This song has always been a huge encouragement to me…
iCartoon
One of the coolest cartoons ever.
According to Student News Daily, the point of the cartoon is that “if you buy every new product that comes out you’ll go broke.” I totally agree. There are so many more important things to be doing than coveting and drooling over all the new gadgets out there!
A Servant of Christ,
Michelle
Meet Jamocha
It’s Jamocha’s turn! I’ll get to the other 2 babies soon… we still have to name them! As soon as we do, I’ll post. 
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In the last picture, did you notice that Jamoch really has visible lips? It’s so cute and Lady L and I just love them! But we told Mama that we promise we’ll never say that about any other boy’s lips… until we’re married, maybe. 
Jamocha is a crazy little boy, and is very “clingy”. When we put him down on the floor to explore, and we sit down as well, he hops over and jumps back in our lap! Sometimes, after a little while, he’ll get down again and look around. But once something spooks him, like a noise or movement, he’s back again. Who knew rabbits could have such unique personalities and eccentricities?
In Christ Alone,
Michelle
David Blessed The Lord
I am so sorry that this is late today! It is currently 10:37 on Sunday evening here, so I know most of you probably won’t see this until tomorrow, but I really wanted to keep this up! I came across this as I was looking for verses for a study, and I was awed at this passage… this wonderful prayer of David that is realtively unknown, since most people don’t go looking in 1 Chronicles when they want to read something like this! May God bless your day!
10 Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.
11 Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.
12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.
15 For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.
16 O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own.
17 I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.
18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:
19 And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision.
~ 1 Chronicles 29:10-19~
Humbly in Christ,
Michelle
My Prayer Today
From here on out, I plan on posting something encouraging each Sunday. Either a poem, Bible passage, prayer, a song, etc. May the Lord bless you through these things that have blessed me.
Following is a prayer from The Valley of Vision – A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Poems:
Humbly in Christ,
Michelle
Meet Smudge
I know it has been a long time since I have posted any bunny pictures or updates, but I am here now to remedy that situation! I tried to set up a little “studio” area to take pictures, but it didn’t turn out so well, so just enjoy looking at the cute bunnies and try not to notice my lack of skill!
In general news, the babies have been separated from their mama Mocha now, and we have determined their gender.
Smudge is a boy. Let’s meet him:
Yes, he is very fluffy. And what you see in the above picture is his naturally wild and woolly look. We actually wonder how well he can see because the fur covers his eyes.
His "groomed" look
From the front!
The last one…
Amanda calls it his "Guinea Pig" look... poor Smudge!
Smudge is so named for the grayish patch of fur perfectly placed on his nose! He is the cuddliest of all the rabbits, and doesn’t even shed as much as the others. He is so sweet, and we love his hysterical looks!
Oh! I must leave you with just one more picture!
Humbly in Christ,
Michelle
And It is Now… 2010!
Happy New Year!!!
A New Years Wish
May you always have:
Enough happiness to keep you pleasant…
Enough trials to challenge you…
Enough sorrow to make you compassionate.
Enough success to urge you on…
Enough failure to maintain your humility…
Enough health to keep you smiling…
Enough friends to share life with…
Enough wealth to meet your needs…
Enough faith to sustain you…
Enough work for your hands and mind…
Enough love to fill every corner of your heart.
~Author Unknown
A New Year
We stand at the gate of another new year,
The pathway ahead is untrod,
We know not the manner or course it will take,
We hold to the hand of our God!
Each moment, each day, and each month, and each year
Are blessings from heaven above;
In faith we can meet with the future unknown.
Serene and secure in His love.
The pathway may lead to the mountain’s high top
Where the air is so clear and so sweet;
Red roses and laurel are blossoming there,
And joy is so full and complete.
When riches increase and when plenty abounds,
From care and from trial set free,
Be careful, for fear you forget your great God,
The Giver of gifts unto thee!
The pathway may lead through the valley so deep,
Through sorrow and sadness and pain.
There may be affliction and grief and distress;
Our future we can’t ascertain.
The rocks will be sharp as they pierce in our feet,
And rough and so rugged the sod.
But ever look upward beyond the dark clouds;
Hold fast to the hand of your God!
We thank You, dear God, for another new year.
We face opportunities new
To live and to love and to toil and to serve,
Our fellowmen’s good kept in view.
We are ready to follow wherever He leads,
On mountain or deep in the vale;
We’re ready to place our frail hands into His,
His power will always prevail!
