MY MOM AND THE RED UMBRELLA

PHOTO CREDITS
SHTICKS FIGURES CREDITS

Today is one such day that I would cherish.  Veronica of TheSticks.com, sent me another picture which I would like to link to my post RAIN RAIN RAIN.

Soon the rain would be coming, as the season is a little awry these days.   It is summer and yet it rains in the early mornings or at night.

I love the rain, not only because of my pleasant memories during my tender age, as the one I told in the post above, but because it is more welcome than the heat we experience during our summers.  It used not to be when I was younger.  We had to walk to school and back to our homes, but I did not remember intense heat like we have now.

I heard in the news that up north, pets are getting sick and some are dying because of the dry and humid temperature.  We are warned not to expose ourselves outside at midday until 3:00 P. M.  We might suffer from heat stroke or skin cancer.  It's advisable to carry drinking water all the time.

We are praying for our land.  Farmers need water for the crops.  Farm animals are in need of the blessing God has in store up where He has gathered them.  God, please open up the floodgates, but just enough to revive the land.  I do believe and hang on to your oath which you wrote with a band of lively colors across the sky when drizzles are reflected by sunlight.  You are reminded that never gain shall You flood the earth with water, like in Noah's time.

For the picture:  My heartfelt gratitude to Veronica.  She just institutionalized my Mom with the Big Red Umbrella.  The post has touched her profoundly and I owe it to God, for the voice He gave me, to tell the story.

The picture portrays the story of how I run to my mom, that stormy afternoon, when she fetched me from school with her big umbrella.

My mom is now Mother Shticks and I, Lolita Sticks.  That's two generation of Shticks.

My Father in heaven, blessings are overflowing, even right here in blogospace.  Thank you and may you continue to bless the circle, with more members, wisdom, humor and friendship.  All glory and honor belongs to You alone.

Note:  Following is Veronica's comment on the post RAIN RAIN RAIN,
March 15, 201.

Veronica Shticks said...

Lolita, I was very touched by the part where your mother comes and picks you up with her bigger umbrella. I want to be like your Mom and have my little girls remember all the times I was there for them. this is a very sweet post with cozy imagery--at least for me who also associate rain with wonderful happy things. The pictures are beautiful and the storytelling is heartwarming! 
- - - - - -

Veronica, you just don't know how blessed I am to read of your reply about my mom and how you want to give your two daughters a lot of moments to remember that they would keep in their hearts.  I pray that God will give that to you for that is a very pleasing desire.

Thank you too that it has touched your life and that you are constantly reminded about how to nurture your own daughters.  My mother is highly honored.

HELLO MAMA SHTICKS!

MELLOWED WITH WISDOM

PHOTO SOURCE

How I wish our church worship area to be located on the ground level.  I am in awe at those senior members who could still smile even though young people run up and down the stairs, passing them while they struggle, with their slow and difficult assent up every Sunday, to attend worship service.  And yet, we feel so anxious about the pain they have to carry, while climbing up those mighty steps.

After the service, again they would go down those steps, slowly, laboriously, down one step after the other hanging on the rails.

What we could offer them, while in this situation, is just to slowly go up behind them, preventing error in step.  On going down, we have to be ahead and let them go down slowly, in their own pace.

Presently our church is having a fund raising campaign to hasten up our Lot and Building Fund to reach the necessary amount for us to purchase a property that would hold our growing membership.  I am especially praying for this to be reached earlier because the new location is a walking distance to my office.  This would mean I could come visit whenever I like during the day, or to attend activities easily.

Another motive I am praying over this is what I have mentioned above.  We could then worship on ground level.  We have a handful of these senior members who are insistent in coming to church, pain and all.  Once we acquire the property we are laying claim for,  our church service vehicles could pick our elderly from their homes and then they could just amble along slowly to the worship area without fear of mishaps, and to give them easy access.

While I am deep in thoughts regarding this matter, I was brought to the realization that one day I will be like them too.  Right at this point of my life, I have existing pains.  What would it be like to be in their age?

Still, I'd hang on to the Lord, if He allows me to grow well into my sunset..... lower down the horizon,  towards the dark ....., with great hope to be like our elders, edging onwards, leaning upon Him.

Then I have better take time to better meet those days ahead.

