The Lion and the Red Bird. You have to see this!

The Lion and the Red Bird...together at last.

Hello, everyone.  It's been such a long time since I've been able to write and I'm itchin' to get back to it.  I thought I'd give you a treat right off the bat just for taking time to blog with me.

Last summer my husband and I went to the Jacksonville Zoo and I was determined to see a Lion.  They are the most gorgeous creatures (well, except for horses - I'm torn) and I've been dying to see one.  We love to visits zoos and I swear to you that every time we go the Lion is hiding for the day or the habitat is closed for renovation.  But, this time I was not leaving until I saw me a Lion.

So, we get to his lovely habitat and what is he doing?  SLEEPING!  Just laying there snoring like I had not driven for miles to see him.  So!  I grabbed my camera, zoomed in close as I could and held it there till he moved. I willed him to move! Which, he did not.  I told my husband to just grab a seat 'cause I wasn't leaving until that lion looked at me.  He is awesome and had every intention of waiting it out with me so that was no problem.  I literally stood there - camera ready - for what seemed like forever and then I started praying: "Please God make him wake up.  Please make him look at me. Please, please just one look.  I've waited so long to finally see a lion."  Honey, I was shameless in my plea.   And, no sooner had I said my final "please" did that lion lift his gorgeous head and look straight at me!! I kid you not.  I 'bout fell out.  It was awesome and my camera started snappin'.  Then, as if that wasn't enough this gorgeous red bird flew in out of nowhere and landed right in front of him.  Now, THAT is fearless.

My Mom and I have a special little relationship with the Red Bird.  She says that when she sees one she just "knows it mean's somethin'".  And over the past few years of caring for her during chemo therapy the red bird has been our constant companion.  So, when that little beauty flew into the picture I was done!!  God is so.... Glorious. Stupendous. Remarkable. Precious. What a moment!  I started saying "thank you, God" and still haven't quit. LOL  See, that's one of the things I love most about Jesus.  He just plain likes to show off for us.  He does good work, don't ya think.  Two beautiful creatures side by side and one blond crazy woman squealing like a girl at the site of them.  Ahh, that's good stuff.

I can't imagine what it will be like in heaven when "the Lion lays down with the Lamb" like the Bible says.  I'm gonna run my hands all THRU that mane.  Makes me giddy just thinkin' about it.

I hope the Lion and the Red Bird make you smile as they did me. They truly are special, don't ya think?

Thanks so much for letting me share. 
Penny

If Jesus is my "portion", why am I still eating!?!

"My food . . . is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." ~John 4:34

These bold words of Jesus come to my mind when I'm tempted again to use FOOD to do what only HE can do:  Comfort me.  Encourage me. Strengthen me. Delight me. FILL ME.  The list goes on and on.  

And yet, I keep eating.  Psalm 16 says "HE is my food and drink, my highest joy!"  If He truly is, then why does it sometimes seem as if  FOOD is in fact, my "highest joy." It's not, it's really not.  But, I sure do love it! 

Growing up in the South (home of everything fried, casseroled, baked and buttered) does NOT  make it easy for a girl to turn away from good food.  My Mama never had to tell me to clean my plate.  I did that all by myself. LOL  My Grandma loved to feed me because I got so much joy out of it, and my Grandpa called my "Puny" 'cause I was anything but.  There was nothing puny about my appetite.  Still isn't!

And yet, I still keep asking myself: If Jesus is my portion - my food & drink - then WHY AM I STILL EATING?!   We're pondering this question together, Jesus and me, and I know He won't quit on me until I get it.  Food is GOOD!  Using it to do for me what only He can do is NOT GOOD.  It's not good because I rob myself of the best buffet ever: joy, peace, comfort, excitement, adventure, wisdom, love. And I rob my God of the joy of filling me with all of those delicious "fruits of His Spirit" that will empower me and prepare me for the abundant life He wants to give me. 