~ Pauline Ressler
May you have happy and blessed new year!
Behold, Thy Handmaid
I can’t believe Christmas is only 1 week and 5 days away! We have been so busy getting all the supplies we need to make each others gifts, that I’m worried we won’t have enough time to actually complete them! It’s rather ironic to my way of thinking. But that’s not what I’m here to post about.
As we were doing our advent reading on Thursday, I was impressed by, and understood a little better Mary’s words to Gabriel:
“Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:38
I always knew that Mary’s words were ones of acceptance and obedience to God’s will, but what strength of character and complete trust it must take to say, in essence, “whatever the Lord desires of me, I am here to do it.” Everyone has some level of control-freakishness (to use a term I’m not fond of, but can’t find an alternative for), and I myself have this urge to get involved in everything! So I understand how difficult it can be to let another take charge, especially when it directly affects me.
We all need to learn from Mary’s obedience. We all need to be able to say, “Behold, here I am, Thy will be done.” One thing I have learned recently, is that to embrace God’s will, and to find peace in giving up your own will, you have to be quiet in your spirit. An inner calmness really makes self-surrender a joy. And I think Mary had calmness and quietness in abundance. I believe that is the “secret”.
However, it hasn’t been easy to find a calm amid the storm of doubts and worry that the Enemy of my soul has placed in my way. But in turning to God and and His Words, I have found the answer and I am so happy to know that He is always with me.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Psalm 42:11
When He giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?
Job 34:29
But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Proverbs 1:33
And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Isaiah 32:17
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Psalm 119:165
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Isaiah 26:3
Peace because of Jesus:
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 11:29
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
I am always calmed just by reading the Bible, and today I especially needed these verses. I am so thankful that God impressed it upon my heart to write this post, and find the verses this morning, because we had a discussion about Storm, our dog’s, health this afternoon, and it was rather depressing, but I was comforted by these verses that were so fresh in my mind.
May God bless you and keep you in all peace. Remember what God says about our cares – it’s the only way to live at peace.
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:7
Humbly Seeking Christ,
Michelle
*sigh* Lovely October!
I am absolutely in love with the month of October! I always feel so thankful to God and refreshed during October, plus it’s my birth month, so I might be a little biased on that account. In it we find the peak of leaf season, the very epitome of autumn, and that lovely clean and bright blue sky with unique cloud structures floating across it! And to think that God designed it all for His glory and our enjoyment… I suppose that is why I am so filled with thankfulness and praise during this time of year, despite the many troubles of life. Oh, that I could extend it for another 30 days! And how glorious would it be if we could celebrate Thanksgiving amidst it?!?! But no, October is vanishing before our eyes and in just a few short days it will be totally and completely gone… never to be seen again for another whole year.
Excuse my unashamed plug for the best and most glorious month of the year, and enjoy this poem, a much more eloquent series of thoughts on October.
October’s Bright Blue Weather
O suns and skies and clouds of June,
And flowers of June together,
Ye cannot rival for one hour
October’s bright blue weather.
When loud the bumblebee makes haste,
Belated, thriftless vagrant,
And goldenrod is dying fast,
And lanes with grapes are fragrant;
When gentians roll their fringes tight,
To save them for the morning,
And chestnuts fall from satin burrs
Without a sound of warning;
When on the ground red apples lie
In piles like jewels shining,
And redder still on old stone walls
Are leaves of woodbine twining;
When all the lovely wayside things
Their white-winged seeds are sowing,
And in the fields, still green and fair,
Late aftermaths are growing;
When springs run low, and on the brooks,
In idle golden freighting,
Bright leaves sing noiseless in the hush
Of woods, for winter waiting;
When comrades seek sweet country haunts,
By twos and twos together,
And count like misers, hour by hour,
October’s bright blue weather.
O suns and skies and flowers of June,
Count all your boasts together,
Love loveth best of all the year
October’s bright blue weather.
~Helen Hunt Jackson
Waiting in my Father’s will,
Michelle
Look out for the…SPLASH…wave
We went to the shore a few weeks ago (Sunday, October 11th) and had a great time! Here are some pictures:
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No, I’m not dancing!!!!!
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I was feeding the gulls……bad idea. Mom didn’t like being surrounded!!!
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Yeah……that wave was a little too high.
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Here are some portraits:
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A beautiful end to a beautiful day that our heavenly Father has made.
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Growing in my Father’s love,