I have searched for a website that would give me informations and some ideas as to what to do regarding problems of aches and joint pains.

Here it is, together with a few pictures of easy exercises, to maintain flexibility.  Well I would be trying them, but I could not promise I will stick to them religiously.  I always slip in these areas.  Pain would be bothering too.

PHOTO SOURCE

I usually use the lowest step of our stairs to do an up and down routine just until it tires me.  But then again, not regularly.

This is the site.

FROM THE SAME SITE

I'd rather be doing this in front of the TV or reading a book.

Our joints need time to relax and avoid further damage.  The lovable pet dog is an added novelty.  He would warm our ankle joints perfectly and with TLC.

Or you may choose to go a little techie and join our blogging circle, a company of encouraging members, happy to listen (read) about your pains, pray for each other and send us to sunnier days.

Anyway, as of this writing, my right knee and thigh up to my pelvis and mid hips, is giving a slow musical rhythm of pain.  They are tolerable, just like a little hot chili thing, yet it could gravitate into the night or during the climb upstairs.

Our summer here in the Philippines is so hot, it reaches to 35 degrees Celcius.  But today, at dawn it rained.  A little colder, enough to give me a little signal.  My Texan Gal would say her butt-ro-meter tells her that it is gonna rain today.

Anyway, here are a few collection of verses, about the Mellow Age:

Leviticus 19:32
“Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.” (NIV)


Proverbs 16:31
“The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,
If it is found in the way of righteousness.” (NKJV)


1 Timothy 5:1-2 “Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.” (ESV)


 Psalm 92:12-14
“The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,
He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Those who are planted in the house of the LORD
Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
They shall still bear fruit in old age;
They shall be fresh and flourishing. ” (NKJV)


Proverbs 20:29
“The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.” (NIV)


Ecclesiastes 12:1-3
“Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, ‘Life is not pleasant anymore.’ Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly.” (NLT)

You, my Lord, will be our strength, in the days when we are weaker, older and slower.  And you will grant us wisdom and grace born of the knowledge of you.  Amen. 

A TASTE OF DEATH

..fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

~Hebrews 12:2~

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!

~Philippians 2:8~

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

~Hebrews 2:9~

~~~~~~

 A song to come with the foregoing verses:

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS
By:  Hel­en Lem­mel
Sung by John Starnes 

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!

Refrain

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Refrain

~~~~~~

I opt to write only a few questions for I am in awe at the verses I have posted above.  I just want to Honor the author and perfecter of our Faith, by being silent, inwardly and outwardly.  I sat with God this morning and He has led me to Hebrews 12:2.

There are just these questions I would like to list down.  Feel free to share your insights regarding these questions I have dwelt on.

• How much love has He that He tasted death for everyone?

 

•  What wonder brings us to our knees?

• Do we understand what compassion there was which made Himself sin for the pardon of the sinful?

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (II Cor 5:21)

• Who am I that He endured the cross, and despised shame, to offer me life?

• Do you know of an earthly King who has offered his life for the sake of his subjects?  

 

In conclusion, let us meditate on this over our own grief and affliction:


"For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men."

                                          ~~~~Lamentations 3:31-33 (NIV)~~~~ 

 

ROYAL DIADEM

DIANE'S LOGO

DEEP CALLS UNTO THE DEEP

 Devotions:

The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.

                                 ~Psalm 45:13~

Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: 

                                         ~Psalm 45:9a~

This is a symbol for royalty, a diadem/a crown.  It signifies kingship,  a kingdom ruler.

WIKIPEDIA

  
English: Diadem. Gold. Greek, probably made in Alexandria, Egypt, 220 - 100 B.C. The piece probably belonged to a noble woman of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt. The clasp is shaped as a protective Herakles knot



  

If I am a King's daughter, I am a princess and all rights of being one is due me.  But with it, comes duties and responsibilities to keep up with the stature.  The question, then, would be, am I fit to be one, not by virtue of my inheritance and bloodline, but by my actions and character?


Psalm 43:13, means to me, that being a King's daughter, I would be all glorious within.  My clothing is embroidered with gold.  This is a picture of the marriage between Christ, the head of His Church, as the Bridegroom,  and the Bride, His Church, chosen, pure and Holy, sanctified....... therefore, all glorious in the chamber (heaven).

