my gardens. My garden time is my happy time and place. I loose myself in hard work with the weeds and the soil and the creatures and plant life.  It’s healing and your heart justo knows it’s where you belong. Oh what would I do without my gardening moments. They capture my thoughts, my imagination and my awesome wonder. How could I be me……without my time in the gardens. I am one grateful and very blessed woman. My happy place is my heart and my soul in the gardens I serve.

Thank you my Lord. Oh thank you….. so very much!!

Trust and Obey

Trust and Obey

There is no other way

To be happy in Jesus

But to Trust and Obey 

Amen…..

The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit…..

                …….A M E N……