No More A Secret

                 The Greatest Gift! "And she will bring forth a Son and you shall call his name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins” 1 and “they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated “God with us.” 2  The greatest gift of unending love 3 … unending peace 4 …  unending forgiveness 5 ... unending relationship. 6   The gift that defies gender 7 ~ age 8 ~ culture 9 . This gift is offered to you, and to me! Father, thank you for your great gift. I accept it without hesitation.                     In Jesus name,                                  Amen!               ...

In a recent online article entitled Holiday Depression, Dr. Richard Boyum states “We generally think of the holidays as a joyous, happy period. The period of time between Thanksgiving and New Year's is a time in American culture for much celebration.  People come together to eat, sing, share gifts, and enjoy the camaraderie of each other’s presence. But there is an increasing body of knowledge that says that the holidays are a period of time that is, for many, stressful at the least and for others, downright depressing.” 1 He then goes on to list information that may contribute to this depression, and suggestions to help keep the holidays happy. This holiday season, when I too am inclined to become stressed or depressed, I will remind myself : Of the Holiday Hope found in the Holy Scriptures ~ “from the ends of the earth I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed, 2 … for you have rescued my soul from death, my eyes from tears and my feet from stumblin...

During my recent walk through my favorite park, I observed this American Coot, and my heart filled with another prayer from the Psalms: Heavenly Father, Today, lead me beside still waters 1 ,   guide me with your eye 2   and set my feet on the Rock 3 In Jesus name, Amen! 1. Psalm 23:2; 2. Psalm 32:8 ; 3. Psalm 40:2 Photos: Mt. Trashmore Park Previously posted 2/13/2012

to create such splendor in the heavens tells only of Your indescribable  and eternal greatness!   "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” Psalm 19:1 Photo taken February 2, 2012 – North Military Highway Previously posted 02/14/2012

Heavenly Father, for being available to heal  the brokenness after the pain of: divorce death  depression discouragement disappointment ~ I never for one moment  thought  I would survive but with Your help I did Thank You Father, Thank You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Photo: Northern Shoveler Taken at: Mount Trashmore Park, Virgini a Beach, Va.    

Heavenly Father may your voice be the only voice I hear recognize respond to and follow in Jesus’ name amen. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me   – John 10:27 Photo: Sunset, Virginia Beach, Va. 10/07/2015

AVAILABLE:   joy 1     peace 2   comfort 3 forgiveness 4   strength 5     hope 6  love 7    REQUIREMENT:       Ask 8         Believe! 9 1. Psalms 16:11; 2. John 14:27; 3. Isaiah 61:2; 4. Psalms 103:3; 5. Psalms 86:5; 6. Psalms 29:11 7. John 3:16; 8. Matthew 7:9; 9. Mark 11:24 Photos: SouthernMagnolia Bloom, Mimosa bloom ~ Norfolk Botanical Garden Previously posted 08/14/2014

As my friend Patti and I walked through the Garden recently, I captured this Great White Egret  displaying its exotic beauty and I breathed a prayer: Heavenly Father, for family, friends, birds, feet that walk, and eyes that see beauty, I am grateful !  Photo: Great White Egret Taken at: Norfolk  Botanical Garden Previously posted 6/19/14

Twenty six years ago, my heart raced between the walls of my chest as I heard the dreaded word from my physician … cancer. Today, after the mercy and healing power of  the Great Healer, prayer, the support of family and friends,  an amazing medical team, and a complete lifestyle change with the help and guidance of my expert nutritional team Alvira and Shirley ( now deceased ), I am grateful for the gift of life. I no longer have the luxury of my once favorite strawberry cheesecake, pina colada slurpees, or ice cold colas on a hot summer day, but I think life is a better exchange. You may have lost a family member or a friend through cancer, I join you in honoring their memory. You may know someone now battling the dreaded disease. I join you in praying for their recovery. You may be a survivor. I celebrate with you. Will you join me in celebrating?   LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered--how fleeting my life is...

Over a three week span, I captured this Heaven Scent Magnolia preparing for Spring.                                                                 I was amazed by its unfolding beauty and by Words from the Creator ~ “Consider how the flowers grow. They never work nor spin yarn for clothes. But I say that not even Solomon in all his majesty was dressed like one of these flowers 1 .” 1. Luke 12:27 GWT Photo: Heaven Scent Magnolia ~ Norfolk Botanical Garden Previously posted 4/5/2011

These Japonica Camellias  commanded my attention this week, and I enjoyed every moment spent admiring the intricate beauty    of each flower ...                                                   I hope you do too! “The glass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” ~ Isaiah 40:8 (NLT) “T he grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of the Lord remains forever.” ~ 1 Peter 1:24b-25a (NLT) Photos:  Hoffheimer Camellia Garden ~ Norfolk Botanical Garden Previously posted 3/5/2011