LOGO SOURCE

To apply this knowledge into my life here on earth, and in order for me to be worthy of this calling (a member of the Bride/Church/Body), I have these points to consider:

1.  I must be sure, I have professed/vowed to be a Bride-meaning I am sure of my salavation.  I am a gentile, my bloodline is not a direct one, but by adoption.  I became a child of God, through Jesus' death on the cross and by His resurrection, I was redeemed and purchased, my sins which blocked me entry to heaven, washed away spotless. 

2.  I shall continue to abide in God, to cleave - securely cling to the Vine, by my daily life-inhalation with the purifying words in the scripture, and exhale in prayers everything necessary, like confessions and petitions as well as my Praises and Thanksgiving towards God.

3.  Daily life of devotion, being quiet outwardly and inwardly, in meditation of His words, His speaks to me His instructions, guidance and wisdom .

4.  Think about others, their welfare and love them as I love myself.  Encourage one another in prayer and in words-to edify them and to help each other towards the day when Christ Jesus comes back for us.

Of course, our outer self, our shortcomings, our sins are not important to God.  What is important is how we live all this things up, how we dealt with our sins through confessions, how we have forgiven other who have sinned against us ....in short how we traveled this life here on earth. 


The beauty should come from within.


Note:  It is known that Earthly Princes and Princesses are born and are trained, in all finesse, for the position and duties they would, one day, be occupying.

How would we then be prepared for our position in the Kingdom of Heaven as prince and princesses?

Related Verse:

"You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God."

                                                                                  ~Isaiah 62:3~

Lord, may I be worthy to adorn your court when that day comes.  Help me while here in my sojourn, as an alien on this earth.  Apart from your guidance and will, Oh God, I am nothing.  May I be a vessel for your honor and glory.

BEAUTY AND DESIGN

PHOTO SOURCE

This is a link to :Illustra Media a home for exquisite documentaries, from which I found a beautiful presentation of the delicate stages of a butterflies' METAMORPHOSIS - a video of butterfly magic, coming out from a dot of an egg into a Caterpillar, next getting ready to die (inside the chrysalis), then you will see the division of cells-to the pupa and then transform into the thing of beauty and design.


Lovely quotes/review, I got from the Illustra Media introductory article:

"Metamorphosis is an unforgettable documentary filled with the joys of discovery and wonder."

"How did these extraordinary creatures come into being? Are they the products of a blind, undirected process? Or were they designed by an intelligent cause?"

" From an egg the size of a pinhead to a magnificent flying insect. It is a transformation so incredible biologists have called it "butterfly magic."

In the video clip, one will read this line:

Within the chrysalis, "death is the pathway to life." 

MY REACTION:  

A butterflie's miraculous transformation is a beautiful analogy of our life being Christians....... we need to die in order to live.  That is the reason why Jesus came to earth, became flesh, suffered, died, buried and then resurrected..... in order to give us life, an abundant life....... and the promise of an inheritance in Heaven.  

Jesus emerged from the tomb, transformed into His heavenly incorruptible body, giving way to our own passage from death to life.  I have a hope for resurrection too.

      To Diane:

     I wish to give you the credits, and my gratitude, for thou hast ushered me into the Deep.  I promised to myself that as soon as I got a longer time to spend, I would heed His calls unto the Deep, with your gentle guidance.  Thank you for giving time to develop those wonderful Life Lessons-devotional.

      Thank you also for the symbol you are using which is why I have linked to Metamorphosis.  The beauty and wonder of the transformation and the stages the butterfly undergoes is so meaningful to our Christian existence, our walk with Jesus and our own transformation as we submit ourselves to the Maker's hands daily.  Then shall we emerge into "the thing of beauty"  God has designed us to be.

THE VIDEO CLIP:
 

       “What an achievement — artistically,  scientifically, musically, inspirationally! The film is a stunning and convincing case for intelligent design.” 

                            

         David F. Coppedge
          Author & Lecturer




VIDEO SOURCE


Diane's Quote:

"The butterfly was chosen as a symbol of the metamorphic transformation that God does in us as we renew our minds with The Word of God."

My journal will proceed from this day onwards, in Christ's Jesus, my Master's Name and by His continuous blessings.