Too much food usually makes me feel sick and I just wanna lay down!   But, being filled with His delicious spiritual fruit makes me wanna bust out dancing and singing. I wanna get out there and do something!  The Bible says "Don't be drunk on wine, be filled instead with the Holy Spirit".  That pretty much sums it up.  Trust me, I've tried the wine and it didn't measure up either. But, being filled with the beautiful,sweet Spirit of Jesus?  Well, that never fails.

If you have the same beautiful...and not so much...relationship with FOOD, I hope this hits the spot.  It's a day by day thing, right.  Today, I'm determined I will NOT use food to do for me what only Jesus can do.  When I'm tempted to grab that second portion, I pray He'll remind me that "He is my portion, my food and my drink, and I'll stop eating and rest in Him.  And, day by day I'll get a little lighter in his lap. LOL

Please share with your fellow foodies who might could use some perspective.  I hope this will encourage them as it has me this mornin'.

Have a great day and "thanks" for listening.

Penny

Penny & Bruce Celebrate 32 Years of Marriage TODAY. You heard me! 32 Years!!

Bruce just recorded one of my favorite songs for an upcoming project and I wanted you to hear it!  The song?  NEVER WILL I MARRY!  The lesson? NEVER SAY NEVER!!

We made this MUSIC VIDEO with our WEDDING PHOTOS to mark the moment so please take a LISTEN and celebrate with us.  It's oh so vintage and and Bruce sounds AMAZING as always.

Feel free to share with your FB friends who love great music...and 80s wedding attire. LOL

Enjoy!!

Just Between Us Magazine: God's Secondary Calling

Wonderful article with much to ponder.  My prayer these days is "Lord, please don't let me waste another minute of time or energy on ANYTHING that is not MINE to do.  I want to do the work YOU want to do in this world through me."  And, then....I listen!   Ahhh, I hope this will inspire you too and give you much to ponder.

Have a great day!!!
Penny

Just Between Us Magazine: God's Secondary Calling: Dear Friends, The primary call of God in our lives is our relationship with Him.  But there is also a secondary call ...

This grateful AVON Lady has a mighty good.....

....MAN!  I was sick a few weeks ago and pretty much in bed for a week. Turns out it was a very busy week.  I had 3 Totes to make, an AVON Fundraiser order & my regular AVON order to separate, packaged and deliver.  

While I was layed up with fever he opened all my boxes, sorted all of the product into categories and had it ready for me.  Delightful.

This saved my life because I don't think I could have gotten it all done without his help.  He is generous and helpful, and oh, so good at organizing.  I will never sort my AVON the same way again. LOL

Thanks to my Hubby I got my Totes made, my AVON sorted and delivered and made it to church for Easter service. (coughing and sniffin' but I was there!)  And, I did absolutely nothing to deserve it.  But, I am so blessed and thankful for his help and just wanted to share with ya'll.  

Have a wonderful week.  Talk to you soon.

Penny

Does "I can do ALL things..." include my Laundry?

While pondering my To-Do list this morning - while brushing my teeth -  it hit me:  Does "I can do ALL things thru Christ who strengthens me" include the laundry???

Sometimes it just feels like there aren't enough hours in the day, doesn't it?  But, I'm blessed beyond what I can express here to have wonderful work to do that I love, and that actually does include the laundry.

While many other things on my list are way more fun than laundry, I determined that God  does indeed strengthen me for it because that TOO is an act of worship in that is serves my family and takes care of what He's given us.  I confess I love to iron and find it very satisfying. My husband thinks that's just plain weird. LOL  But, being a "fabric" girl it makes sense don't ya think? 

Whatever your "laundry" is today I pray God will strengthen you for the task and bring a smile to your face while you're doin' it.  If He was willing even to wash my feet, I guess the very least I can do is a little laundry.

So, guess I answered my own question.    Have a great day, everyone.  Thanks for listening to my wandering thoughts.

Take care out there.
Penny

He’s Got Your Back

Wonderful - and timely - blogpost from Beth Moore.  I sure needed it this morning and thought you guys might could use it too.

Have a great day knowing you are not along, God hears your prayers and He's GOT YOUR BACK!

He’s Got Your Back