W e are:             F earfully and wonderfully made. 1 T he apple of God’s eye. 2           P recious and honored in His sight. 3                L oved with an everlasting love . 4           C hosen before the creation of the world. 5                C reated in His image . 6           E ngraved on the palms of His hands. 7     This defies human comprehension! Psalm 139:14; Zechariah 2:8; Isaiah 43:4; Jeremiah 31:3; Ephesians 1:4; Genesis 1:27; Isaiah 49:16 Photos: Black-Crowned Night Heron/ Saturday Sunset-Norfolk Botanical Garden Previously posted 1/16/2011

I have been taking extra time recently to be aware of the beauty of nature around me. Somehow, each evening, the sunsets seem more and more amazing. This photo was just another demonstration, and as I watched the day slip silently into night, I reflected on the words of the Apostle Paul “do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. 1 ” Immediately ;my heart breathed this prayer: Father, help me to replace anger with kindness, compassion, and patience, with myself, and with others,                      Amen! 1. Ephesians 4:26 Photo: Mt. Trashmore Park, Virginia Beach, Va . Previously posted 11/8/10                     

According to National Geographic, the Great Blue Heron “snare their aquatic prey by … “standing still for long periods of time and waiting for fish to come within range of their long necks and blade-like bills.” One of the definitions of the word ‘still’ from Roget’s 11, The New Thesaurus is: "motionless and undisturbed." As I watched this Heron waiting for, and expecting food, I compared my waiting skills ~ in traffic … my physician’s office … my favorite department store … for answers to prayer ~ You guessed it, they did not measure up! I am still learning to wait  in a “motionless and undisturbed” fashion, how about you? “ I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry.” ~ Psalms 40:1 (AMP)  Photos: Norfolk Botanical Garden Previously posted 10/19/2010

I  have found that a good way to understand Scripture verses more deeply, is  to read various translations of the Bible, and also, to look up definitions of certain words found in the verse. This week, the word "cast" in Psalms 55:22 caught my attention. One of the definitions of the word in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible, is ~ “to hurl”. Searching further in the Primary Dictionary Series: Dictionary 4, the word “hurl” is defined ~ “to throw something violently”. Based on these  d efinitions, my understanding of the verse would read like this:  “throw your cares violently on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never  let the righteous fall.”       I have a few cares I can do that with, do you?                                                             ...

During spring, there are so many variations of floral beauty all around us. As I viewed these beautiful flowers today, I was reminded of the verses from the Holy Scriptures: “Walk out into the fields and look at the wild flowers … have you ever seen color and design quite like it? If God gives such attention to the appearance of wild flowers ~ most of which are never even seen ~ don”t you think He’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do His best for you?” Matthew 6:29-30 (MSG) Father, may we always remember how special and beautiful we are to you,                  In Jesus name,                        Amen! Photos: Saucer Magnolia, Formosa Azalea  Taken at : Norfolk Botanical Garden Previously posted (4/10/2010)

       A Mother’s Prayer                                              Heavenly  Father, I thank you that: my children shall be taught of you, and great shall be their peace. 1  You will  pour out your spirit, and your blessing upon them. 2  They shall be mighty upon the earth. 3  You have released angels to protect them in all their ways. 4  They are free from sickness and disease. 5  You have filled them with your wisdom, your knowledge, and your understanding.  6  You love and will care for the beautiful children that you have given me. 7   I declare, that my children will know you as the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.  8  Thank you for hearing my prayer. 9                   ...

     The Greatest Love! I have set my love upon you . 1 My L ove for you passes knowledge . 2 I think of you O ften . 3 You are of V alue to me . 4 You are the apple of my E ye . 5 Will Y ou be mine ? 6 Will you accept My O ffer ? 7 I will love you U nconditionally 8 ... forever ! 9                               ~    Jesus 1. Psalms 91:14; 2. Ephesians 3:19; 3. Psalms 139:17-18 4. Luke 12:7b; 5. Zechariah 2:8b 6. Isaiah 43:1 7. John 3:16; 8. Romans 8:38-39; 9. Jeremiah 31:3  Previously posted 2/13/2010

Said the Robin to the Sparrow “I should really like to know Why these anxious human beings Rush around and worry so?” Said the Sparrow to the Robin “Friend I think that it must be That they have no Heavenly Father Such as cares for you and me.” 1 Growing up, my mom reminded me of this conversation often. Now, my Heavenly Father reminds me of it often. This Canada Goose seems to need no reminder. It seems he has grasped it. Heavenly Father, I think it's time that I fully grasp it too!  “Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.” ~ 1 Peter 5:7 (LAB) 1. Overheard In An Orchard – Elizabeth Cheney Photo - Canada Goose - Mt. Trashmore Park , Virginia Beach, Va . Previously posted 7/17/2010